bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: the first report of two cases treated by 5‐Azacytidine
Authors: Laribi Kamel , Denizon Nathalie , Ghnaya Habib , Atlassi Mustapha , Besançon Anne , Pineau‐Vincent Fabienne , Gaulard Philippe , Petrella Tony 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBlastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy which was first included as an independent cutaneous lymphoma in the 2008 World Health Organisation (WHO) classification (1). BPDCN usually has an extremely poor prognosis, with quick relapses after chemotherapy (2; 3). Here, we report two cases of patients diagnosed in 2011 with BPDCN and myelodysplasia, and who were treated for the first time with 5‐azacytidine (5‐Aza); a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and mainly used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (Kaminskas E, et al. 2005 Clin Cancer Res, 11, 3604–8). The first case was an 81‐year‐old man who presented with unusual CD10+, CD56‐ immunohistochemistry and 45X, ‐Y abnormality using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. The second case was a 78‐year‐old woman who manifested monosomy 13 and chromosome instability due to D13S319 locus deletion in 13q14 as determined by FISH. Both patients showed excellent responses of their skin lesions after one cycle of chemotherapy, and their hematological disease was stabilized; however, pulmonary sepsis set in, followed by neutropenia after the fourth and the fifth cycle of treatment, that is, eight and 9 months postdiagnosis, respectively, leading to patient death.
Diurnal variation of von Willebrand factor in plasma: the Bispebjerg study of diurnal variations
Authors: Timm Annette , Fahrenkrug Jan , Jørgensen Henrik L. , Sennels Henriette P. , Goetze Jens P. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundQuantitation of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in plasma is a central element in assessing von Willebrand disease (VWD). VWF activity is known to vary, which has partly been ascribed to biological and preanalytical variation. However, a possible diurnal expression of VWF has not been thoroughly tested.ObjectivesWe examined whether VWF antigen and VWF activity in plasma display a diurnal profile in healthy young males, and whether such variation is related to changes in release or elimination.MethodsPlasma from 20 healthy young males was collected at 9 time‐points over 24 h (15 h of light and 9 h of darkness); the plasma concentration of melatonin was used as an internal control to confirm the normal 24‐h rhythms of the individual participants.ResultsThe data, analyzed by rhythmometric statistics, revealed a significant variation (P = 0.02) and total amplitude of 22.6% in VWF antigen concentrations over the 24‐h period. A pronounced variation in VWF activity was also observed, although not significant according to the 24‐h statistical model. To examine whether the diurnal pattern was related to changes in elimination or secretion, the ratio between (i) coagulation factor VIII and VWF and (ii) VWF propeptide and VWF was determined. Taken together, the data suggest changes in release and not in clearance.ConclusionsDiurnal variation in von Willebrand antigen and activity in plasma represents an important aspect of the biological variation. Standardized time‐of‐day plasma sampling for quantitation of VWF in VWD patients seems warranted.
Ground‐dwelling arthropod communities across braided river landscape mosaics: a Mediterranean perspective
Authors: Datry Thibault , Corti Roland , Belletti Barbara , Piégay Herve 
Published: February 2014

Summary

River floodplains with their constituent biodiversity are among the most endangered ecosystems worldwide. These systems are conceptualised as mosaics of aquatic and terrestrial patches at different successional stages colonised by a wide range of aquatic, semi‐aquatic and terrestrial species.

In three reaches in the active corridor of a French Mediterranean braided river, we tested whether community structure and composition of ground‐dwelling terrestrial arthropods varied across the mosaic of terrestrial patches, and identified some of the underlying mechanisms.

We predicted that arthropod community structure and composition would vary consistently with the age and position of the patches in the mosaic, due to species habitat preferences and dispersal. We also predicted that between‐patch species turnover would contribute to corridor diversity to a greater extent than within‐patch diversity.

The natural flow regime of the Asse River promoted patch diversity in all the reaches considered. Arthropod communities differed according to patch age, indicating that successions had occurred over a decennial timescale. By contrast, the location of patches within the mosaics seemed not to affect communities, suggesting that dispersal was not limited. The contribution of between‐patch diversity to corridor diversity far exceeded that of within‐patch diversity, as predicted by mosaic theory.

These results put the onus on river ecosystem managers to preserve natural flow regimes in braided rivers, so as to foster various types of pioneer and mature habitat patches and maintain associated biodiversity.
A continental risk assessment of West Nile virus under climate change
Authors: Harrigan Ryan J. , Thomassen Henri A. , Buermann Wolfgang , Smith Thomas B. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSince first introduced to North America in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has spread rapidly across the continent, threatening wildlife populations and posing serious health risks to humans. While WNV incidence has been linked to environmental factors, particularly temperature and rainfall, little is known about how future climate change may affect the spread of the disease. Using available data on WNV infections in vectors and hosts collected from 2003–2011 and using a suite of 10 species distribution models, weighted according to their predictive performance, we modeled the incidence of WNV under current climate conditions at a continental scale. Models were found to accurately predict spatial patterns of WNV that were then used to examine how future climate may affect the spread of the disease. Predictions were accurate for cases of human WNV infection in the following year (2012), with areas reporting infections having significantly higher probability of presence as predicted by our models. Projected geographic distributions of WNV in North America under future climate for 2050 and 2080 show an expansion of suitable climate for the disease, driven by warmer temperatures and lower annual precipitation that will result in the exposure of new and naïve host populations to the virus with potentially serious consequences. Our risk assessment identifies current and future hotspots of West Nile virus where mitigation efforts should be focused and presents an important new approach for monitoring vector‐borne disease under climate change.
Reproductive responses of alpine plants to grassland degradation and artificial restoration in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Dong S. K. , Wang X. X. , Liu S. L. , Li Y. Y. , Su X. K. , Wen L. , Zhu L. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractArtificial grassland establishment has been implemented in the alpine region of Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau in China as a mitigation tool against grassland degradation, one of the major environmental problems in this region. We hypothesized that both grassland degradation and artificial restoration may alter the reproductive modes of the alpine vegetation at the levels of individual species as well as plant functional groups. By investigating a long‐term field study of grassland degradation and artificial restoration experiments, we found that alpine plants can maintain a highly plastic relationship between sexual and asexual reproduction, that is, the alpine plants in degraded grasslands increased their efforts towards sexual reproduction while those in artificially restored grasslands promoted their efforts in vegetative reproduction with in the year after restoration. The high reproductive plasticity of the alpine plants can be regulated through a number of mechanisms, which include changing proportion of clonal species in the plant composition, altering number ratio of sexual and vegetative propagules, shifting biomass allocation for sexual and vegetative reproduction at both individual species and functional group levels. These conclusions demonstrate how crucial it is to consider manipulation of reproductive modes needed to restore the structure and stability of degraded alpine grasslands.
The aetiopathogenesis of acne vulgaris – what's new?
Authors: Bergler‐Czop B. 
Published: February 2014

SynopsisAcne vulgaris is the most frequently diagnosed dermatosis in patients between 11 and 30. It is believed that it affects about 80% of persons in this age group or even, taking into account lesions of low intensity, 100% of young people. The aetiopathogenesis of acne is multifactorial. In all patients with acne, the following symptoms occur: excessive sebum production, excessive keratosis of excretory ducts and openings of sebaceous glands, development of bacterial flora and release of inflammatory mediators in the skin. Development of molecular biology, genetics and immunology contributed to a significant progress in studies on the pathogenesis of acne.
Therapeutic engagement between consumers in suicidal crisis and mental health nurses
Authors: Lees David , Procter Nicholas , Fassett Denise 
Published: February 2014

AbstractRegistered nurses within public mental health services play crucial roles in helping people recover from suicidal crisis. However, there is a lack of understanding of how care is experienced in this context, and available evidence suggests that nurses and consumers are often dissatisfied with the quality of care. There is thus an imperative to generate understanding of needs and experiences of both groups with a view to informing practice development. This article summarizes qualitative findings from a multimethod study undertaken inAustralia, which surveyed and interviewed mental health nurses who had recent experience of caring for consumers in suicidal crisis in a hospital setting, and interviewed consumers who had recovered from a recent suicidal crisis. A framework was developed to guide the study and support ethical imperatives; in particular, the promotion of consumer well‐being. The findings highlight that therapeutic interpersonal engagement between nurses and consumers was central to quality care. This was particularly noted, as engagement could help reduce consumer isolation, loss of control, distress, and objectification of the delivery of potentially‐objectifying common interventions. Of concern, the results indicate a lack of therapeutic engagement from the perspective of both consumers and nurses. Recommendations to promote fuller therapeutic engagement are presented.
The Existence of Chlorophyll c in the Chl b‐Containing, Light‐Harvesting Complex of the Green Alga Mantoniella squamata (Prasinophyceae)
Authors: Wilhelm Chr 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe prasinophycean alga Mantoniella contains, in addition to Chl a and b, at least a third green pigment which is functionally active in the light‐harvesting antenna. This third Chl was isolated in order to elucidate its chemical structure. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured not only from the purified pigment but also from its pheophytin and its methylpheophorbide. The spectra were compared with those of authentic Chl c‐1 and c‐2, which were isolated from the diatom Nitzschia sp. and with Mg‐DVPP (purified from Rhodobacter).The results show that the pigment from Mantoniella compares best with Chl c‐1. In order to clarify the spectral data, Chl c‐1 and c‐2, Mg‐DVPP, and the pigment from Mantoniella were subjected to a chromatographic system that is able to separate these porphyrins. The chromatographic analysis clearly shows that the pigment from Mantoniella co‐migrates with Chl c‐1 and not with the bacterial pigment. Mantoniella is the first organism which has been demonstrated to contain Chl a, b, and authentic c.
Potassium Transport and Regulation of Intracellular pH in Elodea densa Leaves
Authors: Marrè E. , Beffagna N. , Romani G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe effects of extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) on the pH of cell sap, “bulk cytoplasm” and vacuole have been investigated in Elodea densa leaves under conditions of either low or high activity of the plasmalemma electrogenic H+ pump. Cell sap pH was evaluated directly in the cell sap expressed after freezing and thawing. Cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH were calculated by the weak base and weak acid distribution method, DMO and benzylamine appearing to be a suitable acid and base, respectively, for this purpose in this material.When added to the basal medium (no rapidly permeating ions present), 5 mM K+ induced an increase in intracellular pH, larger for the cell sap and the vacuole (about 0.2 units), and smaller but still significant for the cytoplasm (0.07 units). This alkalinizing effect of K+ was thus associated with a significant decrease in the pH difference across the tonoplast. The alkalinizing effect of K+ was markedly and synergistically enhanced by the presence of fusicoccin, a condition inducing a marked activation of H+ extrusion and of K+ uptake.The correlation between these effects of [K+]o on intracellular pH and those on H+ extrusion indicates that changes in extracellular K+ concentration, and thus in K+ influx, can influence cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH by modulating the rate of H+ extrusion by the plasmalemma H+ pump.
A Five‐Base‐Pair‐Deletion in the Gene for the Large Subunit Causes the Lesion in the Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase‐Deficient Plastome Mutant Sigma of Oenothera hookeri
Authors: Winter P. , Herrmann R. G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe gene for the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcL) has been mapped on the Oenothera hookeri plastid chromosome. It is located close to the gene for the herbicide‐binding “32 kd” protein of the photosystem II reaction center (psbA), at a position different from that found in the ancestral angiosperm type of plastid chromosomes, due to an inversion in the large single‐copy region. The gene codes for a polypeptide of 475 amino acid residues corresponding to a molecular mass of 52.7 kd. The deduced amino acid composition diverges by 4.8% from the amino acid sequence of the spinach protein and by 8.2% from that of maize. The corresponding nucleotide sequences differ by 8.5 % and 15 % from each other. The rbcL gene of the RuBPcase/oase‐deficient Oenothera plastome mutant sigma contains a TTAAC deletion at amino acid residues 270/271 which introduces a frame shift and an amber stop codon seven triplets later. This lesion which probably arose by slipped mispairing is consistent with the previously observed, virtually full‐length mRNA that is decoded into a truncated large subunit polypeptide of approximately 30 kd in vitro and in vivo.
Signaling Pathways in Bacterial Chemotaxis
Authors: Taylor B. L. , Johnson M. S. , Smith J. M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe sensory transduction pathways between the transducing proteins and the switch on the flagellar motors have been investigated in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. ATP, not GTP, is required for normal chemotaxis. A site of ATP action appears to be the conversion of an inactive form of the CheY protein to an active form, designated CheY*, that binds to the motor switch and initiates clockwise rotation. The methylation‐dependent and methylation‐independent pathways for chemotaxis have a common requirement for the CheA, CheW, and CheY proteins in addition to the switch and flagellar motor. It is concluded that the receptor/transducing proteins and the adaptation mechanism differ in the two types of pathway, but that other components of the transduction pathway are common to the methylation‐dependent and methylation‐independent pathways.
Changes in Carotenoid Composition and Function of the Photosynthetic Apparatus during Light‐dependent Chloroplast Differentiation in Mutant C‐6D of Scenedesmus obliquus*
Authors: Humbeck K. , Römer S. , Senger H. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractChanges in pigment composition during light‐dependent chloroplast differentiation in mutant C‐6D of Scenedesmus obliquus were followed by HPLC. The system used enables the separation and quantitative determination of five xanthophylls (neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin), α‐ and β‐carotene and chlorophyll a and b (and their epimeric forms).Dark‐grown cells of the mutant contain only chlorophyll a, traces of chlorophyll b and acyclic precursors of carotenoids. During subsequent illumination, precursors decrease and high amounts of xanthophylls, carotenes and chlorophyll a and b are formed.Dark‐grown cultures of mutant C‐6D show high photosystem I‐activity and contain the photosystem I‐complex CP I, but lack photosystem II‐activity, the photosystem II‐complex CPa and the LHCP. Immediately after transfer to light, photosystem II‐activity increases rapidly, as also do the amounts of CPa and lutein. Under anaerobiosis no lutein and PS II‐activity can be detected. This indicates a role of lutein in the assembly of an active photosystem II‐complex. All other xanthophylls and the LHCP exhibit high rates of synthesis only after a delay of about 1 hour. Thus, our results reveal an asynchronous fashion of formation of CPa and LHCP.
The Occurrence of the Glucose‐inducible Transport Systems for Glucose, Proline, and Arginine in Different Species of Chlorella
Authors: Komor E. , Cho B.‐H. , Kraus M. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIncubation of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris (strain K, Tanner and Kandler, 1967) with glucose leads to the induction of a glucose transport system and of two amino acid transport systems. Because it was not clear whether the regulation of 3 different transport systems by glucose is specific to our strain of Chlorella or whether it is a general property of the genus Chlorella, 11 other free living and symbiotic Chlorella species and strains were tested for glucose‐inducible glucose, arginine and proline transport. It was found that nearly all Chlorella species possess glucose and amino acid uptake systems. Often they were constitutive, although in some species they were induced or stimulated by glucose. According to the transport activities of the different Chlorella species and strains, a physiological classification of Chlorella was constructed, resulting in 3 groups: the C. fusca vacuolata, the C. vulgaris and the symbiotic Chlorella group. Our Chlorella (strain K) obviously belongs to the C. vulgaris group and forms a link to symbiotic Chlorella strains. This suggests that the possession of the glucose‐regulated transport systems is of advantage for Chlorella in symbiotic situations, whereas the constitutive systems are useful for free living Chlorella.
Effects of Salinity on the Extensibility and Ca Availability in the Expanding Region of Growing Barley Leaves
Authors: Lynch J. , Thiel G. , Läuchli A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) leaves is reduced by salinity. We used the Instron extensometric technique to measure the reversible and irreversible compliance of the expanding regions of growing barley leaves from plants exposed to 1, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl in nutrient solution. Two barley cultivars differing in salinity resistance (cv ‘Arivat’ and cv ‘Briggs’) were compared over 5d of leaf growth. During the period of most active leaf expansion, salinity reduced reversible compliance and increased compliance in the leaf segments, although responses to salinity were complex and changed over the course of leaf expansion. Salinity increased irreversible compliance more in the salt‐sensitive cultivar Arivat than in the more salt‐tolerant cultivar Briggs.Elemental analysis of the basal leaf segments used for extensometry revealed an accumulation of Na and a depletion of Ca in segments from salinized plants, resulting in very high Na: Ca ratios in salinized expanding tissue. The concentrations of K and Mg in basal leaf tissue were elevated by salinity.Our data do support the hypothesis that the inhibition of leaf expansion by salinity stress is mediated by a decline in irreversible extensibility. We suggest that reduced Ca availability in expanding leaf tissue may contribute to growth reduction in salt‐stressed barley seedlings.
The Ubiquitin System in Higher and Lower Plants — Pathways in Protein Metabolism
Authors: Pollmann Lutz , Wettern Michael 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe multiple biological functions of the small polypeptide ubiquitin are mirrored by its unparalleled conservation on the amino acid and gene organization level.During the last years, it has become widely accepted that ubiquitin is an essential component in the ATP‐dependent nonlysosomal protein degradation pathway occurring in all eukaryotic organisms. As turnover, consisting of protein synthesis and disassembly, is a central and vital process for each living cell, ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis is of enormous physiological value. The components of the ubiquitin ligation system have been characterized skillfully in plant and animal cells, but at the moment many questions remain as to how the high degree of specificity that is necessary for the regulation of intracellular breakdown is ensured. The recent hypotheses and models proposed for the basic mechanisms of protein recognition, conjugation and degradation will be discussed in detail.The existence of ubiquitin‐protein conjugates which are not rapidly degraded clearly suggested that the role of ubiquitin is not restricted in its implication for protein turnover. Alterations of DNA structure, specific cell recognition mechanisms and cytoskeletal variations were observed as further ubiquitin‐dependent processes which are not directly coupled to protein degradation.
Ultrastructural Observations on CTC‐Induced Callose Formation in Riella helicophylla
Authors: Lerchl Daniela , Hillmer Stefan , Grotha R. , Robinson D. G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe Ca2+‐chelator CTC binds to a specific site on both outer surfaces of all non‐meristematic cells of the unistratose thallus of Riella, known to be rich in anionic wall components and calcium, and induces there the deposition of callose. Structural changes in this region during prolonged CTC treatment have been followed by light and transmission electron microscopy. With fluorescence microscopy punctate structures can be detected after 10 min, which upon longer incubation in CTC develop into large vesicular bodies, surrounded by a circular structure. The aniline blue‐derived fluorescence intensity of these structures is highest in cells of the extension growth zone.At the ultrastructural level a mosaic of numerous smooth‐surfaced vesicles, presumably containing callose, initially appears subjacent to the plasma membrane. These vesicles swell and fuse with each other, forming ultimately a circular fusion profile with the plasma membrane. This complex of callose‐forming vesicles is thought to develop from elements of the partially coated reticulum (PCR), based on the presence of coated vesiculation profiles on the callose vesicles and numerous aggregates of coated vesicles in their immediate vicinity.After 30 min in CTC osmiophilic particles appear around these callose vesicles and at the cytoplasmic face of mitochondria. They are later (after 60 min) deposited in the periplasmic space between wall and plasma membrane and are also released into the surrounding medium. As judged by their reaction with FeCl3, the osmiophilic particles appear to be phenolic in nature. We propose that upon binding of CTC a local increase of cytoplasmic calcium triggers callose synthesis in PCR‐like compartments beneath the plasma membrane. However it remains to be shown as to why callose is synthesized exclusively in these intracellular compartments and not at the plasma membrane.