bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The origin and glaciodynamic significance of sandstone ridge networks from the Hirnantian glaciation of the Djado Basin (Niger)
Authors: DENIS MICHAËL , BUONCRISTIANI JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , KONATÉ MOUSSA , GUIRAUD MICHEL , Eyles Nick 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe Djado Basin (Niger) was located beneath the inner part of the Late Ordovician ice sheet. The Felar‐Felar Formation consists mainly of glaciomarine deposits, associated with the major ice sheet recession within the glaciation, and is bounded by two glacial unconformities. Structures corresponding to sandstone ridges are found within the Felar‐Felar Formation. Sandstone ridges are several metres high, about 10 m wide and hundreds of metres long. These structures are organized in extensive anastomosed to sub‐polygonal networks. The association of sandstone ridge networks with the later glacial unconformity and with other glacial evidence suggests sub‐glacial conditions for their origin. Sandstone ridge sedimentological characteristics indicate that sandstone ridges result from the scouring of the Felar‐Felar Formation by sub‐glacial, turbulent and pressurized meltwater; then sub‐glacial cavities were infilled with sand derived from glacial abrasion. Sandstone ridge networks are comparable with tunnel channels and document unusual drainage structures of the inner part of the palaeo‐ice sheet.
Antisense inhibition of the plastidial glucose‐6‐phosphate/phosphate translocator inViciaseeds shifts cellular differentiation and promotes protein storage
Authors: Rolletschek Hardy , Nguyen Thuy H. , Häusler Rainer E. , Rutten Twan , Göbel Cornelia , Feussner Ivo , Radchuk Ruslana , Tewes Annegret , Claus Bernhard , Klukas Christian , Linemann Ute , Weber Hans , Wobus Ulrich , Borisjuk Ljudmilla 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe glucose‐6‐phosphate/phosphate translocator (GPT) acts as an importer of carbon into the plastid. Despite the potential importance of GPT for storage in crop seeds, its regulatory role in biosynthetic pathways that are active during seed development is poorly understood. We have isolated GPT1 fromVicia narbonensisand studied its role in seed development using a transgenic approach based on the seed‐specific legumin promoter LeB4. GPT1 is highly expressed in vegetative sink tissues, flowers and young seeds. In the embryo, localized upregulation of GPT1 at the onset of storage coincides with the onset of starch accumulation. Embryos of transgenic plants expressing antisense GPT1 showed a significant reduction (up to 55%) in the specific transport rate of glucose‐6‐phosphate as determined using proteoliposomes prepared from embryos. Furthermore, amyloplasts developed later and were smaller in size, while the expression of genes encoding plastid‐specific translocators and proteins involved in starch biosynthesis was decreased. Metabolite analysis and stable isotope labelling demonstrated that starch biosynthesis was also reduced, although storage protein biosynthesis increased. This metabolic shift was characterized by upregulation of genes related to nitrogen uptake and protein storage, morphological variation of the protein‐storing vacuoles, and a crude protein content of mature seeds of transgenics that was up to 30% higher than in wild‐type. These findings provide evidence that (1) the prevailing level of GPT1 abundance/activity is rate‐limiting for the synthesis of starch in developing seeds, (2) GPT1 exerts a controlling function on assimilate partitioning into storage protein, and (3) GPT1 is essential for the differentiation of embryonic plastids and seed maturation.
Transgenic, non‐isoprene emitting poplars don’t like it hot
Authors: Behnke Katja , Ehlting Barbara , Teuber Markus , Bauerfeind Martina , Louis Sandrine , Hänsch Robert , Polle Andrea , Bohlmann Jörg , Schnitzler Jörg‐Peter 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe physiological role of isoprene emission in plants is a matter of much debate. One of the most widely propagated hypotheses suggests a function of isoprene in the protection of leaf physiological processes against thermal and oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, we developed transgenic Grey poplar (Populus×canescens) plants in which gene expression of isoprene synthase (ISPS) was either silenced by RNA interference (RNAi) or upregulated by over‐expression of the ISPS gene. Despite increased ISPS mRNA levels, we did not observe consistent increases in isoprene emission in the over‐expressing lines, indicating post‐transcriptional control of ISPS by co‐suppression. In the RNAi lines, levels of isoprene emission were effectively suppressed to virtually zero. Transgenic plants were subjected to temperature stress with three transient heat phases of 38–40°C, each followed by phases of recovery at 30°C. Parallel measurements of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and isoprene emission provided new insights into the physiological link between isoprene and enhanced temperature tolerance. Transgenic non‐isoprene‐emitting poplars showed reduced rates of net assimilation and photosynthetic electron transport during heat stress, but not in the absence of stress. The decrease in the efficiency of photochemistry was inversely correlated with the increase in heat dissipation of absorbed light energy, measured as NPQ (non‐photochemical quenching). Isoprene‐repressed poplars also displayed an increased formation of the xanthophyll cycle pigment zeaxanthin in the absence of stress, which can cause increased NPQ or may indicate an increased requirement for antioxidants. In conclusion, using a molecular genetic approach, we show that down‐regulation of isoprene emission affects thermotolerance of photosynthesis and induces increased energy dissipation by NPQ pathways.
Heterotrimeric G‐protein complex and G‐protein‐coupled receptor from a legume (Pisum sativum): role in salinity and heat stress and cross‐talk with phospholipase C
Authors: Misra Shikha , Wu Yuliang , Venkataraman Gayatri , Sopory Sudhir K. , Tuteja Narendra 
Published: June 2007

SummaryHeterotrimeric G‐proteins transduce signals from activated G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCR) to appropriate downstream effectors and thereby play an important role in signaling. A role of G‐proteins in salinity and heat stress tolerance has not heretofore been described. We report isolation of cDNAs of two isoforms of Gα (Gα1, 1152 bp; Gα2, 1152 bp), one Gβ (1134 bp), two isoforms of Gγ (Gγ1, 345 bp; Gγ2, 303 bp) and a GPCR (1008 bp) from Pisum sativum, and purification of all the encoded recombinant proteins (Gα, 44 kDa; Gβ, 41 kDa; Gγ, 14 kDa; GPCR, 35 kDa). The transcript levels of Gα and Gβ were upregulated following NaCl, heat and H2O2 treatments. Protein–protein interaction studies using an in vitro yeast two‐hybrid system and in planta co‐immunoprecipitation showed that the Gα subunit interacted with the pea Gβ subunit and pea phospholipase C (PLCδ) at the calcium‐binding domain (fn1). The GTPase activity of the Gα subunit increased after interaction with PLCδ. The GPCR protein interacted with all the subunits of G‐proteins and with itself. Transgenic tobacco plants (T0 and T1) constitutively over‐expressing Gα showed tolerance to salinity and heat, while Gβ‐over‐expressing plants showed only heat tolerance, as tested by leaf disk senescence assay and germination/growth of T1 seeds/seedlings. These findings provide direct evidence for a novel role of Gα and Gβ subunits in abiotic stress tolerance and possible cross‐talk between PLC‐ and G‐protein‐mediated signaling pathways.
Capsicum annuumCCR4‐associated factorCaCAF1is necessary for plant development and defence response
Authors: Sarowar Sujon , Oh Hyun Woo , Cho Hye Sun , Baek Kwang‐Hyun , Seong Eun Soo , Joung Young Hee , Choi Gyung Ja , Lee Sanghyeob , Choi Doil 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe CCR4‐associated factor 1 (CAF1) protein belongs to the CCR4‐NOT complex, which is an evolutionary conserved protein complex and plays an important role in the control of transcription and mRNA decay in yeast and mammals. To investigate the function of CAF1 in plants, we performed gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies by overexpression of the pepper CAF1 (CaCAF1) in tomato and virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) of the gene in pepper plants. Overexpression ofCaCAF1in tomato resulted in significant growth enhancement, with increasing leaf thickness, and enlarged cell size by more than twofold when compared with the control plants. A transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that theCaCAF1‐transgenic tomato plants had thicker cell walls and cuticle layers than the control plants. In addition to developmental changes, overexpression ofCaCAF1in tomato plants resulted in enhanced resistance against the oomycete pathogenPhytophthora infestans. Additionally, microarray, northern and real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses ofCaCAF1‐transgenic tomato plants revealed that multiple genes were constitutively upregulated, including genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis, defence reactions and cell‐wall organogenesis. In contrast, VIGS ofCaCAF1in pepper plants caused significant growth retardation and enhanced susceptibility to the pepper bacterial spot pathogenXanthomonas axonopodispv.vesicatoria. Our results suggest roles for plantCAF1in normal growth and development, as well as in defence against pathogens.
Molecular Characterization of Jordanian Isolates of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus
Authors: Sweiss M. , Anfoka G. , Abou‐Jawdah Y. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) causes high yield losses to cucurbits in many parts of the world. In 1995, it was detected for the first time in Jordan but Jordanian isolates have never been characterized at the molecular level. In 2005 and 2006, leaf samples (2344) from symptomatic plants were collected from Jordan Valley, Ma'daba, Al‐Mafraq, Al‐Karak, Jarash, Al‐Tafila, Al‐Balqa’, Al‐Zarqa’, Amman and Irbid. Detection by tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA) showed that the infection rate of CYSDV in collected samples was 58.5%. The coat protein (CP) gene of CYSDV was amplified from 36 selected samples by IC‐RT‐PCR. The amplicons (753 bp) from 16 isolates, representing all surveyed regions, were cloned and used for the single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Seven different SSCP patterns (P1–P7) were observed for the analysed Jordanian isolates. For further characterization, the CP genes from isolates with different SSCP patterns were sequenced, and the sequences were deposited in the GenBank under the accession numbers DQ903105–DQ903111. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that all CYSDV isolates investigated in this study were most closely related to isolates previously reported to belong to the Western group of CYSDV.
Prevalence of renal cell carcinoma: A nation‐wide survey in Japan, 2002
Authors: Marumo Ken , Kanayama Hiroomi , Miyao Noriomi , Nakazawa Hayakazu , Ozono Seiichiro , Horie Shigeo , Nagamori Satoshi , Igarashi Tatsuo , Hasegawa Michihiko , Kimura Go , Nakao Masahiro , Nakamoto Takahisa , Naito Seiji ,   The Japanese Study Group Against Renal Cancer
Published: June 2007

Objective:  To investigate the incidence of renal cell carcinoma, classified by sex, age group and region in Japan, following a 5‐year interval after a previous survey performed in 1997.Methods:  The survey was conducted between the beginning of January 2002 and the end of December 2002. A total of 1288 institutions in all 47 prefectures throughout Japan were requested to register cases.Results:  There were 7405 persons with renal cell carcinoma, consisting of 5063 males and 2342 females. Crude incidence rates were 8.2 and 3.6 per 100 000 population for men and women, respectively. Incidence rates in the Hokkaido region were highest followed by the Shikoku region.Conclusions:  Despite incidence of renal cell carcinoma increasing to 7405 from the 6358 persons in 1997, statistical data reported by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare indicate that rising age‐adjusted death rate for this tumor reached a ceiling in the past decade. Early detection may have contributed to this current trend; however, further epidemiological research is required to fully elucidate this.
S‐N‐P curves in 7075 T7351 and 2024 T3 aluminium alloys subjected to surface treatments
Authors: MONSALVE A. , PÁEZ M. , TOLEDANO M. , ARTIGAS A. , SEPÚLVEDA Y. , VALENCIA Y N. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe S‐N‐P (stress, number of cycles, failure probability) curves for 2024 T3 and 7075 T7351 aluminium alloys were obtained. Previously, surface treatments of degreasing and different types of anodizing were applied to samples, evaluating the influence of these treatments on the fatigue life of the alloys. The determination of the S‐N‐P curves was done using Maennig's method. Rotary fatigue was used because this technique produces greater stress on the sample surfaces, the zone in which it is important to evaluate fatigue resistance. Both the transition range and the finite life range were evaluated, calculating the 1, 50 and 99% fracture probability. SEM was performed in order to characterize the fracture micromechanism. The conclusions were that Maennig's method is useful to evaluate fatigue life of these materials in a fast and efficient manner. Moreover, surface treatments produce a decrease in the fatigue life of both alloys, associating this effect with the surface damage produced on each sample during the treatment.
Aβ treatment and P301L tau expression in an Alzheimer's disease tissue culture model act synergistically to promote aberrant cell cycle re‐entry
Authors: Hoerndli Frederic J. , Pelech Steven , Papassotiropoulos Andreas , Götz Jürgen 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMicroarrays enable the observation of gene expression in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with implications for the human pathology. Histopathologically, AD is characterized by Aβ‐containing plaques and tau‐containing neurofibrillary tangles. Here, we used a human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cell system to assess the role of P301L mutant human tau expression, and treatment with or without Aβ on gene regulation. We found that Aβ and P301L tau expression independently affect the regulation of genes controlling cell proliferation and synaptic elements. Moreover, Aβ and P301L tau act synergistically on cell cycle and DNA damage genes, yet influence specific genes within these categories. By using neuronally differentiated P301L tau cells, we can show that Aβ treatment induces an early upregulation of cell cycle control and synaptic genes. At the protein level, by using Kinetworks™ multi‐immunoblotting and BrdU labelling, we found that although P301L tau and Aβ both affected levels of cell cycle proteins, their effects were distinct, in particular concerning DNA damage proteins. Moreover, DNA synthesis was observed only when SH‐SY5Y cells overexpressed human wild‐type or P301L tau and were incubated with Aβ. Thus, our study shows that Aβ treatment and human tau overexpression in an AD cell culture model act synergistically to promote aberrant cell cycle re‐entry, supporting the mitosis failure hypothesis in AD.
Conservative management of giant symptomatic angiomyolipomas in patients with the tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Danforth Teresa L. , Lane Brian R. , Novick Andrew C. 
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVETo present two patients with the tuberous sclerosis complex in whom giant angiomyolipomas (AMLs) were managed conservatively for >20 years, as large (>4 cm) symptomatic AMLs are generally treated with embolization or nephrectomy because of the risks of haemorrhage.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe first patient initially presented with bilateral renal AMLs replacing >70% of his parenchymal volume, and a large left renal cyst. Since presentation he was hospitalized three times, but has had no transfusions or procedures to treat his AMLs. His renal function has remained stable during this 21‐year interval. The second patient initially presented with bilateral renal AMLs that were not amenable to nephron‐sparing surgery. After removing her nonfunctioning left kidney, the 24‐cm AML in her right kidney was managed conservatively for >20 years, during which she had 44 transfusions and 11 hospitalizations before uncomplicated right nephrectomy and subsequent need for haemodialysis.CONCLUSIONConservative management of AMLs can preserve renal function for >20 years in patients with tuberous sclerosis at high risk of end‐stage renal disease.
An animal model to study lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction: the hyperlipidaemic rat
Authors: Rahman Nadeem U. , Phonsombat Surat , Bochinski Derek , Carrion Rafael E. , Nunes Lora , Lue Tom F. 
Published: June 2007

OBJECTIVETo present evidence that rats fed a high‐fat diet could serve as a useful animal model to study both lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), as recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between LUTS and ED but the physiological basis behind this relationship is unknown.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn all, 24 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into two groups: nine controls were fed a ‘normal’ diet and 15 were fed a high‐fat diet (hyperlipidaemic rats). After 6 months all the rats had bladder and erectile functions evaluated using awake cystometry and cavernosal nerve electrostimulation, respectively. After the functional studies were completed, the penis, prostate and bladder were collected for immunohistochemical analysis.RESULTSThe hyperlipidaemic rats had significantly higher serum cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein than the controls (P < 0.05). The hyperlipidaemic rats also had significantly worse erectile function (P = 0.004) and developed more bladder overactivity (P = 0.004) than the controls. In the hyperlipidaemic rats there was significant muscle hypertrophy in the peri‐urethral lobe of the prostate (P < 0.001) and in the bladder (P < 0.05). There was also greater P2X1 (purinoceptor) staining as well as other molecular changes in the bladder of the hyperlipidaemic rats.CONCLUSIONSIn this hyperlipidaemic rat model three abnormalities were consistently detected: prostatic enlargement, bladder overactivity, and ED. This rat model could be a useful research tool for understanding the common causes of LUTS and ED, as well as facilitating the development of preventive measures and better therapies to treat both conditions.
Adiposity, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in breast cancer
Authors: Vona‐Davis L. , Howard‐McNatt M. , Rose D. P. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryUpper body obesity and the related metabolic disorder type 2 diabetes have been identified as risk factors for breast cancer, and associated with late‐stage disease and a poor prognosis. Components of the metabolic syndrome, including visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, with or without clinically manifest diabetes mellitus, low serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and hypertension have all been related to increased breast cancer risk. The biochemical mechanisms include extraglandular oestrogen production, reduced sex hormone‐binding globulin with consequent elevation of the bioactive plasma free oestradiol and increased insulin biosynthesis, all of which exert mitogenic effects on both untransformed and neoplastic breast epithelial cells. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome also have in common an increased production of leptin and a decreased production of adiponectin by adipose tissue, with consequent elevations and reductions, respectively, in the circulating levels of these two adipokines. These changes in plasma leptin and adiponectin, acting through endocrine and paracrine mechanisms, have been associated in several studies with an increase in breast cancer risk and, perhaps, to more aggressive tumours; studies in vitro showed that leptin stimulates, and adiponectin inhibits, tumour cell proliferation and the microvessel angiogenesis which is essential for breast cancer development and progression.
DISTRIBUTIONAL CHARACTERIZATIONS THROUGH SCALING RELATIONS
Authors: Pakes Anthony G. , Navarro Jorge 
Published: June 2007

SummaryInvestigated here are aspects of the relation between the laws of X and Y where X is represented as a randomly scaled version of Y. In the case that the scaling has a beta law, the law of Y is expressed in terms of the law of X. Common continuous distributions are characterized using this beta scaling law, and choosing the distribution function of Y as a weighted version of the distribution function of X, where the weight is a power function. It is shown, without any restriction on the law of the scaling, but using a one‐parameter family of weights which includes the power weights, that characterizations can be expressed in terms of known results for the power weights. Characterizations in the case where the distribution function of Y is a positive power of the distribution function of X are examined in two special cases. Finally, conditions are given for existence of inverses of the length‐bias and stationary‐excess operators.
APPLICATION OF SEMIPARAMETRIC REGRESSION MODELS IN THE ANALYSIS OF CAPTURE‐RECAPTURE EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Hwang Wen‐Han , Huggins Richard 
Published: June 2007

SummaryIf the capture probabilities in a capture‐recapture experiment depend on covariates, parametric models may be fitted and the population size may then be estimated. Here a semiparametric model for the capture probabilities that allows both continuous and categorical covariates is developed. Kernel smoothing and profile estimating equations are used to estimate the nonparametric and parametric components. Analytic forms of the standard errors are derived, which allows an empirical bias bandwidth selection procedure to be used to estimate the bandwidth. The method is evaluated in simulations and is applied to a real data set concerning captures of Prinia flaviventris, which is a common bird species in Southeast Asia.
Creativity through a rhetorical lens: implications for schooling, literacy and media education
Authors: Banaji Shakuntala , Burn Andrew 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis article, which is speculative in outlook and emerges from an extended literature review on this subject, takes as its basic premise the notion that the idea of ‘creativity’– whether in relation to literacy, schooling or the economy, is constructed as a series of rhetorical claims. These rhetorics of creativity emerge from the contexts of research, theory, policy and practice. Initially, we distinguish 10 rhetorics, which are described in relation to the philosophical or political traditions from which they spring. The discussion then focuses on four rhetorics – play, technology, politics/democracy and the creative classroom – which have most relevance for understandings of literacies and the way in which these are nurtured, encouraged and expressed in different social settings. This article aims to summarise the rhetorics and their major concerns, while considering how selected ones might apply to an instance of media literacy. Key questions addressed in this article ask whether creativity is more usefully understood as an internal cognitive function or an external cultural phenomenon; whether it is a ubiquitous human activity or a special faculty; whether it is necessarily ‘pro‐social’ or should be dissident; and what the implications of a culturalist social psychological approach to creativity might be for analyses of the media literacy of children and young people.