bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Chimeric Arabidopsis CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-GATED ION CHANNEL11/12 Activates Multiple Pathogen Resistance Responses
Authors: Yoshioka Keiko , Moeder Wolfgang , Kang Hong-Gu , Kachroo Pradeep , Masmoudi Khaled , Berkowitz Gerald , Klessig Daniel F. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
To investigate the resistance signaling pathways activated by pathogen infection, we previously identified the Arabidopsis thaliana mutant constitutive expresser of PR genes22 (cpr22), which displays constitutive activation of multiple defense responses. Here, we identify the cpr22 mutation as a 3-kb deletion that fuses two cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel (ATCNGC)–encoding genes, ATCNGC11 and ATCNGC12, to generate a novel chimeric gene, ATCNGC11/12. Genetic, molecular, and complementation analyses suggest that ATCNGC11/12, as well as ATCNGC11 and ATCNGC12, form functional cAMP-activated ATCNGCs and that the phenotype conferred by cpr22 is attributable to the expression of ATCNGC11/12. However, because overexpression of ATCNGC12, but not ATCNGC11, suppressed the phenotype conferred by cpr22, the development of this phenotype appears to be regulated by the ratio between ATCNGC11/12 and ATCNGC12. Analysis of knockout lines revealed that both ATCNGC11 and ATCNGC12 are positive mediators of resistance against an avirulent biotype of Hyaloperonospora parasitica. Through epistatic analyses, cpr22-mediated enhanced resistance to pathogens was found to require NDR1-dependent and EDS1/PAD4-dependent pathways. In striking contrast, none of these pathways was required for cpr22-induced salicylic acid accumulation or PR-1 gene expression. These results demonstrate that NDR1, EDS1, and PAD4 mediate other resistance signaling function(s) in addition to salicylic acid and pathogenesis-related protein accumulation. Moreover, the requirement for both NDR1-dependent and EDS1/PAD4-dependent pathways for cpr22-mediated resistance suggests that these pathways are cross-regulated.
Inadvertent sclerostomy with encysted bleb following trans‐scleral contact diode laser cyclophotocoagulation
Authors: Gupta Viney , Sony Parul , Sihota Ramanjit 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA 22‐year‐old woman underwent 360° trans‐scleral contact diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for refractory glaucoma. Conjunctival burns and scleral thinning were noticed inferonasally at the last laser application. Intraocular pressure in the first week was normal. Six months later the patient presented with encysted filtering bleb and high intraocular pressure. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed a full thickness sclerostomy. This report suggests that inadvertent sclerostomy may present with encysted bleb months after trans‐scleral contact diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.
Changing from Snellen to LogMAR: debate or delay?
Authors: Hussain Badrul , Saleh George M , Sivaprasad Sobha , Hammond Christopher J 
Published: February 2006

AbstractVisual acuity is the most commonly used test to assess visual function. The Snellen chart is the universally accepted tool for testing visual acuity despite its poor reliability and reproducibility. Newer logMAR charts are now available that have negated the disadvantages of the Snellen chart. However, these charts are not being used regularly in daily practice. This article discusses the reasons for the delayed acceptance of the logMAR chart.
Awareness of and compliance with recommended dietary supplement among age‐related macular degeneration patients
Authors: Ng Weng T , Goggin Michael 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground:  The age‐related eye disease study suggested that taking zinc and anti‐oxidants supplements could reduce the progression of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). In Australia, the available supplement is Macu‐Vision. The study aimed to assess the awareness of and compliance with taking this supplement and the public health implication.Methods:  The fundus photograph database of patients aged 55 years and older at the ophthalmology department of a public teaching hospital in Adelaide, Australia was reviewed. In total, 125 patients with category 3 and 4 AMD were identified. A total of 100 patients participated in this cross‐sectional study.Results:  In total, 53% of participants were aware of the availability of the formulae available in Australia, 38% were taking the supplement and only 1% were taking the correct dose. Of those taking the supplement 95% (36/38) were taking half the recommended dosage. Among those who were aware of the supplement but not taking it, cost was the most common reason (31%). Another 31% were not taking it because of actual side‐effects experienced, fear of potential side‐effect and/or fear of interaction with other medications. There was no predictive factor for failing to take the formulae available in Australia among age, sex, smoking status, living arrangement and category of AMD.Conclusions:  Clinicians need to emphasize that the recommended dosage is twice that on the supplement label. If the trend demonstrated here of underutilizing the formulae available in Australia among public hospital patients continues, it is unlikely to have any major public health impact in similar settings in Australia.
Ocular coherence tomography findings with retained submacular perfluoron
Authors: Joondeph Brian C , Nguyen Hoang 
Published: February 2006

AbstractHerein a case of retained perfluorocarbon liquid beneath the macula, following surgical repair of a complicated retinal detachment, is reported. The ocular coherence tomography findings were helpful in distinguishing retained perfluorocarbon liquid from residual subretinal fluid, macular cyst or cystoid macular oedema.
The serum levels of proinsulin and their relationship with IGFBP‐1 in obese children
Authors: Kamoda T. , Saitoh H. , Inudoh M. , Miyazaki K. , Matsui A. 
Published: February 2006

Aim:  Serum proinsulin (PI) levels were investigated in obese children to determine whether PI is a sensitive indicator of insulin resistance, as previously shown in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and to evaluate their relationship with insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) known as a predictor of the development of cardiovascular disease in diabetic adults.Subjects and methods:  Forty‐two obese children without DM (age, 12.1 ± 1.5 year) and 42 age‐matched control children were included in the study. The serum levels of PI, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), IGFBP‐1 and free insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) were measured in the fasting state.Results:  The fasting levels of serum PI and IRI were significantly higher in obese children than in controls (PI, 10.5 ± 6.8 vs. 5.6 ± 2.0 pmol/l, p < 0.001; IRI, 72.0 ± 41.8 vs. 32.7 ± 19.5 pmol/l, p < 0.001). Serum IGFBP‐1 levels were significantly lower in obese children than in controls (37.7 ± 24.6 vs. 76.3 ± 26.5 µg/l, p < 0.001). The ratio of PI to IRI (calculated as molar ratios) did not differ significantly between obese and control subjects (0.16 ± 0.08 vs. 0.19 ± 0.11, p = 0.08). For the whole group, serum PI levels correlated positively with IRI and inversely with IGFBP‐1 (IRI, r = 0.67, p < 0.001; IGFBP‐1, r = −0.49, p < 0.001). Serum IGFBP‐1 levels correlated inversely with both BMI and IRI (BMI, r = −0.73, p < 0.001; IRI, r = −0.60, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the best predictive parameters for IGFBP‐1 were BMI and PI (R2 = 0.57, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).Conclusion:  These findings suggest that fasting serum PI levels may be a better predictor than fasting insulin levels for the future development of type 2 DM and cardiovascular disease in obese children, and PI, in addition to insulin, contributes to the suppression of hepatic IGFBP‐1 production.
Does ethnic origin have an independent impact on hypertension and diabetic complications?
Authors: Baskar V. , Kamalakannan D. , Holland M. R. , Singh B. M. 
Published: February 2006

Aim:  The morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular complications in diabetes reputedly differ with ethnicity. We have evaluated the prevalence of hypertension and vascular complications amongst Afro‐Caribbean (AC), Caucasian (C) and Indo‐Asian (IA) ethnic subgroups of a district's diabetes population to estimate the impact of ethnic origin as an independent risk variable.Methods:  Of the 6485 registered adult individuals, 6047 had ethnic data available and belonged to one of the three ethnic groups described (AC 9%, C 70% and IA 21%). Statistical analyses were performed using spss version 11.5.Results:  Results are presented as mean ± s.d. or percentage. IAs were younger (AC 63 ± 13, C 61 ± 15 and IA 57 ± 13 years), were less obese (body mass index 30 ± 8, 29 ± 9, 28 ± 6 kg/cm2) and had lower systolic blood pressure (155 ± 25, 149 ± 24, 147 ± 24 mmHg) and lower prevalence of hypertension (82%, 74% and 68%) compared with C, who had lower values than AC (all p < 0.01). Relative to C group, the AC group had higher prevalence of hypertension and microvascular complications but lower macrovascular disease burden, while the IA group had lower hypertension and macrovascular complications but with comparable microvascular disease burden [microvascular (51%, 44% and 46%; p < 0.01) and macrovascular (33%, 40% and 32%; p < 0.001)]. On logistic regression, this effect of ethnic origin on diabetic complications was found to be significant and independent of other risk variables.Conclusion:  Hypertension and diabetic complication rates were different amongst ethnic subgroups. On logistic regression, it was found that the difference in distribution of age and diabetes duration largely accounted for this difference, although ethnic origin remained an independent risk factor.
Protein kinase B/Akt signalling is required for palmitate‐induced β‐cell lipotoxicity
Authors: Higa M. , Shimabukuro M. , Shimajiri Y. , Takasu N. , Shinjyo T. , Inaba T. 
Published: February 2006

Aim:  This study was conducted to clarify cell death and survival signals in pancreatic β‐cell lipotoxicity.Methods:  Rat insulinoma INS‐1 cells, with or without expression of dominant‐negative mutant of Akt (K179M), were cultured with palmitate (C16:0) or oleate (C18:1) and cell numbers were determined by 0.2% eosin dye exclusion assay. The Akt activity was determined by anti‐3′‐phospho‐inositide‐dependent protein kinase (Akt)/protein kinase B (PKB) or anti‐phospho‐Akt (Serine 473) immunoblotting, and nuclear protein nuclear factor‐kB (NF‐κB)‐binding activity was by supershift analysis.Results:  Twenty‐four hours treatment with palmitate increased the INS‐1 cell number at 0.1–0.2 mm but decreased the cell number at 0.5–1 mm. Oleate did not affect cell number at 0.1–1.0 mm. Palmitate dose‐dependently increased phosphorylation of 473th serine in Akt/PKB. The K179M form of Akt/PKB abolished palmitate‐induced cell proliferation at the low dose and death at the high dose. Nuclear protein NF‐κB binding was enhanced at 0.2 and 0.5 mm of palmitate but decreased at 1.0 mm.Conclusion:  Results suggest that Akt/PKB signalling is involved in palmitate‐induced cell death and survival of pancreatic β cell.
Addition of pioglitazone to stable insulin therapy in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes: results of a double‐blind, multicentre, randomized study
Authors: Davidson J. A. , Perez A. , Zhang J. ,   The Pioglitazone 343 Study Group
Published: February 2006

Aim:  To determine the effects of pioglitazone treatment combined with insulin on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:  In a multicentre, double‐blind study, 690 patients [body mass index, 33.19 kg/m2 ± 5.47; haemoglobin A1c (A1C), 9.78 ± 1.51; mean duration, 12.9 years] with diabetes poorly controlled with a stable insulin dose (> 30 U/day for ≥30 days) were randomly allocated to pioglitazone 30 or 45 mg once daily for 24 weeks.Results:  In the pioglitazone 30‐ and 45‐mg groups, respectively, 71 and 70% of patients completed the study. At 24 weeks, statistically significant, dose‐dependent mean decreases from baseline were seen in the pioglitazone 30‐ and 45‐mg groups for A1C (−1.17 and −1.46%, respectively) and fasting plasma glucose (−31.9 and −45.8 mg/dl, respectively). Insulin dosage also decreased significantly (−4.5 and −7.3 U, respectively; p ≤ 0.05) from baseline. Decreases in triglycerides [pioglitazone 45 mg: −5.9% (p ≤ 0.05)], very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol [pioglitazone 45 mg: −6.2% (p ≤ 0.05)] and free fatty acids [−0.94 (p ≤ 0.05) and −2.13 (p < 0.0001) mg/dl, respectively] and increases in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (9.7 and 13.0%, respectively; p < 0.0001) also were observed from baseline. Small but significant increases in total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01) from baseline were observed. Mean weight gain was 2.9 and 3.4 kg in the respective groups; lower limb oedema was reported in 13 and 12% of patients, respectively. The incidences of oedema, weight gain and heart failure were not higher than anticipated in this population. No evidence of hepatotoxicity or clinically significant elevations in liver function test parameters was seen.Conclusions:  In patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, addition of pioglitazone to insulin significantly improved glycaemic control, had a positive effect on important components of the lipid profile in a dose‐dependent manner and was generally well tolerated.
Demand for cigarettes revisited: an application of the threshold regression model
Authors: Huang Bwo‐Nung , Yang Chin‐Wei 
Published: February 2006

AbstractRecent estimates of the income elasticity of cigarette demand have pointed to a disturbing result: a nearly zero or sometimes negative income elasticity. In order to explore the nonlinearity embedded in the cigarette demand structure, we employ a four‐regime panel model (dynamic fixed effect) to estimate the cigarette demand function in the United States. The results indicate that income elasticity is (i) positively significant for the income level less than 8,568 US$, (ii) positive but statistically insignificant for the income greater than 18,196 US$, and (iii) negatively significant for the income range between 8,568 and 18,196 US$. In addition, we find that the price elasticity assumes the greatest absolute value for the income level in excess of 18,196 US$, but becomes most inelastic for the income level between 11,129 and 18,196 US$.
Increased Interleukin‐6 Messenger RNA Expression in Macrophage‐Cocultured Endometrial Stromal Cells in Adenomyosis
Authors: Yang Jehn‐Hsiahn , Wu Ming‐Yih , Chang Daw‐Yuan , Chang Chien‐Huei , Yang Yu‐Shih , Ho Hong‐Nerng 
Published: February 2006

ProblemTo determine the effects of macrophage on endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) in women with adenomyosis.Method of studyEutopic endometrium was obtained and separated into single ESC in 10 women with adenomyosis (study group) and 11 without adenomyosis (control group). ESCs were then cultured alone or with macrophage for 24 hr.ResultsImmunohistochemistry identified the presence of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, and IL‐10 in ESCs. Real‐time quantitative PCR revealed that the IL‐6 mRNA was significantly expressed in macrophage‐cocultured ESCs in adenomyosis than that in the controls, but was not different in ESCs cultured alone between the two groups. The levels of IL‐8 and IL‐10 mRNA were similar in ESCs either cultured alone or with macrophage between women with and without adenomyosis.ConclusionIL‐6 mRNA was significantly expressed in ESCs after in vitro coculture with macrophage in adenomyosis. This aberrant behavior of ESCs might play a role in the formation of ectopic endometrial implants in adenomyosis.
Getting Rich and Eating Out: Consumption of Food Away from Home in Urban China
Authors: Ma Hengyun , Huang Jikun , Fuller Frank , Rozelle Scott 
Published: February 2006

The overall goal of this study is to better understand food‐away‐from‐home (FAFH) consumption in urban China. We use national statistical sources and our own data to examine the trends in FAFH during the late reform period and to analyze the determinants of FAFH demand, examining how different groups of consumers have participated in this new area of consumption. Besides the normal Tobit model for total food expenditure away from home, a system of multivariate Tobit equations was estimated simultaneously for three categories of foods consumed outside of the home. The results show that the rapid increase of FAFH demand, a rise that is fueled by higher incomes, is changing consumption patterns in China's post‐reform urban economy. We also use our findings to illustrate how omission of accounting for FAFH trends by China's official statisticians has affected the reported trends in national meat supply and demand statistics. La présente étude visait à mieux comprendre le phénomène de la consommation de repas à l'extérieur en Chine urbaine. Nous avons utilisé des données de sources nationales et nos propres données pour étudier le phénomène au cours de la dernière réforme et pour analyser les déterminants de la demande de repas à l'extérieur en examinant la participation de divers groupes de consommateurs à ce nouveau créneau. Outre le modèle Tobit simple pour évaluer les dépenses totales de repas à l'extérieur, nous avons estimé simultanément un système d'équations Tobit à plusieurs variables pour trois catégories d'aliments consommés à l'extérieur du foyer. Les résultats ont montré que la croissance rapide de la demande de repas à l'extérieur, alimentée par une hausse des revenus, est en train de modifier les habitudes de consommation dans l'économie urbaine de la Chine post‐réformiste. Nous avons également utilisé nos résultats pour illustrer de quelle façon le fait que les statisticiens officiels de la Chine ne tiennent pas compte des tendances de consommation de repas à l'extérieur a une influence sur l'évaluation des tendances dans les données nationales de l'offre et de la demande de viande.
The Luxembourg Common Agricultural Policy Reform and the European Food Industries: What's at Stake?
Authors: Gohin Alexandre , Latruffe Laure 
Published: February 2006

On June 26, 2003, the European Union (EU) adopted a new reform of its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Its boldest measure is the creation of a Single Farm Payment that will replace most of the present direct payments. We address quantitatively three issues raised by this new reform, using a computable general equilibrium model that allows us to measure the impacts on the food industries as well as their role in the transmission of impacts along the food chain. The first issue examined is whether this reform helps the EU15 to remove the controversial export subsidies. Our numerical results show that this reform effectively reduces the amount of export subsidies but without removing them. Our second concern lies with the production and trade distortion impacts of CAP direct payments. We investigate this issue in the case of full decoupling, as well as partial decoupling as chosen by EU15 Member States. We find that they have rather similar effects on production and trade. Finally, we explore the employment effects, and findings indicate that this reform leads to a significant decline of farm labor and, by contrast, to a very modest impact on the employment level by food processors. Generally, food industries are only marginally affected by this CAP reform. L'Union européenne (UE) a adopté une nouvelle réforme de sa Politique agricole commune (PAC) en juin 2003. La mesure la plus audacieuse a été la création d'un paiement unique par exploitation pour remplacer la plupart des aides directes actuelles. Dans le présent article, nous avons examiné trois questions soulevées par cette réforme à l'aide d'un modèle d'équilibre général calculable qui nous a permis de mesurer les répercussions sur les industries alimentaires de même que le rôle de ces industries dans la transmission des répercussions dans la chaîne alimentaire. La première question visait à déterminer si cette réforme permettait à l'UE‐15 d'éliminer les subventions à l'exportation controversées. Nos résultats numériques ont montré que la réforme diminuait effectivement ces subventions sans toutefois les éliminer. La deuxième question portait sur les répercussions des paiements uniques de la PAC sur la production et la distorsion des échanges. Nous avons examiné cette question en utilisant le découplage total et le découplage partiel retenu par les États membres de l'UE. Nous avons trouvé que les effets sur la production et les échanges étaient plutôt similaires entre les deux options de découplage. Enfin, nous avons évalué les répercussions sur l'emploi et nos résultats ont indiqué que cette réforme entraînait une baisse significative de la main‐d'œuvre agricole contrairement à de très faibles répercussions pour les entreprises de transformation des aliments. En général, les industries agroalimentaires ne sont que légèrement touchées par cette réforme.
Characterization of a Glutathione Metabolic Mutant ofMycobacterium tuberculosisand Its Resistance to Glutathione and Nitrosoglutathione
Authors: Dayaram Yaswant K. , Talaue Meliza T. , Connell Nancy D. , Venketaraman Vishwanath 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTGlutathione is a tripeptide and antioxidant, synthesized at high levels by cells during the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates. Glutathione also serves as a carrier molecule for nitric oxide in the form ofS-nitrosoglutathione. Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that glutathione andS-nitrosoglutathione are directly toxic to mycobacteria. Glutathione is not transported into the cells as a tripeptide. Extracellular glutathione is converted to a dipeptide due to the action of transpeptidase, and the dipeptide is then transported into the bacterial cells. The processing of glutathione andS-nitrosoglutathione is brought about by the action of the enzyme γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. The function of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase is to cleave glutathione andS-nitrosoglutathione to the dipeptide (Cys-Gly), which is then transported into the bacterium by the multicomponent ABC transporter dipeptide permease. We have created a mutant strain ofMycobacterium tuberculosislacking this metabolic enzyme. We investigated the sensitivity of this strain to glutathione andS-nitrosoglutathione compared to that of the wild-type bacteria. In addition, we examined the role of glutathione and/orS-nitrosoglutathione in controlling the growth of intracellularM. tuberculosisinside mouse macrophages.
Active-Site Residues in the Type IV Prepilin Peptidase Homologue PibD from the Archaeon
Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Szabó Zalán , Albers Sonja-Verena , Driessen Arnold J. M. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT

Archaeal preflagellin peptidases and bacterial type IV prepilin peptidases belong to a family of aspartic acid proteases that cleave the leader peptides of precursor proteins with type IV prepilin signal sequences. The substrate repertoire of PibD from the crenarchaeon
Sulfolobus solfataricus
is unusually diverse. In addition to flagellin, PibD cleaves three sugar-binding proteins unique to this species and a number of proteins with unknown function. Here we demonstrate that PibD contains two aspartic acid residues that are essential for cleavage activity. An additional pair of aspartic acids in a large cytoplasmic loop is also important for function and is possibly involved in leader peptide recognition. Combining the results of transmembrane segment predictions and cysteine-labeling experiments, we suggest a membrane topology model for PibD with the active-site aspartic acid residues exposed to the cytosol.