bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations in Spain and their genetic relationships with cultivated grapevines
Authors: DE ANDRÉS M. T. , BENITO A. , PÉREZ‐RIVERA G. , OCETE R. , LOPEZ M. A. , GAFORIO L. , MUÑOZ G. , CABELLO F. , MARTÍNEZ ZAPATER J. M. , ARROYO‐GARCÍA R. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, considered as the ancestor of the cultivated grapevine, is native from Eurasia. In Spain, natural populations of V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris can still be found along river banks. In this work, we have performed a wide search of wild grapevine populations in Spain and characterized the amount and distribution of their genetic diversity using 25 nuclear SSR loci. We have also analysed the possible coexistence in the natural habitat of wild grapevines with naturalized grapevine cultivars and rootstocks. In this way, phenotypic and genetic analyses identified 19% of the collected samples as derived from cultivated genotypes, being either naturalized cultivars or hybrid genotypes derived from spontaneous crosses between wild and cultivated grapevines. The genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations was similar than that observed in the cultivated group. The molecular analysis showed that cultivated germplasm and wild germplasm are genetically divergent with low level of introgression. Using a model‐based approach implemented in the software structure, we identified four genetic groups, with two of them fundamentally represented among cultivated genotypes and two among wild accessions. The analyses of genetic relationships between wild and cultivated grapevines could suggest a genetic contribution of wild accessions from Spain to current Western cultivars.
Specificity of motor components in the dual flagellar system of Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32
Authors: Bubendorfer Sebastian , Held Susanne , Windel Natalie , Paulick Anja , Klingl Andreas , Thormann Kai M. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryBacterial flagellar motors are intricate nanomachines in which the stator units and rotor component FliM may be dynamically exchanged during function. Similar to other bacterial species, the gammaproteobacterium Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32 possesses a complete secondary flagellar system along with a corresponding stator unit. Expression of the secondary system occurs during planktonic growth in complex media and leads to the formation of a subpopulation with one or more additional flagella at random positions in addition to the primary polar system. We used physiological and phenotypic characterizations of defined mutants in concert with fluorescent microscopy on labelled components of the two different systems, the stator proteins PomB and MotB, the rotor components FliM1 and FliM2, and the auxiliary motor components MotX and MotY, to determine localization, function and dynamics of the proteins in the flagellar motors. The results demonstrate that the polar flagellum is driven by a Na+‐dependent FliM1/PomAB/MotX/MotY flagellar motor while the secondary system is rotated by a H+‐dependent FliM2/MotAB motor. The components were highly specific for their corresponding motor and are unlikely to be extensively swapped or shared between the two flagellar systems under planktonic conditions. The results have implications for both specificity and dynamics of flagellar motor components.
Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐Induced Signalling by Transforming Growth Factor‐β in Human Mononuclear Phagocytes
Authors: Wu M. , Aung H. , Hirsch C. S. , Toossi Z. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is associated with excessive production and bioactivation of transforming growth factor bets (TGF‐β) in situ. Here, modification of expression of components of plasminogen/plasmin pathway in human monocytes (MN) by inhibitors of TGF‐β signalling was examined. Smad3 siRNA effectively inhibited TGF‐β‐induced urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Agents known to interfere with TGF‐β signalling, including the Smad inhibitors SIS3 and erythromycin derivatives, and ALK5 receptor inhibitor (SB 431542) in inhibition of uPAR expression in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) were examined. Inhibition by SIS3 only inhibited uPAR mRNA significantly. SIS3 may prove to be an effective adjunct to TB therapy.
The association between allogeneic perioperative blood transfusion on tumour recurrence and survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: De Oliveira G. S. , Schink J. C. , Buoy C. , Ahmad S. , Fitzgerald P. C. , McCarthy R. J. 
Published: December 2011

Objective: To evaluate the association between perioperative blood transfusion on the recurrence and survival of patient with advanced ovarian cancer.Background: Cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer can be an extensive procedure often requiring allogeneic blood transfusions. Blood transfusions can have detrimental effects on immune function which can lead to a decrease in the organism ability to detect and destroy metastasis.Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort investigation. Patients with advanced ovarian cancer (stage III) undergoing cytoreductive surgery were stratified by the need for perioperative blood transfusion. Allogeneic transfusions were non‐leucodepleted. Primary outcome included time to recurrence and survival. Data were extracted from the gynaecology oncology database at Northwestern University. Times to event outcomes were evaluated by constructing Kaplan–Meyer curves and Cox regression.Results: The charts of 136 subjects were evaluated. Seventy‐six received blood transfusion. Median [95% confidence interval (CI)] time to recurrence for the non‐transfusion group was longer, i.e. 17 (6–27) months, compared to 11 (8–14) months for the transfused group (P = 0·03). Median (95% CI) survival following surgery was longer in the non‐transfused group, i.e. 58 (43–73) months, compared to 36 (28–44) months for the transfused group (P = 0·04). Cox regression showed that transfused subjects had shorter median times to recurrence and mortality after adjusting for age and tumour grade.Conclusions: There is an association between ovarian cancer recurrence and allogeneic perioperative blood transfusion in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing cytoreductive surgery. These findings may have important implications in the perioperative management of those patients.
Plasma vitamin C assay in women of reproductive age in Kampala, Uganda, using a colorimetric method
Authors: Kiondo Paul , Tumwesigye Nazarius M. , Wandabwa Julius , Wamuyu‐Maina Gakenia , Bimenya Gabriel S. , Okong Pius 
Published: December 2011

SummaryObjective  Vitamin C alone or in combination with vitamin E has been proposed to prevent pre‐eclampsia. In this study, we assayed the plasma vitamin C in women of reproductive age in Kampala and assessed its association with pre‐eclampsia.Methods  Participants in this study were 215 women with pre‐eclampsia, 400 women with normal pregnancy attending antenatal clinic and 200 non‐pregnant women attending family planning clinic at Mulago Hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1st May 2008 to 1st May 2009. Plasma vitamin C was assayed using the acid phosphotungstate method; differences in the means of plasma vitamin C were determined by anova.Results  Mean plasma vitamin C levels were 1.72 (SD 0.68) × 103 μg/l in women with pre‐eclampsia, 1.89 (SD 0.73) × 103 μg/l in women with normal pregnancy and 2.64 (SD 0.97) × 103 μg/l in non‐pregnant women. Plasma vitamin C was lower in women with pre‐eclampsia than in women with normal pregnancy (P = 0.005) and non‐pregnant women (P < 0.001).Conclusion  Health workers need to advise women of reproductive age on foods that are rich in vitamin C, as this may improve the vitamin status and possibly reduce the occurrence of pre‐eclampsia.
Is adiponectin a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis in kidney transplantation?
Authors: Cañas Laura , Bayés Beatriz , Granada Maria L. , Ibernon Meritxell , Porrini Esteban , Benítez Rosa , Díaz Juan M. , Lauzurica Ricardo , Moreso Francesc , Torres Armando , Lampreabe Ildefonso , Serra Assumpta , Romero Ramon 
Published: December 2011

Cañas L, Bayés B, Granada ML, Ibernon M, Porrini E, Benítez R, Díaz JM, Lauzurica R, Moreso F, Torres A, Lampreabe I, Serra A, Romero R. Is adiponectin a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis in kidney transplantation?  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01490.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between pre‐transplant adiponectin (pre‐ADP), abnormalities in glucose homeostasis (AGH) at three months post‐transplantation, and preclinical atherosclerosis in non‐diabetic patients prior to kidney transplantation (KT).Methods:  We carried out a multicenter study in 157 non‐diabetic KT patients (66.5% men; age: 50 ± 13 yr). Pre‐ADP levels were analyzed using radioimmunoassay. Carotid ultrasound was performed to determine carotid intima‐media thickness (c‐IMT). Oral glucose tolerance test was carried out to classify patients according ADA criteria.Results:  Of the patients, 52.8% had AGH. Median pre‐ADP was 19.5 (14–27) μg/mL. An inverse correlation was found between ADP and HOMA index (r = −0.432; p < 0.001). Median c‐IMT was 0.6 (0.48–0.71) mm. Significant inverse correlation existed between ADP and c‐IMT on both sides (p < 0.05). Patients with c‐IMT >0.6 mm had more AGH (p = 0.012) and lower ADP levels (p = 0.02). We performed a logistic regression analysis using preclinical atherosclerosis (c‐IMT ≥0.6 mm) as dependent variable and sex, age, BMI, ADP, AGH, and HOMA index as independent variables of altered c‐IMT. Age, pre‐ADP, and AGH were independent risk factors for elevated c‐IMT.Conclusions:  Patients with AGH have a greater presence of preclinical atherosclerosis. ADP has an inverse relationship with AGH and is an independent marker of preclinical atherosclerosis.
Vascular adhesion protein‐1 and syndecan‐1 in septic shock
Authors: SALLISALMI M. , TENHUNEN J. , YANG R. , OKSALA N. , PETTILÄ V. 
Published: December 2011

BackgroundConstituents of vascular endothelial surface layer (glycocalyx), e.g. an anchor protein syndecan‐1 (SDC‐1), can be detected in plasma in many inflammatory conditions. In inflammation, vascular adhesion protein‐1 (VAP‐1) is rapidly translocated to the apical side of the endothelial cells and may be released to plasma in a soluble form. We hypothesized that glycocalyx injury coincides with VAP‐1 activation on endothelial cells. To test the hypothesis, we measured SDC‐1 and VAP‐1 levels in 20 patients with septic shock.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted in two multidisciplinary critical care units in two tertiary academic teaching hospitals with 20 mechanically ventilated adult patients with septic shock, on days 1 and 4 of treatment. Twenty healthy adults were enrolled as a control group. Plasma SDC‐1 content, serum VAP‐1 activity, platelets, and leukocyte count were measured in septic shock group at baseline and at 72 h and compared with those of healthy controls.ResultsVAP‐1 activity and SDC‐1 content were significantly increased in septic patients' group (P < 0.01) in comparison with controls. VAP‐1 activity and SDC‐1 content correlated positively to each other, and negatively to platelet count. In the septic shock group SDC‐1 correlated on day 1 to SOFA score.ConclusionsWe found increased VAP‐1 activity and SDC‐1 content in critically ill patients with septic shock. Based on our results, the role of VAP‐1 in shock pathogenesis should be studied with semicarbazide‐sensitive amine oxidase activity blocking agents and substrate affinity testing.
Critically ill cancer patients in the intensive care unit: short‐term outcome and 1‐year mortality
Authors: MOKART D. , ETIENNE A. , ESTERNI B. , BRUN J.‐P. , CHOW‐CHINE L. , SANNINI A. , FAUCHER M. , BLACHE J.‐L. 
Published: December 2011

BackgroundThe short‐term survival of critically ill patients with cancer has improved over time. Studies providing long‐term outcome for these patients are scarce.MethodsWe prospectively analyzed outcomes and rates of successful discharge of 111 consecutive critically ill cancer patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in 2008 and identified factors influencing these results.ResultsICU mortality was 32% and hospital mortality was 41%. None of the characteristics of the malignancy nor age or neutropenia were significantly different between survivors and others. Two variables were independently associated with ICU mortality: high Logistic Organ Dysfunction score on day 7 and a diagnosis of viral infection and/or reactivation. The 1‐year mortality rate for ICU survivors was 58% and was significantly lower in patients with a diagnosis of acute leukemia or multiple myeloma.ConclusionOrgan failure scores on day 7 can predict outcome for cancer patients in the ICU. Viral infection and reactivation appear to worsen the prognosis. One‐year mortality rate is high and depends on the malignancy.
A real‐time PCR for the detection and characterisation of Aspergillus species
Authors: Fricke Stephan , Fricke Christian , Oelkrug Christopher , Blatz Rosemarie , Schönfelder Uta , Niederwieser Dietger , Hilger Nadja , Ruhnke Markus , Rodloff Arne C. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryAn early diagnosis of an invasive fungal infection is essential for the initiation of a specific antifungal therapy and to avoid unnecessary discontinuation of a baseline therapy for haematological or oncological diseases. A real‐time PCR assay for the detection and strain identification of Aspergillus species from culture strains was evaluated. DNA preparation was evaluated in contaminated culture media, urine and serum. A LightCycler PCR to differentiate various Aspergillus species was established. A real‐time PCR assay for the detection of Aspergillus species was improved and was able to detect and differentiate medically important Aspergillus spp. The sensitivity of the test was <10 plasmid equivalents/assay. The real‐time PCR assay is a useful tool for the rapid identification of Aspergillus species and might be useful as an early diagnostic tool to detect an invasive fungal infection. A real‐time PCR protocol was improved by generating plasmid standards, additional generation of melting curves for species identification and the correlation between the melting temperature and the nucleotide exchanges within the used 18S rRNA gene region.
RNA and epigenetic silencing: Insight from fission yeast
Authors: Goto Derek B. , Nakayama Jun‐ichi 
Published: December 2011

Post‐translational modifications of histones are critical not only for local regulation of gene expression, but also for higher‐order structure of the chromosome and genome organization in general. These modifications enable a preset state to be maintained over subsequent generations and thus provide an epigenetic level of regulation. Heterochromatic regions of the genome are epigenetically regulated to maintain a “silent state” and protein coding genes inserted into these regions are subject to the same epigenetic silencing. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has well characterized regions of heterochromatin and has proven to be a powerful model for elucidation of epigenetic silencing mechanisms. Research in S. pombe led to the breakthrough discovery that epigenetic silencing is not solely a chromatin‐driven transcriptional repression and that RNA interference of nascent transcripts can guide epigenetic silencing and associated histone modifications. Over the last 10 years, an eloquent integration of genetic and biochemical studies have greatly propelled our understanding of major players and effector complexes for regulation of RNAi‐mediated epigenetic silencing in S. pombe. Here, we review recent research related to regulation of the epigenetic state in S. pombe heterochromatin, focusing specifically on the mechanisms by which transcription and RNA processing interact with the chromatin modification machinery to maintain the epigenetically silent state.
Sponge‐specific clusters revisited: a comprehensive phylogeny of sponge‐associated microorganisms
Authors: Simister Rachel L. , Deines Peter , Botté Emmanuelle S. , Webster Nicole S. , Taylor Michael W. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryMarine sponges often contain diverse and abundant communities of microorganisms including bacteria, archaea and eukaryotic microbes. Numerous 16S rRNA‐based studies have identified putative ‘sponge‐specific’ microbes that are apparently absent from seawater and other (non‐sponge) marine habitats. With more than 7500 sponge‐derived rRNA sequences (from clone, isolate and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis data) now publicly available, we sought to determine whether the current notion of sponge‐specific sequence clusters remains valid. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses were performed on the 7546 sponge‐derived 16S and 18S rRNA sequences that were publicly available in early 2010. Overall, 27% of all sequences fell into monophyletic, sponge‐specific sequence clusters. Such clusters were particularly well represented among the Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, ‘Poribacteria’, Betaproteobacteria and Acidobacteria, and in total were identified in at least 14 bacterial phyla, as well as the Archaea and fungi. The largest sponge‐specific cluster, representing the cyanobacterium ‘Synechococcus spongiarum’, contained 245 sequences from 40 sponge species. These results strongly support the existence of sponge‐specific microbes and provide a suitable framework for future studies of rare and abundant sponge symbionts, both of which can now be studied using next‐generation sequencing technologies.
Bacterial species may exist, metagenomics reveal
Authors: Caro‐Quintero Alejandro , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryWhether or not bacterial species exist remains an unresolved issue of paramount theoretical as well as practical consequences. Here we review and synthesize the findings emerging from metagenomic surveys of natural microbial populations and argue that microbial communities are predominantly organized in genetically and ecologically discernible populations, which possess the attributes expected for species. These sequence‐discrete populations represent a major foundation for beginning high‐resolution investigations on how populations are organized, interact, and evolve within communities. We also attempt to reconcile these findings with those of previous studies that reported indiscrete species and a genetic continuum within bacterial taxa and discuss the implications for the current bacterial species definition.
The claw closer muscle of two estuarine crab species, Cyrtograpsus angulatus and Neohelice granulata (Grapsoidea, Varunidae): histochemical fibre type composition
Authors: Longo María V. , Díaz Alcira O. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLongo, M.V. and Díaz, A.O. (2011). The claw closer muscle of two estuarine crab species, Cyrtograpsus angulatus and Neohelice granulata (Grapsoidea, Varunidae): histochemical fibre type composition. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–7.This study permitted the characterization of four types of muscle fibres in the claw closer muscles of Cyrtograpsus angulatus and Neohelice granulata. Succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) for mitochondria, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) for glycogen, Sudan Black B for lipids and myosin‐adenosine triphosphatase (m‐ATPase) preincubated at alkaline and acid pHs were used for that purpose. The mean fibre diameters, the relative areas and frequencies of each muscle fibre type were calculated. Types I and IV would be considered ‘extreme’ groups with type I fibres large, weak and acid/alkaline‐labile m‐ATPase, weak SDH, PAS and Sudan, and type IV fibres small, very strong and acid/alkaline‐resistant m‐ATPase, strong SDH and PAS, and moderate Sudan. Types II and III would belong to a predominant ‘intermediate’ group. Type IV fibres were scarce in C. angulatus but represented 25% of the total fibre population in N. granulata. In C. angulatus, the relative area occupied by type I fibres was bigger than its relative proportion, whereas in N. granulata, types I and II had similar patterns. Concluding, variations in fibre type composition in the claw closer muscles of C. angulatus and N. granulata would be linked to different habitats and feeding behaviours.
Persistent fasting hyperglycaemia is more predictive of Type 2 diabetes than transient fasting hyperglycaemia
Authors: Inoue K. , Inoue M. , Matsumoto M. , Akimoto K. 
Published: December 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, e75–e81 (2012)AbstractAims  We investigated the value of persistent fasting hyperglycaemia as assessed by repeated elevated fasting plasma glucose in predicting the progression to diabetes.Methods  A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 1998 to 2006 inclusive among 7929 persons (37 742 person‐years), with a mean age of 53.0 years at baseline. The cumulative incidence of diabetes was measured. A baseline and follow‐up fasting plasma glucose were categorized as normal fasting glucose (< 5.56 mmol/l), or impaired fasting glucose (5.56–6.94 mmol/l).Results  The cumulative incidence and incidence density of diabetes were 3.5% (275 cases) and 7.3 per 1000 person‐years over a mean follow‐up period of 4.8 years. The cumulative incidence of diabetes among subjects with impaired fasting glucose at both previous examinations (persistent impaired fasting glucose) was 30.4% (222/1518) compared with 0.6% (15/5063) of those with normal fasting glucose at both baseline and initial follow‐up. The hazard ratios to develop diabetes, adjusted for possible confounders, was 37.10 (95% CI, 21.6–63.7) for persistent impaired fasting glucose versus persistent normal fasting glucose. Persistent impaired fasting glucose predicted diabetes at 80.7% (222/275) sensitivity and 83.1% (6358/7654) specificity, whereas first baseline impaired fasting glucose only predicted diabetes at 86.9% (239/275) sensitivity and 74.9% (5730/7654) specificity. The model using both previous fasting plasma glucose levels had a greater AUROC (area under receiver operating characteristic) than that using first baseline fasting plasma glucose only (0.92 vs. 0.88; P < 0.001).Conclusions  Repeated measurements of fasting plasma glucose better predicts incidence of diabetes than a single test. In particular, persistent fasting hyperglycaemia adds more substantial precision to the prediction of future diabetes than transient impaired fasting glucose. This combination is cost efficient and may be practical for early detection of high‐risk individuals.