bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specificity of two lipoxygenases from rice: Unusual regiospecificity of a lipoxygenase isoenzyme
Authors: Zhang Lian‐Ying , Hamberg Mats 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe regio‐ and stereospecificity of two lipoxygenases from rice were investigated using arachidonic acid as the substrate. Rice seed lipoxygenase‐2 (RSL‐2) catalyzed oxygenation of arachidonic acid into a mixture of 5(S)‐hydroperoxy‐6,8,11,14‐eicosatetraenoic acid [5(S)‐HPETE] and 15(S)‐hydroperoxy‐5,8,11,13‐eicosatetraenoic acid [15(S)‐HPETE]. In addition, two double dioxygenase products, 5(S), 15(S)‐dihydroperoxy‐6,8,11,13‐eicosatetraenoic acid and 8(S), 15(S)‐dihydroperoxy‐5,9,11,13‐eicosatetraenoic acid, were obtained in a lower yield. The regiospecificity of the RSL‐2‐catalyzed oxygenation was pH‐dependent. Thus, incubation at pH 6.7 led to the formation of 5(S)‐HPETE and 15(S)‐HPETE in a ratio of 52∶48, and incubation at pH 9.8 strongly suppressed production of 5(S)‐HPETE and led to formation of 5(S)‐HPETE and 15(S)‐HPETE in a ratio of 3∶97. A pH‐dependent orientation of arachidonic acid at the active site is proposed to explain these findings. Rice leaf pathogen‐inducible lipoxygenase [Peng, Y.‐L., Shirano, Y., Ohta, H., Hibino, T., Tanaka, K., and Shibata, D. (1994)J. Biol. Chem. 269, 3755–3761] catalyzed oxygenation of arachidonic acid into a single hydroperoxide isomer of high optical purity, i.e., 15(S)‐HPETE (99.5%S).
Total and free tissue factor pathway inhibitor in pregnancy hypertension
Authors: Abdel Gader A.M. , Al‐Mishari A.A. , Awadalla S.A. , Buyuomi N.M. , Khashoggi T. , Al‐Hakeem M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo clarify the role played by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in pregnancy hypertension.MethodsUsing enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, hemostatic measurements were obtained for women with pre‐eclampsia (n = 51), nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (n = 62), postpartum pre‐eclampsia 24 h after childbirth (n = 31), and no hypertension (healthy pregnant controls, n = 100).ResultsThere was a significant increase in circulating free TFPI levels in women with pre‐eclampsia (9.7 ± 6.2 ng/mL) or nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (8.3 ± 5.3 ng/mL) compared with healthy controls (5.3 ± 2.1 ng/mL). In women with pre‐eclampsia the levels remained elevated after placental delivery (10.6 ± 4.0 ng/mL). Free protein S levels were significantly higher in women with pre‐eclampsia (40.0% ± 10.7%), nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (37.1% ± 12.5%), or postpartum pre‐eclampsia (39.3% ± 9.1%) than in healthy pregnant controls (32.2% ± 8.5%).ConclusionIncreased levels of the physiologically active free forms of TFPI and free protein S, 2 coagulation inhibitors, may protect women with pregnancy‐induced hypertension from the risks of hemostatic activation.
Botulinum toxin: A potential alternative to current treatment of neurogenic and idiopathic urinary incontinence due to detrusor overactivity
Authors: Casanova N. , McGuire E. , Fenner D.E. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective: To analyze and report the current data on the treatment of both neurogenic and idiopathic detrusor overactivity with Botulinum toxin.Methods: Literature review using Pub‐Med and Medline from 1990 until June 30, 2006.Results: Case series of patients with neurogenic detrusor dysfunction (NDD) and idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) range from 15 to 200 patients with follow up from 12 to 36 weeks post‐treatment. Significant improvements in cystometric bladder capacity, reflex volume at first urge to void, and bladder compliance are seen in nearly all patients. Approximately 50% of NDD patients achieved urinary continence and almost all had improvement in bladder control up to 36 weeks following treatment. Patients with IDO with urgency alone or with incontinence also had urodynamic as well as symptom improvement. Approximately 75% of patients with IDO and incontinence are dry at 12 weeks post‐treatment. Urgency disappears on average in two thirds of patients. Quality of life scores also shows significant improvement for all groups.Conclusion: Botulinum toxin‐A has emerged as a promising option for the treatment of neurogenic and refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity. Studies to date have shown that not only is this treatment effective at decreasing urinary symptoms and incontinence, as well as improving potentially dangerous urodynamic measures, but it is also minimally invasive, reversible and safe. Questions over proper dosing and dilution, number of injection sites, and re‐injection rates remain to be answered.
Bone graft necrosis of facial translocation: Comparison of 3 different techniques
Authors: Chen Chiang‐Wen , Hao Sheng‐Po , Pan Whei‐Lin 
Published: October 2006

ObjectiveTo compare the viability of translocated facial bone grafts among 3 different techniques of facial translocation: free bone graft (FBG), attached bone graft (ABG), and modified facial translocation (MFT).Study DesignA total of 107 patients were divided into 3 groups: FBG group without reconstruction (N = 33), ABG group (N = 14), and FBG group with reconstruction using a flap (FBG[R +] and MFT) (N = 60). Data evaluated included the respective incidence of bone graft necrosis (BGN) and the impact of radiotherapy.ResultsThe incidence of BGN significantly varied among the three different groups (P = 0.00003): FBG[R‐] (11/33[33.3%]), ABG (1/14[7.1%]) and FBG[R+] and MFT (1/60[1.67%]). Soft tissue reconstruction significantly decreased the incidence of BGN (P = 0.00003), even in patients with radiation therapy (P = 0.00001).ConclusionsMFT significantly increases the viability of translocated facial bone grafts, which provides a good surgical approach to the anterior skull base.
The influence of epilarynx area on vocal fold dynamics
Authors: Döllinger Michael , Berry David A. , Montequin Douglas W. 
Published: October 2006

ObjectiveThis study investigated the influence of epilarynx area on an excised human vocal fold during phonation.Study DesignA hemilarynx set‐up using an excised human larynx was used. An artificial vocal tract with an epilarynx tube of variable cross‐sectional area was attached. High‐speed imaging was performed and standard phonatory variables were measured.ResultsGlottal airflow, fundamental frequency, and sound level increased as a function of subglottal pressure. A decrease in epilarynx area decreased phonation threshold pressure, glottal airflow, and vocal fold displacements and velocities.ConclusionsPreliminary experimental results confirm that narrowing the epilarynx area facilitates phonation by decreasing phonation threshold pressure, presumably through impedance matching of the glottal source and vocal tract.SignificanceAs this phenomenon associated with epilarynx narrowing is further quantified and generalized, eventually new surgical alterations of the epilaryngeal structure may be suggested to facilitate phonation, in addition to standard phonosurgical procedures.
Glutathione ester protects against hydroxynonenal‐induced loss of auditory hair cells
Authors: Ruiz Jose W. , Guzman Jose , Polak Marek , Eshraghi Adrien A. , Balkany Thomas J. , Van De Water Thomas R. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETest the ability of glutathione monoethy1 ester (GSHe) to protect auditory hair cells against the ototoxic effects of 4‐hydroxy‐2,3‐nonenal (HNE).STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGOrgan of Corti explants were either untreated or treated with one of a series of four concentrations of GSHe for one day, then exposed to HNE. Counts of FITC‐phalloidin‐labeled hair cells determined both HNE ototoxicity and GSHe otoprotection.RESULTSHNE was toxic to hair cells at physiologically relevant levels, eg, 400 μm, and GSHe provided a significant level of protection against HNE ototoxicity (P < 0.05) at all levels tested, ie, 1.16 to 9.3 mM.CONCLUSIONGSHe protects auditory hair cells from damage and loss initiated by a naturally occurring ototoxic molecule, ie, HNE (a by‐product of oxidative stress).SIGNIFICANCETreatment with GSHe may be an effective therapy to protect the cochlea against the adverse effects of traumas (eg, electrode insertion) that generate oxidative stress.
Established prognostic variables in NO oral carcinoma
Authors: Clark Jonathan R. , Naranjo Natalie , Franklin Jason H. , de Almeida John , Gullane Patrick J. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVESTo examine the utility of established prognostic variables in patients with oral carcinoma and a clinically negative neck.STUDY DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.METHODSThe distribution of occult metastases was assessed in 105 oral cancer patients with no clinical or radiological evidence of nodal disease. Predictors for nodal metastases, recurrence, and survival were examined.RESULTSOccult neck metastases occurred in 34 percent of patients. Tumor thickness was the only independent predictor of occult metastases, with thin (‡5 mm) and thick (>5 mm) tumors having a 10 percent and 46 percent incidence of regional disease, respectively (P = 0.001). Nodal metastases and perineural invasion were significant predictors of survival.CONCLUSIONPatients with thick tumors are at high risk of nodal metastases and are likely to benefit from elective neck dissection. Comprehensive neck dissection should be considered in advanced primary disease.SIGNIFICANCETumor thickness is the most important predictor of occult regional metastases in oral cavity cancer.
Connexin expression and gap junctional intercellular communication in human squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Frank Douglas K. , Szymkowiak Bozena , Hughes Cynthia A. 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVEOur laboratory is investigating the role that gap junction intercellular channels (composed of proteins called connexins) play in communicating apoptotic signals from therapeutically targeted squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cells to adjacent, untreated, “bystander” cells (bystander effect). The nature of this research underscores the importance of delineating connexin expression patterns in SCCHN, and how this correlates with gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and bystander effects.STUDY DESIGNThe GJIC activity of a diverse panel of SCCHN cell lines, as well as normal oral epithelial (NOE) cell controls was determined in vitro. These data were correlated with connexin expression patterns determined through connexin 43 and connexin 26 immunofluorescence.RESULTSCell lines with retained GJIC activity all expressed connexin 43 on the cell membrane. Cell lines that did not communicate microinjected lucifer yellow (lost GJIC activity) showed no connexin expression, either at the cell membrane or in the cytosol. Connexin 26 was not expressed in any of our SCCHN cell lines, whereas both connexin 43 and connexin 26 were expressed in the NOE cell controls. Furthermore, connexin 43 introduction into a GJIC (and connexin) deficient SCCHN cell line conferred no growth inhibitory effect.CONCLUSIONConnexin 43 expression correlates with retained GJIC in SCCHN in vitro. Connexin 26 may have a role as a tumor suppressor in SCCHN.SIGNIFICANCEThe data presented have relevance to our ongoing investigations of gap‐junction mediated bystander effects in SCCHN and are being expanded to investigations on actual SCCHN tumor specimens.
Holocene Climate and Cultural Evolution in Late Prehistoric–Early Historic West Asia
Authors: Staubwasser Michael , Weiss Harvey 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe precipitation climatology and the underlying climate mechanisms of the eastern Mediterranean, West Asia, and the Indian subcontinent are reviewed, with emphasis on upper and middle tropospheric flow in the subtropics and its steering of precipitation. Holocene climate change of the region is summarized from proxy records. The Indian monsoon weakened during the Holocene over its northernmost region, the Ganges and Indus catchments and the western Arabian Sea. Southern regions, the Indian Peninsula, do not show a reduction, but an increase of summer monsoon rain across the Holocene. The long-term trend towards drier conditions in the eastern Mediterranean can be linked to a regionally complex monsoon evolution. Abrupt climate change events, such as the widespread droughts around 8200, 5200 and 4200 cal yr BP, are suggested to be the result of altered subtropical upper-level flow over the eastern Mediterranean and Asia.The abrupt climate change events of the Holocene radically altered precipitation, fundamental for cereal agriculture, across the expanse of late prehistoric–early historic cultures known from the archaeological record in these regions. Social adaptations to reduced agro-production, in both dry-farming and irrigation agriculture regions, are visible in the archaeological record during each abrupt climate change event in West Asia. Chronological refinement, in both the paleoclimate and archaeological records, and transfer functions for both precipitation and agro-production are needed to understand precisely the evident causal linkages.
Facial palsy secondary to cholesteatoma: analysis of outcome following surgery
Authors: Siddiq M A , Hanu-Cernat L M , Irving R M 
Published: November 2006

Facial palsy is a rare presenting feature of cholesteatoma. Prompt treatment usually results in a good outcome, but if treatment is delayed the prognosis can be difficult to predict. We retrospectively reviewed 326 consecutive patients who had undergone temporal bone surgery for cholesteatoma. Eleven patients had presented with facial palsy, of whom eight had petrous apex involvement and three had disease confined to the middle-ear cleft. All patients with middle-ear disease were operated upon within two months of presentation, and all showed some recovery in facial function. The diagnosis had been delayed in all eight cases of apical disease, with four cases having had a long-standing total weakness. One case treated after seven months' partial weakness achieved a full recovery. In three cases of long-standing partial weakness, pre-operative facial function was preserved by maintaining the facial nerve in its normal anatomical location.Facial palsy associated with cholesteatoma should be treated as early as possible. Recovery can occur even if treatment is delayed for up to seven months. After this time, recovery is increasingly unlikely, but any residual function can be maintained and further deterioration prevented.
Arabidopsis Reversibly Glycosylated Polypeptides 1 and 2 Are Essential for Pollen Development
Authors: Drakakaki Georgia , Zabotina Olga , Delgado Ivan , Robert Stéphanie , Keegstra Kenneth , Raikhel Natasha 
Published: October 2006

AbstractReversibly glycosylated polypeptides (RGPs) have been implicated in polysaccharide biosynthesis. To date, to our knowledge, no direct evidence exists for the involvement of RGPs in a particular biochemical process. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome contains five RGP genes out of which RGP1 and RGP2 share the highest sequence identity. We characterized the native expression pattern of Arabidopsis RGP1 and RGP2 and used reverse genetics to investigate their respective functions. Although both genes are ubiquitously expressed, the highest levels are observed in actively growing tissues and in mature pollen, in particular. RGPs showed cytoplasmic and transient association with Golgi. In addition, both proteins colocalized in the same compartments and coimmunoprecipitated from plant cell extracts. Single-gene disruptions did not show any obvious morphological defects under greenhouse conditions, whereas the double-insertion mutant could not be recovered. We present evidence that the double mutant is lethal and demonstrate the critical role of RGPs, particularly in pollen development. Detailed analysis demonstrated that mutant pollen development is associated with abnormally enlarged vacuoles and a poorly defined inner cell wall layer, which consequently results in disintegration of the pollen structure during pollen mitosis I. Taken together, our results indicate that RGP1 and RGP2 are required during microspore development and pollen mitosis, either affecting cell division and/or vacuolar integrity.
Variation of Enzyme Activities and Metabolite Levels in 24 Arabidopsis Accessions Growing in Carbon-Limited Conditions
Authors: Cross Joanna M. , von Korff Maria , Altmann Thomas , Bartzetko Linda , Sulpice Ronan , Gibon Yves , Palacios Natalia , Stitt Mark 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOur understanding of the interaction of carbon (C) metabolism with nitrogen (N) metabolism and growth is based mainly on studies of responses to environmental treatments, and studies of mutants and transformants. Here, we investigate which metabolic parameters vary and which parameters change in a coordinated manner in 24 genetically diverse Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions, grown in C-limited conditions. The accessions were grown in short days, moderate light, and high nitrate, and analyzed for rosette biomass, levels of structural components (protein, chlorophyll), total phenols and major metabolic intermediates (sugars, starch, nitrate, amino acids), and the activities of seven representative enzymes from central C and N metabolism. The largest variation was found for plant weight, reducing sugars, starch at the end of the night, and several enzyme activities. High levels of one sugar correlated with high levels of other sugars and starch, and a trend to increased amino acids, slightly lower nitrate, and higher protein. The activities of enzymes at the interface of C and N metabolism correlated with each other, but were unrelated to carbohydrates, amino acid levels, and total protein. Rosette weight was unrelated or showed a weak negative trend to sugar and amino acid contents at the end of the day in most of the accessions, and was negatively correlated with starch at the end of the night. Rosette weight was positively correlated with several enzyme activities. We propose that growth is not related to the absolute levels of starch, sugars, and amino acids; instead, it is related to flux, which is indicated by the enzymatic capacity to use these central resources.
Ethylene Stimulates Nutations That Are Dependent on the ETR1 Receptor
Authors: Binder Brad M. , O'Malley Ronan C. , Wang Wuyi , Zutz Tobias C. , Bleecker Anthony B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEthylene influences a number of processes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) through the action of five receptors. In this study, we used high-resolution, time-lapse imaging to examine the long-term effects of ethylene on growing, etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. These measurements revealed that ethylene stimulates nutations of the hypocotyls with an average delay in onset of over 6 h. The nutation response was constitutive in ctr1-2 mutants maintained in air, whereas ein2-1 mutants failed to nutate when treated with ethylene. Ethylene-stimulated nutations were also eliminated in etr1-7 loss-of-function mutants. Transformation of the etr1-7 mutant with a wild-type genomic ETR1 transgene rescued the nutation phenotype, further supporting a requirement for ETR1. Loss-of-function mutations in the other receptor isoforms had no effect on ethylene-stimulated nutations. However, the double ers1-2 ers2-3 and triple etr2-3 ers2-3 ein4-4 loss-of-function mutants constitutively nutated in air. These results support a model where all the receptors are involved in ethylene-stimulated nutations, but the ETR1 receptor is required and has a contrasting role from the other receptor isoforms in this nutation phenotype. Naphthylphthalamic acid eliminated ethylene-stimulated nutations but had no effect on growth inhibition caused by ethylene, pointing to a role for auxin transport in the nutation phenotype.
Integrated Analysis of Metabolite and Transcript Levels Reveals the Metabolic Shifts That Underlie Tomato Fruit Development and Highlight Regulatory Aspects of Metabolic Network Behavior
Authors: Carrari Fernando , Baxter Charles , Usadel Björn , Urbanczyk-Wochniak Ewa , Zanor Maria-Ines , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Nikiforova Victoria , Centero Danilo , Ratzka Antje , Pauly Markus , Sweetlove Lee J. , Fernie Alisdair R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a well-studied model of fleshy fruit development and ripening. Tomato fruit development is well understood from a hormonal-regulatory perspective, and developmental changes in pigment and cell wall metabolism are also well characterized. However, more general aspects of metabolic change during fruit development have not been studied despite the importance of metabolism in the context of final composition of the ripe fruit. In this study, we quantified the abundance of a broad range of metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, analyzed a number of the principal metabolic fluxes, and in parallel analyzed transcriptomic changes during tomato fruit development. Metabolic profiling revealed pronounced shifts in the abundance of metabolites of both primary and secondary metabolism during development. The metabolite changes were reflected in the flux analysis that revealed a general decrease in metabolic activity during ripening. However, there were several distinct patterns of metabolite profile, and statistical analysis demonstrated that metabolites in the same (or closely related) pathways changed in abundance in a coordinated manner, indicating a tight regulation of metabolic activity. The metabolite data alone allowed investigations of likely routes through the metabolic network, and, as an example, we analyze the operational feasibility of different pathways of ascorbate synthesis. When combined with the transcriptomic data, several aspects of the regulation of metabolism during fruit ripening were revealed. First, it was apparent that transcript abundance was less strictly coordinated by functional group than metabolite abundance, suggesting that posttranslational mechanisms dominate metabolic regulation. Nevertheless, there were some correlations between specific transcripts and metabolites, and several novel associations were identified that could provide potential targets for manipulation of fruit compositional traits. Finally, there was a strong relationship between ripening-associated transcripts and specific metabolite groups, such as TCA-cycle organic acids and sugar phosphates, underlining the importance of the respective metabolic pathways during fruit development.
delayed flowering1Encodes a Basic Leucine Zipper Protein That Mediates Floral Inductive Signals at the Shoot Apex in Maize
Authors: Muszynski Michael G. , Dam Thao , Li Bailin , Shirbroun David M. , Hou Zhenglin , Bruggemann Edward , Archibald Rayeann , Ananiev Evgueni V. , Danilevskaya Olga N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSeparation of the life cycle of flowering plants into two distinct growth phases, vegetative and reproductive, is marked by the floral transition. The initial floral inductive signals are perceived in the leaves and transmitted to the shoot apex, where the vegetative shoot apical meristem is restructured into a reproductive meristem. In this study, we report cloning and characterization of the maize (Zea mays) flowering time gene delayed flowering1 (dlf1). Loss of dlf1 function results in late flowering, indicating dlf1 is required for timely promotion of the floral transition. dlf1 encodes a protein with a basic leucine zipper domain belonging to an evolutionarily conserved family. Three-dimensional protein modeling of a missense mutation within the basic domain suggests DLF1 protein functions through DNA binding. The spatial and temporal expression pattern of dlf1 indicates a threshold level of dlf1 is required in the shoot apex for proper timing of the floral transition. Double mutant analysis of dlf1 and indeterminate1 (id1), another late flowering mutation, places dlf1 downstream of id1 function and suggests dlf1 mediates floral inductive signals transmitted from leaves to the shoot apex. This study establishes an emergent framework for the genetic control of floral induction in maize and highlights the conserved topology of the floral transition network in flowering plants.