bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A striking common O‐linked N‐acetylglucosaminyl moiety between cruzipain and myosin
Authors: ACOSTA D. M. , SOPRANO L. L. , FERRERO M. , LANDONI M. , ESTEVA M. I. , COUTO A. S. , DUSCHAK V. G. 
Published: March 2011

SummarySingle units of O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), usually components of nuclear and cytoplasmatic proteins, are present at the C‐terminal domain of cruzipain (Cz), a lysosomal major antigen from Trypanosoma cruzi. On the other hand, antibodies directed against some self‐antigens like myosin are associated with Chagas heart disease. The participation of O‐GlcNAc moieties in the molecular antigenicity of Cz was determined using GlcNAc linked to aprotinin by ELISA. The immune cross‐reactivity between Cz and myosin is mainly focused in the C‐T domain. ELISA inhibition assays using rabbit sera specific for Cz and C‐T in conjunction with immune‐gold electron microscopy analysis of heart tissues from mice immunized with C‐T confronted with polyclonal rabbit sera specific for Cz and C‐T prior and after myosin adsorption provided evidence which indicates that O‐GlcNAc moieties constitute a common epitope between Cz and either myosin or other cardiac O‐GlcNAc‐containing proteins, showing a new insight into the molecular immune pathogenesis of Chagas heart disease.
The evolutionary history of Antirrhinum suggests that ancestral phenotype combinations survived repeated hybridizations
Authors: Wilson Yvette , Hudson Andrew 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe model species Antirrhinum majus (the garden snapdragon) has over 20 close wild relatives that are morphologically diverse and adapted to different Mediterranean environments. Hybrids between Antirrhinum species have been used successfully to identify genes underlying their phenotypic differences, and to infer how selection acts on them. To better understand the genetic basis for this diversity, we have examined the evolutionary relationships between Antirrhinum species and how these relate to geography and patterns of phenotypic variation in the genus as a whole. Large population samples and both plastid and multilocus nuclear genotypes resolved the relationships between many species and provided some support for the traditional taxonomic division of the genus into morphological subsections. Morphometric analysis of plants grown in controlled conditions supported the phenotypic distinction of the two largest subsections, and the involvement of multiple underlying genes. Incongruence between nuclear and plastid genotypes further suggested that several species have arisen after hybridization between subsections, and that some species continue to hybridize. However, all potential hybrids appear to have retained a phenotype similar to one of their ancestors, suggesting that ancestral combinations of characters are maintained by selection at many different loci.
Quantitative transcriptomic analysis of abscisic acid‐induced and reactive oxygen species‐dependent expression changes and proteomic profiling in Arabidopsis suspension cells
Authors: Böhmer Maik , Schroeder Julian I. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryEarly rapid changes in response to the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) have been observed at the transcript level, but little is known how these transcript changes translate to changes in protein abundance under the same conditions. Here we have performed a global quantitative analysis of transcript and protein changes in Arabidopsis suspension cells in response to ABA using microarrays and quantitative proteomics. In summary, 3494 transcripts and 50 proteins were significantly regulated by ABA over a treatment period of 20–24 h. Abscisic acid also caused a rapid and strong increase in production of extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with an average half‐rise time of 33 sec. A subset of ABA‐regulated transcripts were differentially regulated in the presence of the ROS scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU) as compared with ABA alone, suggesting a role for ROS in the regulation of these ABA‐induced genes. Transcript changes showed an overall poor correlation to protein changes (r = 0.66). Only a subset of genes was regulated at the transcript and protein level, including known ABA marker genes. We furthermore identified ABA regulation of proteins that function in a branch of glucosinolate catabolism previously not associated with ABA signaling. The discovery of genes that were differentially regulated at the transcript and at the protein level emphasizes the strength of our combined approach. In summary, our dataset not only expands previous studies on gene and protein regulation in response to ABA, but rather uncovers unique aspects of the ABA regulon and gives rise to additional mechanisms regulated by ABA.
TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE11‐dependent trehalose metabolism promotes Arabidopsis thaliana defense against the phloem‐feeding insect Myzus persicae
Authors: Singh Vijay , Louis Joe , Ayre Brian G. , Reese John C. , Shah Jyoti 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAgricultural productivity is limited by the removal of sap, alterations in source–sink patterns, and viral diseases vectored by aphids, which are phloem‐feeding pests. Here we show that TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE11 (TPS11) gene‐dependent trehalose metabolism regulates Arabidopsis thaliana defense against Myzus persicae (Sülzer), commonly known as the green peach aphid (GPA). GPA infestation of Arabidopsis resulted in a transient increase in trehalose and expression of the TPS11 gene, which encodes a trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase/phosphatase. Knockout of TPS11 function abolished trehalose increases in GPA‐infested leaves of the tps11 mutant plant and attenuated defense against GPA. Trehalose application restored resistance in the tps11 mutant, confirming that the lack of trehalose accumulation is associated with the inability of the tps11 mutant to control GPA infestation. Resistance against GPA was also higher in the trehalose hyper‐accumulating tre1 mutant and in bacterial otsB gene‐expressing plants, further supporting the conclusion that trehalose plays a role in Arabidopsis defense against GPA. Evidence presented here indicates that TPS11‐dependent trehalose regulates expression of the PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 gene, which is a key modulator of defenses against GPA. TPS11 also promotes the re‐allocation of carbon into starch at the expense of sucrose, the primary plant‐derived carbon and energy source for the insect. Our results provide a framework for the signaling function of TPS11‐dependent trehalose in plant stress responses, and also reveal an important contribution of starch in controlling the severity of aphid infestation.
The specificity of cytokinin signalling in Arabidopsis thaliana is mediated by differing ligand affinities and expression profiles of the receptors
Authors: Stolz Andrea , Riefler Michael , Lomin Sergey N. , Achazi Katharina , Romanov Georgy A. , Schmülling Thomas 
Published: March 2011

Summary Arabidopsis thaliana has three membrane‐located cytokinin receptors (AHK2, AHK3 and CRE1/AHK4), which are sensor histidine kinases containing a ligand‐binding CHASE domain. Despite their structural similarity the role of these receptors differs in planta. Here we have explored which parameters contribute to signal specification. In a bacterial assay, the CHASE domain of AHK2 has a similar ligand binding spectrum as CRE1/AHK4. It shows the highest affinity for isopentenyladenine (iP) and trans‐zeatin (tZ) with an apparent KD of 1.4 and 4.0 nm, respectively. Real‐time PCR analysis of cytokinin primary response genes in double mutants retaining only single receptors revealed that all receptors are activated in planta by cytokinin concentrations in the low nanomolar range. However, there are differences in sensitivity towards the principal cytokinins iP and tZ. The activation of the cytokinin‐sensitive PARR5:GUS reporter gene in three different double mutants shows specific, but also overlapping, spatial domains of activity, which were for all receptors predominantly in the shoot apical meristems and root cap columella. AHK2 and AHK3 signal specifically in leaf parenchyma cells, AHK3 in stomata cells, and CRE1/AHK4 in the root vasculature. Promoter‐swap experiments demonstrate that CRE1/AHK4 can functionally replace AHK2 but not AHK3. However, the cytoplasmic AHK3 histidine kinase (Hk) domain can be replaced by the CRE1/AHK4 Hk domain, which suggests that functionality is mediated in this case by the extracytosolic domain. Together, the data show that both differential gene expression and ligand preference contribute to specify the receptor activity.
Progress and delivery of health care in Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon and Gross National Happiness
Authors: Tobgay Tashi , Dorji Tandin , Pelzom Dorji , Gibbons Robert V. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is rapidly changing, but it remains relatively isolated, and it tenaciously embraces its rich cultural heritage. Despite very limited resources, Bhutan is making a concerted effort to update its health care and deliver it to all of its citizens. Healthcare services are delivered through 31 hospitals, 178 basic health unit clinics and 654 outreach clinics that provide maternal and child health services in remote communities in the mountains. Physical access to primary health care is now well sustained for more than 90% of the population. Bhutan has made progress in key health indicators. In the past 50 years, life expectancy increased by 18 years and infant mortality dropped from 102.8 to 49.3 per 1000 live births between 1984 and 2008. Bhutan has a rich medical history. One of the ancient names for Bhutan was ‘Land of Medicinal Herbs’ because of the diverse medicinal plants it exported to neighbouring countries. In 1967, traditional medicine was included in the National Health System, and in 1971, formal training for Drungtshos (traditional doctors) and sMenpas (traditional compounders) began. In 1982, Bhutan established the Pharmaceutical and Research Unit, which manufactures, develops and researches traditional herbal medicines. Despite commendable achievements, considerable challenges lie ahead, but the advances of the past few decades bode well for the future.
Evidence on impact of community‐based environmental management on dengue transmission in Santiago de Cuba
Authors: Toledo Maria E. , Rodriguez Adriana , Valdés Luis , Carrión Rigoberto , Cabrera Georgina , Banderas Digna , Ceballos Enrique , Domeqc Mireya , Peña Carilda , Baly Alberto , Vanlerberghe Veerle , Van der Stuyft Patrick 
Published: March 2011

SummaryDuring the dengue outbreak that struck Santiago de Cuba in 2006–2007, we conducted an observational study in the Mariana Grajales district, the former setting of a community trial for Aedes aegypti control. In the trial, community working groups (CWG) had been created in 29 randomly selected intervention house blocks, and routine vector control activities alone were conducted in the remaining 30 control blocks. The CWG elaborated and implemented with the population plans and activities to reduce Aedes infestation. They were still functional in 2006 and continued organizing community‐based environmental management activities. The attack rate of dengue fever during the outbreak was 8.5 per 1000 inhabitants in the former intervention blocks and 38.1 per 1000 inhabitants in the control blocks, which corresponds to a relative risk of 4.5 (95% CI 3.1–6.5). There was a significantly higher proportion of unaffected intervention blocks, and affected blocks had on average substantially less cases than affected control blocks. This study indicates that community‐based environmental management inserted in the routine A. aegypti control programme can not only sustainably curb vector infestation but also have an impact on dengue transmission.
Immunomodulatory effects of therapeutic preparations of human albumin
Authors: Aubin É. , Roberge C. , Lemieux R. , Bazin R. 
Published: March 2011

Background and Objectives  Albumin is the most abundant protein in plasma and is considered to be immunologically inert. However, we recently observed that therapeutic human albumin preparations, used as protein control in studies involving high doses of IVIg, modulated the MHC II‐restricted activation of antigen‐specific T cells. In the present work, we characterized this effect in more details.Materials and Methods  An in vitro antigen presentation assay using mouse cells was used to evaluate the effect of therapeutic human albumin preparations on the activation of ovalbumin‐specific T cells. Flow cytometry and quantitative real‐time PCR were used to monitor the expression of genes involved in this process.Results  Therapeutic human albumin preparations increased T cell activation in a dose‐dependent manner. The effect was explained by an increase in the expression of MHC II and of two other genes (CIITA and H2‐M) involved in antigen presentation by murine monocytic cells. Similarly, the expression of HLA‐DR on the surface of human monocytic cells was increased following incubation with therapeutic human albumin preparations.Conclusion  Altogether, these results reveal a possible physiological role of albumin in immunological processes, leading to an increased ability of antigen presenting cells to trigger T cell activation. This immunomodulatory effect needs to be considered, at least in studies in which albumin is used as a presumably inert control protein.
Does after‐hours in‐house senior physician cover improve standard of care and outcomes in high‐risk preterm neonates? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Resnick Steven , Jacques Angela , Patole Sanjay , Simmer Karen 
Published: March 2011

Aim:  To compare the standard of care and outcomes to discharge for inborn high‐risk preterm (gestation <32 weeks) neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before and after adopting an after‐hours in‐house senior physician cover roster (ISPCR). The ISPCR involved the presence of a consultant neonatologist or neonatal fellow in the NICU until 11 pm.Methods:  This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for 12 months before (1 February 2002 to 31 January 2003, epoch 1) and after (1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004, epoch 2) adopting the ISPCR. Short‐term neonatal outcomes, including mortality and morbidity such as intraventricular haemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotising enterocolitis and chronic lung disease, were examined. The standard of acute care, including admission temperature, correct positioning of tubes and lines, and preventable ventilatory complications in the first 8 h following admission, was also compared.Results:  The numbers (235 in epoch 1, 245 in epoch 2), demographic characteristics and severity of illness (CRIB score) of neonates admitted to the NICU was comparable between epochs. Overall neonatal outcomes did not show significant improvement after adopting an ISPCR, nor were they improved for after‐hours admissions in the presence of senior in‐house physicians. The standard of acute care was also not significantly different. Minor improvements, such as earlier administration of surfactant, were noted in epoch 2.Conclusions:  Adoption of an ISPCR was not associated with any significant change in the standard of acute care and short‐term outcomes for inborn neonates <32 weeks' gestation.
Review of primary hypothyroidism in very low birthweight infants in a perinatal centre in Hong Kong
Authors: Chee Yuet Yee , Wong Kar Yin , Low Louis 
Published: March 2011

Aims:  To review the incidence and risk factors of primary hypothyroidism in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants in our centre and to assess their neurodevelopmental outcome.Method:  Retrospective, descriptive review of VLBW infants with primary hypothyroidism from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2008 in a perinatal centre. Case control comparisons for neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months, nested to a prospective VLBW cohort (Vermont Oxford Database).Results:  Twelve cases were identified, with the incidence of primary hypothyroidism of 1 in 55 live births in our VLBW cohort during the 9‐year study period. Umbilical cord blood thyroid‐stimulating hormone was abnormal in less than half of the cases using the current cut‐off (≤14 mIU/L). Five cases were transient in nature, four cases were permanent and the causes for the rest remained undetermined at the time of review. Elevation of thyroid‐stimulating hormone was first evident at a mean of 2.4 weeks post‐natally. Follow‐up assessment reviewed normal development in 83% of cases (10 out of 12 cases). There was no statistically significant difference in Griffith's scores at 18 months between the case and matched controls.Conclusions:  The high incidence of primary hypothyroidism in our VLBW cohort deserved stringent monitoring of thyroid function post‐natally. Umbilical cord blood screening was not useful as a screening tool because of its low sensitivity. Neurodevelopmental outcome for treated primary hypothyroidism was favourable as assessed at 18 months of age.
Health‐related quality of life in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease related to disease activity
Authors: Haapamäki Johanna , Roine Risto P , Sintonen Harri , Kolho Kaija‐Leena 
Published: March 2011

Aim:  Impaired health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and an increased risk of psychosocial problems may encounter children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Generic HRQoL questionnaires, 15D designed for subjects over 16 years of age, 16D for adolescents aged 12–15 and 17D for younger children, allow comparison to healthy peers and have not been used in children with IBD before. Further, in paediatric IBD patients, HRQoL has not been related to disease activity.We evaluated the applicability of 15D, 16D and 17D questionnaires in the paediatric IBD population and examined how HRQoL is influenced by changes in clinical activity of IBD.Methods:  The study subjects recruited at their scheduled, routine appointment in the outpatient clinic of the children's hospital completed the HRQoL questionnaire at baseline and again after 3–5 months. Disease activity was estimated by a three‐level scale. The HRQoL of the study population was compared with that of the age‐standardised general population.Results:  Fifty‐five children, aged 7–19 years, were recruited. The HRQoL scores strongly correlated with the activity of the disease (P < 0.001). The two oldest age groups with IBD had lower HRQoL scores than age‐standardised peers (P= 0.001/0.04). There was no gender difference in HRQoL scores.Conclusions:  IBD has a considerable impact on the HRQoL of children and adolescents. The generic HRQoL instruments used appeared to be promising tools for examining HRQoL in paediatric IBD patients in different age groups, but larger studies to establish their usefulness in the follow‐up of young patients are still warranted.
As yet uncultured bacteria phylogenetically classified as Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis and unclassified Bacteroidales, Clostridiales and Ruminococcaceae may play a predominant role in ruminal biohydrogenation
Authors: Huws Sharon A. , Kim Eun J. , Lee Michael R. F. , Scott Mark B. , Tweed John K. S. , Pinloche Eric , Wallace R. John , Scollan Nigel D. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryMicrobial biohydrogenation of dietary poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the rumen results in the high ratio of SFA/PUFA in ruminant products, such as meat and milk. In vitro, Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus‐related bacteria extensively biohydrogenate PUFA to SFA, yet their contribution in the rumen has not been confirmed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus group bacteria in ruminal biohydrogenation and to assess the possible role of other bacteria. Fish oil at 0%, 1.5% and 3% dry matter intake was fed to eight Holstein × Friesian steers, in order to elicit changes in the extent of PUFA biohydrogenation. Fatty acid and B. proteoclasticus group 16S rRNA concentrations in rumen digesta were determined. Correlation between digesta 18:0 concentration and B. proteoclasticus group 16S rRNA concentration was low. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) coupled with multivariate statistics revealed that many terminal restriction fragments (T‐RFs) and DGGE bands were linked to cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), 18:1 trans‐11 and 18:0 ruminal concentrations. MiCA T‐RF predictive identification software showed that these linked T‐RFs were likely to originate from as yet uncultured bacteria classified as Prevotella, Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, and unclassified Bacteroidales, Clostridiales and Ruminococcaceae. Sequencing of linked DGGE bands also revealed that as yet uncultured bacteria classified as Prevotella, Anaerovoax (member of the Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis family), and unclassified Clostridiales and Ruminococcaceae may play a role in biohydrogenation.
(R,S)‐dichlorprop herbicide in agricultural soil induces proliferation and expression of multiple dioxygenase‐encoding genes in the indigenous microbial community
Authors: Paulin Mélanie M. , Nicolaisen Mette H. , Sørensen Jan 
Published: March 2011

SummaryWe investigated the effect of (R,S)‐dichlorprop herbicide addition to soil microcosms on the degrading indigenous microbial community by targeting multiple α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent (α‐KG) dioxygenase‐encoding genes (rdpA, sdpA and tfdA group I) at both gene and transcript level. The soil microbial community responded with high growth of potential degraders as measured by the abundance of dioxygenase‐encoding genes using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). rdpA DNA was not detectable in unamended soil but reached over 106 copies g−1 soil after amendment. sdpA and tfdA were both present prior to amendment at levels of ∼5 × 104 and ∼102 copies g−1 soil, respectively, and both reached over 105 copies g−1 soil. While expression of all three target genes was detected during two cycles of herbicide degradation, a time‐shift occurred between maximum expression of each gene. Gene diversity by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) uncovered a diversity of sdpA and tfdA genes at the DNA level while rdpA remained highly conserved. However, mRNA profiles indicated that all transcribed tfdA sequences were class III genes while rdpA transcripts shared 100% identity to rdpA of Delftia acidovorans MC1 and sdpA transcripts shared 100% identity to sdpA from Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH. This is the first report to describe expression dynamics of multiple α‐KG dioxygenase‐encoding genes in the indigenous microbial community as related to degradation of a phenoxypropionate herbicide in soil.