bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapidly progressing high o,p'DDD doses shorten the time required to reach the therapeutic threshold with an acceptable tolerance: preliminary results
Authors: Faggiano Antongiulio , Leboulleux Sophie , Young Jacques , Schlumberger Martin , Baudin Eric 
Published: December 2005

SummaryIntroduction  It has been reported that the therapeutic threshold of mitotane, plasma level above 14 µg/ml, is achieved within 3–5 months after o,p'DDD treatment initiation in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).Objective and design  We evaluated pharmacokinetic and tolerance of a high‐dose schedule of pure o,p'DDD treatment given in 500‐mg tablets of mitotane (Lysodren, Bristol–Myers Squibb, HRA Pharma, Paris, France) in four patients with ACC and two patients with Cushing's syndrome‐related endocrine tumours. It was administered at a starting dosage of 3 g/day, which was rapidly increased to 6–9 g/day within 2 weeks according to digestive tolerance and then adjusted according to tolerance and plasma o,p'DDD monitoring. Patients were followed up until they reached the therapeutic threshold of mitotane, and toxicity was recorded. A relationship between o,p'DDD dose and plasma level was sought.Results  The highest starting dosage given ranged between 6 and 9 g a day, during the first two weeks. The daily maintenance dose ranged 4·5–9 g during the next 2 weeks and 3–9 g by the second month of treatment. The therapeutic threshold was reached in all four patients who received o,p'DDD treatment for at least 1 month. Among these four patients, the toxic threshold (plasma mitotane level > 20 µg/ml) was even reached at 6 weeks of therapy in three patients. Grade 1, 2 or 3 toxicity was observed in 3, 2 and 1 patients, respectively. Toxicity resolved after reduction or discontinuation of o,p'DDD therapy. A significant linear correlation was found between plasma mitotane dose and plasma level.Conclusions  These results suggest that a high‐dose o,p'DDD therapeutic schedule is feasible with an acceptable toxicity and may shorten the time required to reach the therapeutic schedule from 3–5 months to 4 weeks. These patients require a close follow‐up, combining clinical and plasma o,p'DDD level monitoring every second week. A confirmatory study is ongoing.
Consequences of simultaneous elevation of carbon dioxide and temperature for plant–herbivore interactions: a metaanalysis
Authors: ZVEREVA E. L. , KOZLOV M. V. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe effects of elevated carbon dioxide on plant–herbivore interactions have been summarized in a number of narrative reviews and metaanalyses, while accompanying elevation of temperature has not received sufficient attention. The goal of our study is to search, by means of metaanalysis, for a general pattern in responses of herbivores, and plant characteristics important for herbivores, to simultaneous experimental increase of carbon dioxide and temperature (ECET) in comparison with both ambient conditions and responses to elevated CO2(EC) and temperature (ET) applied separately. Our database includes 42 papers describing studies of 31 plant species and seven herbivore species. Nitrogen concentration and C/N ratio in plants decreased under both EC and ECET treatments, whereas ET had no significant effect. Concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates and phenolics increased in EC, decreased in ET and did not change in ECET treatments, whereas terpenes did not respond to EC but increased in both ET and ECET; leaf toughness increased in both EC and ECET. Responses of defensive secondary compounds to treatments differed between woody and green tissues as well as between gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. Insect herbivore performance was adversely affected by EC, favoured by ET, and not modified by ECET. Our analysis allowed to distinguish three types of relationships between CO2and temperature elevation: (1) responses to EC do not depend on temperature (nitrogen, C/N, leaf toughness, phenolics in angiosperm leaves), (2) responses to EC are mitigated by ET (sugars and starch, terpenes in needles of gymnosperms, insect performance) and (3) effects emerge only under ECET (nitrogen in gymnosperms, and phenolics and terpenes in woody tissues). This result indicates that conclusions of CO2elevation studies cannot be directly extrapolated to a more realistic climate change scenario. The predicted negative effects of CO2elevation on herbivores are likely to be mitigated by temperature increase.
Determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption among 6–12‐year‐old children and effective interventions to increase consumption
Authors: Blanchette L. , Brug J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPurpose  To review the current literature about potential determinants of fruit and vegetable intakes and effective intervention strategies to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables among 6–12‐year‐old children.Methods  A structured review of literature located in PubMed and Psychinfo electronic literature databases.Results  Of all determinants, the availability and accessibility of fruit and vegetables and taste preferences were most consistently and most positively related to consumption. There was some evidence that parental fruit and vegetable intakes, knowledge of intake recommendations and skills had a positive association with children's intakes, whereas television viewing, exposure to television advertisement, and having a snack bar at school were associated with lower intakes of fruit and vegetables. Multi‐component school‐based interventions that combined classroom curriculum, parent and food service components showed the greatest promise for fruit and vegetable promotion among children. School fruit and vegetable subscription programmes, scout‐based interventions, and fruit and vegetables education via computer multi‐media channels also appear promising.Conclusions  Interventions should improve the availability and accessibility of fruit and vegetables to children, and should aim to improve their taste preferences for them. Such interventions should be of a multi‐component nature, school‐based or use other social channels and may include multi‐media channels.
Low temperature‐induced insecticidal activity of Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Bresolin Geraldine , Morgan J. Alun W. , Ilgen Denise , Scherer Siegfried , Fuchs Thilo M. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe insecticidal toxin complexes (Tcs) are produced by several Enterobacteriaceae associated with insects, such as Photorhabdus luminescens, Serratia entomophila and Xenorhabdus nematophilus. Genome sequences revealed tc‐like genes in Yersinia spp., but insecticidal activity of this genus associated with the toxins has not been described. Through the search for genes upregulated at low growth temperatures in Yersinia enterocolitica strain W22703, a genomic island of 19 kb termed tc‐PAIYe with homologues of the toxin genes tcaA, tcaB, tcaC and tccC was identified. Southern blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of 34 strains demonstrated that the tc‐PAIYe is present in biovars 2, 3 and 4, but neither in biovars 1A and 1B, nor in five Yersinia species apathogenic in humans. Using the luxCDABE operon as reporter, the expression of the toxin genes was shown to be completely repressed in cells cultured at 37°C, and to increase by 4.6 orders of magnitude when the growth temperature was decreased gradually to 10°C. These data provide the first indication that temperature is a critical parameter for induction or repression of tc gene transcription. Whole‐cell extracts of Y. enterocolitica strain W22703 cultivated at 10°C, but not at 30°C, led to insect mortality when fed to Manduca sexta larvae, in contrast to an insertional tcaA mutant. Overall the results suggest that the tc‐PAIYe could play an important role in the transmission and survival of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains outside mammalian hosts.
TmpA, a member of a novel family of putative membrane flavoproteins, regulates asexual development in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Soid‐Raggi Gabriela , Sánchez Olivia , Aguirre Jesús 
Published: December 2005

SummaryAsexual reproduction (conidiation) in Aspergillus nidulans is induced by environmental signals like exposure to air or nutrient starvation, and depends on brlA gene activation. The study of ‘fluffy’ mutants showing delayed asexual development and reduced brlA expression has defined the fluG pathway, involved in regulation of this differentiation process. Genetic characterization of a ‘fluffy’ mutant identified tmpA as a new gene involved in regulation of conidiation. TmpA defines a new family of putative transmembrane proteins of unknown function, widespread in filamentous fungi and plants, with homologues showing similarity to non‐ribosomal peptide synthetases. The deletion of tmpA resulted in decreased brlA expression and conidiation in air‐exposed colonies. This defect was suppressed when ΔtmpA mutants were grown next to wild‐type or ΔfluG mutant colonies, even without direct contact between hyphae. In liquid culture, tmpA was essential for conidiation induced by nitrogen but not by carbon starvation, whereas the overexpression of different tmpA tagged alleles resulted in conidiation. The overexpression of fluG‐induced conidiation independently of tmpA and ΔtmpAΔfluG double mutants showed an additive ‘fluffy’ phenotype, indicating that tmpA and fluG regulate asexual sporulation through different pathways. TmpA and its homologues appear to have diverged from the ferric reductase family, retaining overall transmembrane architecture, NAD(P), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and possibly haem‐binding domains. Based on our results, we propose that TmpA is a membrane oxidoreductase involved in the synthesis of a developmental signal.
Osmolyte‐induced transcription: −35 region elements and recognition by sigma38 (rpoS)
Authors: Rosenthal Adam Z. , Hu Minshan , Gralla Jay D. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryIn order to meet osmotic challenges in the gastrointestinal tract, enteric bacteria rapidly accumulate salts of glutamate and other weak organic acids. The ensuing transcriptional activation is mediated by unknown elements at sigma38 (rpoS)‐dependent promoters. Here we identify DNA elements needed for high levels of transcription in the presence of salt and acetate and show that they are associated with the −35 regions of target promoters. Unrelated −35 region sequences are shown to specify maximal salt‐challenged transcription at the otsB promoter and maximal acetate‐challenged transcription at the cfa promoter. Mutants in sigma38 are isolated that contribute to bypassing the salt response and most of these cluster in a small segment corresponding to the presumptive −35 DNA recognition determinant of the protein. Overall, the data suggest that an ensemble of −35 region elements exists at sigma38 promoters and these can help mediate responsiveness to physiological challenges through interactions involving region 4 of the sigma38 protein.
Hydraulic design of pine needles: one‐dimensional optimization for single‐vein leaves
Authors: ZWIENIECKI MACIEJ A. , STONE HOWARD A. , LEIGH ANDREA , BOYCE C. KEVIN , HOLBROOK N. MICHELE 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTSingle‐vein leaves have the simplest hydraulic design possible, yet even this linear water delivery system can be modulated to improve physiological performance. We determined the optimal distribution of transport capacity that minimizes pressure drop per given investment in xylem permeability along the needle for a given length without a change in total water delivery, or maximizes needle length for a given pressure difference between petiole and needle tip. This theory was tested by comparative analysis of the hydraulic design of three pine species that differ in the length of their needles [Pinus palustris (Engl.) Miller, ∼50 cm; Pinus ponderosa Lawson & Lawson, ∼20 cm and Pinus rigida Miller, ∼5 cm]. In all three species, the distribution of hydraulic permeability was similar to that predicted by the optimum solution. The needles of P. palustris showed an almost perfect match between predicted and actual hydraulic optimum solution, providing evidence that vein design is a significant factor in the hydraulic design of pine leaves.
Responses of spinach leaf mitochondria to low N availability
Authors: NOGUCHI KO , TERASHIMA ICHIRO 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTLow N availability induces carbohydrate accumulation in leaf cells, which often causes suppression of photosynthesis. Under low N supply, excess carbohydrates would be preferentially respired by the non‐phosphorylating pathways, such as the alternative oxidase (AOX) and uncoupling protein (UCP), which would suppress the excessive increase in the ratio of C to N (C/N ratio). In leaves, however, responses of these pathways to the low N stress are still unknown. We examined the mitochondrial respiratory pathways in spinach leaves grown at three different N availabilities to clarify whether the respiratory pathways change depending on the N availabilities. With the decrease in N availability, leaf respiratory rates per leaf area decreased, but the rates on the leaf N basis were comparable. Using fumarase activities of whole leaf extracts and isolated mitochondria, we estimated mitochondrial protein contents per leaf N. The contents increased with the decrease in the N availability, that is, at the low N availability, N was preferentially invested into mitochondria. On the mitochondrial protein basis, capacities of cytochrome pathway (CP) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) were comparable regardless of the N availabilities, whereas both AOX capacity and the amounts of AOX protein increased with the decrease in the N availability. Some enzymes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, especially NAD‐dependent malic enzyme (NAD–ME), showed higher capacities under lower N. On the other hand, amounts of UCP did not differ amongst the N availabilities. These results indicated that, under low N stress, AOX will be preferentially up‐regulated and will efficiently consume excess carbohydrates, which leads to suppressing the rise in the C/N ratio to a moderate level.
Elevation of plasma cholecystokinin concentration following a meal is increased by gonadectomy in male cats*
Authors: Backus R. C. , Kanchuk M. L. , Rogers Q. R. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryAn overweight or obese body condition commonly develops after gonadectomy (GX) in domestic cats. The cause appears to be a rapid, quantal (approximately 12%), increase in food intake that is sustained and probably mediated by withdrawal of gonadal hormone. Recently, an interaction of gonadal hormone and cholecystokinin (CCK) effectiveness has been suggested. A reduction in the satiating potency of intestinal CCK was presently hypothesized to contribute to the disturbance of food intake control caused by GX in domestic cats. Pre‐ and post‐prandial intestinal CCK secretion as indicated by plasma CCK concentrations were determined in 16 adult male cats (5.1 ± 0.1 kg) 8 weeks before and 57 weeks after eight of the cats were gonadectomized. Duringad libitumintake of a commercial dry, expanded diet, body weight increased from 22% to 28% in gonadectomized cats and was unchanged in intact cats. Baseline CCK concentrations were not different between gonadectomized and intact cats. Amounts of diet ingested during CCK determinations were 15–19% of daily metabolizable energy requirement and were not different between gonadectomized and intact cats. The post‐prandial area under the curve (AUC; 0–400 min) CCK concentration increased linearly with meal size (p < 0.01) and was not correlated with body weight. Area under the curve CCK concentration, when normalized for meal size, was 34% greater (p < 0.01) in gonadectomized cats than that in intact cats. The findings indicate GX increases meal‐induced intestinal CCK secretion and therefore, do not support the study hypothesis. The findings indicate GX may slow digestion and absorption and attenuate inhibition of food intake by CCK.
Gastric bypass and resolution of proteinuria in an obese diabetic patient
Authors: Izzedine H. , Coupaye M. , Reach I. , Deray G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThere is few human studies evidence that suggest a role for obesity in the formation and progression of glomerular lesions. We report the case of a morbidly obese female with diabetic nephropathy that was subsequently diagnosed with renal failure. Proteinuria resolved after gastric bypass procedure. The reduction of glomerular hyperfiltration and blood pressure associated with the important weight loss may be the major contributors to the decrease of proteinuria and serum creatinine levels in our patient.
Early detection of diabetic cardiomyopathy: usefulness of tissue Doppler imaging
Authors: Di Bonito P. , Moio N. , Cavuto L. , Covino G. , Murena E. , Scilla C. , Turco S. , Capaldo B. , Sibilio G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjective  The aim of the study was to evaluate whether tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) detects a pre‐clinical impairment of diastolic function in subjects with Type 2 diabetes with short duration of disease and normal cardiac function with conventional echocardiography (CE), and whether echocardiographic parameters are related to metabolic abnormalities.Patients and methods  We studied 40 non‐obese, normotensive, uncomplicated Type 2 diabetic subjects with short duration of disease and 20 control subjects. All participants underwent both CE and TDI echocardiography. With TDI, early velocity (Ea), atrial velocity (Aa), their ratio (Ea/Aa) and systolic velocity (Sa) were measured at the lateral corner of mitral annulus. Glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and insulin were determined and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR), as an index of insulin resistance, was calculated.Results  Cardiac function with CE was similar in the two groups. Using TDI, diabetic subjects showed a lower Ea velocity (15.5 ± 3.9 vs. 19.4 ± 3.5 cm/s, P < 0.0001), an increased Aa velocity (15.5 ± 2.4 vs. 14.1 ± 2.4 cm/s, P < 0.05) and a reduced Ea/Aa ratio (1.00 ± 0.2 vs. 1.39 ± 0.3, P < 0.0001), compared with control subjects. Linear regression analysis in the diabetic group showed that only HOMA‐IR was negatively associated with Ea/Aa ratio (P = 0.026). No significant association was observed with other metabolic variables.Conclusion  An early stage of diabetic cardiomyopathy can be evidenced by TDI in Type 2 diabetic subjects even in the presence of a normal cardiac function with CE. This abnormality is associated with insulin resistance.
Muscle infarction involving muscles of abdominal and thoracic walls in diabetes
Authors: Ran X. , Wang C. , Wang H. , Zhao T. , Tong N. , Song B. , Bu H. , Luo Y. , Tian H. , Li X. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAims  This paper presents two cases of muscle infarction involving four major muscles of the anterior abdominal wall (case 1) and pectoralis major (case 2) in individuals with diabetes.Methods  Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured and Doppler ultrasound, an open muscle biopsy (case 1) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (case 2) were performed.Result  The diagnosis of muscle infarction was made by histological findings and MRI images with hyper‐intensive signals on a gadolinium‐enhanced T2‐weighted sequence, respectively. Both patients were treated with bed rest, immobilization of the involved extremities, analgesia and intensive insulin therapy. In addition, anticoagulant drugs such as low molecular weight heparin sodium and cilostazol, and some traditional Chinese medicines such as ligustrazine and salvia miltiorrhiza were administered. The symptoms of both patients resolved gradually after 3 weeks. However, muscle infarction reoccurred in case 1 on the opposite side of the abdomen and recovered after 40 days.Conclusions  This is the first report of muscle infarction involving the muscles of anterior abdominal walls and pectoralis major in diabetes. MRI is the best non‐invasive technique and T2‐weighted imaging is the most valuable method for the diagnosis. In addition to supportive therapy, administration of anticoagulant agents and some Chinese traditional medicine may be useful in symptom relief.
An investigation of the situated learnability effects of single‐ and dual‐modal systems in education: a report of music‐oriented learning environment and science computer‐assisted teaching studies
Authors: Truman Sylvia M. , Truman Philip J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe evolution of the World Wide Web has encouraged a huge surfacing of e‐learning technologies over recent years. Often, such technology is rolled out devoid of consideration towards the way in which students process and assimilate information. To date, there exists inconclusive and contradictory evidence concerning learnability effects of single‐ and dual‐model systems in education. To overcome this, we advocate that the design of e‐learning systems requires a managed mix of elements grounded in cognitive psychology. In this paper, we report the results of a study concerned with determining an effective mix of multimedia elements. This is with regard to the situated learnability effects of single‐ and dual‐modal systems tested via ‘text only’ and ‘text and auditory–verbal’ conditions. We report on these experiments using science computer‐assisted teaching and music‐oriented learning environment, e‐learning environments developed to act as test platforms for this research. The results indicated that simultaneous presentation of identical information via text and narration was associated with enhanced learnability.
Proteasomal degradation of caspase‐6 in 17β‐estradiol‐treated neurons
Authors: Tounekti Omar , Zhang Yan , Klaiman Guy , Goodyer Cynthia G. , LeBlanc Andréa 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn primary cultures of human neurons, 17β‐estradiol (17β‐E2) prevents caspase‐6‐mediated cell death and induces a caspase inhibitory factor (CIF) inhibiting active caspase‐6 (Csp‐6) in vitro. Here, we show that treatment of neurons with 17β‐E2 results in a proteasomal‐dependent but ubiquitin‐independent degradation of endogenous and exogenous active Csp‐6 in live neurons and in cell free assays, respectively. We further show that the proteasomal‐dependent degradation of Csp‐6 is not required for its inhibition. Using several protease inhibitors, we find that leupeptin, E‐64, and ALLN prevent inhibition of recombinant active Csp‐6 (R‐Csp‐6) in 17β‐E2‐treated neuronal protein extracts. Because all three protease inhibitors have the ability to inhibit cysteine proteases, we believe that a cysteinyl protease activity may be required for 17β‐E2‐mediated inhibition of active Csp‐6. However, we exclude caspases, calpains, and cathepsins as potential cysteinyl proteases involved in the 17β‐E2‐mediated Csp‐6 inhibition. The results suggest that a proteolytic activity inhibited by leupeptin, E‐64, and ALLN is needed to inhibit Csp‐6 and that the inhibited Csp‐6 is subsequently degraded by the proteasome. The mechanism of 17β‐E2‐mediated inhibition of Csp‐6 is different from the ubiquitin‐dependent proteasomal degradation of Csp‐3 and Csp‐7 by XIAP and cIAP2 but consistent with the mechanism of Baculovirus p35 inhibition of caspases.