bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncoupling the Effects of Abscisic Acid on Plant Growth and Water Relations. Analysis of sto1/nced3, an Abscisic Acid-Deficient but Salt Stress-Tolerant Mutant in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ruggiero Bruno , Koiwa Hisashi , Manabe Yuzuki , Quist Tanya M. , Inan Gunsu , Saccardo Franco , Joly Robert J. , Hasegawa Paul M. , Bressan Ray A. , Maggio Albino
Published: October 2004

We have identified a T-DNA insertion mutation of Arabidopsis (ecotype C24), named sto1 (salt tolerant), that results in enhanced germination on both ionic (NaCl) and nonionic (sorbitol) hyperosmotic media. sto1 plants were more tolerant in vitro than wild type to Na+ and K+ both for germination and subsequent growth but were hypersensitive to Li+. Postgermination growth of the sto1 plants on sorbitol was not improved. Analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed that STO1 encodes a 9-cis-epoxicarotenoid dioxygenase (similar to 9-cis-epoxicarotenoid dioxygenase GB:AAF26356 [Phaseolus vulgaris] and to NCED3 GB:AB020817 [Arabidopsis]), a key enzyme in the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic pathway. STO1 transcript abundance was substantially reduced in mutant plants. Mutant sto1 plants were unable to accumulate ABA following a hyperosmotic stress, although their basal ABA level was only moderately altered. Either complementation of the sto1 with the native gene from the wild-type genome or supplementation of ABA to the growth medium restored the wild-type phenotype. Improved growth of sto1 mutant plants on NaCl, but not sorbitol, medium was associated with a reduction in both NaCl-induced expression of the ICK1 gene and ethylene accumulation. Osmotic adjustment of sto1 plants was substantially reduced compared to wild-type plants under conditions where sto1 plants grew faster. The sto1 mutation has revealed that reduced ABA can lead to more rapid growth during hyperionic stress by a signal pathway that apparently is at least partially independent of signals that mediate nonionic osmotic responses.
Transcriptional Similarities, Dissimilarities, and Conservation of cis-Elements in Duplicated Genes of Arabidopsis
Authors: Haberer Georg , Hindemitt Tobias , Meyers Blake C. , Mayer Klaus F.X.
Published: October 2004

In plants, duplication of individual genes, long chromosomal regions, and complete genomes provides a major source for evolutionary innovation. We investigated two different types of duplications, tandem and segmental duplications, in Arabidopsis for correlation, conservation, and differences of expression characteristics by making use of large genome-wide expression data as measured by the massively parallel signature sequencing method. Our analysis indicates that large fractions of duplicated gene pairs still share transcriptional characteristics. However, our results also indicate that expression divergence occurs frequently between duplicated gene pairs, a process which frequently might be employed for the retention of sequence redundant gene pairs. Preserved overall similarity between promoters of duplicated genes as well as preservation of individual cis-elements within the respective promoters indicates that the process of transcriptional neo- and subfunctionalization is restricted to only a fraction of cis-elements. We show that sequence similarities and shared regulatory properties within duplicated promoters provide a powerful means to undertake large-scale cis-regulatory element identification by applying an intragenomic phylogenetic footprinting approach. Our work lays a foundation for future comparative studies to elucidate the molecular manifestation of regulatory similarities and dissimilarities of duplicated genes.
The Central Role of PhEIN2 in Ethylene Responses throughout Plant Development in Petunia
Authors: Shibuya Kenichi , Barry Kristin G. , Ciardi Joseph A. , Loucas Holly M. , Underwood Beverly A. , Nourizadeh Saeid , Ecker Joseph R. , Klee Harry J. , Clark David G.
Published: October 2004

The plant hormone ethylene regulates many aspects of growth and development. Loss-of-function mutations in ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2 (EIN2) result in ethylene insensitivity in Arabidopsis, indicating an essential role of EIN2 in ethylene signaling. However, little is known about the role of EIN2 in species other than Arabidopsis. To gain a better understanding of EIN2, a petunia (Petunia × hybrida cv Mitchell Diploid [MD]) homolog of the Arabidopsis EIN2 gene (PhEIN2) was isolated, and the role of PhEIN2 was analyzed in a wide range of plant responses to ethylene, many that do not occur in Arabidopsis. PhEIN2 mRNA was present at varying levels in tissues examined, and the PhEIN2 expression decreased after ethylene treatment in petals. These results indicate that expression of PhEIN2 mRNA is spatially and temporally regulated in petunia during plant development. Transgenic petunia plants with reduced PhEIN2 expression were compared to wild-type MD and ethylene-insensitive petunia plants expressing the Arabidopsis etr1-1 gene for several physiological processes. Both PhEIN2 and etr1-1 transgenic plants exhibited significant delays in flower senescence and fruit ripening, inhibited adventitious root and seedling root hair formation, premature death, and increased hypocotyl length in seedling ethylene response assays compared to MD. Moderate or strong levels of reduction in ethylene sensitivity were achieved with expression of both etr1-1 and PhEIN2 transgenes, as measured by downstream expression of PhEIL1. These results demonstrate that PhEIN2 mediates ethylene signals in a wide range of physiological processes and also indicate the central role of EIN2 in ethylene signal transduction.
Crosslinking of Ribosomal Proteins to RNA in Maize Ribosomes by UV-B and Its Effects on Translation
Authors: Casati Paula , Walbot Virginia
Published: October 2004

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) photons can cause substantial cellular damage in biomolecules, as is well established for DNA. Because RNA has the same absorption spectrum for UV as DNA, we have investigated damage to this cellular constituent. In maize (Zea mays) leaves, UV-B radiation damages ribosomes by crosslinking cytosolic ribosomal proteins S14, L23a, and L32, and chloroplast ribosomal protein L29 to RNA. Ribosomal damage accumulated during a day of UV-B exposure correlated with a progressive decrease in new protein production; however, de novo synthesis of some ribosomal proteins is increased after 6 h of UV-B exposure. After 16 h without UV-B, damaged ribosomes were eliminated and translation was restored to normal levels. Ribosomal protein S6 and an S6 kinase are phosphorylated during UV-B exposure; these modifications are associated with selective translation of some ribosomal proteins after ribosome damage in mammalian fibroblast cells and may be an adaptation in maize. Neither photosynthesis nor pigment levels were affected significantly by UV-B, demonstrating that the treatment applied is not lethal and that maize leaf physiology readily recovers.
Cloning and Characterization of Red Clover Polyphenol Oxidase cDNAs and Expression of Active Protein in Escherichia coli and Transgenic Alfalfa
Authors: Sullivan Michael L. , Hatfield Ronald D. , Thoma Sharon L. , Samac Deborah A.
Published: October 2004

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) leaves contain high levels of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and o-diphenol substrates. Wounding of leaves during harvest and ensiling results in browning of leaf tissues from activity of PPO on the o-diphenols. In association with browning, leaf proteins remain undegraded during ensiling, presumably due to PPO-generated o-quinone inhibition of leaf proteases. We cloned three red clover PPO cDNAs, PPO1, PPO2, and PPO3, from a leaf cDNA library. Sequence comparisons among the three red clover PPO clones indicated they are 87% to 90% identical at the nucleotide level (80%–83% amino acid identity). All three encode proteins predicted to localize to the chloroplast thylakoid lumen. RNA-blotting and immunoblotting experiments indicated PPO1 is expressed primarily in young leaves, PPO2 in flowers and petioles, and PPO3 in leaves and possibly flowers. We expressed mature PPO1 in Escherichia coli. A portion of the expressed protein was soluble and functional in an assay for PPO activity. We also expressed the red clover PPO cDNAs under the control of a constitutive promoter in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The expressed red clover PPO proteins were active in alfalfa extracts as evidenced by o-diphenol-dependant extract browning and quantitative assays of PPO activity. Proteolysis in leaf extracts of alfalfa expressing red clover PPO1 was dramatically reduced in the presence of an o-diphenol compared to controls. Transgenic alfalfa expressing red clover PPO should prove an excellent model system to further characterize the red clover PPO enzymes and PPO-mediated inhibition of postharvest proteolysis in forage plants.
Respiratory Carbon Metabolism following Illumination in Intact French Bean Leaves Using 13C/12C Isotope Labeling
Authors: Nogués Salvador , Tcherkez Guillaume , Cornic Gabriel , Ghashghaie Jaleh
Published: October 2004

The origin of the carbon atoms in the CO2 respired by French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves in the dark has been studied using 13C/12C isotopes as tracers. The stable isotope labeling was achieved through a technical device that uses an open gas-exchange system coupled online to an elemental analyzer and linked to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The isotopic analysis of the CO2 respired in the dark after a light period revealed that the CO2 was labeled, but the labeling level decreased progressively as the dark period increased. The pattern of disappearance depended on the amount of carbon fixed during the labeling and indicated that there were several pools of respiratory metabolites with distinct turnover rates. We demonstrate that the carbon recently assimilated during photosynthesis accounts for less than 50% of the carbon in the CO2 lost by dark respiration and that the proportion is not influenced by leaf starvation in darkness before the labeling. Therefore, most of the carbon released by dark respiration after illumination does not come from new photosynthates.
Infection-Related Activation of the cg12 Promoter Is Conserved between Actinorhizal and Legume-Rhizobia Root Nodule Symbiosis
Authors: Svistoonoff Sergio , Laplaze Laurent , Liang Jingsi , Ribeiro Ana , Gouveia Manuela C. , Auguy Florence , Fevereiro Pedro , Franche Claudine , Bogusz Didier
Published: October 2004

Two nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbioses between soil bacteria and higher plants have been described: the symbiosis between legume and rhizobia and actinorhizal symbioses between plants belonging to eight angiosperm families and the actinomycete Frankia. We have recently shown that the subtilisin-like Ser protease gene cg12 (isolated from the actinorhizal plant Casuarina glauca) is specifically expressed during plant cell infection by Frankia. Here we report on the study of C. glauca cg12 promoter activity in the transgenic legume Medicago truncatula. We found that cg12 promoter activation is associated with plant cell infection by Sinorhizobium meliloti. Furthermore, applications of purified Nod factors and mycorrhizal inoculation failed to trigger expression of the cg12-reporter gene construct. This indicates that at least part of the transcriptional environment in plant cells infected by endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria is conserved between legume and actinorhizal plants. These results are discussed in view of recent data concerning molecular phylogeny that suggest a common evolutionary origin of all plants entering nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbioses.
Genetic Control of Storage Oil Synthesis in Seeds of Arabidopsis
Authors: Hobbs Douglas H. , Flintham John E. , Hills Matthew J.
Published: October 2004

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control seed oil content and fatty acid composition were studied using a recombinant inbred population derived from a cross between the Arabidopsis ecotypes Landsberg erecta and Cape Verdi Islands. Multiple QTL model mapping identified two major and two minor QTL that account for 43% of the variation in oil content in the population. The most significant QTL is at the bottom of chromosome 2 and accounts for 17% of the genetic variation. Two other significant QTL, located on the upper and lower arms of chromosome 1, account for a further 19% of the genetic variation. A QTL near to the top of chomosome 3 is epistatic to that on the upper arm of chromosome 1. There are strong QTL for linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids contents that colocate with the FAD3 locus, another for oleic acid (18:1) that colocates with FAD2 and other less significant QTL for palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), and eicosaenoic (20:1) acids. The presence of the QTL for seed oil content on chromosome 2 was confirmed by the generation of lines that contain a 22-cM region of Landsberg erecta DNA at the bottom of chromosome 2 in a background containing Cape Verdi Islands in other regions of the genome that had been shown to influence oil content in the QTL analysis.
Arabidopsis Seedling Growth Response and Recovery to Ethylene. A Kinetic Analysis
Authors: Binder Brad M. , O'Malley Ronan C. , Wang Wuyi , Moore Jeannette M. , Parks Brian M. , Spalding Edgar P. , Bleecker Anthony B.
Published: October 2004

Responses to the plant hormone ethylene are mediated by a family of five receptors in Arabidopsis that act in the absence of ethylene as negative regulators of response pathways. In this study, we examined the rapid kinetics of growth inhibition by ethylene and growth recovery after ethylene withdrawal in hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings of wild-type and ethylene receptor-deficient Arabidopsis lines. This analysis revealed that there are two phases to growth inhibition by ethylene in wild type: a rapid phase followed by a prolonged, slower phase. Full recovery of growth occurs approximately 90 min after ethylene removal. None of the receptor null mutations tested had a measurable effect on the two phases of growth inhibition. However, loss-of-function mutations in ETR1, ETR2, and EIN4 significantly prolonged the time for recovery of growth rate after ethylene was removed. Plants with an etr1-6;etr2-3;ein4-4 triple loss-of-function mutation took longer to recover than any of the single mutants, while the ers1;ers2 double mutant had no effect on recovery rate, suggesting that receiver domains play a role in recovery. Transformation of the ers1-2;etr1-7 double mutant with wild-type genomic ETR1 rescued the slow recovery phenotype, while a His kinase-inactivated ETR1 construct did not. To account for the rapid recovery from growth inhibition, a model in which clustered receptors act cooperatively is proposed.
Short-Term Growth Responses to Ethylene in Arabidopsis Seedlings Are EIN3/EIL1 Independent
Authors: Binder Brad M. , Mortimore Laura A. , Stepanova Anna N. , Ecker Joseph R. , Bleecker Anthony B.
Published: October 2004

Kinetic studies indicate there are two phases to growth inhibition by ethylene for the hypocotyls of etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. Phase I is transient, while phase II results in sustained growth inhibition. The EIN2 membrane protein is required for both the first and second phases of growth inhibition by ethylene, while the transcription factors EIN3 and EIL1 are required for the second phase but not the first phase. The first phase lasts no more than 2 h. It is less sensitive to the ethylene response inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene and more sensitive to ethylene than the second phase. The first phase shows adaptation at low concentrations of ethylene (≤0.01 μL L−1) with a relative refractory period of 5 h after ethylene is added. A modified signal transduction model is proposed that accounts for the two phases of growth inhibition.
The gravitropism defective 2 Mutants of Arabidopsis Are Deficient in a Protein Implicated in Endocytosis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Silady Rebecca A. , Kato Takehide , Lukowitz Wolfgang , Sieber Patrick , Tasaka Masao , Somerville Chris R.
Published: October 2004

The gravitropism defective 2 (grv2) mutants of Arabidopsis show reduced shoot phototropism and gravitropism. Amyloplasts in the shoot endodermal cells of grv2 do not sediment to the same degree as in wild type. The GRV2 gene encodes a 277-kD polypeptide that is 42% similar to the Caenorhabditis elegans RME-8 protein, which is required for endocytosis. We hypothesize that a defect in endocytosis may affect both the initial gravity sensing via amyloplasts sedimentation and the subsequent more general tropic growth response.
Correlation between self‐reported gestational age and ultrasound measurements
Authors: Olesen Annette Wind , Westergaard Jes Grabow , Thomsen Sten Grove , Olsen JØrn
Published: October 2004

Background.  We studied the agreement between different measurements of gestational age, i.e. self‐reported gestational age in the Danish National Birth Cohort Study, ultrasound‐estimated gestational age from the medical records in one Danish county and gestational age from the Danish National Hospital Discharge Register.

Methods.  The ultrasound‐estimated gestational length was based on the size of the biparietal diameter. The ultrasound‐estimated gestational length was related to corrected and uncorrected last menstrual period estimates in the Danish National Cohort Study, and to the gestational length recorded in the Danish National Discharge Register. Non‐parametric statistics were used in the analysis.

Results.  The gestational ages estimated by ultrasound were 2–3 days shorter than gestational ages estimated by the other methods. The gestational ages recorded by the Discharge Register and the gestational ages based on corrected last menstrual period did not differ significantly.

Conclusion.  The self‐reported gestational age in The Danish National Birth Cohort is in good concordance both with data from the National Hospital Discharge Register and with ultrasound‐estimated gestational age.
Bone turnover from early pregnancy to postweaning
Authors: Åkesson Agneta , Vahter Marie , Berglund Marika , Eklöf Tuula , Bremme Katarina , Bjellerup Per
Published: October 2004

Background.  To elucidate the sequences of changes in bone metabolism and bone density during pregnancy, lactation and postweaning.

Methods.  Women were recruited (n = 254) in early pregnancy and followed for 2 years. Markers of bone formation (osteocalcin) and resorption (NTx) were measured at five occasions. Bone mineral density (BMD) of whole‐body and lumbar spine L1–L4 (DXA) and ultrasonography of os calcis were measured in a subgroup (n = 14).

Results.  NTx appeared bone specific in comparison to pyridinolines. NTx started to increase early in pregnancy and remained elevated during lactation (p < 0.001). Osteocalcin was low during pregnancy, but peaked during lactation (p < 0.018). The subsequent decrease was associated with time since resumption of menses (r2 = 0.23; p < 0.001). There was indication of a decrease in calcaneal bone mass during pregnancy and an evident decrease in lumbar spine (p = 0.041) and os calcis (p = 0.037) during lactation. No detectable decrease was identified in whole‐body BMD (p = 0.090) during lactation, but in general, BMD was higher in whole‐body (1.9%) and lumbar spine (6.6%) 18 months postpartum than during puerperium (p = 0.003).

Conclusion.  According to the bone metabolic markers, bone resorption increased early in pregnancy and remained elevated over lactation, while bone formation increased during lactation, probably regulated by mechanisms associated with absence of menses. The high metabolic bone turnover during late pregnancy and lactation lead to a decline in cancellous bone mass during lactation, but this seemed beneficial for BMD postweaning.
The Tyr113His polymorphism in exon 3 of the microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene is a risk factor for perinatal mortality
Authors: Raijmakers Maarten T. M. , De Galan‐Roosen Tanja E. M. , Schilders Geurt W. , Merkus Johannus M. W. M. , Steegers Eric A. P. , Peters Wilbert H. M.
Published: October 2004

Background.  A genetic predisposition to impaired detoxification of oxidative or chemical stress could play a role in the etiology of perinatal mortality. In this pilot study we investigated the risk of perinatal mortality in relation to genetic polymorphism in microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX) and glutathione S‐transferase P1 (GSTP1) in women who experienced perinatal mortality caused by placental pathology, congenital disorders and complications of premature delivery and their male partners.

Methods.  Genomic DNA of couples (72 females and 46 males) with a history of perinatal mortality and control couples (71 females and 66 males) with no complications in their obstetric history were analyzed for the presence of the polymorphisms in exon 3 of EPHX (Tyr113His) and GSTP1 (Ile105Val).

Results.  A similar distribution of the GSTP1 polymorphism was found in all subjects investigated. In women who experienced perinatal mortality, we demonstrated a higher prevalence of the EPHX His113/His113 genotype, which could result in a lower enzyme activity, compared with controls (25% vs. 9%; χ2 = 5.7 and p < 0.02), with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.5 (1.1–12.7).

Conclusion.  Our results suggest that the maternal Tyr113His polymorphism in EPHX may be a risk factor for perinatal mortality. However, more research is needed to determine the implication of this finding.
Ultrasonic fetal weight estimation in women with pregnancy complicated by diabetes
Authors: Farrell Tom , Fraser Robert , Chan Koon
Published: October 2004

Ultrasound fetal weight estimation is a key element of obstetric management in pregnancy complicated by diabetes. Ultrasound estimates based on formulae utilizing abdominal circumference measurements only appear more accurate in this group of women. However, they are still associated with errors of up to 25% of the true birthweight.
Fetal home monitoring for the prenatal management of gastroschisis
Authors: Salomon Laurent J. , Mahieu‐Caputo Dominique , Jouvet Philippe , Jouannic Jean‐Marie , Benachi Alexandra , Grebille Anne‐Gaelle , Dumez Yves , Dommergues Marc
Published: October 2004

Background.  Fetal distress is a frequent complication of gastroschisis, and could be screened for by home monitoring, as many pregnant women expecting an affected child live far away from a specialized perinatal center. This study was undertaken to audit a policy of fetal home monitoring (FHM) to achieve early detection of fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities in gastroschisis.

Methods.  Daily FHM was started at a median age of 30 weeks in 31 pregnant women referred following prenatal diagnosis of isolated gastroschisis. Monitoring was considered abnormal in cases with decelerations, tachycardia, bradycardia, decreased baseline variability or absence of accelerations. When an ominous FHR was detected and confirmed by in‐hospital monitoring, an emergency cesarean section (C‐section) was indicated. Otherwise, an elective C‐section was planned.

Results.  In 20 cases FHM remained normal. There were 16 elective C‐sections, two emergency C‐sections for FHR abnormalities detected by in‐hospital monitoring, and two spontaneous premature vaginal deliveries. In 11 cases, an abnormal FHM was detected. There was one intrauterine death with acute ischemic necrosis of the large bowel. The other abnormalities consisted of decreased baseline variability with tachycardia (n = 7) or without tachycardia (n = 3) and were confirmed by in‐hospital follow‐up in nine cases, leading to emergency C‐section.

Conclusion.  The high rate of abnormal FHR patterns picked up by FHM in gastroschisis led to a rate of emergency C‐sections of 9/31. However, this strategy failed to prevent one intrauterine death due to acute bowel necrosis.
Nitric oxide as putative second messenger in nerve‐induced cervical gland secretion in the guinea‐pig
Authors: Mörlin Birgitta , Hammarström Margareta , Ehrén Ingrid , Sjöstrand Nils‐Olof
Published: October 2004

Uterine cervical secretory cells receive a sympathetic cholinergic secretomotor innervation. It has been suggested that glandular nitric oxide (NO) production is a prerequisite for muscarinic‐induced carbohydrate secretion in the endometrium and the seminal vesicle. A similar pattern for nerve‐induced carbohydrate secretion in the cervix could be assumed. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was evaluated via formation of l‐citrulline from l‐arginine. The NADPH‐diaphorase nitroblue technique was used for histochemical investigation. The cervix with the adjacent hypogastric nerve was placed in an isolated organ bath and the secretion was evaluated as an amount of carbohydrate. A calcium‐dependent formation of citrulline was found in the cervix indicating NO formation. Strong NADPH‐staining cells were found in the glandular ducts and in the glandular linings of the cervix. Stimulation of the hypogastric nerve induced carbohydrate secretion, which was inhibited by N‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME). d‐NAME did not affect the secretory response. Carbachol and the NO donor glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) induced carbohydrate secretion in the cervical glands. No synergistic effect was noted probably due to an all‐or‐none type of secretion. N‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NNA) and l‐NAME inhibited carbachol‐induced secretion. The results suggest that glandular NO production is a prerequisite for the autonomic nervous modulation of cervical secretion in the guinea‐pig. This could have implications regarding fertility and fecundity.
Ki‐67 expression in patients with uterine leiomyomas, uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) and uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS)
Authors: Mayerhofer Klaus , Lozanov Plamen , Bodner Klaus , Bodner‐Adler Barbara , Kimberger Oliver , Czerwenka Klaus
Published: October 2004

Background:  The aim of the current study was to evaluate the expression of Ki‐67 in uterine smooth muscle tumors, comparing leiomyomas, uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) and uterine leiomyosarcomas (LMS) and to prove the accuracy of a Ki‐67 expression as a useful parameter in the diagnosis of LMS.

Methods:  Ki‐67 was assessed using immunohistochemistry from paraffin‐embedded tissue in 20 patients with uterine LMS, 22 cases of STUMP and 25 cases of leiomyomas.

Results:  Ki‐67 was present in 10/20 (50%) LMS, in 0/22 (0%) STUMP and in 2/25 (8%) leiomyomas. Significant differences regarding the frequency of Ki‐67 expression were observed between LMS and STUMP (p = 0.0001) as well as between LMS and leiomyomas (p = 0.002), but not between STUMP and leiomyomas (p = 0.491). Likewise, the staining intensity differed significantly between LMS and leiomyomas (p = 0.018) as well as between LMS and STUMP (p = 0.002), but not between STUMP and leiomyomas (p = 0.368).

Conclusions:  Our results demonstrate that the significantly elevated Ki‐67 antigen expression in LMS, which correlates well with the rapid growth of these malignant tumors, may be a useful immunohistochemical parameter to distinguish between cases of malignant smooth muscle tumors and those of uncertain or borderline histology.
Preventive effect of recombinant human lactoferrin on lipopolysaccharide‐induced preterm delivery in mice
Authors: Sasaki Yasushi , Otsuki Katsufumi , Hasegawa Akitoshi , Sawada Maki , Chiba Hiroshi , Negishi Momoko , Nagatsuka Masaaki , Okai Takashi
Published: October 2004

Background.  In order to investigate whether recombinant human lactoferrin (rh‐LF) has the same effect as bovine LF (b‐LF) for the prevention of preterm delivery, we conducted the following animal studies.

Methods.  Female C3H/HeNCrj mice were pair‐mated with male Crj:B6D2F1 mice. As a model of preterm delivery, on day 15 of gestation, a 50 µg/kg intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered twice with a 3‐hr interval between injections (14:00 and 17:00 hours). At 1 hr prior to each LPS injection (13:00 and 16:00 hours), an intraperitoneal injection of saline, b‐LF, or rh‐LF (1 mg/body) was administered. In non‐LPS‐treated controls, an intraperitoneal injection of saline was administered four times (13:00, 14:00, 16:00, and 17:00 hours). We measured body weight and recorded delivery time. To measure plasma levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), other pregnant mice, in which the same preparation as mentioned above had been done, were killed 6 h after the second LPS injection and blood samples were obtained.

Results.  Delivery occurred in preterm (16.2 ± 0.4 days of gestation) in all LPS‐treated mice not administered LF. LF significantly prolonged gestation of LPS‐treated mice: LPS + b‐LF, 17.8 ± 0.3 days; LPS + rh‐LF, 18.2 ± 1.3 days (p < 0.05). LF (1 mg/body) significantly suppressed plasma IL‐6 in LPS‐treated mice: LPS + b‐LF, 1060 ± 154; LPS + rh‐LF, 244.2 ± 59.4; and LPS without LF, 1628 ± 115 pg/ml (p < 0.05).

Conclusions.  rh‐LF has an effect of prolongation of gestation in LPS‐induced preterm delivery in mice, suppressing LPS‐induced plasma IL‐6 augmentation.
Increased serum levels of neopterin and soluble interleukin‐2 receptor in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Wang Zhengping , Dong Minyue , Chu Hongnu , He Jing
Published: October 2004

Objectives.  The etiology of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a pregnancy‐specific complication, remains not completely understood. Some alterations of immunity in ICP were reported, but the profile of immune alteration was far from clarified. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the changes of serum levels of neopterin, a marker for the activation of macrophage, and soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R), a marker for the activation of lymphocyte, in ICP.

Methods.  Serum levels of neopterin and sIL‐2R were assayed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 30 patients with ICP and 30 normal pregnant women. Student's t‐test was used for statistic analysis, and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results.  Compared with control, serum levels of neopterin (p < 0.005) and sIL‐2R (p < 0.05) were increased significantly in women with ICP.

Conclusions.  Activation of monocyte‐macrophage and lymphocyte was demonstrated in ICP, and the participation of the activation of macrophage and lymphocyte in pathogenesis of the disease could be assumed.
Obesity and pregnancy
Authors: Andreasen Kirsten Riis , Andersen Malene Lundgren , Schantz Anne Louise
Published: October 2004

Background.  As obesity is an increasing problem among fertile women, it is crucial that specialists involved in the treatment of these women be aware of the risks of complications and know how to deal with them. Complications associated with obesity in pregnancy are gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, and thromboembolic complications. Complications associated with obesity in labor are augmentation, early amniotomy, cephalopelvic disproportion, cesarean section, and perioperative morbidity. Complications associated with obesity in children are macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, small for gestational age, late fetal death, and congenital malformations, especially neural tube defects.

Objective.  The aim was to review the potential complications associated with obesity and pregnancy.

Results.  Obesity is associated with a higher risk of all reviewed complications except small for gestational age.
Myxedematous coma in a laboring woman suggested a pre‐eclamptic coma: a case report
Authors: Turhan Nilgün Ö. , Koçkar Muhammet C. , Ínegöl Ílknur
Published: October 2004

Myxedematous coma in pregnancy is a rare incident. We present a case of Myxedematous coma in a laboring woman that suggested a pre‐eclamptic coma and finalized with a healthy baby.
Of Radical Design: John Cartwright and the Redesign of the Reform Campaign, c.1800–1811
Authors: ECKERSLEY RACHEL
Published: October 2004

This article contends that there was not simply a revival, but a redesign of radicalism during the first decade of the nineteenth century, and that John Cartwright was instrumental in this redirection of reform activity. It argues that this redesign of the reform campaign was a strategic response to the failures of radicalism during the 1790s and, moreover, to changes in high politics after 1801. Against the backdrop of a protracted war and the emergence of a formal Whig opposition, Cartwright, with assistance from other radicals, attempted to create a parliamentary party in support of taxpayer franchise reform and born of a union between metropolitan radicals ‘in doors’, Whig moderate reformers, Foxites and abolitionists. In order to achieve this union, he set aside the popular political campaigning of the 1790s, and instead focused attention on parliamentarians and the select few who might influence parliament. Above all, he highlighted current examples of ministerial dishonesty and mismanagement to generate parliamentary support for a redefined programme of reform, arguing that if corruption were not checked by constitutional reform, then Britain's ability to resist foreign invasion and sustain the war effort would be seriously compromised.
Despotism without Bounds: The French Secret Police and the Silencing of Dissent in London, 1760–1790
Authors: BURROWS SIMON
Published: October 2004

Through an examination of the policing of dissident French refugees in London between 1760 and 1790, this article contends that recent historians have tended to over‐emphasize the reforming nature of the Bourbon government in the decades prior to the French Revolution, especially under Louis XVI, and overlooked the more repressive and ‘despotic’ aspects of the regime. It reveals that the Paris police or French secret agents adopted a variety of clandestine methods in their attempts to silence dissident exiles, including attempts at kidnap, and allegedly murder. As much of this police activity was reported in the British press and French printed texts, both before and during the French Revolution, and several of the exiles were celebrated writers or future revolutionary leaders, it was widely known among informed contemporaries. The article therefore contends that the French revolutionaries’ allegations of despotism and suspicions of monarchic conspiracies were more deeply rooted in experience than recent historiography has tended to suggest. At the same time, reports of the attempts of the ‘despotic’ French government to suppress the activities of Frenchmen on British soil helped to reinforce a British national identity based on the celebration of the liberties France lacked.
CREDIT CYCLES REDUX*
Authors: Cordoba Juan‐Carlos , Ripoll Marla
Published: October 2004

Theoretical studies have shown that under unorthodox assumptions on preferences and production technologies, collateral constraints can act as a powerful amplification and propagation mechanism of exogenous shocks. We investigate whether or not this result holds under more standard assumptions. We find that collateral constraints typically generate small output amplification. Large amplification is obtained as a “knife‐edge” type of result.
SEQUENTIAL TWO‐PLAYER GAMES WITH AMBIGUITY*
Authors: Eichberger Jürgen , Kelsey David
Published: October 2004

If players' beliefs are strictly nonadditive, the Dempster–Shafer updating rule can be used to define beliefs off the equilibrium path. We define an equilibrium concept in sequential two‐person games where players update their beliefs with the Dempster–Shafer updating rule. We show that in the limit as uncertainty tends to zero, our equilibrium approximates Bayesian Nash equilibrium. We argue that our equilibrium can be used to define a refinement of Bayesian Nash equilibrium by imposing context‐dependent constraints on beliefs under uncertainty.
A NOTE ON COLE AND STOCKMAN*
Authors: Barelli Paulo , De Abreu Pessôa Samuel
Published: October 2004

We show that Bailey's rule holds true in Cole and Stockman's (1992) model of endogenous specialization.
Optimum Currency Areas and Key Currencies: Mundell I versus Mundell II
Authors: McKinnon Ronald I.
Published: October 2004

The East Asian economies are increasingly integrated in trade and direct investment. More than 50 per cent of their foreign trade is with each other. Both the high growth and level of trade integration is similar to what the western European economies achieved in the 1960s. So, in the new millennium, the inevitable question arises: is East Asia also an optimum currency area (OCA)? Despite the apparent success of EMU, many writers familiar with the East Asian scene think not. Taking the seminal papers of Robert Mundell as the starting point, this article first analyses traditional theorizing on the pros and cons of international monetary integration and then suggests new approaches to the problem of international risk‐sharing in OCAs.
Asymmetries in Monetary Policy Transmission: Some Implications for EMU and its Enlargement
Authors: De Grauwe Paul , Sénégas Marc‐Alexandre
Published: October 2004

In this article we analyse how the enlargement of a monetary union may affect the design of the common monetary policy when the latter transmits asymmetrically between the member countries. We find that the use of national information about inflation and unemployment in the design of the common monetary policy allows for tackling the heterogeneity induced by this asymmetry. This implies that if enlargement contributes to augmenting the transmission asymmetry of monetary policy in EMU, it will raise the need to take into account information about national economies in the formulation of optimal monetary policies in the monetary union. Furthermore, the choice for a new EU Member State to enter EMU will also depend on the monetary strategy implemented by the European Central Bank and, in particular, whether the latter would take the asymmetries in the transmission of monetary policy actions into account.
Forecasting with a Bayesian DSGE Model: An Application to the Euro Area
Authors: Smets Frank , Wouters Raf
Published: October 2004

In monetary policy strategies geared towards maintaining price stability, conditional and unconditional forecasts of inflation and output play an important role. In this article we illustrate how modern sticky‐price dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models, estimated using Bayesian techniques, can become an additional useful tool in the forecasting kit of central banks. First, we show that the forecasting performance of such models compares well with a‐theoretical vector autoregressions. Moreover, we illustrate how the posterior distribution of the model can be used to calculate the complete distribution of the forecast, as well as various inflation risk measures that have been proposed in the literature. Finally, the structural nature of the model allows computing forecasts conditional on a policy path. It also allows examination of the structural sources of the forecast errors and their implications for monetary policy. Using those tools, we analyse macroeconomic developments in the euro area since the start of EMU.
EFFECT OF CULTURE AND BLOOM DEVELOPMENT AND OF SAMPLE STORAGE ON PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISONS IN THE CYANOBACTERIUM ANABAENA CIRCINALIS
Authors: Negri Andrew P. , Jones Gary J. , Blackburn Susan I. , Oshima Yasukatsu , Onodera Hideyuki
Published: October 2004

Paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs) were detected in 24 of 31 bloom samples dominated by the cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis Rabenhorst, collected from across Austraia. The ability to produce PSPs has been maintained in everal non‐axenic strains of A. circinalis kept in culture, whereas strains that were non‐toxin‐producing when isolated have remained as such. PSPs were detected and quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the structures were confirmed by electrospray mass spectroscopy. The concentration of toxins in PSP positive samples ranged from 50 to 3400 μg.g‐1 dry weight. Toxin profiles were always dominated by the N‐sulfocarbamoyl‐11‐hydroxysulfate C toxins, C1 and C2 (44–85 mol%), with the remainder consisting of gonyautoxins‐2, −3, and −5, decarbamoylgonyautoxins‐2 and −3, saxitoxin, and decarbamoylraxitoxin. N1‐‐hydroxy PSPs, commonly found in marine dinoflagellates, were absent, suggesting that A. circinalis lacks the enzyme responsible for N1‐‐hydroxylation. On a dry weight basis, the amount of toxin in cultured Anabaena circinalis (strain ACMB06)rose significantly (P < 0.05)over time from 570 to 3400 μg.g.‐1 cells in late stationary phase. However, there was no significant trend in cellular toxin quota (toxin per cell) over the life of the culture; this may be explained by variation in cell mass. On average, batch cultures of Anabaena circinalis contained 19% extracellular toxin, which increased slightly over the growth cycle and had a composition similar to that of the intracellular toxins. As cultures aged, the formation of decarbamoyl toxins and increases in theα‐/β‐epimer ratios of C toxins and gonyautoxins were observed. The variation in these components during stationary phase in culture was sufficient to explain the variation in relative PSP composition observed among natural bloom samples. Because decarbamoylgonyautoxins are much more toxic than C toxins on a molar basis, these transformations also lead to an increase in toxicity of the sample or bloom over time. The transformations of PSPs, which occur during aging and sample storage, render the comparison of PSPs by HPLC unreliable for phenotyping Anabaena circinalis, unless strains are cultured, harvested, and analyzed under standard conditions.
DIFFERENCES IN THE PROTEIN PROFILES OF CULTURED AND ENDOSYMBIOTIC SYMBIODINIUM SP. (PYRROPHYTA) FROM THE ANEMONE AIPTASIA PALLIDA (ANTHOZOA)
Authors: Stochaj Wayne R. , Grossman Arthur R.
Published: October 2004

One‐ and two‐dimensional sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunological analyses were used to visualize differences in polypeptides synthesized by Symbiodinium sp. from the anemone Aiptasia pallida when grown in the cultured and endosymbiotic states (freshly isolated zooxanthellae). Surprisingly, a comparison of proteins in cultured and endosymbiotic Symbiodinium sp. revealed only four major polypeptides with similar isoelectric and molecular mass characteristics. Using monospecific antibodies, we demonstrated differences in specific proteins synthesized by the dinoflagellate in the two different growth states. The dimeric, 14 kDa form of the peripheral membrane peridinin‐chlorophyll a binding protein predominates under endosymbiotic conditions, whereas the monomeric, 35 kDa form predominates under the culture conditions used in this study. Antibodies to form II ribulose‐1,5–bisphosphate carboxylase revealed 62 and 60 kDa, forms of this protein in the alga grown as an endosymbiont and in, culture, respectively. Differences in the integral membrane peridinin‐chlorophyll a‐c‐binding proteins were also observed. These results demonstrate that there are major changes in the populations of proteins synthesized by Symbiodinium sp. in response to the conditions in hospite. Such changes may reflect a developmental switch that tailors the physiology of the alga to the conditions encountered in the endosymbiotic state.
INVESTIGATION OF 4‐METHYL STEROLS FROM CULTURED DINOFLAGELLATE ALGAL STRAINS
Authors: Piretti Marco Vincenzo , Pagliuca Giampiero , Boni Laurita , Pistocchi Rossella , Diamante Maurizio , Gazzotti Teresa
Published: October 2004

The marine dinoflagellates Prorocentrum micans, Gonyaulax polyedra, Gymnodinium sp., and Alexandrium tamarense, collected from the Adriatic Sea during red‐tide blooms, were cultured to investigate the 4‐methyl sterol constituents. To ascertain a possible influence of cell age on the 4‐methyl sterol content, for one strain (Gymnodinium sp.)we investigated the composition of these constituents at exponential and stationary growing phases. The lipid material extracted with acetone from the lyophilized algal samples was fractionated by thin‐layer chromatography. The 4‐methyl sterols recovered from the layer were converted into the corresponding OTMS derivatives. Nine of 11 constituents were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry; only two minor constituents were characterized by their gas chromatographic parameters. All free methyl sterols identified in the algal samples had been detected previously in various dinoflagellates. The 4‐methyl sterol fractions generally contained very few constituents. Except for the Gymnodinium sp. sample, collected at the exponential growing phase (GyD2 exp), which contains 4,24‐dimethylcholestan‐3‐ol as a unique constituent, dinosterol was the major component. Moreover, 4,24‐ethylcholestan‐3‐ol was also an important constituent of both Prorocentrum and Gonyaulax strains, whereas considerable amounts of dinostanol characterized all the Gymnodinium sp. strains. In addition, the latter contained several minor constituents such as 4‐methylcholestan‐3‐ol, 4,24‐dimethylcholesta‐22‐en‐3‐ol, and 4‐methyl‐24‐ethylcholestan‐3‐ol. 4‐Methyl‐24‐methylene‐cholestan‐3‐ol was a constituent of the Gymnodinium sp. sample, collected at the stationary growing phase (GyD2 stat)only, whereas 4‐methylgorgostanol was identified only in the Alexandrium tamarense Gt4 strain. Except for 4‐methyl‐24‐ethylcholesta‐8(14)‐en‐3‐ol, all the methyl sterol constituents from our algae show a saturated polynuclear system. The pathways by which side‐chain modifications occur in dinoflagellate 4‐methyl sterols are considered, and a map of the fragmentation pattern of the trimethylsilyl‐4‐methyl sterols under electronic impact is also reported.
HIGH LOCALIZATION OF RIBULOSE‐1,5‐BISPHOSPHATE CARBOXULASE/OXYGENASE IN THE PYRENOIDS OF CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII (CHLOROPHYTA), AS REVEALED BY CRYOFIXATION AND IMMUNOGOLD ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
Authors: Morita Eiko , Kuroiwa Haruko , Kuroiwa Tsuneyoshi , Nozaki Hisayoshi
Published: October 2004

The distribution of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) in the chloroplasts of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard was examined using cryotechnique and conventional fixation for immunogold electron microscopy. Both methods provided essentially identical results, although somewhat higher densities of gold particles indicating Rubisco molecules were recognized in the pyrenoids of cryofixed cells. The gold particles were highly concentrated in the pyrenoid matrix within the chloroplasts. Even when considering the vast difference in volume between the pyrenoid and the rest of the Chloroplast, more than 99% of the total Rubisco labeling in the chloroplast was calculated to be present in the pyrenoid matrix. High localization of Rubisco in the pyrenoid matrix was also recognized regardless of cell age, based on immunofluorescence microscopy of the same en bloc samples. These results are inconsistent with a recent immunocytochemical study employing cryotechnique in which more than 90% of the total Rubisco was recognized in the thylakoid region (thylakoid membranes and stroma) of C. reinhardtii cells. Rubisco highly localized in the pyrenoid matrix may take part in active photosynthetic CO2 fixation and/or the CO2 concentrating mechanism.
VEGETATIVE AND SEXUAL ASPECTS OFDINOPHYSIS PAVILLARDI(DINOPHYCEAE)
Authors: Giacobbe Maria Grazia , Gangemi Ester
Published: October 2004

Phases in the life history of the dinoflagellateDinophysis pavillardiSchroeder from cultured phytoplankton assemblages are described. Under stressful conditions, induced in the laboratory through substantial thermic and nutritive changes, vegetative cells divided repeatedly. Scanning electron and light microscopy of dividing specimens showed that thecal fission began with the separation of the sulcal and ventral epithecal plates and the simultaneous dislocation of the pore plates from the right cell half. The posterior progression of the division led to pairs of cells attached antapically, which produced a new wall of reduced size. This phase of the life cycle coincided with the appearance and development of small forms ofD. pavillardi,which displayed cytological features and behavior typical of male gametes, suggesting a process of gametogenesis through depauperating mitotic divisions. Anisogamy occurred at the time of the maximum production of small cells and involved the shedding of thecal components by the smaller gamete and subsequent cytoplasmic fusion and formation of planozygotes. Although the dormancy aspects of this species remain unknown, these observations provide the first evidence of sexuality.