bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE PREVALENCE OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIES IN PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA AND THEIR CLOSE RELATIVES
Authors: HAGUE WILLIAM M. , ADAMS JUDITH , RODDA CHRISTINE , BROOK CHARLES G. D. , DE BRUYN ROSE , GRANT DAVID B. , JACOBS HOWARD S. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYSeventy‐seven female patients (36 adults and 41 children aged under 16 years) with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) were assessed using pelvic ultrasound, as well as with standard endocrine tests and HLA typing. Forty‐six close female relatives were also tested for ovarian morphology using ultrasound after assessment of their heterozygous state using HLA typing. The association of CAH with ultrasonically detected polycystic ovaries (PCO) was confirmed in 30/36(83%) adult patients, 4/10 (40%) postpubertal girls and 1/31 (3%) pre and peripubertal girls: in all, 35/46 (76%) postmenarcheal patients. Six out of nine (67%>) pre‐menopausal mothers of patients with PCO, and 8/10 (80%) sisters of patients with PCO also had PCO. The proportions of both CAH patients and heterozygote subjects with PCO were significantly greater than that found in a normal population (P<00.001). The finding, however, of two homozygous non‐CAH‐affected adult sisters with PCO and, conversely, of 10 heterozygous adult relatives and of 12 postmenarcheal CAH patients with normal ovaries, indicates that the ovarian morphological change may be independent of the adrenal lesion.
DECREASED HDL CHOLESTEROL IN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM: THE EFFECT OF L‐THYROXINE THERAPY
Authors: CARON Ph. , CALAZEL C. , PARRA H. J. , HOFF M. , LOUVET J. P. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYThyroid function and lipid tests were measured in 29 premenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism. This group was compared with 41 euthyroid women matched for age and metabolic parameters. In basal condition there was no difference in thyroid hormone levels between the two groups except for TSH concentration (P<0.01). Total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein (apo A1, A2, B) of women with subclinical hypothyroidism were not different from controls. HDL cholesterol was significantly decreased in subclinical hypothyroidism compared to the controls (P<0.01). With thyroxine therapy, normalization of serum TSH was associated with (1) no significant change in total cholesterol and triglycerides, (2) an increase of HDL cholesterol (P<0.01) and apoprotein Al (P<0.05) levels. Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio was increased in subclinical hypothyroidism (P<0.01). During L‐thyroxine therapy this ratio returned to normal value. Decreased HDL cholesterol concentration might cause coronary heart disease reported in women with subclinical hypothyroidism.
CIRCULATING BIOACTIVE FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE AND IMMUNOREACTIVE INHIBIN LEVELS DURING THE NORMAL HUMAN MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Authors: REDDI K. , WICKINGS E. J. , McNEILLY A. S. , BAIRD D. T. , HILLIER S. G. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYTo examine the relationship between circulating levels of bioactive FSH (B‐FSH) and immunoactive inhibin and oestradiol we studied five women during ovulatory cycles. Daily blood samples were collected from each subject during one menstrual cycle. B‐FSH was measured using a modified, highly sensitive in‐vitro rat granulosa cell bioassay. The inclusion of IGF‐1 (10 μg/1) and transferrin (50 mg/I) in the assay system enhanced granulosa ceil responsiveness to FSH and resulted in increased assay sensitivity. Inhibin was measured by a heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) using an antibody raised against 31 kDa bovine inhibin. Bioactive FSH (B‐FSH) levels were closely correlated to those of immunoactive FSH (I‐FSH, r = 0.79, P<0001) throughout the cycle. Peak levels of B‐FSH were observed during the early follicular phase (day –13, 44.7 ± 9.6 IU/1, mean ± SEM) and during the midcycle surge (35.2 ± 6.2 IU/1); lowest levels occurring during the luteal phase (nadir 3.9 ± 0.27 IU/1). Plasma oestradiol levels increased significantly during the follicular phase (P<0.001) to a peak on day – 1 and were negatively correlated with B‐FSH during the late follicular phase (day –8 to – 1; r= –0.45. P<002). There was no change in the concentration of inhibin (range 55.3–72.3 U/1) during the follicular phase until day –2 after which an increase to a midcycle peak of 139± 10.6 U/1 was observed. No correlation was observed between inhibin and B‐FSH during the follicular phase. A second increase in the concentration of inhibin was seen during the luteal phase; peak levels occurred by day 6 (311 ±25.8 U/1), remained elevated until day 12, and were negatively correlated with B‐FSH (r=–0.53, P<0001). No correlation was observed between oestradiol and inhibin or B‐FSH during the luteal phase. We conclude that (1)
Egg size affects larval performance in a coleopteran parasitoid
Authors: BOIVIN GUY , GAUVIN MARIE‐JOSÉE 
Published: December 2008

Abstract 1. Optimal progeny size models assume that the more eggs a female produces, the lower the amount of resource allocated per egg. As egg size generally correlates with the fitness of the emerging immature, this trade‐off can be expressed as a choice between the production of numerous low quality or fewer high quality progeny.2. The first‐instar larvae of the coleopteran parasitoid Aleochara bilineata have to search for and parasitise dipteran pupae. The present study found a positive correlation between egg size and larval weight, but not between egg size and development time. Larger first‐instar larvae survived longer, were more active, and found and parasitised their host more rapidly.3. Female A. bilineata may invest smaller larvae in conditions of high host density and low intraspecific competition, but investing fewer, larger larvae would bring them more fitness when hosts are scarce and competition high.
Accumulation of heterocyclic nitrogen in humified organic matter: a 15N‐NMR study of lowland rice soils
Authors: Mahieu N. , Olk D. C. , Randall E. W. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryRecent intensification of cropping and the attendant longer submergence of the soil for lowland rice in tropical Asia appear to have altered the nature of the soil organic matter, and perhaps also nutrient cycling. To identify the dominant forms of organic nitrogen in the soils we extracted the labile mobile humic acid (MHA) and the more recalcitrant calcium humate (CaHA) fractions from soils under several long‐term field experiments in the Philippines and analysed them by 15N‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Amide N dominated the spectra of all humic acid (HA) samples (60–80% of total peak area). Its proportion of total spectral area increased with increasing intensity of cropping and length of time during which the soil was flooded and was greater in the MHA fraction than in the CaHA fraction. Simultaneously the spectral proportion of free amino N and other chemical shift regions decreased slightly with increasing length of submergence. Heterocyclic N was detected at modest proportions (7–22%) and was more prevalent in more humified samples, especially in the CaHA of aerated soils. Correlations of spectral proportions of heterocyclic N with other properties of the HA, reported elsewhere, were highly significant. Correlations were positive with visible light absorption (r= 0.86) and concentration of free radicals (r= 0.85), both of which are indices of humification, and negative with concentration of H (r= −0.86), a negative index of humification. Correlations of spectral proportions of amide N with these properties were also highly significant but in each case of opposite sign to that of heterocyclic N. Proportions of heterocyclic N declined with increasing duration of submergence. The results suggest that (i) 15N‐NMR can reproducibly measure some portion of heterocyclic N, (ii) formation of heterocyclic N is associated solely with gradual humification occurring over many years, and (iii) the abundant phenols in the submerged rice soils did not promote formation of heterocyclic N, and hence some other process is responsible for a substantial decrease in the availability of native N associated with intensive rice cropping.
Depth‐related variations in organic matter at the molecular level in a loamy soil: reference data for a long‐term experiment devoted to the carbon sequestration research field
Authors: Celerier J. , Rodier C. , Favetta P. , Lemee L. , Ambles A. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThree lipid fractions, namely the freely extractable fraction and those associated with humin and humic acid fractions, were obtained from the loamy soil of a carefully maintained long‐term experiment located on Deffend ORE field, Poitiers, France. The analyses showed differences in molecular distribution, suggesting different sources and diagenetic states of the source material. Despite a major input of plant material to the soil organic matter, intensive bacterial activity was suspected. Most distributions suggested an increase in the microbial/terrestrial lipid ratio from the free to humin to humic fractions. Molecular evidence of fungal activity, especially in the top layer, was also found in the distributions of n‐alkanes and n‐alkanoic acids. In the surface horizon A1 alkanes were the major compounds, followed by n‐alkanoic acids and sterols. The degraded horizons, poorer in organic matter, i.e. the A2 and B horizons, were dominated by long‐chain (>C20) n‐alkanoic acids with a strong even‐over‐odd predominance and C24 and C26n‐alkanols. Sterols had been removed from these horizons through degradation. A comparison of humic acid and humin composition on the basis of Py(methylation)‐GC‐MS showed that the two fractions produce partly similar pyrolysis products. Most prominent were molecules from plant and microbial carbohydrates, lignin building blocks and linear aliphatic (carboxylic acids, esters) and nitrogen compounds. The investigation showed that while low‐molecular‐weight soil lipids were highly dominated by compounds derived from the overlying vegetation, pyrolysis data from the corresponding high‐molecular‐weight fractions reflected the incorporation of microbial biomarkers into the humic‐type fractions.
Mass flowering oilseed rape improves early colony growth but not sexual reproduction of bumblebees
Authors: Westphal C. , Steffan‐Dewenter I. , Tscharntke T. 
Published: December 2008

Summary

Pollination is a vital ecosystem service, which is endangered by the ongoing declines of pollinators. These declines also affect bumblebees (Bombus spp.), which are important generalist pollinators in agricultural landscapes. Most studies focussing on the conservation of bumblebees have investigated the effects of local flower‐rich habitats on bumblebee density and diversity. However, bumblebee densities do not necessarily correlate with the colonies’ reproductive success (i.e. the presence or absence of males and/or queens).
We analysed the effects of landscape‐wide availability of mass flowering oilseed rape Brassica napus on the growth and sexual reproduction of Bombus terrestris colonies. Thirty‐two young colonies were established and monitored in different resource environments represented by 16 landscapes (circular study areas with 3000 m radius) with large or small amounts of oilseed rape. As an indicator of colony growth, we used weight gain, which was strongly correlated with the numbers of brood cells in the colonies.
The colonies gained significantly more weight in study areas with large amounts of oilseed rape particularly during early colony stages.
Despite early weight gain, the colonies in study areas with large amounts of oilseed rape did not reproduce more successfully. The frequencies of colonies that produced males and/or queens did not differ between the two resource environments.
Synthesis and applications. Early mass flowering oilseed rape has a beneficial effect on colony growth, which however, does not translate into a greater likelihood of colonies producing sexual offspring. This may be due to food plant scarcity later in the colony cycle. Conservation measures should enhance food plant availability in agricultural landscapes, particularly during the most critical phases of the colony cycle: the colony establishment in spring and the reproductive phase in mid‐ to late summer.
Structural insight into recruitment of translesion DNA polymerase Dpo4 to sliding clamp PCNA
Authors: Xing Guangxin , Kirouac Kevin , Shin Yoon Jung , Bell Stephen D. , Ling Hong 
Published: December 2008

SummaryDNA polymerases are co‐ordinated by sliding clamps (PCNA/β‐clamp) in translesion synthesis. It is unclear how these enzymes assemble on PCNA with geometric and functional compatibility. We report the crystal structure of a full‐length Y‐family polymerase, Dpo4, in complex with heterodimeric PCNA1–PCNA2 at 2.05 Å resolution. Dpo4 exhibits an extended conformation that differs from the Dpo4 structures in apo‐ or DNA‐bound form. Two hinges have been identified in Dpo4, which render the multidomain polymerase flexible conformations and orientations relative to PCNA. Dpo4 binds specifically to PCNA1 on the conserved ligand binding site. The C‐terminal peptide of Dpo4 becomes structured with a 310 helix and dominates the specific binding. The Y‐family polymerase also contacts PCNA1 with its finger, thumb and little finger domains, which are conformation‐dependent protein–protein interactions that diversify the binding mode of Dpo4 on PCNA. The structure reveals a molecular model in which substrate/partner binding‐coupled multiple conformations of a Y‐family polymerase facilitate its recruitment and co‐ordination on the sliding clamp. The conformational flexibility would turn the error‐prone Y‐family polymerase off when more efficient high‐fidelity DNA polymerases work on undamaged DNA and turn it onto DNA templates to perform translesion synthesis when replication forks are stalled by DNA lesions.
Extracellular signalling, translational control, two repressors and an activator all contribute to the regulation of methylenomycin production inStreptomyces coelicolor
Authors: O'Rourke Sean , Wietzorrek Andreas , Fowler Kay , Corre Christophe , Challis Greg L. , Chater Keith F. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBioinformatic analysis of the plasmid‐linked gene cluster associated with biosynthesis of methylenomycin (Mm) suggested that part of the cluster directs synthesis of a gamma‐butyrolactone‐like autoregulator. Autoregulator activity could be extracted from culture fluids, but differed from gamma‐butyrolactones in being alkali resistant. The activity has recently been shown to comprise a series of novel autoregulator molecules, the methylenomycin furans (termed MMF). MMF autoregulator activity is shown to account for the ability of certain Mm non‐producing mutants to act as ‘secretors’ in cosynthesis with other ‘convertor’ mutants. Three genes implicated in MMF biosynthesis are flanked by two regulatory genes, which are related to genes for gamma‐butyrolactone‐binding proteins. Genetic evidence suggests that these two genes encode components of a hetero‐oligomeric repressor of MMF and Mm biosynthesis. The Mm biosynthetic genes themselves depend on the activator genemmyB, which appears to be repressed by the putative MmyR/MmfR complex until enough MMF accumulates to release repression. The presence of TTA codons inmmyBand the main MMF biosynthetic gene causes Mm production to be dependent on the pleiotropically actingbldAgene, which encodes the tRNA for the rarely used UUA codon.
Agrobacterium VirB10 domain requirements for type IV secretion and T pilus biogenesis
Authors: Jakubowski Simon J. , Kerr Jennifer E. , Garza Isaac , Krishnamoorthy Vidhya , Bayliss Richard , Waksman Gabriel , Christie Peter J. 
Published: December 2008

Summary Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB10 couples inner membrane (IM) ATP energy consumption to substrate transfer through the VirB/D4 type IV secretion (T4S) channel and also mediates biogenesis of the virB‐encoded T pilus. Here, we determined the functional importance of VirB10 domains denoted as the: (i) N‐terminal cytoplasmic region, (ii) transmembrane (TM) α‐helix, (iii) proline‐rich region (PRR) and (iv) C‐terminal β‐barrel domain. Mutations conferring a transfer‐ and pilus‐minus (Tra‐, Pil‐) phenotype included PRR deletion and β‐barrel substitution mutations that prevented VirB10 interaction with the outer membrane (OM) VirB7–VirB9 channel complex. Mutations permissive for substrate transfer but blocking pilus production (Tra+, Pil‐) included a cytoplasmic domain deletion and TM domain insertion mutations. Another class of Tra+ mutations also selectively disrupted pilus biogenesis but caused release of pilin monomers to the milieu; these mutations included deletions of α‐helical projections extending from the β‐barrel domain. Our findings, together with results of Cys accessibility studies, indicate that VirB10 stably integrates into the IM, extends via its PRR across the periplasm, and interacts via its β‐barrel domain with the VirB7–VirB9 channel complex. The data further support a model that distinct domains of VirB10 regulate formation of the secretion channel or the T pilus.
The timely deposition of callose is essential for cytokinesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Thiele Knut , Wanner Gerhard , Kindzierski Viktoria , Jürgens Gerd , Mayer Ulrike , Pachl Fiona , Assaad Farhah F. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe primary plant cell wall is laid down over a brief period of time during cytokinesis. Initially, a membrane network forms at the equator of a dividing cell. The cross‐wall is then assembled and remodeled within this membrane compartment. Callose is the predominant luminal component of the nascent cross‐wall or cell plate, but is not a component of intact mature cell walls, which are composed primarily of cellulose, pectins and xyloglucans. Widely accepted models postulate that callose comprises a transient, rapid spreading force for the expansion of membrane networks during cytokinesis. In this study, we clone and characterize an Arabidopsis gene, MASSUE/AtGSL8, which encodes a putative callose synthase. massue mutants are seedling‐lethal and have a striking cytokinesis‐defective phenotype. Callose deposition was delayed in the cell plates of massue mutants. Mutant cells were occasionally bi‐ or multi‐nucleate, with cell‐wall stubs, and we frequently observed gaps at the junction between cross‐walls and parental cell walls. The results suggest that the timely deposition of callose is essential for the completion of plant cytokinesis. Surprisingly, confocal analysis revealed that the cell‐plate membrane compartment forms and expands, seemingly as far as the parental wall, prior to the appearance of callose. We discuss the possibility that callose may be required to establish a lasting connection between the nascent cross‐wall and the parental cell wall.
Successful resolution of dermatophyte mycetoma following terbinafine treatment in two cats
Authors: Nuttall T. J. , German A. J. , Holden S. L. , Hopkinson C. , McEwan N. A. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMicrosporum canissensitive to itraconazole and terbinafine was isolated from two cats presented with generalized dermatophytosis and dermatophyte mycetoma. Itraconazole therapy was withdrawn through lack of efficacy in one cat (a Persian) and unacceptable adverse effects in the other (a Maine Coon). Both cats achieved clinical and mycological cure after 12–14 weeks therapy with 26–31 mg kg−1terbinafine every 24 h per os (PO). Clinical signs in the Maine Coon resolved completely after 7 weeks treatment. Four weeks of therapy with additional weekly washes with a 2% chlorhexidine/2% miconazole shampoo following clipping produced a 98% reduction in the Persian cat's mycetoma, which was then surgically excised. Recurrent generalized dermatophytosis in the Persian cat has been managed with pulse therapy with 26 mg kg−1terbinafine every 24 h PO for 1 week in every month. No underlying conditions predisposing to dermatophytosis were found in either cat despite extensive investigation. Terbinafine administration was associated with mild to moderate lethargy in the Persian cat, but no other adverse effects or changes in blood parameters were seen. To the best of the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of a dermatophyte mycetoma in a Maine Coon and of successful resolution of this condition in cats following terbinafine therapy.
INF1 Elicitin Activates Jasmonic Acid‐ and Ethylene‐mediated Signalling Pathways and Induces Resistance to Bacterial Wilt Disease in Tomato
Authors: Kawamura Yoko , Hase Shu , Takenaka Shigehito , Kanayama Yoshinori , Yoshioka Hirofumi , Kamoun Sophien , Takahashi Hideki 
Published: December 2008

Abstract Phytophthora infestans, the cause of potato and tomato late blight disease, produces INF1 elicitin, a 10 kDa extracellular protein. INF1 induces a hypersensitive response (HR) and systemic acquired resistance in species of the Nicotiana genus and a few other genera. We analysed the response of tomato to INF1 and INF1S3, which has a Cys to Ser substitution at position 3 of the processed protein and therefore lacks HR induction activity in tobacco. No HR cell death was induced in either INF1‐ or INF1S3‐treated tomato leaves. The expression of salicylic acid (SA)‐responsive PR‐1a(P6) and PR‐2a genes was not induced by treatment with either INF1 or INF1S3. However, the expression of jasmonic acid (JA)‐responsive PR‐6 encoding proteinase inhibitor II, LeATL6 encoding ubiquitin ligase E3, and LOX‐E encoding lipoxygenase, was up‐regulated in tomato leaves treated with INF1 but not in those treated with INF1S3. Their induction was completely compromised in INF1‐treated jai1‐1 mutant tomato, in which the JA signalling pathway is impaired. The accumulation of ethylene (ET) and the expression of ET‐responsive genes were also induced in tomato by INF1 but not INF1S3 treatment. The activation of JA and ET‐mediated signals but not the SA‐mediated signalling in INF1‐treated tomato was also demonstrated by global gene expression analysis. INF1‐treated tomatoes, but not those treated with INF1S3, exhibited resistance to bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. Thus, INF1 seems to induce resistance to bacterial wilt disease in tomato and activate JA‐ and ET‐mediated signalling pathways without development of HR cell death.
Prognostic factors of persistently detectable PSA after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Naselli Angelo , Introini Carlo , Andreatta Rossana , Spina Bruno , Truini Mauro , Puppo Paolo 
Published: December 2008

Objectives:  To determine predictive factors of detectable prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) in patients submitted to radical prostatectomy (RP) and to define the prognostic role of this event.Methods:  A total of 318 patients who underwent RP between 2002 and 2007 were selected from our prospective database. Selection criteria were: no neo‐adjuvant therapy; surgical specimens analyzed and reviewed according to a standardized protocol by two pathologists; clinical stage T1,T2 or T3 N0; pathological stage T2–3/N0–1.Results:  Median age was 65. 22 years. All patients had a PSA greater than 20 ng/mL (6.9%). Fifty‐six patients had poorly differentiated prostate cancer at biopsy (17.6%) and 77 after pathological examination. Cancer stage was cT2/3 in 128 (40.2%) patients, pT3 in 79 (24.8%) patients and pN1 in 20 patients (6.2%). Surgical margins were positive in 89 cases (28%). Thirty‐three of the 318 patients had detectable PSA (10.3%) after RP. Multivariate analysis confirmed PSA (odds ratio 3.07; P = 0.0008), pT3a/b stage (odds ratio 2.72; P = 0.0466) and nodal metastasis (odds ratio 5.68; P = 0.0060) as independent predictors of detectable PSA after RP. Detectable PSA had a great impact on prognosis. Twenty‐four of these 33 patients experienced a PSA progression and needed a second treatment. In a multivariate model, detectable PSA functioned as an independent predictor of PSA progression (hazard ratio 4.54; P = 0.0000).Conclusions:  In our experience, a detectable PSA after RP can be predicted by preoperative PSA, pathological stage and nodal status. Moreover, it represents a significant risk factor of PSA progression. The strong imbalance towards risk factors of systemic disease supports the use of hormonal therapy in case of progression.