bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RopGEF7Regulates PLETHORA-Dependent Maintenance of the Root Stem Cell Niche inArabidopsis
Authors: Chen Min , Liu Huili , Kong Jixiang , Yang Yali , Zhang Naichao , Li Ruijing , Yue Jianbin , Huang Jiaqing , Li Chuanyou , Cheung Alice Y. , Tao Li-zhen 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe root stem cell niche defines the area that specifies and maintains the stem cells and is essential for the maintenance of root growth. Here, we characterize and examine the functional role of a quiescent center (QC)–expressed RAC/ROP GTPase activator, RopGEF7, in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that RopGEF7 interacts with At RAC1 and overexpression of a C-terminally truncated constitutively active RopGEF7 (RopGEF7ΔC) activates RAC/ROP GTPases. Knockdown of RopGEF7 by RNA interference causes defects in embryo patterning and maintenance of the QC and leads to postembryonic loss of root stem cell population. Gene expression studies indicate that RopGEF7 is required for root meristem maintenance as it regulates the expression of PLETHORA1 (PLT1) and PLT2, which are key transcription factors that mediate the patterning of the root stem cell niche. Genetic analyses show that RopGEF7 interacts with PLT genes to regulate QC maintenance. Moreover, RopGEF7 is induced transcriptionally by auxin while its function is required for the expression of the auxin efflux protein PIN1 and maintenance of normal auxin maxima in embryos and seedling roots. These results suggest that RopGEF7 may integrate auxin-derived positional information in a feed-forward mechanism, regulating PLT transcription factors and thereby controlling the maintenance of root stem cell niches.
African elephant age determination from teeth: validation from known individuals
Authors: Lee Phyllis C. , Sayialel Soila , Lindsay W. Keith , Moss Cynthia J. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe assess tooth‐based age criteria for African elephants developed by Laws in relation to known‐aged individuals in the Amboseli elephant population. Laws’s technique remains a robust and useful mechanism for age determination, although we suggest revisions to the oldest age categories. Blind age assignment to jaws of unknown sex using the Laws criteria resulted in misclassification of M4 and M5; measures overlapped too much to differentiate these teeth by sex. Sexes could be reliably distinguished after age 30 or XIX in tooth category by two measures: mandible thickness and width of the ascending ramus, but individuals of the same known age differed in tooth wear and progression rates. Such variation needs to be incorporated in the error assigned to tooth age categories. Ages at death of found jaws (n = 266) were similar to results of survival analysis from all demographic data (n = 2455), excluding calves whose jaws decompose because of weathering and scavengers. Jaw‐based models of age at death need correction for the inability to detect this early mortality, which artificially extends mean longevity by up to 6 years.
Internationally adopted children in Finland: parental evaluations of symptoms of reactive attachment disorder and learning difficulties – FINADO study
Authors: Raaska H. , Elovainio M. , Sinkkonen J. , Matomäki J. , Mäkipää S. , Lapinleimu H. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractObjective  This study investigated the association between psychological symptoms, such as features of reactive attachment disorder (RAD), and learning difficulties among international adoptees in Finland.Methods  The data for this study came from the FINnish ADOption (FINADO) study covering all internationally adopted children in Finland (n= 1450), with a response rate of 55.7%. The subsample consisted of 395 adopted children aged 9–15 (51.6% girls, 48.4% boys). Learning difficulties were evaluated by a screening questionnaire ‘Five To Fifteen’ and symptoms of RAD by FINADO RAD scale.Results  The parents estimated that one‐third (33.4%) of the internationally adopted children had some, and 12.7% had severe learning difficulties, i.e. three and six times more than in normal population, respectively. RAD symptoms at the time of adoption were associated with learning difficulties at school age (OR 4.57, 95% CI 2.57–8.13).Conclusions  Learning difficulties are common among internationally adopted children in Finland and symptoms of RAD are associated with a child's learning difficulties.
Translational Mini-Review Series on B cell subsets in disease. Transitional B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome: clinical implications and effects of B cell-targeted therapies
Authors: Vossenkämper A , Lutalo P M K , Spencer J 
Published: August 2011

Summary
OTHER ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THIS MINI-REVIEW SERIES ON B CELL SUBSETS IN DISEASE
B cells in multiple sclerosis: drivers of disease pathogenesis and Trojan horse for Epstein—Barr virus entry to the central nervous system? Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2012, 167: 1–6. Reconstitution after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation – revelation of B cell developmental pathways and lineage phenotypes. Clinical and Experimental Immunology 2012, 167: 15–25.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome are autoimmune disorders which are characterized by a disturbed B cell homeostasis which leads ultimately to dysfunction of various organs. One of the B cell subsets that appear in abnormal numbers is the population of transitional B cells, which is increased in the blood of patients with SLE and Sjögren's syndrome. Transitional B cells are newly formed B cells. In mice, transitional B cells undergo selection checks for unwanted specificity in the bone marrow and the spleen in order to eliminate autoreactive B cells from the circulating naive B cell population. In humans, the exact anatomical compartments and mechanisms of the specificity check-points for transitional B cells remain unclear, but appear to be defective in SLE and Sjögren's syndrome. This review aims to highlight the current understanding of transitional B cells and their defects in the two disorders before and after B cell-targeted therapies.
Interleukin-17 exacerbates hepatic steatosis and inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Tang Y , Bian Z , Zhao L , Liu Y , Liang S , Wang Q , Han X , Peng Y , Chen X , Shen L , Qiu D , Li Z , Ma X 
Published: August 2011

Summary
Mechanisms associated with the progression of simple steatosis to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain undefined. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in regulating inflammatory processes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and because T helper type 17 (Th17) functionally oppose Treg-mediated responses, this study focused on characterizing the role of Th17 cells using a NAFLD mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were fed either a normal diet (ND) or high fat (HF) diet for 8 weeks. Mice in the HF group had a significantly higher frequency of liver Th17 cells compared to ND-fed mice. Neutralization of interleukin (IL)-17 in HF mice ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury reflected by decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and reduced inflammatory cell infiltrates in the liver. In vitro, HepG2 cells cultured in the presence of free fatty acids (FFA; oleic acid and palmitic acid) for 24 h and IL-17 developed steatosis via insulin-signalling pathway interference. IL-17 and FFAs synergized to induce IL-6 production by HepG2 cells and murine primary hepatocytes which, in combination with transforming growth factor (TGF-β), expanded Th17 cells. It is likely that a similar process occurs in NASH patients, as there were significant levels of IL-17+ cell infiltrates in NASH patient livers. The hepatic expression of Th17 cell-related genes [retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma (ROR)γt, IL-17, IL-21 and IL-23] was also increased significantly in NASH patients compared to healthy controls. Th17 cells and IL-17 were associated with hepatic steatosis and proinflammatory response in NAFLD and facilitated the transition from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis. Strategies designed to alter the balance between Th17 cells and Tregs should be explored as a means of preventing progression to NASH and advanced liver diseases in NAFLD patients.
Synergistic effects of seasonal rainfall, parasites and demography on fluctuations in springbok body condition
Authors: Turner Wendy C. , Versfeld Wilferd D. , Kilian J. Werner , Getz Wayne M. 
Published: August 2011

Summary1. Seasonality of rainfall can exert a strong influence on animal condition and on host–parasite interactions. The body condition of ruminants fluctuates seasonally in response to changes in energy requirements, foraging patterns and resource availability, and seasonal variation in parasite infections may further alter ruminant body condition.2. This study disentangles the effects of rainfall and gastrointestinal parasite infections on springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) body condition and determines how these factors vary among demographic groups.3. Using data from four years and three study areas, we investigated (i) the influence of rainfall variation, demographic factors and parasite interactions on parasite prevalence or infection intensity, (ii) whether parasitism or rainfall is a more important predictor of springbok body condition and (iii) how parasitism and condition vary among study areas along a rainfall gradient.4. We found that increased parasite intensity is associated with reduced body condition only for adult females. For all other demographic groups, body condition was significantly related to prior rainfall and not to parasitism. Rainfall lagged by two months had a positive effect on body condition.5. Adult females showed evidence of a ‘periparturient rise’ in parasite intensity and had higher parasite intensity and lower body condition than adult males after parturition and during early lactation. After juveniles were weaned, adult females had lower parasite intensity than adult males. Sex differences in parasitism and condition may be due to differences between adult females and males in the seasonal timing of reproductive effort and its effects on host immunity, as well as documented sex differences in vulnerability to predation.6. Our results highlight that parasites and the environment can synergistically affect host populations, but that these interactions might be masked by their interwoven relationships, their differential impacts on demographic groups, and the different time‐scales at which they operate.
Some like it toxic
Authors: CORRADI NICOLAS , CHAREST CHRISTIANE 
Published: August 2011

Humans are notorious for disturbing terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, especially those that are in close proximity to urban areas. This disturbance has involved the accumulation of various types of chemical pollutants, of either agricultural or industrial origins, in both soil and water ecosystems. Pollutants have sometimes included essential plant nutrients, such as phosphate and nitrate, which have piled up throughout the years in many ecosystems as a consequence of aggressive agricultural practices, and a number of toxic or trace metals, e.g. iron, nickel or zinc that are important at low levels for the fitness of living organisms, but otherwise toxic at high concentrations (Ker & Charest 2010; Audet & Charest 2008). In order to reduce the load of toxic elements, scientists have used the natural capacity of several plant species to sequestrate them from the soil and, ultimately, render them harmless. This process, called phytoremediation, is rather slow, as most plants take years to build up their biomass but has been shown to be ‘boostable’ under experimental conditions in the presence of a particular group of plant symbionts in the soil – the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Gohre & Paszkowski 2006). These latter organisms are now widely recognized as being very beneficial for purposes of phytoremediation, but their biodiversity in the most disturbed ecosystems is still virtually unknown. Are these fungi really abundant in heavily polluted soils, or are their communities shrunken down like those of other microorganisms in the presence of heavy pollution? In this issue of Molecular Ecology, the study by Hassan et al. (2011) provides answers to these specific questions by determining the extent of AMF biodiversity across several urbanized areas in the City of Montréal.
Development of pharyngo‐esophageal physiology during swallowing in the preterm infant
Authors: Rommel N. , van Wijk M. , Boets B. , Hebbard G. , Haslam R. , Davidson G. , Omari T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground  Poor feeding is a common cause of prolonged hospitalization of preterm infants. Pharyngeal and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) function of preterm infants has been technically difficult to assess and is therefore poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to assess the development of pharyngeal motility, UES function, and their coordination during nutritive swallowing in preterm infants.Methods  Development of swallowing was assessed in 18 preterm infants. High resolution manometry was performed at first oral feeding attempt (31–32 week) and then weekly for 4 weeks. Pharyngeal and UES pressure changes were characterized in 980 swallows.Key Results  During swallowing, we observed an age‐related increase in peak pharyngeal pressure at the laryngeal inlet (1 cm above UES) but an age‐related decrease in the time required for the UES to fully relax to nadir. Analysis of the timing of proximal pharyngeal contractile peak and UES nadir showed that the UES was not fully relaxed when bolus propulsive forces were at their peak in the youngest infants.Conclusions & Inferences  Results show developmental changes in infant swallow physiology that can be clearly linked to the effectiveness of nutritive swallowing. Most preterm infants demonstrated poor pharyngeal pressures at the laryngeal inlet coupled with poor coordination of pharyngeal propulsion with UES relaxation. These pressure patterns were less efficient than those demonstrated by older infants who were more adept at feeding. These observations may explain why infants under 34 weeks are physiologically unable to feed effectively and experience frequent choking and fatigue during feeding.
A cellular expression map of the Arabidopsis AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR gene family
Authors: Rademacher Eike H. , Möller Barbara , Lokerse Annemarie S. , Llavata‐Peris Cristina I. , van den Berg Willy , Weijers Dolf 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThe plant hormone auxin triggers a wide range of developmental and growth responses throughout a plant’s life. Most well‐known auxin responses involve changes in gene expression that are mediated by a short pathway involving an auxin‐receptor/ubiquitin‐ligase, DNA‐binding auxin response factor (ARF) transcription factors and their interacting auxin/indole‐3‐acetic acid (Aux/IAA) transcriptional inhibitors. Auxin promotes the degradation of Aux/IAA proteins through the auxin receptor and hence releases the inhibition of ARF transcription factors. Although this generic mechanism is now well understood, it is still unclear how developmental specificity is generated and how individual gene family members of response components contribute to local auxin responses. We have established a collection of transcriptional reporters for the ARF gene family and used these to generate a map of expression during embryogenesis and in the primary root meristem. Our results demonstrate that transcriptional regulation of ARF genes generates a complex pattern of overlapping activities. Genetic analysis shows that functions of co‐expressed ARFs converge on the same biological processes, but can act either antagonistically or synergistically. Importantly, the existence of an ‘ARF pre‐pattern’ could explain how cell‐type‐specific auxin responses are generated. Furthermore, this resource can now be used to probe the functions of ARF in other auxin‐dependent processes.
Arabidopsis thaliana GEX1 has dual functions in gametophyte development and early embryogenesis
Authors: Alandete‐Saez Monica , Ron Mily , Leiboff Samuel , McCormick Sheila 
Published: August 2011

SummaryGEX1 is a plasma membrane protein that is conserved among plant species, and has previously been shown to be expressed in sperm cells and some sporophytic tissues. Here we show that GEX1 is also expressed in the embryo sac before cellularization, in the egg cell after cellularization, in the zygote/embryo immediately after fertilization and in the pollen vegetative cell. We functionally characterize GEX1 in Arabidopsis thaliana, and show that it is a versatile protein that performs functions during male and female gametophyte development, and during early embryogenesis. gex1‐1/+ plants, which synthesize a truncated GEX1 mRNA encoding a protein lacking the predicted cytoplasmic domain, but still targeted to the plasma membrane, had embryos that arrested before the pre‐globular stage. gex1‐3/+ plants, carrying a null GEX1 allele, had defects during male and female gametophyte development, and during early embryogenesis. Using an antisense GEX1 transgenic line we demonstrate that the predicted GEX1 extracellular domain is sufficient and necessary for GEX1 function during the development of both gametophytes. The predicted cytoplasmic domain is necessary for correct early embryogenesis and mediates homodimer formation at the plasma membrane. We propose that dimerization of GEX1 in the zygote might be an upstream step in a signaling cascade regulating early embryogenesis.
Evaluation of process‐oriented supervision of student nurses: A Swedish case study
Authors: Lindquist Ingegerd , Johansson Ingrid , Severinsson Elisabeth 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe value of supervision that is provided to student nurses during their education is high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the organizational changes in an educational program for Swedish student nurses, focusing on the content and quality of process‐oriented supervision. The research question was: Do the organizational changes pertaining to the student nurses' supervision (its reduced frequency and mandatory nature) influence its content and quality and, if so, in which ways? The data were collected by focus group discussions and were analyzed by a qualitative content analysis. Three themes emerged: difficulties with the new organization, the content and learning outcomes of supervision, and the nurse supervisors' intentions. Supervision is recommended in order to achieve the goal of nursing education and to ensure that student nurses gain an understanding of their experiences, thus equipping them with the professional skills and competence that are required to meet patients' needs.
Piscivory and diet overlap between two non‐native fishes in southern Chilean streams
Authors: ARISMENDI IVAN , GONZÁLEZ JORGE , SOTO DORIS , PENALUNA BROOKE 
Published: August 2011

AbstractTrophic relations among introduced species may induce highly variable and complex effects in communities and ecosystems. However, studies that identify the potential impacts for invaded systems and illuminate mechanisms of coexistence with native species are scarce. Here, we examined trophic relations between two introduced fishes in streams of NW Patagonia, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta). These species originate from different regions of the Northern Hemisphere but they now coexist as invading species over the world. We used gastric contents and stable isotopes analysis to compare the diets of two size‐classes of these two invaders in three localities of southern Chile. Both species displayed similar ontogenic diet shifts with smaller trout consuming mostly invertebrates and larger trout being more piscivorous and epibenthic feeders. However, piscivory was more prevalent in brown trout than in rainbow trout and highest at the site with the greatest density of native fishes suggesting that the availability of native fishes as trout prey may limit the occurrence of trout piscivory. We found an elevated dietary overlap between the two trout species at larger sizes while at smaller size a higher intraspecific dietary overlap occurred suggesting a potential interference competition among the two fish invaders especially at larger sizes. Our results highlight that the impacts of invading species on non‐native fishes are context specific (i.e. species and ontogenic stages) and thus, difficult to generalize.
Alpha‐fetoprotein producing ovarian clear cell carcinoma with a neometaplasia to hepatoid carcinoma arising from endometriosis: A case report
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiki , Mogami Haruta , Hamada Shinshichi , Urasaki Koji , Konishi Ikuo 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe present a rare case of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) producing ovarian clear cell carcinoma. This is the first report of a clear cell ovarian carcinoma with hepatoid carcinoma arising from endometriosis. A 54‐year‐old menopausal woman had a primary ovarian carcinoma of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIIc. Serum level of AFP was 4195 ng/mL. Histological examination revealed clear cell adenocarcinoma arising from endometriosis with hepatoid carcinoma. Metastatic liver and lymph node tumors were found after 25 months from the first surgery. However, the patient's serum AFP was within normal limits. The recurrent and metastatic tumors disappeared in response to combined liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin chemotherapy. She has had a disease‐free survival of 4 years. In conclusion, the patient had a clear cell ovarian carcinoma with hepatoid carcinoma arising clearly from endometriosis. The recurrent tumors did not show a component of hepatoid carcinoma. Therefore, it is possible to expect better survival with good sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Balloon tamponade during cesarean section is useful for severe post‐partum hemorrhage due to placenta previa
Authors: Ishii Takako , Sawada Kenjiro , Koyama Shunsuke , Isobe Aki , Wakabayashi Atsuko , Takiuchi Tsuyoshi , Kanagawa Takeshi , Tomimatsu Takuji , Ogita Kazuhide , Kimura Tadashi 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAim:  Severe post‐partum hemorrhage during cesarean section due to placenta previa is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of intrauterine tamponade with a Sengstaken‐Blakemore tube (SB‐tube) for the treatment of severe post‐partum hemorrhage in cases of placenta previa.Material and Methods:  Data were collected from our departmental clinical records on all patients who underwent caesarian section due to placenta previa between 2007 and 2009.Results:  During the period analyzed, 37 patients underwent caesarian section due to placenta previa/low‐lying placenta. Four (11%) underwent hysterectomy due to placenta accreta and 33 (89%) were treated conservatively. Of the 33 patients with conserved uterus, 10 (28%) patients required a SB‐tube during the cesarean section because of continuous post‐partum hemorrhage despite appropriate medical treatment. The median bleeding during the operation was 2030 ± 860 mL in the patients who used SB‐tube. None of them presented severe complications related to these procedures or required any further invasive surgery.Conclusion:  Intrauterine balloon‐tamponade could successfully control severe hemorrhage from a lower uterine segment of a patient with placenta previa. This technique is simple to use, scarcely invasive, and available at a low cost to all maternity wards, and should be considered as one of the first management options to reduce the risk of undesirable hysterectomy.