bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A functional genome-wide RNAi screen identifies TAF1 as a regulator for apoptosis in response to genotoxic stress
Authors: Kimura Junko , Nguyen Su Tien , Liu Hanshao , Taira Naoe , Miki Yoshio , Yoshida Kiyotsugu 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Evasion from apoptotic cell death is a characteristic of cancer; genes that modulate this process may be optimal for therapeutic attack. Identifying key regulators of apoptosis is thus a central goal in cancer therapy. Here, we describe a loss-of-function screen that uses RNA interference libraries to identify genes required for induction of apoptosis. We used a short-hairpin RNA expressing vector with high gene-expression silencing activity that contained fetal brain cDNAs. Survived cells from genotoxic stress were isolated to determine knockdown of molecules that are crucial for induction of apoptosis. We identified TBP-associated factor 1 (TAF1), a gene previously implicated as an essential component of transcription machinery. Depletion of TAF1 was associated with substantial attenuation of apoptosis induced by oxidative as well as genotoxic stress. Microarray analysis further demonstrated that a number of genes were transcriptionally declined in cells silenced for TAF1. Surprisingly, knocking down TAF1 exhibited a marked decrease in p27Kip1 expression, allowing cells resistant from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that TAF1 regulates apoptosis by controlling p27Kip1 expression. Our system provides a novel approach to identifying candidate genes that modulate apoptosis.
The sequence selectivity of KSRP explains its flexibility in the recognition of the RNA targets
Authors: García-Mayoral María Flor , Díaz-Moreno Irene , Hollingworth David , Ramos Andres 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
K-homology (KH) splicing regulator protein (KSRP) is a multi-domain RNA-binding protein that regulates different steps of mRNA metabolism, from mRNA splicing to mRNA decay, interacting with a broad range of RNA sequences. To understand how KSRP recognizes its different RNA targets it is necessary to define the general rules of KSRP– RNA interaction. We describe here a complete scaffold-independent analysis of the RNA-binding potential of the four KH domains of KSRP. The analysis shows that KH3 binds to the RNA with a significantly higher affinity than the other domains and recognizes specifically a G-rich target. It also demonstrates that the other KH domains of KSRP display different sequence preferences explaining the broad range of targets recognized by the protein. Further, KSRP shows a strong negative selectivity for sequences containing several adjacent Cytosines limiting the target choice of KSRP within single-stranded RNA regions. The in-depth analysis of the RNA-binding potential of the KH domains of KSRP provides us with an understanding of the role of low sequence specificity domains in RNA recognition by multi-domain RNA-binding proteins.
An intronic microRNA silences genes that are functionally antagonistic to its host gene
Authors: Barik Sailen 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that down-regulate gene expression by silencing specific target mRNAs. While many miRNAs are transcribed from their own genes, nearly half map within introns of ‘host’ genes, the significance of which remains unclear. We report that transcriptional activation of apoptosis-associated tyrosine kinase (AATK), essential for neuronal differentiation, also generates miR-338 from an AATK gene intron that silences a family of mRNAs whose protein products are negative regulators of neuronal differentiation. We conclude that an intronic miRNA, transcribed together with the host gene mRNA, may serve the interest of its host gene by silencing a cohort of genes that are functionally antagonistic to the host gene itself.
Emergency Medical Consequence Planning and Management for National Special Security Events After September 11: Boston 2004
Authors: Kade Kristy A. , Brinsfield Kathryn H. , Serino Richard A. , Savoia Elena , Koh Howard K. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThe post-September 11 era has prompted unprecedented attention to medical preparations for national special security events (NSSE), requiring extraordinary planning and coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. For an NSSE, the US Secret Service (USSS) serves as the lead agency for all security operations and coordinates with relevant partners to provide for the safety and welfare of participants. For the 2004 Democratic National Convention (DNC), designated an NSSE, the USSS tasked the Boston Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) of the Boston Public Health Commission with the design and implementation of health services related to the Convention. In this article, we describe the planning and development of BEMS’ robust 2004 DNC Medical Consequence Management Plan, addressing the following activities: public health surveillance, on-site medical care, surge capacity in the event of a mass casualty incident, and management of federal response assets. Lessons learned from enhanced medical planning for the 2004 DNC may serve as an effective model for future mass gathering events. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2:166–173)
MultipleMONOPTEROS-Dependent Pathways Are Involved in Leaf Initiation
Authors: Schuetz Mathias , Berleth Thomas , Mattsson Jim 
Published: August 2008

AbstractInitiation of leaves at the flanks of the shoot apical meristem occurs at sites of auxin accumulation and pronounced expression of auxin-inducible PIN-FORMED1 (PIN) genes, suggesting a feedback loop to progressively focus auxin in concrete spots. Because PIN expression is regulated by auxin response factor activity, including MONOPTEROS (MP), it appeared possible that MP affects leaf formation as a positive regulator of PIN genes and auxin transport. Here, we analyze a novel, completely leafless phenotype arising from simultaneous interference with both auxin signaling and auxin transport. We show that mp pin1 double mutants, as well as mp mutants treated with auxin-efflux inhibitors, display synergistic abnormalities not seen in wild type regardless of how strongly auxin transport was reduced. The synergism of abnormalities indicates that the role of MP in shoot meristem organization is not limited to auxin transport regulation. In the mp mutant background, auxin transport inhibition completely abolishes leaf formation. Instead of forming leaves, the abnormal shoot meristems dramatically increase in size, harboring correspondingly enlarged expression domains of CLAVATA3 and SHOOTMERISTEMLESS, molecular markers for the central stem cell zone and the complete meristem, respectively. The observed synergism under conditions of auxin efflux inhibition was further supported by an unrestricted PIN1 expression in mp meristems, as compared to a partial restriction in wild-type meristems. Auxin transport-inhibited mp meristems also lacked detectable auxin maxima. We conclude that MP promotes the focusing of auxin and leaf initiation in part through pathways not affected by auxin efflux inhibitors.
Mitochondrial mRNA Polymorphisms in Different Arabidopsis Accessions
Authors: Forner Joachim , Hölzle Angela , Jonietz Christian , Thuss Sabine , Schwarzländer Markus , Weber Bärbel , Meyer Rhonda C. , Binder Stefan 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
In our analysis of 5′ and 3′ end formation in plant mitochondria, we compared the major transcript ends of all mitochondrial protein-coding genes between the three Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions Columbia (Col), C24, and Landsberg erecta (Ler). Differences between transcript patterns were found for seven genes. For atp6-2, no transcripts at all were detected in Ler. This and further analyses suggest that the atp6-2 gene arrangement is absent from the mitochondrial DNA of this accession. All other transcript polymorphisms are attributed to variations at the 5′ termini and were consistently observed in all tissues investigated. mRNA phenotyping of reciprocal Col/Ler, Col/C24, and Ler/C24 F1 hybrids revealed the differing transcript patterns of ccmC to be inherited maternally, suggesting these to arise from differences in the mitochondrial DNA. Biparental inheritance was observed for the polymorphic transcripts of nad4, nad9, ccmB, and rpl5, indicating these differences to be caused by nuclear-encoded trans-factors. Deviant transcript patterns were tested in further accessions and were found in at least three additional accessions. Detailed examination of the nad4 and the nad9 transcripts demonstrates that the respective polymorphisms affect the major mRNAs of these genes. This study shows that natural genetic variation in Arabidopsis can also affect mitochondrial mRNA end processing. These variations can now be used to identify the nuclear genes responsible, as well as the mitochondrial cis-elements required, for 5′ end generation of mitochondrial transcripts.
Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide in Chloroplasts of Arabidopsis Overexpressing Glycolate Oxidase as an Inducible System to Study Oxidative Stress
Authors: Fahnenstich Holger , Scarpeci Telma E. , Valle Estela M. , Flügge Ulf-Ingo , Maurino Verónica G. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) overexpressing glycolate oxidase (GO) in chloroplasts accumulates both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glyoxylate. GO-overexpressing lines (GO plants) grown at 75 μmol quanta m−2 s−1 show retarded development, yellowish rosettes, and impaired photosynthetic performance, while at 30 μmol quanta m−2 s−1, this phenotype virtually disappears. The GO plants develop oxidative stress lesions under photorespiratory conditions but grow like wild-type plants under nonphotorespiratory conditions. GO plants coexpressing enzymes that further metabolize glyoxylate but still accumulate H2O2 show all features of the GO phenotype, indicating that H2O2 is responsible for the GO phenotype. The GO plants can complete their life cycle, showing that they are able to adapt to the stress conditions imposed by the accumulation of H2O2 during the light period. Moreover, the data demonstrate that a response to oxidative stress is installed, with increased expression and/or activity of known oxidative stress-responsive components. Hence, the GO plants are an ideal noninvasive model system in which to study the effects of H2O2 directly in the chloroplasts, because H2O2 accumulation is inducible and sustained perturbations can reproducibly be provoked by exposing the plants to different ambient conditions.
On the identification of the most suitable traits for plant functional trait analyses
Authors: Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Römermann Christine , Nuske Robert , Parth Andreas , Klotz Stefan , Schmidt Wolfgang , Stadler Jutta 
Published: August 2008

Within the past few years plant functional trait analyses have been widely applied to learn more about the processes and patterns of ecosystem development in response to environmental changes. These approaches are based on the assumption that plants with similar ecologically relevant trait attributes respond to environmental changes in comparable ways. Several methods have been described on how to analyse a priori defined trait sets with respect to environment. Irrespective of the statistical methods used to contrast ecosystem responses and environmental conditions, each functional trait approach depends strongly on the initial trait set. In nearly all recent studies on functional trait analysis a test, if a trait is responsible, is applied independently from the core analysis. In the current study we present a method that extracts those traits from a wider set of traits which are optimal for describing the ecosystem response to a given environmental gradient. This was done by the use of iterative three‐table ordination techniques with each possible trait combination. We further concentrated on the effect of the inclusion of too many traits in such analyses.As examples the method was applied to three long term studies on abandoned arable fields. The approach was validated by comparing the results with literature‐knowledge on arable field succession. Although the trait pre‐selection was only based on a statistical procedure, our method was able to identify all relevant processes of ecosystem responses. All three sites show comparable ecosystem responses; the importance of the competitive ability of plants was highlighted. We further demonstrated that the use of too many traits results in an over‐fitting of the trait‐environment model.The presented method of iterative RLQ‐analyses is adequate to identify responding traits to environmental changes: the discovered processes of successional development of abandoned arable fields are consistent with our knowledge from the literature.
Phylogenetic relationships of subfamilies and circumscription of tribes in the family Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea)
Authors: Warren Andrew D. , Ogawa Joshua R. , Brower Andrew V. Z. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractA comprehensive tribal‐level classification for the world’s subfamilies of Hesperiidae, the skipper butterflies, is proposed for the first time. Phylogenetic relationships between tribes and subfamilies are inferred using DNA sequence data from three gene regions (cytochrome oxidase subunit I‐subunit II, elongation factor‐1α and wingless). Monophyly of the family is strongly supported, as are some of the traditionally recognized subfamilies, with the following relationships: (Coeliadinae + (“Pyrginae” + (Heteropterinae + (Trapezitinae + Hesperiinae)))). The subfamily Pyrginae of contemporary authors was recovered as a paraphyletic grade of taxa. The formerly recognized subfamily Pyrrhopyginae, although monophyletic, is downgraded to a tribe of the “Pyrginae”. The former subfamily Megathyminae is an infra‐tribal group of the Hesperiinae. The Australian endemic Euschemon rafflesia is a hesperiid, possibly related to “Pyrginae” (Eudamini). Most of the traditionally recognized groups and subgroups of genera currently employed to partition the subfamilies of the Hesperiidae are not monophyletic. We recognize eight pyrgine and six hesperiine tribes, including the new tribe Moncini.© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
Low‐dose etanercept therapy in moderate to severe psoriasis in Korean
Authors: NA Jung Im , KIM Jun Hyung , PARK Kyoung Chan , YOUN Sang Woong 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTEtanercept is a fully humanized soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α receptor that competitively inhibits the interaction of TNF‐α with cell‐surface receptors. It was approved as monotherapy for psoriasis in the USA in 2004, but in Korea, no clinical reports on its use for psoriasis are available. We performed a retrospective analysis of 26 moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis patients who had been treated with etanercept. Patients received twice‐weekly injections of 25 mg etanercept s.c. for at least 4 weeks. When the patients achieved a 50% reduction of the psoriasis area severity index (PASI 50) they received once‐weekly injections, then biweekly injections were provided for maintenance. Patients were evaluated biweekly by clinical photographs and PASI scoring. Treatment efficacy was as follows. A PASI 75 was achieved in 14 patients (54%) and the mean number of injections before achieving a PASI 75 was 10 ± 7.5. Patients whose initial PASI was less than 10 (iPASI < 10) showed an earlier response (2.6 ± 1.3 weeks) and a higher PASI 75 rate (63%), than with iPASI ≥ 10 (6.9 ± 4.5 weeks, 50%). Eight patients (31%) received additional phototherapy or systemic therapy because of insufficient responses or for faster improvements and they were excluded in the efficacy evaluation. Adverse events were observed in eight patients (31%), but were not serious. This is the first report on the effectiveness of low‐dose etanercept regimen on Asian psoriasis patients. Results in this study showed that low‐dose etanercept therapy is effective for moderate‐to‐severe Asian psoriasis patients, and it may be a valuable treatment option even for relatively moderate psoriasis patients not responsive to conventional treatment. In addition, the medical cost was relatively low compared to that of the standard regimen for white patients.
Elastic fiber staining and cytokeratin 15 expression pattern in trichoepithelioma and basal cell carcinoma
Authors: CHOI Chong Won , PARK Hyun Sun , KIM Yeon Kyung , LEE Seung Ho , CHO Kwang Hyun 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTTrichoepithelioma (TE) is a benign neoplasm of the skin that resembles basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in its clinical and histological features. In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of elastic fiber staining and cytokeratin 15 expression pattern in terms of distinguishing TE from BCC. Eleven TE and 17 BCC were examined histochemically and immunohistochemically. It was found that BCC contain more elastic fiber than TE, and that more TE show peripheral localization than BCC in cytokeratin 15 expression patterns. The present study shows that elastic fiber staining and cytokeratin 15 expression pattern may aid the differentiation of TE from BCC.
Topical immunomodulators are effective for treatment of vitiligo
Authors: CHOI Chong Won , CHANG Sung Eun , BAK Hana , CHOI Jee Ho , PARK Hyun Sun , HUH Chang Hun , KIM Chan Woong , KIM Sung Eun , MUN Seog Kyun , KIM Beom Joon , KIM Myeung Nam 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTVitiligo is a common, acquired, depigmenting disease of the skin. Although the pathogenesis of vitiligo is still unclear, it is postulated that topical immunomodulators exert therapeutic effects on treatment of vitiligo. We reviewed the treatment of vitiligo with topical immunomodulators and topical steroids to evaluate the efficacy of immunomodulators in treatment of vitiligo. We reviewed 52 patients treated with topical immunomodulators and 27 patients with topical steroids. To evaluate the efficacy, repigmentation of vitiligo was reviewed. Between the two treatments, the duration from the start of treatment to onset of repigmentation was significantly shorter in the topical immunomodulator group (P = 0.002). However, no statistically significant differences were found in sex, age, mean disease duration, sites of vitiligo lesion and ratio of patients who showed response. We may suggest topical immunomodulator as an alternative to topical steroids for treatment of vitiligo.
Positive direct immunofluorescence and autoantibody profiles in psoriasis patients
Authors: JANJUMRATSANG Patcharin , PHAINUPONG Daraka , CHANJANAKIJSKUL Somchai , ROONGPHIBULSOPIT Paisal 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTPsoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus are common, but their coexistence is thought to be infrequent. Each of these diseases has a broad clinical spectrum, so that diagnosis may not be straightforward. This study aimed to investigate the following immunological parameters in psoriasis patients: (i) direct immunofluorescence (DIF); (ii) antinuclear antibody; (iii) anti‐double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA); (iv) anti‐Ro; and (v) anti‐nuclear ribonucleoprotein (nRNP). Of 300 cases, comprising 189 men (62.9%) and 111 women (37.1%), 17 (5.7%; 10 men, seven women) were positive for at least one immunological parameter. Nine of 300 (3%; seven male, two female) biopsy specimens from sun‐exposed psoriatic lesions demonstrated bright continuous bands of granular IF along the dermoepidermal junction with immunoreactant immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, C3 and fibrinogen. The intensity of IF at the dermoepidermal junction was graded 3+ and 2+. Three cases demonstrated IgM, two had IgG, two fibrinogen and six cases showed C3. Three cases demonstrated more than one immunoreactant. One case demonstrated C3 at the vessels. No specimen demonstrated IgA deposition. Three hundred sera were obtained from patients with psoriasis, of which five demonstrated elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer; dilution titer varied from 1:80–640. Three had a homogeneous pattern and two had a speckled pattern. None had a peripheral pattern. Five (1.7%) of 300 demonstrated anti‐Ro, two had negative ANA, and three were positive ANA, two of which were speckled and the other homogenous. Anti‐dsDNA, anti‐Sm and anti‐nRNP were not detected. Ten patients had positive DIF but negative ANA, while five had positive ANA; all had negative DIF results. Thus, the incidence of psoriasis and lupus erythematosus coexistence is low and a baseline immunological screening test for psoriasis might not prove worthwhile.
Interleukin‐18 prevents apoptosis via PI3K/Akt pathway in normal human keratinocytes
Authors: HOSOTANI Yuka , KASHIWAMURA Shin‐Ichiro , KIMURA‐SHIMMYO Akiko , SEKIYAMA Atsuo , UEDA Haruyasu , IKEDA Tomohiro , MIMURA Osamu , OKAMURA Haruki 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTInterleukin‐18 (IL‐18) is a pleiotropic cytokine expressed in both immune and non‐immune cells. In the present study, we demonstrate an anti‐apoptotic role of IL‐18 in normal human neonatal foreskin epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK‐F). Cultured NHEK‐F spontaneously produced the active form of IL‐18. Treatment of NHEK‐F cells with anti‐IL‐18 receptor α‐chain neutralizing antibody increased apoptosis and caspase‐3 activity. Exogenous IL‐18 augmented phosphorylation of Akt and activation of NF‐κB. The promotion of Akt phosphorylation by IL‐18 was abolished by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, but not SN50, an NF‐κB inhibitor, indicating that IL‐18 functions via the PI3K/Akt pathway and independently of NF‐κB. In addition, IL‐18 was found to augment expression of anti‐apoptotic proteins, Bcl‐2, XIAP and glucose regulated protein78/BiP, while anti‐IL‐18 receptor α‐chain neutralizing antibody suppressed expression of Bcl‐2, XIAP, glucose regulated protein94 and protein disulfide isomerase. Taken together, these results indicate that IL‐18 plays an important role in keratinocyte survival.
Transitory pigmented purpuric dermatoses in a young Japanese female
Authors: ABE Masatoshi , SYUTO Tomoko , ISHIBUCHI Hirohisa , YOKOYAMA Yoko , ISHIKAWA Osamu 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTWe report a 23‐year‐old female patient with a 4‐month history of transitory pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPD). She was otherwise healthy and reported no history of previous medication intake and none of her family members had any disorders. Clinical examination revealed well‐demarcated, brownish hyperpigmented, reticulated pigmentation with pinhead‐sized purpura. The histopathological specimen was characterized by a mild epidermal hyperkeratosis, elongated rete ridges, papillomatosis and mild mononuclear cell infiltration in the superficial dermis with focal extravasations of red blood cells without siderophage. Despite prominent extravasations of red blood cells and edema both in the papillary dermis and the subpapillary layer, no definite capillaritis was seen. Based on these clinicohistopathological findings, the diagnosis of transitory PPD was considered to be most compatible. Clinicians should recognize the unique but rarely acknowledged disease as a subtype of pigmented purpuric dermatoses.
Neonatal pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: GUSHI Makiko , YAMAMOTO Yu‐Ichi , MINE Yoshiko , AWAZAWA Ryoko , NONAKA Kimiko , TAIRA Kiyohito , ASATO Yutaka , HAGIWARA Keisuke , UEZATO Hiroshi 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTA male newborn with skin erosions was born to a 32‐year‐old woman who was under treatment for pemphigus vulgaris that had been diagnosed 16 months earlier. Antibodies to desmoglein (Dsg)1 and Dsg3 were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Index values of antibodies to Dsg1 and Dsg3 were 49 (normal index values, <14) and 121 (normal index values, <7), respectively. Those findings concluded a diagnosis of neonatal pemphigus vulgaris. No new vesicles or bullae appeared in the newborn after the birth. Non‐corticosteroid ointments produced prompt epithelialization on the erosive lesions. All the eruptions disappeared in 3 weeks. The level of serum anti‐Dsg3 autoantibodies when measured at the 76th day was negative (<5).