bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal use of folic acid supplements during pregnancy and four‐year‐old neurodevelopment in a population‐based birth cohort
Authors: Julvez Jordi , Fortuny Joan , Mendez Michelle , Torrent Maties , Ribas‐Fitó Núria , Sunyer Jordi 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe use of folic acid supplements during very early pregnancy is recommended in order to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Little is known about the possible benefits of folic acid on child neurodevelopment. A total of 420 children (87% of those eligible) from a birth cohort had complete data for final analyses at age 4 years. Information about folic acid and other over‐the‐counter dietary supplements was obtained prospectively using interviewer‐administered questionnaires at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Psychological outcomes were assessed by two psychologists and teachers 4 years later.Low maternal socio‐economic status, smoking, high parity and short duration of breast feeding were associated with lower prevalence of folic acid supplement use. Verbal (b = 3.98, SE = 1.69), motor (b = 4.54, SE = 1.66) and verbal‐executive function (b = 3.97, SE = 1.68) scores, social competence (b = 3.97, SE = 1.61) and inattention symptom [OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.22, 0.95] scores were associated with reported folic acid use. Reported folic acid supplement use during pregnancy was associated with improved neurodevelopment in children after adjusting for a number of sociodemographic and behavioural factors.
Nuclear envelope and nuclear pore complex structure and organization in tobacco BY‐2 cells
Authors: Fiserova Jindriska , Kiseleva Elena , Goldberg Martin W. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe nuclear envelope (NE) is a fundamental structure of eukaryotic cells with a dual role: it separates two distinct compartments, and enables communication between them via nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). Little is known about NPCs and NE structural organization in plants. We investigated the structure of NPCs from both sides of the NE in tobacco BY‐2 cells. We detected structural differences between the NPCs of dividing and quiescent nuclei. Importantly, we also traced the organizational pattern of the NPCs, and observed non‐random NPC distribution over the nuclear surface. Lastly, we observed an organized filamentous protein structure that underlies the inner nuclear membrane, and interconnects NPCs. The results are discussed within the context of the current understanding of NE structure and function in higher eukaryotes.
A cell wall extract from the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica promotes growth of Arabidopsis seedlings and induces intracellular calcium elevation in roots
Authors: Vadassery Jyothilakshmi , Ranf Stefanie , Drzewiecki Corinna , Mithöfer Axel , Mazars Christian , Scheel Dierk , Lee Justin , Oelmüller Ralf 
Published: March 2009

SummaryCalcium (Ca2+), as a second messenger, is crucial for signal transduction processes during many biotic interactions. We demonstrate that cellular [Ca2+] elevations are early events in the interaction between the plant growth‐promoting fungus Piriformospora indica and Arabidopsis thaliana. A cell wall extract (CWE) from the fungus promotes the growth of wild‐type seedlings but not of seedlings from P. indica‐insensitive mutants. The extract and the fungus also induce a similar set of genes in Arabidopsis roots, among them genes with Ca2+ signalling‐related functions. The CWE induces a transient cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) elevation in the roots of Arabidopsis and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants, as well as in BY‐2 suspension cultures expressing the Ca2+ bioluminescent indicator aequorin. Nuclear Ca2+ transients were also observed in tobacco BY‐2 cells. The Ca2+ response was more pronounced in roots than in shoots and involved Ca2+ uptake from the extracellular space as revealed by inhibitor studies. Inhibition of the Ca2+ response by staurosporine and the refractory nature of the Ca2+ elevation suggest that a receptor may be involved. The CWE does not stimulate H2O2 production and the activation of defence gene expression, although it led to phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. The involvement of MAPK6 in the mutualistic interaction was shown for an mpk6 line, which did not respond to P. indica. Thus, Ca2+ is likely to be an early signalling component in the mutualistic interaction between P. indica and Arabidopsis or tobacco.
Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity among Botrytis cinerea Isolates in Iran
Authors: Mirzaei Soheila , Mohammadi Goltapeh Ebrahim , Shams‐Bakhsh Masoud , Safaie Naser , Chaichi Mehrdad 
Published: March 2009

AbstractForty‐four Botrytis cinerea isolates from different hosts and geographical regions were studied for colony morphology, mycelial growth rate at different temperatures, pathogenicity and molecular diversity. Botrytis cinerea isolates had temperature optima of 20–25°C and isolates showed variation in growth rate at different temperatures. Two morphological types were identified among tested isolates: mycelial and sclerotial. The pathogenicity of isolates was tested on grapevine leaves, and it was revealed that nine of 44 isolates were non‐pathogenic and among them seven were of mycelial type. There was no correlation between mycelium growth rate and pathogenicity. Genetic diversity was investigated using nine arbitrary decaprimers. No relationship was found between molecular clusters and geographical region or sampling time; whereas isolates from the same plant host tended to cluster with each other. Seven of nine non‐pathogenic isolates were separated from pathogenic ones.
Contents of total protein and β‐N‐oxalyl‐l‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) in a collection of Lathyrus cicera of the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca (Spain)
Authors: Vioque R. Sánchez , De Los Mozos Pascual M. , Conde M. F. Rodríguez 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOne hundred and thirty‐four accessions of Lathyrus cicera from the Bank of Plant Germplasm of Cuenca (BGV‐Cuenca, Spain) have been analysed for total protein and β‐N‐oxalyl‐l‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) contents in order to identify those with a suitable nutritional quality for animal feeding. There was a large variability in both traits, the content of total protein ranged from 22.95% to 30.98% with a mean value of 27.62%, and the ODAP from 0.09% to 0.30% with a mean value of 0.17%. The accessions from Castilla y León and Castilla‐La Mancha showed higher percentages of protein and ODAP as compared with those from Andalucía, Greece and Extremadura. Nevertheless, total protein and ODAP contents showed a low positive correlation (r = 0.396, P = 0.01). Several accessions showed a content of ODAP similar to that of the variety ‘Chalus’ and two accessions seemed very suitable for animal feeding because of their high content of protein and low ODAP.
Agroforestry management affects coffee pests contingent on season and developmental stage
Authors: Teodoro A. , Klein A. M. , Reis P. R. , Tscharntke T. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract1 Management of vegetational diversity in agroecosystems is a potentially regulating factor of pest population dynamics and may affect developmental stages in different ways.2 We investigated the population dynamics of red spider mites, coffee leaf miners, and coffee berry borers in three management types of coffee agroforests: increasing plant diversity from a few shade tree species (simple‐shade agroforests), intermediate‐shade tree species (complex‐shade agroforests) to high‐shade tree species (abandoned coffee agroforests) in Ecuador. Furthermore, we studied how changes in agroforestry management affect population stage structure of each coffee pest.3 Our results show that agroforestry management affected seasonal patterns of coffee pests in that higher densities of red spider mites were observed from August to December, coffee leaf miners from December to February, and coffee berry borers from May to July. Moreover, specific developmental stages of red spider mites, coffee leaf miners, and coffee berry borers differed in their responses to agroforestry management. During all stages, red spider mite reached higher densities in simple‐shade agroforests compared with complex‐shade and abandoned agroforests. Meanwhile, coffee leaf miner densities decreased from simple‐shade to complex‐shade and abandoned agroforests, but only for larvae, not pupae. Similarly, only coffee berry borer adults (but not eggs, larvae and pupae) demonstrated a response to agroforestry management. Environmental variables characterizing each agroforestry type proved to be important drivers of pest population densities in the field.4 We emphasize the importance of considering seasonal differences and population structure while investigating arthropod responses to different habitat types because responses change with time and developmental stages.
Impact of several histopathological prognosticators and local tumour extension on oncological outcome in pT3b/c N0M0 renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Roos Frederik C. , Weirich Judith , Victor Anja , Elsäßer Amelie , Brenner Walburgis , Biesterfeld Stefan , Hampel Christian , Thüroff Joachim W. 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic relevance of different histopathological features and local tumour extension in patients with pT3b/c N0M0 renal cell carcinoma (RCC), as recently new proposals of reclassifying tumour fat invasion in pT3b/c RCC have been made but the effect of other histopathological tumour characteristics and combinations thereof with tumour invasion has yet to be determined in these patients.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1990 and 2006, 1943 patients underwent surgical treatment for renal tumours in our institution, of which 175 patients (8.7%) had pT3b/c RCC. After exclusion of 57 patients (32.6%) with lymph node and/or distant metastases at the time of diagnosis, 118 (67.4%) remained for retrospective analysis. Different histopathological features and local tumour extension were studied for their association with cancer‐specific‐survival (CSS) and progression‐free‐survival (PFS) by univariate and multivariate analyses. Histopathology was reviewed and revised according to the 2002 Tumour‐Nodes‐Metastasis (TNM) classification system by one pathologist (S.B.). CSS and PFS were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method.RESULTSFollow‐up data were obtained from 110 patients at a median (range) of 3.2  (0.3–16.1) years. In univariate analysis, microvascular invasion (MVI) and capsular invasion increased the risk of tumour progression by 2.05‐ and 2.72‐times (P = 0.037 and P < 0.001). Overall, tumour fat invasion (TFI) and the presence of areas composed by cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm were associated with a higher risk of progression (P = 0.001 and P = 0.011) and reduced CSS (P = 0.037 and P = 0.017). In multivariate analysis, MVI and capsular invasion were associated with a two‐fold increased risk of dying from cancer (hazard risk ratio, HR 2.22, P = 0.045 and HR 2.31, P = 0.011). TFI in general (P = 0.004) and specifically coexistent perirenal fat invasion (PFI) and renal sinus fat invasion (RSFI) were associated with a three‐fold increased risk of developing tumour progression (HR 3.36, P = 0.001). The 10‐year CSS and PFS rates were 39% and 36% for all patients, 47% and 45% for pT3b/c RCC with no PFI or RSFI, and 25% and 10% for PFI + RSFI.CONCLUSIONPatients with pT3b/c RCC with MVI, capsular invasion, TFI and especially PFI + RSFI, have a markedly reduced prognosis compared with patients with pT3b/c RCC without these features. When these results are corroborated by additional studies and external validation, modification of the TNM classification system would be a sensible consequence.
Student Support in Higher Education: Understandings, Implications and Challenges
Authors: Bartram Brendan 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper attempts to offer a critical examination of the notion of student support in higher education in the UK. It compares some of the key ways in which student support is understood across the sector and contrasts a humanistic view with understandings driven more by instrumental and therapeutic concerns. The possible risks and effects that could be associated with these differing understandings are also examined. Against this background, consideration is additionally afforded to international students studying at UK universities. Finally, the paper identifies a number of questions worthy of institutional consideration.
Measuring outcomes of importance to women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Ternent L , Vale L , Buckley B , Glazener C 
Published: March 2009

Objective  To provide evidence on outcomes of importance to women who have stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The secondary aim was to identify additional outcomes that ought to be collected in future primary studies or in systematic reviews of the literature.Design  Questionnaire survey of a cohort of women with SUI.Setting  UK.Sample  A total of 188 women with SUI.Methods  Areas of importance to women who suffer from SUI were assessed using a patient generated index (PGI). In addition to the PGI, the questionnaire included the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D).Main outcome measures  PGI, EQ‐5D and the KHQ.Results  In total, 38 different areas were reported by respondents on the PGI. PGI and EQ‐5D scores were positively correlated and significant. Correlations between the seven domains of the KHQ and PGI were all negative, but only two were statistically significant: personal relationships and severity measures.Conclusions  The PGI succeeded in capturing a diverse range of outcomes of importance to women suffering with SUI. Given the limited correlation between the KHQ domains and the PGI and, in addition, that the areas mentioned in the PGI were not found to map well to the EQ‐5D, the PGI in this instance may be capturing concerns of women who suffer from SUI, which are not captured by quality‐of‐life measures such as the EQ‐5D.
β‐Endorphin Neuronal Cell Transplant Reduces Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Hyperresponse to Lipopolysaccharide and Eliminates Natural Killer Cell Functional Deficiencies in Fetal Alcohol Exposed Rats
Authors: Boyadjieva Nadka I. , Ortigüela María , Arjona Alvaro , Cheng Xiaodong , Sarkar Dipak K. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  Natural killer (NK) cell dysfunction is associated with hyperresponse of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to immune challenge and with a loss of β‐endorphin (BEP) neurons in fetal alcohol exposed animals. Recently, we established a method to differentiate neural stem cells into BEP neurons using cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)‐elevating agents in cultures. Hence, we determined whether in vitro differentiated BEP neurons could be used for reversing the compromised stress response and immune function in fetal alcohol exposed rats.Methods:  To determine the effect of BEP neuron transplants on NK cell function, we implanted in vitro differentiated BEP neurons into the paraventricular nucleus of pubertal and adult male rats exposed to ethanol or control in utero. The functionality of transplanted BEP neurons was determined by measuring proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression in these cells and their effects on CRH gene expression under basal and after lipopolysaccaride (LPS) challenge. In addition, the effectiveness of BEP neurons in activating NK cell functions is determined by measuring NK cell cytolytic activity and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production in the spleen and in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) following cell transplantation.Results:  We showed here that when these in vitro differentiated BEP neurons were transplanted into the hypothalamus, they maintain biological functions by producing POMC and reducing the CRH neuronal response to the LPS challenge. BEP neuronal transplants significantly increased NK cell cytolytic activity in the spleen and in the PBMC and increased plasma levels of IFN‐γ in control and fetal alcohol exposed rats.Conclusions:  These data further establish the BEP neuronal regulatory role in the control of CRH and NK cell cytolytic function and identify a possible novel therapy to treat stress hyperresponse and immune deficiency in fetal alcohol exposed subjects.
Adiposity and gingival crevicular fluid tumour necrosis factor‐α levels in children
Authors: Khosravi Roozbeh , Tran Simon D. , Lambert Marie , O'Loughlin Jennifer , Kâ Khady , Feine Jocelyne S. , Caron Christian , Tremblay Angelo , Nicolau Belinda 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim: To investigate whether adiposity is associated with gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels in children. We also examined whether this relationship is mediated through plasma fasting insulin.Materials and Methods: This preliminary study used cross‐sectional data from the baseline‐visit of the Quebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth cohort, which is an ongoing longitudinal study investigating the natural history of obesity in Quebec children. Study participants (76 girls and 102 boys) include children aged 8–10 years and their families, living in the Montreal and Quebec City areas. TNF‐α level was measured in pooled samples (N=4) for each child by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2). Sex/age‐specific BMI was categorized into normal (<85th percentile), overweight (85th–95th percentile) and obese (95th percentile) defined by the 2000 US‐CDC growth charts. Insulin resistance was measured using fasting plasma insulin in children. Data analysis involved descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses.Results: Our results suggest that obesity in boys was associated with a 37% increase of GCF‐TNF‐α level. However, when accounting for insulin resistance this association was reduced and disappeared while the model's goodness of fit improved.Conclusions: These findings provide support for the link between adiposity in children and GCF‐TNF‐α level, which appears to be mediated by insulin resistance.
Extent of peri‐implantitis‐associated bone loss
Authors: Fransson Christer , Wennström Jan , Tomasi Cristiano , Berglundh Tord 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjective: The purpose of the present study was to describe the extent of peri‐implantitis‐associated bone loss with regard to implant position.Material and methods: Patient files and intra‐oral radiographs from 182 subjects were analysed. Among the 1070 examined implants, 419 exhibited peri‐implantitis‐associated bone loss. The position of each implant within the jaw and fixed reconstructions was determined. In the radiographs the distance between the abutment‐fixture junction and the most coronal position of bone to implant contact was assessed at the 419 “affected” implants using a magnifying lens (× 7) with a 0.1 mm graded scale.Results: About 40% of the implants in each subject was affected by peri‐implantitis‐associated bone loss. The proportion of such implants varied between 30% and 52% in different jaw positions and the most common position was the lower front region. In addition, affected implants were found in larger proportions among “mid” than “end” abutments irrespective of supporting fixed complete or fixed partial dentures.Conclusion: It is suggested that peri‐implantitis occurs in all jaw positions and that an “end”‐abutment position in a fixed reconstruction is not associated with an enhanced risk for peri‐implantitis.
Evolution of gustatory reflex systems in the brainstems of fishes
Authors: FINGER Thomas E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe great number of species of teleosts permits highly specialized forms to evolve to occupy particular niches. This diversity allows for extreme variations in brain structure according to particular sensory or motor adaptations. In the case of the taste system, goldfish (Carassius auratus L., 1758) and some carps have evolved a specialized intraoral food‐sorting apparatus along with corresponding specializations of gustatory centers in the brainstem. A comparison of circuitry within the complex vagal lobe of goldfish, and of the simpler gustatory lobes in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818) shows numerous similarities in organization and neurotransmitters. Double labeling studies using horseradish peroxidase and biotinylated dextran amine in catfish shows a direct projection from the vagal lobe to the motoneurons of nucleus ambiguus which innervate oropharyngeal musculature. Therefore, a three neuron reflex arc connects gustatory input to motor output. In the vagal lobe of goldfish, a similar three neuron arc can be identified: from primary gustatory afferent, to vagal lobe interneuron, thence to dendrites of the vagal motoneurons that innervate the pharyngeal muscles. Therefore, despite large differences in the gross appearance of the vagal gustatory systems in the brains of catfish and goldfish, the essential connectivity and circuitry is similar. This suggests that evolutionary change in the central nervous system largely proceeds by rearrangement and elaboration of existing systems, rather than by addition of new structures or circuits.
microRNA-205 Regulates HER3 in Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Iorio Marilena V. , Casalini Patrizia , Piovan Claudia , Di Leva Gianpiero , Merlo Andrea , Triulzi Tiziana , Ménard Sylvie , Croce Carlo M. , Tagliabue Elda 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
An increasing amount of experimental evidence shows that microRNAs can have a causal role in breast cancer tumorigenesis as a novel class of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, depending on the targets they regulate. HER2 overexpression is a hallmark of a particularly aggressive subset of breast tumors, and its activation is strictly dependent on the trans-interaction with other members of HER family; in particular, the activation of the PI3K/Akt survival pathway, so critically important in tumorigenesis, is predominantly driven through phosphorylation of the kinase-inactive member HER3. Here, we show that miR-205, down-modulated in breast tumors compared with normal breast tissue, directly targets HER3 receptor, and inhibits the activation of the downstream mediator Akt. The reintroduction of miR-205 in SKBr3 cells inhibits their clonogenic potential and increases the responsiveness to tyrosine-kinase inhibitors Gefitinib and Lapatinib, abrogating the HER3-mediated resistance and restoring a potent proapoptotic activity. Our data describe miR-205 as a new oncosuppressor gene in breast cancer, able to interfere with the proliferative pathway mediated by HER receptor family. Our study also provides experimental evidence suggesting that miR-205 can improve the responsiveness to specific anticancer therapies. [Cancer Res 2009;69(6):2195–200]