bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A C2H2‐type zinc finger protein, SGR5, is involved in early events of gravitropism in Arabidopsis inflorescence stems
Authors: Morita Miyo T. , Sakaguchi Keitaro , Kiyose Shin‐ichiro , Taira Kensuke , Kato Takehide , Nakamura Moritaka , Tasaka Masao 
Published: July 2006

SummaryPlants can sense the direction of gravity and change the growth orientation of their organs. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of gravity perception and the signal transduction of gravitropism, we have characterized a number of shoot gravitropism (sgr) mutants of Arabidopsis. The sgr5‐1 mutant shows reduced gravitropism in the inflorescence stem but its root and hypocotyl have normal gravitropism. SGR5 encodes a zinc finger protein with a coiled‐coil motif. The SGR5–GFP fusion protein is localized in the nucleus of Arabidopsis protoplasts, suggesting that SGR5 may act as a transcription factor. Analysis of GUS expression under the control of the SGR5 promoter revealed that SGR5 is mainly expressed in the endodermis, the gravity‐sensing tissue in inflorescence stems. Furthermore, the observation that endodermis‐specific expression of SGR5 using the SCR promoter in the sgr5‐1 mutant restores shoot gravitropism indicates that it could function in the gravity‐sensing endodermal cell layer. In contrast to other sgr mutants reported previously, almost all amyloplasts in the endodermal cells of the sgr5‐1 mutant sedimented in the direction of gravity. Taken together, our results suggest that SGR5 may be involved in an early event in shoot gravitropism such as gravity perception and/or a signaling process subsequent to amyloplast sedimentation as a putative transcription factor in gravity‐perceptive cells.
A trial of phenome analysis using 4000 Ds‐insertional mutants in gene‐coding regions of Arabidopsis
Authors: Kuromori Takashi , Wada Takuji , Kamiya Asako , Yuguchi Masahiro , Yokouchi Takuro , Imura Yuko , Takabe Hiroko , Sakurai Tetsuya , Akiyama Kenji , Hirayama Takashi , Okada Kiyotaka , Shinozaki Kazuo 
Published: July 2006

SummaryMutant lines covering all Arabidopsis genes allow us to pursue systematic functional genomics. A comprehensive phenotype description, called a phenome, is highly sought after in the profiling of ‐omics data. We selected 4000 transposon‐insertional lines with transposon insertions in their gene‐coding regions, and systematically observed the visible phenotype of each line. For the first 3 weeks after germination, plants were grown on agar plates and the juvenile phenotypes were recorded. Then the plants were transferred to soil and their phenotypes were recorded at each growth stage. About 140 lines showed clear and reproducible visible phenotypes, including novel phenotypic mutants as well as previously reported ones. All descriptions of the mutants showing visible phenotypes were classified into eight primary categories (seedling, leaves, flowering and growth, stems, branching, flowers, siliques and seed yield) and 43 secondary categories of morphological phenotypes. Phenotypic images have been entered into a searchable database (http://rarge.gsc.riken.jp/phenome/). One example investigated through the use of plural alleles was a mutant of a novel gene related to glycerolipid biosynthesis, with a unique visible phenotype of sepal opening. Our results suggest that we can find more novel visible phenotypes and their corresponding genes, and that phenotypic mutants of gene knockouts are not exhausted yet. This study provides basic data on large‐scale phenotyping of gene knockout lines in plants, and will contribute to the completion of an international effort to develop a phenome database of all the functional genes in Arabidopsis.
Functional and expression analysis of Arabidopsis SPA genes during seedling photomorphogenesis and adult growth
Authors: Fittinghoff Kirsten , Laubinger Sascha , Nixdorf Markus , Fackendahl Petra , Baumgardt Rosalinde‐Louise , Batschauer Alfred , Hoecker Ute 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe four members of the Suppressor of phyA‐105 (SPA) gene family function to inhibit photomorphogenesis in dark‐ and light‐grown seedlings. Additionally, SPA1–SPA4 regulate elongation growth of adult plants. In these processes, SPA2, SPA3 and SPA4 have overlapping but distinct functions. Here, we have further investigated the role of SPA1 which is partially masked by functional redundancy. We show that SPA1 represses not only red, far‐red and blue light responses in a PHYA‐dependent fashion, but also acts to suppress light signaling in darkness. We demonstrate that deletion‐derivatives of SPA1 lacking the complete N‐terminus or part of the kinase‐like domain retain SPA1 function in light‐ and dark‐grown seedlings, while deletion of the constitutive photomorphogenesis 1 (COP1)‐interacting coiled‐coil domain eliminates SPA1 activity. This suggests that the coiled‐coil domain and the WD‐repeat domain of SPA1 are sufficient for SPA1 function. An analysis of spa2 spa3 spa4 triple mutants demonstrates that SPA1, like SPA2, is sufficient for normal etiolation of dark‐grown seedlings. In light‐grown seedlings and adult plants, in contrast, SPA1 function is divergent from SPA2 function, with SPA1 playing the predominant role. Levels of SPA1, SPA3 and SPA4 transcript are increased by red, far‐red and blue light, consistent with a role of these three SPA genes in light‐grown seedlings. The abundance of SPA2 mRNA, in contrast, is not altered by light. Taken together, the analysis of SPA transcript levels suggests that differences in SPA gene expression patterns contribute to divergence in SPA1–SPA4 function.
De novo malignancies following liver transplantation: a case–control study with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Yao Francis Y , Gautam Manjushree , Palese Caren , Rebres Raquel , Terrault Norah , Roberts John P. , Peters Marion G. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Background:  Long‐term survival data on de novo malignancy are limited following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) when compared with controls without malignancies.Methods:  Over a 12 yr period at our institution, 50 of 1043 patients (4.8%) who underwent OLT were identified to have 53 de novo malignancies. The clinical characteristics and survival of these patients were retrospectively reviewed and compared with a control cohort of 50 OLT recipients without malignancy matched with the incidence cases by age, year of OLT, sex, and type of liver disease.Results:  Chronic hepatitis C, alcohol and primary sclerosing cholangitis were the three leading causes of liver disease. Skin cancer was the most common malignancy (32%), followed by gastrointestinal (21%), including five small bowel tumors, and hematologic malignancies (17%). The cases and controls were not significantly different in the immunosuppressive regimen (p = 0.42) or the number of rejection episodes (p = 0.92). The five‐ and 10‐year Kaplan–Meier survival rates for the cases were 77% and 34%, respectively, vs. 84% and 70%, respectively, for the controls (p = 0.02 by log‐rank test). Patients with skin cancers had survival similar to the controls, but significantly better than non‐skin cancers (p = 0.0001). The prognosis for patients with gastrointestinal tumors was poor, with a median survival of 8.5 months after the diagnosis.Conclusion:  In this single institutional study, de novo malignancies after OLT were uncommon. Patients with non‐skin cancer after OLT had diminished long‐term survival compared with the controls. Our results differ from other reports in the high incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies with attendant poor prognosis.
Characterization of CD4, CD8, CD56 positive lymphocytes and C4d deposits to distinguish acute cellular rejection from recurrent hepatitis C in post‐liver transplant biopsies
Authors: Jain Ashok , Ryan Charlotte , Mohanka Ravi , Orloff Mark , Abt Peter , Romano Joan , Bryan Leah , Batzold Pam , Mantry Parvez , Bozorgzadeh Adel 
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Introduction:  Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is the most common cause for liver transplantation (LTx) in USA. Hepatitis C viral recurrence in liver allograft is almost universal, which is often difficult to distinguish from acute cellular rejection (ACR).Aim:  Aim of the present study is to examine the differences between distribution of CD4, CD8, CD56 positive lymphocytes, and C4d deposits in patients with ACR and recurrent HCV.Patients and methods:  As a pilot project, a group of five post‐LTx HCV RNA negative patients, strongly suspicious for ACR based on clinical findings and history of medication non‐compliance and another group of five post‐LTx HCV positive, medication compliant patients with abnormal liver function were retrospectively selected. Liver biopsies of these patients were stained with monoclonal CD4, CD8, CD56, and polyclonal C4d antibodies and compared.Results:  Mean CD4, CD8, and CD56 counts in ACR group were 156.7 ± 17.6, 35.4 ± 8.8, and 1.0 ± 1.8/HPF, respectively and were 89.7 ± 41.3, 20.3 ± 23.2, and 0.6 ± 0.9/HPF, respectively in HCV recurrence group. Biopsies of four of five patients with ACR demonstrated moderate to strong C4d staining, whereas all patients with recurrent HCV had none to mild C4d staining.Conclusion:  Mean CD4, CD8, and CD56 were similar for acute rejection and recurrent HCV infection. However, 80% of patients with ACR showed moderate to strong staining for C4d and all recurrent HCV patients showed none to mild C4d staining.
Relevance of cardioverter defibrillators for the prevention of sudden cardiac death on the timing of heart transplantation
Authors: Grigioni Francesco , Boriani Giuseppe , Barbieri Andrea , Russo Antonio , Reggianini Letizia , Bursi Francesca , Potena Luciano , Ricci Caterina , Fallani Francesco , Coccolo Fabio , Magnani Gaia , Magelli Carlo , Modena Maria G. , Branzi Angelo 
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Information on the incidence of decompensation of chronic heart failure (CHF) in heart transplantation (HT) candidates eligible for prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) could provide insights into the influence of ICD on the timing for HT.Methods:  We investigated the prevalence of candidates satisfying SCD‐HeFT and MADIT‐II criteria for prophylactic ICD among patients (n = 317) with CHF referred to our tertiary center for HT. In addition to standard clinical and laboratory assessments, baseline evaluation included two‐dimensional standard transthoracic echocardiogram and 12‐lead electrocardiogram.Results:  At baseline, 19% of patients (n = 60) satisfied MADIT II criteria, and 58% (n = 185) fulfilled SCD‐HeFT criteria. A total of 60% patients (n = 190) were eligible for prophylactic ICD implantation according to at least one set of criteria. Five‐yr CHF decompensation‐free survival was 68 ± 4% in patients eligible for prophylactic ICD (p = 0.003), (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.35–4.63).Conclusions:  SCD‐HeFT could imply a threefold rise in ICD eligibility in tertiary settings. As ICD‐eligible patients would likely remain at high risk of progressive ventricular dysfunction, strict follow‐up should be considered extremely important to allow a timely referral for HT.
Radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation – a clinical and histological examination
Authors: Martin Adrian P. , Goldstein Robert M. , Dempster Jane , Netto George J. , Katabi Nora , Derrick Howard C. , Altrabulsi Basel , Jennings Linda W. , Ueno Takehisa , Chinnakotla Srinath , Dawson Sherfield , Randall Henry B. , Levy Marlon F. , Onaca Nicholas , Sanchez Edmund Q. , Orr Douglas , Klintmalm Goran B. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Background:  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an optional treatment for patients awaiting liver transplantation (LTX). The study evaluates the efficacy of RFA in the explanted liver and its effect on patient outcome.Material and method:  Forty‐seven patients underwent RFA and were listed for transplant between January 1998 and May 2003. The patients were divided into two groups: transplanted and non‐transplanted. Both groups were evaluated in terms of tumor characteristics, recurrence, mortality rate, and time on the waiting list. The ablation sites in the explanted livers were examined for percentage of necrosis by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) stain and by TUNEL stain.Results:  Transplantation was carried out in 35 patients (74.5%). Ten patients (21.3%) died before transplant or were removed from the wait list, while two patients (4.2%) are still listed. Mortality and tumor‐related mortality were significantly higher in the non‐transplanted group. The time spent on the waiting list was longer in the non‐transplanted patients (350 vs. 186 d average, p = 0.0345). Thirty‐eight ablation sites were examined in the explanted livers. The percentage of tumor necrosis by TUNEL staining was 19.6% higher than that reported by H&E staining. After TUNEL staining, 28 sites (73.7%) had more than 90% necrosis, eight sites (21.0%) had 50–90%, and two sites (5.3%) had less than 50% necrosis.Conclusions:  RFA and LTX can be used successfully in HCC patients, and in most cases, tumor necrosis can be achieved with ultrasound‐guided RFA. H&E stain tends to under‐represent the amount of tumor necrosis on the ablation sites. Survival of RFA patients after LTX is excellent.
Association of core promoter mutations with viral breakthrough in chronic hepatitis B patients on long‐term lamivudine therapy
Authors: Kazim Syed Naqui , Chauhan Ranjit , Das Bhudev Chandra , Sarin Shiv Kumar 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Virologic breakthrough (VBTH) during long‐term lamivudine therapy is believed to be due to the emergence of rtYM204I/VDD mutants. We observed VBTH in 17 of 67 patients receiving long‐term lamivudine therapy. The YMDD mutant at the onset of VBTH and/or subsequently was seen in eight (47%) of 17 such patients. We investigated other potential loci in the viral genome contributing to VBTH.Methods:  Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients (n = 17) on long‐term (≥12 months) lamivudine therapy who had at least one episode of VBTH were selected (group I). Age, sex, serology and baseline viral load matched patients on long‐term lamivudine without VBTH (n = 12) served as controls (group II). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA sequences were analyzed for pre‐S, surface, polymerase, core promoter, precore and core regions and were compared with sequences of respective genotypes.Results:  Group I patients with VBTH (n = 17) either had rtYM204I/VDD mutations (n = 8, group Ia YMDD) or no rtYM204I/VDD mutations (n = 9, group Ib non‐YMDD). Group Ia patients had median baseline HBV DNA of 2794 pg/mL (range 3–9166 pg/mL) and a mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level of 86 ± 33 IU/L. In group Ib, the median baseline viral DNA was 916 pg/mL (range 8.3–5787 pg/mL) and the mean ALT was 61 ± 38 IU/L. The first VBTH in group Ia and Ib patients was noted at 21 ± 9 months and 15.2 ± 5.9 months, respectively, with a rise in HBV DNA levels from undetectable limits to 952 pg/mL (range 4.3–4875 pg/mL) and 571 pg/mL (range 1.2–1970 pg/mL), respectively. Core promoter mutations were seen in five of eight (62.5%) and in six of nine (66.6%); classic double mutations (A1762T/G1764A) of core promoter region were detected in two and three patients and novel double mutations of core promoter (G1764T/C1766G) in one patient each of group Ia and Ib patients, respectively. Compared to 11 (68%) of 17 group I patients, only three (25%) of 12 patients in group II had core promoter mutations (P < 0.05). No patient in group II had double mutations of the core promoter region. No significant difference in viral mutations was seen in any other region of the viral genome between group I and group II patients. In group I, none of the 15 patients (two died of hepatocellular carcinoma), but five (42%) group II patients achieved hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and sustained response by month 24 (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Both core promoter and YMDD motif mutation(s) are associated with VBTH in patients on long‐term lamivudine therapy. Whether or not these promoter mutations in the absence of YMDD mutations confer drug resistance needs to be studied in an in vitro cell culture system, as they could create novel and stronger binding sites for hepatocyte nuclear factors.
Clinical Presentation of Hypernatremia in Elderly Patients: A Case Control Study
Authors: Chassagne Philippe , Druesne Laurent , Capet Corinne , Ménard Jean François , Bercoff Eric 
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To assess early clinical signs and their prognostic value in elderly patients with hypernatremia.DESIGN: Prospective, case control study of 150 patients with hypernatremia matched to 300 controls.SETTING: Multicenter study including seven short‐ and long‐term geriatric care facilities.MEASUREMENTS: Clinical assessment of hydration status at bedside, such as abnormal skin turgor or dry oral mucosa. Secondary outcome measures: 30‐day mortality rate and clinical indicators (assessed at the peak of natremia) associated with mortality.RESULTS: Patients and controls were comparable in terms of drugs and underlying diseases, except for history of dementia, which was more frequent in patients than in controls. Patients were significantly more likely than controls to have low blood pressure, tachycardia, dry oral mucosa, abnormal skin turgor, and recent change of consciousness. Only three clinical findings were found in at least 60% of patients with hypernatremia: orthostatic blood pressure and abnormal subclavicular and forearm skin turgor. The latter two signs were significantly more frequent in patients with hypernatremia. Four other signs (tachycardia, abnormal subclavicular skin turgor, dry oral mucosa, and recent change of consciousness) had a specificity of greater than 79%. Using logistic regression, four signs were significantly and independently associated with hypernatremia: abnormal subclavicular and thigh skin turgor, dry oral mucosa, and recent change of consciousness. The mortality rate was 41.5% and was significantly higher in patients with hypernatremia. The status of consciousness when hypernatremia was diagnosed was the single prognostic indicator associated with mortality (odds ratio=2.3, 95% confidence interval=1.01–5.2).CONCLUSION: Most of the classical signs of dehydration are irregularly present in patients with hypernatremia. Caregivers should carefully screen any variations in consciousness, because they may reveal severe hypernatremia.
Rural–Urban Differences in Medical Care for Nursing Home Residents with Severe Dementia at the End of Life
Authors: Gessert Charles E. , Haller Irina V. , Kane Robert L. , Degenholtz Howard 
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with the use of selected medical services near the end of life in cognitively impaired residents of rural and urban nursing homes.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrative data for 1998 through 2002.SETTING: Minnesota and Texas nursing homes.PARTICIPANTS: Nursing home residents aged 65 and older with severe cognitive impairment who subsequently died during 2000/01.MEASUREMENTS: Minimum Data Set and Medicare Provider Analysis and Review, Hospice, and Denominator files were used to identify subjects and to assess medical service use. U.S. Department of Agriculture metro–nonmetro continuum county codes defined rural (codes 6–9) and urban (codes 0–2) nursing homes. Nursing home residents with hospice or health maintenance organization benefits were excluded. Use of hospital services at the end of life was adjusted for use of corresponding services before the last year of life. Outcome variables were feeding tube use, any hospitalization, more than 10 days of hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.RESULTS: The population included 3,710 subjects (1,886 rural, 1,824 urban). In multivariable logistic regression analyses (all P<.05), feeding tube use was more common in urban nursing home residents, whereas rural nursing home residents were at greater risk for hospitalization. Rural residence was also associated with lower risk of more than 10 days of hospitalization and ICU admission. Nonwhite race and stroke were associated with higher use of all services.CONCLUSION: Rural nursing home residence is associated with lower likelihood of use of the most‐intensive medical services at the end of life.
Fracture Resistance of Fiber‐Reinforced PMMA Interim Fixed Partial Dentures
Authors: Hamza Tamer A. , Rosenstiel Stephen F. , El‐Hosary Mohamed M. , Ibraheem Rabab M. 
Published: July 2006

Purpose: To compare different fiber reinforcements on fracture toughness of interim polymethyl methacrylate materials and then use the best combination to determine the optimal position for fiber placement in an interim 3‐unit fixed partial denture (FPD).
Materials and Methods: In the first stage of the study, five groups of notched fracture toughness specimens were fabricated and loaded to failure (Instron): (1) unreinforced (control); (2) reinforced with pre‐impregnated silanized E‐glass fibers (Fibrestick); (3) cold plasma‐treated woven polyethylene fibers (Ribbond triaxial); (4) pre‐impregnated silanized plasma‐treated woven polyethylene fibers (Construct); and (5) 1.0‐mm‐diameter stainless steel wire. In the second stage, the optimal position (occlusal, middle, or cervical third of pontic) for reinforcement with glass fibers (regimen 2) was tested by loading a 3‐unit FPD to failure. All groups were compared with analysis of variance (α < 0.05).
Results: The fracture toughness (in MPam1/2) for each reinforced group (Fibrestick 2.74 ± 0.12, Construct fibers 2.59 ± 0.28, Ribbond triaxial 2.13 ± 0.20, and orthodontic wire 1.66 ± 0.09) was statistically greater (p< 0.05) than for the unreinforced group (control = 1.25 ± 0.006). Fracture loads for FPDs were greatest when the fiber reinforcements were placed in the cervical third (cervical = 1165 N).
Conclusions: The use of fiber and, to a lesser extent, orthodontic wire is an effective method to reinforce interim restoration resins.