bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
OLIG2 is a useful immunohistochemical marker in differential diagnosis of clear cell primary CNS neoplasms
Authors: Preusser M , Budka H , Rössler K , Hainfellner J A 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To analyse OLIG2 expression in clear cell primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours to clarify the diagnostic usefulness of OLIG2 immunohistochemistry in this subset of brain tumours.Methods and results:  We analysed OLIG2 expression in 60 oligodendroglial neoplasms (57 with and three without chromosome 1p aberration), 10 central neurocytomas, 10 clear cell ependymomas, nine dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours (DNTs) and two clear cell meningiomas using immunohistochemistry. Additionally, we analysed oligodendroglial neoplasms with numerous gliofibrillary and minigemistocytic oligodendrocytes for OLIG2/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) coexpression and central neurocytoma for coexpression of neurone‐specific nuclear protein (NeuN) and OLIG2 using double immunofluorescent labelling and confocal laser scanning microscopy. All oligodendroglial neoplasms and DNTs showed widespread OLIG2 expression. Eight of 10 central neurocytomas, all clear cell meningiomas and 8/10 clear cell ependymomas were negative for OLIG2. Two of 10 central neurocytomas and 2/10 clear cell ependymomas showed focal OLIG2 expression. We found prominent coexpression of GFAP and OLIG2 in gliofibrillary and minigemistocytic oligodendrocytes. Further, we found coexpression of NeuN and OLIG2 in single cells in central neurocytoma.Conclusions:  Widespread OLIG2 expression discriminates oligodendroglial neoplasms or DNTs from other clear cell primary brain tumour types. In clear cell primary brain tumours lacking OLIG2 expression, differential diagnosis may require additional immunohistochemical markers.
The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) and MMP‐9 according to their localization in invasive breast carcinoma
Authors: Mylona E , Nomikos A , Magkou C , Kamberou M , Papassideri I , Keramopoulos A , Nakopoulou L 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) and MMP‐9 proteins expression in invasive breast carcinoma and their relationship to tumour proliferation and expression of c‐erbB2 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) gamma.Methods:  Immunohistochemistry was carried out on 175 paraffin‐embedded breast tissue specimens to detect MT1‐MMP, MMP‐9, oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, c‐erbB‐2, Ki67, topoisomerase IIα (topo IIα) and PPARγ protein expression.Results:  Both MT1‐MMP and MMP‐9 were expressed in the cytoplasm of the malignant cells and the peritumoral stroma. Cytoplasmic MT1‐MMP was more often observed in ER+ tumours (P = 0.022), of a lower nuclear grade (P = 0.020) and with reduced expression of Ki67 and topo IIα (P = 0.027 and P = 0.006, respectively). Moreover, cytoplasmic MT1‐MMP was positively associated with MMP‐9 (P = 0.010) and PPARγ (P < 0.0001). Cytoplasmic MMP‐9 was inversely associated with Ki67 (P = 0.034) and topo IIα (P = 0.004), whereas its relationship with MT1‐MMP (P = 0.034) and PPARγ (P = 0.024) was found to be positive. Stromal MMP‐9 was more often observed in c‐erbB2+ tumours (P = 0.043) and had an unfavourable impact on overall and relapse‐free survival in both univariate (P = 0.0157 and P = 0.0274, respectively) and multivariate analyses (P = 0.007 and P = 0.024, respectively).Conclusions:  Cytoplasmic MT1‐MMP and MMP‐9 seem to be related to well‐differentiated tumours, with a low proliferation potential, while stromal MMP‐9 is associated with an aggressive tumour phenotype and is recognized as an independent poor prognostic indicator.
The Aedes albopictus inhibitor of apoptosis 1 gene protects vertebrate cells from bluetongue virus‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Li Q. , Li H. , Blitvich B. J. , Zhang J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe sequenced and characterized the inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) 1 gene from Aedes albopictus, designated as Aaiap1. The Aaiap1 gene rescued Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells from apoptosis when cotransfected with the Drosophila pro‐apoptotic hid gene. The antiapoptotic function of the Aaiap1 gene was evaluated in the bluetongue virus (BTV)‐induced apoptosis system. BTV infection induced apoptosis in vertebrate cells via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. This was shown by the translocation of cytochrome C and the second mitochondria‐derived activator of caspase (Smac, also known as DIABLO) from the mitochondria and the subsequent activation of caspase‐9 and ‐3. Stable expression of the Aaiap1 gene in derivative baby hamster kidney cells delayed BTV‐induced apoptosis by 24 h and reduced the BTV progeny yield by 10‐fold. This study provides the first evidence that the mosquito AaIAP1 protein possesses antiapoptotic activity.
Social organization and movement influence the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in an undisturbed high‐density badgerMeles melespopulation
Authors: VICENTE J. , DELAHAY R. J. , WALKER N. J. , CHEESEMAN C. L. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe culling of European badgersMeles meleshas been a central part of attempts to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) in British cattle for many years. Recent results, however, indicate that this approach could in practice enhance disease spread.This paper looks at the relationship between TB incidence and badger ecology in a high‐density population in south‐west England, which has been the subject of a long‐term intensive study. The principal aims were to relate the probability of TB incidence, as detected by culture of clinical samples (i.e. excretion of bacilli), at the level of the individual and of the social group to demographic processes, movement, social organization and disease dynamics.The probability of an individual being an incident case was greater in groups where TB was already present, although this was less influential in groups that were subject to some instability in numbers. Both individuals and groups were more likely to be incident cases where the social group was diminishing in size, although no relationship was observed with group size itself. This suggests that the process of group size reduction rather than group sizeper sehas most influence on disease dynamics. The likelihood that either an individual or a group was an incident case was positively correlated with both individual and group‐level movement. When the proportion of females in a social group was high, the positive association between movement and incidence was found to be more pronounced and there was a significantly higher probability of incident cases among males.These relationships highlight the importance of social structure in driving TB transmission dynamics in this stable, high‐density badger population. The results support the idea that a stable social structure mitigates against new incident cases of disease, and are consistent with the contention that badger culling may create the social circumstances for enhanced transmission of TB.
Are large‐scale distributional shifts of the blue‐winged macaw (Primolius maracana) related to climate change?
Authors: Nunes Maria Flávia Conti , Galetti Mauro , Marsden Stuart , Pereira Ricardo Scachetti , Townsend Peterson A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAim To evaluate whether observed geographical shifts in the distribution of the blue‐winged macaw (Primolius maracana) are related to ongoing processes of global climate change. This species is vulnerable to extinction and has shown striking range retractions in recent decades, withdrawing broadly from southern portions of its historical distribution. Its range reduction has generally been attributed to the effects of habitat loss; however, as this species has also disappeared from large forested areas, consideration of other factors that may act in concert is merited.Location Historical distribution of the blue‐winged macaw in Brazil, eastern Paraguay and northern Argentina.Methods We used a correlative approach to test a hypothesis of causation of observed shifts by reduction of habitable areas mediated by climate change. We developed models of the ecological niche requirements of the blue‐winged macaw, based on point‐occurrence data and climate scenarios for pre‐1950 and post‐1950 periods, and tested model predictivity for anticipating geographical distributions within time periods. Then we projected each model to the other time period and compared distributions predicted under both climate scenarios to assess shifts of habitable areas across decades and to evaluate an explanation for observed range retractions.Results Differences between predicted distributions of the blue‐winged macaw over the twentieth century were, in general, minor and no change in suitability of landscapes was predicted across large areas of the species’ original range in different time periods. No tendency towards range retraction in the south was predicted, rather conditions in the southern part of the species’ range tended to show improvement for the species.Main conclusions Our test permitted elimination of climate change as a likely explanation for the observed shifts in the distribution of the blue‐winged macaw, and points rather to other causal explanations (e.g. changing regional land use, emerging diseases).
Association between aortic calcification and total and cardiovascular mortality in older women
Authors: Rodondi N. , Taylor B. C. , Bauer D. C. , Lui L.‐Y. , Vogt M. T. , Fink H. A. , Browner W. S. , Cummings S. R. , Ensrud K. E. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.Objectives.  To determine whether older women with abdominal aortic calcification had a greater cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality, as such data are limited in older adults.Design.  Prospective cohort study with a mean follow‐up of 13 yearsSetting.  Community‐based sample with four US clinical centres.Subjects.  A total of 2056 women aged ≥65 years with abdominal aortic calcification assessed on baseline radiographs.Main outcome measure.  Mortality rate (all, cardiovascular, cancer or other cause) adjudicated from death certificates and hospital records.Results.  The prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification increased with age, ranging from 60% at age 65–69 years to 96% at 85 years and older. Participants with aortic calcification were more likely to die during follow‐up of any cause (47% vs. 27%) or a cardiovascular‐specific cause (18% vs. 11%, both P < 0.001) than those without aortic calcification. In age‐adjusted analyses, aortic calcification was associated with a greater rate of all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality (cardiovascular, cancer, and other, all P ≤ 0.01). In analyses adjusted for age and cardiovascular risk factors, aortic calcification was associated with an increased rate of all‐cause mortality (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.15–1.64), and noncardiovascular noncancer mortality (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.17–2.11). The associations between aortic calcification and cancer mortality (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.00–2.08) or cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.88–1.57) showed a similar pattern without reaching statistical significance, but was slightly stronger for mortality from coronary heart disease (HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 0.91–2.56).Conclusions.  Abdominal aortic calcification in older women is associated with increased mortality. Future research should examine potential mechanisms for this association.
Population structure of Hypochaeris salzmanniana DC. (Asteraceae), an endemic species to the Atlantic coast on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, in relation to Quaternary sea level changes
Authors: ORTIZ M. Á. , TREMETSBERGER K. , TALAVERA S. , STUESSY T. , GARCÍA‐CASTAÑO J. L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTo detect potential Pleistocene refugia and colonization routes along the Atlantic coast, we analysed amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) in 140 individuals from 14 populations of Hypochaeris salzmanniana (Asteraceae), an annual species endemic to the southwestern European and northwestern African coastal areas. Samples covered the total distributional range of the species, with eight populations in southwestern Spain and six populations in northwestern Morocco. Using nine primer combinations, we obtained 546 fragments in H. salzmanniana and its sister species H. arachnoidea of which 487 (89.2%) were polymorphic. The neighbour‐joining tree shows that the populations south of the Loukos river in Morocco are clearly differentiated, having more polymorphic, private, and rare fragments, and higher genetic diversity, than all the other populations. The southernmost populations in Morocco, south of the river Sebou, form a large panmictic population. They are probably the oldest populations that have been relatively unaffected by stochastic processes resulting from Pleistocene glaciations. Northward migration of populations during this period may have resulted in loss of genetic diversity in specific regions, perhaps due to bottlenecks caused by rise in sea level during interglacial periods, and, in some cases, by changes in the breeding system.
Comparative phylogeography of three endemic rodents from the Albertine Rift, east central Africa
Authors: HUHNDORF MICHAEL H. , KERBIS PETERHANS JULIAN C. , LOEW SABINE S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe major aim of this study was to compare the phylogeographic patterns of codistributed rodents from the fragmented montane rainforests of the Albertine Rift region of east central Africa. We sampled individuals of three endemic rodent species, Hylomyscus denniae, Hybomys lunaris and Lophuromys woosnami from four localities in the Albertine Rift. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequence variation from fragments of the cytochrome b and control region genes and found significant phylogeographic structuring for the three taxa examined. The recovered phylogenies suggest that climatic fluctuations and volcanic activity of the Virunga Volcanoes chain have caused the fragmentation of rainforest habitat during the past 2 million years. This fragmentation has played a major role in the diversification of the montane endemic rodents of the region. Estimation of the divergence times within each species suggests a separation of the major clades occurring during the mid to late Pleistocene.
Differential gene expression between adult queens and workers in the antLasius niger
Authors: GRÄFF JOHANNES , JEMIELITY STEPHANIE , PARKER JOEL D. , PARKER KAREN M. , KELLER LAURENT 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAnts and other social insects forming large societies are generally characterized by marked reproductive division of labour. Queens largely monopolize reproduction whereas workers have little reproductive potential. In addition, some social insect species show tremendous lifespan differences between the queen and worker caste. Remarkably, queens and workers are usually genotypically identical, meaning that any phenotypic differences between the two castes arise from caste‐specific gene expression. Using a combination of differential display, microarrays and reverse Northern blots, we found 16 genes that were differentially expressed between adult queens and workers in the antLasius niger, a species with highly pronounced reproductive division of labour and a several‐fold lifespan difference between queens and workers. RNA ligase mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RLM‐RACE) and gene walking were used to further characterize these genes. On the basis of the molecular function of their nearest homologues, three genes appear to be involved in reproductive division of labour. Another three genes, which were exclusively overexpressed in queens, are possibly involved in the maintenance and repair of the soma, a candidate mechanism for lifespan determination. In‐depth functional analyses of these genes are now needed to reveal their exact role.
Radio sources in the 6dFGS: local luminosity functions at 1.4 GHz for star-forming galaxies and radio-loud AGN
Authors: Mauch Tom , Sadler Elaine M. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
We have identified 7824 radio sources from the 1.4 GHz NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) with galaxies brighter than K= 12.75 mag in the Second Incremental Data Release of the 6 degree Field Galaxy Survey (6dFGS DR2). The resulting sample of redshifts and optical spectra for radio sources over an effective sky area of 7076 deg2 (about 17 per cent of the celestial sphere) is the largest of its kind ever obtained. NVSS radio sources associated with galaxies in the 6dFGS span a redshift range 0.003 &lt; z &lt; 0.3 and have median . Through visual examination of 6dF spectra we have identified the dominant mechanism for radio emission from each galaxy. 60 per cent are fuelled by star formation and 40 per cent are fuelled by an active galactic nucleus (AGN) powered by a supermassive black hole. We have accurately determined the local radio luminosity function (RLF) at 1.4 GHz for both classes of radio source and have found it to agree well with other recent determinations. From the RLF of star-forming galaxies we derive a local star formation density of 0.022 ± 0.001 M⊙ yr−1 Mpc−3, in broad agreement with recent determinations at radio and other wavelengths.
We have split the RLF of radio-loud AGNs into bins of absolute K-band magnitude (MK) and compared this with the underlying K-band galaxy luminosity function of all 6dFGS galaxies to determine the bivariate radio-K-band luminosity function. We verify that radio-loud AGNs preferentially inhabit the brightest and hence most massive host galaxies and show that the fraction of all galaxies which host a radio-loud AGN scales as fradio-loud∝L2.1K for fradio-loud &lt; 0.3, indicative of a similarly strong scaling with black hole mass and stellar mass.
Colonization of tree xylem by Phytophthora ramorum, P. kernoviae and other Phytophthora species
Authors: Brown A. V. , Brasier C. M. 
Published: January 2007

The aetiology and frequency of Phytophthora spp. in discoloured xylem tissue beneath phloem lesions was investigated in a range of broadleaved trees infected with P. ramorum, P. kernoviae, P. cambivora, P. citricola and other species. Isolation was attempted from the inner surface of 81 sterilized discoloured wood panels (6 × 4 cm) from 53 trees. Discolouration mostly extended 1–5 mm into the xylem (75%), but incursions of 6–10 mm (10%) and 10–25 mm (15%) were frequent. Of the wood panels, 81% yielded Phytophthora spp. In 66 cases, both a wood panel and an overlying phloem panel were sampled. In 56% of these, a Phytophthora sp. was isolated from both the wood and the phloem panel. In 23% the Phytophthora sp. was isolated from the wood panel only and in 8% from the phloem panel only. Small ‘island’ phloem lesions, often in linear arrays adjacent to main lesions, were a common feature of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus spp. trees infected with P. ramorum or P. kernoviae. Island lesions were often connected by underlying strips or intermittent pits of discoloured xylem in line with the wood grain. Phytophthora ramorum, P. kernoviae and other Phytophthora spp. were successfully isolated from these connecting xylem features with P. ramorum and P. kernoviae also recovered from discoloured tissue 5–25 mm below exposed xylem surfaces 24–27 months after the overlying phloem was removed. These results show that these pathogens commonly occupy xylem beneath phloem lesions; that they can perennate in xylem tissue; that they can spread in xylem tissue ahead of phloem lesions; and indicate that they may initiate new phloem lesions in this way. Such colonization must lead to at least local xylem dysfunction. It is recommended that, if xylem discoloration is present, isolation of the Phytophthora sp. should be attempted from the xylem as well as the bark; also, that removal of infected outer sapwood should be undertaken during excision of bleeding lesions for disease control and in protocols aimed at preventing national or international spread of these tree stem pathogens.
Two weather‐based models for predicting the onset of seasonal release of ascospores of Leptosphaeria maculans or L. biglobosa
Authors: Salam M. U. , Fitt B. D. L. , Aubertot J. ‐N. , Diggle A. J. , Huang Y. J. , Barbetti M. J. , Gladders P. , Jȩdryczka M. , Khangura R. K. , Wratten N. , Fernando W. G. D. , Penaud A. , Pinochet X. , Sivasithamparam K. 
Published: January 2007

Weather‐based models (Improved Blackleg Sporacle and SporacleEzy) to predict the date of onset of seasonal release from oilseed rape debris of ascospores of Leptosphaeria maculans or L. biglobosa, causes of phoma stem canker, were developed and tested with data from diverse environments in Australia, Canada, France, Poland and the UK. Parameters were estimated, using the same datasets from experiments in the UK and Poland, with an accuracy of root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of 7·4 (with a bias of −4·54, L. maculans) and 8·5 (with a bias of 0·30, L. biglobosa) days for Improved Blackleg Sporacle, and of 2·9 (with a bias of −0·06, L. maculans) and 7·3 (with a bias of −1·18, L. biglobosa) days for SporacleEzy. When tested with data independent of those used for parameter estimation, overall predictions agreed well with observed data in five countries, both for Improved Blackleg Sporacle (R2 = 0·96, slope = 1·00, standard error = 0·03, P > 0·05, n = 46) and SporacleEzy (R2 = 0·96, slope = 0·98, standard error = 0·03, P > 0·05, n = 46). However, SporacleEzy performed better in Australia, Canada, Poland and the UK (RMSD = 10·6, 9·7, 5·4 and 3·4 days, respectively) than Improved Blackleg Sporacle (RMSD = 11·7, 11·0, 5·6 and 6·5 days, respectively). In contrast, the prediction from Improved Blackleg Sporacle (RMSD = 8·0 days) was better in France than that from SporacleEzy (RMSD = 15·9 days). Sensitivity analysis showed that better parameter estimation could improve the quality of prediction of SporacleEzy (RMSD = 7·6 days) under French conditions. These models are capable of estimating the first seasonal release of ascospores of organisms causing phoma stem canker on oilseed rape under many climates and thus could contribute to development of strategies for control of the disease.
Function of phytochelatin synthase in catabolism of glutathione‐conjugates
Authors: Blum Ralph , Beck Andreas , Korte Arthur , Stengel Anna , Letzel Thomas , Lendzian Klaus , Grill Erwin 
Published: January 2007

SummaryDetoxification of xenobiotic compounds and heavy metals is a pivotal capacity of organisms, in which glutathione (GSH) plays an important role. In plants, electrophilic herbicides are conjugated to the thiol group of GSH, and heavy metal ions form complexes as thiolates with GSH‐derived phytochelatins (PCs). In both detoxification processes of plants, phytochelatin synthase (PCS) emerges as a key player. The enzyme is activated by heavy metal ions and catalyzes PC formation from GSH by transferring glutamylcysteinyl residues (γ‐EC) onto GSH. In this study with Arabidopsis, we show that PCS plays a role in the plant‐specific catabolism of glutathione conjugates (GS‐conjugates). In contrast to animals, breakdown of GS‐conjugates in plants can be initiated by cleavage of the carboxyterminal glycine residue that leads to the generation of the correspondingγ‐EC‐conjugate. We used the xenobiotic bimane in order to follow GS‐conjugate turnover. Functional knockout of the two PCS of Arabidopsis, AtPCS1 and AtPCS2, revealed that AtPCS1 provides a major activity responsible for conversion of the fluorescent bimane‐GS‐conjugate (GS‐bimane) intoγ‐EC‐bimane. AtPCS1 deficiency resulted in aγ‐EC‐bimane deficiency. Transfection of PCS‐deficient cells withAtPCS1recoveredγ‐EC‐bimane levels. The level of theγ‐EC‐bimane conjugate was enhanced several‐fold in the presence of Cd2+ions in the wild type, but not in the PCS‐deficient double mutant, consistent with a PCS‐catalyzed GS‐conjugate turnover. Thus AtPCS1 has two cellular functions: mediating both heavy metal tolerance and GS‐conjugate degradation.