bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A role for ethylene in the phytochrome‐mediated control of vegetative development
Authors: Foo Eloise , Ross John J. , Davies Noel W. , Reid James B. , Weller James L. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryMembers of the phytochrome family of photoreceptors play key roles in vegetative plant development, including the regulation of stem elongation, leaf development and chlorophyll accumulation. Hormones have been implicated in the control of these processes in de‐etiolating seedlings. However, the mechanisms by which the phytochromes regulate vegetative development in more mature plants are less well understood. Pea (Pisum sativum) mutant plants lacking phytochromes A and B, the two phytochromes present in this species, develop severe defects later in development, including short, thick, distorted internodes and reduced leaf expansion, chlorophyll content and CAB gene transcript level. Studies presented here indicate that many of these defects in phyA phyB mutant plants appear to be due to elevated ethylene production, and suggest that an important role of the phytochromes in pea is to restrict ethylene production to a level that does not inhibit vegetative growth. Mutant phyA phyB plants produce significantly more ethylene than WT plants, and application of an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor rescued many aspects of the phyA phyB mutant phenotype. This deregulation of ethylene production in phy‐deficient plants appears likely to be due, at least in part, to the elevated transcript levels of key ethylene‐biosynthesis genes. The phytochrome A photoreceptor appears to play a prominent role in the regulation of ethylene production, as phyA, but not phyB, single‐mutant plants also exhibit a phenotype consistent with elevated ethylene production. Potential interactions between ethylene and secondary plant hormones in the control of the phy‐deficient mutant phenotype were explored, revealing that ethylene may inhibit stem elongation in part by reducing gibberellin levels.
Spatio‐temporal accumulation of microRNAs is highly coordinated in developing plant tissues
Authors: Válóczi Anna , Várallyay Éva , Kauppinen Sakari , Burgyán József , Havelda Zoltán 
Published: May 2006

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small, endogenous non‐protein‐coding RNAs, approximately 21 nucleotides in length, that modulate the expression of animal and plant target genes at the post‐transcriptional level. Recent work has shown that miRNA‐based gene regulation plays a crucial role in pathways involved in plant growth and development. However, knowledge about the timing and spatial regulation of plant miRNA expression is still limited. Here we usedin situanalysis to demonstrate that miRNAs accumulate spatially and temporally in a highly restricted manner inNicotiana benthamianaandArabidopsis thaliana. The presence of the seven investigated miRNAs was characteristic of the developing organs, implying a role in cell‐fate establishment, differentiation and cell‐cycle progression. Spatial analyses revealed that six of the studied miRNAs were present in vascular bundles, suggesting that mobile miRNAs in the phloem could contribute to the coordination of organogenesis and development. The obvious absence of miR167 in vascular bundles represented an exception to this observation, implying an active process in regulating the presence of miRNAs in the vascular system. Taken together, our results imply that the spatially and temporally organized accumulation of miRNAs plays a pivotal role in fine‐tuning of target gene expression in plant development.
Heterogeneous expression of melanoma antigen (hMAGE) mRNA in mesenchymal neoplasia
Authors: Joyner D. E. , Damron T. A. , Aboulafia A. , Bokor W. , Bastar J. D. , Randall R. L. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractRecommendations have been advanced recently for the use of cancer/testis (CT) immunotherapy against sarcomas. CT antigens are encoded by cancer‐germline genes (e.g., hMAGE family) that are expressed in tumors and male germline cells but typically not in normal tissues. At present, little information is available regarding CT expression in mesenchymal neoplasms, and it remains uncertain whether CT immunotherapy will serve as a viable alternative or adjunct to current sarcoma therapies involving resection, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. In this study, hMAGEA2, hMAGEA3, hMAGEA4, and hMAGEC1 mRNA content in 21 benign mesenchymal tumors (representing seven histotypes) and 28 primary sarcomas (10 histotypes) was inventoried using real‐time‐PCR and then compared against hMAGE mRNA expression in non‐sarcomatous malignancies, three cell lines, and muscle. hMAGEA2, hMAGEA3, and hMAGEC1 transcripts were infrequent in mesenchymal tissues in general, whereas hMAGEA4 mRNA was present in 84% of all mesenchymal tumors, 100% of non‐sarcomatous tumors, all three cell lines, and in four of five muscle samples. Although hMAGEA4 mRNA was detected in four of five muscle preparations, there was no indication that the mRNA was translated into protein. The presence of hMAGEA4 mRNA in muscle, plus the inconsistent and infrequent occurrence of hMAGEA2, hMAGEA3, and hMAGEC1 mRNA within and among mesenchymal tumor histotypes, makes these four hMAGE antigens unlikely candidates for sarcoma‐specific immunotherapy.
The genetic basis of intrinsic and extrinsic post-zygotic reproductive isolation jointly promoting speciation in the lake whitefish species complex (Coregonus clupeaformis)
Authors: Rogers S. M. , Bernatchez L. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Understanding the genetic architecture of reproductive barriers and the evolutionary forces that drove their divergence represents a considerable challenge towards understanding speciation. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic basis of intrinsic and extrinsic post-zygotic isolation in diverging populations of dwarf and normal lake whitefish with allopatric glacial origins. We found that the rate of embryonic mortality was 5.3–6.5 times higher in dwarf-normal hybrid backcrosses during development than in F1 dwarf and normal crosses. When comparing embryos that died during development against larvae that successfully hatched, patterns of Mendelian segregation at 101 loci whose linkage is known identified 13 loci distributed over seven linkage groups that exhibited significant shifts in segregation ratios leading to significant segregation distortion at these loci in the surviving progeny. Controlled crosses and quantitative trait loci analysis revealed a significant genetic basis for developmental time until emergence, a trait critical to fish larval survival in nature. Hatching backcross progeny exhibited asynchronous emergence and transgressive segregation, suggesting that extrinsic post-zygotic isolation may select against hybridization in specific environmental contexts. Evidence of a genetic basis for increased embryonic mortality followed by asynchronous emergence indicated that intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms are not mutually exclusive in the formation and maintenance of reproductive isolation, but may be jointly promoting population divergence and ultimately speciation.
Time Delay, Temperature Effects and Assessment of Positive Controls on Whole Blood for the Gamma Interferon ELISA to Detect Paratuberculosis
Authors: Robbe‐Austerman S. , Krull A. C. , Stabel J. R. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryOur objective was to evaluate the effects of time and temperature on whole blood used in the gamma interferon enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (IFN‐γ ELISA) for paratuberculosis along with evaluating four potential positive controls, and four different mycobacterial antigens for the ELISA. Nine adult Holstein cattle naturally infected with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis were used in a randomized complete block design. Forty‐nine blood tubes were collected from each animal and held at 48.9, 37.8, 26.7, 21.1, 15.6 and 4.4°C for 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 32, 48 and 72 h. Each blood tube was tested with four mycobacterial antigens (two johnin PPDs, an avain PPD and a whole cell sonicate) and four potential positive controls [concanavalin A (conA), phytohaemagglutinin A (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Staphylococcus enterotoxin A (SEA)]. After incubation for 24 h, the plasma was assayed with a commercial IFN‐γ ELISA. Blood stored at 21.1 and 15.6°C maintained the highest ELISA optical densities (OD) over time with severe reduction in OD values at or above 37.8°C. None of the potential positive controls exactly mimicked the antigen response. SEA and PWM were able to elicit a response after the whole blood quit responding to the antigen and conA underestimated the responsiveness. Phytohemagglutinin A was similar to the antigens on an average, but there was significant disagreement among samples. The PPDs were more potent at stimulating IFN‐γ production than the whole cell sonicate. In conclusion, whole blood should be stored/transported at ambient room temperature and stimulated within 12 h of collection.
Detection of Swine Torque Teno Virus in Italian Pig Herds
Authors: Martelli F. , Caprioli A. , Di Bartolo I. , Cibin V. , Pezzotti G. , Ruggeri F. M. , Ostanello F. 
Published: May 2006

Summary Anellovirus is a recently created, floating genus of viruses. Torque teno virus (TTV), the type species in the genus, was first discovered in a human patient with a post‐transfusion hepatitis of unknown aetiology. Recently, TTV genetically related to but distinct from those discovered in humans have also been found in animals, including pigs. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of swine TTV in Italian pig herds and some risk factors possibly associated with this infection. Serum samples from 179 healthy pigs from 10 farms located in north‐central Italy were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of swine TTV DNA. Viral DNA was found in the sera of 43 pigs (24.0%), coming from eight of the 10 farms examined. Prevalence was significantly higher in finishing herds (40.1%) than in farrow‐to‐finish herds (11.0%) and did not depend on the size of the herd. Within the finishing herds the prevalence was significantly higher in weaners (57.4%) than in fatteners (22.9%), but this difference was not observed in farrow‐to‐finish herds. No relationship was observed between the prevalence of swine TTV and the implementation of some general hygiene practices and biosecurity procedures within the herds.
Analysis of generation means and components of variance for parthenocarpy in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Sun Z. , Lower R. L. , Staub J. E. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractParthenocarpy (seedless fruit) has potential for increasing yield in cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sativus L.). To determine the inheritance of parthenocarpy in gynoecious cucumber, P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1P1, and BC1P2 generations derived from crossing two non‐parthenocarpic gynoecious inbred lines [Gy8 (P2; processing type) and ‘Marketmore 80’ (P2; MM, fresh market type)] with a highly parthenocarpic inbred line [2A (P1; processing type)] were evaluated for fruit number in a greenhouse at Arlington, Wisc. in 1999 (designated 2A × Gy8 1999) and in the open‐field at Hancock, Wisc. in 2000 (designated 2A × Gy8 2000 and 2A × MM 2000). There were significant location and location × generation interaction effects, and therefore generation means analyses were conducted separately for each location. The minimum numbers of effective factors controlling parthenocarpy were estimated to be at least one (2A × Gy8 1999), two (2A × Gy8 2000) and four (2A × MM 2000). Results suggest that selection for parthenocarpy for multiple hand harvest operations will likely be more effective than that for once‐over machine harvest operations. However, the selection efficiency will likely vary across different populations and environments.
Value of low‐dose 2 × 2 Gy palliative radiotherapy in advanced low‐grade non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Ng M , Wirth A , Ryan G , MacManus M , Davis S 
Published: May 2006

SummaryLow‐dose radiotherapy over the last decade has been reported to provide effective palliation for patients with low‐grade non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In this retrospective case series of 10 patients, we report our early experience using low‐dose radiotherapy (usually 2 × 2 Gy) for patients with advanced‐stage follicular, mucosal associated lymphoid tissue, mantle cell and small lymphocytic lymphomas. Median follow up was 27 weeks. Response rates were high (complete response, 70%; partial response, 20%), the response durable and the toxicity was minimal (no toxicity greater than grade 1). Low‐dose irradiation is an effective treatment option for patients with low‐grade lymphomas with local symptoms.
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from perineural invasion of a lip squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sullivan LM , Smee R 
Published: May 2006

SummaryPerineural invasion resulting in leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is a rare, but well‐recognized phenomenon in head and neck carcinomas. We report the rare case of a patient with a squamous cell carcinoma of the lip resulting in leptomeningeal carcinomatosis and review the relevant published work. A 51‐year‐old man presented with progressive facial paraesthesia after treatment for a recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip. Cavernous sinus involvement was confirmed on MRI and he received stereotactic radiotherapy. He subsequently developed progressive lower limb neurological signs. An MRI showed multiple enhancing leptomeningeal nodules in the cervical and lumbar spine consistent with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Whole spine radiotherapy and dexamethasone resulted in short‐term stabilization of symptoms only and he rapidly succumbed to progressive neurological disease. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of a squamous cell carcinoma of the lip resulting in leptomeningeal disease of the cauda equina. It illustrates the potential aggressive natural history of squamous cell carcinomas with perineural invasion.
Influence of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography on computed tomography‐based radiation treatment planning for oesophageal cancer
Authors: Everitt C , Leong T 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe addition of positron emission tomography (PET) information to CT‐based radiotherapy treatment planning has the potential to improve target volume definition through more accurate localization of the primary tumour and involved regional lymph nodes. This case report describes the first patient enrolled to a prospective study evaluating the effects of coregistered positron emission tomography/CT images on radiotherapy treatment planning for oesophageal cancer. The results show that if combined positron emission tomography/CT is used for radiotherapy treatment planning, there may be alterations to the delineation of tumour volumes when compared to CT alone. For this patient, a geographic miss of tumour would have occurred if CT data alone were used for radiotherapy planning.
Genetic polymorphisms of the uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 and colorectal cancer risk in relation to cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in a Chinese population
Authors: CHEN KUN , JIN MINGJUAN , ZHU YIMIN , JIANG QINTING , YU WEIPING , MA XINYUAN , YAO KAIYAN 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  The impact of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 (UGT1A7) polymorphisms on genetic susceptibility to digestive system cancer has received close attention since the discovery by Guillemette, the polymorphisms of which may alter enzyme activity. To clarify the allele frequency distribution and its association with risk of colorectal cancer, a population‐based case–control study was carried out in Chinese population.Methods:  A total of 140 patients with colorectal cancer and 280 cancer‐free frequency‐matched controls from a follow‐up cohort population established in 1989, were enrolled. For the UGT1A7 polymorphisms analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based genotyping techniques including semi‐nested PCR, allele‐specific PCR and PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were developed.Results:  The variant allele frequencies in patients and controls were 50.0% and 38.6%, respectively, which were significantly associated with risk of colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–2.13). For the variant genotypes analysis, *2/*2 and *3/*3 exhibited a significant association with risk of colorectal cancer (OR: 7.80, 95%CI: 2.66–22.87; OR: 3.47, 95%CI: 1.51–7.97, respectively). Stratification analysis indicated that in previous–current cigarette smoking (cigarette smoking history), current cigarette smoking (current cigarette smoking status), previous–current alcohol drinking (alcohol drinking history) or current alcohol drinking individuals (current alcohol drinking status), the risk developing colorectal cancer increased: OR (95%CI), 2.81 (0.97–8.11), 3.39 (1.19–9.67), 2.89 (0.99–8.46) and 3.14 (1.09–9.09), respectively.Conclusions:  UGT1A7 polymorphisms may have a significant modifying effect on colorectal cancer risk, which may interact with environmental factors, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in colorectal carcinogenesis.
Erythrocyte Lewis (A+B–) host phenotype is a factor with familial clustering for increased risk of Helicobacter pylori‐related non‐cardiac gastric cancer
Authors: SHEU MING‐JEN , YANG HSIAO‐BAI , SHEU BOR‐SHYANG , CHENG HSIU‐CHI , LIN CHING‐YIH , WU JIUNN‐JONG 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the present study was to test whether host erythrocyte Lewis phenotypes correlated with the risk of gastric cancers. Because of the association of gastric cancer with familial clustering, cancer relatives were investigated as to whether they had unique distribution of Lewis phenotypes.Methods:  The study prospectively enrolled 74 Helicobacter pylori‐positive gastric cancer patients and 100 H. pylori‐positive duodenal ulcer patients to serve as non‐cancer controls after panendoscopy. In addition, 433 family members from the 74 index cancer and 100 non‐cancer control patients were enrolled. All enrolled cases were checked for their H. pylori status and erythrocyte Lewis phenotypes, defined as Lea–b–, Lea–b+, Lea+b–, and Lea+b+ subtypes by the anti‐Lea and anti‐Leb monoclonal antibodies.Results:  These H. pylori‐infected patients with gastric cancer had a higher rate of Lea+b– phenotype and a lower rate of Lea–b+ phenotype than the non‐cancer duodenal ulcer controls (20.3% vs 9%; 51.4% vs 72%, P < 0.05). Among these H. pylori‐infected patients, the risk of the patients with Lea+b– phenotype having gastric cancer was 3.15‐fold higher as compared with those with the Lea–b+ phenotype (P = 0.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.26–7.87). The offspring and cousins of the cancer patients had a higher rate of Lea+b– phenotype as compared to either that of the spouses of cancer index patients or to that of the family members of the non‐cancer control (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Lea+b– phenotype of the H. pylori‐infected host could be a risk factor (with familial clustering) for gastric carcinogenesis.
Erosive esophagitis in the Philippines: A comparison between two time periods
Authors: Sollano Jose D , Wong Stephen N , Andal‐Gamutan Teresita , Chan Melchor M , Carpio Ramon E , Tady Celina S , Ismael Albert E , Judan‐Ruiz Estelita A , Ang Victorio N , Go Johnny T , Lim Victoriano Y , Perez Jesus Y , Alvarez Sol Z 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:  In Asia, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosed through endoscopy has increased from 3–9% to 14–16% in the last decade. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (EE) over a span of 10 years in a tertiary care facility in the Philippines.Methods:  All patients diagnosed with EE from 1994 to 1997 (period A) and from 2000 to 2003 (period B) were included in the study. The modified Savary–Miller and Los Angeles classifications were used to grade EE for periods A and B, respectively.Results:  A total of 15 981 upper endoscopies were evaluated for this study. There was no significant difference in the male: female ratio (period A 1.43:1 vs period B 1.25:1, P = 0.459) and in the mean age of patients with EE (period A 46.4 vs period B 47.5, P = 0.395). The prevalence of EE was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in period B (6.3%) as compared to period A (2.9%). However, despite a higher prevalence, more patients had mild esophagitis in period B as compared to period A. Conversely, there were more patients with esophageal ulcers (18.6%vs 5.9%, P < 0.001), esophageal strictures (2.3%vs 0%, P = 0.003), and hiatal hernia (15.8%vs 7.5%, P = 0.001) in period A. The presence of concomitant Barrett’s esophagus was not significantly different between the two time periods (period A 3.2%vs period B 5%, P = 0.367).Conclusions:  The prevalence of EE was higher in 2000–2003 than in 1994–1997, although the complications associated with the disease diminished. The prevalence of concomitant Barrett’s esophagus remained stable.
Biopsy forceps: Reusable or disposable?
Authors: Fireman Zvi 
Published: May 2006

AbstractReusable and disposable biopsy forceps are both widely available for use in gastrointestinal endoscopy units. Biopsy forceps have design and material features that may interfere with cleaning, and reusable devices must be designed to function safely and effectively following sterilization in a healthcare setting. During the last decade, endoscopic accessories have evolved from reusable to disposable in many parts of the world. Although use of disposable devices helps reduce the potential risk of cross‐contamination and spread of infection, there remains the factor of cost. Major concerns for reuse of endoscopic accessories center on two main areas: sterility, and the capability of the equipment to perform its function satisfactorily after repeated uses and sterilizations. Reusable biopsy forceps perform a designated number of procedures, thus becoming more cost‐effective than disposable forceps, which are impossible to clean and sterilize. The potential risk of infectious disease transmission must be taken into account. There is also the consideration that reprocessing of disposable forceps may damage or destroy the fragile devices.
Gastric tube cancer: Immunohistochemical study of 10 lesions in six patients
Authors: Takeo Hiroaki , Matsukuma Susumu 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Gastric tube cancer (GTC), defined as carcinoma arising in the reconstructed gastric tube after esophagectomy, has been increasingly reported, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine clinically and pathologically 10 GTCs in six patients.Methods:  In addition to examination of the clinicopathological features of GTCs, the adjacent gastric tube mucosa was also evaluated immunohistochemically using gastric foveolar markers (MUC5AC and human gastric mucin), pyloric gland markers (MUC6 and M‐GGMC‐1), and intestinal markers (MUC2 and CD10).Results:  All patients were men and three patients had multiple GTCs. All GTCs were located on the middle to lower portion of the gastric tube. Nine GTCs had tubular and/or papillary adenocarcinoma components, and another was signet‐ring cell carcinoma. Intestinal metaplasia was found in non‐neoplastic mucosa adjacent to nine GTCs. Metaplastic goblet cells adjacent to five GTCs expressed both gastric and intestinal markers, which were similar to the corresponding GTC cells, indicating a close association between the GTCs and metaplastic goblet cells. The other three GTCs expressed only intestinal markers, which may support the suggestion that the intestinal phenotype is expressed later in cancerous development.Conclusion:  Pathogenesis of GTCs could be identical to that of ordinary gastric cancer. Cancerous multiplicity associated with esophageal cancer may also play a role in the development of GTCs.