bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Root Rot on Pulsatilla koreana Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in China
Authors: Su D. , Fu J. F. 
Published: October 2012

Windflowers (Pulsatilla spp.) are perennial medicinal plants in the family Ranunculaceae with high economic as well as medicinal value in China. It is commonly used as traditional Chinese medicine (1). In May 2012, a root rot disease was observed on windflower (Pulsatilla koreana Nakai) at flowering stages in fields of Liaoning Province, China. The diseased area was estimated to be over 500 ha in the province and the yield was reduced by 30% on average with up to 45% yield losses in some fields. As the disease progressed, brown lesion production extended onto lateral and main roots, and aboveground tissues shriveled and decayed; in severe cases, white mycelium was clearly visible on diseased root tissue. Isolations from symptomatic roots were made on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and single-spore cultures were obtained. Colonies were initially white, but became pale violet with age, and purple pigments were produced in the agar. Microconidia were abundant, unicellular, oval to reniform, and ranged from 5.6 to 13.1 (9.3) × 2.8 to 4.2 (3.2) μm. Macroconidia were sparse, three-septate, slightly curved, and ranged from 21.9 to 39.4 (31.2) × 3.4 to 4.5 (3.9) μm. The isolated fungus was morphologically similar to Fusarium oxysporum (2). Two isolates were selected for molecular identification, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the primers ITS1/ITS4 (3) and sequenced. The obtained sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. JX669525 and JX669526) showed 99% homology with the sequences of F. oxysporum in GenBank (GQ121303). For pathogenicity tests, the isolate was cultured on PDA for 10 days at 25°C. Inoculations were performed on 10 healthy P. koreana plants by spraying a conidial suspension (2.0 × 105 microconidia ml–1) on roots previously wounded with a metal needle. Ten non-treated plants used as controls were sprayed with distilled water. The inoculated plants were incubated at 25°C under conditions of 12/12 h (light and dark). After 2 weeks, root rot symptoms were similar to the original symptoms observed under field conditions. No disease was observed on water-inoculated control plants. The same fungus was reisolated from the roots of infected plants, satisfying Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. oxysporum on P. koreana in China. The disease was hitherto scarcely reported in any other countries, and may deserve more attention in the future. References: (1) S. C. Bang et al. J. Nat. Prod. 68:268, 2005. (2) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Professional, Ames, IA, 2006. (3) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.
SUBRETINAL DEPOSITS, PARAMACULAR ATROPHY AND PIGMENTARY RETINOPATHY IN MITOCHONDRIAL ENCEPHALOPATHY, LACTIC ACIDOSIS, AND STROKE-LIKE EPISODES
Authors: Fung Adrian T. , Engelbert Michael , Odel Jeffrey G. , Yannuzzi Lawrence A. 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:
To report a case of subretinal deposits, paramacular atrophy, and pigmentary retinopathy associated with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes.

Methods:
Retrospective review of medical records.

Results:
A 45-year-old white woman presented with progressive deterioration of vision and dark adaptation over several years. She had a background of an undiagnosed neurodegenerative disorder, including sensorineural hearing loss, cognitive disturbance, and peripheral neuropathy. On examination, subretinal deposits were visible along the superotemporal arcades. A diagnosis of mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes was confirmed by genetic testing (A3243G gene mutation). Four years later, she had developed paramacular atrophy and pigmentary retinopathy.

Conclusion:
Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes may be associated with paramacular atrophy and pigmentary retinopathy. Autofluorescent changes may precede these signs and can help distinguish this condition from Stargardt disease–fundus flavimaculatus. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of fundus autofluorescence imaging and optical coherence tomography in mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes–associated retinopathy. Subretinal deposit may be an early sign.
Dynamic versus static culture in international business: a study of Spanish banking in China
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Lopez‐Pascual Joaquín 
Published: October 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically identify two types of cultural perspective in cross‐cultural management studies: dynamic versus static perspectives, in particular their interaction in the international business of the firm.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts an exploratory approach using qualitative data. After two phases of data collection, the management by values concept is taken to identify both the manifested and latent levels of characteristics of these two different approaches to cross‐cultural management in international business.FindingsThe study results identify the characteristics of two cultural perspectives: dynamic versus static. Tables on static cultural comparison and the acculturation process illustrate their different natures and highlight their potential implications for further business and theoretical development.Originality/valueThe paper empirically identifies dynamic and static cultural perspectives in international business process, highlighting the relevance of distinguishing these two perspectives in the globalizing business world. The characteristics of dynamic and static culture illustrated build a base for further research in this line for international business and cross cultural management.
SAP155‐mediated c‐myc suppressor far‐upstream element‐binding protein‐interacting repressor splicing variants are activated in colon cancer tissues
Authors: Kajiwara Toshiko , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Itoga Sakae , Tamura Mai , Tanaka Nobuko , Tomonaga Takeshi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Shimada Hideaki , Habara Yasuaki , Matsuo Masafumi , Nomura Fumio 
Published: October 2012

The c‐myc transcriptional suppressor, far‐upstream element (FUSE)‐binding protein (FBP)‐interacting repressor (FIR), is alternatively spliced in colorectal cancer tissue (Matsushita et al., Cancer Res 2006). Recently, the knockdown of SAP155 pre‐mRNA‐splicing factor, a subunit of SF3b, was reported to disturb FIR pre‐mRNA splicing and yield FIRΔexon2, an exon 2‐spliced variant of FIR, which lacks c‐myc repression activity. In the present study, novel splicing variants of FIR, Δ3 and Δ4, were also generated by SAP155 siRNA, and these variants were found to be activated in human colorectal cancer tissue. Furthermore, the expression levels of FIR variant mRNA were examined in the peripheral blood of colorectal cancer patients and healthy volunteers to assess its potency for tumor detection. As expected, circulating FIR variant mRNA in the peripheral blood of cancer patients were significantly overexpressed compared to that in healthy volunteers. In particular, the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve of FIR, FIRΔexon2 or FIRΔexon2/FIR, was greater than those of conventional carcinoembryonic antigen or carbohydrate antigen 19‐9. In addition, FIRΔexon2 or FIR mRNA expression in the peripheral blood was significantly reduced after operative removal of colorectal tumors. Thus, circulating FIR and FIRΔexon2 mRNA are potential novel screening markers for colorectal cancer testing with conventional carcinoembryonic antigen and or carbohydrate antigen 19‐9. Taken together, our results indicate that overexpression of FIR and its splicing variants in colorectal cancer directs feed‐forward or addicted circuit c‐myc transcriptional activation. Clinical implications for colorectal cancers of novel FIR splicing variants are also discussed in the present paper.
What is the burden of living with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) in 2012? A health‐related quality‐of‐life assessment in Finnish patients
Authors: Kluger Nicolas , Jokinen Martta , Krohn Kai , Ranki Annamari 
Published: October 2012

SummaryObjectiveAutoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare disorder responsible for chronic candidiasis, a wide variety of autoimmune disorders and a risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oesophagus. We investigated the impairment of quality of life in our cohort of Finnish patients.Subjects, design and measurementIn a postal survey, 26 patients with APECED responded to three self‐reported health‐related quality‐of‐life questionnaires: RAND‐36 (general health), RBDI (depression) and DLQI (dermatology life quality index).ResultsGeneral health and vitality were the most affected items in our cohort. Male subjects presented higher impairment in emotional role limitations, social functioning, bodily pain, general mental health/emotional well‐being, energy/vitality and general health perceptions but without reaching statistical significance. The number of accumulated diseases in APECED was not associated with lower results. But, age and duration of APECED correlated with fatigue (P = 0·01), well‐being (P = 0·02) and general health (P = 0·03) impairment. Depressive symptoms affected 29% of the patients. There was a statistical negative correlation between RBDI score and age and duration of APECED. Hair loss, alopecia areata universalis especially, affected more severely the quality of life of female patients. Vitiligo and candidiasis did not have any significant impact on both the genders.ConclusionsWe report the first study on specific impairment of quality of life related to APECED in a cohort of adult Finnish patients. General health, emotional well‐being and vitality were the most diminished aspects of quality of life in our cohort. However, our results will need to be confirmed by additional controlled studies.
The relation between lymph node status and survival in Stage I–III colon cancer: results from a prospective nationwide cohort study
Authors: Lykke J. , Roikjær O. , Jess P. ,   The Danish Colorectal Cancer Group
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimThis study involved a large nationwide Danish cohort to evaluate the hypothesis that a high lymph node harvest has a positive effect on survival in curative resected Stage I–III colon cancer and a low lymph node ratio has a positive effect on survival in Stage III colon cancer.MethodAnalysis of overall survival was conducted using a nationwide Danish cohort of patients treated with curative resection of Stage I–III colon cancer. All 8901 patients in Denmark diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the colon and treated with curative resection in the period 2003–2008 were identified from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group (DCCG). The impact of lymph node count and lymph node ratio was analysed.ResultsOverall 5‐year survival was 56.8 and 66.6%, (P < 0.0001) for lymph node counts of fewer than 12 and 12 or more, respectively. The percentages of lymph node positive patients in the two groups were 29.8 and 40.3% (P < 0.0001), respectively.When putting the Stage III patients into four subgroups according to the lymph node ratio (cut‐off points 1/12, 1/4 and 1/2) we found an overall 5‐year survival rate of 68.1, 57.2, 49.3 and 32.4% (P < 0.0001). Lymph node count and lymph node ratio were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.ConclusionHigh lymph node count was associated with improved overall survival in colon cancer. Lymph node ratio was superior to N‐stage in differentiating overall survival in Stage III colon cancer. Stage migration was observed.
Overuse of paracetamol caffeine aspirin powders affects cerebral glucose metabolism in chronic migraine patients
Authors: Di W. , Shi X. , Zhu Y. , Tao Y. , Qi W. , Luo N. , Xiao Z. , Yi C. , Miao J. , Zhang A. , Zhang X. , Fang Y. 
Published: October 2012

Background and purposeOveruse of analgesic plays a prominent role in migraine chronification. Paracetamol caffeine aspirin (PCA) powders are commonly used in Chinese migraineurs. This study investigated the effects of the specific combination analgesic on cerebral glucose metabolism in chronic migraine (CM).Methods18F‐FDG‐PET was used to measure regional metabolism in all subjects. Brain metabolisms of CM patients with analgesic overuse (AO‐CM; n = 10), no analgesic overuse (NAO‐CM; n = 10), and no regimen (NR‐CM; n = 10) and 17 age‐ and gender‐matched normal controls (NC) were compared using statistical parametric mapping. Then, all patients underwent brain MRI analysis within 7 days after PET scans, as well as MMSE and MoCA scale for cognitive function tests.ResultsGlucose metabolic changes in CM patients taking different dosage of analgesic during headache‐free periods and clear distinctions in several brain regions were observed. Patients with AO‐CM exhibited significant metabolic reductions in thalamus, as well as increased metabolism in middle temporal gyrus and insula relative to NR‐CM and NAO‐CM. However, in these regions, no difference was observed in AO‐CM except for increased metabolism in the right insula relative to NC group.ConclusionsOverusing PCA powders affects regional brain glucose metabolism in CM. Increased metabolism in the right insula may be associated with recurrently overusing of PCA powders.
Major life events and development of major depression in Parkinson's disease patients
Authors: Rod N. H. , Bordelon Y. , Thompson A. , Marcotte E. , Ritz B. 
Published: October 2012

Background and purposeNon‐motor symptoms including depression are important features of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aim to address the relationship between major life events and depression amongst PD patients free of depressive symptoms at baseline.MethodsNew‐onset PD patients from California were recruited in 2001–2007 and followed up for 3–4 years. The participants (n = 221) were examined by neurologists and responded to comprehensive interviews that included major life events, social support, and coping measures from validated scales. Major depression was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM‐IV depression module (SCID).ResultsMore than half of all patients had experienced major life events since diagnosed with PD, and 22 patients developed a major depression. The number of life events was associated with risk of depression in an exposure‐dependent manner, with each additional event being associated with a 56% higher risk of depression (95% CI: 1.23–1.98). Most individual life events were associated with a two‐ to eight‐fold higher risk of depression. Patients with low social support or coping capacities seemed to be particularly susceptible to developing depression after experiencing major life events.ConclusionsLife events play an important role for onset of depression in patients with PD; an effect that seems to be modulated by social support and coping capacities and these factors may therefore be important to assess in order to identify patients with PD at high risk of depression and provide effective interventions.
Anti‐tumour strategies aiming to target tumour‐associated macrophages
Authors: Tang Xiaoqiang , Mo Chunfen , Wang Yongsheng , Wei Dandan , Xiao Hengyi 
Published: October 2012

SummaryTumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs) represent a predominant population of inflammatory cells that present in solid tumours. TAMs are mostly characterized as alternatively activated M2‐like macrophages and are known to orchestrate nearly all stages of tumour progression. Experimental investigations indicate that TAMs contribute to drug‐resistance and radio‐protective effects, and clinical evidence shows that an elevated number of TAMs and their M2 profile are correlated with therapy failure and poor prognosis in cancer patients. Recently, many studies on TAM‐targeted strategies have made significant progress and some pilot works have achieved encouraging results. Among these, connections between some anti‐tumour drugs and their influence on TAMs have been suggested. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in TAM‐targeted strategies for tumour therapy. Based on the proposed mechanisms, those strategies are grouped into four categories: (i) inhibiting macrophage recruitment; (ii) suppressing TAM survival; (iii) enhancing M1‐like tumoricidal activity of TAMs; (iv) blocking M2‐like tumour‐promoting activity of TAMs. It is desired that further attention be drawn to this research field and more effort be made to promote TAM‐targeted tumour therapy.
The DC‐HIL ligand syndecan‐4 is a negative regulator of T‐cell allo‐reactivity responsible for graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Chung Jin‐Sung , Tomihari Mizuki , Tamura Kyoichi , Kojima Tetsuhito , Cruz Ponciano D. , Ariizumi Kiyoshi 
Published: October 2012

SummaryAcute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is the most important cause of mortality after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Allo‐reactive T cells are the major mediators of GVHD and the process is regulated by positive and negative regulators on antigen‐presenting cells (APC). Because the significance of negative regulators in GVHD pathogenesis is not fully understood, and having discovered that syndecan‐4 (SD‐4) on effector T cells mediates the inhibitory function of DC‐HIL on APC, we proposed that SD‐4 negatively regulates the T‐cell response to allo‐stimulation in acute GVHD, using SD‐4 knockout mice. Although not different from their wild‐type counterparts in responsiveness to anti‐CD3 stimulation, SD‐4−/− T cells lost the capacity to mediate the inhibitory function of DC‐HIL and were hyper‐reactive to allogeneic APC. Moreover, infusion of SD‐4−/− T cells into sub‐lethally γ‐irradiated allogeneic mice worsened mortality, with hyper‐proliferation of infused T cells in recipients. Although there my be little or no involvement of regulatory T cells in this model because SD‐4 deletion had no deleterious effect on T‐cell‐suppressive activity compared with SD‐4+/+ regulatory T cells. We conclude that SD‐4, as the T‐cell ligand of DC‐HIL, is a potent inhibitor of allo‐reactive T cells responsible for GVHD and a potentially useful target for treating this disease.
HLA‐DM: arbiter conformationis
Authors: Ferrante Andrea 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe recognition by CD4+ T cells of peptides bound to class II MHC (MHCII) molecules expressed on the surface of antigen‐presenting cells is a key step in the initiation of an adaptive immune response. Presentation of peptides is the outcome of an intracellular selection process occurring in dedicated endosomal compartments involving, among others, an MHCII‐like molecule named HLA‐DM (DM). The impact of DM on the epitope selection machinery has been known for more than 15 years. However, the mechanism by which DM skews the presented repertoire in favour of kinetically stable complexes has remained elusive. Here, a review of the most recent observations in the field is presented, pointing to the possibility that DM decides the survival of a peptide–MHCII complex (pMHCII) on the basis of its conformational flexibility, which is a function of the ‘tightness’ of interaction between the peptide and the MHCII at a specific region of the binding site.
Combination peptide immunotherapy based on T‐cell epitope mapping reduces allergen‐specific IgE and eosinophilia in allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Mackenzie Karen J. , Fitch Paul M. , Leech Melanie D. , Ilchmann Anne , Wilson Claire , McFarlane Amanda J. , Howie Sarah E.M. , Anderton Stephen M. , Schwarze Jürgen 
Published: October 2012

SummaryPeptide immunotherapy using soluble peptides containing allergen‐derived immunodominant T‐cell epitopes holds therapeutic promise for allergic asthma. Previous studies in BALB/c mice using the immunodominant peptide epitope of chicken ovalbumin (p323–339) have been unable to demonstrate therapeutic effects in ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation. We have previously shown that intravenous application of p323–339 can effectively tolerise p323–339‐reactive T cells in a non‐allergic model in C57BL/6 mice. This study aimed to assess the effects of using p323–339 immunotherapy in a C57BL/6 model of ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation, identify any additional epitopes recognized by the ovalbumin‐responsive T‐cell repertoire in C57BL/6 mice and assess the effects of combination peptide immunotherapy in this model. Ovalbumin‐reactive T‐cell lines were generated from ovalbumin‐immunized C57BL/6 mice and proliferative responses to a panel of overlapping peptides covering the ovalbumin sequence were assessed. Soluble peptides (singly or combined) were administered intravenously to C57BL/6 mice before the induction of ovalbumin‐induced allergic airway inflammation. Peptide immunotherapy using the 323–339 peptide alone did not reduce the severity of allergic airway inflammation. An additional immunodominant T‐cell epitope in ovalbumin was identified within the 263–278 sequence. Combination peptide immunotherapy, using the 323–339 and 263–278 peptides together, reduced eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage and ovalbumin‐specific IgE, with apparent reductions in interleukin‐5 and interleukin‐13. Characterization of the T‐cell response to a model allergen has allowed the development of combination peptide immunotherapy with improved efficacy in allergic airway inflammation. This model holds important potential for future mechanistic studies using peptide immunotherapy in allergy.
HOW CAN PUBLIC SPENDING HELP YOU GROW? AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: Bayraktar Nihal , Moreno‐Dodson Blanca 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTAlthough many studies indicate that both the level and composition of public spending are significant for economic growth, the results in the empirical literature are mixed. This paper suggests that the country sample selection and expenditure classification are important in explaining these conflicting results. The empirical analysis shows that the link between growth and public spending, especially its core component, is strong only for countries with macroeconomic stability and fast GDP per capita growth dynamics, which are also capable of using public funds for productive purposes.
An Overview of Developments in the Irish Economy over the Last Ten Years
Authors: McHale John 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAt the time of the first Lehigh University conference on the Irish economy in 2001, Irish real GDP was still growing at an annual rate of almost 6 per cent, following a decade where growth had averaged over 7 per cent. The ‘Celtic Tiger’ economy was showing signs of ageing – notably with inflation eroding competitiveness and with it Ireland’s attractiveness as a destination for FDI – but there was little sense of the ‘bubble economy’ that would fundamentally alter Irish economic fortunes over the following decade. The succeeding property‐driven economy did sustain high growth for another half decade or so, if not at the spectacular rates of the preceding half decade. But it also sowed the seeds for the financial and economic crisis that has so rocked the economy over the last three years. This paper sets the scene for the papers in the symposium with a review of the property boom, bubble and eventual bust. It also reviews the prospects for crisis resolution and export‐driven recovery.