bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The DGAT2 gene is a candidate for the dissociation between fatty liver and insulin resistance in humans
Authors: Kantartzis Konstantinos , Machicao Fausto , Machann Jürgen , Schick Fritz , Fritsche Andreas , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Stefan Norbert 
Published: November 2008

The enzyme DGAT (acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase) catalyses the final step of triacylglycerol (triglyceride) synthesis. Mice overexpressing hepatic DGAT2 fed a high-fat diet develop fatty liver, but not insulin resistance, suggesting that DGAT2 induces a dissociation between fatty liver and insulin resistance. In the present study, we investigated whether such a phenotype also exists in humans. For this purpose, we determined the relationships between genetic variability in the DGAT2 gene with changes in liver fat and insulin sensitivity in 187 extensively phenotyped subjects during a lifestyle intervention programme with diet modification and an increase in physical activity. Changes in body fat composition [MR (magnetic resonance) tomography], liver fat and intramyocellular fat (1H-MR spectroscopy) and insulin sensitivity [OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) and euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp] were determined after 9 months of intervention. A change in insulin sensitivity correlated inversely with changes in total body fat, visceral fat, intramyocellular fat and liver fat (OGTT, all P&lt;0.05; clamp, all P≤0.03). Changes in total body fat, visceral fat and intramyocellular fat were not different between the genotypes of the SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) rs10899116 C&gt;T and rs1944438 C&gt;T (all P≥0.39) of the DGAT2 gene. However, individuals carrying two or one copies of the minor T allele of SNP rs1944438 had a smaller decrease in liver fat (−17±10 and −24±5%; values are means±S.E.M.) compared with subjects homozygous for the C allele (−39±7%; P=0.008). In contrast, changes in insulin sensitivity were not different among the genotypes (OGTT, P=0.76; clamp, P=0.53). In conclusion, our findings suggest that DGAT2 mediates the dissociation between fatty liver and insulin resistance in humans. This finding may be important in the prevention and treatment of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in subjects with fatty liver.
Effects of light intensity on activity and pelagic dispersion of fish: studies with a seabed-mounted echosounder
Authors: Didrikas Tomas , Hansson Sture 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Didrikas, T., and Hansson, S. 2009. Effects of light intensity on activity and pelagic dispersion of fish: studies with a seabed-mounted echosounder. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 388–395. A seabed-mounted, upwards-pinging echosounder was used to study fish activity and pelagic dispersion in relation to fish size, light, and temperature. Four phases (day, dusk, night, dawn) in fish dispersion were distinguished over the diel cycle, and the swimming speed of fish varied among these phases. Notably, average swimming speed by day was twice as high as by night. For all phases combined, fish size, light intensity, and temperature explained 52% of the variability in swimming speed. When different phases were analysed separately, fish size was the most important variable by day, whereas light had the strongest effects on swimming speed in the evening. During the mornings, variability in swimming speed was best correlated with temperature, but by night all factors (fish size, light intensity, temperature) had similar effects on activity. These results have implications for fish bioenergetics models. Such models should account for seasonal, light-driven cycles in activity-induced respiration estimates, in particular when modelling populations at high latitudes.
Biosynthesis of t-Anethole in Anise: Characterization of t-Anol/Isoeugenol Synthase and an O-Methyltransferase Specific for a C7-C8 Propenyl Side Chain
Authors: Koeduka Takao , Baiga Thomas J. , Noel Joseph P. , Pichersky Eran 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
The phenylpropene t-anethole imparts the characteristic sweet aroma of anise (Pimpinella anisum, family Apiaceae) seeds and leaves. Here we report that the aerial parts of the anise plant accumulate t-anethole as the plant matures, with the highest levels of t-anethole found in fruits. Although the anise plant is covered with trichomes, t-anethole accumulates inside the leaves and not in the trichomes or the epidermal cell layer. We have obtained anise cDNA encoding t-anol/isoeugenol synthase 1 (AIS1), an NADPH-dependent enzyme that can biosynthesize t-anol and isoeugenol (the latter not found in anise) from coumaryl acetate and coniferyl acetate, respectively. In addition, we have obtained a cDNA encoding S-[methyl-14C]adenosyl-l-methionine:t-anol/isoeugenol O-methyltransferase 1 (AIMT1), an enzyme that can convert t-anol or isoeugenol to t-anethole or methylisoeugenol, respectively, via methylation of the para-OH group. The genes encoding AIS1 and AIMT1 were expressed throughout the plant and their transcript levels were highest in developing fruits. The AIS1 protein is 59% identical to petunia (Petunia hybrida) isoeugenol synthase 1 and displays apparent K m values of 145 μ m for coumaryl acetate and 230 μ m for coniferyl acetate. AIMT1 prefers isoeugenol to t-anol by a factor of 2, with K m values of 19.3 μ m for isoeugenol and 54.5 μ m for S-[methyl-14C]adenosyl-l-methionine. The AIMT1 protein sequence is approximately 40% identical to basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Clarkia breweri phenylpropene O-methyltransferases, but unlike these enzymes, which do not show large discrimination between substrates with isomeric propenyl side chains, AIMT1 shows a 10-fold preference for t-anol over chavicol and for isoeugenol over eugenol.
Rice Blast Fungus (Magnaporthe oryzae) Infects Arabidopsis via a Mechanism Distinct from That Required for the Infection of Rice
Authors: Park Ju-Young , Jin Jianming , Lee Yin-Won , Kang Seogchan , Lee Yong-Hwan 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMagnaporthe oryzae is a hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen that causes rice (Oryza sativa) blast. Although M. oryzae as a whole infects a wide variety of monocotyledonous hosts, no dicotyledonous plant has been reported as a host. We found that two rice pathogenic strains of M. oryzae, KJ201 and 70-15, interacted differentially with 16 ecotypes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Strain KJ201 infected all ecotypes with varying degrees of virulence, whereas strain 70-15 caused no symptoms in certain ecotypes. In highly susceptible ecotypes, small chlorotic lesions appeared on infected leaves within 3 d after inoculation and subsequently expanded across the affected leaves. The fungus produced spores in susceptible ecotypes but not in resistant ecotypes. Fungal cultures recovered from necrotic lesions caused the same symptoms in healthy plants, satisfying Koch's postulates. Histochemical analyses showed that infection by the fungus caused an accumulation of reactive oxygen species and eventual cell death. Similar to the infection process in rice, the fungus differentiated to form appressorium and directly penetrated the leaf surface in Arabidopsis. However, the pathogenic mechanism in Arabidopsis appears distinct from that in rice; three fungal genes essential for pathogenicity in rice played only limited roles in causing disease symptoms in Arabidopsis, and the fungus seems to colonize Arabidopsis as a necrotroph through the secretion of phytotoxic compounds, including 9,12-octadecadienoic acid. Expression of PR-1 and PDF1.2 was induced in response to infection by the fungus, suggesting the activation of salicylic acid- and jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent signaling pathways. However, the roles of these signaling pathways in defense against M. oryzae remain unclear. In combination with the wealth of genetic and genomic resources available for M. oryzae, this newly established pathosystem allows comparison of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and host defense in two well-studied model plants.
ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase-Deficient Pea Embryos Reveal Specific Transcriptional and Metabolic Changes of Carbon-Nitrogen Metabolism and Stress Responses
Authors: Weigelt Kathleen , Küster Helge , Rutten Twan , Fait Aaron , Fernie Alisdair R. , Miersch Otto , Wasternack Claus , Emery R. J. Neil , Desel Christine , Hosein Felicia , Müller Martin , Saalbach Isolde , Weber Hans 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe present a comprehensive analysis of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP)-repressed pea (Pisum sativum) seeds using transcript and metabolite profiling to monitor the effects that reduced carbon flow into starch has on carbon-nitrogen metabolism and related pathways. Changed patterns of transcripts and metabolites suggest that AGP repression causes sugar accumulation and stimulates carbohydrate oxidation via glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and mitochondrial respiration. Enhanced provision of precursors such as acetyl-coenzyme A and organic acids apparently support other pathways and activate amino acid and storage protein biosynthesis as well as pathways fed by cytosolic acetyl-coenzyme A, such as cysteine biosynthesis and fatty acid elongation/metabolism. As a consequence, the resulting higher nitrogen (N) demand depletes transient N storage pools, specifically asparagine and arginine, and leads to N limitation. Moreover, increased sugar accumulation appears to stimulate cytokinin-mediated cell proliferation pathways. In addition, the deregulation of starch biosynthesis resulted in indirect changes, such as increased mitochondrial metabolism and osmotic stress. The combined effect of these changes is an enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species coupled with an up-regulation of energy-dissipating, reactive oxygen species protection, and defense genes. Transcriptional activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways and oxylipin synthesis indicates an additional activation of stress signaling pathways. AGP-repressed embryos contain higher levels of jasmonate derivatives; however, this increase is preferentially in nonactive forms. The results suggest that, although metabolic/osmotic alterations in iAGP pea seeds result in multiple stress responses, pea seeds have effective mechanisms to circumvent stress signaling under conditions in which excessive stress responses and/or cellular damage could prematurely initiate senescence or apoptosis.
The Genetic Basis of Constitutive and Herbivore-Induced ESP-Independent Nitrile Formation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Burow Meike , Losansky Anja , Müller René , Plock Antje , Kliebenstein Daniel J. , Wittstock Ute 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Glucosinolates are a group of thioglucosides that are components of an activated chemical defense found in the Brassicales. Plant tissue damage results in hydrolysis of glucosinolates by endogenous thioglucosidases known as myrosinases. Spontaneous rearrangement of the aglucone yields reactive isothiocyanates that are toxic to many organisms. In the presence of specifier proteins, alternative products, namely epithionitriles, simple nitriles, and thiocyanates with different biological activities, are formed at the expense of isothiocyanates. Recently, simple nitriles were recognized to serve distinct functions in plant-insect interactions. Here, we show that simple nitrile formation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ecotype Columbia-0 rosette leaves increases in response to herbivory and that this increase is independent of the known epithiospecifier protein (ESP). We combined phylogenetic analysis, a screen of Arabidopsis mutants, recombinant protein characterization, and expression quantitative trait locus mapping to identify a gene encoding a nitrile-specifier protein (NSP) responsible for constitutive and herbivore-induced simple nitrile formation in Columbia-0 rosette leaves. AtNSP1 is one of five Arabidopsis ESP homologues that promote simple nitrile, but not epithionitrile or thiocyanate, formation. Four of these homologues possess one or two lectin-like jacalin domains, which share a common ancestry with the jacalin domains of the putative Arabidopsis myrosinase-binding proteins MBP1 and MBP2. A sixth ESP homologue lacked specifier activity and likely represents the ancestor of the gene family with a different biochemical function. By illuminating the genetic and biochemical bases of simple nitrile formation, our study provides new insights into the evolution of metabolic diversity in a complex plant defense system.
The effect of a jail methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) program on inmate recidivism
Authors: McMillan Garnett P. , Lapham Sandra , Lackey Michael 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To evaluate the effects of a jail‐based continuation of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) on subsequent inmate recidivism risks.Design  Prospective, longitudinal, observational study.Setting  A large, Southwestern United States jail that continues MMT for heroin‐addicted inmates on MMT at the time of booking.Participants  A total of 589 inmates booked between 22 November 2005 (the start date for the MMT program) and 31 October 2006.Measurements  The outcome measure was time from release to subsequent re‐booking in the jail. Predictors included binary dosing with methadone in the jail, final dose received (mg), age, gender, race/ethnicity, previous bookings and days in jail.Findings and conclusions  Random effects Weibull proportional hazards models were fit to the recidivism times to estimate the impact of treatment with MMT in the jail on re‐booking risks. There was no statistically significant effect of receiving methadone in the jail or dosage on subsequent recidivism risks (hazard ratio = 1.16; 95% confidence interval = 0.8–1.68). Offering jail‐based MMT does not increase recidivism risks by eliminating the deterrent effect of imposed withdrawal, nor does it reduce recidivism in this high‐risk population.
Alcohol industry sponsorship and hazardous drinking among sportspeople
Authors: O'Brien Kerry S. , Kypri Kypros 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTAims  To examine the nature and extent of alcohol industry sponsorship of sportspeople, and its association with drinking.Methods  A purposive sample of participants (n = 1279) from various sporting codes were asked whether they personally, their team, or club received free and/or discounted alcohol or funding from an alcohol industry body (e.g. pub, brewery, wholesaler); how much they received; and whether they felt they should drink their sponsor's product and/or at the sponsor's premises. Drinking behaviour was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire.Findings  Alcohol industry sponsorship was reported by 47.8% of the sample. Of those sponsored, 47% reported receiving free and/or discounted alcohol products. In multivariate models, those receiving sponsorship at the individual, team and club level had AUDIT scores that were, on average, 2.4 points higher [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70–4.09] than those who received no sponsorship. Receiving free and/or discounted alcohol (βadj = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.01–1.88) and feeling that they should go to the sponsor's pub/club to drink (βadj = 1.91, 95% CI: 0.85–2.98) were also associated with higher AUDIT scores. Provision of free or discounted alcoholic beverages was associated more strongly with AUDIT scores (βadj = 1.56; 95% CI: 0.62–2.51) than other forms of sponsorship from the alcohol industry (e.g. provision of uniforms).Conclusions  Alcohol industry sponsorship of sportspeople, and in particular the provision of free or discounted alcoholic beverages, is associated with hazardous drinking after adjustment for a range of potential confounders. Sports administration bodies should consider the health and ethical risks of accepting alcohol industry sponsorship.
Genetics of coffee consumption and its stability
Authors: Laitala Venla S. , Kaprio Jaakko , Silventoinen Karri 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBackground Coffee is a highly popular drink associated with the pathogenesis of several diseases and the use of tobacco and alcohol. Considering the worldwide consumption, coffee has a substantial effect on individual wellbeing and public health. The role of genetic factors contributing to interindividual differences and their stability in coffee use is not well known.Aims We analysed the heritability of coffee consumption and its stability in a large population‐based sample of Finnish twins.Design In 1975 and 1981 a postal questionnaire on coffee consumption was sent to all Finnish same‐sex twin pairs born before 1958. Responses were obtained from 10 716 complete twin pairs in 1975 (3409 monozygotic and 7307 dizygotic), of whom 8124 also responded in 1981. The data were analysed using classical twin modelling based on linear structural equations.Findings Additive genetic and unique environmental factors affected coffee drinking, whereas shared environmental factors did not show any effect. Heritability of coffee consumption, adjusted for age and sex, was estimated as 0.56 in 1975 and 0.45 in 1981. Coffee consumption showed a moderate correlation between these two time‐points (r = 0.58 in men and 0.55 in women). Genetic factors affecting coffee consumption were stable: additive genetic correlations were 0.84 in men and 0.83 in women, whereas unique environmental correlations were moderate (0.45 and 0.36). Additive genetic factors had the highest contribution in young adults.Conclusions Coffee consumption is affected by both additive genetic and unique environmental factors, each of which plays an almost equally important role. The long‐term stability of coffee consumption is affected mainly by a stable set of additive genetic factors.
Clinical trial: lubiprostone in patients with constipation‐associated irritable bowel syndrome – results of two randomized, placebo‐controlled studies
Authors: DROSSMAN D. A. , CHEY W. D. , JOHANSON J. F. , FASS R. , SCOTT C. , PANAS R. , UENO R. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Effective treatments for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C) are lacking.Aim  To assess the efficacy and safety of lubiprostone in IBS‐C.Methods  A combined analysis was performed among 1171 patients with a Rome II diagnosis of IBS‐C in two phase‐3 randomized trials of lubiprostone 8 mcg vs. placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Using a balanced seven‐point Likert scale ranging from significantly relieved (+3), to significantly worse (−3), patients responded on their electronic diary to the question: ‘How would you rate your relief of IBS symptoms over the past week compared to how you felt before you entered the study?’. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of overall responders.Results  Using an intent‐to‐treat analysis with last observation carried forward, a significantly higher percentage of lubiprostone‐treated patients were considered overall responders compared with those treated with placebo (17.9% vs. 10.1%, P = 0.001). Patients treated with lubiprostone reported a similar incidence of adverse events to those treated with placebo.Conclusions  The percentage of overall responders based on patient‐rated assessments of IBS‐C symptoms was significantly improved in patients treated with lubiprostone 8 mcg twice daily compared to those treated with placebo. Lubiprostone was well tolerated with a favourable safety profile.
The safety profile of anti‐tumour necrosis factor therapy in inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice: analysis of 620 patient‐years follow‐up
Authors: LEES C. W. , ALI A. I. , THOMPSON A. I. , HO G.‐T. , FORSYTHE R. O. , MARQUEZ L. , COCHRANE C. J. , AITKEN S. , FENNELL J. , ROGERS P. , SHAND A. G. , PENMAN I. D. , PALMER K. R. , WILSON D. C. , ARNOTT I. D. R. , SATSANGI J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Anti‐TNF agents are now widely used in Crohn’s disease (CD), and in ulcerative colitis (UC).Aim  To review the safety profile of anti‐TNF agents in all patients treated with infliximab in Edinburgh from 1999 to 2007.Methods  Complete data were available on 202/207 patients comprising 157 CD, 42 UC and three coeliac disease. Median follow‐up was 2.4 years (1.0–4.9) with a total of 620 patient‐years follow‐up. About 19.1% of CD patients were subsequently treated with adalimumab.Results  Seven deaths (3.3%) occurred in follow‐up; only one death was <1 year post‐infliximab (at day 72, from lung cancer). A total of six malignancies (three haematological, three bronchogenic) and six cases of suspected demyelination (three with confirmed neurological disease) were reported. In the 90 days following infliximab, 95 adverse events (36 serious) occurred in 58/202 (28.7%) patients. In all, 42/202 (20.8%) had an infectious event (22 serious) and 27/202 (13.4%) of patients had an infusion reaction: 19 acute (four serious) and eight delayed (three serious).Conclusions  Serious infections, malignancies and neurological disease complicate anti‐TNF use in clinical practice. Although evidence for causality is unclear, potential mechanisms and predisposing factors need to be explored. In individual patients, the risk/benefit analysis needs to be carefully assessed and discussed prior to commencement of therapy.
Primary human acute myeloid leukaemia cells increase the proliferation of microvascular endothelial cells through the release of soluble mediators
Authors: Hatfield Kimberley , Øyan Anne M. , Ersvaer Elisabeth , Kalland Karl‐Henning , Lassalle Philippe , Gjertsen Bjørn T. , Bruserud Øystein 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBone marrow angiogenesis is suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and endothelial cells may mediate chemosensitivity. This study investigated in vitro endothelial effects of coculture of microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC) with AML cells derived from 33 consecutive AML patients. A proliferation assay showed that (i) AML cells from the majority of patients examined increased endothelial cell proliferation, while cytokine neutralizing experiments had divergent effects on proliferation and (ii) the angiopoietin/Tie2 system was important for growth of AML cells, and angiopoietin‐1 induced phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins in AML cells. Finally, gene expression profiling of MVEC cocultured with AML cells was conducted in non‐contact cultures. Microarray analysis revealed that the majority of significantly expressed genes could be categorized into gene ontology terms involved in transcription, cellular organization and intracellular signalling. Our study indicates a role for the leukaemic‐endothelium crosstalk in leukaemogenesis with enhancement of endothelial cell growth and increased AML cell proliferation possibly mediated by angiopoietin‐1 and the STAT signalling pathway.