bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the metabolite profile by an APC gene mutation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yoshie Tomoo , Nishiumi Shin , Izumi Yoshihiro , Sakai Aya , Inoue Jun , Azuma Takeshi , Yoshida Masaru 
Published: March 2012

Mutation of the APC gene occurs during the early stages of colorectal cancer development. To obtain new insights into the mechanisms underlying the aberrant activation of the Wnt pathway that accompanies APC mutation, we carried out a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based semiquantitative metabolome analysis. In vitro experiments comparing SW480 cells expressing normal APC and truncated APC indicated that the levels of metabolites involved in the latter stages of the intracellular tricarboxylic acid cycle, including succinic acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid, were significantly higher in the SW480 cells expressing the truncated APC. In an in vivo study, we found that the levels of most amino acids were higher in the non‐polyp tissues of APCmin/+ mice than in the normal tissues of the control mice and the polyp tissues of APCmin/+ mice. Ribitol, the levels of which were decreased in the polyp lesions of the APCmin/+ mice and the SW480 cells expressing the truncated APC, reduced the growth of SW480 cells with the APC mutation, but did not affect the growth of SW480 transfectants expressing full‐length APC. The level of sarcosine was found to be significantly higher in the polyp tissues of APCmin/+ mice than in their non‐polyp tissues and the normal tissues of the control mice, and the treatment of SW480 cells with 50 μM sarcosine resulted in a significant increase in their growth rate. These findings suggest that APC mutation causes changes in energetic metabolite pathways and that these alterations might be involved in the development of colorectal cancer. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1010–1021)
Area and the rapid radiation of HawaiianBidens(Asteraceae)
Authors: Knope Matthew L. , Morden Clifford W. , Funk Vicki A. , Fukami Tadashi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim To estimate the rate of adaptive radiation of endemic HawaiianBidensand to compare their diversification rates with those of other plants in Hawaii and elsewhere with rapid rates of radiation.Location Hawaii.Methods Fifty‐nine samples representing all 19 Hawaiian species, six Hawaiian subspecies, two Hawaiian hybrids and an additional two Central American and two AfricanBidensspecies had their DNA extracted, amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced for four chloroplast and two nuclear loci, resulting in a total of approximately 5400 base pairs per individual. Internal transcribed spacer sequences for additional outgroup taxa, including 13 non‐HawaiianBidens, were obtained from GenBank. Phylogenetic relationships were assessed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The age of the most recent common ancestor and diversification rates of HawaiianBidenswere estimated using the methods of previously published studies to allow for direct comparison with other studies. Calculations were made on a per‐unit‐area basis.Results We estimate the age of the Hawaiian clade to be 1.3–3.1 million years old, with an estimated diversification rate of 0.3–2.3 species/million years and 4.8 × 10−5to 1.3 × 10−4 species Myr−1 km−2.Bidensspecies are found in Europe, Africa, Asia and North and South America, but the Hawaiian species have greater diversity of growth form, floral morphology, dispersal mode and habitat type than observed in the rest of the genus world‐wide. Despite this diversity, we found little genetic differentiation among the Hawaiian species. This is similar to the results from other molecular studies on Hawaiian plant taxa, including others with great morphological variability (e.g. silverswords, lobeliads and mints).Main conclusions On a per‐unit‐area basis, HawaiianBidenshave among the highest rates of speciation for plant radiations documented to date. The rapid diversification within such a small area was probably facilitated by the habitat diversity of the Hawaiian Islands and the adaptive loss of dispersal potential. Our findings point to the need to consider the spatial context of diversification – specifically, the relative scale of habitable area, environmental heterogeneity and dispersal ability – to understand the rate and extent of adaptive radiation.
Sucrose induces rapid activation of CfSAPK, a mitogen‐activated protein kinase, in Cephalostachyum fuchsianum Gamble cells
Authors: LI LUBIN , LI YUAN , ZHANG LU , XU CHUNHUI , SU TONGBING , REN DONGTAO , YANG HAILIAN 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTSucrose was recently demonstrated to function as a molecular signal. However, sucrose‐specific sensing and signalling pathways remain largely undefined. Here, we show that Cephalostachyum fuchsianum sucrose‐activated protein kinase (CfSAPK) is transiently and specifically activated by sucrose in C. fuchsianum Gamble suspension cells. The result suggested that CfSAPK participates in a sucrose‐signalling pathway. CfSAPK was partially purified from sucrose‐treated cells and further analysed. Kinase activity assays revealed that CfSAPK preferentially used myelin basic protein (MBP) as substrate in vitro and strongly phosphorylate MBP threonine residue(s) and weakly phosphorylated MBP serine residue(s). Of the divalent cations tested, Mg2+ was required for CfSAPK activation. Phosphatase treatment of CfSAPK abolished its kinase activity, indicating that phosphorylation is required for CfSAPK activation. Seven internal tryptic peptides identified from CfSAPK matched mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in plants. CfSAPK cDNA was cloned using RT‐PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). CfSAPK cDNA encodes a 382‐amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 43 466.9 Da. The CfSAPK protein contains all 11 conserved kinase subdomains found in other Ser/Thr kinases. The amino acids sequence of CfSAPK is highly homologous to group A MAPKs in monocotyledon plants.
Facies architecture of individual basin‐plain turbidites: Comparison with existing models and implications for flow processes
Authors: SUMNER ESTHER J. , TALLING PETER J. , AMY LAWRENCE A. , WYNN RUSSELL B. , STEVENSON CHRISTOPHER J. , FRENZ MICHAEL 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCurrent understanding of submarine sediment density flows is based heavily on their deposits, because such flows are notoriously difficult to monitor directly. However, it is rarely possible to trace the facies architecture of individual deposits over significant distances. Instead, bed‐scale facies models that infer the architecture of ‘typical’ deposits encapsulate current understanding of depositional processes and flow evolution. In this study, the distribution of facies in 12 individual beds has been documented along downstream transects over distances in excess of 100 km. These deposits were emplaced in relatively flat basin‐plain settings in the Miocene Marnoso Arenacea Formation, north‐east Italy and the late Quaternary Agadir Basin, offshore Morocco. Statistical analysis shows that the most common series of vertical facies transitions broadly resembles established facies models. However, mapping of individual beds shows that they commonly deviate from generalized models in several important ways that include: (i) the abundance of parallel laminated sand, suggesting deposition of this facies from both high‐density and low‐density turbidity current; (ii) three distinctly different types of grain‐size break, suggesting waxing flow, erosional hiatuses and bypass of silty sediment; (iii) the presence of mud‐rich debrites demonstrating hybrid flow deposition; and (iv) dune‐scale cross‐lamination in fine‐medium grained sandstones. Submarine sediment density flows in basin‐plain settings flow over relatively simple topography. Yet, their deposits record complex flow events, involving transformation between different flow types, rather than the simple waning surges often associated with the distal parts of turbidite systems.
TCP transcription factors interact with AS2 in the repression of class‐I KNOX genes in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Ziyu , Li Bin , Shen Wen‐Hui , Huang Hai , Dong Aiwu 
Published: March 2012

SummaryLeaf organogenesis occurs within the peripheral zone of the shoot apical meristem (SAM). The initiation and subsequent development of a leaf requires the stable repression of a highly conserved class of plant genes, namely class‐I KNOTTED 1‐like homeobox (KNOX) genes. In Arabidopsis, this class comprises four members: SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM); BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP); KNAT2 and KNAT6. Two transcription factors, ASYMMETRIC LEAVES 1 (AS1) and AS2, are known to form a protein complex to repress BP, KNAT2 and KNAT6. Here, we show that AS2 physically interacts with the microRNA319 (miR319)‐regulated CINCINNATA‐like TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1‐CYCLOIDEA‐PCF (TCP) transcription factors in vitro and in vivo. By chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrated that AS2 and TCPs bind to similar regions of the BP and KNAT2 promoters. In addition, DNA‐binding activities of the TCP proteins rely on the presence of AS2, as the activities were dramatically reduced in the as2 mutant. The jaw‐D mutant, which overexpresses MIR319a to downregulate several target TCP genes, strongly enhanced the as2 phenotypes and caused more severe ectopic expression of BP, KNAT2 and KNAT6. Our results reveal that KNOX repression requires different types of transcription factors that function together to ensure normal leaf development.
Targeted disruption of an orthologue of DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLASE 2, OsDRM2, impairs the growth of rice plants by abnormal DNA methylation
Authors: Moritoh Satoru , Eun Chang‐Ho , Ono Akemi , Asao Hisayo , Okano Yosuke , Yamaguchi Katsushi , Shimatani Zenpei , Koizumi Amane , Terada Rie 
Published: March 2012

SummaryRecent methylome analyses of the entire Arabidopsis thaliana genome using various mutants have provided detailed information about the DNA methylation pattern and its function. However, information about DNA methylation in other plants is limited, partly because of the lack of mutants. To study DNA methylation in rice (Oryza sativa) we applied homologous recombination‐mediated gene targeting to generate targeted disruptants of OsDRM2, a rice orthologue of DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLASE 1 and 2 (DRM1/2), which encode DNA methyltransferases responsible for de novo and non‐CG methylation in Arabidopsis. Whereas Arabidopsis drm1 drm2 double mutants showed no morphological alterations, targeted disruptants of rice OsDRM2 displayed pleiotropic developmental phenotypes in both vegetative and reproductive stages, including growth defects, semi‐dwarfed stature, reductions in tiller number, delayed heading or no heading, abnormal panicle and spikelet morphology, and complete sterility. In these osdrm2 disruptants, a 13.9% decrease in 5‐methylcytosine was observed by HPLC analysis. The CG and non‐CG methylation levels were reduced in RIRE7/CRR1 retrotransposons, and in 5S rDNA repeats. Associated transcriptional activation was detected in RIRE7/CRR1. Furthermore, de novo methylation by an RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) process involving transgene‐derived exogenous small interfering RNA (siRNA) was deficient in osdrm2‐disrupted cells. Impaired growth and abnormal DNA methylation of osdrm2 disruptants were restored by the complementation of wild‐type OsDRM2 cDNA. Our results suggest that OsDRM2 is responsible for de novo, CG and non‐CG methylation in rice genomic sequences, and that DNA methylation regulated by OsDRM2 is essential for proper rice development in both vegetative and reproductive stages.
Functional characterization of ObgC in ribosome biogenesis during chloroplast development
Authors: Bang Woo Young , Chen Ji , Jeong In Sil , Kim Sam Woong , Kim Chul Wook , Jung Hyun Suk , Lee Kyoung Hwan , Kweon Hee‐Seok , Yoko Ishizaki , Shiina Takashi , Bahk Jeong Dong 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe Spo0B‐associated GTP‐binding protein (Obg) GTPase, essential for bacterial viability, is also conserved in eukaryotes, but its primary role in eukaryotes remains unknown. Here, our functional characterization of Arabidopsis and rice obgc mutants strongly underlines the evolutionarily conserved role of eukaryotic Obgs in organellar ribosome biogenesis. The mutants exhibited a chlorotic phenotype, caused by retarded chloroplast development. A plastid DNA macroarray revealed a plastid‐encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) deficiency in an obgc mutant, caused by incompleteness of the PEP complex, as its western blot exhibited reduced levels of RpoA protein, a component of PEP. Plastid rRNA profiling indicated that plastid rRNA processing is defective in obgc mutants, probably resulting in impaired ribosome biogenesis and, in turn, in reduced levels of RpoA protein. RNA co‐immunoprecipitation revealed that ObgC specifically co‐precipitates with 23S rRNA in vivo. These findings indicate that ObgC functions primarily in plastid ribosome biogenesis during chloroplast development. Furthermore, complementation analysis can provide new insights into the functional modes of three ObgC domains, including the Obg fold, G domain and OCT.
HDA19 is required for the repression of salicylic acid biosynthesis and salicylic acid‐mediated defense responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Choi Sun‐Mee , Song Hae‐Ryong , Han Soon‐Ki , Han Muho , Kim Chi‐Yeol , Park Jaejin , Lee Yong‐Hwan , Jeon Jong‐Seong , Noh Yoo‐Sun , Noh Bosl 
Published: March 2012

SummaryTo cope with a lifetime of exposure to a variety of pathogens, plants have developed exquisite and refined defense mechanisms that vary depending on the type of attacking pathogen. Defense‐associated transcriptional reprogramming is a central part of plant defense mechanisms. Chromatin modification has recently been shown to be another layer of regulation for plant defense mechanisms. Here, we show that the RPD3/HDA1‐class histone deacetylase HDA19 is involved in the repression of salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated defense responses in Arabidopsis. Loss of HDA19 activity increased SA content and increased the expression of a group of genes required for accumulation of SA as well as pathogenesis related (PR) genes, resulting in enhanced resistance to Pseudomonas syringae. We found that HDA19 directly associates with and deacetylates histones at the PR1 and PR2 promoters. Thus, our study shows that HDA19, by modifying chromatin to a repressive state, ensures low basal expression of defense genes, such as PR1, under unchallenged conditions, as well as their proper induction without overstimulation during defense responses to pathogen attacks. Thus, the role of HDA19 might be critical in preventing unnecessary activation and self‐destructive overstimulation of defense responses, allowing successful growth and development.
The Arabidopsis SYN3 cohesin protein is important for early meiotic events
Authors: Yuan Li , Yang Xiaohui , Ellis Jessie L. , Fisher Nicole M. , Makaroff Christopher A. 
Published: March 2012

Summaryα‐Kleisins are core components of meiotic and mitotic cohesin complexes. Arabidopsis contains four genes that encode α‐kleisin proteins: SYN1, SYN2, SYN3 and SYN4. SYN1, a REC8 ortholog, is essential for meiosis, while SYN2 and SYN4 appear to be SCC1 orthologs and function in mitosis. SYN3 is essential for megagametogenesis and is enriched in the nucleolus of meiotic and mitotic cells. In this study the role of SYN3 during meiosis was investigated by characterization of plants that express SYN3‐RNAi constructs from either meiotic DMC1, native SYN3, or inducible PX7 promoters. Reduction of SYN3 caused defects in homologous chromosome synapsis and synaptonemal complex (SC) formation during male and female meiosis. Consistent with this observation, relatively little signal for the SC component ZYP1 was detected on the chromosomes of SYN3‐RNAi plants. ZYP1 transcript levels were relatively normal, but several transcripts for genes that encode proteins involved in meiotic recombination were altered, which suggested that a reduction in SYN3 may inhibit meiotic progression by alteration of meiotic gene expression.
Prophylaxis for ribavirin‐related anemia using eicosapentaenoic acid in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Inage Eisuke , Minowa Kei , Saito Nobutomo , Naritaka Nakayuki , Tsubahara Mayuko , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Tokita Akifumi , Shimizu Toshiaki 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  Ribavirin‐related anemia is a serious side‐effect of the pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy used for hepatitis C, and may be cause for a reduction in ribavirin dose or even cessation of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effects of oral eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation on ribavirin‐induced hemolytic anemia in pediatric and young adult patients.Methods:  Twelve chronic hepatitis C patients ranging in age from 3 to 21 years (mean, 13.9 ± 5.1 years) who received pegylated interferon α‐2b and ribavirin combination therapy were randomized to either the control group (n= 6) or EPA group (n= 6). Blood samples were collected before, and at 4, 8, and 16 weeks after treatment to measure clinical laboratory parameters.Results:  The reduction in hemoglobin levels of the EPA group was significantly ameliorated at 8 and 16 weeks when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in plasma ribavirin concentrations between the two groups during the treatment. However, one patient in the control group had a reduction in ribavirin dose.Conclusion:  EPA supplementation prevented ribavirin‐induced hemolytic anemia during combination therapy with pegylated interferon α‐2b and ribavirin in pediatric and young adult patients.
Excitatory effect of propiverine hydrochloride on urethral activity in rats
Authors: Kadekawa Katsumi , Nishijima Saori , Ashitomi Katsuhiro , Yamamoto Hideyuki , Sugaya Kimio 
Published: February 2012

Objectives:  To investigate the effects of the antimuscarinic agent, propiverine, on the bladder and urethra in rats.Methods:  A total of 54 female rats were given propiverine, imidafenacin (an antimuscarinic agent), or distilled water by gavage once or twice daily. After 2 weeks, bladder and urethral activity were recorded under urethane anesthesia. In the propiverine group, the changes of bladder and urethral activity before and after intravenous injection of α1‐adrenergic antagonists (prazosin, silodosin and naftopidil) were also recorded. Furthermore, the leak point pressure after electrical stimulation of abdominal wall muscles was measured in rats with vaginal distension from the control and propiverine groups.Results:  Intravesical baseline pressure was significantly lower in the propiverine and imidafenacin groups compared with the control group, whereas the urethral baseline pressure was significantly higher in the propiverine group compared with the control or imidafenacin groups. Intravenous injection of prazosin (an α1‐receptor antagonist) significantly decreased the urethral baseline pressure in both of the propiverine and control groups. Intravenous injection of silodosin and naftopidil (α1A‐ and α1D‐receptor antagonists, respectively) significantly decreased the maximum contraction pressure and the urethral baseline pressure in the propiverine group. The leak point pressure of the propiverine group was significantly higher than that of the control group.Conclusions:  An increase of catecholamines after propiverine administration might activate smooth muscle of the proximal urethra via α1A‐ and α1D‐adrenergic receptors, as well as activating urethral and pelvic floor striated muscle via the spinal motoneurons.
Epigenetics: A way to understand the origin and biology of testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Okamoto Keisei 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTesticular germ cell tumors are neoplasms carrying two unique features. First, testicular germ cell tumors have a pluripotential nature and show protean histology ranging from that of germ cells to embryonal and differentiated somatic cells. Therefore, testicular germ cell tumors are interesting resources positioned at a crossroad in developmental and neoplastic processes. The second unique feature of testicular germ cell tumors is their exquisite sensitivity to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. This review summarizes recent research progress in the epigenetics of testicular germ cell tumors in an attempt to explain the abovementioned biological and clinical characteristics of testicular germ cell tumors.
Current state of medical‐advice‐seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer: determinants of failure and delay in medical consultation
Authors: Courtney R. J. , Paul C. L. , Sanson‐Fisher R. W. , Macrae F. , Attia J. , McEvoy M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim  There are few data on the factors associated with healthcare‐seeking behaviour for symptoms of colorectal cancer. This study describes the determinants of failure and delay in seeking medical advice for rectal bleeding and change in bowel habit.Method  In total, 1592 persons (56–88 years) were randomly selected from the Hunter Community Study and mailed a questionnaire.Results  In all, 18% (60/332) of respondents experiencing rectal bleeding and 20% (39/195) reporting change in bowel habit had never consulted a doctor. The rate of delay (> 1 month) for each symptom was 18% and 37%. The reasons for delay included the assumption that the symptoms were not serious or that they were benign. Triggers for seeking medical advice varied. Healthcare‐seeking behaviour for rectal bleeding had not significantly improved compared with a previous community‐based study.Conclusion  The seriousness of symptoms, importance of early detection and prompt medical consultation must be articulated in health messages to at‐risk persons.
Immigration and School Choice in Australia
Authors: Mavisakalyan Astghik 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article examines the relationship between the share of immigrants in a locality and private versus public school choices of natives and immigrants in Australia. Using the 2001 Australian Census data, it finds that private school attendance among native‐born Australians is higher in localities with a higher share of immigrant populations. Immigrants’ private school attendance is lower where the share of their like‐type immigrants is higher. These effects vary with the presence of a common language and ethnic background between the natives and the immigrants. Overall, the results suggest the possibility of a ‘flight’ from unfamiliar cultures in the Australian school system.
Regulating Synthetic Securitisation Following the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Podolski Edward J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article explores whether proposed changes to the regulation of synthetic securitisation in Australia are sufficient in light of the Global Financial Crisis. Synthetic securitisation is specifically chosen as an object of study, given the relative ease with which it can be over‐used. The article examines several theoretical problems with securitisation, which entice corporations into excessively risky behaviour. Contrary to popular belief, it is established that agency issues are not a serious problem with securitisation. Instead, managerial behavioural biases are shown to be most problematic. The article recommends stricter capital adequacy relief requirements, which would provide a disincentive for excessive risk‐taking by potentially over‐confident managers.
For the Student: Matching and Economic Design
Authors: Artemov Georgy , Feldmann Sven , Loertscher Simon 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis article presents a brief survey of two‐sided matching. We introduce the reader to the problem of two‐sided matching in the context of the college admission model and explain two central requirements for a matching mechanism: stability and non‐manipulability. We show how the frequently used ‘Boston Mechanism’ fails these key requirements and describe how an alternative, the Deferred Acceptance Algorithm, leads to stable matchings but fails to be non‐manipulable in general. A third mechanism, the Top Trading Cycle, is efficient and non‐manipulable when only one side of the match acts strategically. We also discuss some applications of matching theory.