bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitual physical activity is associated with endothelial function and endothelial progenitor cells in patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Luk Ting-Hin , Dai Yuk-Ling , Siu Chung-Wah , Yiu Kai-Hang , Chan Hiu-Ting , Fong Daniel Yee-Tak , Lee Stephen W.L. , Li Sheung-Wai , Tam Sidney , Lau Chu-Pak , Tse Hung-Fat 
Published: July 2009

Background Exercise training reduces mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD); however, the impact of habitual physical activity level (PAL) on vascular endothelial function and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) remain unknown. Methods We assessed habitual PAL using a validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire in 116 patients (67.8 ± 9.5 years; 81% male) with stable CAD and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 45%. The number of circulating CD34/KDR+ and CD133/KDR+ EPCs was determined by flow cytometry, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured. Results The mean PAL of CAD patients with 1644 MET min/week (where MET is metabolic equivalents). With higher habitual PAL tertiles, there were significant linear trends of increased FMD ( P = 0.001) and CD133/KDR+ EPCs ( P = 0.03), but not of CD34/KDR+ EPCs. Patients with the highest tertile of PAL were associated with an absolute increase of 1.89% in FMD (relative increase 68%, P = 0.003) and 0.12% in CD133/KDR+ EPCs (relative increase 44%, P = 0.01) compared with those in the lowest tertile of PAL, after adjusting for age, sex, presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and the use of medications including statins. However, neither CD34/KDR+ nor CD133/KDR+ EPCs significantly correlated with FMD. Conclusion This study showed that higher habitual PAL in patients with CAD was associated with higher FMD and EPC count. Nonetheless, FMD only significantly correlated with increased PAL, but not EPC, suggesting that increased physical activity improves endothelial function through mechanisms other than increasing EPC count.
International open-label studies to assess the efficacy and safety of single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin in attaining blood pressure and lipid targets recommended by country-specific guidelines: the JEWEL programme
Authors: Hobbs Frederick D. Richard , Gensini Gianfranco , Mancini Giovanni B. John , Manolis Athanasios J. , Bauer Beverly , Genest Jacques , Feldman Ross D. , Harvey Peter , Jenssen Trond G. , Silva Pedro Marques da ,   for the JEWEL Study Group
Published: July 2009

Background Single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin targets the two most common modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. We evaluated the clinical utility of this single pill to help patients across Europe and Canada achieve country-specific targets for blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Design Two 16-week, open-label studies conducted in 122 study centres across the United Kingdom and Canada (JEWEL 1) and 113 centres across 11 European countries (JEWEL 2). Methods Patients with uncontrolled BP and controlled/uncontrolled LDL-C qualifying for treatment according to local governing guidelines were administered single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin with appropriate lifestyle modification. Eight dosages of amlodipine/atorvastatin (5/10–10/80 mg) were titrated to achieve country-specific BP and LDL-C targets. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients reaching country-specific BP and LDL-C targets in 16 weeks. Results Among 2245 patients enrolled in the studies (JEWEL 1, n = 1138; JEWEL 2, n = 1107), 62.9% in JEWEL 1 and 50.6% in JEWEL 2 achieved both country-specific BP and LDL-C goals. BP was reduced by 20.4/10.7 and 21.8/12.6 mmHg in JEWEL 1 and JEWEL 2, respectively, and reductions in LDL-C were 0.90 mmol/l (34.8 mg/dl) and 1.09 mmol/l (42.2 mg/dl), respectively. The most common adverse events were peripheral oedema (11.0%), joint swelling (2.9%) and headache (2.9%), of which, only oedema was linked to study treatment. Conclusion Single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment, which in a real-world setting helped more than half of the patients achieve both BP and LDL-C targets as recommended by local guidelines. Although fewer patients met their goals in JEWEL 2 than JEWEL 1, reductions in BP and LDL-C were slightly greater in JEWEL 2, suggesting that the observed differences are likely because of more stringent targets in Europe than in the UK/Canada.
Influence of angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphisms on cardiac hypertrophy and improvement on maximal aerobic capacity caused by exercise training
Authors: Alves Guilherme B. , Oliveira Edilamar M. , Alves Cleber R. , Rached Heron R.S. , Mota Glória F.A. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Rondon Maria U. , Hashimoto Nara Y. , Azevedo Luciene F. , Krieger José Eduardo , Negrão Carlos Eduardo 
Published: July 2009

Background The allele threonine (T) of the angiotensinogen has been associated with ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients and soccer players. However, the long-term effect of physical exercise in healthy athletes carrying the T allele remains unknown. We investigated the influence of methionine (M) or T allele of the angiotensinogen and D or I allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme on left-ventricular mass index (LVMI) and maximal aerobic capacity in young healthy individuals after long-term physical exercise training. Design Prospective clinical trial. Methods Eighty-three policemen aged between 20 and 35 years (mean ± SD 26 ± 4.5 years) were genotyped for the M235T gene angiotensinogen polymorphism (TT, n = 25; MM/MT, n = 58) and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism (II, n = 18; DD/DI, n = 65). Left-ventricular morphology was evaluated by echocardiography and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2peak) by cardiopulmonary exercise test before and after 17 weeks of exercise training (50–80% VO2peak). Results Baseline VO2peak and LVMI were similar between TT and MM/MT groups, and II and DD/DI groups. Exercise training increased significantly and similarly VO2peak in homozygous TT and MM/MT individuals, and homozygous II and DD/DI individuals. In addition, exercise training increased significantly LVMI in TT and MM/MT individuals (76.5 ± 3 vs. 86.7 ± 4, P = 0.00001 and 76.2 ± 2 vs. 81.4 ± 2, P = 0.00001, respectively), and II and DD/DI individuals (77.7 ± 4 vs. 81.5 ± 4, P = 0.0001 and 76 ± 2 vs. 83.5 ± 2, P = 0.0001, respectively). However, LVMI in TT individuals was significantly greater than in MM/MT individuals ( P = 0.04). LVMI was not different between II and DD/DI individuals. Conclusion Left-ventricular hypertrophy caused by exercise training is exacerbated in homozygous TT individuals with angiotensinogen polymorphism.
Intratest reliability and test–retest reproducibility of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope in healthy participants
Authors: Laethem Christophe Van , De Sutter Johan , Peersman Wim , Calders Patrick 
Published: July 2009

Background The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) is a newer ventilatory exercise parameter, used in the evaluation of healthy participants and patients with cardiovascular disease. However, few data about the reliability and reproducibility of OUES are available. Our study assessed intratest reliability and test-retest reproducibility of OUES in healthy participants. Design and methods Eighteen participants (age 28 ± 6 years, BMI 22.1 ± 1.9 kg/m2, 10 men) performed two identical maximal exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer. To assess test-retest reproducibility, we performed Bland-Altman analysis and calculated the coefficient of repeatability of the main ventilatory variables. Results OUES remained stable during the second part of the exercise test. Mean values varied 2.4 ± 4.0% between OUES calculated at 70% (OUES70) and at 100% of exercise duration. Mean variation decreased to 1.4 ± 2.3% when OUES was calculated at 90% of exercise duration (OUES90). The Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement for OUES90 were +3 and –6%, those for OUES70 were +11 and –8%. The coefficient of repeatability for OUES was 597 ml/min or 18.7% of the average value of repeated OUES measurements. These results were similar to those of peak oxygen uptake and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide output. However, the test-retest reproducibility for submaximal-derived values of OUES was lower, as we noted higher coefficients of repeatability for OUES90 and OUES70, increasing up to 27% of the average of repeated values. Conclusion OUES shows excellent intratest reliability and has a test-retest reproducibility that is similar to that of peak oxygen uptake and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide output slope. However, its reproducibility becomes higher when it is calculated from increasing levels of achieved exercise intensity.
The High Light Response inArabidopsisInvolves ABA Signaling between Vascular and Bundle Sheath Cells
Authors: Galvez-Valdivieso Gregorio , Fryer Michael J. , Lawson Tracy , Slattery Katie , Truman William , Smirnoff Nicholas , Asami Tadao , Davies William J. , Jones Alan M. , Baker Neil R. , Mullineaux Philip M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPreviously, it has been shown that Arabidopsis thaliana leaves exposed to high light accumulate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in bundle sheath cell (BSC) chloroplasts as part of a retrograde signaling network that induces ASCORBATE PEROXIDASE2 (APX2). Abscisic acid (ABA) signaling has been postulated to be involved in this network. To investigate the proposed role of ABA, a combination of physiological, pharmacological, bioinformatic, and molecular genetic approaches was used. ABA biosynthesis is initiated in vascular parenchyma and activates a signaling network in neighboring BSCs. This signaling network includes the Gα subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein complex, the OPEN STOMATA1 protein kinase, and extracellular H2O2, which together coordinate with a redox-retrograde signal from BSC chloroplasts to activate APX2 expression. High light–responsive genes expressed in other leaf tissues are subject to a coordination of chloroplast retrograde signaling and transcellular signaling activated by ABA synthesized in vascular cells. ABA is necessary for the successful adjustment of the leaf to repeated episodes of high light. This process involves maintenance of photochemical quenching, which is required for dissipation of excess excitation energy.
ArabidopsisDUO POLLEN3 Is a Key Regulator of Male Germline Development and Embryogenesis
Authors: Brownfield Lynette , Hafidh Said , Durbarry Anjusha , Khatab Hoda , Sidorova Anna , Doerner Peter , Twell David 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMale germline development in angiosperms produces the pair of sperm cells required for double fertilization. A key regulator of this process in Arabidopsis thaliana is the male germline-specific transcription factor DUO POLLEN1 (DUO1) that coordinates germ cell division and gamete specification. Here, we uncover the role of DUO3, a nuclear protein that has a distinct, but overlapping role with DUO1 in male germline development. DUO3 is a conserved protein in land plants and is related to GON-4, a cell lineage regulator of gonadogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mutant duo3-1 germ cells either fail to divide or show a delay in division, and we show that, unlike DUO1, DUO3 promotes entry into mitosis independent of the G2/M regulator CYCB1;1. We also show that DUO3 is required for the expression of a subset of germline genes under DUO1 control and that like DUO1, DUO3 is essential for sperm cell specification and fertilization. Furthermore, we demonstrate an essential sporophytic role for DUO3 in cell division and embryo patterning. Our findings demonstrate essential developmental roles for DUO3 in cell cycle progression and cell specification in both gametophytic and sporophytic tissues.
A formula for maximum possible steps in multistate characters: isolating matrix parameter effects on measures of evolutionary convergence
Authors: Cuthill Jennifer F. Hoyal , Braddy Simon J. , Donoghue Philip C. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTo identify a biological signal in the distribution of homoplasy, it is first necessary to isolate non‐biological factors affecting its measurement. The number of states per character in a phylogenetic data matrix may indicate evolutionary flexibility and, consequently, the likelihood of recurrent evolution. However, we show here that the number of states per character limits the maximum number of steps that may be inferred using parsimony. A formula is provided for the maximum number of steps that may be taken by a character with a given number of states and taxa. We show that as more character states are included the maximum proportion of steps that can be attributed to homoplasy falls, and the greatest amount of homoplasy measurable with the consistency index declines.© The Willi Hennig Society 2009.
Upper gastrointestinal findings and detection of Helicobacter pylori in patients with oral lichen planus
Authors: Attia E. A. S. , Abdel Fattah N. S. A. , Abdella H. M. 
Published: July 2009

Summary
Background. Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous disease of unknown aetiology, which may involve the gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. The association of Helicobacter pylori with LP has been a subject of debate.
Aim. To investigate upper GI findings and the presence of H. pylori in GI mucosa and oral LP (OLP).
Methods. Oral biopsies from 20 patients with erosive OLP and 20 with non-erosive OLP were investigated for the presence of H. pylori by histopathological examination and PCR. Upper GI endoscopy and GI mucosal biopsies were examined for LP lesions and/or H. pylori.
Results. The endoscopic findings of both groups were oesophagitis, antral gastritis and duodenitis. No LP or LP-like changes were found in the upper GI mucosa. H. pylori was found by histopathological examination in the gastric mucosa of 18 patients (45%), with equal distribution in both the control and study groups. Positive PCR results were obtained from biopsy specimens of oral lesions in all patients with erosive OLP and presence of H. pylori in the stomach (9 patients), but in none of the patients with non-erosive OLP (P = 0.001).
Conclusion. We did not find any difference in symptoms, endoscopic findings and histopathological results between patients with erosive and non-erosive OLP. However, the concomitant presence of erosive OLP, of H. pylori nucleic acid in erosive OLP and the H. pylori organisms in gastric mucosa implies a possible pathogenic connection between this bacterium and erosive OLP.
Cutaneous annular sarcoidosis developing on a background of exogenous ochronosis: a report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Moche M. J. , Glassman S. J. , Modi D. , Grayson W. 
Published: July 2009

Summary
Exogenous (cosmetic) ochronosis is caused by the long term use of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone. Three cases of systemic sarcoidosis with cutaneous sarcoidal granulomas, which developed on ochronotic skin were last described by Jacyk in 1995. Dogliotti and Leibowitz previously reported cases of granulomatous ochronosis with sarcoid-like histological changes but with no associated systemic sarcoidosis. We report two additional cases of cutaneous sarcoidal granulomas, which developed on a background of cosmetic ochronosis in patients recently diagnosed with systemic sarcoidosis.
Grass invasion of a hardwood forest is associated with declines in belowground carbon pools
Authors: STRICKLAND MICHAEL S. , DEVORE JAYNA L. , MAERZ JOHN C. , BRADFORD MARK A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractInvasive plant species affect a range of ecosystem processes but their impact on belowground carbon (C) pools is relatively unexplored. This is particularly true for grass invasions of forested ecosystems. Such invasions may alter both the quantity and quality of forest floor inputs. Dependent on both, two theories, ‘priming’ and ‘preferential substrate utilization’, suggest these changes may decrease, increase, or leave unchanged native plant‐derived soil C. Decreases are expected under ‘priming’ theory due to increased soil microbial activity. Under ‘preferential substrate utilization’, either an increase or no change is expected because the invasive plant's inputs are used by the microbial community instead of soil C. Here, we examine how Microstegium vimineum affects belowground C‐cycling in a southeastern US forest. Following predictions of priming theory, M. vimineum's presence is associated with decreases in native‐derived, C pools. For example, in September 2006 M. vimineum is associated with 24%, 34%, 36%, and 72% declines in total organic, particulate organic matter, mineralizable (a measure of microbially‐available C), and microbial biomass C, respectively. Soil C derived from M. vimineum does not compensate for these decreases, meaning that the sum of native‐ plus invasive‐derived C pools is smaller than native‐derived pools in uninvaded plots. Supporting our inferences that C‐cycling accelerates under invasion, the microbial community is more active per unit biomass: added 13C‐glucose is respired more rapidly in invaded plots. Our work suggests that this invader may accelerate C‐cycling in forest soils and deplete C stocks. The paucity of studies investigating impacts of grass invasion on C‐cycling in forests highlights the need to study further M. vimineum and other invasive grasses to assess their impacts on C sink strength and forest fertility.
Six degrees of Apodemus separation
Authors: McCallum Hamish 
Published: July 2009

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S.E. Perkins, F. Cagnacci, A. Stradiotto, D. Arnoldi & P.J. Hudson (2009) A comparison of social networks derived from ecological data: implications for inferring infectious disease dynamics. Journal of Animal Ecology, 78, 1015–1022. Social network analysis has been widely used to help understand the transmission of human diseases. Its application to wildlife disease is very much in its infancy, largely because of the difficulty of recording contacts between wild animals. Sarah Perkins et al. have constructed contact networks for yellow‐necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) in the Italian Alps, comparing networks derived from radio‐tracking and mark–recapture data. They found that the method producing the most informative data depended on population density. However, all networks had aggregated contact distributions, which is important for understanding disease transmission.
Genetic and biochemical analyses of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Psl exopolysaccharide reveal overlapping roles for polysaccharide synthesis enzymes in Psl and LPS production
Authors: Byrd Matthew S. , Sadovskaya Irina , Vinogradov Evgueny , Lu Haiping , Sprinkle April B. , Richardson Stephen H. , Ma Luyan , Ralston Brad , Parsek Matthew R. , Anderson Erin M. , Lam Joseph S. , Wozniak Daniel J. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryExopolysaccharides contribute significantly to attachment and biofilm formation in the opportunisitc pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Psl polysaccharide, which is synthesized by the polysaccharide synthesis locus (psl), is required for biofilm formation in non‐mucoid strains that do not rely on alginate as the principal biofilm polysaccharide. In‐frame deletion and complementation studies of individual psl genes revealed that 11 psl genes, pslACDEFGHIJKL, are required for Psl production and surface attachment. We also present the first structural analysis of the psl‐dependent polysaccharide, which consists of a repeating pentasaccharide containing d‐mannose, d‐glucose and l‐rhamnose:
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In addition, we identified the sugar nucleotide precursors involved in Psl generation and demonstrated the requirement for GDP‐d‐mannose, UDP‐d‐glucose and dTDP‐l‐rhamnose in Psl production and surface attachment. Finally, genetic analyses revealed that wbpW restored Psl production in a pslB mutant and pslB promoted A‐band LPS synthesis in a wbpW mutant, indicating functional redundancy and overlapping roles for these two enzymes. The structural and genetic data presented here provide a basis for further investigation of the Psl proteins and potential roles for Psl in the biology and pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa.
Partial functional redundancy of MreB isoforms, MreB, Mbl and MreBH, in cell morphogenesis of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Kawai Yoshikazu , Asai Kei , Errington Jeffery 
Published: July 2009

SummaryMreB proteins are bacterial actin homologues thought to have a role in cell shape determination by positioning the cell wall synthetic machinery. Many bacteria, particularly Gram‐positives, have more than one MreB isoform. Bacillus subtilis has three, MreB, Mbl and MreBH, which colocalize in a single helical structure. We now show that the helical pattern of peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis in the cylindrical part of the rod‐shaped cell is governed by the redundant action of the three MreB isoforms. Single mutants for any one of mreB isoforms can still incorporate PG in a helical pattern and generate a rod shape. However, after depletion of MreB in an mbl mutant (or depletion of all three isoforms) lateral wall PG synthesis was impaired and the cells became spherical and lytic. Overexpression of any one of the MreB isoforms overcame the lethality as well as the defects in lateral PG synthesis and cell shape. Furthermore, MreB and Mbl can associate with the peptidoglycan biosynthetic machinery independently. However, no single MreB isoform was able to support normal growth under various stress conditions, suggesting that the multiple isoforms are used to allow cells to maintain proper growth and morphogenesis under changing and sometimes adverse conditions.
Confirmation of the novel association at the BTNL2 locus with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Pathan S. , Gowdy R. E. , Cooney R. , Beckly J. B. , Hancock L. , Guo C. , Barrett J. C. , Morris A. , Jewell D. P. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLinkage in families and association in population case–control investigations have clearly shown that genes within the major histocompatibility complex region on chromosome 6p are relevant to the susceptibility and pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. However, identifying the causative variants by fine mapping has not been conclusive. In this study using 58 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with 616 UC cases, there was significant association with SNP rs2294881 of the (butyrophilin‐like 2) BTNL2 gene with odds ratio (OR) = 2.80, confidence interval (CI) = 1.62–4.84 and P = 5.69 × 10−4 (PBonferroni = 3.3 × 10−2) and replication of SNP rs9268480. The missense SNP rs2076523 (K196E) showed novel association with a subset of UC cases with colectomy (n = 126), OR = 0.25, CI = 0.11–0.58 and P = 4.42 × 10−4 (PBonferroni = 2.56 × 10−2). These three associated variants within the BTNL2 gene were neither in linkage disequilibrium with each other nor correlated with the SNPs tagging the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1*1502 and HLA‐DRB1*0301 alleles.