bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single follicular unit transplantation reconstructs arrector pili muscle and nerve connections and restores functional hair follicle piloerection
Authors: SATO Akio , TOYOSHIMA Koh‐ei , TOKI Hiroshi , ISHIBASHI Naoko , ASAKAWA Kyosuke , IWADATE Ayako , KANAYAMA Tatsuya , TOBE Hirofumi , TAKEDA Akira , TSUJI Takashi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe autologous transplantation of hair follicles that have been separated into single follicular units is an accepted treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Recent studies demonstrate that the multiple stem cell populations and surrounding cutaneous tissues coordinately regulate the hair follicle functions and skin homeostasis. Therefore, the critical issues for consideration regarding functional hair restoration therapy are reproduction the correct connectivity and cooperation with host cutaneous tissues, including the arrector pili muscle (APM) and nerve system. We report successful establishment of mouse single follicular transplantation model and autonomous restoration of transplanted hair follicle piloerection in mouse skin. Transplanted hair follicles were responsive to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and formed proper connections with surrounding host tissues such as APM and nerve fibers, which in turn connect with not only the hair follicle bulge region but also the APM. These results demonstrate that the piloerection ability of transplanted hair follicles can be estimated quantitatively. This study makes a substantial contribution towards the development of transplantation therapy that will facilitate future functional regeneration therapy for skin and skin appendages.
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E‐mediated recessive resistance to plant viruses and its utility in crop improvement
Authors: WANG AIMING , KRISHNASWAMY SOWMYA 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYThe use of genetic resistance is considered to be the most effective and sustainable approach to the control of plant pathogens. Although most of the known natural resistance genes are monogenic dominant R genes that are predominant against fungi and bacteria, more and more recessive resistance genes against viruses have been cloned in the last decade. Interestingly, of the 14 natural recessive resistance genes against plant viruses that have been cloned from diverse plant species thus far, 12 encode the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) or its isoform eIF(iso)4E. This review is intended to summarize the current state of knowledge about eIF4E and the possible mechanisms underlying its essential role in virus infection, and to discuss recent progress and the potential of eIF4E as a target gene in the development of genetic resistance to viruses for crop improvement.
New prognostic markers, determined using gene expression analyses, reveal two distinct subtypes of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia patients
Authors: Bou Samra Elias , Moreaux Jérôme , Vacheret Fabienne , Mills Ken , Rufflé Florence , Chiesa Jean , Piquemal David , Boureux Anthony , Lavabre‐Bertrand Thierry , Jourdan Eric , Commes Thérèse 
Published: March 2012

SummaryChronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) is a heterogeneous haematopoietic disorder characterized by myeloproliferative or myelodysplastic features. At present, the pathogenesis of this malignancy is not completely understood. In this study, we sought to analyse gene expression profiles of CMML in order to characterize new molecular outcome predictors. A learning set of 32 untreated CMML patients at diagnosis was available for TaqMan low‐density array gene expression analysis. From 93 selected genes related to cancer and cell cycle, we built a five‐gene prognostic index after multiplicity correction. Using this index, we characterized two categories of patients with distinct overall survival (94% vs. 19% for good and poor overall survival, respectively; P = 0·007) and we successfully validated its strength on an independent cohort of 21 CMML patients with Affymetrix gene expression data. We found no specific patterns of association with traditional prognostic stratification parameters in the learning cohort. However, the poor survival group strongly correlated with high‐risk treated patients and transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia. We report here a new multigene prognostic index for CMML, independent of the gene expression measurement method, which could be used as a powerful tool to predict clinical outcome and help physicians to evaluate criteria for treatments.
Analysis of mite allergic patients in a diverse territory by improved diagnostic tools
Authors: Barber D. , Arias J. , Boquete M. , Cardona V. , Carrillo T. , Gala G. , Gamboa P. , C. García‐Robaina J. , Hernández D. , L. Sanz M. , Tabar A. I. , Vidal C. , Ipsen H. , de la Torre F. , Lombardero M. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryBackgroundThere are few studies comparing the sensitization with mite allergens from different mite species which could potentially be the cause of allergy.ObjectiveTo improve the diagnosis of mite allergic patients from a diverse territory in which D. pteronyssinus/D. farinae mites together with storage mites could be present in the environment.MethodsFour hundred and seventy‐seven patients (both children and adults) from different regions, covering the main mite prevalent areas of Spain, were recruited. sIgE to eight allergens was measured together with SPT to whole mite extracts, level of mite allergen exposure, and specific IgG4. BAT and CAST was performed in a subgroup of patients.ResultsD. pteronyssinus and L. destructor were more prevalent in Atlantic areas, whereas D. farinae predominate in Mediterranean areas. About 90% of patients were sensitized to group 1 and/or group 2 allergens. Group 2 was the most prevalent, and the IgE response/intensity of sensitization in BAT was higher. sIgE to Der p 2/Der f 2 was almost fully cross‐reactive, but no cross‐reactivity was detected with Lep d 2. Group 1 allergens were also cross‐reactive, but in some patients a species‐specific response was observed. sIgE to Lep d 2 was associated with SPT results to storage mites. Sensitization to Der p 1 was more frequent in children, whereas Lep d 2 sensitization was more frequent in adults. A higher ratio IgE/IgG4 to Der p 2 was associated with the presence of allergic asthma.ConclusionAn improved diagnosis algorithm has been established. Group 2 allergens seem to have a leading role in mite allergy, but as group 1 sensitization could be species‐specific in some patients and its prevalence is higher in children, an adequate balance on major mite species and major allergens must be consider in the design of mite allergy vaccines.
Physical activity and circulating endothelial progenitor cells: an intervention study
Authors: Cesari Francesca , Sofi Francesco , Gori Anna M. , Corsani Ilaria , Capalbo Andrea , Caporale Roberto , Abbate Rosanna , Gensini Gian F. , Casini Alessandro 
Published: March 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (9): 927–932AbstractBackground  To assess the effect of a personalized physical activity programme on weight and circulating (CPC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in overweight and obese subjects.Materials and methods  Anthropometric measurements with body composition, cardiopulmonary test, maximal stress exercise test with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and a series of biochemical analyses were taken before (T0) and after 3 months of physical activity (T1) in a total of 80 overweight and obese subjects. CPC and EPC were determined using flow cytometry and were defined as CD34+, CD133+ and CD34+/CD133+ for CPC and CD34+KDR+, CD133+KDR+ and CD34+CD133+KDR+ for EPC.Results  At the end of the programme, we divided the population into two groups, compliant individuals (group A, n = 47) and noncompliant individuals (group B, n = 33). Group A reported significant reductions of weight by 3·1% (P < 0·0001) and fat mass by 4·4% (P < 0·0001), while group B showed a percentage of increase in fat mass by 1·5% at T1. In group A, a trend of increase at T1 for circulating levels of CPC and EPC was observed, reaching the statistical significance for all the three types of EPC. On the contrary, group B showed no significant increase in CPC and EPC. Furthermore, a significant correlation between decrease in fat mass and increase in CD133+/KDR+ EPC was reported in group A (r = 0·50; P = 0·04).Conclusion  Three months of physical activity significantly improved anthropometric measurements. A beneficial effect of increased number of EPC in compliant individuals, in relation to weight loss, was observed.
Psychological predictors of dietary intentions in pregnancy
Authors: Gardner B. , Croker H. , Barr S. , Briley A. , Poston L. , Wardle J. ,   on behalf of the UPBEAT Trial
Published: March 2012

Gardner B., Croker H., Barr S., Briley A., Poston L. & Wardle J. on behalf of the UPBEAT Trial. (2012) Psychological predicators of dietary intentions in pregnancy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 25, 345–353AbstractBackground:  Consuming a healthy diet in pregnancy has the potential to improve obstetric outcome, including minimising the risk of macrosomia. Effective promotion of dietary change depends on identifying and targeting determinants of gestational diet. The present study aimed to model psychological predictors of intentions to reduce intake of high‐fat and high‐sugar foods, and increase fruit and vegetable consumption, among pregnant women.Methods:  One hundred and three pregnant women completed questionnaire measures of intentions to modify the consumption of the target foods, current intake, perceived vulnerability to and severity of adverse outcomes of unhealthful consumption of these foods (i.e. ‘threat’), benefits of dietary change to mother and baby, barriers to dietary changes, and social approval for dietary change (‘subjective norms’). A cross‐sectional design was used. Logistic regression analyses were undertaken to model dietary change intentions.Results:  Participants who reported excessive current intake of high‐fat and high‐sugar foods were more likely to intend to reduce the intake of these foods. Perceived benefits for mother and baby enhanced intentions to eat more fruit and vegetables and eat less high‐fat, and marginally significantly increased high‐sugar reduction intentions. There were no effects of threat, barriers or subjective norms.Conclusions:  Lack of effects for barriers, threat and subjective norms may indicate that pregnant women discount barriers to health‐promoting behaviour, understand the threat posed by unhealthy eating and perceive social approval from others. Dietary change interventions for pregnant women should emphasise likely positive outcomes for both mother and child.
Temporal profiling of the heat‐stable proteome during late maturation of Medicago truncatula seeds identifies a restricted subset of late embryogenesis abundant proteins associated with longevity
Authors: CHATELAIN EMILIE , HUNDERTMARK MICHAELA , LEPRINCE OLIVIER , GALL SOPHIE LE , SATOUR PASCALE , DELIGNY‐PENNINCK STÉPHANIE , ROGNIAUX HÉLÈNE , BUITINK JULIA 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTDeveloping seeds accumulate late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, a family of intrinsically disordered and hydrophilic proteins that confer cellular protection upon stress. Many different LEA proteins exist in seeds, but their relative contribution to seed desiccation tolerance or longevity (duration of survival) is not yet investigated. To address this, a reference map of LEA proteins was established by proteomics on a hydrophilic protein fraction from mature Medicago truncatula seeds and identified 35 polypeptides encoded by 16 LEA genes. Spatial and temporal expression profiles of the LEA polypeptides were obtained during the long maturation phase during which desiccation tolerance and longevity are sequentially acquired until pod abscission and final maturation drying occurs. Five LEA polypeptides, representing 6% of the total LEA intensity, accumulated upon acquisition of desiccation tolerance. The gradual 30‐fold increase in longevity correlated with the accumulation of four LEA polypeptides, representing 35% of LEA in mature seeds, and with two chaperone‐related polypeptides. The majority of LEA polypeptides increased around pod abscission during final maturation drying. The differential accumulation profiles of the LEA polypeptides suggest different roles in seed physiology, with a small subset of LEA and other proteins with chaperone‐like functions correlating with desiccation tolerance and longevity.
Quantifying succulence: a rapid, physiologically meaningful metric of plant water storage
Authors: OGBURN R. MATTHEW , EDWARDS ERIKA J. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTQuantification of succulence should ideally convey information about physiological function and yet also be straightforward to measure. While important aspects of succulence and its physiological consequences may be quantified using parameters derived from pressure–volume (P‐V) curves, this technique applied to succulent tissues is difficult, time consuming and generally not suitable for large comparative datasets. We performed P‐V curves on leaves of 25 taxa from across Caryophyllales and compared the results with direct measures of saturated water content (SWCmeas), the ratio of water mass at full saturation to tissue dry mass, for the same taxa. SWCmeas was significantly related to relative capacitance, the most physiologically relevant parameter describing tissue succulence. We developed a linear model describing SWCmeas as a function of relative capacitance and leaf volume, which is also supported when accounting for the phylogenetic relationships among taxa. These results indicate that SWCmeas is a suitable proxy for tissue succulence, and that both cellular properties and variation in gross morphology contribute towards a plant's relative water storage capacity. Quantifying SWCmeas across many taxa showing variation in tissue succulence will provide a new avenue for exploring the evolutionary dynamics of this important ecological adaptation.
Factors associated with the incidence of Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxin contamination of peanuts in the Busia and Homa bay districts of western Kenya
Authors: Mutegi C. K. , Ngugi H. K. , Hendriks S. L. , Jones R. B. 
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to identify agronomic, ecological and sociocultural factors that could be modified to reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination of peanuts from western Kenya. Presence of fungi within section Flavi of the genus Aspergillus and levels of total aflatoxin were determined for 436 peanut samples from the Busia and Homa bay districts. A total of 1458 cultures of Aspergillus flavus or A. parasiticus isolated from the samples were assayed for production of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2. Associations among the incidences of fungal species, incidences of samples with ≥10 μg kg−1 aflatoxin, production of specific aflatoxin types and various agronomic, ecological and sociocultural factors were modelled with chi‐squared and logistic regression methods. The predominant species were A. flavus L‐strain (78% incidence), A. flavus S‐strain (68%) and A. niger (65%). Occurrence of A. caelatus, A. alliaceus and A. tamarii in Kenya was also documented. Samples from the Busia district were three times (odds ratio = 3·01) as likely to contain ≥10 μg kg−1 of total aflatoxin as were samples from the Homa bay district, while samples containing A. flavus S‐strain were 96% more likely to exceed this threshold compared with samples from which this fungus was not isolated. Grading, planting improved cultivars and membership of a producer marketing group were negatively associated with the incidence of A. flavus, while crop rotation was negatively correlated with the incidence of B aflatoxins. These sociocultural factors can be modified to reduce the risk of peanut contamination with aflatoxin.
A short‐length single chimeric transgene induces simultaneous silencing of Agrobacterium tumefaciens oncogenes and resistance to crown gall
Authors: Alburquerque N. , Petri C. , Faize L. , Burgos L. 
Published: March 2012

Transformation with self‐complementary oncogene sequences was used to silence the Agrobacterium tumefaciens oncogenes ipt and iaaM. The silencing response was triggered by using a very short chimeric sequence where conserved fragments from both oncogenes were fused in one unique transgene. Most T0 transgenic tobacco lines and T1 seedlings evaluated in vitro had intermediate or very low susceptibility to A. tumefaciens as compared with the wildtype plants. A greenhouse evaluation of whole plants confirmed the lines that were resistant. Low levels of transgene hairpin RNA (hpRNA) coupled with small interfering RNA (siRNA) accumulation correlated with oncogene silencing and, therefore, resistance to crown gall. After infection with the oncogenic strain, much lower levels of the oncogenes’ mRNA were found in resistant lines than in wildtype plants. The frequency of resistant lines, with few or no symptoms, produced with the chimeric construct was similar to the highest reported efficiencies obtained by using sense and antisense whole oncogene sequences.
Evaluation of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from Solanum crop species for Solanum elaeagnifolium
Authors: ZHU X C , WU H W , RAMAN H , LEMERLE D , STANTON R , BURROWS G E 
Published: March 2012

Zhu XC, Wu HW, Raman H, Lemerle D, Stanton R & Burrows GE (2012). Evaluation of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from Solanum crop species for Solanum elaeagnifolium. Weed Research52, 217–223.SummaryMolecular markers specific for Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade) are currently not available. A total of 35 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primer pairs from potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (S. lycopersicum) and eggplant (S. melongena) were tested for cross‐species transferability in S. elaeagnifolium. Among them, 13 primer pairs successfully produced alleles (bands). The polymorphism information content ranged from 0 to 0.84. The transferable rate of SSR from potato, tomato and eggplant to S. elaeagnifolium was 20%, 40% and 46% respectively. SSR analysis revealed high level of genetic diversity among 40 individuals collected within a paddock. Highly polymorphic and transferable cross‐species SSR markers would be useful for determining the extent of genetic diversity in S. elaeagnifolium populations.
A cross‐sectional assessment of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among hypertensive patients in Pakistan
Authors: Saleem Fahad , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Shafie Asrul Akmal 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjective  To describe the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) profile of hypertensive population in Pakistan.Methods  A cross‐sectional descriptive study was undertaken with a cohort of 385 hypertensive patients attending two public hospitals in Quetta city, Pakistan. The EuroQoL EQ‐5D scale was used for the assessment of HRQoL. EQ‐5D is a standardized instrument for use as a measure of health outcome and is used in the clinical and economic evaluation of health care as well as population health surveys. The HRQoL was scored using values derived from the UK general population survey. P ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.Results  Two hundred and sixty‐five (68.85%) respondents were men with 3.01 ± 0.939 years of history of hypertension. Majority (n = 186, 48.3%) were categorized in age group of 28–37 years with mean age of 39.02 ± 6.596. Education, income and locality had significant relation with HRQoL score. HRQoL was measured poor in our study patients (0.4674 ± 0.2844).Conclusion  Hypertension has an adverse effect on patients’ well‐being and HRQoL. Results from this study could be useful in clinical practice, particularly in early treatment of hypertension, at point where improving HRQoL is still possible.
Behaviour and survival of Phytophthora cambivora inoculum in soil‐like substrate under different water regimes
Authors: Vannini A. , Breccia M. , Bruni N. , Tomassini A. , Vettraino A.M. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryPhytophthora cambivora is a soil‐borne pathogen responsible for root and collar rot of woody species including Castanea spp., on which it causes Ink disease. P. cambivora does not produce chlamydospores, and the prevalence of a single mating type in nature limits the production of oogonia and oospores. Thus, survival of P. cambivora, in the absence of suitable hosts, relies mainly on sporangia, zoospores and mycelium. However, inoculum survival in soils or substrates represents a major factor in disease epidemics and is probably dependant on environmental factors. The aim of this article was to study the behaviour of P. cambivora in a peat‐based substrate (PbS) in the absence of a host, under controlled conditions, and by varying the substrate water regimes. Total inoculum in the substrate was quantified by qPCR, using customized rDNA primer sets, whilst zoospores were quantified after elution, and their vitality was determined by a specific staining procedure. Inoculum infectivity was assessed using chestnut root baits. Results indicated that during the initial 48 h after infestation (matric potential, pF 1.2; 70% water content), the inoculum level increased producing microsporangia and mycelium before decreasing, regardless of the water regime applied. The number of free zoospores increased over a period of (maximum) 7 days after substrate inoculation. Vitality of zoospores declined to 45% at day 18, with no statistical differences amongst water regime treatments. Both rDNA and zoospore number increased in flooded samples at day 23, illustrating the vitality of the inoculum. Inoculum was able to infect chestnut root baits up to 45 days at pF 1.2 and 3.5, before and after flooding, but at pF 6.3, only in the absence of flooding. Although based on experiments carried out in microcosms, these results highlight an unexpected resistance of P. cambivora zoospores to environmental constraints. Furthermore, the infectivity ability of the inoculum to survive in PbS over time even in the absence of the host adds relevance to the risk of movement of soil and substrates associated with plant trading worldwide.
Treatment adherence redefined: a critical analysis of technotherapeutics
Authors: Gagnon Marilou , Jacob Jean Daniel , Guta Adrian 
Published: March 2012

GAGNON M, JACOB JD and GUTA A. Nursing Inquiry 2013; 20: 60–70  Treatment adherence redefined: a critical analysis of technotherapeuticsTreatment adherence issues in the context of chronic illnesses have become an important concern worldwide and a top priority in the field of health‐care. The development of devices that will allow healthcare providers to track treatment adherence and monitor physiological parameters with exact precision raises important questions and concerns. The aim of this study is to interrogate the use of these new technological devices which allow for previously unavailable data to be recorded on an ongoing basis and transmitted via a tiny microchip inserted into the body. Drawing on the work of Michel Foucault, we analyze how this anatomo‐political and bio‐political instrument serves to discipline chronically ill individuals and govern the health of entire populations who suffer from chronic conditions. To support our analysis, this article comprises three sections. First, we provide an overview of treatment adherence and technotherapeutics. Then, we explain how technotherapeutics concern the government of bodies and conducts at the individual level and population level more generally. Lastly, we provide an example of how this analysis can be connected to routine nursing practice in the field of HIV.