bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional analysis and binding affinity of tomato ethylene response factors provide insight on the molecular bases of plant differential responses to ethylene
Authors: Pirrello Julien , Prasad BC Narasimha , Zhang Wangshu , Chen Kunsong , Mila Isabelle , Zouine Mohamed , Latché Alain , Pech Jean Claude , Ohme-Takagi Masaru , Regad Farid , Bouzayen Mondher 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
The phytohormone ethylene is involved in a wide range of developmental processes and in mediating plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Ethylene signalling acts via a linear transduction pathway leading to the activation of Ethylene Response Factor genes (ERF) which represent one of the largest gene families of plant transcription factors. How an apparently simple signalling pathway can account for the complex and widely diverse plant responses to ethylene remains yet an unanswered question. Building on the recent release of the complete tomato genome sequence, the present study aims at gaining better insight on distinctive features among ERF proteins.

Results
A set of 28 cDNA clones encoding ERFs in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) were isolated and shown to fall into nine distinct subclasses characterised by specific conserved motifs most of which with unknown function. In addition of being able to regulate the transcriptional activity of GCC-box containing promoters, tomato ERFs are also shown to be active on promoters lacking this canonical ethylene-responsive-element. Moreover, the data reveal that ERF affinity to the GCC-box depends on the nucleotide environment surrounding this cis-acting element. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the nature of the flanking nucleotides can either enhance or reduce the binding affinity, thus conferring the binding specificity of various ERFs to target promoters.
Based on their expression pattern, ERF genes can be clustered in two main clades given their preferential expression in reproductive or vegetative tissues. The regulation of several tomato ERF genes by both ethylene and auxin, suggests their potential contribution to the convergence mechanism between the signalling pathways of the two hormones.

Conclusions
The data reveal that regions flanking the core GCC-box sequence are part of the discrimination mechanism by which ERFs selectively bind to their target promoters. ERF tissue-specific expression combined to their responsiveness to both ethylene and auxin bring some insight on the complexity and fine regulation mechanisms involving these transcriptional mediators. All together the data support the hypothesis that ERFs are the main component enabling ethylene to regulate a wide range of physiological processes in a highly specific and coordinated manner.
Memory and Executive Screening (MES): a brief cognitive test for detecting mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Guo Qi-hao , Zhou Bin , Zhao Qian-hua , Wang Bei , Hong Zhen 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), defined as a transitional zone between normal cognition and dementia, requires a battery of formal neuropsychological tests administered by a trained rater for its diagnosis. The objective of this study was to develop a screening tool for MCI.

Methods
One hundred ninety seven cognitively normal controls (NC), one hundred sixteen patients with amnestic MCI –single domain (aMCI-sd), one hundred ninety five patients with amnestic MCI-multiple domain (aMCI-md), and two hundred twenty eight patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were evaluated by comprehensive neuropsychological tests and by the Memory and Executive Screening (MES).

Results
Correlation analysis showed that the three indicators of the MES were significantly negatively related with age (P<0.05), yet not related with education (P>0.05). There was no ceiling or floor effect. Test completion averaged seven minutes (421.14±168.31 seconds). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses performed on the aMCI-sd group yielded 0.89 for the area under the curve (AUC) (95% CI, 0.85–0.92) for the MES-total score, with sensitivity of 0.795 and specificity of 0.828. There was 81% correct classification rate when the cut-off was set at less than 75. Meanwhile, the aMCI-md group yielded 0.95 for the AUC (95% CI, 0.93–0.97) for the MES-total score, with sensitivity of 0.87 and specificity of 0.91, and 90% correct classification rate when the cut-off was set at less than 72.

Conclusion
The MES, minimally time-consuming, may be a valid and easily administered cognitive screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity for aMCI, with single or multiple domain impairment.
The association between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and cervical cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis
Authors: Mei Qiang , Zhou Daijun , Gao Jinyu , Shen Shu , Wu Jinlin , Guo Linna , Liang Zhiqing 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism is a genetic alteration in an enzyme involved in folate metabolism, but its effect on host susceptibility to cervical cancer is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and cervical cancer by performing a meta-analysis.

Methods
Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) databases were searched for case–control studies investigating the association between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and cervical cancer. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used to assess this possible association.

Results
11 studies with a total of 1898 cervical cancer cases and 2678 controls were included. Meta-analyses of a total 11 studies showed no association between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and cervical cancer using all five genetic models (All P values > 0.05). However, subgroup analyses showed the odds of the homozygous TT genotype were much less in cervical cancer cases than in controls in Europeans, which implied an association between the homozygous TT genotype and cervical cancer in Europeans (For TT versus CC, fixed-effects OR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.45-0.93, P = 0.020, I2 = 0.0%). The odds for the homozygous TT genotype were greater in cervical cancer cases than in controls in East Asians, which also implied an association between the homozygous TT genotype and cervical cancer in East Asians (For TT versus CC, random-effects OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.05-2.62, P = 0.029, I2 = 52.6%; For TT versus CT/CC, random-effects OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.09-2.22, P = 0.016, I2 = 42.4%). Both subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses suggested ethnicity was the major source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was not evident.

Conclusions
This meta-analysis supports an association between MTHFR 677C>T polymorphism and cervical cancer, and the effect of this association may be race specific. Further studies with large sample sizes and careful design are needed to identify this association more comprehensively.
Increased Expressions of IL-22 and Th22 cells in the coxsackievirus B3-Induced mice acute viral myocarditis
Authors: Kong Qing , Wu Weifeng , Yang Fan , Liu Yanli , Xue Yimin , Gao Mengsha , Lai Wenyin , Pan Xiaofen , Yan Yuluan , Pang Yu , Deng Yuanhua 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Recently, a new subset of T helper (Th) cell that predominantly secret cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22) is identified, termed Th22 cells. The Th22 subset has been demonstrated to be involved in immunity and tissue inflammation. However, the existence of Th22 cells and role of IL-22 in acute viral myocarditis (AVMC) remain unknown.

Methods
BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally (i.p) infected with CVB3 for establishing AVMC models. Control mice were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) i.p. On day 14 post injection, frequencies of splenic Th22 cells were determined, productions of IL-22 and expressions of IL-22R (IL-22 receptor) were measured. To further investigate the effects of IL-22, AVMC mice treated with Anti-IL-22 neutralizing antibody were explored. The severity of AVMC were monitored; the frequencies of Th22 cells, the expressions of IL-22 and IL-22R were investigated; in addition to IFN-γ, inflammatory cytokines IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6 as well as IL-1β, were evaluated. Cardiac viral replication were detected.

Results
Compared with control group, significant elevations of circulating Th22 cells and IL-22, cardiac protein and mRNA of IL-22, and IL-22R1 were demonstrated in AVMC group. Treatment of AVMC mice with Anti-IL-22 Ab exacerbated the severity of viral myocarditis, verified by lower survival rate, higher HW/BW ratios and cardiac pathological scores. Anti-IL-22 Ab decreased the frequencies of Th22 cells and the levels of IL-22, and increased the expressions of cardiac IL-22R1. Up-regulations of IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α, down-regulations of IFN-γ proteins and gene expressions in the plasma and myocardium, were observed in Anti-IL-22 Ab group. Furthermore, neutralization of IL-22 significantly promoted cardiac viral replication.

Conclusions
Our data indicate that the increased frequencies of IL-22-producing Th22 cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CVB3-induced mice AVMC, IL-22 may act as an myocardium-protective cytokine via the IL-22–IL-22R pathway, and suggest that targeting the Th22 cell and IL-22–IL-22R pathway could provide new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of CVB3-induced AVMC.
Characterization and determination of six flavonoids in the ethnomedicine “Dragon’s Blood” by UPLC-PAD-MS
Authors: Yi Tao , Tang Yina , Zhang Jianye , Zhao Zhongzhen , Yang Zhijun , Chen Hubiao 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
“Dragon’s Blood” (DB) has long been used as an ethnomedicine in China to invigorate blood circulation for the treatment of traumatic injuries, blood stasis and pain. To comprehensively assess the quality of DB medicine, a precise and accurate method that can rapidly separate, characterize and quantify multiple active components of DB is crucial.

Results
An ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with photodiode array detection (PAD) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) method was developed for characterization and determination of six flavonoids in DB. A comprehensive validation of the developed method was conducted, and confirmed that the method presented good sensitivity, precision and accuracy. All linear regressions were acquired with R
2 > 0.99, and the limits of detection ranged from 0.06 to 0.83 ng. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values were found to be within the range 1.4–3.8% for the method repeatability test. Recovery studies for the quantified compounds were found to be within the range 94.2–102.8% with RSD less than 4.9%. DB samples collected from different geographical regions were analyzed by the present method, and the results demonstrated that the contents of the six flavonoids in DB samples varied significantly. Three major active components among the six flavonoids, namely dracorhodin, (2S)-5-methoxyflavan-7-ol and (2S)-5-methoxy-6-methylflavan-7-ol, are suggested as the index for DB quality evaluation.

Conclusions
Overall, the present hyphenation method is highly efficient and reliable, and hence suitable for the characterization and determination of the flavonoids of DB ethnomedicine.
Novel CD20 monoclonal antibodies for lymphoma therapy
Authors: Cang Shundong , Mukhi Nikhil , Wang Kemeng , Liu Delong 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against CD20, has been widely used for lymphoma therapy. RTX in combination with cyclophosphamide /doxorubicin /vincristine /prednisone (R-CHOP) remains the standard frontline regimen for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. However, suboptimal response and /or resistance to rituximab have remained a challenge in the therapy of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Novel agents are under active clinical trials. This review will summarize the latest development in new mAbs against CD20, which include second-generation mAbs, ofatumumab, veltuzumab (IMMU-106), ocrelizumab (PRO70769), and third-generation mAbs, AME-133v (ocaratuzumab), PRO131921 and GA101 (obinutumumab).
Autologous antibody to src-homology 3-domain GRB2-like 1 specifically increases in the sera of patients with low-grade gliomas
Authors: Matsutani Tomoo , Hiwasa Takaki , Takiguchi Masaki , Oide Takashi , Kunimatsu Mitoshi , Saeki Naokatsu , Iwadate Yasuo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundGlioma is the most common primary malignant central nervous system tumor in adult, and is usually not curable in spite of various therapeutic approaches. Clarification of the oncogenic process in its early stage is important for the diagnosis and effective therapy.MethodsIn the present study, we used the serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX) to explore the subtle changes of the protein expression in low-grade glioma. The levels of serum autoantibodies to the SEREX-identified glioma-related antigens were analyzed by ELISA, and the epitope site was identified using deletion mutants and overlap peptide array. Changes in the serum autoantibody levels were examined in the rat glioma model using C6 and 9 L glioma cell lines.ResultsWe identified 31 glioma-related antigens by SEREX. Among them, the serum level of autoantibody to src-homology 3-domain GRB2-like 1 (SH3GL1) was significantly higher in patients with low-grade glioma than healthy volunteers or high-grade gliomas. The 10 amino-acids at the C-terminal were identified as the epitope site by the overlap peptide array and the ELISA using deletion mutants. The tissue expression of SH3GL1 protein increased in proportion to glioma progression. The rat glioma models confirmed the increase of anti-SH3GL1 autoantibody level in the early stage and the suppression in the late stage.ConclusionSH3GL1 may be involved in the oncogenic process of gliomas and effectively elicit an autologous antibody response in low-grade gliomas. The immunological reaction to SH3GL1 would contribute to the establishment of a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for gliomas.
Methoden zur datengetriebenen Formulierung und Visualisierung von Kausalitätshypothesen
Authors: Kühnert Christian , Gröll Lutz , Heizmann Michael , Reischl Markus , Mikut Ralf 
Published: October 2012

Zusammenfassung
Für das automatisierte Erkennen von Kausalstrukturen in Datensätzen gibt es schon mehrere Verfahren, welche basierend auf dem zugrundeliegenden Datensatz jeweils Vor- und Nachteile besitzen. In diesem Beitrag werden zunächst relevante Verfahren mit ihren Eigenschaften für das Erkennen kausaler Strukturen vorgestellt, an Benchmarks getestet sowie die Ergebnisse mittels geeigneter Visualisierungstechniken repräsentiert. Des Weiteren erfolgt eine Untersuchung der Methoden anhand der Daten eines industriellen Glasziehprozesses sowie der Analyse von Biosignalen bei einer Funktionellen Elektrostimulation.
Genetic Variation inSaccharomyces cerevisiae: Circuit Diversification in a Signal Transduction Network
Authors: Chin Brian L , Ryan Owen , Lewitter Fran , Boone Charles , Fink Gerald R 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe connection between genotype and phenotype was assessed by determining the adhesion phenotype for the same mutation in two closely related yeast strains, S288c and Sigma, using two identical deletion libraries. Previous studies, all in Sigma, had shown that the adhesion phenotype was controlled by the filamentation mitogen-activated kinase (fMAPK) pathway, which activates a set of transcription factors required for the transcription of the structural gene FLO11. Unexpectedly, the fMAPK pathway is not required for FLO11 transcription in S288c despite the fact that the fMAPK genes are present and active in other pathways. Using transformation and a sensitized reporter, it was possible to isolate RPI1, one of the modifiers that permits the bypass of the fMAPK pathway in S288c. RPI1 encodes a transcription factor with allelic differences between the two strains: The RPI1 allele from S288c but not the one from Sigma can confer fMAPK pathway-independent transcription of FLO11. Biochemical analysis reveals differences in phosphorylation between the alleles. At the nucleotide level the two alleles differ in the number of tandem repeats in the ORF. A comparison of genomes between the two strains shows that many genes differ in size due to variation in repeat length.
Electrical Transport in Ultrathin NdNiO3 Films
Authors: Campbell Megan , Tiwari Ashutosh 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTElectrical transport properties in ultrathin NdNiO3 films grown on single crystal LaAlO3(001) substrate were characterized. Films with thicknesses ranging from 0.6 nm to 12 nm were grown using a pulsed laser technique. Four probe resistivity as a function of temperature measurements indicated a strong dissipation of strain effects from 0.6 nm to 6 nm as well as the presence of defects in the 12 nm sample. A proposed mechanism of kinetically stable glassy phase formation explains the time dependence of the resistivity in both cooling and heating cycles.
Domain Formation in Nano-patterned PZT Thin Films
Authors: Waegner Martin , Schröder Mathias , Suchaneck Gunnar , Sturm Heinz , Weimann Christiane , Eng Lukas M. , Gerlach Gerald 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTIn this work, reactive magnetron-sputtered Pb(Zr,Ti)O3thin films were used to fabricate well-ordered nanodot arrays by means of nanosphere lithography (NSL). NSL is based on a two-step etch process by means of, firstly adjusting the diameter of polystyrene spheres in the self-assembled polymeric nanosphere mask using reactive ion etching, and secondly transferring the mask to the substrate by ion milling with adjusted heights. Hence, structures with different aspect ratios can be fabricated.Piezoresponse force microscopy was used as the inspection tool on both non-patterned and patterned films. Both the topography and polarization out of plane and in plane was deduced in this mode. Grains of nanodots with low aspect ratio form domain structures comparable to domains in non-patterned films. In contrast to that, nanodots with a higher aspect ratio form particular structures. The in-plane amplitude images show mostly a bisectioned domain assembly, while the out-of-plane amplitude images show in some cases more complex structures like “c”-shaped domains or multi-domains around a center domain.The patterning of the ferroelectric material was shown to affect the formation of ferroelectric domains. The initial polycrystalline, randomly-ordered films are re-oriented and show domain structures depending on nanodisc diameter and aspect ratio. This may enable tailoring of ferroelectric materials in their piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties by patterning.
Synthesis of Nano Iron Oxalate – Structures and Optical Transitions
Authors: Reddy S. Lakshmi , Uehara Kenichi , Endo Tamio 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSynthesis of FeC2O42H2O nano particles was carried out by thermal double decomposition of solutions of oxalic acid dihydrate (C2H2O4 2H2O) and FeSO4 7H2O employing CATA -2R microwave reactor. Structural elucidation was carried out by employing X-ray diffraction, particle size and shape were studied by transmission electron microscopy and nature of bonding was investigated by Optical absorption and near-infrared spectral studies. The powder resulting from this method is possesses distorted rhombic octahedral structure. The particle grain size is about 50 nm. Details of optical transitions are mentioned in terms of energy states.
Superconducting composites of MgB2 with Additions obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Badica P. , Aldica G. , Burdusel M. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTSb2O3, Sb-metal, Bi2O3 or Bi-metal, powders were mixed with MgB2 powder. Starting compositions were ((MgB2)(M2O3)x, x = 0.0025, 0.005, 0.015, and (MgB2)(M)y, y = 0.01, M = Sb, Bi. Mixtures were processed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique. As obtained composite samples show high density, above 94% of the theoretical density. While the secondary phases indicate on similar reactions, samples show different behavior vs. addition type and amount. This does not directly correlate with the melting temperature of the addition. From the critical current density (Jc) and irreversibility field (Hirr) enhancement viewpoints, optimum additions are oxides for x=0.025, 0.005. Both oxides are improving Jc at high fields, but Sb2O3 is effective up to 10 K, while Bi2O3 is up to 30 K. Metal additions are decreasing Jc and Hirr when compared to pristine MgB2sample.
New Orlicz variants of Hardy type inequalities with power, power-logarithmic, and power-exponential weights
Authors: Kałamajska Agnieszka , Pietruska-Pałuba Katarzyna 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
We obtain Hardy type inequalities $$\int_0^\infty {M\left( {\omega \left( r \right)\left| {u\left( r \right)} \right|} \right)\rho \left( r \right)dr} \leqslant C_1 \int_0^\infty {M\left( {\left| {u\left( r \right)} \right|} \right)\rho \left( r \right)dr + C_2 \int_0^\infty {M\left( {\left| {u'\left( r \right)} \right|} \right)\rho \left( r \right)dr,} }$$ and their Orlicz-norm counterparts $$\left\| {\omega u} \right\|_{L^M (\mathbb{R}_ + ,\rho )} \leqslant \tilde C_1 \left\| u \right\|_{L^M (\mathbb{R}_ + ,\rho )} + \tilde C_2 \left\| {u'} \right\|_{L^M (\mathbb{R}_ + ,\rho )} ,$$ with an N-function M, power, power-logarithmic and power-exponential weights ω, ρ, holding on suitable dilation invariant supersets of C
0∞(ℝ+). Maximal sets of admissible functions u are described. This paper is based on authors’ earlier abstract results and applies them to particular classes of weights.
Aux sources de la connaissance. L'état du débat constructivisme/ nativisme chez le très jeune enfant
Authors: Lécuyer Roger , Durand Karine 
Published: October 2012

Résumé La révolution méthodologique des années 1950-60 a accru considérablement nos moyens d’étude des capacités cognitives du nourrisson. Cette révolution a entraîné des bouleversements dans les théories et en particulier mis en cause la théorie de Piaget. Cependant, deux types de démarches ont toujours été suivis en parallèle. Un certain nombre d’auteurs ont cherché à se situer dans une perspective post-Piagétienne et c’est leur point de vue qui sera d’abord abordé. D’autres auteurs ont au contraire mis au point un cadre théorique radicalement nouveau : le nativisme, et c’est ce courant, qui a dominé ce domaine de recherche, qui sera ensuite exposé. L’existence d’apprentissages prénatals a mis en difficulté le nativisme. C’est pourquoi, ces apprentissages seront ensuite évoqués. Mais si donc les apprentissages commencent très tôt, aucune connaissance de règle n’a pu être mise en évidence avant l’âge de deux à trois mois, ce qui est évidemment un échec pour le nativisme. Dans la période actuelle, il semble donc possible et nécessaire de revenir à une perspective théorique constructiviste, développementaliste et donnant toute sa place au milieu social, c’est-à-dire au contexte de vie quotidien du bébé. L’objectif de l’article est de présenter cette perspective. A cet effet, il propose un système de niveaux de représentation susceptibles de rendre compte de capacités jugées équivalentes et présentes dans une même tranche d’âge.