bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Analysis of Hydrogen Peroxide-Regulated Gene Expression in Arabidopsis Reveals a High Light-Induced Transcriptional Cluster Involved in Anthocyanin Biosynthesis
Authors: Vanderauwera Sandy , Zimmermann Philip , Rombauts Stéphane , Vandenabeele Steven , Langebartels Christian , Gruissem Wilhelm , Inzé Dirk , Van Breusegem Frank
Published: September 2005

In plants, reactive oxygen species and, more particularly, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) play a dual role as toxic by-products of normal cell metabolism and as regulatory molecules in stress perception and signal transduction. Peroxisomal catalases are an important sink for photorespiratory H2O2. Using ATH1 Affymetrix microarrays, expression profiles were compared between control and catalase-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants. Reduced catalase levels already provoked differences in nuclear gene expression under ambient growth conditions, and these effects were amplified by high light exposure in a sun simulator for 3 and 8 h. This genome-wide expression analysis allowed us to reveal the expression characteristics of complete pathways and functional categories during H2O2 stress. In total, 349 transcripts were significantly up-regulated by high light in catalase-deficient plants and 88 were down-regulated. From this data set, H2O2 was inferred to play a key role in the transcriptional up-regulation of small heat shock proteins during high light stress. In addition, several transcription factors and candidate regulatory genes involved in H2O2 transcriptional gene networks were identified. Comparisons with other publicly available transcriptome data sets of abiotically stressed Arabidopsis revealed an important intersection with H2O2-deregulated genes, positioning elevated H2O2 levels as an important signal within abiotic stress-induced gene expression. Finally, analysis of transcriptional changes in a combination of a genetic (catalase deficiency) and an environmental (high light) perturbation identified a transcriptional cluster that was strongly and rapidly induced by high light in control plants, but impaired in catalase-deficient plants. This cluster comprises the complete known anthocyanin regulatory and biosynthetic pathway, together with genes encoding unknown proteins.
Comparative Transcriptional Profiling of Two Contrasting Rice Genotypes under Salinity Stress during the Vegetative Growth Stage
Authors: Walia Harkamal , Wilson Clyde , Condamine Pascal , Liu Xuan , Ismail Abdelbagi M. , Zeng Linghe , Wanamaker Steve I. , Mandal Jayati , Xu Jin , Cui Xinping , Close Timothy J.
Published: September 2005

Rice (Oryza sativa), a salt-sensitive species, has considerable genetic variation for salt tolerance within the cultivated gene pool. Two indica rice genotypes, FL478, a recombinant inbred line derived from a population developed for salinity tolerance studies, and IR29, the sensitive parent of the population, were selected for this study. We used the Affymetrix rice genome array containing 55,515 probe sets to explore the transcriptome of the salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive genotypes under control and salinity-stressed conditions during vegetative growth. Response of the sensitive genotype IR29 is characterized by induction of a relatively large number of probe sets compared to tolerant FL478. Salinity stress induced a number of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in IR29 but not in FL478. Cell wall-related genes were responsive in both genotypes, suggesting cell wall restructuring is a general adaptive mechanism during salinity stress, although the two genotypes also had some differences. Additionally, the expression of genes mapping to the Saltol region of chromosome 1 were examined in both genotypes. Single-feature polymorphism analysis of expression data revealed that IR29 was the source of the Saltol region in FL478, contrary to expectation. This study provides a genome-wide transcriptional analysis of two well-characterized, genetically related rice genotypes differing in salinity tolerance during a gradually imposed salinity stress under greenhouse conditions.
The Regulation of Rubisco Activity in Response to Variation in Temperature and Atmospheric CO2 Partial Pressure in Sweet Potato
Authors: Cen Yan-Ping , Sage Rowan F.
Published: September 2005

The temperature response of net CO2 assimilation rate (A), the rate of whole-chain electron transport, the activity and activation state of Rubisco, and the pool sizes of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) and 3-phosphoglyceric acid (PGA) were assessed in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) grown under greenhouse conditions. Above the thermal optimum of photosynthesis, the activation state of Rubisco declined with increasing temperature. Doubling CO2 above 370 μbar further reduced the activation state, while reducing CO2 by one-half increased it. At cool temperature (<16°C), the activation state of Rubisco declined at CO2 levels where photosynthesis was unaffected by a 90% reduction in O2 content. Reduction of the partial pressure of CO2 at cool temperature also enhanced the activation state of Rubisco. The rate of electron transport showed a pronounced temperature response with the same temperature optimum as A at elevated CO2. RuBP pool size and the RuBP-to-PGA ratio declined with increasing temperature. Increasing CO2 also reduced the RuBP pool size. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the reduction in the activation state of Rubisco at high and low temperature is a regulated response to a limitation in one of the processes contributing to the rate of RuBP regeneration. To further evaluate this possibility, we used measured estimates of Rubisco capacity, electron transport capacity, and the inorganic phosphate regeneration capacity to model the response of A to temperature. At elevated CO2, the activation state of Rubisco declined at high temperatures where electron transport capacity was predicted to be limiting, and at cooler temperatures where the inorganic phosphate regeneration capacity was limiting. At low CO2, where Rubisco capacity was predicted to limit photosynthesis, full activation of Rubisco was observed at all measurement temperatures.
NH4
+ Currents across the Peribacteroid Membrane of Soybean. Macroscopic and Microscopic Properties, Inhibition by Mg2+, and Temperature Dependence Indicate a SubpicoSiemens Channel Finely Regulated by Divalent Cations
Authors: Obermeyer Gerhard , Tyerman Stephen D.
Published: September 2005

The control of ammonium (NH4  +) transport is critical in preventing futile cycles of NH4  +/ammonia transport. An unusual nonselective cation channel with subpicoSiemens single-channel conductance permeable to NH4  + had previously been identified in the peribacteroid membrane (PBM) of symbiosomes from soybean (Glycine max) nodules. Here, we investigate the proposed channel mechanism and its control by luminal magnesium. Currents carried by NH4  + were measured in inside-out PBM patches by patch clamp. NH4  + transport corresponding to the physiological direction of net transfer showed time-dependent activation and associated single-channel-like events. These could not be resolved to discrete conductances but had the same selectivity as the total current. The voltage dependence of the steady-state current was affected by temperature consistent with the rate constant of channel opening being reduced with decreased temperature. This resulted in steady-state currents that were more temperature sensitive at voltages where the current was only partially activated. When fully activated, the current reflected more the ion conduction through open channels and had an activation energy of 28.2 kJ mol−1 (Q10 = 1.51, 8°C–24°C). Increased Mg2+ on the symbiosome lumen side blocked the current (ID50 = 351 μ  m, with 60 mm NH4  +). Complete inhibition with 2 mm Mg2+ was relieved with a small increase in NH4  + on the lumen side of the membrane (shift of 60–70 mm). With Mg2+ the selectivity of the transport for divalent cations increased. From these features, we propose a divalent-dependent feedback regulation of the PBM-nonselective cation channel that could maintain a constant NH4  + gradient across the membrane.
Mutation of the RESURRECTION1 Locus of Arabidopsis Reveals an Association of Cuticular Wax with Embryo Development
Authors: Chen Xinbo , Goodwin S. Mark , Liu Xionglun , Chen Xinlu , Bressan Ray A. , Jenks Matthew A.
Published: September 2005

Insertional mutagenesis of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was used to identify a novel recessive mutant, designated resurrection1 (rst1), which possesses a dramatic alteration in its cuticular waxes and produces shrunken nonviable seeds due to arrested embryo development. The RST1 gene sequence associated with these phenotypes was verified by three independent, allelic, insertion mutants, designated rst1-1, rst1-2, and rst1-3, with inserts in the first exon, 12th intron, and fourth exon, respectively. These three rst1 allelic mutants have nearly identical alterations in their wax profiles and embryo development. Compared to wild type, the wax on rst1 inflorescence stems is reduced nearly 60% in total amount, has a proportional reduction in aldehydes and aldehyde metabolites, and has a proportional increase in acids, primary alcohols, and esters. Compared to wild type, the C29 alkanes on rst1 are nearly 6-fold lower, and the C30 primary alcohols are 4-fold higher. These results indicate that rst1 causes shunting of most wax precursors away from alkane synthesis and into the primary-alcohol-producing branch of the pathway. In contrast to stems, the wax on rst1 mutant leaves increased roughly 43% in amount relative to the wild type, with the major increase occurring in the C31 and C33 alkanes. Unique among known wax mutants, approximately 70% of rst1 seeds are shrunken and nonviable, with these being randomly distributed within both inflorescence and silique. Viable seeds of rst1 are slightly larger than those of wild type, and although the viable rst1 seeds contain more total triacylglycerol-derived fatty acids, the proportions of these fatty acids are not significantly different from wild type. Shrunken seeds contain 34% of the fatty acids of wild-type seeds, with proportionally more palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids, and less of the longer and more desaturated homologs. Histological analysis of aborted rst1 seeds revealed that embryo development terminates at the approximate heart-shaped stage, whereas viable rst1 and wild-type embryos develop similarly. The RST1 gene encodes a predicted 1,841-amino acid novel protein with a molecular mass of 203.6 kD and a theoretical pI of 6.21. The RST1 transcript was found in all tissues examined including leaves, flowers, roots, stems, and siliques, but accumulation levels were not correlated with the degree to which different organs appeared affected by the mutation. The new RST1 gene reveals a novel genetic connection between lipid synthesis and embryo development; however, RST1's exact role is still quite unknown. The degree to which RST1 is associated with lipid signaling in development is an important focus of ongoing studies.
CONSTANS Activates SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 through FLOWERING LOCUS T to Promote Flowering in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yoo Seung Kwan , Chung Kyung Sook , Kim Joonki , Lee Jeong Hwan , Hong Sung Myun , Yoo Seong Jeon , Yoo So Yeon , Lee Jong Seob , Ahn Ji Hoon
Published: September 2005

CONSTANS (CO) regulates flowering time by positively regulating expression of two floral integrators, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 (SOC1), in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). FT and SOC1 have been proposed to act in parallel pathways downstream of CO based on genetic analysis using weak ft alleles, since ft soc1 double mutants showed an additive effect in suppressing the early flowering of CO overexpressor plants. However, this genetic analysis was inconsistent with the sequential induction pattern of FT and SOC1 found in inducible CO overexpressor plants. Hence, to identify genetic interactions of CO, FT, and SOC1, we carried out genetic and expression analyses with a newly isolated T-DNA allele of FT, ft-10. We found that ft-10 almost completely suppressed the early flowering phenotype of CO overexpressor plants, whereas soc1-2 partially suppressed the phenotype, suggesting that FT is the major output of CO. Expression of SOC1 was altered in gain- or loss-of-function mutants of FT, whereas expression of FT remained unchanged in gain- or loss-of-function mutants of SOC1, suggesting that FT positively regulates SOC1 to promote flowering. In addition, inactivation of FT caused down-regulation of SOC1 even in plants overexpressing CO, indicating that FT is required for SOC1 induction by CO. Taken together, these data suggest that CO activates SOC1 through FT to promote flowering in Arabidopsis.
Pseudomonas fluorescens and Glomus mosseae Trigger DMI3-Dependent Activation of Genes Related to a Signal Transduction Pathway in Roots of Medicago truncatula
Authors: Sanchez Lisa , Weidmann Stéphanie , Arnould Christine , Bernard Anne Rose , Gianinazzi Silvio , Gianinazzi-Pearson Vivienne
Published: September 2005

Plant genes induced during early root colonization of Medicago truncatula Gaertn. J5 by a growth-promoting strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens (C7R12) have been identified by suppressive subtractive hybridization. Ten M. truncatula genes, coding proteins associated with a putative signal transduction pathway, showed an early and transient activation during initial interactions between M. truncatula and P. fluorescens, up to 8 d after root inoculation. Gene expression was not significantly enhanced, except for one gene, in P. fluorescens-inoculated roots of a Myc−Nod− genotype (TRV25) of M. truncatula mutated for the DMI3 (syn. MtSYM13) gene. This gene codes a Ca2+ and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, indicating a possible role of calcium in the cellular interactions between M. truncatula and P. fluorescens. When expression of the 10 plant genes was compared in early stages of root colonization by mycorrhizal and rhizobial microsymbionts, Glomus mosseae activated all 10 genes, whereas Sinorhizobium meliloti only activated one and inhibited four others. None of the genes responded to inoculation by either microsymbiont in roots of the TRV25 mutant. The similar response of the M. truncatula genes to P. fluorescens and G. mosseae points to common molecular pathways in the perception of the microbial signals by plant roots.
Implications of Carotenoid Biosynthetic Genes in Apocarotenoid Formation during the Stigma Development of Crocus sativus and Its Closer Relatives
Authors: Castillo Raquel , Fernández José-Antonio , Gómez-Gómez Lourdes
Published: September 2005

Crocus sativus is a triploid sterile plant characterized by its long red stigmas, which produce and store significant quantities of the apocarotenoids crocetin and crocin, formed from the oxidative cleavage of zeaxanthin. Here, we investigate the accumulation and the molecular mechanisms that regulate the synthesis of these apocarotenoids during stigma development in C. sativus. We cloned the cDNAs for phytoene synthase, lycopene-β-cyclase, and β-ring hydroxylase from C. sativus. With the transition of yellow undeveloped to red fully developed stigmas, an accumulation of zeaxanthin was observed, accompanying the expression of CsPSY, phytoene desaturase, and CsLYCb, and the massive accumulation of CsBCH and CsZCD transcripts. We analyzed the expression of these two transcripts in relation to zeaxanthin and apocarotenoid accumulation in other Crocus species. We observed that only the relative levels of zeaxanthin in the stigma of each cultivar were correlated with the level of CsBCH transcripts. By contrast, the expression levels of CsZCD were not mirrored by changes in the apocarotenoid content, suggesting that the reaction catalyzed by the CsBCH enzyme could be the limiting step in the formation of saffron apocarotenoids in the stigma tissue. Phylogenetic analysis of the CsBCH intron sequences allowed us to determine the relationships among 19 Crocus species and to identify the closely related diploids of C. sativus. In addition, we examined the levels of the carotenoid and apocarotenoid biosynthetic genes in the triploid C. sativus and its closer relatives to determine whether the quantities of these specific mRNAs were additive or not in C. sativus. Transcript levels in saffron were clearly higher and nonadditive, suggesting that, in the triploid gene, regulatory interactions that produce novel effects on carotenoid biosynthesis genes are involved.
How to Activate a Plant Gravireceptor. Early Mechanisms of Gravity Sensing Studied in Characean Rhizoids during Parabolic Flights
Authors: Limbach Christoph , Hauslage Jens , Schäfer Claudia , Braun Markus
Published: September 2005

Early processes underlying plant gravity sensing were investigated in rhizoids of Chara globularis under microgravity conditions provided by parabolic flights of the A300-Zero-G aircraft and of sounding rockets. By applying centrifugal forces during the microgravity phases of sounding rocket flights, lateral accelerations of 0.14g, but not of 0.05g, resulted in a displacement of statoliths. Settling of statoliths onto the subapical plasma membrane initiated the gravitropic response. Since actin controls the positioning of statoliths and restricts sedimentation of statoliths in these cells, it can be calculated that lateral actomyosin forces in a range of 2 × 10−14n act on statoliths to keep them in place. These forces represent the threshold value that has to be exceeded by any lateral acceleration stimulus for statolith sedimentation and gravisensing to occur. When rhizoids were gravistimulated during parabolic plane flights, the curvature angles of the flight samples, whose sedimented statoliths became weightless for 22 s during the 31 microgravity phases, were not different from those of in-flight 1g controls. However, in ground control experiments, curvature responses were drastically reduced when the contact of statoliths with the plasma membrane was intermittently interrupted by inverting gravistimulated cells for less than 10 s. Increasing the weight of sedimented statoliths by lateral centrifugation did not enhance the gravitropic response. These results provide evidence that graviperception in characean rhizoids requires contact of statoliths with membrane-bound receptor molecules rather than pressure or tension exerted by the weight of statoliths.
The Zinc-Finger Protein Zat12 Plays a Central Role in Reactive Oxygen and Abiotic Stress Signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Davletova Sholpan , Schlauch Karen , Coutu Jesse , Mittler Ron
Published: September 2005

Plant acclimation to environmental stress is controlled by a complex network of regulatory genes that compose distinct stress-response regulons. In contrast to many signaling and regulatory genes that are stress specific, the zinc-finger protein Zat12 responds to a large number of biotic and abiotic stresses. Zat12 is thought to be involved in cold and oxidative stress signaling in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana); however, its mode of action and regulation are largely unknown. Using a fusion between the Zat12 promoter and the reporter gene luciferase, we demonstrate that Zat12 expression is activated at the transcriptional level during different abiotic stresses and in response to a wound-induced systemic signal. Using Zat12 gain- and loss-of-function lines, we assign a function for Zat12 during oxidative, osmotic, salinity, high light, and heat stresses. Transcriptional profiling of Zat12-overexpressing plants and wild-type plants subjected to H2O2 stress revealed that constitutive expression of Zat12 in Arabidopsis results in the enhanced expression of oxidative- and light stress-response transcripts. Under specific growth conditions, Zat12 may therefore regulate a collection of transcripts involved in the response of Arabidopsis to high light and oxidative stress. Our results suggest that Zat12 plays a central role in reactive oxygen and abiotic stress signaling in Arabidopsis.
Repressor- and Activator-Type Ethylene Response Factors Functioning in Jasmonate Signaling and Disease Resistance Identified via a Genome-Wide Screen of Arabidopsis Transcription Factor Gene Expression
Authors: McGrath Ken C. , Dombrecht Bruno , Manners John M. , Schenk Peer M. , Edgar Cameron I. , Maclean Donald J. , Scheible Wolf-Rüdiger , Udvardi Michael K. , Kazan Kemal
Published: September 2005

To identify transcription factors (TFs) involved in jasmonate (JA) signaling and plant defense, we screened 1,534 Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) TFs by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR for their altered transcript at 6 h following either methyl JA treatment or inoculation with the incompatible pathogen Alternaria brassicicola. We identified 134 TFs that showed a significant change in expression, including many APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF), MYB, WRKY, and NAC TF genes with unknown functions. Twenty TF genes were induced by both the pathogen and methyl JA and these included 10 members of the AP2/ERF TF family, primarily from the B1a and B3 subclusters. Functional analysis of the B1a TF AtERF4 revealed that AtERF4 acts as a novel negative regulator of JA-responsive defense gene expression and resistance to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum and antagonizes JA inhibition of root elongation. In contrast, functional analysis of the B3 TF AtERF2 showed that AtERF2 is a positive regulator of JA-responsive defense genes and resistance to F. oxysporum and enhances JA inhibition of root elongation. Our results suggest that plants coordinately express multiple repressor- and activator-type AP2/ERFs during pathogen challenge to modulate defense gene expression and disease resistance.
Characterization of Terfestatin A, a New Specific Inhibitor for Auxin Signaling
Authors: Yamazoe Atsushi , Hayashi Ken-ichiro , Kepinski Stefan , Leyser Ottoline , Nozaki Hiroshi
Published: September 2005

Terfestatin A (TrfA), terphenyl-β-glucoside, was isolated from Streptomyces sp. F40 in a forward screen for compounds that inhibit the expression of auxin-inducible genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). TrfA specifically and competitively inhibited the expression of primary auxin-inducible genes in Arabidopsis roots, but did not affect the expression of genes regulated by other plant hormones such as abscisic acid and cytokinin. TrfA also blocked the auxin-enhanced degradation of auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) repressor proteins without affecting the auxin-stimulated interaction between Aux/IAAs and the F-box protein TIR1. TrfA treatment antagonized auxin responses in roots, including primary root inhibition, lateral root initiation, root hair promotion, and root gravitropism, but had only limited effects on shoot auxin responses. Taken together, these results indicate that TrfA acts as a modulator of Aux/IAA stability and thus provides a new tool for dissecting auxin signaling.
The impact of past alcohol use on treatment response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: CHANG A. , SKOLE K. , GAUTAM M. , SCHMUTZ J. , BLACK M. , THOMAS R. , HORWITZ B. , FRIEDENBERG F. K.
Published: September 2005

Background : Studies have shown that past alcohol consumption reduces response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon monotherapy.

Aim : To clarify the importance of alcohol consumption on response rates in patients undergoing treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Methods : In a single centre, prospective study, median daily alcohol consumption (determined by previously validated method) and quartiles of alcohol consumption were calculated. Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using treatment response status as the dependent variable.

Results : Overall, in an intention‐to‐treat analysis, 34 of 115 patients (30%) responded to treatment. In univariate analysis, black patients, especially those with hepatitis C virus genotype 1, high viral load and low alanine aminotransferase were significantly less likely to respond. Predictors of response by regression analysis included alcohol <30 g/day (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.02–8.93; P = 0.04), non‐genotype 1 status (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.03–3.80; P = 0.04) and non‐black race (OR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.33–5.85; P = 0.006).

Conclusions : Median daily alcohol use >30 g/day is associated with failure to respond to pegylated interferon and ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C. Past alcohol use should be evaluated when considering treatment for hepatitis C.
Effects of intentional gaps in spray coverage on the efficacy of gypsy moth mating disruption
Authors: Tcheslavskaia K. , Brewster C. , Thorpe K. , Sharov A. , Leonard D. , Roberts A.
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  The study was conducted during 2001 and 2002 in forested areas in Virginia, US to examine the effects of gaps in coverage of pheromone on gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lep., Lymantriidae), mating disruption. Gypsy moth male moth catches in pheromone‐baited traps were significantly reduced in plots treated with the gypsy moth sex pheromone, disparlure, at an overall application rate of 37.5 g of active ingredient (AI)/ha but with untreated gaps of 30 or 90 m between 30‐m wide treated swaths. In one of the two plots with 90 m gaps, significantly more males were captured in traps in the untreated areas compared with the treated areas within the plot. However, in another plot, significant differences in trap catches between treated and untreated areas were not observed. No difference in male moth catches in the pheromone‐baited traps was observed between treated and untreated areas within the plots treated with 30 m gaps. Female mating success did not differ significantly between treated and untreated areas within the one plot in which it was measured. These results suggest that it may be possible to lower costs associated with gypsy moth mating disruption applications by alternating treated and untreated swaths, which would reduce flight time and fuel costs, without a reduction in efficacy.
Winter ecology of the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Homo., Aphididae) and its parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hym., Braconidae: Aphidiidae)
Authors: Geiger F. , Bianchi F. J. J. A. , Wäckers F. L.
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  Flower strips near crops may stimulate natural enemies by the provision of nectar and hibernation sites. However, these habitats may also be beneficial for potential pest species. We investigated the dynamics of the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Homo., Aphididae) and its primary parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hym., Braconidae) in brussels sprout fields and adjoining flower plots in winter. A wide variety of 14 plant species were included in the study, each established as monoculture plots. Brussels sprout fields and flower plots were established at two sites. One site was located in an open agricultural landscape, the other in a landscape dominated by mixed forest. Brevicoryne brassicae and D. rapae were found on brussels sprout plants but not in the flower plots. Brevicoryne brassicae was initially more abundant in the open landscape, but as their densities declined rapidly in time, no living aphids were recovered at both sites by February. The density of aphids parasitized by D. rapae showed a similar trend, but densities of eight mummies per brussels sprout plant were still present by the end of February. These findings suggest that (i) flower species under investigation do not function as sources of B. brassicae and (ii) brussels sprout plants that are not harvested may not only harbour D. rapae populations that may sustain biological control, but are also likely to act as sources of B. brassicae infestation.
Assessing diagnostic skill in dermatology: A comparison between general practitioners and dermatologists
Authors: Tran Hue , Chen Keng , Lim Adrian C , Jabbour James , Shumack Stephen
Published: September 2005

This retrospective study was conducted to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy between referring general practitioners and dermatologists with regard to skin conditions. Six hundred and fifty‐six consecutive general practitioner referrals to a private dermatology practice and a dermatology outpatient department were assessed. The concordance rate in diagnoses from a wide spectrum of dermatological diseases was compared between general practitioners and dermatologists. Referring general practitioners agreed with dermatologists’ clinical diagnosis and histology (when available) in 42% of cases. The concordance between general practitioners and dermatologists in the setting of non‐biopsied cases is 45%. One hundred and fifty‐one of 656 (23%) conditions had histological confirmation. Overall, general practitioners agreed with the histological diagnosis in 24% of cases and dermatologists agreed with the histological diagnosis in 77% of cases.
Atypical fibroxanthoma: A clinicopathological study of 89 cases
Authors: Mirza Basit , Weedon David
Published: September 2005

Atypical fibroxanthoma is a controversial entity with a disputed histogenesis. It has recently been suggested that most atypical fibroxanthoma are actually variants of squamous cell carcinoma. We reviewed 100 purported cases of atypical fibroxanthoma received over 4 years to perform clinical follow up and immunohistochemical markers. In particular, we focused on the detection of any recurrence or metastasis. Ten cases were subsequently excluded on the basis of either incorrect coding, or insufficient or absent paraffin blocks on file. A further case was interpreted as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Additional new markers, such as CD10 and CD99, were employed in a proportion of cases. Our cases were typical of the usual clinical presentation of atypical fibroxanthoma on the skin of the sun‐damaged elderly. We found no cases of recurrent or metastatic atypical fibroxanthoma. Two patients developed a second primary atypical fibroxanthoma. CD10 proved to be a useful marker for atypical fibroxanthoma when used on 20 cases in the present study, as was CD99 in seven cases. The only case demonstrating positive staining for keratin also stained for CD10. It had dual features of atypical fibroxanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma. However, as the majority of atypical fibroxanthoma had no adjacent solar keratosis, our data suggest it is unlikely that atypical fibroxanthoma is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma.
Persistent cognitive dysfunction in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder: A naturalistic study
Authors: ROH KYU SIK , SHIN MIN SUP , KIM MYUNG‐SUN , HA TAE‐HYUN , SHIN YONG‐WOOK , LEE KYUNG JIN , KWON JUN SOO
Published: September 2005

Abstract  The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in the cognitive dysfunctions of patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) over a 1‐year period of pharmacological treatment. Twenty‐one OCD patients and 20 normal subjects underwent neuropsychological tests and clinical evaluations on three separate occasions (baseline, 4 months, and 1 year after the start of medications). OCD patients continued to show significant impairments in the following cognitive measures compared with the normal controls: accuracy of immediate and delayed recall on the Rey‐Osterrieth complex figure tests, the numbers of responses on the category fluency test, the response time on the trail making test – part A, and the number of perseverative response and perseverative errors on the Wisconsin card sorting test. The findings in this study suggested that impaired performance on cognitive domains, such as visuospatial memory and verbal fluency may underline the pathology of OCD.
Association between social support and depression status in the elderly: Results of a 1‐year community‐based prospective cohort study in Japan
Authors: KOIZUMI YAYOI , AWATA SHUICHI , KURIYAMA SHINICHI , OHMORI KAORI , HOZAWA ATSUSHI , SEKI TORU , MATSUOKA HIROO , TSUJI ICHIRO
Published: September 2005

Abstract  We conducted a prospective cohort study on subjects aged ≥ 70 years in an urban community to determine whether there is any association between lack of social support and depression status. Of the 2730 eligible subjects, 1178 participated and were interviewed in a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in 2002. We investigated the five social supports items using the following questions: (i) do you have someone with whom you can consult when you are in trouble?, (ii) do you have someone with whom you can consult when your physical condition is not good?, (iii) do you have someone who can help you with your daily housework?, (iv) do you have someone who can take you to a hospital when you do not feel well?, and (v) do you have someone who can take care of you when you are ill in bed? The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to estimate depression status. The subjects were divided into two groups: depressive and non‐depressive. Of 753 subjects classified as non‐depressive, 475 also took part in a CGA in 2003 and 278 dropped out. We calculated the risk of depression status in the elderly without social support. Lack of social support items (i) and (v) were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression status. The multivariate odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) regarding the risk of depression status among the elderly without (i) and (v) social support items were 2.6 (1.2–5.3) and 3.0 (1.4–6.1), respectively. We also found the increase risk of depression status with lack of social support item (v) was significantly different for different sexes and for different pain conditions. We conclude that there is a significant increase in the risk of depression status associated with the lack of social support in Japanese elderly people in an urban community.
Anxiety and depression of patients with digestive cancer
Authors: MATSUSHITA TOSHIKO , MATSUSHIMA EISUKE , MARUYAMA MICHIO
Published: September 2005

Abstract  This study sought to characterize the psychological status of digestive cancer patients, and to investigate the relationship between psychological characteristics and clinical factors. Subjects were 85 inpatients scheduled to undergo surgery for digestive cancer and 26 control patients. The Japanese versions of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung's Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were administered for all subjects before surgery, before discharge, and 6 months after discharge. Changes in HADS and SDS scores across the three examination days for three groups of subjects (advanced‐phase, early phase, and control groups) were compared. The mean scores of anxiety and depression were significantly higher in the advanced‐phase group than in the other two groups. Examination day showed a significant effect on depression; depression increased from before surgery to before discharge, and did not return to the preoperative level at 6 months after discharge, but no significant effect on anxiety. As for the relationship between psychological trends and clinical factors, anxiety in the ‘middle age’ and ‘chemotherapy’ groups was more severe than in the ‘elderly’ and ‘no chemotherapy’ groups. Depression in the ‘medical treatment equipment’, ‘chemotherapy’, and ‘long‐term hospitalization’ groups was more severe than in the ‘no equipment’, ‘no chemotherapy’, and ‘standard‐term hospitalization’ groups. These results suggest that we should pay careful attention to cancer patients undergoing surgery, especially young patients who are constantly at risk of anxiety, and assess their depression taking into account their disease and treatment conditions, especially after the time when their discharge is determined.
Use of restraint in a general hospital psychiatric unit in Japan
Authors: ODAWARA TOSHINARI , NARITA HIROYUKI , YAMADA YASUHIRO , FUJITA JYUNICHI , YAMADA TOMOKI , HIRAYASU YOSHIO
Published: September 2005

Abstract  Few analyses have been carried out in Japan concerning factors contributing to physical restraint of patients. We compared demographic data for 241 inpatients who were restrained during a 4‐year period with data for 1093 inpatients who were not restrained in a general hospital psychiatric unit in Japan. Increased likelihood of restraint use was associated with older age, male gender, off‐hours admission, involuntary hospitalization, transfer from other departments of the hospital, frequent hospitalization, absence of previous treatment, physical complications, history of suicide attempts, organic mental disorders, mental and behavioral disorders from psychoactive substance use, schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders. Importantly, physical complications not only were more prevalent among restrained than unrestrained patients, but additionally in restrained patients physical complications were associated with more prolonged hospitalization and periods under restraint than were associated with assaultive behavior or periods of unconsciousness. In conclusion, general hospital psychiatric units in Japan often treat patients with psychiatric disorders or symptoms that were associated with physical problems. Particular caution is needed in deciding whether such patients should be restrained since hospitalization may be prolonged or functional status compromised.
Plasma nitrate values in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: ATMACA MURAD , TEZCAN ERTAN , KULOGLU MURAT , USTUNDAG BILAL
Published: September 2005

Abstract  Recently there has been increasing evidence that free oxygen species may play an important role in the pathophysiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study was performed to assess the changes in plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to age‐ and sex‐matched normal controls. Twenty‐three patients with OCD and 23 healthy volunteers were included in the study. NO values were determined in the plasma of normal healthy controls and the OCD patients. Plasma nitrate levels in OCD patients were significantly higher than those in controls and were significantly and positively correlated with Yale‐Brown Obsession Compulsion Scale scores but not related to age or to the duration of illness. These findings indicated a possible role of increased NO may be relevant to the pathophysiology of OCD.
Serum total and free testosterone level of Japanese men: a population‐based study
Authors: OKAMURA KIKUO , ANDO FUJIKO , SHIMOKATA HIROSHI
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
There has never been a large scale population‐based study of serum levels of total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) in Japanese men.

Methods
We determined serum levels of TT and FT of 1120 Japanese men aged 40–79 years using radioimmunoassay (RIA), as a part of a population‐based longitudinal study of aging. Of these, sex hormone binding protein (SHBG) was also measured by RIA in 471 men. For the latter group, the calculated free testosterone (cFT) was determined by a formula using serum level of albumin, TT and SHBG.

Results

The mean ± 2 SD of TT, FT and cFT were 513 ± 326 ng/dL (187–839 ng/dL), 13.2 ± 7.8) pg/mL (5.4–21.0 pg/mL) and 77.0 ± 43.4 pg/mL (33.6–120.4 pg/mL), respectively. While TT did not relate to age, FT and cFT decreased with age. FT in the 40–49 years age group was 15.1 ± 8.4 pg/mL (6.7–23.5 pg/mL), in the 50–59 years age group was 13.9 ± 6.8 pg/mL (7.1–20.7 pg/mL), in the 60–69 years age group was 12.0 ± 6.6 pg/mL (5.4–18.6 pg/mL) and in the 70–79 years age group was 11.5 ± 7.0 pg/mL (4.5–18.5 pg/mL). FT significantly correlated with cFT (Spearman's r = 0.803). The correspondence rates were 92.3% at the mean −1 SD and 98.7% at the mean −2 SD level.

Conclusions
We determined the mean and standard deviation of TT, FT and cFT in Japanese men aged 40 years or older. It is supposed that FT determined by RIA would be useful for diagnosing partial androgen deficiency of aging males.
Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with a chromophobe component producing beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin
Authors: SHIMOMURA TATSUYA , IKEMOTO ISAO , YAMADA HIROKI , HAYASHI NORIHIRO , ITO HIROYUKI , OISHI YUKIHIKO
Published: September 2005

Abstract

We report a case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with a chromophobe component showing significant elevation of beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐HCG) in the peripheral blood. A 35‐year‐old man was hospitalized because of a large tumor of the left kidney and elevated serum levels of β‐HCG. Extended nephrectomy was performed, after which the serum β‐HCG level decreased. However, 3 months later, masses were discovered in the left renal bed and in the lung in association with elevated serum levels of β‐HCG. The patient was rehospitalized and received combination therapy with interferon‐α and doxorubicin‐based multiple chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine). The recurrent mass responded extremely well to treatment, and β‐HCG normalized. However, the patient died 14 months after nephrectomy because of eventual resistance to chemotherapy. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma containing β‐HCG positive cells were pathologically diagnosed with immunohistochemical staining in the left kidney. Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma is a variant of renal adenocarcinoma which has a poor prognosis. This patient had an extremely rare sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma associated with serum levels of β‐HCG which were elevated and strongly correlated with morphologic cancer activity. β‐HCG might be a useful serum marker for detecting and monitoring this renal cell carcinoma.
Surgery is inadvisable: Massive varicocele due to portal hypertension
Authors: SCHULTE‐BAUKLOH HEINRICH , KÄMMER JÖRG , FELFE RAINER , STÜRZEBECHER BURKARD , KNISPEL HELMUT H
Published: September 2005

Abstract

The pathophysiology of idiopathic varicoceles as a dilatation of the pampiniform venous plexus has been traced to anatomical and embryological development, but is still unclear. Right or non‐decompressible lesions are worrisome for retroperitoneal pathology, such as renal cell carcinoma, hydronephrosis, abdominal neoplasm or fibrosis. As a very rare finding we describe a patient who presented with an exorbitant left sided varicocele due to portal hypertension. We were well advised to avoid surgery.
Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide therapy targeting clusterin gene for prostate cancer: Vancouver experience from discovery to clinic
Authors: MIYAKE HIDEAKI , HARA ISAO , GLEAVE MARTIN E
Published: September 2005

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to review our experience in the development of antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) therapy for prostate cancer targeting antiapoptotic gene,clusterin.

MethodsWe initially summarized our data demonstrating thatclusterincould be an optimal therapeutic target for prostate cancer, then presented the process of developing AS ODN therapy using several preclinical animal models. Finally, the preliminary data of the recently completed phase I clinical trial using AS clusterin ODN as well as the future prospects of this therapy are discussed.

ResultsExpression of clusterin was highly up‐regulated after androgen withdrawal and during progression to androgen‐independence, but low or absent in untreated tissues in both prostate cancer animal model systems and human clinical specimens. Introduction of theclusteringene into human prostate cancer cells confers resistance to several therapeutic stimuli, including androgen ablation, chemotherapy and radiation. AS ODN targeting the translation initiation site of theclusteringene markedly inhibited clusterin expression in prostate cancer cells in a dose‐dependent and sequence‐specific manner. Systemic treatment with AS clusterin ODN enhanced the effects of several conventional therapies through the effective induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer xenograft models. Based on these findings, a phase I clinical trial was completed using AS clusterin ODN incorporating 2′‐O‐(2‐methoxy)ethyl‐gapmer backbone (OGX‐011), showing up to 90% suppression of clusterin in prostate cancer.

ConclusionsThe data described above identifiedclusterinas an antiapoptotic gene up‐regulated in an adaptive cell survival manner following various cell death triggers that helps confer a phenotype resistant to therapeutic stimuli. Inhibition of clusterin expression using AS ODN technology enhances apoptosis induced by several conventional treatments, resulting in the delay of AI progression and improved survival. Clinical trials using AS ODN confirm potent suppression of clusterin expression and phase II studies will begin in early 2005.
Overloads in ductile and brittle materials
Authors: PIPPAN R. , BICHLER C. , TABERNIG B. , WEINHANDL H.
Published: September 2005

The first part of the paper presents fatigue crack propagation experiments with single overloads at different overload ratios and specimen thickness in a very ductile austenitic steel. The results show that in the Paris regime in a ductile material, the overload effect can be explained solely in the framework of the change of the plasticity‐induced crack closure. Other effects such as strain hardening, blunting, additional damage, crack deflection and branching are not significant. Whether or not this behaviour can be observed in less ductile materials and also in the threshold regime is investigated in the second part. Periodic overload experiments were performed on a relatively ductile 2124, and a more brittle 359, particle‐reinforced aluminium alloy. In the Paris regime, the retardation in the 2124 reinforced alloy showed the expected behaviour for a ductile material, whereas in the 359 reinforced cast alloy, an acceleration of the mean growth rate was observed. Near the threshold the difference between the two alloys and the effect of the periodic overloads decreased.
Thermo‐mechanical fatigue life assessment of hot forging die steel
Authors: BERTI G. A. , MONTI M.
Published: September 2005

Dies for hot forging operations are subjected to coupled mechanical and thermal cycles which deeply influence their thermo‐mechanical fatigue life. Crack initiation and propagation on die surface are induced both by thermal gradients acting in the layer near the contact surface with the billet and by the superimposed stresses due to the mechanical cycles.

At present, die life cannot be estimated either by experimental tools, or by simulation software. Therefore, a programme of research has been started in this field. A new laboratory test has been developed that is able to reproduce in specimens the thermo‐mechanical conditions derived from industrial cases. A description of the test equipment and the relevant procedure is summarized in the first part of the work. Then, the paper focuses on the experimental investigation of a typical hot forging die steel. Design of Experiments (DoE) techniques were used in designing and analysing the experimental programme. A thermo‐mechanical fatigue life assessment model, based on the experimental data and using response surface methodology (RSM), is proposed. Effects on life, due to variation of some forging parameters, are evaluated.
An application of data envelopment analysis to the evaluation of audit risk: a reinterpretation
Authors: Davutyan Nurhan , Kavut Lerzan
Published: September 2005

This paper, which reinterprets previous work by Bradbury and Rouse (2002), addresses the risk quantification issue at an intuitive level. The insights provided by such quantification are discussed. Risk factors are associated with the risk‐return concept. This allows measuring whether risks taken on are appropriately rewarded. The paper gives a non‐technical exposition of DEA and outlines possible applications to accounting and finance. Using data for a large multinational, it shows how DEA analysis can be combined with internal audit procedures. It explains how the results obtained can be used to improve risk management.