bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidation–reduction signalling components in regulatory pathways of state transitions and photosystem stoichiometry adjustment in chloroplasts
Authors: PUTHIYAVEETIL SUJITH , IBRAHIM ISKANDER M. , ALLEN JOHN F. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTState transitions and photosystem stoichiometry adjustment are two oxidation–reduction (redox)‐regulated acclimatory responses in photosynthesis. State transitions are short‐term adaptations that, in chloroplasts, involve reversible post‐translational modification by phosphorylation of light‐harvesting complex II (LHC II). Photosystem stoichiometry adjustments are long‐term responses involving transcriptional regulation of reaction centre genes. Both responses are initiated by changes in light quality and are regulated by the redox state of plastoquinone (PQ). The LHC II kinase involved in the state 2 transition is a serine/threonine kinase known as STT7 in Chlamydomonas, and as STN7 in Arabidopsis. The phospho‐LHC II phosphatase that produces the state 1 transition is a PP2C‐type protein phosphatase currently termed both TAP38 and PPH1. In plants and algae, photosystem stoichiometry adjustment is governed by a modified two‐component sensor kinase of cyanobacterial origin – chloroplast sensor kinase (CSK). CSK is a sensor of the PQ redox state. Chloroplast sigma factor 1 (SIG1) and plastid transcription kinase (PTK) are the functional partners of CSK in chloroplast gene regulation. We suggest a signalling pathway for photosystem stoichiometry adjustment. The signalling pathways of state transitions and photosystem stoichiometry adjustments are proposed to be distinct, with the two pathways sensing PQ redox state independently of each other.
Estimation of canopy average mesophyll conductance using δ13C of phloem contents
Authors: UBIERNA NEREA , MARSHALL JOHN D. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTConductance to CO2 inside leaves, known as mesophyll conductance (gm), imposes large limitations on photosynthesis. Because gm is difficult to quantify, it is often neglected in calculations of 13C photosynthetic discrimination. The ‘soluble sugar method’ estimates gm via differences between observed photosynthetic discrimination, calculated from the δ13C of soluble sugars, and discrimination when gm is infinite. We expand upon this approach and calculate a photosynthesis‐weighted average for canopy mesophyll conductance (cgm) using δ13C of stem phloem contents. We measured gas exchange at three canopy positions and collected stem phloem contents in mature trees of three conifer species (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Thuja plicata and Larix occidentalis). We generated species‐specific and seasonally variable estimates of cgm. We found that cgm was significantly different among species (0.41, 0.22 and 0.09 mol m−2 s−1 for Larix, Pseudotsuga and Thuja, respectively), but was similar throughout the season. Ignoring respiratory and photorespiratory fractionations (cΔef) resulted in ≈30% underestimation of cgm in Larix and Pseudotsuga, but was innocuous in Thuja. Substantial errors (∼1–4‰) in photosynthetic discrimination calculations were introduced by neglecting cgm and cΔef. Our method is easy to apply and cost‐effective, captures species variation and would have captured seasonal variation had it existed. The method provides an average canopy value, which makes it suitable for parameterization of canopy‐scale models of photosynthesis, even in tall trees.
PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE SYNTHASE1 is required for microspore development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yamaoka Yasuyo , Yu Yanbo , Mizoi Junya , Fujiki Yuki , Saito Kyoko , Nishijima Masahiro , Lee Youngsook , Nishida Ikuo 
Published: May 2011

SummaryPhosphatidylserine (PS) has many important biological roles, but little is known about its role in plants, partly because of its low abundance. We show here that PS is enriched in Arabidopsis floral tissues and that genetic disruption of PS biosynthesis decreased heterozygote fertility due to inhibition of pollen maturation. At1g15110, designated PSS1, encodes a base‐exchange‐type PS synthase. Escherichia coli cells expressing PSS1 accumulated PS in the presence of l‐serine at 23°C. Promoter‐GUS assays showed PSS1 expression in developing anther pollen and tapetum. A few seeds with pss1‐1 and pss1‐2 knockout alleles escaped embryonic lethality but developed into sterile dwarf mutant plants. These plants contained no PS, verifying that PSS1 is essential for PS biosynthesis. Reciprocal crossing revealed reduced pss1 transmission via male gametophytes, predicting a rate of 61.6%pss1‐1 pollen defects in PSS1/pss1‐1 plants. Alexander’s staining of inseparable qrt1‐1 PSS1/pss1‐1 quartets revealed a rate of 42% having three or four dead pollen grains, suggesting sporophytic pss1‐1 cell death effects. Analysis with the nuclear stain 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) showed that all tetrads from PSS1/pss1‐1 anthers retain their nuclei, whereas unicellular microspores were sometimes anucleate. Transgenic Arabidopsis expressing a GFP‐LactC2 construct that binds PS revealed vesicular staining in tetrads and bicellular microspores and nuclear membrane staining in unicellular microspores. Hence, distribution and/or transport of PS across membranes were dynamically regulated in pollen microspores. However, among unicellular microspores from PSS1/pss1‐2 GFP‐LactC2 plants, all anucleate microspores showed little GFP‐LactC2 fluorescence, suggesting that pss1‐2 microspores are more sensitive to sporophytic defects or show partial gametophytic defects.
Dopaminergic genes modulate response inhibition in alcohol abusing adults
Authors: Filbey Francesca M. , Claus Eric D. , Morgan Marilee , Forester Glen R. , Hutchison Kent 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTCompulsion in alcohol use disorders (AUD) has been attributed to impairment in response inhibition. Because genes that regulate dopamine (DA) have been implicated not only for risk for AUD but also for impulsivity based on behavioral studies, we set out to examine the underlying neural mechanisms associated with these effects. We collected functional magnetic resonance imaging images on 53 heavy drinking but otherwise healthy adults while performing the Go/NoGo task. We predicted that genetic variants previously reported in the literature to be associated with substance abuse, specifically the DRD2 rs1799732 and DRD4 VNTR, will modulate neural processes underlying response inhibition. Our results showed differential neural response for the DRD4 VNTR during successful inhibition in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (cluster‐corrected P < 0.05, z = 1.9). Similarly, DRD2 rs1799732 groups were significantly different in the precuneus and cingulate gyrus during successful response inhibition (cluster‐corrected P < 0.05, z = 1.9). These findings provide further evidence for the role of DAergic genes in modulating neural response in areas that underlie response inhibition and self‐monitoring processes. Variants within these genes appear to influence processes related to impulsive behavior, which may increase one's risk for alcohol abuse and dependence.
Composition and use of puppy milk replacers in German Shepherd puppies in the Netherlands
Authors: Corbee R. J. , Tryfonidou M. A. , Beckers I. P. , Hazewinkel H. A. W. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryEnostosis or eosinophilic panosteitis is a common disease in young growing large‐breed dogs, such as the German Shepherd, and the risk of developing the disease by 3–4 months of age is increased by a high calcium intake. The aim of the study was to investigate whether German Shepherd puppies raised on milk replacers receive more calcium and/or vitamin D than their requirements in the pre‐weaning period and thus are at increased risk of developing skeletal diseases. To this end, we surveyed German Shepherd breeders in the Netherlands about the use of puppy milk replacers (PMR). The metabolizable energy, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D content of the eight most used PMR were compared with that of bitch milk, as reported in the literature. The protein and fat content of most PMR were somewhat lower (range 24.4–33.2 g per 100 g on dmb and 18.3–37.5 g per 100 g on dmb respectively) compared with bitch milk (31.9 and 40.2 g on dmb respectively). The vitamin D content of one of the PMR samples was sevenfold the level recommended by the NRC (Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, National Academy Press, 2006) and threefold the average level of bitch milk. The clinical relevance of this high amount is questionable, as bitch milk contains mainly 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D [3843 μg (96.1 IU) per 100 g on dmb] and only limited amounts of vitamin D [524 μg (13.3 IU) per 100 g on dmb], as was determined in this study. Dutch German Shepherd breeders tended to overfeed their puppies. We calculated that misguided use of PMR can increase the risk of excessive calcium, phosphorus and possibly vitamin D intake during a vulnerable period, potentially giving rise to bone and cartilage problems later in life.
First report of the benthic dinoflagellate, Gambierdiscus belizeanus (Gonyaulacales: Dinophyceae) for the east coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Leaw Chui‐Pin , Lim Po‐Teen , Tan Toh‐Hii , Tuan‐Halim Tuan Nurhariani , Cheng Kok‐Wah , Ng Boon‐Koon , Usup Gires 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYSpecies of the genus Gambierdiscus Adachi & Fukuyo, in particular G. toxicus Adachi & Fukuyo are known producers of neurotoxins associated with ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). In this study live samples were collected from seaweed beds of the east coast of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo and a strain of Gambierdiscus was isolated and cultured. Examination of the thecal fine morphology was undertaken using light, epifluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. Observed morphological features and their associated morphometric information enabled identification to Gambierdiscus belizeanus Faust. This represents the first report for the occurrence of G. belizeanus in the Asia Pacific region.
A test of biotic interactions among two alpine plant species in Australia
Authors: JARRAD FRITH C. , WALSHE TERRY , CHEE YUNG EN , BURGMAN MARK A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis study examines the extent to which interactions among two common alpine/subalpine plant species and their neighbours at the Bogong High Plains in southern Australia are characterized by competition or facilitation. The two target species were Celmisia pugioniformis (Asteraceae) and Carex breviculmis (Cyperaceae). Biotic interactions were examined using vegetation removal manipulations over three growing seasons at five sites across the altitudinal range of tall alpine herbfield communities. Observations recorded growth and mortality. Results for C. pugioniformis clearly indicated facilitation as a dominant process across all sites and seasons. Plants that had their neighbours removed tended to perform worse than plants that had their neighbours left intact. Growth observations for Ca. breviculmis were less clear, but again suggested facilitation. Mortality was distinctly higher among Ca. breviculmis individuals that had their neighbours removed relative to those with neighbours left intact. Results collectively suggest the removal of neighbours acts to reduce growth and increase mortality in C. pugioniformis and Ca. breviculmis throughout the altitudinal range of tall alpine herbfields at the Bogong High Plains. Facilitative and competitive interactions need to be recognized in efforts aimed at mitigating climate change‐associated impacts on the ecology of alpine plant communities. The extent to which biotic interactions may exacerbate or buffer abiotic change is difficult to predict, emphasizing the need for ecological monitoring.
Post‐partum weight retention in women in Asia: a systematic review
Authors: Cheng H‐R. , Walker L. O. , Tseng Y‐F. , Lin P‐C. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryObesity is a health issue for people in Asia, and many studies support that childbearing may contribute to women's obesity. However, most studies of post‐partum weight retention (PWR) focus on Western countries. This paper aimed to review recent data on PWR and discuss the related factors of PWR for women in Asia. Three electronic databases – MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO – were searched for data from January 1990 to August 2010. Twelve studies were identified as containing information related to PWR. Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean women tend to have higher gestational weight gain and PWR than women in other Asian countries in this review. The average reported gestational weight gain in these studies ranged from 8.3 kg to 18.0 kg, and the average weight retention at 6 months post partum in various countries ranged from 1.56 kg to 4.1 kg. Gestational weight gain had a positive effect on PWR, but there were no consistent conclusions for other factors. Only a few psychosocial and behavioural factors have been studied. Moreover, no one has assessed changes in waist circumference and waist‐to‐hip ratio for measuring central obesity and ensuring risk of chronic disease. Focusing on changes in maternal weight and body composition, and considering the impact of psychological and behavioural factors are suggested for future studies in Asia.
Knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes towards child abuse amongst Jordanian dentists
Authors: Sonbol H. N. , Abu‐Ghazaleh S. , Rajab L. D. , Baqain Z. H. , Saman R. , Al‐Bitar Z. B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground:  Signs of physical abuse often present in the oro‐facial region and dentists are in a strategic position to recognise and report suspected cases. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes of Jordanian dentists towards child abuse and to assess their educational needs.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey of a random sample of Jordanian dentists (n = 400) was conducted using an anonymous, self‐administered structured questionnaire.Results:  The response rate was 64%. Thirty‐four per cent (n = 88) of the respondents reported having formal training in recognising and reporting child abuse, and 42% (n = 106) had post‐qualification/continuing education training on the topic. Half of the dentists (127/256) suspected a case of child abuse in the past 5 years, but only 12% (31/256) reported their suspicions. The main reasons for not reporting suspicions of abuse were fear from anger of parents (43%), uncertainty about diagnosis (41%) and uncertainty about referral procedures (41%). Those dentists who had formal training in dental school (P = 0.0001) and post‐qualification courses in child abuse (P = 0.006) were significantly more likely to report suspicions.Conclusions:  A significant gap existed between recognising signs of physical child abuse and responding effectively. Improvements in child abuse education and continuing education courses are advised to provide dentists in Jordan with adequate knowledge of indicators of physical child abuse and to inform them on the protocol to follow when suspicions arise.
Unsupervised sub‐segmentation for pigmented skin lesions
Authors: Liu Zhao , Sun Jiuai , Smith Melvyn , Smith Lyndon , Warr Robert 
Published: May 2011

Background: Early identification of malignant melanoma with the surgical removal of thin lesions is the most effective treatment for skin cancers. A computer‐aided diagnostic system assists to improve the diagnostic accuracy, where segmenting lesion from normal skin is usually considered as the first step. One of the challenges in the automated segmentation of skin lesions arises from the fact that darker areas within the lesion should be considered separate from the more general suspicious lesion as a whole, because these pigmented areas can provide significant additional diagnostic information.
Methods: This paper presents, for the first time, an unsupervised segmentation scheme to allow the isolation of normal skin, pigmented skin lesions, and interesting darker areas inside the lesion simultaneously. An adaptive mean‐shift is first applied with a 5D spatial colour–texture feature space to generate a group of homogenous regions. Then the sub‐segmentation maps are calculated by integrating maximal similarity‐based region merging and the kernel k‐means algorithm, where the number of segments is defined by a cluster validity measurement.
Results: The proposed method has been validated extensively on both normal digital photographs and dermoscopy images, which demonstrates competitive performance in achieving automatic segmentation. The isolated dark areas have proved helpful in the discrimination of malignant melanomas from atypical benign nevi. Compared with the results obtained from the asymmetry measure of the entire lesion, the asymmetry distribution of the isolated dark areas helped increase the accuracy of the identification of malignant melanoma from 65.38% to 73.07%, and this classification accuracy reached 80.77% on integrating both asymmetry descriptors.
Conclusion: The proposed segmentation scheme gives the lesion boundary closed to the manual segmentation obtained by experienced dermatologists. The initial classification results indicate that the study of the distributions of darker areas inside the lesions is very promising in characterizing melanomas.
Thermography‐measured effect of capsaicin, methylprednisolone and mitomycin on the survival of random skin flaps in rats
Authors: Shejbal Dražen , Drvis Petar , Bedekovic Vladimir 
Published: May 2011

Aims: This study was designed to determine if steroids, capsaicin and mytomicin improved skin flap survival in rats, and it has confirmed that thermography is an effective method to measured skin flap vitality.Methods: Forty female Wistar rats were randomised into four groups. A standardised full thickness inferiorly based dorsal random‐pattern skin flap was raised, and a gelatine sponge was placed before suturing between the flap and its recipient bed, soaked with 0.9 % saline in the control group and with capsaicin, methylprednisolone and mitomycini in the experimental groups. Vitality of the flap and of the survival area was measured by infrared thermography.Results: Methylprednisolone statistically significant decrease skin flap necrosis, approximately 56%, when compared with controls (P< 0.05).Conclusion: Corticosteroids applied subcutaneously in a single dose on a gelatine sponge produced a statistically significant improvement of the survival of random skin flaps in rats, whereas capsaicin and mitomycin showed no improvement.
A Therapeutic Confirmatory Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Zydena® (Udenafil) for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Male Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Moon Du Geon , Yang Dae Yul , Lee Choong Hyun , Ahn Tai Young , Min Kweon Sik , Park Kwangsung , Park Jong Kwan , Kim Je Jong 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are reported to experience more severe erectile dysfunction (ED) symptoms and respond less to ED treatments compared with patients with ED of other etiologies.

Aim
This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of udenafil for the treatment of ED in a larger number of patients with DM.

Methods
A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group design multicenter study, fixed-dose trial was conducted. The trial involved seven study sites in Korea, with 174 ED patients with DM. The subjects, treated with placebo, 100 mg, or 200 mg of udenafil for 12 weeks, were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diary, and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ) during the study period.

Main Outcome Measures
The primary efficacy parameter was the change in the erectile function domain (EFD) score of IIEF from baseline. Secondary parameters were IIEF questions 3 (Q3) and Q4, SEP Q2 and Q3, rate of achieving normal erectile function (EFD ≥ 26), and the response to GAQ.

Results
Compared with the placebo, patients receiving both doses of udenafil showed statistically significant improvements in the IIEF-EFD score, respectively. However, statistically significant difference was not observed between the udenafil 100 mg and the udenafil 200 mg groups. Similar results were observed in the comparison of Q3 and Q4 of IIEF, SEP diary, and GAQ. The percentages of subjects experiencing at least one adverse event related to the study drugs were 3.6%, 15.8%, and 22.4% for the placebo, udenafil 100 mg, and udenafil 200 mg groups, respectively. However, these events were all mild in severity. Major adverse events were flushing, headache, nausea, and conjunctival hyperemia.

Conclusion
Udenafil was significantly effective for the treatment of ED, demonstrating statistically significant improvement in erectile function in patients with DM. The incidence of adverse events was relatively low and well tolerated in patients with DM.
Imbalanced Low-Grade Inflammation and Endothelial Activation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Araña Rosaínz Manuel de J. , Ojeda Miriam Ojeda , Acosta Janet Rodriguez , Elías-Calles Lizet Castelo , González Neraldo Orlandi , Herrera Omaida Torres , García Álvarez Caridad T. , Rodríguez Elvira Maciquez , Báez Mario Estevez , Seijas Eduardo Álvarez , Valdés Ramiro Fragas 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is highly prevalent among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM). Although a link among systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and ED is described in clinical situations mainly related with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, evidences of this link in T2DM patients are rather limited.

Aims
To evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction and balance of pro-/anti-inflammatory mediators with ED presence and severity in T2DM.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 190 T2DM patients without symptomatic CHD, 150 out of them with ED and 40 without ED. Serum levels of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). ED presence and severity were tested by the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures
Differences in circulating levels of endothelial dysfunction (ICAM-1, E-selectin) and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-10, TNF-α : IL-10 ratio) markers between T2DM patients with and without ED, and assessment of biomarkers ED predictive value while adjusting for other known ED risk factors.

Results
Patients with ED were older and had longer duration of diabetes than patients without ED. E-selectin serum levels were significantly increased, while IL-10 were lower in patients with ED; because TNF-α levels tend to be higher, TNF-α : IL-10 ratio was more elevated in ED patients. No significant differences of ICAM-1 levels were observed between study groups. Endothelial activation markers and TNF-α, as well as diabetes duration, were negatively correlated with erectile function. On multivariate analysis including age, duration of diabetes, insulin treatment, hypertension, insulin resistance, fair-to-poor glycemic control, and metabolic syndrome, increments in E-selectin levels and TNF-α : IL-10 ratio predicted independently ED presence, while IL-10 increases were associated with lower risk of ED in T2DM patients.

Conclusions
ED in T2DM patients without symptomatic CHD is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction and a predominant, imbalanced low-grade inflammatory response.