bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene polymorphisms and serological markers of patients with active Crohn's disease in a clinical trial of antisense to ICAM-1
Authors: Yacyshyn B R , Schievella A , Sewell K L , Tami J A 
Published: June 2005

SummarySerological profiles for anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA)/ perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and gene polymorphisms in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are associated with occurrence and/or outcome in Crohn's disease. The aim of the study was to characterize the ASCA/pANCA profile, soluble ICAM-1 expression and single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNF-α and ICAM-1 genes. Crohn's patients with moderate disease activity were enrolled in a clinical trial of Alicaforsen (ISIS 2302). Peripheral blood samples were collected prospectively for serum studies and for potential analysis of gene polymorphisms. A multivariate analysis was performed to compare treatment effect with the biomarkers studied. Serological testing for ASCA/pANCA was obtained for 257 patients at baseline: 37% were ASCA+/pANCA– (Crohn's pattern), 9% had both markers, 15% were ASCA–/pANCA+ and 39% had neither marker. When the data were analysed by multiple regression analysis, a trend was found within the Alicaforsen-treated groups for greater rates of remission in the ASCA+/pANCA– subgroup versus all other serological profiles (25 versus 14%, P = 0·068), but not versus the placebo remission rate (18·8%). Gene polymorphisms were assessed in 64 patients, 21 from the placebo group. ICAM-1 assessment revealed no over-representation. However, three unique TNF-α SNPs were identified that correlated significantly with remission; sites 290 (P = 0·0253), −2735 (P = 0·0317) and −3090 (P = 0·0067). Although the overall clinical trial was negative, we have identified a trend towards clinical remission with Alicaforsen therapy in a subgroup of patients with Crohn's disease expressing ASCA+/pANCA–. Furthermore, we have identified three TNF-α SNPs that may also predict a positive therapeutic outcome.
Mainland colonization by island lizards
Authors: Nicholson Kirsten E. , Glor Richard E. , Kolbe Jason J. , Larson Allan , Blair Hedges S. , Losos Jonathan B. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAim We investigate biogeographic relationships within the lizard genusAnolisDaudin, 1802 to test the hypothesis that the mainland (Central and South American) Norops‐clade species descended from a West IndianAnolisancestor. Previous hypotheses have suggested that close island relatives of mainland Norops species (the CubanAnolis sagreiand JamaicanA. grahamiseries) represent over‐water dispersal from a mainland ancestor. These previous hypotheses predict that theA. sagreiandA. grahamiseries should be phylogenetically nested within a Norops clade whose ancestral geography traces to the mainland. If Norops is West Indian in origin, then West Indian species should span the deepest phylogenetic divergences within the Norops clade.Location Central and South America and West Indian islands.Methods The phylogenetic relationships ofAnolislizards are reconstructed from aligned DNA sequences using both parsimony and Bayesian approaches. Hypotheses are tested in two ways: (1) by reconstructing the ancestral geographic location for the Norops clade usingPagel & Lutzoni's (2002)Bayesian approach, and (2) by testing alternative topological arrangements via Wilcoxon Signed‐Ranks tests (Templeton, 1983) and Shimodaira–Hasegawa tests (Shimodaira & Hasegawa, 1999).Results Our evidence supports an origin of mainland Norops anoles from a West Indian ancestor. A West Indian ancestor to the Norops clade is statistically supported, and alternatives to the biogeographic pattern [Cuban (Jamaican, Mainland)] are statistically rejected by Shimodaira–Hasegawa tests, although not by Wilcoxon Signed‐Ranks tests.Main conclusions Our data support the hypothesis of a West Indian origin for mainland Norops. This result contradicts previous hypotheses and suggests that island forms may be an important source for mainland biodiversity.
Probability samples of area births versus clinic populations for reproductive epidemiology studies
Authors: Savitz David A. , Dole Nancy , Kaczor Diane , Herring Amy H. , Siega‐Riz Anna Maria , Kaufman Jay , Thorp John M. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryStudies of pregnancy outcome are generally based either on geographically defined populations, often from birth records, or on clinic or hospital populations. We compared women recruited into a clinic‐based study, the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition (PIN) Study, with women who resided in the geographical area of the study (Alamance, Orange, and Wake Counties in North Carolina) and gave birth over the corresponding time period (1996–2000). Clinic participants were more likely to be Black, younger, have lower education, be unmarried, have a more frequent history of adverse pregnancy outcome, obtain prenatal care later, and smoke more cigarettes. Despite that profile, the proportion of clinic participants delivering preterm was somewhat lower than among area women overall (10.8% vs. 11.3%). Black/White risk ratios for preterm birth were markedly different for area (1.6) vs. clinic women (1.1), whereas other predictors were similar. Patterns may differ across groups for many reasons, including self‐selection of clinics and varying clinical practices.
Predictors of vaginal bleeding during the first two trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: Yang Juan , Savitz David A. , Dole Nancy , Hartmann Katherine E. , Herring Amy H. , Olshan Andrew F. , Thorp John M. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryThis study evaluates maternal age, race, cigarette smoking, prior spontaneous abortion, prior induced abortion, and prior preterm birth in relation to vaginal bleeding during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Information on vaginal bleeding and predictors came from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study, which enrolled 2806 pregnant women at 24–29 weeks’ gestation during 1995–2000 in central North Carolina, USA. Generalised estimating equations were applied to take into account repeated episodes of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Women with advanced maternal age and passive smoking exposure were more likely to experience more intense vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, as were women with prior preterm birth. More intense bleeding was also more likely to be reported among women with multiple prior spontaneous abortions or multiple prior induced abortions, but not among women with a single prior spontaneous or induced abortion. The combination of prior spontaneous and induced abortion showed a dose–response association with the occurrence of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
Spatial and temporal variation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes in o‐hydroxyethylorutin‐treated tomato leaves inoculated with Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Małolepsza U. 
Published: June 2005

Pretreatment of detached tomato leaves with o‐hydroxyethylorutin reduced the percentage leaf area affected, and delayed the appearance of necrosis, following inoculation with conidial suspensions in droplets of the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea. o‐Hydroxyethylorutin delayed, but did not inhibit, in vitro germination of conidia, although overall percentage germination was reduced compared with water controls. Both the reactive oxygen species (ROS) – superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide – increased twice as much in o‐hydroxyethylorutin‐treated leaf tissue 2 and 6 h postinoculation with B. cinerea conidia in tissues under inoculation drops, as well as in surrounding tissues, whereas in plants not pretreated with the compound ROS generation was noticed later, and only in tissues under inoculation drops. Compared with these compounds, changes in the levels of hydroxyl radicals, lipid peroxidation and the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase were largely unchanged. In stimulating ROS in inoculated tomato tissue, B. cinerea appeared to be affected directly pre‐ and postinfection, but indirect effects increasing host resistance cannot be excluded.
Comparative analysis of early H2O2 accumulation in compatible and incompatible wheat–powdery mildew interactions
Authors: Li A. L. , Wang M. L. , Zhou R. H. , Kong X. Y. , Huo N. X. , Wang W. S. , Jia J. Z. 
Published: June 2005

Comparative analysis was carried out for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in response to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis[Erysiphe graminis] f.sp. tritici) primary germ tube (PGT) and appressorial germ tube (AGT) contact, and in papilla (cell wall apposition) and hypersensitive responses (HR) in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Using primary leaves of three susceptible wheat lines (Bainong 3217; Beijing 837; Jingshuang 16) and five resistant lines [Mardler (Pm2 + Pm6); Ulka/8 × Cc (Pm2); Mardler/7 × Bainong 3217 (Pm2); Pm16; Pm16/7 × Beijing 837 (Pm16)], early H2O2 accumulation between 10 and 48 h after inoculation was studied. Strong H2O2 accumulation was found in effective papillae and associated cytosolic vesicles in both susceptible and resistant wheat lines, suggesting the important role of H2O2 in effective papillae formed as a general plant defence against powdery mildew. High frequency of effective papilla formation was observed in all five resistant lines. Among resistant lines, hypersensitive cell death was detected earlier in Mardler and Ulka/8 × Cc than in Pm16 and Pm16/7 × Beijing 837. In all cases this was associated with H2O2 accumulation in attacked epidermal cells. Interestingly, penetration resistance but not HR appeared to be mediated by the Pm2 gene in the Mardler/7 × Bainong 3217 line, suggesting that Pm2 may govern an HR‐independent defence pathway in this genetic background. As effective papillae and HR did not occur in the same cells, papilla deposition may be independent of the HR response, despite the fact that both defence mechanisms were associated with high H2O2 accumulation. In wheat powdery mildew‐incompatible interactions, HR acts as a second line of defence to contain infection when the papilla defence fails.
Development of a species‐specific and sensitive detection assay for Phytophthora infestans and its application for monitoring of inoculum in tubers and soil
Authors: Hussain S. , Lees A. K. , Duncan J. M. , Cooke D. E. L. 
Published: June 2005

A specific and sensitive PCR assay for the detection of Phytophthora infestans, the cause of late blight of potato, in soil and plant tissues was developed. A P. infestans‐specific primer pair (INF FW2 and INF REV) was designed by comparing the aligned sequences of rDNA internal transcribed spacer regions of most of the known Phytophthora species. PCR amplification of P. infestans DNA with primers INF FW2 and INF REV generated a 613 bp product, and species specificity was demonstrated against DNA from nine other Phytophthora species and seven potato‐blemish pathogens. In a single‐round PCR assay, 0·5 pg pure P. infestans DNA was detectable. Sensitivity was increased to 5 fg DNA in a nested PCR assay using Peronsporales‐specific‐primers in the first round. As few as two sporangia or four zoospores of P. infestans could be detected using the nested assay. Procedures are described for detection of P. infestans in leaves, stem and seed potato tubers before expression of symptoms. A soil assay in which 10 oospores per 0·5 g soil were detectable was developed and validated using samples of field soil. The PCR assay was used to examine the long‐term survival of sexual (oospores) and asexual (sporangia and mycelium) inoculum of P. infestans in leaf material buried in a replicated experiment under natural field conditions. Oospores were consistently detected using the PCR assay up to 24 months (total length of the study) after burial in soil, whereas the sporangial inoculum was detected for only 12 months after burial. Sporangial inoculum was shown to be nonviable using a baiting assay, whereas leaf material containing oospores remained viable up to 24 months after burial.
Aggressiveness of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines isolates to soybean and hypersensitivity responses by other plants
Authors: Kaewnum S. , Prathuangwong S. , Burr T. J. 
Published: June 2005

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag) causes bacterial pustule disease which can significantly reduce the production of soybean. A collection of 26 isolates of Xag from different soybean‐production areas of Thailand was shown to differ with regard to aggressiveness on soybean. They also differed in their ability to induce a hypersensitive response (HR) on four cultivars of tobacco and on other plant species including pepper, tomato, cucumber, pea and sesame. Tomato was most sensitive to HR induction by Xag. Isolate KU‐P‐34017 caused an HR on all the plant species tested. The minimal concentration of KU‐P‐34017 needed to induce HR on tobacco was approximately 5 × 108 CFU mL−1. A bacterium–plant interaction period of at least 2·5 h was necessary for HR, and different temperatures, relative humidity and light periods did not affect HR development. Inhibitors of eukaryotic metabolism, including cobalt chloride, lanthanum chloride and sodium orthovanadate (completely), and cycloheximide (partially) blocked the HR on tobacco, indicating the association of an active plant response. In contrast, the HR on tomato was inhibited only by cobalt chloride.
A Commentary on the Zinkernagel–Hengartner ‘Credo 2004’
Authors: Cohn M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIn ‘Credo 2004’, Zinkernagel and Hengartner give us a food‐for‐thought analysis of immune responsiveness based on a ‘pragmatic and empiric point of view.’ The Credo 2004 postulates derived by inductive extrapolation from observation to generalization do not satisfactorily account for immune behaviour because they lack a conceptualization as illustrated here. Nevertheless, Credo 2004 is certainly valuable in a limited framework because it is based on the most likely of assumptions namely that the immune system was evolutionarily selected to protect against infectious agents, and therefore the study of pathogens will most accurately reveal how the immune system responds normally to protect. After reformulating them, the postulates of Credo 2004 are analysed with respect to their generality.
Plant 7SL RNA genes belong to type 4 of RNA polymerase III‐ dependent genes that are composed of mixed promoters
Authors: Yukawa Yasushi , Felis Martha , Englert Markus , Stojanov Michael , Matoušek Jaroslav , Beier Hildburg , Sugiura Masahiro 
Published: June 2005

SummaryThe genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III (pol III) display a great diversity in terms of promoter structure and are placed in four groups accordingly. Type 3 subset of pol III genes has promoter elements which reside entirely upstream of the coding region of the gene whereas type 4 consists of genes with mixed promoters that enclose intra‐ and extragenic regulatory sequences. Plant 7SL RNA genes have been previously classified as type 3 of pol III genes requiring an upstream sequence element and a canonical TATA box for transcriptional activity in transfected plant protoplasts. We have identified two novel functional control regions within the coding region of an Arabidopsis 7SL RNA gene (At7SL‐1) that resemble tRNA gene‐specific A and B boxes with respect to sequence and position. Single and multiple nucleotide substitutions in either of these regions resulted in a pronounced reduction of transcription activity in tobacco nuclear extract that was not caused by a decreased stability as shown by decay kinetics of wild type and mutant RNA transcripts. These findings suggest that plant 7SL RNA genes should be actually placed in type 4 of pol III‐transcribed genes. As a consequence of substantially different upstream promoters utilized by plant and human pol III, in vitro transcription of 7SL RNA genes in heterologous systems is severely impaired. A chimeric human 7SL RNA gene that contains the 5′ flanking region up to position −300 of At7SL‐1 is yet transcribed with a reduced efficiency in tobacco extract when compared with the plant wild‐type gene, supporting the notion that internal regulatory elements contribute to full activity.
Activation tagging of a gene for a protein with novel class of CCT‐domain activates expression of a subset of sugar‐inducible genes in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Masaki Takeshi , Tsukagoshi Hironaka , Mitsui Naoko , Nishii Terumi , Hattori Tsukaho , Morikami Atsushi , Nakamura Kenzo 
Published: June 2005

SummaryIn the current studies, we examined sugar‐inducible gene expression using the Arabidopsis thaliana line sGsL, which carries luciferase (LUC) and β‐glucuronidase (GUS) reporter genes under the control of a 210‐bp promoter derived from the sweet potato sporamin gene (Spomin). We isolated an enhancer activation‐tagged mutant of this line that showed high‐level expression of LUC and GUS under non‐inducing low‐sugar conditions. The Activator ofSpomin::LUC2 (ASML2) gene located close to the enhancer encodes a protein belonging to a previously uncharacterized class of CCT (CONSTANS, CONSTANS‐like, TOC1) domain proteins. Overexpression of ASML2 cDNA in the sGsL line resulted in enhanced expression of not only LUC and GUS reporters but also several endogenous sugar‐inducible genes, including Atβ‐Amy, ApL3, and VSP2. Transient co‐expression of 35S::ASML2 with the Spomin::LUC or Atβ‐Amy::LUC reporter in protoplasts resulted in an approximately 2.4 or 5.6‐fold transactivation of LUC expression, respectively. Expression of ASML2 was high in reproductive organs, and expression in seedlings was slightly enhanced by sugars, but not by abscisic acid. These results suggest that ASML2 functions as a transcriptional activator and regulates the expression of at least a subset of sugar‐inducible genes.
Papular dermatitis due to Leishmania spp. infection in dogs with parasite‐specific cellular immune responses
Authors: ORDEIX LAURA , SOLANO‐GALLEGO LAIA , FONDEVILA DOLORS , FERRER LLUIS , FONDATI ALESSANDRA 
Published: June 2005

Abstract  Papular dermatitis due to Leishmania spp. infection was diagnosed in three boxers and two Rottweilers with Leishmania‐specific cellular immunity. Diagnosis was based on histological and immunohistochemical examination of papules in four dogs and on cytological examination in one dog. Serum protein electrophoresis was within reference ranges and low antibody levels to Leishmania infantum were detected. Delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to leishmanin was evaluated before treatment in three dogs with positive results. After meglumine antimoniate therapy for 3 to 4 weeks and allopurinol treatment for 6 to 10 months, all dogs were clinically normal, had positive DTH reactions to leishmanin and reduced antibody titres. In conclusion, we suggest that this previously unreported cutaneous presentation of canine leishmaniosis appears to be associated with specific immunocompetence and, consequently, with a favourable prognosis.
Discordant changes in cortical TrkC mRNA and protein during the human lifespan
Authors: Beltaifa Senda , Webster Maree J. , Ligons Davinna L. , Fatula Robert J. , Herman Mary M. , Kleinman Joel E. , Weickert Cynthia Shannon 
Published: June 2005

AbstractNeurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) exerts its trophic effects in brain via tyrosine kinase receptor C (trkC) signaling. TrkC splice variants produce receptors with (full‐length) and without (truncated) a tyrosine kinase domain. The relative abundance of trkC isoforms and the anatomical localization of trkC in the human prefrontal cortex (PFC) in relationship to development and maturation are currently unknown. We have examined the temporo‐spatial expression of trkC protein and mRNA during the development of the human PFC. We have found two major isoforms, a full‐length (150 kDa) and a truncated (50 kDa) form of the trkC protein in the human PFC. We report that the full‐length form is expressed at low levels throughout development while the truncated form is expressed at moderate levels early in development and increases to reach mature levels by adolescence. In contrast, trkC mRNA levels are uniformly expressed throughout most of postnatal life, but decline in ageing. TrkC protein and mRNA are expressed in both pyramidal and non‐pyramidal neurons; additionally, trkC protein is detected in glia and neuropil. Our results suggest that truncated trkC is prevalent in the human PFC and that neurons and glia may be responsive to NT‐3 in the PFC throughout life.
Pressor and tachycardic responses evoked by microinjections ofl‐glutamate into the medial prefrontal cortex of unanaesthetized rats
Authors: Resstel L. B. M. , Corrêa F. M. A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) is involved in central cardiovascular control. In the present study, we studied the cardiovascular effects of injections ofl‐glutamate into the vMPFC of unanaesthetized rats and the mechanisms of these effects. Male Wistar rats were used andl‐glutamate was microinjected in the vMPFC in a final volume of 200 nL. Microinjections ofl‐glutamate (9, 27, 81, 150 or 300 nmol) caused long‐lasting, dose‐related pressor and tachycardic responses in unanaesthetized rats. No differences were observed among cardiovascular responses whenl‐glutamate was injected into the three sub‐areas that comprise the vMPFC, namely the prelimbic, the infralimbic and the dorsal peduncular cortices. No responses were observed when the dose of 81 nmol ofl‐glutamate was microinjected into surrounding structures such as the cingulate cortex area 1, the corpus callosum and the tenia tecta, indicating a predominant action on the vMPFC. The cardiovascular response tol‐glutamate into the vMPFC was blocked by intravenous pretreatment with the ganglion blocker pentolinium (10 mg/kg, i.v.) or the beta1‐adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (1.5 mg/kg, i.v.), supporting the involvement of the cardiac sympathetic nervous system in the response tol‐glutamate. Pretreatment with the muscarinic antagonist homatropine methyl bromide (1 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced the latency to the onset of the pressor and tachycardic responses tol‐glutamate injected into the vMPFC without significant effects on response duration or maximum effect. We conclude that stimulation of the vMPFC withl‐glutamate caused pressor and tachycardic responses in unanaesthetized rats, responses which were dependent on cardiac sympathetic nerve activation and were potentiated by blockade of peripheral muscarinic receptors.
Connections between species diversity and genetic diversity
Authors: Vellend Mark , Geber Monica A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractSpecies diversity and genetic diversity remain the nearly exclusive domains of community ecology and population genetics, respectively, despite repeated recognition in the literature over the past 30 years of close parallels between these two levels of diversity. Species diversity within communities and genetic diversity within populations are hypothesized to co‐vary in space or time because of locality characteristics that influence the two levels of diversity via parallel processes, or because of direct effects of one level of diversity on the other via several different mechanisms. Here, we draw on a wide range of studies in ecology and evolution to examine the theoretical underpinnings of these hypotheses, review relevant empirical literature, and outline an agenda for future research. The plausibility of species diversity–genetic diversity relationships is supported by a variety of theoretical and empirical studies, and several recent studies provide direct, though preliminary support. Focusing on potential connections between species diversity and genetic diversity complements other approaches to synthesis at the ecology–evolution interface, and should contribute to conceptual unification of biodiversity research at the levels of genes and species.