bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brown midrib2 (Bmr2) encodes the major 4‐coumarate:coenzyme A ligase involved in lignin biosynthesis in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)
Authors: Saballos Ana , Sattler Scott E. , Sanchez Emiliano , Foster Timothy P. , Xin Zhanguo , Kang ChulHee , Pedersen Jeffrey F. , Vermerris Wilfred 
Published: February 2012

SummarySuccessful modification of plant cell‐wall composition without compromising plant integrity is dependent on being able to modify the expression of specific genes, but this can be very challenging when the target genes are members of multigene families. 4‐coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) catalyzes the formation of 4‐coumaroyl CoA, a precursor of both flavonoids and monolignols, and is an attractive target for transgenic down‐regulation aimed at improving agro‐industrial properties. Inconsistent phenotypes of transgenic plants have been attributed to variable levels of down‐regulation of multiple 4CL genes. Phylogenetic analysis of the sorghum genome revealed 24 4CL(‐like) proteins, five of which cluster with bona fide 4CLs from other species. Using a map‐based cloning approach and analysis of two independent mutant alleles, the sorghum brown midrib2 (bmr2) locus was shown to encode 4CL. In vitro enzyme assays indicated that its preferred substrate is 4‐coumarate. Missense mutations in the two bmr2 alleles result in loss of 4CL activity, probably as a result of improper folding as indicated by molecular modeling. Bmr2 is the most highly expressed 4CL in sorghum stems, leaves and roots, both at the seedling stage and in pre‐flowering plants, but the products of several paralogs also display 4CL activity and compensate for some of the lost activity. The contribution of the paralogs varies between developmental stages and tissues. Gene expression assays indicated that Bmr2 is under auto‐regulatory control, as reduced 4CL activity results in over‐expression of the defective gene. Several 4CL paralogs are also up‐regulated in response to the mutation.
Selection of antibiotics for meticillin‐resistantStaphylococcus pseudintermedius: time to revisit some old drugs?
Authors: Papich Mark G. 
Published: February 2012

The aim of this review is to consider systemic therapy options for meticillin‐resistantStaphylococcus pseudintermedius(MRSP).Infections caused by MRSP in small animals – particularly dogs – have been frustrating veterinarians in recent years. After a susceptibility test is performed, veterinarians are left to select from drugs that have not been frequently encountered on a susceptibility report. Some of these are old drugs that have not been used regularly by veterinary dermatologists.As MRSP is, by definition, resistant to all β‐lactam antibiotics, including cephalosporins, penicillins and amoxicillin–clavulanate combinations, the β‐lactam drugs are not an option for systemic treatment. As most MRSPs are multidrug resistant, familiar drugs, such as trimethoprim–sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides and lincosamides (clindamycin), are also not usually an option for treatment.Therefore, veterinarians are left with drugs such as rifampicin, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and vancomycin to choose from on the basis of anin vitrosusceptibility test. Some of these drugs were originally approved over 50 years ago and may not be familiar to some veterinarians. Each of these drugs possesses unique properties and has particular advantages and disadvantages. Veterinarians should be particularly aware of the adverse effects, limitations and precautions when using these drugs.New drugs also have been developed for meticillin‐resistantStaphylococcus aureusin humans. These include linezolid, ceftaroline, daptomycin and tigecycline. Although these drugs are very infrequently – if ever – considered for veterinary use, the properties of these drugs should also be known to veterinary dermatologists.
Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL‐2R) as a marker of acute rejection in renal transplant children
Authors: García‐Roca P. , Vargas Y. A. , Fuentes Y. , Hernández A. M. , Ortiz L. , Valverde S. , Velásquez‐Jones L. , Romero‐Navarro B. , Ramón‐Garcia G. , Medeiros M. 
Published: February 2012

García‐Roca P, Vargas YA, Fuentes Y, Hernández AM, Ortiz L, Valverde S, Velásquez‐Jones L, Romero‐Navarro B, Ramón‐Garcia G, Medeiros M. Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL‐2R) as a marker of acute rejection in renal transplant children.Abstract:  The aim of the study was to evaluate whether or not serum levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL‐2R) predict acute rejection in pediatric recipients. We studied 51 pediatric renal transplant recipients divided into three groups: Group 1) Biopsy‐proven cellular acute rejection (n = 19), Group 2) Graft dysfunction with histological diagnosis other than acute rejection (n = 8) and Group 3) Patients with stable graft function, no biopsy (n = 24). Serum samples for sIL‐2R measurement by sandwich ELISA were obtained at the time of renal transplant and at the time of renal biopsy due to graft dysfunction (Groups 1 and 2) or at six months post‐transplant in the case of Group 3. The mean ± s.e. serum values of sIL‐2R were higher in patients during acute rejection (6539 ± 1802 pg/mL) compared to patients with other causes of graft dysfunction (2217 ± 256 pg/mL) or stable graft function at six months (2183 ± 283 pg/mL) (Kruskal–Wallis p = 0.004). When the sIL2‐R levels at the time of transplant were compared to those at the time of biopsy (Groups 1 and 2) or at six months post‐transplant in Group 3, there was no significant difference between baseline and biopsy in the acute rejection group (paired t‐test = 0.07), whereas there was a significant reduction in Groups 2 and 3.
Foxp3+ T cells in peripheral blood of renal transplant recipients and clinical correlations
Authors: LIN WEN X , CHRISTIANSEN DALE , FU LU L , ROBERTS MATTHEW A , SANDRIN MAURO S , IERINO FRANCESCO L 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAim:  Immunophenotype peripheral blood T cells from renal transplant recipients (RTR) using cellular markers of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and flow cytometry, including Foxp3, and correlate these findings with clinical parameters.Methods:  Expression of phenotypic markers of Tregs was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from (i) RTR (n = 95); (ii) patients with end‐stage renal failure (ESRF) awaiting transplantation (n = 17); and (iii) normal healthy controls (n = 18).Results:  The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells within the CD4+ cell population did not significantly alter at different time points post‐transplant. However, the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells within the CD4+ population was significantly lower in RTR compared with patients with ESRF. In contrast, RTR and ESRF had a similar percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells expressing Foxp3. Multivariate analysis of PBL and clinical parameters demonstrated (i) a positive linear relationship between the percentage CD4+CD25+ cells expressing Foxp3 and estimated glomerular filtration rate and (ii) a higher percentage of CD4+CD25+ cells in the CD4+ cell population in patients with malignancy (the majority were skin cancers). Malignancy also correlated strongly with time post‐transplant and age of the RTR.Conclusion:  Immune monitoring of the PBL phenotype in RTR using CD4, CD25 and Foxp3 may stratify RTR and predict graft outcome and function, and risk of complications from immunosuppression. Longitudinal and functional studies of Tregs are essential to extend the findings of the present study.
Rapid eye movement and slow‐wave sleep rebound after one night of continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: BRILLANTE RUBY , COSSA GAVINA , LIU PETER Y. , LAKS LEON 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Rebound of slow‐wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is observed in patients who are on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA); but, neither have been objectively defined. The pressure titration study often represents the first recovery sleep period for patients with OSA. Our aim was to objectively define and identify predictors of SWS and REM sleep rebound following CPAP titration.Methods:  Paired diagnostic polysomnography and pressure titration studies from 335 patients were reviewed.Results:  The mean apnoea‐hypopnoea index was 40.7 ± 26.1, and minimum oxygen saturation was 76 ± 14.4%. Comparing eight incremental thresholds, a rebound of 20% in REM sleep and a 40% increase in SWS allowed the best separation of prediction models. A 20% rebound in REM sleep was predicted by REM sleep %, non‐REM arousal index (ArI) and total sleep time during diagnostic polysomnography, and male gender (R2 = 35.3%). A 40% rebound in SWS was predicted by SWS %, total ArI and REM sleep % during diagnostic polysomnography, and body mass index (R2 = 45.4%).Conclusions:  A 40% rebound in SWS, but only a 20% rebound in REM sleep on the pressure titration study, is predicted by abnormal sleep architecture and sleep fragmentation prior to the commencement of treatment.
Combined single‐level subtotal corpectomy and decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy treatment
Authors: Wang Lei , Liu Cheng‐Yi , Tian Ji‐Wei , Tian Xia , Dong Shuang‐Hai , Zhao Qing‐Hua 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of this study was to summarize outcomes of patients with refractory multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) who were treated by combined single‐level subtotal corpectomy and decompression of the intervertebral space using the anterior approach.Methods:  Forty‐five consecutive patients with multisegmental CSM were included; their ages ranged from 37 to 72 years. Seventeen (37.8%) patients had noncontiguous or ‘jumping’ multisegmental CSM and 28 (62.2%) had contiguous multisegmental CSM. The mean preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was 8.1 points. All patients underwent combined single‐level decompression of the involved intervertebral space and subtotal corpectomy together with subsequent fusion and internal fixation. An anterior approach was used for all patients. A cage filled with bone graft was inserted and internal fixation was performed after single‐level intervertebral space decompression. Mesh filled with bone graft was inserted and plate internal fixation was performed after subtotal corpectomy.Results:  Follow‐up data (average follow‐up, 14 months) were available for all 45 patients; the mean postoperative JOA score was 13.2 points, which was significantly different from the preoperative JOA score. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients based on postoperative radiography, and no pseudoarthrosis was observed during follow‐up.Conclusions:  An excellent outcome can be achieved with the combination of single‐level subtotal corpectomy and decompression of the intervertebral space using the anterior approach to treat multisegmental CSM.
Perineal hernia repair after abdominoperineal resection: a pooled analysis
Authors: Mjoli M. , Sloothaak D. A. M. , Buskens C. J. , Bemelman W. A. , Tanis P. J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim  The purpose of this study was to determine treatment characteristics and clinical outcome for patients with perineal hernia after abdominoperineal excision (APE).Method  A systematic search of the literature revealed 40 individually documented patients, published between 1944 and 2010. Three additional patients treated at our centre were added. Patient characteristics, type of repair and outcome were entered into a database and a pooled analysis of these 43 patients was performed.Results  The pooled analysis revealed a median time interval of 8 months between APE and surgical repair of perineal hernia. The surgical approaches were perineal in 22 patients, open abdominal in 11, open abdominoperineal in three, laparoscopic in five and laparoscopic‐perineal in two patients. A primary recurrence was documented in 13 patients and a second recurrence in three. The recurrence rate was 5/25 for synthetic or biological mesh, 6/12 for primary closure and 2/6 for the remaining techniques. Recurrent perineal hernia was repaired using a synthetic or biological mesh (n = 6), primary closure (n = 5) or a muscle flap (gluteus or gracilis; n = 4).Conclusion  From these limited and biased data based on published case descriptions, it appears that the recurrence rate of primary perineal hernia repair after APE is lower with the use of a mesh or other assisted closure than with primary suture repair.
Molecular phylogeny reveals the existence of two sibling species in the aphid pestBrachycaudus helichrysi(Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Piffaretti Joséphine , Vanlerberghe‐Masutti Flavie , Tayeh Ashraf , Clamens Anne‐Laure , D’Acier Armelle Cœur , Jousselin Emmanuelle 
Published: February 2012

Piffaretti, J., Vanlerberghe‐Masutti, F., Tayeh, A., Clamens, A.‐L., Cœur d’Acier, A. & Jousselin E. (2012). Molecular phylogeny reveals the existence of two sibling species in the aphid pestBrachycaudus helichrysi(Hemiptera: Aphididae). —Zoologica Scripta,41, 266–280.Brachycaudus helichrysiis a worldwide polyphagous aphid pest that seriously damages its primary hosts (Prunusspp.) and the various cultivated plants among its secondary hosts (e.g. sunflower). A recent study of theBrachycaudusgenus suggested that this species might encompass two differentiated lineages. We tested this hypothesis, by carrying out a phylogenetic study of this aphid pest based on worldwide sampling and the evaluation of mitochondrial, nuclear andBuchnera aphidicolaDNA markers. We show that this species is actually an amalgamation of two sibling taxa,B. helichrysiH1 andB. helichrysiH2, that seem to have overlapping geographic ranges and herbaceous host plant preferences. These two taxa displayed levels of genetic divergence as great as those generally found between sister species in theBrachycaudusgenus, suggesting that they actually correspond to two distinct species. Our phylogenetic reconstructions revealed a degree of incongruence between the topologies obtained with the aphid gene data set and with data for a DNA marker from its primary endosymbiont. We identified possible reasons for this observation and discuss the ecological and genotypic data suggesting thatB. helichrysiH1 andB. helichrysiH2 have different life cycles.
A case‐control study on the association between chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and erectile dysfunction
Authors: Chung Shiu‐Dong , Keller Joseph J. , Lin Herng‐Ching 
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Symptom prevalence (case control)Level of Evidence 3aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?In recent years, a number of studies have reported a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Several studies have reported that the prevalence of ED ranges from 15.0 to 40.5% in men in China with CP/CPPS; however, the previous studies focusing on the prevalence of ED among patients with CP/CPPS all neglected to explore the magnitude of this association.Our study found an association between ED and previously diagnosed CP/CPPS. The odds of previous CP/CPPS were 3.62 times greater for cases than for controls, after adjusting for patient socio‐demographic characteristics, comorbidities, obesity, and alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence syndrome.OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and a previous diagnosis of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) using a population‐based dataset.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The data for this case–control study was obtained from the National Health Insurance database.
A total of 3194 males, who were ≥18 years of age when they first received a diagnosis of ED, were identified and 15 970 controls were randomly selected.
The prevalence and risk of CP/CPPS among cases and controls were calculated by using conditional logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
In total, 667 (3.5%) of the 19 164 sampled subjects had been diagnosed with CP/CPPS before the index date; CP/CPPS was found in 276 (8.6%) cases and in 391 (2.5%) controls (P < 0.001).
Regression analysis indicated that cases were more likely to have had previous CP/CPPS (odd ratio 3.62, 95% confidence interval 3.07–4.26) after adjusting for patient monthly income, geographical location and urbanization level, as well as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, renal disease, obesity and alcohol abuse/alcohol dependence syndrome status, when compared with controls.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that there was an association between ED and having been previously diagnosed with CP/CPPS.
Urologists should be alert to the association between CP/CPPS and ED, and assess the erectile function of patients suffering from CP/CPPS.
Hypoglycaemia during pregnancy in women with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ringholm L. , Pedersen‐Bjergaard U. , Thorsteinsson B. , Damm P. , Mathiesen E. R. 
Published: February 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 558–566 (2012)AbstractAims  To explore incidence, risk factors, possible pathophysiological factors and clinical management of hypoglycaemia during pregnancy in women with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  Literature review.Results  In women with Type 1 diabetes, severe hypoglycaemia occurs three to five times more frequently in early pregnancy than in the period prior to pregnancy, whereas in the third trimester the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia is lower than in the year preceding pregnancy. The frequency distribution of severe hypoglycaemia is much skewed, as 10% of the pregnant women account for 60% of all recorded events. Risk factors for severe hypoglycaemia during pregnancy include a history with severe hypoglycaemia in the year preceding pregnancy, impaired hypoglycaemia awareness, long duration of diabetes, low HbA1c in early pregnancy, fluctuating plasma glucose values (≤ 3.9 mmol/l or ≥ 10.0 mmol/l) and excessive use of supplementary insulin injections between meals. Pregnancy‐induced nausea and vomiting seem not to be contributing factors.Conclusions  Striving for near‐normoglycaemia with focus on reduction of plasma glucose fluctuations during pregnancy should have high priority among clinicians with the persistent aim of improving pregnancy outcome among women with Type 1 diabetes. Pre‐conception counselling, carbohydrate counting, use of insulin analogues, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pump) therapy and real‐time continuous glucose monitoring with alarms for low glucose values might be relevant tools to obtain near‐normoglycaemia without episodes of severe hypoglycaemia.
Devolution in a ‘Stateless Nation’: Nation‐building and Social Policy in Scotland
Authors: Law Alex , Mooney Gerry 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe implications of the 2011 Scottish election and the proposed referendum on Scottish independence for the future of social policy across the devolved UK are profound but far from certain. It is crucial to understand not only the historical nature of this conjuncture but to develop an adequate conceptual understanding of the place of social policy in the dialectic between state and nation in Scotland. To this end, we critically examine theories that depict Scotland as an essentially ‘stateless nation’ in the light of recent developments. In so doing, we examine the implications for social policy of the changing character of statehood in Scotland, the nature of civil nationalism, and the problem of legitimacy in Scotland for the UK as a multinational state. As the architecture of statehood is re‐negotiated, strong centrifugal pressures are being created for a more distinct divergence of social policy in Scotland from the rest of the UK regardless of the outcome of the independence referendum. Policy‐making is ensnared in a series of tensions, not just between Westminster and Holyrood but also, more broadly, tensions between competing principles of social justice and territorial justice, and competing demands between welfare nationalism and competitive nationalism.
Mountain‐top and valley‐bottom experiences: the stress axis as an integrator of environmental variability in arctic ground squirrel populations
Authors: Sheriff M. J. , Wheeler H. , Donker S. A. , Krebs C. J. , Palme R. , Hik D. S. , Boonstra R. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEnvironmental variation in mountainous regions can impose major differences in demography and physiology on animal populations that occupy a large elevation range. This variation can be both predictable and unpredictable. In the south‐westernYukon, arctic ground squirrel (AGS) populations occur all the way from the forested valley bottoms to the alpine meadows and, in so doing, experience a wide range of predation risk, forage quality and exposure to weather variables. To assess howAGSintegrate these factors and respond to them, we measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FCM) as an index of the stress axis on four sites at different elevations. We first validated the enzyme immunoassay with a hormonal challenge protocol and a simulated predator stressor.AGSshow a strong diurnal pattern inFCMlevels, with peaks at mid‐day and a marked increase in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone and the simulated predator and a decline in response to dexamethasone. The lag time between the challenge and its reflection in the feces was 4–12 h. Using this method in our field studies, we found thatFCMlevels decreased as the active season progressed; however, specific patterns differed among sites. We hypothesized that the early season peak inFCMlevels followed by the general decline was due to brief, intense early season breeding, followed by the necessity ofAGSto increase mass in preparation for hibernation. Although we found no clear, single explanation for the differentFCMpatterns among sites, we hypothesized that differences in seasonal climate and adverse weather may be major factors affectingFCMlevels. The environment was markedly different between years, with 2008 being colder and wetter than 2009 and this was associated withAGSin 2008 having much higherFCMlevels in general than 2009. We found that population density and visibility may also contribute. In conclusion,AGSlive in a mosaic of habitats and each population is faced with a variety of environmental stressors; how they cope and respond to these stressors may not depend on a single factor but the complete aggregate of these stressors.
O‐GlcNAcase is essential for embryonic development and maintenance of genomic stability
Authors: Yang Yong Ryoul , Song Minseok , Lee Ho , Jeon Yoon , Choi Eun‐Jeong , Jang Hyun‐Jun , Moon Hyo Youl , Byun Ha‐Young , Kim Eung‐Kyun , Kim Dae Hyun , Lee Mi Nam , Koh Ara , Ghim Jaewang , Choi Jang Hyun , Lee‐Kwon Whaseon , Kim Kyong Tai , Ryu Sung Ho , Suh Pann‐Ghill 
Published: February 2012

SummaryDysregulation of O‐GlcNAc modification catalyzed by O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O‐GlcNAcase (OGA) contributes to the etiology of chronic diseases of aging, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Here we found that natural aging in wild‐type mice was marked by a decrease in OGA and OGT protein levels and an increase in O‐GlcNAcylation in various tissues. Genetic disruption of OGA resulted in constitutively elevated O‐GlcNAcylation in embryos and led to neonatal lethality with developmental delay. Importantly, we observed that serum‐stimulated cell cycle entry induced increased O‐GlcNAcylation and decreased its level after release from G2/M arrest, indicating that O‐GlcNAc cycling by OGT and OGA is required for precise cell cycle control. Constitutively, elevated O‐GlcNAcylation by OGA disruption impaired cell proliferation and resulted in mitotic defects with downregulation of mitotic regulators. OGA loss led to mitotic defects including cytokinesis failure and binucleation, increased lagging chromosomes, and micronuclei formation. These findings suggest an important role for O‐GlcNAc cycling by OGA in embryonic development and the regulation of the maintenance of genomic stability linked to the aging process.