bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic importance of exercise brain natriuretic peptide in asymptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation
Authors: Magne Julien , Mahjoub Haifa , Pibarot Philippe , Pirlet Charles , Pierard Luc A. , Lancellotti Patrizio 
Published: July 2012

AimThe exercise Doppler echocardiographic stress test can be of interest in the management of asymptomatic patients with primary mitral regurgitation (MR). The resting brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is a good surrogate marker of the consequences of MR and is a powerful predictor of outcome. The incremental prognostic value of BNP response during exercise is unknown. We aimed to identify the determinants of exercise BNP level and to evaluate its prognostic value in asymptomatic patients with primary MR.Methods and resultsComprehensive resting and exercise transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was performed in 113 consecutive asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe degenerative MR and preserved left ventricular (LV) function. Blood samples were collected both at rest and during exercise. The BNP level significantly increased from rest to exercise (P < 0.0001). The independent determinants of exercise BNP were resting E/Ea ratio (P = 0.043), indexed left atrial volume (P = 0.022), and exercise LV global longitudinal strain (P = 0.001). There was a significant graded relationship between increasing BNP level at exercise (according to tertiles) and increased incidence of cardiac events (death, heart failure, mitral valve surgery driven by symptoms, or LV dilatation/dysfunction onset) (1 year, 11 ± 5% vs. 14 ± 6% vs. 43.5 ± 9%; 2 years, 21 ± 7% vs. 40 ± 8% vs. 67 ± 9%; in tertiles 1, 2 and 3, respectively). On multivariable analysis, after adjustment for demographic and echocardiographic data and for resting BNP level, exercise BNP remained significantly associated with increased risk of cardiac events during the follow‐up (hazard ratio 2.8 and 3.4, P = 0.041 and 0.023, for tertiles 2 and 3, as compared with tertile 1).ConclusionsIn asymptomatic patients with primary MR, exercise BNP level provides incremental prognostic value beyond what is achieved by demographic and echocardiographic data and resting BNP level. Patients with elevated exercise BNP should be considered at high risk of reduced cardiac event‐free survival.
First Report of the Cereal Cyst Nematode Heterodera filipjevi on Wheat in Serbia
Authors: Oro V. , Živković S. , Ivanović Ž. , Waeyenberge L. 
Published: July 2012

The most globally recognized and economically important nematode on wheat is the cereal cyst nematode (CCN) complex (1). One of the most important species of this group is Heterodera filipjevi (Madžidov, 1981) Mulvey and Golden, 1983. During regular soil quarantine control in September 2010, Heterodera sp. cysts were found in soil samples originating from a wheat field in Gunaroš, Vojvodina Province, in northern Serbia. The wheat was a winter crop grown in a dryland production system and had an average cyst density of 2.50/100 cm3 of soil. Morphologically, the cysts were golden brown and lemon shaped with a posterior protuberance. The vulval cone was bifenestrate with horseshoe-shaped semifenestra, bullae, and underbridge. Cyst measurements (n = 30) ranged as follows: cyst length (without neck): 511.50 to 899.00 μm, cyst width: 201.50 to 682.00 μm, fenestral length: 44.80 to 65.60 μm, fenestral width: 24.00 to 40.00 μm, vulval bridge length: 12.80 to 20.80 μm, vulval bridge width: 6.40 to 14.40 μm, vulval slit: 6.00 to 12.80 μm, and underbridge length: 60.00 to 112.00 μm. The second-stage juveniles had an offset head, stylet with characteristic anchor-shaped basal knobs, four incisures, and a conical tail with a rounded tip. The J2 morphometrics (n = 30) were: length: 447.30 to 611.10 μm, width: 22.40 to 25.60 μm, stylet: 20.80 to 24.00 μm, tail length: 56.00 to 68.80 μm, tail width: 14.40 to 19.20 μm, and hyaline length: 35.20 to 44.80 μm. The ITS region was used for molecular analysis. Each DNA sample was extracted from a single cyst. Sequencing was done with primers TW81 and AB28 (2). In comparison with other H. filipjevi populations, the obtained sequence (GenBank Accession No. JX235959) revealed 99 to 100% similarity. Morphological and molecular data confirmed the existence of H. filipjevi. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of H. filipjevi from Serbia. Since wheat has important socioeconomic value for Serbia, after extensive surveys, additional phytosanitary measures may be necessary to prevent the spread of this parasite. References: (1) J. M. Nicol et al. Current Nematode Threats to World Agriculture. Genomics and Molecular Genetics of Plant-Nematode Interactions, Springer, New York, 2011. (2) A. M. Skantar et al. J. Nematol. 39:133, 2007.
The Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain Transcription Factor LBD20 Functions in Fusarium Wilt Susceptibility and Jasmonate Signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Thatcher Louise F. , Powell Jonathan J. , Aitken Elizabeth A.B. , Kazan Kemal , Manners John M. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB) DOMAIN (LBD) gene family encodes plant-specific transcriptional regulators functioning in organ development. In a screen of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) sequence-indexed transferred DNA insertion mutants, we found disruption of the LOB DOMAIN-CONTAINING PROTEIN20 (LBD20) gene led to increased resistance to the root-infecting vascular wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. In wild-type plants, LBD20 transcripts were barely detectable in leaves but abundant in roots, where they were further induced after F. oxysporum inoculation or methyl jasmonate treatment. Induction of LBD20 expression in roots was abolished in coronatine insensitive1 (coi1) and myc2 (allelic to jasmonate insensitive1) mutants, suggesting LBD20 may function in jasmonate (JA) signaling. Consistent with this, expression of the JA-regulated THIONIN2.1 (Thi2.1) and VEGETATIVE STORAGE PROTEIN2 (VSP2) genes were up-regulated in shoots of lbd20 following treatment of roots with F. oxysporum or methyl jasmonate. However, PLANT DEFENSIN1.2 expression was unaltered, indicating a repressor role for LBD20 in a branch of the JA-signaling pathway. Plants overexpressing LBD20 (LBD20-OX) had reduced Thi2.1 and VSP2 expression. There was a significant correlation between increased LBD20 expression in the LBD20-OX lines with both Thi2.1 and VSP2 repression, and reduced survival following F. oxysporum infection. Chlorosis resulting from application of F. oxysporum culture filtrate was also reduced in lbd20 leaves relative to the wild type. Taken together, LBD20 is a F. oxysporum susceptibility gene that appears to regulate components of JA signaling downstream of COI1 and MYC2 that are required for full elicitation of F. oxysporum- and JA-dependent responses. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a role for a LBD gene family member in either biotic stress or JA signaling.
The role of canopy gaps in the regeneration of coastal dune forest
Authors: Grainger Matthew J. , van Aarde Rudi J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn regenerating coastal dune forest, the canopy consists almost exclusively of a single species, Acacia karroo. When these trees die, they create large canopy gaps. If this promotes the persistence of pioneer species to the detriment of other forest species, then the end goal of a restored coastal dune forest may be unobtainable. We wished to ascertain whether tree species composition and richness differed significantly between canopy gaps and intact canopy, and across a gradient of gap sizes. In three known‐age regenerating coastal dune forest sites, we measured 146 gaps, the species responsible for gap creation, the species most likely to reach the canopy and the composition of adults, seedlings and saplings. We paired each gap with an adjacent plot of the same area that was entirely under intact canopy and sampled in the same way.Most species (15 of 23) had higher abundance in canopy gaps. The probability of self‐replacement was low for A. karroo even in the largest gaps. Despite this predominance of shade‐intolerant species, regenerating dune forest appears to be in the first phase of succession with ‘forest pioneers’ replacing the dominant canopy species. The nature of these species should lead to successful regeneration of dune forest.
Outcome of multimodal therapy in operated acromegalic patients, a study in 115 patients
Authors: Albarel Frédérique , Castinetti Frédéric , Morange Isabelle , Conte‐Devolx Bernard , Gaudart Jean , Dufour Henry , Brue Thierry 
Published: July 2012

SummaryIntroductionGiven the new therapeutic options in acromegaly, it seemed important to evaluate the outcome of operated acromegalic patients today.ObjectiveTo analyse the characteristics and short‐ and long‐term surgical outcome of patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for a growth hormone (GH)‐secreting adenoma in our centre and to determine predictive factors of remission.Design and patientsThis retrospective 10‐year study included 115 newly diagnosed acromegalic patients operated on at Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France, between 1997 and 2007.MeasurementsInitial and long‐term outcomes were evaluated using stringent and current remission criteria, associating GH nadir after oral glucose tolerance test <0·4 μg/l and normal insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) at 3 months, and a normal IGF‐1 at the end of follow‐up (52·4 ± 36·8 months, median 41 months, range 6·7–135·4 months, n = 99).ResultsAt the end of follow‐up, 90·9% of patients had controlled disease. Overall, 49·5% of patients were in long‐term remission after surgery alone, and only 2·0% of patients experienced recurrent disease. Multivariate predictors of 3‐month remission included mean GH at diagnosis (P = 0·033), tumour invasion (P = 0·013) and surgeon report of incomplete or uncertain macroscopic resection (P = 0·003 and P = 0·047, respectively). Multivariate predictors at diagnosis of long‐term remission included mean GH level (P = 0·048), adenoma size (P = 0·007) and absence of pituitary deficit (P = 0·026).ConclusionsIn long‐term follow‐up after surgery of acromegaly, half of the patients achieved remission after surgery alone and more than 90% had their disease controlled. With stringent 3‐month remission criteria, recurrence was rare.
A species‐level model for metabolic scaling of treesII. Testing in a ring‐ and diffuse‐porous species
Authors: von Allmen Erica I. , Sperry John S. , Smith Duncan D. , Savage Van M. , Enquist Brian J. , Reich Peter B. , Bentley Lisa P. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryA 17‐parameter ‘species model’ that predicts metabolic scaling from vascular architecture was tested in a diffuse‐porous maple (Acer grandidentatum) and a ring‐porous oak (Quercus gambelii). Predictions of midday water transport (Q) and its scaling with above‐ground mass (M) were compared with empirical measurements. We also tested the assumption thatQwas proportional to the biomass growth rate of the shoot (G).Water transport and biomass growth rate were measured on 18 trees per species that spanned a broad range in trunk diameter (4–26 cm). Where possible, the same trees were used for obtaining the 17 model parameters that concern external branching, internal xylem conduit anatomy, and soil‐to‐canopy sap pressure drop.The model succeeded in predicting theQbyMbscaling exponent,b, being within 8% (maple) and 6% (oak) of measured exponents from sap flow data. In terms of absoluteQ, the model was better in maple (16%Qoverestimate) than oak (128% overestimate). The overestimation ofQwas consistent with the model not accounting for cavitation, which is reportedly more prevalent in oak than in maple at the study site.The modelled and measuredQbyMbexponents averaged within 3·6% of the measuredGbyMbexponents, supporting the assumption thatG ∝ Q1. The averagebexponent was 0·62 ± 0·016 (mean ± SE) across species, rejectingb = 0·75 for intraspecific scaling.The performance of this species model, both for scaling purposes as well as for predicting rates of water consumption within and between species, argues for its further refinement and wider application in ecology and ecosystem biology.
Weight gains, blood parameters and faecal egg counts when meat‐goat kids were finished on alfalfa, red clover and orchardgrass pastures
Authors: Turner K. E. , Cassida K. A. , Zajac A. M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe experiment was conducted in 2005–2007 to evaluate weight performance, blood parameters associated with forage nutrient‐use and anaemia from gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection, and faecal egg count (FEC) patterns of meat‐goat kids finished on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; ALF); red clover/grass mixture (Trifolium pratense L.; RCG); and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L; OGR) pastures. Forage mass, crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) displayed complex interactions between treatment and time (P < 0·001) across the grazing seasons. Final body weight was greater for goats finished on ALF and RCG than on OGR, except in 2006 when ALF was greater than RCG or OGR. The TDN/CP ratios in forages and blood urea nitrogen concentrations in grazing goats were highly correlated (r = 0·99; P = 0·02) and suggested that animals were wasting forage protein. Faecal egg count was variable over the grazing season each year (date and treatment × date interaction; P < 0·001), but in general, FEC indicated that goat kids grazing ALF were less affected by GIN than kids grazing RCG or OGR. Research is needed to determine whether strategic energy supplementation would improve protein‐use efficiency and resilience to parasite infection when finishing meat goats on pastures managed for high forage nutritive value.
Nuclear markers reveal a complex introgression pattern among marine turtle species on the Brazilian coast
Authors: VILAÇA SIBELLE T. , VARGAS SARAH M. , LARA‐RUIZ PAULA , MOLFETTI ÉRICA , REIS ESTÉFANE C. , LÔBO‐HAJDU GISELE , SOARES LUCIANO S. , SANTOS FABRÍCIO R. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSurprisingly, a high frequency of interspecific sea turtle hybrids has been previously recorded in a nesting site along a short stretch of the Brazilian coast. Mitochondrial DNA data indicated that as much as 43% of the females identified as Eretmochelys imbricata are hybrids in this area (Bahia State of Brazil). It is a remarkable find, because most of the nesting sites surveyed worldwide, including some in northern Brazil, presents no hybrids, and rare Caribbean sites present no more than 2% of hybrids. Thus, a detailed understanding of the hybridization process is needed to evaluate natural or anthropogenic causes of this regional phenomenon in Brazil, which could be an important factor affecting the conservation of this population. We analysed a set of 12 nuclear markers to investigate the pattern of hybridization involving three species of sea turtles: hawksbill (E. imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). Our data indicate that most of the individuals in the crossings L. olivacea × E. imbricata and L. olivacea × C. caretta are F1 hybrids, whereas C. caretta × E. imbricata crossings present F1 and backcrosses with both parental species. In addition, the C. caretta × E. imbricata hybridization seems to be gender and species biased, and we also found one individual with evidence of multispecies hybridization among C. caretta × E. imbricata × Chelonia mydas. The overall results also indicate that hybridization in this area is a recent phenomenon, spanning at least two generations or ∼40 years.
Interaction of the Escherichia coli transporter DctA with the sensor kinase DcuS: presence of functional DctA/DcuS sensor units
Authors: Witan Julian , Bauer Julia , Wittig Ilka , Steinmetz Philipp Aloysius , Erker Wolfgang , Unden Gottfried 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe aerobic Escherichia coli C4‐dicarboxylate transporter DctA and the anaerobic fumarate/succinate antiporter DcuB function as obligate co‐sensors of the fumarate responsive sensor kinase DcuS under aerobic or anaerobic conditions respectively. Overproduction under anaerobic conditions allowed DctA to replace DcuB in co‐sensing, indicating their functional equivalence in this capacity. In vivo interaction studies between DctA and DcuS using FRET or a bacterial two‐hybrid system (BACTH) demonstrated their interaction. DctA–YFP bound to an affinity column and was able to retain DcuS. DctA shows substantial sequence and secondary structure conservation to GltPh, the Na+/glutamate symporter of Pyrococcus horikoshii with known 3D structure. Topology studies of DctA demonstrated the presence of eight transmembrane helices in an arrangement similar to that of GltPh. DctA contains an additional predicted amphipathic helix 8b on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane that is specific for DctA and not present in GltPh. Mutational analysis demonstrated the importance of helix 8b in co‐sensing and interaction with DcuS, and the isolated helix 8b showed strong interaction with DcuS. In DcuS, deletion and mutation of the cytoplasmic PASC domain affected the interaction between DctA and DcuS. It is concluded that DctA forms a functional unit or sensor complex with DcuS through specific interaction sites.
RNase Y of Staphylococcus aureus and its role in the activation of virulence genes
Authors: Marincola Gabriella , Schäfer Tina , Behler Juliane , Bernhardt Jörg , Ohlsen Knut , Goerke Christiane , Wolz Christiane 
Published: July 2012

SummaryRNase Y of Bacillus subtilis is a key member of the degradosome and important for bulk mRNA turnover. In contrast to B. subtilis, the RNase Y homologue (rny/cvfA) of Staphylococcus aureus is not essential for growth. Here we found that RNase Y plays a major role in virulence gene regulation. Accordingly, rny deletion mutants demonstrated impaired virulence in a murine bacteraemia model. RNase Y is important for the processing and stabilization of the immature transcript of the global virulence regulator system SaePQRS. Moreover, RNase Y is involved in the activation of virulence gene expression at the promoter level. This control is independent of both the virulence regulator agr and the saePQRS processing and may be mediated by small RNAs some of which were shown to be degraded by RNase Y. Besides this regulatory effect, mRNA levels of several operons were significantly increased in the rny mutant and the half‐life of one of these operons was shown to be extremely extended. However, the half‐life of many mRNA species was not significantly altered. Thus, RNase Y in S. aureus influences mRNA expression in a tightly controlled regulatory manner and is essential for coordinated activation of virulence genes.
Capreomycin susceptibility is increased by TlyA‐directed 2′‐O‐methylation on both ribosomal subunits
Authors: Monshupanee Tanakarn , Johansen Shanna K. , Dahlberg Albert E. , Douthwaite Stephen 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe binding site of the cyclic peptide antibiotics capreomycin and viomycin is located on the ribosomal subunit interface close to nucleotides C1409 in 16S rRNA and C1920 in 23S rRNA. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the 2′‐hydroxyls of both nucleotides are methylated by the enzyme TlyA. Loss of these methylations through inactivation of TlyA confers resistance to capreomycin and viomycin. We report here that TlyA orthologues occur in diverse bacteria and fall into two distinct groups. One group, now termed TlyAI, has shorter N‐ and C‐termini and methylates only C1920; the second group (now TlyAII) includes the mycobacterial enzyme, and these longer orthologues methylate at both C1409 and C1920. Ribosomal subunits are the preferred substrates for both groups of orthologues. Amino acid substitutions at the N‐terminus of TlyAII reduce its ability to methylate these substrates. Growing pairs of recombinant TlyAIIEscherichia coli strains in competition shows that even subtle changes in the level of rRNA methylation lead to significant differences in susceptibility to sub‐inhibitory concentrations of capreomycin. The findings reveal that 2′‐O‐methyls at both C1409 and C1920 play a role in facilitating the inhibitory effects of capreomycin and viomycin on the bacterial ribosome.
Modulation of Leishmania major aquaglyceroporin activity by a mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Mandal Goutam , Sharma Mansi , Kruse Martin , Sander‐Juelch Claudia , Munro Laura A. , Wang Yong , Vilg Jenny Veide , Tamás Markus J. , Bhattacharjee Hiranmoy , Wiese Martin , Mukhopadhyay Rita 
Published: July 2012

SummaryLeishmania major aquaglyceroporin (LmjAQP1) adventitiously facilitates the uptake of antimonite [Sb(III)], an active form of Pentostam® or Glucantime®, which are the first line of defence against all forms of leishmaniasis. The present paper shows that LmjAQP1 activity is modulated by the mitogen‐activated protein kinase, LmjMPK2. Leishmania parasites coexpressing LmjAQP1 and LmjMPK2 show increased Sb(III) uptake and increased Sb(III) sensitivity. When subjected to a hypo‐osmotic stress, these cells show faster volume recovery than cells expressing LmjAQP1 alone. LmjAQP1 is phosphorylated in vivo at Thr‐197 and this phosphorylation requires LmjMPK2 activity. Lys‐42 of LmjMPK2 is critical for its kinase activity. Cells expressing altered T197A LmjAQP1 or K42A LmjMPK2 showed decreased Sb(III) influx and a slower volume recovery than cells expressing wild‐type proteins. Phosphorylation of LmjAQP1 led to a decrease in its turnover rate affecting LmjAQP1 activity. Although LmjAQP1 is localized to the flagellum of promastigotes, upon phosphorylation, it is relocalized to the entire surface of the parasite. Leishmania mexicana promastigotes with an MPK2 deletion showed reduced Sb(III) uptake and slower volume recovery than wild‐type cells. This is the first report where a parasite aquaglyceroporin activity is post‐translationally modulated by a mitogen‐activated protein kinase.
Genome‐wide association study of a quantitative disordered gambling trait
Authors: Lind Penelope A. , Zhu Gu , Montgomery Grant W. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Heath Andrew C. , Martin Nicholas G. , Slutske Wendy S. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTDisordered gambling is a moderately heritable trait, but the underlying genetic basis is largely unknown. We performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) for disordered gambling using a quantitative factor score in 1312 twins from 894 Australian families. Association was conducted for 2 381 914 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using the family‐based association test in Merlin followed by gene and pathway enrichment analyses. Although no SNP reached genome‐wide significance, six achieved P‐values < 1 × 10−5 with variants in three genes (MT1X, ATXN1 and VLDLR) implicated in disordered gambling. Secondary case‐control analyses found two SNPs on chromosome 9 (rs1106076 and rs12305135 near VLDLR) and rs10812227 near FZD10 on chromosome 12 to be significantly associated with lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition pathological gambling and South Oaks Gambling Screen classified probable pathological gambling status. Furthermore, several addiction‐related pathways were enriched for SNPs associated with disordered gambling. Finally, gene‐based analysis of 24 candidate genes for dopamine agonist‐induced gambling in individuals with Parkinson's disease suggested an enrichment of SNPs associated with disordered gambling. We report the first GWAS of disordered gambling. While further replication is required, the identification of susceptibility loci and biological pathways will be important in characterizing the biological mechanisms that underpin disordered gambling.