bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of the Sudden Oak Death epidemic in California through microsatellite analysis of the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum
Authors: MASCHERETTI S. , CROUCHER P. J. P. , VETTRAINO A. , PROSPERO S. , GARBELOTTO M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe genetic structure of the clonally reproducing Sudden Oak Death (SOD) pathogen in California was investigated using seven variable microsatellites. A total of 35 multilocus genotypes were identified among 292 samples representative of populations from 14 forest sites and of the nursery trade. amova indicated significant genetic variability both within (44.34%) and among populations (55.66%). Spatial autocorrelation analyses indicated that Moran's index of similarity reached a minimum of 0.1 at 350 m, increased to 0.4 at 1500 m and then decreased to zero at 10 km. These results suggest a bimodal pattern of spread, with medium range dispersal (1500–10 000 m) putatively attributed to the presence of strong winds. Lack of genetic structure was identified for three groups of populations. One group notably included the nurseries’ population and two forest populations, both linked to early reports of the pathogen. A neighbour‐joining analysis based on pairwise ΦST values indicated that the clade inclusive of the nurseries’ populations is basal to all California populations. A network analysis identified three common genotypes as the likely founders of the California infestation and proposes a stepwise model for local evolution of novel genotypes. This was supported by the identification in the same locations of novel genotypes and of their 1‐ or 2‐step parents. We hypothesize that the few undifferentiated population groups indicate historical human spread of the pathogen, while the general presence of genetically structured populations indicates that new infestations are currently generated by rare medium or long‐range natural movement of the pathogen, followed by local generation of new genotypes.
Suppression mechanism of mitochondrial ORF79 accumulation by Rf1 protein in BT‐type cytoplasmic male sterile rice
Authors: Kazama Tomohiko , Nakamura Takahiro , Watanabe Masao , Sugita Mamoru , Toriyama Kinya 
Published: April 2008

SummaryIn BT‐type cytoplasmic male sterile rice (Oryza sativa L.) with Chinsurah Boro II cytoplasm, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is caused by an accumulation of the cytotoxic peptide ORF79. The ORF79 protein is expressed from a dicistronic gene atp6‐orf79, which exists in addition to the normal atp6 gene in the BT‐type mitochondrial genome. The CMS is restored by a PPR (pentatricopeptide‐repeat) gene, Rf1, via RNA processing. However, it has not yet been elucidated how the accumulation of ORF79 is reduced by the action of the Rf1 protein. Here, we report that the level of processed orf79 transcripts in the restorer line was reduced to 50% of the unprocessed atp6‐orf79 transcripts in the CMS line. Ninety percent of the processed orf79 transcripts, which remained after degradation, were not associated with the ribosome for translation. Our data suggests that the processing of atp6‐orf79 transcripts diminishes the expression of orf79 by the translational reduction and degradation of the processed orf79 transcripts.
VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN7 is involved in the differentiation of all types of xylem vessels in Arabidopsis roots and shoots
Authors: Yamaguchi Masatoshi , Kubo Minoru , Fukuda Hiroo , Demura Taku 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe Arabidopsis thaliana NAC domain transcription factor, VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN7 (VND7), plays a pivotal role in regulating the differentiation of root protoxylem vessels. In order to understand the mechanisms underscoring the function of VND7 in vessel differentiation in more detail, we conducted extensive molecular analyses in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Arabidopsis, and Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2 (tobacco BY‐2) cells. The transcriptional activation activity of VND7 was confirmed in yeast and Arabidopsis, and the C‐terminal region was shown to be required for VND7 transcriptional activation. Expression of the C‐terminus‐truncated VND7 protein under the control of the native VND7 promoter resulted in inhibition of the normal development of metaxylem vessels in roots and vessels in aerial organs, as well as protoxylem vessels in roots. The expression pattern of VND7 overlapped that of VND2 to VND5 in most of the differentiating vessels. Furthermore, a yeast two‐hybrid assay revealed the ability of VND7 to form homodimers and heterodimers with other VND proteins via their N‐termini, which include the NAC domain. The heterologous expression of VND7 in tobacco BY‐2 cells demonstrated that the stability of VND7 could be regulated by proteasome‐mediated degradation. Together these data suggest that VND7 regulates the differentiation of all types of vessels in roots and shoots, possibly in cooperation with VND2 to VND5 and other regulatory proteins.
Isoprene emission is not temperature‐dependent during and after severe drought‐stress: a physiological and biochemical analysis
Authors: Fortunati Alessio , Barta Csengele , Brilli Federico , Centritto Mauro , Zimmer Ina , Schnitzler Jörg‐Peter , Loreto Francesco 
Published: April 2008

SummaryBlack poplar (Populus nigra L.) plants grown at 25 and 35°C were subjected to drought stress to assess the combined impact of two consequences of global climate change – rising temperature and drought – on isoprene biosynthesis and emission. At both temperatures, photosynthesis was inhibited by moderate drought, but isoprene emission only decreased when drought was prolonged. The mRNA transcript level, protein concentration and activity of isoprene synthase (ISPS) changed in concert with isoprene emission during drought stress. However, ISPS activity decreased before isoprene emission during drought development, indicating a tighter control of the emission at a transcriptional or post‐transcriptional level under moderate drought stress, and at both temperatures. A residual isoprene emission was measured when photosynthesis was totally inhibited after 35 days of drought. This photosynthesis‐independent emission of isoprene was probably dependent on a cytosolic carbon supply as all the properties of ISPS were drastically inhibited. Isoprene emission was associated with dark respiration during the entire drought stress period, and at both temperatures, indicating that the two processes are sustained by, but do not compete for, the same carbon source. Isoprene emission was directly related to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity in plants grown at 25°C and inversely related in plants grown at 35°C, suggesting a strong temperature control on the regulation of the pyruvate flowing from the cytosol to the plastidic isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway under drought stress and recovery. In re‐watered plants, the temperature control on isoprene emission was suppressed, despite complete recovery of photosynthesis and ISPS activity similar to levels in plants subjected to mild drought stress. Our results reveal the overriding effects of drought on isoprene emission, possibly affecting protein level or substrate supply. These effects may largely offset the predicted impact of rising temperatures on the emission of isoprene in terrestrial ecosystems.
Treatment of skin swellings with C1‐inhibitor concentrate in patients with hereditary angio‐oedema
Authors: Bork K. , Staubach P. , Hardt J. 
Published: April 2008

Background: Skin swellings are the most frequent symptoms in hereditary angio‐oedema (HAE) arising out of C1‐inhibitor (C1‐INH) deficiency. They may be painful and impact daily activities of patients. Detailed clinical data concerning the treatment of skin swellings by C1‐INH concentrate have not been reported yet.Methods: From 1976 through 2007, a total of 2104 skin‐swelling attacks in 47 patients with HAE were treated with the C1‐INH concentrate. Time to relief and duration of the swellings were documented during personal interviews using standardized questionnaires. The results were compared with 9046 untreated skin swellings in the same patients.Results: The first clinical sign of efficacy was a slowdown of progress of symptoms accompanied by a decreased feeling of tension and pain in the swollen area. The mean time to the first relief of symptoms was 1.1 ± 1.4 h in treated skin swellings and 50.4 ± 33 h in untreated skin swellings. Improvement of facial skin swellings took longer than swellings of the extremities, genitals or trunk. The duration of treated skin swellings was 1.7 day in treated and 3.2 day in untreated ones. In treated swellings, there was long‐lasting control and no rebound within the 48 h following the drug administration and no laryngeal oedema following facial oedema were observed. No severe side‐effects occurred.Conclusions: The C1‐INH concentrate has proven to be highly effective and safe for treating skin swellings in patients with HAE arising out of C1‐INH deficiency.
Identification of a serine protease as a major allergen (Per a 10) of Periplaneta americana
Authors: Sudha V. T. , Arora N. , Gaur S. N. , Pasha S. , Singh B. P. 
Published: April 2008

Background: Cockroach allergens are associated with the development of asthma, but none of these has been characterized for proteolytic activity. This study was undertaken to isolate and characterize a protease from Periplaneta americana and determine its allergenicity.Methods: A serine protease was isolated from P. americana extract using benzamidine sepharose column and characterized by immunobiochemical methods. Allergenicity of the protease was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot, intradermal testing, histamine release and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proliferation.Results:  Affinity purified protein of ∼28 kDa (Per a 10) showed a single band of activity in gelatin zymogram and agarose plate assay. N‐terminal sequence (IVGGRPAQI) revealed similarity with mite serine protease allergens and insect trypsins. It demonstrated proteolytic activity with azocollagen > gelatin > defatted‐milk > casein including serine protease specific substrate, N‐benzoyl‐arginine‐ethyl‐ester‐hydrochloride. It was inhibited by serine protease inhibitors, namely aprotinin > pefabloc > AEBSF > PMSF > benzamidine > antipain > leupeptin and trypsin‐specific inhibitor (tosyl‐lysyl‐chloromethyl‐ketone) suggesting it to be a trypsin‐like serine protease. Per a 10 was recognized as a major allergen, showing IgE reactivity with >80% of cockroach sensitized patients by skin tests and immunoblot. It could induce significant histamine release (P < 0.05) in blood and secretion of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) (P < 0.05) and IL‐5 (P < 0.05) in culture supernatant of PBMCs from cockroach hypersensitive patients, suggesting a strong allergenic potency.Conclusion: A serine protease isolated from P. americana was demonstrated to be a major allergen (Per a 10). It has a potential for component‐based diagnosis of allergy and will be useful in elucidating the mechanism of allergy.
Characterization of Der p 21, a new important allergen derived from the gut of house dust mites*
Authors: Weghofer M. , Dall’Antonia Y. , Grote M. , Stöcklinger A. , Kneidinger M. , Balic N. , Krauth M.‐T. , Fernández‐Caldas E. , Thomas W. R. , Hage M. van , Vieths S. , Spitzauer S. , Horak F. , Svergun D. I. , Konarev P. V. , Valent P. , Thalhamer J. , Keller W. , Valenta R. , Vrtala S. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  The house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is a major allergen source eliciting allergic asthma. The aim of the study was to identify new important HDM allergens associated with allergic asthma.Methods:  A cDNA coding for a new mite allergen, designated Der p 21, was isolated using immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies from patients with allergic asthma out of a D. pteronyssinus expression cDNA library and expressed in Escherichia coli.Results:  Circular dichroism analysis of the purified allergen showed that rDer p 21 (14 726 Da) is one of the few mite allergens with an α‐helical secondary structure. The protein exhibited high thermal stability and refolding capacity, and, as determined by small angle X‐ray scattering, formed a dimer consisting of two flat triangles. rDer p 21 bound high levels of patients’ IgE antibodies and showed high allergenic activity in basophil activation experiments. Rabbit anti‐Der p 21 IgG antibodies inhibited mite‐allergic patients’ IgE binding and allowed the ultrastructural localization of the allergen in the midgut (epithelium, lumen and faeces) of D. pteronyssinus by immunogold electron microscopy. Der p 21 revealed sequence homology with group 5 mite allergens, but IgE and IgG reactivity data and cross‐inhibition studies identified it as a new mite allergen.Conclusions:  Der p 21 is a new important mite allergen which is liberated into the environment via faecal particles and hence may be associated with allergic asthma.
Finnish Allergy Programme 2008–2018 – time to act and change the course
Authors: Haahtela T. , Von Hertzen L. , Mäkelä M. , Hannuksela M. ,   the Allergy Programme Working Group
Published: April 2008

Background:  The prevalence of allergic diseases has grown in Finland, similarly to many other western countries. Although the origin of allergy remains unresolved, increasing body of evidence indicates that the modern man living in urban built environment is deprived from environmental protective factors (e.g. soil microorganisms) that are fundamental for normal tolerance development. The current dogma of allergen avoidance has not proved effective in halting the ‘epidemic’, and it is the Finnish consensus that restoring and strengthening tolerance should more be in focus.Aim:  The national 10‐year programme is aimed to reduce burden of allergies. The main goals are to (i) prevent the development of allergic symptoms; (ii) increase tolerance against allergens; (iii) improve the diagnostics; (iv) decrease work‐related allergies; (v) allocate resources to manage and prevent exacerbations of severe allergies and (vi) decrease costs caused by allergic diseases.Methods:  For each goal, specific tasks, tools and evaluation methods are defined. Nationwide implementation acts through the network of local co‐ordinators (primary care physicians, nurses, pharmacists). In addition, three nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) take care of the programme implementation. The 21 central hospital districts carry out a three step educational process: (i) healthcare personnel; (ii) representatives and educators of NGOs and (iii) patients and the general population. For outcome evaluation, repeated surveys are performed and healthcare registers employed at the beginning, at 5 years, and at the end of the programme. The process will be evaluated by an independent external body.Conclusion:  The Finnish initiative is a comprehensive plan to reduce burden of allergies. The aim is to increase immunological tolerance and change attitudes to support health instead of medicalizing common and mild allergy symptoms. It is time to act, when allergic individuals are becoming a majority of western populations and their numbers are in rapid increase worldwide. The Programme is associated with the Global Alliance of Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), WHO.
Dysregulation of toll‐like receptor‐2 (TLR‐2)‐induced effects in monocytes from patients with atopic dermatitis: impact of the TLR‐2 R753Q polymorphism
Authors: Niebuhr M. , Langnickel J. , Draing C. , Renz H. , Kapp A. , Werfel T. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is often complicated by an enhanced susceptibility to bacterial skin infections, especially with Staphylococcus aureus. Toll‐like receptors (TLR), especially TLR‐2 recognizes cell wall components of S. aureus, e.g. lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PGN). A heterozygous TLR‐2 R753Q polymorphism occurs in a frequency of 11.5% in adult AD patients and has been shown to be associated with a severe phenotype of AD.Methods:  The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of TLR‐2 agonists (LTA, PGN and Pam3Cys) on cytokine production in human monocytes from AD patients with the TLR‐2 R753Q polymorphism compared with that of AD patients with ‘wild type’ TLR‐2 and control individuals to elucidate the functional role of the TLR‐2 R753Q polymorphism.Results:  Monocytes from AD patients with the TLR‐2 R753Q mutation produced significantly more IL‐6 and IL‐12 compared with that of AD patients with nonmutated TLR‐2 upon stimulation with TLR‐2 agonists.Conclusion:  We show for the first time functional differences in TLR‐2 responsiveness of monocytes from AD patients with the TLR‐2 R753Q mutation compared with wild type AD patients in a ligand‐dependent manner.Clinical implication:  Our data support the emerging concept that AD patients have a dysbalance in innate and aquired immunity. TLR‐2 may be essential in the pathogenesis and maintenance of AD and may be involved in the enhanced susceptibility to skin infections with S. aureus and in a higher inflammatory response in patients with AD carrying the TLR‐2 polymorphism.
Intratelencephalic corticostriatal neurons equally excite striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons and their discharge activity is selectively reduced in experimental parkinsonism
Authors: Ballion Bérangère , Mallet Nicolas , Bézard Erwan , Lanciego José Luis , Gonon Francois 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStriatonigral and striatopallidal neurons form distinct populations of striatal projection neurons. Their discharge activity is imbalanced after dopaminergic degeneration in Parkinson's disease. Striatal projection neurons receive massive cortical excitatory inputs from bilateral intratelencephalic (IT) neurons projecting to both the ipsilateral and contralateral striatum and from collateral axons of ipsilateral neurons that send their main axon through the pyramidal tract (PT). Previous anatomical studies in rats suggested that IT and PT inputs preferentially excite striatonigral and striatopallidal neurons, respectively. Here we used electrophysiological criteria to identify them with antidromic stimulations. We show that the spontaneous discharge activity of IT neurons is depressed, whereas that of PT neurons is not affected in the rat cortex ipsilateral to 6‐hydroxydopamine injection. However, our functional experiments do not support the hypothesis of a differential cortical input to striatal pathways. Firstly, although the conduction velocity of PT neurons is 4.6 times faster than that of IT neurons, identified striatopallidal and striatonigral neurons exhibit identical latencies of their spike responses to electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral cortex. Secondly, although PT neurons are ipsilateral, both striatal populations exhibit similar sensitivity to the stimulation of the ipsilateral and contralateral cortex. We suggest that IT neurons provide the main excitatory input to both striatal populations and that the corticostriatal PT input is weaker. Therefore, our functional data do not support our previous hypothesis that the deficit of IT neurons associated with the dopaminergic depletion might contribute to the striatal imbalance. This imbalance might rather result from intrinsic striatal mechanisms.
Medial orbitofrontal cortex codes relative rather than absolute value of financial rewards in humans
Authors: Elliott R. , Agnew Z. , Deakin J. F. W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFunctional imaging studies in recent years have confirmed the involvement of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in human reward processing and have suggested that OFC responses are context‐dependent. A seminal electrophysiological experiment in primates taught animals to associate abstract visual stimuli with differently valuable food rewards. Subsequently, pairs of these learned abstract stimuli were presented and firing of OFC neurons to the medium‐value stimulus was measured. OFC firing was shown to depend on the relative value context. In this study, we developed a human analogue of this paradigm and scanned subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The analysis compared neuronal responses to two superficially identical events, which differed only in terms of the preceding context. Medial OFC response to the same perceptual stimulus was greater when the stimulus predicted the more valuable of two rewards than when it predicted the less valuable. Additional responses were observed in other components of reward circuitry, the amygdala and ventral striatum. The central finding is consistent with the primate results and suggests that OFC neurons code relative rather than absolute reward value. Amygdala and striatal involvement in coding reward value is also consistent with recent functional imaging data. By using a simpler and less confounded paradigm than many functional imaging studies, we are able to demonstrate that relative financial reward value per se is coded in distinct subregions of an extended reward and decision‐making network.
Altered neurovascular coupling during information‐processing states
Authors: Jones Myles , Devonshire Ian M. , Berwick Jason , Martin Chris , Redgrave Peter , Mayhew John 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBrain imaging techniques rely on changes in blood flow, volume and oxygenation to infer the loci and magnitude of changes in activity. Although progress has been made in understanding the link between stimulus‐evoked neural activity and haemodynamics, the extent to which neurovascular‐coupling relationships remain constant during different states of baseline cortical activity is poorly understood. Optical imaging spectroscopy, laser Doppler flowmetry and electrophysiology were used to measure haemodynamics and neural activity in the barrel cortex of anaesthetized rats. The responses to stimulation of the whisker pad were recorded during quiescence and cortical desynchronization produced by stimulation of the brainstem. Cortical desynchronization was accompanied by increases in baseline blood flow, volume and oxygenation. Haemodynamic responses to low‐frequency whisker stimuli (1 Hz) were attenuated during arousal compared with that observed during quiescence. During arousal it was possible to increase stimulus‐evoked haemodynamics by increasing the frequency of the stimulus. Neural responses to low‐frequency stimuli were also attenuated but to a far lesser extent than the reduction in the accompanying haemodynamics. In contrast, neuronal activity evoked by high‐frequency stimuli (40 Hz) was enhanced during arousal, but induced haemodynamic responses of a similar magnitude compared with that observed for the same high‐frequency stimulus presented during quiescence. These data suggest that there may be differences in stimulus‐evoked neural activity and accompanying haemodynamics during different information‐processing states.