bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement in Psoriasis With Rosiglitazone in a Diabetic and a Nondiabetic Patient
Authors: Harrihar A. Pershadsingh , Stephen C. Benson , Charles N. Ellis 
Published: June 2007

The authors conducted a prospective, open‐label, pilot trial of the effects of the antidiabetic thiazolidinedione (TZD) rosiglitazone in two patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Case 1: A lean, euglycemic 43‐year‐old nondiabetic man with a 2‐year history of plaque psoriasis presented with lesions involving 10% of his body surface (Figures 1A, 1B, 1C). He had no other chronic or acute medical problems. He had previously been managed sporadically with topical triamcinolone acetonide, an intermediate‐strength glucocorticoid, and was off antipsoriatic medication for 5 months. He was started on rosiglitazone p.o., 8 mg q.d. After 10 weeks on rosiglitazone, the lesions developed increased erythema, spreading, and shedding of scale (Figures 2A, 2B, 2C). After an additional 26 weeks, the lesions had largely disappeared (Figures 3A, 3B, 3C). The patient remained euglycemic throughout the study. His liver function enzymes (alanine transferase [ALT] and aspartate transferase [AST]) remained normal throughout the study: ALT, 23 IU/L; AST, 47 IU/L before treatment; ALT, 25 IU/L; AST, 33 IU/L after treatment. There were no adverse events. Case 2: An overweight 68‐year‐old woman (body mass index, 29 kg/m2; with a 12‐year history of type 2 diabetes and 5‐year history of psoriasis presented with generalized plaque psoriasis over 20% of her body, including two large, thick, silvery plaques with the texture of leather over the lower part of the back (Figure 4A). She was given rosiglitazone p.o., 4 mg b.i.d. for 24 weeks, which resulted in significant improvement in psoriasis (Figure 4B). After an additional 26 weeks on rosiglitazone, the plaques had cleared on her back (Figure 4C) and over her entire body, including scalp, ears, and posterior forearms (not shown). Her glycemic control improved (hemoglobin A1c decreased from 7.7% to 7.2%) and liver function remained normal throughout the study (ALT, 24 IU/L; AST, 14 IU/L before treatment; and ALT, 26 IU/L; AST, 15 IU/L after treatment). There were no adverse events.
Oral administration of rosiglitazone (4 mg twice daily) improved large psoriatic plaque lesions on the thoracolumbar region of the back in a patient with longstanding type 2 diabetes. A) Before therapy; B) after 24 weeks of therapy with rosiglitazone; C) after an additional 26 weeks' therapy. image
Activation of human platelet‐rich plasmas: effect on growth factors release, cell division and in vivo bone formation
Authors: Roussy Yanik , Bertrand Duchesne Marie‐Pierre , Gagnon Guy 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectives: Aims of this controlled study were to determine the effects of activated human platelet‐rich plasmas (PRPs) on early and mature bone formation in vivo, and to characterize the effect of PRP activation on growth factors release and endothelial cell division in vitro.Material and methods: PRPs were prepared from four volunteers with the platelet concentrate collector system (PCCS) system and activated with three concentrations of calcium and thrombin. Platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐BB, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) levels released in supernatants were measured by ELISA, at time 0, 1h, 24h and 6 days following PRP activation. Mitogenic potential of PRP supernatants were tested on endothelial cells in vitro, and the effects of activated human PRPs on bone formation in vivo were measured in athymic rats by micro‐CT analyses.Results: Activation of PRPs with calcium and thrombin triggered an immediate release of VEGF, PDGF‐BB and TGF‐β and a delayed release of IL‐1β in PRP supernatants. Higher endothelial cell division was observed with supernatants from activated PRPs than from non‐activated PRPs. Positive correlations were observed between VEGF levels and endothelial cell division and bone formation. A negative correlation was also found between PDGF‐BB concentration and bone formation. However, early and mature bone formations with activated PRPs did not significantly differ from the ones obtained in the control group.Conclusions: Activation of PRPs with calcium and thrombin regulates growth factors release and endothelial cell division in vitro. However, activated PRPs does not improve the early or mature bone formations in vivo in this athymic rat model.
Examples for the importance of radiophysical measurements in clinical phototherapy
Authors: Schneider Lars Alexander , Wlaschek Meinhard , Dissemond Joachim , Scharffetter‐Kochanek Karin 
Published: June 2007

Summary Background: Optimal UV therapy requires regular surveillance of the variables that influence therapeutic success. In daily practice, phototherapy equipment is often operated with an attitude of “autocontrol.” This implies that thorough control measurements of the emission spectra and calibration of UV fluences are not routinely performed. For both quality control and patient safety, it is essential to regularly check whether a UV source is providing the right target spectrum with the correct dose to the skin. Methods: We have exemplarily taken three UV sources currently used in clinical practice and performed radiophysical measurements, i. e. determined emission spectra, radiation output and correctness of dose calculation. Results: All three sources revealed either a largely inhomogeneous distribution pattern of radiation intensity, variation of radiation intensity over time or insufficient filtering of the UV lamp emission spectrum. Furthermore the dose calculation procedures had to be revised because of significant differences between the estimated and the administered UV doses. Conclusions: Radiophysical measurement of all UV‐equipment in clinical use is a simple and effective way to improve the safety and reliability of phototherapy. Such measurements help to uncover technical flaws in radiation sources and prevent unnecessary side effects and UV exposure risks for the patient.
Shampoos: Ingredients, efficacy and adverse effects
Authors: Trüeb Ralph M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryShampoos are the most frequently prescribed treatment for the hair and scalp. The different qualities demanded from a shampoo go beyond cleansing. A cosmetic benefit is expected, and the shampoo has to be tailored to variations associated with hair quality, age, hair care habits, and specific problems related to the condition of the scalp. The reciprocal relationship between cosmetic technology and medical therapy is reflected in the advances of shampoo formulation that has made applications possible that combine benefits of cosmetic hair care products with efficacy of medicinal products. A shampoo is composed of 10 to 30 ingredients: cleansing agents (surfactants), conditioning agents, special care ingredients, and additives. Since the cleansing activity depends on the type and amount of surfactants utilized, shampoos are composed of a blend of different surfactants, depending on the requirements of the individual hair type. Development time from the concept to the commercial shampoo may take longer than a year. Much effort is invested in the development of conditioning agents, which impart luster, smoothness, volume and buoyancy. Another prerequisite is a scalp free of scaling. Current anti‐dandruff agents primarily have an antimicrobial mode of action, and inhibit growth of Malassezia spp. Recent developments in shampoo technology have led to increased efficacy of anti‐dandruff agents, allowing shorter contact time, and reducing irritation.
Comparative Development of Lint and Fuzz Using Different Cotton Fiber‐specific Developmental Mutants in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Zhang Da‐Yong , Zhang Tian‐Zhen , Sang Zhi‐Qin , Guo Wang‐Zhen 
Published: June 2007

Abstract A series of fiber‐specific mutants, or germplasms, have been recently used in the study of fiber development. In the current study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate developmental differences in lint and fuzz initiation in different genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum) of upland cotton. These fiber mutants included dominant naked seed N1, recessive naked seed n2, Xuzhou‐142 lintless‐fuzzless (XZ142WX), Xinxiangxiaojilintless‐fuzzless (XinWX), Xinxiangxiaojilinted‐fuzzless (XinFLM), with TM‐1, the cytogenetic and genetic experimental standard stock, as the control. Characteristics of fiber initiation were analyzed from –1 to +1 days post anthesis (dpa) and at 4 and 5 dpa for fuzz initiation. Our data suggested that lint initiation centered on day of anthesis (0 dpa), and elongated significantly at 1 dpa, while fuzz initiation began at 4 dpa, although the shape of fuzz protrusions differed from that of lint fibers. Fiber initiation occurred first on the ovule funicular crest. Compared to TM‐1, there was a noted retardation in development and fiber protrusion in N1 and XinFLM. Microscopy data also demonstrated that lintless‐fuzzless mutants (XZ142WX and XinWX) developed irregular protrusions during early developmental stages, which were unable to grow into fiber.
Effect of Salinity on the Composition, Number and Size of Epidermal Cells along the Mature Blade of Wheat Leaves
Authors: Hu Yuncai , Schmidhalter Urs 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Salinity inhibits leaf growth in association with changes in cell size. The objective of this study was to determine the spatial distributions of the composition, number and dimensions of epidermal cells in the mature blades of leaf four of wheat seedlings under saline conditions. Plants were grown in loamy soil either with or without 120 mmol/L NaCl in a growth chamber, and harvested after leaf four was fully developed. The results of the spatial distribution analyses of width along the blade showed that salinity not only reduced the width of the leaf blade, but that it also altered the distribution pattern of blade width along the leaf axis. The reduction in the final size of the leaf blade was associated with a reduction in the total number of epidermal cells and in their widths and lengths. This study also revealed the spatial effects of salinity on the blade and epidermal cell dimensions along the leaf axis. In particular, salinity inhibited the total cell number for interstomatal, sister and elongated cells, implying that cell division in wheat leaves is inhibited by salinity. However, the lengths of interstomatal cells were not affected by salinity (unlike those for the sister and elongated cells), suggesting the relative contributions of cell length and numbers to the reduction in the final length of the blade under salinity is dependent on cell type.
Terpenoid Indole Alkaloids Biosynthesis and Metabolic Engineering in Catharanthus roseus
Authors: Liu Dong‐Hui , Jin Hong‐Bin , Chen Yu‐Hui , Cui Li‐Jie , Ren Wei‐Wei , Gong Yi‐Fu , Tang Ke‐Xuan 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Catharanthus roseus L. (Madagascar periwinkle) biosynthesizes a diverse array of secondary metabolites including anticancer dimeric alkaloids (vinblastine and vincristine) and antihypertensive alkaloids (ajmalicine and serpentine). The multi‐step terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) biosynthetic pathway in C. roseus is complex and is under strict molecular regulation. Many enzymes and genes involved in the TIAs biosynthesis have been studied in recent decades. Moreover, some regulatory proteins were found recently to control the production of TIAs in C. roseus. Based on mastering the rough scheme of the pathway and cloning the related genes, metabolic engineering of TIAs biosynthesis has been studied in C. roseus aiming at increasing the desired secondary metabolites in the past few years. The present article summarizes recent advances in isolation and characterization of TIAs biosynthesis genes and transcriptional regulators involved in the second metabolic control in C. roseus. Metabolic engineering applications in TIAs pathway via overexpression of these genes and regulators in C. roseus are also discussed.
Lanthanum Prevents Salt Stress‐induced Programmed Cell Death in Rice Root Tip Cells by Controlling Early Induction Events
Authors: Li Jian‐You , Jiang Ai‐Liang , Chen Hai‐Yan , Wang Ying , Zhang Wei 
Published: June 2007

Abstract In a previous study, a salt stress‐induced programmed cell death (PCD) model was established in rice root tip cells. Here, by using Wuyunjing 8th rice seedlings, the effects of lanthanum on salt stress‐induced PCD early events were studied. The results indicated that low concentrations (10 μmol/L), but not high concentrations (100 μmol/L) of LaCl3 could effectively prevent salt stress‐induced PCD. Further study demonstrated that in the early stages of salt‐induced PCD process, 10 μmol/L of La3+ could prevent the increase of cytoplasmic calcium levels, inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and enhance the ROS‐scavenging enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutases (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Imidazole (20 mmol/L), the inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐oxidase (NADPH oxidase), could alleviate the occurrence of PCD obviously, and such alleviation could be enhanced by the addition of La3+, indicating the involvement of NADPH oxidase in the salt stress‐induced PCD process. Taken together, lanthanum could prevent salt stress‐induced PCD occurrence in the rice root tip cells by blocking the calcium influx under stress, which was followed by inhibiting calcium‐dependent NADPH oxidase activity to prevent O2 •− production and, enhancing the cytosolic antioxidative enzyme activities to scavenge the reactive oxygen species.
Two‐Dimensional Electrophoretic Analysis of Soluble Leaf Proteins of a Salt‐sensitive (Triticum aestivum) and a Salt‐tolerant (T. durum) Cultivar in Response to NaCl Stress
Authors: YILDIZ Mustafa 
Published: June 2007

Abstract In this research, 3‐day‐old etiolated wheat seedlings of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Ceyhan‐99 (salt‐sensitive) and T. durum Desf. cv. Fırat‐93 (salt‐tolerant) were grown in control and salt (150 mmol/L NaCl) treatments at a 15/25 °C temperature regime in the light for 12 days. Soluble proteins extracted from the first leaf tissues of two cultivars were analyzed by two‐dimensional (2‐D) electrophoresis in order to detect NaCl‐induced changes. The soluble leaf protein profiles of cultivars were observed to be similar. However, quantitative differences in 74 proteins were detected in the salt treatment group, compared to the control. Among the 74 protein spots, 14 were common for two cultivars. As a result of NaCl treatment, two low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) proteins (28.9 and 30.0 kDa) and one intermediate‐molecular‐weight (IMW) protein (44.3 kDa) in cv. Ceyhan‐99 and six LMW proteins (18.6, 19.4, 25.7, 25.9, 26 and 27.6 kDa) in cv. Fırat‐93 were newly synthesized. The newly synthesized proteins were specific to each cultivar. In the Fırat‐93 cultivar, four proteins with LMW (24.8–27.9 kDa) were completely lost in NaCl treatment. Moreover, these four protein spots were not observed in both protein profiles of cv. Ceyhan‐99. Most of these proteins were in acidic character (pl <6.0–6.9) and low molecular weight (<31.6 kDa). It is suggested that the newly synthesized or completely lost LMW proteins may be important for cultivars differing in sensitivity towards NaCl.
RNA Interference‐mediated Silencing of Phytochelatin Synthase Gene Reduce Cadmium Accumulation in Rice Seeds
Authors: Li Jiang‐Chuan , Guo Jiang‐Bo , Xu Wen‐Zhong , Ma Mi 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Phytochelatins (PCs) play an important role in heavy metal resistance and accumulation. To reduce the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in rice seeds, the expression of phytochelatin synthase (PCS) gene OsPCS1 was suppressed by RNA interference (RNAi). A hairpin construct of a PCS fragment was designed in the pRNAi‐OsPCS1 under the control of ZMM1, a seed‐specific promoter from maize. The construct was introduced into rice (japonica) through Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The RNAi rice plantlets were selected and cultivated in pots exposured to 10 mg/kg Cd. The transcriptional level of OsPCS1 declined in seeds of some RNAi rice compared to the wild type. As a result Cd accumulation was reduced by about half in the seeds of RNAi rice. As expected, no apparent difference of growth appeared between RNAi and wild‐type plants. The results suggest that this new approach can be used to control heavy metal accumulation in crops.
Carbon Monoxide Promotes Lateral Root Formation in Rapeseed
Authors: Cao Ze‐Yu , Xuan Wei , Liu Zhao‐Yang , Li Xin‐Na , Zhao Nan , Xu Peng , Wang Zhe , Guan Rong‐Zhan , Shen Wen‐Biao 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas, has recently proved to be an important bioactive or signal molecule in mammalian cells, with its effects mediated mainly by nitric oxide (NO). In the present report, we show that exogenous CO induces lateral root (LR) formation, an NO‐dependent process. Administration of the CO donor hematin to rapeseed (Brassica napus L. Yangyou 6) seedlings for 3 days, dose‐dependently promoted the total length and number of LRs. These responses were also seen following the application of gaseous CO aqueous solutions of different saturated concentrations. Furthermore, the actions of CO on seedlings were fully reversed when the CO scavenger hemoglobin (Hb) or the CO‐specific synthetic inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin‐IX (ZnPPIX) were added. Interestingly, depletion of endogenous NO using its specific scavenger 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide potassium salt (cPTIO) or the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), led to the complete abolition of LR development, illustrating an important role for endogenous NO in the action of CO on LR formation. However, the induction of LR development by 200 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, was not affected by the presence or absence of ZnPPIX. Furthermore, using an anatomical approach combined with laser scanning confocal microscopy with the NO‐specific fluorophore 4,5‐diaminofluorescein diacetate, we observed that both hematin and SNP increased NO release compared with control samples and that the NO signal was mainly distributed in the LR primordia (LRP), especially after 36 h treatment. The LRP were found to have similar morphology in control, SNP‐ and hematin‐treated seedlings. Similarly, the enhancement of the NO signal by CO at 36 h was differentially quenched by the addition of cPTIO, l‐NAME, ZnPPIX and Hb. In contrast, the induction of NO caused by SNP was not affected by the application of ZnPPIX. Therefore, we further deduced that CO induces LR formation probably mediated by the NO/NOS pathway and NO may act downstream of CO signaling, which has also been shown to occur in animals.
Mutation of Residue Arginine18 of Cytochrome b559α‐Subunit and its Effects on Photosystem II Activities in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Ma Jing‐Jing , Li Liang‐Bi , Jing Yu‐Xiang , Kuang Ting‐Yun 
Published: June 2007

Abstract It has been known that arginine is used as the basic amino acid in the α‐subunit of cytochrome b559 (Cyt b559) except histidine. However, previous studies have focused on the function of histidine in the activities of photosystem (PS) II and there are no reports regarding the structural and/or functional roles of arginine in PSII complexes. In the present study, two arginine18 (R18) mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were constructed using site‐directed mutagenesis, in which R18 was replaced by glutamic acid (E) and glycine (G). The results show that the oxygen evolution of the PSII complex in the R18G and R18E mutants was approximately 60% of wild‐type (WT) levels and that, after irradiation at high light intensity, oxygen evolution for the PSII of mutants was reduced to zero compared with 40% in WT cells. The efficiency of light capture by PSII (Fv/Fm) of R18G and R18E mutants was approximately 42%–46% that of WT cells. Furthermore, levels of the α‐subunit of Cyt b559 and PsbO proteins were reduced in thylakoid membranes compared with WT. Overall, these data suggest that R18 plays a significant role in helping Cyt b559 maintain the structure of the PSII complex and its activity, although it is not directly bound to the heme group.
Method for discriminating objectively between patches and non‐patches in a semiarid environment
Authors: Du Toit Justin C.O. , Danckwerts Jock E. , Zacharias Peter J.K. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGrass swards that have been grazed by livestock exhibit a patchy structure comprising short and tall components. While such patches are often observed, they are seldom objectively described. This study sought to develop a technique for objectively discriminating between patches (short) and non‐patches (tall) in a semiarid savanna in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Two independent hypotheses were addressed: (i) vegetation can be categorized into patches and non‐patches by analyzing data comprising a large number of single measurements of sward height; and (ii) there are two distinct grass communities present, each of which comprises a particular range of sward heights. Single and double normal distributions were fitted to height distributions using the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE; hypothesis 1), and species composition data were ordinated using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and two‐way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN; hypothesis 2). In general, the results supported both hypotheses. Patches and non‐patches can be distinguished using MLE unless grazing is patchy at a scale smaller than the lowest scale of sward measurement (here 0.5 m, the diameter of a disc pasture meter). Ordination and classification revealed that – at our site – two distinct grass communities are present, and that patches and non‐patches are characterized by vegetation <6 and 6 cm, respectively.
Crossability and amplified fragment length polymorphism variation among four types of Panicum coloratum L. and meiotic chromosome paring of their F1 hybrids
Authors: Komatsu Toshinori , Ubi Benjamin E. , Enoki Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the genetic relationships among four types (A, B, C and D) of Panicum coloratum L. on the basis of the crossability and the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) variations among the types, and the meiotic chromosome pairing and fertility in F1 hybrids obtained from crosses between different types. F1 hybrids were obtained from crosses between P. coloratum L. var. makarikariense cv. Burnett (A) and P. coloratum L. PI 404632 (D), and between P. coloratum L. CPI 16794 (B) and P. coloratum L. cv. Solai (C). Other crosses failed to produce F1 hybrid seeds. F1 hybrids between Burnett (A) and PI 404632 (D) had 2n = 36 chromosomes and regular meiotic chromosome pairing with 18 bivalents per cell. They produced approximately 80% stainable pollen and normally set seeds. F1 hybrids between Solai (C) and CPI 16794 (B) had 2n = 45 chromosomes and a mean chromosome pairing of 9.50 univalents, 17.67 bivalents and 0.05 trivalents. The most frequent paring behavior was nine univalents and 18 bivalents, suggesting that Solai has two genomes homologous to those of CPI 16794 and one different genome. The F1 hybrids showed approximately 80% stainable pollen and approximately 20% seed fertility. Cluster analysis of polymorphic AFLP in five plants of each of the four types yielded two major clusters. Burnett (A) and PI 404632 (D) clustered together, while Solai (C) clustered with CPI 16794 (B). The results of hybridization studies and AFLP analysis of the four types of P. coloratum, and meiotic examination of the derived F1 hybrids demonstrate that types A and D are genetically differentiated from types B and C, and are reproductively isolated from these two types.