bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of SNPs in cytokine‐related genes on the severity of food allergy and atopic eczema in children
Authors: Negoro Takaharu , Orihara Kanami , Irahara Tomoko , Nishiyama Hiroshi , Hagiwara Kanae , Nishida Risa , Takagi Hiroki , Satoh Kazue , Yamamoto Yoshiki , Shimizu Shunichi , Hagiwara Tamio , Ishii Masakazu , Tanioka Toshihiro , Nakano Yasuko , Takeda Ken , Yoshimura Isao , Iikura Yoji , Tobe Takashi 
Published: November 2006

Although many single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) studies have reported an association of atopy, allergic diseases and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, almost all of these studies sought risk factors for the onset of these allergic diseases. Furthermore, many studies have analyzed a single gene and hardly any have analyzed environmental factors. In these analyses, the results could be masked and the effects of other genes and environmental factors may be decreased. Here, we described the correlation between four genes [interleukin (IL)‐4 (C‐590T), IL‐4 receptor (A1652G), FCER1B (G6842A) and STAT6 (G2964A)] in connection with IgE production; the role of IL‐10 (C‐627A) as a regulatory cytokine of allergy; and the severity of food allergy (FA) and atopic eczema (AE) in 220 Japanese allergic children. In addition to these SNPs, environmental factors, i.e., patient's attitude, indoor envirmonment, and so on, were also investigated in this study.Our study was retrospective, and the correlation was analyzed by our defined clinical scores divided into three terms: worst symptoms, recent symptoms and general amelioration at the most recent examination during the disease course. Our results indicated that IL‐10 AA, the genotype with lower IL‐10 production, is associated with higher IgE levels in the serum (p < 0.0001, estimate; 0.912). Marginal liver abnormalities were observed in the subject group with both FA and AE (p < 0.1191, estimate; 0.1490).Our defined clinical scores enabled evaluation of various aspects of disease severity. Based on the scores, while no single SNP selected in this study determined severity, the combination of the SNP with laboratory data and environmental factors appeared to determine severity.
Molecular mapping of a novel blast resistance gene Pi38 in rice using SSLP and AFLP markers
Authors: Gowda M. , Roy‐Barman S. , Chattoo B. B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBlast, caused by Magnaporthe grisea, is the most devastating disease of rice worldwide. In this study, the main objective was to identify and map a new gene for blast resistance, in an indica rice cultivar ‘Tadukan’ against blast fungal isolate B157, using molecular tools. F2 segregating population was derived from ‘CO39’ (susceptible) and ‘Tadukan’ (resistant), and molecular mapping of the blast resistance gene was carried out using simple sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methods. Two SSLP markers, RM206 and RM21 and three AFLP markers (AF1: E‐aca/M‐ctt; AF2: E‐aca/M‐cat and AF3: E‐acc/M‐cac2) were identified to be linked to the resistance gene. The co‐segregation analysis using SSLP markers implied that the blast resistance gene designated Pi38 resides on rice chromosome 11.
Improvement of in vitro culture response of elite wheat cultivars by selecting the source spike, the scutellum size and the temperature for the induction of embryogenesis
Authors: León E. , Marín S. , Barro F. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractHigh frequencies of regeneration are desirable characteristics of in vitro culture from elite wheat cultivars. The effect of the source spike, the scutellum size and the induction temperature on embryogenesis, regeneration and number of plants per explant were optimized in three varieties of wheat and later determined in fifteen varieties of both bread and durum wheat. The highest frequencies of embryogenesis, regeneration and plants per explant were obtained when the first spike was used as source of scutella and decreased using the scutella from the second and third spikes. Scutella from the third spike yielded half the number of plants per explant than those from the first spike. Significant differences were also found for embryogenesis, regeneration and plants per explant as affected by scutellum size. The number of plants per explant drastically decreased in commercial varieties when scutella larger than 2.0 mm were used. The optimum induction temperature was 21 and 25°C for commercial and model genotypes, respectively. However, no differences were found for the number of plants per explant as affected by the induction temperature. The in vitro culture response of twelve and four cultivars of, respectively, bread and durum wheat were then determined. In all wheat varieties tested embryogenesis, regeneration and plants per explant varied over a wide range of values. In elite wheat varieties the selection of the source spike and the scutellum size can yield high frequencies of embryogenesis and regeneration and high numbers of plants per explant.
Pyramiding of Xa7 and Xa21 for the improvement of disease resistance to bacterial blight in hybrid rice
Authors: Zhang J. , Li X. , Jiang G. , Xu Y. , He Y. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract‘Minghui 63’ is a restorer line widely used in hybrid rice production in China for the last two decades. This line and its derived hybrids, including ‘Shanyou 63’, are susceptible to bacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). To improve the bacterial blight resistance of hybrid rice, two resistance genes Xa21 and Xa7, have been introgressed into ‘Minghui 63’ by marker‐assisted selection and conventional backcrossing, respectively. The single resistance gene‐introgressed lines, Minghui 63 (Xa21) and Minghui 63 (Xa7) had higher levels of resistance to bacterial blight than their derived hybrids, Shanyou 63 (Xa21) or Shanyou 63 (Xa7). Both Xa21 and Xa7 showed incomplete dominance in the heterozygous background of rice hybrids by infection with GX325 and KS‐1‐21. The improved restorer lines, with the homozygous genotypes, Xa21Xa21 or Xa7Xa7, were more resistant than their hybrids with the heterozygous genotypes Xa21xa21 or Xa7xa7. To further enhance the bacterial blight resistance of ‘Minghui 63’ and its hybrids, Xa21 and Xa7 were pyramided into the same background using molecular marker‐aided selection. The restorer lines developed with the resistance genes Xa21 and Xa7, and their derived hybrids were evaluated for resistance after inoculation with 10 isolates of pathogens from China, Japan and the Philippines, and showed a higher level of resistance to BB than the restorer lines and derived hybrids having only one of the resistance genes. The pyramided double resistance lines and their derived hybrids have the same high level of resistance to BB. These results clearly indicate that pyramiding of dominant genes is a useful approach for improving BB resistance in hybrid rice.
Prediction of indirect selection for seed and forage yield of lucerne based on evaluation under spaced planting
Authors: Annicchiarico P. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPhenotypic selection under spaced planting is frequently used in forage species. This study aimed to compare the predicted efficiency of direct selection for lucerne seed or forage yield under dense planting with indirect selection based on the same traits or seed yield components evaluated under spaced planting. Sixteen genotypes randomly chosen from a representative sample of locally adapted germplasm were grown for two years as individual clones spaced at 75 cm (density =1.78 plants/m2) and in dense plots formed by one row of four clones spaced at 10 cm (density = 50 plants/m2) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Indirect selection based on seed yield under spaced planting was just 19% less efficient than direct selection, owing to moderate genetic correlation between plant densities (rg = 0.66) and somewhat higher broad‐sense heritability under spaced planting than under dense planting. The relative efficiency of indirect selection for seed yield in density based on individual seed yield components under spaced planting ranged from modest to very low and was always below 45%. The efficiency of indirect selection for dry matter yield based on yield response under spaced planting was moderate for total yield (64%) and very low for second‐year yield (32%) relative to direct selection.
Promoting measles vaccination in attendees not yet immunized at day‐care centers in Kyoto City
Authors: MATSUMURA TAKAYO , NAKAYAMA TAKEO , HAMAGASHIRA NAOKO 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground: Due to the low measles vaccination rate, localized measles epidemics occasionally occur in Japan with the majority of sufferers being children under 2 years of age. Despite an increased risk of infection at day‐care centers, the measles vaccination coverage for day‐care attendees is lower than children who are reared‐at‐home or attend kindergartens. This study aims to describe the current state of measles prevention policy at day‐care centers and to examine factors associated with vaccine promotion.Methods: A cross‐sectional study using anonymous self‐administered questionnaires were distributed to the director or person‐in‐charge at 250 all licensed day‐care centers in Kyoto City, Japan, in 2004. The preventive measures against measles at day‐care centers and factors related to carrying out the promotion of measles vaccination were examined. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios (OR) using a logistical model were presented.Results: Out of 250 day‐care centers, 187 questionnaires were returned (response rate, 74.8%). Measles vaccination history was taken at 161 day‐care centers (86.1%) at the time of enrolment; only 61 day‐care centers (32.6%) took a history during the school year. A total of 101 day‐care centers (54.0%) promoted measles vaccination in day‐care attendees who had not yet been immunized. Day‐care centers which promoted it were more likely to be ‘public facility’ (OR, 3.09) and ‘having opportunities to learn about vaccination’ (OR, 5.55). After adjustment, ‘having opportunities to learn about vaccination’ and ‘having knowledge that measles vaccination is best under the age of 15 months’ were significantly related to carrying out the promotion of measles vaccination (OR, 6.47; 95% confidence interval, 2.52–18.61; OR, 3.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.45–6.95, respectively).Conclusion: Preventive measures for measles at day‐care centers are currently insufficient. Increasing opportunities to learn about vaccination may encourage promotional behavior.
Resource allocation to brain research in Europe (RABRE)
Authors: Sobocki P. , Lekander I. , Berwick S. , Olesen J. , Jönsson B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis article is a markedly condensed summary of a longer report [Resource allocation to brain research in Europe (RABRE), part 2] that is simultaneously published on line: (i) as supplementary material linked to this European Journal of Neuroscience article (http://www.blackwell‐synergy.com/loi/ejn) and (ii) on the website of the European Brain Council (http://www.europeanbraincouncil.org/publications). We have recently shown that brain diseases account for 35% of the overall disease burden and cost European society almost €400 billion per year (a billion is understood to mean one thousand million throughout this report). The aim of the present study was to estimate funding for brain research in Europe and the cost–benefit of further investments in this area of research. The assessment of funding included public sources (governmental agencies plus charities) and industry funding. The assessment of publicly financed research support for brain research was based on a comprehensive survey, and industry investment in brain research was assessed based on published data on pharmaceutical development. The total funding of brain research in Europe was estimated at €4.1 billion in 2005, of which public grants amounted to < €900 million. Thus, industry funding accounted for 79%. Although cancer only incurred 50% of the cost of brain diseases in 2005, public grants for cancer research were almost twice as high as the public financial support of brain research. US‐based funding of brain research was almost four times higher than European funding. We assessed the cost–benefit of further investment in brain research using different methods. They all showed that increased investment in brain research is likely to be highly cost‐effective. We conclude that European spending on brain research, particularly public spending, is low compared to other fields of research and to the US, and that increased investment in brain research seems warranted.
The cytokine/neurotrophin axis in peripheral axon outgrowth
Authors: Gölz Greta , Uhlmann Lars , Lüdecke Doreen , Markgraf Nora , Nitsch Robert , Hendrix Sven 
Published: November 2006

AbstractInflammation is part of the physiological wound healing response following mechanical lesioning of the peripheral nervous system. However, cytokine effects on axonal regeneration are still poorly understood. Because cytokines influence the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors, which play a major role in axonal outgrowth after lesioning, we investigated the hypothesis that cytokines influence specifically neurotrophin‐dependent axon elongation. Therefore, we have characterized neurotrophin‐dependent neurite outgrowth of murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in vitro and investigated the influence of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines on these outgrowth patterns. Embryonic day 13 (E13) DRG were cultured in Matrigel for 2 days and axonal morphology, density and elongation were determined using an image analysis system. Nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and ‐4 (NT‐4) were applied alone (50 ng/mL), in double or in triple combinations. NT‐3, NT‐4 and NT‐3 + NT‐4 combined induced a moderate increase in axonal outgrowth (P < 0.001) compared with controls, while NGF and all combinations including NGF induced an even more pronounced increase in axonal outgrowth (P < 0.001). After characterizing these outgrowth patterns, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, interferon‐γ (IFNγ) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) (50 or 500 ng/mL) were added to the different neurotrophin combinations. Low doses of TNFα and IL‐6 influenced neurite extension induced by endogenous neurotrophins. IL‐4 increased NT‐4‐induced outgrowth. IL‐6 stimulated NT‐3 + NT‐4‐induced outgrowth. IFNγ stimulated neurite extension in the presence of NT‐3 + NT‐4 and NT‐3 + NGF. TNFα inhibited NT‐3‐, NT‐3 + NGF‐, NT‐4 + NGF‐ and NT‐3 + NT‐4 + NGF‐induced outgrowth. These data suggest that inflammation following nerve injury modulates re‐innervation via a cytokine/neurotrophin axis.
Repair process of fetal brain after 5‐azacytidine‐induced damage
Authors: Ueno Masaki , Katayama Kei‐ichi , Yamauchi Hirofumi , Yasoshima Akira , Nakayama Hiroyuki , Doi Kunio 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe fetal brain is susceptible to many extrinsic stresses. Some of these stresses induce excessive cell death in the prenatal stage, leading to anomalies in the neonatal brain. However, it is unclear how the developing brain responds to and repairs the prenatal tissue damage. We treated pregnant rats on day 13 of gestation with 5‐azacytidine, one of the compounds that induces excessive cell death and inhibits proliferation in neural progenitor cells, to damage the fetal brain, and investigated the repair process up to 60 h after treatment. Histological analysis showed that 5‐azacytidine induced strong apoptosis of neural cells. By 60 h, apoptotic cells disappeared and the tissue was repaired, although the telencephalic wall remained thinner than in controls. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the cell cycle distribution also returned to control levels at 60 h, suggesting that the repair process was completed around 60 h. During the repair period, amoeboid microglia infiltrated the brain and ingested the apoptotic cells. These microglial cells were positive for the multiple microglial markers, and mRNAs for the microglia‐related cytokines tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF) were up‐regulated. DNA microarray analysis showed the up‐regulation of genes relevant to glial cells, inflammation, the extracellular matrix, glycolysis, proliferation and neural development. We show here that the developing brain has the capacity to respond to the damage induced by extrinsic chemical stresses, including changing the expression of numerous genes and the induction of microglia to aid the repair process.
Divergent trends in the incidence of end‐stage renal disease due to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in Europe, Canada and Australia during 1998–2002
Authors:   The ESRD Incidence Study Group
Published: November 2006

AbstractAims  To describe the variation in geographical distribution of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) due to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and to calculate recent trends in incidence in predominantly white populations.Methods  Estimation of age‐ and sex‐standardized incidence of ESRD by type of diabetes, and temporal trends, in population‐based data for persons aged 30–44, 45–54 or 55–64 years newly treated for ESRD during 1998–2002 in eight countries or regions of Europe, and Non‐Indigenous Canadians and Australians.Results  The incidence of ESRD due to Type 1 diabetes at age 30–44 years correlated with published rates of childhood‐onset insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (P = 0.0025). ESRD due to Type 2 diabetes was uncommon before 45 years of age; in older persons, the highest rates (in Canada and Austria) were five times the lowest rates (in Norway and the Basque region). Rates of ESRD due to Type 1 diabetes fell, per year, by 6.4%[95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1–10.6%) in persons aged 30–44 years, and by 7.7% (95% CI: 2.4–12.7%] in those aged 45–54 years. In contrast, rates of ESRD due to Type 2 diabetes increased annually by 16% (95% CI: 5–28%) in the 30–44‐year age group, 11% (95% CI: 6–16%) at 45–54 years, and 9% (95% CI: 5–14%) at 55–64 years.Conclusions  Modern prevention has reduced progression of nephropathy to ESRD due to Type 1 diabetes, but the continuing rise of ESRD due to Type 2 diabetes represents a failure of current disease control measures that has serious public health implications.
Predictive value of admission hyperglycaemia on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Schiele F. , Descotes‐Genon V. , Seronde M. F. , Blonde M. C. , Legalery P. , Meneveau N. , Ecarnot F. , Mercier M. , Penfornis A. , Thebault L. , Boumal D. , Bassand J‐P. ,   on behalf of the investigators of the ‘Réseau Franc Comtois de Cardiologie’
Published: November 2006

AbstractRationale and aim  In patients with an acute myocardial infarction, admission hyperglycaemia (AH) is a major risk factor for mortality. However, the predictive value of AH, when the risk score and use of guidelines‐recommended treatments are considered, is poorly documented.Methods  The first fasting plasma glucose levels after admission, risk level, guidelines‐recommended treatment use and 1‐year mortality were recorded. Patients with first fasting glucose level after admission > 7.7 mmo/l were considered to have AH.Results  Three hundred and twenty patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 404 with non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) were included. One hundred and seventy‐five (24%) patients had pre‐existing diabetes (diabetes group), 154 (21%) had AH (AH+ group) and the remainding 395 (55%) had neither diabetes nor AH (AH– group). The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score was lower in the AH– group, but the use of guidelines‐recommended treatment was comparable in all groups. At 1 year, the mortality rate was higher in the AH+ group compared with the AH– group (18.8 vs. 6.1%, P < 0.01) and similar to that in the diabetes group (18.8 vs. 16.6%, P = NS). The relation between glycaemic status and mortality remained strong [AH+ vs. AH–, OR = 3.0 (1.5, 6.0) and diabetes vs. AH–, OR = 3.6 (1.7, 6.6)] after adjustment for the GRACE risk score [OR = 2.4 (1.8, 3.1) per 10% increase] and for treatment score [OR = 0.7 (0.6, 0.8) per 10% increase].Conclusions  In patients without a history of diabetes, the presence of AH indicates an increased risk of 1‐year mortality, similar to that of patients with diabetes, even when the risk score and use of guidelines‐recommended treatment are controlled for.
The prevalence of depression and anxiety in adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Shaban M. C. , Fosbury J. , Kerr D. , Cavan D. A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAim  The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in a large UK group of people with Type 1 diabetes.Methods  Patients aged 16–60 years were invited to complete self‐report questionnaires when they attended outpatient clinic appointments. HbA1c was recorded from the clinic database.Results  Analysis was based on 273 complete questionnaires. The mean scores for both anxiety (mean 6.4, sd 4.5) and depression (mean 3.4, sd 3.5) were consistent with normative data. Females reported significantly higher mean anxiety than males, although neither reached the criterion for ‘caseness’. Significant differences to the norm were observed for the percentages reporting moderate to severe levels of depression in males (χ2 = 6.44; d.f. = 2; P = 0.04) and moderate to severe levels of anxiety in females (χ2 = 7.47; d.f. = 2; P = 0.02). HbA1c was positively correlated with HADS scores (anxiety r = 0.2, P = 0.001, depression r = 0.14, P = 0.02).Conclusions  While there is no significant difference in the mean anxiety or depression in this cohort compared with those reported for a non‐diabetic, healthy population, the results suggest that there is an increased prevalence of clinically relevant anxiety in females and of depression in males with Type 1 diabetes when compared with the normative data.
SAGE of the developing wheat caryopsis
Authors: McIntosh Shane , Watson Loraine , Bundock Peter , Crawford Allison , White Jessica , Cordeiro Giovanni , Barbary Daniel , Rooke Lee , Henry Robert 
Published: November 2006

SummaryUnderstanding the development of the cereal caryopsis holds the future for metabolic engineering in the interests of enhancing global food production. We have developed a Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) data platform to investigate the developing wheat (Triticum aestivum) caryopsis. LongSAGE libraries have been constructed at five time‐points post‐anthesis to coincide with key processes in caryopsis development. More than 90 000 LongSAGE tags have been sequenced generating 29 261 unique tag sequences across all five libraries. Tag abundance, generated from cumulative tag counts, provides insight into the redundancy and diversity of each library. Annotation of the 500 most abundant tags spanning development highlights the array of functional groups being expressed. The relative frequency of these more abundant transcripts allows quantitative analysis of patterns of expression during grain development. We have identified activities of cellular proliferation/differentiation, the accumulation of storage proteins and starch biosynthesis. The abundance of calcium‐dependent protein kinases indicate their importance in signalling across development. Acquisition of a broad array of defence coincides with storage accumulation and is dominated by inhibitors of amylase activity. Differential expression profiles of abundant tags from each library reveal the coordinated expression of genes responsible for the cellular events constituting caryopsis development. This SAGE platform has also provided a resource of novel sequence and expression information including the identification of potentially useful promoter activities. Further investigations into both the abundant and low expressing transcripts will provide greater insight into wheat caryopsis development and assist in wheat improvement programmes.