bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabrotica Virgifera Le Conte in Poland in 2005-2007 and Regulations in the Control of the Pest in 2008
Authors: Konefał Tomasz , Bereś Paweł
Published: April 2009

Diabrotica VirgiferaLe Conte in Poland in 2005-2007 and Regulations in the Control of the Pest in 2008

Diabrotica virgiferaLe Conte has been present in Poland since 2005. The range of its distribution increased in 2006 and 2007.D. virgiferais known from areas of nine voivodeships in Southern and partially Central Poland. Current control strategy is based on containment measures to limit the spread of the pest from regions where it has occurred. This strategy includes the application of specific phytosanitary measures in defined parts of the country.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Gene and Plasma Pro-ANP Concentration in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Baumane Kristīne , Pliss Liāna , Laganovska Guna
Published: April 2009

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Gene and Plasma Pro-ANP Concentration in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) appears to have a physiological role in volume and pressure homeostasis. Increased cardiac expression and synthesis of ANP suggest a possible local paracrine function in a number of tissues including the eye. Therefore, the identification of genetic markers may prove to be an important advance in the diagnosis of patients with glaucoma and hypertension. Plasma pro-ANP concentration was measured in 30 clinical patients. A significant elevated level of prehormone was observed in glaucoma patients with blood hypertension. Also, the distribution of the genotypes and alleles of the HpaII, SmaI and ScaI polymorphisms of the ANP gene was examined in 20 hypertensive patients with glaucoma and normotensive controls. The frequencies of the ANP genotypes and alleles did not differ significantly between controls and hypertensive patients. PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis shows a T2238→C transition in three hypertensive patients within the stop codon leading to the translation of ANP with an additional arginine. In the current study we also searched for any alterations in the 5' proximal promoter region of the ANP gene (-595 bp - -384 bp) in 20 glaucoma patients with hypertension using PCR-based SSCP (single-strand conformation polymorphism) analysis. No significant alterations in the 5' proximal promoter region of the ANP gene were observed among hypertensive patients. The structure of the ANP hormone encoded gene suggests potential importance in various diseases, but the regulatory function of ANP in the eye requires further investigations.
Legacy and current understanding of the often-misunderstood Foix-Alajouanine syndrome
Authors: Ferrell Andrew S. , Tubbs R. Shane , Acakpo-Satchivi Leslie , Deveikis John P. , Harrigan Mark R.
Published: April 2009

Foix-Alajouanine syndrome has become a well-known entity since its initial report in 1926. The traditional understanding of this clinical syndrome is as a progressive spinal cord venous thrombosis related to a spinal vascular lesion, resulting in necrotic myelopathy. However, spinal venous thrombosis is extremely rare and not a feature of any common spinal vascular syndrome. A translation and review of the original 42-page French report revealed 2 young men who had presented with progressive and unrelenting myelopathy ultimately leading to their deaths. Pathological analysis demonstrated endomesovasculitis of unknown origin, including vessel wall thickening without evidence of luminal narrowing, obliteration of cord vessels, or thrombosis. Foix and Alajouanine also excluded the presence of intramedullary arteriovenous malformations. At the time, dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) had not been described, and therefore this type of lesion was not specifically sought. In retrospect, it seems possible that both patients had progressive myelopathy due to Type I dAVFs. In the decades since that original report, numerous authors have included spinal cord venous thrombosis as a central feature of Foix-Alajouanine syndrome. The inclusion of thrombosis in the clinical picture of this syndrome is not only incorrect but may leave one with the impression of therapeutic futility, thus possibly preventing successful surgical or endovascular therapy.
Hearing preservation in surgery for large vestibular schwannomas
Authors: Wanibuchi Masahiko , Fukushima Takanori , McElveen John T. , Friedman Allan H.
Published: April 2009

Object

Hearing preservation remains a challenging problem in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. The ability to preserve hearing in patients with large tumors is subject to particular difficulty. In this study, the authors focus on hearing preservation in patients harboring large VSs.

Methods

A total of 344 consecutive patients underwent surgical removal of VSs over the past 9 years. Of these 344 cases, 195 VSs were > 20 mm in maximum cisternal diameter. Of the 195 cases, hearing preservation surgery was attempted for 54 patients who had a Class A, B, C, or D preoperative hearing level; that is, a pure tone average ≤ 60 dB and speech discrimination score ≥ 50% according to the Sanna/Fukushima classification. The tumors were classified as moderately large (21–30 mm based on the largest extrameatal diameter), large (31–40 mm), and giant (≥ 41 mm) according to the international criteria. The authors categorized patients with Class A, B, C, D, or E hearing (pure tone average ≤ 80 dB and speech discrimination score ≥ 40%) as having preserved hearing postoperatively.

Results

Forty-one tumors (75.9%) were totally removed and 13 (24.1%) had near-total removal. Of the 54 patients, 29 maintained their hearing postoperatively; the overall hearing preservation rate was 53.7%. Analysis based on the preoperative hearing level showed that hearing was preserved in 14 (77.8%) of 18 cases for Class A; in 8 (47.1%) of 17 cases for Class B; in 4 (57.1%) of 7 cases for Class C; and in 3 (25.0%) of 12 cases for Class D. In addition, according to the analysis based on the tumor size, 20 (52.6%) of 38 patients with moderately large tumors retained their hearing, as did 5 (50.0%) of 10 patients with large tumors and 4 (66.7%) of 6 patients with giant tumors. Complications included 2 cases of bacterial meningitis that were cured by intravenous injection of antibiotics, 3 cases of subcutaneous CSF leakage that resolved without any surgical repair, and 1 case of temporary abducent nerve palsy. There were no deaths in this series.

Conclusions

The results indicate that successful hearing preservation surgery in large VSs is possible with meticulous technique and attention to adhesions between the tumor and the cochlear nerves.
Harvey Cushing as a book collector, bibliophile, and archivist: the precedence for the genesis of the Brain Tumor Registry
Authors: Wahl Christopher J. , Tubbs R. Shane , Spencer Dennis D. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A.
Published: April 2009

Influenced by individuals such as his parents, Osler, and Halsted, and by his early medical student experience, Harvey Cushing developed a strong interest in collecting, especially antiquarian medical books. Even today, his collection housed at Yale University is one of the most prestigious in the world. Cushing's interest in archives is further manifested and reinforced by his establishment of the Cushing Brain Tumor Registry. The following is a review of Cushing's background not as an eminent clinician and surgeon but as an individual best described as a bibliophile, archivist, and ardent collector of medical paraphernalia.
Long-term seizure outcomes in adult patients undergoing primary resection of malignant brain astrocytomas
Authors: Chaichana Kaisorn L. , Parker Scott L. , Olivi Alessandro , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo
Published: April 2009

Object

Seizures are a common presenting symptom and cause of morbidity for patients with malignant astrocytomas. The authors set out to determine preoperative seizure characteristics, effects of surgery on seizure control, and factors associated with prolonged seizure control in patients with malignant astrocytomas.

Methods

Cases involving adult patients who underwent primary resection of a hemispheric anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions between 1996 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariate logistical regression analysis was used to identify associations with pre-operative seizures, and multivariate proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify associations with prolonged seizure control following resection.

Results

Of the 648 patients (505 with GBM, 143 with AA) in this series, 153 (24%) presented with seizures. The factors more commonly associated with preoperative seizures were AA pathology (p = 0.03), temporal lobe involvement (p = 0.04), and cortical location (p = 0.04), while the factors less commonly associated with preoperative seizures were greater age (p = 0.03) and larger tumor size (p ≤ 0.001). Among those patients with a history of seizures, outcome 12 months after surgery was Engel Class I (seizure free) in 77%, Class II (rare seizures) in 12%, Class III (meaningful improvement) in 6%, and Class IV (no improvement) in 5%. Postoperative seizures were rare in patients without a history of preoperative seizures. The factor positively associated with prolonged seizure control was increased Karnofsky Performance Scale score (p = 0.002), while the factors negatively associated with seizure control were preoperative uncontrolled seizures (p = 0.03) and parietal lobe involvement (p = 0.005). Seizure recurrence in patients with postoperative seizure control was independently associated with tumor recurrence (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

The identification and consideration of factors associated with prolonged seizure control may help guide treatment strategies aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with malignant astrocytomas.
Malignancy in adult celiac disease
Authors: Freeman Hugh James
Published: April 2009

Laparoscopic surgery is the main treatment method for patients with gastrointestinal malignant tumors. Although laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive, its tool stimulation and pneumoperitoneum pressure often cause strong stress reactions in patients. On the other hand, gastrointestinal surgery can cause stronger pain in patients, compared to other surgeries. Transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) can effectively inhibit the transmission of nerve impulses caused by surgical stimulation, alleviate patient pain, and thus alleviate stress reactions. Remazolam is an acting, safe, and effective sedative, which has little effect on hemodynamics and is suitable for most patients. TAPB combined with remazolam can reduce the dosage of total anesthetic drugs, reduce adverse reactions, reduce stress reactions, and facilitate the rapid postoperative recovery of patients.
Interleukin 17 (IL-17) Increases the Expression of Toll-like Receptor-2, 4, and 9 by Increasing IL-1β and IL-6 Production in Autoimmune Arthritis
Authors: LEE JUN-HEE , CHO MI-LA , KIM JU-IN , MOON YOUNG-MEE , OH HYE-JWA , KIM GEUN-TAE , RYU SUN , BAEK SEUNG-HOON , LEE SUN-HEE , KIM HO-YOUN , KIM SUNG-IL
Published: April 2009

Objective.

To examine the effect of interleukin 17 (IL-17) on the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, 4, and 9 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.

Methods.

On Days 28 and 32 after induction of CIA in mice, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS group) or IL-17 (IL-17 group) was injected into both knee joints. On Day 35, mice were sacrificed. The severity of knee joint arthritis, synovial inflammation, and bone destruction was measured by a scoring system using macrography and histological analysis. Synovial expression of TLR-2, 4, 9, IL-17, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 was determined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Synoviocytes of CIA mice were cultured with IL-17 and with neutralizing antibodies to cytokine, and the expression of TLR-2, 4, 9, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 was determined by real-time RT-PCR.

Results.

In CIA mice, knee arthritis scores, synovial inflammation, bone destruction scores, and expression of synovial TLR-2, 4, and 9, IL-17, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in the IL-17 and PBS groups than in normal DBA1 mice. These variables were also significantly higher in the IL-17 group than in the PBS group. In CIA synoviocytes, IL-17 increased the expression of TLR-2, 4, and 9, and this effect was significantly alleviated by neutralizing antibodies to IL-17, IL-1ß, and IL-6.

Conclusion.

IL-17 aggravates joint inflammation and destruction, and increases the synovial expression of TLR-2, 4, and 9 by increasing IL-1ß and IL-6. These results imply that the IL-17-induced increase in expression of TLR-2, 4, and 9, and IL-1ß and IL-6 production are involved in the IL-17-induced aggravation of arthritis.
Serum Levels of Ficolin-3 (Hakata Antigen) in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: ANDERSEN TRINE , MUNTHE-FOG LEA , GARRED PETER , JACOBSEN SØREN
Published: April 2009

Objective.

Ficolin-3 is a serum protein of putative importance in autoimmunity. Our objective was to investigate any differential expression of ficolin-3 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or its clinical subsets.

Methods.

Serum levels of ficolin-3 (S-ficolin-3) were determined in 95 patients with SLE and 103 healthy controls using an ELISA.

Results.

Median S-ficolin-3 was 56.1 μg/ml (range 0 to ≥ 87.3) and 32.4 μg/ml (10 to ≥ 87.3) in patients and controls, respectively (p < 0.001). Increased S-ficolin-3 was associated with hemolysis, positive Coombs test, and lymphopenia, but not with SLE Disease Activity Index scores or C-reactive protein. In one patient without detectable S-ficolin-3, the FCN3 gene appeared normal.

Conclusion.

The elevation of S-ficolin-3 and its association with specific manifestations in SLE may indicate a pathogenetic role of ficolin-3 in SLE.
Effect of Bosentan on Plasma Markers of Endothelial Cell Activity in Patients with Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension Related to Connective Tissue Diseases
Authors: CELLA GIUSEPPE , VIANELLO FABRIZIO , COZZI FRANCO , MAROTTA HELGA , TONA FRANCESCO , SAGGIORATO GRAZIELLA , IQBAL OMER , FAREED JAWED
Published: April 2009

Objective.

To evaluate plasma markers of endothelial cell activity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) induced by connective tissue diseases (CTD) before and after 3-month administration of bosentan.

Methods.

We quantified E, L and P-selectin (sE-S, sL-S, sP-S), thrombomodulin (TM), monocyte-chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), human soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), and nitric oxide (NO) in 18 patients and 18 controls. We evaluated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT).

Results.

All plasma markers but sL-S and TM at Time 0 were significantly higher in patients compared with controls. After 3 months of therapy, decreased levels were noted in NO (Time 0 24.05 ± 6.01 mmol/l, Time 1 13.92 ± 3.40 mmol/l; p < 0.001) and sCD40L (Time 0 1685.33 ± 866 pg/ml, Time 1 1055.11 ± 630.6 pg/ml; p = 0.017). In contrast, sP-S was significantly increased (Time 0 88.36 ± 47.76 ng/ml, Time 1 147.21 ± 94.43 ng/ml; p = 0.021). All patients remained stable in WHO class III, and in 9 patients we noted an improvement in 6-MWT. A correlation was found between Δ of RVSP and 6-MWT (r2= 0.5355, p < 0.001) as well as between Δ-sP-S and both Δ-6-MWT and Δ-RVSP. An increase sP-S level was found in 89% of nonresponder patients, whereas 55% of responders showed a stable or reduced sP-S level (p = 0.016 responder vs nonresponder).

Conclusion.

Treatment with bosentan for 3 months induced a beneficial effect by restoring endothelial function through a decrease in the markers of endothelial cell activity, leading to stabilization or improvement of severe PAH.
Autoantibodies to Tumor Necrosis Factor in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: ROSENAU BARBARA J. , SCHUR PETER H.
Published: April 2009

Objective.

To detect autoantibodies to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to determine their clinical correlates.

Methods.

Ninety-two patients with RA and 62 with SLE were studied. Sera were examined for autoantibodies to TNF by enzyme linked immunoassay. Levels of these autoantibodies were analyzed in respect to markers of inflammation such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and joint erosions, as well as other clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic aspects of RA and SLE.

Results.

Anti-TNF levels were higher in those RA patients without erosions, but did not correlate with ESR or CRP.

Conclusion.

These observations suggest that autoantibody anti-TNF may be part of the innate immune system and may contribute to decreased inflammation in patients with RA.
Circulating Leptin and Adiponectin Concentrations During Tumor Necrosis Factor Blockade in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: POPA CALIN , NETEA MIHAI G. , de GRAAF JACQUELINE , van den HOOGEN FRANK H.J. , RADSTAKE TIMOTHY R.D.J. , TOENHAKE-DIJKSTRA HELGA , van RIEL PIET L.C.M. , van der MEER JOS W.M. , STALENHOEF ANTON F.H. , BARRERA PILAR
Published: April 2009

Objective.

Adipocytokines, including leptin and adiponectin, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the effects of longterm therapeutic tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockade on adipocytokine concentrations in patients with RA.

Methods.

We studied 58 RA patients starting anti-TNF therapy and 58 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Fasting blood samples were drawn at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months after the start of anti-TNF therapy and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured.

Results.

Patients with RA had increased adiponectin (p < 0.001) and similar leptin concentrations compared with the controls. Leptin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with high BMI (p < 0.001) and correlated positively with BMI at all timepoints (r > 0.75). In contrast, serum adiponectin tended to be higher in lean RA patients and did not correlate with BMI at any timepoint. There were no clear correlations between serum concentrations of adipocytokines and disease activity (Disease Activity Score 28). Short or longterm TNF blockade alone had no influence on circulating leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Patients treated with anti-TNF and concomitant corticosteroids on a stable basis showed a significant decrease in adiponectin levels after 6 months of therapy (p < 0.025).

Conclusion.

In patients with RA, chronic inflammation and its suppression during anti-TNF therapy have limited influence on plasma leptin concentrations, while significantly decreasing circulating adiponectin levels. Our findings question the suggested key role of inflammatory markers in regulating adipocytokine patterns in RA.
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Distinguish Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-associated Arthropathy from Concomitant Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients with Chronic HBV Infection
Authors: LIM MI-KYOUNG , SHEEN DONG-HYUK , LEE YUN JUNG , MUN YOU RI , PARK MIRA , SHIM SEUNG-CHEOL
Published: April 2009

Objective.

To determine whether anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, which are a highly specific test for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), could differentiate between hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated arthropathy and concomitant RA in Korean patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods.

We investigated 240 patients with HBV infection. Anti-CCP antibodies were measured by ELISA and rheumatoid factor (RF) by the latex fixation test. Patient records were reviewed, and a standard form was used to record all demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to joint symptoms: asymptomatic, arthralgia, oligoarthritis, and RA. We categorized liver disease into 3 groups: carrier, chronic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Results.

Anti-CCP antibodies and RF were detected in 11 and 28 of 240 patients, respectively. Anti-CCP antibodies were detected in 9 of 10 RA (90%) and 2 of 230 non-RA patients (0.86%). The positive rate for RF was 90% in RA and 8.3% in non-RA. Eight of 10 RA patients were positive for both RF and anti-CCP antibodies. RF was detected in 11 patients without joint symptoms, 4 with arthralgia, and 4 with oligoarthritis, whereas anti-CCP antibodies were found in 1 patient without joint symptoms and 1 with oligoarthritis. Specificity of anti-CCP antibody for RA was 99.1%, whereas RF showed 91.7% specificity (p < 0.0002). We compared the titers and positive detection rates of anti-CCP antibodies and RF among liver disease subgroups. There was no significant between–subgroup difference.

Conclusion.

Measurement of anti-CCP antibodies is better than RF detection to discriminate HBV-associated arthropathy from concomitant RA in patients with chronic HBV infection.
The Immune Response to Autologous Bacteroides in Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Characterized by Reduced Interleukin 10 Production
Authors: STEBBINGS SIMON M. , TAYLOR CORINDA , TANNOCK GERALD W. , BAIRD MARGARET A. , HIGHTON JOHN
Published: April 2009

Objective.

Ileocolitis is a recognized feature of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of AS, in conjunction with the normal intestinal microbiota. In order to investigate the host immune response in AS, we measured cytokines in tissue culture following exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to autologous colonic bacteria.

Methods.

Twenty-one patients with AS and 21 matched controls were recruited. Subjects in the AS group were assessed clinically.Bacteroidesspecies belonging to theB. fragilisgroup were selectively cultured from stool samples and paired with blood samples from each participant. Ten cultures of autologousBacteroideswere randomly selected from cultures grown from the fecal specimens of each of the 21 patients with AS and 21 controls. These were then tested for reactivity with PBMC and the cytokines produced by proliferating lymphocytes [interleukin 10 (IL-10), IL-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α] were measured in cell culture supernatants. Differences between groups were analyzed using censored normal regression analysis.

Results.

The patients with AS had severe active AS with Bath AS Disease Activity Index 5.5 (± 1.6) and C-reactive protein (mg/l) 13.8 (± 12.2) (mean ± standard deviation). IL-10 concentrations inex vivoassay supernatants were lower in the AS group compared with controls (p = 0.047). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for other cytokines.

Conclusion.

In AS, reduced IL-10 production in response to stimulation with autologousBacteroidescultures may represent a mechanism by which intestinal inflammation develops and persists, a situation analogous to inflammatory bowel disease.
The Immune Response to Tumors
Authors: Dougan Michael , Dranoff Glenn
Published: April 2009

The immune response to tumors is complex. Cells of the immune system can inhibit tumor growth and progression through the recognition and rejection of malignant cells, a process referred to as immunoediting. Yet, immune responses can also promote tumor cell growth, survival, and angiogenesis through the induction of oncogenic inflammation. Immunodeficiency can predispose to the development of spontaneous and virally induced cancer, and established tumors often generate immunosuppressive microenvironments that can block productive antitumor immunity, serving as a substantial barrier to effective immune therapy. Through a deeper understanding of the complicated relationship between tumors and the immune system, tumor immunology strives to harness the immune system to generate protective antitumor responses in patients. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 85:20.11.1‐20.11.4. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Finger Millet
Authors: Reddy V.D. , Rao K.V. , Reddy T.P. , Kishor P.B.K.
Published: April 2009

Millets are one of the world's important food crops among cereals grown in arid and semi‐arid regions. The projected food demand for 2025 warrants yields of millets to be increased from 2.5 to 4.5tha−1(Borlaug, 2002). These increases are expected to come from genetically improved varieties and transgenics exhibiting durable resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses using tertiary gene pools. Reproducible protocols forin vitroplant regeneration and genetic transformation have been established in finger millet using particle inflow gun‐mediated method. Transgenics expressing antifungal genepinwereresistant to blat disease. While, transgenics expressingPcSrpshowed tolerance to salinity.
Asiatic Beans
Authors: Sahoo Lingaraj , Jaiwal Pawan K.
Published: April 2009

Vignaspecies of the subgenusCeratotropisconstitute an economically important group of cultivated and wild species, of which a rich diversity occurs in Asian subcontinent. Progress in genetic improvement inVignaspecies has been made mainly by conventional breeding methods. These methods, in addition of being time‐consuming and labor‐intensive, are met with a wide range of problems including traits associated with low genetic variation, low survivability of interspecific hybrids, specific inheritance of some valuable traits such as yield, disease, and pest resistance, as well as harvesting characteristics. Advances in genetic transformation technology offer enormous opportunities for crop improvement complementing traditional breeding programs. In this review, we highlight the progress inin vitroplant regeneration and genetic transformation ofVignaspecies. Applications of the developed gene transfer methods in specific crops vis‐a‐vis the limitations associated with each crop and gene transfer method, and the opportunities for future improvement are discussed.
Chickpea
Authors: Uncuoglu Ahu Altinkut , Sarmah Bidyut K. , Sharma Kiran K. , Bhatnagar‐Mathur P. , Ratnaparkhe Milind B. , Pawar Pankaj , Ranjekar Prabhakar K.
Published: April 2009

Pulses form a major source of protein, particularly for vegetarian diet, and chickpea ranks among the leading legumes in this regard. Albeit considerable efforts at national and international levels, productivity of the chickpea crop has been stagnated for long due to the major biotic and abiotic constraints caused by

Ascochyta

blight,

Fusarium

wilt, pod borer, drought, and cold. Though many wild annual

Cicer

species possess a wealth of agronomically desirable donor genes, particularly those conferring resistance to stresses, they are sexually incompatible with the cultivated species. Transgenic approach is, therefore, a potential alternative means for incorporation of desirable alien genes into chickpea. This chapter highlights various dimensions of the international efforts in producing transgenic chickpea and provides a comprehensive perspective of strategies and achievements. Development of transgenic chickpea includes different aspects such as locating genes for particular traits from available chickpea germplasm, their isolation, making suitable constructs to transfer into chickpea through modifying them by adding marker gene, promoter sequence, and termination sequence for their effective expression, and finally transformation followed by an efficient regeneration protocol. This technology will have a very important role in developing newer varieties of chickpea with desired traits such as insect resistance, disease resistance, and drought/cold resistance.
Lupin
Authors: Smith Penelope M.C. , Atkins Craig A.
Published: April 2009

Three species of lupins,Lupinus angustifolius,L. luteus, andL. mutabilishave had methods for stable transformation developed.Agrobacterium tumefacienswas used as vector, and bar (L. angustifolius,L. luteus) ornptII(L. mutabilis) was used as selectable marker gene. Transformation methods forL. angustifolius,L. luteus, andL. mutabilisuse the shoot apex of a germinating seed as the explant with regeneration either from axillary buds or from regenerating bud at the periphery of the apical meristem. Slices of the embryonic axis of immature seeds can also be used as explants for transformation ofL. angustifoliuswith regeneration of shoots via organogenesis. The main targets for transgenic breeding for lupin have been improved seed quality, disease resistance, and seed set. Problems with use of third party intellectual property and regulatory issues in Australia have slowed the commercial release of transgenic lines.
Vegetable Brassicas
Authors: Christey Mary C. , Braun Robert H.
Published: April 2009

Vegetable Brassicas are economically important and grown worldwide for consumption as both fresh and frozen produce. In addition, they are highly nutritious and are gaining in popularity as they contain compounds with anticancer properties. Transformation systems have been developed for several vegetableBrassica oleraceaandBrassica rapatypes and a range of genes introduced.Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation is the method of choice but remains difficult with rates low and genotype dependent. In this chapter, we review factors to enhance transformation rates and discuss the range of genes of agronomic importance that have been introduced including pest and disease resistance. Research is also being conducted to produce plants with altered adaptation to water and salt stress and with altered health benefits. While no transgenic vegetable Brassicas have yet been released commercially, field testing and nontarget impacts research of transgenic vegetable Brassicas is in progress. In the future, commercial release could occur if environmental and public concerns are adequately addressed.
Radish
Authors: Curtis Ian S.
Published: April 2009

Radish is an important vegetable grown globally. Through conventional breeding, the radish plant has changed from being an oilseed crop to a root vegetable exhibiting a wide diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors. Despite the success of breeding practices, the procedure of producing new varieties remains time consuming and labor intensive. Since the 1980s, researchers have devoted their attention toward producing transgenic radish by gene transfer technology to help accelerate the output of novel germplasms. The recalcitrance of various explants toward shoot production in culture has greatly delayed the onset of transgenic plants. This milestone was finally reached by immersing young inflorescences of radish into a suspension ofAgrobacterium tumefaciensresulting in transformed seeds being produced from such hand‐pollinated plants. This technique, commonly referred to as ‘floral‐dip’, has been used to produce late‐flowering radishes through the expression of an antisenseGIGANTEA(GI) gene. Indeed, the use ofin plantamethods for transferring agronomic traits into the crop has also seen drought‐tolerant radishes being created. Future research will focus on how recent improvements in tissue culture andin plantatransformation systems have worked toward improving the medicinal value of the crop and its ability to be cultivated out of season.
Coffee
Authors: Etienne Hervé , Alpizar Edgardo , Lashermes Philippe , Menéndez‐Yuffá Andrea , De Guglielmo‐Cróquer Zoraya , Sreenath Hosahalli L.
Published: April 2009

Coffee is one of the world's most valuable export commodities and about 125 millions people depend on coffee for their live hood. The recent development of large coffee expressed sequence tag (EST) as well as the development of coffee bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries is leading to an enormous production of information in the area of coffee genomics. To take advantage of these resources, a key issue is the development and use of methods like genetic transformation to define gene functions at the molecular and organism level. The present chapter first describes the actual breeding and genomics strategies for the two cultivated speciesCoffea arabicaandC. canephora. In a second part, all the methods and gene constructs used to develop transgenic coffees since the first work in 1991 are precisely analyzed. These methods include electroporation, biolistic delivery andAgrobacterium tumefaciensandA. rhizogenes‐mediated transformation. Results of transgene expression for herbicide resistance, pathogen resistance and physiological traits are also presented. In the following part, the expected products of coffee transgenics are discussed. They deal with resistance to insect pests and nematodes, decaffeinated coffee, resistance to abiotic stresses, pathogen resistance, and improvement in cup quality characteristics and fruit ripening. Finally, the actual bottlenecks of coffee genetic transformation and the ongoing technology developments are described.
American Elm
Authors: Newhouse Andrew E. , Kaczmar Nicholas S. , Powell William A. , Maynard Charles A.
Published: April 2009

American elms (Ulmus americanaL.) were very common street and forest trees in the eastern half of North America until Dutch‐elm disease, caused by the introduced fungusOphiostoma ulmiandnovo‐ulmi, killed nearly all mature trees in the mid‐20th century. Breeding and selection programs have had some limited success in producing disease‐tolerant clones, and fungicide or insecticide treatments can temporarily protect uniquely valuable trees. Transgenic elm trees expressing antimicrobial peptides could potentially address limitations inherent to each of those strategies. American elm was transformed withAgrobacteriumcarrying a vascular‐expressed gene encoding the synthetic antimicrobial peptide ESF39A. Gene expression was confirmed by RT‐PCR, and peptide activity againstO. novo‐ulmiwas tested with anin vitro“minimum inhibitory concentration” assay. At least three unique, single‐copy transgenic lines were produced, which showed significantly less dieback and sapwood staining than nontransformed controls afterO. novo‐ulmiinoculation. Preliminary observations show that mycorrhizal colonization is not significantly different between transgenic and wild‐type trees. These results indicate that transgenes encoding antimicrobial peptides hold promise for enhancing pathogen resistance in American elm.
Selective vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease: Amyloid precursor protein and p75NTR interaction
Authors: Fombonne Joanna , Rabizadeh Shahrooz , Banwait Surita , Mehlen Patrick , Bredesen Dale E.
Published: March 2009

Objective

Selective neuronal vulnerability in neurodegenerative diseases is poorly understood. In Alzheimer's disease, the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are selectively vulnerable, putatively because of their expression of the cell death mediator p75NTR (the common neurotrophin receptor), and its interaction with proapoptotic ligands pro–nerve growth factor and amyloid‐β peptide. However, the relation between amyloid precursor protein (APP) and p75NTR has not been described previously.

Methods

APP and p75NTR were assayed for interaction by coimmunoprecipitation in vitro and in vivo, yeast two‐hybrid assay, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, and confocal microscopy. Effects on APP processing and signaling were studied using immunoblotting, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and luciferase reporter assays.

Results

The results of this study are as follows: (1) p75NTR and APP interact directly; (2) this interaction is modified by ligands nerve growth factor and β‐amyloid; (3) APP and p75NTR colocalization in vivo is modified in Alzheimer's model transgenic mice; (4) APP processing is altered by p75NTR, and to a lesser extent, p75NTR processing is altered by the presence of APP; (5) APP‐dependent transcription mediated by Fe65 is blocked by p75NTR; and (6) coexpression of APP and p75NTR triggers cell death.

Interpretation

These results provide new insight into the emerging signaling network that mediates the Alzheimer's phenotype and into the mechanism of basal forebrain cholinergic neuronal selective vulnerability. In addition, the results argue that the interaction between APP and p75NTR may represent a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol 2009;65:294–303
A Supramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonded Network as a Diffusion Barrier for Metal Adatoms
Authors: Silien Christophe , Räisänen Minna T. , Buck Manfred
Published: April 2009

Ionen hinter Gitter: Ein supramolekulares Netzwerk verändert den Mechanismus der Unterpotential(UP)‐Abscheidung von Kupfer auf einer Goldelektrode mit einer selbstorganisierten Monoschicht (SAM) als Überzug. Die laterale Diffusion der Cu‐Adatome zwischen benachbarten Zellen der Netzwerk‐SAM‐Hybridstruktur wird unterdrückt, und es kommt stattdessen zur direkten UP‐Abscheidung in die Poren des SAM‐belegten Netzwerks, in denen die Cu‐Adatome eingesperrt sind.

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A Supramolecular Hydrogen‐Bonded Network as a Diffusion Barrier for Metal Adatoms
Authors: Silien Christophe , Räisänen Minna T. , Buck Manfred
Published: April 2009

Confined in a molecular corral: A supramolecular network changes the mechanism by which underpotential deposition (UPD) of copper proceeds on a gold electrode modified by a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM). Lateral diffusion of Cu adatoms is suppressed between adjacent cells of a network/SAM hybrid structure. Instead, UPD occurs by direct deposition into the SAM filled pores of the network, where the Cu adatoms are confined.

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Oxidation Reactivity of Bis(μ‐oxo) Dinickel(III) Complexes: Arene Hydroxylation of the Supporting Ligand
Authors: Honda Kaoru , Cho Jaeheung , Matsumoto Takahiro , Roh Jungyun , Furutachi Hideki , Tosha Takehiko , Kubo Minoru , Fujinami Shuhei , Ogura Takashi , Kitagawa Teizo , Suzuki Masatatsu
Published: April 2009

In the nick(el) of time: Bis(μ‐oxo) dinickel(III) complexes 2 (see scheme), generated in the reaction of 1 with H2O2, are capable of hydroxylating the xylyl linker of the supporting ligand to give 3. Kinetic studies reveal that hydroxylation proceeds by electrophilic aromatic substitution. The lower reactivity than the corresponding μ‐η2:η2‐peroxo dicopper(II) complexes can be attributed to unfavorable entropy effects.

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Practical Microwave Synthesis for Organic Chemists.Strategies, Instruments, and Protocols. Edited by C. Oliver Kappe, Doris Dallinger and Shaun Murphree.
Authors: Van der Eycken Erik V.
Published: March 2009

Wiley‐VCH, Weinheim 2008. 300 pp., hardcover € 59.00.—ISBN 978‐3527320974

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Analysis of a perovskite ceramic hollow fibre membrane reactor for the partial oxidation of methane to syngas
Authors: Tan Xiaoyao , Thursfield A. , Metcalfe I. S. , Li K.
Published: April 2009

A mathematical model of an oxygen permeable dense ceramic hollow membrane reactor packed with a Ni/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst for the partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas has been developed. With the present model, various operating conditions such as temperature, operating pressures and feed concentrations affecting the performance of the reactor were investigated theoretically. The applied membrane area plays the key role in the operation of the membrane reactor. Assuming that the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) membrane is stable under the pressures and temperatures operated, the optimum membrane area required for the POM to syngas is predicted to be varied from 98 to 16 cm2 per cm3/s (STP) of methane feed when the operating temperatures are increased from 1148 to 1248 K. In order to run the membrane reactor economically and safely, the pressures in both shell and lumen sides should be kept close to one atmosphere. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leaching characteristics of heavy metals in fly ash from a Chinese coal‐fired power plant
Authors: Gong Xun , Yao Hong , Zhang Dan , Qiao Yu , Li Lin , Xu Minghou
Published: March 2009

China is the largest coal ash producer in the world. Hydraulic ash transport systems are used in most coal‐fired power plants, which lead to serious water pollution due to leaching of trace elements. The investigation on the leaching behavior of trace contaminants from coal ash is critical to environmental risk assessments. Batch leaching tests have been performed on the fly ash collected from each field of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) of a coal‐fired power plant to study the leaching characteristics of Cd, Cr, Pb and V. Leaching solutions included HCl solution of initial pH = 4 and NaOH solution of pH = 10. The liquid/solid (L/S) ratio was about 4:1 in all leaching tests. Fourteen leaching time intervals were selected, ranging from 15 min to 7 days. The results show that under studied experimental conditions, Cr has a relatively higher leachability in the acid‐leaching solution, while Pb has a higher leachability in the alkaline solution. With the increase of leaching time, the leachability of Cr in each ash sample increases obviously. Within the same time interval, Cr in the ash sample from the last field of ESP has the highest leachability. The concentration of Cd in FA3 is the highest, but the leachability of Cd for FA3 is not the highest among the three ash samples. The concentration of V in FA1 is the highest; no increased trend with leaching time has been found in the experiment. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding why rheumatoid arthritis patient treatment preferences differ by race
Authors: Constantinescu Florina , Goucher Suzanne , Weinstein Arthur , Smith Wally , Fraenkel Liana
Published: March 2009

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient preferences may account for some of the variability in treatment between racial groups. How and why treatment preferences differ by race is not well understood. We sought to determine whether African American and white RA patients differ in how they evaluate the specific risks and benefits related to medications.

Methods

A total of 136 RA patients completed a conjoint analysis interactive computer survey to determine how they valued the specific risks and benefits related to treatment characteristics. The importance that respondents assigned to each characteristic and the ratio of the importance that patients attached to overall benefit versus overall risk were calculated. Subjects having a risk ratio <1 were classified as being risk averse.

Results

The mean age of the study sample was 55 years (range 22–84). Forty‐nine percent were African American and 51% were white. African American subjects assigned the greatest importance to the theoretical risk of cancer, whereas white subjects were most concerned with the likelihood of remission and halting radiographic progression. Fifty‐two percent of African American subjects were found to be risk averse compared with 12% of the white subjects (P < 0.0001). Race remained strongly associated with risk aversion (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 8.4 [3.1, −23.1]) after adjusting for relevant covariates.

Conclusion

African American patients attach greater importance to the risks of toxicity and less importance to the likelihood of benefit than their white counterparts. Effective risk communication and improved understanding of expected benefits may help decrease unwanted variability in health care.
The cannabinoid receptor CB2 exerts antifibrotic effects in experimental dermal fibrosis
Authors: Akhmetshina Alfiya , Dees Clara , Busch Nicole , Beer Jürgen , Sarter Kerstin , Zwerina Jochen , Zimmer Andreas , Distler Oliver , Schett Georg , Distler Jörg H. W.
Published: March 2009

Objective

The cannabinoid receptor CB2 is predominantly expressed in non‐neuronal tissue and exerts potent immunomodulatory effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of CB2 in the pathogenesis of dermal fibrosis.

Methods

Mice deficient in CB2 (CB2−/− mice) and their wild‐type littermates (CB2+/+ mice) were injected with bleomycin to induce experimental fibrosis. Mice were treated with selective agonists and antagonists of CB2. Lesional skin was evaluated for dermal thickness and numbers of infiltrating leukocytes. Bone marrow transplantation experiments were performed.

Results

CB2−/− mice were more sensitive to bleomycin‐induced dermal fibrosis than were CB2+/+ mice, and showed increased dermal thickness. Leukocyte counts were significantly higher in the lesional skin of CB2+/+ mice. Increased dermal fibrosis was also observed upon treatment with the CB2 antagonist AM‐630. In contrast, the selective CB2 agonist JWH‐133 reduced leukocyte infiltration and dermal thickening. The phenotype of CB2−/− mice was mimicked by transplantation of CB2−/− bone marrow into CB2+/+ mice, whereas CB2−/− mice transplanted with bone marrow from CB2+/+ mice did not display an increased sensitivity to bleomycin‐induced fibrosis, indicating that leukocyte expression of CB2 critically influences experimental fibrosis.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that CB2 limits leukocyte infiltration and tissue fibrosis in experimental dermal fibrosis. Since selective CB2 agonists are available and well tolerated, CB2 might be an interesting molecular target for the treatment of early inflammatory stages of systemic sclerosis.
Rasch analysis provides new insights into the measurement properties of the neck disability index
Authors: van der Velde Gabrielle , Beaton Dorcas , Hogg‐Johnston Sheilah , Hurwitz Eric , Tennant Alan
Published: March 2009

Objective

The most widely used neck‐specific measure in intervention trials is the 10‐item Neck Disability Index (NDI), which is assumed to be a unidimensional interval scale, as shown by how NDI data are scored, analyzed, and interpreted. Our objective was to use modern measurement methods to test this assumption (and thereby to also test the validity of calculating summed scores and parametric statistics on NDI data) through Rasch analysis.

Methods

NDI data from 521 trial subjects with neck pain were fit to the Rasch model. We examined threshold ordering of NDI items, fit of data to model expectations, presence of differential item functioning, and whether or not the set of NDI items collectively measure a single construct, which is a requirement for calculating summative scores.

Results

There was a lack of fit of data to the Rasch model (χ2 = 140.35, 70 df; P < 0.001). Five items (personal care, lifting, headaches, work, and recreation) had disordered response thresholds. Differential item functioning was detected for age and sex. The NDI items did not contribute to a single construct. Unidimensionality and interval scaling were achieved by removing 2 of the 10 items (resulting in the NDI‐8), and converting NDI‐8 ordinal (paper) summative scores to NDI‐8 interval (Rasch‐weighted) scores.

Conclusion

As originally proposed and conventionally used, the NDI is not a unidimensional scale, and has only ordinal scaling. This raises fundamental doubts about the practice of calculating change scores and other parametric statistics on NDI data. A revised 8‐item version provides unidimensional interval‐level measurement of neck pain disability.