bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discordant time trends in maternal body size and offspring birthweight of term deliveries in France between 1972 and 2003: data from the French National Perinatal Surveys
Authors: Diouf Ibrahima , Charles Marie Aline , Blondel Beatrice , Heude Barbara , Kaminski Monique 
Published: March 2011

SummaryDiouf I, Charles MA, Blondel B, Heude B, Kaminski M. Discordant time trends in maternal body size and offspring birthweight of term deliveries in France between 1972 and 2003: data from the French National Perinatal Surveys. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 210–217.We investigated time trends in maternal weight before and during pregnancy and in infant birthweight in France, from 1972 to 2003, using data on singleton live term births from the representative National Perinatal Surveys of 1972, 1981, 1995, 1998 and 2003 (n = 8 664, 4 494, 11 445, 12 006, 12 692, respectively). Mothers were interviewed a few days after delivery and data on delivery and the newborn were extracted from hospital records. Maternal prepregnancy weight, height, body mass index and pregnancy weight gain all increased from 1972 to 2003; however, birthweight did not show a parallel trend. After taking gestational age, maternal age, parity, country of origin, newborn gender and maternal smoking during pregnancy into account, mean birthweight increased between 1972 and 1995 but decreased thereafter and, consistently, there was an increase in small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) and a decrease in large‐for‐gestational age newborns. Further adjustment for induced delivery, an indicator of obstetric practice, did not change the results. A similar variation has been observed very recently in the US and in Germany. Further research is needed to identify the factors responsible for these discordant changes and especially the factors responsible for the recent increase in SGA since this has been shown to be associated with poorer health in later life.
Molecular and genetic analyses of Tic20 homologues in Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts
Authors: Kasmati Ali Reza , Töpel Mats , Patel Ramesh , Murtaza Ghulam , Jarvis Paul 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe Tic20 protein was identified in pea (Pisum sativum) as a component of the chloroplast protein import apparatus. In Arabidopsis, there are four Tic20 homologues, termed atTic20‐I, atTic20‐IV, atTic20‐II and atTic20‐V, all with predicted topological similarity to the pea protein (psTic20). Analysis of Tic20 sequences from many species indicated that they are phylogenetically unrelated to mitochondrial Tim17‐22‐23 proteins, and that they form two evolutionarily conserved subgroups [characterized by psTic20/atTic20‐I/IV (Group 1) and atTic20‐II/V (Group 2)]. Like psTic20, all four Arabidopsis proteins have a predicted transit peptide consistent with targeting to the inner envelope. Envelope localization of each one was confirmed by analysis of YFP fusions. RT‐PCR and microarray data revealed that the four genes are expressed throughout development. To assess the functional significance of the genes, T‐DNA mutants were identified. Homozygous tic20‐I plants had an albino phenotype that correlated with abnormal chloroplast development and reduced levels of chloroplast proteins. However, knockouts for the other three genes were indistinguishable from the wild type. To test for redundancy, double and triple mutants were studied; apart from those involving tic20‐I, none was distinguishable from the wild type. The tic20‐I tic20‐II and tic20‐I tic20‐V double mutants were albino, like the corresponding tic20‐I parent. In contrast, tic20‐I tic20‐IV double homozygotes could not be identified, due to gametophytic and embryonic lethality. Redundancy between atTic20‐I and atTic20‐IV was confirmed by complementation analysis. Thus, atTic20‐I and atTic20‐IV are the major functional Tic20 isoforms in Arabidopsis, with partially overlapping roles. While the Group 2 proteins have been conserved over approximately 1.2 billion (1.2 × 109) years, they are not essential for normal development.
A critical role of autophagy in plant resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens
Authors: Lai Zhibing , Wang Fei , Zheng Zuyu , Fan Baofang , Chen Zhixiang 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAutophagy is a pathway for degradation of cytoplasmic components. In plants, autophagy plays an important role in nutrient recycling during nitrogen or carbon starvation, and in responses to abiotic stress. Autophagy also regulates age‐ and immunity‐related programmed cell death, which is important in plant defense against biotrophic pathogens. Here we show that autophagy plays a critical role in plant resistance to necrotrophic pathogens. ATG18a, a critical autophagy protein in Arabidopsis, interacts with WRKY33, a transcription factor that is required for resistance to necrotrophic pathogens. Expression of autophagy genes and formation of autophagosomes are induced in Arabidopsis by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Induction of ATG18a and autophagy by B. cinerea was compromised in the wrky33 mutant, which is highly susceptible to necrotrophic pathogens. Arabidopsis mutants defective in autophagy exhibit enhanced susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungal pathogens B. cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola based on increased pathogen growth in the mutants. The hypersusceptibility of the autophagy mutants was associated with reduced expression of the jasmonate‐regulated PFD1.2 gene, accelerated development of senescence‐like chlorotic symptoms, and increased protein degradation in infected plant tissues. These results strongly suggest that autophagy cooperates with jasmonate‐ and WRKY33‐mediated signaling pathways in the regulation of plant defense responses to necrotrophic pathogens.
Arabidopsis metacaspase 2d is a positive mediator of cell death induced during biotic and abiotic stresses
Authors: Watanabe Naohide , Lam Eric 
Published: March 2011

SummaryCysteine proteases such as caspases play important roles in programmed cell death (PCD) of metazoans. Plant metacaspases (MCPs), a family of cysteine proteases structurally related to caspases, have been hypothesized to be ancestors of metazoan caspases, despite their different substrate specificity. Arabidopsis thaliana contains six type II MCP genes (AtMCP2a–f). Whether and how these individual members are involved in controlling PCD in plants remains largely unknown. Here we investigated the function and regulation of AtMCP2d, the predominant and constitutively expressed member of type II MCPs, in stress‐inducible PCD. Two AtMCP2d mutants (mcp2d‐1 and mcp2d‐3) exhibited reduced sensitivity to PCD‐inducing mycotoxin fumonisin B1 as well as oxidative stress inducers, whereas AtMCP2d over‐expressors were more sensitive to these agents, and exhibited accelerated cell‐death progression. We found that AtMCP2d exclusively localizes to the cytosol, and its accumulation and self‐processing patterns were age‐dependent in leaves. Importantly, active proteolytic processing of AtMCP2d proteins dependent on its catalytic activity was observed in mature leaves during mycotoxin‐induced cell death. We also found that mcp2d‐1 leaves exhibited reduced cell death in response to Pseudomonas syringae carrying avirulent gene avrRpt2, and that self‐processing of AtMCP2d was also detected in wild‐type leaves in response to this pathogen. Furthermore, increases in processed AtMCP2d proteins were found to correlate with conditional cell‐death induction in two lesion‐mimic mutants (cpr22 and ssi4) that exhibit spontaneous cell‐death phenotypes. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that AtMCP2d plays a positive regulatory role in biotic and abiotic stress‐induced PCD.
Farnesol kinase is involved in farnesol metabolism, ABA signaling and flower development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Fitzpatrick A. Heather , Bhandari Jayaram , Crowell Dring N. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryFarnesol, which is toxic to plant cells at high concentrations, is sequentially phosphorylated to farnesyl phosphate and farnesyl diphosphate. However, the genes responsible for the sequential phosphorylation of farnesol have not been identified and the physiological role of farnesol phosphorylation has not been fully elucidated. To address these questions, we confirmed the presence of farnesol kinase activity in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) membranes and identified the corresponding gene (At5g58560, FOLK). Heterologous expression in recombinant yeast cells established farnesol as the preferred substrate of the FOLK‐encoded kinase. Moreover, loss‐of‐function mutations in the FOLK gene abolished farnesol kinase activity, caused an abscisic acid‐hypersensitive phenotype and promoted the development of supernumerary carpels under water‐stress conditions. In wild‐type plants, exogenous abscisic acid repressed FOLK gene expression. These observations demonstrate a role for farnesol kinase in negative regulation of abscisic acid signaling, and provide molecular evidence for a link between farnesol metabolism, abiotic stress signaling and flower development.
The basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor CrMYC2 controls the jasmonate‐responsive expression of the ORCA genes that regulate alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Zhang Hongtao , Hedhili Sabah , Montiel Grégory , Zhang Yanxia , Chatel Guillaume , Pré Martial , Gantet Pascal , Memelink Johan 
Published: March 2011

SummaryJasmonates are plant signalling molecules that play key roles in defence against insects and certain pathogens, among others by controlling the biosynthesis of protective secondary metabolites. In Catharanthus roseus, the AP2/ERF‐domain transcription factor ORCA3 controls the jasmonate‐responsive expression of several genes encoding enzymes involved in terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis. ORCA3 gene expression is itself induced by jasmonate. The ORCA3 promoter contains an autonomous jasmonate‐responsive element (JRE) composed of a quantitative sequence responsible for the high level of expression and a qualitative sequence that acts as an on/off switch in response to methyl‐jasmonate (MeJA). Here, we identify the basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor CrMYC2 as the major activator of MeJA‐responsive ORCA3 gene expression. The CrMYC2 gene is an immediate‐early jasmonate‐responsive gene. CrMYC2 binds to the qualitative sequence in the ORCA3 JRE in vitro, and transactivates reporter gene expression via this sequence in transient assays. Knock‐down of the CrMYC2 expression level via RNA interference caused a strong reduction in the level of MeJA‐responsive ORCA3 mRNA accumulation. In addition, MeJA‐responsive expression of the related transcription factor gene ORCA2 was significantly reduced. Our results show that MeJA‐responsive expression of alkaloid biosynthesis genes in C. roseus is controlled by a transcription factor cascade consisting of the bHLH protein CrMYC2 regulating ORCA gene expression, and the AP2/ERF‐domain transcription factors ORCA2 and ORCA3, which in turn regulate a subset of alkaloid biosynthesis genes.
Where would I be without ivermectin? Capturing the benefits of community‐directed treatment with ivermectin in Africa
Authors: Okeibunor Joseph C. , Amuyunzu‐Nyamongo Mary , Onyeneho Nkechi G. , Tchounkeu Yolande F. L. , Manianga Cele , Kabali Asaph T. , Leak Stephen 
Published: March 2011

SummaryObjectives  To document peoples’ perceptions of the benefits of taking ivermectin, as an important predictor of sustained compliance with long‐term ivermectin treatment, and to identify the socio‐demographic correlates of perceived benefits of ivermectin treatment.Methods  Multisite study in Cameroon, DRC, Nigeria and Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered to 1600 persons randomly selected from household treatment records. Community leaders, community‐directed drug distributors (CDDs) and health workers were interviewed using in‐depth interview guides, while focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with community members to capture factors that reflected their perception of benefits of community‐directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI). Case histories of persons with special experiences with onchocerciasis were collected.Results  In this study, 84.7% of respondents indicated that ivermectin treatment has many benefits. The social benefits of CDTI included improved ability to work, peer acceptance and improved school attendance. Other individual benefits included self‐respect/esteem, election to political office and improved relationship in the homes. The health benefits included improved skin texture and less ill health. Important demographic factors that influenced perception of the benefits of taking ivermectin, include marital status (P = 0.012), age (P = 0.029) and length of stay in onchocerciasis‐endemic communities (P < 0.001). Another factor was individual perception of susceptibility to onchocerciasis infection (P < 0.0001).Conclusion  A programmatic focus on the benefits of CDTI could provide a basis for motivating communities to comply with long‐term treatment with ivermectin. The results illustrate the importance of capturing beneficiaries’ perceptions towards CDTI as a resource for producing health education materials for increasing the sustainability ivermectin distribution in endemic countries.
Spatial analysis and privation index to identify urban areas with a high risk of lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Bonfim Cristine , Alves Ayla , Costa Tadeu R. , Alencar Fabio , Pedroza Dinilson , Portugal José L. , Medeiros Zulma 
Published: March 2011

SummaryObjective  To evaluate composite living conditions as indicators of urban areas with a higher risk of filariasis transmission.Methods  This was an ecological study in the municipality of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, in Brazil. The analysis units were census tracts. The study was divided into three phases. First, data gathered during an epidemiological investigation were analysed. Secondly, living condition indicators were drawn up and the relationship between these indicators and microfilaremia prevalence rates was analysed. Thirdly, positive cases were georeferenced with a view to identifying spatial concentration using kernel intensity estimates. Two composite living condition indicators were calculated: a socio‐environmental risk index (in the form of scores) and a social deprivation index (through principal‐component factor analysis).Results  Of 23 673 individuals examined, 1.4% had microfilaremia. According to the two indicators, greater prevalence was found in the high‐risk strata, and this association was confirmed by the kernel intensity estimates.Conclusions  Classification of census tracts into risk strata showed the relevance of socio‐economic factors and environmental conditions in identifying priority areas in urban spaces for interventions by the surveillance services and in planning filariasis control. Spatial analysis also proved to be an important tool for building up a territorially based surveillance system. These indicators, used in association with spatial analysis, are an instrument to be used by the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis.
Graft volume as the surrogate marker for nephron number affects the outcomes of living‐donor kidney transplantation
Authors: Han Seung Seok , Yang Seung Hee , Oh Yoon Jung , Cho Jeong Yeon , Moon Kyung Chul , Ha Jongwon , Kim Yon Su 
Published: March 2011

Han SS, Yang SH, Oh YJ, Cho JY, Moon KC, Ha J, Kim YS. Graft volume as the surrogate marker for nephron number affects the outcomes of living‐donor kidney transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E327–E335. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Post‐transplant outcome of kidney allografts depends on various factors, one of which may be the compatibility in volume between graft and recipient. However, previous studies adjusted the graft volume only for recipient’s size. As the adjusted graft volume for donor’s size would be substituted of nephron number more accurately, we adjusted the graft volume for both recipient’s and donor’s sizes. In 351 cases of living‐donor kidney transplantation, we found that the adjusted graft volume for both recipient’s and donor’s body surface areas (BSAs) yielded larger area under the curves for the transplant outcomes than looking only at the adjusted volume for the recipient’s BSA. The recipients were separated into two groups according to the low and high adjusted graft volumes. During the follow‐up period (mean 55.6 months), the low‐graft‐volume group conferred greater risk of rejection, chronic change, glomerulonephritis, and graft loss than the high‐graft‐volume group (all p’s < 0.05). However, the frequency of T‐cell infiltration, as evaluated in protocol biopsy, was not different between the two adjusted graft volume groups. In conclusion, the graft volume as the surrogate marker for nephron number should be considered in kidney transplantation, especially in otherwise similar donor conditions.
Isolated cerebral manifestation of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case of clinical and diagnostic challenges
Authors: Kittan N.A. , Beier F. , Kurz K. , Niller H.H. , Egger L. , Jilg W. , Andreesen R. , Holler E. , Hildebrandt G.C. 
Published: March 2011

N.A. Kittan, F. Beier, K. Kurz, H.H. Niller, L. Egger, W. Jilg, R. Andreesen, E. Holler, G.C. Hildebrandt. Isolated cerebral manifestation of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case of clinical and diagnostic challenges. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 524–530. All rights reservedAbstract: We present the case of a 49‐year‐old male patient with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) limited to the brain that occurred 6 months after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Clinical symptoms included mental confusion, ataxia, and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cerebellar and periventricular lesions consistent with an inflammatory process. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, but not peripheral blood, was positive for EBV‐DNA, but no malignant cells were found. Brain biopsy was not feasible because of low platelet counts. As we considered a diagnosis of either EBV‐associated encephalitis or PTLD, the patient was treated with rituximab combined with antiviral therapy. However, the cerebral lesions progressed and follow‐up CSF testing revealed immunoglobulin H clonality as evidence of a malignant process. Subsequent treatment attempts included 2 donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI). Despite treatment, the patient died from autopsy‐proven PTLD within 8 weeks of the onset of symptoms. This case demonstrates the clinical and diagnostic challenges of primary cerebral PTLD in a patient following allogeneic HSCT.
Peripartal Hormonal Changes in Alpine Goats: a Comparison Between Physiological and Pathological Parturition
Authors: Probo M , Cairoli F , Kindahl H , Faustini M , Galeati G , Veronesi MC 
Published: March 2011

ContentsIn this study, 31 pregnant Alpine does were used to investigate the peripartal plasma profiles of progesterone, estradiol‐17β, 15‐ketodihydro‐PGF2αand cortisol, assessing differences between goats with physiological and pathological parturition. The goats were observed around the time of parturition; all peripartum abnormalities were recorded, and veterinary assistance was provided if necessary. Blood samples were collected every 12 h from 7 days before to 7 days after delivery, and plasma used for hormonal analysis by radioimmunoassay. Two animals died during the study, and their data were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 29 animals, 23 goats had a spontaneous and physiological delivery, while six goats showed pathological parturition, including dystocia and retained placenta. The 65 alive kids were viable at birth and at 7 days of age. The results concerning the hormonal concentrations in the normal parturition confirm and define more precisely the patterns already described in the goat, while the comparison between physiological and pathological parturition has never been previously reported in this species. Highest peripartum levels of cortisol were found in the pathological group at delivery (30.6 vs 15.9 ng/ml) (p < 0.01) and 12 h later (26.2 vs 11.1 ng/ml) (p < 0.05); the greater cortisol concentrations found in goats with dystocia and retained placenta could suggest a higher level of stress. No significant differences between the two groups were found with respect to the circulating values of the other hormones, but the individual variability and the small number of goats enrolled in the pathological delivery group could have masked possible differences.
Isolation of marinobufotoxin from the supernatant of cultured PC12 cells
Authors: Yoshika Masamichi , Komiyama Yutaka , Takahashi Hakuo 
Published: March 2011

Summary1. Digitalis‐like factors (DLFs) are believed to be involved in sodium metabolism via inhibition of Na+/K+‐ATPase and may cause hypertension. Yet, the source and regulation of secretion of DLFs remain unknown. Recently, marinobufagenin (MBG) was isolated in mammals and implicated in renal sodium and water metabolism. More recently, we isolated marinobufotoxin (MBT), a suberoyl arginine ester of MBG, in Y‐1 cells. We have developed an ELISA to measure MBG‐like immunoreactivity (MBG‐IR) and have characterized MBG‐IR using chromatography. We have also identified a ouabain‐like factor in cultured PC12 cells from a phaeochromocytoma cell line. In the present study, we examined whether MBT was produced in the adrenal medulla.2. PC12 cells were cultured in serum‐free medium and culture supernatants were collected over a period of 24 h. The supernatants were analysed by ELISA and HPLC to determine MBG‐IR content. The HPLC fraction containing the main peak of MBG‐IR was characterized by LC/MS.3. Compared with samples collected at 0.5 h, the concentration of MBG‐IR in culture supernatants increased significantly after 2 h and continued to increase until 24 h. The fraction with the highest ELISA peak for MBG‐IR had the same HPLC elution time as authentic MBT. Furthermore, tandem mass spectrometry indicated that each fraction of MBT and MBG had the correct specific daughter ions.4. The results indicate that MBT and MBG are produced and/or secreted by adrenomedullary cells.