bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of methionine recycling for ethylene synthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bürstenbinder Katharina , Rzewuski Guillaume , Wirtz Markus , Hell Rüdiger , Sauter Margret 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe methionine (Met) cycle contributes to sulfur metabolism through the conversion of methylthioadenosine (MTA) to Met at the expense of ATP. MTA is released as a by‐product of ethylene synthesis from S‐adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). Disruption of the Met cycle in the Arabidopsis mtk mutant resulted in an imbalance of AdoMet homeostasis at sulfur‐limiting conditions, irrespective of the sulfur source supplied to the plants. At a low concentration of 100 μm sulfate, the mtk mutant had reduced AdoMet levels and growth was retarded as compared with wild type. An elevated production of ethylene was measured in seedlings of the ethylene‐overproducing eto3 mutant. When Met cycle knockout and ethylene overproduction were combined in the mtk/eto3 double mutant, a reduced capacity for ethylene synthesis was observed in seedlings. Even though mature eto3 plants did not produce elevated ethylene levels, and AdoMet homeostasis in eto3 plants did not differ from that in wild type, shoot growth was severely retarded. The mtk/eto3 double mutant displayed a metabolic plant phenotype that was similar to mtk with reduced AdoMet levels at sulfur‐limiting conditions. We conclude from our data that the Met cycle contributes to the maintenance of AdoMet homeostasis, especially when de novo AdoMet synthesis is limited. Our data further showed that the Met cycle is required to sustain high rates of ethylene synthesis. Expression of the Met cycle genes AtMTN1, AtMTN2, AtMTK, AtARD1, AtARD2, AtARD3 and AtARD4 was not regulated by ethylene. This result is in contrast to that found in rice where OsARD1 and OsMTK are induced in response to ethylene. We hypothesize that the regulation of the Met cycle by ethylene may be restricted to plants that naturally produce high quantities of ethylene for a prolonged period of time.
DTP vaccination and child survival in observational studies with incomplete vaccination data
Authors: Aaby Peter , Benn Christine Stabell , Nielsen Jens , Lisse Ida Maria , Rodrigues Amabelia , Jensen Henrik 
Published: November 2006

SummaryBackground  Observational studies of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (DTP) vaccine from longitudinal study sites have reported divergent effects on child survival, ranging from 10‐fold reduction to threefold increased mortality. None of these studies had complete information on DTP vaccinations from both survivors and children who died. We reviewed the data analysis methodology to assess whether methodological differences could explain the divergent results.Design  Studies have used case–control design, survival analysis with interval‐fixed vaccination status (landmark approach), and survival analysis with retrospective updating of vaccination status.Results  Seven studies using a case–control design or a landmark approach found a negative effect of DTP on child survival. Eight of nine survival analyses with retrospective updating of vaccination status reported a beneficial effect. This beneficial effect of DTP increased with the length of the interval between data collection visits. Studies with long interval between visits had very high mortality rates among unvaccinated children, low mortality rate ratios for vaccinated compared with unvaccinated children, and strongly beneficial estimates of DTP.Conclusion  The divergent results in observational studies of the impact of DTP on child survival are partly because of methodological differences. To assess the impact on mortality of routine vaccinations, observational study designs which minimize the effect of bias are warranted. Randomized trials should be considered.
Comparative evaluation of parasitology and serological tests in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in India: a phase III diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Sundar S. , Singh R. K. , Bimal S. K. , Gidwani K. , Mishra A. , Maurya R. , Singh S. K. , Manandhar K. D. , Boelaert M. , Rai M. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryIn this phase III trial for diagnostics for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India, we compared parasitological diagnosis with several serological tests: direct agglutination test (freeze dried; DAT‐FD), rK‐39 strip test, rK‐26 strip test and a latex agglutination test for antigen detection in urine (KAtex) in 452 subjects from the endemic regions of Bihar, India. The subjects were segregated into four categories: 230 confirmed patients, 52 probable cases, 70 non‐cases and 100 healthy endemic controls. The first two groups were used for estimating sensitivity, the latter two for specificity. Sensitivity of DAT‐FD was 98.9%, rK‐39: 98.9%, KAtex: 67.0% and rK‐26: 21.3%. Sensitivity of DAT‐FD on blood taken on filter paper (DAT‐FDF) was 99.3%, which was comparable with that using serum. Specificity of serological tests was comparable and high (DAT‐FD and DAT‐FDF: 94%, rK‐39 strip test: 97%, KAtex: 99% and rK‐26 strip test: 100%). The classical ‘gold standard’ parasitological demonstration in splenic smear performed poorly as it missed 18.4% of cases that benefited from VL treatment. Reproducibility of the serological tests between field and central laboratories was excellent (κ = 1.0, 0.99, 0.96 and 0.94 respectively for microscopy, DAT‐FD, rK‐39 strip test and rK‐26 strip test). A high degree of agreement was observed between DAT‐FD and rK‐39 strip test (κ = 0.986). Although DAT‐FD and rK‐39 strip test were highly sensitive with excellent specificity, the ease of use of the latter makes it most suitable for the diagnosis of VL in the field conditions.
Female sex workers and unsafe sex in urban and rural Nyanza, Kenya: regular partners may contribute more to HIV transmission than clients
Authors: Voeten H. A. C. M. , Egesah O. B. , Varkevisser C. M. , Habbema J. D. F. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryObjectives  To compare the sexual behaviour of female sex workers in urban and rural areas in Nyanza province in Kenya, and to compare their unsafe sex with clients and with regular partners.Methods  In a cross‐sectional study among 64 sex workers (32/32 in urban/rural areas), sex workers kept a sexual diary for 14 days after being interviewed face‐to‐face.Results  Most sex workers were separated/divorced and had one or two regular partners, who were mostly married to someone else. Sex workers in Kisumu town were younger, had started sex work at an earlier age, and had more clients in the past 14 days than rural women (6.6 vs. 2.4). Both groups had an equal number of sex contacts with regular partners (4.7). With clients, condom use was fairly frequent (75%) but with regular partners, it was rather infrequent (<40%). For both urban and rural areas, the mean number of sex acts in which no condom was used was greater for regular partners (3.2 and 2.8 respectively) than for clients (1.9 and 1.0 respectively).Conclusions  Sex workers in urban and rural areas of Nyanza province practise more unsafe sex with regular partners than with clients. Interventions for sex workers should also focus on condom use in regular partnerships.
The different expression patterns of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Tsai L.‐J. , Lan J.‐L. , Lin C.‐Y. , Hsiao S.‐H. , Tsai L.‐M. , Tsai J.‐J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN or IL‐1Ra) is a natural antagonist of IL‐1‐β. Using IL1RN as a possible marker in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we evaluated whether u&#x030c;IL1RN single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with the pathogenesis of SLE in Taiwanese, and specifically whether IL1RN (rs315952) was significantly associated with end‐stage renal disease. We examined IL1RN isoform expression patterns in patients with SLE to determine whether the expressions play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. Both case–control and family‐based association studies were used. For the case–control study, 104 patients with SLE and 97 normal controls were recruited, and for the family‐based study, 11 families with SLE without renal disorder were recruited from the 104 patients with SLE. Eight IL1RN SNPs (rs2234678, rs2234679, rs315951, rs315952, rs419598, rs432014, rs447713, and rs451578) were selected for the family‐based study. Reverse‐transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was used to determine the expression pattern of each isoform. Our results showed that IL1RN (rs315952) was significantly associated with SLE in patients without renal disorder in the family‐based study, after disease stratification, but was not significantly associated with SLE in the case–control study. In the family‐based study, the haplotype of IL1RN (AGCCTTAG) was significantly associated with SLE (χ2= 11.714, P < 0.001). Using RT‐PCR to determine the expression pattern of the IL1RN isoforms, we found different expression patterns between normal controls and patients with SLE, with an addition of IL1RN isoform4 or the low expression of IL1RN isoform1. We concluded that IL1RN and its isoforms were involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Association of a common dog leucocyte antigen class II haplotype with canine primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia
Authors: Kennedy L. J. , Barnes A. , Ollier W. E. R. , Day M. J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractImmune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) is the commonest immune‐mediated disease of the dog, representing a major health concern to this species. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether genetic susceptibility to IMHA is associated with genes of the canine major histocompatibility complex (MHC; dog leucocyte antigen system, DLA). Samples were collected from 108 dogs with primary idiopathic, Coombs’ positive IMHA. This diseased population was subdivided on the basis of Coombs’ test results into two groups: 1) dogs with dominant warm‐reactive immunoglobulin (Ig) G haemagglutinins and (2) dogs with an additional or dominant cold‐reactive IgM haemagglutinin. The DLA class II alleles and haplotypes of the diseased population were characterised, and these data were compared with those derived from a breed‐matched control cohort and a much larger group of DLA‐typed dogs. Two haplotypes were increased in the patient group: DLA‐DRB1*00601/DQA1*005011/DQB1*00701 (in the group with warm‐reactive IgG haemagglutinins only) and DLA‐DRB1*015/DQA1*00601/DQB1*00301 (in both groups, but more so in the group with cold‐reactive IgM haemagglutinins). One haplotype, DLA‐DRB1*001/DQA1*00101/DQB1*00201, was decreased in the total patient group, but this decrease was limited to the warm‐reactive IgG haemagglutinins group, and it was actually increased in the cold‐reactive IgM haemagglutinins group. A second haplotype, DLA‐DRB1*015/DQA1*00601/DQB1*02301, was also decreased in the total patient group, and this decrease was found in both subgroups. In addition, all haplotypes carrying DLA‐DRB1*001 were significantly increased in the cold‐reactive IgM haemagglutinins group. When the overall patient group was divided on the basis of individual breeds with more than six animals represented, each of the haplotypes could be shown to be implicated in one of the breeds. Thus, it was apparent that different breeds had different MHC associations with canine IMHA, which is similar to the observation that different human ethnic groups can have different HLA associations with the same immune‐mediated disease.
Identification of susceptibility and protective major histocompatibility complex haplotypes in canine diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kennedy L. J. , Davison L. J. , Barnes A. , Short A. D. , Fretwell N. , Jones C. A. , Lee A. C. , Ollier W. E. R. , Catchpole B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDiabetes mellitus occurs spontaneously in dogs, which is believed to have an autoimmune component and to be a model of human latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). Some dog breeds (e.g. Samoyed) are particularly predisposed, whereas others (e.g. Boxer) are highly resistant. With the completion of the Dog Genome Assembly, comparative genomic studies of complex diseases in dogs, including diabetes, could provide an important investigative approach into such disorders. Type 1 diabetes in humans is strongly associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II polymorphisms. We have investigated whether canine dog leucocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotypes are associated with diabetes. DNA from 460 cases and 1047 controls were genotyped for DLA‐DRB1, DLA‐DQA1 and DLA‐DQB1 using sequence‐based typing. Three DLA haplotypes, DRB1*009/DQA1*001/DQB1*008, DRB1*015/DQA1*0061/DQB1*023 and DRB1*002/DQA1*009/DQB1*001, were found at significantly increased frequency in cases with diabetes compared with controls. One DLA‐DQ haplotype, DQA1*004/DQB1*013, was significantly reduced in cases with diabetes. Further analysis showed that DQA1 alleles carrying arginine at codon 55 of DQA1 were increased in dogs with diabetes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a comparative study of MHC and diabetes in a non‐rodent species. Since no laboratory model of LADA exists and dogs and humans share similar environments, further research into canine diabetes is warranted.
Production, characterization, and applications of two novel monoclonal antibodies against human interleukin‐28A
Authors: Li M. , Chen Y. , Huang T. , Liu Y. , He S. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractInterleukin‐28A (IL‐28A) is a novel cytokine discovered in recent years and has been shown to have antiviral activity. In this study, IL‐28A complementary DNA was inserted into prokaryotic expression vector pET‐44 Ek/LIC. The Nus‐S‐His‐tagged IL‐28A fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in the soluble fraction. The fusion protein was purified by S‐protein agarose affinity chromatography, and the fusion tag was removed from recombinant IL‐28A by cleavage with thrombin. To prepare specific monoclonal antibody against human IL‐28A, BALB/c mice were immunized with IL‐28A, and hybridoma cell lines were obtained by fusing mouse spleen cells with myeloma NS‐1 cells. Two strains of hybridoma cells, which produced the anti‐human IL‐28A antibodies 1B9 and 4B5 were obtained. They are IgM isotype and working in western blot analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In the present study, it was shown for the first time that human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with interferon‐α and poly(I:C) express IL‐28A protein assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining techniques. Immunohistochemistry showed that macrophage‐like cells in colon and lung tissue and alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissue contain IL‐28A, indicating a novel mechanism for both cell types to carry out their antivirus or antitumor functions.
ABO blood group and related antigens, natural antibodies and transplantation
Authors: Milland J. , Sandrin M. S. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe current success rate of transplant surgery and immunosuppression has led to a demand for organs that has outstripped the supply. This has required investigation of alternate strategies. Therefore, allotransplantation across the ABO blood group barrier has commenced, and pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation is under consideration. The first immunological barrier to both these types of transplantation is the prevention of the antibody‐mediated rejection. This rejection is a result of natural preformed antibodies circulating in the serum of the recipient binding to either ABO (for allo) or α‐galactose (α‐Gal) (for xeno) antigens expressed on the donor tissue. These antibodies recognise antigens that are, in both cases, carbohydrate molecules with the characteristic feature that the nonreducing terminal carbohydrate is either a Gal or N‐acetlygalactosamine residue in an α1,3 linkage. These epitopes are synthesised by closely related members of a single family of glycosyltransferases. This review discusses the carbohydrate antigens, the enzymes involved in their synthesis and the consequences of natural antibodies binding these antigens.
Na, K ATPase β3 subunit (CD298): association with α subunit and expression on peripheral blood cells
Authors: Chiampanichayakul S. , Khunkaewla P. , Pata S. , Kasinrerk W. 
Published: November 2006

Abstractβ3 subunit is described as one of the Na, K ATPase subunits. Recently, we generated a monoclonal antibody (mAb), termed P‐3E10. This mAb was shown to react with the Na, K ATPase β3 subunit or CD298. By immunofluorescence analysis using mAb P‐3E10, it was found that all peripheral blood leukocytes express Na, K ATPase β3. The presence of β3 subunit on leukocytes is not in a quantitative polymorphic manner. Upon phytohemagglutinin or phorbol myristate acetate activation, the expression level of the Na, K ATPase β3 subunit on activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was not altered in comparison with those of unstimulated cells. Red blood cells (RBCs) of healthy donors showed negative reactivity with mAb P‐3E10. However, more than 80% of thalassemic RBCs showed positive reactivity. By immunoprecipitation, moreover, a protein band of 55–65 kDa was precipitated from normal RBC membrane using mAb P‐3E10. These results evidenced that the β3 subunit of Na, K ATPase is expressed on RBC membrane but the epitope recognized by mAb P‐3E10 is hidden in normal RBCs. Furthermore, we showed the association of β3 subunit and α subunit of Na, K ATPase. This information is important for further understanding of the functional roles of this molecule.
Molecular epidemiologic study of a human immunodeficiency virus 1 outbreak in haemophiliacs B infected through clotting factor 9 after 1990
Authors: Cho Y. K. , Foley B. T. , Sung H. , Kim Y. B. , Kim J. H. 
Published: November 2006

Background and Objectives  Twenty haemophiliacs were diagnosed as infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1), 1 to 2 years after exposure to clotting factor 9 manufactured in Korea, beginning in early 1990. This study assessed the genetic relationships between viruses found in plasma donors and haemophiliacs.Materials and Methods  Sequencing of the nef and pol genes of viruses from infected haemophiliacs, plasma donors whose plasma was used in domestic clotting factor manufacture, haemophiliacs infected outside Korea, and local controls were determined by nested polymerase chain reactions and direct DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was used to investigate the relationships among the sequences.Results  Both plasma donors and the haemophiliacs were infected with a subclade of subtype B that is a founder effect lineage in Korea.Conclusion  Our data indicate that HIV‐1 transmission to 20 haemophiliacs occurred through intravenous injection of Korean‐made clotting factor.Summary  A clotting factor made in Korea from blood from cash‐paid donors infected at least 20 haemophiliacs with HIV‐1 subtype B.
Histological Aspects of the Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Authors: Frank T. , Walter I. , Probst A. , König H. E. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe syrinx of the duck is characterized by a conspicious sexual dimorphism. In the male mallard, a large osseous bulla is present on the left syringeal side. The present work describes the structures of the male syrinx, which were studied by means of histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscope. In the right distal tympanum a caudally oriented, protruding structure was observed, which was identified as the valvula syringealis. The syringeal structures like valvula, tympanum, bulla, pessulus and the bronchi were in general covered by a respiratory epithelium, however, local modifications in cellular height and numbers of ciliated and goblet cells were observed. The presence of intrinsic musculature was confirmed by means of immunohistochemistry. Smooth muscle cells reaching from the lateral parts of the inter‐bronchial ligament to the medial line and cranially to the inner tympaniform membranes were demonstrated. We suppose that these muscle cells play a role in syringeal sound generation by influencing the tension of the medial tympaniform membranes.
Study of Cotton Fibre Traits Inheritance under Different Temperature Regimes
Authors: Hafeez ur Rahman  , Murtaza N. , Shah M. K. N. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractGenetic behaviour of fibre quality parameters under heat‐stressed conditions clearly reflected the significant effect of heat stress on the phenotypic expression of fibre quality parameters. Results from the field experiments demonstrated that fibre quality was better among the upland cotton cultivars under non‐stressed (June) regime. Fibre length, strength, uniformity and fineness were substantially high under June regime when compared with that under April (heat stressed) regime. The prevalence of significant genotype × temperature regime interaction for fibre length, fineness and strength provided another evidence for the influence of temperature regimes on the expression of fibre traits. A significant effect of heat stress on the phenotypic expression of fibre quality parameters was observed.
Isolation and characterization of a starchless mutant of Chlorella pyrenoidosa STL‐PI with a high growth rate, and high protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid content
Authors: Ramazanov Arthur , Ramazanov Zakir 
Published: November 2006

SUMMARYThe growth characteristics, biochemical composition and ultrastructure of a novel starchless mutant of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, designated as STL‐PI, are compared to the same characteristics of its parental strain, C. pyrenoidosa 82T. The STL‐PI mutant had a 22 ± 5% higher growth rate, and 24.5 ± 4.2% more protein than the parental strain, 82T. Furthermore, the STL‐PI mutant accumulated 20.4% more polyunsaturated fatty acids and 18% less saturated fatty acids than the parental 82T. When the parental 82T was cultured in a nitrogen‐free media, their starch content increased from 6.8 ± 2.8% to 22.5 ± 3.1%. In contrast, the STL‐PI mutant produced no starch, regardless of the growth conditions. Instead, the mutant cells responded to nitrogen limitation by further increasing their lipid content from 25.2 ± 1.2% to 38.0 ± 2.3% per dry weight. Transmission electron micrography revealed that nitrogen limitation typically stimulates the formation of starch granules in the chloroplast of 82T cells. Yet no starch granules were observed in the STL‐PI cells. Instead, only the formation of large lipid globules was observed in the mutant cells. These results demonstrate that the starchless mutant STL‐P1 possesses novel physiological and phytochemical properties distinct from the 82T cells: their cells were deficient in starch synthesis and showed higher growth rates and productivity than 82T cells.
Contribution of external morphology in solving a species complex: The case of Prorocentrum micans, Prorocentrum gracile and Prorocentrum sigmoides (Dinoflagellata) from the Mexican Pacific Coast
Authors: Cohen‐Fernandez Eréndira J. , Meave Del Castillo Esther , Salgado Ugarte I. H. , Pedroche Francisco F. 
Published: November 2006

SUMMARY Prorocentrum micans Ehrenberg, Prorocentrum gracile Schütt and Prorocentrum sigmoides Böhm are planktonic dinoflagellates present along the Mexican Pacific coast. These three species can be treated as a species complex because of similar shape and size. The taxonomy of the group has been based on cell form and size, the presence or absence of apical spines and the ornamentation of the main valves. A morphometric study of samples from 11 locations from the Mexican Pacific coast and from laboratory cultures is presented. The presence of a mucron (small tooth) in the antapical region of P. gracile and P. sigmoides morphotypes was recorded for the first time. Morphotypes were defined using as the main criteria the size of pores in relation to the size of the depressions on the cell’s surface, the presence of a mucron in the posterior end of the cell and the shape of the valve margins. Results show a clear distinction between the morphotype P. micans and the P. gracile–P. sigmoides. P. sigmoides is suggested to be a junior synonym of P. gracile as no convincing characters could distinguish these two morphotypes.