bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interdependence of Endomembrane Trafficking and Actin Dynamics during Polarized Growth of Arabidopsis Pollen Tubes
Authors: Zhang Yan , He Junmin , Lee David , McCormick Sheila 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
During polarized growth of pollen tubes, endomembrane trafficking and actin polymerization are two critical processes that establish membrane/wall homeostasis and maintain growth polarity. Fine-tuned interactions between these two processes are therefore necessary but poorly understood. To better understand such cross talk in the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we first established optimized concentrations of drugs that interfere with either endomembrane trafficking or the actin cytoskeleton, then examined pollen tube growth using fluorescent protein markers that label transport vesicles, endosomes, or the actin cytoskeleton. Both brefeldin A (BFA) and wortmannin disturbed the motility and structural integrity of ARA7- but not ARA6-labeled endosomes, suggesting heterogeneity of the endosomal populations. Disrupting endomembrane trafficking by BFA or wortmannin perturbed actin polymerization at the apical region but not in the longitudinal actin cables in the shank. The interference of BFA/wortmannin with actin polymerization was progressive rather than rapid, suggesting an indirect effect, possibly due to perturbed endomembrane trafficking of certain membrane-localized signaling proteins. Both the actin depolymerization drug latrunculin B and the actin stabilization drug jasplakinolide rapidly disrupted transport of secretory vesicles, but each drug caused distinct responses on different endosomal populations labeled by ARA6 or ARA7, indicating that a dynamic actin cytoskeleton was critical for some steps in endomembrane trafficking. Our results provide evidence of cross talk between endomembrane trafficking and the actin cytoskeleton in pollen tubes.
Depression and treatment with antidepressants are associated with the development of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: MARTÍN‐MERINO E. , RUIGÓMEZ A. , GARCÍA RODRÍGUEZ L. A. , WALLANDER M.‐A. , JOHANSSON S. 
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1132–1140SummaryBackground The roles of depression and antidepressants in triggering reflux symptoms remain unclear.Aim To compare the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in individuals with and without a depression diagnosis and to evaluate risk factors for a GERD diagnosis. The relationship between antidepressant treatment and GERD was also assessed.Methods The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database was used to identify patients with incident depression and an age‐ and sex‐matched control cohort with no depression diagnosis. Incident GERD diagnoses were identified during a mean follow‐up of 3.3 years. Furthermore, we performed nested case‐control analyses where odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression in multivariable models.Results The incidence of GERD was 14.2 per 1000 person‐years in the depression cohort and 8.3 per 1000 person‐years in the control cohort. The hazard ratio of GERD in patients with depression compared with controls was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.60–1.85). Among patients with depression, tricyclic antidepressant use was associated with an increased risk of GERD (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.34–2.20), while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were not associated with GERD.Conclusions A depression diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of a subsequent GERD diagnosis, particularly in individuals using tricyclic antidepressants.
Uncertainties in the 20th century carbon budget associated with land use change
Authors: ARORA V. K. , BOER G. J. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractUncertainties in the 20th century carbon budget associated with the treatment of land use change (LUC) are assessed using the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) first‐generation Earth System Model (CanESM1). Eight coupled climate carbon cycle simulations are performed using different reconstructions of 1850–2000 land cover derived from historical information on changes in cropland and pasture area. The simulations provide estimates of the emissions associated with LUC, the relative contribution of changes in cropland and pasture to LUC emissions and the uncertainty associated with differences among historical data sets of crop area as well as in the manner in which the historical land cover data are constructed. The resulting estimates of the amount of biomass deforested over the 1850–2000 period range from 63 to 145 Pg C with cumulative implied LUC emissions ranging from 40 to 77 Pg C. These values of LUC emissions are considerably lower than Houghton's estimate of 156 Pg C. The year 2000 atmospheric CO2 concentration ranges between 371.1 ± 3.7 ppm depending on the data set used and the manner in which historical land cover is constructed. This compares to the observed value of 369.6 ppm at Mauna Loa and is 17.3 ± 6.3 ppm larger than for simulations without LUC. Although increases in cropland result in the expected increase in LUC emissions, changes in pasture area decrease these emissions because of carbon sequestration in soils.
Proteomics of life at low temperatures: trigger factor is the primary chaperone in the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125
Authors: Piette Florence , D'Amico Salvino , Struvay Caroline , Mazzucchelli Gabriel , Renaut Jenny , Tutino Maria Luisa , Danchin Antoine , Leprince Pierre , Feller Georges 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe proteomes expressed at 4°C and 18°C by the psychrophilic Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis have been compared using two‐dimensional differential in‐gel electrophoresis, showing that translation, protein folding, membrane integrity and anti‐oxidant activities are upregulated at 4°C. This proteomic analysis revealed that the trigger factor is the main upregulated protein at low temperature. The trigger factor is the first molecular chaperone interacting with virtually all newly synthesized polypeptides on the ribosome and also possesses a peptidyl‐prolyl cis‐trans isomerase activity. This suggests that protein folding at low temperatures is a rate‐limiting step for bacterial growth in cold environments. It is proposed that the psychrophilic trigger factor rescues the chaperone function as both DnaK and GroEL (the major bacterial chaperones but also heat‐shock proteins) are downregulated at 4°C. The recombinant psychrophilic trigger factor is a monomer that displays unusually low conformational stability with a Tm value of 33°C, suggesting that the essential chaperone function requires considerable flexibility and dynamics to compensate for the reduction of molecular motions at freezing temperatures. Its chaperone activity is strongly temperature‐dependent and requires near‐zero temperature to stably bind a model‐unfolded polypeptide.
Aberrant microRNA expression in the brains of neurodegenerative diseases: miR‐29a decreased in Alzheimer disease brains targets neurone navigator 3
Authors: Shioya M. , Obayashi S. , Tabunoki H. , Arima K. , Saito Y. , Ishida T. , Satoh J. 
Published: February 2010

M. Shioya, S. Obayashi, H. Tabunoki, K. Arima, Y. Saito, T. Ishida and J. Satoh (2010) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology36, 320–330 Aberrant microRNA expression in the brains of neurodegenerative diseases: miR‐29a decreased in Alzheimer disease brains targets neurone navigator 3 Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate translational repression of target mRNAs. Accumulating evidence indicates that various miRNAs, expressed in a spatially and temporally controlled that manner in the brain plays a key role in neuronal development. However, at present, the pathological implication of aberrant miRNA expression in neurodegenerative events remains largely unknown. To identify miRNAs closely associated with neurodegeneration, we performed miRNA expression profiling of brain tissues of various neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: We initially studied the frontal cortex derived from three amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients by using a microarray of 723 human miRNAs. This was followed by enlargement of study population with quantitative RT‐PCR analysis (n = 21). Results: By microarray analysis, we identified up‐regulation of miR‐29a, miR‐29b and miR‐338‐3p in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis brains, but due to a great interindividual variation, we could not validate these results by quantitative RT‐PCR. However, we found significant down‐regulation of miR‐29a in Alzheimer disease (AD) brains. The database search on TargetScan, PicTar and miRBase Target identified neurone navigator 3 (NAV3), a regulator of axon guidance, as a principal target of miR‐29a, and actually NAV3 mRNA levels were elevated in AD brains. MiR‐29a‐mediated down‐regulation of NAV3 was verified by the luciferase reporter assay. By immunohistochemistry, NAV3 expression was most evidently enhanced in degenerating pyramidal neurones in the cerebral cortex of AD. Conclusions: These observations suggest the hypothesis that underexpression of miR‐29a affects neurodegenerative processes by enhancing neuronal NAV3 expression in AD brains.
When and why is blood crossmatched?
Authors: Tinegate H. N. , Davies T. , Elshaw R. J. , Jane G. , Lyon M. , Norfolk D. R. , Plews D. E. , Troy C. B. , Watson D. 
Published: February 2010

Background and Objectives  This study was undertaken to provide data relating to the timing of laboratory crossmatch procedures, and the source of requests for out of hours crossmatch, to support interpretation of error reports originating in the transfusion laboratory, received by the Serious Hazards of Transfusion haemovigilance scheme.Materials and Methods  Data on the timing, origin and urgency of all crossmatch requests were collected in 34 hospitals in northern England over a 7‐day period in 2008. Additional data on clinical urgency were collected on crossmatches that were performed out of hours.Results  Data were obtained on 2423 crossmatches, including 610 (25·2%) performed outside core hours. 30·3% of out of hours crossmatch requests were for transfusions that were set up outside 4 h of completion of the crossmatch.Conclusion  2008 Serious Hazards of Transfusion data showed that 29/39 (74%) of laboratory errors resulting in ‘wrong blood’ occurred out of hours whilst our audit shows that only 25% of crossmatch requests are made in that time period, suggesting that crossmatching performed outside core hours carries increased risks. The reason for increased risk of error needs further research, but 25 laboratories had only one member of staff working out of hours, often combining blood transfusion, haematology and coagulation work. A total of 25% of out of hours requests were not clinically urgent. Hospitals should develop policies to define indications for out of hours transfusion testing, empower laboratory staff to challenge inappropriate requests and ensure that staffing and expertise is appropriate for the workload at all times.
Review: Modelling the dialysate
Authors: PHIPPS LISA M , HARRIS DAVID CH 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTDialysate prescription is evolving as new technology allows greater opportunity to alter dialysate constituents throughout dialysis, providing scope for tailored prescription for an individual patient. The intention of modelling or profiling is to improve the tolerability of dialysis and long‐term patient outcomes. This approach can be applied to both electrolytes and water. Despite these advances in technology, benefits of modelling have not been demonstrated consistently. This review examines the use of individual prescription and modelling of dialysate sodium, ultrafiltrate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and phosphate.
Applying evidence into routine clinical care at a unit level: The exemplar of renal anaemia management
Authors: GALLAGHER MARTIN P , CASS ALAN , CRAIG JONATHAN C 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTVariability in implementing research evidence into clinical practice is widespread, including in the management of patients with kidney disease. There are numerous well‐known barriers and facilitators to evidence implementation identified in other clinical settings and a few chronic kidney disease studies. The necessary changes to health systems that support evidence implementation take time to design, apply and to have a measurable effect. Measurement against an agreed standard is fundamental to this process. We use the example of renal anaemia management across a dialysis unit to illustrate an approach to these issues.
Changes in the highest frequency of breath sounds without wheezing during methacholine inhalation challenge in children
Authors: HABUKAWA Chizu , MURAKAMI Katsumi , MOCHIZUKI Hiroyuki , TAKAMI Satoru , MURAMATSU Reiko , TADAKI Hiromi , HAGIWARA Satomi , MIZUNO Takahisa , ARAKAWA Hirokazu , NAGASAKA Yukio 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTA breath sound analyser was used to detect bronchoconstriction without wheezing during methacholine inhalation challenge in children. The highest frequency of inspiratory breath sounds increased significantly during bronchoconstriction and decreased after inhalation of a bronchodilator. The highest frequency of inspiratory breaths sounds was correlated with bronchial reactivity.Background and objective:  It is difficult for clinicians to identify changes in breath sounds caused by bronchoconstriction when wheezing is not audible. A breath sound analyser can identify changes in the frequency of breath sounds caused by bronchoconstriction. The present study aimed to identify the changes in the frequency of breath sounds during bronchoconstriction and bronchodilatation using a breath sound analyser.Methods:  Thirty‐six children (8.2 ± 3.7 years; males : females, 22 : 14) underwent spirometry, methacholine inhalation challenge and breath sound analysis. Methacholine inhalation challenge was performed and baseline respiratory resistance, minimum dose of methacholine (bronchial sensitivity) and speed of bronchoconstriction in response to methacholine (Sm: bronchial reactivity) were calculated. The highest frequency of inspiratory breath sounds (HFI), the highest frequency of expiratory breath sounds (HFE) and the percentage change in HFI and HFE were determined. The HFI and HFE were compared before methacholine inhalation (pre‐HFI and pre‐HFE), when respiratory resistance reached double the baseline value (max HFI and max HFE), and after bronchodilator inhalation (post‐HFI and post‐HFE).Results:  Breath sounds increased during methacholine‐induced bronchoconstriction. Max HFI was significantly greater than pre‐HFI (P < 0.001), and decreased to the basal level after bronchodilator inhalation. Post‐HFI was significantly lower than max HFI (P < 0.001). HFI and HFE were also significantly changed (P < 0.001). The percentage change in HFI showed a significant correlation with the speed of bronchoconstriction in response to methacholine (P = 0.007).Conclusions:  Methacholine‐induced bronchoconstriction significantly increased HFI, and the increase in HFI was correlated with bronchial reactivity.
Endobronchial foreign bodies in Vietnamese adults are related to eating habits
Authors: NGUYEN Lan Huu , NGUYEN Dung Huy , TRAN Thach Ngoc , NGUYEN Phung Tran , THI Quy Hoang , AELONY Yossef , HOMASSON Jean Paul Daniel 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  A high percentage of bronchoscopically extracted foreign bodies in Ho Chi Minh City were pits of the sapote fruit, a finding previously unreported. This paper presents a review of foreign body extractions, which identifies the substances found, documents the diagnostic pathway and draws attention to the specific aspiration risk of the sapote pit.Methods:  The records of 100 consecutive adults who were found to have a bronchial foreign body during flexible bronchoscopy were reviewed.Results:  In 83% of patients, the foreign body extraction was performed more than 2 weeks after the aspiration had occurred. In only 34% of patients was the diagnosis of an aspirated foreign body considered early in the patient's clinical course. The most frequent foreign bodies found were sapote pits (41%), followed by small bones (38%). Foreign bodies were lodged more frequently in the right bronchial tree (64%). In 98% of patients, the foreign bodies were successfully removed with the flexible scope. There was one postoperative death, which was not ascribed to the procedure.Conclusions:  Physicians need to consider foreign body aspirations when evaluating patients with recurrent pneumonia, unexplained cough or atelectasis. Awareness of this problem might lead to public health measures that could reduce the incidence of these aspirations.
‘Lung age’ predicts post‐operative complications and survival in lung cancer patients
Authors: HARUKI Tomohiro , NAKAMURA Hiroshige , TANIGUCHI Yuji , MIWA Ken , ADACHI Yoshin , FUJIOKA Shinji 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The Japanese Respiratory Society recently proposed ‘lung age’ as an easily understood concept of respiratory function. In this study, we evaluated whether ‘lung age’ could be a useful predictor of post‐operative respiratory complications and survival patients with lung cancer treated surgically.Methods:  The study recruited 308 patients who underwent surgery for primary non‐small‐cell lung cancer. All patients had preoperative pulmonary function testing. ‘Lung age’ was determined using the methods advocated by the Japanese Respiratory Society. Based on the difference between ‘real age’ (R) and ‘lung age’ (L), patients were classified into five groups: group A: R−L > 15 (n = 37), B: 5 < R−L ≤ 15 (n = 50), C: −5 ≤ R−L ≤ 5 (n = 73), D: −15 ≤ R−L < −5 (n = 54), E: −15 > R−L (n = 94). Clinicopathological factors, post‐operative respiratory complications and survival were compared between the groups.Results:  Gender, smoking status and index, histology, operative approach and FEV1 were significantly associated with the group classification. The incidence of complications was significantly higher in group E compared with other groups (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that the group classification by ‘lung age’ was an independent predictor of post‐operative respiratory complications (P = 0.02). Overall survival differed significantly between the groups (P = 0.03).Conclusions:  ‘Lung age’ could be useful for the prediction of post‐operative respiratory complications and survival in patients with lung cancer treated surgically.
Prognostic value of survivin, X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and second mitochondria‐derived activator of caspases expression in advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: CHEN Ping , LI Jian , GE Li‐Ping , DAI Chun‐Hua , LI Xiao‐Qin 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Survivin and X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in vitro mediate cancer cell survival and chemoresistance. Second mitochondria‐derived activator of caspases (Smac), an antagonist of XIAP, has been shown in vitro to increase chemosensitivity. This study examined the prognostic value of survivin, XIAP and Smac in advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with cisplatin‐containing chemotherapy.Methods:  Semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR was used to measure survivin, XIAP and Smac mRNA expression in transbronchial biopsy tumour specimens from 72 patients with advanced NSCLC before commencing chemotherapy. Outcome measures were response to chemotherapy, progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).Results:  Low expression of survivin was associated with good response to chemotherapy (P = 0.028). No association was found between XIAP and Smac expression levels and response to chemotherapy (P = 0.224 and P = 0.088, respectively). Patients with low survivin expression or high Smac expression had significantly longer PFS (P = 0.012 and P = 0.029, respectively) and OS (P = 0.007 and P = 0.031, respectively) compared with patients with high expression of survivin or low expression of Smac. XIAP expression was not correlated with PFS or OS. Additionally, PFS and OS in patients with performance status of 0 or 1 and stage IIIB were significantly longer than PFS and OS in patients with performance status (PS) of 2 and stage IV disease. Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that survivin and clinical stage were independent predictors for PFS and OS. Smac was an independent prognostic factor for OS, but not for PFS.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that the expression levels of survivin and Smac, but not XIAP, predict the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with chemotherapy.
Relationship between exhaled nitric oxide and treatment response in COPD patients with exacerbations
Authors: ANTUS Balazs , BARTA Imre , HORVATH Ildiko , CSISZER Eszter 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) has been implicated as a pulmonary biomarker in various respiratory diseases, including COPD. In this longitudinal study, the benefit of measuring FENO in a routine clinical setting was assessed in COPD patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of the disease.Methods:  FENO, lung function and blood gases were measured in 58 COPD patients at hospital admission due to an exacerbation, and at discharge following treatment with corticosteroids and bronchodilators.Results:  FENO levels were significantly decreased at discharge, compared with those at admission (geometric mean 25.3 ppb (95% CI: 21.2–30.1) vs 19.7 ppb (95% CI: 17.2–22.6); P = 0.002). There was a significant positive correlation between FENO concentrations at admission and the increase in FEV1 after treatment (r = 0.441, P < 0.001), and a significant inverse correlation between FENO values at admission and the mean length of hospital stay (r = −0.297, P = 0.016). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimum cut point for FENO as a predictor for significant increase in FEV1 was 26.8 ppb (sensitivity: 74%, specificity: 75%). There were no correlations between FENO levels and absolute values for lung function variables at admission or discharge.Conclusions:  These data suggest that FENO levels determined at hospital admission may predict the overall response to treatment in COPD patients with acute exacerbations.