bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic asthma: is it intrinsic to the smooth muscle?
Authors: Black J. L. , Roth M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe traditional view of the pathophysiology of asthma is that its characteristic features are secondary to a major allergic or immunological dysfunction. However, this does not explain intrinsic asthma, which can occur in the absence of atopy. An alternative view is that an abnormality in the airway smooth muscle cell, which is capable of producing inflammatory, immunological and growth factors as well as molecules, which facilitate interaction with inflammatory cells, is the primary or instigating event. Evidence is rapidly accumulating that the smooth muscle is abnormal, in that it proliferates faster, produces more chemokines and cytokines as well as a different profile of extracellular matrix proteins than its non‐asthmatic counterpart. These abnormalities may arise from altered calcium homoeostasis leading to increased mitochondrial biogenesis and/or decreases in the levels of key transcription factors such as CCAAT enhancer binding protein−α. Conditions under which smooth muscle is ablated, such as bronchial thermoplasty, may help us to understand more about the contribution of an airway smooth muscle dysfunction to asthma aetiology.
Occurrence of impaired fasting glucose in GH‐deficient adults receiving GH replacement compared with untreated subjects
Authors: Woodmansee Whitney W. , Hartman Mark L. , Lamberts Steven W.J. , Zagar Anthony J. , Clemmons David R. ,   on behalf of the International HypoCCS Advisory Board
Published: May 2009

SummaryObjective  The effects of GH replacement on glucose metabolism in GH‐deficient (GHD) adults in clinical practice are not well defined. Therefore, we assessed GH treatment effects on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (A1c) concentrations in GHD adults in a clinical setting.Design  Post‐hoc analysis of the observational Hypopituitary Control and Complications Study conducted at 157 US centres (1997–2002).Patients  GH‐deficient adults who were GH‐naïve at study entry and had at least two FPG measurements.Measurements  Effect of GH treatment on the frequency and time course of abnormal FPG (≥5·6 mmol/l) development, FPG normalization, progression of increased FPG and abnormal follow‐up A1c (>6%) values in GHD patients treated with GH (n = 403) or untreated (n = 169) at their physician’s discretion.Results  In subjects without pre‐existing diabetes mellitus, development of an abnormal FPG tended to occur in a greater percentage of GH‐treated than untreated subjects (35·3% versus 24·5, P = 0·06). Additionally, GH treatment was associated with a mild, transient increase in FPG and shorter time to development of an abnormal FPG in these subjects (P < 0·01). Most (∼80%) abnormal FPG values were below 7 mmol/l and normalized in 69% of GH‐treated subjects without diabetes. Treatment with GH had no effect on the rate of FPG normalization, progression of increased FPG or abnormal follow‐up A1c values.Conclusions  Initiation of GH replacement in GHD adults was associated with a mild increase in FPG that often normalized spontaneously. Nevertheless, clinicians should monitor FPG in patients receiving GH treatment.
Characterising functional trait diversity and trait–environment relationships in fish assemblages of boreal lakes
Authors: ERŐS TIBOR , HEINO JANI , SCHMERA DÉNES , RASK MARTTI 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. Characterisation of biodiversity is typically based on taxonomic approaches, while much less is known about other related aspects. Functional trait diversity is one such component of biodiversity that has not been addressed rigorously in ecological research until recently. We tested the congruence between taxonomic‐ and trait‐based approaches, and examined how spatial configuration, local abiotic environmental factors and biotic effects interact to influence taxonomic‐ and trait‐based characterisation of freshwater fish assemblages.2. Fish assemblage data were compiled for 124 lakes in southern Finland. Variance partitioning in both linear regression analyses and redundancy analysis was used to quantify the relative contribution of spatial and environmental variables to taxonomic and functional trait diversity and structure. Additionally, a null model analysis was used to test for the potential effects of interspecific segregation and biotic interactions on the co‐occurrence of species.3. The species pool was relatively poor. However, trait‐based classification of species indicated that most species belonged to unique functional entities, which suggested low redundancy in species composition. Correlation analysis indicated a very strong relationship between species richness (SR) and the number of unique trait combinations (UTC). Ecoregion‐level heterogeneity in SR and UTC were well represented in a relatively small group of randomly selected lakes (c. 30 lakes). Multiple regressions indicated moderate roles for abiotic environmental variables (i.e. lake surface area, depth, total phosphorous, colour and pH) in determining SR, UTC and the distribution of single trait categories, whereas geographical location was not generally influential.4. Redundancy analysis revealed similar patterns to those of diversity analyses for taxonomic and associated trait‐based structure, emphasising the effect of abiotic environmental variables and the negligible effect of geographical position.5. Co‐occurrence analysis indicated significant checkerboard distribution at the whole assemblage level, but interspecific segregation proved to be of relatively minor importance in the constrained analyses, where species pair combinations within trait category groups were evaluated.6. Our results suggest that taxonomic‐ and trait‐based patterns of boreal lake fish assemblages are strongly interrelated. Environmental filtering through the effects of local abiotic variables seems to have the most prominent role in determining trait‐based assemblage patterns among lakes, which may also be secondarily shaped by biotic interactions.7. From the applied perspective, it may not necessarily matter whether traditional taxonomic or more novel trait‐based approaches are used in characterising spatial patterns in boreal fish assemblages. However, trait‐based approaches may provide complementary information which cannot be directly revealed by taxonomic data.
Could rising aquatic carbon dioxide concentrations favour the invasion of elodeids in isoetid‐dominated softwater lakes?
Authors: SPIERENBURG P. , LUCASSEN E.C.H.E.T. , LOTTER A.F. , ROELOFS J.G.M. 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. During the past century, isoetid vegetation types in softwater lakes have often been invaded by faster‐growing elodeids. In these C‐limited systems, this may be related to rising aquatic CO2 levels.2. In a laboratory experiment we tested the growth response of two elodeid species, Myriophyllum alterniflorum and Callitriche hamulata, at four different CO2 levels, ranging from 20 to 230 μmol L−1. In addition, we tested the effect of the nutrient status of the sediment on the growth of C. hamulata at the different CO2 levels.3. Shoot and root growth increased with rising CO2 availability. Irrespective of sediment type, growth was minimal to negative at the lowest CO2 treatment level, while becoming positive at CO2 levels around 40–50 μmol L−1. Substantial growth was only obtained when the macrophytes were growing on mesotrophic sediments. The plants reached close to maximal growth at CO2 levels of c. 100 μmol L−1.4. Within this experiment, the growth of C. hamulata at CO2 levels above 90 μmol L−1 may have been limited by N and P availability in both sediment types. The growth rate of M. alterniflorum did not seem to be limited by N and P availability, most likely due to its much higher relative root production.5. The experimental results show that neither M. alterniflorum nor C. hamulata is able to invade isoetid‐dominated softwater lakes at very low aquatic CO2 concentrations. However, if the sediments contain enough nutrients, a rise in aquatic CO2 could allow the invasion of elodeid species leading to the subsequent disappearance of slow‐growing isoetids.
Structural and bioinformatic analysis of the Roman snail Cd‐Metallothionein gene uncovers molecular adaptation towards plasticity in coping with multifarious environmental stress
Authors: EGG MARGIT , HÖCKNER MARTINA , BRANDSTÄTTER ANITA , SCHULER DIETMAR , DALLINGER REINHARD 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMetallothioneins (MTs) are a family of multifunctional proteins involved, among others, in stress response. The Cadmium (Cd)‐MT gene of the Roman snail (Helix pomatia), for example, encodes for a protein induced upon cadmium exposure. While our previous studies have demonstrated that the expressed Cd‐MT isoform of Roman snails assists detoxification of cadmium, the present work focuses on the potential plasticity of this gene in response to a variety of environmental stressors playing a crucial role in the specific ecological niche of H. pomatia. Our hypothesis is based on a bioinformatic approach involving gene sequencing, structural and in silico analysis of transcription factor binding sites (TFBs), and a comparison of these features with other MT genes. Our results show that the Roman snail's Cd‐MT gene not only is the largest known MT gene, but also contains — apart from the regulatory promoter region — several intronic repeat cassettes of putative TFBs suggested to be involved in environmental stress response, immune competence, and regulation of gene expression. Moreover, intronic scaffold/matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) and stress‐induced duplex destabilization sites confer a high potential for epigenetic gene regulation. This suggested regulatory plasticity is also supported by physiological data showing that Cd‐MT in Roman snails can be induced differentially not only after cadmium exposure, but also in response to nonmetallic environmental stressors. It is concluded that structural analysis combined with bioinformatic screening may constitute valuable tools for predicting the potential for plasticity and niche‐specific adaptation of stress‐responsive genes in populations living under rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Treponema pallidum, the stealth pathogen, changes, but how?
Authors: Radolf Justin D. , Desrosiers Daniel C. 
Published: May 2009

Summary Treponema pallidum rapidly disseminates from a genital site of inoculation to diverse organs where it establishes persistent infection. T. pallidum has long been regarded as a stealth pathogen because of its poorly antigenic and non‐inflammatory surface. There is now increasing evidence that antigenic variation also contributes to the ability of the spirochaete to evade host defences. Among the small number of proteins encoded by the T. pallidum genome with sequence similarity to well‐characterized transcription factors is TP0262, an orthologue for cAMP regulatory protein (CRP) of Escherichia coli. Giacani and co‐workers identified sequences matching the CRP consensus‐binding motif upstream of the promoters of tprE, tprG and tprJ, three members of the T. pallidum repeat (tpr) gene family (subfamily II). Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay, DNaseI footprinting and an E. coli‐based reporter system, they demonstrated that TP0262 specifically recognizes the putative binding sequences and that DNA binding is cAMP‐dependent. Their report, a major methodological advance for syphilis research, suggests that T. pallidum has appropriated a paradigmatic global regulator of metabolic processes in heterotrophic bacteria to further its capacity for immune evasion in its obligate human host.
The histone deacetylase OsHDAC1 epigenetically regulates the OsNAC6 gene that controls seedling root growth in rice
Authors: Chung Pil Joong , Kim Yeon Shic , Jeong Jin Seo , Park Su‐Hyun , Nahm Baek Hie , Kim Ju‐Kon 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe have previously isolated a rice gene encoding a histone deacetylase, OsHDAC1, and observed that its transgenic overexpression increases seedling root growth. To identify the transcriptional repression events that occur as a result of OsHDAC1 overexpression (OsHDAC1OE), a global profiling of root‐expressed genes was performed on OsHDAC1OE or HDAC inhibitor‐treated non‐transgenic (NT) roots, in comparison with untreated NT roots. We selected 39 genes that are induced and repressed in HDAC inhibitor‐treated NT and OsHDAC1OE roots, compared with NT roots, respectively. Interestingly, OsNAC6, a member of the NAM‐ATAF‐CUC (NAC) family, was identified as a key component of the OsHDAC1 regulon, and was found to be epigenetically repressed by OsHDAC1 overexpression. The root phenotype of OsNAC6 knock‐out seedlings was observed to be similar to that of the OsHDAC1OE seedlings. Conversely, the root phenotype of the OsNAC6 overexpressors was similar to that of the OsHDAC1 knock‐out seedlings. These observations indicate that OsHDAC1 negatively regulates the OsNAC6 gene that primarily mediates the alteration in the root growth of the OsHDAC1OE seedlings. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays of the OsNAC6 promoter region using antibodies specific to acetylated histones H3 and H4 revealed that OsHDAC1 epigenetically represses the expression of OsNAC6 by deacetylating K9, K14 and K18 on H3 and K5, K12 and K16 on H4.
Rice OGR1 encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat–DYW protein and is essential for RNA editing in mitochondria
Authors: Kim Sung‐Ryul , Yang Jung‐Il , Moon Sunok , Ryu Choong‐Hwan , An Kyungsook , Kim Kyung‐Me , Yim Jieun , An Gynheung 
Published: May 2009

SummaryRNA editing is the alteration of RNA sequences via insertion, deletion and conversion of nucleotides. In flowering plants, specific cytidine residues of RNA transcribed from organellar genomes are converted into uridines. Approximately 35 editing sites are present in the chloroplasts of higher plants; six pentatricopeptide repeat genes involved in RNA editing have been identified in Arabidopsis. However, although approximately 500 editing sites are found in mitochondrial RNAs of flowering plants, only one gene in Arabidopsis has been reported to be involved in such editing. Here, we identified rice mutants that are defective in seven specific RNA editing sites on five mitochondrial transcripts. Their various phenotypes include delayed seed germination, retarded growth, dwarfism and sterility. Mutant seeds from heterozygous plants are opaque. This mutation, named opaque and growth retardation 1 (ogr1), was generated by T‐DNA insertion into a gene that encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat protein containing the DYW motif. The OGR1–sGFP fusion protein is localized to mitochondria. Ectopic expression of OGR1 in the mutant complements the altered phenotypes. We conclude that OGR1 is essential for RNA editing in rice mitochondria and is required for normal growth and development.
Improving the estimation of realized effective population sizes in farm animals
Authors: Gutiérrez J.P. , Cervantes I. , Goyache F. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryComputation of inbreeding rate (ΔF) must consider that inbreeding is delayed with one generation with respect to the idealized population when addressed using individual inbreeding coefficients. The expression relating inbreeding in generation t with inbreeding rate Ft = 1 – (1–ΔF)t should be more correctly written in real animal populations as Ft = 1 – (1–ΔF)t−1, as changes in allele frequencies occur in the equivalent co‐ancestries in the previous generation. This simple approach is tested on simulated and real pedigrees thus demonstrating that: (i) the adjusted individual increase in inbreeding becomes stable in populations under random mating while the unadjusted parameter does not; (ii) regression of the unadjusted parameter over generations in pedigrees under random mating is highly significant while after correction it is not significant; and (iii) the variance of the adjusted parameter is reduced with the generations.
Pure ‘natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery’ for transvaginal nephrectomy in the porcine model
Authors: Haber Georges‐Pascal , Brethauer Stacy , Crouzet Sebastien , Berger Andre , Gatmaitan Patrick , Kamoi Kazumi , Gill Inderbir 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVESTo determine the technical feasibility and reproducibility of pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal nephrectomy using NOTES‐specific instrumentation, with no transabdominal assistance.MATERIALS AND METHODSFive female farm pigs (mean weight 45 kg) had a right NOTES nephrectomy, using a single‐channel gastroscope in the first three pigs and a dual‐channel gastroscope in the remaining two. The peritoneal cavity was accessed through the posterior fornix of the vagina. Dissection was started at the lower pole of the kidney, and the ureter was retracted laterally and followed towards the hilum. An XL articulated 60 cm endo‐GIA stapler (US Surgical, Norwalk, CO, USA), inserted transvaginally via a separate vaginal incision, was used for tissue retraction and renal hilar transection. The kidney was freed, entrapped in an impermeable sac, and extracted intact transvaginally.RESULTSAll five procedures were successful with no addition of a transabdominal laparoscopic port or open conversion. The total operative duration decreased from 200 min in the first pig to 60 min in the last (mean 113 min); the mean blood loss was <50 mL, the mean kidney length was 13.9 cm and the weight was 142 g. There were no intraoperative complications; at autopsy, there was no pelvic or bowel injury.CONCLUSIONSPure NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy is feasible in the porcine model. It has the potential of a less morbid approach, providing truly scar‐less surgery. Further development of instrumentation is necessary.
Glucose monitoring by microdialysis: performance in a multicentre study
Authors: Nielsen J. K. , Freckmann G. , Kapitza C. , Ocvirk G. , Koelker K. H. , Kamecke U. , Gillen R. , Amann‐Zalan I. , Jendrike N. , Christiansen J. S. , Koschinsky T. , Heinemann L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the Continuous Research Tool (CRT) in a multicentre clinical‐experimental study.Methods  Three patient groups totalling 28 subjects with diabetes [group A 10 Type 1 (Ulm), group B 10 Type 1 (Neuss), group C eight Type 2 (Aarhus)] participated in this trial. Two CRT microdialysis probes were inserted in parallel in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue for 120 h in each subject. In subjects in group A, glucose excursions were induced on one study day and those in group B underwent a glucose clamp (eu‐, hypo‐ or hyperglycaemic) on one study day. CRT data were calibrated once with a retrospective calibration model based on a run‐in time of 24 h and three blood glucose measurements per day.Results  All analysable experiments, covering a broad range of blood glucose values, yielded highly accurate data for the complete experimental time with a mean relative absolute difference of 12.8 ± 6.0% and a predictive residual error sum of squares of 15.6 ± 6.3 (mean ± SD). Of all measurement results, 98.2% were in zones A and B of the error grid analysis. The average absolute differences were 1.14 mmol/l for Type 1 and 0.88 mmol/l for Type 2 diabetic patients. Relative absolute differences were 16.0% for Type 1 and 12.6% for Type 2 diabetic patients.Conclusions  These results demonstrate that this microdialysis system allows reliable continuous glucose monitoring in patients with diabetes of either type.
The Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Program: a web‐based program to translate evidence to clinical practice in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chan J. , So W. , Ko G. , Tong P. , Yang X. , Ma R. , Kong A. , Wong R. , Le Coguiec F. , Tamesis B. , Wolthers T. , Lyubomirsky G. , Chow P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  The Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Program is the first web‐based program incorporating a comprehensive risk engine, care protocols, clinical decision and self‐management support to improve ambulatory diabetes care. The aim was to validate the risk stratification system of the JADE Program using a large prospective cohort.Methods  The JADE interactive risk engine stratifies patients into different risk levels using results from an annual comprehensive assessment of complications and risk factors. We used a prospective registry consisting of 7534 Type 2 diabetic patients [45.6% men, median (range) age 57 years (13–92)] to perform internal validation of the risk engine.Results  The JADE Risk Engine categorized patients into four risk levels (from low to high): level 1, n = 4520 (6%); level 2, n = 1468 (19.5%); level 3, n = 4476 (59.4%); and level 4, n = 1138 (15.1%). After a median follow‐up period of 5.5 years (mean ± sd 5.4 ± 2.81 years), 763 (10.1%) died, 1129 (14.9%) developed cardiovascular disease (CVD), 282 (3.7%) developed end‐stage renal disease and 1400 (18.6%) had at least one of these events. Compared with risk level 1, levels 2, 3 and 4 were associated with 2.8‐, 4.7‐ and 8.6‐fold increased risk of clinical end‐points. Risk levels 3 and 4 were, respectively, associated with 2.2‐ and 3.9‐fold increased risk for all‐cause death and 4.8‐ and 12.1‐fold increased CVD risks.Conclusion  Based on results from a comprehensive assessment, the JADE Risk Engine successfully categorizes patients into different risk levels to guide clinical management.
Psychometric validation and use of a novel diabetes in‐patient treatment satisfaction questionnaire
Authors: Sampson M. J. , Singh H. , Dhatariya K. K. , Jones C. , Walden E. , Bradley C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  To develop the first psychometrically validated Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for in‐patients (DTSQ‐IP) and examine determinants of in‐patient diabetes treatment satisfaction.Methods  We studied 366 in‐patients with insulin‐treated diabetes at a single UK centre. We developed a 19‐item DTSQ‐IP to assess in‐patient diabetes treatment satisfaction, and collected data on in‐patient length of stay (LOS) and in‐patient care at the same time.Results  Psychometric analyses including Principal Components Analysis and Cronbach’s α reliability coefficient showed that a single satisfaction score (excluding two items scored individually) can be computed for the entire DTSQ‐IP, indicating very good internal consistency reliability (0.92). The DTSQ‐IP detected considerable dissatisfaction with meal choice and timing (13.7% of in‐patients would never have chosen similar meals at home), and with in‐patient hypoglycaemia (35.3% felt that their blood glucose was too low most of the time). In‐patients on surgical wards, women, and those long established on insulin were significantly more dissatisfied, particularly with competence of hospital staff. Patients who administered their own insulin were not significantly less dissatisfied overall, but were so with the choice of meals (P = 0.005). Multiple regression analysis produced a model accounting for 8.2% of variability in DTSQ‐IP (r = 0.29; P = 0.0058) and 21.7% of variability in LOS (r = 0.46; P = 0.0001).Conclusions  The DTSQ‐IP is a novel, psychometrically validated and sensitive tool that adds to the DTSQ portfolio. The DTSQ‐IP facilitates efforts to assess and improve treatment satisfaction in in‐patients with diabetes.