bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The growth rate of Mycobacterium smegmatis depends on sufficient porin‐mediated influx of nutrients
Authors: Stephan Joachim , Bender Jennifer , Wolschendorf Frank , Hoffmann Christian , Roth Eva , Mailänder Claudia , Engelhardt Harald , Niederweis Michael 
Published: September 2005

SummaryMycobacteria have a unique outer membrane (OM) that is thicker than any other known biological membrane. Nutrients cross this permeability barrier by diffusion through porins. MspA is the major porin of Mycobacterium smegmatis. In this study we showed that three paralogues of MspA, namely MspB, MspC and MspD are also porins. However, only the mspA and mspC genes were expressed in the wild‐type strain. None of the single deletion mutants displayed a significant OM permeability defect except for the mspA mutant. Deletion of the mspA gene caused activation of transcription of mspB and/or mspD in three independent strains by unknown chromosomal mutations. It is concluded that mspB and mspD provide backup porins for M. smegmatis. This also indicated that a minimal porin‐mediated OM permeability is essential for survival of M. smegmatis. Electron microscopy in combination with quantitative image analysis of protein gels revealed that the number of pores per cell dropped from 2400 to 800 and 150 for the ΔmspA and ΔmspA ΔmspC mutant (ML10) respectively. The very low number of pores correlated well with the at least 20‐fold lower channel activity of detergent extracts of the ML10 strain and its 15‐ and 75‐fold lower permeability to nutrient molecules such as serine and glucose respectively. The amount of Msp porin and the OM permeability of the triple porin mutant lacking mspA, mspC and mspD was not altered. The growth rate of M. smegmatis dropped drastically with its porin‐mediated OM permeability in contrast to porin mutants of Escherichia coli. These results show that porin‐mediated influx of nutrients is a major determinant of the growth rate of M. smegmatis.
Geophysical survey to estimate the 3D sliding surface and the 4D evolution of the water pressure on part of a deep seated landslide
Authors: Lebourg T. , Binet S. , Tric E. , Jomard H. , El Bedoui S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractGeophysical surveys were conducted on the very unstable front part of the La Clapière landslide in the French Alps (Alpes Maritimes). The electrical resistivity survey was carried out to obtain, for the first time on this deep‐seated landslide, 3D information on the slipping surface and the vertical drained faults. Moreover, we planned to follow within time (6 months) the evolution of the saturated zones (presence of gravitational water) and their percolation into the shearing zones. Our 4D results showed the importance of the complex water channelization within the slope and relation to geological discontinuities.
How did the Messinian Salinity Crisis end?
Authors: Loget Nicolas , Driessche Jean Van Den , Davy Philippe 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe cause of the desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea during the Messinian Salinity Crisis has been widely debated, but its re‐flooding remains poorly investigated. Interpretations generally involve tectonic collapse of the Strait of Gibraltar or global sea‐level rise, or even a combination of both. The dramatic sea‐level fall in the Mediterranean has induced deep fluvial incision all around the desiccated basin. We investigate erosion dynamics related to this base level drop by using the numerical simulator EROS. We show that intense regressive erosion develops inevitably in the Gibraltar area eventually inducing the piracy of the Atlantic waters by an eastward‐flowing stream and the subsequent re‐flooding of the Mediterranean.
Timing and mechanisms of Central Himalayan exhumation: discriminating between tectonic and erosion processes
Authors: Bojar Ana‐Voica , Fritz Harald , Nicolescu Stefan , Bregar Martin , Gupta Ravi P. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe ability to deduce exhumation mechanisms from thermochronological data is hampered by the fact that assumptions on the thermal state of the lithosphere have to be made. Additional argumentation is generally required to discriminate between erosion‐controlled and tectonically induced exhumation. This problem can be overcome by studying the spatial distribution of zircon and apatite (U‐Th)/He and fission track data. In this work the variation of four different low temperature isotopic systems generating age trends along a sampling line is used to infer mechanisms of Quaternary exhumation in the Central High Himalayan Metamorphic Belt. Observed zircon age trends with southwards increasing cooling ages (from 0.5 to 1.7 Ma) are attributed to tectonically induced exhumation. The uniform apatite cooling ages clustered c. 0.5 Ma are attributed to erosion.
The myth of the brackish Sarmatian Sea
Authors: Piller Werner E. , Harzhauser Mathias 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe biota of the 1.5 Ma period of the Middle Miocene Sarmatian of the Central Paratethys lack stenohaline components. This was the reason to interpret the Sarmatian stage as transitional between the marine Badenian and the lacustrine Pannonian stages. However, our new data indicate that brackish water conditions could not have prevailed. Sarmatian foraminifera, molluscs, serpulids, bryozoans, dasycladacean and corallinacean algae as well as diatoms clearly indicate normal marine conditions for the entire Sarmatian. During the Lower Sarmatian, however, a sea‐level lowstand forced the development of many marginal marine environments. During the Late Sarmatian a highly productive carbonate factory of oolite shoals, mass‐occurrences of thick‐shelled molluscs and larger foraminifera, as well as marine cements clearly point to normal marine to hypersaline conditions. This trend is not restricted to the western margin of the Pannonian Basin System but can be observed in the entire Central and even Eastern Paratethys.
Direct observation and analysis of a trapped COH fluid growth medium in metamorphic diamond
Authors: Dobrzhinetskaya L.F. , Wirth R. , Green H.W. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe mechanism by which diamonds grow in Earth's mantle has been a subject of discussion for many years. Arguments have been advanced for growth from a melt, from a COH fluid, and in the solid state. The discovery of microdiamonds within ultra‐high pressure terranes of continental collision settings re‐energized this debate because of their very different but well‐defined continental crust environment. We report here the discovery of filled nanometric fluid bubbles in diamonds from marble of the Kokchetav massif, Kazakhstan, and the serendipitous measurement of their contents due to bursting of a bubble very shortly after a measurement of chemical composition in the transmission electron microscope, thereby allowing immediate re‐analysis with exactly the same settings of all parameters of the microscope. The chemical composition of the fluid is C, H, O, Cl, S, Ca, Fe and K. The direct observation and composition of a low‐viscosity trapped fluid in microdiamond unambiguously establish their fluid growth medium.
Positive fault inversion triggering ‘intrusive diapirism’: an analogue modelling perspective
Authors: Ventisette Chiara Del , Montanari Domenico , Bonini Marco , Sani Federico 
Published: September 2005

AbstractUnderstanding the formation and the development of salt structures is very important especially because they are of significant economical interest for hydrocarbon trapping and for long‐term storage of radioactive waste and energy reserves. Generally, the activity of normal faults developed in extensional regimes is considered the most efficient mechanism for salt diapirs. The results of analogue models reported in this paper suggest a new triggering mechanism for the rise of salt structures during basin inversion. This mechanism relates the localization of ductile diapirs to early normal faults only after their inversion during later shortening. In this case, diapiric growth is related to the strong dip‐slip reactivation component along the fault extruding the silicone‐simulating salt upward. Some natural cases, in which the timing and the mechanism of diapiric growth is not clear, can be re‐interpreted in the light of these analogue model results.
Use of a Mini‐Dome Bioassay and Grafting to Study Resistance of Chickpea to Ascochyta Blight
Authors: Chen W. , McPhee K. E. , Muehlbauer F. J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA mini‐dome bioassay was developed to study pathogenicity of Ascochyta rabiei and relative resistance of chickpea (Cicer arietanium). It was determined that the best condition for assaying pathogenicity of A. rabiei was to use 2 × 105 spores/ml as inoculum and to maintain a leaf wetness period of 24 h under mini‐domes at a temperature between 16 and 22°C. This mini‐dome pathogenicity assay was used to determine relative resistance of six chickpea cultivars (cvs) to isolates of two pathotypes of A. rabiei. Grafting was employed to detect any translocated factors produced in the chickpea plant that mediate disease response, which could help elucidate possible resistance mechanisms to Ascochyta blight. The six chickpea cv. were grafted in all possible scion–rootstock combinations, and then inoculated with isolates of two pathotypes of A. rabiei using the mini‐dome technique. Results showed that self‐grafted‐resistant plants remained resistant and self‐grafted‐susceptible plants stayed susceptible, indicating the grafting procedure did not alter host response to infection by A. rabiei. Susceptible scions always exhibited high and similar levels of disease severity regardless of rootstock genotypes, and resistant scions always showed low and similar levels of disease severity when they were grafted onto any of the six rootstock genotypes. Orthogonal contrasts showed that scion genotypes determined disease phenotype, and that rootstock genotypes had no contribution to disease phenotype of the scions. The pathogenicity assay did not detect any translocated disease‐mediating agents responsible for susceptibility or resistance in chickpea. Disease phenotypes of Ascochyta blight of chickpea were conditioned locally by scion genotypes.
Biological Control of Bacterial Wilt of Bean Using a Bacterial Endophyte, Pantoea agglomerans
Authors: Hsieh T. F. , Huang H. C. , Erickson R. S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIndoor studies were conducted to determine the potential use of Pantoea agglomerans isolate LRC 8311 as a biocontrol agent for control of bacterial wilt of bean caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. Soaking seeds of great northern bean cv. US1140 in a suspension of 3 × 108 cfu/ml P. agglomerans resulted in thorough endophytic colonization of the entire bean seedling from root to apical stem after 7 days, regardless of whether the inoculated seeds were hilum injured or not. Colonization of seedlings by P. agglomerans increased seedling height after 10 days, and had no negative effect on seedling emergence. Treatment of hilum‐injured bean seeds of great northern bean cv. US1140 or navy bean cv. Morden003 with a mixture of P. agglomerans + C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens resulted in a high rate of colonization of seedlings by P. agglomerans, reduced frequency of infection by C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, improved seedling emergence and height, and reduced disease severity, compared with seeds treated with the wilt pathogen alone. Application of P. agglomerans as a soil drench 24 h after planting was also effective in suppressing bacterial wilt in some instances, but was generally not as effective as seed treatment. The study suggests that seed treatment with P. agglomerans may be an effective and practical method for control of bacterial wilt of bean.
Cross‐pathogenicity between Formae Speciales of Fusarium oxysporum, the Pathogens of Cucumber and Melon
Authors: Cafri D. , Katan J. , Katan T. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe population structure of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum was studied using the vegetative compatibility grouping (VCG) approach. All 37 of the examined isolates from Israel were assigned to VCG 0180, the major VCG found in North America and the Mediterranean region. Approximately two‐thirds of the tested isolates were pathogenic to both cucumber and melon, but cumulatively they were more aggressive on cucumber, their major host, than on melon. Disease symptoms on melon plants were less destructive and often expressed as growth retardation. Melon cultivars differing in Fom genes for resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis were inoculated with three isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. Results showed that Fom genes do not confer resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, although different horticultural types may respond differently to this pathogen. The reciprocal inoculation of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis on cucumber, using four physiological races, did not result in disease symptoms or growth retardation. It is concluded that cucumerinum and melonis should remain two distinct formae speciales.
Inherited disorders of desmosomes
Authors: McGrath John A 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYDesmosomes are highly organized intercellular junctions that provide mechanical integrity to tissues by anchoring intermediate filaments to sites of strong adhesion. These cell–cell adhesion junctions are found in skin, heart, lymph nodes and meninges. Over the last 8 years, several naturally occurring human gene mutations in structural components of desmosomes have been reported. These comprise autosomal dominant or recessive mutations in plakophilin 1, plakophilin 2, desmoplakin, plakoglobin, desmoglein 1, desmoglein 4 and corneodesmosin. These discoveries have often highlighted novel or unusual phenotypes, including abnormal skin fragility and differentiation, and developmental anomalies of various ectodermal appendages, especially hair. Some desmosomal gene mutations may also result in cardiac disease, notably cardiomyopathy. This article describes the spectrum of clinical features that may be found in the inherited disorders of desmosomes and highlights the key functions of several of the desmosomal proteins in tissue adhesion and cell biology.
Hair casts due to a deodorant spray
Authors: Ena Pasquale , Mazzarello Vittorio , Chiarolini Fausto 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYA 7‐year‐old girl presented with itching and greyish‐white sleeve‐like structures in her hair. After ruling out other possible causes for the symptoms, such as nits and dandruff, it was determined that the patient was affected by hair casts. These are small cylindrical structures resembling louse eggs that encircle individual scalp hairs and are easily movable along the hair shafts. It was concluded that she had induced the condition through misuse of a deodorant body spray. Scanning electron microscopy combined with electron dispersive X‐ray analysis (X‐ray microanalysis) of the hair casts showed the chemical nature of the structures. Some elements present in the composition of the ingredients of the deodorant spray, such as aluminium, chlorine, silicon, magnesium and carbon, were also present in this uncommon type of hair casts.
Eccrine porocarcinoma of the upper eyelid
Authors: Kim Youngjin , Scolyer Richard A , Chia Ee‐Munn , Steven David , Ghabrial Raf 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARYA 75‐year‐old Caucasian man presented with foreign‐body‐type irritation of the left eye. Physical examination revealed a 12 × 10‐mm nodule in his left upper eyelid, which reportedly had been present unchanged for more than 40 years. No other ophthalmological abnormalities were present. Incisional biopsy of the lesion revealed a malignant tumour that was thought to possibly represent a sebaceous carcinoma. However, a subsequent wide surgical excision showed that the tumour was an eccrine porocarcinoma, a rare sweat gland adenocarcinoma arising from the acrosyringium.
Possible pathologenic role of interleukin‐5 and eosino cationic protein in Henoch‐Schönlein purpura nephritis
Authors: Kawasaki Yukihiko , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Suzuki Hitoshi 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background
: The mechanism for the onset of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura nephritis is unknown. In order to identify the pathogenesis of nephritis, laboratory findings and serum cytokines between Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP) patients without nephritis and with nephritis were investigated.
Methods
: We enrolled 32 patients who had been diagnosed with HSP from January 1993 to December 1998. These patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted 12 patients without nephritis and group 2 consisted 20 patients with nephritis. We evaluated laboratory findings such as eosinophil counts, serum IgE, eosino cationic protein (ECP), and serum cytokine (interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐13 interferon‐γ and tumor necrotic factor‐α) concentrations between both groups.
Results
:  At the acute phase, serum IL‐5 and ECP concentrations in group 2 were higher than those in group 1 (59.4 ± 32.7 pg/mL vs. 10.8 ± 12.8 pg/mL, P < 0.05, 24.3 ± 5.1 µg/L vs. 8.9 ± 4.2 µg/L, P < 0.05, respectively). Serum IL‐4 concentrations at the acute phase in group 1 were higher than those in group 2 (40.2 ± 21.5 pg/mL vs. 10.7 ± 5.4 pg/mL, P < 0.01). In group 2, serum IL‐5 concentrations at the acute phase were higher than those at recovery phase.
Conclusions
: These findings suggest that IL‐5 and eosinophil activation may be one of the factors involved in the mechanism for onset of nephritis.
Unique maternal deletion of 15q in a patient with some symptoms of Prader‐Willi syndrome
Authors: Ninomiya Shinsuke , Yokoyama Yuji , Kawakami Masako , Une Tomoka , Maruyama Hidehiko , Morishima Tsuneo 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background
: Human chromosome 15q11‐q13 is a critical region for Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) and most of the genes are under the condition of imprinting mechanism. PWS results from the loss of expression of paternally expressed genes and AS of maternally expressed genes. In this study molecular studies about a patient with congenital anomalies and mental retardation are analyzed.
Methods
: Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were analyzed by PCR. These markers exist within 15q11‐q13 and distal to 15q13.
Results
: Only the maternal D15S986 locus within 15q11‐q13 was deleted and other markers were biallelic.
Conclusions
: The result of maternal small region deletion in this patient is different from the typical PWS with paternal chromosome deletion and it suggests that nearby the deleted region there exists a gene (genes) which is not imprinted but needs biallelic expression.
Threshold values of visceral fat and waist girth in Japanese obese children
Authors: Asayama Kohtaro , Hayashibe Hidemasa , Endo Akira , Okada Tomoo , Hara Mitsuhiko , Masuda Hidenari , Sugihara Shigetaka 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background
: In order to define the diagnostic criteria for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation and abdominal obesity in Japanese youths, a cross‐sectional, multicenter study was conducted.
Methods
: Subjects were 194 boys and 96 girls ranging in age from 6 to 15 years. Obese youths were classified according to the occurrence of abnormal values in serum triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase or insulin level. A threshold value of each criterion was calculated, using the analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The areas of total abdominal adipose tissue (AT), VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were estimated by single slice computed tomography at the level of umbilicus.
Results
: VAT area was greater in boys than it was in girls. The critical values for VAT area and waist circumference in all subjects were 54.8 cm2 and 83.5 cm, respectively. The values for the area under the ROC curves were VAT area > total AT area > waist circumference > SAT area > percentage overweight > percentage body fat. The sensitivity and specificity for VAT area were 90.5 and 79.5%, respectively. Those for waist circumference were high enough (> 70%) for clinical use. In the linear regression analysis assigning VAT area as an independent variable and waist circumference as a dependent variable, the expected value for the waist circumference was 82 cm.
Conclusion
: In Japanese obese youths ranging in age from 6 to 15 years, the diagnostic criteria for the waist circumference was 82 cm, and that for VAT area was 55 cm2.
Outcome of patients requiring tracheostomy in a pediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Da Silva Paulo Sérgio Lucas , Waisberg Jaques , Paulo Chiu Seing Tsok , Colugnati Fernando , Martins Lourdes Conceição 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background
: Although tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure, there is a lack of studies in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting that describe its association with patient outcome and especially hospital mortality. Our goal was to evaluate the outcome of patients receiving a tracheostomy, while on mechanical ventilation (MV), in a PICU.
Methods
: Records of 260 children were reviewed retrospectively regarding PICU mortality, PICU length of stay (PICU LOS), duration of MV and a cost indicator (weighted hospital days; WHD).
Results
: Nineteen patients received tracheostomy (7.3%). The mortality of patients submitted to tracheostomy in the longer term was significantly higher compared to patients who were not (52.6%vs. 27.6%; P = 0.04) despite having a significantly lower severity of illness at admission (Pediatric Risk of Mortality score – PRISM) (10.9 vs. 13.7; P < 0.001). The mortality of patients without tracheostomy, however, was significantly higher within 30 days (24.8%vs. 5.2%, P < 0.001). Tracheostomized patients had significantly higher mean PICU LOS (68 days vs. 8 days; P < 0.001), duration of MV (62 days vs. 4 days; P < 0.001) and higher WHD (171.5 vs. 21.5; P < 0.001).
Conclusion
: Contrary to findings in critically ill adult patients, ventilated children receiving a tracheostomy had less favorable outcomes compared with non‐tracheostomized patients. In view of the greater use of resources, further studies are needed to confirm and to identify the subgroups of mechanically ventilated patients who will benefit most from this procedure.
Associations between dietary intake and breast milk dioxin levels in Tokyo, Japan
Authors: Guan Peng , Tajimi Morihiro , Uehara Ritei , Watanabe Makoto , Oki Izumi , Ojima Toshiyuki , Nakamura Yosikazu 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background
: The presence of dioxins in breast milk has gained much attention recently. However, in Japan the relationship between the consumption of different foods and the human breast milk dioxin concentrations is still unclear.
Methods
: Breast milk was taken from 240 mothers residing in Tokyo, Japan to measure and analyze the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and coplanar poly­chlorinated biphenyls contained in the fat. Individual milk samples were obtained from the mothers 30 days after delivery in 1999 and 2000. The data of the mothers’ diets before pregnancy were collected by means of food frequency and amount estimation. Spearman correlation analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.
Results
: The concentrations of dioxins in breast milk were influenced mainly by the mother's age and history of breast‐feeding. All the Spearman correlation coefficients were less than 0.20. Pork, roast ham, sausage, salt codfish and tempura had negative correlations with breast milk dioxins.
Conclusions
: History of breast‐feeding and the mother's age should be considered and emphasized in this kind of analysis. The cause effect relationship between dietary intake and breast milk dioxin levels were still uncertain.