bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
B-Function Expression in the Flower Center Underlies the Homeotic Phenotype ofLacandonia schismatica(Triuridaceae)
Authors: Álvarez-Buylla Elena R. , Ambrose Barbara A. , Flores-Sandoval Eduardo , Englund Marie , Garay-Arroyo Adriana , García-Ponce Berenice , de la Torre-Bárcena Eduardo , Espinosa-Matías Silvia , Martínez Esteban , Piñeyro-Nelson Alma , Engström Peter , Meyerowitz Elliot M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractSpontaneous homeotic transformations have been described in natural populations of both plants and animals, but little is known about the molecular-genetic mechanisms underlying these processes in plants. In the ABC model of floral organ identity in Arabidopsis thaliana, the B- and C-functions are necessary for stamen morphogenesis, and C alone is required for carpel identity. We provide ABC model-based molecular-genetic evidence that explains the unique inside-out homeotic floral organ arrangement of the monocotyledonous mycoheterotroph species Lacandonia schismatica (Triuridaceae) from Mexico. Whereas a quarter million flowering plant species bear central carpels surrounded by stamens, L. schismatica stamens occur in the center of the flower and are surrounded by carpels. The simplest explanation for this is that the B-function is displaced toward the flower center. Our analyses of the spatio-temporal pattern of B- and C-function gene expression are consistent with this hypothesis. The hypothesis is further supported by conservation between the B-function genes of L. schismatica and Arabidopsis, as the former are able to rescue stamens in Arabidopsis transgenic complementation lines, and Ls-AP3 and Ls-PI are able to interact with each other and with the corresponding Arabidopsis B-function proteins in yeast. Thus, relatively simple molecular modifications may underlie important morphological shifts in natural populations of extant plant taxa.
Ammonium Triggers Lateral Root Branching in Arabidopsis in an AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER1;3-Dependent Manner
Authors: Lima Joni E. , Kojima Soichi , Takahashi Hideki , von Wirén Nicolaus 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Root development is strongly affected by the plant's nutritional status and the external availability of nutrients. Employing split-root systems, we show here that local ammonium supply to Arabidopsis thaliana plants increases lateral root initiation and higher-order lateral root branching, whereas the elongation of lateral roots is stimulated mainly by nitrate. Ammonium-stimulated lateral root number or density decreased after ammonium or Gln supply to a separate root fraction and did not correlate with cumulative uptake of 15N-labeled ammonium, suggesting that lateral root branching was not purely due to a nutritional effect but most likely is a response to a sensing event. Ammonium-induced lateral root branching was almost absent in a quadruple AMMONIUM TRANSPORTER (qko, the amt1;1 amt1;2 amt1;3 amt2;1 mutant) insertion line and significantly lower in the amt1;3-1 mutant than in the wild type. Reconstitution of AMT1;3 expression in the amt1;3-1 or in the qko background restored higher-order lateral root development. By contrast, AMT1;1, which shares similar transport properties with AMT1;3, did not confer significant higher-order lateral root proliferation. These results show that ammonium is complementary to nitrate in shaping lateral root development and that stimulation of lateral root branching by ammonium occurs in an AMT1;3-dependent manner.
Mechanisms of leukemogenesis by MLL fusion proteins
Authors: Marschalek Rolf 
Published: December 2010

SummaryInfant acute leukaemia is characterised by specific genetic rearrangements and a rapid onset of disease shortly after birth. The vast majority of these cases bear rearranged MLL alleles. However, many facets of MLL‐rearranged leukaemia are largely unknown. Basically, there exists a fundamental and evolutionary conserved relationship between the family of MLL/Trithorax proteins and the regulation of HOX gene clusters. Therefore, direct MLL fusion proteins are per se able to deregulate HOX genes, except when reciprocal MLL fusion proteins come into play. This reviews discusses (i) the current situation in MLL‐rearranged leukaemia, (ii) the molecular and genetic tools to functionally investigate the many different MLL fusions, (iii) the latency of disease development, (iv) a novel cancer mechanism that has been recently uncovered when different MLL fusion protein complexes were characterized, (v) mutated signalling pathways in MLL‐rearranged leukaemia and (vi) presents new ideas on how a given MLL fusion protein may modulate existing signalling pathways in leukaemic cells. The hypothesis is posed that the many different fusion partners of MLL are critically distinct entities for which specific inhibitors should be identified in the future.
Pancreatic iron loading in chronically transfused sickle cell disease is lower than in thalassaemia major
Authors: Noetzli Leila J. , Coates Thomas D. , Wood John C. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryIron endocrinopathy and cardiomyopathy are common in chronically transfused thalassaemia major patients, but relatively rare in chronically transfused patients with sickle cell disease. Since magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate preclinical organ iron deposition, we hypothesized that pancreas and cardiac R2* would likewise be lower in sickle cell disease patients than thalassaemia major patients having comparable transfusional burdens. To test this hypothesis, we examined pancreatic and cardiac iron in a convenience sample of 100 chronically‐transfused sickle cell disease and 131 thalassaemia major patients. Cardiac R2* (30 ± 9·2 vs. 73 ± 53 Hz, P < 0·0001) and pancreatic R2* (52 ± 62 vs. 253 ± 224 Hz, P < 0·0001) were significantly lower in sickle cell disease than thalassaemia major. Liver iron concentration was similar in both groups (14·9 ± 9·8 vs. 12·3 ± 8·4 mg/g dry weight, P = 0·101). The observed disparity in pancreatic and cardiac iron loading between sickle cell disease and thalassaemia major patients mirrors prior observations of organ toxicity in these patients. Greater cumulative transfusional iron exposure in thalassaemia major patients partially explains these observations but our data also suggest innate differences in labile iron handling between the two diseases.
Thyroid tuberculosis – role of PCR in diagnosis of a rare entity
Authors: Gupta N. , Sharma K. , Barwad A. , Sharma M. , Rajwanshi A. , Dutta P. , Sharma A. 
Published: December 2010

N. Gupta, K. Sharma, A. Barwad, M. Sharma, A. Rajwanshi, P. Dutta and A. Sharma  Thyroid tuberculosis – role of PCR in diagnosis of a rare entityBackground:  Tuberculosis is a rare cause of granulomatous thyroiditis, whose diagnosis may be difficult with routine cytopathology and staining for acid‐fast bacilli (AFB).Study design:  Amongst 7962 cases of various thyroid lesions subjected to fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) over a period of 12 years, 34 cases (0.43%) were found to have cytological features of granulomatous inflammation with or without necrosis, which could be due to tuberculosis, granulomatous thyroiditis or other causes of granulomatous inflammation such as sarcoidosis or fungal infections. DNA was extracted from the material available on May‐Grünwald–Giemsa‐stained smears from the archival material. PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was performed for insertion sequence IS6110.Results:  The age of the patients ranged from 32 to 58 years (median 48 years); 24 were female and 10 male. FNAC from thyroid swellings showed epithelioid granulomas with giant cells and/or necrosis. Although acid‐fast bacilli were only seen in smears in two cases, 19/34 (55.9%) showed the presence of 123 bp DNA band under ultraviolet transillumination. Five control cases were negative.Conclusion:  Our study of archival cytological material illustrates the importance of PCR as a potentially useful tool for the detection of M. tuberculosis DNA from FNAC of thyroid lesions, which could provide an alternative for rapid diagnosis of thyroid tuberculosis in AFB‐negative cases.
Imaging the dynamics of intracellular protein translocation by photoconversion of phamret‐cybr/ROM
Authors: YANG L. , MATSUDA T. , RAVIRAJ V. , CHING Y. W. , BRAET F. , NAGAI T. , SOON L. L. 
Published: December 2010

SummaryCybr/Reduced On‐random Motile (ROM) is a scaffold protein, containing a postsynaptic density protein‐95/discs‐large/ZO‐1 (PDZ) domain, a LEU region and a PDZ domain binding region at the C‐terminus. In the immune system, Cybr/ROM was found to localize in vesicles and at the plasma membrane, through interactions with cytohesin‐1. In this investigation, we reported Cybr/ROM as occurring in vesicles, the cytoplasm and at membrane ruffles of H1299 lung cancer cells. Its localization at the ruffles was dependent on intact actin structures as indicated by latrunculin A treatment, which abrogated ruffle formation and staining of Cybr/ROM at the cells’ periphery. Transfection of truncation mutants consisting of either the PDZ or LEU domain showed that the LEU domain of ROM was localized to membrane ruffles, vesicles and the cytoplasm, whereas, the PDZ domain localized to the membrane ruffles and cytoplasm only. There was therefore, domain/molecular segregation of Cybr/ROM in different cellular compartments. Cybr/ROM was subcloned into a plasmid carrying the photoactivation‐mediated resonance energy transfer (Phamret) protein. The photoconversion experiments demonstrated the diffusion of ROM from the cytoplasm to the membrane ruffling sites and conversely from membrane ruffles to the cytoplasm. Large variances in the transport velocity of Cybr/ROM in the cytoplasm suggested that its movements were facilitated by other mechanisms in addition to diffusion.
Pharmacokinetics of oral ivabradine in healthy cats
Authors: RIESEN S. C. , NI W. , CARNES C.A. , LINDSEY K. J. , PHELPS M. A. , SCHOBER K. E. 
Published: December 2010

Riesen, S. C., Ni, W., Carnes, C. A., Lindsey, K. J., Phelps, M. A., Schober, K. E. Pharmacokinetics of oral ivabradine in healthy cats.J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 469–475.A liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) analytical method for the measurement of the novel heart rate–lowering drug ivabradine and its major metabolite, S‐18982, was cross‐validated in the plasma of eight healthy cats. Plasma concentrations were then determined after single and repeated oral administration of ivabradine. Individual plasma concentrations versus time from each cat were used in compartmental analysis using the commercially available software WinNonlin. Both ivabradine and S‐18982 reached their maximum concentrations of 103.33 and 3.86 ng/mL within 1 h. Following repeated administration, areas under the plasma concentration–time curves for ivabradine and S‐18982 did not significantly increase. Two‐compartmental and one‐compartmental models with first‐order input and elimination provided the best fit to the data for ivabradine and S‐18982, respectively. Both models were combined to produce a single 4‐compartment model characterizing ivabradine and S‐18982 pharmacokinetics. The results of this study indicate that repeated oral doses of ivabradine produced plasma drug concentrations suitable for 12‐h dosing intervals in healthy cats. Furthermore, the analytical assay and combined ivabradine/S‐18982 model provide tools for further evaluation of ivabradine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in future studies in cats.
MtCRE1‐dependent cytokinin signaling integrates bacterial and plant cues to coordinate symbiotic nodule organogenesis in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Plet Julie , Wasson Anton , Ariel Federico , Le Signor Christine , Baker David , Mathesius Ulrike , Crespi Martin , Frugier Florian 
Published: December 2010

SummaryPhytohormonal interactions are essential to regulate plant organogenesis. In response to the presence of signals from symbiotic bacteria, the Nod factors, legume roots generate a new organ: the nitrogen‐fixing nodule. Analysis of mutants in the Medicago truncatula CRE1 cytokinin receptor and of the MtRR4 cytokinin primary response gene expression pattern revealed that cytokinin acts in initial cortical cell divisions and later in the transition between meristematic and differentiation zones of the mature nodule. MtCRE1 signaling is required for activation of the downstream nodulation‐related transcription factors MtERN1, MtNSP2 and MtNIN, as well as to regulate expression and accumulation of PIN auxin efflux carriers. Whereas the MtCRE1 pathway is required to allow the inhibition of polar auxin transport in response to rhizobia, nodulation is still negatively regulated by the MtEIN2/SICKLE‐dependent ethylene pathway in cre1 mutants. Hence, MtCRE1 signaling acts as a regulatory knob, integrating positive plant and bacterial cues to control legume nodule organogenesis.
Hybrid embryos of Vicia faba develop enhanced sink strength, which is established during early development
Authors: Meitzel Tobias , Radchuk Ruslana , Nunes‐Nesi Adriano , Fernie Alisdair R. , Link Wolfgang , Weschke Winfriede , Weber Hans 
Published: December 2010

SummarySelfed and crossed seeds of two homozygous Vicia faba lines served as models for the analysis of the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying embryo heterosis. Profiles of transcripts, metabolites and seed contents of developing embryos were analysed to compare the means of reciprocally crossed and selfed seeds growing on the same mother plants. The mean weight of mature hybrid seeds was demonstrably higher, revealing mid‐parent heterosis. Hybrid embryos exhibited a prolonged early phase of development and delayed onset of storage activity. Accordingly, transcript profiling indicates stimulation of cell proliferation, an effect, which is potentially mediated by activation of auxin functions within a framework of growth‐related transcription factors. At the transcript level, activated cell proliferation increased assimilate uptake activity and thereby seed sink strength. This situation might finally lead to the increased size of the hybrid seeds. We conclude that hybrid seeds are characterised by accelerated growth during early development, which increases storage capacity and leads to higher metabolic fluxes. These needs are, at least partially, met by increased assimilate uptake capacity. The stimulated growth of hybrid seeds shifted metabolite profiles and potentially depleted available pools. Such metabolic shifts are most likely secondary effects resulting from the higher storage capacity of hybrid seeds, a heterotic feature, which is itself established very early in seed development.
Targeting the vitamin D receptor inhibits the B cell‐dependent allergic immune response
Authors: Hartmann B. , Heine G. , Babina M. , Steinmeyer A. , Zügel U. , Radbruch A. , Worm M. 
Published: December 2010

To cite this article: Hartmann B, Heine G, Babina M, Steinmeyer A, Zügel U, Radbruch A, Worm M. Targeting the vitamin D receptor inhibits the B cell‐dependent allergic immune response. Allergy 2011; 66: 540–548.AbstractBackground:  1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), the biologically active form of vitamin D, is an immunomodulatory hormone, e.g. it inhibits IgE synthesis in B cells. As its clinical application is limited by hypercalcemia, synthetic vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonists that mediate immunomodulatory activities without adverse hypercalcemic effects are of great interest. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a low‐calcemic VDR agonist on the IgE immune response in vitro and in vivo.Methods:  Human peripheral B cells were cultured under IgE inducing conditions in the presence of VDR ligands. B cells were analyzed by quantitative RT‐PCR, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, enzyme‐linked immunospot technique, and flow cytometry. BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA)/alum followed by the therapeutic VDR agonist treatment and analyzed regarding the humoral immunoglobulin profile.Results:  The natural VDR ligand calcitriol, but also a low‐calcemic VDR agonist, profoundly suppressed IgE production by human peripheral B cells by 63.9 ± 5.9%. The potential mechanisms involved are the reduction of the transcript for activation‐induced deaminase (AID) and the reduction of IgE immunoglobulin‐secreting cells by 68.1 ± 12.7%. By using an in vivo approach, we finally demonstrate that the humoral IgE response in a type I allergy mouse model was impaired by the VDR agonist.Conclusion:  Our results show that targeting the VDR modulates the humoral immune response including IgE. Whether it might be useful for clinical applications has to be determined in appropriate clinical trials.
Platelet activation in patients with the Raynaud phenomenon
Authors: Polidoro L. , Barnabei R. , Giorgini P. , Petrazzi L. , Ferri C. , Properzi G. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  The Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is an exaggerated and reversible vasospasm of small arteries triggered by cold or emotional stress. Primary RP (PRP) term is used when the underlying condition is unknown. An altered regulation in vascular tone and/or release of soluble mediators from activated platelets plays a role in PRP through an increased oxidative stress. We assessed platelet activation and oxidative stress in patients with PRP by measuring platelet PAC‐1, an index of glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa receptor activation, thromboxane A2 (TXA2), an index of platelet activation and 8‐epi‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐epi‐PGF2α), a marker of endogenous in vivo peroxidation.Methods:  Eighteen asymptomatic patients with PRP (age 41.37 ± 16.94 years; 17 women, 1 man) and 18 healthy subjects (age of 35.11 ± 13.16 years; 16 women, 2 men) were studied. PAC‐1 was analysed by flow cytometry while circulating TXB2, a stable metabolite of TXA2 and 8‐epi‐PGF2α levels were assessed by ELISA kit.Results:  Our results show a significant platelet activation in PRP patients as indicated by increased PAC‐1 expression (65.29 ± 15.24%; P < 0.001), TXB2 (1477.83 ± 454.04 pg/mL; P= 0.003) and 8‐epi‐PGF2α circulating levels (42.50 ± 14.14 ng/mL; P < 0.001). An inverse correlation between the degree of PAC‐1 expression and TXB2 levels (r=−0.527; P= 0.02) was also found in PRP patients, suggesting that downregulation of GpIIb/IIIa receptor expression may occur during thrombocytopoiesis, as a consequence of the chronic exposure to increased TXB2 concentration.Conclusions:  Our study for the first time shows a marked activation of GpIIb/IIIa receptor in asymptomatic patients with PRP and supports antiplatelet therapy in PRP patients.
Intracranial cause of delirium: computed tomography yield and predictive factors
Authors: Lai M. M. Y. , Wong Tin Niam D. M. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  Computed tomography (CT) of the brain in delirium investigation has a low yield of identifiable causes. We sought to identify the best clinical predictors of an intracranial cause of delirium.Methods:  We performed a case–control study of patients admitted to a delirium unit. Clinical factors of patients with positive findings on scans were compared with those without demonstrated causes. The main outcome measure was intracranial abnormalities accountable for the cause of delirium.Results:  During 18 months, there were 300 admissions to the unit. Mean age of patients was 86.6 years. Among 200 patients who proceeded to CT scanning, only 29 demonstrated intracranial pathology accountable for the cause of delirium, with a yield of 14.5%. There were 13 patients with ischaemic stroke, seven with subdural haemorrhage and nine with intracerebral haemorrhage. In multivariate analysis, new neurological deficits (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 18.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.99–55.15), recent falls history (adjusted OR 5.58, 95% CI 1.90–16.42) and decline in conscious level (adjusted OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.33–15.79) were predictors of clinically meaningful radiological findings. Twenty‐six of the 29 patients with scans had these three predictors with a sensitivity of 89.7% (95% CI 78.6–100%).Conclusion:  We identified a history of recent fall as a new independent predictor for clinically relevant intracranial pathology in delirious patients, besides new neurological deficits and decline in conscious state. A flow chart incorporating CT head scanning as part of delirium investigation is proposed.
Determinants of masked hypertension in hypertensive patients treated in a primary care setting
Authors: Andalib A. , Akhtari S. , Rigal R. , Curnew G. , Leclerc J.‐M. , Vaillancourt M. , Tardif J.‐C. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  Recent data suggest that masked hypertension (MH) carries a cardiovascular risk similar to that of uncontrolled hypertension.Aims:  The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of MH in patients treated for hypertension in a Canadian primary care setting.Methods:  Office blood pressure (OBP) was measured at baseline and after 3 months of valsartan‐based therapy in 5636 hypertensive patients who had recorded their home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) for seven consecutive days at month 3 using an Omron HEM‐711 apparatus. MH was defined in nondiabetic patients as an OBP <140/90 mmHg and an HBPM ≥135/85 mmHg, and in those with diabetes as an OBP <130/80 mmHg and an HBPM ≥125/75 mmHg.Results:  Of the 5636 patients, 1025 had diabetes. OBP was controlled at 3 months in 268 (26.1%) of them, but 167 (62.3%) had MH. OBP was controlled in 2728 (59.1%) of the 4611 patients without diabetes, and 935 (34.3%) of them had MH. Overall, 1102 patients had MH, representing 36.8% of patients with controlled OBP and 19.6% of the entire hypertensive study population. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis in nondiabetic patients with controlled OBP at 3 months revealed that older age, male sex, higher body mass index and higher office systolic blood pressure were determinants of MH.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that one of five hypertensive patients and more than one of three with controlled OBP will have MH. MH is associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, and in nondiabetics, with male sex, older age and obesity.
Extracellular DNA is abundant and important for microcolony strength in mixed microbial biofilms
Authors: Dominiak Dominik Marek , Nielsen Jeppe Lund , Nielsen Per Halkjær 
Published: December 2010

SummaryA new approach for quantification of extracellular DNA (eDNA) in mixed biofilms at microscale resolution was developed and combined with other staining techniques to assess the origin, abundance and role of eDNA in activated sludge biofilms. Most eDNA was found in close proximity to living cells in microcolonies, suggesting that most of it originated from an active secretion or alternatively, by lysis of a sub‐population of cells. When the staining was combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization for identification of the microorganisms, it was found that the eDNA content varied among the different probe‐defined species. The highest amount of eDNA was found in and around the microcolonies of denitrifiers belonging to the genera Curvibacter and Thauera, the ammonium‐oxidizing Nitrosomonas and the nitrite‐oxidizing Nitrospira. Other floc‐formers also produced eDNA, although in lower amounts. The total eDNA content in activated sludge varied from 4 to 52 mg per gram volatile suspended solids in different wastewater treatment plants. Very high local concentrations within some microcolonies were found with up to approximately 300 mg of eDNA per g of organic matter. DNase digestion of activated sludge led to general floc disintegration and disruption of the microcolonies with high eDNA content, implying that eDNA was an important structural component in activated sludge biofilms.