bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged L-alanine exposure induces changes in metabolism, Ca2+ handling and desensitization of insulin secretion in clonal pancreatic β-cells
Authors: McClenaghan Neville H. , Scullion Siobhan M. , Mion Brian , Hewage Chandralal , Malthouse J. Paul G. , Flatt Peter R. , Newsholme Philip , Brennan Lorraine 
Published: August 2008

Acute insulin-releasing actions of amino acids have been studied in detail, but comparatively little is known about the β-cell effects of long-term exposure to amino acids. The present study examined the effects of prolonged exposure of β-cells to the metabolizable amino acid L-alanine. Basal insulin release or cellular insulin content were not significantly altered by alanine culture, but acute alanine-induced insulin secretion was suppressed by 74% (P&lt;0.001). Acute stimulation of insulin secretion with glucose, KCl or KIC (2-oxoisocaproic acid) following alanine culture was not affected. Acute alanine exposure evoked strong cellular depolarization after control culture, whereas AUC (area under the curve) analysis revealed significant (P&lt;0.01) suppression of this action after culture with alanine. Compared with control cells, prior exposure to alanine also markedly decreased (P&lt;0.01) the acute elevation of [Ca2+]i (intracellular [Ca2+]) induced by acute alanine exposure. These diminished stimulatory responses were partially restored after 18 h of culture in the absence of alanine, indicating reversible amino-acid-induced desensitization. 13C NMR spectra revealed that alanine culture increased glutamate labelling at position C4 (by 60%; P&lt;0.01), as a result of an increase in the singlet peak, indicating increased flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase. Consistent with this, protein expression of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases PDK2 and PDK4 was significantly reduced. This was accompanied by a decrease in cellular ATP (P&lt;0.05), consistent with diminished insulin-releasing actions of this amino acid. Collectively, these results illustrate the phenomenon of β-cell desensitization by amino acids, indicating that prolonged exposure to alanine can induce reversible alterations to metabolic flux, Ca2+ handling and insulin secretion.
First Report of Wisteria vein mosaic virus in Wisteria sinensis in the United States of America
Authors: Naidu Rayapati A. , Karthikeyan Gandhi 
Published: August 2008

The ornamental Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a woody perennial grown for its flowering habit in home gardens and landscape settings. In this brief, the occurrence of Wisteria vein mosaic virus (WVMV) was reported for the first time in Chinese wisteria in the United States of America. Accepted for publication 18 June 2008. Published 18 August 2008.
Discrete and Essential Roles of the Multiple Domains of Arabidopsis FHY3 in Mediating Phytochrome A Signal Transduction
Authors: Lin Rongcheng , Teng Yibo , Park Hee-Jin , Ding Lei , Black Christopher , Fang Ping , Wang Haiyang 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPhytochrome A is the primary photoreceptor for mediating various far-red light-induced responses in higher plants. We recently showed that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 (FHY3) and FAR-RED-IMPAIRED RESPONSE1 (FAR1), a pair of homologous proteins sharing significant sequence homology to Mutator-like transposases, act as novel transcription factors essential for activating the expression of FHY1 and FHL (for FHY1-like), whose products are required for light-induced phytochrome A nuclear accumulation and subsequent light responses. FHY3, FAR1, and Mutator-like transposases also share a similar domain structure, including an N-terminal C2H2 zinc finger domain, a central putative core transposase domain, and a C-terminal SWIM motif (named after SWI2/SNF and MuDR transposases). In this study, we performed a promoter-swapping analysis of FHY3 and FAR1. Our results suggest that the partially overlapping functions of FHY3 and FAR1 entail divergence of their promoter activities and protein subfunctionalization. To gain a better understanding of the molecular mode of FHY3 function, we performed a structure-function analysis, using site-directed mutagenesis and transgenic approaches. We show that the conserved N-terminal C2H2 zinc finger domain is essential for direct DNA binding and biological function of FHY3 in mediating light signaling, whereas the central core transposase domain and C-terminal SWIM domain are essential for the transcriptional regulatory activity of FHY3 and its homodimerization or heterodimerization with FAR1. Furthermore, the ability to form homodimers or heterodimers largely correlates with the transcriptional regulatory activity of FHY3 in plant cells. Together, our results reveal discrete roles of the multiple domains of FHY3 and provide functional support for the proposition that FHY3 and FAR1 represent transcription factors derived from a Mutator-like transposase(s).
The Effect of Leaf-Level Spatial Variability in Photosynthetic Capacity on Biochemical Parameter Estimates Using the Farquhar Model: A Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Chen Charles P. , Zhu Xin-Guang , Long Stephen P. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Application of the widely used Farquhar model of photosynthesis in interpretation of gas exchange data assumes that photosynthetic properties are homogeneous throughout the leaf. Previous studies showed that heterogeneity in stomatal conductance (g s) across a leaf could affect the shape of the measured leaf photosynthetic CO2 uptake rate (A) versus intercellular CO2 concentration (C i) response curve and, in turn, estimation of the critical biochemical parameters of this model. These are the maximum rates of carboxylation (V c,max), whole-chain electron transport (J max), and triose-P utilization (V TPU). The effects of spatial variation in V c,max, J max, and V TPU on estimation of leaf averages of these parameters from A-C i curves measured on a whole leaf have not been investigated. A mathematical model incorporating defined degrees of spatial variability in V c,max and J max was constructed. One hundred and ten theoretical leaves were simulated, each with the same average V c,max and J max, but different coefficients of variation of the mean (CVVJ) and varying correlation between V c,max and J max (Ω). Additionally, the interaction of variation in V c,max and J max with heterogeneity in V TPU, g s, and light gradients within the leaf was also investigated. Transition from V c,max- to J max-limited photosynthesis in the A-C i curve was smooth in the most heterogeneous leaves, in contrast to a distinct inflection in the absence of heterogeneity. Spatial variability had little effect on the accuracy of estimation of V c,max and J max from A-C i curves when the two varied in concert (Ω = 1.0), but resulted in underestimation of both parameters when they varied independently (up to 12.5% in V c,max and 17.7% in J max at CVVJ = 50%; Ω = 0.3). Heterogeneity in V TPU also significantly affected parameter estimates, but effects of heterogeneity in g s or light gradients were comparatively small. If V c,max and J max derived from such heterogeneous leaves are used in models to project leaf photosynthesis, actual A is overestimated by up to 12% at the transition between V c,max- and J max-limited photosynthesis. This could have implications for both crop production and Earth system models, including projections of the effects of atmospheric change.
Brassinosteroids Regulate Grain Filling in Rice
Authors: Wu Chuan-yin , Trieu Anthony , Radhakrishnan Parthiban , Kwok Shing F. , Harris Sam , Zhang Ke , Wang Jiulin , Wan Jianmin , Zhai Huqu , Takatsuto Suguru , Matsumoto Shogo , Fujioka Shozo , Feldmann Kenneth A. , Pennell Roger I. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGenes controlling hormone levels have been used to increase grain yields in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa). We created transgenic rice plants expressing maize (Zea mays), rice, or Arabidopsis thaliana genes encoding sterol C-22 hydroxylases that control brassinosteroid (BR) hormone levels using a promoter that is active in only the stems, leaves, and roots. The transgenic plants produced more tillers and more seed than wild-type plants. The seed were heavier as well, especially the seed at the bases of the spikes that fill the least. These phenotypic changes brought about 15 to 44% increases in grain yield per plant relative to wild-type plants in greenhouse and field trials. Expression of the Arabidopsis C-22 hydroxylase in the embryos or endosperms themselves had no apparent effect on seed weight. These results suggested that BRs stimulate the flow of assimilate from the source to the sink. Microarray and photosynthesis analysis of transgenic plants revealed evidence of enhanced CO2 assimilation, enlarged glucose pools in the flag leaves, and increased assimilation of glucose to starch in the seed. These results further suggested that BRs stimulate the flow of assimilate. Plants have not been bred directly for seed filling traits, suggesting that genes that control seed filling could be used to further increase grain yield in crop plants.
RD19, anArabidopsisCysteine Protease Required for RRS1-R–Mediated Resistance, Is Relocalized to the Nucleus by theRalstonia solanacearumPopP2 Effector
Authors: Bernoux Maud , Timmers Ton , Jauneau Alain , Brière Christian , de Wit Pierre J.G.M. , Marco Yves , Deslandes Laurent 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBacterial wilt, a disease impacting cultivated crops worldwide, is caused by the pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. PopP2 (for Pseudomonas outer protein P2) is an R. solanacearum type III effector that belongs to the YopJ/AvrRxv protein family and interacts with the Arabidopsis thaliana RESISTANT TO RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM 1-R (RRS1-R) resistance protein. RRS1-R contains the Toll/Interleukin1 receptor–nucleotide binding site–Leu-rich repeat domains found in several cytoplasmic R proteins and a C-terminal WRKY DNA binding domain. In this study, we identified the Arabidopsis Cys protease RESPONSIVE TO DEHYDRATION19 (RD19) as being a PopP2-interacting protein whose expression is induced during infection by R. solanacearum. An Arabidopsis rd19 mutant in an RRS1-R genetic background is compromised in resistance to the bacterium, indicating that RD19 is required for RRS1-R–mediated resistance. RD19 normally localizes in mobile vacuole-associated compartments and, upon coexpression with PopP2, is specifically relocalized to the plant nucleus, where the two proteins physically interact. No direct physical interaction between RRS1-R and RD19 in the presence of PopP2 was detected in the nucleus as determined by Förster resonance energy transfer. We propose that RD19 associates with PopP2 to form a nuclear complex that is required for activation of the RRS1-R–mediated resistance response.
Macrotransposition and Other Complex Chromosomal Restructuring in Maize by Closely Linked Transposons in Direct Orientation
Authors: Huang Jun T. , Dooner Hugo K. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSeveral observations indicate that compatible ends of separate, yet closely linked, transposable elements (TEs) can interact in alternative transposition reactions. First, pairs of TEs cause chromosome breaks with frequencies inversely related to the intertransposon distance. Second, some combinations of two TEs produce complex rearrangements that often include DNA adjacent to one or both elements. In pairs of TEs in direct orientation, alternative reactions involving the external ends of the two TEs should lead to the transposition of a macrotransposon consisting of both elements plus the intervening chromosomal segment. Such macrotransposons have been hypothesized previously based on deletions, but no macrotransposon insertions have been recovered. To detect macrotransposition, we have analyzed heritable chromosomal rearrangements produced by a chromosome-breaking pair of Ac and Ds elements situated 6.5 kb apart in direct orientation in a part of the maize (Zea mays) genome dispensable for viability. Here, we show that the postulated macrotransposon can excise and reinsert elsewhere in the genome. In addition, this transposon pair produces other complex rearrangements, including deletions, inversions, and reshuffling of the intertransposon segment. Thus, closely linked TE pairs, a common transposition outcome in some superfamilies, are adept at restructuring chromosomes and may have been instrumental in reshaping plant genomes.
An Approach for Obtaining the Young's Modulus in Woven Glass/Epoxy Reinforced Composites
Authors: Okoli Okenwa I. 
Published: August 2008

A number of equations for predicting the in-plane material properties of woven reinforced composites have been suggested in the available literature using empirically evaluated correction factors. The use of such factors in the determination of dynamic properties has, however, led to signficant errors. It is therefore imperative that a method of obtaining high speed material properties of composite laminates must be sought since micro-mechanics equations have not been found suitable. Tensile tests were conducted on woven reinforced glass/epoxy laminates at increasing rates of strain and the fractured surfaces were viewed under a scanning electron microscope. In this work a semi-empirical relationship for the tensile modulus was proposed using micro-mechanics and data from tests conducted.
Phylogeny, taxonomy, and evolution of Neotropical cichlids (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlinae)
Authors: Leo Smith Wm. , Chakrabarty Prosanta , Sparks John S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractDespite recent progress on the higher‐level relationships of Cichlidae and its Indian, Malagasy, and Greater Antillean components, conflict and uncertainty remain within the species‐rich African, South American, and Middle American assemblages. Herein, we combine morphological and nucleotide characters from the mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit, cytochromecoxidase subunit I, NADH dehydrogenase four, and cytochromebgenes and from the nuclear histone H3, recombination activating gene two, Tmo‐4C4, Tmo‐M27, and ribosomal S7 loci to analyse relationships within the Neotropical cichlid subfamily Cichlinae. The simultaneous analysis of 6309 characters for 90 terminals, including representatives of all major cichlid lineages and all Neotropical genera, resulted in the first well‐supported and resolved generic‐level phylogeny for Neotropical cichlids. The Neotropical subfamily Cichlinae was recovered as monophyletic and partitioned into seven tribes: Astronotini, Chaetobranchini, Cichlasomatini, Cichlini, Geophagini, Heroini, and Retroculini. Chaetobranchini + Geophagini (including the “crenicichlines”) was resolved as the sister group of Heroini + Cichlasomatini (includingAcaronia). The monogeneric Astronotini was recovered as the sister group of these four tribes. Finally, a clade composed of Cichlini + Retroculini was resolved as the sister group to all other cichlines. The analysis included the recently described †Proterocara argentina, the oldest known cichlid fossil (Eocene), which was placed in an apical position within Geophagini, further supporting a Gondwanan origin for Cichlidae. These phylogenetic results were used as the basis for generating a monophyletic cichline taxonomy.© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.
Characterisation of haematological profiles and low risk of thromboembolic events with bortezomib in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma
Authors: Lonial Sagar , Richardson Paul G , San Miguel Jesús , Sonneveld Pieter , Schuster Michael W , Bladé Joan , Cavenagh Jamie , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Jakubowiak Andrzej J , Esseltine Dixie‐Lee , Anderson Kenneth C , Harousseau Jean‐Luc 
Published: August 2008

SummaryHaematological toxicities and thromboembolic (TE) events are common complications of myeloma therapy. TE risk may be elevated with combination regimens, notably thalidomide/lenalidomide plus high‐dose dexamethasone; concomitant erythropoietin appears to further increase the risk with lenalidomide–dexamethasone. We characterised thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in the phase 3 APEX (Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions) study of bortezomib versus high‐dose dexamethasone in relapsed myeloma, and calculated the incidences of deep‐vein thrombosis (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE) with: bortezomib or dexamethasone ± erythropoietin in APEX; bortezomib ± dexamethasone ± erythropoietin in two phase 2 studies of relapsed/refractory myeloma. Bortezomib‐associated thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were transient, predictable and manageable; mean platelet and neutrophil counts followed a cyclical pattern, and improved over the treatment course. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia incidence was higher with bortezomib versus dexamethasone (26%/4% vs. 5%/1%), but significant bleeding events were comparable (4% vs. 5%). DVT/PE incidence was low (≤3·1%) in all analyses; addition of dexamethasone/erythropoietin did not affect TE risk. In APEX, TE risk appeared lower with bortezomib versus dexamethasone. Bortezomib caused transient and cyclical thrombocytopenia and was not associated with elevated TE risk, alone or with dexamethasone ± erythropoietin. Preliminary data suggest bortezomib may reduce the thrombogenic potential of combination regimens via inhibition of platelet function or other mechanism‐specific effects on coagulation.
Inattentive/overactive children with histories of profound institutional deprivation compared with standard ADHD cases: a brief report
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke E. J. S. , Rubia K. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground  The Inattention/Overactivity/Impulsiveness (I/OA) behavioural cluster diagnostic of ADHD is recognized as a characteristic outcome of early institutional care.Methods  We compared the symptom and neuropsychological profiles of children with a history of I/OA and early severe deprivation (D‐I/OA: n = 13) with standard clinical ADHD cases (S‐ADHD; N = 20) and children who had experienced deprivation but were not pervasively I/OA (ERA‐controls; n = 22). The mean age of testing was around 13 years. D‐I/OA and ERA‐controls were selected from the English and Romanian Adoptees (ERA) study and had spent their early lives in the extremely depriving Romanian institutions of the Ceausescu regime and were later adopted into UK families.Results  ADHD symptoms for male D‐I/OA and S‐ADHD cases showed marked similarities across symptom domains. In contrast, girls with D‐I/OA were more similar to ERA controls than to ADHD cases. Longitudinal data suggested that this was due to a remission of symptoms in D‐I/OA girls. Neuropsychological profiles of males and females with D‐I/OA, however, were similar: both were more impaired than S‐ADHD and ERA controls.Discussion  Children with D‐I/OA were more neuropsychologically impaired than S‐ADHD despite the fact that only boys showed a persistent pattern of ADHD symptoms. These results need replication in a larger sample with groups matched for gender.
Stages of development and injury: an epidemiological survey of young children presenting to an emergency department
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: August 2008

.

MacInnes K. &
Stone D. H.
(
2008
)

,
8
,
120
.

DOI: 10.1186/1471‐2458‐8‐120
.
Background  The aim of our study was to use a local (Glasgow, west of Scotland) version of a Canadian injury surveillance programme (CHIRPP) to investigate the relationship between the developmental stage of young (pre‐school) children, using age as a proxy, and the occurrence (incidence, nature, mechanism and location) of injuries presenting to a Scottish hospital emergency department, in an attempt to replicate the findings of a recent study in Kingston, Canada.Methods  We used the Glasgow CHIRPP data to perform two types of analyses. First, we calculated injury rates for that part of the hospital catchment area for which reasonably accurate population denominators were available. Second, we examined detailed injury patterns, in terms of the circumstances, mechanisms, location and types of injury. We compared our findings with those of the Kingston researchers.Results  A total of 17 793 injury records for children aged up to 7 years were identified over the period 1997–99. For 1997–2001, 6188 were used to calculate rates in the west of the city only. Average annual age‐specific rates per 1000 children were highest in both males and females aged 12–35 months. Apart from the higher rates in Glasgow, the pattern of injuries, in terms of breakdown factors, mechanism, location, context and nature of injury, was similar in Glasgow and Kingston.Conclusion  We replicated in Glasgow, UK, the findings of a Canadian study demonstrating a correlation between the pattern of childhood injuries and developmental stage. Future research should take account of the need to enhance statistical power and explore the interaction between age and potential confounding variables such as socio‐economic deprivation. Our findings highlight the importance of designing injury prevention interventions that are appropriate for specific stages of development in children.
Reducing absenteeism from gastrointestinal and respiratory illness in elementary school students: a randomized, controlled trial of an infection‐control intervention
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: August 2008

.

Sandora T. J.,
Shih M.‐C. &
Goldman D. A.
(
2008
)

,
121
,
e1555
–
e1562
.

DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007‐2597
.
Background  Students often miss school because of gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. We assessed the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention, including alcohol‐based hand sanitizer and surface disinfection, in reducing absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses in elementary school students.Methods  We performed a school‐based cluster‐randomized, controlled trial at a single elementary school. Eligible students in third to fifth grade were enrolled. Intervention classrooms received alcohol‐based hand sanitizer to use at school and quaternary ammonium wipes to disinfect classroom surfaces daily for 8 weeks; control classrooms followed usual hand‐washing and cleaning practices. Parents completed a pre‐intervention demographic survey. Absences were recorded along with the reason for absence. Swabs of environmental surfaces were evaluated by bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction for norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and parainfluenza 3. The primary outcomes were rates of absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal or respiratory illness. Days absent were modelled as correlated Poisson variables and compared between groups by using generalized estimating equations. Analyses were adjusted for family size, race, health status and home sanitizer use. We also compared the presence of viruses and the total bacterial colony counts on several classroom surfaces.Results  A total of 285 students were randomly assigned; baseline demographics were similar in the two groups. The adjusted absenteeism rate for gastrointestinal illness was significantly lower in the intervention‐group subjects compared with control subjects. The adjusted absenteeism rate for respiratory illness was not significantly different between groups. Norovirus was the only virus detected and was found less frequently on surfaces in intervention classrooms compared with control classrooms (9% vs. 29%).Conclusions  A multifactorial intervention including hand sanitizer and surface disinfection reduced absenteeism caused by gastrointestinal illness in elementary school students. Norovirus was found less often on classroom surfaces in the intervention group. Schools should consider adopting these practices to reduce days lost to common illnesses.