bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aqueous silicate complexes in wheat, Triticum aestivum L.
Authors: CASEY W. H. , KINRADE S. D. , KNIGHT C. T. G. , RAINS D. W. , EPSTEIN E.
Published: December 2004

The chemical speciation of silicon in xylem exudate from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was examined by 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Wheat plants were grown to maturity in silicon‐free nutrient medium, and then transferred to a solution containing 0.02 mm29Si‐enriched silicic acid. After 30 min the shoots were excised and xylem exudate was collected. Within 10 min the Si concentration of the xylem exudate reached values greatly in excess of that of the starting nutrient solution, eventually reaching levels as high as 8 mm. Silicon‐29 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra indicated the existence of only two Si‐containing species in the xylem exudate, mono and disilicic acid (H4SiO4o and (HO)3Si(µ‐O)Si(OH)3o) in a ratio of approximately 7 : 1. Significantly, there was no evidence of organosilicate complexes. Nevertheless, the efficiency by which the plant concentrates aqueous silicon indicates active mechanisms of silicon transport across root cell membranes.
Unusual stomatal behaviour on partial root excision in wheat seedlings
Authors: VYSOTSKAYA L. B. , KUDOYAROVA G. R. , VESELOV S. , JONES H. G.
Published: December 2004

The excision of four out of five primary roots of wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) seedlings often leads to an enhanced rate of transpiration. Surprisingly this enhancement could be maintained for several hours after root excision and was particularly likely to occur at low irradiances or high atmospheric humidity. This long‐term enhancement could not be explained in terms of conventional hydropassive stomatal effects. Elevated rates of transpiration were associated with and possibly caused by increased cytokinin concentrations in shoots of plants with partially excised roots. The single root remaining after excision was able to maintain an adequate water uptake for the continued enhanced transpiration, after only a short transient reduction in leaf water content. The enhanced capacity for water uptake by the remaining root was confirmed by measuring the water flow from detached roots at negative hydrostatic pressure. Even without additional suction, flow from the reduced root system increased about 1.5 h after the start of treatment, suggesting an increase in membrane permeability for water. Although abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations in the roots increased after the root excision treatment, there was no evidence for any enhanced concentration in the xylem sap. The possible role that this accumulation of ABA in roots may have in the apparent increase in hydraulic conductivity after root excision is discussed.
High hexokinase activity in tomato fruit perturbs carbon and energy metabolism and reduces fruit and seed size
Authors: MENU T. , SAGLIO P. , GRANOT D. , DAI N. , RAYMOND P. , RICARD B.
Published: December 2004

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var MP‐1) plants overexpressing Arabidopsis hexokinase 1 (AtHXK1) exhibited high hexokinase (HXK) activity in correlation with drastic phenotypic modifications in fruit. Transgenic fruit and seeds were reduced in size. Reduction in fruit size was due to decreased cell expansion, which could not be corrected by perfusion with sucrose (Suc). Neither could wild type (WT) fruit and seed size be obtained by grafting of transgenic flowers onto WT shoots. Starch and hexose contents were lower but organic and amino acids were higher in transgenic fruit. Lower respiratory rates measured in vitro accompanied by even lower ATP levels and ATP/ADP ratios indicated metabolic perturbations that may explain, in part, reduced fruit and seed size.
Overexpression of a lily PIP1 gene in tobacco increased the osmotic water permeability of leaf cells
Authors: DING X. , IWASAKI I. , KITAGAWA Y.
Published: December 2004

Membrane intrinsic proteins (MIP) facilitate the osmotic water transport across biomembranes and are involved in the transcellular and intracellular water flow in plants. An aquaporin‐like gene, AqpL1, was isolated from lily flower using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AqpL1 was a member of PIP1 subfamily. The results of northern hybridization indicated AqpL1 expressed in the whole plant but most strongly in young petal. Its expression decreased remarkably with flower age. AqpL1 gene could be properly expressed by in vitro translation and showed a 26 kDa monomer band revealed by autoradiography. Injection of AqpL1 cRNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in an increase of the osmotic water permeability (Pf = 0.72 × 10−2 ± 0.05 cm s−1) for about 2–3 times compared to that (Pf = 0.24 × 10−2 ± 0.07 cm s−1) of the cells injected with water. Overexpression of AqpL1 in tobacco could greatly increase osmotic water permeability of leaf protoplasts (Pos‐WT : Pos‐L1 = 0.7 × 10−1 cm s−1 : 4.3 × 10−1 cm s−1) and water conductivity of leaf cells (RWL‐WT : RWL‐L1 = 3.3% : 13.2%). It is concluded that AqpL1 is a water channel gene. However, it demonstrated much higher osmotic water permeability in tobacco cells than in oocytes. These results are consistent with the notion that AqpL1 is involved in regulating water and/or other solutes transport across the plant cell membrane.
A PCR marker system for monitoring the frequencies of normal and sterility‐inducing cytoplasm types in German chive varieties
Authors: Engelke T. , Tatlioglu T.
Published: December 2004

Random amplified polymorphic DNAs and atp9‐related sequences were amplified in cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and maintainer lines drawn from a backcross programme to represent all five known cytoplasm types in chives. From these PCR amplifications, markers associated with CMS‐inducing cytoplasm types, (S1) and (S2), and for two of the three known normal cytoplasm types, (N2) and (N3), were developed. These newly developed PCR markers were used to determine the cytoplasm types in 126 plants representing 12 German chive varieties. The dependability of these PCR markers was confirmed by analysis with previously described and marker‐trait linked restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Two to five cytoplasm types were found in each of the 12 German chive varieties investigated. While the (S1) cytoplasm occurred, on average, at a frequency of 5% and the (S2) cytoplasm at 12%, the three normal cytoplasms (N1), (N2) and (N3) were present at 30, 29 and 24%, respectively. Thus, the prospects of finding maintainers for both CMS systems are relatively high in this population, if the frequency of non‐restoring alleles for the nuclear genes involved is also high enough.
Spectrum and inheritance of resistance to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla in Rosa multiflora and R. indica
Authors: Wang X. , Jacob Y. , Mastrantuono S. , Bazzano J. , Voisin R. , Esmenjaud D.
Published: December 2004

The spectrum and inheritance of resistance to the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla was studied in the diploid species Rosa multiflora and R. indica. The host suitability of seven rose rootstocks, namely five R. multiflora (K2, K1, Floradale, CE63 and CE65) and two R. indica (CE35 and Maroc) clonal accessions, was evaluated using four geographic isolates of M. hapla. Plants grown under greenhouse conditions were tested at high and durable inoculum pressure of nematodes and rated for nematode infestation five months after inoculation on a 0–5 gall index. Different host suitabilities to M. hapla were demonstrated depending on the nematode isolates: in R. multiflora, the clone K2 had a resistant (R) response to all isolates; the clone K1 ranged from intermediate (I) (isolate ‘Canada’) to resistant (other isolates), Floradale was shown to be intermediate, whereas CE63 and CE65 were moderate to good hosts (H). In R. indica, both rootstocks were good to excellent hosts for the isolate Canada but resistant to all three other isolates, thus expressing an isolate‐specific resistance. A study on the genetics of resistance in R. multiflora to the M. hapla isolate Canada was then conducted using an incomplete diallel cross involving all previous clones except Floradale. A total of 120 hybrid individuals belonging to several progenies representing the cross combinations R × I, R × H, I × H and H × H were evaluated. Individuals of each progeny generally ranged into a monomodal distribution that suggests polygenic inheritance of resistance. In the family Rosaceae, the differences in the resistance genetics to the meiotic species M. hapla and to the mitotic species, M. arenaria, M. incognita and M. javanica are discussed in relation to the reproductive status of the nematodes.
Maternal and Infant Outcomes at One Year for a Nurse‐Health Advocate Home Visiting Program Serving African Americans and Mexican Americans
Authors: Norr Kathleen F. , Crittenden Kathleen S. , Lehrer Evelyn L. , Reyes Olga , Boyd Cynthia B. , Nacion Karla W. , Watanabe Kaoru
Published: December 2004

Abstract  This article describes the outcomes at 1 year for a randomized clinical trial of Resources, Education and Care in the Home—Futures: a program to reduce infant mortality through home visits by a team of trained community residents led by a nurse. Low‐income, inner‐city pregnant women who self‐identified as African American or Mexican American were recruited in two university prenatal clinics in Chicago. Because African Americans and Mexican Americans differed greatly at intake, we compared their outcomes at 12 months and then examined the effects of the intervention separately for these two groups. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group and were interviewed during the last trimester of pregnancy and at 2, 6, and 12 months after birth. The effects of the program varied by race/ethnicity. For African Americans, the program was associated with better maternal documentation of infant immunizations, more developmentally appropriate parenting expectations, and higher 12‐month infant mental development scores. For Mexican Americans, the program had positive effects on maternal daily living skills and on the play materials subscale of the Home Observation for the Measurement of the Environment assessment. This study, along with previous research, suggests that home visits by a nurse‐health advocate team can improve maternal and infant outcomes even for inner‐city, low‐income, minority families. Effective programs must be culturally sensitive, intensive, and adequately staffed and financed.
Non‐invasive in vivo determination of UVA efficacy of sunscreens using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Gillies R. , Moyal D. , Forestier S. , Kollias N.
Published: December 2004

Background: Evaluation of sunscreen efficacy is most relevant when measured on the surface it is meant to protect, namely on human skin in vivo. Application of any material to the surface of the skin alters its optical properties. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a non‐invasive technique to measure changes in the optical properties of the skin decoupled from its biological responses following sunscreen application.

Methods: This study compared measurements of UVA efficacy of oxybenzone and avobenzone at different concentrations (0–5%) using DRS, human phototest and an in vitro technique. Twenty subjects were enrolled for each product measured by DRS and 10 different subjects were enrolled for each product measured by human phototest. Six areas 5 cm × 10 cm were outlined on each subject's back. DRS measurements were performed on four subsites within each area before and 20 min after sunscreen application. UVA efficacy for each concentration of product was calculated from the measured transmission spectrum of a given product convoluted with the spectrum of a Xenon light source adequately filtered to obtain the UVA spectrum from 320 to 400 nm and the erythema action spectrum. Phototesting was performed using the same light source and persistent pigment darkening as the biological endpoint. Measurements were made with sunscreen coverage of 2 mg/cm2. In vitro measurements were performed using an Optometrics instrument.

Results: All three techniques showed a linear response between calculated UVA efficacy and product concentration.

Conclusions: This study showed that DRS is a rapid and reproducible method to calculate UVA efficacy of sunscreen materials and that its results correlate closely with those obtained by human phototesting.
Respiratory syncytial virus augments production of fibroblast growth factor basic in vitro: Implications for a possible mechanism of prolonged wheezing after infection
Authors: Dosanjh A. , Rednam S. , Martin M.
Published: December 2004

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been linked to the development of clinical asthma. Cellular mechanisms of this observation are not yet clearly elucidated. In chronic asthma, production of growth factors and remodeling are associated with prolonged wheezing. It was hypothesized that cells infected with RSV may produce excessive levels of fibroblast growth factor basic (FGFb), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Airway epithelial cells were incubated with either: (i) virus, (ii) inactivated virus, or (iii) media only. The levels of FGFb and EGF were measured in the cellular supernatant fluid. The study demonstrated that by 24 h after RSV inoculation, or exposure to RSV‐killed virus, cells are stimulated to produce significantly more FGFb, compared with non‐infected/non‐exposed control cells. FGFb is an important factor in remodeling and fibroblast activation in the airway. Using treatment with actinomycin D and cylcohexamide the effect of inhibiting translation or transcription in the infected cells, on FGFb production was demonstrated. There were no alterations in EGF production detectable. Based on the findings, the mechanism of FGFb secretion after RSV inoculation, appears to be regulated at the levels of both transcription and translation. The increased FGFb release potentially could contribute to fibroblast activation and remodeling in the airway, and thus provide another possible mechanism for prolonged wheezing after infection.
Kiwi fruit allergy: A review
Authors: Lucas Jane SA , Lewis Stella A , Hourihane Jonathan O'B
Published: December 2004

Allergy to kiwi fruit was first described in 1981, and there have since been reports of the allergy presenting with a wide range of symptoms from localized oral allergy syndrome (OAS) to life‐threatening anaphylaxis. The article reviews the available information concerning the clinical features of kiwi fruit allergy and the role of clinical investigations for diagnosis. Work identifying the major allergens in kiwi fruit has resulted in conflicting results, the possible reasons for which are discussed. The clinical associations of kiwi fruit allergy with allergies to pollens or latex are reviewed.
Evaluation of cytotoxic function and apoptosis in interleukin (IL)‐12/IL‐15‐treated umbilical cord or adult peripheral blood natural killer cells by a propidium‐iodide based flow cytometry
Authors: Lin Syh‐Jae , Cheng Po‐Jen , Huang Yen‐Ju , Kuo Ming‐Ling
Published: December 2004

Both deficient natural killer (NK) cell effector function and increased propensity to apoptosis of neonatal NK cells contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection in the neonates. Interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐15 are two immunoregulatory cytokines known to enhance cytolytic function of neonatal NK cells. The present study aims to simultaneously investigate the effect of IL‐12/IL‐15 on K562 cytotoxicity as well as NK cells apoptosis of enriched umbilical cord blood (CB) and adult peripheral blood (APB) NK cells, using flow cytometric cytotoxicity assays. The results indicated that (i) prior to cytotoxicity assays, CB NK cells underwent greater degree of spontaneous apoptosis than did APB NK cells; (ii) both IL‐12 and IL‐15 inhibited the spontaneous apoptosis of CB NK cells, while IL‐15 promoted the apoptosis in APB NK cells; (iii) the deficient K562 cytotoxicity of CB NK cells could be enhanced to levels comparable with that of APB NK cells by IL‐15; (iv) IL‐15 increased the percentages of apoptosis in NK–K562 conjugates in a dose‐dependant manner in both CB and APB with a greater effect seen with APB NK cells; (v) target‐induced apoptosis was observed with APB NK cells which were further enhanced with IL‐15. However, CB NK cells, unstimulated or IL‐15‐activated, were resistant to K562‐induced apoptosis. Thus, the multi‐parameter flow cytometry analysis not only demonstrates better for the deficient CB NK function but also provides greater details for cytotoxic mechanisms of NK cells.
Hyper‐IgM syndrome with CHARGE association
Authors: Bahillo Pilar , Cantero Teresa , Solís Pilar , Aragón Paz , Gómez Samuel , Cambronero Rosario
Published: December 2004

A girl with coloboma of the iris, sensorineural deafness, growth delay, distinctive face, and cranial nerve dysfunction was diagnosed of CHARGE association in the first year of life. She presented with repeated otitis. At 3 yr of age, the patient suffered a septicemia (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Corynebacterium sp.). The immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA serum levels were decreased, IgM increased and cellular immunity parameters were normal, supporting the diagnosis of hyper‐IgM (HIM) syndrome. The sequence of CD40 ligand and cytidine deaminase genes were normal. From then on, she was receiving immunoglobulin intravenously with an excellent outcome. Here, we report the first case of CHARGE association and HIM syndrome in the same patient. Although the cause could not be identified, a non‐random link is likely.
Does the severity of atopic dermatitis correlate with serum IgE levels?
Authors: Laske Nora , Niggemann Bodo
Published: December 2004

Recent studies suggest an association between atopic phenotypes and serum IgE levels. In contrast to asthma, this association has not been proven for atopic dermatitis. For 345 children (mean age 2.9 years), we investigated a correlation of the severity of eczema (defined by SCORAD score) and serum IgE levels. Additionally, the data was analyzed for differences between children with high and low SCORAD quartile. Parameters such as genetic background, the prevalence of other atopic phenotypes such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and allergic sensitization were recorded. Our results indicate a significant correlation between SCORAD and serum IgE levels (R = 0.31, p < 0.001), but the standard deviation was large. Children with atopic dermatitis showed a high prevalence of sensitization to foods independent of the IgE levels; children with high SCORAD levels showed a sensitization to aeroallergens significantly more often (p < 0.02). No differences were found in prevalences of atopic family background, or a number of additional atopic symptoms such as asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. These results suggest that serum IgE levels seem to correlate with the degree of eczema. Children with severe atopic dermatitis and high IgE levels are at risk for sensitization to food allergens and aeroallergens.
An Exploratory Analysis of Insurer Groups
Authors: Colquitt L. Lee , Sommer David W.
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Grouping is a widespread and interesting phenomenon of the insurance industry, among both life‐health insurers and property‐liability insurers. Recognizing the potentially important implications of group membership for insurer behavior and characteristics, numerous academic researchers using insurance company data have included a dummy variable in their regression analysis to control for group membership. However, it has never been clear exactly what is being controlled for when such a variable is included. This article attempts to shed light on this question. Results indicate that group affiliated insurers tend to be larger than unaffiliated insurers, are more likely to be licensed in New York, are more likely to be stock firms than mutuals, and are likely to be less geographically concentrated.
An Examination of the Demand for Life Insurance
Authors: Zietz Emily Norman
Published: December 2004

Abstract

For almost 50 years researchers have sought to explain consumer behavior concerning the purchase of life insurance. This study examines the literature relating to specific demographic and economic factors that may be identifiable as traits influencing the demand for life insurance, and discusses general environmental issues that may relate to life insurance demand. By organizing the wealth of literature in a useful and systematic format, noting consistencies and contradictions, this examination seeks to provide a better understanding of how and why life insurance purchases are made.
Osteoma of the frontal sinus complicated by intracranial mucocele
Authors: Nabeshima Kazuki , Marutsuka Kousuke , Shimao Yoshiya , Uehara Hisao , Kodama Takao
Published: December 2004

We present a rare case of intracranial mucocele associated with frontal sinus osteoma in a patient suffering from generalized convulsion. The intracranial mucocele occurs as a complication of obstruction of sinus drainage caused by osteoma, but it is often diagnosed preoperatively as an intracranial or intracerebral cyst because of the rarity of these combined lesions in neurosurgical practice. However, once the mucocele extends intracranially, several other complications, including infections and/or a convulsion, can occur, indicating the necessity for surgical treatment. Moreover, the differentiation of the mucocele from the intracranial endodermal cyst predominantly depends upon its continuity with the intracranial osteoma portion or the sinus. Thus, knowledge of this rare lesion is important for accurate diagnosis and clinical management.
Inflammatory reaction to the human bot‐fly, Dermatobia hominis, in infested and reinfested mice
Authors: Lello E. , DE Rosis A. M. B.
Published: December 2004

Two groups of mice were infested with first stage larvae of the human bot‐fly, Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr) (Diptera: Oestridae). In the first group, skin biopsies were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 18 days after infestation. The second group was also infested but had all the larvae removed 5 days after infestation. The mice in the latter group were reinfested 4 weeks later and skin biopsies were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 18 days after reinfestation. In the first group, an inflammatory reaction began slowly, the neutrophils being the main inflammatory cells, eosinophils being scarce. The reaction progressed with time, developing a necrotic halo around the larvae containing inflammatory cells surrounded by fibroblasts. The inflammation invaded the adjacent tissue. In the second group, the inflammatory reaction was intense on the day immediately after reinfestation, the pattern being changed by the presence of a large number of eosinophils. Activated fibroblasts surrounding the necrotic area around the larvae appeared 3 days after reinfestation in the second group and 7 days after infestation in the first group. The results demonstrated that the previous contact with the antigens elicited the early arrival of eosinophils, probably through the chemotactic factors liberated by mast cells in the anaphylactic reaction.
The association of pattern of maternal weight gain with length of gestation and risk of spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Carmichael Suzan , Abrams Barbara , Selvin Steve
Published: December 2004

Monitoring weight gain during pregnancy may be useful in detecting pregnancies that are at increased risk of early delivery. This study examines 7259 deliveries that occurred at the University of California, San Francisco's Moffitt Hospital from 1980 to 1990. Obese women, women with diabetes or hypertension during pregnancy, deliveries with congenital malformations and non‐spontaneous preterm deliveries were excluded. Pattern of gain was assessed by fitting a quadratic curve to each woman's series of weight and date measurements, using simple regression techniques. The parameters from this curve were used to develop a variable for pattern of gain that reflects how much an individual's pattern of gain differs from a linear pattern of gain. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses indicate that patterns of gain that deviate greatly from the average pattern of gain (i.e. patterns that show a marked speeding up or slowing down of gain towards the end of pregnancy) are associated with significantly shorter gestational age and confer a significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. The results suggest that monitoring weight gain during pregnancy is important, although more specific studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which weight gain pattern relates to preterm delivery before appropriate interventions can be developed.
Screening for galactosaemia in Greece
Authors: Schulpis Kleopatra , Papakonstantinou Evangelos D. , Michelakakis Helen , Podskarbi Theodor , Patsouras Aristoula , Shin Yoon
Published: December 2004

Galactosaemia appears to be one of the most appropriate disorders for routine newborn screening as almost normal outcome can be achieved in most of the identified cases. Galactose and galactose‐1‐phosphate were determined using Guthrie cards in a commercial kit based on a colorimetric microassay. Among 199 642 newborns, nine cases with classic galactosaemia, three with epimerase deficiency, six with compound Duarte2/heterozygotes for galactosaemia and four with compound2 Duarte homozygosity were found. Even though the number found among the screened neonates is small because it is such a rare disease, our results indicate one of the highest frequencies of the disease ever reported.
Association between leg length and offspring birthweight: partial explanation for the trans‐generational association between birthweight and cardiovascular disease: findings from the British Women's Heart and Health Study
Authors: Lawlor Debbie A. , Davey Smith George , Ebrahim Shah
Published: December 2004

Low birthweight individuals not only have increased risk of cardiovascular disease themselves, but cardiovascular disease risk is also increased in their parents. The mechanisms underlying these trans‐generational associations are not fully understood. We hypothesise that, in part, they reflect the trans‐generational effects of poor maternal environmental circumstances in early childhood. Adverse environmental factors acting early in the mother's life will not only influence her own predisposition to cardiovascular disease but will also result in adverse consequences – low birthweight and increased cardiovascular disease risk in later life – for her offspring. Adult leg length is a valid indicator of early life environmental circumstances, in particular of infant nutrition. If our hypothesis is correct, then adult leg length should be positively associated with offspring birthweight. In this study of 4286 randomly selected women aged 60–79 years from 23 towns across England, Scotland and Wales, the magnitude of the association between leg length and offspring birthweight was greater than the association between trunk length and offspring birthweight. After control for potential confounding factors, offspring birthweight increased by 89.8 g [95% confidence interval 66.1, 113.5 g] for each standard deviation increase in maternal leg length, and by 55.2 g [32.2, 78.1 g] for each standard deviation increase in maternal trunk length. The association between leg length and offspring birthweight was unaffected by adjustment for maternal birthweight, but the association between trunk length and offspring birthweight was attenuated to 38.0 g [1.0, 74.9 g]. These findings support the hypothesis that adverse early childhood environmental circumstances affect not only the vitality and health of the woman in later life but also the birthweight of her offspring, and suggest that the trans‐generational association between birthweight and cardiovascular disease is in part explained by early childhood maternal environmental circumstances.
Secular trends in neonatal macrosomia in Berlin: influences of potential determinants
Authors: Bergmann Renate L. , Richter Rolf , Bergmann Karl E. , Plagemann A. , Brauer M. , Dudenhausen Joachim W.
Published: December 2004

To investigate the trend in the prevalence of neonatal macrosomia and to evaluate the influences of potential determinants, key features of 206 308 hospital deliveries (97% of all) in Berlin in the years 1993–99, collected by the Berlin Medical Board, were analysed using SPSS 10.0.

After exclusion of multiple births and preterm infants, there was a significant increase over 7 years (P < 0.01) in the prevalence of birthweights ≥ 4000 g, maternal age ≥ 30 years, height of ≥ 165 cm, prepregnancy BMI (body mass index) ≥ 26 kg/m2and pregnancy weight gain> 16 kg, but no substantial trend in the prevalence of recognised diabetes or maternal smoking. The adjusted model (OR [95% CI]) for delivering a newborn ≥ 4000 g was statistically significant for post‐term delivery (2.56 [2.39, 2.75]), women aged ≥ 30 years (1.06 [1.02–1.11]), ≥ 165 cm tall (1.94 [1.87,2.01]), multiparae (1.98 [1.91, 2.05]), not smoking in pregnancy (2.03 [1.93, 2.14]), prepregnancy BMI ≥ 26 compared with < 20 (4.01 [3.77, 4.26]), pregnancy weight gain ≥ 16 kg compared with < 10 kg (3.37.[3.22, 3.53]) and for recognised diabetes (1.85.[1.69, 2.04]).

It is speculated that this increase in the prevalence of neonatal macrosomia may contribute to the secular trend of overweight and obesity under affluent living conditions.
Socio‐economic status and risk of conotruncal heart defects and orofacial clefts
Authors: Carmichael Suzan L. , Nelson Verne , Shaw Gary M. , Wasserman Cathy R. , Croen Lisa A.
Published: December 2004

Studies of socio‐economic status (SES) have figured prominently in research related to a variety of health outcomes, although the question remains as to whether SES contributes to the aetiologies of congenital anomalies. This study examines the association of SES with risks of conotruncal heart defects and orofacial clefts, using interview data from 696 case mothers (86% of eligible) and 734 (78%) control mothers from a population‐based case–control study. Socio‐economic measures from maternal interview included mother's education and employment. Reported addresses were linked with the US census to characterise six measures of neighbourhood SES (education, poverty, unemployment, occupation, crowding and rental occupancy). Results were adjusted for race‐ethnicity, multivitamin/mineral supplement intake, cigarette smoking and binge drinking.

Results for individual and neighbourhood measures suggested that low SES was associated with increased risk of d‐transposition of the great arteries (dTGA), reduced risk of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), but was not associated with risk of orofacial clefts. For example, when examining odds ratios (OR) that compared risks among women whose neighbourhoods were in the lowest vs. highest quartile of the census‐based SES measures, ORs for five of the six measures were> 1.4 for dTGA, and ORs for all six measures were < 0.7 for TOF. ORs for clefts tended to be closer to 1. This study suggests that SES risks are birth defect specific.
Have studies of urinary tract infection and preterm delivery used the most appropriate methods?
Authors: S. O’Neill Marie , Hertz‐Picciotto Irva , Pastore Lisa M. , Weatherley Beth D.
Published: December 2004

Published investigations of the association between urinary tract infection (UTI) and preterm delivery used logistic regression or chi‐squared tests. Because both exposure and outcome are time dependent, these methods were not optimal and did not account for person–time under observation, potentially an important feature given the variability of women's entry to prenatal care as well as of gestational lengths. Previous researchers probably classified as exposed some women whose UTI occurred after their pregnancies exceeded 37 weeks. We applied the previous analytical methods to 1990–93 births from two Durham, NC, USA, hospitals (n = 4053) and demonstrate survival methods as an alternative. Two logistic regression models were fitted with differing exposure definitions: model 1 in which exposed = UTI diagnosed after 20 weeks’ gestation; and model 2 in which exposed = UTI diagnosed between 20 weeks’ and 37 weeks’ gestation. Model 3 used proportional hazards regression with person–time after 20 weeks and before UTI diagnosis as unexposed, and person–time after diagnosis as exposed. Models were fit with and without five time‐constant potential confounders. Model 1 yielded an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5, 1.2], and model 2, which did not include UTI diagnoses after 37 weeks, an adjusted OR of 0.9 [95% CI 0.6, 1.4]. The Cox model hazard ratio (HR) for preterm delivery was 1.1 (adjusted) [95% CI 0.7, 1.7]. As these results indicated some bias, but not remarkable differences, we conducted a sensitivity analysis using 100 samples of 80% of the original data set, with replacement to determine how large the differences might be in other, similar data sets. The Cox method consistently produced higher effect estimates than either logistic model. The two samples with the greatest differences between the Cox and logistic model estimates yielded an OR of 1.47 [95% CI 0.95, 2.29] for model 1 vs. HR of 2.06 [95% CI 1.39, 3.06] for model 3, and an OR of 1.41 [95% CI 0.88, 2.25] for model 2 vs. HR of 1.79 [95% CI 1.17, 2.71] for model 3 respectively.

Previous published results on UTI and preterm delivery require cautious interpretation. Data on UTI timing should be gathered to allow appropriate analyses; survival methods account for person–time under observation and ensure that studied exposures precede effects.
Induction of signalling anergy via the T‐cell receptor in cultured Jurkat T cells by pre‐exposure to a filarial nematode secreted product
Authors: Harnett Margaret M. , Deehan Maureen R. , Williams Denise M. , Harnett William
Published: December 2004

Filarial nematodes constitute major causes of morbidity in the Tropics. The worms have a life‐span exceeding five years, a longevity which is considered to reflect at least in part, their ability to interfere with host lymphocyte responsiveness. To date the molecular mechanisms underlying this ability have not been defined but we now demonstrate that ES‐62, a phosphorylcholine (PC)‐containing glycoprotein released by the rodent filarial parasite Acanthocheilonema viteae, is able to render Jurkat T cells anergic to intracellular signalling via the antigen receptor (TCR). In particular, ES‐62 acts by modulating activation of the tyrosine kinases Fyn, Lck and ZAP‐70 leading to selective disruption of TCR coupling to the phospholipase D, protein kinase C, phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase and RasMAPkinase signalling cascades. These cascades are key elements in the transduction of transcriptional and proliferative signals following ligation of TCR. As PC‐containing secreted products (PC‐ES) are also released by human filarial parasites, our data suggest that PC‐ES may play a role in the induction of T lymphocyte hyporesponsiveness observed during filarial infections.
Immunomodulatory properties of Ascaris suum glycosphingolipids – phosphorylcholine and non‐phosphorylcholine‐dependent effects
Authors: Deehan Maureen R. , Goodridge Helen S. , Blair Derek , Lochnit Gunter , Dennis Roger D. , Geyer Rudolf , Harnett Margaret M. , Harnett William
Published: December 2004

Immunomodulatory properties of phosphorylcholine (PC)‐containing glycosphingolipids from Ascaris suum were investigated utilizing immune cells from BALB/c mice. Proliferation of splenic B cells induced either via F(ab′)2 fragments of anti‐murine Ig (anti‐Ig) or LPS was significantly reduced when the glycosphingolipids were present in the culture medium. However whereas the LPS‐mediated effect was dependent on the PC moiety of the glycosphingolipids, the result generated when using anti‐Ig was not. Analysis of cell cycle status and mitochondrial potential indicated that the combination of the glycosphingolipids and anti‐Ig reduced B cell proliferation, at least in part, by inducing apoptosis. Consistent with the observed suppression of B cell activation/cell cycle progression, investigation of the effect of glycosphingolipid pre‐exposure on mitogenic B cell signal transduction pathways activated by anti‐Ig, revealed a PC‐independent inhibitory effect on dual (thr/tyr) phosphorylation and activation of ErkMAPKinase. The glycosphingolipids were also investigated for their inhibitory effect on LPS/IFN‐γ induced Th1/pro‐inflammatory cytokine production by peritoneal macrophages. It was found that IL‐12 p40 production was inhibited and in an apparently PC‐dependent manner. Overall these data indicate that PC‐containing glycosphingolipids of A. suum appear to have at least two immunomodulatory constituents – PC and an as yet unknown component.
NK1.1+ cell depletion in vivo fails to prevent protection against infection with the murine nematode parasite Trichuris muris
Authors: Koyama Koichi
Published: December 2004

Protection against the murine nematode parasite Trichuris muris has been shown to involve interleukin 4 (IL‐4). NK1.1+ T cell receptor αβ+ cells, designated Natural Killer T (NKT) cells, produce a large amount of IL‐4 in response to anti‐CD3 stimulation and numerous pieces of evidence suggest that NKT cells provide the initial source of IL‐4 for T helper 2 (Th2) priming. These observations allow the hypothesis that NKT cells produce a large amount of IL‐4 in response to T. muris infection and augment Th2 responses and IL‐4 production, thus achieving protection against T. muris. To investigate the involvement of NKT cells in protection against T. muris infection, NK1.1+ cell‐depleted B10.BR mice were prepared by anti‐NK1.1 monoclonal antibody injection. Efficient expulsion of T. muris worms occurred in NK1.1+ cell‐depleted infected mice, and the expulsion kinetics of T. muris worms, the levels of IL‐4 production by mesenteric lymph node cells, and the kinetics of the specific IgG1 and IgG2a responses to T. muris were similar to those in mouse IgG‐treated or non‐treated control B10.BR mice. These observations suggest that NK1.1+ cells and NKT cells are not involved in the induction of Th2 responses and protective immunity to T. muris infection.
Ixodes ricinus tick salivary gland extract inhibits IL‐10 secretion and CD69 expression by mitogen‐stimulated murine splenocytes and induces hyporesponsiveness in B lymphocytes
Authors: Hannier Sigrid , Liversidge Janet , Sternberg Jerry M. , Bowman Alan S.
Published: December 2004

Tick saliva contains immunosuppressive factors allowing this blood‐feeding ectoparasite to remain on hosts and enhancing pathogen transmission. In this study, we examined the modulation of mitogen‐induced activation of naive murine splenocytes by the saliva and salivary gland extract (SGE) of I. ricinus ticks. We found that saliva‐specific factors reduced IL‐10 production by both concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated splenocytes. The LPS‐induced IL‐10 production is 10 times more sensitive to SGE than the ConA‐induced IL‐10 production. Flow cytometric analysis determined that SGE particularly inhibited B (B220+) cell IL‐10 production in mitogen‐stimulated splenocyte preparations. Moreover, SGE reduced the early activation marker CD69 expression on ConA‐activated T cells and also on B cells in presence of ConA or LPS. Annexin V and Via‐probe staining demonstrated that SGE did not increase cell death in activated splenocytes and slightly decreased apoptosis in B lymphocytes. By employing assays with isolated B cells, we further showed that SGE had a direct effect on B cells and inhibited LPS‐induced B cell proliferation. Taken together, our results indicate that salivary immunomodulators induce hyporesponsiveness to mitogen in both T and B cells, and that a direct B‐cell inhibitory activity is present in tick saliva.
The effect of strepsipteran parasitism on a tettigoniid pest of oil palm in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Solulu T. M. , Simpson S. J. , Kathirithamby J.
Published: December 2004

Abstract.A study was undertaken to assess the impact of the strepsipteran endoparasite Stichotrema dallatorreanum Hofeneder on the performance of its host Segestidea novaeguineae (Brancsik), a tettigoniid pest of oil palm in Papua New Guinea. This involved analyses of morphology, gut contents, body composition and reproductive variables of field‐collected adults of stylopized and unstylopized hosts. The morphological consequences of stylopization by S. dallatorreanum included reduced wing, ovipositor and digestive tract lengths, whereas antennal length was largely unaffected. Feeding activity by the host, as estimated indirectly through weighing gut contents, was significantly reduced in parasitised female hosts, whereas smaller males showed no effect. Parasitized hosts had a reduced carcass dry weight associated with reduced nitrogen content and a substantial decline in carcass lipid content. Host reproductive variables were profoundly affected by stylopization. In females this included impaired ovarian development, reduced egg number and gonadal weight, the last of which was also reduced in males. There was an association between the number of S. dallatorreanum present (maximally six in males and nine in females) within a host and the extent of the impact of stylopization on most of the host characters investigated. The ability of S. dallatorreanum to reduce feeding and reproduction in the host suggests it may have potential use as a bio‐control agent in the management of tettigoniid pests in Papua New Guinea.
Tyramine from the leaves of wild parsnip: a stimulant and synergist for oviposition by the black swallowtail butterfly
Authors: Carter Maureen , Sachdev‐Gupta Kusum , Feeny Paul
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Oviposition stimulants from the foliage of wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa (Apiaceae), were isolated by column chromatography and HPLC and tested in bioassay experiments with hand‐held female black swallowtail butterflies, Papilio polyxenes (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Two of the stimulants were identified as tyramine and trans‐chlorogenic acid. A combination of tyramine, trans‐chlorogenic acid and an active neutral fraction was needed to elicit a significant oviposition response. These results are discussed in the context of previous research on the oviposition stimulants of swallowtail butterflies and on the significance of tyramine as a neuromodulator of physiological processes in invertebrates.
The effect of short‐term low‐temperature treatments on gene expression in Arabidopsis correlates with changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels
Authors: NORDIN HENRIKSSON K. , TREWAVAS A. J.
Published: December 2004

The role of changes in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in low‐temperature signal transduction in plants has lately been supported by several studies. An analysis to determine whether the low‐temperature‐induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) could be correlated with a downstream response such as gene expression was carried out. The induction of the low‐temperature‐regulated gene LTI78 was used as an end point marker of the signal transduction pathway. It was found that this gene is induced by very brief low‐temperature exposures and that the induction does not depend on a continuous exposure to low temperature. By altering the cooling rate, different patterns of the Ca2+ response were obtained which could be correlated with different patterns of LTI78 induction. Furthermore, reducing the Ca2+ transients by pre‐treatment with the Ca2+ channel blocker La3+ also led to a reduced level of gene induction. The results show that brief exposures to low temperature results in the onset of a signalling pathway that leads to the induction of gene expression. This indicates the involvement of changes in [Ca2+]cyt in low‐temperature signalling leading to LTI78 expression but the presence of multiple signalling pathways is suggested.
Does the photosynthetic light‐acclimation need change in leaf anatomy?
Authors: OGUCHI R. , HIKOSAKA K. , HIROSE T.
Published: December 2004

There is a strong correlation between leaf thickness and the light‐saturated rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area (Pmax). However, when leaves are exposed to higher light intensities after maturation, Pmax often increases without increasing leaf thickness. To elucidate the mechanism with which mature leaves increase Pmax, the change in anatomical and physiological characteristics of mature leaves of Chenopodium album, which was transferred from low to high light condition, were examined. When compared with leaves subjected to low light continuously (LL leaves), the leaves transferred from low to high light (LH leaves) significantly increased Pmax. The transfer also increased the area of chloroplasts facing the intercellular space (Sc) and maintained a strong correlation between Pmax and Sc. The mesophyll cells of LL leaves had open spaces along cell walls where chloroplasts were absent, which enabled the leaves to increase Pmax when they were exposed to high light (LH). However, the LH leaves were not thick enough to allow further increase in Pmax to the level in HH leaves. Thus leaf thickness determines an upper limit of Pmax of leaves subjected to a change from low to high light conditions. Shade leaves would only increase Pmax when they have open space to accommodate chloroplasts which elongate after light conditions improve.
Endopolyploidy in seed plants is differently correlated to systematics, organ, life strategy and genome size
Authors: Barow M. , Meister A.
Published: December 2004

Endopolyploidy is a systemic feature in seed plants. A negative correlation between genome size and endopolyploidization has been claimed previously, assuming that a minimum amount of DNA, necessary for certain cell functions, has to be acquired by endopolyploidization of the corresponding cells in plants with small genomes. This assumption was based on the analysis of only a limited set of data from few species. In the present study the endopolyploidization of several organs of 54 seed plant species belonging to two gymnosperm and 14 angiosperm families was investigated. The results revealed a low negative correlation between genome size and endopolyploidization. However, differences between the families, between the different organs of a given species and between the different life‐cycle types with regard to endopolyploidization became obvious. A three‐way analysis of variance with covariate to quantify the impact of the different factors on the extent of endopolyploidization suggested that taxonomic position is the major factor determining the degree of endopolyploidy within a species, while life cycle, genome size and organ type have a minor but also significant effect on endopolyploidization. The comparison of habitats of 16 investigated Central European species implies that endopolyploidization represents a mean to accelerate the growth of plant species in niches, which require and support fast development.