bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards an Understanding of Gender and Capital in Constituting Biotechnologies in Agriculture
Authors: Bryant Lia , Pini Barbara 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA compelling body of international literature now exists on the political economy of biotechnology. This work has used capital as a lens through which to view the increasing economic importance of biotechnologies to the agricultural sector. It has, however, given little attention to gender. The purpose of this article is to argue for the significance of gender in studies of agricultural biotechnology, that is, to posit that it is not just capital, but the intersection between capital and gender that informs the application, creation and regulation of agricultural biotechnologies.
Neither Romance Nor Regulation: Re‐evaluating Community
Authors: DEFILIPPIS JAMES , FISHER ROBERT , SHRAGGE ERIC 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAs the realm of the community has grown increasingly important in the contemporary political economy, the theoretical debates surrounding community have also grown in importance and volume. Too often this literature has been either celebratory or dismissive; either romanticizing the concept and thereby elevating it to primary rank as the focal point of societal initiatives, or objecting to its regulated limits and contradictions and thereby dismissing its importance and political utility. There are important contributions being made by both those who dismiss community and those who celebrate it. But for those interested in understanding the potential for emancipatory social change in the contemporary political economy of neoliberalism there are also severe limitations imposed by these perspectives. After critiquing these literatures and debates, we put forward an understanding of community that is neither dismissive nor celebratory, but instead argues that communities need to be understood as simultaneously products of both their larger, and largely external, contexts, and the practices, organizations and relations that take place within them. Thus, communities, because of their central place in capitalist political economies, can be vital arenas for social change. But they are also arenas that are constrained in their capacities to host such efforts.
Empowered Participation in Urban Governance: The Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program
Authors: FAGOTTO ELENA , FUNG ARCHON 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn the early 1990s, the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) allocated $400 million in public funds for Minneapolis neighborhood groups to spend on improvement projects over the coming 20 years. NRP created the most financially empowered structure of neighborhood governance in any American city. This article describes the institutional design of NRP and then explores several of its political, social and economic consequences. In particular, we examine the character of participation, deliberation and conflict in several NRP neighborhoods, the tensions between neighborhood groups and city offices over this decentralization initiative, the effects of decentralization upon neighborhood‐level social capital, and the nature of goods funded under the Program.
Australian Implementation and Evaluation of Active Support
Authors: Stancliffe Roger J. , Harman Anthony D. , Toogood Sandy , McVilly Keith R. 
Published: October 2006

Background  The implementation and evaluation of Active Support in Australia is reported, the first such formal evaluation outside the UK.Method  Residents and staff of five group homes participated. Active Support was introduced by training staff in one home at a time. Effectiveness was assessed using direct observation of resident engagement in activity and of staff help, as well as written assessments of resident outcomes.Results  Staff help and resident engagement increased in four of five group homes. There was significantly greater participation in a wider variety of domestic activities, as well as more frequent and varied community participation. Change in resident engagement was positively related to change in staff help, but not related to residents’ level of adaptive behaviour.Conclusions  Most of our findings were consistent with earlier UK studies. There was evidence of the successful transfer of Active Support training skills to an Australian training team. Nonsignificant trends towards reduced depression and increased adaptive behaviour warrant further investigation.
The loss of mass‐independent fractionation in sulfur due to a Palaeoproterozoic collapse of atmospheric methane
Authors: ZAHNLE K. , CLAIRE M. , CATLING D. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTWe use a 1‐D numerical model to study the atmospheric photochemistry of oxygen, methane, and sulfur after the advent of oxygenic photosynthesis. We assume that mass‐independent fractionation (MIF) of sulfur isotopes – characteristic of the Archean – was best preserved in sediments when insoluble elemental sulfur (S8) was an important product of atmospheric photochemistry. Efficient S8 production requires three things: (i) very low levels of tropospheric O2; (ii) a source of sulfur gases to the atmosphere at least as large as the volcanic SO2 source today; and (iii) a sufficiently high abundance of methane or other reduced gas. All three requirements must be met. We suggest that the disappearance of a strong MIF sulfur signature at the beginning of the Proterozoic is better explained by the collapse of atmospheric methane, rather than by a failure of volcanism or the rise of oxygen. The photochemical models are consistent in demanding that methane decline before O2 can rise (although they are silent as to how quickly), and the collapse of a methane greenhouse effect is consistent with the onset of major ice ages immediately following the disappearance of MIF sulfur. We attribute the decline of methane to the growth of the oceanic sulfate pool as indicated by the widening envelope of mass‐dependent sulfur fractionation through the Archean. We find that a given level of biological forcing can support either oxic or anoxic atmospheres, and that the transition between the anoxic state and the oxic state is inhibited by high levels of atmospheric methane. Transition from an oxygen‐poor to an oxygen‐rich atmosphere occurs most easily when methane levels are low, which suggests that the collapse of methane not only caused the end of MIF S and major ice ages, but it may also have enabled the rise of O2. In this story the early Proterozoic ice ages were ended by the establishment of a stable oxic atmosphere, which protected a renewed methane greenhouse with an ozone shield.
Effect of adrenergic blockade on plasma adrenomedullin concentration during static handgrip in patients with heart failure
Authors: Krzemiński K. , Nazar K. , Cybulski G. , Mikulski T. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryOur previous study showed that static handgrip caused increases in the plasma adrenomedullin (ADM) both in patients with heart failure (HF) and healthy subjects. The present study was designed to determine the role of the sympathetic nervous system in mediating plasma ADM changes during handgrip in patients with HF. Twelve male HF patients (II class NYHA) treated with carvedilol, a non‐selective adrenergic blocker (TC) and 12 patients untreated with carvedilol (UC) performed two 3‐min bouts of static handgrip at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, alternately with each hand. At the end of both exercise bouts and in 5 min of the recovery period, plasma ADM and catecholamines were determined. In addition, heart rate, blood pressure and stroke volume (SV) were measured. The baseline plasma ADM, noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) levels were similar in the two groups of patients, while SV was higher (P<0·05) in TC than in UC. During exercise plasma ADM concentrations were lower (P<0·05) in TC than in UC, but the handgrip‐induced increases in plasma ADM did not differ between the groups. Plasma ADM correlated with NA concentrations (r = 0·764) and with SV (r = −0·435) and increases in plasma ADM expressed as percentage of baseline values correlated with those of plasma NA (r = 0·499), diastolic BP (r = 0·550) and total peripheral resistance (r = 0·435). The study suggests that the sympathetic nervous system may be involved in the stimulation of ADM secretion during static exercise either directly or by changes in the haemodynamic response.
Use of Herbal Medicine and Other Dietary Supplements in Community‐Dwelling Older People: Baseline Data from the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study
Authors: Nahin Richard L. , Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Williamson Jeff D. , Burke Gregory L. , DeKosky Steven T. , Furberg Curt ,   for the GEM Study Investigators
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES: To analyze baseline data from the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study, in which information was collected on the use of all dietary supplements.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional regression analysis.SETTING: GEM study sites in California, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.PARTICIPANTS: The GEM study enrolled 3,072 ambulatory individuals aged 75 and older between September 2000 and June 2002.MEASUREMENTS: Self‐reported use of dietary supplements and use identified through bottles brought to the clinic.RESULTS: Respectively, 59.4%, 66.6%, and 27.4% of the GEM study cohort used a multivitamin, at least one individual vitamin or mineral supplement, and some type of nonvitamin/nonmineral dietary supplement (NVNMDS). In logistic regression models, multivitamin use was associated with female sex, a higher income, a higher modified Mini‐Mental State Examination score, difficulty with mobility, and asthma history; use of any other vitamin or mineral was associated with female sex, white race, nonsmoking, more years of schooling, difficulty walking, a history of osteoporosis, and reading health and senior magazines; and NVNMDS use was associated with residing in California, having difficulties with muscle strength, and reading health and senior magazines.CONCLUSION: There were substantial differences between individuals who used vitamins and minerals and those who used NVNMDS. These data require that trial investigators pay close attention to participant use of off‐protocol dietary supplements. In addition, these findings may help identify elderly individuals likely to combine NVNMDS and prescription drugs.
Assessment of cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii, and their natural enemies on aphid‐resistant and aphid‐susceptible wheat varieties in a wheat–cotton relay intercropping system
Authors: Ma Xiao Mu , Liu Xiao Xia , Zhang Qing Wen , Zhao Jian Zhou , Cai Qing Nian , Ma Yong An , Chen Dong Mei 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), is an important cotton pest in northern China, especially in the seedling stage of cotton. After large scale commercial use of transgenic Bt cotton, cotton aphids became one of the most important cotton pests. A 2‐year study was conducted to evaluate the role of four winter wheat varieties that were resistant or susceptible to wheat aphid, Sitobion avenae Fabricius (Homoptera: Aphididae), in conserving arthropod natural enemies and suppressing cotton aphids in a wheat–cotton relay intercropping system in northern China. The results indicated that wheat–cotton intercropping preserved and augmented natural enemies more than a monoculture of cotton. The density of natural enemies in cotton was significantly different among relay‐intercropping fields with different wheat varieties. The highest density of natural enemies and low cotton aphid populations were found in the treatment of cotton in relay intercropped with the wheat variety Lovrin10, which is susceptible to wheat aphid. The lowest density of predators and parasitoids associated with high cotton aphid populations were found with the wheat variety KOK1679, which is resistant to wheat aphid. The results showed that wheat varieties that are susceptible or moderately resistant to wheat aphid might reduce cotton aphids more effectively than an aphid‐resistant variety in the intercropping system by enhancing predators to suppress cotton aphids during the cotton seedling stage.
Histological and immunohistochemical study of granuloma annulare and subcutaneous granuloma annulare in children
Authors: Stefanaki Kalliopi , Tsivitanidou‐Kakourou Talia , Stefanaki Christina , Valari Manthoula , Argyrakos Theodoros , Konstantinidou Catherine Van‐Viet , Karentzou Ourania , Katsambas Andreas 
Published: October 2006

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate the histological and immunohistochemical features of granuloma annulare (GA) in comparison to deep granuloma annulare (DGA) and granulomatous dermatoses (GDs).Methods:  Our material comprised 13 GA, 8 DGA and 1 atypical granuloma annulare (AGA) in a child with primary immunodeficiency, 10 cases of nonspecific GDs and 1 case of sarcoidosis with cutaneous involvement. The immunohistochemical streptavidin‐biotin‐Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) analysis was performed on paraffin sections for the detection of CD68/KP‐1, CD68/anti‐human CD68 clone PGM1 (PGM1), lysozyme, S‐100 protein, CD1a, CD3, CD20/L‐26, CD4 and CD8.Results:  All 13 GA were characterized by typical palisading and interstitial granulomas. In 6 cases, the lesion extended to the subcutaneous fat, while a considerable perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate without any signs of vasculitis was observed in 10 cases. The DGA were located to the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat, showing palisading granulomas with central necrobiosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed a broad intense expression of CD68/PGM1 in the histiocytic population in all cases, a constant but fainter detection of CD68/KP‐1 and a variable one of lysozyme. T‐cell markers (CD3, CD4 and CD8) were mainly detected in the perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate of GA and DGA, with CD4+ T lymphocytes predominating over CD8+ in GA and DGA, while CD8+ T lymphocytes was the predominant population in AGA.Conclusions:  CD68/PGM1 is a sensitive and reliable histiocytic marker in confirming the histiocytic nature of equivocal GA and DGA, but the histiocytic immunoprofile is of no particular usefulness in differentiating GA from other GD.
Hepcidin – central regulator of iron metabolism
Authors: Atanasiu Valeriu , Manolescu Bogdan , Stoian Irina 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe knowledge about mammalian iron metabolism has advanced dramatically over the past decades. Studies of genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology allowed us the identification and characterization of many of the molecules involved in regulation of iron homeostasis. Important progresses were made after the discovery in 2000 of a small peptide – hepcidin – that has been proved to play a central role in orchestration on iron metabolism also providing a link between iron metabolism and inflammation and innate immunity. Hepcidin directly interacts with ferroportin (FPN), the only known mammalian iron exporter, which is expressed by enterocytes, macrophages and hepatocytes. The direct hepcidin–FPN interaction allows an adaptative response from the body in situations that alter normal iron homeostasis (hypoxia, anemia, iron deficiency, iron overload, and inflammation).
Peripheral blood haematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with beta thalassaemia major receiving desferrioxamine or deferiprone as chelation therapy
Authors: Vlachaki Efthimia , Ioannidou‐Papagiannaki Elissavet , Tziomalos Konstantinos , Haralambidou‐Vranitsa Styliani , Perifanis Vassilios , Klonizakis Ioannis , Athanassiou‐Metaxa Miranda 
Published: October 2006

Abstract Objectives: The main adverse effect of deferiprone is the development of neutropenia, which occurs via an unknown mechanism. We aimed to gain insight into the pathogenesis of deferiprone‐induced neutropenia by assessing the peripheral blood haematopoietic progenitor cells. Methods: Sixteen patients with beta thalassaemia were studied; nine (Group A) were receiving desferrioxamine and seven (Group B) deferiprone. Ten healthy individuals comprised the control group (Group C). Results: Granulocyte‐erythrocyte‐monocyte‐megakaryocyte colony forming units were significantly more in Groups A and B compared with Group C. Granulocyte‐macrophage colony forming units (CFU‐GM) were significantly more in Group B compared with Group C. Macrophage colony forming units were significantly less in Group B compared with Group C. Granulocyte colony forming units (CFU‐G) were significantly more in Group A compared with Group C. We found a trend in the difference in the number of CFU‐G between patients’ groups (P = 0.123). Adding serum from patients receiving deferiprone to cultures of controls resulted in a maturation arrest of the granulocytic lineage. Conclusion: Our findings point to a maturation arrest at the level of CFU‐GM as a potential mechanism of deferiprone‐induced neutropenia.
Whole-Genome Sequence ofListeria welshimeriReveals Common Steps in Genome Reduction withListeria innocuaas Compared toListeria monocytogenes
Authors: Hain Torsten , Steinweg Christiane , Kuenne Carsten Tobias , Billion André , Ghai Rohit , Chatterjee Som Subhra , Domann Eugen , Kärst Uwe , Goesmann Alexander , Bekel Thomas , Bartels Daniela , Kaiser Olaf , Meyer Folker , Pühler Alfred , Weisshaar Bernd , Wehland Jürgen , Liang Chunguang , Dandekar Thomas , Lampidis Robert , Kreft Jürgen , Goebel Werner , Chakraborty Trinad 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTWe present the complete genome sequence ofListeria welshimeri, a nonpathogenic member of the genusListeria. Listeria welshimeriharbors a circular chromosome of 2,814,130 bp with 2,780 open reading frames. Comparative genomic analysis of chromosomal regions betweenL. welshimeri,Listeria innocua, andListeria monocytogenesshows strong overall conservation of synteny, with the exception of the translocation of an FoF1ATP synthase. The smaller size of theL. welshimerigenome is the result of deletions in all of the genes involved in virulence and of “fitness” genes required for intracellular survival, transcription factors, and LPXTG- and LRR-containing proteins as well as 55 genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism. In total, 482 genes are absent fromL. welshimerirelative toL. monocytogenes. Of these, 249 deletions are commonly absent in bothL. welshimeriandL. innocua, suggesting similar genome evolutionary paths from an ancestor. We also identified 311 genes specific toL. welshimerithat are absent in the other two species, indicating gene expansion inL. welshimeri, including horizontal gene transfer. The speciesL. welshimeriappears to have been derived from early evolutionary events and an ancestor more compact thanL. monocytogenesthat led to the emergence of nonpathogenicListeriaspp.
Specific Binding of the
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria AraC-Type Transcriptional Activator HrpX to Plant-Inducible Promoter Boxes
Authors: Koebnik Ralf , Krüger Antje , Thieme Frank , Urban Alexander , Bonas Ulla 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The pathogenicity of the plant-pathogenic bacterium
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria depends on a type III secretion system which is encoded by the 23-kb
hrp
(
h
ypersensitive
r
esponse and
p
athogenicity) gene cluster. Expression of the
hrp
operons is strongly induced in planta and in a special minimal medium and depends on two regulatory proteins, HrpG and HrpX. In this study, DNA affinity enrichment was used to demonstrate that the AraC-type transcriptional activator HrpX binds to a conserved
cis
-regulatory element, the plant-inducible promoter (PIP) box (TTCGC-N
15
-TTCGC), present in the promoter regions of four
hrp
operons. No binding of HrpX was observed when DNA fragments lacking a PIP box were used. HrpX also bound to a DNA fragment containing an imperfect PIP box (TTCGC-N
8
-TTCGT). Dinucleotide replacements in each half-site of the PIP box strongly decreased binding of HrpX, while simultaneous dinucleotide replacements in both half-sites completely abolished binding. Based on the complete genome sequence of
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria, putative plant-inducible promoters consisting of a PIP box and a −10 promoter motif were identified in the promoter regions of almost all HrpX-activated genes. Bioinformatic analyses and reverse transcription-PCR experiments revealed novel HrpX-dependent genes, among them a NUDIX hydrolase gene and several genes with a predicted role in the degradation of the plant cell wall. We conclude that HrpX is the most downstream component of the
hrp
regulatory cascade, which is proposed to directly activate most genes of the
hrpX
regulon via binding to corresponding PIP boxes.
The
Streptomyces
NrdR Transcriptional Regulator Is a Zn Ribbon/ATP Cone Protein That Binds to the Promoter Regions of Class Ia and Class II Ribonucleotide Reductase Operons
Authors: Grinberg Inna , Shteinberg Tanya , Gorovitz Batia , Aharonowitz Yair , Cohen Gerald , Borovok Ilya 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) catalyze the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides and are essential for de novo DNA synthesis and repair.
Streptomyces
spp. contain genes coding for two RNRs, either of which is sufficient for vegetative growth. The class Ia RNR is encoded by the
nrdAB
genes, and the class II RNR is encoded by
nrdJ
, which is coexpressed with
nrdR
. We previously showed that the
Streptomyces coelicolor nrdR
gene encodes a protein, NrdR, which represses transcription of both sets of RNR genes. NrdR is a member of a highly conserved family of proteins that is confined exclusively to prokaryotes. In this report, we describe a physical and biochemical characterization of the
S. coelicolor
NrdR protein and show that it is a zinc-ATP/dATP-containing protein that binds to the promoter regions of both
Streptomyces
RNR operons. The NrdR N terminus contains a zinc ribbon motif that is necessary for binding to the upstream regulatory region of both RNR operons. The latter contains two 16-bp direct repeat sequences, termed NrdR boxes, which are located proximal to, or overlap with, the promoter regions. These experiments support the view that NrdR controls the transcription of RNR genes by binding to the NrdR box sequences. We also show that the central NrdR ATP cone domain binds ATP and dATP and that mutations that abolish ATP/dATP binding significantly reduce DNA binding, suggesting that the ATP cone domain may allosterically regulate NrdR binding. We conclude that NrdR is a widely conserved regulator of RNR genes, binding to specific sequence elements in the promoter region and thereby modulating transcription.
Localization of the Transglutaminase Cross-Linking Sites in the
Bacillus subtilis
Spore Coat Protein GerQ
Authors: Monroe Alicia , Setlow Peter 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The
Bacillus subtilis
spore coat protein GerQ is necessary for the proper localization of CwlJ, an enzyme important in the hydrolysis of the peptidoglycan cortex during spore germination. GerQ is cross-linked into high-molecular-mass complexes in the spore coat late in sporulation, and this cross-linking is largely due to a transglutaminase. This enzyme forms an ε-(γ-glutamyl) lysine isopeptide bond between a lysine donor from one protein and a glutamine acceptor from another protein. In the current work, we have identified the residues in GerQ that are essential for transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking. We show that GerQ is a lysine donor and that any one of three lysine residues near the amino terminus of the protein (K2, K4, or K5) is necessary to form cross-links with binding partners in the spore coat. This leads to the conclusion that all Tgl-dependent GerQ cross-linking takes place via these three lysine residues. However, while the presence of any of these three lysine residues is essential for GerQ cross-linking, they are not essential for the function of GerQ in CwlJ localization.