bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can sugars be produced from fatty acids? A test case for pathway analysis tools
Authors: de Figueiredo Luis F. , Schuster Stefan , Kaleta Christoph , Fell David A.
Published: September 2008

Motivation: In recent years, several methods have been proposed for determining metabolic pathways in an automated way based on network topology. The aim of this work is to analyse these methods by tackling a concrete example relevant in biochemistry. It concerns the question whether even-chain fatty acids, being the most important constituents of lipids, can be converted into sugars at steady state. It was proved five decades ago that this conversion using the Krebs cycle is impossible unless the enzymes of the glyoxylate shunt (or alternative bypasses) are present in the system. Using this example, we can compare the various methods in pathway analysis.

Results: Elementary modes analysis (EMA) of a set of enzymes corresponding to the Krebs cycle, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis supports the scientific evidence showing that there is no pathway capable of converting acetyl-CoA to glucose at steady state. This conversion is possible after the addition of isocitrate lyase and malate synthase (forming the glyoxylate shunt) to the system. Dealing with the same example, we compare EMA with two tools based on graph theory available online, PathFinding and Pathway Hunter Tool. These automated network generating tools do not succeed in predicting the conversions known from experiment. They sometimes generate unbalanced paths and reveal problems identifying side metabolites that are not responsible for the carbon net flux. This shows that, for metabolic pathway analysis, it is important to consider the topology (including bimolecular reactions) and stoichiometry of metabolic systems, as is done in EMA.

Contact:  ldpf@minet.uni-jena.de; schuster@minet.uni-jena.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Postharvest Fruit Rots in Apples Caused by Botrytis cinerea, Phacidiopycnis washingtonensis, and Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens
Authors: Xiao C. L. , Kim Y. K.
Published: September 2008

Postharvest fruit rot diseases can be a limiting factor for storage of apples, and identifying target pathogens is the first necessary step for development and implementation of relevant measures for disease control. However, the symptoms of two new diseases, Sphaeropsis rot and speck rot, are similar to those of gray mold, and the two newly recognized diseases are often misdiagnosed as gray mold. The objective of this article is to provide a practical guide to diagnosis of these three diseases in apples.

Accepted for publication 14 July 2008. Published 19 September 2008.
Evaluation of the National Plant Germplasm System's Garlic Collection for Seven Viruses
Authors: Pappu Hanu R. , Hellier Barbara C. , Dugan Frank M.
Published: September 2008

Garlic (Allium sativum L. and A. longicuspis Regel.) germplasm maintained by the USDA-ARS Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) was screened for four viruses commonly infecting garlic [Garlic common latent carlavirus (GCLV), Leek yellow stripe potyvirus (LYSV), Onion yellow dwarf potyvirus (OYDV), and Shallot latent carlavirus (SLV)] plus three others [Iris yellow spot tospovirus (IYSV), Tobacco rattle tobravirus (TRV), and Tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV)]. Over 200 accessions were rated for the incidence of symptomatic plants during two production seasons, in July 2005 and June 2006. In both years, incidence of symptomatic plants ranged from less than 10% to 100% in individual accessions. Laboratory testing of selected accessions showed that the accessions were predominantly infected with OYDV (60% of infections), followed by GCLV (25%) and LYSV (15%).

Accepted for publication 26 June 2008. Published 19 September 2008.
EGFR-Targeted Therapeutics: Focus on SCCHN and NSCLC
Authors: Sattler Martin , Abidoye Oyewale , Salgia Ravi
Published: September 2008

Cancers of the head and neck and of the lung are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates that have remained relatively unchanged for more than 3 decades, despite advances in radiation therapies and chemotherapies over the same time. It is generally believed that the efficacy of standard therapy regimens has reached a plateau for these cancers. The discovery of specific aberrant molecular signaling pathways in solid tumors has afforded promising new directions for newer “targeted” cancer therapeutics. Among these, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) shows promise as a therapeutic target. Clinical studies have demonstrated that this targeted approach provides clinically meaningful benefit. This article reviews EGFR-targeted therapies in use and in development, with a focus on the role of EGFR in the pathophysiology of head and neck and lung cancer, and new concepts being investigated to improve outcomes with these agents.
Dry Gangrene of the Penis Induced by a Bullring for Sexual Stimulation Purposes
Authors: Labanaris Apostolos P. , Zugor Vahudin , Smiszek Robert , Nützel Reinhold , Kühn Reinhard
Published: September 2008

Dry gangrene of the penis is a critical clinical condition provoked by vascular compromise that can lead to severe complications. Although usually caused by diabetes mellitus or due to end-stage renal disease, in these last years, there has been an increase of penile gangrene incidents induced by penile strangulation due to constricting devices for sexual stimulation purposes. We present such a case and discuss the correct approach for treatment of this unusual condition.
Phylogeny of embiopterans (Insecta)
Authors: Szumik Claudia , Edgerly Janice S. , Hayashi Cheryl Y.
Published: September 2008

A cladistic analysis of embiopterans, based on 157 species (representing 70% of the known genera) and 186 morphological characters, is presented, as well as a molecular analysis for 22 taxa using genes encoding 16S, 18S and 28S rDNA and COI. Species of all known families are included, except Andesembiidae Ross (specimens of which are in a private collection). The evidence presented supports the monophyly of four of the families (Australembiidae, Oligotomidae, Teratembiidae, and Anisembiidae). Notoligotomidae is paraphyletic and included within the Afro‐neotropical family Archembiidae (which is also paraphyletic). The genera Embia, Cleomia, Macrembia, and Dihybocercus (Embiidae) form, together with Australembiidae, a group strongly supported by morphology; the position of the remaining genera of Embiidae has two quite different resolutions. Almost 80% of the genera of Anisembiidae recently described appear as either paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Contrary to the opinion of other specialists, the major groups as well as the monophyly of some families are supported by features which have been ignored in classical approaches to the systematics of Embioptera, such as the ovipositor and cephalic and leg structures, characters with an almost perfect fit.
Increased shedding of soluble fragments of P‐cadherin in nipple aspirate fluids from women with breast cancer
Authors: Mannello Ferdinando , Tonti Gaetana A. M. , Medda Virginia , Pederzoli Andrea , Sauter Edward R.
Published: September 2008

Breast cancer, a worldwide disease with increasing incidence, develops from ductal/lobular epithelium. Nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), secreted from the breast ducts and lobules, can be analyzed to assess breast metabolic activity. P‐cadherin is frequently over‐expressed in high‐grade invasive breast carcinomas and has been reported to be an enhancer of migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, being correlated with tumor aggressiveness. The present study analyzed the soluble fragment of P‐cadherin in milk, NAF and matched plasma samples of healthy subjects and in women with precancer conditions and breast cancer. Soluble P‐cadherin was detected in all plasma and milk samples, and in about 31.3% of NAF samples. The lowest levels of soluble P‐cadherin were found in plasma, with no significant difference among NoCancer, PreCancer and Cancer patients. The highest concentration of soluble P‐cadherin was detected in milk collected during the first trimester of lactation, significantly with respect to all NAF samples. There were significantly higher levels of soluble P‐cadherin in NAF from Cancer patients than those in women with NoCancer and PreCancer (P < 0.0001). Although no significant difference was found between in situ and invasive breast cancer, soluble P‐cadherin levels were found at high concentrations in c‐erbB‐2‐positive tumors, showing a positive correlation with disease stage grouping and tumor grade, and an inverse relationship with estrogen/progesterone receptor status. High levels of the soluble fragment of P‐cadherin in Cancer NAF suggest its possible release via proteolytic processing, favoring cancer cell detachment from breast duct, and suggesting that measuring soluble P‐cadherin in NAF may improve the identification of women with increased breast cancer risk. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2160–2169)
Clinical significance of pretreatment serum amphiregulin and transforming growth factor‐α, and an epidermal growth factor receptor somatic mutation in patients with advanced non‐squamous, non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Masago Katsuhiro , Fujita Shiro , Hatachi Yukimasa , Fukuhara Akiko , Sakuma Keiichiro , Ichikawa Masataka , Kim Yung Haku , Mio Tadashi , Mishima Michiaki
Published: September 2008

Circulating amphiregulin and transforming growth factor‐α (TGF‐α) have been found to be correlated with an unfavorable response to gefitinib based on the identification of patients with a higher probability of resistance to the drug. However, the association between an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) somatic mutation and the overexpression of its ligands has not been determined. To verify the clinical significance of the two serum markers and EGFR mutation status, we determined serum amphiregulin and TGF‐α levels by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 93 patients with advanced non‐squamous, non‐small cell lung cancer and EGFR somatic mutation status using the peptic nucleic acid‐locked nucleic acid clamp method in 46 cases. The relationship between each independent clinicopathological variable and the response to gefitinib therapy was examined. We also evaluated the risk factors associated with prognosis. Fourteen (41.0%) of 34 progressive disease cases were positive for amphiregulin (P = 0.007). Eleven (32.4%) of 34 progressive disease cases were positive for TGF‐α (P = 0.005). The median survival time of patients with the EGFR somatic mutation was significantly longer (P = 0.01). The same was true of amphiregulin‐ (P = 0.046) and TGF‐α‐negative patients (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, serum TGF‐α positivity (hazard ratio, 2.558; P = 0.005) and the wild type EGFR gene (hazard ratio, 1.894; P = 0.003) were significant independent prognostic factors. Our study demonstrates that the status of the serum EGFR ligand, in addition to EGFR activating mutation, is a predictive factor for response to gefitinib therapy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2295–2301)
Effects of an experimental drought and recovery on soil emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and nitric oxide in a moist tropical forest
Authors: DAVIDSON ERIC A. , NEPSTAD DANIEL C. , ISHIDA FRANÇOISE YOKO , BRANDO PAULO M.
Published: September 2008

Changes in precipitation in the Amazon Basin resulting from regional deforestation, global warming, and El Niño events may affect emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and nitric oxide (NO) from soils. Changes in soil emissions of radiatively important gases could have feedback implications for regional and global climate. Here, we report the final results of a 5‐year, large‐scale (1 ha) throughfall exclusion experiment, followed by 1 year of recovery with natural throughfall, conducted in a mature evergreen forest near Santarém, Brazil. The exclusion manipulation lowered annual N2O emissions in four out of five treatment years (a natural drought year being the exception), and then recovered during the first year after the drought treatment stopped. Similarly, consumption of atmospheric CH4 increased under drought treatment, except during a natural drought year, and it also recovered to pretreatment values during the first year that natural throughfall was permitted back on the plot. No treatment effect was detected for NO emissions during the first 3 treatment years, but NO emissions increased in the fourth year under the extremely dry conditions of the exclusion plot during a natural drought. Surprisingly, there was no treatment effect on soil CO2 efflux in any year. The drought treatment provoked significant tree mortality and reduced the allocation of C to stems, but allocation of C to foliage and roots were less affected. Taken together, these results suggest that the dominant effect of throughfall exclusion on soil processes during this 6‐year period was on soil aeration conditions that transiently affected CH4, N2O, and NO production and consumption.
A climatic threshold triggers the die‐off of peat mosses during an extreme heat wave
Authors: BRAGAZZA LUCA
Published: September 2008

Heat waves, which are projected to be more frequent and intense in a warmer climate, could become a serious threat to plants that rely on water surplus availability, such as bryophytes. Here, I take the advantage of the European summer 2003 climate anomaly to assess the impact of an extreme heat wave on peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum, a group of bryophytes forming the bulk of living and dead biomass in peatlands. With this aim, 20 selected bogs in the Italian Alps were checked for Sphagnum survival in the years following the heat wave. Over the study area, the period May–September 2003 was characterized by higher mean monthly air temperature (13.5 °C) and lower mean monthly precipitation (87 mm) compared with normal climatic conditions (11.5 °C and 117 mm, respectively) so that the heat wave coincided with a drought spell. As a consequence of the unusual water stress, I documented an increased mortality of peat mosses forming high hummocks. In particular, at habitat scale, the distribution of desiccated peat mosses was restricted to the hummock face receiving the greatest amount of solar irradiation. However, at regional scale, the present study identified a climatic threshold, simply defined by the ratio of precipitation to temperature (P : T), which triggered an irreversible desiccation of peat mosses when mean monthly P : T dropped below 6.5 (mm :  °C) during May–September 2003. The absence of any sign of recovery after 4 years since the drought must be seen as a harbinger of the deleterious effects of extreme heat waves on organisms not adapted to cope with abrupt climate anomaly.
Endodontic malpractice claims in Denmark 1995–2004
Authors: Bjørndal L. , Reit C.
Published: September 2008

Aim  To study the reasons for and outcome of malpractice claims handled by the regional and national Danish Dental Complaint Boards (DCB) from 1995 to 2004. Specific attention was paid to endodontic claims. Three hypotheses were explored: endodontic malpractice claims are frequent, they are mostly due to technical shortcomings and male dentists are overrepresented.

Methodology  The reasons for the claims were classified and assigned to at least one of 14 categories. Cases assigned to the ‘endodontic treatment’ category were further sub‐categorized, and reasons for malpractice were examined. An age and gender analysis of dentists and complaining patients was performed only on data obtained from the endodontic cases.

Results  Overall, 3611 malpractice claims were registered. In 43% of the cases the dentist was judged to be guilty of malpractice. In the majority of the appealed cases the original verdict was affirmed (62.2%) by the national DCB. After crown & bridge treatment (23%) endodontic treatment was the next frequent malpractice claim (13.7%), in which ‘technical complications or incorrect treatment’ was the most frequent sub‐categorization (28.4%). Reasons for endodontic malpractice verdicts were related to root filling quality, the use of a paraformaldehyde product and instrument fracture. Male dentists were most often involved in an endodontic claim, and the majority of complainants were females.

Conclusions  Endodontic malpractice claims were relatively common in Denmark. Perceived technical shortcomings dominated the patients′ complaints concerning root canal treatment. Male dentists and female patients were overrepresented indicating a gender influence on aspects of the doctor‐patient communication important for liability claims.
Endodontic management of badly broken down teeth using the canal projection system: two case reports
Authors: Bhomavat A. S. , Manjunatha R. K. , Rao R. N. , Kidiyoor K. H.
Published: September 2008

Aim  Teeth that have been weakened by caries and require root canal treatment to maintain their functional integrity may present with minimal coronal tooth structure and are a challenge for isolation and restoration. The aim of this clinical report is to demonstrate the management of badly broken down teeth using the Projector Endodontic Instrument Guidance System (PEIGS).

Summary  The PEIGS is an adjunct to root canal treatment designed to enhance the ease of treatment delivery. Use of this system facilitates projection of canal orifices from the floor of the pulp chamber to the cavosurface, providing direct visualization of and physical access to the projected canals. This report demonstrates the use of this novel device for the management of two badly broken down teeth.

Key learning points Use of the endodontic projection system has the following advantages:

• ‘Projects’ the canal orifice from the floor of the pulp chamber to the cavosurface, thereby enhancing visualization and access to the canals.

• The bonded coronal build up reduces the risk of interappointment crack initiation and coronal‐radicular fracture of weakened tooth structure.

• Permits individualization of canals especially when they lie in close proximity to each other on the chamber floor.

• Isolation may be facilitated by ease of clamp retention, rendering many structurally debilitated teeth endodontically treatable.
A Dot/Icm‐translocated ankyrin protein of Legionella pneumophila is required for intracellular proliferation within human macrophages and protozoa
Authors: Al‐Khodor Souhaila , Price Christopher T. , Habyarimana Fabien , Kalia Awdhesh , Abu Kwaik Yousef
Published: September 2008

The Dot/Icm type IV secretion system of Legionella pneumophila translocates numerous bacterial effectors into the host cell and is essential for bacterial proliferation within macrophages and protozoa. We have recently shown that L. pneumophila strain AA100/130b harbours 11 genes encoding eukaryotic‐like ankyrin (Ank) proteins, a family of proteins involved in various essential eukaryotic cellular processes. In contrast to most Dot/Icm‐exported substrates, which have little or no detectable role in intracellular proliferation, a mutation in ankB results in a severe growth defect in intracellular replication within human monocyte‐derived macrophages (hMDMs), U937 macrophages and Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Single cell analyses of coinfections of hMDMs have shown that the intracellular growth defect of the ankB mutant is totally rescued in cis within communal phagosomes harbouring the wild type strain. Interestingly, distinct from dot/icm structural mutants, the ankB mutant is also rescued in trans within cells harbouring the wild type strain in a different phagosome, indicating that AnkB is a trans‐acting secreted effector. Using adenylate cyclase fusions to AnkB, we show that AnkB is translocated into the host cell via the Dot/Icm secretion system in an IcmSW‐dependent manner and that the last three C‐terminal amino acid residues are essential for translocation. Distinct from the dot/icm structural mutants, the ankB mutant‐containing phagosomes exclude late endosomal and lysosomal markers and their phagosomes are remodelled by the rough endoplasmic reticulum. We show that at the postexponential phase of growth, the LetA/S and PmrA/B Two Component Systems confer a positive regulation on expression of the ankB gene, whereas RpoS, LetE and RelA suppress its expression. Our data show that the eukaryotic‐like AnkB protein is a Dot/Icm‐exported effector that plays a major role in intracellular replication of L. pneumophila within macrophages and protozoa, and its expression is temporally controlled by regulators of the postexponential phase of growth.
The rate of protein secretion dictates the temporal dynamics of flagellar gene expression
Authors: Brown Jonathon D. , Saini Supreet , Aldridge Christine , Herbert Jenny , Rao Christopher V. , Aldridge Phillip D.
Published: September 2008

Flagellar gene expression is temporally regulated in response to the assembly state of the growing flagellum. The key mechanism for enforcing this temporal hierarchy in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is the σ28‐FlgM checkpoint, which couples the expression of the late flagellar (Pclass3) genes to the completion of the hook–basal body. This checkpoint is triggered when FlgM is secreted from the cell. In addition to the σ28‐FlgM checkpoint, a number of other regulatory mechanisms respond to the secretion of late proteins. In this work, we examined how middle (Pclass2) and late (Pclass3) gene expression is affected by late protein secretion. Dynamic analysis of flagellar gene expression identified a novel mechanism where induction of Pclass2 activity is delayed either when late protein secretion is abolished or when late protein secretion is increased. Using a number of different approaches, we were able to show that this mechanism did not involve any known flagellar regulator. Furthermore, the changes in Pclass2 activity were not correlated with the associated changes in Pclass3 activity, which was found to be proportional to late protein secretion rates. Our data indicate that both Pclass2 and Pclass3 promoters are continuously regulated in response to assembly and late protein secretion rates. These results suggest that flagellar regulation is more complex than previously thought.
Inducible protein degradation in Bacillus subtilis using heterologous peptide tags and adaptor proteins to target substrates to the protease ClpXP
Authors: Griffith Kevin L. , Grossman Alan D.
Published: September 2008

The ability to manipulate protein levels is useful for dissecting regulatory pathways, elucidating gene function and constructing synthetic biological circuits. We engineered an inducible protein degradation system for use in Bacillus subtilis based on Escherichia coli and Caulobacter crescentusssrA tags and SspB adaptors that deliver proteins to ClpXP for proteolysis. In this system, modified ssrA degradation tags are fused onto the 3′ end of the genes of interest. Unlike wild‐type ssrA, these modified tags require the adaptor protein SspB to target tagged proteins for proteolysis. In the absence of SspB, the tagged proteins accumulate to near physiological levels. By inducing SspB expression from a regulated promoter, the tagged substrates are rapidly delivered to the B. subtilis ClpXP protease for degradation. We used this system to degrade the reporter GFP and several native B. subtilis proteins, including, the transcription factor ComA, two sporulation kinases (KinA, KinB) and the sporulation and chromosome partitioning protein Spo0J. We also used modified E. coli and C. crescentus ssrA tags to independently control the degradation of two different proteins in the same cell. These tools will be useful for studying biological processes in B. subtilis and can potentially be modified for use in other bacteria.
Loss of cytosolic fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase limits photosynthetic sucrose synthesis and causes severe growth retardations in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: LEE SANG‐KYU , JEON JONG‐SEONG , BÖRNKE FREDERIK , VOLL LARS , CHO JUNG‐IL , GOH CHANG‐HYO , JEONG SUK‐WON , PARK YOUN‐IL , KIM SUNG JIN , CHOI SANG‐BONG , MIYAO AKIO , HIROCHIKA HIROHIKO , AN GYNHEUNG , CHO MAN‐HO , BHOO SEONG HEE , SONNEWALD UWE , HAHN TAE‐RYONG
Published: September 2008

During photosynthesis, triose‐phosphates (trioseP) exported from the chloroplast to the cytosol are converted to sucrose via cytosolic fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase (cFBPase). Expression analysis in rice suggests that OscFBP1 plays a major role in the cytosolic conversion of trioseP to sucrose in leaves during the day. The isolated OscFBP1 mutants exhibited markedly decreased photosynthetic rates and severe growth retardation with reduced chlorophyll content, which results in plant death. Analysis of primary carbon metabolites revealed both significantly reduced levels of sucrose, glucose, fructose and starch in leaves of these mutants, and a high accumulation of sucrose to starch in leaves of rice plants. In the oscfbp1 mutants, products of glycolysis and the TCA cycle were significantly increased. A partitioning experiment of 14C‐labelled photoassimilates revealed altered carbon distributions including a slight increase in the insoluble fraction representing transitory starch, a significant decrease in the neutral fraction corresponding to soluble sugars and a high accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates and carboxylic acid fractions in the oscfbp1 mutants. These results indicate that the impaired synthesis of sucrose in rice cannot be sufficiently compensated for by the transitory starch‐mediated pathways that have been found to facilitate plant growth in the equivalent Arabidopsis mutants.
Root decisions
Authors: HODGE ANGELA
Published: September 2008

Root systems have recognizable developmental plans when grown in solution or agar; however, these plans often must be modified to cope with the prevailing conditions in the soil environment such as the avoidance of obstacles and the exploitation of nutrient‐rich patches or water zones. The modular structure of roots enables them to respond to their environment, and roots are very adaptive at modifying growth throughout the root system to concentrate their efforts in the areas that are the most profitable. Roots also form associations with microorganisms as a strategy to enhance resource capture. However, while the responses of roots in nutrient patches are well‐recognized, overall ‘rules of response’ and variation in strategy among plant species that can be applied in a number of different environments are still lacking. Finally, there is increasing evidence that root–root interactions are much more sophisticated than previously thought, and the evidence for roots to identify self from non‐self roots will be briefly discussed.
Isoprene and nitric oxide reduce damages in leaves exposed to oxidative stress
Authors: VELIKOVA VIOLETA , FARES SILVANO , LORETO FRANCESCO
Published: September 2008

Isoprene and nitric oxide (NO) are two volatile molecules that are produced in leaves. Both compounds were suggested to have an important protective role against stresses. We tested, in two isoprene‐emitting species, Populus nigra and Phragmites australis, whether: (1) NO emission outside leaves is measurable and is affected by oxidative stresses; and (2) isoprene and NO protect leaves against oxidative stresses, both singularly and in combination. The emission of NO was undetectable, and the compensation point was very low in control poplar leaves. Both emission and compensation point increased dramatically in stressed leaves. NO emission was inversely associated with stomatal conductance. More NO was emitted in leaves that were isoprene‐inhibited, and more isoprene was emitted when NO was reduced by NO scavenger c‐PTIO. Both isoprene and NO reduced oxidative damages. Isoprene‐emitting leaves which were also fumigated with NO, or treated with NO donor, showed low damage to photosynthesis, a reduced accumulation of H2O2 and a reduced membrane denaturation. We conclude that measurable amounts of NO are only produced and emitted by stressed leaves, that both isoprene and NO are effective antioxidant molecules and that an additional protection is achieved when both molecules are released.
An N‐terminal diacidic motif is required for the trafficking of maize aquaporins ZmPIP2;4 and ZmPIP2;5 to the plasma membrane
Authors: Zelazny Enric , Miecielica Urszula , Borst Jan Willem , Hemminga Marcus A. , Chaumont François
Published: September 2008

Maize plasma membrane aquaporins (ZmPIPs, where PIP is the plasma membrane intrinsic protein) fall into two groups, ZmPIP1s and ZmPIP2s, which, when expressed alone in mesophyll protoplasts, are found in different subcellular locations. Whereas ZmPIP1s are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ZmPIP2s are found in the plasma membrane (PM). We previously showed that, when co‐expressed with ZmPIP2s, ZmPIP1s are relocalized to the PM, and that this relocalization results from the formation of hetero‐oligomers between ZmPIP1s and ZmPIP2s. To determine the domains responsible for the ER retention and PM localization, respectively, of ZmPIP1s and ZmPIP2s, truncated and mutated ZmPIPs were generated, together with chimeric proteins created by swapping the N‐ or C‐terminal regions of ZmPIP2s and ZmPIP1s. These mutated proteins were fused to the mYFP and/or mCFP, and the fusion proteins were expressed in maize mesophyll protoplasts, and were then localized by microscopy. This allowed us to identify a diacidic motif, DIE (Asp‐Ile‐Glu), at position 4–6 of the N‐terminus of ZmPIP2;5, that is essential for ER export. This motif was conserved and functional in ZmPIP2;4, but was absent in ZmPIP2;1. In addition, we showed that the N‐terminus of ZmPIP2;5 was not sufficient to cause the export of ZmPIP1;2 from the ER. A study of ZmPIP1;2 mutants suggested that the N‐ and C‐termini of this protein are probably not involved in ER retention. Together, these results show that the trafficking of maize PM aquaporins is differentially regulated depending on the isoform, and involves a specific signal and mechanism.
The BTB ubiquitin ligases ETO1, EOL1 and EOL2 act collectively to regulate ethylene biosynthesis in Arabidopsis by controlling type‐2 ACC synthase levels
Authors: Christians Matthew J. , Gingerich Derek J. , Hansen Maureen , Binder Brad M. , Kieber Joseph J. , Vierstra Richard D.
Published: September 2008

Ethylene biosynthesis is directed by a family of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) synthases (ACS) that convert S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine to the immediate precursor ACC. Members of the type‐2 ACS subfamily are strongly regulated by proteolysis with various signals stabilizing the proteins to increase ethylene production. In Arabidopsis, this turnover is mediated by the ubiquitin/26 S proteasome system, using a broad complex/tramtrack/bric‐a‐brac (BTB) E3 assembled with the ETHYLENE OVERPRODUCER 1 (ETO1) BTB protein for target recognition. Here, we show that two Arabidopsis BTB proteins closely related to ETO1, designated ETO1‐like (EOL1) and EOL2, also negatively regulate ethylene synthesis via their ability to target ACSs for breakdown. Like ETO1, EOL1 interacts with type‐2 ACSs (ACS4, ACS5 and ACS9), but not with type‐1 or type‐3 ACSs, or with type‐2 ACS mutants that stabilize the corresponding proteins in planta. Whereas single and double mutants affecting EOL1 and EOL2 do not show an ethylene‐related phenotype, they exaggerate the effects caused by inactivation of ETO1, and further increase ethylene production and the accumulation of ACS5 in eto1 plants. The triple eto1 eol1 eol2 mutant phenotype can be effectively rescued by the ACS inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine, and by silver, which antagonizes ethylene perception. Together with hypocotyl growth assays showing that the sensitivity and response kinetics to ethylene are normal, it appears that ethylene synthesis, but not signaling, is compromised in the triple mutant. Collectively, the data indicate that the Arabidopsis BTB E3s assembled with ETO1, EOL1 and EOL2 work together to negatively regulate ethylene synthesis by directing the degradation of type‐2 ACS proteins.
Refunctionalization of the ancient rice blast disease resistance gene Pit by the recruitment of a retrotransposon as a promoter
Authors: Hayashi Keiko , Yoshida Hitoshi
Published: September 2008

The plant genome contains a large number of disease resistance (R) genes that have evolved through diverse mechanisms. Here, we report that a long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon contributed to the evolution of the rice blast resistance gene Pit. Pit confers race‐specific resistance against the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe grisea, and is a member of the nucleotide‐binding site leucine‐rich repeat (NBS‐LRR) family of R genes. Compared with the non‐functional allele PitNpb, the functional allele PitK59 contains four amino acid substitutions, and has the LTR retrotransposon Renovator inserted upstream. Pathogenesis assays using chimeric constructs carrying the various regions of PitK59 and PitNpb suggest that amino acid substitutions might have a potential effect in Pit resistance; more importantly, the upregulated promoter activity conferred by the Renovator sequence is essential for Pit function. Our data suggest that transposon‐mediated transcriptional activation may play an important role in the refunctionalization of additional ‘sleeping’R genes in the plant genome.
CLINICAL STUDY: The P300 event‐related potential and its possible role as an endophenotype for studying substance use disorders: a review
Authors: Singh Shubh M. , Basu Debasish
Published: September 2008

The concept of endophenotypes has gained popularity in recent years. This is because of the potential that endophenotypes provide of measuring objective trait markers that are simpler to access and assess than complex behavioral disease phenotypes themselves. The simplicity, ease of measurement and the putative links to the etiology of the disease in the study of an endophenotype has the potential promise of unraveling the genetic basis of the disease in question. Of the various proposed endophenotypes, the P300 component of the event‐related potential has been used in studies on alcoholism, schizophrenia and externalizing disorders. The current state of knowledge regarding the concept of endophenotypes, P300 and the validity of P300 as an endophenotype with special reference to substance use disorders is discussed in this review. The implications of the above are discussed.
A new PTGDR promoter polymorphism in a population of children with asthma
Authors: Sanz Catalina , Isidoro‐García María , Dávila Ignacio , De Pedro Marien Pascual , De Arriba Méndez Sonia , Padrón Juana , Ruiz‐SanFrancisco Arturo , Lorente Félix
Published: September 2008

Recently, functional genetic variants of the PTGDR gene have been associated with asthma. The objective of this work was to study polymorphisms of the promoter region of PTGDR and their haplotype and diplotype combinations in a Spanish population of children with asthma. In this study, 200 Caucasian individuals were included. Asthma was specialist–physician diagnosed according to the ATS criteria. The polymorphisms were analyzed by direct sequencing. In the study, the new polymorphism (‐613C > T) in the promoter region of PTGDR was analyzed. The CT genotype was more common in controls (17%) than in patients with asthma (1%) (p‐value = 0.0003; OR, 0.057; 95% CI, 0.007–0.441). The CCCT CCCC diplotype (promoter positions ‐613, ‐549, ‐441, and ‐197) was more frequent in the group of patients with asthma [Fisher’s p‐value = 0.012; OR, 10.24; 95% CI (1.25–83.68)]; this diplotype is unambiguous. To our knowledge, this is the first study of ‐613C > T PTGDR polymorphism in patients. This analysis provides more complete information on influence of diplotype combinations of PTGDR polymorphisms in asthma.
Disseminated histoplasmosis manifesting as a soft‐tissue chest wall mass in a heart transplant recipient
Authors: Koo H.L. , Hamill R.J. , Gentry L.O.
Published: September 2008

Abstract: Soft‐tissue masses are rarely associated with Histoplasma capsulatum infection. We describe a heart transplant patient who presented with a large right‐sided chest wall mass as a manifestation of disseminated histoplasmosis. A successful clinical outcome was achieved upon recognition of the fungal pathogen.
Listeria grayi bacteremia in a heart transplant recipient
Authors: Rapose A. , Lick S.D. , Ismail N.
Published: September 2008

Abstract: Bacteria belonging to the genus Listeria have been isolated from food products of animal, plant, and fish origin, and are associated with infections in immunocompromised hosts, pregnant women, and infants. The species Listeria grayi has rarely been reported as a human pathogen. It has a unique antibiotic sensitivity profile. We describe a case of L. grayi bacteremia in a heart transplant recipient. The organism demonstrated a reduced sensitivity to ampicillin. The patient was successfully treated with a combination of vancomycin and ciprofloxacin.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection after living‐donor liver transplantation in adults
Authors: Hashimoto M. , Sugawara Y. , Tamura S. , Kaneko J. , Matsui Y. , Kokudo N. , Makuuchi M.
Published: September 2008

Objectives. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is a major cause of bacterial infection after deceased‐donor liver transplantation. The incidence and risk factors of P. aeruginosa infection after living‐donor liver transplantation (LDLT), however, are not known.

Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the data from 170 adult patients who underwent LDLT at the University of Tokyo Hospital. The microbiologic and medical records of the patients from admission to 3 months after LDLT were reviewed. Uni‐ and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for postoperative P. aeruginosa infection.

Result. Preoperative P. aeruginosa carriage was identified in 15 (9%) patients. Only 2 of the 15 patients later presented with postoperative P. aeruginosa infection. Postoperative P. aeruginosa infection occurred in 27 (16%) of 170 patients by median postoperative day 38. Among those 27 patients, surgical site infections were recorded in 8 (30%) and intra‐abdominal infections in 14 (52%). In 5 of the 27 (19%) patients, P. aeruginosa isolates were multiple antimicrobial resistant. Postoperative bile leakage independently predicted postoperative P. aeruginosa infection.

Conclusion. P. aeruginosa infections were frequently detected after LDLT, including those by multiple antimicrobial‐resistant isolates. Postoperative bile leakage predisposed patients to P. aeruginosa infection. Surveillance culture should be checked periodically after LDLT to ensure that appropriate antimicrobials can be administered for postoperative infection.
Community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus endomyocardial abscesses in a heart transplant recipient
Authors: Oyler A. , Riveros‐Angel M. , Shaw K. , Forrest G.N.
Published: September 2008

Abstract: Infective endocarditis is more common in heart transplant recipients than in the general population. We report a case of endomyocardial abscesses and sepsis syndrome due to community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a heart transplant recipient with a negative transesophageal echocardiogram. The suspected portal of entry for this MRSA infection was through infected herpes zoster lesions. This case demonstrates the difficulty of diagnosing endomyocardial abscesses in heart transplant patients.
Extraovarian pelvic yolk sac tumor: Case report and review of published work
Authors: Pasternack Tanya , Shaco‐Levy Ruthy , Wiznitzer Arnon , Piura Benjamin
Published: September 2008

Extraovarian pelvic yolk sac tumors are rare, with only nine cases documented previously in the published work. We report a case of extraovarian pelvic yolk sac tumor occurring synchronously with breast carcinoma. The patient underwent resection of the pelvic tumor and hepatic implant, omentectomy and breast lumpectomy with sentinel axillary lymph node biopsy. The uterus and bilateral adnexa were preserved. Postoperative adjuvant therapy for the yolk sac tumor included three cycles of the bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) regimen. This was followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the breast carcinoma. It is concluded that in women with extraovarian pelvic yolk sac tumor who wish to preserve childbearing capacity, fertility‐saving surgery followed by fertility‐preserving cisplatin‐based chemotherapy is adequate and appropriate treatment.
Recurrent Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease during pregnancy: Report of case evolving into systemic lupus erythematosus and review of published work
Authors: Alijotas‐Reig Jaume , Casellas‐Caro Manel , Ferrer‐Oliveras Raquel , Cabero‐Roura Lluis , Vilardell‐Tarres Miquel
Published: September 2008

Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a distinctive, benign type of necrotizing lymphadenitis. KFD is a rare entity, especially during pregnancy. Although first described in Japan, subsequently it has been reported in the West. We communicate herein a case of KFD in African women with bouts during pregnancy. Diagnosis was difficult because peripheral enlarged lymph nodes were absent and an extended differential diagnosis and adequate work‐up was necessary. The patient suffered a miscarriage coinciding with a KFD bout. Further pregnancies were uneventful. Follow up showed that KFD evolved into a systemic lupus erythematosus‐like syndrome.
Real‐time three‐dimensional color Doppler fetal echocardiographic features of congenital heart disease
Authors: Hata Toshiyuki , Dai Shu‐Yan , Inubashiri Eisuke , Kanenishi Kenji , Tanaka Hirokazu , Yanagihara Toshihiro , Nukazawa Takashi
Published: September 2008

The purpose of this report is to describe the real‐time three‐dimensional (3D) color Doppler fetal echocardiographic findings of congenital heart diseases. Two cases of fetal congenital heart disease were diagnosed antenatally by conventional two‐dimensional fetal echocardiography and real‐time 3D color Doppler fetal echocardiography. Conventional two‐dimensional (2D) fetal echocardiography showed a hypoplastic left heart in one case, and a double‐outlet right ventricle in the second case. Real‐time 3D fetal echocardiography with instantaneous volume‐rendered displays showed surgeon's eye views of intracardiac abnormal cardiac structures of the beating heart in both cases. Real‐time 3D color Doppler fetal echocardiography depicted a subtle tricuspid regurgitant jet in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and great arteries, left from the right ventricle, in parallel in a double‐outlet right ventricle. Real‐time 3D color Doppler fetal echocardiography may assist in the evaluation of fetal cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics, and offer the potential advantages relative to conventional 2D fetal echocardiography and Doppler flow mapping.
Occipital scalp hemangioma: Prenatal sonographic and magnetic resonance images
Authors: Miyakoshi Kei , Tanaka Mamoru , Matsumoto Tadashi , Hattori Yoshihisa , Minegishi Kazuhiro , Ishimoto Hitoshi , Yoshimura Yasunori
Published: September 2008

Fetal scalp hemangioma in the occipital region is extremely rare and its accurate diagnosis is essential for perinatal management. We present a case of occipital scalp hemangioma diagnosed by prenatal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An echogenic mass measuring 29 mm × 23 mm × 30 mm was found in the occipital region by sonography at 20 weeks of gestation. Color‐flow Doppler sonography depicted vascularity only at the periphery of the mass. The MRI results indicated that the extracranial mass exhibited a heterogeneous appearance of predominantly hyperintensity on T1‐ and hypointensity on T2‐weighted images without evidence of fat signals, suggesting a soft tissue lesion containing blood products. Based on sonographic and MRI findings, the fetus was diagnosed to have occipital scalp hemangioma. Postmortem examination revealed cavernous hemangioma with hemorrhage. The MRI was a valuable adjunct to sonography for prenatal evaluation of an occipital lesion.
Prospective comparison of delivery outcomes of vaginal births after cesarean section versus laparoscopic myomectomy
Authors: Makino Shintaro , Tanaka Toshitaka , Itoh Shigeru , Kumakiri Jun , Takeuchi Hiroyuki , Takeda Satoru
Published: September 2008

Aim:  This study was designed to assess the delivery outcomes of vaginal birth after cesarean section in comparison with delivery after laparoscopic myomectomy.

Methods:  The following data were collected: the proportion of patients who attempted vaginal birth, success rate, maternal age, previous number of vaginal deliveries, gestational weeks, birthweight, Apgar score, umbilical blood pH, and duration of labor in cases with a successful vaginal birth.

Results:  The proportion of patients who attempted the vaginal birth differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in success rate, maternal age, number of previous vaginal deliveries, gestational weeks, birthweight, Apgar score or umbilical blood pH, although the mean duration of labor differed significantly (P = 0.006).

Conclusions:  The present investigation confirmed that vaginal birth after laparoscopic myomectomy is as safe as vaginal birth after cesarean section.
Pregnancy complicated by Caroli's disease with polycystic kidney disease: A case report and following observations
Authors: Tsunoda Mika , Ohba Takashi , Uchino Kikuko , Katabuchi Hidetaka , Okamura Hitoshi , Kaneki Shizuo
Published: September 2008

Caroli's disease and Caroli's syndrome are rare congenital disorders characterized by non‐obstructive cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. These disorders are often associated with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. A young woman at 11 weeks of gestation was referred to our hospital for proper management of Caroli's disease during pregnancy. Magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory tests revealed Caroli's disease with chronic renal failure caused by polycystic kidney disease. She received diet control, erythropoietin and prophylactic oral antibiotics. Her pregnancy course was uneventful, and she gave birth at 37 weeks of gestation. Thereafter, her renal function gradually worsened. Hemodialysis was begun 5 years after parturition. Though the courses of pregnancies complicated by Caroli's disease or Caroli's syndrome are variable and can include life‐threatening conditions, uneventful outcomes can be expected if careful management prevents biliary and renal infection.
Two cases of infants who needed cardiopulmonary resuscitation during early skin‐to‐skin contact with mother
Authors: Nakamura Tomohiko , Sano Yoko
Published: September 2008

Early skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) results in significantly better overall performance on all measures of breastfeeding status and duration. SSC is widely believed to be free of adverse effects. We recently encountered two cases having life‐threatening episodes during SSC. An experienced nurse should be placed in the delivery room for periodic observation and recording of vital signs of newborns who are in SSC (color, respirations, tone and heart rate) and to alert the physician to any cardiorespiratory changes. The point should also be emphasized to mothers that infants must be observed carefully and medical staff called immediately if the infant displays any vital changes during SSC.