bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visualization of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate in the plasma membrane of suspension‐cultured tobacco BY‐2 cells and whole Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Van Leeuwen Wessel , Vermeer Joop E.M. , Gadella Theodorus W.J. , Munnik Teun 
Published: October 2007

SummaryPhosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] is an important signalling lipid in mammalian cells, where it functions as a second‐messenger precursor in response to agonist‐dependent activation of phospholipase C (PLC) but also operates as a signalling molecule on its own. Much of the recent knowledge about it has come from a new technique to visualize PtdIns(4,5)P2in vivo, by expressing a green or yellow fluorescent protein (GFP or YFP) fused to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of human PLCδ1 that specifically binds PtdIns(4,5)P2. In this way, YFP‐PHPLCδ1 has been shown to predominantly label the plasma membrane and to transiently translocate into the cytoplasm upon PLC activation in a variety of mammalian cell systems. In plants, biochemical studies have shown that PtdIns(4,5)P2 is present in very small quantities, but knowledge of its localization and function is still very limited. In this study, we have used YFP‐PHPLCδ1 to try monitoring PtdIns(4,5)P2/PLC signalling in stably‐transformed tobacco Bright Yellow‐2 (BY‐2) cells and Arabidopsis seedlings. In both plant systems, no detrimental effects were observed, indicating that overexpression of the biosensor did not interfere with the function of PtdIns(4,5)P2. Confocal imaging revealed that most of the YFP‐PHPLCδ1 fluorescence was present in the cytoplasm, and not in the plasma membrane as in mammalian cells. Nonetheless, four conditions were found in which YFP‐PHPLCδ1 was concentrated at the plasma membrane: (i) upon treatment with the PLC inhibitor U73122; (ii) in response to salt stress; (iii) as a gradient at the tip of growing root hairs; (iv) during the final stage of a BY‐2 cell division. We conclude that PtdIns(4,5)P2, as in animals, is present in the plasma membrane of plants, but that its concentration in most cells is too low to be detected by YFP‐PHPLCδ1. Hence, the reporter remains unbound in the cytosol, making it unsuitable to monitor PLC signalling. Nonetheless, YFP‐PHPLCδ1 is a valuable plant PtdIns(4,5)P2 reporter, for it highlights specific cells and conditions where this lipid becomes abnormally concentrated in membranes, raising the question of what it is doing there. New roles for PtdIns(4,5)P2 in plant cell signalling are discussed.
Restoration of DWF4 expression to the leaf margin of a dwf4 mutant is sufficient to restore leaf shape but not size: the role of the margin in leaf development
Authors: Reinhardt Beate , Hänggi Emanuel , Müller Sabrine , Bauch Marion , Wyrzykowska Joanna , Kerstetter Randall , Poethig Scott , Fleming Andrew J. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe role of the margin in leaf development has been debated over a number of years. To investigate the molecular basis of events in the margin, we performed an enhancer trap screen to identify genes specifically expressed in this tissue. Analysis of one of these lines revealed abnormal differentiation in the margin, accompanied by an abnormal leaf size and shape. Further analysis revealed that this phenotype was due to insertion of the trap into DWF4, which encodes a key enzyme in brassinolide biosynthesis. Transcripts for this gene accumulated in a specific and dynamic pattern in the epidermis of young leaf primordia. Targeted expression of DWF4 to a subset of these cells (the leaf margin) in a dwf4 mutant background led to both restoration of differentiation of a specific group of leaf cells (margin cells) and restoration of wild‐type leaf shape (but not leaf size). Ablation of these cells led to abrogation of leaf development and the formation of small round leaves. These data support the hypothesis that events in the margin play an essential role in leaf morphogenesis, and implicate brassinolide in the margin as a key mediator in the control of leaf shape, separable from a general function of this growth factor in the control of organ size.
Suffering in psoriasis patients: its relation with illness severity and subjective well‐being
Authors: Reimus J. L. M. , Vingerhoets A. J. J. M. , Soons P. H. G. M. , Korstanje M. J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjective The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship among subjective illness impact, subjective well‐being, and psoriasis severity as assessed by dermatologists. Furthermore, subjective well‐being of psoriasis patients was compared to available norm data.Methods Fifty‐nine psoriasis patients participated in this study. The following measures were administered: (a) the Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure – Revised (PRISM‐R), yielding Self‐Illness Separation (SIS), and Illness Perception Measure (IPM); (b) subjective health status; (c) life satisfaction, and (d) psychological well‐being. In addition, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was determined by dermatologists.Results Psoriasis patients scored significantly below the norm data on subjective health status and psychological well‐being. No differences were found concerning life satisfaction.PASI failed to correlate significantly with any of the disease impact and subjective health measures. Neither did SIS correlate significantly with any of the subjective health measures, whereas IPM was negatively associated with subjective health status, life satisfaction, and psychologic well‐being. In a regression analysis with PASI as the dependent measures, none of the subjective health measures showed up as a relevant predictor.Conclusion In comparison with the norm data, psoriasis patients report less subjective health status and well‐being whereas their life satisfaction is not affected. There is no clear association among illness impact, subjective well‐being, and illness severity as assessed by dermatologists.
Recent advances in medical dermatology
Authors: Clark Lily N. , Lebwohl Mark 
Published: October 2007

AbstractCollectively, new developments in the field of medical dermatology will ultimately lead to improved patient care. We review several new findings in the dermatologic literature including the following: new questions regarding the malignant potential of anti‐tumor necrosis factor agents, which are widely used for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis as well as psoriatic arthritis; anti‐interleulin‐12, a promising anticytokine for the treatment of psoriasis; diagnostic advances in the detection of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis; advances in the primary prevention of human papillomavirus and herpes zoster; and new therapeutic options with existing medications for neuropathic pain and pruritus.
Is nitric oxide involved in the pathophysiology of essential hyperhidrosis?
Authors: Karaca Semsettin , Kulac Mustafa , Uz Efkan , Barutcu Irfan , Yilmaz H. Ramazan 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  Essential hyperhidrosis (EH) is a disorder of excessive, bilateral, and relatively symmetric sweating occurring in the axillae, palms, soles, or craniofacial region without obvious etiology. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in eccrine clear cells, reported by an immunohistochemical technique, has suggested that nitric oxide (NO) may play a role in the physiology of production and/or excretion of sweat in the human skin eccrine gland.Aim  To determine plasma NO levels in patients with EH and healthy controls.Methods  We assessed the levels of plasma NO in patients with EH (n = 31) in comparison with those in age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (n = 28). Total nitrite (nitrite + nitrate) was measured by a spectrophotometer at 545 nm after the conversion of nitrate to nitrite by copperized cadmium granules.Results  Plasma NO levels were found to be significantly increased in EH patients in comparison with the control group (P = 0.0001).Conclusions  These findings indicate a possible role of increased plasma NO levels in the pathophysiology of EH.
Practical guidelines for the management of toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens–Johnson syndrome
Authors: Fromowitz Jeffrey S. , Ramos‐Caro Francisco A. , Flowers Franklin P. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractToxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens–Johnson syndrome are acute life‐threatening dermatoses characterized by extensive sloughing and mucositis. At the University of Florida, we use practical guidelines for the management of these gravely ill patients. These can be of help to other practitioners.
The percentage of patients achieving PASI 75 after 1 month and remission time after climatotherapy at the Dead Sea
Authors: Harari Marco , Novack Lena , Barth Joachim , David Michael , Friger Michael , Moses Shimon W. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  Dead Sea climatotherapy (DSC) is a highly effective treatment for psoriasis; however, there are scanty data concerning the duration of post‐therapy remission.Objective  Assessment of the duration of remission in patients suffering from plaque‐type psoriasis after a 4‐week DSC.Methods  Sixty‐four patients from Germany (66% men; average age: 41.5 years) underwent a 4‐week course of DSC between September 2001 and November 2002. After returning home, patients were asked to inform their dermatologist immediately when new lesions appeared. In parallel, they were called every 3 months by telephone. All patients who reported new skin lesions underwent a physical examination, including a Psoriasis Assessment Severity Index (PASI).Outcomes  (1) Time of recurrence of a psoriatic lesion after complete or almost complete clearance, defined as duration of remission; (2) time that elapsed until a relapse of 50% of the PASI improvement occurred, defined as duration of therapeutic effect.Results  Mean PASI value before and after treatment was 31.7 and 1.42, showing a 95.5% improvement. All patients reached PASI 50, and 75.9% of them reached PASI 75 after 1 month of DSC. The median time of remission was 23.1 weeks. The median time of duration of therapeutic effect was 33.6 weeks. Statistical multivariable analysis indicated that a patient's younger age at the time of treatment was associated with a longer period of remission.Conclusion   Four‐week DSC is an effective remittive treatment for plaque‐type psoriasis. The period of remission induced compares favorably with other accepted modalities of treatment.
Dermoscopic features of accessory nipples
Authors: Oztas Murat Orhan , Gurer Mehmet Ali 
Published: October 2007

Case 1  A 27‐year‐old woman presented with a 6 × 6 mm, soft, pink–brown papule located on the right axilla (Fig. 1). Dermoscopic examination showed a central scar‐like white‐colored area, a cleft‐like appearance in the central area, and a fine pigment network in the periphery of the lesion (Fig. 2).Clinical appearance of Case 1imageDermoscopic appearance of Case 1 (Arrow → Cleft responding to nipple tip)imageCase 2  A 5‐year‐old girl presented with a 4 × 4 mm pink nodule on her left abdominal region. Dermoscopic examination showed a central scar‐like white‐colored area, and a fine pigment network in the periphery of the lesion.Case 3  An 18‐year‐old man presented to our outpatient clinic suffering from a firm, tender, painful, 7 × 7 mm brownish pink nodule located on his left hypochondrium. Upon dermoscopic examination, a central white scar‐like area was detected. A cleft‐like appearance was also detected in the central region. In the periphery of the lesion, there was a fine pigment network.Case 4  An 8‐year‐old girl reported to our outpatient clinic with a congenital 5 × 5 mm brownish papule on her right inguinal region. Dermoscopic examination showed a central white scar‐like area, a cleft‐like appearance in the central region, and a fine pigment network in the periphery of the lesion (Fig. 3).Dermoscopic appearance of Case 4 (Arrows → Cleft responding to nipple tip)imageCase 5  A 2‐month‐old girl was referred to our pigmented lesions clinic with a 3 × 3 mm brownish pink papule located on the right subcostal region lesion that had been noted by a pediatrician. Dermoscopic examination showed a central white area, central streak, and a very faint pigmented network at the periphery.
Etanercept for the treatment of refractory pyoderma gangrenosum: a brief series
Authors: Charles Carlos A. , Leon Argentina , Banta Meggan R. , Kirsner Robert S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. Therapy for PG involves local wound care along with topical and systemic anti‐inflammatory and other immunodulatory agents. Etanercept is one such immunomodulator with activity against the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor.Objective  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in the treatment of PG ulcers.Methods  A retrospective analysis was performed on seven patients with 11 refractory PG ulcers treated with subcutaneous injections of etanercept (25–50 mg twice weekly).Results  All seven patients with PG responded well to etanercept. Eight of the 11 ulcers (73%) completely healed with the mean time of (12.5 weeks), while the other three ulcers had marked reduction in size (within 8–18 weeks). Etanercept was well tolerated. No serious side‐effects were reported. Only one patient discontinued the drug secondary to side‐effects.Conclusion  Etanercept is an alternative treatment option for patients with refractory ulcers due to PG.
Clinical and molecular analysis of NF‐κB essential modulator in Chinese incontinentia pigmenti patients
Authors: Zou Chao Chun , Zhao Zheng Yan 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjective  To analyze clinical manifestation and gene of NF‐κB essential modulator (NEMO) in 12 pediatric incontinentia pigmenti (IP) patients.Methods  Twelve pediatric probands with three of their mothers were enrolled in this study. Physical examinations were undertaken for all patients and questionnaires requesting additional medical and developmental data were sent to the patients’ families. The deletion of exon 4–10 and all 10 exons of NEMO gene were analyzed in these cases. Skin biopsy was performed in one case.Results  All 15 patients had skin pigmentation abnormality and were diagnosed according to classic skin lesions. The prevalence of the dental, neurologic system, hair abnormality, and definite family history were 80.0%, 41.67%, 58.33%, and 25.0%, respectively. Histopathological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of IP with ectodermal dysplasia. In NEMO gene, deletion of exons 4–10 were noted in three cases and two of their mothers. A deletion of 19545 T in exon 6 was noted in one case and her mother. A 21690 T to C mutation in intron 8 of NEMO were found in another one case and her mother.Conclusion  The results suggest that skin lesion are the most prominent findings in clinics and the traditional diagnosis of IP is based on classic melanin pigmentation. Nucleotide deletion of exons 4–10 and single nucleotide mutation/polymorphism were found in these patients, which might account for etiopathogenesis of IP.
HUMAN GENETIC STUDY: Association analysis of genes encoding the nociceptin receptor (OPRL1) and its endogenous ligand (PNOC) with alcohol or illicit drug dependence
Authors: Xuei Xiaoling , Flury‐Wetherill Leah , Almasy Laura , Bierut Laura , Tischfield Jay , Schuckit Marc , Nurnberger John I. , Foroud Tatiana , Edenberg Howard J. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTRecent studies in animal models have shown that the nociceptin system, comprising nociceptin (or OFQ/N, encoded byPNOC) and the nociceptin receptor (an opioid receptor‐like protein encoded byOPRL1), may be involved in alcohol and other drug reward pathways. To determine whether the nociceptin system is associated with alcohol or illicit drug dependence in humans, we analyzed 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inOPRL1and 15 SNPs inPNOCin a sample of 1923 European Americans from 219 multiplex alcohol dependent families ascertained by the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. The SNPs spanned both genes and several kb of their flanking sequences, and were in high linkage disequilibrium. Neither gene was associated with alcohol or illicit drug dependence, although two SNPs inPNOCshowed marginal association with alcoholism and one with illicit drug dependence (P = 0.04–0.05). Secondary analyses suggested that two adjacent SNPs in intron 1 ofOPRL1were marginally associated with opioid dependence (P = 0.05); none of the SNPs inPNOCwere associated with opioid dependence.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Changes in leptin, ghrelin, growth hormone and neuropeptide‐Y after an acute model of MDMA and methamphetamine exposure in rats
Authors: Kobeissy Firas H. , Jeung Jennifer A. , Warren Matthew W. , Geier Jacqueline E. , Gold Mark S. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTClub drug abuse is a growing problem in the United States. Beyond addiction and toxicity are endocrine effects which are not well characterized. Specifically, the changes in appetite following exposure to drugs of abuse are an interesting but poorly understood phenomenon. Serum hormones such as leptin, ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), and neuropeptide‐Y (NP‐Y) are known to affect appetite, but have not been studied extensively with drugs of abuse. In this work, we examine the effects of club drugs 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (ecstasy) and methamphetamine (METH) (doses of 5, 20 and 40 mg/kg) on serum concentrations of these hormones in adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after drug administration. In a dose‐dependent manner, MDMA was shown to cause transient significant decreases in serum leptin and GH followed by a base line recovery after 24 hours. Conversely, serum ghrelin increased and normalized after 24 hours. Interestingly, serum NP‐Y showed a steady decrease in both treatment of MDMA and METH at different time points and dosages. In humans, abuse of these drugs reduces eating. As evident from these data, acute administration of METH and MDMA had significant effects on different serum hormone levels involved in appetite regulation. Future studies should be performed to see how chronic, low dose drug administration would affect hormone levels and try to answer questions about the physiological mechanisms involved in the anorexic paradigm observed in drug use.
REVIEW: HPA‐axis activity in alcoholism: examples for a gene–environment interaction
Authors: Clarke Toni‐Kim , Treutlein Jens , Zimmermann Ulrich S. , Kiefer Falk , Skowronek Markus H. , Rietschel Marcella , Mann Karl , Schumann Gunter 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTGenetic and environmental influences are both known to be causal factors in the development and maintenance of substance abuse disorders. This review aims to focus on the contributions of genetic and environmental research to the understanding of alcoholism and how gene–environment interactions result in a variety of addiction phenotypes. Gene–environment interactions have been reviewed by focusing on one of the most relevant environmental risk factors for alcoholism, stress. This is examined in more detail by reviewing the functioning of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and its genetic and molecular components in this disorder. Recent evidence from animal and human studies have shown that the effects of stress on alcohol drinking are mediated by core HPA axis genes and are associated with genetic variations in those genes. The findings of the studies discussed here suggest that the collaborations of neuroscience, psychobiology and molecular genetics provide a promising framework to elucidate the exact mechanisms of gene–environment interactions as seen to convene upon the HPA axis and effect phenotypes of addiction.
Unprecedented chromosomal diversity and behaviour modify linkage patterns and speciation potential: structural heterozygosity in an Australian spider
Authors: SHARP H. E. , ROWELL D. M. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe Huntsman spider Delena cancerides shows an extraordinary level of chromosomal diversity and meiotic complexity. Some populations form normal bivalents at male meiosis, but 14 populations form chains of chromosomes. Six of these populations form two chains, and so show segregation behaviour which is beyond our current understanding of meiotic processes. Chromosomal variation of this sort is rarely tolerated in other species, because the segregation of long chromosome chains frequently results in gametes with too many or too few chromosomes. The resulting reproductive failure may form the basis for reproductive isolation in many species, and so the mechanisms that allow D. cancerides to segregate long chromosome chains have allowed this species to maintain cohesion despite extensive chromosomal variation over its range. The effect these chromosome chains have on the population genetics of the species is discussed, and a model for the evolution of the system is proposed.
Avirulent isolate of the pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, survives 7 months in asymptomatic host seedlings
Authors: Takeuchi Y. , Futai K. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryAn avirulent isolate (C14‐5) of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was inoculated onto 45 seedlings of the susceptible host Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) and its viability was investigated. The nematode survived inside host seedlings for approximately 7 months even when the host seemed to overcome the infection based on lack of foliar wilting and the observation of normal oleoresin flow.
Seiridium cardinale on Juniperus species in Greece
Authors: Tsopelas P. , Barnes I. , Wingfield M. J. , Xenopoulos S. 
Published: October 2007

Summary Seiridium cardinale, the cause of cypress canker disease, was found on Juniperus foetidissima, J. excelsa, J. oxycedrus and J. phoenicea, in a number of natural juniper woodlands in Greece. The presence of infections was sporadic in most cases, with a limited number of plants affected by the pathogen. At one locality in the Prespes Lakes region of northern Greece, however, the incidence of infection was very high, especially on J. foetidissima and J. excelsa. The identity of S. cardinale was confirmed using morphological characters and comparisons of DNA sequences for the β‐tubulin gene region. The pathogenicity of S. cardinale isolates from Juniperus and Cupressus was verified in cross‐inoculation trials on both potted and field grown plants.
Analysis of the Antimicrobial Activity of Flavonoids and Saponins Isolated from the Shoots of Oats (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Bahraminejad S. , Asenstorfer R. E. , Riley I. T. , Schultz C. J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractCrude extracts from the shoots of oat cv. Quoll were tested against four species of bacteria and eight species of fungi. Bacterial growth was not inhibited. The mycelia growth of all Pyrenophora species tested, except Pyrenophora avenae DAR 33699, was inhibited by the crude extract, whereas the mycelia growth of Fusarium graminearum, Mycosphaerella pinodes and Rhizoctonia solani was not affected. Partially purified fractions with high concentrations of flavone‐C‐glycosides had no inhibitory effect against P. teresf. sp. teres and P. teres f. sp. maculata. The saponin 26‐desglucoavenacoside B accounted for most of the activity against P. teres f. sp. teres with a minor contribution from the other saponins, 26‐desglucoavenacoside A and avenacosides A and B.