bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DDT, pyrethrins, pyrethroids and insect sodium channels
Authors: Davies T. G. E. , Field L. M. , Usherwood P. N. R. , Williamson M. S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe long term use of many insecticides is continually threatened by the ability of insects to evolve resistance mechanisms that render the chemicals ineffective. Such resistance poses a serious threat to insect pest control both in the UK and worldwide. Resistance may result from either an increase in the ability of the insect to detoxify the insecticide or by changes in the target protein with which the insecticide interacts. DDT, the pyrethrins and the synthetic pyrethroids (the latter currently accounting for around 17% of the world insecticide market), act on the voltage‐gated sodium channel proteins found in insect nerve cell membranes. The correct functioning of these channels is essential for normal transmission of nerve impulses and this process is disrupted by binding of the insecticides, leading to paralysis and eventual death. Some insect pest populations have evolved modifications of the sodium channel protein which prevent the binding of the insecticide and result in the insect developing resistance. Here we review some of the work (done at Rothamsted Research and elsewhere) that has led to the identification of specific residues on the sodium channel that may constitute the DDT and pyrethroid binding sites.
IUBMB Life, 59: 151‐162, 2007
Effect of dronedarone on renal function in healthy subjects
Authors: Tschuppert Yvonne , Buclin Thierry , Rothuizen Laura E. , Decosterd Laurent A. , Galleyrand Jacques , Gaud Christine , Biollaz Jérôme 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject • Creatinine clearance (CL) is used to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, it is known to slightly overestimate the true GFR, due to renal tubular secretion of creatinine.• During phase I‐III clinical trials, a 10–15% increase in serum creatinine has been observed both in healthy subjects and patients receiving the new antiarrhythmic agent dronedarone. What this study adds • Dronedarone affects the renal handling of creatinine and N‐methylnicotinamide, two cations, while leaving unchanged GFR, assessed through sinistrin CL, and renal plasma flow and anion secretion, assessed through para‐amino‐hippurate CL.• This suggests a specific action of dronedarone on renal organic cation transport explaining the limited, reversible effect of dronedarone on serum creatinine, which must not be interpreted as reflecting an impairment of renal function, but which may indicate an interaction potential with cationic drugs.AimsTo assess the effects of dronedarone on renal function and tubular cation handling.MethodsTwelve healthy males were enrolled in a randomized, cross‐over, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study. They received 400 mg dronedarone or placebo twice daily for 7 days. Baseline and on‐treatment renal function tests were performed under strict standardization of intakes, by assessing creatinine, sinistrin, para‐amino‐hippurate (PAH) and N‐methylnicotinamide (NMN) CLs, and electrolyte excretion.ResultsCompared with placebo, dronedarone significantly decreased renal creatinine CL (mean 138–119 ml min−1 after dronedarone vs. 142–149 ml min−1 after placebo) and NMN CL (448–368 ml min−1vs. 435–430 ml min−1), but did not alter renal sinistrin CL, PAH CL and other renal parameters.ConclusionsDronedarone reduces renal creatinine and NMN clearance by about 18%, without evidence of an effect on GFR, renal plasma flow or electrolyte exchanges. This suggests a specific partial inhibition of tubular organic cation transporters (OCT). A limited increase in serum creatinine is therefore expected with dronedarone treatment, but does not mean there is a decline in renal function.
FLT3 inhibition in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Knapper Steven 
Published: July 2007

SummaryFMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that appears to play a significant role in leukaemogenesis. Activating mutations of FLT3 are present in approximately one‐third of acute myeloid leukaemia patients and are associated with adverse clinical outcome, while many non‐mutated cases also show evidence of FLT3 activation. FLT3 thus represents a potentially exciting molecular therapeutic target. A number of small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors with anti‐FLT3 activity have been developed and several of these compounds have entered early phase clinical trials where clinical anti‐leukaemic activity has been demonstrated. The depth and duration of clinical responses to FLT3 inhibitor monotherapy have been modest, however, and a number of mechanisms by which blasts may acquire resistance have been proposed. Based on preclinical evidence of synergy with conventional chemotherapy, several combination trials are now underway. FLT3 inhibition may also be effective used in combination with other molecularly targeted agents, in postchemotherapy stem‐cell‐directed maintenance therapy and in MLL‐rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
A simple model of the eco‐hydrodynamics of the epilimnion of Lake Tanganyika
Authors: NAITHANI JAYA , PLISNIER PIERRE‐DENIS , DELEERSNIJDER ERIC 
Published: July 2007

Summary1. The ecosystem response of Lake Tanganyika was studied using a four‐component, nutrient–phytoplankton–zooplankton–detritus, phosphorus‐based ecosystem model coupled to a nonlinear, reduced‐gravity, circulation model. The ecosystem model, an improved version of the earlier eco‐hydrodynamics model developed for Lake Tanganyika, was used to estimate the annual primary production of Lake Tanganyika and its spatial and temporal variability. The simulations were driven with the National Centres for Environmental Protection (NCEP) records for winds and solar radiation forcing.2. The simulated annual cycles of the four ecosystem variables and the daily net primary production were compared with the observations. The comparison showed that simulations reproduced realistically the general features of the annual cycles of epilimnial phosphate, net primary production and plankton dynamics.3. The climatic simulations for the years 1970–2006 yielded a daily averaged integrated upper layer net production ranging from 0.11 to 1.78 g C m−2 day−1and daily averaged chlorophyll‐a(chl‐a) from 0.16 to 4.3 mg m−3. Although the nutrient concentrations in the epilimnion during the strong wind years were high, the net production was low, which is partly because of the greater vertical mixing, produced by strong winds, exposing the phytoplankton to low light conditions in deeper waters. The simulated annual net production and chl‐aagreed quite well with observed production available in the literature.4. We envisage using this model to predict the future scenarios of primary productivity in the lake.
Aspects on pathophysiological mechanisms in COPD
Authors: Larsson Kjell 
Published: July 2007

Abstract.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition which is characterized by irreversible airway obstruction due to narrowing of small airways, bronchiolitis, and destruction of the lung parenchyma, emphysema. It is the fourth most common cause of mortality in the world and is expected to be the third most common cause of death by 2020. The main cause of COPD is smoking but other exposures may be of importance. Exposure leads to airway inflammation in which a variety of cells are involved. Besides neutrophil granulocytes, macrophages and lymphocytes, airway epithelial cells are also of particular importance in the inflammatory process and in the development of emphysema. Cell trafficking orchestrated by chemokines and other chamoattractants, the proteinase–antiproteinase system, oxidative stress and airway remodelling are central processes associated with the development of COPD. Recently systemic effects of COPD have attracted attention and the importance of systemic inflammation has been recognized. This seems to have direct therapeutic implications as treatment with inhaled glucocorticosteroids has been shown to influence mortality. The increasing body of knowledge regarding the inflammatory mechanism in COPD will most likely have implications for future therapy and new drugs, specifically aimed at interaction with the inflammatory processes, are currently being developed.
A period study and light-curve synthesis for the Algol-type semidetached binary XX Cephei
Authors: Lee Jae Woo , Kim Chun-Hwey , Koch Robert H. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
We obtained CCD photometric observations of the Algol-type semidetached binary XX Cephei (XX Cep) during 15 nights from 2002 September 17 to 2003 February 2, and also on 2005 January 21. Except for those data taken on the last night of the concentrated observing season, the 3881 measurements were obtained over an interval of only 106 nights. From these data, four new times of minimum light were calculated. The (O− C) diagram formed from all available timings, and thus the orbital period of the system, can be partly represented as a beat effect between two cyclical variations with different periods ( yr,  yr) and amplitudes (K1=0.015 d, K2=0.103 d), respectively. Both physical and non-physical interpretations of these cycles were investigated. The long-term sinusoidal variation is too long for magnetic cycling in solar-type single and close binary stars. In addition, we have studied the effect of a possible secular period variation. By analysing the residuals from our Wilson–Devinney (WD) binary model, we found small light variations with a period of 5.99 d with amplitudes growing toward longer wavelengths. We think that these oscillations may be produced by instabilities at the systemic L1 point (also occupied by the point of the cool star) and that these instabilities are, in turn, caused by non-uniform and sporadic convection. There is also a short-period oscillation of about 45 min in the WD light residuals that is attributed to accretion on to the mass-gaining primary component from a feeble gas stream originating on the cool donor star.
Photosynthetic recovery following desiccation of desert green algae (Chlorophyta) and their aquatic relatives
Authors: GRAY DENNIS W. , LEWIS LOUISE A. , CARDON ZOE G. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTRecent molecular data suggest that desert green algae have evolved from freshwater ancestors at least 14 times in three major classes (Chlorophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae and Charophyceae), offering a unique opportunity to study the adaptation of photosynthetic organisms to life on land in a comparative phylogenetic framework. We examined the photorecovery of phylogenetically matched desert and aquatic algae after desiccation in darkness and under illumination. Desert algae survived desiccation for at least 4 weeks when dried in darkness, and recovered high levels of photosynthetic quantum yield within 1 h of rehydration in darkness. However, when 4 weeks of desiccation was accompanied by illumination, three of six desert taxa lost their ability to recover quantum yield during rehydration in the dark. Aquatic algae, in contrast, recovered very little during dark rehydration following even just 24 h of desiccation. Re‐illuminating rehydrated algae produced a nearly complete recovery of quantum yield in all desert and two of five aquatic taxa. These contrasts provide physiological evidence that desert green algae possess mechanisms for photosynthetic recovery after desiccation distinct from those in aquatic relatives, corroborating molecular evidence that they are not happenstance, short‐term visitors from aquatic environments. Photosensitivity during desiccation among desert algae further suggests that they may reside in protected microsites within crusts, and species specificity of photosensitivity suggests that disturbances physically disrupting crusts could lead to shifts or losses of taxonomic diversity within these habitats.
Transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in ripening fruits of grapevine under seasonal water deficit
Authors: CASTELLARIN SIMONE D. , PFEIFFER ANTONELLA , SIVILOTTI PAOLO , DEGAN MIRKO , PETERLUNGER ENRICO , DI GASPERO GABRIELE 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTAnthocyanin biosynthesis is strongly up‐regulated in ripening fruit of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) grown under drought conditions. We investigated the effects of long‐term water deficit on the expression of genes coding for flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthetic enzymes and related transcription factors, genes sensitive to endogenous [sugars, abscisic acid (ABA)] and environmental (light) stimuli connected to drought stress, and genes developmentally regulated in ripening berries. Total anthocyanin content has increased at harvest in water‐stressed (WS) fruits by 37–57% in two consecutive years. At least 84% of the total variation in anthocyanin content was explained by the linear relationship between the integral of mRNA accumulation of the specific anthocyanin biosynthetic gene UDP‐glucose : flavonoid 3‐O‐glucosyltransferase (UFGT) and metabolite content during time series from véraison through ripening. Chalcone synthase (CHS2, CHS3) and flavanone 3‐hydroxylase (F3H) genes of the flavonoid pathway showed high correlation as well. Genes coding for flavonoid 3′,5′‐hydroxylase (F3′5′H) and O‐methyltransferase (OMT) were also up‐regulated in berries from dehydrated plants in which anthocyanin composition enriched in more hydroxylated and more methoxylated derivatives such as malvidin and peonidin, the grape anthocyanins to which human gastric bilitranslocase displays the highest affinity. The induction in WS plants of structural and regulatory genes of the flavonoid pathway and of genes that trigger brassinosteroid hormonal onset of maturation suggested that the interrelationships between developmental and environmental signalling pathways were magnified by water deficit which actively promoted fruit maturation and, in this context, anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Functional analyses of thePhyscomitrella patensphytochromes in regulating chloroplast avoidance movement
Authors: Uenaka Hidetoshi , Kadota Akeo 
Published: July 2007

SummaryRed light‐induced chloroplast movement inPhyscomitrella patens(Pp) is mediated by dichroic phytochrome in the cytoplasm. To analyze the molecular function of the photoreceptor in the cytoplasm, we developed a protoplast system in which chloroplast photomovement was exclusively dependent on the expression of phytochrome cDNA constructs introduced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) transformation.YFPwas fused to the phytochrome constructs and their expression was detected by fluorescence. The chloroplast avoidance response was induced in the protoplasts expressing aYFPfusion ofPHY1–PHY3,but not ofPHY4orYFPalone. Phy::yfp fluorescence was detected in the cytoplasm. No change in the location of phy1::yfp or phy2::yfp was revealed before and after photomovement. When phy1::yfp and phy2::yfp were targeted to the nucleus by fusing a nuclear localization signal to the constructs, red light avoidance was not induced. To determine the domains ofPHY2essential for avoidance response, various partially‐deletedPHY2::YFPconstructs were tested. The N‐terminal extension domain (NTE) was found to be necessary but the C‐terminal histidine kinase‐related domain (HKRD) was dispensable. An avoidance response was not induced under expression of phytochrome N‐terminal half domain [deleting both the PAS (Per, Arnt, Sim)‐related domain (PRD) and HKRD]. GUS fusion of this N‐terminal half domain, reported to be fully functional in Arabidopsis for several phyA‐ and phyB‐regulated responses was not effective in chloroplast avoidance movement. Domain requirement and GUS fusion effect were also confirmed inPHY1. These results indicate thatPpphy1–Ppphy3 in the cytoplasm mediate chloroplast avoidance movement, and that NTE and PRD, but not HKRD, are required for their function.
Selective targeting of plasma membrane and tonoplast traffic by inhibitory (dominant‐negative) SNARE fragments
Authors: Tyrrell Matthew , Campanoni Prisca , Sutter Jens‐Uwe , Pratelli Réjane , Paneque Manuel , Sokolovski Sergei , Blatt Michael R. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryVesicle traffic underpins cell homeostasis, growth and development in plants, and is facilitated by a superfamily of proteins known as SNAREs [soluble NSF (N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor) attachment protein receptors] that interact to draw vesicle and target membrane surfaces together for fusion. Structural homologies, biochemical and genetic analyses have yielded information about the localization and possible roles of these proteins. However, remarkably little evidence is yet available that speaks directly to the functional specificities of these proteins in selected trafficking pathways in vivo. Previously, we found that expressing a cytosolic (so‐called Sp2) fragment of one plasma membrane SNARE from tobacco and Arabidopsis had severe effects on growth, tissue development and secretory traffic to the plasma membrane. We have explored this dominant‐negative approach further to examine the specificity and overlaps in Sp2 activity by generating a toolbox of truncated SNARE constructs and antibodies for transient expression and analysis. Using a quantitative ratiometric approach with secreted green fluorescent protein (secGFP), we report here that traffic to the plasma membrane is suppressed selectively by Sp2 fragments of plasma membrane SNAREs AtSYP121 and AtSYP122, but not of the closely related SNARE AtSYP111 nor of the SNARE AtSYP21 that resides at the pre‐vacuolar compartment (PVC). By contrast, traffic of the YFP‐tagged aquaporin fusion protein TIP1;1–YFP to the tonoplast was blocked (leading to its accumulation in the PVC) when co‐expressed with the Sp2 fragment of AtSYP21, but not when co‐expressed with that of AtSYP121. Export of secGFP was also sensitive to the Sp2 fragment of the novel, plant‐specific SNARE AtSYP71 that was recently found to be present in detergent‐resistant, plasma membrane fractions. Co‐incubation analyses of the plasma membrane SNAREs with the regulatory subdomain included within the Sp2 fragments showed activity in destabilizing protein complexes, but only with the complementary SNAREs. We conclude that the Sp2 fragment action accurately reflects the known specificity and targeting of these SNAREs, implies functional overlaps that are of potential physiological interest, and underscores the use of a dominant‐negative strategy in functional studies of a major subfamily of SNAREs in plants.
Predisposition to HPV16/18‐related cervical cancer because of proline homozygosity at codon 72 of p53 among Indian women is influenced by HLA‐B*07 and homozygosity of HLA‐DQB1*03
Authors: Bhattacharya P. , Sengupta S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis study was undertaken to examine whether predisposition to human papillomavirus (HPV)16/18‐related cervical cancer (CaCx) because of p53 proline homozygosity (Pro72Pro) among Indian women was mediated singly or jointly with immunogenetic risk factors such as HLA‐B*07 or homozygosity of HLA‐DQB1*03. Molecular detection of all three genetic factors was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism using DNA from (i) 114 CaCx samples (78 HPV16/18 positive) and (ii) 195 cytogically normal cervical scrapes (116 HPV‐negative and 79 HPV16/18‐positive samples). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine independent effects of the three factors and to determine age‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] and P‐values. HLA‐B*07 was observed to be significantly associated with HPV16/18 infection in asymptomatic controls (ORage‐adjusted = 4.73; 95% CI: 1.55–14.45; P = 0.006) and CaCx (ORage‐adjusted = 6.14; 95% CI: 2.15–17.53; P < 0.001) in this enhanced sample set of CaCx cases. There was a lack of association between HLA‐B*07 and HLA‐DQB1*03 in our study samples. The association of p53Pro72Pro with CaCx was non‐significant in the absence of HLA‐B*07 in HPV16/18‐positive women. In this group, prevalence of p53Pro72Pro and HLA‐B*07 together was significantly higher (7.0%) among CaCx cases (ORage‐adjusted = 14.05; 95% CI: 1.11–177.30; P = 0.04), compared with controls (1.3%) lacking both factors. HLA‐DQB1*03 homozygosity (ORage‐adjusted = 4.75; 95% CI: 1.17–19.30; P = 0.03) or p53Pro72Pro (ORage‐adjusted = 5.84; 95% CI: 1.18–28.99; P = 0.03) was found to be significantly associated with CaCx, each in the absence of the other in this group but not when present jointly in contrast to those lacking both factors (P = 0.214). Thus, modulation of p53Pro72Pro‐mediated susceptibility to CaCx by immunogenetic factors could possibly be mediated through cross talk between HPV16/18‐induced immune evasion and cell transformation.
Interleukin‐18 promoter polymorphism in patients with atopic asthma
Authors: Pawlik A. , Kaminski M. , Kuśnierczyk P. , Kurzawski M. , Dziedziejko V. , Adamska M. , Safranow K. , Gawronska‐Szklarz B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAllergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in which interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) plays an important role. However, there are controversial reports on IL‐18 promoter polymorphism as an independent marker of asthma susceptibility. The aim of the present study was to examine the IL‐18 promoter polymorphism in patients with allergic asthma. Two hundred and thirty‐one patients with allergic asthma from a Polish population diagnosed according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/WHO guidelines were examined. An allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction was used to analyse polymorphisms at positions −137 and −607 in the promoter region of the IL‐18 gene. Neither in the −607 C>A nor in the −137 G>C promoter polymorphism were there any differences observed between the total group of asthmatic patients and the controls in the frequencies of genotypes, alleles, diplotypes or haplotypes. In patients with severe asthma, the −607 CC and −137 GG genotypes were observed significantly more frequently (P = 0.03 for both), whereas in patients with mild and moderate asthma, the −137 CC genotype was more prevalent than in the former group. The strongest difference between mild to moderate and severe asthma was observed in −137 allele frequencies (P = 0.006). The results of the present study suggest that the −137 G allele and the C‐G/C‐G diplotype seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of the severe form of asthma.
Absence of the HLA‐G*0105N allele in Amerindian populations from the Brazilian Amazon Region: a possible role of natural selection
Authors: Mendes‐Junior C. T. , Castelli E. C. , Simões A. L. , Donadi E. A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe human leukocyte antigen G (HLA‐G) null allele (G*0105N) is defined by a ΔC deletion at exon 3. Its high frequency in populations from areas with high pathogen loads and the putative role of HLA‐G in placental development suggest that the reduced G1 expression in G*0105N heterozygous placentas may improve the intrauterine defense against infections. The G*0105N allele frequencies were evaluated in 143 Amerindians from six isolated tribes that inhabit the Central Amazon to determine the existence of genotype frequencies that suggest balancing selection in favor of G*0105N heterozygotes. No copy of the null allele was found by exon 3 sequencing. Although this finding may be because of demographic or other selective factors, it also suggests no evidence of G*0105N heterozygous advantage.