bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parental effects inPieris rapaein response to variation in food quality: adaptive plasticity across generations?
Authors: Rotem Karin , Agrawal Anurag A. , Kott Laima 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.1. Herbivores using seasonal resources must cope with variation in the quality of their host plants. The effects of variation in protein concentration of artificial diet and glucosinolate concentration in canola,Brassica napus, onPieris rapaeparental and progeny growth were investigated.2. The hypothesis that parents respond to variation in food quality by altering the phenotype of their progeny to enhance progeny fitness was tested. Consistent with previous studies,P. rapaewas not affected strongly by variation in the protein concentration of artificial diet and had equal mass on completing development.3. The mass of individual eggs ofP. rapaeprogeny was correlated negatively with the amount of protein in the diet on which parents fed. Moreover, mothers reared in extreme conditions (high and low protein) produced progeny that grew best under those conditions. These potentially adaptive parental effects were detected early in progeny growth but not later in their development.4. Early larval growth ofP. rapaewas affected negatively by increasing glucosinolates inB. napusplants, although no effects of glucosinolates were detected later in growth or on the progeny's phenotype.5. Thus, evidence is presented that variation in food quality (protein concentration) has major consequences for the progeny ofP. rapae. Given the multivoltine life history ofP. rapaeand the seasonal differences in food quality it encounters, such parental effects may be adaptive.
Time to progression is dependent on the expression of the tumour suppressor PTEN in ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Schöndorf T. , Göhring U.‐J. , Roth G. , Middel I. , Becker M. , Moser N. , Valter M. M. , Hoopmann M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Quantitative analyses of PTEN expression of ovarian cancer tissues were performed in this study. PTEN expression was investigated in terms of each patient's progression‐free interval to indicate the role of PTEN in the generation of platinum refractory tumours.Materials and methods The study group comprised 20 ovarian cancer patients from whom fresh frozen tissues of both the primary tumour and specimens of progressive disease were available. The PTEN protein and phosphorylation of the downstream effector proteinkinase B (PKB) were quantified by Western blot analyses and subsequent densitometry. Data were analyzed for individual PTEN variation with respect to the clinical course as defined by the progression‐free interval.Results Applying the usual clinical criteria for platinum‐sensitivity after progression, seven patients were considered platinum‐sensitive whereas 13 patients had suffered a progression within 12 months after the chemotherapy. In 5/7 (71%) cases with prolonged time to progression, an increase in PTEN was observed. Decline of PTEN expression occurred in 9/13 (69%) patients with poor outcome. PTEN expression corresponds inversely to PKB phosphorylation in 14/20 (70%) tissues investigated.Conclusions The data suggest that decreased PTEN expression accompanies the progression of ovarian cancer. Declining PTEN expression results in a shortened relapse‐free interval, whereas an increase of PTEN prolongs the time to progression. However, as far as recurrence occurs, PTEN is not the only mechanism to suppress tumour progression in ovarian cancer.
Cardiovascular responses to endurance training in children: effect of gender
Authors: Obert P. , Mandigouts S. , Nottin S. , Vinet A. , N’Guyen L. D. , Lecoq A. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to determine in healthy children the effect of a well‐controlled endurance training programme on cardiac function at maximal exercise and to define whether gender affects the training‐induced cardiovascular response. The contribution of factors potentially involved in those adaptations such as cardiac dimensions and diastolic and systolic function was also investigated.MethodsThirty‐five l0–11‐year‐old children took part in this study: 19 children (10 girls and nine boys) were assigned to participate in a 13‐week endurance training programme (3 × 1 h week−1, intensity: > 80% HR max), and 16 (seven girls and nine boys) served as a control group. A resting echocardiographic evaluation and a maximal upright cycle test, including measurement of stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Q) and blood pressure, were performed in all children before and after the study period.ResultsThe training programme led to a rise in maximal O2uptake (V̇O2max), brought about however, only by an increase in SVmaxin both genders. Moreover, the boys increased their V̇O2maxto a greater extent than the girls (boys: +15%; girls: +8%) only because of a higher SVmaximprovement (boys: +15%; girls: +11%). No alterations were noticed in the SV pattern from rest to maximal exercise, indicating that the increase in SVrestwas a key factor in the improvement of SVmaxand thus V̇O2max. Regarding resting echocardiographic data, an increase in the left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter, concomitant with an improvement in diastolic function, was observed after training and constituted an essential element in the rise in V̇O2maxafter training in these children. Moreover, during maximal exercise, a decrease in systemic vascular resistances, probably indicating peripheral cardiovascular adaptive changes, might also play an important role in the increase in V̇O2max.ConclusionWhatever gender, aerobic training increases V̇O2maxin children, mediated by an improvement in SVmaxonly. Similar mechanisms, including loading conditions and cardiac morphology, seem to be involved in both genders in order to explain such an improvement.
Decreasing peripheral resistance during pregnancy monitored at the cubital artery
Authors: Schiessl B. , Strasburger C. J. , Spannagl M. , Kainer F. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground During the physiological course of pregnancy maternal peripheral vascular resistance decreases. Using the Doppler technique, the decreasing resistance and disappearance of the early diastolic notch in the arterial uterine perfusion can be observed. These changes in the Doppler flow velocity wave form are caused by the trophoblast invasion in which the spiral arteries loose their musculoelastic structure of the arterial wall. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal systemic alteration in the Doppler flow velocity waveform and Pulsatility Index (PI) could be monitored at the cubital artery during normal pregnancy.Methods and results Forty‐five patients were investigated in a prospective study in 4–6‐week intervals for Dopplersonographic evaluation of the two uterine arteries and the right cubital artery; 20 of the patients were also investigated after delivery. The presence or absence of the early diastolic reverse flow of the cubital artery was analyzed. Furthermore, the PI was calculated for all vessels. With increasing duration of gestation, the reverse flow of the cubital artery disappeared. During the course of gestation a significant decrease in the PI of the cubital artery was observed in addition to a significantly decreased PI of the uterine arteries. The PI of the placental and nonplacental uterine arteries showed a significant correlation to the PI of the cubital artery.Conclusions This study demonstrates systemical changes in arterial resistance correlating to those of the uterine arteries during the course of physiological pregnancy.
Associations of metabolic variables with arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes mellitus: focus on insulin sensitivity and postprandial triglyceridaemia
Authors: Van Dijk R. A. J. M. , Bakker S. J. L. , Scheffer P. G. , Heine R. J. , Stehouwer C. D. A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of atherothrombotic disease, which may in part be mediated through increased arterial stiffness. We investigated to what extent increased arterial stiffness is associated with cardiovascular risk factors that commonly cluster in type 2 diabetes.Design In this cross‐sectional, observational study we assessed, in 81 subjects with type 2 diabetes, local distensibility and compliance of the common carotid and femoral arteries, and carotido‐femoral transit time. We subsequently investigated whether these measures of arterial stiffness were determined by diabetes duration, blood pressure, lipid levels (including fasting and postprandial triglyceridaemia), hyperglycaemia, BMI, waist‐to‐hip ratio, insulin resistance (as measured by a euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp), hyperinsulinaemia, cigarette smoking, or the use of alcohol.Results In multivariate analysis, insulin‐mediated glucose uptake was positively [standardized β, 0·21 (P = 0·05)] associated with the carotid artery compliance coefficient, and the use of alcohol was negatively associated with the femoral artery compliance coefficient [standardized β, –0·25 (P = 0·03)]. Except for mean arterial pressure, which was negatively associated with all outcome variables, the other cardiovascular risk factors that we investigated were not significantly associated with the distensibility coefficients of both the carotid and femoral artery, or with the carotido‐femoral transit time.Conclusions In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and the use of alcohol were associated with increased arterial stiffness, which supports the hypothesis that increased arterial stiffness can act as a mediating factor in the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and increased risk of atherothrombotic disease. We found no evidence for an association between fasting or postprandial triglyceridaemia and arterial stiffness.
Endothelial vasodilatory function is related to the proportions of saturated fatty acids and alpha‐linolenic acid in young men, but not in women
Authors: Steer P. , Vessby B. , Lind L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Fatty acid composition of serum lipids is associated with cardiovascular disease. As attenuated endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDV) is an early event in atherosclerosis, we investigated the relationships between endothelial vasodilatory function and the proportion of serum fatty acids, reflecting dietary fat quality, in 74 healthy men and women, aged 20–30 years.Design Endothelium‐dependent vasodilation and endothelium‐independent vasodilation (EIDV) was studied in the forearm during local administration of methacholine (2 and 4 µg min−1) and nitroprusside (5 and 10 µg min−1). Forearm blood flow was determined with venous occlusion plethysmography. An endothelial function index was calculated as the EDV/EIDV ratio.Results The endothelial function index was inversely related to the total proportion of saturated fatty acids (r = −0·41, P < 0·05), in particular lauric and myristic acid (r = −0·37 and r = −0·36, respectively, P < 0·05 for both), and was positively related to the proportion of alpha‐linolenic acid (r = 0·45, P < 0·01) in men only. Total serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was not significantly related to endothelial vasodilatory function. By multiple stepwise regression analysis, including age, blood pressure, body mass index, and serum cholesterol, triglyceride and NEFA as confounders, myristic acid and alpha‐linolenic acid were independent predictors of the endothelial function index in men only (r = −0·39 and r = 0·47, respectively, P < 0·01 for both).Conclusions We conclude that serum fatty acid composition predicts endothelial vasodilatory dysfunction independently of serum NEFA and cholesterol levels in young, healthy men in their third decade of life, whereas fatty acid composition seems to be less important in women at this age. As a result of the large number of analyses performed, these findings need to be verified by other studies.
Measles virus induces apoptosis in uninfected bystander T cells and leads to granzyme B and caspase activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures
Authors: Vuorinen T. , Peri P. , Vainionpää R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Measles causes lymphopenia and depresses cell‐mediated immunity, but the mechanisms of immunosuppression and cell loss are poorly known.Methods We have used an in vitro model of measles virus (MV)‐infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and phytohaemagglutinin‐stimulated PBMCs in order to assess MV–leucocyte interactions. Cell population undergoing apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Annexin‐V‐fluos staining. The expression of Fas, FasL, TNRF1, and Bcl‐2 was analyzed by flow cytometry and Western blotting, and activation of caspase cascade was measured using a colourimetric caspase substrate set. The effects of caspase inhibitors were detected by flow cytometry.Results Measles virus was able to infect monocytes, but interestingly induced apoptosis in uninfected T cells, indicating that induction of apoptosis in T cells is mediated by MV‐infected adherent cells. Only 1% of T cells contained MV antigen day 3 p.i. Interestingly the percentage of early apoptotic T cells at the same time was 35%, showing that apoptosis was not the result of MV infection in T cells. Measles virus‐induced Fas but not FasL or TNFR1 expression on PMBC, as well as activation of granzyme B and caspase cascade. Simultaneously, overexpression of Bcl‐2 protein was detected. Caspase inhibitor decreased the amount of apoptotic T cells.Conclusion Measles virus‐infected monocytes induce apoptosis in uninfected T cells, suggesting that infected monocytes probably interact via cell–surface molecules with uninfected T cells and induce apoptosis by indirect mechanisms. Apoptosis of the lymphocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of MV‐induced immunosuppression and cell loss.
A modified PCR‐SSP method for the identification of ABO blood group antigens
Authors: Downing J. , Darke C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe ABO blood group antigens are carbohydrate molecules synthesized by the glycosyltransferases encoded by the ABO gene on chromosome 9. Kidney transplantation across the ABO barrier generally leads to rapid humoral graft rejection due to the presence of naturally occurring antibodies to the A and B antigens. We have developed a method for ABO typing our cadaveric organ donors by the polymerase chain reaction using sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP). The method uses 12 primers in eight PCR mixtures and is performed under the same conditions as our routine HLA‐A, B, C PCR‐SSP typing. The PCR‐SSP‐based types of 166 regular blood donors and 148 cadaveric organ donors all showed total concordance with their serologically assigned ABO groups. Six individuals possessing the ABO A subgroups (A3, Ax and Aend) all typed as A1 by PCR‐SSP, as expected. PCR‐SSP is an appropriate method for ABO typing of cadaveric organ donors and, importantly, enables both ABO and HLA typing to be performed on the same DNA material.
Interstitial alterations in renal cortex in acute tubular necrosis (ATN) post‐renal transplantation and in patients with ATN not related to renal transplant
Authors: Neto Miguel Moyses , Costa Roberto S , Volpini Rildo A. , Garcia Tânia MP , Rodrigues Fernanda F , Coimbra Terezila M 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Background:  Abnormalities of renal function with long‐term implications can persist after acute tubular necrosis (ATN), probably because of permanent loss of nephrons. Residual areas of fibrosis are also observed in the renal cortex post‐ATN. In this study, we investigate the interstitial alterations post‐ATN using histological and immunohistochemical methods.Methods:  We studied 11 patients with ATN of different etiologies and 19 patients with ATN post‐renal transplantation. Eleven patients with ATN post‐renal transplantation and one with ATN not related to renal transplantation were submitted to more than one biopsy because of delayed renal function recovery. The immunohistochemical studies were performed using α‐smooth muscle‐actin (α‐SM‐actin), endothelin, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), Jun‐N‐terminal kinase (p‐JNK) and fibronectin antibodies. We also analyzed the urinary content of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) during the acute phase of ATN.Results:  The immunohistochemical studies showed increased α‐SM‐actin, fibronectin, endothelin, p‐JNK and NF‐κB staining in the tubulointerstitium area from the renal cortex of all patients when compared with controls (p < 0.001), and these increase persisted in the patients submitted to sequential biopsies. One of the patients with ATN without renal transplant and six patients with ATN post‐renal transplant developed chronic renal failure. There was a significant increase of TGF‐β excretion in the urine of patients with acute renal failure (p < 0.01) compared with control.Conclusion:  Our data show that the enhancement of renal TGF‐β production and the persistent increase of myofibroblasts, fibronectin, endothelin, p‐JNK and NF‐κB in renal cortex tubulointerstitium post‐ATN may explain the impaired recovery of renal function observed in patients post‐ATN frequently observed in patients with ATN post‐renal transplant.
Liver transplant for hepatocellular cancer: a treatment for the select few
Authors: Wong Linda L , Tsai Naoky , Limm Whitney , Wong Livingston 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is increasing in incidence and liver transplant (LT) is likely the best treatment for long‐term survival and decreased recurrence in those with localized disease. Optimal treatment for HCC is limited by advanced stage at presentation and available donors. We retrospectively reviewed 232 cases of HCC from 1993 to 2002 referred to our medical center, which also has the only transplant program in the state. Demographic data, risk factors, stage, previous treatment, candidacy for LT, and outcome were noted. Stage distribution was as follows: stage I – nine patients, II – 115 patients, III – 31 patients, and IV – 76 patients. Mean age was 61.1 yr and 62 patients were over the age of 70 yr. Thirty‐five patients (15.1%) were offered LT evaluation. Nineteen patients (8.2%) eventually underwent LT, five are currently on a transplant waiting list, three were on a list but removed due to death or progression of disease, six were evaluated but not listed, and two refused evaluation. Five patients were transplanted because implementation of the Model of End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) system for organ allocation. Of 19 patients who underwent LT, 14 are still alive 3–52 months post‐transplant, three developed recurrent HCC, and two died of lung cancer. Although LT may be the best treatment for HCC, a relatively small number of patients (15%) will qualify for this therapy. About half of those who qualify will actually undergo LT. This further emphasizes the need for other strategies such as vaccination, chemoprevention, and early detection to improve survival from HCC.
Susceptibility and lesion development in Scots pine saplings infected with Peridermium pini in northern Finland
Authors: Kaitera J. 
Published: December 2004

SummarySusceptibility of Pinus sylvestris provenances from northern Finland to Peridermium pini and lesion development caused by the rust were investigated by inoculating 768 saplings. Resin‐top disease symptoms on the stem including stem swelling, occurrence of spermatial fluid and rust aecia, were recorded over a period of 9 years. The disease incidence was low (3.6%), varying within the range of 0–9.4% among pine provenances and 3.4–3.9% among spore sources in 1994–2002. Aecia were produced for the first time 2–4 years after inoculation, appearing mainly in early June, 2–9 years after inoculation. The aecia ruptured in late July to early August, and the overall sporulation lasted for 1–8 years among the pine provenances. Spermatial fluid was observed regularly in the year prior to aecia development 2–7 years after inoculation. Annual fresh swelling was observed for 1–6 years after inoculation. No statistically significant differences occurred neither between the pine provenances, the spore sources nor the years with regard to all the major disease variables. The results suggest that Scots pine provenances from northern Finland are highly resistant to P. pini regardless of the pine provenance or spore source.
Rust resistance in Salix induced by inoculations with avirulent and virulent isolates of Melampsora larici‐epitea
Authors: Pei M. H. , Ruiz C. , Hunter T. , Bayon C. 
Published: December 2004

SummarySix Salix clones and four Melampsora larici‐epitea isolates were used in two leaf‐disc inoculation experiments to determine whether disease severity was affected by the presence of both virulent and avirulent rust genotypes. In the first experiment, an equal amount of urediniospores of a virulent isolate and an avirulent isolate was applied simultaneously using four levels of spore suspension. In the second, the willows were inoculated with one isolate first and then, after 3 days, with another using two spore concentrations. In the first experiment, overall rust spore production was reduced by 48.6% in inoculations with mixed inocula compared with that in the inoculations with single virulent isolates. In the second experiment, 20 of the 36 combinations involving pre‐inoculations with avirulent isolates showed significant reduction in spore production. The suppressive effects on rust sporulation were more obvious at the higher inoculum densities and on the clones S. × calodendron and S. × mollissima‘Q83’.
Decay and canker caused byInonotus rickiispreading on more urban tree species
Authors: Annesi T. , Coppola R. , Motta E. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryInonotus rickiiwas detected for the first time causing cankers and decay inAcer negundoandCeltis australisin Italy. In a boxelder boulevard, declining trees showed sparse foliage, exudations and cracks in the bark; in some cases, chlamydospore masses were present. Five isolates were collected and compared by growth testsin vitroand electrophoretic analyses; three isolates from the same boulevard showed very similar physiological characters. The increasing importance of the pathogen in urban areas is underlined and discussed.
Field tests on biological control of Heterobasidion annosum by Phaeotheca dimorphospora in comparison with Phlebiopsis gigantea
Authors: Roy G. , Laflamme G. , Bussières G. , Dessureault M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn field tests conducted on freshly cut red pine (Pinus resinosa) logs, the antagonistic fungus Phaeotheca dimorphospora formulated as pre‐colonized rye grains reduced colonization of wood tissue by Heterobasidion annosum to less than 2% over the 2 months following inoculation. However, compared to controls, a water suspension of P. dimorphospora did not reduce the infection, but rather promoted colonization by H. annosum after a 2‐month exposure. Production of antifungal metabolites by P. dimorphospora in the rye grains and better colonization of the logs by the antagonist were observed with the rye grain formulation. In this field test, the most effective treatment to control H. annosum was the application of an oidial suspension of Phlebiopsis gigantea. This fungus completely inhibited colonization by H. annosum mostly by rapid colonization of wood tissue. All treatments with P. gigantea, P. dimorphospora and rye grains influenced the naturally occurring mycoflora. The most important species composing this mycoflora were Hormonema sp., Mortierella spp., Mucor hiemalis f. hiemalis, Nectria sp., Pesotum sp., P. gigantea, Tympanis spp., Trichoderma spp. and an unknown basidiomycete.