bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological shifts in Southeast Asian prostitution: the long twentieth century
Authors: Tagliacozzo Eric 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis article examines the history of prostitution as a regional phenomenon in Southeast Asia over the course of the twentieth century. I argue that this institution changed shape several times during that period, and that a number of rubrics might be employed to best study this evolution. The first part of the article looks at some of the traditional parameters of prostitution as it was practised both in island and mainland Southeast Asia, while the second part of the essay traces some new developments in the burgeoning colonial age. The third part of the piece then looks at war-time prostitution as a separate phenomenon from these earlier developments, while the fourth examines the rise of sex tourism in the region, partially as an offshoot of these same armed conflicts in the middle decades of the century. Finally, the last section of the article looks at how borders, cities, and economic inequalities have acted upon each other in today’s world to change the shape of regional prostitution in Southeast Asia yet again.
Host plants and associated trophobionts of the weaver ants
Oecophylla
spp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Authors: Lim G. T. , Kirton L. G. , Salom S. M. , Kok L. T. , Fell R. D. , Pfeiffer D. G. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Weaver ants (
Oecophylla
spp.) are often found on plants with insect symbionts (trophobionts), but the extent of such associations is not known. Examination of literature records of weaver ant host plants from 1900 to 2006 revealed that
Oecophylla smaragdina
, native to Asia, was recorded on 175 plant species in 46 families, with 28 associated trophobiont species in 7 families.
Oecophylla longinoda
, native to Africa, was recorded on 66 plant species in 34 families with 17 associated trophobiont species in 6 families. Both
Oecophylla
spp. shared host records on 17 economically important plant species. Such host plants could be used to augment establishment of weaver ants, facilitating their role as deterrents of phytophagous insect pests of economically important plants.
O. smaragdina
-tended trophobionts were recorded associating with the ants on several crops but rarely considered to be pests. Thus, the risk of trophobionts associated with
Oecophylla
ants being pests is considered minimal.
Large-core needle biopsy versus fine-needle aspiration biopsy in solid breast lesions: comparison of costs and diagnostic value
Authors: Vimpeli S.-M. , Saarenmaa I. , Huhtala H. , Soimakallio S. 
Published: July 2008

Background: In the current climate of budget constraints and personnel shortages, hospitals are required to demonstrate ever-greater cost effectiveness. In the diagnosis of breast lesions, it is useful to compare the costs and benefits of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and core-needle biopsy (CNB). Purpose: To determine the total costs of FNAB and CNB of breast lesions, and to compare the costs and diagnostic value of these methods. Material and Methods: The material consisted of 688 breast lesion cases from a Finnish breast-imaging unit. All cases underwent FNAB and/or CNB. Based on the primary biopsy method used, the cases were allocated to the FNAB ( n=590) or CNB ( n=98) group. Data on costs, sensitivity, and specificity were used to compare the cost effectiveness of the two methods. Results: 590 FNABs were performed in the FNAB group and 98 CNBs in the CNB group. In addition, we needed 78 CNBs in the FNAB group and 11 FNABs in the CNB group for further assessment. The false-negative rate for FNAB was 19% and for CNB 11%; the false-positive rates were 9% and 1%, respectively. The average cost of biopsies per case in the FNAB group was €66 and in the CNB group €221. FNAB was most expensive when performed under ultrasound guidance (€44.65) and CNB when performed under stereotactic guidance (€246.37). Conclusion: FNAB is a less reliable and less informative diagnostic method than CNB. Although a negative or indeterminate FNAB result requires follow-up or a re-biopsy with core needle, it is still a cost-effective procedure. Stereotactic guidance considerably increases the costs of CNB, and therefore US guidance should be used whenever possible.
Leaf Stripe and Stem Rot Caused by Burkholderia gladioli, a New Disease of Maize in México
Authors: Gijón-Hernandez A. , Téliz-Ortiz D. , Cárdenas-Soriano E. , De León C. , Mora-Aguilera A. , Mejía-Sánchez D. , De La Torre-Almaraz R. 
Published: July 2008

A new maize disease appeared in the State of Veracruz, Mexico during 2003–2004. Initial symptoms in the leaves were small, white-yellow, watery spots, which coalesced into dry necrotic stripes that were 0.3 wide and 8 cm long. Reddening sometimes developed on these leaves. Stems developed a rot in the crown. The flag leaf showed a rot and necrosis at the base, rolled inward, and dried out. Necrosis developed at the base of the corn ears and their growth was halted. A bacterium characterized by white colonies was consistently isolated from lesions on casamino acid peptone and glucose (CPG), King's medium B, and nutrient agar media. Ten isolates were chosen for further characterization. Pathogenicity was confirmed in the greenhouse (25 to 30°C) on 45-day-old ASGROW 7573 maize plants by injection of bacterial suspensions (107 CFU/ml) at the base of the stem. Control maize seedlings were injected with phosphate buffer. Symptoms similar to those observed in the field were observed after 3 days on all inoculated plants but were not observed on control plants. Koch's postulates were fulfilled with reisolation of the inoculated strain from the inoculated tissues and confirmation was fulfilled by phenotypic characters and 16S rDNA sequences. The white colonies on CPG were slightly convex, shiny, circular with entire margins, gram negative, lacked arginine dihydrolase, did not produce fluorescent pigment on Pseudomonas F medium, and grew aerobically. The strains were able to utilize l-arabinose, d-mannitol, and cellobiose, but unable to utilize d-maltose and l-rhamnose. Gel hydrolysis was positive but starch hydrolysis was not positive. Colonies grew at 40°C. These characteristics are the same as those described previously for Burkholderia gladioli (3). The identity of these isolates was confirmed by 16S analysis with two universal primers, FD1 and RD1, for Eubacteria (2), which generate a 1,600-bp fragment. Two primers specific for the genus Burhkolderia, RHG-F and RHG-R that generate a 500-bp fragment (1) were also used for amplification. Comparison of sequences using Clustal W and Megaline, DNAstar software showed 100% similarity among strains isolated from the three counties (GenBank Accession Nos. EU161873 to EU161878) and 99% similarity of field isolates with B. gladioli in the GenBank database. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. gladioli causing leaf stripe and stem rot of maize in Mexico. References: (1) J. J. Lipuma et al. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37:3167, 1999. (2) L. M. Rodrigues et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69:4249, 2003. 3) N. W. Shaad et al., eds. 3rd ed. Laboratory Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2001.
GR24, a Synthetic Analog of Strigolactones, Stimulates the Mitosis and Growth of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal FungusGigaspora roseaby Boosting Its Energy Metabolism
Authors: Besserer Arnaud , Bécard Guillaume , Jauneau Alain , Roux Christophe , Séjalon-Delmas Nathalie 
Published: July 2008

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are obligate biotrophs that participate in a highly beneficial root symbiosis with 80% of land plants. Strigolactones are trace molecules in plant root exudates that are perceived by AM fungi at subnanomolar concentrations. Within just a few hours, they were shown to stimulate fungal mitochondria, spore germination, and branching of germinating hyphae. In this study we show that treatment of Gigaspora rosea with a strigolactone analog (GR24) causes a rapid increase in the NADH concentration, the NADH dehydrogenase activity, and the ATP content of the fungal cell. This fully and rapidly (within minutes) activated oxidative metabolism does not require new gene expression. Up-regulation of the genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism and hyphal growth, and stimulation of the fungal mitotic activity, take place several days after this initial boost to the cellular energy of the fungus. Such a rapid and powerful action of GR24 on G. rosea cells suggests that strigolactones are important plant signals involved in switching AM fungi toward full germination and a presymbiotic state.
Mobilization of Rubisco and Stroma-Localized Fluorescent Proteins of Chloroplasts to the Vacuole by anATGGene-Dependent Autophagic Process
Authors: Ishida Hiroyuki , Yoshimoto Kohki , Izumi Masanori , Reisen Daniel , Yano Yuichi , Makino Amane , Ohsumi Yoshinori , Hanson Maureen R. , Mae Tadahiko 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDuring senescence and at times of stress, plants can mobilize needed nitrogen from chloroplasts in leaves to other organs. Much of the total leaf nitrogen is allocated to the most abundant plant protein, Rubisco. While bulk degradation of the cytosol and organelles in plants occurs by autophagy, the role of autophagy in the degradation of chloroplast proteins is still unclear. We have visualized the fate of Rubisco, stroma-targeted green fluorescent protein (GFP) and DsRed, and GFP-labeled Rubisco in order to investigate the involvement of autophagy in the mobilization of stromal proteins to the vacuole. Using immunoelectron microscopy, we previously demonstrated that Rubisco is released from the chloroplast into Rubisco-containing bodies (RCBs) in naturally senescent leaves. When leaves of transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants expressing stroma-targeted fluorescent proteins were incubated with concanamycin A to inhibit vacuolar H+-ATPase activity, spherical bodies exhibiting GFP or DsRed fluorescence without chlorophyll fluorescence were observed in the vacuolar lumen. Double-labeled immunoelectron microscopy with anti-Rubisco and anti-GFP antibodies confirmed that the fluorescent bodies correspond to RCBs. RCBs could also be visualized using GFP-labeled Rubisco directly. RCBs were not observed in leaves of a T-DNA insertion mutant in ATG5, one of the essential genes for autophagy. Stroma-targeted DsRed and GFP-ATG8 fusion proteins were observed together in autophagic bodies in the vacuole. We conclude that Rubisco and stroma-targeted fluorescent proteins can be mobilized to the vacuole through an ATG gene-dependent autophagic process without prior chloroplast destruction.
SENSITIVE TO FREEZING6 Integrates Cellular and Environmental Inputs to the Plant Circadian Clock
Authors: Knight Heather , Thomson Adrian J.W. , McWatters Harriet G. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The sensitive to freezing6 (sfr6) mutant of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is late flowering in long days due to reduced expression of components in the photoperiodic flowering pathway in long-day photoperiods. Microarray analysis of gene expression showed that a circadian clock-associated motif, the evening element, was overrepresented in promoters of genes down-regulated in sfr6 plants. Analysis of leaf movement rhythms found sfr6 plants showed a sucrose (Suc)-dependent long period phenotype; unlike wild-type Arabidopsis, the clock in sfr6 plants did not have a shorter rhythm in the presence of Suc. Other developmental responses to Suc were unaltered in sfr6 plants, suggesting insensitivity to Suc is restricted to the clock. We investigated the effect of sfr6 and Suc upon clock gene expression over 24 h. The sfr6 mutation resulted in reduced expression of the clock components CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1, GIGANTEA, and TIMING OF CAB1. These changes occurred independently of Suc supplementation. Wild-type plants showed small increases in clock gene expression in the presence of Suc; this response to Suc was reduced in sfr6 plants. This study shows that large changes in level and timing of clock gene expression may have little effect upon clock outputs. Moreover, although Suc influences the period and accuracy of the Arabidopsis clock, it results in relatively minor changes in clock gene expression.
The Medium‐Chain Dehydrogenase/Reductase Engineering Database: A systematic analysis of a diverse protein family to understand sequence–structure–function relationship
Authors: Knoll Michael , Pleiss Jürgen 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe Medium‐Chain Dehydrogenase/Reductase Engineering Database (MDRED, http://www.mdred.uni‐stuttgart.de) has been established to serve as an analysis tool for a systematic investigation of sequence–structure–function relationships. It includes sequence and structure information of 2684 and 42 medium‐chain dehydrogenases/reductases (MDRs), respectively. Although MDRs are very diverse in sequence, they have a conserved tertiary structure. MDRs are assigned to 199 homologous families and 29 superfamilies. For each family, annotated multiple sequence alignments are provided, and functionally relevant residues are annotated. Twenty‐five superfamilies were classified as zinc‐containing MDRs, four as non‐zinc‐containing MDRs. For the zinc‐containing MDRs, three subclasses were identified by systematic analysis of a variable loop region, the quaternary structure determining loop (QSDL): the class of short, medium, and long QSDL, which include 11, 3, and 5 superfamilies, respectively. The length of the QSDL is predictive for tetramer (short QSDL) and dimer (long QSDL) formation. The class of medium QSDL includes both tetrameric and dimeric MDRs. The shape of the substrate‐binding site is highly conserved in all zinc‐containing MDRs with the exception of two variable regions, the substrate recognition sites (SRS): two residues located on the QSDL (SRS1) and, for the class of long QSDL, one residue located in the catalytic domain (SRS2). The MDRED is the first online‐accessible resource of MDRs that integrates information on sequence, structure, and function. Annotation of functionally relevant residues assist the understanding of sequence–structure–function relationships. Thus, the MDRED serves as a valuable tool to identify potential hotspots for engineering properties such as substrate specificity.
Bullous pemphigoid with a prolonged prodrome
Authors: NAKATANI Tomomi , INAOKI Makoto , TAKEHARA Kazuhiko 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTBullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering skin disease of the elderly that may be preceded by a pruritic, urticarial or eczematous eruption. We report a case of bullous pemphigoid preceded by prodromal eczematous eruptions that lasted an unusually long time of 11 years. Elderly patients with persistent pruritic or eczematous eruption of unknown etiology should be carefully followed, as bullous pemphigoid may be a potential diagnosis.
Palisading granuloma presenting in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: OHTSUKA Tsutomu 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTA patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed a distinctive nodular eruption demonstrating typical features of palisading granuloma is presented herein. A 60‐year‐old woman was admitted complaining of an elastic‐hard, indurated nodule on the right dorsal aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint of her third finger with a history of several years. She was successfully treated for her lupus nephritis with oral predonisolone. She had experienced erythema on her cheeks after sun exposure and polyarthralgia for a decade. Laboratory examination revealed positive results for antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor. Peripheral blood cell counts showed leukocytopenia and lymphocytopenia. Results of hand X‐ray were unremarkable. Histological examination of the skin biopsy specimen from the nodule revealed a structure composed of a central area of fibrinoid necrosis, surrounded by a middle zone of palisading cells and an outer zone of chronic lymphocyte infiltrate. These findings led us to the histological diagnosis of palisading granuloma. She was diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with a rheumatoid nodule. She is currently under treatment with cyclophosphamide (50 mg/day) without exaggeration of her systemic lupus erythematosus and nodule.
Cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with idiopathic myelofibrosis
Authors: MIYATA Toshiko , MASUZAWA Mikio , KATSUOKA Kensei , HIGASHIHARA Masaaki 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTIdiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder and some cases of IM have extramedullary hematopoiesis. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is commonly seen in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes, but cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis (CEH) is very rare in cases of IM. We report a case of CEH in a 65‐year‐old Japanese woman with IM. This patient had many hard brownish nodules on her chest, abdomen and scalp. Histopathological examination of the nodule on her chest showed the existence of various stages of immature erythrocytes, leukocytes and megakaryocytes indicating that these hard nodules showed extramedullary hematopoiesis in the dermis. The proliferation of these immature cells in the dermis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CEH. CEH is a very rare manifestation of IM and progresses slowly.
Adult cutaneous alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma on the face diagnosed by the expression of PAX3‐FKHR gene fusion transcripts
Authors: NAKAGAWA Noboru , TSUDA Tatsuya , YAMAMOTO Mika , ITO Takaaki , FUTANI Hiroshi , YAMANISHI Kiyofumi 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTA 26‐year‐old woman presented with an indurated subcutaneous tumor on her left cheek. The histology was compatible with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, but immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were negative for desmin, α‐smooth muscle actin and α‐Sr‐1, but were positive for CD56, vimentin and myogenin. The diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma was confirmed by the detection of PAX3‐FKHR fusion gene transcripts in the paraffin‐embedded tumor tissue. The tumor was unresponsive to chemotherapy with pirarubicin, carboplatin and ifosfamide, and the patient died 9 months after the diagnosis. This adult case of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma primarily occurring on the face is very rare, and the detection of PAX3‐FKHR fusion gene transcripts was useful for diagnosis of the disease.
Azaspirene, a fungal product, inhibits angiogenesis by blocking Raf‐1 activation
Authors: Asami Yukihiro , Kakeya Hideaki , Komi Yusuke , Kojima Soichi , Nishikawa Kiyohiro , Beebe Kristin , Neckers Len , Osada Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2008

Angiogenesis is an inevitable event in tumor progression and metastasis, and thus has been a compelling target for cancer therapy in recent years. Effective inhibition of tumor progression and metastasis could become a promising way to treat tumor‐induced angiogenesis. We discovered that a fungus, Neosartorya sp., isolated from a soil sample, produced a new angiogenesis inhibitor, which we designated azaspirene. Azaspirene was previously shown to inhibit human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at an effective dose, 100% of 27 µmol/L without significant cell toxicity. In the present study, we investigated the antiangiogenic activity of azaspirene in vivo. Azaspirene treatment reduced the number of tumor‐induced blood vessels. Administration of azaspirene at 30 µg/egg resulted in inhibition of angiogenesis (23.6–45.3% maximum inhibition relative to the controls) in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay. Next, we elucidated the molecular mechanism of antiangiogenesis of azaspirene. We investigated the effects of azaspirene on VEGF‐induced activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway in HUVEC. In vitro experiments indicated that azaspirene suppressed Raf‐1 activation induced by VEGF without affecting the activation of kinase insert domain‐containing receptor/fetal liver kinase 1 (VEGF receptor 2). Additionally, azaspirene preferentially inhibited the growth of HUVEC but not that of the non‐vascular endothelial cells NIH3T3, HeLa, MSS31, and MCF‐7. Taken together, these results demonstrate that azaspirene is a novel inhibitor of angiogenesis and Raf‐1 activation that contains a unique carbon skeleton in its molecular structure. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1853–1858)
The impact of alcohol use on depressive symptoms in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patients†
Authors: Sullivan Lynn E. , Saitz Richard , Cheng Debbie M. , Libman Howard , Nunes David , Samet Jeffrey H. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the impact of alcohol use on depressive symptoms in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients.Design  Data were collected at 6‐month intervals and analyzed to evaluate the association between alcohol dependence and consumption on depressive symptoms using longitudinal mixed‐effects regression models controlling for specified covariates.Measurements  The two independent variables were current alcohol dependence assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and past month consumption (heavy versus not heavy drinking) using a validated calendar‐based method. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D).Participants  HIV‐infected adults with current or past alcohol problems.Findings  Alcohol dependence and heavy alcohol use were significantly associated with higher CES‐D scores in unadjusted models. In adjusted analyses, the association of current alcohol dependence persisted [mean difference in CES‐D was 3.49 for dependence versus non‐dependence; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76–5.22]; however, the effect of heavy drinking was no longer statistically significant (mean difference in CES‐D was 1.04 for heavy versus not heavy drinking; 95% CI: −0.24–2.32).Conclusions  Alcohol use is associated with more depressive symptoms in HIV‐infected patients with alcohol problems. This association remains significant after adjusting for potential confounders only when alcohol use meets the criteria for alcohol dependence.
Toll‐like receptor 2 and nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐2 play divergent roles in the recognition of gut‐derived lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in dendritic cells
Authors: Zeuthen Louise Hjerrild , Fink Lisbeth Nielsen , Frøkiær Hanne 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe gut microbiota is vital in the maintenance of homeostasis in the gut immune system. Its diversity and composition play major roles in relation to allergies and inflammatory bowel diseases, and administration of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, has positive effects on these pathologies. However, the mechanisms behind the beneficial effects are largely unknown. Here we reveal divergent roles played by Toll‐like receptor‐2 (TLR2) and nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐2 (NOD2) in dendritic cell (DC) recognition of LAB. Murine bone‐marrow‐derived DC lacking NOD2 produce higher levels of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and reduced levels of IL‐12 and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in response to LAB. This indicates that peptidoglycan is partly responsible for the T helper type 1 skewing effect of certain LAB. Dendritic cells that are TLR2−/− produce less IL‐12 and TNF‐α and more IL‐10 in response to some strains of lactobacilli, while they produce more IL‐12 and less IL‐10 in response to bifidobacteria. The same tendency was found in human monocyte‐derived DC. We have previously reported that the weak IL‐12‐inducing and TNF‐α‐inducing bifidobacteria inhibit the T helper type 1 skewing effect induced by strong immunostimulatory lactobacilli. Here we show that this immunoinhibitory effect of bifidobacteria is dependent on TLR2 and independent of NOD2. Moreover, independently of the cytokine pattern induced by intact LAB, cell wall fractions of all LAB, as well as synthetic lipoproteins possess immunoinhibitory capacities in both human and murine DC. These novel findings suggest that LAB act as immunoregulators through interaction of lipoprotein with TLR2 and as immunostimulators through interaction of peptidoglycan with NOD2.