bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Essential role of MYB transcription factor: PvPHR1 and microRNA: PvmiR399 in phosphorus‐deficiency signalling in common bean roots
Authors: VALDÉS‐LÓPEZ OSWALDO , ARENAS‐HUERTERO CATALINA , RAMÍREZ MARIO , GIRARD LOURDES , SÁNCHEZ FEDERICO , VANCE CARROLL P. , LUIS REYES JOSÉ , HERNÁNDEZ GEORGINA 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTPhosphorus (P), an essential element for plants, is one of the most limiting nutrients for plant growth. A few transcription factor (TF) genes involved in P‐starvation signalling have been characterized for Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. Crop production of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the most important legume for human consumption, is often limited by low P in the soil. Despite its agronomic importance, nothing is known about transcriptional regulation in P‐deficient bean plants. We functionally characterized the P‐deficiency‐induced MYB TF TC3604 (Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Common Bean Gene Index v.2.0), ortholog to AtPHR1 (PvPHR1). For its study, we applied RNAi technology in bean composite plants. PvPHR1 is a positive regulator of genes implicated in P transport, remobilization and homeostasis. Although there are no reports on the regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNA) in bean, we demonstrated that PvmiR399 is an essential component of the PvPHR1 signalling pathway. The analysis of DICER‐like1 (PvDCL1) silenced bean composite plants suppressed for accumulation of PvmiR399 and other miRNAs suggested that miR399 is a negative regulator of the ubiquitin E2 conjugase: PvPHO2 expression. Our results set the basis for understanding the signalling for P‐starvation responses in common bean and may contribute to crop improvement.
The rapid light response of leaf hydraulic conductance: new evidence from two experimental methods
Authors: SCOFFONI CHRISTINE , POU ALÍCIA , AASAMAA KRÕÕT , SACK LAWREN 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have shown a rapid enhancement in leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) from low to high irradiance (from <10 to >1000 µmol photons m−2 s−1), using the high‐pressure flow meter (HPFM), for 7 of 14 tested woody species. However, theoretical suggestions have been made that this response might arise as an artifact of the HPFM. We tested the Kleaf light response for six evergreen species using refined versions of the rehydration kinetics method (RKM) and the evaporative flux method (EFM). We found new evidence for a rapid, 60% to 100% increase in Kleaf from low to high irradiance for three species. In the RKM, the leaf rehydration time constant declined by up to 70% under high irradiance relative to darkness. In the EFM, under higher irradiance, the flow rate increased disproportionately to the water potential gradient. Combining our data with those of previous studies, we found that heterobaric species, i.e. those with bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) showed a twofold greater Kleaf light response on average than homobaric species, i.e. those without BSEs. We suggest further research to characterize this substantial dynamic at the nexus of plant light‐ and water‐relations.
Chloroplast biogenesis during rehydration of the resurrection plantXerophyta humilis: parallels to the etioplast–chloroplast transition
Authors: INGLE ROBERT A. , COLLETT HELEN , COOPER KEREN , TAKAHASHI YUICHIRO , FARRANT JILL M. , ILLING NICOLA 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTDe‐etiolation of dark‐grown seedlings is a commonly used experimental system to study the mechanisms of chloroplast biogenesis, including the stacking of thylakoid membranes into grana, the response of the nuclear‐chloroplast transcriptome to light, and the ordered synthesis and assembly of photosystem II (PSII). Here, we present the xeroplast to chloroplast transition during rehydration of the resurrection plantXerophyta humilisas a novel system for studying chloroplast biogenesis, and investigate the role of light in this process. Xeroplasts are characterized by the presence of numerous large and small membrane‐bound vesicles and the complete absence of thylakoid membranes. While the initial assembly of stromal thylakoid membranes occurs independently of light, the formation of grana is light dependent. Recovery of photosynthetic activity is rapid in plants rehydrated in the light and correlates with the light‐dependent synthesis of the D1 protein, but does not require de novo chlorophyll biosynthesis. Light‐dependent synthesis of the chlorophyll‐binding protein Lhcb2 and digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase 1 correlated with the formation of grana and with the increased PSII activity. Our results suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying photomorphogenic development may also function in desiccation tolerance in poikilochlorophyllous resurrection plants.
Chromogranin A‐, serotonin‐, synaptophysin‐ and vascular endothelial growth factor‐positive endocrine cells and the prognosis of colorectal cancer: An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study
Authors: Gulubova Maya , Vlaykova Tatyana 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Endocrine differentiation in colorectal adenocarcinoma has been reported but its significance as a prognostic marker remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prognostic significance of endocrine differentiation in colorectal cancer.Methods:  The presence of endocrine cells (EC) was determined in 137 colorectal cancers using light and electron immunohistochemistry and the immunogold method with chromogranin A, serotonin and synaptophysin. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in tumor biopsies was also analyzed applying anti‐VEGF antibodies.Results:  EC labeled with at least one of the studied markers were detected in 47 (34.3%) primary colorectal cancers (30% chromogranin A‐positive, 33% synaptophysin‐positive and 18% serotonin‐positive). In 23% of tumor biopsies, VEGF‐positive EC were also detected. The immunostaining on serial sections showed that some chromogranin A‐, synaptophysin‐ or serotonin‐positive EC also contained VEGF immune deposits. By the immunogold method, the presence of VEGF was localized to the granules of EC. Tumors with VEGF‐positive EC appeared to have significantly higher vascularization, detected as systematic microvessel density (28.89 vs 15.22 vessels/mm2, P = 0.044, Mann–Whitney U‐test) compared to those without VEGF‐positive EC. Ultrastructurally, EC in the tumor tissue displayed some features different from those in the normal colon. The survival analyses revealed that patients with EC in primary tumor tissues had a worse prognosis after surgical therapy than those without endocrine cell differentiation (P < 0.05, log–rank test).Conclusions:  Endocrine differentiation is not an uncommon event in primary colorectal cancer and it could be a useful marker for a worse prognosis after the surgical therapy. Tumors positive for VEGF and containing VEGF‐positive EC have higher vascularization, which probably also contributes to the unfavorable prognosis of patients.
Relationship between field walking tests and incremental cycle ergometry in COPD
Authors: LUXTON Nia , ALISON Jennifer A. , WU Judy , MACKEY Martin G. 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  Cycle ergometer training is an important component of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD. However, incremental cycle tests from which individualized cycle training intensity can be prescribed may not be readily available to clinicians. The aims of the study were to (i) investigate the physiological and psychophysical responses to the 6‐min walk test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) and cycle ergometer test (CET); and (ii) determine whether the distance walked in either the 6MWT or the ISWT could be used to estimate peak work rate on a cycle ergometer.Methods:  A repeated measures study was undertaken in COPD patients in a stable condition. The 6MWT, ISWT and CET were performed in random order, and physiological responses, rate of perceived exertion and dyspnoea were measured.Results:  Twenty‐two patients with COPD completed the study. There was no significant difference in peak oxygen uptake between the 6MWT, ISWT and CET. The significant correlation between the 6MWD and incremental shuttle walk distance with peak watts on the CET (r = 0.63, P = 0.002 and r = 0.75, P < 0.001, respectively) was strengthened by the inclusion of weight, age and gender (r = 0.89 P = 0.001 and r = 0.91, P < 0.001). Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated a strong agreement between peak work rate measured on the CET and that estimated from either the 6MWT or the ISWT.Conclusions:  The significant relationships found between the three exercise tests, and the regression equations predicting peak work rate on the CET from the 6MWT or the ISWT, may allow for the estimation of intensity of cycle exercise training from walk tests in COPD patients.
Association between polymorphisms of microsomal epoxide hydrolase and COPD: Results from meta‐analyses
Authors: HU Guoping , SHI Zhe , HU Jinxing , ZOU Guoming , PENG Gongyong , RAN Pixin 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  COPD is a complex polygenic disease in which gene–environment interactions are very important. The gene encoding microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) is one of several candidate loci for COPD pathogenesis and is highly polymorphic. Based χ on the polymorphisms of EPHX1 gene (tyrosine/histidine 113, histidine/arginine 139), the population can be classified into four groups of putative EPHX1 phenotypes (fast, normal, slow and very slow). A number of studies have investigated the association between the genotypes and phenotypes of EPHX1 and COPD susceptibility in different populations, with inconsistent results. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the published data was performed to gain a clearer understanding of this association.Methods:  The MEDLINE database was searched for case–control studies published from 1966 to August 2007. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.Results:  Sixteen eligible studies, comprising 1847 patients with COPD and 2455 controls, were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled result showed that the EPHX1 113 mutant homozygote was significantly associated with an increased risk of COPD (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14–2.21). Subgroup analysis supported the result in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. When the analysis was limited to only the larger‐sample‐size studies, studies in which controls were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and studies in which controls were smokers/ex‐smokers, the pooled results supported the conclusion. The EPHX1 139 heterozygote protected against the development of COPD in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. The other gene types of EPHX1 113 and EPHX1 139 were not associated with an increased risk of COPD. The slow activity phenotype of EPHX1 was associated with an increased risk of COPD. The fast activity phenotype of EPHX1 was a protective factor for developing COPD in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian population. However, the very slow activity phenotype of EPHX1 was a risk for developing COPD in the Caucasian population, but not in the Asian population.Conclusions:  The polymorphisms of EPHX1 113 and EPHX1 139 are genetic contributors to COPD susceptibility in Asian populations. The phenotypes of EPHX1 were contributors to overall COPD susceptibility.
Cross‐sectional and longitudinal construct validity of the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire in patients with IPF
Authors: PENG Shouchun , LI Zhenhua , KANG Jian , HOU Xianming 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  This study was performed to confirm the cross‐sectional and longitudinal construct validity of the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for the measurement of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with IPF.Methods:  Sixty‐eight patients with IPF responded to the SGRQ and pulmonary function tests (PFT), dyspnoea testing, arterial blood gas analysis, 6‐min walk tests (6MWT) and high‐resolution computed tomography were performed in a baseline study. A follow‐up study was performed on 45 of these patients.Results:  In the baseline study HRQoL as measured by the SGRQ was substantially impaired in IPF patients, especially in symptoms and activity domains. A significant decline in HRQoL was observed in the activity domain during follow up. TLC and changes in TLC showed the most significant inverse correlations with each SGRQ domain (r < −0.3, P < 0.05). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, TLC contributed most significantly to each SGRQ component baseline score. Similar results were also observed during follow up. There was a significant correlation between total CT scores and each component of the SGRQ (r > 0.3, P ≤ 0.001). Changes in ground‐glass opacity on CT (CT‐alv) were also correlated with changes in each SGRQ domain (r > 0.3, P ≤ 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that interstitial opacity on CT (CT‐fib) contributed to variation in the baseline activity score, and that changes in CT‐alv independently contributed to overall changes in the SGRQ domains during follow up. The dyspnoea score, and changes in the dyspnoea score, correlated significantly with the SGRQ sores, with the exception of the symptoms score, in both the baseline and follow‐up studies.Conclusions:  HRQoL as assessed by the SGRQ showed good cross‐sectional and longitudinal construct validity in patients with IPF. However, additional studies are required to analyse the reliability and responsiveness so that the SGRQ can be used in patients with IPF.
Lung transplantation in Hong Kong: 12 years of experience
Authors: WONG Chi Fong , FUNG Siu Leung , YAN See Wan , LEE Joseph , CHENG Lik Cheung , CHIU Clement S.W. 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  A lung transplant programme was launched in August 1994 at Grantham Hospital in Hong Kong with the first single‐lung transplant performed in July 1995. A retrospective study was undertaken of all patients who had undergone lung transplantation and their outcomes analysed.Methods:  Data were collected from hospital and outpatient records.Results:  There were 12 transplants (two single‐lung and 10 double‐lung) performed in the 12 years to December 2006. No postoperative or early mortality was observed. In addition to the usual complications there were two cases of early pulmonary tuberculosis and one rare case of delayed fungal sternotomy infection. The 1‐year, 3‐year and 5‐year survival rates were 100%, 100% and 76.2%, respectively. All fatalities were related to the consequences of chronic rejection or its treatment.Conclusions:  Despite the limited experience and the small case volume, the survival of patients was good and comparable with international experience.
Effects of Th2 pulmonary inflammation in mice with bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: HIRATA Hirokuni , ARIMA Masafumi , FUKUSHIMA Yasutsugu , ISHII Yoshiki , TOKUHISA Takeshi , FUKUDA Takeshi 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  Leucocytes, especially lymphocytes and neutrophils, as well as alveolar macrophages, that infiltrate into the lung are involved in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of T helper (Th)2‐type inflammation, mediated by Th2 cells and eosinophils, in fibrosis remains unknown. Transgenic mice deficient in the transcriptional repressor, Bcl6, display an attenuation of Th2 cytokine production. We studied the effects of Th2‐type pulmonary inflammation on bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis using Bcl6 transgenic mice.Methods:  Bleomycin was administered to ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized Bcl6 transgenic and wild‐type mice by intratracheal instillation during sequential OVA antigen challenge. Concentrations of transforming growth factor‐β1 in the BAL fluid were measured 2 weeks after bleomycin administration. At the same time lung tissue was examined histopathologically, and homogenized to assess collagen levels and Th1/Th2 cytokine mRNA expression.Results:  Although OVA‐sensitized, bleomycin‐treated Bcl6 transgenic mice had markedly lower numbers of eosinophils in both BAL and lung tissue compared with OVA‐sensitized, bleomycin‐treated wild‐type mice, the development of pulmonary fibrosis in response to bleomycin was similar in Bcl6 transgenic mice and wild‐type mice.Conclusion:  These results suggest that Th2‐dominant inflammation in the lung is not essential for the development of bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Transbronchial biopsy is clinically useful in classifying patients with interstitial pneumonia associated with polymyositis and dermatomyositis
Authors: MOCHIMARU Hiroshi , KAWAMOTO Masashi , ENOMOTO Tatsuji , SAITOH Yoshinobu , ABE Shinji , NEI Takahito , FUKUDA Yuh , KUDOH Shoji 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  The histological type of intraluminal fibrosis is an important prognostic factor for interstitial pneumonia. We therefore examined whether transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) specimens are useful for predicting the clinical course and prognosis of patients with interstitial pneumonia associated with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM), with particular attention to the different types of intraluminal fibrosis.Methods:  Twenty‐five cases of interstitial pneumonia associated with PM/DM were classified according to the pattern of intraluminal fibrosis as assessed by TBLB, and the clinical course and response to treatment were compared. Interstitial fibrosis was evaluated by sequential thin‐section CT scans.Results:  In 19 of 25 (76%) cases, there was sufficient intraluminal fibrosis to perform an evaluation. Intraluminal fibrosis was classified as bud (polyp) type or mural incorporation type (either alone or mixed with bud type). The bud type was seen in five cases and these improved following treatment with corticosteroids only. The mural incorporation type was seen in 14 cases. In 11 of these 14 cases, progressive long‐term fibrosis developed and four cases were fatal, in spite of corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy. The response to drugs (P < 0.01) and survival (P < 0.05) were significantly greater in patients with bud‐type than mural incorporation‐type intraluminal fibrosis.Conclusions:  Classification of the pattern of intraluminal fibrosis as assessed by TBLB is useful for predicting the response to treatment, clinical course and prognosis of interstitial pneumonia associated with PM/DM.
Underlying aetiology of pulmonary hypertension in 191 patients: A single centre experience
Authors: FRUCHTER Oren , YIGLA Mordechai 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and annual incidence, as well as the aetiology of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in a PHT clinic, so as to assist in future assessments of the economic burden of PHT.Methods:  The medical records for all new cases of PHT, defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure >45 mm Hg as measured by Doppler echocardiography, or as mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg measured at cardiac catheterization, between January 1998 and December 2005, were reviewed. The aetiology of the PHT was recorded and separate mean annual incidences were calculated.Results:  The study population included 191 patients ranging in age from 16 to 90 years. Respiratory disorders were the leading aetiology for PHT, accounting for 31% of cases, followed by collagen vascular diseases (19%), idiopathic (12%), haemodialysis (13%), chronic thromboembolism (8%), haematological diseases (7%), liver cirrhosis (6%) and hypoventilation syndrome (4%). The mean annual incidence of PHT was 15.9 new cases per million citizens per year, with a mean annual incidence due to respiratory disease of 4.82 (COPD, 3.83), collagen vascular disease 3.08, haemodialysis 2.08, idiopathic 1.92, chronic thromboembolism 1.33, haematological disease 1.17, liver disease 0.92 and hypoventilation syndrome 0.58. The mean annual incidence of PAH and chronic thromboembolic PHT that fitted the guidelines for therapy was 8.58 cases per year per million citizens.Conclusion:  The current data may help in estimating the economic burden of PHT.
Limited role for outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy for community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: INGRAM Paul R. , CERBE Lana , HASSELL Marilyn , WILSON Moira , DYER John R. 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  This study examined the potential utility of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) as a means of reducing the excessive number of patients hospitalized with low‐risk community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods:  A prospective feasibility study was conducted, in which a selection algorithm was applied to a cohort of patients admitted with suspected CAP, to identify a group in whom admission may have been prevented by the use of OPAT. Numbers of potentially suitable patients, inpatient bed days saved and frequency of adverse events that may have led to readmission were measured.Results:  There were 118 inpatients treated with confirmed CAP during the study period, of whom 27 had low‐risk disease (Pneumonia Severity Index grades I–III). Application of the selection algorithm identified eight (30% of those with low‐risk disease) patients who were potentially suitable for OPAT, and this group commonly experienced adverse events during follow up which may have resulted in readmission to hospital.Conclusions:  In many hospitalized patients with CAP, outpatient therapy is precluded by either disease severity or active medical and psychosocial factors. This limits the role of OPAT as a tool for reducing the inpatient burden of CAP.
Radiological diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules detected on low‐dose screening computed tomography
Authors: TSUSHIMA Kenji , SONE Shusuke , HANAOKA Takaomi , KUBO Keishi 
Published: September 2008

Background and objective:  Early detection and treatment of small malignant pulmonary lesions can improve survival; however, screening by CT detects many false positives. This study retrospectively evaluated a protocol for the diagnostic work‐up of nodules detected by low‐dose CT (LDCT) that are ≤ 10 mm in diameter.Methods:  A health screening programme included LDCT. Lesions detected were allocated to one of four categories: negative, semi‐negative, positive and semi‐positive. Positive and semi‐positive categories included non‐calcified nodules without a polygonal shape, and these patients had an initial diagnostic HRCT and were then followed up using high‐resolution CT (HRCT) at intervals determined by the characteristics of the lesion on screening LDCT and the initial diagnostic HRCT.Results:  There were 275 nodules detected on screening LDCT; 84 patients had lesions classified as positive and 99 as semi‐positive. Thirteen nodules detected on screening LDCT were only determined to be polygonal and benign following the diagnostic HRCT. The sensitivity and specificity of the screening CT, when compared with diagnostic HRCT, for determining if nodules should be classified as positive were 100% and 97%. The sensitivity and specificity of the initial diagnostic HRCT for being able to predict lung cancer were 87.5% and 91.7% respectively.Conclusions:  Following the detection of a pulmonary lesion on screening LDCT, a diagnostic HRCT is necessary to determine the timing of follow‐up HRCT. Diagnostic HRCT is needed to rationalize the screening for lung cancer to reduce the frequency of unnecessary follow‐up scans.