bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Variation of δ13C of Four Tree Species: A Biological Integrator of Environmental Variables
Authors: LI Hai‐Tao , XIA Jun , XIANG Le , LIANG Tao , LIU Qi‐Jing 
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Foliar δ13C values, an indicator of long‐term intercellular carbon dioxide concentration and, thus, of long‐term water use efficiency (WUE) in plants, were measured for Pinus massoniana Lamb., P. elliottii Engelm., Cunninghamia laceolata (Lamb.) Hook., and Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. in a restored forest ecosystem in the Jiazhu River Basin. Seasonal variation and the relationship between the foliar δ13C values of the four species and environmental factors (monthly total precipitation, monthly average air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, and monthly total solar radiation and evaporation) were investigated. The monthly δ13C values and WUE of the four species increased with increasing precipitation, air temperature, solar radiation, and evaporation, whereas δ13C values of the four species decreased with increasing relative humidity and atmospheric pressure. Despite significant differences in δ13C seasonal means for the four species, our results demonstrate a significant convergence in the responses of δ13C values and WUE to seasonal variations in environmental factors among the species investigated and that the δ13C signature for each species gives a strong indication of environmental variables.(Managing editor: Ping HE)
Isolation and Characterization of Copia‐like Retrotransposons from 12 Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) Cultivars
Authors: TAO Neng‐Guo , XU Juan , CHENG Yun‐Jiang , HONG Liu , GUO Wen‐Wu , YI Hua‐Lin , DENG Xiu‐Xin 
Published: December 2005

Abstract: As the largest transposable element in the plant genome, retrotransposons are thought to be involved in citrus genetic instability and genome evolution, especially in sweet orange, which is prone to bud mutation. In the present study, the presence of copia‐like retrotransposons, their heterogeneity, genomic distribution, and transcriptional activities in Citrus were investigated in 12 sweet orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) cultivars using a PCR assay designed to detect copia‐like reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences. Twelve amplification products from each cultivar were cloned and sequenced. The cloned sequences showed great heterogeneity, except “Dream” navel and “Hamlin”, both of which shared the same sequence. Frame shifting, termination, deletion, and substitution accounted for the heterogeneity of RT sequences. Southern blot hybridization using the RT1 clone from the “Cara Cara” navel as a probe showed that multiple copies were integrated throughout the sweet orange genomes, which made the retrotransposon possible an effective molecular marker to detect citrus evolution events and to reveal its relationship with bud mutation. No transcriptional activities of the retrotransposon were detected by RT‐PCR and Northern analysis in the fruits and leaves of either “Cara Cara” or “Seike” navels.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui ZHAO)
Photosynthetic, Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Tomato Plants to Polyethylene Glycol‐Induced Water Deficit
Authors: ZGALLAÏ Hatem , STEPPE Kathy , LEMEUR Raoul 
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000)‐induced water deficit causes physiological as well as biochemical changes in plants. The present study reports on the results of such changes in hydroponically grown tomato plants (Ly coper sicon esculentum Mill. cv. Nikita). Plants were subjected to moderate and severe levels of water stress (i.e. water potentials in the nutrient solution of‐0.51 and‐1.22 MPa, respectively). Water stress markedly affected the parameters of gas exchange. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn) decreased with the induction of water stress. Accordingly, a decrease in the transpiration rate (E) was observed. The ratio of both (Pn/E) resulted in a decrease in water use efficiency. One of the possible reasons for the reduction in Pn is structural damage to the thylakoids, which affects the photosynthetic transport of electrons. This was indicated by an increase in non‐photochemical quenching and a reduction in the quantum yield of photosystem II. Furthermore, a decrease in both leaf water potential and leaf osmotic potential was observed, which resulted in a significant osmotic adjustment during stress conditions. Analysis of the physiological responses was complemented with a study on changes in proline content. In stressed plants, a 10‐fold increase in proline content was detected compared with control plants. It is clear that water stress tolerance is the result of a cumulative action of various physiological and biochemical processes, all of which were affected by PEG 6000‐induced water stress.(Managing editor: Ping HE)
KINETICS OF INACTIVATION OFESCHERICHIA COLIIN CARROT JUICE BY PULSED ELECTRIC FIELD
Authors: ZHONG KUI , CHEN FANG , WU JIHONG , WANG ZHENGFU , LIAO XIAOJUN , HU XIAOSONG , ZHANG ZHENHUA 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTThe inactivation kinetics ofEscherichia coliinoculated into carrot juice by pulsed electric field (PEF) was investigated, and the experimental data were fitted to Hülsheger and Peleg models. The electric field strength ranged from 5 to 20 kV/cm, and the number of pulses was from 207 to 1449. The level ofE. coliinactivation increased with the increment of the electric field strength and the number of pulses. As the number of pulses increased, the kinetic constantsbEandEca(Hülsheger model) varied from 0.2429 to 0.5778 cm/kV and from 7.1301 to 5.7842 kV/cm, respectively. ThekandEcbobtained using the Peleg model varied from 2.3277 to 1.4725 kV/cm and from 12.2523 to 7.4755 kV/cm, respectively. The fitting performance of the two models was evaluated by using a series of indices including accuracy factor, bias factor, sum of the squares of the differences of the natural logarithm of the observed and predicted data, correlation coefficient and the root mean square error between the observed and the predicted data. A comparison among these corresponding parameters indicates that the Peleg model better describes the inactivation kinetics ofE. coliby PEF than the Hülsheger model.
Evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of theI Promise Program: a driving program for families with young new drivers
Authors: Votta E , MacKay M 
Published: December 2005

Objectives:To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of theI Promise Program(IPP), a driving program developed for families with young new drivers (YNDs).Design, setting, and subjects:The IPP consists of a contract between parents and YNDs and a rear window decal (sticker). Program acceptability was assessed through four focus groups with 40 young new drivers (YND), two with 19 parents of YNDs, and two with 15 community members. To determine whether the program’s design, materials, and procedures were working as planned, 51 families participated in a six month pilot project. Telephone and in-person interviews were conducted at months 1 and 6, respectively.Results:Participants had problems with the acceptability of the program’s underlying message; content, format, and language of the materials; program cost; and proposed participant incentives. Thirty eight (75%) families completed the six month pilot. Most YNDs (75%) and parents (85%) identified the contract as a useful communication tool. Despite positive initial reactions, 50% of YNDs did not recall the content of the contract after six months. Sixty eight percent of families had problems with the decal (for example, did not stay affixed, colors faded) and only 17% of YNDs reported a lasting impact on their driving. Only 20% of families chose to continue in the program after the pilot.Conclusions:These results highlight the importance of formative and process evaluation in the development of a new prevention strategy to assess a strategy’s acceptability and feasibility. In response to participants’ feedback, revisions made to the program’s materials and delivery model included making its two key components—the contract and decal—available online, independent of each other, and free of charge.
Estimating the incidence of hospitalized injurious falls: impact of varying case definitions: Table 1
Authors: Boufous S , Finch C 
Published: December 2005

Aim:To assess the validity of widely used approaches to estimate the incidence of hospitalized falls.Methods:Internal probabilistic data linkage of the 2000–01 New South Wales Inpatient Statistics Collection was used to identify first admissions for injurious falls.Results:Using data linkage techniques, a total of 20 883 (93.9%, 95% CI 93.5 to 94.2) cases were identified as first admission for injurious falls corresponding to an incidence rate of 1161.4 per 100 000. The exclusion of non-acute admissions approach provided the best estimate of incidence (1185.4 per 100 000 people). When comparing the performance of different approaches to identifying first admissions to that of the data linkage “gold standard”, the method based on the transfer variable performed best in terms of sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions:All the examined approaches have relatively low specificity raising questions about their use. The introduction of a unique patient identifier and the date of injury in hospital discharge datasets would facilitate the identification of incident cases of fall related hospitalizations.
THEORETICAL ISSUES OF SEARCHING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS: A BIRD'S EYE VIEW
Authors: AMIR AMIHOOD 
Published: December 2005

We review some pattern matching algorithms and techniques motivated by the discrete theory of image processing. The problem inspiring this research is that of searching an aerial photograph for all appearances of some object. The issues we discuss are digitization, local errors, rotation and scaling. We review deterministic serial techniques that were used for multidimensional pattern matching and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. We introduce the new geometric model that has been recently found to be extremely suitable for the theory of discrete image processing. We introduce some of the new algorithms developed in the geometric model and show their capability of efficiently solving hitherto open problems.
Intravascular survival of red cells coated with a mutated human anti-D antibody engineered to lack destructive activity
Authors: Armour Kathryn L. , Parry-Jones David R. , Beharry Nigel , Ballinger James R. , Mushens Rosey , Williams R. Keith , Beatty Cynthia , Stanworth Simon , Lloyd-Evans Paul , Scott Marion , Clark Michael R. , Peters A. Michael , Williamson Lorna M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAlloimmune feto-maternal destruction of blood cells is thought to be mediated by binding of alloantibodies to Fc receptors on effector cells. Blocking the antigen using inert antibodies might prolong cell survival. We have performed a “proof of principle” study in volunteers to measure the intravascular survival of autologous red cells coated with human recombinant IgG antibody containing a novel constant region, G1Δnab, devoid of in vitro cytotoxic activity. RhD-positive red blood cells (RBCs), labeled with chromium-51 or technetium-99m, were separately coated to equal levels with wild-type IgG1 or G1Δnab anti-D antibody (Fog-1). After re-injection, there was complete, irreversible clearance of IgG1-coated RBCs by 200 minutes, concomitant with appearance of radiolabel in plasma. Gamma camera imaging revealed accumulation in spleen and, at higher coating levels, in liver. In contrast, clearance of G1Δnab-coated cells was slower, incomplete, and transient, with whole blood counts falling to 7% to 38% injected dose by about 200 minutes before increasing to 12% to 67% thereafter. There was no appearance of plasma radiolabel and no hepatic accumulation. These findings suggest that G1Δnab-coated RBCs were not hemolysed but temporarily sequestered in the spleen and that our approach merits investigation in larger studies.
The soluble extracellular domain of EphB4 (sEphB4) antagonizes EphB4-EphrinB2 interaction, modulates angiogenesis, and inhibits tumor growth
Authors: Kertesz Nathalie , Krasnoperov Valery , Reddy Ramachandra , Leshanski Lucy , Kumar S. Ram , Zozulya Sergey , Gill Parkash S. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe receptor tyrosine kinase EphB4 and its ligand EphrinB2 play a crucial role in vascular development during embryogenesis. The soluble monomeric derivative of the extracellular domain of EphB4 (sEphB4) was designed as an antagonist of EphB4/EphrinB2 signaling. sEphB4 blocks activation of EphB4 and EphrinB2; suppresses endothelial cell migration, adhesion, and tube formation in vitro; and inhibits the angiogenic effects of various growth factors (VEGF and bFGF) in vivo. sEphB4 also inhibits tumor growth in murine tumor xenograft models. sEphB4 is thus a therapeutic candidate for vascular proliferative diseases and cancer.
Impact of mutations in the von Willebrand factor A2 domain on ADAMTS13-dependent proteolysis
Authors: Hassenpflug Wolf Achim , Budde Ulrich , Obser Tobias , Angerhaus Dorothea , Drewke Elke , Schneppenheim Sonja , Schneppenheim Reinhard 
Published: December 2005

AbstractClassical von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 2A, the most common qualitative defect of VWD, is caused by loss of high-molecular-weight multimers (HMWMs) of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Underlying mutations cluster in the A2 domain of VWF around its cleavage site for ADAMTS13. We investigated the impact of mutations commonly found in patients with VWD type 2A on ADAMTS13-dependent proteolysis of VWF. We used recombinant human ADAMTS13 (rhuADAMTS13) to digest recombinant full-length VWF and a VWF fragment spanning the VWF A1 through A3 domains, harboring 13 different VWD type 2A mutations (C1272S, G1505E, G1505R, S1506L, M1528V, R1569del, R1597W, V1607D, G1609R, I1628T, G1629E, G1631D, and E1638K). With the exception of G1505E and I1628T, all mutations in the VWF A2 domain increased specific proteolysis of VWF independent of the expression level. Proteolytic susceptibility of mutant VWF in vitro closely correlated with the in vivo phenotype in patients. The results imply that increased VWF susceptibility for ADAMTS13 is a constitutive property of classical VWD type 2A, thus explaining the pronounced proteolytic fragments and loss of HMWM seen in multimer analysis in patients.
Overexpression of HES-1 is not sufficient to impose T-cell differentiation on human hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Hoebeke Inge , De Smedt Magda , Van de Walle Inge , Reynvoet Katia , De Smet Greet , Plum Jean , Leclercq Georges 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
By retroviral overexpression of the Notch-1 intracellular domain (ICN) in human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), we have shown previously that Notch-1 signaling promotes the T-cell fate and inhibits the monocyte and B-cell fate in several in vitro and in vivo differentiation assays. Here, we investigated whether the effects of constitutively active Notch-1 can be mimicked by overexpression of its downstream target gene HES1. Upon HES-1 retroviral transduction, human CD34+ stem cells had a different outcome in the differentiation assays as compared to ICN-transduced cells. Although HES-1 induced a partial block in B-cell development, it did not inhibit monocyte development and did not promote T/NK-cell-lineage differentiation. On the contrary, a higher percentage of HES-1-transduced stem cells remained CD34+. These experiments indicate that HES-1 alone is not able to substitute for Notch-1 signaling to induce T-cell differentiation of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells.
Human neutrophil peptides induce interleukin-8 production through the P2Y6 signaling pathway
Authors: Khine Aye Aye , Del Sorbo Lorenzo , Vaschetto Rosanna , Voglis Stefanos , Tullis Elizabeth , Slutsky Arthur S. , Downey Gregory P. , Zhang Haibo 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAntimicrobial human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) play a pivotal role in innate host defense against a broad spectrum of prokaryotic pathogens. In addition, HNPs modulate cellular immune responses by producing the chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) in myeloid and epithelial cells and by exerting chemotaxis to T cells, immature dendritic cells, and monocytes. However, the mechanisms by which HNPs modulate the immune responses in the eukaryotic cells remain unclear. We demonstrated that, as with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and uridine diphosphate (UDP), HNP stimulation of human lung epithelial cells selectively induced IL-8 production in 10 pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines examined. HNP-induced IL-8 release was inhibited by treatment with the nucleotide receptor antagonists suramin and reactive blue. Transfection of lung epithelial cells with antisense oligonucleotides targeting specific purinergic P2Y receptors revealed that the P2Y6 (ligand of UDP) signaling pathway plays a predominant role in mediating HNP-induced IL-8 production.
Id helix-loop-helix proteins negatively regulate TRANCE-mediated osteoclast differentiation
Authors: Lee Junwon , Kim Kabsun , Kim Jung Ha , Jin Hye Mi , Choi Han Kyung , Lee Seoung-Hoon , Kook Hyun , Kim Kyung Keun , Yokota Yoshifumi , Lee Soo Young , Choi Yongwon , Kim Nacksung 
Published: December 2005

AbstractTumor necrosis factor (TNF)–related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE) induces osteoclast formation from monocyte/macrophage lineage cells via various transcription factors, including the Mi transcription factor (Mitf). Here, we show that inhibitors of differentiation/DNA binding (Ids), helix-loop-helix (HLH) transcription factors, negatively regulate TRANCE-induced osteoclast differentiation. Expression levels of Id1, Id2, and Id3 genes are significantly reduced by TRANCE during osteoclastogenesis. Interestingly, overexpression of the 3 Id genes in bone marrow–derived monocyte/macrophage lineage cells (BMMs) inhibits the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)–positive multinuclear osteoclasts, but it does not alter the ability of BMMs to either phagocytose or differentiate into dendritic cells (DCs). Overexpression of Id2 in BMMs attenuates the gene induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) and osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) during TRANCE-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, Id proteins interact with Mitf, a basic HLH (bHLH) transcription factor, and inhibit its transactivation of OSCAR, which is a costimulatory receptor expressed by osteoclast precursors, by attenuating the DNA binding ability of Mitf to the E-box site of the OSCAR promoter. Taken together, our results reveal both a new facet of negative regulation, mediated by Id proteins, as well as the mechanism whereby TRANCE signaling overcomes it, allowing osteoclastogenesis to proceed.
Multiple phosphorylation events control mitotic degradation of the muscle transcription factor Myf5
Authors: Doucet Christine , Gutierrez Gustavo J , Lindon Catherine , Lorca Thierry , Lledo Gwendaline , Pinset Christian , Coux Olivier 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
The two myogenic regulatory factors Myf5 and MyoD are basic helix-loop-helix muscle transcription factors undergoing differential cell cycle dependent proteolysis in proliferating myoblasts. This regulated degradation results in the striking expression of these two factors at distinct phases of the cell cycle, and suggests that their precise and alternated disappearance is an important feature of myoblasts, maybe connected to the maintenance of the proliferative status and/or commitment to the myogenic lineage of these cells. One way to understand the biological function(s) of the cyclic expression of these proteins is to specifically alter their degradation, and to analyze the effects of their stabilization on cells. To this aim, we undertook the biochemical analysis of the mechanisms governing Myf5 mitotic degradation, using heterologous systems.

Results
We show here that mitotic degradation of Myf5 is conserved in non-myogenic cells, and is thus strictly under the control of the cell cycle apparatus. Using Xenopus egg extracts as an in vitro system to dissect the main steps of Myf5 mitotic proteolysis, we show that (1) Myf5 stability is regulated by a complex interplay of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, probably involving various kinases and phosphatases, (2) Myf5 is ubiquitylated in mitotic extracts, and this is a prerequisite to its degradation by the proteasome and (3) at least in the Xenopus system, the E3 responsible for its mitotic degradation is not the APC/C (the major E3 during mitosis).

Conclusion
Altogether, our data strongly suggest that the mitotic degradation of Myf5 by the ubiquitin-proteasome system is precisely controlled by multiple phosphorylation of the protein, and that the APC/C is not involved in this process.
Evolution and origin of merlin, the product of the Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor-suppressor gene
Authors: Golovnina Kseniya , Blinov Alexander , Akhmametyeva Elena M , Omelyanchuk Leonid V , Chang Long-Sheng 
Published: December 2005

Abstract

Background
Merlin, the product of the Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene, belongs to the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) subgroup of the protein 4.1 superfamily, which links cell surface glycoproteins to the actin cytoskeleton. While merlin's functional activity has been examined in mammalian and Drosophila models, little is understood about its evolution, diversity, and overall distribution among different taxa.

Results
By combining bioinformatic and phylogenetic approaches, we demonstrate that merlin homologs are present across a wide range of metazoan lineages. While the phylogenetic tree shows a monophyletic origin of the ERM family, the origin of the merlin proteins is robustly separated from that of the ERM proteins. The derivation of merlin is thought to be in early metazoa. We have also observed the expansion of the ERM-like proteins within the vertebrate clade, which occurred after its separation from Urochordata (Ciona intestinalis). Amino acid sequence alignment reveals the absence of an actin-binding site in the C-terminal region of all merlin proteins from various species but the presence of a conserved internal binding site in the N-terminal domain of the merlin and ERM proteins. In addition, a more conserved pattern of amino acid residues is found in the region containing the so-called "Blue Box," although some amino acid substitutions in this region exist in the merlin sequences of worms, fish, and Ciona. Examination of sequence variability at functionally significant sites, including the serine-518 residue, the phosphorylation of which modulates merlin's intra-molecular association and function as a tumor suppressor, identifies several potentially important sites that are conserved among all merlin proteins but divergent in the ERM proteins. Secondary structure prediction reveals the presence of a conserved α-helical domain in the central to C-terminal region of the merlin proteins of various species. The conserved residues and structures identified correspond to the important sites highlighted by the available crystal structures of the merlin and ERM proteins. Furthermore, analysis of the merlin gene structures from various organisms reveals the increase of gene length during evolution due to the expansion of introns; however, a reduction of intron number and length appears to occur in the merlin gene of the insect group.

Conclusion
Our results demonstrate a monophyletic origin of the merlin proteins with their root in the early metazoa. The overall similarity among the primary and secondary structures of all merlin proteins and the conservation of several functionally important residues suggest a universal role for merlin in a wide range of metazoa.