bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The FRIGIDA Complex Activates Transcription of FLC, a Strong Flowering Repressor in Arabidopsis, by Recruiting Chromatin Modification Factors
Authors: Choi Kyuha , Kim Juhyun , Hwang Hyun-Ju , Kim Sanghee , Park Chulmin , Kim Sang Yeol , Lee Ilha 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana winter annuals is delayed until the subsequent spring by the strong floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). FRIGIDA (FRI) activates the transcription of FLC, but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. The fri mutation causes early flowering with reduced FLC expression similar to frl1, fes1, suf4, and flx, which are mutants of FLC-specific regulators. Here, we report that FRI acts as a scaffold protein interacting with FRL1, FES1, SUF4, and FLX to form a transcription activator complex (FRI-C). Each component of FRI-C has a specialized function. SUF4 binds to a cis-element of the FLC promoter, FLX and FES1 have transcriptional activation potential, and FRL1 and FES1 stabilize the complex. FRI-C recruits a general transcription factor, a TAF14 homolog, and chromatin modification factors, the SWR1 complex and SET2 homolog. Complex formation was confirmed by the immunoprecipitation of FRI-associated proteins followed by mass spectrometric analysis. Our results provide insight into how a specific transcription activator recruits chromatin modifiers to regulate a key flowering gene.
Vitiligo: A review of the published work
Authors: YAGHOOBI Reza , OMIDIAN Mohammad , BAGHERANI Nooshin 
Published: February 2011

AbstractVitiligo is a common depigmenting skin disorder, characterized by acquired, idiopathic, progressive, circumscribed hypomelanosis of the skin and hair, with total absence of melanocytes microscopically. It occurs worldwide, with an incidence rate of between 0.1% and 2%. Vitiligo is an important skin disease having a major impact on the quality of life of the patient suffering from it. The causes of this condition are uncertain but seem to be dependent on the interaction of genetic, immunological and neurological factors. Vitiligo coexists with other autoimmune disorders, Sutton or halo nevus, and malignant melanoma. The substantial disfigurement associated with vitiligo can cause serious emotional stress for the patient, which necessitates treatment. Because its pathogenesis is still not understood, there is a plethora of different treatments. Among them, topical steroids and narrowband ultraviolet B monotherapy were the most common as current treatments for localized and generalized vitiligo, respectively. Cosmetic improvement can be achieved by camouflage products and self‐tanning dyes. The course of vitiligo is unpredictable, but often progressive. Spontaneous repigmentation may occur in a few people (10–20%), mainly in children, but this tends to be only partial and on sun‐exposed areas. In this article, we review vitiligo as a whole, including epidemiology, pathogenesis and etiology, histopathology, clinical manifestations, classification, clinical variants, diagnosis and differential diagnoses, specific investigation, treatment, prognosis, psychosocial view and its association with other disorders.
Yield and quality of forage maize grown under marginal climatic conditions in Northern Ireland
Authors: Farrell A. D. , Gilliland T. J. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe expansion of maize (Zea mays) into cooler areas has been facilitated by the availability of early maturing cultivars and by cultivation under plastic mulch. However, year‐to‐year variation in harvest quality remains a problem. The yield and quality of ‘Goldcob’, an early maturing forage maize, were assessed over 5 years from plots grown in the open and under plastic mulch. For both treatments, there was significant between‐year variation in yield and quality (starch content, metabolizable energy, organic matter and D‐value), and starch content was particularly variable. The use of plastic mulch to warm the soil advanced the establishment of the crop, with silking occurring on average 19 days earlier. This resulted in significantly higher yields under plastic mulch, with a mean increase of 3·9 t ha−1. The plastic mulch also resulted in significant increases in quality parameters, with starch content showing a mean increase of 36%. The Ontario heat unit model explained much of the variability in yield, both in the open and under plastic mulch. Plastic mulch had no consistent effect on Ontario heat units accumulated prior to silking, but Ontario heat units accumulated between silking and harvest (OHUpost‐silk) were found to be an adequate predictor of yield. The response of starch content was more complex, showing a clear plateau in the response to temperature at 1200 OHUpost‐silk, above which the accumulation of starch appears limited by other factors.
Foliar N/P ratio and nutrient limitation to vegetation growth on Keerqin sandy grassland of North‐east China
Authors: Li L.‐J. , Zeng D.‐H. , Yu Z.‐Y. , Fan Z.‐P. , Mao R. , Peri P. L. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractTo examine whether the critical leaf N/P ratios (of 14, 16) are valid to test nutrient limitation in the context of semi‐arid sandy grasslands, an experiment was conducted on a Keerqin sandy grassland in North‐east China to investigate the responses of plant biomass and nutrient concentrations to fertilization. Plant biomass production and leaf nutrient concentrations were measured after five consecutive years of fertilization with N (20 g N m−2 year−1) and/or P (10 g P2O5 m−2 year−1). Nitrogen fertilization increased the shoot biomass by twofold and consequently the shoot/root ratio, whereas P fertilization had little effect on either shoot biomass or shoot/root ratio. Leaf N/P ratio varied among species with an average of 5·6 in the control, while the mean leaf N/P ratio (7·5) under the N fertilization treatment remained below the threshold of 14. Our results suggest that the critical N/P ratio (14, 16) is not applicable as a test for nutrient limitations in the context of semi‐arid, sandy grassland.
Glucosamine Improved Atopic Dermatitis‐like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice by Inhibition of Th2 Cell Development
Authors: Kim C.‐H. , Cheong K. A. , Park C. D. , Lee A.‐Y. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDysregulated Th subset responses, characterized by Th2‐dominant allergic inflammation, are thought to be central to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Glucosamine has been shown to have immunosuppressive properties, but its effect on AD has not been examined. In this study, the immunoregulatory effects of glucosamine, using dermatophagoides farinae (Df)‐induced AD‐like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice, were investigated. The clinical scores were reduced significantly by the treatment with glucosamine at 10 and 20 mg/day. Histological analysis of the skin also revealed that treatment of glucosamine at 10 and 20 mg/day significantly reduced the inflammatory cellular infiltrate, including mast cells and eosinophils. The levels of serum IgE and Th2 cytokines in spleen cells were reduced, whereas no significant change was detected in IFN‐γ, a Th1 cytokine. To determine the mechanism associated with inhibition of the Th2 immune response, the effects of glucosamine on the selective differentiation pathway of the Th subset in vitro was examined in NC/Nga mice. The results showed that glucosamine suppressed the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells to Th2 cells in vitro. On the basis of in vivo and in vitro results of the NC/Nga mice, the immunobiological effects of glucosamine on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with AD were examined. The production of Th2 cytokines, such as IL‐4 and IL‐5, was significantly decreased after in vitro administration of glucosamine, which suggest that glucosamine might be a useful immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of human AD.
VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN 7 directly regulates the expression of a broad range of genes for xylem vessel formation
Authors: Yamaguchi Masatoshi , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Ohtani Misato , Ohme‐Takagi Masaru , Kato Ko , Demura Taku 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThe Arabidopsis thaliana NAC domain transcription factor, VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN7 (VND7), acts as a key regulator of xylem vessel differentiation. In order to identify direct target genes of VND7, we performed global transcriptome analysis using Arabidopsis transgenic lines in which VND7 activity could be induced post‐translationally. This analysis identified 63 putative direct target genes of VND7, which encode a broad range of proteins, such as transcription factors, IRREGULAR XYLEM proteins and proteolytic enzymes, known to be closely associated with xylem vessel formation. Recombinant VND7 protein binds to several promoter sequences present in candidate direct target genes: specifically, in the promoter of XYLEM CYSTEINE PEPTIDASE1, two distinct regions were demonstrated to be responsible for VND7 binding. We also found that expression of VND7 restores secondary cell wall formation in the fiber cells of inflorescence stems of nst1 nst3 double mutants, as well as expression of NAC SECONDARY WALL THICKENING PROMOTING FACTOR3 (NST3, however, the vessel‐type secondary wall deposition was observed only as a result of VND7 expression. These findings indicated that VND7 upregulates, directly and/or indirectly, many genes involved in a wide range of processes in xylem vessel differentiation, and that its target genes are partially different from those of NSTs.
Double ethical review of North–South collaborative clinical research: hidden paternalism or real partnership?
Authors: Ravinetto Raffaella , Buvé Anne , Halidou Tinto , Lutumba Pascal , Talisuna Ambrose , Juffrie Mohammad , D’Alessandro Umberto , Boelaert Marleen 
Published: February 2011

SummaryDespite their universal character, the ethical principles governing clinical research need to be translated into procedures and practices, which will vary among countries and regions because of differences in local cultural norms and in the available resources. Double ethical review, by which a research protocol is submitted for ethical clearance both in the country or countries where the research takes place and in the country of the sponsor or funding agency, will then help ensure that all relevant perspectives are taken into account. In addition, a geographically and culturally close ethics committee can do a much better informed and comprehensive assessment of the respective skills of the clinical sites and of the sponsor. But the practical implementation of double ethical review can bring significant difficulties and delays, especially in multi‐site and multi‐country researches. Currently, most ethics committees do not proactively seek communication with others evaluating the same research protocol in different socio‐economical and cultural contexts, so in practice there is no mutual learning process. Proactive communication would help to build collaborative partnership among ethical bodies, promoting common practices and resolving conflicting opinions.
Patients’ experiences and views of an emergency and urgent care system
Authors: Knowles Emma , O’Cathain Alicia , Nicholl Jon 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground  Surveys of patients’ experiences and views of health care usually focus on single services. During an unexpected episode of ill health, patients may make contact with different services and therefore experience care within an emergency and urgent care system. We developed the Urgent Care System Questionnaire and used it to describe patients’ experiences and views of an emergency and urgent care system in England.Methods  A market research company used quota sampling and random digit dialling to undertake a telephone survey of 1000 members of the general population in July 2007.Results  15% (151/1000) of the population reported using the emergency and urgent care system in the previous 3 months. Two thirds of users (68%, 98/145) contacted more than one service for their most recent event, with a mean of 2.0 services per event. Users entered the system through a range of services: the majority contacted a daytime GP in the first instance (59%, 85/145), and 12% (18/145) contacted either a 999 emergency ambulance or an emergency department. Satisfaction with all aspects of care diminished when four or more services had been contacted.Conclusions  This is the first study to describe patients’ experiences and views of the emergency and urgent care system. The majority of patients experienced a system of care rather than single service care. There was an indication that longer pathways resulted in lower levels of patient satisfaction. Health care organisations can undertake similar surveys to identify problems with their system or to assess the impact of changes made to their system.
Bacterial contamination of organ graft preservation solution and infection after transplantation
Authors: Sauget M. , Verdy S. , Slekovec C. , Bertrand X. , Talon D. 
Published: February 2011

M. Sauget, S. Verdy, C. Slekovec, X. Bertrand, D. Talon. Bacterial contamination of organ graft preservation solution and infection after transplantation. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 331–334. All rights reservedAbstract: Infectious complications represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with organ transplantation. Contamination of preservation solution (PS) can lead to life‐threatening complications in the recipients. For a 3‐year period, we investigated the bacterial contamination of both PSs and graft fragments, recipient infections, and explored the link between them. In total 137 organs were transplanted, and 131 organ and perfusate cultures out of 426 tested (30.8%) gave a positive bacterial culture, mainly with coagulase‐negative staphylococci. Overall, 80 recipients out of 137 (58.4%) had at least 1 infection during the 4‐month post‐graft surveillance period. Twelve recipients had an infection with the same bacterial species that was recovered in the corresponding graft. However, based on pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis typing results, only 1 case was very likely cross‐transmitted via the transplantation.
Recurrent leishmaniasis in kidney transplant recipients: report of 2 cases and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Simon I. , Wissing K.M. , Del Marmol V. , Antinori S. , Remmelink M. , Nilufer Broeders E. , Nortier J.L. , Corbellino M. , Abramowicz D. , Cascio A. 
Published: February 2011

I. Simon, K.M. Wissing, V. Del Marmol, S. Antinori, M. Remmelink, E. Nilufer Broeders, J.L. Nortier, M. Corbellino, D. Abramowicz, A. Cascio. Recurrent leishmaniasis in kidney transplant recipients: report of 2 cases and systematic review of the literature. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 397–406. All rights reservedAbstract: The characteristics of 8 episodes of leishmaniasis with atypical manifestations in 2 Italian kidney transplant recipients are analyzed and contextualized among those of 52 other episodes of leishmaniasis observed in 19 transplant recipients found through a systematic review of the international literature. In all the patients, the initial episode was visceral leishmaniasis, which was associated with mucocutaneous involvement in 2 cases. With the exception of 1 case of post kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis, 2 episodes of Leishmania endophthalmitis, and 3 episodes of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, all the recurrences were characterized by visceral involvement. The potential role of polymerase chain reaction in monitoring the infection, the importance of a long follow‐up, the potential benefit of chemoprophylaxis, and the therapeutic challenges are discussed.
Molecular diversity and distribution of aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading anaerobes across a landfill leachate plume
Authors: Staats Martijn , Braster Martin , Röling Wilfred F.M. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryNatural attenuation of the mono‐aromates benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene occurs under iron‐reducing conditions in a leachate‐contaminated aquifer near the Banisveld landfill, the Netherlands. The diversity of mono‐aromate‐degrading microorganisms was studied by targeting functional genes encoding benzylsuccinate synthase α‐subunit (bssA) and 6‐oxocyclohex‐1‐ene‐1‐carbonyl‐CoA hydrolase (bamA). Sixty‐four bssA and 188 bamA variants were sequenced from groundwater sampled along the pollution plume in 1999 and 2004. Species containing bssA sequences closest affiliated (> 91%) with the betaprotebacterium Georgfuchsia toluolica were the dominant alkylbenzene degraders (89% of bssA sequences). bssA genes were found at more than 10‐fold lower copy numbers than bamA genes, of which only a small fraction (< 2%) was closely related to the genes of Georgfuchsia. bamA gene diversity was high and bamA‐based community composition was primarily affected by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ferrous iron concentrations. bamA sequences closest related to Geobacteraceae were dominantly (43.2%) observed and the presence of Geobacteraceae‐related bamA sequences was associated with DOC. Our results indicate a key role for specialized Georgfuchsia spp. in the degradation of alkylbenzenes, whereas Geobacteraceae are involved in degradation of aromatics other than toluene and xylene.
Signposting the causes of medication errors
Authors: Jordan Sue 
Published: February 2011

JORDAN S. (2011) Signposting the causes of medication errors. International Nursing Review58, 45–46Background:  Medication errors are a universal problem, but the causes and solutions are uncertain.Aim:  This commentary contextualizes an important paper describing the medication error problem in one hospital in Iran.Evaluation:  Medication errors may be an important link between poor employment conditions for nurses and less favourable patient outcomes.Implications:  This paper, taken with other observational work, suggests that intervention studies to test strategies to reduce medication errors may be key to improving patient outcomes.
Pectin engineering to modify product quality in potato
Authors: Ross Heather A. , Morris Wayne L. , Ducreux Laurence J.M. , Hancock Robert D. , Verrall Susan R. , Morris Jenny A , Tucker Gregory A. , Stewart Derek , Hedley Pete E. , McDougall Gordon J. , Taylor Mark A. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryAlthough processed potato tuber texture is an important trait that influences consumer preference, a detailed understanding of tuber textural properties at the molecular level is lacking. Previous work has identified tuber pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity as a potential factor impacting on textural properties, and the expression of a gene encoding an isoform of PME (PEST1) was associated with cooked tuber textural properties. In this study, a transgenic approach was undertaken to investigate further the impact of the PEST1 gene. Antisense and over‐expressing potato lines were generated. In over‐expressing lines, tuber PME activity was enhanced by up to 2.3‐fold; whereas in antisense lines, PME activity was decreased by up to 62%. PME isoform analysis indicated that the PEST1 gene encoded one isoform of PME. Analysis of cell walls from tubers from the over‐expressing lines indicated that the changes in PME activity resulted in a decrease in pectin methylation. Analysis of processed tuber texture demonstrated that the reduced level of pectin methylation in the over‐expressing transgenic lines was associated with a firmer processed texture. Thus, there is a clear link between PME activity, pectin methylation and processed tuber textural properties.
Situational interest, computer self‐efficacy and self‐regulation: Their impact on student engagement in distance education
Authors: Sun Jerry Chih‐Yuan , Rueda Robert 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis study investigates possible relationships among motivational and learning variables (interest, self‐efficacy and self‐regulation) and three types of student engagement (behavioural engagement, emotional engagement and cognitive engagement) in a distance education setting. Participants were 203 students enrolled in online classes in the fall semester of 2008 in the Schools of Gerontology and Engineering at a large research university in the south‐western USA, who completed an online survey assessing their levels of situational interest, computer self‐efficacy, self‐regulation and engagement in distance education. Situational interest and self‐regulation were found to be significantly correlated with three types of engagement (behavioural, emotional and cognitive), while computer self‐efficacy did not appear to be associated with any of those engagement variables. Results suggested that online activities and tools such as multimedia and discussion boards may increase emotional engagement in online learning, although they do not necessarily increase behavioural or cognitive engagement, that educators should identify students who are taking online courses for the first time and provide necessary technical help to increase their emotional engagement, and that it is important for educators to offer students strategies for increasing their self‐regulation in distance education environments.
EXHIBITION CENTRE DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPE: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: VERMEULEN RICK 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTAll over Europe conference and exposition centres are being renovated and extended. The aim of this paper is to propose a framework to analyse these developments. It does so from a historical institutionalist perspective by employing path dependency arguments. However, after an analysis of past and present of exhibition centres in Europe, it is found that this theory contains some omissions which make them less suitable for the analysis of such large scale urban projects. To correct these omissions, a multidimensional view to path dependency, consisting of four different dimensions is proposed. This framework looks at path dependency within and between the dimensions of form, function, spatial embeddedness and institutional setting. It is argued that corresponding developments in all four dimensions lead to path dependent development, while divergence from this correspondence in one of these dimensions leads to a critical juncture. From this analytical framework a typology of exhibition centre development is derived.
Analysing US State Legislative Resolutions on Immigrants and Immigration: The Role of Immigration Federalism***
Authors: Filindra Alexandra , Kovács Melinda 
Published: February 2011

AbstractImmigration in the United States is traditionally thought of as a federal‐level policy, but in recent years, states have been exceedingly active in this domain. We analyse the context and discourse of immigration‐related legislative resolutions from Southern border‐states, recipients of the heaviest immigration flows, and find that states do not respond in the same way to immigration challenges, and these differences occur over time and space. Some states seek to federalize the issue and push Congress to take action, while others are slowly incorporating immigrants into domestic politics and have begun to treat them as yet another state constituency. These findings have significant implications both for federal‐state relations in the immigration realm, and for immigrants themselves.
Generational Shifts in Language Use Among US Latinos: Mobility, Education and Occupation
Authors: Spence Jeremiah , Rojas Viviana , Straubhaar Joseph 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe role of language and linguistic assimilation among Latinos has a direct impact on both education and occupation in terms of social mobility. The relationship can be examined with a generational context as language usage changes from first generation immigrants to third generation immigrants. The specific question being addressed herein is whether language or ethnicity had more impact on Latinos’ mobility in terms of educational achievement and occupational prestige. Results presented in this paper imply the importance and impact of the maximization of the accumulation of linguistic capital in order to accelerate the acquisition of educational attainment.