bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Membrane lipid alteration during phosphate starvation is regulated by phosphate signaling and auxin/cytokinin cross‐talk
Authors: Kobayashi Koichi , Masuda Tatsuru , Takamiya Ken‐ichiro , Ohta Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2006

SummaryDuring phosphate (Pi) starvation in plants, membrane phospholipid content decreases concomitantly with an increase in non‐phosphorus glycolipids. Although several studies have indicated the involvement of phytohormones in various physiological changes upon Pi starvation, the regulation of Pi‐starvation induced membrane lipid alteration remains unknown. Previously, we reported the response of type B monogalactosyl diacylglycerol synthase genes (atMGD2 and atMGD3) to Pi starvation, and suggested a role for these genes in galactolipid accumulation during Pi starvation. We now report our investigation of the regulatory mechanism for the response of atMGD2/3 and changes in membrane lipid composition to Pi starvation. Exogenous auxin activated atMGD2/3 expression during Pi starvation, whereas their expression was repressed by cytokinin treatment in the root. Moreover, auxin inhibitors and the axr4 aux1 double mutation in auxin signaling impaired the increase of atMGD2/3 expression during Pi starvation, showing that auxin is required for atMGD2/3 activation. The fact that hormonal effects during Pi starvation were also observed with regard to changes in membrane lipid composition demonstrates that both auxin and cytokinin are indeed involved in the dynamic changes in membrane lipids during Pi starvation. Phosphite is not metabolically available in plants; however, when we supplied phosphite to Pi‐starved plants, the Pi‐starvation response disappeared with respect to both atMGD2/3 expression and changes in membrane lipids. These results indicate that the observed global change in plant membranes during Pi starvation is not caused by Pi‐starvation induced damage in plant cells but rather is strictly regulated by Pi signaling and auxin/cytokinin cross‐talk.
Factors predicting loss and gain of red cell volume in cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Slight R. D. , Bappu N. J. , Nzewi O. C. , Lee R. J. , McClelland D. B. L. , Mankad P. S. 
Published: June 2006

summary.  Haemoglobin may be a poor indicator of changes in red cell volume (RCV) because of factors such as haemodilution. This study has been designed to analyse what peri‐operative variables may be associated with loss or gain in RCV due to bleeding or transfusion.Prospective observational study.Single centre study based in a regional cardiac surgery centre.Twenty‐nine elective adult cardiac surgery patients.Loss and gain of RCV were measured in theatre and for the first 24 h post‐operatively. Patient and operative factors analysed were age, sex, height, weight, body surface area (BSA), induction haematocrit (Hct), estimated pre‐operative RCV and antiplatelet therapy taken less than 7 days before operation, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic occlusion time, minimum and maximum CPB temperatures and fluid administered.Age, sex, height, weight, BSA and induction Hct were found to predict red cell transfusion but not RCV loss. The total number of red cells transfused was significantly associated with RCV lost when expressed as a percentage reduction in the estimated pre‐operative RCV but not the absolute RCV lost.Pre‐operative RCV, as predicted by the variables outlined above, is more important than RCV lost in triggering red cell transfusion.
The relationship between the transition and upper‐shelf fracture toughness of ferritic steels
Authors: ERICKSONKIRK MARJORIE , ERICKSONKIRK MARK 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTConventionally, the transition fracture toughness and upper‐shelf fracture toughness of ferritic steels are viewed as separate properties: they are measured by tests conducted according to different standards, and neither toughness property can be estimated (except in very qualitative terms) based on knowledge of the other. Information presented in this paper demonstrates that quite the opposite is true: transition fracture toughness and upper‐shelf fracture toughness are directly related because the microstructural features responsible for both the temperature dependence of fracture toughness and for the magnitude of fracture toughness at any given temperature are the same in both transition and on the upper shelf (the lattice structure controls the temperature dependence, while the size and distribution of second‐phase particles control crack initiation and thus the magnitude of fracture toughness). These features bind the transition fracture toughness and upper‐shelf fracture toughness together in a way that is extremely consistent for all ferritic steels. We present empirical evidence of this relationship based on fracture toughness data from a variety of ferritic steels: various heats of nuclear grade pressure vessel steels and welds (both before and after irradiation), copper precipitation hardened steels used in naval ship construction and mild steels used in ship construction. In total, these data span a broad range of T0: from −180 °C to +140 °C. The combination of this theoretically motivated, empirically calibrated relationship between transition and upper‐shelf toughness with Wallin's Master Curve (for toughness in fracture mode transition), and EricksonKirk's proposed Master Curve for toughness on the upper shelf, produces a model that predicts the temperature dependence of, and scatter in, fracture toughness of ferritic steels throughout the transition and upper‐shelf temperature regimes. As input information, this model needs only the value of T0, which can be estimated by performing fracture toughness tests according to the protocols of ASTM test standard E1921‐05.
Dual effect of nitric oxide in immortalized and malignant human oral keratinocytes: induction of apoptosis and differentiation
Authors: Lee S‐K. , Kim H‐S. , Lee H‐J. , Lee J. , Jeon B‐H. , Jun C‐D. , Lee S‐K. , Kim E‐C. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  Nitric oxide (NO) is known to act cytostatically on several tumor cell when functioning as an effector molecule of activated macrophages, but the differential effects of NO on immortalized and malignant oral keratinocytes have not been examined.Methods:  We investigated the influence of NO on the proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and differentiation of immortalized human oral keratinocytes (IHOK) and primary oral cancer cells (HN4) using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, flow cytometry, nuclear DNA staining, and Western blotting.Results:  The MTT and SRB assays indicated inhibited growth of IHOK and HN4 cells that were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at concentrations higher than 1 mM but not at lower SNP concentrations. The higher concentrations of SNP up‐regulated the apoptosis‐related protein expression, which is consistent with the analyses of sub‐G1 phase arrest, annexin V‐FITC (fluorescein isothiocynate) staining, nuclear staining, and DNA fragmentation. On the other hand, the lower concentrations of SNP enhanced the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers in IHOK and HN4 cells.Conclusions:  These data suggest that high concentrations of NO can inhibit the growth of IHOK and HN4 cells through the induction of apoptosis, while low concentrations of NO can induce cytodifferentiation. The dual effects of NO, namely, the induction of apoptosis or cytodifferentiation, have important implications for the possible anti‐oral cancer treatment.
Cyclopeptidic Constituents from Arenaria oreophila J. D. Hooker (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: Jia Ai‐Qun , Tan Ning‐Hua , Zhou Jun 
Published: June 2006

AbstractTo further investigate the cyclopeptides of the Caryophyllaceae family, two new cyclopeptides, named Arenariphilin E (compound 1) and Arenariphilin F (compound 2), were obtained from Arenaria oreophila J. D. Hooker using some isolation methods, e. g. normal and reverse silica gel. By detailed spectroscopic analysis, such as FAB+‐MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, the structures of Arenariphilin E (compound 1) and Arenariphilin F (compound 2) were determined as cyclo(Ile1‐Gly‐Val1‐Ala‐Leu‐Ile3‐Ile2‐Val2‐Pro) and cyclo(Pro2‐Pro1‐Gly2‐Ile‐Val‐Leu‐Gly1‐Ala‐Thr‐ Gly3), respectively.(Managing editor: Wei Wang)
Phototropism of Thalli and Rhizoids Developed from the Thallus Segments of Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux
Authors: Ye Nai‐Hao , Wang Hong‐Xia , Wang Guang‐Ce , Gao Zheng‐Quan , Li De‐Mao 
Published: June 2006

AbstractNewly regenerated thalli were used to study the phototropism of Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux under different qualities of light. Positive phototropism in the thalli and negative phototropism in the rhizoids of B. hypnoides were investigated and analyzed in terms of bending. Both thalli and rhizoids developed from thallus segments exhibited typical tip growth, and their photoreceptive sites for phototropism were also restricted to the apical hemisphere. The bending curvature of rhizoids and thalli were determined with unilateral lights at various wavelengths and different fluence rates after a fixed duration of illumination. The trends of bending from the rhizoid and thallus were coincident, which showed that the action spectrum had a large range, from ultraviolet radiation (366.5 nm) to green light (524 nm). Based on the bending curvatures, blue light had the highest efficiency, while the efficiency of longer wavelengths (>500 nm) was significantly lower. External Ca2+ had no effect on the bending curvature of thalli and rhizoids. Blue light (440 nm) induced thallus branching from rhizoids, while red light (650 nm) had no such effect. Fast‐occurring chloroplast accumulation in the outermost cytoplasmic layer of the blue light (440 nm)‐irradiated region in the rhizoid was observed, from which protrusions (new thalli) arose after 4 h of the onset of illumination, and this action was thought to be driven by the dynamics of actin microfilaments.(Managing editor: Wei Wang)
Mechanical Response of Single Plant Cells to Cell Poking: A Numerical Simulation Model
Authors: Wang Rong , Jiao Qun‐Ying , Wei De‐Qiang 
Published: June 2006

AbstractCell poking is an experimental technique that is widely used to study the mechanical properties of plant cells. A full understanding of the mechanical responses of plant cells to poking force is helpful for experimental work. The aim of this study was to numerically investigate the stress distribution of the cell wall, cell turgor, and deformation of plant cells in response to applied poking force. Furthermore, the locations damaged during poking were analyzed. The model simulates cell poking, with the cell treated as a spherical, homogeneous, isotropic elastic membrane, filled with incompressible, highly viscous liquid. Equilibrium equations for the contact region and the non‐contact regions were determined by using membrane theory. The boundary conditions and continuity conditions for the solution of the problem were found. The force‐deformation curve, turgor pressure and tension of the cell wall under cell poking conditions were obtained. The tension of the cell wall circumference was larger than that of the meridian. In general, maximal stress occurred at the equator around. When cell deformation increased to a certain level, the tension at the poker tip exceeded that of the equator. Breakage of the cell wall may start from the equator or the poker tip, depending on the deformation. A nonlinear model is suitable for estimating turgor, stress, and stiffness, and numerical simulation is a powerful method for determining plant cell mechanical properties.(Managing editor: Wei Wang)
Species and Organ Diversity in the Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Superoxide Dismutase Activity In Vitro
Authors: Cheng Hong‐Yan , Song Song‐Quan 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSuperoxide dismutase (SOD) is ubiquitous in aerobic organisms and constitutes the first link in the enzyme scavenging system of reactive oxygen species. In the present study, species and organ diversity of SOD activity in a solution and in an in‐gel assay system, as well as the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on SOD activity, were investigated. In a solution assay system, SOD activity of jackfruit root, shoot, leaves, axes, and cotyledons, of maize embryos and endosperms, of mung bean leaves and seeds, of sacred lotus axes and cotyledons, and of rice and wheat leaves was increased by 1–15 mmol/L H2 O2. However, SOD activity in rice root and seeds, maize roots and leaves, mung bean roots and shoots, and wheat seeds was decreased by 1–15 mmol/L H2O2. The SOD activity of wheat root and soybean roots, leaves, axes, and cotyledons was increased by 1–4 mmol/L H2O2, but was decreased by concentrations of H2O2 >4 mmol/L. The SOD activity of soybean shoots was not affected by 1–15 mmol/L H2O2. The SOD activity in crude mitochondria of jackfruit, maize, and upas seeds, as well as in purified mitochondria of jackfruit, was also increased by 1–15 mmol/L H2O2. In the in‐gel assay system, the SOD in jackfruit cotyledons was comprised of Mn‐SOD, Cu/Zn‐SOD, and Fe‐SOD, the crude mitochondria of jackfruit seeds and maizes embryo was comprised of Mn‐SOD and Cu/Zn‐SOD, and the crude mitochondria of maize seeds was comprised of Mn‐SOD only. In the present study, H2O2markedly inhibited Cu/Zn‐SOD and Fe‐SOD activity.(Managing editor: Ping He)
Florigen: One Found, More to Follow?
Authors: Yu Xuhong , Klejnot John , Lin Chentao 
Published: June 2006

AbstractFlorigen(s) are molecules that are synthesized in response to appropriate photoperiods and transmitted from leaves to shoot apices to promote floral initiation. It has been recently discovered in Arabidopsis that mRNA of the FT gene acts as a florigen. In Arabidopsis, cryptochromes and phytochromes mediate long‐day promotion of CO protein expression, which activates FT mRNA expression in leaves. FT mRNA is transmitted to the shoot apex, where it acts together with FD to activate transcription of floral meristem identity genes, resulting in floral initiation. The discovery of the molecular nature of a florigen was a major scientific breakthrough in 2005.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui Zhao)
West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Virus Antibody Seroconversion, Prevalence, and Persistence in Naturally Infected Pig-Tailed Macaques (
Macaca nemestrina
)
Authors: Hukkanen Renee R. , Liggitt H. Denny , Kelley Stephen T. , Grant Richard , Anderson David M. , Hall Roy A. , Tesh Robert B. , Travassos DaRosa Amelia P. , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Pig-tailed macaques (
Macaca nemestrina
) naturally infected with West Nile virus were monitored from 1999 to 2005 to determine virus-specific antibody seroconversion, prevalence, and persistence. Antibodies persisted for up to 36 months, as detected by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent and hemagglutination inhibition assays. Exposure to cocirculating St. Louis encephalitis virus was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays.
Mature Glycoprotein G Presents High Performance in Diagnosing Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection in Sera of Different Tanzanian Cohorts
Authors: Görander Staffan , Mbwana Judica , Lyamuya Eligius , Lagergård Teresa , Liljeqvist Jan-Åke 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common sexually transmitted infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Glycoprotein G (gG) of HSV-2 elicits a type-specific antibody response and is widely used for serodiagnosis. gG is cleaved into a secreted portion (sgG-2) and a highly O-glycosylated mature portion (mgG-2). The performances of these two native immunosorbent purified antigens were compared in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format with a commercially available assay (FOCUS2) using sera from blood donors (n= 194) and individuals (n= 198) with genital ulcer disease (GUD) from Tanzania. Discordant results were resolved by Western blotting. The HSV-2 seroprevalence for blood donors was estimated as 42%, and that for the GUD cohort was estimated as 78%. The prevalence increased significantly with age for both cohorts and was higher among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals than among HIV-negative subjects. In the GUD cohort with a high HSV-2 prevalence, all three assays showed statistically similar performances, with sensitivities between 97% and 99% and specificities in the range of 86% to 91%. In contrast, among blood donors with a lower seroprevalence, the mgG-2-based ELISA presented significantly higher specificity (97%) than the sgG-2 ELISA (89%) and FOCUS2 (74%). Overall, the mgG-2 ELISA gave a high performance, with negative and positive predictive values of 96% for blood donors and a negative predictive value of 95% and a positive predictive value of 97% for the GUD cohort. We conclude that native purified mgG-2 showed the highest accuracy for detection of HSV-2 in patient sera from Tanzania and is therefore suitable for seroprevalence studies as well as in clinical settings.
Comparison of PCR for Sputum Samples Obtained by Induced Cough and Serological Tests for Diagnosis of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Infection in Children
Authors: Yamazaki Tsutomu , Narita Mitsuo , Sasaki Nozomu , Kenri Tsuyoshi , Arakawa Yoshichika , Sasaki Tsuguo 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Passive agglutination (PA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the diagnosis of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
were compared with PCR testing of sputum samples obtained from children with lower respiratory tract infections. The sensitivity and specificity of PA were 80.3% and 92.3% at a titer of 1:80. ELISA was found to be less sensitive than PA.
Enterobacterial Autoinducer of Growth Enhances Shiga Toxin Production by Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Voigt W. , Fruth A. , Tschäpe H. , Reissbrodt R. , Williams P. H. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

The addition of the enterobacterial autoinducer of growth to nutrient-poor minimal medium markedly accelerated the exponential growth rates of strains of enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
but had little or no effect on maximal cell densities in stationary phase. Growth in the presence of the autoinducer resulted in an approximately twofold enhancement in Shiga toxin production.
Comparison of a Stool Antigen Detection Kit and PCR for Diagnosis of
Entamoeba histolytica
and
Entamoeba dispar
Infections in Asymptomatic Cyst Passers in Iran
Authors: Solaymani-Mohammadi Shahram , Rezaian Mostafa , Babaei Zahra , Rajabpour Azam , Meamar Ahmad R. , Pourbabai Ahmad A. , Petri William A. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to compare stool antigen detection with PCR for the diagnosis of
Entamoeba
sp. infection in asymptomatic cyst passers from Iran.
Entamoeba dispar
and, in one case,
E. moshkovskii
were the
Entamoeba
spp. found in the amebic cyst passers. There was a 100% correlation between the results from the TechLab
E. histolytica
II stool antigen kit and those from nested PCR. We concluded that
E. dispar
is much more common in asymptomatic cyst passers in Iran and that antigen detection and PCR are comparable diagnostic modalities.
Changing Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Bloodstream Isolates from a Teaching Hospital in Northern Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yhu-Chering , Su Lin-Hui , Wu Tsu-Lan , Lin Tzou-Yien 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

A changing molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) bloodstream isolates from a university-affiliated hospital in Taiwan during a 4-year interval was demonstrated. The changing epidemiology is due to the introduction of a new epidemic clone (sequence type 5) and a local community clone (sequence type 59) of MRSA into the hospital.
Evaluation of a Novel Kit for Use with the BacT/ALERT 3D System for Drug Susceptibility Testing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Werngren Jim , Klintz Lisbeth , Hoffner Sven E. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

We evaluated a new protocol for the BacT/ALERT MB susceptibility test (bioMérieux Inc., Durham, NC) using 80
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
WHO challenge panel strains. The drug susceptibility profiles of these strains are well characterized, and consensus drug resistance results have been established after tests were performed at around 20 international reference laboratories using recommended reference drug susceptibility techniques. Strains were tested according to the bioMérieux protocol using the following critical concentrations: rifampin (RIF), 0.9 mg/liter; isoniazid (INH), 0.4 and 0.09 mg/liter; and ethambutol (EMB), 1.8 mg/liter. The BacT/ALERT system detected 36/37 RIF-resistant strains. For INH (low concentration), 59/59 resistant strains were detected, and for EMB, 34/34 resistant strains were detected. Thus, the sensitivities were 97%, 100%, and 100% for RIF, INH, and EMB, respectively. The corresponding specificities were 100%, 95%, and 98%, respectively, for the same drugs. As soon as the BacT/ALERT MP seed bottle flagged positive, the median time to obtain a susceptibility results was 7.8 days. The results show good concordance with the consensus results of the international reference laboratories and demonstrate that BacT/ALERT 3D should be considered as an alternative method for rapid and automated drug susceptibility testing of
M. tuberculosis
.
Coronavirus HKU1 and Other Coronavirus Infections in Hong Kong
Authors: Lau Susanna K. P. , Woo Patrick C. Y. , Yip Cyril C. Y. , Tse Herman , Tsoi Hoi-wah , Cheng Vincent C. C. , Lee Paul , Tang Bone S. F. , Cheung Chris H. Y. , Lee Rodney A. , So Lok-yee , Lau Yu-lung , Chan Kwok-hung , Yuen Kwok-yung 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT
We have recently described the discovery of a novel coronavirus, coronavirus HKU1 (CoV-HKU1), associated with community-acquired pneumonia. However, the clinical spectrum of disease and the epidemiology of CoV-HKU1 infections in relation to infections with other respiratory viruses are unknown. In this 12-month prospective study, 4,181 nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with acute respiratory tract infections were subjected to reverse transcription-PCRs specific for CoV-HKU1 and human coronaviruses NL63 (HCoV-NL63), OC43 (HCoV-OC43), and 229E (HCoV-229E). Coronaviruses were detected in 87 (2.1%) patients, with 13 (0.3%) positive for CoV-HKU1, 17 (0.4%) positive for HCoV-NL63, 53 (1.3%) positive for HCoV-OC43, and 4 (0.1%) positive for HCoV-229E. Of the 13 patients with CoV-HKU1 infections, 11 were children and 8 had underlying diseases. Similar to the case for other coronaviruses, upper respiratory infection was the most common presentation of CoV-HKU1 infections, although pneumonia, acute bronchiolitis, and asthmatic exacerbation also occurred. Despite a shorter duration of fever (mean, 1.7 days) and no difference in maximum temperature in children with CoV-HKU1 infections compared to patients with most other respiratory virus infections, a high incidence of febrile seizures (50%) was noted, which was significantly higher than those for HCoV-OC43 (14%), adenovirus (9%), human parainfluenza virus 1 (0%), and respiratory syncytial virus (8%) infections. CoV-HKU1 and HCoV-OC43 infections peaked in winter, although cases of the former also occurred in spring to early summer. This is in contrast to HCoV-NL63 infections, which mainly occurred in early summer and autumn but were absent in winter. Two genotypes of CoV-HKU1 cocirculated during the study period. Continuous studies over a longer period are warranted to ascertain the seasonal variation and relative importance of the different coronaviruses. Similar studies in other countries are required to better determine the epidemiology and genetic diversity of CoV-HKU1.