bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
KRAS mutation is present in a small subset of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinomas
Authors: Alexander Riley E , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio , Montironi Rodolfo , MacLennan Gregory T , Post Kristin M , Bilbo Sarah A , Jones Timothy D , Huang Wenbin , Rao Qiu , Sen Joyashree D , Meehan Kari , Cornwell Anita , Miravalle Leticia , Cheng Liang 
Published: April 2012

Alexander R E, Lopez‐Beltran A, Montironi R, MacLennan G T, Post K M, Bilbo S A, Jones T D, Huang W, Rao Q, Sen J D, Meehan K, Cornwell A, Miravalle L & Cheng L  (2012) Histopathology KRAS mutation is present in a small subset of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinomasAims:  To determine whether KRAS mutations occur in primary bladder adenocarcinoma.Methods and results:  Twenty‐six cases of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinoma were analysed. DNA was extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue and amplified with shifted termination assay technology, which recognizes wild‐type or mutant target sequences and selectively extends detection primers with labelled nucleotides. A mutation in KRAS was found in three (11.5%) of 26 primary bladder adenocarcinomas. Two of these three cases exhibited a G13D mutation, whereas the remaining case contained a mutation in G12V. None of the ten cases of urothelial carcinoma with glandular differentiation displayed KRAS mutation. Colonic adenocarcinoma contained a KRAS mutation in 18 (33%) of 55 cases. There was no distinct difference with regard to grade, stage or outcome according to the limited clinicopathological data available. However, the two youngest patients, aged 32 and 39 years, in our study group, with a mean population age of 61 years, were found to have mutations in KRAS.Conclusions:  KRAS mutations are present in a small subset of primary urinary bladder adenocarcinomas. Future clinical trials for treatment of bladder adenocarcinoma, employing targeted therapies similar to those used for treatment of colon cancer, may also benefit from the predictive implications of KRAS mutational testing.
Sperm chromatin integrity may predict future fertility for unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion patients
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Wang Leiguang , Zhang Xingqi , Xu Guanzhao , Zhang Wei , Wang Kehua , Wang Qiuju , Qiu Yi , Li Juan , Gai Ling 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is multi‐factorial, complex and poorly understood. In the present study, semen parameters, including sperm chromatin integrity, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology, were compared between 111 men whose partners had a history of unexplained RSA (RSA group) and 30 healthy fertile men (control group). The RSA group was further separated into three subgroups, depending on their reproductive outcome during the 12 months after they were enrolled in the study: the pregnancy subgroup consisted of 43 men whose partners achieved a successful pregnancy up to at least the 24th week of gestation; the abortion subgroup included 31 men whose partners experienced further abortions; and the infertile subgroup had 37 men whose partners did not have any positive pregnancy test after regular, unprotected intercourse. Significantly lower proportion of sperm with normal morphology was found in the abortion subgroup (14.7 ± 4.3%) than in the control group (17.5 ± 5.0%). Sperm concentrations were significantly lower in the infertile subgroup (55.7 ± 24.1%) than in the controls (68.6 ± 27.8%). The rates of abnormal sperm chromatin integrity were significantly higher in the abortion (16.7 ± 7.7%) and infertile (16.3 ± 6.6%) subgroups, compared to the control group (13.0 ± 4.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the subsequent reproductive outcome of the 111 RSA patients was negatively correlated to the rates of abnormal sperm chromatin integrity. In conclusion, sperm chromatin integrity, sperm morphology, and sperm concentration were associated with future reproductive outcome of RSA patients. The sperm chromatin integrity was a significant predictor for future abortion and infertility.
High prevalence of androgen deficiency and abnormal lipid profile in infertile men with non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Bobjer J. , Naumovska M. , Giwercman Y.L. , Giwercman A. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryIn men with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA), the risk of hypogonadism is often overlooked. Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may increase this risk. The objective of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of hypogonadism in NOA‐patients, the impact of TESE on hormone balance and the association between testosterone deficiency and dyslipidaemia. Men with NOA who had undergone TESE during the period 2004–2009 were eligible. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <10 nmol/L and/or LH >10 IU/L and/or ongoing androgen replacement therapy. Sixty‐five consecutive men who had undergone TESE owing to NOA and from whom post‐TESE serum testosterone levels measured before 1100 h were available. Furthermore, 141 fertile men served as controls. Serum concentrations of testosterone, LH and lipids were assessed. Odds ratios (OR) for biochemical hypogonadism were calculated. Pre‐ and post‐TESE hormone levels were compared. Lipid profile was related to testosterone levels. Hypogonadism was found in 47% (95% CI, 0.36, 0.59) of the NOA‐men. As compared with fertile controls, the OR for hypogonadism post‐TESE was 17 (95% CI 6.6–45). Serum LH (p = 0.03), but not testosterone (p = 0.43), differed significantly pre‐ and post‐TESE. Compared with eugonadal NOA‐men, the OR for having deviations in lipid profile was 3.3 (95% CI 1.3–8.8) for the hypogonadal NOA‐men. NOA‐men are at very high risk of androgen deficiency, which even in young subjects is associated with dyslipidaemia. Medical management of these men should therefore include endocrinological evaluation and follow‐up after completion of infertility treatment.
Foaming, gelling and rheological properties of egg albumen as affected by the housing system and the age of laying hens
Authors: Alamprese Cristina , Casiraghi Ernestina , Rossi Margherita 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe aim of this work was to study the foaming, gelling and rheological properties of albumen as simultaneously affected by the housing system (i.e. conventional cage, organic and barn) and the age of layers (27, 30, 35, 43, 53 and 68 weeks). Significant effects of the two considered factors and of their interactions were found for almost all the studied properties. In particular, with the increasing of the hen age, a loss in albumen consistency and a weakening of the albumen gel structure were observed. As regards the housing system, differences observed, even if statistically significant, were little and unlikely to have a real effect on technological performances of the eggs when used as food ingredients. Significant correlations amongst technological properties of albumen and its pH and protein content were also found.
Agricultural intensification drives landscape‐context effects on host–parasitoid interactions in agroecosystems
Authors: Jonsson Mattias , Buckley Hannah L. , Case Bradley S. , Wratten Steve D. , Hale Roddy J. , Didham Raphael K. 
Published: April 2012

Summary1. Agricultural land use threatens ecosystem services such as biological control by natural enemies because of simplification of habitat structure and intensification of disturbance and agrochemical inputs. Low parasitism rates of agricultural pests have typically been attributed to a lack of resources for parasitoids in highly simplified landscapes, but this could be confounded by the nearly ubiquitous correlation between landscape complexity and the cover of intensively farmed agricultural crops.2. Here, we disentangle the mechanisms driving landscape‐scale effects on host–parasitoid interactions by taking advantage of a landscape modification gradient in which the diversity of habitat types and annual crop cover in the landscape were uncorrelated. We quantified herbivore densities and parasitism and hyperparasitism rates on two important crop pests (aphids and Plutella xylostella) across 30 landscapes. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test whether land‐use intensity (insecticide application and habitat disturbance) or resource availability for parasitoids (floral resources and alternative host plants) was mediating the effects of habitat diversity and annual crop cover on the landscape.3. Rates of primary‐ and hyperparasitism of aphids and primary parasitism of P. xylostella decreased with increasing annual crop cover, whereas decreasing habitat diversity in the landscape had little effect on parasitism rates. These effects were mediated almost entirely by greater habitat disturbance and greater frequency of insecticide application, rather than by changes in resource availability.4. Parasitoids were more sensitive to intensive farming practices than were their herbivore hosts, and in turn hyperparasitoids were more sensitive than were primary parasitoids. This supports the theoretical prediction that higher trophic levels should be increasingly sensitive to the disturbances associated with land‐use change.5. Synthesis and applications. Our work suggests that increased land‐use intensity (e.g. higher insecticide inputs and greater levels of disturbance associated with increasing area of annual crops) has been underestimated as a driver of landscape effects on host–parasitoid interactions. These findings have important implications for the maintenance of ecosystem services such as biological control. The promotion of low‐intensity farming practices that limit the extent and frequency of agrochemical inputs and habitat disturbances will be essential for the maintenance of effective biological control by parasitoids in agroecosystems.
Low levels of food involvement and negative affect reduce the quality of diet in women of lower educational attainment
Authors: Jarman M. , Lawrence W. , Ntani G. , Tinati T. , Pease A. , Black C. , Baird J. , Barker M. ,   the SIH Study Group
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  Women of lower educational attainment tend to have poorer quality diets and lower food involvement (an indicator of the priority given to food) than women of higher educational attainment. The present study reports a study of the role of food involvement in the relationship between educational attainment and quality of diet in young women.Methods:  The first phase uses six focus group discussions (n = 28) to explore the function of food involvement in shaping the food choices of women of lower and higher educational attainment with young children. The second phase is a survey that examines the relationship between educational attainment and quality of diet in women, and explores the role of mediating factors identified by the focus group discussions.Results:  The focus groups suggested that lower food involvement in women of lower educational attainment might be associated with negative affect (i.e. an observable expression of negative emotion), and that this might mean that they did not place a high priority on eating a good quality diet. In support of this hypothesis, the survey of 1010 UK women found that 14% of the effect of educational attainment on food involvement was mediated through the woman’s affect (P ≤ 0.001), and that 9% of the effect of educational attainment on quality of diet was mediated through food involvement (P ≤ 0.001).Conclusions:  Women who leave school with fewer qualifications may have poorer quality diets than women with more qualifications because they tend to have a lower level of food involvement, partly attributed to a more negative affect. Interventions to improve women’s mood may benefit their quality of diet.
Gossypol‐enhanced P450 gene pool contributes to cotton bollworm tolerance to a pyrethroid insecticide
Authors: TAO XIAO‐YUAN , XUE XUE‐YI , HUANG YONG‐PING , CHEN XIAO‐YA , MAO YING‐BO 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCotton plants accumulate phytotoxins, including gossypol and related sesquiterpene aldehydes, to resist insect herbivores and pathogens. To counteract these defensive plant secondary metabolites, cotton bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) elevate their production of detoxification enzymes, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s). Besides their tolerance to phytotoxin, cotton bollworms have quickly developed resistance to deltamethrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide in cotton field. However, the relationship between host plant secondary metabolites and bollworm insecticide resistance is poorly understood. Here, we show that exogenously expressed CYP6AE14, a gossypol‐inducible P450 of cotton bollworm, has epoxidation activity towards aldrin, an organochlorine insecticide, indicating that gossypol‐induced P450s participate in insecticide metabolism. Gossypol‐ingested cotton bollworm larvae showed higher midgut P450 enzyme activities and exhibited enhanced tolerance to deltamethrin. The midgut transcripts of bollworm larvae administrated with different phytochemicals and deltamethrin were then compared by microarray analysis, which showed that gossypol and deltamethrin induced the most similar P450 expression profiles. Gossypol‐induced P450s exhibited high divergence and at least five of them (CYP321A1, CYP9A12, CYP9A14, CYP6AE11 and CYP6B7) contributed to cotton bollworm tolerance to deltamethrin. Knocking down one of them, CYP9A14, by plant‐mediated RNA interference (RNAi) rendered the larvae more sensitive to the insecticide. These data demonstrate that generalist insects can take advantage of secondary metabolites from their major host plants to elaborate defence systems against other toxic chemicals, and impairing this defence pathway by RNAi holds a potential for reducing the required dosages of agrochemicals in pest control.
The rice hydroperoxide lyase OsHPL3 functions in defense responses by modulating the oxylipin pathway
Authors: Tong Xiaohong , Qi Jinfeng , Zhu Xudong , Mao Bizeng , Zeng Longjun , Wang Baohui , Li Qun , Zhou Guoxin , Xu Xiaojing , Lou Yonggen , He Zuhua 
Published: April 2012

SummaryAs important signal molecules, jasmonates (JAs) and green leaf volatiles (GLVs) play diverse roles in plant defense responses against insect pests and pathogens. However, how plants employ their specific defense responses by modulating the levels of JA and GLVs remains unclear. Here, we describe identification of a role for the rice HPL3 gene, which encodes a hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), OsHPL3/CYP74B2, in mediating plant‐specific defense responses. The loss‐of‐function mutant hpl3‐1 produced disease‐resembling lesions spreading through the whole leaves. A biochemical assay revealed that OsHPL3 possesses intrinsic HPL activity, hydrolyzing hydroperoxylinolenic acid to produce GLVs. The hpl3‐1 plants exhibited enhanced induction of JA, trypsin proteinase inhibitors and other volatiles, but decreased levels of GLVs including (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol. OsHPL3 positively modulates resistance to the rice brown planthopper [BPH, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)] but negatively modulates resistance to the rice striped stem borer [SSB, Chilo suppressalis (Walker)]. Moreover, hpl3‐1 plants were more attractive to a BPH egg parasitoid, Anagrus nilaparvatae, than the wild‐type, most likely as a result of increased release of BPH‐induced volatiles. Interestingly, hpl3‐1 plants also showed increased resistance to bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae). Collectively, these results indicate that OsHPL3, by affecting the levels of JA, GLVs and other volatiles, modulates rice‐specific defense responses against different invaders.
Histone H1 affects gene imprinting and DNA methylation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rea Matthew , Zheng Wenguang , Chen Ming , Braud Christopher , Bhangu Drutdaman , Rognan Tara N. , Xiao Wenyan 
Published: April 2012

SummaryImprinting, i.e. parent‐of‐origin expression of alleles, plays an important role in regulating development in mammals and plants. DNA methylation catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases plays a pivotal role in regulating imprinting by silencing parental alleles. DEMETER (DME), a DNA glycosylase functioning in the base‐excision DNA repair pathway, can excise 5‐methylcytosine from DNA and regulate genomic imprinting in Arabidopsis. DME demethylates the maternal MEDEA (MEA) promoter in endosperm, resulting in expression of the maternal MEA allele. However, it is not known whether DME interacts with other proteins in regulating gene imprinting. Here we report the identification of histone H1.2 as a DME‐interacting protein in a yeast two‐hybrid screen, and confirmation of their interaction by the in vitro pull‐down assay. Genetic analysis of the loss‐of‐function histone h1 mutant showed that the maternal histone H1 allele is required for DME regulation of MEA, FWA and FIS2 imprinting in Arabidopsis endosperm but the paternal allele is dispensable. Furthermore, we show that mutations in histone H1 result in an increase of DNA methylation in the maternal MEA and FWA promoter in endosperm. Our results suggest that histone H1 is involved in DME‐mediated DNA methylation and gene regulation at imprinted loci.
Evaluation of vascular lesions using circulating endothelial cells in renal transplant patients
Authors: Wen Jiqiu , Chen Jisong , Ji Shu‐Ming , Cheng Dongrui , Liu Zhi‐hong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and vascular lesions in renal allografts.MethodologySixty‐two renal transplant patients were divided into four groups according to biopsy data. CECs were isolated from peripheral blood with anti‐CD136‐coated immunomagnetic Dynabeads and counted by microscopy during biopsy. CEC numbers were compared in each group, as well as the correlation between CECs and C4d and vascular changes in different groups.ResultCECs counts were higher in the acute rejection (AR) with endarteritis group than in the normal group (p < 0.01), acute tubular necrosis (ATN) group (p < 0.01) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) group (p < 0.01), there were no difference among ATN, normal and CAN) group (p = 0.587). There was no difference among the normal group without hyaline, normal group with hyaline and CAN with hyaline group. An increasing CECs count was related to C4d‐positive AR (p = 0.008; κ score = 0.519) and infiltration of inflammatory cells (p = 0.002, κ score = 0.573) in proximal tubule cells (PTCs). The CECs count decreased after intensive therapy in five patients (p = 0.001).ConclusionElevation of the CEC count in blood was related to endarteritis. Elevation of CEC count was related to C4d deposition and infiltration of inflammatory cells in PTCs.
Sex, outcrossing and mating types: unsolved questions in fungi and beyond
Authors: BILLIARD S. , LÓPEZ‐VILLAVICENCIO M. , HOOD M. E. , GIRAUD T. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractVariability in the way organisms reproduce raises numerous, and still unsolved, questions in evolutionary biology. In this study, we emphasize that fungi deserve a much greater emphasis in efforts to address these questions because of their multiple advantages as model eukaryotes. A tremendous diversity of reproductive modes and mating systems can be found in fungi, with many evolutionary transitions among closely related species. In addition, fungi show some peculiarities in their mating systems that have received little attention so far, despite the potential for providing insights into important evolutionary questions. In particular, selfing can occur at the haploid stage in addition to the diploid stage in many fungi, which is generally not possible in animals and plants but has a dramatic influence upon the structure of genetic systems. Fungi also present several advantages that make them tractable models for studies in experimental evolution. Here, we briefly review the unsolved questions and extant hypotheses about the evolution and maintenance of asexual vs. sexual reproduction and of selfing vs. outcrossing, focusing on fungal life cycles. We then propose how fungi can be used to address these long‐standing questions and advance our understanding of sexual reproduction and mating systems across all eukaryotes.
Constant, cycling, hot and cold thermal environments: strong effects on mean viability but not on genetic estimates
Authors: KETOLA T. , KELLERMANN V. , KRISTENSEN T. N. , LOESCHCKE V. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIt has frequently been suggested that trait heritabilities are environmentally sensitive, and there are genetic trade‐offs between tolerating different environments such as hot and cold or constant and fluctuating temperatures. Future climate predictions suggest an increase in both temperatures and their fluctuations. How species will respond to these changes is uncertain, particularly as there is a lack of studies which compare genetic performances in constant vs. fluctuating environments. In this study, we used a nested full‐sib/half‐sib breeding design to examine how the genetic variances and heritabilities of egg‐to‐adult viability differ at high and low temperatures with and without daily fluctuations in temperatures usingDrosophila melanogasteras a model organism. Although egg‐to‐adult viability was clearly sensitive to developmental temperatures, heritabilities were not particularly sensitive to developmental temperatures. Moreover, we found that egg‐to‐adult viabilities at different developmental temperatures were positively correlated, suggesting a common genetic background for egg‐to‐adult viability at different temperatures. Finding both a uniform genetic background coupled with rather low heritabilities insensitive to temperatures, our results suggest evolutionary responses are unlikely to be limited by temperature effects on genetic parameters or negative genetic correlations, but by the direct effects of stressful temperatures on egg‐to‐adult viability accompanied with low heritabilities.
Sequence Diversity in the NSm Gene of Groundnut Bud Necrosis Virus Isolates Originating from Different Hosts and Locations in India
Authors: Akram Mohammad , Naimuddin Kamaal , Jain Rakesh K. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe movement protein (NSm) gene of Groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) isolates from pea, mungbean, cowpea, French bean, tomato and potato collected from different locations of India were compared to study their diversity. The NSm gene sequences of all the GBNV isolates were highly conserved and had only 0–3% diversity in amino acids and 0–10% in nucleotides. Comparison of amino acid sequence of NSm gene of 25 GBNV isolates revealed the presence of many conserved regions. Both ‘D‐motif’ and ‘G‐residue’, the conserved regions of ‘30K superfamily’ of virus movement protein, were present in all the isolates. Clustering of the GBNV isolates does not appear to be based on their place of origin and host plant species.