bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geographic patterns of microsatellite variation inBoechera stricta, a close relative ofArabidopsis
Authors: SONG BAO‐HUA , CLAUSS MARIA J. , PEPPER ALAN , MITCHELL‐OLDS THOMAS 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe genusBoecherais a widespread North American group with great potential for studies of ecology and evolution:Boecherais closely related toArabidopsisand exhibits different ecological and reproductive strategies.Boechera stricta(previouslyArabis drummondii) is a morphologically and genetically well‐defined, perennial crucifer species. Fifteen natural populations of diploid individuals from the Rocky Mountains were analysed using 21 microsatellite loci. In accordance with our expectation for this predominately inbreeding species, a highFISvalue (0.89) was observed. Furthermore, populations ofB. strictawere highly differentiated, as indicated byFST = 0.56. Three clusters were identified usingstructure— the majority of populations belonged to either the Northern or Southern cluster. Together, the north–south partitioning and evenness of genetic variation across the two clusters suggested multiple refugia for this perennial herb in the Rocky Mountains. Pleistocene glaciation, together with the topographically and climatologically heterogeneous cordillera, has profoundly influenced the genetic architecture ofB. stricta. Genetic population structure was also influenced by relatively recent genome admixture at two levels: within species (involving individuals from the Northern and Southern clusters) and between species (with the hybridization ofB. strictaandBoechera holboellii). This complexity of population structure at presumably neutral microsatellite loci located throughout the genome inB. strictaprovides a baseline against which to test whether functional genetic variation is undergoing local adaptive evolution throughout the natural species range.
Polymorphism of visual pigment genes in the muriqui (Primates, Atelidae)
Authors: TALEBI M. G. , POPE T. R. , VOGEL E. R. , NEITZ M. , DOMINY N. J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractColour vision varies within the family Atelidae (Primates, Platyrrhini), which consists of four genera with the following cladistic relationship: {Alouatta[Ateles(LagothrixandBrachyteles)]}. Spider monkeys (Ateles) and woolly monkeys (Lagothrix) are characteristic of platyrrhine monkeys in possessing a colour vision polymorphism. The polymorphism results from allelic variation of the single‐locus middle‐to‐long wavelength (M/L) cone opsin gene on the X‐chromosome. The presence in the population of alleles coding for different M/L photopigments results in a variety of colour vision phenotypes. Such a polymorphism is absent in howling monkeys (Alouatta), which, alone among platyrrhines, acquired uniform trichromatic vision similar to that of Old World monkeys, apes, and humans through opsin gene duplication. Dietary and morphological similarities between howling monkeys and muriquis (Brachyteles) raise the possibility that the two genera share a similar form of colour vision, uniform trichromacy. Yet parsimony predicts that the colour vision ofBrachyteleswill resemble the polymorphism present inLagothrixandAteles. Here we test this assumption. We obtained DNA from the blood or faeces of 18 muriquis and sequenced exons 3 and 5 of the M/L opsin gene. Our results affirm the existence of a single M/L cone opsin gene in the genusBrachyteles. We detected three alleles with predicted λmaxvalues of 530, 550, and 562 nm. Two females were heterozygous and are thus predicted to have different types of M/L cone pigment. We discuss the implication of this result towards understanding the evolutionary ecology of trichromatic vision.
Resistance of wheat to septoria tritici blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola) and associations with plant ideotype and the 1BL−1RS translocation
Authors: Arraiano L. S. , Brading P. A. , Dedryver F. , Brown J. K. M. 
Published: December 2005

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is a major disease of wheat, reaching epidemic proportions in many parts of the world. In several studies, taller, later‐maturing cultivars have had lower disease levels. This study was undertaken to investigate the genetic associations of natural field infection by STB with disease‐escape mechanisms related to heading date and height components, mainly leaf spacing, in a population where height and maturity are not controlled by major genes. In field trials of a single seed‐descent population of a cross between two nonsemi‐dwarf cultivars, Apollo (with strong partial resistance to STB) and Thésée (susceptible), conducted over 3 years, there was a negative correlation between STB and heading date. There was no correlation between STB and distance from stem base to leaf 2; and there was an unexpected positive correlation between STB and distance from flag leaf to leaf 2, which contradicted the so‐called ‘ladder effect’ postulated in STB epidemiology. No effect was detected of the presence of the 1BL−1RS translocation on STB levels. The largest single contributor to variation in STB levels was genetic variation between the progeny lines, and the narrow‐sense heritability was 42%. These results suggest that breeders can select for STB resistance alongside optimal stature within the range of height which is adaptive in a particular environment.
Stress and Substance P but not the Substance P‐metabolite SP5‐11 trigger murine abortion by augmenting TNF‐α levels at the feto–maternal interface
Authors: Fest S. , Zenclussen A. C. , Joachim R. , Hagen E. , Demuth H.‐U. , Hoffmann T. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn a well‐established murine abortion model, stress is thought to trigger fetal rejection by inducing a proinflammatory immune response via substance P (SP), being tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐producing CD8+ T cells involved. Interestingly, the SP metabolite SP5‐11 also binds to SP receptors and mediates SP‐like effects on immune cells at sites of inflammation. No data were available regarding the effects of SP5‐11 on pregnancy outcome in the CBA/J × DBA/2J abortion‐prone combination. We investigated the influence of SP5‐11 in contrast to stress or SP on the abortion rate and the cytokine production by lymphocytes as well as on the levels of CD8+ T cells. Stress and SP boosted the abortion rate and increased the percentage of type 1 [TNF‐α, interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐12] and type 2 (IL‐4 and IL‐10) cytokine‐producing lymphocytes in blood and decidua, predominantly CD8+ T cells. Interestingly, SP5‐11 did not significantly affect the abortion rate or cytokine production in the decidua, while increasing the Th1 and Th2 cytokine production systemically. Our data suggest that stress and SP induce abortion by augmenting the local levels of TNF‐α, which seems therefore to be a potent trigger of miscarriage. On the contrary, the SP metabolite SP5‐11 only affects the systemic cytokine production without boosting the abortion rate in this experimental model.
Location of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Molecules in Rafts on Dendritic Cells Enhances the Efficiency of T‐Cell Activation and Proliferation
Authors: Eren E. , Yates J. , Cwynarski K. , Preston S. , Dong R. , Germain C. , Lechler R. , Huby R. , Ritter M. , Lombardi G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe existence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules in lipid rafts has been described in dendritic cells (DC); however, the importance of rafts in T‐cell activation has not been clarified. In this study, the distribution of the lipid raft components (CD59 and GM1 ganglioside) in human monocyte‐derived DC was investigated. DC had an even distribution of these components at the cell surface. In addition, raft‐associated GM1 ganglioside colocalized with cross‐linked MHC class II. This implies coaggregation of raft components with these MHC molecules, which may be important in the interaction between T cells and antigen‐presenting cells. In studies carried out to investigate the effect of the DC : T‐cell interaction on raft distribution, we found a clustering of the lipid raft component CD59 on DC at the synaptic interface, with associated activation of the interacting T cell. In an antigen‐specific response between DC and CD4+ T‐cell clones, disruption of lipid rafts resulted in inhibition of both CD59 clustering and T‐cell activation. This was most pronounced when limiting amounts of cognate peptide were used. Together, these data demonstrate the association of MHC class II with lipid rafts during DC : T‐cell interaction and suggest an important role for DC lipid rafts in T‐cell activation.
Immunosuppressive Activity of the Immunophilin‐binding Drug Sanglifehrin A in Human Whole Blood: Potent Inhibition of Interleukin‐6 Produced by Lymphocytes and Monocytes
Authors: Härtel C. , Iblher P. , Puzik A. , Wortmeier K. , Ebel B. , Schultz C. , Müller‐Steinhardt M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe novel immunosuppressant Sanglifehrin A (SFA) is an immunophilin‐binding metabolite with a yet unidentified mechanism of action. Several reports demonstrated the effects of SFA on proliferation and cytokine production of purified T cells with in part different results. However, less is known about the impact of SFA on the regulation of innate immune responses. We used a whole blood assay to investigate the impact of SFA on monocyte responses and T‐lymphocyte activity/proliferation upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation and anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 costimulation, respectively. SFA was found to inhibit interleukin (IL)‐2 protein expression of T lymphocytes. Whereas IL‐2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced after 4 h of costimulation, the mRNA expression of IL‐4 and IL‐6 but not tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α was inhibited by SFA both after 4 and 24 h of costimulation. The production of IL‐2 and IL‐6 protein in T lymphocytes was even strongly affected by SFA than the mRNA expression of the respective cytokine. Unlike other immunophilin‐binding immunosuppressants, SFA also inhibited LPS‐induced IL‐6 and TNF‐α mRNA and protein expression. At the single cell level, SFA was demonstrated to block the intracellular production of IL‐6 in CD14+ monocytes but not the expression of other proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐8 and TNF‐α. On the basis of these data, we propose that SFA may have a significant effect on the initiation and direction of immune responses. Considering the pleiotropic role of bioactive IL‐6 production at the interface of innate and acquired immunity in a variety of disease conditions, it was found that these novel aspects of the unique immunosuppressive action could strongly impact on future clinical application of SFA.
IgE‐receptor Activation of Mast Cells Regulates Phosphorylation and Expression of Forkhead and Bcl‐2 Family Members
Authors: Alfredsson J. , Möller C. , Nilsson G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractActivation of the high‐affinity IgE‐receptor, Fc?RI, expressed on mast cells can result in either enhanced survival or apoptosis depending on the circumstances. In this study, we have analysed signalling pathways involved in the regulation of mast cell survival and apoptosis. Fc?RI cross‐linking induces phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream target forkhead transcription factors. In addition, Bad, GSK‐3β and IκB‐α also become phosphorylated. A1, a prosurvival Bcl‐2 homologue transcriptionally controlled by NFκB transcription factors, is upregulated upon Fc?RI activation. These events have prosurvival effects on the mast cells. Moreover, Fc?RI activation upregulates the levels of the proapoptotic protein Bim and induces a rapid, but transient, phosphorylation of Bim. Thus, Fc?RI activation of mast cells leads to both prosurvival and proapoptotic signalling events where the outcome most likely depends on the balance between these signals.
CD8+ T‐Cell Tolerance can be Broken by an Adenoviral Vaccine While CD4+ T‐Cell Tolerance is Broken by Additional Co‐administration of a Toll‐Like Receptor Ligand
Authors: Salucci V. , Mennuni C. , Calvaruso F. , Cerino R. , Neuner P. , Ciliberto G. , La Monica N. , Scarselli E. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractT‐cell tolerance to tumor antigens is a considerable challenge to cancer immunotherapy. The existence of a murine model transgenic for human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) allows CEA vaccination efficacy to be studied in a physiologically tolerant context. Immunization of CEA‐transgenic mice with an adenoviral vector coding for CEA induced a significant CD8+ T‐cell response specific to CEA but failed to induce CEA‐specific CD4+ T cells and antibodies. To overcome CD4+ T‐cell tolerance, we explored the effect of adjuvants inducing in vivo dendritic cell maturation. Two different Toll‐like receptor ligands, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and CpG motif‐containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG‐ODN), were tested. CD4+‐mediated IFN‐γ production was induced in the CEA‐transgenic mice only when the genetic immunization was performed in the presence of these adjuvants. Moreover, CpG‐ODN had a greater effect than MPL in inducing CD4+ T‐cell response and enabling anti‐CEA antibody production.
Pleistocene speleothems of Mallorca: implications for palaeoclimate and carbonate diagenesis in mixing zones
Authors: CSOMA ANITA É. , GOLDSTEIN ROBERT H. , POMAR LUIS 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe Pleistocene speleothems of Sa Bassa Blanca cave, Mallorca, are excellent indicators of palaeoclimate variations, and are samples that allow evaluation of the products and processes of mixing‐zone diagenesis in an open‐water cave system. Integrated stratigraphic, petrographic and geochemical data from a horizontal core of speleothem identified two main origins for speleothem precipitates: meteoric‐marine mixing zone and meteoric‐vadose zone. Mixing‐zone precipitates formed at and just below the water–air interface of cave pools during interglacial times, when the cave was flooded as a result of highstand sea‐level. Mixing‐zone precipitates include bladed and dendritic high‐Mg calcite, microporous‐bladed calcite with variable Mg content, and acicular aragonite; their presence suggests that calcium‐carbonate cementation is significant in the studied mixing‐zone system. Fluid inclusion salinities, δ13C and δ18O compositions of the mixing‐zone precipitates suggest that mixing ratio was not the primary control on whether precipitation or dissolution occurred, rather, the proximity to the water table and degassing of CO2 at the interface, were the major controls on precipitation. Thus, simple two‐end‐member mixing models may apply only in mixing zones well below the water table. Meteoric‐vadose speleothems include calcite and high‐Mg calcite with columnar and bladed morphologies. Vadose speleothems precipitated during glacial stages when sea level was lower than present. Progressive increase in δ13C and δ18O of the vadose speleothems resulted from cooling temperatures and more positive seawater δ18O associated with glacial buildup. Such covariation could be considered as a valid alternative to models predicting invariant δ18O and highly variable δ13C in meteoric calcite. Glacio‐eustatic oscillations of sea‐level are recorded as alternating vadose and mixing‐zone speleothems. Short‐term climatic variations are recorded as alternating aragonite and calcite speleothems precipitated in the mixing zone. Fluid‐inclusion and stable‐isotope data suggest that aragonite, as opposed to calcite, precipitated during times of reduced meteoric recharge.
Chronic alcoholism and esophageal motor activity: A 24‐h ambulatory manometry study
Authors: FERDINANDIS TG HIMANI , DISSANAYAKE ASOKA S , DE SILVA H JANAKA 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackground:  Stationary esophageal manometry has shown esophageal motor abnormalities in patients with chronic alcoholism. The abnormalities identified in different studies are not consistent. Twenty‐four hour ambulatory esophageal manometry enables monitoring of esophageal motor activity under a variety of physiological conditions and gives a more complete assessment.Method:  Twenty‐four hour ambulatory esophageal manometry and pH‐metry were performed using a combined pH and pressure catheter. Subjects with chronic alcoholism with no other illness and not in withdrawal were studied with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Autonomic nerve functions tests were performed in all subjects.Results:  Twenty‐three chronic alcoholic subjects and 12 control subjects completed the study. The median ethanol consumption was 95 g/day (range 75 −175 g/day) for 12 years (range 5–30 years) among alcoholic subjects. Eight alcoholic subjects had heartburn and regurgitation but none had dysphagia. Ten (43%) alcoholic subjects had autonomic neuropathy and four (17%) had increased gastroesophageal acid reflux. Lower esophageal sphincter hypertension was observed in alcoholic subjects with autonomic neuropathy. Esophageal body motility parameters (i.e. frequency, duration, amplitude and percentage of peristaltic waves) were not significantly different between alcoholic subjects and controls.Conclusions:  Results of ambulatory esophageal manometry on subjects with chronic alcoholism seem to indicate that long‐term ethanol intake has no major effects on esophageal motor activity other than lower esophageal sphincter hypertension among those with alcoholic autonomic neuropathy.
Effectiveness of chemical biliary duct embolization for chemical hepatectomy
Authors: LI FU‐YU , CHENG JING‐QIU , LI NING , HE SHENG , ZHANG MING‐MING , DONG JIA‐HONG , JIANG LI‐SHENG , CHENG NAN‐SHENG 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The high recurrence of hepatolithiasis and high operative trauma of hepatectomy necessitate new therapeutic approaches. Thus, this study was designed to (i) investigate the effectiveness of chemical biliary duct embolization (CBDE) for chemical hepatectomy; and (ii) to determine the mechanism of CBDE.Methods:  The median biliary ducts in rats were injected with phenol or absolute ethanol alone, or in conjunction with cyanoacrylate. The effectiveness of CBDE for chemical hepatectomy was assessed by investigating histology, in situ hybridization for Fas and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, immunohistochemistry for α‐smooth muscle actin, and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for procollagen I mRNA.Results:  Histologically, phenol or absolute ethanol plus cyanoacrylate could embolize the targeted bile duct and promote hepatic fibrosis and atrophy in the embolized lobe better than using phenol or ethanol alone. In addition, CBDE accelerated hepatocellular apoptosis via up‐regulation of Fas, thereby resulting in the death of hepatocytes, which were replaced by proliferative bile ductules and collagen. Importantly, the hepatocytes disappeared completely in the periphery of the embolized lobe, thus achieving the desired effects of chemical hepatectomy. Further investigation indicated that CBDE initiated progressive fibrogenic processes of chemical hepatectomy via up‐regulation of TGF‐β1, which greatly enhanced the synthesis of collagen. Indeed, higher levels of TGF‐β1 and procollagen I mRNA were observed in the phenol embolization group than in any other group.Conclusion:  Chemical biliary duct embolization, especially using phenol plus cyanoacrylate, might achieve the effects of chemical hepatectomy.
Non‐invasive multislice computed tomography coronary angiography for imaging coronary arteries, stents and bypass grafts
Authors: Soon K. H. , Kelly A.‐M. , Cox N. , Chaitowitz I. , Bell K. W. , Lim Y. L. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractMultislice computed tomography (MSCT) is evolving rapidly and available data suggest that MSCT coronary angiography may be a reliable and accurate non‐invasive imaging modality of coronary arteries. Current generations of MSCT scanners have high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing native coronary artery disease and coronary bypass graft occlusion. The performance of MSCT in the evaluation of stent patency is still being assessed. In comparison with conventional selective coronary angiography (SCA), MSCT is non‐invasive, cheaper and it has the advantages of imaging plaque compositions as well as assessment of luminal patency. Nevertheless, the role of MSCT in the management of coronary artery disease is yet to be fully defined.
Using a clinical pathway and education to reduce inappropriate prescribing of enoxaparin in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a controlled study
Authors: Buckmaster N. D. , Heazlewood V. , Scott I. A. , Jones M. , Haerer W. , Hillier K. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAims: To evaluate efficacy of a pathway‐based quality improvement intervention on appropriate prescribing of the low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, in patients with varying risk categories of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods: Rates of enoxaparin use retrospectively evaluated before and after pathway implementation at an intervention hospital were compared to concurrent control patients at a control hospital; both were community hospitals in south‐east Queensland. The study population was a group of randomly selected patients (n = 439) admitted to study hospitals with a discharge diagnosis of chest pain, angina, or myocardial infarction, and stratified into high, intermediate, low‐risk ACS or non‐cardiac chest pain: 146 intervention patients (September–November 2003), 147 historical controls (August–December 2001) at the intervention hospital; 146 concurrent controls (September–November 2003) at the control hospital. Interventions were active implementation of a user‐modified clinical pathway coupled with an iterative education programme to medical staff versus passive distribution of a similar pathway without user modification or targeted education. Outcome measures were rates of appropriate enoxaparin use in high‐risk ACS patients and rates of inappropriate use in intermediate and low‐risk patients.Results: Appropriate use of enoxaparin in high‐risk ACS patients was above 90% in all patient groups. Inappropriate use of enoxaparin was significantly reduced as a result of pathway use in intermediate risk (9% intervention patients vs 75% historical controls vs 45% concurrent controls) and low‐risk patients (9% vs 62% vs 41%; P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Pathway use was associated with a 3.5‐fold (95% CI: 1.3–9.1; P = 0.012) increase in appropriate use of enoxaparin across all patient groups.Conclusion: Active implementation of an acute chest pain pathway combined with continuous education reduced inappropriate use of enoxaparin in patients presenting with intermediate or low‐risk ACS.
Health‐care problems of Turner syndrome in the adult woman: a cross sectional study of a Victorian cohort and a case for transition
Authors: Pedreira C. C. , Hameed R. , Kanumakala S. , Zacharin M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess current care and to survey comorbidity in a cohort of 39 adult women with Turner syndrome in Victoria. Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) drift away from medical care as they achieve adulthood, despite the need for regular surveillance and management of associated conditions, which would reduce morbidity and prevent complications. Clinical assessment was undertaken for 39 women with TS, mean age 30.1 (±11.7) years and information was gathered through personal communication regarding past growth hormone use, oestrogen treatment, hearing loss and health problems. Twenty‐four (63.2%) had regular follow‐up, but only 17 (43.6%) had adequate recommended surveillance for comorbidities. Forty‐three percent had two or more cardiovascular risk factors. Thirty‐four (87.2%) were identified with one or more associated disorders. Uterine size was of normal adult dimensions in patients who had received oestrogen before age of 15 years. Adult care for adults with TS is suboptimal and assessment of comorbidities remains sporadic. Adequate transition guidelines and patient education are needed for long‐term management of women with TS, to impact on quality of life and longevity.