bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Summer season and long‐term drought increase the richness of bacteria and fungi in the foliar phyllosphere of Quercus ilex in a mixed Mediterranean forest
Authors: Peñuelas J. , Rico L. , Ogaya R. , Jump A. S. , Terradas J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe explored the changes in richness, diversity and evenness of epiphytic (on the leaf surface) and endophytic (within leaf tissues) bacteria and fungi in the foliar phyllosphere of Quercus ilex, the dominant tree species of Mediterranean forests. Bacteria and fungi were assessed during ontogenic development of the leaves, from the wet spring to the dry summer season in control plots and in plots subjected to drought conditions mimicking those projected for future decades. Our aim was to monitor succession in microbiota during the colonisation of plant leaves and its response to climate change. Ontogeny and seasonality exerted a strong influence on richness and diversity of the microbial phyllosphere community, which decreased in summer in the whole leaf and increased in summer in the epiphytic phyllosphere. Drought precluded the decrease in whole leaf phyllosphere diversity and increased the rise in the epiphytic phyllosphere. Both whole leaf bacterial and fungal richness decreased with the decrease in physiological activity and productivity of the summer season in control trees. As expected, the richness of epiphytic bacteria and fungi increased in summer after increasing time of colonisation. Under summer dry conditions, there was a positive relationship between TRF (terminal restriction fragments) richness and drought, both for whole leaf and epiphytic phyllosphere, and especially for fungal communities. These results demonstrate that changes in climate are likely to significantly alter microbial abundance and composition of the phyllosphere. Given the diverse functions and large number of phyllospheric microbes, the potential functional implications of such community shifts warrant exploration.
The dicotyledonous NAD malic enzyme C4 plant Cleome gynandra displays age‐dependent plasticity of C4 decarboxylation biochemistry
Authors: Sommer M. , Bräutigam A. , Weber A. P. M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe C4 photosynthetic pathway enriches carbon dioxide in the vicinity of Rubisco, thereby enabling plants to assimilate carbon more efficiently. Three canonical subtypes of C4 exist, named after their main decarboxylating enzymes: NAD‐dependent malic enzyme type, NADP‐dependent malic enzyme type and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase type. Cleome gynandra is known to perform NAD‐ME type C4 photosynthesis. To further assess the mode of C4 in C. gynandra and its manifestation in leaves of different age, total enzyme activities of eight C4‐related enzymes and the relative abundance of 31 metabolites were measured. C. spinosa was used as a C3 control. C. gynandra was confirmed as an NAD‐ME type C4 plant in mid‐aged leaves, whereas a mixed NAD‐ME and PEPCK type was observed in older leaves. Young leaves showed a C3‐C4 intermediate state with respect to enzyme activities and metabolite abundances. Comparative transcriptome analysis of mid‐aged leaves of C. gynandra and C. spinosa showed that the transcript of only one aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) isoform is highly abundant in C. gynandra. However, the canonical model of the NAD‐ME pathway requires two AspATs, a mitochondrial and a cytosolic isoform. Surprisingly, our results indicate the existence of only one highly abundant AspAT isoform. Using GFP‐fusion, this isozyme was localised exclusively to mitochondria. We propose a revised model of NAD‐ME type C4 photosynthesis in C. gynandra, in which both AspAT catalysed reactions take place in mitochondria and PEPCK catalyses an alternative decarboxylating pathway.
A dithiol glutaredoxin cDNA from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam): enzyme properties and kinetic studies
Authors: Chi X.‐W. , Lin C.‐T. , Jiang Y.‐C. , Wen L. , Lin C.‐T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractGlutaredoxins (Grx) play an important role in reduction of protein glutathione mixed disulphides. An IbGrx cDNA (561 bp, EF362614) encoding a putative dithiol Grx was cloned from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam). The deduced amino acid sequence is conserved among the reported dithiol Grx, having a CGYC dithiol motif at the active site. A 3‐D structural model was created based on the known crystal structure of a poplar Grx (GrxC1). To characterise the IbGrx protein, the coding region was subcloned into an expression vector and transformed into Escherichia coli. The recombinant His6‐tagged IbGrx was expressed and purified by metal affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a monomeric band, as demonstrated with 15% SDS‐PAGE. The Michaelis constant (KM) for ß‐hydroxyethyl disulphide (HED) was 0.50 ± 0.08 Mm. The enzyme retained 60% activity at 80 °C for 16 min. The enzyme was active over a broad pH range from 6.0 to 11.0, and in the presence of imidazole up to 0.4 M. The enzyme was susceptible to protease.
Inhibition of actin polymerisation by low concentration Latrunculin B affects endocytosis and alters exocytosis in shank and tip of tobacco pollen tubes
Authors: Moscatelli A. , Idilli A. I. , Rodighiero S. , Caccianiga M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPollen tube growth depends on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton that regulates cytoplasmic streaming and secretion. To clarify whether actin also plays a role in pollen tube endocytosis, Latrunculin B (LatB) was employed in internalisation experiments with tobacco pollen tubes, using the lipophilic dye FM4‐64 and charged nanogold. Time‐lapse analysis and dissection of endocytosis allowed us to identify internalisation pathways with different sensitivity to LatB. Co‐localisation experiments and ultrastructural observations using positively charged nanogold revealed that LatB significantly inhibited endocytosis in the pollen tube shank, affecting internalisation of the plasma membrane (PM) recycled for secretion, as well as that conveyed to vacuoles. In contrast, endocytosis of negatively charged nanogold in the tip, which is also conveyed to vacuoles, was not influenced. Experiments of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of the apical and subapical PM revealed domains with different rates of fluorescence recovery and showed that these differences depend on the actin cytoskeleton integrity. These results show the presence of distinct degradation pathways by demonstrating that actin‐dependent and actin‐indepedent endocytosis both operate in pollen tubes, internalising tracts of PM to be recycled and broken down. Intriguingly, although most studies concentrate on exocytosis and distension in the apex, the present paper shows that uncharacterised, actin‐dependent secretory activity occurs in the shank of pollen tubes.
Self‐efficacy and self‐care behavior of Malaysian patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional survey
Authors: Sharoni Siti Khuzaimah Ahmad , Wu Shu‐Fang Vivienne 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study investigated the association between self‐efficacy and self‐care behavior to determine the degree of self‐efficacy and to examine differences in self‐efficacy according to patient variables, including state of health, of Malaysian patients with type 2 diabetes. The sample comprised 388 patients (respondents). We collected the data from December 2010 to February 2011. We found a significant positive relationship between self‐efficacy and self‐care behavior (rs = 0.481, P < 0.001). The degree of self‐efficacy was moderately high (mean = 7.570). We found significant differences between self‐efficacy and education level (Wilk's Lambda = 0.918, F[12, 1008] = 2.779, P < 0.05), duration of diabetes (Wilk's Lambda = 0.954, F[8, 736] = 2.264, P < 0.05), other chronic conditions (Wilk's Lambda = 0.967, F[4, 383] = 3.304, P < 0.05) and diabetic complications (Wilk's Lambda = 0.963, F[4, 383] = 3.653, P < 0.05). Self‐efficacy can be used as a model to understand self‐care behavior. Individualized nursing interventions based on self‐efficacy theory should be utilized in high risk diabetic patients so as to assist and improve self‐care behavior.
Molecular phylogeny of the marine littoral genus Cafius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) and implications for classification
Authors: Jeon Mi‐Jeong , Song Jeong‐Hun , Ahn Kee‐Jeong 
Published: January 2012

Jeon, M.‐J., Song, J.‐H. & Ahn, K.‐J. (2012). Molecular phylogeny of the marine littoral genus Cafius (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) and implications for classification. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 150–159.A phylogenetic analysis of the marine littoral genus Cafius Stephens is presented based on molecular characters. The data set comprised partial mitochondrial COI (910 bp), COII (369 bp), 12S rDNA (351–354 bp), 16S rDNA (505–509 bp) and nearly complete sequences of 18S rDNA (1814–1830 bp) for 37 species. Twenty‐seven Cafius species, representing five of six subgenera, two Remus Holme species, three Phucobius Sharp species, monotypic Thinocafius Steel and four outgroups were included. The sequences were analysed simultaneously by parsimony analysis in Tree Analysis Using New Technology (TNT) with traditional manual alignment, direct optimization (DO) in the program POY4 under a variety of gap costs and partitioned Bayesian analysis for the combined data. The genus Cafius and nearly all of its subgenera were not supported as being monophyletic. Instead, all analyses (parsimony trees, DO tree under equal weighting and Bayesian tree) showed monophyly of Cafius + Phucobius + Remus + Thinocafius (clade Z) and all seven nested clades (A–G). However, the phylogenetic relationships among clades A–G differed among the analyses. The genus Phucobius was recovered as a monophyletic group within Cafius. The genus Remus was not monophyletic but formed a clade with C. rufescens Sharp and C. rufifrons Bierig within Cafius. The genus Thinocafius formed a clade with C. caviceps Broun, C. litoreus (Broun) and C. quadriimpressus (White) within Cafius. We propose new concepts for the genus Cafius and its related genera, and the seven nested clades.
Increased non‐prostate cancer death risk in clinically diagnosed prostate cancer
Authors: van Leeuwen Pim J. , Otto Suzie J. , Kranse Ries , Roobol Monique J. , Bul Meelan , Zhu Xiaoye , de Koning Harry , Schröder Fritz H. 
Published: January 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (case control)Level of Evidence 3aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Treatment of advanced PC might put patients at an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Recent studies have suggested that the excess mortality is lower among men who were diagnosed with screen detected PC in comparison to men with clinically diagnosed PC, possibly due to the use of medications for cardiovascular disease and the change to a healthier lifestyle of men with a screen detected PC.Men with clinically diagnosed PC have an increased risk of death unrelated to PC itself, i.e., the excess mortality is based on an increased risk of dying from other neoplasm and diseases of the circulatory or respiratory system.OBJECTIVE
To assess the cause‐specific mortality unrelated to prostate cancer (PC) itself in patients with screen‐ and clinically diagnosed PC.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The present study was conducted among participants of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer.
Based on consensus of the causes of death committee (CODC), all patients who died from PC were excluded.
In the intervention arm, cases were patients with a screen‐detected PC, aged 55–74 years, between 1993 and 2001.
These cases were matched to two controls in whom no cancer was found after biopsy, and two controls in whom no cancer was suspected after screening. In the control arm, cases were patients with clinically diagnosed PC, aged 55–74 years, between 1993 and 2001. These cases were matched to four controls without PC. Matching was done with respect to date of birth, screening and/or diagnosis. Men were followed up to 31 December 2007.
RESULTS
No statistically significant difference in overall mortality between cases and controls in the intervention arm was observed: relative risk (RR) 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.65; P = 0.102) and RR 1.13 (95% CI 0.86–1.47; P = 0.381).
In the control arm, the overall mortality was statistically significantly higher in cases relative to controls: RR 1.43 (95% CI 1.03–2.00; P = 0.033).
This difference was because of an increased risk of dying from neoplasms and disease of the circulatory or respiratory system among cases: RR 1.61 (95% CI 1.12–2.29; P = 0.009).
The present study was limited by the relatively small sample size.
CONCLUSIONS
Increased mortality unrelated to PC itself was observed in men with clinically diagnosed PC, but not in screen‐detected PC.
The excess mortality in men with clinically diagnosed PC seems to be as a result of a significantly increased risk of dying from neoplasm and disease of the circulatory or respiratory system.
Results have to be studied more thoroughly in further clinical trials.
GATA5 CpG island methylation in renal cell cancer: a potential biomarker for metastasis and disease progression
Authors: Peters Inga , Eggers Hendrik , Atschekzei Faranaz , Hennenlotter Jörg , Waalkes Sandra , Tränkenschuh Wolfgang , Großhennig Anika , Merseburger Axel S. , Stenzl Arnulf , Kuczyk Markus A. , Serth Jürgen 
Published: January 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?GATA5 CpG island (CGI) methylation and transcriptional inactivation is involved in colorectal and gastric cancer. Whether DNA methylation of GATA5 affects clinical pathology is still unclear. In the present study, we analysed, for the first time, CGI methylation in RCC and its association with clinicopathological parameters and progression‐free survival of patients.We show for the first time GATA5 CGI hypermethylation in RCC. Moreover, we found out that increased methylation is statistically associated with status of metastasis, progressive disease and shortened progression‐free survival. The present study underline the necessity for further functional investigations as well as prospective survival analyses to clarify whether GATA5 promoter methylation can provide independent information for future clinical management of patients with RCC.OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether GATA5 CpG island (CGI) methylation occurs in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is associated with clinical, histopathological characteristics or progression‐free survival of patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Methylation was quantified in 117 RCC samples and 89 paired adjacent normal tissues using quantitative combined bisulphite restriction analysis (COBRA).
COBRA was evaluated in advance by pyrosequencing analyses of control RCC cell lines (coefficient of correlation, R= 0.95).
Statistical analyses were carried out using the paired t‐test for matched tumour tissue (TU) and adjacent normal tissue (adN) samples, logistic regression for comparisons of independent sample groups and Cox regression for analysis of progression‐free survival.
RESULTS
In the present study, we found a significant higher mean relative methylation in TU (20.4%) than in adN (7.9%, P < 0.001) in paired samples of all RCCs.
Increased GATA5 methylation in tumours was associated with metastasis (P= 0.005) and decreased progression‐free survival (P= 0.005, HR = 4.59) in the clear‐cell RCC (ccRCC) group.
CGI methylation in advanced ccRCCs (pT ≥3 and/or N1, M1 or G2–3/G3) exceeds those detected in localized tumours (pT ≤2, N0, M0, G1/G1–2) (27.8% vs 11.0%, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The association of GATA5 hypermethylation with metastasis and progression‐free survival of patients indicates that epigenetic alterations of GATA5 participate in renal cell carcinogenesis.
Moreover, GATA5 CGI methylation could serve as a biomarker for tumour progression, although prospective and functional investigations are necessary to clarify whether independent information for future clinical management of patients with RCC can be obtained.
Addition of liraglutide in patients with Type 2 diabetes well controlled on metformin monotherapy improves several markers of vascular function
Authors: Forst T. , Michelson G. , Ratter F. , Weber M. M. , Anders S. , Mitry M. , Wilhelm B. , Pfützner A. 
Published: January 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1115–1118 (2012)AbstractAims  The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular effects of liraglutide in patients well controlled on metformin monotherapy.Methods  Forty‐four patients with Type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Main inclusion criteria were: pretreatment with metformin on a stable dosage, HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7.0%), age 30–65 years. Patients were randomized to receive additional liraglutide or to remain on metformin monotherapy. After 6 weeks (1.2 mg) and after 12 weeks (1.8 mg), venous blood was taken for the measurement of several laboratory markers characterizing vascular and endothelial function. In addition, retinal microvascular endothelial function and arterial stiffness were measured.Results  HbA1c levels declined from 45 ± 4 mmol/mol (6.3 ± 0.4%; mean ± sd) to 40 ± 3 mmol/mol (5.8 ± 0.3%) during liraglutide treatment. Asymmetric dimethylarginin was reduced by liraglutide treatment from 0.39 ± 0.08 to 0.35 ± 0.06 μmol/l, E‐selectin from 43.6 ± 15.4 to 40.8 ± 15.1 ng/ml, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 from 861.6 ± 584.3 to 666.1 ± 499.4 ng/ml and intact proinsulin from 9.0 ± 7.2 to 7.0 ± 4.8 pmol/l at 12 weeks of treatment. The microvascular response to flicker light increased from 7.0 ± 15.1 to 15.4 ± 11.5% after 6 weeks and to 11.1 ± 9.9% after 12 weeks. No change could be observed for high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule or arterial stiffness parameters.Conclusions  In patients with Type 2 diabetes, well controlled with metformin monotherapy, addition of liraglutide improves several cardiovascular risk markers beyond glycaemic control.
Constrained Multiobjective Designs for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Experiments Via a Modified Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Kao Ming-Hung , Mandal Abhyuday , Stufken John 
Published: January 2012

SummaryFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced technology for studying brain functions. Owing to the complexity and high cost of functional MRI experiments, high quality multiobjective functional MRI designs are in great demand; they help to render precise statistical inference and are keys to the success of functional MRI experiments. Here, we propose an efficient approach for obtaining multiobjective functional MRI designs. In contrast with existing methods, the approach proposed does not require users to specify weights for the different objectives and can easily handle constraints to fulfil customized requirements. Moreover, the underlying statistical models that we consider are more general. We can thus obtain designs for cases where brief, long or varying stimulus durations are utilized. The usefulness of our approach is illustrated by using various experimental settings.
Predicting how adaptation to climate change could affect ecological conservation: secondary impacts of shifting agricultural suitability
Authors: Bradley Bethany A. , Estes Lyndon D. , Hole David G. , Holness Stephen , Oppenheimer Michael , Turner Will R. , Beukes Hein , Schulze Roland E. , Tadross Mark A. , Wilcove David S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim: Ecosystems face numerous well‐documented threats from climate change. The well‐being of people also is threatened by climate change, most prominently by reduced food security. Human adaptation to food scarcity, including shifting agricultural zones, will create new threats for natural ecosystems. We investigated how shifts in crop suitability because of climate change may overlap currently protected areas (PAs) and priority sites for PA expansion in South Africa. Predicting the locations of suitable climate conditions for crop growth will assist conservationists and decision‐makers in planning for climate change.Location: South Africa.Methods: We modelled climatic suitability in 2055 for maize and wheat cultivation, two extensively planted, staple crops, and overlaid projected changes with PAs and PA expansion priorities.Results: Changes in winter climate could make an additional 2 million ha of land suitable for wheat cultivation, while changes in summer climate could expand maize suitability by up to 3.5 million ha. Conversely, 3 million ha of lands currently suitable for wheat production are predicted to become climatically unsuitable, along with 13 million ha for maize. At least 328 of 834 (39%) PAs are projected to be affected by altered wheat or maize suitability in their buffer zones.Main conclusions: Reduced crop suitability and food scarcity in subsistence areas may lead to the exploitation of PAs for food and fuel. However, if reduced crop suitability leads to agricultural abandonment, this may afford opportunities for ecological restoration. Expanded crop suitability in PA buffer zones could lead to additional isolation of PAs if portions of newly suitable land are converted to agriculture. These results suggest that altered crop suitability will be widespread throughout South Africa, including within and around lands identified as conservation priorities. Assessing how climate change will affect crop suitability near PAs is a first step towards proactively identifying potential conflicts between human adaptation and conservation planning.