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Different Roles (different + role)
Kinds of Different Roles Selected AbstractsConcerning the Different Roles of Cations in Metallic Zintl Phases: Ba7Ga4Sb9 as a Test CaseCHEMINFORM, Issue 46 2006Pere Alemany Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] Different roles of natural and sexual selection on senescence of plumage colour in the barn swallowFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Ismael Galván Summary 1Colour may show effects of senescence because the pigment or structures involved in production of colouration deteriorate with age. 2We tested this hypothesis by investigating age-related changes in plumage colour for two feather tracts coloured by eumelanin or pheomelanin in a longitudinal study of a cohort of barn swallows Hirundo rustica that reached very old age (at least 5 years). 3The level of melanization of the throat increased with age in both sexes, but particularly in females. In contrast, the black colour of the plumage of the back was unrelated to age in both sexes. 4These age-dependent patterns of colouration of different feather tracts of male and female barn swallows suggest that effects of senescence are trait-specific depending on their importance in sexual signalling. The red throat colour based on pheomelanin is involved in sexual selection, with a strong effect in males, but not in females. In contrast, the black colour of the back based on eumelanin is unrelated to sexual selection, but is under natural selection due to intense abrasion of this feather tract. 5These findings suggest that the relative importance of natural and sexual selection are important determinants of the pattern and rate of senescence of colour. [source] Different roles of proteolipids and 70-kDa subunits of V-ATPase in growth and death of cultured human cellsGENES TO CELLS, Issue 6 2003Hong Zhan Background: The vacuolar-type proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) plays important roles in cell growth and tumour progression. V-ATPase is composed of two distinct structures, a hydrophilic catalytic cytosolic sector (V1) and a hydrophobic transmembrane sector (V0). The V1 sector is composed of 5,8 different subunits with the structure A3B3C1D1E1F1G1H1. The V0 sector is composed of 5 different subunits with the structure 1161381191166. The over-expression of 16-kDa proteolipid subunit of V-ATPase in the perinuclear region of the human adventitial fibroblasts promotes phenotypic modulation that contributes to neointimal formation and medial thickening. A relationship between oncogenicity and the expression of the 16-kDa proteolipid has also been suggested in human pancreatic carcinoma tissue. Results: We found that the mRNA levels of the 16-kDa proteolipid but not of the 70-kDa subunit of V-ATPase in human myofibroblasts were more abundant in serum-containing medium (MF(+) cells) than serum-free medium (MF(,) cells). In HeLa cells, the levels of mRNA and protein of the 16-kDa, 21-kDa or 70-kDa were clearly suppressed when the corresponding anti-sense oligonucleotides were administered to the culture medium. The growth rate and viability (mostly due to necrosis) of HeLa cells were reduced markedly by the 16-kDa and 21-kDa anti-sense, but little by the 70-kDa anti-sense, and not at all by any sense oligonucleotides. The localization of 16-kDa/21-kDa proteolipid subunits was different from that of the 70-kDa subunit in HeLa cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the 16-kDa and 21-kDa proteolipid subunits of the V0 sector play crucial roles in growth and death of cultured human cells. Our results may provide new insights into the mechanism and therapeutic implications for vessel wall hyperplasia and tumorigenesis. [source] Differential expression of the two distinct replication protein A subunits from Cryptosporidium parvumJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2008Stanley Dean Rider Jr. Abstract Apicomplexan parasites differ from their host by possessing at least two distinct types (long and short) of replication protein A large subunits (RPA1). Different roles for the long and short types of RPA1 proteins have been implied in early biochemical studies, but certain details remained to be elucidated. In the present study, we have found that the Cryptosporidium parvum short-type RPA1 (CpRPA1A) was highly expressed at S-phase in parasites during the early stage of merogony (a cell multiplication process unique to this group of parasites), but otherwise present in the cytosol at a much lower level in other cell-cycle stages. This observation indicates that CpRPA1A is probably responsible for the general DNA replication of the parasite. On the other hand, the long-type CpRPA1B protein was present in a much lower level in the early life cycle stages, but elevated at later stages involved in sexual development, indicating that CpRPA1B may play a role in DNA recombination. Additionally, CpRPA1B could be up-regulated by UV exposure, indicating that this long-type RPA1 is probably involved in DNA repair. Collectively, our data implies that the two RPA1 proteins in C. parvum are performing different roles during DNA replication, repair and recombination in this parasite. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 2207,2216, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Different roles for anti,cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and CD4+CD28null cells in the acceleration of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: Comment on the article by Farragher et alARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 2 2009Roberto Gerli MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Different roles of ,1 -adrenoceptor subtypes in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis in neonatal ratsCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2004Yongzhen Zhang Summary 1.,Three different ,1 -adrenoceptor subtypes, designated ,1A, ,1B and ,1D, have been cloned and identified pharmacologically in cardiomyocytes. In vitro studies have suggested that ,1 -adrenoceptors play an important role in facilitating cardiac hypertrophy. However, it remains controversial as to which subtype of ,1 -adrenoceptors is involved in this response. In the present study, we investigated the different role of each ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis, which is a most important characteristic of cardiac hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. 2.,Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was monitored by the following characteristic phenotypic changes: (i) an increase in protein synthesis; (ii) an increase in total protein content; and (iii) an increase in cardiomyocyte size. 3.,The role of each ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis was investigated by the effect of specific ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype-selective antagonists on noradrenaline-induced [3H]-leucine incorporation. In addition, pKB values for ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype-selective antagonists were calculated and compared with the corresponding pKi values to further identify their effects. 4.,Activation of ,1 -adrenoceptors by phenylephrine or noradrenaline in the presence of propranolol significantly increased [3H]-leucine incorporation, protein content and cell size. 5.,Pre-incubating cardiomyocytes with 5-methyl-urapidil, RS 17053 or WB 4101 significantly inhibited noradrenaline-induced [3H]-leucine incorporation. However, there was no effect when cardiomyocytes were pre-incubated with BMY 7378. The correlation coefficients between pKB values for ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype-selective antagonists and pKi values obtained from cloned ,1A -, ,1B - or ,1D -adrenoceptors were 0.92 (P < 0.01), 0.66 (P > 0.05) and 0.24 (P > 0.05), respectively. 6.,Our results suggest that the ,1 -adrenoceptor is dominantly responsible for adrenergic hypertrophy of cultured cardiomyocytes in neonatal rats. The efficiency in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis is ,1A > ,1B , ,1D. [source] Different roles of host and bacterial factors in Escherichia coli extra-intestinal infectionsCLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 4 2009M.-C. Wang Abstract Many host and bacterial factors contribute to the development of different Escherichia coli extra-intestinal infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of host and bacterial factors in different extra-intestinal E. coli infections. A total of 221 E. coli isolates collected from urine, bile and peritoneal fluid were included in this retrospective study. Four main phylogenetic groups of E. coli, 14 genetic determinants, static biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance data were assessed, as well as the immunological status of the hosts. Group B2 was the most common phylogenetic group (30%), especially in cases of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU), urinary tract infection (UTI), acute appendicitis/gastrointestinal perforation, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), and was associated with elevated prevalence of papG III, fimH, sfa, iha, hlyA, cnf1, ompT and usp. Phylogenetic group A was most common in the isolates from asymptomatic bacteriocholia, biliary tract infection, and peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. There was similarity with respect to both phylogenetic groups and virulence factors in strains from faeces and ABU, and in strains from faeces and SBP/PD-related peritonitis. Host characteristics were important in patients with ABU, UTI, and SBP/PD-related peritonitis. Immunocompetence of hosts was associated with a relatively high prevalence of papG II, afa and iha, and relatively low antimicrobial resistance to fluoroquinolones. This study demonstrates that, in most E. coli extra-intestinal infections, phylogenetic group B2 was predominant and was more virulent than the three other phylogenetic groups in the Taiwanese population studied. The diverse patterns of host and bacterial factors demonstrate that there were different host and bacterial factors dominating in different extra-intestinal E. coli infections. [source] cDNA cloning and characterization of a novel calmodulin-like protein from pearl oyster Pinctada fucataFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 19 2005Shuo Li Calcium metabolism in oysters is a very complicated and highly controlled physiological and biochemical process. However, the regulation of calcium metabolism in oyster is poorly understood. Our previous study showed that calmodulin (CaM) seemed to play a regulatory role in the process of oyster calcium metabolism. In this study, a full-length cDNA encoding a novel calmodulin-like protein (CaLP) with a long C-terminal sequence was identified from pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized in vitro. The oyster CaLP mRNA was expressed in all tissues tested, with the highest levels in the mantle that is a key organ involved in calcium secretion. In situ hybridization analysis reveals that CaLP mRNA is expressed strongly in the outer and inner epithelial cells of the inner fold, the outer epithelial cells of the middle fold, and the dorsal region of the mantle. The oyster CaLP protein, with four putative Ca2+ -binding domains, is highly heat-stable and has a potentially high affinity for calcium. CaLP also displays typical Ca2+ -dependent electrophoretic shift, Ca2+ -binding activity and significant Ca2+ -induced conformational changes. Ca2+ -dependent affinity chromatography analysis demonstrated that oyster CaLP was able to interact with some different target proteins from those of oyster CaM in the mantle and the gill. In summary, our results have demonstrated that the oyster CaLP is a novel member of the CaM superfamily, and suggest that the oyster CaLP protein might play a different role from CaM in the regulation of oyster calcium metabolism. [source] Modeling the three-dimensional structure of H+ -ATPase of Neurospora crassaFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 21 2002Proposal for a proton pathway from the analysis of internal cavities Homology modeling in combination with transmembrane topology predictions are used to build the atomic model of Neurospora crassa plasma membrane H+ -ATPase, using as template the 2.6 Ĺ crystal structure of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase [Toyoshima, C., Nakasako, M., Nomura, H. & Ogawa, H. (2000) Nature 405, 647,655]. Comparison of the two calcium-binding sites in the crystal structure of Ca2+ -ATPase with the equivalent region in the H+ -ATPase model shows that the latter is devoid of most of the negatively charged groups required to bind the cations, suggesting a different role for this region. Using the built model, a pathway for proton transport is then proposed from computed locations of internal polar cavities, large enough to contain at least one water molecule. As a control, the same approach is applied to the high-resolution crystal structure of halorhodopsin and the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. This revealed a striking correspondence between the positions of internal polar cavities, those of crystallographic water molecules and, in the case of bacteriorhodopsin, the residues mediating proton translocation. In our H+ -ATPase model, most of these cavities are in contact with residues previously shown to affect coupling of proton translocation to ATP hydrolysis. A string of six polar cavities identified in the cytoplasmic domain, the most accurate part of the model, suggests a proton entry path starting close to the phosphorylation site. Strikingly, members of the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily, which are close structural homologs of this domain but do not share the same function, display only one polar cavity in the vicinity of the conserved catalytic Asp residue. [source] Apis mellifera ultraspiracle: cDNA sequence and rapid up-regulation by juvenile hormoneINSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004A. R. Barchuk Abstract Two hormones, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and juvenile hormone (JH) are key regulators of insect development including the differentiation of the alternative caste phenotypes of social insects. In addition, JH plays a different role in adult honey bees, acting as a ,behavioural pacemaker'. The functional receptor for 20E is a heterodimer consisting of the ecdysone receptor and ultraspiracle (USP) whereas the identity of the JH receptor remains unknown. We have cloned and sequenced a cDNA encoding Apis mellifera ultraspiracle (AMUSP) and examined its responses to JH. A rapid, but transient up-regulation of the AMUSP messenger is observed in the fat bodies of both queens and workers. AMusp appears to be a single copy gene that produces two transcripts (,4 and ,5 kb) that are differentially expressed in the animal's body. The predicted AMUSP protein shows greater sequence similarity to its orthologues from the vertebrate,crab,tick,locust group than to the dipteran,lepidopteran group. These characteristics and the rapid up-regulation by JH suggest that some of the USP functions in the honey bee may depend on ligand binding. [source] The disintegrin-metalloproteinases ADAM 10, 12 and 17 are upregulated in invading peripheral tumor cells of basal cell carcinomasJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Shin Taek Oh Background:, Members of the a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family are expressed in malignant tumors and participate in the pathogenesis of cancer. However, the presence of ADAM 10, 12, 17 and their role in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) have not been described. The purpose of this study was to investigate expression of ADAM 10, 12 and 17 in BCC. Methods:, Expression of ADAM 10, 12 and 17 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in skin tissues obtained from 25 patients with different types of BCC. Results:, Immunoreactivity of ADAM 10, 12 and 17 was increased at the peripheral tumor margin compared with central areas of BCC tumor cell nests. Immunoreactivity of ADAM 10 and 12 was increased in the deep margin of invading tumor cell nests in mixed BCC. Focally increased expression of ADAM 12 was detected in squamous differentiated tumor cells of nodular BCC. In addition, immunoreactivity of ADAM 17 was increased in superficial BCC. Conclusions:, ADAM 10, 12 and 17 showed different expression pattern in BCC histologic subtypes, indicating their different role in the BCC pathogenesis. Overexpression of ADAM 10, 12 and 17 immunoreactivity in deep invasion area of BCC indicates that these three proteases may play an important role in the locally invasive and highly destructive growth behavior of BCC. Additionally, we suggest that ADAM 17 may play an important role in early development of BCC. [source] An update on the mechanisms of the psychostimulant effects of caffeineJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2008Sergi Ferré Abstract There has been a long debate about the predominant involvement of the different adenosine receptor subtypes and the preferential role of pre- versus post-synaptic mechanisms in the psychostimulant effects of the adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine. Both striatal A1 and A2A receptors are involved in the motor-activating and probably reinforcing effects of caffeine, although they play a different role under conditions of acute or chronic caffeine administration. The present review emphasizes the key integrative role of adenosine and adenosine receptor heteromers in the computation of information at the level of the striatal spine module (SSM). This local module is mostly represented by the dendritic spine of the medium spiny neuron with its glutamatergic and dopaminergic synapses and astroglial processes that wrap the glutamatergic synapse. In the SSM, adenosine acts both pre- and post-synaptically through multiple mechanisms, which depend on heteromerization of A1 and A2A receptors among themselves and with D1 and D2 receptors, respectively. A critical aspect of the mechanisms of the psychostimulant effects of caffeine is its ability to release the pre- and post-synaptic brakes that adenosine imposes on dopaminergic neurotransmission by acting on different adenosine receptor heteromers localized in different elements of the SSM. [source] The homeobox HOXB13 is expressed in human minor salivary glandORAL DISEASES, Issue 4 2006C Cazal Background:, Homeobox are a family of developmental genes involved in morphogenesis and cellular differentiation. Participation of homeobox within normal and malignant tissue has been recently discussed in the literature. Objective:, To analyze the presence of HOXB13 transcript expression in human minor salivary gland. Material and methods:, Ten-micrometer sections from frozen samples were evaluated employing non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique and HOXB13 mRNA probes. Results:, HOXB13 was found to be expressed in ducts and mucous acini but not in serous acini. Conclusions:, Results suggest that HOXB13 transcripts are differently expressed in normal mucous and serous acini, and it may possibly reflect a different role in salivary gland carcinogenesis. [source] Identification of the human salivary cystatin complex by the coupling of high-performance liquid chromatography and ion-trap mass spectrometryPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 4 2003Alessandro Lupi Abstract Human salivary cystatins, five major (S, S1, S2, SA, SN) and two minor (C and D), are multifunctional proteins playing a different role in the oral environment. Salivary cystatin SN is able to effectively inhibit lysosomal cathepsins B, C, H and L and cystatin SA inhibits cathepsins C and L in vitro. These activities suggest, particularly for cystatin SN, an important role in the control of proteolytic events in vivo. Differently, cystatins S are involved, together with statherin, in the mineral balance of the tooth. Due to their distinct role, a reliable method for identification and quantification of the different cystatins, as well as of possible truncated and derived forms, could be helpful for the assessment of the status of the oral cavity. To this purpose high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI MS) was applied to the analysis of human saliva obtained from healthy subjects. All known salivary cystatins, with the exception of cystatin C, were detected. Strong evidence was also obtained for the presence in saliva of post-translational modified isoforms of cystatins, which may be related to donor habits. Cystatin SN and cystatins S, S1 and S2 were well separated by HPLC-ESI MS coupling from other components and thus this approach can be successfully applied to their quantification. [source] FICTIONAL FORM AND SYMPHONIC STRUCTURE: AN ESSAY IN COMPARATIVE AESTHETICSRATIO, Issue 4 2009Peter Kivy It is agreed on all hands that both fictional narratives and the familiar genres of classical music possess an inner structure that both can be perceived and be appreciated aesthetically. It is my argument here that this inner structure plays a crucially different role in fictional narrative than it does in classical music, confining myself here to ,absolute music' (which is to say, pure instrumental music without text, programme, dramatic setting, or other ,extra-musical' content). The argument, basically, is that whereas the sophisticated listener to the absolute music repertory is keenly, consciously aware of the inner structure, the sophisticated reader of fictional narrative, the principal exemplar being the novel, is not so aware. Therefore, whereas musical structure directly contributes to aesthetic satisfaction, narrative structure contributes only indirectly (which is not to deny that, at times, the reader is consciously aware of narrative structure, and that, at such times, it does contribute directly to aesthetic satisfaction). [source] Expression of androgen receptor coactivators in normal and cancer prostate tissues and cultured cell linesTHE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2003C. Mestayer Abstract BACKGROUND In prostate cancer cell lines, androgen receptor (AR) coactivators modulate the transcriptional activity of AR. However, very little is known about their expression in normal prostate tissue and during progression to cancer. METHODS AR and coactivators ARA54, ARA55, ARA70, and SRC1 RNA were analyzed by RT-PCR in normal and tumoral tissues of the same prostate, in prostate cell lines, and after hormonal treatments of prostate epithelial cells. RESULTS AR-coactivators were expressed in normal and tumoral tissues and in cultured prostate cells; only ARA55 expression was decreased in tumoral relative to normal tissue of all seven prostates analyzed. It was not expressed in LNCaP and DU145 cancer cells and low in PNT2 immortalized cells in which all coactivator's expression were down regulated by DHT and up regulated by E2. In addition, coactivator's expression was increased in hyperplastic relative to normal prostate fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS ARA55 is both an AR coactivator and a focal adhesion protein (Hic-5). Its role in the progression of prostate carcinoma may therefore involve these two different functions. Its decrease in cancer tissue suggests that it plays a different role than that expected, namely, facilitate cell proliferation and therefore mobility and metastasis. Prostate 56: 192,200, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dynamical budgets of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current using ocean general-circulation modelsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 607 2005A. Grezio Abstract Three general-circulation models (FRAM, OCCAM and POP) are used to investigate the dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) at the latitudes of the Drake Passage where the ACC is unbounded. In these general circulation models, bottom form stress balances the wind stress in the momentum budgets. In the vorticity budgets, the main balance is between wind curl and bottom pressure torque in FRAM, OCCAM and POP. Moreover, in the ACC belt all topographic features are regions of nonlinearity and bottom pressure torque variations, with the Drake Passage playing the largest role. Transient eddy Reynolds stresses (TERSs) play a different role in the three models. In the upper levels, TERSs accelerate the flow in the POP and FRAM models, but decelerate the flow in OCCAM. The behaviour of TERSs change throughout the whole water column in the ACC belt and Reynolds stresses have a dragging effect on the flow below the levels where the topography starts to obstruct the flow. The total volume transport in three models is very different. Additionally, the different spatial resolution, which results in a different level of eddy kinetic energy, has a significant influence on the transport. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Factors associated with return-to-work and health outcomes among survivors of road crashes in VictoriaAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2 2010Michael Fitzharris Abstract Objective: To explore the relationships between injury, disability, work role and return-to-work outcomes following admission to hospital as a consequence of injury sustained in a road crash. Design and setting: Prospective cohort study of patients admitted to an adult trauma centre and two metropolitan teaching hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Participants were interviewed in hospital, 2.5 and eight months post-discharge. Participants: Participants were 60 employed and healthy adults aged 18 to 59 years admitted to hospital in the period February 2004 to March 2005. Results: Despite differences in health between the lower extremity fracture and non-fracture groups eight months post-crash the proportions having returned to work was approximately 90%. Of those returning to work, 44% did so in a different role. After adjustment for baseline parameters, lower extremity injuries were associated with a slower rate of return to work (HR: 0.31; 95%CI: 0.16,0.58) as was holding a manual occupation (HR: 0.16; 95%CI: 0.09,0.57). There were marked differences in physical health between and within the injury groups at both follow-up periods. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that both injury type and severity and the nature of ones occupation have a considerable influence on the rate and pattern of return to work following injury. Further, persisting disability has a direct influence on the likelihood of returning to work. The implications of these findings and the types of data required to measure outcome post-injury are discussed. [source] 2266: Role of VEGF-isoforms in pathological choroidal angiogenesisACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010S VAN DE VEIRE Purpose The aim of this project is to study the specific role of the VEGF-isoforms in pathological angiogenesis, and to investigate the effect of blocking a single isoform on the formation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods Endothelial and fibroblast cell cultures were made; VEGF 12, 164 or 189 was added to study their effects. VEGF-isoform specific mice (VEGF 120/+, VEGF 164/164 and VEGF188/188 mice) , as well as double transgenic mice (VEGF 120/164, VEGF 164/188 and VEGF120/188 mice) are used to study the role of VEGF-isoforms in pathological angiogenesis. At first, these VEGF-isoform specific mice were backcrossed to a C75Bl/6 background. CNV was induced by placing 3 laser spots at the 9, 12 and 3 o'clock position (100µm spot size, 0.05 s spot duration and 400mW power). Quantification of the area of newly formed blood vessels was determined by retrobulbar dextran linked FITC perfusion. Results Preliminary data in endothelial cell and fibroblast cultures in vitro show that the VEGF121 and VEGF165 isoforms significantly the amount of angiogenesis, whereas the VEGF121 and VEGF189 isoforms play a role in fibrosis. In vivo, the same effects were checked on a fluorescent CD31 and Vimentin immunostaining of the choroids. An inhibition in neovascularization was present in all 3 isoform specific mice, but the effects were comparable. For the moment, mice colonies are being enlarged to repeat experiments and subsequently, these mice are intercrossed to obtain double transgenic mice. Conclusion This study will shed new light on the different role and the inhibition of the VEGF-isoforms in CNV formation during AMD. Thus, our project may open new perspectives for the treatment of various retinopathies that are known to be associated with VEGF upregulation. [source] Mannose binding lectin and C3 act as recognition molecules for infectious agents in the vaginaCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2005V. Pellis Summary In our study we examined the early complement components in patients with bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and in healthy controls. The levels of C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and C3 were measured by ELISA in the cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) from gynaecological patients and controls. No significant differences were observed in the levels of these proteins in the three study groups. Immunofluorescence analysis of the clue cells and Candida hyphae from BV and VVC patients for surface-bound complement components showed the presence of C3, while C1q was undetectable. MBL was revealed on clue cells but not on Candida. Binding of MBL to Candida, grown or cytocentrifuged from the CVL of VVC patients, was found to be pH dependent and occurred between pH 4·5 and pH 5·5. In conclusion, we demonstrated that MBL and C3 present in the vaginal cavity act as recognition molecules for infectious agents that colonize the cervicovaginal mucosa. Our finding that MBL, but not C1q, binds to bacteria and fungi in vagina suggests that the lectin and classical pathways of complement activation may play a different role in immune defence in the female genital tract. [source] Different roles of ,1 -adrenoceptor subtypes in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis in neonatal ratsCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2004Yongzhen Zhang Summary 1.,Three different ,1 -adrenoceptor subtypes, designated ,1A, ,1B and ,1D, have been cloned and identified pharmacologically in cardiomyocytes. In vitro studies have suggested that ,1 -adrenoceptors play an important role in facilitating cardiac hypertrophy. However, it remains controversial as to which subtype of ,1 -adrenoceptors is involved in this response. In the present study, we investigated the different role of each ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis, which is a most important characteristic of cardiac hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. 2.,Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was monitored by the following characteristic phenotypic changes: (i) an increase in protein synthesis; (ii) an increase in total protein content; and (iii) an increase in cardiomyocyte size. 3.,The role of each ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis was investigated by the effect of specific ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype-selective antagonists on noradrenaline-induced [3H]-leucine incorporation. In addition, pKB values for ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype-selective antagonists were calculated and compared with the corresponding pKi values to further identify their effects. 4.,Activation of ,1 -adrenoceptors by phenylephrine or noradrenaline in the presence of propranolol significantly increased [3H]-leucine incorporation, protein content and cell size. 5.,Pre-incubating cardiomyocytes with 5-methyl-urapidil, RS 17053 or WB 4101 significantly inhibited noradrenaline-induced [3H]-leucine incorporation. However, there was no effect when cardiomyocytes were pre-incubated with BMY 7378. The correlation coefficients between pKB values for ,1 -adrenoceptor subtype-selective antagonists and pKi values obtained from cloned ,1A -, ,1B - or ,1D -adrenoceptors were 0.92 (P < 0.01), 0.66 (P > 0.05) and 0.24 (P > 0.05), respectively. 6.,Our results suggest that the ,1 -adrenoceptor is dominantly responsible for adrenergic hypertrophy of cultured cardiomyocytes in neonatal rats. The efficiency in mediating cardiomyocyte protein synthesis is ,1A > ,1B , ,1D. [source] Talin2 is induced during striated muscle differentiation and is targeted to stable adhesion complexes in mature muscleCYTOSKELETON, Issue 3 2007Melissa A. Senetar Abstract The cytoskeletal protein talin serves as an essential link between integrins and the actin cytoskeleton in several similar, but functionally distinct, adhesion complexes, including focal adhesions, costameres, and intercalated disks. Vertebrates contain two talin genes, TLN1 and TLN2, but the different roles of Talin1 and Talin2 in cell adhesion are unclear. In this report we have analyzed Talin1 and Talin2 in striated muscle. Using isoform-specific antibodies, we found that Talin2 is highly expressed in mature striated muscle. Using mouse C2C12 cells and primary human skeletal muscle myoblasts as models of muscle differentiation, we show that Talin1 is expressed in undifferentiated myoblasts and that Talin2 expression is upregulated during muscle differentiation at both the mRNA and protein levels. We have also identified regulatory sequences that may be responsible for the differential expression of Talin1 and Talin2. Using GFP-tagged Talin1 and Talin2 constructs, we found that GFP-Talin1 targets to focal adhesions while GFP-Talin2 targets to abnormally large adhesions in myoblasts. We also found that ectopic expression of Talin2 in myoblasts, which do not contain appreciable levels of Talin2, dysregulates the actin cytoskeleton. Finally we demonstrate that Talin2, but not Talin1, localizes to costameres and intercalated disks, which are stable adhesions required for the assembly of mature striated muscle. Our results suggest that Talin1 is the primary link between integrins and actin in dynamic focal adhesions in undifferentiated, motile cells, but that Talin2 may serve as the link between integrins and the sarcomeric cytoskeletonin stable adhesion complexes in mature striated muscle. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Expression of WASP and Scar1/WAVE1 actin-associated proteins is differentially modulated during differentiation of HL-60 cellsCYTOSKELETON, Issue 4 2003Sophie Launay Abstract The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is a disease associated with mutations in the WAS gene and characterised by developmental defects in haematopoietic cells such as myeloid cells. The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP)-family includes Scar1 and WASP, which are key regulators of actin reorganization in motile cells. To understand the roles of Scar1 and WASP in myeloid cells and their cytoskeletal control in haematopoietic tissues, we have explored their expression during differentiation of the promyeloid cell line HL-60. Undifferentiated HL-60 cells expressed Scar1 and WASP, and differentiation to neutrophils, induced by retinoic acid or non-retinoid agent treatments, led to a decrease in the level of expression of Scar1, whereas WASP expression was unaffected. Differentiation to monocytes/macrophages, induced by phorbol ester treatment, resulted in a decreased expression of both proteins in the adherent mature cells. Vitamin D3 treatment or cytochalasin D in combination with PMA treatment did not affect WASP expression suggesting that adhesion and cytoskeletal integrity were both essential to regulate WASP expression. Scar1 expression was regulated by differentiation, adhesion, and cytoskeletal integrity. Recently, WASP was found to colocalize with actin in the podosomes. In contrast, we show here that Scar1 did not localize with the podosomes in mature monocytes/macrophages. These observations show for the first time that modulation of Scar1 and WASP expression is a component of the differentiation program of myeloid precursors and indicate that WASP and Scar1 have different roles in mature myeloid cells. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 54:274,285, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Medaka Oct4 is expressed during early embryo development, and in primordial germ cells and adult gonadsDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2010Ana V. Sánchez-Sánchez Abstract Oct4 is a crucial transcription factor for controlling pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and the epiblast of mouse embryos. We have characterized the expression pattern of medaka (Oryzias latipes) Ol-Oct4 during embryonic development and in the adult gonads. Genomic analysis showed that Ol-Oct4 is the ortholog of zebrafish spg/pou2. However, their expression patterns are not the same, suggesting that Oct4 may play different roles in zebrafish and medaka. Using specific antibodies for the Ol-Oct4 protein, we showed that Ol-Oct4 is also expressed in primordial germ cells, in the spermatogonia (male germ stem cells), and during different stages of oocyte development. These results suggest that Ol-Oct4 plays a post-embryonic role in the maturing gonads and gametes. The Ol-Oct4 mRNA and protein expression patterns are similar to those of mammalian Oct4 and introduce medaka fish as a valid model for the functional and evolutionary study of pluripotency genes in vivo. Developmental Dynamics 239:672,679, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Expression profiles of the duplicated matrix metalloproteinase-9 genes suggest their different roles in apoptosis of larval intestinal epithelial cells during Xenopus laevis metamorphosisDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 8 2007Takashi Hasebe Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in development and/or pathogenesis through degrading extracellular matrix (ECM) components. We have previously shown that Xenopus MMP-9 gene is duplicated. To assess possible roles of MMP-9 and MMP-9TH in X. laevis intestinal remodeling, we here analyzed their expression profiles by in situ hybridization and show that their expression is transiently up-regulated during thyroid hormone-dependent metamorphosis. Of interest, MMP-9TH mRNA is strictly localized in the connective tissue and most highly expressed just beneath the larval epithelium that begins to undergo apoptosis. On the other hand, cells expressing MMP-9 mRNA become first detectable in the connective tissue and then, after the start of epithelial apoptosis, also in the larval epithelium. These results strongly suggest that MMP-9TH is responsible in the larval epithelial apoptosis through degrading ECM components in the basal lamina, whereas MMP-9 is involved in the removal of dying epithelial cells during amphibian intestinal remodeling. Developmental Dynamics 236:2338,2345, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Application of Nanoparticles in Electrochemical Sensors and BiosensorsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 4 2006Xiliang Luo Abstract The unique chemical and physical properties of nanoparticles make them extremely suitable for designing new and improved sensing devices, especially electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Many kinds of nanoparticles, such as metal, oxide and semiconductor nanoparticles have been used for constructing electrochemical sensors and biosensors, and these nanoparticles play different roles in different sensing systems. The important functions provided by nanoparticles include the immobilization of biomolecules, the catalysis of electrochemical reactions, the enhancement of electron transfer between electrode surfaces and proteins, labeling of biomolecules and even acting as reactant. This minireview addresses recent advances in nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors, and summarizes the main functions of nanoparticles in these sensor systems. [source] Differential effects of temporal pole resection with amygdalohippocampectomy versus selective amygdalohippocampectomy on material-specific memory in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsyEPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2008Christoph Helmstaedter Summary Purpose: In the surgical treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, there is converging evidence that individually tailored or selective approaches have a favorable cognitive outcome compared to standard resections. There is, however, also evidence that due to collateral damage, selective surgery can be less selective than suggested. As part of a prospective transregional research project the present study evaluated the outcome in memory and nonmemory functions, following two selective approaches: a combined temporal pole resection with amygdalohippocampectomy (TPR+) and transsylvian selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH). Methods: One year after surgery, cognitive outcomes of postoperatively seizure-free patients with mesial TLE and hippocampal sclerosis, who underwent either TPR+ (N = 35) or SAH (N = 62) in two German epilepsy centers (Bonn/Berlin), were compared. Results: Repeated measurement MANOVA and separate post hoc testing indicated a double dissociation of verbal/figural memory outcome as dependent on side and type of surgery. Verbal memory outcome was worse after left-sided operation, but especially for SAH, whereas figural memory outcome was worse after right-sided operation, preferentially for TPR+. Attention improved independent of side or type of surgery, and language functions showed some improvement after right-sided surgeries. Discussion: The results indicate a differential effect of left/right SAH versus TPR+ on material-specific memory insofar as transsylvian SAH appears to be favorable in right and TPR+ in left MTLE. The different outcomes are discussed in terms of a different surgical affection of the temporal pole and stem, and different roles of these structures for verbal and figural memory. [source] Distribution of SIBLING proteins in the organic and inorganic phases of rat dentin and boneEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2008Bingzhen Huang The SIBLING protein family is a group of non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) that includes dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteopontin (OPN). In the present study, we compared these four proteins in different phases of rat dentin and bone. First, we extracted NCPs in the unmineralized matrices and cellular compartments using guanidium-HCl (G1). Second, we extracted NCPs closely associated with hydroxyapatite using an EDTA solution (E). Last, we extracted the remaining NCPs again with guanidium-HCl (G2). Each fraction of Q-Sepharose ion-exchange chromatography was analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate,polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS,PAGE), Stains-All stain, and with western immunoblotting. In dentin, the NH2 -terminal fragment of DSPP and its proteoglycan form were primarily present in the G1 extract, whereas the COOH-terminal fragment of DSPP was present exclusively in the E extract. The processed NH2 -terminal fragment of DMP1 was present in G1 and E extracts, whereas the COOH-terminal fragment of DMP1 existed mainly in the E extract. Bone sialoprotein was present in all three extracts of dentin and bone, whereas OPN was present only in the G1 and E extracts of bone. The difference in the distribution of the SIBLING proteins between organic and inorganic phases supports the belief that these molecular species play different roles in dentinogenesis and osteogenesis. [source] MAKING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) LESS ALTERNATIVE: THE NEED FOR ADR AS BOTH A MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT AND A BAR EXAM TOPICFAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 4 2006Dori CohenArticle first published online: 11 SEP 200 Divorce proceedings have had a negative reputation due to their adversarial nature. Litigation in the family law field has exacerbated an already emotionally charged atmosphere. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has grown in importance over the past three decades and has helped to alleviate some of the animosity which accompanies divorce and child custody matters. Parents in particular are aided by the benefits of options such as mediation and collaborative divorce, obtaining increased control over their agreements in situations where the relationships will be continuous due to shared parenting responsibilities. However, much more could be done to increase the use of ADR in family law proceedings. Current family law practitioners could fill many roles, including mediator, advocate during mediation, collaborative negotiator, arbitrator, and counselor regarding which process to implement. Knowledge about these different roles, with their attendant skills and ethical issues, has become imperative. This Note will advocate for a mandatory continuing legal education requirement in ADR for matrimonial attorneys, as well as for the inclusion of ADR as a topic on state bar examinations. An increased knowledge of ADR will benefit divorcing parents and their children, ease an overcrowded court system, and lead to greater personal and professional satisfaction for the family law practitioner. [source] Simulation study of methemoglobin reduction in erythrocytesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007Differential contributions of two pathways to tolerance to oxidative stress Methemoglobin (metHb), an oxidized form of hemoglobin, is unable to bind and carry oxygen. Erythrocytes are continuously subjected to oxidative stress and nitrite exposure, which results in the spontaneous formation of metHb. To avoid the accumulation of metHb, reductive pathways mediated by cytochrome b5 or flavin, coupled with NADH-dependent or NADPH-dependent metHb reductases, respectively, keep the level of metHb in erythrocytes at less than 1% of the total hemoglobin under normal conditions. In this work, a mathematical model has been developed to quantitatively assess the relative contributions of the two major metHb-reducing pathways, taking into consideration the supply of NADH and NADPH from central energy metabolism. The results of the simulation experiments suggest that these pathways have different roles in the reduction of metHb; one has a high response rate to hemoglobin oxidation with a limited reducing flux, and the other has a low response rate with a high capacity flux. On the basis of the results of our model, under normal oxidative conditions, the NADPH-dependent system, the physiological role of which to date has been unclear, is predicted to be responsible for most of the reduction of metHb. In contrast, the cytochrome b5,NADH pathway becomes dominant under conditions of excess metHb accumulation, only after the capacity of the flavin,NADPH pathway has reached its limit. We discuss the potential implications of a system designed with two metHb-reducing pathways in human erythrocytes. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||