bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitellogenin gene expression in autogenous Culex tarsalis
Authors: Provost‐Javier K. N. , Chen S. , Rasgon J. L. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAutogeny, the ability of a mosquito to mature an initial batch of eggs without blood feeding, is an alternative reproductive strategy with important implications for vector‐borne disease transmission. Regulation of the major yolk protein (vitellogenin; Vg) genes during bloodmeal‐induced oogenesis is well studied, but little is known about regulation of vitellogenesis in autogenous mosquitoes. We characterized the expression of four vitellogenin genes (Vg1a, Vg1b, Vg2a and Vg2b) in an autogenous strain of the West Nile Virus vector, Culex tarsalis. All vitellogenin genes were expressed during autogenous reproduction and following a bloodmeal, although the intensity and duration of expression varied amongst genes. Quantitative PCR analysis of vitellogenin transcription during autogeny revealed a similar temporal pattern to known vitellogenin expression profiles in anautogenous Aedes aegypti. Vitellogenin transcript, primarily produced from the Vg1b gene, was also detected in the larval and pupal stages of development, but no detectable vitellogenin protein was produced during this time period.
Evasion, suppression and tolerance of Drosophila innate immunity by a male‐killing Spiroplasma endosymbiont
Authors: Anbutsu H. , Fukatsu T. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractHow endosymbiotic bacteria cope with host insect immunity is poorly understood. Here we report previously unknown aspects of immunity‐mediated interactions between male‐killing/non‐male‐killing spiroplasmas and Drosophila host. The male‐killing spiroplasma tended to reduce constitutive expression levels of some antimicrobial peptide genes, while the non‐male‐killing spiroplasma did not. In mutant flies whose innate immunity is constitutively up‐regulated, infection densities of the male‐killing spiroplasma were significantly suppressed but managed to increase during the aging of adult flies, indicating that the male‐killing spiroplasma is resistant to mounted immune attacks. These findings suggest that not only immune evasion but also immune suppression and tolerance are involved in the establishment and maintenance of the insect‐microbe symbiotic association.
Bottom‐up versus top‐down control of tree regeneration in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland
Authors: Kuijper Dries P. J. , Cromsigt Joris P. G. M. , Jędrzejewska Bogumiła , Miścicki Stanisław , Churski Marcin , Jędrzejewski Włodzimierz , Kweczlich Iwona 
Published: April 2010

Summary 1. We tested the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors in structuring temperate forest communities by comparing tree recruitment after 7 years inside 30 pairs of exclosure (excluding ungulates: red deer, roe deer, bison, moose, wild boar) and control plots (7 × 7 m each) in one of the most natural forest systems in Europe, the Białowieża Primeval Forest (eastern Poland). The strictly protected part of that forest hosts the complete native variety in trees, ungulates and their carnivores and excludes human intervention. 2. We analysed whether the exclosure effect interacted with abiotic factors, relevant for tree recruitment (canopy cover, ground vegetation cover, soil fertility and soil wetness) at different stages of tree regeneration (seedlings, saplings ≤ 50 and > 50 cm). 3. Contrary to our expectations, a single factor dominated at each stage of tree regeneration. Herbaceous vegetation cover was the main factor determining the number of seedlings with an optimum at 38% of cover. Soil fertility determined the density of saplings ≤ 50 cm, with on average three times higher density on eutrophic than on oligotrophic soils. Herbivory was the main factor determining recruitment rate of trees into > 50 cm size classes only. 4. The density of saplings that grew into the > 50 cm size class was more than three times higher in the exclosures than in the control plots during 7 years. In the absence of ungulates, on average 3.1 species recruited into the > 50 cm size class compared to 1.7 in control plots. Tree species occurred in more equal proportions inside exclosures, whereas species composition was pushed towards strong dominance of a preferred forage species, Carpinus betulus, in the presence of ungulates. This suggests that preference of species by ungulates can coincide with tolerance to browsing. 5. Synthesis. The study showed that abiotic conditions dominated the early stages and ungulate impact the later stages of tree regeneration, indicating the context‐dependence of herbivore top‐down effects. Heterogeneity in abiotic and biotic conditions may, therefore, have an important influence on the strength of top‐down effects and the role that herbivores play in natural ecosystems.
Accuracy of the water‐siphon test associated to barium study in a high prevalence gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease population: a novel statistical approach
Authors: Fiorentino Eugenio , Matranga Domenica , Pantuso Gianni , Cabibi Daniela , Bonventre Sebastiano , Barbiera Filippo 
Published: April 2010

SummaryRationale, aims and objectives Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is ‘a condition which develops when the reflux of gastric content causes troublesome symptoms or complications’. Instrumental diagnostic tests generally used for GORD are 24‐hour pH‐metry and upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy but barium study associated with provocative manoeuvres such as the water‐siphon test (WST), has also been used for GORD. The aim of this paper was to estimate the accuracy of several tests in patients with GORD in a tertiary care setting, focusing on WST, which is rapid and non‐invasive, simple to perform and well‐tolerated by patients.Method A total of 172 consecutive patients, symptomatic for reflux referred to a tertiary medical centre, were considered and data regarding the WST, 24‐hour pH‐metry, upper GI endoscopy with histology were analysed using latent class analysis, a multivariable statistical method for estimating the accuracy of tests when a gold standard is not available.Results The overall proportion of GORD in the sample was estimated at 0.664 [95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.589; 0.731)]. WST proved to be the most sensitive [Se = 0.886; 95% CI = (0.688; 1.000)] compared with pH‐metry [Se = 0.620; 95% CI = (0.493; 0.745)] and endoscopy with histology [Se = 0.534; 95% CI = (0.273; 0.789)]. It was less specific [Sp = 0.537; 95% CI = (0.003; 1.000)] than pH‐metry [Sp = 0.547; 95% CI = (0.281; 0.813)], and even less than endoscopy with histology [Sp = 0.862; 95% CI = (0.495; 1.00)]. Positive predictive values were estimated at 0.792 [95% CI = (0.721; 0.862)] for WST, 0.731 [95% CI = (0.643; 0.819)] for pH‐metry and 0.886 [95% CI = (0.811; 0.961)] for endoscopy with histology. Negative predictive values were estimated at 0.707 [95% CI = (0.573; 0.841)] for WST, 0.422 [95% CI = (0.310; 0.534)] for pH‐metry and 0.484 [95% CI = (0.387; 0.581)] for endoscopy with histology.Conclusion Water‐siphon test might possibly be useful in patients with suspected GORD because it is highly sensitive and predictive. A positive outcome of the WST associated with a barium study can certainly justify upper GI endoscopy and support any pharmacological treatment of GORD.
Dietary calcium, dairy food intake and metabolic abnormalities in HIV‐infected individuals
Authors: Leite L. H. M. , Sampaio A. B. M. M. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground:  Epidemiological data suggest that calcium intake may influence lipid metabolism. It is unknown whether this influence also occurs in individuals with HIV/AIDS. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary calcium, dairy food intake and metabolic parameters in individuals with HIV/AIDS.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 100 individuals with HIV/AIDS. Calcium intakes and food group consumption were determined by a food 24‐h dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire, respectively. The level of physical activity was determined with the international physical activity questionnaire and metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (2001). Student’s t‐test, one‐way analysis of variance and chi‐square were used to compare the groups.Results:  The mean (SD) calcium intake was 559.5 (298.84) mg day−1 and dairy food consumption was 1.73 (0.78) servings per day. Dietary calcium intake below 700 mg day−1 had greater waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) but not significant and higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.07). Dairy food consumers (>2 servings per day) showed lower BMI (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P = 0.05), SBP and DBP (P < 0.05). There was a significant association between calcium intake, MS and hypertension. The odds ratio for MS was 2.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–3.32] and for hypertension was 2.25 (95% CI = 1.44–4.44). Only 21% of the individuals were categorised in the moderate/intense physical activity level.Conclusions:  The results obtained suggest that a dietary pattern with higher proportion of calcium and fruits/vegetables may protect against abdominal obesity and hypertension in HIV‐infected individuals.
Macromolecules that prefer their membranes curvy
Authors: Huang Kerwyn Casey , Ramamurthi Kumaran S. 
Published: April 2010

SummaryUnderstanding the mechanisms that underlie the organization of bacterial cells has become a significant challenge in the field of bacterial cytology. Of specific interest are early macromolecular sorting events that establish cellular non‐uniformity and provide chemical landmarks for later localization events. In this review, we will examine specific examples of lipids and proteins that appear to exploit differences in membrane curvature to drive their localization to particular regions of a bacterial cell. We will also discuss the physical limits of curvature‐mediated localization within bacteria, and the use of modelling to infer biophysical properties of curvature‐sensing macromolecules.
A role for β‐sitosterol to stigmasterol conversion in plant–pathogen interactions
Authors: Griebel Thomas , Zeier Jürgen 
Published: April 2010

SummaryUpon inoculation with pathogenic microbes, plants induce an array of metabolic changes that potentially contribute to induced resistance or even enhance susceptibility. When analysing leaf lipid composition during the Arabidopsis thaliana–Pseudomonas syringae interaction, we found that accumulation of the phytosterol stigmasterol is a significant plant metabolic process that occurs upon bacterial leaf infection. Stigmasterol is synthesized from β‐sitosterol by the cytochrome P450 CYP710A1 via C22 desaturation. Arabidopsis cyp710A1 mutant lines impaired in pathogen‐inducible expression of the C22 desaturase and concomitant stigmasterol accumulation are more resistant to both avirulent and virulent P. syringae strains than wild‐type plants, and exogenous application of stigmasterol attenuates this resistance phenotype. These data indicate that induced sterol desaturation in wild‐type plants favours pathogen multiplication and plant susceptibility. Stigmasterol formation is triggered through perception of pathogen‐associated molecular patterns such as flagellin and lipopolysaccharides, and through production of reactive oxygen species, but does not depend on the salicylic acid, jasmonic acid or ethylene defence pathways. Isolated microsomal and plasma membrane preparations exhibited a similar increase in the stigmasterol/β‐sitosterol ratio as whole‐leaf extracts after leaf inoculation with P. syringae, indicating that the stigmasterol produced is incorporated into plant membranes. The increased contents of stigmasterol in leaves after pathogen attack do not influence salicylic acid‐mediated defence signalling but attenuate pathogen‐induced expression of the defence regulator flavin‐dependent monooxygenase 1. P. syringae thus promotes plant disease susceptibility through stimulation of sterol C22 desaturation in leaves, which increases the stigmasterol to β‐sitosterol ratio in plant membranes.
Brittle Culm 12, a dual‐targeting kinesin‐4 protein, controls cell‐cycle progression and wall properties in rice
Authors: Zhang Mu , Zhang Baocai , Qian Qian , Yu Yanchun , Li Rui , Zhang Junwen , Liu Xiangling , Zeng Dali , Li Jiayang , Zhou Yihua 
Published: April 2010

SummaryKinesins are encoded by a large gene family involved in many basic processes of plant development. However, the number of functionally identified kinesins in rice is very limited. Here, we report the functional characterization of Brittle Culm12 (BC12), a gene encoding a kinesin‐4 protein. bc12 mutants display dwarfism resulting from a significant reduction in cell number and brittleness due to an alteration in cellulose microfibril orientation and wall composition. BC12 is expressed mainly in tissues undergoing cell division and secondary wall thickening. In vitro biochemical analyses verified BC12 as an authentic motor protein. This protein was present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and associated with microtubule arrays during cell division. Mitotic microtubule array comparison, flow cytometric analysis and expression assays of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) complexes in root‐tip cells showed that cell‐cycle progression is affected in bc12 mutants. BC12 is very probably regulated by CDKA;3 based on yeast two‐hybrid and microarray data. Therefore, BC12 functions as a dual‐targeting kinesin protein and is implicated in cell‐cycle progression, cellulose microfibril deposition and wall composition in the monocot plant rice.
Retracted: Chloroplast stromal proteins, CRR6 and CRR7, are required for assembly of the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase subcomplex A in Arabidopsis
Authors: Peng Lianwei , Cai Wenhe , Shikanai Toshiharu 
Published: April 2010

SummaryIn higher plants, the chloroplast NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex mediates chlororespiration and photosystem I (PSI) cyclic electron transport in thylakoid membranes. Because of its low abundance and fragility, our knowledge on the assembly of chloroplast NDH is very limited, and some nuclear‐encoded factors may be involved in this process. We show here that two Arabidopsis proteins, CHLORORESPIRATORY REDUCTION 6 (CRR6) and CRR7, which were previously identified in mutants specifically defective in NDH accumulation, are present in the stroma, and their stability is independent of the NDH complex, suggesting that they are unlikely to be NDH subunits. Blue native PAGE analysis showed that the accumulation of NDH subcomplex A, which is a core part of NDH that is conserved in divergent species, was specifically impaired in the crr6 and crr7‐1 mutants. However, the expression of plastid‐encoded genes encoding the subcomplex A subunits was not affected, suggesting that CRR6 and CRR7 are involved in post‐translational steps during the biogenesis of subcomplex A. We also discovered that a substantial quantity of NdhH is present in several protein complexes in the chloroplast stroma, possibly as early assembly intermediates of subcomplex A. Although the accumulation of these stromal complexes was not affected in crr6 or crr7‐1, CRR6 was co‐purified with NdhH, implying that CRR6 functions in the later step of subcomplex‐A biogenesis. Accumulation of CRR7 was independent of that of CRR6; we propose that CRR7 functions in a different step in subcomplex‐A biogenesis from CRR6.
Kwashiorkor from a severe dietary restriction in an 8‐month infant in suburban Detroit, Michigan: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tierney Emily P. , Sage Robert J. , Shwayder Tor 
Published: April 2010

AbstractKwashiorkor is a type of protein‐calorie malnutrition often seen in children of impoverished countries and famine. The condition occurs in the setting of insufficient protein intake in the presence of sufficient caloric intake. We report a case of a 8‐month‐old male infant in the suburban Detroit, MI, USA who presented with diffuse edema, erythroderma and desquamation, a “bull‐dog” face, diarrhea, and irritability, consistent with kwashiorkor as a result of severe dietary restriction. The mother had placed the child on a severely restrictive diet, consisting only of RICE DREAM® milk, sweet potatoes and bananas, with the assumption that it would help his rash. Nineteen prior cases of kwashiorkor induced in infants by dietary restriction of “well intending” parents have been reported in the US literature. Malnutrition is often under diagnosed or misdiagnosed in developed countries such as the United States. The results, if unrecognized or untreated, may be devastating. This makes it imperative that physicians consider this diagnosis, recognize potential risk factors and be prepared to accurately assess overall nutritional status of patients.
Atopy, asthma, and lung function in relation to folate and vitamin B12 in adults
Authors: Thuesen B. H. , Husemoen L. L. N. , Ovesen L. , Jørgensen T. , Fenger M. , Gilderson G. , Linneberg A. 
Published: April 2010

To cite this article: Thuesen BH, Husemoen LLN, Ovesen L, Jørgensen T, Fenger M, Gilderson G, Linneberg A. Atopy, asthma, and lung function in relation to folate and vitamin B12 in adults. Allergy 2010; 65: 1446–1454.AbstractBackground:  Recent studies suggested low serum folate and impaired folate metabolism as potential risk factors for development of asthma and atopic disease, but the results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the relations of markers of folate and vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency with different phenotypes of asthma and atopy.Methods:  A random sample of 6784 persons from a general population aged 30–60 years participated in a health examination in 1999–2001, and 4516 (66.6%) of those also participated in a follow‐up examination 5 years later. The examinations included spirometry, measurements of serum folate and B12, specific IgE to inhalant allergens, total IgE, and genotyping of the MTHFR‐C677T polymorphism – a genetic marker of impaired folate metabolism. Information about dietary intake of folate and B12, asthma diagnosis, and airway symptoms was obtained by questionnaires.Results:  Low serum folate levels and the TT genotype of the MTHFR‐C677T polymorphism were associated with increased prevalence of self‐reported doctor‐diagnosed asthma [odds ratio (OR) 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.79 and OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.12–2.06, respectively] and attacks of shortness of breath (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.14–1.79 and OR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.14–1.91, respectively). We found no significant associations with lung function or atopic outcomes. Serum levels of B12 and dietary intake of folate and B12 were not associated with asthma or atopy.Conclusions:  We found that two objective markers of folate deficiency were associated with self‐reported doctor‐diagnosed asthma and attacks of shortness of breath, but not with lung function or atopy.
Structural lung changes, lung function, and non‐invasive inflammatory markers in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Robroeks Charlotte M. H. H. T. , Roozeboom Marieke H. , De Jong Pim A. , Tiddens Harm A. W. M. , Jöbsis Quirijn , Hendriks Han J. , Yntema Jan‐Bart L. , Brackel Hein L. , Van Gent Rene , Robben Simon , Dompeling Edward 
Published: April 2010

Robroeks CMHHT, Roozeboom MH, de Jong PA, Tiddens HAWM, Jöbsis Q, Hendriks HJ, Yntema J‐BL, Brackel HL, van Gent R, Robben S, Dompeling E. Structural lung changes, lung function, and non‐invasive inflammatory markers in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 493–500. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell MunksgaardCystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and recurrent infections, resulting in (ir)reversible structural lung changes and a progressive decline in lung function. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between non‐invasive inflammatory markers (IM) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), lung function indices and structural lung changes, visualized by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans in CF. In 34 CF patients, lung function indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity [FVC], residual volume, and total lung capacity [TLC]) and non‐invasive IM (exhaled nitric oxide, and condensate acidity, nitrate, nitrite, 8‐isoprostane, hydrogen peroxide, interferon‐gamma) were assessed. HRCT scans were scored in a standardized and validated way, a composite score and component scores were calculated. In general, the correlations between non‐invasive IM and structural lung changes, and between IM and lung function were low (correlation coefficients <0.40). Patients with positive sputum Pseudomonas cultures had higher EBC nitrite levels and higher parenchymal HRCT subscores than patients with Pseudomonas‐negative cultures (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression models demonstrated that FVC was significantly predicted by hydrogen peroxide in EBC, and the scores of bronchiectasis and mosaic perfusion (Pearson correlation coefficient R = 0.78, p < 0.001). TLC was significantly predicted by 8‐isoprostane, nitrate, hydrogen peroxide in EBC, and the mucous plugging subscore (R = 0.92, p < 0.01). Static and dynamic lung function indices in this CF group were predicted by the combination of non‐invasive IM in EBC and structural lung changes on HRCT imaging. Future longitudinal studies should reveal whether non‐invasive monitoring of airway inflammation in CF adds to better follow‐up of patients.
The indication and effectiveness of low‐dose erythromycin therapy in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma*
Authors: Korematsu Seigo , Yamamoto Kyoko , Nagakura Tomokazu , Miyahara Hiroaki , Okazaki Naho , Akiyoshi Kensuke , Maeda Tomoki , Suenobu So‐ichi , Izumi Tatsuro 
Published: April 2010

Korematsu S, Yamamoto K, Nagakura T, Miyahara H, Okazaki N, Akiyoshi K, Maeda T, Suenobu S‐i, Izumi T. The indication and effectiveness of low‐dose erythromycin therapy in pediatric patients with bronchial asthma. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 489–492. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/STo elucidate the mechanisms of intractable pediatric bronchial asthma and the indication of low‐dose erythromycin (EM) therapy, the serum chemokine levels of and the angiogenic factor were evaluated in 55 pediatric patients with bronchial asthma; 7.4 ± 3.5 yr old, who had been treated with inhaled steroid, leukotriene receptor antagonist, theophylline and others for more than a year. Both the levels of interleukin (IL) 8 (p = 0.036) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p = 0.005) were higher in patients with severe type than those of patients with the milder type, while other chemokine levels such as serum eotaxin and MCP1 did not show the correlation with the severity of bronchial asthma. Induction of therapy with low‐dose EM induced improvement of the clinical symptoms in patients with severe type and decrease of their serum chemokine levels: IL8; from 736 ± 88 to 75 ± 85 pg/ml (p < 0.0005), and VEGF; from 352.0 ± 160.5 to 132.2 ± 59.9 pg/ml (p = 0.021) within the next 6 months. Moreover, low‐dose EM resulted in a decreased daily peak‐trough fluctuation rate of the serum theophylline concentration; (Cmax − Cmin)/Cmin, from 1.3 ± 0.5 to 0.5 ± 0.3, which led to the maintenance of effective serum levels. These results indicated that IL8 and VEGF affect the severity of standard therapies resistance intractable bronchial asthma. Through the suppression of these chemokines and maintenance of effective theophylline levels, low‐dose EM therapy improves the symptoms of bronchial asthma.