bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between maternal dietary patterns and hypospadias
Authors: de Kort Christianne A. R. , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark J. , Mendez Michelle A. 
Published: March 2011

Summaryde Kort CAR, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Mendez MA. Relationship between maternal dietary patterns and hypospadias. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 255–264.Little is known about the role of maternal nutrition in the development of hypospadias, which is the most common urogenital congenital anomaly. This study investigated the relationship between maternal nutrition and the risk of hypospadias, particularly focusing on maternal food patterns. We compared 471 hypospadias cases with 490 controls in the United Kingdom. A questionnaire including information on life style, occupation, usual maternal diet and dietary supplements was administered using telephone interviews. Cases and controls were compared for individual food item intake and food patterns derived by cluster analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for income, maternal age, low birthweight, smoking and folic acid supplement use was used to assess the relationship between maternal nutrition and hypospadias. Three food patterns were created with the labels ‘health conscious’, ‘mixed’ and ‘non‐health conscious’. ‘Non‐health conscious’ subjects (low frequency of consumption of yoghurt, cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables, fish, beans and pulses, olive oil and organic food) had a higher risk of hypospadias (odds ratio 1.54; 95% confidence interval 1.06, 2.26) compared with ‘health conscious’ subjects (high frequency of consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, fresh or frozen fish, beans, pulses, soya products, olive oil and organic food), after adjustment for potential confounders. Intakes of individual foods were not strongly associated with hypospadias. We could not exclude the possibility of residual confounding, and this needs to be further investigated. We found an association between food pattern and hypospadias, with those with less health conscious food patterns having a higher risk. Further study is needed to confirm this association.
Sexual reproduction is the default mode in apomictic Hieracium subgenus Pilosella, in which two dominant loci function to enable apomixis
Authors: Koltunow Anna M. G. , Johnson Susan D. , Rodrigues Julio C. M. , Okada Takashi , Hu Yingkao , Tsuchiya Tohru , Wilson Saira , Fletcher Pam , Ito Kanae , Suzuki Go , Mukai Yasuhiko , Fehrer Judith , Bicknell Ross A. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAsexual seed formation, or apomixis, in the Hieracium subgenus Pilosella is controlled by two dominant independent genetic loci, LOSS OF APOMEIOSIS (LOA) and LOSS OF PARTHENOGENESIS (LOP). We examined apomixis mutants that had lost function in one or both loci to establish their developmental roles during seed formation. In apomicts, sexual reproduction is initiated first. Somatic aposporous initial (AI) cells differentiate near meiotic cells, and the sexual pathway is terminated as AI cells undergo mitotic embryo sac formation. Seed initiation is fertilization‐independent. Using a partially penetrant cytotoxic reporter to inhibit meioisis, we showed that developmental events leading to the completion of meiotic tetrad formation are required for AI cell formation. Sexual initiation may therefore stimulate activity of the LOA locus, which was found to be required for AI cell formation and subsequent suppression of the sexual pathway. AI cells undergo nuclear division to form embryo sacs, in which LOP functions gametophytically to stimulate fertilization‐independent embryo and endosperm formation. Loss of function in either locus results in partial reversion to sexual reproduction, and loss of function in both loci results in total reversion to sexual reproduction. Therefore, in these apomicts, sexual reproduction is the default reproductive mode upon which apomixis is superimposed. These loci are unlikely to encode genes essential for sexual reproduction, but may function to recruit the sexual machinery at specific time points to enable apomixis.
Targeted manipulation of leaf form via local growth repression
Authors: Malinowski Robert , Kasprzewska Ania , Fleming Andrew J. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryA classical view is that leaf shape is the result of local promotion of growth linked to cell proliferation. However, an alternative hypothesis is that leaf form is the result of local repression of growth in an otherwise growing system. Here we show that leaf form can indeed be manipulated in a directed fashion by local repression of growth. We show that targeting expression of an inhibitor of a cyclin‐dependent kinase (KRP1) to the sinus area of developing leaves of Arabidopsis leads to local growth repression and the formation of organs with extreme lobing, including generation of leaflet‐like organs. Directing KRP1 expression to other regions of the leaf using an miRNA target sequence tagging approach also leads to predictable novel leaf forms, and repression of growth in the leaf margin blocks the outgrowth of lobes, leading to a smoother perimeter. In addition, we show that decreased growth around the perimeter and across the leaf abaxial surface leads to a change in 3D form, as predicted by mechanical models of leaf growth. Our analysis provides experimental evidence that local repression of growth influences leaf shape, suggesting that it could be part of the mechanism of morphogenesis in plants in the context of an otherwise growing system.
APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR and basic helix–loop–helix tobacco transcription factors cooperatively mediate jasmonate‐elicited nicotine biosynthesis
Authors: De Boer Kathleen , Tilleman Sofie , Pauwels Laurens , Vanden Bossche Robin , De Sutter Valerie , Vanderhaeghen Rudy , Hilson Pierre , Hamill John D. , Goossens Alain 
Published: March 2011

SummaryTranscription factors of the plant‐specific apetala2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERF) family control plant secondary metabolism, often as part of signalling cascades induced by jasmonate (JA) or other elicitors. Here, we functionally characterized the JA‐inducible tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) AP2/ERF factor ORC1, one of the members of the NIC2‐locus ERFs that control nicotine biosynthesis and a close homologue of ORCA3, a transcriptional activator of alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus. ORC1 positively regulated the transcription of several structural genes coding for the enzymes involved in nicotine biosynthesis. Accordingly, overexpression of ORC1 was sufficient to stimulate alkaloid biosynthesis in tobacco plants and tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) root cultures. In contrast to ORCA3 in C. roseus, which needs only the GCC motif in the promoters of the alkaloid synthesis genes to induce their expression, ORC1 required the presence of both GCC‐motif and G‐box elements in the promoters of the tobacco nicotine biosynthesis genes for maximum transactivation. Correspondingly, combined application with the JA‐inducible Nicotiana basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) factors that bind the G‐box element in these promoters enhanced ORC1 action. Conversely, overaccumulation of JAZ repressor proteins that block bHLH activity reduced ORC1 functionality. Finally, the activity of both ORC1 and bHLH proteins was post‐translationally upregulated by a JA‐modulated phosphorylation cascade, in which a specific mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase, JA‐factor stimulating MAPKK1 (JAM1), was identified. This study highlights the complexity of the molecular machinery involved in the regulation of tobacco alkaloid biosynthesis and provides mechanistic insights about its transcriptional regulators.
Rice CYP734As function as multisubstrate and multifunctional enzymes in brassinosteroid catabolism
Authors: Sakamoto Tomoaki , Kawabe Ayami , Tokida‐Segawa Asako , Shimizu Bun‐ichi , Takatsuto Suguru , Shimada Yukihisa , Fujioka Shozo , Mizutani Masaharu 
Published: March 2011

SummaryCatabolism of brassinosteroids regulates the endogenous level of bioactive brassinosteroids. In Arabidopsis thaliana, bioactive brassinosteroids such as castasterone (CS) and brassinolide (BL) are inactivated mainly by two cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, CYP734A1/BAS1 and CYP72C1/SOB7/CHI2/SHK1; CYP734A1/BAS1 inactivates CS and BL by means of C‐26 hydroxylation. Here, we characterized CYP734A orthologs from Oryza sativa (rice). Overexpression of rice CYP734As in transgenic rice gave typical brassinosteroid‐deficient phenotypes. These transformants were deficient in both the bioactive CS and its precursors downstream of the C‐22 hydroxylation step. Consistent with this result, recombinant rice CYP734As utilized a range of C‐22 hydroxylated brassinosteroid intermediates as substrates. In addition, rice CYP734As can catalyze hydroxylation and the second and third oxidations to produce aldehyde and carboxylate groups at C‐26 in vitro. These results indicate that rice CYP734As are multifunctional, multisubstrate enzymes that control the endogenous bioactive brassinosteroid content both by direct inactivation of CS and by the suppression of CS biosynthesis by decreasing the levels of brassinosteroid precursors.
Role of camalexin, indole glucosinolates, and side chain modification of glucosinolate‐derived isothiocyanates in defense of Arabidopsis against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Stotz Henrik U. , Sawada Yuji , Shimada Yukihisa , Hirai Masami Y. , Sasaki Eriko , Krischke Markus , Brown Paul D. , Saito Kazuki , Kamiya Yuji 
Published: March 2011

SummaryPlant secondary metabolites are known to facilitate interactions with a variety of beneficial and detrimental organisms, yet the contribution of specific metabolites to interactions with fungal pathogens is poorly understood. Here we show that, with respect to aliphatic glucosinolate‐derived isothiocyanates, toxicity against the pathogenic ascomycete Sclerotinia sclerotiorum depends on side chain structure. Genes associated with the formation of the secondary metabolites camalexin and glucosinolate were induced in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves challenged with the necrotrophic pathogen S. sclerotiorum. Unlike S. sclerotiorum, the closely related ascomycete Botrytis cinerea was not identified to induce genes associated with aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis in pathogen‐challenged leaves. Mutant plant lines deficient in camalexin, indole, or aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis were hypersusceptible to S. sclerotiorum, among them the myb28 mutant, which has a regulatory defect resulting in decreased production of long‐chained aliphatic glucosinolates. The antimicrobial activity of aliphatic glucosinolate‐derived isothiocyanates was dependent on side chain elongation and modification, with 8‐methylsulfinyloctyl isothiocyanate being most toxic to S. sclerotiorum. This information is important for microbial associations with cruciferous host plants and for metabolic engineering of pathogen defenses in cruciferous plants that produce short‐chained aliphatic glucosinolates.
Immunohistochemical localization of fibroblast growth factor 18 in hair follicles of healthy beagle dogs
Authors: Vandenabeele Sophie I. J. , Daminet Sylvie , Van Ham Luc , Farver Thomas B. , DeCock Hilde E. V. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIncreasing emphasis is being placed on the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in hair follicle cycling. In mice, expression of FGF18 mRNA peaks during the late telogen phase, leading to the hypothesis that FGF plays a role in anagen induction. There are no data on the presence of FGF18 in dogs. The main objective of this study was to identify and locate FGF18 in the canine hair follicle. The second objective was to assess potential differences in FGF18 concentration between biopsies taken in winter and summer, shoulder and flank regions, and between different sexes. Skin tissue from 10 healthy beagle dogs (three intact females, three spayed females and four intact males) was collected from the shoulder and flank. The biopsies were collected in February and August on day 0, after which the dogs were clipped and biopsies collected again from the shoulder and flank on days 1, 3, 7 and 17. Paraffin sections (4 μm thick) of the biopsies were stained with an anti‐FGF18 antibody. The FGF18‐positive cells were counted in the hair follicle epithelium from seven follicular units of each biopsy. Fibroblast growth factor 18 was detected as granular cytoplasmatic staining in follicles at the level of the inner root sheath, and rarely in the outer root sheath and dermal papilla. It was also detected in the apocrine glands, in arrector pili muscles and in vascular endothelial cells. There was no statistical difference in the number of FGF18‐positive cells or follicles between sexes, different anatomical locations, seasons or the consecutive days of sampling.
Prevalence of gastroparesis before and after lung transplantation and its association with lung allograft outcomes
Authors: Raviv Yael , D’Ovidio Frank , Pierre Andrew , Chaparro Cecilia , Freeman Marc , Keshavjee Shaf , Singer Lianne G. 
Published: March 2011

Raviv Y, D’Ovidio F, Pierre A, Chaparro C, Freeman M, Keshavjee S, Singer LG. Prevalence of gastroparesis before and after lung transplantation and its association with lung allograft outcomes.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 133–142.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The main cause of late morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation is bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). This study assesses the prevalence of gastroparesis among lung‐transplant recipients and its association with BOS. The files of 139 patients who underwent nuclear gastric emptying studies before and/or three and 12 months after lung transplantation were reviewed, and the correlation of gastric emptying time (GET) at each time point with the occurrence of acute rejection or BOS (stage 0p or higher) was evaluated. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE; t1/2 > 90 min) was documented in 50% of patients before transplantation – 74% at three months and 63% at 12 months. Median pre‐transplant t1/2 was 108 min in patients who acquired BOS and 77 min in BOS‐free patients (p = 0.022). Among patients with pre‐transplant DGE, 58% were BOS‐free at 24 months post‐operatively and 37% at 36 months; corresponding rates in patients with normal motility were 78% and 63% (p = 0.084). On multiple regression analysis adjusting for other measures of upper gastrointestinal dysfunction, GET before or three months after transplantation was significantly associated with BOS (OR 1.05 [95% CI 1.01–1.09] and OR 1.001 [1.001–1.005] per minute t1/2). Gastroparesis is common in lung‐transplant recipients and associated with the development of BOS.
Body composition, muscle strength, functional capacity, and physical disability risk in liver transplanted familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy patients
Authors: Tomás Maria T. , Santa‐Clara Maria H. , Monteiro Estela , Baynard Tracy , Carnero Elvis Á. , Bruno Paula M. , Barroso Eduardo , Sardinha Luís B. , Fernhall Bo 
Published: March 2011

Tomás MT, Santa‐Clara MH, Monteiro E, Baynard T, Carnero EÁ, Bruno PM, Barroso E, Sardinha LB, Fernhall B. Body composition, muscle strength, functional capacity, and physical disability risk in liver transplanted familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy patients. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E406–E414. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a neurodegenerative disease leading to sensory and motor polyneuropathies, and functional limitations. Liver transplantation is the only treatment for FAP, requiring medication that negatively affects bone and muscle metabolism. The aim of this study was to compare body composition, levels of specific strength, level of physical disability risk, and functional capacity of transplanted FAP patients (FAPTx) with a group of healthy individuals (CON).Methods:  A group of patients with 48 FAPTx (28 men, 20 women) was compared with 24 CON individuals (14 men, 10 women). Body composition was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and total skeletal muscle mass (TBSMM) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were calculated. Handgrip strength was measured for both hands as was isometric strength of quadriceps. Muscle quality (MQ) was ascertained by the ratio of strength to muscle mass. Functional capacity was assessed by the six‐minute walk test.Results:  Patients with FAPTx had significantly lower functional capacity, weight, body mass index, total fat mass, TBSMM, SMI, lean mass, muscle strength, MQ, and bone mineral density.Conclusion:  Patients with FAPTx appear to be at particularly high risk of functional disability, suggesting an important role for an early and appropriately designed rehabilitation program.
Comparison Between a γ‐IFN Assay and Intradermal Tuberculin Test for the Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis in Field Trials in Brazil
Authors: Lilenbaum W. , Schettini J. C. , Souza G. N. , Ribeiro E. R. , Moreira E. C. , Fonseca L. S. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryBovine tuberculosis is a major problem in Brazil. The intradermal tuberculin test is the standard test for detection of bovine tuberculosis in Brazil but can lack both sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this study was to compare a bovine γ‐IFN assay with the tuberculin test under field conditions in Brazil. A total of 1632 animals from 13 dairy farms were tested using the single cervical tuberculin test (SCTT). Among those animals, about 15% of each herd, 220 in total, represented a high‐risk group and were selected to be tested using the γ‐IFN test. Of the 1632 animals tested, 207 presented significant reactions representing 12.7% of the cattle studied. In the selected group the number of animals positive by the γ‐IFN assay was 126/220 (57.3%) and the total number of reactive cows on SCTT was 106/220 (48.2%). The real number of infected cattle, following standards, was 120/220 (54.5%). From these results the relative sensitivity rate of γ‐IFN test was 100% including the false‐positive results and 88.3% for the SCTT — a significant (P < 0.01) difference in favour of the γ‐IFN test of 11.7%. The γ‐IFN assay also identified some positive animals 60–120 days earlier than the SCTT. In conclusion, we believe that the γ‐IFN assay can be used alone or in combination with the SCTT, as a valuable tool for the control of bovine tuberculosis in the Brazilian national herd.
Type of milk feeding affects hematological parameters and serum lipid profile in Japanese infants
Authors: Isomura Haruhiko , Takimoto Hidemi , Miura Fumihiro , Kitazawa Shigetaka , Takeuchi Toshio , Itabashi Kazuo , Kato Noriko 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground:  Type and volume of infant feeding determines infant growth, hematological parameters, and serum lipids.Methods:  Study subjects consisted of 103 infants who were born vaginally at term, with birthweight >2200 g. Milk feeding amount, type, and anthropometry were measured at 1 and 6 months. Hematological tests and serum lipid profile were assessed at 1 and 6 months. Thirty‐four infants were breast‐fed and 36 were formula‐fed at 6 months.Results:  Breast‐fed infants demonstrated similar growth patterns compared with partially breast‐fed or formula‐fed infants, despite the lower milk intake. Infants with higher breast milk intake at 6 months, however, tended to have lower hemoglobin levels. In contrast, higher formula intake at 6 months was related to lower serum total cholesterol.Conclusions:  Japanese breast‐fed infants were more likely to be anemic at 6 months, while formula‐fed infants were likely to have low serum lipid levels. Iron‐fortified infant foods may be useful to prevent anemia in breast‐fed infants. Fat quality of infant formulas should be improved to enhance lipid status of formula‐fed infants.
Age‐ and gender‐specific reference intervals for serum lipid levels (measured with an Advia 1650 analyzer) in school children
Authors: Tamimi Waleed , Tamim Hani , Felimban Naila , AlMutair Angham , Altwaijri Yasmin , AlAlwan Ibrahim 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground:  Due to the lack of country‐specific norms in Saudi Arabia, age‐ and gender‐specific lipid reference intervals are needed to be established for Saudi children.Methods:  Blood samples were collected from 1168 children aged 6–16 years: 500 boys (43%) and 668 girls (57%), and were analyzed for cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). Reference intervals were established by calculating the mean and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles.Results:  There were significant differences between boys at each Tanner stage with respect to cholesterol (P < 0.001); and HDL (P < 0.0001) but not LDL (P < 0.06) among girls. There were significant differences between boys and girls during puberty with respect to cholesterol (P < 0.0001), HDL (P < 0.0001), and LDL (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between total cholesterol levels, LDL and HDL levels at all Tanner stages in both genders. In girls, the only significant inverse correlation was at stage I (r=−0.243, P= 0.001); there was no significant correlation at other stages.Conclusions:  Unlike children in other developing countries, Saudi children do not have lower serum cholesterol than their Western counterparts. These findings reflect changing dietary habits and increasing affluence in Saudi Arabia. These reference intervals may be used to aid in the early assessment of cardiovascular risk in Saudi pediatric populations.
Clinical practice guidelines for children with cancer presenting with fever to the emergency room
Authors: Pakakasama Samart , Surayuthpreecha Kulvadee , Pandee Uthen , Anurathapan Usanarat , Maleewan Vimolratne , Udomsubpayakul Umaporn , Butthep Punnee , Santanirand Pitak , Sirachainan Nongnuch , Hongeng Suradej 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground:  Patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) may develop severe infection, septic shock, and death. To improve the outcome of pediatric oncology patients with suspected FN, clinical practice guidelines were developed for these patients at the emergency room (ER). The objective of the present study was to evaluate compliance of the clinical practice guidelines for children with cancer presenting with fever to the ER and adverse outcomes after using the guidelines.Methods:  A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of children with cancer presenting with fever to the ER from January 2007 to December 2008 after the clinical guidelines were implemented. The control group was the children with cancer who presented with fever during January 2005–December 2006. Guideline compliance was evaluated by recording the time of initial clinical and laboratory assessment and door‐to‐antibiotic time. The adverse outcomes, including septic shock and death, were determined.Results:  There were 170 febrile episodes after using the guidelines. Approximately half (49.4%) of the patients received clinical assessment and laboratory results within 60 min, whereas the antibiotics were administered within 120 min in 80%. Prevalence of septic shock and intensive care unit admission were significantly reduced compared to controls (P = 0.011 and 0.016, respectively). No infection‐associated mortality was found after the implementation of the guidelines.Conclusions:  Using the clinical practice guidelines for pediatric oncology patients with fever was found to reduce the adverse outcomes and improve survival.