bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RNA silencing in plants and its suppression by plant viruses.
Authors: Kon T. , Ikegami M. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
RNA silencing is a sequence-specific degradation of RNA and a means of regulation of gene expression via small RNA molecules. In plants, this process is commonly referred to as post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). PTGS is characterized by accumulation of small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), degradation of target mRNAs and methylation of homologous gene sequences. In addition to gene regulation, PTGS also plays an important role as an immunity system in plants, which acts against diverse molecular parasites or foreign genetic elements including transposons, transgenes, viruses and viroids. Most plant viruses have evolved the capacity to counteract this defence response by encoding suppressors of PTGS. Viral suppressors are highly diverse in sequence and act at distinct steps in PTGS. Furthermore, the relative ability of viral suppressors to interfere with PTGS in plants can be associated with pathogenicity. In this review, we focus on recent advances in understanding RNA silencing and its suppression by plant viruses.
Challenges to ensuring food security through wheat.
Authors: Ramesh Chand Ramesh Chand 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Dramatic increase in global food prices during 2007-2008 has caused worldwide concern relating to food security and prospects of future supply of staple food. Wheat is the staple food of a majority of population in the world and growth rate in its production is critical to meet food and nutritional security. Demand for wheat as food is rising at a rate higher than growth of population because per capita wheat consumption is increasing as a result of a rise in income, urbanization and substitution with other cereals. However, supply is not keeping pace with growth in demand. Area under wheat is shrinking and productivity growth is slowing down. Though there is some scope to expand the area under wheat, both increases in productivity and area will require a rise in wheat price. The price-led growth in wheat production is, however, not only unsustainable in the long run but also removes wheat from within the purchasing power of low-income consumers. Ways and means have to be found to raise wheat production in a cost-effective manner in order to maintain a balance between its demand and supply. Use of cereals as feedstock for production of ethanol as a biofuel will have a strong bearing on price and availability of wheat for food in future. This also underscores the need to raise growth in wheat production to compensate for any diversion of wheat for biofuel production and to meet deficit in other staple cereals, particularly maize, given diversion for biofuel production. In order to meet future demand for wheat and to avoid adverse effects on food security, wheat production has to be put on a higher growth trajectory in an environment with formidable production challenges such as global warming, threat of pests and diseases, declining relative productivity and profitability, and stress on natural resources.
Perspectives on the potential for reconciliation ecology in urban riverscapes.
Authors: Francis R. A. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Urban riverscapes represent some of the most heavily engineered and degraded freshwater ecosystems in the world, and offer limited opportunities for restoration or rehabilitation because of continued anthropogenic use. The future of maintaining biodiversity and ecological quality in anthropogenic ecosystems may rest with the incorporation of novel techniques for habitat creation and improvement into the management of such systems, to reconcile the ecological requirements of the ecosystem with anthropogenic resource use. This emerging field is termed 'reconciliation ecology' and its principles may be particularly relevant to urban riverscapes. This review firstly draws a distinction between river restoration and rehabilitation on the one hand and reconciliation ecology on the other, before reviewing key factors relating to possible habitat creation and improvement methods for heavily engineered urban riverscapes, within the context of reconciliation ecology. Examples are mainly drawn from the UK, but can have international applications. Although such methods are relatively unexplored at the present time, this represents a useful research area that may engender collaborations between restoration researchers and practitioners in urban regions.
Influence of nutrition on aggression.
Authors: Wallner B. , Machatschke I. H. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Aggression is a topic that has been much investigated in behavioural research. Despite the large number of publications dealing with this subject, many aspects are still not understood. The present review focuses on both the bio-social and the physiological regulation of aggression and its valid models. Recent studies have provided new endocrine and neurophysiological insights into the underlying mechanisms. In the past, the steroid hormone testosterone (T) was believed to be the main endocrine activator of aggressive behaviour and its expression rate. However, the importance of T seems to lie in its neuromodulatory function, especially in the regulation of overall dominance and competitive aggression. In turn, unrestrained aggression, impulsivity and risk-taking behaviour are associated with low central serotonergic activity. Other centrally active molecules, such as vasopressin or dopamine are also key players in mediating aggressiveness. In a social context, aggression is mostly applied in competitive processes to get access to limited resources such as food and mating partners, or for the defence of resources. Intriguingly, diverse forms of aggression are probably triggered by environmental factors such as the availability and quality of food. This review investigates both availability and quality of food, with regard to their influence on anti-social behaviours in a variety of species and tries to work out their potential function as neurophysiological modulators. Furthermore, unresolved methodological issues concerning the central activity of nutritional factors will be discussed.
Failure of regulation results in an amplified oxidation burst by neutrophils in children with primary nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Bertelli R , Trivelli A , Magnasco A , Cioni M , Bodria M , Carrea A , Montobbio G , Barbano G , Ghiggeri G M 
Published: May 2010

Summary
The mechanism responsible for proteinuria in non-genetic idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (iNS) is unknown. Animal models suggest an effect of free radicals on podocytes, and indirect evidence in humans confirm this implication. We determined the oxidative burst by blood CD15+ polymorphonucleates (PMN) utilizing the 5-(and-6)-carboxy-2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) fluorescence assay in 38 children with iNS. Results were compared with PMN from normal subjects and patients with renal pathologies considered traditionally to be models of oxidative stress [six anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) vasculitis, seven post-infectious glomerulonephritis]. Radicals of oxygen (ROS) production was finally determined in a patient with immunodeficiency, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy X-linked (IPEX) and in seven iNS children after treatment with Rituximab. Results demonstrated a 10-fold increase of ROS production by resting PMN in iNS compared to normal PMN. When PMN were separated from other cells, ROS increased significantly in all conditions while a near-normal production was restored by adding autologous cells and/or supernatants in controls, vasculitis and post-infectious glomerulonephritis but not in iNS. Results indicated that the oxidative burst was regulated by soluble factors and that this regulatory circuit was altered in iNS. PMN obtained from a child with IPEX produced 100 times more ROS during exacerbation of clinical symptoms and restored to a near normal-level in remission. Rituximab decreased ROS production by 60%. In conclusion, our study shows that oxidant production is increased in iNS for an imbalance between PMN and other blood cells. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and CD20 are probably involved in this regulation. Overall, our observations reinforce the concept that oxidants deriving from PMN are implicated in iNS.
High expression level of geminin predicts a poor clinical outcome in salivary gland carcinomas
Authors: Yamazaki Manabu , Fujii Satoshi , Murata Yukinori , Hayashi Ryuichi , Ochiai Atsushi 
Published: May 2010

Yamazaki M, Fujii S, Murata Y, Hayashi R & Ochiai A (2010) Histopathology 56, 883–892 High expression level of geminin predicts a poor clinical outcome in salivary gland carcinomasAims:  To examine the prognostic impact of geminin expression, a negative regulator of DNA replication, in salivary gland carcinomas.Methods and results:  Tissues from 170 patients with salivary gland carcinoma were assembled in a tissue microarray format, and immunohistochemistry staining for geminin and Ki67 was performed. Patients were categorized into three groups using the tertile values of the labelling index (LI) for each marker as the cut‐off points for constructing Kaplan–Meier survival curves. The LI for geminin was relatively low in acinic cell carcinoma (mean 1.55%) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (mean 2.43%), intermediate in adenoid cystic carcinoma (mean 4.09%), and relatively high in salivary duct carcinoma (mean 15.22%). The geminin LI was significantly correlated with the Ki67 LI and histopathological factors, including pathological T factor, lymphatic and blood vessel infiltration, and lymph node metastasis. The increased expression of geminin was more strongly associated with reduced overall and relapse‐free survival rates than with Ki67 expression and was a significant and independent prognostic factor in patient survival and tumour relapse.Conclusions:  Geminin expression is potentially a useful marker for predicting tumour aggressiveness and clinical outcome in salivary gland carcinomas.
A prospective randomized, controlled trial of intravenous versus oral iron for moderate iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy
Authors: Khalafallah A. , Dennis A. , Bates J. , Bates G. , Robertson I. K. , Smith L. , Ball M. J. , Seaton D. , Brain T. , Rasko J. E. J. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract.  Khalafallah A, Dennis A, Bates J, Bates G, Robertson IK, Smith L, Ball MJ, Seaton D, Brain T, Rasko JEJ Launceston General Hospital (LGH), Australia; University of Tasmania, Australia; and Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia) A prospective randomized, controlled trial of intravenous versus oral iron for moderate iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy. J Intern Med 2010; 268: 286–295.Background.  Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common deficiency disorder in the world, affecting more than one billion people, with pregnant women at particular risk.Objectives and design. We conducted a single site, prospective, nonblinded randomized‐controlled trial to compare the efficacy, safety, tolerability and compliance of standard oral daily iron versus intravenous ironSubjects.  We prospectively screened 2654 pregnant women between March 2007 and January 2009 with a full blood count and iron studies, of which 461 (18%) had moderate IDA. Two hundred women matched for haemoglobin concentration and serum ferritin level were recruited.Interventions.  Patients were randomized to daily oral ferrous sulphate 250 mg (elemental iron 80 mg) with or without a single intravenous iron polymaltose infusion.Results.  Prior to delivery, the intravenous plus oral iron arm was superior to the oral iron only arm as measured by the increase in haemoglobin level (mean of 19.5 g/L vs. 12 g/L; P < 0.001); the increase in mean serum ferritin level (222 μg/L vs. 18 ug/L; P < 0.001); and the percentage of mothers with ferritin levels below 30 μg/L (4.5% vs. 79%; P < 0.001). A single dose of intravenous iron polymaltose was well tolerated without significant side effects.Conclusions.  Our data indicate that intravenous iron polymaltose is safe and leads to improved efficacy and iron stores compared to oral iron alone in pregnancy‐related IDA.
Regulation of CovR expression in Group B Streptococcus impacts blood–brain barrier penetration
Authors: Lembo Annalisa , Gurney Michael A. , Burnside Kellie , Banerjee Anirban , De Los Reyes Melissa , Connelly James E. , Lin Wan‐Jung , Jewell Kelsea A. , Vo Anthony , Renken Christian W. , Doran Kelly S. , Rajagopal Lakshmi 
Published: May 2010

SummaryGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of invasive infections in humans. The pathogen encodes a number of virulence factors including the pluripotent β‐haemolysin/cytolysin (β‐H/C). As GBS has the disposition of both a commensal organism and an invasive pathogen, it is important for the organism to appropriately regulate β‐H/C and other virulence factors in response to the environment. GBS can repress transcription of β‐H/C using the two‐component system, CovR/CovS. Recently, we described that the serine/threonine kinase Stk1 can phosphorylate CovR at threonine 65 to relieve repression of β‐H/C. In this study, we show that infection with CovR‐deficient GBS strains resulted in increased sepsis. Although CovR‐deficient GBS showed decreased ability to invade the brain endothelium in vitro, they were more proficient in induction of permeability and pro‐inflammatory signalling pathways in brain endothelium and penetration of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. Microarray analysis revealed that CovR positively regulates its own expression and regulates the expression of 153 genes. Collectively, our results suggest that the positive feedback loop which regulates CovR transcription modulates host cell interaction and immune defence and may facilitate the transition of GBS from a commensal organism to a virulent meningeal pathogen.
Bilastine in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria
Authors: Bachert C. , Kuna P. , Zuberbier T. 
Published: May 2010

To cite this article: Bachert C, Kuna P, Zuberbier T. Bilastine in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. Allergy 2010; 65 (Suppl. 93): 1–13.AbstractAllergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria are increasing in prevalence in many developed countries. The role of histamine in such conditions is well documented and clinical guidelines recommend non‐sedating H1‐receptor antagonists as first‐line treatment choices. Bilastine is a novel non‐sedating histamine H1‐receptor antagonist developed for the treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. The aim of this review is to critique the scientific evidence relating to the pharmacological properties of bilastine and the clinical evidence regarding its potential as an antihistamine. In vitro binding studies and investigations in animal tissue have demonstrated the high specificity of bilastine for H1‐receptors, and preclinical animal studies have also yielded promising results in terms of a reduction of histamine‐mediated inflammatory effects, including capillary permeability and bronchospasm. In pharmacodynamic studies bilastine was found to down‐regulate histamine‐induced flare and wheal responses in healthy volunteers. Preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetic studies showed that bilastine has dose‐dependent kinetics following oral administration. Excretion is almost exclusively via urine and faeces as unchanged drug. Early clinical trials have shown that bilastine has similar efficacy to other second‐generation H1‐receptor antagonists such as cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine and levocetirizine, in terms of reducing allergic symptoms. Clinical findings also indicate that bilastine has a rapid onset of action and a 20 mg single dose is effective throughout a 24‐h period. Furthermore, bilastine has been associated with improved quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria patients. Adverse effects have generally been minimal in these studies and doses up to twice those proposed did not exhibit differences in adverse events compared to placebo. Moreover, in vivo investigations have found no evidence of accumulation of bilastine in the central nervous system, and various studies have confirmed minimal effects on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers administered up to four times the usual dose. Clinical studies have also found no effect of bilastine on the QTc interval and other ECG parameters, even at supratherapeutic dosages, confirming the good cardiac safety profile of this newer antihistamine. Given its pharmacodynamic profile, which appears to be similar to other second‐generation H1‐receptor antagonists, and its favourable safety and tolerability, bilastine has the attributes of a potentially clinically useful non‐sedating antihistamine. Larger clinical studies are now necessary to fully elucidate the clinical potential of this novel antihistamine.
Genotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from captive birds in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira‐Paim Kennio , Andrade‐Silva Leonardo , Mora Delio Jose , Pedrosa André Luiz , Rodrigues Virmondes , Silva‐Vergara Mario León 
Published: May 2010

SummaryTo evaluate Cryptococcus spp. molecular types isolated from captive birds’ droppings, an epidemiological survey was carried out in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from December 2006 to September 2008. A total of 253 samples of bird excreta (120 fresh and 133 dry) were collected from pet shop cages and houses in different neighbourhoods. Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated in 19 (14.28%) dry samples and one fresh sample (0.84%). Cryptococcus laurentii was recovered from seven (5.26%) dry samples, but not in the fresh samples. The canavanine–glycine–bromothymol blue test was positive in all but one of the C. laurentii isolates. Cryptococcus neoformans molecular typing was performed using URA5‐RFLP and the mating type locus using mating type specific PCR. Nineteen (95.0%) presented genotype VNI and one VNII (5.0%). In addition, all isolates presented mating type α. Thus, the genotype of the environmental C. neoformans isolates observed in this study is in accordance with others already reported around the world and adds information about its distribution in Brazil. Cryptococcus laurentii strains were typed using URA5‐RFLP and M13 fingerprinting, which showed similar profiles among them. Thus, despite the low number of C. laurentii isolates analysed, their molecular profile is different from another already reported.
Fast and sensitive detection of Trichophyton rubrum in superficial tinea and onychomycosis by use of a direct polymerase chain reaction assay
Authors: Brasch J. , Beck‐Jendroschek V. , Gläser R. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryDetection of Trichophyton rubrum in superficial skin infections by conventional methods is time consuming and not always successful. However, with modern molecular methods, an alternative is in sight. The aim of this study was to compare the detection of T. rubrum by conventional methods and by a direct specific PCR assay under routine conditions. Skin scrapings (n = 464) and nail samples (n = 230) collected from suspected tinea lesions were equally divided for KOH‐mounts, cultures and PCR‐analysis. For the latter, DNA was extracted and PCR was performed with T. rubrum‐specific primers. Of the scale samples, 16% were positive for T. rubrum in the culture and PCR as well, 9% were positive in the PCR only and 3% in the culture only, whereas 5% were only KOH‐positive. The corresponding results for nail samples were 17%, 20%, 3% and 7%. PCR results were available after 2–5 days, culture results after 2–3 weeks. Our results show that a specific PCR assay can successfully be used to detect T. rubrum directly in samples collected from superficial skin lesions and nails under routine conditions. Compared with conventional methods, it is faster and more sensitive. We recommend its complementary use.
Renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease
Authors: ISEKI KUNITOSHI 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTThe prevalence of treated patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) has been increasing steadily in Japan. High ESRD prevalence could be explained by multiple factors such as better survival on dialysis therapy, luxury acceptance due to insurance system to cover dialysis therapy, and ‘truly’ high incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The growing elderly population may also contribute to this trend. The Japanese Society of Nephrology estimated the prevalence of CKD stage 3 as 10.4%, 7.6% within the range of 50–59 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in a screened population. Strong predictors of treated ESRD shown by using community‐based screening programs and an ESRD registry in Okinawa are dip‐stick‐positive proteinuria and hypertension. Low glomerular filtration rate per se, which is often observed in the elderly population, is not a significant predictor of developing ESRD unless associated with proteinuria. CKD is common in Japan and is expected to increase, particularly in the elderly population. Benefits of proteinuria screening and automatic reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rate on the incidence of ESRD remain to be determined.
Challenging chronic kidney disease: Experience from chronic kidney disease prevention programs in Shanghai, Japan, Taiwan and Australia
Authors: CHEN NAN , HSU CHIH‐CHENG , YAMAGATA KUNIHIRO , LANGHAM ROBYN 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTChronic kidney disease (CKD) is now a global health problem. One important strategy to prevent and manage CKD is to offer a prevention program which could detect CKD early as well as raise awareness of the disease. In Shanghai, a community‐based study demonstrated that the prevalence of CKD was high while awareness was low. The results from Shanghai urged the necessity of a screening and prevention program of CKD. In Japan, the urinalysis screening system was established to early diagnose and prevent CKD. Due to modification of lifestyle and prevalence of diabetes, urine dip‐stick test for microalbuminuria might be necessary in adults while screening for proteinuria and haematuria are necessary for students and young adults. In Taiwan, two CKD programs – a CKD care program and diabetic share care program – were initiated. The cost‐effectiveness study indicated that both programs could reduce end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) burden in Taiwan because integrated pre‐ESRD care was important for patients with CKD stage 4 and stage 5 while a diabetic shared care program was cost‐effective to prevent nephropathy to patients with diabetic mellitus. In Australia, studies demonstrated that screening of high‐risk individuals as well as promoting awareness were cost‐effective to early detection of CKD. Furthermore, opportunistic screening with emphasis on early detection was effective in CKD prevention. The studies from those regions share experiences on early prevention and management of CKD.