bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fine-Tuning of the Cytoplasmic Ca2+ Concentration Is Essential for Pollen Tube Growth
Authors: Iwano Megumi , Entani Tetsuyuki , Shiba Hiroshi , Kakita Mituru , Nagai Takeharu , Mizuno Hideaki , Miyawaki Atsushi , Shoji Tsubasa , Kubo Kenichi , Isogai Akira , Takayama Seiji 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Pollen tube growth is crucial for the delivery of sperm cells to the ovule during flowering plant reproduction. Previous in vitro imaging of Lilium longiflorum and Nicotiana tabacum has shown that growing pollen tubes exhibit a tip-focused Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) gradient and regular oscillations of the cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]cyt) in the tip region. Whether this [Ca2+] gradient and/or [Ca2+]cyt oscillations are present as the tube grows through the stigma (in vivo condition), however, is still not clear. We monitored [Ca2+]cyt dynamics in pollen tubes under various conditions using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and N. tabacum expressing yellow cameleon 3.60, a fluorescent calcium indicator with a large dynamic range. The tip-focused [Ca2+]cyt gradient was always observed in growing pollen tubes. Regular oscillations of the [Ca2+]cyt, however, were rarely identified in Arabidopsis or N. tabacum pollen tubes grown under the in vivo condition or in those placed in germination medium just after they had grown through a style (semi-in vivo condition). On the other hand, regular oscillations were observed in vitro in both growing and nongrowing pollen tubes, although the oscillation amplitude was 5-fold greater in the nongrowing pollen tubes compared with growing pollen tubes. These results suggested that a submicromolar [Ca2+]cyt in the tip region is essential for pollen tube growth, whereas a regular [Ca2+] oscillation is not. Next, we monitored [Ca2+] dynamics in the endoplasmic reticulum ([Ca2+]ER) in relation to Arabidopsis pollen tube growth using yellow cameleon 4.60, which has a lower affinity for Ca2+ compared with yellow cameleon 3.60. The [Ca2+]ER in pollen tubes grown under the semi-in vivo condition was between 100 and 500 μ m. In addition, cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of ER-type Ca2+-ATPases, inhibited growth and decreased the [Ca2+]ER. Our observations suggest that the ER serves as one of the Ca2+ stores in the pollen tube and cyclopiazonic acid-sensitive Ca2+-ATPases in the ER are required for pollen tube growth.
The RNA Hydrolysis and the Cytokinin Binding Activities of PR-10 Proteins Are Differently Performed by Two Isoforms of the Pru p 1 Peach Major Allergen and Are Possibly Functionally Related
Authors: Zubini Paola , Zambelli Barbara , Musiani Francesco , Ciurli Stefano , Bertolini Paolo , Baraldi Elena 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPR-10 proteins are a family of pathogenesis-related (PR) allergenic proteins playing multifunctional roles. The peach (Prunus persica) major allergen, Pru p 1.01, and its isoform, Pru p 1.06D, were found highly expressed in the fruit skin at the pit hardening stage, when fruits transiently lose their susceptibility to the fungal pathogen Monilinia spp. To investigate the possible role of the two Pru p 1 isoforms in plant defense, the recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Light scattering experiments and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that both proteins are monomers in solution with secondary structures typical of PR-10 proteins. Even though the proteins do not display direct antimicrobial activity, they both act as RNases, a function possibly related to defense. The RNase activity is different for the two proteins, and only that of Pru p 1.01 is affected in the presence of the cytokinin zeatin, suggesting a physiological correlation between Pru p 1.01 ligand binding and enzymatic activity. The binding of zeatin to Pru p 1.01 was evaluated using isothermal titration calorimetry, which provided information on the stoichiometry and on the thermodynamic parameters of the interaction. The structural architecture of Pru p 1.01 and Pru p 1.06D was obtained by homology modeling, and the differences in the binding pockets, possibly accounting for the observed difference in binding activity, were evaluated.
Genetic variants in the Runt‐related transcription factor 3 gene contribute to gastric cancer risk in a Chinese population
Authors: Wu Dongmei , Tian Yuanyuan , Gong Weida , Zhu Haixia , Zhang Zhizhong , Wang Meilin , Wang Shizhi , Tan Ming , Wu Haorong , Zhang Zhengdong 
Published: May 2009

Runt‐related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a well known gene for its functions in gastric cancer suppression, but the effect of its genetic variations on the risk of gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, ten tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) of the RUNX3 gene were selected and genotyped in a hospital‐based case‐control study of 312 gastric cancer patients and 329 cancer‐free controls in a Chinese population. In the single‐locus analysis, three RUNX3 intronic tSNPs associated with significantly increased risk of gastric cancer were observed: the SNP3 rs11249206 CC genotype (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–2.99), compared with the TT genotype; the SNP7 rs760805 AA genotype (adjusted OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.14–2.92), compared with the TT genotype; and the SNP8 rs2236852 GG genotype (adjusted OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.05–2.72), compared with the AA genotype. In the combined analyses of these three tSNPs, we found that the combined genotypes with four to six variant (risk) alleles (i.e. SNP3 C, SNP7 A, and SNP8 G alleles) were associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer compared with those with one to three variant (risk) alleles (adjusted OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.41–2.85), and this increased risk was more pronounced among subgroups of age ≥65 years, never smokers, and never drinkers. However, no significant association was observed in the clinicopathological features analyses. In conclusion, the RUNX3 genetic variants may modulate the risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. Further larger and functional studies are warranted to validate the findings. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1688–1694)
A 7‐year experience with low blood TSH cutoff levels for neonatal screening reveals an unsuspected frequency of congenital hypothyroidism (CH)
Authors: Corbetta Carlo , Weber Giovanna , Cortinovis Francesca , Calebiro Davide , Passoni Arianna , Vigone Maria C. , Beck‐Peccoz Paolo , Chiumello Giuseppe , Persani Luca 
Published: May 2009

SummaryContext  The guidelines of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry advocated the use of low bloodspot TSH (b‐TSH) threshold for newborn screening of congenital hypothyroidism (CH). The impact generated by the application of this indication is largely unknown.Objective  To determine the impact on CH epidemiology and classification generated by the introduction of low b‐TSH cutoff.Design  Retrospective study of 629,042 newborns screened with b‐TSH cutoffs of 12 (years 1999–2002) or 10 mU/l (2003–2005).Measurements  Congenital hypothyroidism incidence and classification. Results were compared with those virtually obtained with the previous cutoff (20 mU/l). Clinical re‐evaluation after L‐T4 withdrawal of a representative group of 140 CH children at 3–5 years.Results  Low b‐TSH cutoffs allowed the detection of 435 newborns with confirmed CH (incidence 1:1446). Forty‐five percent of CH infants, including 12/141 dysgenesis, would have been missed using the 20 mU/l cutoff. In contrast to current classification, 32% CH newborns had thyroid dysgenesis and 68% had a gland in situ (GIS). Premature birth was present in 20% of cases being associated with a 3–5 fold increased risk of GIS CH. Re‐evaluation at 3–5 years showed a permanent thyroid dysfunction in 78% of 59 CH toddlers with GIS.Conclusions  The use of low b‐TSH cutoff allowed the detection of an unsuspected number of children with neonatal hypothyroidism, evolving in mild permanent thyroid dysfunction later in life. The incidence of CH in this Italian population appears to be double than previously thought with a clear‐cut prevalence of functional defects over dysgenetic ones.
Macroprolactinaemia: prevalence and aetiologies in a large group of hospital workers
Authors: Hattori Naoki , Ishihara Takashi , Saiki Yasuhiko 
Published: May 2009

SummaryObjective  Macroprolactinaemia is one of the causes of hyperprolactinaemia and often leads to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, but the aetiologies are unclear. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of macroprolactinaemia in a healthy population and to investigate the mechanisms underlying the development of macroprolactin.Design  Observational study of the prevalence, causes, mechanisms and diagnosis of disease using excess sera after hepatitis B virus screening tests at a hospital in Japan.Participants  A total of 1330 hospital workers (1010 women and 320 men) participated in this study.Measurements  Macroprolactinaemia was screened using the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method. Sera containing macroprolactin were further examined by binding studies for possible aetiologies.Results  Of the 1330 subjects, 49 (3·68%) were diagnosed with macroprolactinaemia. The frequency of hyperprolactinaemia in untreated samples in subjects with macroprolactinaemia (30·6%) was significantly higher than in individuals without macroprolactinaemia (2·26%). Of the 49 subjects with macroprolactinaemia, all had a normal monomeric PRL concentration following PEG removal of macroprolactin. Of 44 hyperprolactinaemias found, 15 (34·1%) had macroprolactinaemia. IgG‐bound prolactin was detected in all sera containing macroprolactin. The levels of IgG‐bound prolactin positively correlated with those of macroprolactin, suggesting that IgG‐bound prolactin forms macroprolactin. Approximately three quarters of the subjects with macroprolactinaemia had anti‐prolactin autoantibodies. Glycosylation, aggregation and covalent/noncovalent binding were also involved in the formation of macroprolactin.Conclusions  Macroprolactinaemia is a common disorder and causes hyperprolactinaemia in a healthy population. The major aetiology of macroprolactin in our subjects was complexes of prolactin–IgG comprising mainly anti‐prolactin autoantibodies, and other minor complex prolactin species.
Incorporating thermal regimes into environmental flows assessments: modifying dam operations to restore freshwater ecosystem integrity
Authors: OLDEN JULIAN D. , NAIMAN ROBERT J. 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. Despite escalating conflict over fresh water, recent years have witnessed a growing realisation that human society must modify its behaviour to ensure long‐term ecological vitality of riverine ecosystems. In response, ecologists have been increasingly asked to guide instream flow management by providing ‘environmental flow’ prescriptions for sustaining the ecological integrity of riverine systems.2. Environmental flows are typically discussed in the context of water releases from dams and water allocation for extraction (such as for urban use or irrigation), where there is general agreement that rivers need to exhibit some resemblance of natural flow variability necessary to support a functioning ecosystem. Although productive dialogue continues on how best to define environmental flows, these discussions have been focused primarily on water quantity without explicit consideration of many components of water quality, including water temperature – a fundamental ecological variable.3.Many human activities on the landscape have modified riverine thermal regimes. In particular, many dams have modified thermal regimes by selectively releasing hypolimnetic (cold) or epilimnetic (warm) water from thermally stratified reservoirs to the detriment of entire assemblages of native organisms. Despite the global scope of thermal alteration by dams, the prevention or mitigation of thermal degradation has not entered the conversation when environmental flows are discussed.4.Here, we propose that a river’s thermal regime is a key, yet poorly acknowledged, component of environmental flows. This study explores the concept of the natural thermal regime, reviews how dam operations modify thermal regimes, and discusses the ecological implications of thermal alteration for freshwater ecosystems. We identify five major challenges for incorporating water temperatures into environmental flow assessments, and describe future research opportunities and some alternative approaches for confronting those challenges.5. We encourage ecologists and water managers to broaden their perspective on environmental flows to include both water quantity and quality with respect to restoring natural thermal regimes. We suggest that scientific research should focus on the comprehensive characterisation of seasonality and variability in stream temperatures, quantification of the temporal and spatial impacts of dam operations on thermal regimes and clearer elucidation of the relative roles of altered flow and temperature in shaping ecological patterns and processes in riverine ecosystems. Future investigations should also concentrate on using this acquired knowledge to identify the ‘manageable’ components of the thermal regime, and develop optimisation models that evaluate management trade‐offs and provide a range of optimal environmental flows that meet both ecosystem and human needs for fresh water.
Water inputs across a tropical montane landscape in Veracruz, Mexico: synergistic effects of land cover, rain and fog seasonality, and interannual precipitation variability
Authors: PONETTE‐GONZÁLEZ ALEXANDRA G. , WEATHERS KATHLEEN C. , CURRAN LISA M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractLand‐cover change can alter the spatiotemporal distribution of water inputs to mountain ecosystems, an important control on land‐surface and land‐atmosphere hydrologic fluxes. In eastern Mexico, we examined the influence of three widespread land‐cover types, montane cloud forest, coffee agroforestry, and cleared areas, on total and net water inputs to soil. Stand structural characteristics, as well as rain, fog, stemflow, and throughfall (water that falls through the canopy) water fluxes were measured across 11 sites during wet and dry seasons from 2005 to 2008. Land‐cover type had a significant effect on annual and seasonal net throughfall (NTF <0=canopy water retention plus canopy evaporation; NTF >0=fog water deposition). Forest canopies retained and/or lost to evaporation (i.e. NTF<0) five‐ to 11‐fold more water than coffee agroforests. Moreover, stemflow was fourfold higher under coffee shade than forest trees. Precipitation seasonality and phenological patterns determined the magnitude of these land‐cover differences, as well as their implications for the hydrologic cycle. Significant negative relationships were found between NTF and tree leaf area index (R2=0.38,P<0.002), NTF and stand basal area (R2=0.664,P<0.002), and stemflow and epiphyte loading (R2=0.414,P<0.001). These findings indicate that leaf and epiphyte surface area reductions associated with forest conversion decrease canopy water retention/evaporation, thereby increasing throughfall and stemflow inputs to soil. Interannual precipitation variability also altered patterns of water redistribution across this landscape. Storms and hurricanes resulted in little difference in forest‐coffee wet season NTF, while El Niño Southern Oscillation was associated with a twofold increase in dry season rain and fog throughfall water deposition. In montane headwater regions, changes in water delivery to canopies and soils may affect infiltration, runoff, and evapotranspiration, with implications for provisioning (e.g. water supply) and regulating (e.g. flood mitigation) ecosystem services.
Influence of large South American rivers of the Plata Basin on distributional patterns of tropical snakes: a panbiogeographical analysis
Authors: Arzamendia Vanesa , Giraudo Alejandro R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim  The main drainages of the Plata Basin – the Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay rivers – begin in tropical latitudes and run in a north–south direction into subtropical–temperate latitudes. Consequently, the biota of these rivers has tropical elements that contrast with temperate biomes through which the rivers run. We apply a panbiogeographical approach, to test whether the large rivers of the Plata Basin have a differential influence on distributional patterns of tropical snakes in subtropical and temperate latitudes of South America.Location  Subtropical and temperate sections of the major Plata Basin rivers, South America.Methods  We compared the individual tracks of 94 snake taxa. The track analysis consisted of: (1) plotting the localities of each taxon on maps, (2) connecting the localities of each taxon using a minimal geographical proximity determinant of the ‘individual tracks’, and (3) superimposing the individual tracks to determine generalized tracks. To detect tropical snakes that reach higher latitudes through the rivers we used the preferential direction of distribution concept. For each taxon we measured the angular deviations between the line of its individual track and the course of the rivers in a 100 × 100 km scaled grid. Average angular values < 45° indicated a positive association with the rivers.Results  Thirty‐five of 94 taxa showed distributions associated with the major rivers of the Plata Basin, including fauna from distinct biogeographical lineages, supported by the occurrence of five generalized tracks as follows: (1) the Paraguay–Middle Paraná, (2) the Paraguay–Paraná fluvial axis, Upper Paraná and Middle Paraná to Upper Delta, (3) the Lower Paraguay, Paraná and Uruguay rivers, excluding the sectors High Paraná and High Uruguay, (4) the Uruguay River and Upper Paraná, and (5) the High Paraná. The Atlantic species occurred with significantly higher frequency in the Uruguay River and High Paraná river sections, the Amazon species were found with significantly higher frequency in the Paraguay and Middle Paraná sections, and the species with a Pantanal distribution were found in all sections.Main conclusions  The observed distributional patterns may be explained by the interaction of ecological, geographical and historical factors. Previous authors have developed ecological (hydrological or environmental similarity) or dispersalist (effect of rivers as migration routes) explanations. The coincidence between generalized tracks and past geomorphological events that caused displacements and changed relationships between the Paraguay, Paraná and Uruguay river sections supports hypotheses involving the strong influence of historical factors in the present configuration of tropical snake distribution in temperate latitudes.
Soybean meal alters autochthonous microbial populations, microvilli morphology and compromises intestinal enterocyte integrity of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)
Authors: Merrifield D L , Dimitroglou A , Bradley G , Baker R T M , Davies S J 
Published: May 2009

AbstractRainbow trout were fed either a diet containing fishmeal (FM) as the crude protein source or a diet containing 50% replacement with soybean meal (SBM) for 16 weeks. An enteritis‐like effect was observed in the SBM group; villi, enterocytes and microvilli were noticeably damaged compared with the FM group. The posterior intestine microvilli of SBM‐fed fish were significantly shorter and the anterior intestine microvilli significantly less dense than the FM‐fed fish. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of autochthonous bacterial populations associated with microvilli of both fish groups. Reduced density of microvilli consequently led to increased exposure of enterocyte tight junctions, which combined with necrotic enterocytes is likely to diminish the protective barrier of the intestinal epithelium. No significant differences in total viable counts of culturable microbial populations were found between the groups in any of the intestinal regions. A total of 1500 isolates were tentatively placed into groups or genera, according to standard methods. Subsequent partial 16S rRNA sequencing revealed species that have not been identified from the rainbow trout intestine previously. Compared with the FM group levels of Psychrobacter spp. and yeast were considerably higher in the SBM group; a reduction of Aeromonas spp. was also observed.
A randomized prospective long‐term study of two oral appliances for sleep apnoea treatment
Authors: GHAZAL AKSSAM , SORICHTER STEFAN , JONAS IRMTRUD , ROSE EDMUND C. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryVarious types of mandibular protrusive appliances have revealed different treatment success in mild‐to‐moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The present study compared the long‐term effect of two different appliances in the treatment of OSA. A total of 103 patients with OSA were randomized and treated with an IST® or Thornton Anterior Positioner (TAP™) appliance. They were followed‐up after a short‐term treatment period of 6 months and long‐term treatment period of over 24 months. Sleep studies in the sleep laboratory were conducted with and without the appliances, and various questionnaires assessing subjective daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, quality of life and symptom scores were administered at each time interval. Quality of life, sleep quality, sleepiness, symptoms and sleep outcome showed significant improvement in the short‐term evaluation with both appliances, but the TAP™ appliance revealed a significantly greater effect. After more than 2 years of treatment, sleep outcomes revealed an equal effect with both appliances. The subjective benefits achieved initially lessened significantly. This study illustrates that both the IST® and the TAP™ appliances are effective therapeutic devices for OSA after a period of over 24 months. Lack of compliance may be due to insufficient improvement in anticipated subjective symptoms and/or a recurrence of symptoms over time.
MULTIPOLAR SPINDLE 1 (MPS1), a novel coiled‐coil protein of Arabidopsis thaliana, is required for meiotic spindle organization
Authors: Jiang Hua , Wang Fen‐Fei , Wu Yu‐Ting , Zhou Xi , Huang Xue‐Yong , Zhu Jun , Gao Ju‐Fang , Dong Rui‐Bin , Cao Kai‐Ming , Yang Zhong‐Nan 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe spindle is essential for chromosome segregation during meiosis, but the molecular mechanism of meiotic spindle organization in higher plants is still not well understood. Here, we report on the identification and characterization of a plant‐specific protein, MULTIPOLAR SPINDLE 1 (MPS1), which is involved in spindle organization in meiocytes of Arabidopsis thaliana. The homozygous mps1 mutant exhibits male and female sterility. Light microscopy showed that mps1 mutants produced multiple uneven spores during anther development, most of which aborted in later stages. Cytological analysis showed that chromosome segregation was abnormal in mps1 meiocytes. Immunolocalization showed unequal bipolar or multipolar spindles in mps1 meiocytes, which indicated that aberrant spindles resulted in disordered chromosome segregation. MPS1 encodes a 377‐amino‐acid protein with putative coiled‐coil motifs. In situ hybridization analysis showed that MPS1 is strongly expressed in meiocytes.