bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small RNAs – secrets and surprises of the genome
Authors: Chen Xuemei 
Published: March 2010

SummarySmall RNAs associated with post‐transcriptional gene silencing were first discovered in plants in 1999. Although this study marked the beginning of small RNA biology in plants, the sequence of the Arabidopsis genome and related genomic resources that were soon to become available to the Arabidopsis community launched the research on small RNAs at a remarkable pace. In 2000, when the genetic blueprint of the first plant species was revealed, the tens of thousands of endogenous small RNA species as we know today remained hidden features of the genome. However, the subsequent 10 years have witnessed an explosion of our knowledge of endogenous small RNAs: their widespread existence, diversity, biogenesis, mode of action and biological functions. As key sequence‐specific regulators of gene expression in the nucleus and the cytoplasm, small RNAs influence almost all aspects of plant biology. Because of the extensive conservation of mechanisms concerning the biogenesis and molecular actions of small RNAs, research in the model plant Arabidopsis has contributed vital knowledge to the small RNA field in general. Our knowledge of small RNAs gained primarily from Arabidopsis has also led to the invention of effective gene knock‐down technologies that are applicable to diverse plant species, including crop plants. Here, I attempt to recount the developments of the small RNA field in the pre‐ and post‐genomic era, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the completion of the first plant genome.
Arabidopsis seed secrets unravelled after a decade of genetic and omics‐driven research
Authors: North Helen , Baud Sébastien , Debeaujon Isabelle , Dubos Christian , Dubreucq Bertrand , Grappin Philippe , Jullien Marc , Lepiniec Loïc , Marion‐Poll Annie , Miquel Martine , Rajjou Loïc , Routaboul Jean‐Marc , Caboche Michel 
Published: March 2010

SummarySeeds play a fundamental role in colonization of the environment by spermatophytes, and seeds harvested from crops are the main food source for human beings. Knowledge of seed biology is therefore important for both fundamental and applied issues. This review on seed biology illustrates the important progress made in the field of Arabidopsis seed research over the last decade. Access to ‘omics’ tools, including the inventory of genes deduced from sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome, has speeded up the analysis of biological functions operating in seeds. This review covers the following processes: seed and seed coat development, seed reserve accumulation, seed dormancy and seed germination. We present new insights in these various fields and describe ongoing biotechnology approaches to improve seed characteristics in crops.
Lipid biochemists salute the genome
Authors: Wallis James G. , Browse John 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe biochemistry of plant metabolic pathways has been studied for many generations; nevertheless, numerous new enzymes and metabolic products have been discovered in the last 5–10 years. More importantly, many intriguing questions remain in all areas of metabolism. In this review, we consider these issues with respect to several pathways of lipid metabolism and the contributions made by the Arabidopsis genome sequence and the tools that it has spawned. These tools have allowed identification of enzymes and transporters required for the mobilization of seed storage lipids, as well as transporters that facilitate movement of lipids from the endoplasmic reticulum to the chloroplast in green leaf cells. Genomic tools were important in recognition of novel components of the cutin and suberin polymers that form water‐impermeable barriers in plants. The waxes that also contribute to these barriers are exported from cells of the epidermis by transporters that are now being identified. Biochemical and genetic knowledge from yeast and animals has permitted successful homology‐based searches of the Arabidopsis genome for genes encoding enzymes involved in the elongation of fatty acids and the synthesis of sphingolipids. Knowledge of the genome has identified novel enzymes for the biosynthesis of the seed storage lipid, triacylglycerol, and provided a refined understanding of how the pathways of fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis are integrated into overall carbon metabolism in developing seeds.
Getting to the root of plant biology: impact of the Arabidopsis genome sequence on root research
Authors: Benfey Philip N. , Bennett Malcolm , Schiefelbein John 
Published: March 2010

SummaryPrior to the availability of the genome sequence, the root of Arabidopsis had attracted a small but ardent group of researchers drawn to its accessibility and developmental simplicity. Roots are easily observed when grown on the surface of nutrient agar media, facilitating analysis of responses to stimuli such as gravity and touch. Developmental biologists were attracted to the simple radial organization of primary root tissues, which form a series of concentric cylinders around the central vascular tissue. Equally attractive was the mode of propagation, with stem cells at the tip giving rise to progeny that were confined to cell files. These properties of root development reduced the normal four‐dimensional problem of development (three spatial dimensions and time) to a two‐dimensional problem, with cell type on the radial axis and developmental time along the longitudinal axis. The availability of the complete Arabidopsis genome sequence has dramatically accelerated traditional genetic research on root biology, and has also enabled entirely new experimental strategies to be applied. Here we review examples of the ways in which availability of the Arabidopsis genome sequence has enhanced progress in understanding root biology.
Arabidopsis and the plant immune system
Authors: Nishimura Marc T. , Dangl Jeffery L. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryUnderstanding the fundamental mechanisms of plant disease resistance is of central importance to sustainable agriculture and human health. Use of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana has resulted in an explosion of information regarding both disease resistance and susceptibility to pathogens. The last 20 years of research have demonstrated the commonalities between Arabidopsis and crop species. In this review, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome, we will address some of the insights derived from the use of Arabidopsis as a model plant pathology system.
Embryogenesis – the humble beginnings of plant life
Authors: De Smet Ive , Lau Steffen , Mayer Ulrike , Jürgens Gerd 
Published: March 2010

SummaryEach plant starts life from the zygote formed by the fusion of an egg and a sperm cell. The zygote gives rise to a multicellular embryo that displays a basic plant body organization and is surrounded by nutritive endosperm and maternal tissue. How the body organization is generated had already been studied before the genome sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana was completed 10 years ago, but several regulatory mechanisms of embryo development have since been discovered or analysed in more detail. Although this progress did not strictly depend on the availability of the genome sequence itself, several advances were considerably facilitated. In this review, we mainly address early embryo development, highlighting general mechanisms and crucial regulators, including phytohormones, that are involved in patterning the embryo and were mainly analysed in the post‐genome decade. We also highlight some unsolved problems, provide a brief outlook on the future of Arabidopsis embryo research, and discuss how the knowledge gained from Arabidopsis could be translated to crop species.
Long‐term reduction in local inflammation by a lipid raft molecule in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Dölle S. , Hoser D. , Rasche C. , Loddenkemper C. , Maurer M. , Zuberbier T. , Worm M. 
Published: March 2010

To cite this article: Dölle S, Hoser D, Rasche C, Loddenkemper C, Maurer M, Zuberbier T, Worm M. Long‐term reduction in local inflammation by a lipid raft molecule in atopic dermatitis. Allergy 2010; 65: 1158–1165.AbstractBackground:  The complex pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) is guided by cell surface receptor‐mediated signal transduction regulated in lipid rafts. Miltefosine is a raft‐modulating molecule targeting cell membranes. With this controlled clinical study, the clinical and immunomodulatory efficacy of miltefosine was investigated in patients with AD in comparison with a topical corticosteroid treatment.Methods:  Sixteen patients with AD were treated topically with miltefosine and hydrocortisone localized on representative AD target lesions for 3 weeks. To assess the clinical efficacy, the three item severity (TIS) score was evaluated before, during and after treatment as well as after 4‐week‐follow‐up period. To study the anti‐inflammatory effect of miltefosine on the cellular T cell pattern, skin biopsies were analysed before and after treatment.Results:  The TIS score dropped in both groups significantly after treatment. A carry‐over effect was exclusively seen for miltefosine after discontinuing the treatment. These findings were substantiated by thermographic imaging with a significant decrease in the maximum temperature (Tmax) after miltefosine application (P = 0.034, ΔTmax = 1.7°C [2.1–3.9]). Immunohistochemically, a reduction in lesional CD4+‐infiltrating T cells was observed in both treatments. Moreover, increased FoxP3+ cells were present in the skin after miltefosine treatment (before 5.4% [1.9–9.8], after 6.2% [3.5–9.5]).Conclusion:  We demonstrate that miltefosine is locally active in patients with AD and led to a sustained clinical improvement in local skin inflammation. Moreover, the increased frequency of FoxP3+ cells in the skin of patients with AD suggests its immunomodulatory properties.
Cognitive dysfunction and health‐related quality of life after a cardiac arrest and therapeutic hypothermia
Authors: TORGERSEN J. , STRAND K. , BJELLAND T. W. , KLEPSTAD P. , KVÅLE R. , SØREIDE E. , WENTZEL‐LARSEN T. , FLAATTEN H. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Evidence‐based treatment protocols including therapeutic hypothermia have increased hospital survival to over 50% in unconscious out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest survivors. In this study we estimated the incidence of cognitive dysfunctions in a group of cardiac arrest survivors with a high functional outcome treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Secondarily, we assessed the cardiac arrest group's level of cognitive performance in each tested cognitive domain and investigated the relationship between cognitive function and age, time since cardiac arrest and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).Methods: We included 26 patients 13–28 months after a cardiac arrest. All patients were scored using the Cerebral Performance Category scale (CPC) and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). Twenty‐five of the patients were tested for cognitive function using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). These patients were tested using four cognitive tests: Motor Screening Test, Delayed Matching to Sample, Stockings of Cambridge and Paired Associate Learning from CANTAB. All patients filled in the Short Form‐36 for the assessment of HRQOL.Results: Thirteen of 25 (52%) patients were classified as having a cognitive dysfunction. Compared with the reference population, there was no difference in the performance in motor function and delayed memory but there were significant differences in executive function and episodic memory. We found no associations between cognitive function and age, time since cardiac arrest or HRQOL.Conclusion: Half of the patients had a cognitive dysfunction with reduced performance on executive function and episodic memory, indicating frontal and temporal lobe affection, respectively. Reduced performance did not affect HRQOL.
Pleth variability index predicts hypotension during anesthesia induction
Authors: TSUCHIYA M. , YAMADA T. , ASADA A. 
Published: March 2010

Background: The pleth variability index (PVI) is a new algorithm used for automatic estimation of respiratory variations in pulse oximeter waveform amplitude, which might predict fluid responsiveness. Because anesthesia‐induced hypotension may be partly related to patient volume status, we speculated that pre‐anesthesia PVI would be able to identify high‐risk patients for significant blood pressure decrease during anesthesia induction.Methods: We measured the PVI, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in 76 adult healthy patients under light sedation with fentanyl to obtain pre‐anesthesia control values. Anesthesia was induced with bolus administrations of 1.8 mg/kg propofol and 0.6 mg/kg rocuronium. During the 3‐min period from the start of propofol administration, HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were measured at 30‐s intervals.Results: HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP were significantly decreased after propofol administration by 8.5%, 33%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, as compared with the pre‐anesthesia control values. Linear regression analysis that compared pre‐anesthesia PVI with the decrease in MAP yielded an r value of −0.73. Decreases in SBP and DBP were moderately correlated with pre‐anesthesia PVI, while HR was not. By classifying PVI >15 as positive, a MAP decrease >25 mmHg could be predicted, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values of 0.79, 0.71, 0.73, and 0.77, respectively.Conclusion: Pre‐anesthesia PVI can predict a decrease in MAP during anesthesia induction with propofol. Its measurement may be useful to identify high‐risk patients for developing severe hypotension during anesthesia induction.
Long‐term effect of the ICU‐diary concept on quality of life after critical illness
Authors: BÄCKMAN C. G. , ORWELIUS L. , SJÖBERG F. , FREDRIKSON M. , WALTHER S. M. 
Published: March 2010

Background: Critically ill patients often spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU) either unconscious or sedated. On recovery, they are often in a state of confusion with memory loss that may be associated with a longstanding reduction in health‐related quality of life (QoL). We hypothesised that the ICU‐diary concept could improve their QoL by filling in their memory gaps.Methods: A non‐randomised, prospective study in a non‐academic eight‐bedded general ICU. A group of patients (n=38) were selected to receive the ICU‐diary concept (keeping a diary with photos while on the ICU plus a follow‐up meeting) when a long and complicated course was expected. Health‐related QoL at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months was compared with a group that did not receive the ICU‐diary (n=224). The Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short‐Form (SF‐36) was used to measure health‐related QoL. Multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, illness severity, pre‐existing disease and diagnostic category was used to analyse the effects of the ICU‐diary concept at 6 months, and changes over time were analysed using repeated measures MANOVA.Results: Crude and adjusted scores for two dimensions of SF‐36 (general health and vitality) and the physical component summary score were significantly higher at 6 months in the ICU‐diary group (P<0.05) and some of the effects remained during the 3‐year follow‐up period (P<0.05).Conclusion: The ICU‐diary concept was associated with improved health‐related QoL during the 3‐year follow‐up period after a critical illness. The effect of this intervention needs to be confirmed in a larger randomised study.
Transportation of cellular therapy products: report of a survey by the cellular therapies team of the Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion (BEST) collaborative
Authors: Pamphilon D. H. , Selogie E. , Szczepiorkowski Z. M. ,   for the BEST Collaborative Cellular Therapies team
Published: March 2010

Background and Objectives  Most cell therapy products (CTP) are infused or processed shortly after collection but in some cases this may be delayed for up to 48 h. A number of variables such as temperature and cell concentration are of critical importance for the integrity of CTP during this time.Materials and Methods  We conducted a survey of cellular therapy laboratories to ascertain current practices for CTP transportation.Results There were 194 respondents of whom 90% shipped or received CTP – 84% allogeneic, 71% autologous and 62% therapeutic cells. Processing facilities shipped or received the following products – hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC), Marrow 73%; HPC, Apheresis 90%; HPC, Cord Blood 54% and others 14%. Other CTP included donor lymphocytes, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), natural killer cells, buffy coat neutrophils and virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). More than 70% of respondents believed that it was acceptable for CTP to be held for up to 2 h without checking the temperature or cell density and a similar proportion agreed that putting products in containers to control parameters such as temperature within this time period was unnecessary. The majority of centres shipped or received between 1 and 10 CTP annually and 66% received products taking more than 2 h to ship. Of these, 82% specified the conditions for temperature in transit whilst 57% monitored temperature in transit and 74% of these used a data logger. The temperature range most commonly specified was 18–24°C. The majority of processing facilities did not request an adjustment to the cell density even for products taking more than 2 h to reach their facility. More than 90% of respondents tested HPC for CD34+ cells, viability and sterility; 40–48% performed colony‐forming unit–granulocyte macrophage (CFU–GM) analysis. Only viability was thought by > 50% of respondents to be impacted by temperature, cell density and other parameters.Conclusion Understanding current practice will help in the design of future studies for CTP storage and transportation.
Benthic responses to organic matter variation in a subtropical coastal area off SE Brazil
Authors: Quintana Cintia O. , Yoshinaga Marcos Y. , Sumida Paulo Y. G. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractOrganic matter quality, expressed as the proportion of chlorophyll a (Chl a) to degraded organic material (i.e. phaeopigments), is known to influence the structure of benthic associations and plays an important role in the functioning of the ecosystem. This study investigates the vertical distribution of microbial biomass, meiofauna and macrofauna with respect to organic matter variation in Ubatuba, Brazil, a southeastern, subtropical coastal area. On three occasions, samples were collected in exposed and sheltered stations, at high and low hydrodynamic conditions. We hypothesize that benthic assemblages will have high meio‐ and macrofaunal densities and high microbial biomass at the sediment surface at the sheltered site, and lower and vertically homogeneous microbial biomass and densities of meio‐ and macrofauna are expected at the exposed site. The accumulation of fresh organic matter at the sediment surface was observed at both stations over the three sampling dates, which contributed to the higher densities of meiofauna in the first layers of the sediment column. Macrofauna followed the same trend only at the exposed station, but changes in the number of species, biodiversity and feeding groups were registered for both stations. Microbial biomass increased at the sheltered station over the three sampling dates, whereas at the exposed station, microbial biomass was nearly constant. Physical exposure did not influence organic matter loading at the sites and therefore did not affect overall structure of benthic assemblages, which negates our original hypothesis. Most of the benthic system components reacted to organic matter quality and quantity, but relationships between different‐sized organisms (i.e. competition and/or predation) may explain the unchanged microbial profiles at the exposed site and homogeneous vertical distribution of macrofauna at the sheltered site. In conclusion, the high quality of organic matter was a crucial factor in sustaining and regulating the benthic system, but coupled results showed that interactions between micro‐, meio‐ and macrofauna can be highly complex.
Predictors of mobile telephone use and exposure analysis in Australian adolescents
Authors: Inyang Imo , Benke Geza , Dimitriadis Christina , Simpson Pamela , McKenzie Ray , Abramson Michael 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  Australian adolescents are increasingly using mobile telephones (MP) while the debate on MP safety persists. This group is not generally engaged in full‐time employment, suggesting that their MP use is not work related. We investigated possible predictors of MP use in young people.Methods:  We assessed exposure to radiofrequency energy from MP by means of a self‐administered questionnaire adapted from INTERPHONE – an international case‐control study of adult brain, head and neck tumours. We investigated possible determinants of MP use in adolescent Australians using self‐reported number of incoming and outgoing voice calls as exposure metric.Results:  There is a high prevalence of MP use amongst Australian adolescents (94%). Males were significantly younger than females at age of first uptake of MP (P= 0.02). Participants without siblings were significantly younger at age of first uptake. Personality traits were associated with regular MP usage: higher psychoticism scores were associated with regular use (IRR = 1.06, P= 0.03); there was a tendency for students with higher extraversion scores to report more MP use. Parental socio‐economic status was associated with MP use, but parents who expressed moderate/high level concerns about possible health risks of use were more likely to have children who used MP (OR = 4.06, P= 0.05).Conclusions:  Almost all adolescent Australians use MP, but regular exposure was associated with personality traits. Parental socio‐economic status and perceived health risks of MP use were also associated with use of phones. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess the predictors of mobile phone use in the long term.
Health‐care‐seeking behaviour for childhood illnesses in a resource‐poor setting
Authors: Tinuade Ogunlesi , Iyabo Runsewe‐Abiodun , Durotoye Olanrewaju 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  To determine health‐care‐seeking behaviour for childhood illnesses in a resource‐poor setting.Method:  Cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the children emergency room in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Socio‐demographic data and details of the place and type of care given to ill children before presentation in the tertiary hospital were obtained.Results:  A total of 168 mother–child pairs were studied. The leading illnesses were characterised by fever (35.1%), cough (26.2%) and stooling (19.1%). Initial care was sought within homes (57.1%) and after 24 h of onset (61.9%). A significantly higher proportion of the mothers who sought care within 24 h did so within the homes (P < 0.001). Only 38.1% of the mothers felt that the illnesses were severe. Although 66.7% lived close to orthodox health facilities, only 50.6% utilized such orthodox health facilities. Care was mostly sought outside the homes from drug vendors (55.5%) and private clinics (25.0%). Overall, 72.2% of the mothers administered various drugs to their children before presentation. Home care mainly involved the use of drugs (52.1%) and herbal preparations (15.6%). Care was sought within 24 h of onset for children with fever compared with those with cough (P < 0.001) and stooling (P < 0.001). The leading reasons for not utilising orthodox health services at the onset of illnesses included non‐recognition of the severe nature of the illness and poor finances.Conclusion:  Care‐seeking for childhood illnesses was often delayed beyond 24 h, and most mothers sought care within homes. Health education is required to improve timely seeking of appropriate health care for childhood illnesses.