bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Both in‐ and out‐hospital worsening of renal function predict outcome in patients with heart failure: results from the Coordinating Study Evaluating Outcome of Advising and Counseling in Heart Failure (COACH)
Authors: Damman Kevin , Jaarsma Tiny , Voors Adriaan A. , Navis Gerjan , Hillege Hans L. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. ,   on behalf of the COACH investigators
Published: August 2009

AimsThe effect of worsening renal function (WRF) after discharge on outcome in patients with heart failure is unknown.Methods and resultsWe assessed estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine at admission, discharge, and 6 and 12 months after discharge, in 1023 heart failure patients. Worsening renal function was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of >26.5 µmol/L and >25%. The primary endpoint was a composite of all‐cause mortality and heart failure admissions. The mean age of patients was 71 ± 11 years, and 62% was male. Mean eGFR at admission was 55 ± 21 mL/min/1.73 m2. In‐hospital WRF occurred in 11% of patients, while 16 and 9% experienced WRF from 0 to 6, and 6 to 12 months after discharge, respectively. In multivariate landmark analysis, WRF at any point in time was associated with a higher incidence of the primary endpoint: hazard ratio (HR) 1.63 (1.10–2.40), P = 0.014 for in‐hospital WRF, HR 2.06 (1.13–3.74), P = 0.018 for WRF between 0–6 months, and HR 5.03 (2.13–11.88), P < 0.001 for WRF between 6–12 months.ConclusionBoth in‐ and out‐hospital worsening of renal function are independently related to poor prognosis in patients with heart failure, suggesting that renal function in heart failure patients should be monitored long after discharge.
Comparison of four right ventricular systolic echocardiographic parameters to predict adverse outcomes in chronic heart failure
Authors: Damy Thibaud , Viallet Caroline , Lairez Olivier , Deswarte Guillaume , Paulino Alexandra , Maison Patrick , Vermes Emmanuelle , Gueret Pascal , Adnot Serge , Dubois‐Randé Jean‐Luc , Hittinger Luc 
Published: August 2009

AimsHeart failure (HF) has a poor prognosis. Several right ventricular (RV) echocardiographic parameters have been proposed as sensitive markers to detect patients at risk. Our objective was to compare the predictive value of four RV systolic echocardiographic parameters for outcomes in patients with HF.Methods and resultsOne hundred and thirty‐six patients with stable HF and a left ventricular ejection fraction <35% were assessed for the following: (i) RV fractional area (RVFA), (ii) tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), (iii) integral of the systolic wave (ISWtdi), and (iv) peak systolic velocity (PSVtdi). ISWtdi and PSVtdi were measured using tissue Doppler imaging at the tricuspid annulus. The primary endpoint was death, urgent transplantation, urgent ventricular assist device implantation, or an acute HF episode. During a mean follow‐up of 295 days, 33 patients reached the primary endpoint. The cut‐off thresholds for RVFA, TAPSE, PSVtdi, and ISWtdi defined using receiver‐operating characteristic curves were 36.8%, 13.5 mm, 9.5 cm s−1, and 1.75 cm, respectively. On Cox multivariate analysis, NYHA, log BNP, and only PSVtdi from the RV systolic parameters were found to be independent predictors of outcome.ConclusionPSVtdi is a strong independent predictor of outcome in HF at a threshold value of 9.5 cm s−1 and appears to be superior to other RV systolic echocardiographic parameters.
Characterization of Kafirins in Algerian Sorghum Cultivars
Authors: Mokrane Hind , Lagrain Bert , Gebruers Kurt , Courtin Christophe M. , Brijs Kristof , Proost Paul , Delcour Jan A. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe prolamins in seven Algerian Sahara sorghum cultivars of varying seed shape and color were investigated. Protein contents ranged from 12 to 16%. Prolamins were the major protein fraction. They could be separated according to degree of disulfide cross‐linking. Kafirin monomers and low molecular weight polymers could be extracted with 70% ethanol, whereas highly cross‐linked kafirins additionally needed a reducing agent to become extractable. Kafirin monomers of α‐, β‐ and γ‐type were purified and N‐terminally sequenced. For the first time, δ‐kafirin was identified at the protein level. The study clearly revealed intercultivar differences between protein levels. The joint use of SDS‐PAGE, SE‐HPLC, and RP‐HPLC allowed discriminating among cultivars based on the differences in prolamin levels and composition.
An Rrf2-Type Transcriptional Regulator Is Required for Expression of psaAB Genes in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Midorikawa Takafumi , Matsumoto Koji , Narikawa Rei , Ikeuchi Masahiko 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms must regulate photosystem stoichiometry (photosystem I-to-photosystem II ratio) under various light conditions. Transcriptional regulation of the psaAB genes is a critical process for this photoacclimation in cyanobacteria. In the course of our screening of transcriptional regulators in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, we found that chlorophyll accumulation was impaired in an Rrf2-type regulator Slr0846 mutant. DNA microarray and primer extension analyses showed that the expression of psaAB genes was markedly decreased in the mutant. Consistently, the mutant exhibited lower photosystem I-to-photosystem II ratio under normal light conditions, suggestive of decreased accumulation of the photosystem I reaction center. Gel-shift assay confirmed that the Slr0846 protein bound to a far upstream promoter region of psaAB. These phenotypes of the mutant varied substantially with light conditions. These results suggest that Slr0846 is a novel transcriptional regulator for optimal expression of psaAB.
Gene Content and Virtual Gene Order of Barley Chromosome 1H
Authors: Mayer Klaus F.X. , Taudien Stefan , Martis Mihaela , Šimková Hana , Suchánková Pavla , Gundlach Heidrun , Wicker Thomas , Petzold Andreas , Felder Marius , Steuernagel Burkhard , Scholz Uwe , Graner Andreas , Platzer Matthias , Doležel Jaroslav , Stein Nils 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Chromosome 1H (approximately 622 Mb) of barley (Hordeum vulgare) was isolated by flow sorting and shotgun sequenced by GSFLX pyrosequencing to 1.3-fold coverage. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and stringent sequence comparison against genetically mapped barley genes revealed 95% purity of the sorted chromosome 1H fraction. Sequence comparison against the reference genomes of rice (Oryza sativa) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and against wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley expressed sequence tag datasets led to the estimation of 4,600 to 5,800 genes on chromosome 1H, and 38,000 to 48,000 genes in the whole barley genome. Conserved gene content between chromosome 1H and known syntenic regions of rice chromosomes 5 and 10, and of sorghum chromosomes 1 and 9 was detected on a per gene resolution. Informed by the syntenic relationships between the two reference genomes, genic barley sequence reads were integrated and ordered to deduce a virtual gene map of barley chromosome 1H. We demonstrate that synteny-based analysis of low-pass shotgun sequenced flow-sorted Triticeae chromosomes can deliver linearly ordered high-resolution gene inventories of individual chromosomes, which complement extensive Triticeae expressed sequence tag datasets. Thus, integration of genomic, transcriptomic, and synteny-derived information represents a major step toward developing reference sequences of chromosomes and complete genomes of the most important plant tribe for mankind.
Complexation and Toxicity of Copper in Higher Plants. II. Different Mechanisms for Copper versus Cadmium Detoxification in the Copper-Sensitive Cadmium/Zinc Hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens (Ganges Ecotype)
Authors: Mijovilovich Ana , Leitenmaier Barbara , Meyer-Klaucke Wolfram , Kroneck Peter M.H. , Götz Birgit , Küpper Hendrik 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
The cadmium/zinc hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens is sensitive toward copper (Cu) toxicity, which is a problem for phytoremediation of soils with mixed contamination. Cu levels in T. caerulescens grown with 10 μ m Cu2+ remained in the nonaccumulator range (&lt;50 ppm), and most individuals were as sensitive toward Cu as the related nonaccumulator Thlaspi fendleri. Obviously, hyperaccumulation and metal resistance are highly metal specific. Cu-induced inhibition of photosynthesis followed the “sun reaction” type of damage, with inhibition of the photosystem II reaction center charge separation and the water-splitting complex. A few individuals of T. caerulescens were more Cu resistant. Compared with Cu-sensitive individuals, they recovered faster from inhibition, at least partially by enhanced repair of chlorophyll-protein complexes but not by exclusion, since the content of Cu in their shoots was increased by about 25%. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements on frozen-hydrated leaf samples revealed that a large proportion of Cu in T. caerulescens is bound by sulfur ligands. This is in contrast to the known binding environment of cadmium and zinc in the same species, which is dominated by oxygen ligands. Clearly, hyperaccumulators detoxify hyperaccumulated metals differently compared with nonaccumulated metals. Furthermore, strong features in the Cu-EXAFS spectra ascribed to metal-metal contributions were found, in particular in the Cu-resistant specimens. Some of these features may be due to Cu binding to metallothioneins, but a larger proportion seems to result from biomineralization, most likely Cu(II) oxalate and Cu(II) oxides. Additional contributions in the EXAFS spectra indicate complexation of Cu(II) by the nonproteogenic amino acid nicotianamine, which has a very high affinity for Cu(II) as further characterized here.
Contributions of the effector gene hopQ1‐1 to differences in host range between Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola and P. syringae pv. tabaci
Authors: FERRANTE PATRIZIA , CLARKE CHRISTOPHER R. , CAVANAUGH KERI A. , MICHELMORE RICHARD W. , BUONAURIO ROBERTO , VINATZER BORIS A. 
Published: August 2009

SUMMARYTo study the role of type III‐secreted effectors in the host adaptation of the tobacco (Nicotiana sp.) pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci, a selection of seven strains was first characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine their phylogenetic affinity. MLST revealed that all strains represented a tight phylogenetic group and that the most closely related strain with a completely sequenced genome was the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) pathogen P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A. Using primers designed to 21 P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A effector genes, it was determined that P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A shared at least 10 effectors with all tested P. syringae pv. tabaci strains. Six of the 11 effectors that failed to amplify from P. syringae pv. tabaci strains were individually expressed in one P. syringae pv. tabaci strain. Although five effectors had no effect on phenotype, growth in planta and disease severity of the transgenic P. syringae pv. tabaci expressing hopQ1‐1Pph1448A were significantly increased in bean, but reduced in tobacco. We conclude that hopQ1‐1 has been retained in P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A, as this effector suppresses immunity in bean, whereas hopQ1‐1 is missing from P. syringae pv. tabaci strains because it triggers defences in Nicotiana spp. This provides evidence that fine‐tuning effector repertoires during host adaptation lead to a concomitant reduction in virulence in non‐host species.
Incidence and severity of marine borer attack at different depths at Mtongwe Jetty Pontoon Mombasa, Kenya
Authors: Sirmah P. K. , Mburu F. G. , Muisu F. N. , Wahungu G. M. , Waweru C. W. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe activity of marine borers was investigated at Mtongwe Jetty Pontoon, Mombasa, Kilindini harbour using untreated panels of Pinus patula (Schlecht) submerged to different depths. Twenty test panels replicated over 7 months were each strung in three ladder‐like frames using nylon twine and suspended vertically, in such a way that the top most panels were 25 cm below the water surface at low and high tide. Monthly observations were made between January and July for the vertical incidence and extent of marine borer attack following the technique of Bobat (1995). Marine borers were collected from test panels, identified and counted. In addition, the percentage weight loss for panels at different depths was determined at the end of 7 months. Teredo fulleri (Clapp) was dominant on panels near water surface while Martesia striata (Linne) and Lyrodus pedicellatus (Quatrefages) were predominant at the bottom. The results showed that attack began within the first month of exposure and was severest by the seventh month. The vertical incidence and extent of attack decreased with increasing depth of panel exposure and was negatively correlated with depth. This is attributed to changes in hydrographic conditions.
Herbaceous phytomass and nutrient concentrations of four grass species in Sudanian savanna woodland subjected to recurrent early fire
Authors: Savadogo Patrice , Tigabu Mulualem , Sawadogo Louis , Odén Per Christer 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFire is an integral ecological factor in African savanna ecosystems, but its effects on savanna productivity are highly variable and less understood. We conducted a field experiment to quantify changes in herbaceous phytomass and nutrient composition in a Sudanian savanna woodland subjected to annual early fire from 1993 to 2004. Fire effects were also assessed on two perennial and two annual grass species during the following growing season. Early fire significantly reduced above‐ground phytomass of the studied species (P = 0.03), their crude protein (P = 0.022), neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (P = 0.016) and concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn (P < 0.05). Perennial grasses had higher above‐ground phytomass but lower total crude protein and fat than annual grasses. Nonstructural carbohydrates tended to be higher for annuals, while fibre and lignin contents were high for perennials. Except Na and Fe, the concentration of mineral elements varied between species. Fire did not affect measures of digestibility and metabolizable energy, but its effect differed significantly among species. In conclusion, the results illustrate that long‐term frequent fire will counterbalance the short‐term increase in soil fertility and plant nutrient concentrations claimed to be accrued from single or less frequent fire.
Clinical trial: the impact of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on gastrointestinal recovery after major surgery – a randomized double blind controlled trial of celecoxib or diclofenac vs. placebo
Authors: WATTCHOW D. A. , DE FONTGALLAND D. , BAMPTON P. A. , LEACH P. L. , MCLAUGHLIN K. , COSTA M. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground  Ileus occurs after abdominal surgery and may be severe. Inhibition of prostaglandin release reduces post‐operative ileus in a rat model.Aim  To determine whether prostaglandin inhibition by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, celecoxib or diclofenac, could enhance gastrointestinal recovery and reduce post‐operative ileus in humans.Methods  Two hundred and ten patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery were randomized to receive twice daily placebo (n = 67), celecoxib (100 mg, n = 74) or diclofenac (50 mg, n = 69), preoperatively and continuing for up to 7 days. Primary outcomes were hallmarks of gut recovery. Secondary outcomes were paralytic ileus, pain and complications.Results  There was no clinically significant difference between the groups for restoration of bowel function. There was a significant reduction in paralytic ileus in the celecoxib‐treated group (n = 1, 1%) compared with diclofenac (n = 7, 10%) and placebo (n = 9, 13%); P = 0.025, RR 0.20, CI 0.01–0.77. Pain scores, analgesia, transfusion requirements and adverse event rates were similar between study groups.Conclusions  Perioperative low dose celecoxib, but not diclofenac, markedly reduced the development of paralytic ileus following major abdominal surgery, but did not accelerate early recovery of bowel function. This was independent of narcotic use and had no increase in post‐operative complications.
A SNP/microsatellite genetic linkage map of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Moen T. , Delghandi M. , Wesmajervi M. S. , Westgaard J.‐I. , Fjalestad K. T. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryA first genetic linkage map of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) was produced, based on segregation data from 12 full‐sib families of Norwegian origin. The map contained 174 single nucleotide polymorphism markers and 33 microsatellites, distributed on 25 linkage groups and had a length of 1225 cM. A significant difference in recombination rates between sexes was found, the average ratio of female:male recombination rates being 1.78 ± 1.62 (SD).
Marrow repopulation in mice treated with busulphan or isopropyl methane sulphonate and bone marrow
Authors: Massa G. , Wyllie J. P. , Pratt A. M. , Molineux G. , Schofield R. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBy using karyotypic analysis of female mice treated with (a) busulphan or (b) isopropyl methane sulphonate (IMS), and injected with male bone marrow the donor contribution to both total marrow cellularity and spleen colony forming cells (CFU‐S) was assessed for up to 6 months after transplant. In the mice treated with busulphan the marrow cells yielded metaphases of which between 40% and 83% were of donor type. Between 60% and 97% of metaphases in spleen colonies formed in irradiated mice were of donor type during the 24‐week study period. In contrast, mice prepared for the transplant with IMS showed no cells of donor type at any time after transplant, neither did they possess CFU‐S of donor type. We were therefore led to conclude that the donor cells made no contribution to long‐term engraftment in mice prepared with IMS, whilst in those prepared with busulphan they were the predominantly active haemopoietic cells.These results are consistent with a model of haemopoiesis in which the most primitive cells reside in a ‘niche’where they are resistant to the effects of IMS but susceptible to the action of busulphan. Busulphan may vacate some niches to allow engraftment by transplanted marrow, whilst IMS yields no unoccupied niches for grafted cells to occupy, and cannot therefore lead to a stable chimaerism.
Erythrokinetics and iron status in heterozygous β thalassaemia, and the effect of interaction with α thalassaemia
Authors: Pippard M. J. , Wainscoat J. S. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryFerrokinetic studies, α globin gene mapping, and assessment of iron status have been carried out in 16 healthy subjects with heterozygous β thalassaemia. Six subjects had coinherited α thalassaemia and had more balanced α/β globin chain synthesis ratios than the remaining 10 subjects with uncomplicated heterozygous β thalassaemia. The overall efficiency of erythropoiesis was significantly reduced in the latter group (mean 76 ± 17 (SD)% of normal), but was indistinguishable from normal in subjects with coexistent α thalassaemia. Red cell survival was unimpaired in both groups, indicating that the defect was one of mild ineffective erythropoiesis rather than peripheral haemolysis. Values for total plasma iron turnover were normal or only slightly increased. This suggests a lack of any additional stimulus to erythropoiesis, which might normally be expected to compensate easily for the mild degree of anaemia. Uncomplicated heterozygous β thalassaemia produces an extremely mild disorder of erythropoiesis, which is dependent on the inbalance between α and β globin chain synthesis, and is not associated with a risk of serious iron overload.
Lactoferrin uptake and iron processing into macrophages: a study in familial haemochromatosis
Authors: Moguilevsky Nicole , Masson Pierre‐L. , Courtoy Pierre‐J. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryVarious properties of lactoferrin from neutrophils of normal individuals and patients with familial haemochromatosis were compared. No difference was found with respect to (1) the lactoferrin content of neutrophils, (2) the molecular weight and isoelectric point of the protein, (3) the dissociation of its complex with iron at acidic pH, (4) its binding to isolated monocytes, and (5) its uptake by the mouse reticulo‐endothelial system. Macrophages from patients and controls were also found to be similar in their ability to bind and ingest lactoferrin and to process the iron provided by the protein. Therefore a defect in the interaction of lactoferrin with the reticulo‐endothelial system, related either to the protein itself or to the cells, seems unlikely. A comparison of the lactoferrin‐ and the transferrin‐mediated iron processing by monocytes is finally presented.
Interleukin‐4 distinctively modifies responses of germinal centre‐like and activated B‐cell‐like diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas to immuno‐chemotherapy
Authors: Sarosiek Kristopher A. , Nechushtan Hovav , Lu Xiaoqing , Rosenblatt Joseph D. , Lossos Izidore S. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryDiffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) can be classified into two subtypes: germinal‐centre B‐cell (GCB)‐like and Activated B‐cell (ABC)‐like tumours, which are associated with longer or shorter patient overall survival, respectively. In our previous studies, we have shown that, although DLBCL tumours of GCB‐like and ABC‐like subtypes express similar levels of IL4 mRNA, they exhibit distinct patterns of IL‐4‐induced intracellular signalling and different expression of IL‐4 target genes. We hypothesized that these differences may contribute to the different clinical behaviour and outcome of DLBCL subtypes. Herein, we demonstrated that IL‐4 increased the sensitivity of GCB‐like DLBCL to doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis and complement‐dependent rituximab cell killing. In contrast, IL‐4 protected ABC‐like DLBCL from the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin and rituximab. The distinct effects of IL‐4 on doxorubicin sensitivity in GCB‐like and ABC‐like DLBCL cells may be partially attributed to the contrasting effects of the cytokine on Bcl‐2 and Bad protein levels in the DLBCL subtypes. These findings suggest that the different effects of IL‐4 on chemotherapy and immunotherapy‐induced cytotoxicity of GCB‐ and ABC‐like DLBCL could contribute to the different clinical outcomes exhibited by patients with these two subtypes of DLBCL.
On the propagation characteristics of tunnel surface‐waves for seismic prediction
Authors: Jetschny Stefan , Bohlen Thomas , De Nil Denise 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTTo increase the safety and efficiency of tunnel constructions, online seismic exploration ahead of a tunnel has become a valuable tool. One recent successful forward looking approach is based on the excitation and registration of tunnel surface‐waves. For further development and for finding optimal acquisition geometries it is important to study the propagation characteristics of tunnel surface‐waves. 3D seismic finite difference modelling and analytic solutions of the wave equation in cylindrical coordinates reveal that at higher frequencies, i.e., if the tunnel‐diameter is significantly larger than the wavelength of surface‐waves, these surface‐waves can be regarded as Rayleigh‐waves confined to the tunnel wall and following helical paths along the tunnel axis. For lower frequencies, i.e., when the tunnel surface‐wavelength approaches the tunnel‐diameter, the propagation characteristics of these surface‐waves are similar to S‐waves. We define the surface‐wave wavelength‐to‐tunnel diameter ratio w to be a gauge for separating Rayleigh‐ from S‐wave excitation. For w > 1.2 tunnel surface‐waves behave like S‐waves, i.e. their velocity approaches the S‐wave velocity and the particle motion is linear and perpendicular to the ray direction. For w < 0.6 they behave like Rayleigh‐waves, i.e., their velocity approaches the Rayleigh‐wave velocity and they exhibit elliptical particle motion. For 0.6 < w < 1.2 a mixture of both types is observed. Field data from the Gotthard Base Tunnel (Switzerland) show both types of tunnel surface‐waves and S‐waves propagating along the tunnel.