bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peroxisomes Are Required for in Vivo Nitric Oxide Accumulation in the Cytosol following Salinity Stress of Arabidopsis Plants
Authors: Corpas Francisco J. , Hayashi Makoto , Mano Shoji , Nishimura Mikio , Barroso Juan B. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Peroxisomes are unique organelles involved in multiple cellular metabolic pathways. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical active in many physiological functions under normal and stress conditions. Using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) wild type and mutants expressing green fluorescent protein through the addition of peroxisomal targeting signal 1 (PTS1), which enables peroxisomes to be visualized in vivo, this study analyzes the temporal and cell distribution of NO during the development of 3-, 5-, 8-, and 11-d-old Arabidopsis seedlings and shows that Arabidopsis peroxisomes accumulate NO in vivo. Pharmacological analyses using nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors detected the presence of putative calcium-dependent NOS activity. Furthermore, peroxins Pex12 and Pex13 appear to be involved in transporting the putative NOS protein to peroxisomes, since pex12 and pex13 mutants, which are defective in PTS1- and PTS2-dependent protein transport to peroxisomes, registered lower NO content. Additionally, we show that under salinity stress (100 mm NaCl), peroxisomes are required for NO accumulation in the cytosol, thereby participating in the generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) and in increasing protein tyrosine nitration, which is a marker of nitrosative stress.
DkMyb4 Is a Myb Transcription Factor Involved in Proanthocyanidin Biosynthesis in Persimmon Fruit
Authors: Akagi Takashi , Ikegami Ayako , Tsujimoto Tomoyuki , Kobayashi Shozo , Sato Akihiko , Kono Atsushi , Yonemori Keizo 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are secondary metabolites that contribute to the protection of the plant and also to the taste of the fruit, mainly through astringency. Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is unique in being able to accumulate abundant PAs in the fruit flesh. Fruits of the nonastringent (NA)-type mutants lose their ability to produce PA at an early stage of fruit development, while those of the normal astringent (A) type remain rich in PA until fully ripened. The expression of many PA pathway genes was coincidentally terminated in the NA type at an early stage of fruit development. The five genes encoding the Myb transcription factor were isolated from an A-type cultivar (Kuramitsu). One of them, DkMyb4, showed an expression pattern synchronous to that of the PA pathway genes in A- and NA-type fruit flesh. The ectopic expression of DkMyb4 in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) induced PA biosynthesis but not anthocyanin biosynthesis. The suppression of DkMyb4 in persimmon calluses caused a substantial down-regulation of the PA pathway genes and PA biosynthesis. Furthermore, analysis of the DNA-binding ability of DkMyb4 showed that it directly binds to the MYBCORE cis-motif in the promoters of the some PA pathway genes. All our results indicate that DkMyb4 acts as a regulator of PA biosynthesis in persimmon and, therefore, suggest that the reduction in the DkMyb4 expression causes the NA-type-specific down-regulation of PA biosynthesis and resultant NA trait.
The MYB305 Transcription Factor Regulates Expression of Nectarin Genes in the Ornamental Tobacco Floral Nectary
Authors: Liu Guangyu , Ren Gang , Guirgis Adel , Thornburg Robert W. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
We have isolated and characterized the cDNA encoding the ornamental tobacco (Nicotiana langsdorffii X N. sanderae) homolog of the antirrhinum (Antirrhinum majus) MYB305. This transcription factor was robustly expressed at Stage 12 of nectary development but was only weakly expressed in the earlier Stage 6 nectaries. The ornamental tobacco MYB305 contains a conserved R2R3 MYB DNA binding domain with 76 amino acids in the activation domain. A green fluorescent protein-MYB305 fusion localized to nucleus of tobacco protoplasts and yeast one-hybrid assays demonstrated that it functions as a transcription activator. A conserved 23–amino acid C-terminal domain is required to activate gene expression. The coding region of the myb305 cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein and was purified to homogeneity. This protein shows binding to two consensus MYB binding sites on the ornamental tobacco Nectarin I (nec1) promoter as well as to the single site located on the Nectarin V (nec5) promoter. Deletions of either of the binding sites from the nec1 promoter significantly reduced expression in nectary tissues. Temporally, MYB305 expression precedes that of nec1 and nec5, as would be expected if the MYB305 factor regulates expression of the nec1 and nec5 genes. Ectopic expression of MYB305 in foliage was able to induce expression of both nec1 and nec5, as well as two flavonoid biosynthetic genes in the foliage. Finally, RNA interference knockdown of MYB305 resulted in reduced expression of both nectarins and flavonoid biosynthetic genes. We conclude that expression of MYB305 regulates expression of the major nectarin genes in the floral nectary.
Phage-Type RNA Polymerase RPOTmp Performs Gene-Specific Transcription in Mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kühn Kristina , Richter Uwe , Meyer Etienne H. , Delannoy Etienne , Falcon de Longevialle Andéol , O'Toole Nicholas , Börner Thomas , Millar A. Harvey , Small Ian D. , Whelan James 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Transcription of mitochondrial genes in animals, fungi, and plants relies on the activity of T3/T7 phage-type RNA polymerases. Two such enzymes, RPOTm and RPOTmp, are present in the mitochondria of eudicotyledonous plants; RPOTmp is additionally found in plastids. We have characterized the transcriptional role of the dual-targeted RNA polymerase in mitochondria of Arabidopsis thaliana. Examination of mitochondrial transcripts in rpoTmp mutants revealed major differences in transcript abundances between wild-type and rpoTmp plants. Decreased levels of specific transcripts were correlated with reduced abundances of the respiratory chain complexes I and IV. Altered transcript levels in rpoTmp were found to result from gene-specific transcriptional changes, establishing that RPOTmp functions in distinct transcriptional processes within mitochondria. Decreased transcription of specific genes in rpoTmp was not associated with changes in promoter utilization; therefore, RPOTmp function is not promoter specific but gene specific. This implies that additional gene-specific elements direct the transcription of a subset of mitochondrial genes by RPOTmp.
Effectiveness of internal quality assurance programmes in improving clinical practice and reducing costs
Authors: Gascón Cánovas Juan J. , Saturno Hernández Pedro J. , Antón Botella Jose J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  To assess the effectiveness of internal initiatives to improve quality as compared with external feedback, and as compared with a control group.Method  Ten primary health centres were randomly selected from the centres in the Murcia's Region and were randomly assigned into three groups: G1 committed themselves to the improvement; G2 composed by two subgroups: with and without quality improvement (QI) activities – received external feedback; G3 received no intervention. Quality of common cold management was measured in a random sample of 50 patients per centre before and after interventions. Effect was assessed comparing criteria compliance and the cost of treatments for common cold in the three groups.Results  G1 and G2 subgroup with internal QI improved significantly in all criteria, and in G1 average treatment cost decreased by 60% (P < 0.01). G3 improved only in one criterion. Estimated yearly savings in treatment costs for common cold, for a centre with internal QI, were €12 193.83 and it would be €1 817 004.65 for the 30 centres in the Region.Conclusions  Internally assumed QI activities were significantly more effective than external feedback. Besides, the high cost of deficient quality provides a wide margin to invest with benefits in the promotion of internal QI programmes.
Foliar Application of Glycinebetaine and Salicylic Acid Improves Growth, Yield and Water Productivity of Hybrid Sunflower Planted by Different Sowing Methods
Authors: Hussain M. , Farooq M. , Jabran K. , Wahid A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractImproved planting methods and foliar application of glycinebetaine (GB) and salicylic acid (SA) can improve the water productivity in field crops under limited water supply conditions. A 2‐year field study was conducted to evaluate the possible role of different planting methods and foliar applications of GB and SA in improving the yield, quality and water productivity of hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The crop was planted by flat sowing (75 cm spaced rows) and ridge sowing (75 cm spaced ridges), with GB and SA applied exogenously at 100 and 0.724 mm, respectively, at both budding and flowering stages, while control plots received distilled water. Ridge sowing, rather than flat sowing, improved the biological yield, oil yield, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), plant height, water‐use efficiency and final achene yield during both the years. Foliar applications of GB and SA at both the stages improved the achene yield, although foliar application of GB at flowering was the most effective. Neither the planting methods nor the foliar application of GB and SA altered the achene oil contents during both the years. Foliar application of GB and SA increased the free proline content of the leaf and GB contents at flowering but reduced the achene protein contents, whereas planting method had no effect on these attributes across the years. Of the foliar applied chemicals, GB was more effective in improving sunflower growth and yield and water productivity than SA. To conclude, ridge sowing coupled with foliar application of GB at flowering stage could be beneficial for achieving maximum yields of hybrid sunflower under relatively water limited conditions in the field.
Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for internal rectal prolapse: short‐term functional results
Authors: Collinson R. , Wijffels N. , Cunningham C. , Lindsey I. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObjective  Over the last 15 years, posterior rectopexy, which causes rectal autonomic denervation, was discredited for internal rectal prolapse because of poor results. The condition became medical, managed largely by biofeedback. We aimed to audit the short‐term functional results of autonomic nerve‐sparing laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) for internal rectal prolapse.Method  Prospectively collected data on LVR for internal rectal prolapse were analysed. End‐points were changes in bowel function (Wexner Constipation Score and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index) at 3 and 12 months. Analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U‐test for unpaired data and Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data (two‐sided p‐test). Functional outcomes were compared with those achieved previously for external rectal prolapse (ERP).Results  Seventy‐five patients underwent LVR (median age 58, range 25–88 years, median follow up was 12 months). Mortality (0%), major (0%) and minor morbidity (4%) were acceptably low. Median length of stay was 2 days. Preoperative constipation (median Wexner score 12) and faecal incontinence (median FISI score 28) improved significantly at 3 months (Wexner 4, FISI 8, both P < 0.0001) and 12 months (Wexner 5, FISI 8, both P < 0.0001). No patient had worse function. Functional outcomes were similar to those for ERP.Conclusion  Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for internal rectal prolapse improves symptoms of obstructed defaecation and faecal incontinence in the short‐term. This establishes proof of concept for a nerve‐sparing surgical treatment for internal rectal prolapse.
Role of enterocele in the obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS): a new radiological point of view
Authors: Morandi C. , Martellucci J. , Talento P. , Carriero A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to understand the role of enterocele in the pathogenesis of the obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) a new defecographic classification based on function.Method  A total of 597 patients (551 women, 46 men) who underwent cinedefecography between November 2001 and November 2005 were studied. A total of 567 (95%) underwent cinedefecography as they had symptoms of ODS. Enterocele was classified into three types.Results  Enterocele was found in 127 (23%) female and one (2.2%) male patients. Thirty‐eight (6.9%) patients had type A, 38(6.9%) type B, and 27(4.9%) type C enterocele. A total of 24 patients (4.35%) had sigmoidocele. In patients with type C enterocele, the finding of a radiological pattern of ODS was higher (26/27) than that in the other groups (A + B + Sigmoidocele) (23/100) (P < 0.001). An obstructed evacuation pattern was found in 49 (38.5%) patients with enterocele and in 148 (34.9%) patients in the control group.Conclusion  Type C enterocele is often associated with a radiological pattern of ODS and usually presents as an isolated condition. Type B is less frequently associated with ODS and is more frequently accompanied by other pathological conditions.
Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for perforated colonic diverticulitis: a systematic review
Authors: Toorenvliet B. R. , Swank H. , Schoones J. W. , Hamming J. F. , Bemelman W. A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim  This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy, morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for patients with perforated diverticulitis.Method  We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and CINAHL databases, Google Scholar and five major publisher websites without language restriction. All articles which reported the use of laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for patients with perforated diverticulitis were included.Results  Two prospective cohort studies, nine retrospective case series and two case reports reporting 231 patients were selected for data extraction. Most (77%) patients had purulent peritonitis (Hinchey III). Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage successfully controlled abdominal and systemic sepsis in 95.7% of patients. Mortality was 1.7%, morbidity 10.4% and only four (1.7%) of the 231 patients received a colostomy.Conclusion  There have been no publications of high methodological quality on laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for patients with perforated colonic diverticulitis. The published papers do, however, show promising results, with high efficacy, low mortality, low morbidity and a minimal need for a colostomy.
Fusing Point and Areal Level Space–Time Data with Application to Wet Deposition
Authors: Sahu Sujit K. , Gelfand Alan E. , Holland David M. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryMotivated by the problem of predicting chemical deposition in eastern USA at weekly, seasonal and annual scales, the paper develops a framework for joint modelling of point- and grid-referenced spatiotemporal data in this context. The hierarchical model proposed can provide accurate spatial interpolation and temporal aggregation by combining information from observed point-referenced monitoring data and gridded output from a numerical simulation model known as the ‘community multi-scale air quality model’. The technique avoids the change-of-support problem which arises in other hierarchical models for data fusion settings to combine point- and grid-referenced data. The hierarchical space–time model is fitted to weekly wet sulphate and nitrate deposition data over eastern USA. The model is validated with set-aside data from a number of monitoring sites. Predictive Bayesian methods are developed and illustrated for inference on aggregated summaries such as quarterly and annual sulphate and nitrate deposition maps. The highest wet sulphate deposition occurs near major emissions sources such as fossil-fuelled power plants whereas lower values occur near background monitoring sites.
Ambient temperature influences aging in an annual fish (Nothobranchius rachovii)
Authors: Hsu Chin‐Yuan , Chiu Ya‐Chi 
Published: September 2009

SummaryExtending lifespan by lowering ambient temperature in the habitat has been shown in a variety of organisms. Its mechanism, however, remains elusive. In this study, we examined the survivorship and the aging process of the annual fish (Nothobranchius rachovii) reared under high (30 °C), moderate (25 °C) and low (20 °C) ambient temperatures. The results showed that low ambient temperatures prolong survivorship, whereas high ambient temperatures shorten survivorship. At low ambient temperature, expression of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase, lipofuscin, reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, mitochondrial density and ADP/ATP ratio were reduced compared with those reared at high and moderate temperatures, whereas catalase activity, Mn‐superoxide dismutase activities, mitochondrial membrane potential and the levels of ATP, ADP, Sirt1 and Forkhead box O expression were elevated. The expression levels of Hsp70 and CIRP showed no significant difference under any of the ambient temperatures tested. We concluded that cellular metabolism, energy utilization and gene expression are altered at lower ambient temperature, which is associated with the extension of lifespan of the annual fish.
Term breech singletons and caesarean section: A population study, Australia 1991–2005
Authors: SULLIVAN Elizabeth Anne , MORAN Katinka , CHAPMAN Michael 
Published: September 2009

Objective: To describe the method of birth of term breech singletons in Australia.Design, setting and participants: A retrospective population‐based study of women who gave birth to term breech singletons in Australia between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 2005 using data from the National Perinatal Data Collection.Main outcome measures: Caesarean section, vaginal breech birth.Results:  Method of birth changed for term breech singletons from 1991 (vaginal breech birth 23.1% versus caesarean (no labour 55.6%, labour 21.2%)) to 2005 (vaginal breech birth 3.7% versus caesarean (no labour 76.6%, labour 19.7%)). Overall, the population attributable risk percentage of term breech singletons for all caesarean sections declined from 10.2% in 1991 to 6.9% in 2005.Conclusion:  Planned caesarean section is the standard method of birth for term breech singletons in Australia. Active measures including external cephalic version should be supported to reduce the rate of caesarean section where clinically indicated. Retention of a skilled clinical workforce is essential in the provision of the latter and to assist the minority of women having vaginal breech births. Breech presentation is not a major factor in the overall rise in caesarean section experienced by Australia since 1996.
Calcium Oxalate Biomineralization by
Piloderma fallax
in Response to Various Levels of Calcium and Phosphorus
Authors: Tuason Melissa Marie S. , Arocena Joselito M. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Piloderma fallax
is an ectomycorrhizal fungus commonly associated with several conifer and hardwood species. We examined the formation of calcium oxalate crystals by
P. fallax
in response to calcium (0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5 mM) and phosphorus (0.1 and 6 mM) additions in modified Melin-Norkrans agar medium. Both calcium and phosphorus supplementation significantly affected the amount of calcium oxalate formed. More calcium oxalate was formed at high P levels. Concentrations of soluble oxalate in the fungus and medium were higher at low P levels. There was a strong positive linear relationship between Ca level and calcium oxalate but only under conditions of phosphorus limitation. Calcium oxalate crystals were identified as the monohydrate form (calcium oxalate monohydrate [COM] whewellite) by X-ray diffraction analysis. Prismatic, styloid, and raphide forms of the crystals, characteristic COM, were observed on the surface of fungal hyphae by scanning electron microscopy.
P. fallax
may be capable of dissolving hyphal calcium oxalate under conditions of limited Ca. The biomineralization of calcium oxalate by fungi may be an important step in the translocation and cycling of Ca and P in soil.
Rumen Microbiome Composition Determined Using Two Nutritional Models of Subacute Ruminal Acidosis
Authors: Khafipour Ehsan , Li Shucong , Plaizier Jan C. , Krause Denis O. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a metabolic disease in dairy cattle that occurs during early and mid-lactation and has traditionally been characterized by low rumen pH, but lactic acid does not accumulate as in acute lactic acid acidosis. It is hypothesized that factors such as increased gut permeability, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, and inflammatory responses may have a role in the etiology of SARA. However, little is known about the nature of the rumen microbiome during SARA. In this study, we analyzed the microbiome of 64 rumen samples taken from eight lactating Holstein dairy cattle using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (TRFLP) of 16S rRNA genes and real-time PCR. We used rumen samples from two published experiments in which SARA had been induced with either grain or alfalfa pellets. The results of TRFLP analysis indicated that the most predominant shift during SARA was a decline in gram-negative
Bacteroidetes
organisms. However, the proportion of
Bacteroidetes
organisms was greater in alfalfa pellet-induced SARA than in mild or severe grain-induced SARA (35.4% versus 26.0% and 16.6%, respectively). This shift was also evident from the real-time PCR data for
Prevotella albensis
,
Prevotella brevis
, and
Prevotella ruminicola
, which are members of the
Bacteroidetes
. The real-time PCR data also indicated that severe grain-induced SARA was dominated by
Streptococcus bovis
and
Escherichia coli
, whereas mild grain-induced SARA was dominated by
Megasphaera elsdenii
and alfalfa pellet-induced SARA was dominated by
P. albensis
. Using discriminant analysis, the severity of SARA and degree of inflammation were highly correlated with the abundance of
E. coli
and not with lipopolysaccharide in the rumen. We thus suspect that
E. coli
may be a contributing factor in disease onset.
Acyl-Homoserine Lactones Can Induce Virus Production in Lysogenic Bacteria: an Alternative Paradigm for Prophage Induction
Authors: Ghosh Dhritiman , Roy Krishnakali , Williamson Kurt E. , Srinivasiah Sharath , Wommack K. Eric , Radosevich Mark 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACT

Prophage typically are induced to a lytic cycle under stressful environmental conditions or when the host's survival is threatened. However, stress-independent, spontaneous induction also occurs in nature and may be cell density dependent, but the in vivo signal(s) that can trigger induction is unknown. In the present study, we report that acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL), the essential signaling molecules of quorum sensing in many gram-negative bacteria, can trigger phage production in soil and groundwater bacteria. This phenomenon also was operative in a λ lysogen of
Escherichia coli
. In model coculture systems, we monitored the real-time AHL production from
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 using an AHL bioluminescent sensor and demonstrated that λ-prophage induction in
E. coli
was correlated with AHL production. As a working model in
E. coli
, we show that the induction responses of λ with AHL remained unaffected when
recA
was deleted, suggesting that this mechanism does not involve an SOS response. In the same λ lysogen we also demonstrated that
sdiA
, the AHL receptor, and
rcsA
, a positive transcriptional regulator of exopolysaccharide synthesis, are involved in the AHL-mediated induction process. These findings relate viral reproduction to chemical signals associated with high host cell abundance, suggesting an alternative paradigm for prophage induction.