bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of root‐wave response by extra large and conventional G proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Pandey Sona , Monshausen Gabriele B. , Ding Lei , Assmann Sarah M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryHeterotrimeric G proteins composed of α, β and γ subunits regulate a number of fundamental processes concerned with growth and development in plants. In addition to the canonical heterotrimeric G proteins, plants also contain a small family of extra large G proteins (XLGs) that show significant similarity to the G‐protein α subunit in their C‐terminal regions. In this paper we show that one of the three XLG genes, XLG3, and the Gβ subunit (AGB1) of the Arabidopsis G‐protein heterotrimer are specifically involved in the regulation of a subset of root morphological and growth responses. Based on analysis of T‐DNA insertional mutant phenotypes, XLG3 and AGB1 each positively regulate root waving and root skewing. Since these responses are regulated by physical as well as physiological cues, we assessed the roles of AGB1 and XLG3 in gravitropism, thigmotropism and hormonal responses. Our data show that mutants lacking either XLG3 or AGB1 genes are hypersensitive to ethylene and show growth responses consistent with alterations in auxin transport, while maintaining an essentially wild‐type response to the physical cues of gravity and touch. These results suggest that XLG3 and AGB1 proteins regulate the hormonal determinants of root‐waving and root‐skewing responses in plants and possibly interact in a tissue‐specific or signal‐specific manner. Because plants harboring knockout mutations in the Gα subunit gene, GPA1, exhibit wild‐type root waving and skewing, our results may indicate that the AGB1 subunit functions in these processes without formation of a classic Gαβγ heterotrimer.
Primary jejunal adenocarcinoma as part of multiple primary cancers of the digestive tract
Authors: Kato Yutaro , Tsuyuki Akira , Kikuchi Kiyoshi , Fujishiro Yasuo , Tanabe Minoru , Watanabe Masahiko , Ozawa Soji , Kitajima Masaki 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMultiple primary cancers including small intestinal tumors are rare. We describe the first curative resection case of metachronous triple early cancers involving the jejunum as well as the stomach and esophagus. The patient had undergone total gastrectomy for a gastric adenocarcinoma and subsequent esophagectomy for an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A jejunal adenocarcinoma, the third primary, occurred at the blind stump of the jejunal limb of a Roux‐en‐Y esophagojejunostomy reconstructed previously. This tumor was removed by partial resection of the limb with the preservation of the esophagojejunostomy. The patient died from complications of acute pancreatitis 3 years after the last operation, without overt clinical signs of cancer recurrence. Immunohistochemistry of the specimen showed the increased expression of p53 and cyclin D1 proteins in all three cancers, suggesting their involvement in metachronous carcinogenesis in this case. Early diagnosis of each cancer was made possible by regular endoscopic follow‐up and favorable anatomical location of each tumor, which were considered to allow less invasive surgery as well as to contribute to the favorable outcome. This case suggests the importance of regular surveillance for metachronous carcinogenesis, especially when the preceding cancers carry genetic abnormalities that may potentially increase the risk for subsequent carcinogenesis.
Immunohistochemical expression of cell‐cycle proteins in gastric precancerous lesions
Authors: Anagnostopoulos George K , Stefanou Dimitrios , Arkoumani Evdokia , Karagiannis John , Paraskeva Konstantina , Chalkley Lisa , Habilomati Erminia , Tsianos Epaminondas , Agnantis Niki J 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground:  The early indicator for the subject predisposed to gastric cancer is abnormal proliferation of gastric epithelial cells, such as atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia, which have been considered as precancerous lesions of gastric cancer. To determine whether p53 protein, cyclins D1, and D3, and p27kip1 play a role in the carcinogenesis pathway of gastric cancer, we performed an immunohistochemical study of their expression in gastric precancerous lesions.Methods:  A total of 1 45 endoscopic gastric biopsy specimens of AG, IM, and gastric dysplasia were studied. These molecular markers were localized by immunohistochemistry.Results:  P53 was expressed in 15% of cases with gastric dysplasia and not in the pre‐dysplastic stages of the gastric mucosa. All cases were concerning high‐grade dysplasia. Cyclin D1 protein was almost undetectable in the precancerous lesions of gastric cancer. Cyclin D3 protein overexpression was seen in 10% of biopsies with IM, and 50% of biopsies with gastric dysplasia. High expression of p27kip1 protein was demonstrated in all cases of chronic gastritis. As atrophy, IM, and dysplasia develop, expression of p27kip1 protein is suppressed. In total, 15% of dysplastic cases showed no expression of p27kip1 protein.Conclusions:  (i) P53 mutation must be a late event during the development of gastric cancer. (ii) Cyclin D1 protein overexpression may not play a role in the progression from normal to neoplastic gastric mucosa, while overexpression of cyclin D3 is an earlier event during gastric carcinogenesis, and its role must be further evaluated. (iii) Reduced expression of p27kip1 is a rather early event in gastric tumorigenesis, before dysplastic changes occur.
Subepithelial mass lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Humphris Jeremy L , Jones D Brian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe finding of a mass lesion in the upper gastrointestinal tract at endoscopy with apparent normal overlying mucosa is common. The differential diagnosis of such lesions is broad and includes those of intramural or extramural origin. Endoscopic ultrasound provides accurate imaging of subepithelial mass lesions and characterizes them according to size, echogenicity, and origin including the histologic layer if the lesion is intramural which narrows the differential diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound allows a guided tissue sample to be obtained for histologic confirmation which is especially important for hypoechoic lesions arising from the 3rd or 4th echogenic layers. The purpose of this article is to review the diagnosis of the more common subepithelial mass lesions with an emphasis on endoscopic ultrasound and the subsequent management or monitoring.
Correlation of transforming growth factor beta‐1 gene polymorphisms C‐509T and T869C and the risk of gastric cancer in China
Authors: Li Tao , Cao Bang‐Wei , Dai Yue , Cui Hong , Yang Hong‐Li , Xu Chang‐Qing 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  As an important cytokine that modulate the cell cycle, the involvement of transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGF‐β1) in carcinogenesis has been extensively studied for many years. Literatures have demonstrated that TGF‐β1 gene polymorphisms may alter the risk of various cancers, such as lung, prostate and breast. To investigate whether polymorphisms of the TGF‐β1 gene can modify the risk of gastric cancer, we conduct this hospital‐based, case‐control study.Methods:  One hundred and sixty‐seven cases and 193 gender, age‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in this case‐control study. TGF‐β1 polymorphisms C‐509T and T + 869C were identified by PCR‐RFLP and ARMS‐PCR protocols, respectively.Results:  Significantly different distributions of both genes were demonstrated between the case and control. Variant genotypes −509CT, −509TT, +869TC and +869CC were associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (P = 0.001, OR = 2.54; P = 0.016, OR = 2.09; P < 0.001, OR = 3.46; P < 0.001, OR = 4.04, respectively). With haplotype analysis, wild type CT (−509C and +869T) led to a lower frequency in case than that in control (P < 0.001), while haplotype TC was more frequent in case than in control (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with haplotype TC had an increased likelihood of developing gastric cancer (OR = 3.19, 95%CI = 1.72–5.90).Conclusions:  Our findings imply that −509C > T and +869T > C gene polymorphisms in TGF‐β1 may be a critical risk factor of genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer in the Chinese population.
Prospective study of short‐term peginterferon‐α‐2a monotherapy in patients who had a virological response at 2 weeks after initiation of interferon therapy
Authors: Jeong Soocheol , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Kitamoto Mikiya , Ishihara Hiroto , Tsuji Keiji , Aimitsu Shiomi , Kawakami Hiroiku , Uka Kiminori , Takaki Shintaro , Kodama Hideaki , Waki Koji , Imamura Michio , Aikata Hiroshi , Takahashi Shoichi , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Long‐term interferon (IFN) therapy is effective in eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, it carries the risk of adverse effects and reduced quality of life. To assess whether short‐term IFN therapy effectively eliminates HCV, we performed a prospective pilot study of pegylated (peg)IFN‐α‐2a therapy for 8 or 24 weeks.Methods:  After excluding patients with high titers of genotype‐1, 55 HCV patients received pegIFN‐α‐2a. Patients who became negative for HCV‐RNA at week 2 were allocated to either an 8‐week (n = 19) or 24‐week (n = 15) course of IFN. We evaluated the efficacy of and tolerance to IFN therapy.Results:  The sustained virological response rate was excellent in the two groups (8 weeks, 89.5% [17/19]; 24 weeks, 100% [15/15], respectively,). IFN dose reduction was required in one patient of the 8‐week group, but in six patients of the 24‐week group (P = 0.028). Treatment was completed by all patients of the 8‐week group, but discontinued in five patients of the 24‐week group (P = 0.011).Conclusions:  The 8‐week IFN therapy is more tolerable than the 24‐week therapy and had similar outcomes. Excluding the patients with high titers of genotype‐1, we recommend switching to an 8‐week course of pegIFN‐α monotherapy once patients show an ultra rapid virological response at week 2 from the start of IFN therapy.
Economic evaluation of chronic hepatitis B treatments in Taiwan
Authors: Lacey Laurence , Chien Rong‐Nan , Chuang Wan‐Long , Pwu Raoh‐Fang 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its sequelae are major health problems in Taiwan. The purpose of the present study was the economic evaluation of short‐duration treatments of CHB and longer duration antiviral treatment for up to 5 years.Methods:  Ten‐health state CHB disease progression Markov models were used for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive and HBeAg‐negative CHB patients, respectively, that included the emergence of antiviral resistance. The perspective of this economic evaluation was the Taiwan health‐care system. Costs and benefits were discounted at 3% per annum.Results:  Short‐course therapies of up to 1‐year treatment had limited impact on improving patient survival. Long‐term viral suppression with lamivudine and adefovir sequential rescue therapies (including add‐on therapies) for up to 5 years were found to be highly cost‐effective by international standards (estimated to be NT$580 000 per quality adjusted life year [QALY] for Taiwan). When Taiwan‐specific model inputs were used for HBeAg‐positive CHB, the cost per QALY for lamivudine plus adefovir sequential antiviral therapy increased by approximately 100% over the base‐case estimate, but was still well within the estimated NT$580 000 per QALY threshold.Conclusions:  In Taiwan, treatment of CHB patients with lamivudine and adefovir sequential antiviral therapies for up to 5 years results in survival benefits and is highly cost‐effective.
Hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus coinfection: Epidemiology, clinical features, viral interactions and treatment
Authors: Chu Chi‐Jen , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBecause of the shared modes of transmission, hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is not uncommon in highly endemic areas and among subjects with a high risk of parenteral infections. The worldwide prevalence of HBV/HCV coinfection is unknown and might be underestimated with the phenomenon of silent (occult) HBV infection. HCV superinfection in patients with chronic HBV infection was the most common clinical features of coinfection in Asia–Pacific countries. Further, most, but not all, clinical observations suggested that interference between the two viruses was more frequently characterized by an inhibition of HBV replication exerted by HCV. However, longitudinal follow‐up studies have demonstrated that the virological patterns in coinfection cases are widely divergent and have dynamic profiles over time. As compared with monoinfected patients, HBV/HCV coinfected persons tend to have more severe liver injury, a higher probability of liver cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation, and a higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Detailed serological and virological evaluations are required for coinfected patients before initiation of antiviral therapy. Previous studies demonstrated that HBV/HCV coinfected patients responded poorly to interferon (IFN) monotherapy. Currently, for patients with dominant HCV infection and low level HBV viremia (<104 IU/mL), IFN or pegylated IFN plus ribavirin can achieve comparable sustained virus response as expected with HCV monoinfection. However, phenomenon of reciprocal viral interference can happen, and resultant “flare” of hepatitis activity may cause liver function deterioration. For coinfected patients with dually‐active HBV/HCV, the optimal regimen for therapy remains unclear although adding oral nucleos(t)ide analogs to pegylated IFN and ribavirin seems a reasonable empiric option.
Involvement of the ABC transporter BcAtrB and the laccase BcLCC2 in defence of Botrytis cinerea against the broad‐spectrum antibiotic 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol
Authors: Schouten Alexander , Maksimova Olesya , Cuesta‐Arenas Yaite , Van Den Berg Grardy , Raaijmakers Jos M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe genetic and biochemical basis of defence mechanisms in plant pathogenic fungi against antifungal compounds produced by antagonistic microorganisms is largely unknown. The results of this study show that both degradative and non‐degradative defence mechanisms enable the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea to resist the broad‐spectrum, phenolic antibiotic 2,4‐diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4‐DAPG). The efflux pump BcAtrB provides the first line of defence for B. cinerea, preventing accumulation of 2,4‐DAPG in the cell to toxic concentrations, whereas the extracellular laccase BcLCC2 mediates, via conversion of tannic acid, subsequent degradation of 2,4‐DAPG. Expression of BcatrB is induced by 2,4‐DAPG and efflux gives B. cinerea sufficient time to more effectively initiate the process of BcLCC2‐mediated antibiotic degradation. This is supported by the observations that the BcatrB mutant is significantly more sensitive to 2,4‐DAPG than its parental strain, and is substantially less effective in 2,4‐DAPG degradation. The results of this study further showed that BcLCC2 itself is not able to degrade 2,4‐DAPG, but requires tannic acid as a mediator for 2,4‐DAPG degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the laccase‐mediator system is shown to play a role in the detoxification of a broad‐spectrum antibiotic compound from bacterial origin. We postulate that yet unknown constituents present in tannic acid act as substrate(s) of BcLCC2, thereby generating radicals that mediate 2,4‐DAPG degradation.
A novel platform for biologically active recombinant human interleukin‐13 production
Authors: Wang David J. , Brandsma Martin , Yin Ziqin , Wang Aiming , Jevnikar Anthony M. , Ma Shengwu 
Published: April 2008

SummaryInterleukin‐13 (IL‐13) is a pleiotropic regulatory cytokine with the potential for treating several human diseases, including type‐1 diabetes. Thus far, conventional expression systems for recombinant IL‐13 production have proven difficult and are limited by efficiency. In this study, transgenic plants were used as a novel expression platform for the production of human IL‐13 (hIL‐13). DNA constructs containing hIL‐13 cDNA were introduced into tobacco plants. Transcriptional expression of the hIL‐13 gene in transgenic plants was confirmed by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and Northern blotting. Western blot analysis showed that the hIL‐13 protein was efficiently accumulated in transgenic plants and present in multiple molecular forms, with an expression level as high as 0.15% of total soluble protein in leaves. The multiple forms of plant‐derived recombinant hIL‐13 (rhIL‐13) are a result of differential N‐linked glycosylation, as revealed by enzymatic and chemical deglycosylation, but not of disulphide‐linked oligomerization. In vitro trypsin digestion indicated that plant rhIL‐13 was more resistant than unglycosylated control rhIL‐13 to proteolysis. The stability of plant rhIL‐13 to digestion was further supported with simulated gastric and intestinal fluid digestion. In vitro bioassays using a factor‐dependent human erythroleukaemic cell line (TF‐1 cells) showed that plant rhIL‐13 retained the biological functions of the authentic hIL‐13 protein. These results demonstrate that transgenic plants are superior to conventional cell‐based expression systems for the production of rhIL‐13. Moreover, transgenic plants synthesizing high levels of rhIL‐13 may prove to be an attractive delivery system for direct oral administration of IL‐13 in the treatment of clinical diseases such as type‐1 diabetes.
Social Desirability of Earnings Tests
Authors: Cremer Helmuth , Pestieau Pierre , Lozachmeur Jean-Marie 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
In many countries, pension systems involve some form of earnings test; i.e. an individual’s benefits are reduced if he has labor income. This paper examines whether or not such earnings tests emerge when pension system and income tax are optimally designed. We use a simple model with individuals differing both in productivity and in their health status. The working life of an individual has two ‘endings’: an official retirement age at which he starts drawing pension benefits (while possibly supplementing them with some labor income) and an effective age of retirement at which professional activity is completely given up. Weekly work time is endogenous, but constant in the period before official retirement and again constant (but possibly at a different level), after official retirement. Earnings tests mean that earnings are subject to a higher tax after official retirement than before.We show under which conditions earnings tests emerge both under a linear and under a non-linear tax scheme. In particular, we show that earnings tests will occur if heterogeneities in health or productivity are more significant after official retirement than before.
Local Currency Pricing versus Producer Currency Pricing: Direct Evidence from German Exporters
Authors: Fendel Ralf , Swonke Christoph , Frenkel Michael 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn new open-economy macroeconomic models, the assumption on the pricing behavior of firms in international trade plays a central role. Whether firms apply producer currency pricing (PCP) or local currency pricing (LCP) crucially affects, for example, the design of optimal monetary policy or the choice of the optimal exchange rate system. However, empirical evidence has so far been mixed and is furthermore mostly of an indirect nature. This paper draws direct evidence on the price-setting behavior of German exporters from a questionnaire-based survey. We find that PCP applies in more integrated markets. Differences between LCP firms and PCP firms mainly exist with respect to the use of mark-ups and in the validity of the law of one price for their respective products.
Return Guarantees with Delayed Payment
Authors: Mahayni Antje B. , Sandmann Klaus 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
A unit-linked insurance contract can be formulated in terms of a guaranteed amount together with a fraction of a positive excess return of a benchmark portfolio. Normally, the excess return is determined annually and accumulated until the maturity of the contract. The accumulation factor that is granted with respect to the delayed payments can either be deterministic or equal to the (stochastic) bank account. It turns out that the common choice of a deterministic accumulation factor gives rise to problems concerning the pricing and the risk management of the insurance contract.
An Assessment of Bank Merger Success in Germany
Authors: Koetter Michael 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
German banks have experienced a merger wave since the early 1990s. However, the success of bank mergers remains a continuous matter of debate.This paper suggests a taxonomy to evaluate post-merger performance on the basis of cost and profit efficiency (CE and PE). I identify successful mergers as those that fulfill simultaneously two criteria. First, merged institutes must exhibit efficiency levels above the average of non-merging banks. Second, banks must exhibit efficiency changes between merger and evaluation year above efficiency changes of nonmerging banks. I assess the post-merger performance up to 11 years after the mergers and relate it to the transfer of skills, the adequacy to merge distressed banks and the role of geographical distance. Roughly every second merger is a success in terms of either CE or PE. The margin of success in terms of CE is narrow, as efficiency differentials between merging and non-merging banks are around 1 and 2 percentage points. PE performance is slightly larger. More importantly, mergers boost in particular the change in PE, thus indicating persistent improvements of merging banks to improve the ability to generate profits.
Comparative capitalism and sustainable development: Stakeholder capitalism and co‐management in the Kenyan fisheries sub sector
Authors: Obote Ochieng Cosmas Milton 
Published: April 2008

Abstract This paper argues that stakeholder capitalism is more appropriate to natural resource management and rural development in Africa than other varieties of capitalism. It examines different management arrangements in Kenyan Lake Victoria fisheries resources to argue that whilst stakeholder capitalism is still far from being the mainstream model of capitalism in Kenya, theoretically and empirically, it is more appropriate to sustainable development than the Anglo‐Saxon variety of capitalism that the country inherited from its British colonizers. The paper demonstrates that the concepts of ownership and management rights are social, economic and political constructs that are continuously contested, with huge implications for sustainable development and natural resource management.
Protecting the environment through public procurement: The case of South Africa
Authors: Bolton Phoebe 
Published: April 2008

Abstract This article deals with the use of the procurement or purchasing power of governments to protect the environment. The focus is on South Africa and the aim is to show that South African organs of state can use procurement as an environmental policy tool to contribute to sustainable development as they have commendably done so to address past discriminatory policies and practices. It is argued that such use does not fall outside the current legislative framework governing procurement and suggestions are made as to how environmental considerations could be incorporated throughout the procurement process, namely the preparatory stage; the drawing up of tender or technical specifications; ensuring the capability or responsibility of contractors; the use of criteria to compare different tenders; and ensuring that eventual performance under a contract is environmentally sound.