bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal mortality due to preterm birth at 28–36 weeks' gestation in China, 2003–2008
Authors: Liang Juan , Mao Meng , Dai Li , Li Xiaohong , Miao Lei , Li Qi , He Chunhua , Li Mingrong , Wang He , Zhu Jun , Wang Yanping 
Published: September 2011

SummaryLiang J, Mao M, Dai L, Li X, Miao L, Li Q, He C, Li M, Wang H, Zhu J, Wang Y. Neonatal mortality due to preterm birth at 28–36 weeks' gestation in China, 2003–2008. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 593–600.Almost all (99%) neonatal deaths occur in developing countries, where the progress in reducing neonatal mortality rates (NMR) has been small; the Millennium Development Goal for child survival cannot be met if this situation continues. China is among the 10 countries that have the largest numbers of neonatal deaths. In order to provide effective interventions to reduce the national NMR for government policy makers, we analyse the trends, causes and characteristics of the neonatal deaths of preterm babies in different regions of China during the period 2003–2008. The data for this retrospective study were retrieved from the population‐based Maternal and Child Health Surveillance System of China. The Cochran–Armitage trend test was used to analyse the trend of NMRs due to immaturity. The national NMR due to immaturity has decreased by 38.7% in 6 years. However, the proportion of preterm births among the causes of neonatal death has increased significantly from 33.6% in 2003 to 40.9% in 2008. The relative risk of neonatal death among preterm babies has shown significant regional disparity. In 2008, the adjusted relative risk was 1.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95, 1.78] in the inland regions and 2.37 [95% CI 1.56, 3.60] in the remote regions, both compared with the coastal regions. The proportion of neonatal deaths with a gestational age <32 weeks or a birthweight <1500 g was highest among the coastal regions. Most neonatal deaths of preterm babies in remote areas were born at home and were not treated before death. Our study suggests that preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal death in China and neonatal mortality due to immaturity displayed regional differences. The Chinese government should implement major effective strategies for reducing the mortality of preterm infants to further decrease the total NMR. Priority interventions should be region‐specific, depending on the availability of economic and health care resources.
NAC domain function and transcriptional control of a secondary cell wall master switch
Authors: Wang Huanzhong , Zhao Qiao , Chen Fang , Wang Mingyi , Dixon Richard A. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryNAC domain transcription factors act as master switches for secondary cell wall thickening, but how they exert their function and how their expression is regulated remains unclear. Here we identify a loss‐of‐function point mutation in the NST1 gene of Medicago truncatula. The nst1‐3 mutant shows no lignification in interfascicular fibers, as previously seen in tnt1 transposon insertion alleles. However, the C→A transversion, which causes a T94K mutation in the NST1 protein, leads to increased NST1 expression. Introduction of the same mutation into the Arabidopsis homolog SND1 causes both protein mislocalization and loss of target DNA binding, with a resultant inability to trans‐activate downstream secondary wall synthesis genes. Furthermore, trans‐activation assays show that the expression of SND1 operates under positive feedback control from itself, and SND1 was shown to bind directly to a conserved motif in its own promoter, located within a recently described 19‐bp secondary wall NAC binding element. Three MYB transcription factors downstream of SND1, one of which is directly regulated by SND1, exert negative regulation on SND1 promoter activity. Our results identify a conserved amino acid critical for NST1/SND1 function, and show that the expression of the NAC master switch itself is under both positive (autoregulatory) and negative control.
The rice transcription factor IDEF1 directly binds to iron and other divalent metals for sensing cellular iron status
Authors: Kobayashi Takanori , Itai Reiko Nakanishi , Aung May Sann , Senoura Takeshi , Nakanishi Hiromi , Nishizawa Naoko K. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryIron is essential for most living organisms and its availability often determines survival and proliferation. The Oryza sativa (rice) transcription factor IDEF1 plays a crucial role in regulating iron deficiency‐induced genes involved in iron homeostasis. In the present report, we found characteristic histidine–asparagine repeat and proline‐rich regions in IDEF1 and its homolog in Hordeum vulgare (barley), HvIDEF1. An immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography assay revealed that IDEF1 and HvIDEF1 bind to various divalent metals, including Fe2+ and Ni2+. Recombinant IDEF1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli contained mainly Fe and Zn. This metal‐binding activity of IDEF1 was almost abolished by deletion of the histidine–asparagine and proline‐rich regions, but DNA‐binding and trans‐activation functions were not impaired by the deletion. Transgenic rice plants constitutively overexpressing IDEF1 without these metal‐binding domains failed to cause pleiotropic effects conferred by overexpression of full‐length IDEF1, including a low germination rate, impaired seedling growth, tolerance to iron deficiency in hydroponic culture, and enhanced expression of various iron deficiency‐inducible genes. Impairment of the transcriptional regulation of IDEF1 by deletion of the metal‐binding domains occurred primarily at an early stage of iron deficiency. These results suggest that the histidine–asparagine and proline‐rich regions in rice IDEF1 directly bind to divalent metals and sense the cellular metal ion balance caused by changes in iron availability.
Cucumber mosaic virus suppressor 2b binds to AGO4‐related small RNAs and impairs AGO4 activities
Authors: Hamera Sadia , Song Xiaoguang , Su Lei , Chen Xiaoying , Fang Rongxiang 
Published: September 2011

SummaryCucumber mosaic virus suppressor 2b (CMV2b) is a nuclear viral suppressor that interferes with local and systemic silencing and inhibits AGO1 slicer activity. CMV2b‐mediated transgene hypomethylation and its localization in Cajal bodies suggests a role of CMV2b in RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM). However, its direct involvement in RdDM, or its binding with small RNAs (sRNAs) in vivo is not yet established. Here, we show that CMV2b binds both microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in vivo. sRNA sequencing data from the CMV2b immunocomplex revealed its preferential binding with 24‐nt repeat‐associated siRNAs. We provide evidence that CMV2b also has direct interaction with the AGO4 protein by recognizing its PAZ and PIWI domains. Subsequent analysis of AGO4 functions revealed that CMV2b reduced AGO4 slicer activity and the methylation of several loci, accompanied by the augmented accumulation of 24‐nt siRNAs in Arabidopsis inflorescences. Intriguingly, CMV2b also regulated an AGO4‐related epiallele independently of its catalytic potential, which further reinforces the repressive effects of CMV2b on AGO4 activity. Collectively, our results demonstrate that CMV2b can counteract AGO4‐related functions. We propose that by adopting novel counter‐host defense strategies against AGO1 and AGO4 proteins, CMV creates a favorable cellular niche for its proliferation.
The association between cytomegalovirus immune globulin and long‐term recipient and graft survival following liver transplantation
Authors: Fisher R.A. , Kistler K.D. , Ulsh P. , Bergman G.E. , Morris J. 
Published: September 2011

R.A. Fisher, K.D. Kistler, P. Ulsh, G.E. Bergman, J. Morris. The association between cytomegalovirus immune globulin and long‐term recipient and graft survival following liver transplantation. Transpl Infect Dis 2012: 14: 121–131. All rights reservedAbstract: The association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) immune globulin (CMVIG) and long‐term clinical outcomes has not been well defined. We examined the association between CMVIG and long‐term recipient and graft survival in liver transplant recipients. Data were from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and included recipients transplanted between January 1995 and October 2008; follow‐up was through March 2009. All recipients≤80 years of age with primary, single‐organ liver transplants, given CMVIG with (n=2350) or without antivirals (n=455), antivirals without CMVIG (n = 32,939), or no CMV prophylaxis (n=28,508) before discharge were included. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to examine rates of acute rejection (AR), graft loss, and death, over 7 years post transplantation. The adjusted risk of AR, graft loss, and death associated with CMVIG with and without antivirals vs. no prophylaxis was estimated using the Cox proportional hazards regression. In the univariate analysis, CMVIG, with and without antivirals, was associated with increased AR rates, but decreased mortality; CMVIG with antivirals was also associated with decreased graft loss compared with no prophylaxis. From the multivariable model, CMVIG with antivirals was associated with increased risk for AR, but decreased risk for graft loss and death; after adjustment, the association between CMVIG alone and mortality was not significant. CMVIG with antivirals is associated with increased risk of AR but greater long‐term patient and graft survival after liver transplantation.
Analysis of rotavirus antigenemia in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Sugata K. , Taniguchi K. , Yui A. , Nakai H. , Asano Y. , Hashimoto S. , Ihira M. , Yagasaki H. , Takahashi Y. , Kojima S. , Matsumoto K. , Kato K. , Yoshikawa T. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractSystemic rotavirus infection, such as rotavirus antigenemia, has been found in immunocompetent rotavirus gastroenteritis patients. However, the pathogenesis of rotavirus infection in immunocompromised transplant recipients remains unclear. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure rotavirus antigen levels in serially collected serum samples obtained from 62 pediatric patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). Rotavirus antigen was detected in 43 (6.8%) of 633 serum samples (8 of 62 patients). The duration of rotavirus antigenemia ranged between 1 and 10 weeks, and diarrhea was concurrent with rotavirus antigenemia in Cases 3, 6, 7, and 8. The level of viral antigen in the transplant recipients (0.19 ± 0.20) was significantly lower than that observed in serum samples collected from immunocompetent patients on either day 1 (0.49 ± 0.18, P = 0.0011) or day 3 (0.63 ± 0.09, P = 0.0005). A patient who received a graft from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐mismatched donor was at significant risk for rotavirus antigenemia (P = 0.024; odds ratio = 9.44) in comparison to patients who received grafts from HLA‐matched donors. Although the duration of antigenemia was clearly longer in HSCT patients than in immunocompetent rotavirus gastroenteritis patients, the levels of viral antigen were not as high. Therefore, mismatched HLA may be a risk factor for rotavirus antigenemia after HSCT.
Lactate metabolism and hypocarbic hyperventilation
Authors: Karlsson Torbjörn , Stjernström Eva‐Lena , Stjernström Hans , Wiklund Lars , Essén‐Gustavsson Birgitta , Jorfeldt Lennart 
Published: September 2011

Hyperventilation has been reported to increase blood lactate levels. Uncertainty exists as to whether high lactate levels arc caused by increased peripheral release or decreased hepatic uptake.Seven piglets were investigated during controlled normoventilation and 13 piglets during controlled hyperventilation. Blood was drawn from catheters in the femoral artery and vein and in the hepatic vein. Blood flow was measured in the femoral artery by an electromagnetic flow meter and in the splanchnic area by indocyanine green extraction. In addition, repeated muscle biopsies from the hind limb and back muscles were taken.The mean Paco2 was 5.4 in the normoventilated and 3.5 kPa in the hyperventilated group. The average hind limb oxygen uptake was the same in both groups. The arterial blood lactate concentration was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in the hyperventilated group (2.6 mmol · 1−1) as compared to the normoventilated group (1.5 mmol · l−1). However, the release of lactate from the hind limb, and the muscular content of lactate were the same in both groups. Similar and unchanged skeletal muscle contents of glucose‐6‐phosphate, fructose‐1,6‐diphosphate, alpha‐glycerophosphate, pyruvate, citrate and ATP were recorded in both groups. The splanchnic region did not take up or release lactate at normal Paco2, but released lactate after 120 minutes of hyperventilation.The results indicate that the increased concentration of lactate during hypocarbic hyperventilation was not caused by an increased peripheral release from the skeletal muscles of the pig but could be caused by an altered splanchnic turn‐over of lactate.
Laryngeal mask airway guided tracheal intubation in a neonate with the Pierre Robin syndrome
Authors: Hansen Tom G. , Joensen Henning , Henneberg Steen W. , Hole Peter 
Published: September 2011

Endotracheal intubation in infants with the Pierre Robin syndrome may sometimes be impossible to accomplish by conventional means. To aid difficult tracheal intubation many different techniques have been described.We present a case, in which we successfully intubated a small‐for‐date newborn boy with the Pierre Robin syndrome by using a modified laryngeal mask airway (no. 1) as a guide for the endotracheal tube. The technique is easy to perform, less traumatic and less time‐consuming than multiple attempts at laryngoscopy or blind tracheal intubation.
Expression of the Rh/RhAG complex is reduced in Mi.III erythrocytes
Authors: Hsu K. , Lee T.‐Y. , Chao H.‐P. , Chan Y.‐S. , Lin Y.‐C. , Lin M. 
Published: September 2011

Background and Objectives  Miltenberger blood group antigen subtype III (Mi.III) is characterized by expression of a glycophorin B‐A‐B hybrid (Gp.Mur) on the erythrocyte surface. The two alleles of glycophorin B are substituted with the B–A–B hybrid alleles in homozygous Mi.III (Mi.III+/+), and thus, Mi.III+/+ erythrocytes lack glycophorin B (GPB) and express Gp.Mur only. Because GPB is a major component of the Rh complex on RBCs, in this study, we explored how the absence of GPB might affect Rh expression in Mi.III RBCs.Materials and Methods  (1) Mi.III+ RBCs were serologically identified and further differentiated their homozygosity or heterozygosity by immunoblot or direct sequencing. (2) RhD and RhCcEe mRNA was cloned, and their sequences analysed. (3) The expression levels of Rh antigen, Rh‐associated glycoprotein (RhAG) and the U antigen in MI.III vs. non‐Mi.III RBCs were assessed by flow cytometry and Western blot.Results  Compared with the non‐Mi.III samples, the surface expression of the Rh antigen was reduced to 76·4% in Mi.III+/+ RBCs and 93·6% in Mi.III+/−. RhAG expression was also significantly reduced in Mi.III+/+, but not in Mi.III+/−. The U antigen expression in Mi.III+/− was only 14·9% relative to the control RBCs, while GPB was half the level of the controls. The mRNA sequences of Rh polypeptides from Mi.III+ samples were identical to the NCBI reference sequences.Conclusion  Substitution of GPB with Gp.Mur significantly reduced the expression of Rh antigen and RhAG on the Mi.III+/+ erythrocyte membrane. The Mi.III phenotype is predicted to induce considerable structural variations within the band 3/Rh‐associated macrocomplexes.
Differential Expression in Hibiscus cannabinus (Mesta) Plants After Infection with Mesta Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus as Revealed by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization
Authors: Acharyya Sanchalika , Mir Javid Iqbal , Ghosh Subrata Kumar 
Published: September 2011

AbstractYellow vein mosaic disease induced by a whitefly transmitted monopartite begomovirus causes a devastating foliar disease of Hibiscus cannabinus (mesta) crops across India. Characterization of the causal virus at molecular level and different epidemiological factors associated with the disease have already been investigated to understand the role of driving components behind continued spread of the disease. We have investigated the global gene expression profiling to increase knowledge of transcriptional changes taken place in a compatible interaction between Mesta yellow vein mosaic virus (MeYVMV) and H. cannabinus plants by PCR‐based suppression subtractive hybridization supplemented with mirror orientation selection. Dot‐blot analysis of forward and reverse subtracted libraries with respective cDNA probes confirmed the differential regulation of 100 clones of forward subtracted library and 70 clones of reverse‐subtracted library of 220 positive colonies (proved by colony PCR and restriction release) picked for analysis (from both reactions), and these clones were sequenced. Sequence analysis and virtual Northern blot at varying time points of the infection process finally confirmed the consistent up‐regulation of 11 and down‐regulation of seven gene fragments (ESTs) in infected plant. The up‐regulated transcripts could be functionally categorized in three different groups: (i) members of signal transduction cascades, (ii) host defence‐responsive elements and (iii) factors involved in metabolism and transport. Down‐regulation of the gene encoding SGT1 protein in infected plants suggested the possible modulation by the virus to overcome host defence responses. Other down‐regulated ESTs were found to be members of photosynthetic pathways, electron transport chain and metabolism. Differential regulations of a few genes from both libraries were subsequently confirmed by Northern analysis. Our results present the first evidence of genes that might be involved in recognition and signalling routes in the mesta plant after infection with MeYVMV and facilitate the design of new crop protection strategies.
DGAT1, GH, GHR, PRL and PRLR Polymorphism in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Shi D‐S , Wang J , Yang Y , Lu F‐H , Li X‐P , Liu Q‐Y 
Published: September 2011

ContentsThe polymorphism of several genes has been shown to affect the milk composition traits in dairy cattle, including DGAT1‐exon8 K232A, GH‐intron3 MspI, GH‐exon5 AluI, GHR‐exon8 F279Y, PRL‐exon3 RsaI and PRLR‐exon3 S18N. However, the polymorphism and effects of these genes on the milk traits of water buffalo are still unclear. In this study, four DNA pooling samples from Murrah, Nili‐ravi, Murrah‐Nili‐Swamp crossbreed and Chinese swamp buffalo were constructed, respectively, and polymorphism of these sites was investigated using PCR–Single‐strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing. Twenty‐eight inter‐specific single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were found in these six assayed gene fragments between buffalo and dairy cattle, including nine intra‐specific SNPs among buffalo groups. All buffalo fixed a K allele genotype in DGAT1‐exon8, MspI+ restriction site(c nucleotide) and AluI+ site(c nucleotide) at intron3 and exon5 of GH gene, F allele genotype of F279Y mutation in GHR gene, RsaI− restriction site at PRL‐exon3/exon4 and N allele genotype of S18N mutation at PRLR‐exon3. It provides an indirect evidence that water buffalo have fixed alleles with genotypes reported in dairy cattle, which is thought to be responsible for high milk fat, high protein content and low milk yield. Moreover, three new intra‐specific SNPs were found including 275th bp (c/t) in DGAT1 of Murrah buffalo, 109th bp (t/a) in PRL‐exon3/exon4 and 43rd bp (c/t) in PRLR‐exon3 of Chinese swamp buffalo. Information provided in this study will be useful in further studies to improve buffalo breeding for better lactation performances.
Alternative Treatment of Ovarian Cysts with Tribulus terrestris Extract: A Rat Model
Authors: Dehghan A , Esfandiari A , Bigdeli S Momeni 
Published: September 2011

ContentsTribulus terrestris has long been used in traditional medicine to treat impotency and improve sexual functions in man. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of T. terrestris extract in the treatment of polycystic ovary (PCO) in Wistar rat. Estradiol valerate was injected to 15 mature Wistar rats to induce PCO. Rats were randomly divided into three groups (control, low‐dose and high‐dose groups) of five each and received 0, 5 and 10 mg of T. terrestris extract, respectively.Treatments began on days 50 and 61 after estradiol injection; at the same time, vaginal smear was prepared. The ovaries were removed on day 62, and histological sections were prepared accordingly. The number and diameter of corpora lutea, thickness of the theca interna layer and the number of all follicles were evaluated in both ovaries. In comparison with the control group, the number of corpora lutea and primary and secondary follicles significantly increased following T. terrestris treatment; however, the number of ovarian cysts significantly decreased. It can be concluded that T. terrestris have a luteinizing effect on ovarian cysts, which may relate to its gonadotropin‐like activity; also, a high dose of the extract can efficiently remove ovarian cysts and resume ovarian activity.
Reproductive Technologies Relevant to the Genome Resource Bank in Carnivora
Authors: Amstislavsky S , Lindeberg H , Luvoni GC 
Published: September 2011

ContentsCarnivora is one of the most species‐rich order of Mammalia. Some species, e.g. domestic cats, dogs and ferrets, are among the most popular pets; others, such as minks and farmed foxes, have economic value for the fur breeding industry. Still others, such as tigers, bears and other top predators, have great impact on the health of natural ecosystems. Most if not all Carnivora species have great cultural and aesthetic importance for man. There are enormous differences between mammalian species in reproductive physiology, and it is not surprising that reproductive technologies can be used with high efficiency with some animal groups, e.g. most farm animals and laboratory rodents, but are very laborious when used with Carnivora species, which often possess unique reproductive traits. The efficiency of assisted reproductive technology (ART) applied to semi‐domestic, non‐domestic and especially to endangered species of Carnivora remains extremely low in most cases, and often the first positive result reported is the only instance when ART has been successful with that species. Although there are approximately 270 species in the Carnivora order, to the best of our knowledge, successful published attempts to apply ART have been reported for only four families: Mustelidae, Felidae, Canidae and Ursidae. The main achievements in ART, embryo technology in particular, for these families of Carnivora, together with challenges and problems, are reviewed in the relevant sections.