bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dendritic cell‐based assays, but not mannosylation of antigen, improves detection of T‐cell responses to proinsulin in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Narendran Parth , Elsegood Kathryn , Leech Nicola J. , Macindoe Wallace M. , Boons Geert‐Jan , Dayan Colin M. 
Published: March 2004

Summary In vitro detection of T‐cell responses to autoantigens in type 1 diabetes is recognized as being technically challenging. We aimed to accurately measure cellular responses to proinsulin in patients with diabetes, and speculated that presentation of antigen by dendritic cells (DCs) would enhance the sensitivity of the peripheral blood assay. Antigen was mannosylated to facilitate uptake through DC surface mannose receptors to further improve the assay. Whole proinsulin, as well as mannosylated peptides of proinsulin, were combined with peripheral T cells and autologous immature DCs in a proliferative assay in a panel of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients. The DC‐based assay detected responses to proinsulin in five of 15 diabetic patients compared to one of 15 diabetic patients detected using the standard mononuclear cell assay. When the results of all patients were combined, the DC assay, but not the mononuclear cell assay, had a proinsulin response that was significantly higher than background (P < 0·001). The DC assay was, however, associated with high autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions that possibly masked responses in individual patients. Mannosylated antigen was taken up in larger quantities than non‐mannosylated antigen, but not presented any more powerfully. Our data suggest that autologous DC‐based assays are more powerful than standard peripheral blood mononuclear cell assays. However, they are compromised by high autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions and this requires addressing before they can be used as a routine readout of in vitro peripheral T‐cell responses.
Postoperative pain: strategy for improving patient experiences
Authors: Mac Lellan Kathleen 
Published: March 2004

Background.  Many patients continue to suffer moderate pain following surgery. Much of this may be unnecessary and could be alleviated with careful strategic pain management. It appears that the knowledge and attitudes of both health care professionals and patients are pivotal to patients’ pain experiences.Aim.  This paper reports the introduction and evaluation of a nurse‐led intervention to improve pain management after surgery.Methods.  The study design was experimental (pretest–post‐test), comparing patients’ pain scores in a control and an intervention hospital over time. The control hospital was included to assess if temporal effects reduced pain scores during the study period. A convenience patient sample was used, and patients’ pain scores were measured in two phases (n = 800). Baseline data were compared with subsequent data collected after the introduction of the nurse‐led intervention. The intervention included education for nurses in the form of short pain courses, introduction of regular pain assessment and profiling of pain at hospital level.Results.  Introduction of the nurse‐led intervention reduced patients’ pain scores. This reduction, in the order of 0·73 cm (7·3%) on a visual analogue scale (0–10 cm), was statistically significant for day of surgery and 2 days postsurgery (P < 0·05) in the intervention hospital. A reduction was not seen in the control hospital.Conclusion.  Improvements in pain management can be made by embracing basic pain management principles.
Mechanical effects of plant cell wall enzymes on cellulose/xyloglucan composites
Authors: Chanliaud Elisabeth , De Silva Jacquie , Strongitharm Barbara , Jeronimidis George , Gidley Michael J. 
Published: March 2004

SummaryXyloglucan‐acting enzymes are believed to have effects on type I primary plant cell wall mechanical properties. In order to get a better understanding of these effects, a range of enzymes with different in vitro modes of action were tested against cell wall analogues (bio‐composite materials based on Acetobacter xylinus cellulose and xyloglucan). Tomato pericarp xyloglucan endo transglycosylase (tXET) and nasturtium seed xyloglucanase (nXGase) were produced heterologously in Pichia pastoris. Their action against the cell wall analogues was compared with that of a commercial preparation of Trichoderma endo‐glucanase (EndoGase). Both ‘hydrolytic’ enzymes (nXGase and EndoGase) were able to depolymerise not only the cross‐link xyloglucan fraction but also the surface‐bound fraction. Consequent major changes in cellulose fibril architecture were observed. In mechanical terms, removal of xyloglucan cross‐links from composites resulted in increased stiffness (at high strain) and decreased visco‐elasticity with similar extensibility. On the other hand, true transglycosylase activity (tXET) did not affect the cellulose/xyloglucan ratio. No change in composite stiffness or extensibility resulted, but a significant increase in creep behaviour was observed in the presence of active tXET. These results provide direct in vitro evidence for the involvement of cell wall xyloglucan‐specific enzymes in mechanical changes underlying plant cell wall re‐modelling and growth processes. Mechanical consequences of tXET action are shown to be complimentary to those of cucumber expansin.
An outer envelope membrane component of the plastid protein import apparatus plays an essential role in Arabidopsis
Authors: Constan Diane , Patel Ramesh , Keegstra Kenneth , Jarvis Paul 
Published: March 2004

Summary Translocon at the outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts, 34 kDa (Toc34) is a GTP‐binding component of the protein import apparatus within the outer envelope membrane of plastids. The Arabidopsis genome encodes two homologues of Toc34, designated atToc33 and atToc34. In this report, we describe the identification and characterization of two atToc34 knockout mutants, plastid protein import 3‐1 (ppi3‐1) and ppi3‐2. Aerial tissues of the ppi3 mutants appeared similar to the wild type throughout development, and contained structurally normal chloroplasts that were able to efficiently import the Rubisco small subunit precursor (prSS) in vitro. The absence of an obvious ppi3 phenotype in green tissues presumably reflects the ability of atToc33 to substitute for atToc34 in the mutant, and the relatively high level of expression of the atTOC33 gene in these tissues. In the roots, where atTOC33 is expressed at a much lower level, significant growth defects were observed in both mutants: ppi3 roots were approximately 20–30% shorter than wild‐type roots. Attempts to identify a double homozygote lacking atToc34 and atToc33 (by crossing the ppi3 mutants with ppi1, an atToc33 knockout mutant) were unsuccessful, indicating that the function provided by atToc33/atToc34 is essential during early development. Plants that were homozygous for ppi1 and heterozygous for ppi3 displayed a chlorotic phenotype much more severe than that of the ppi1 single mutant. Furthermore, the siliques of these plants contained approximately 25% aborted seeds, indicating that the double homozygous mutation is embryo lethal. The data demonstrate that atToc33/atToc34 performs a central and essential role during plastid protein import, and indicate that the atToc34 isoform is relatively more important for plastid biogenesis in roots.
Activation of a mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade induces WRKY family of transcription factors and defense genes in tobacco
Authors: Kim Cha Young , Zhang Shuqun 
Published: March 2004

SummaryMitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are important signaling modules in eukaryotic cells that convert signals generated from the receptors/sensors to cellular responses. Upon activation, MAPKs can be translocated into nuclei where they phosphorylate transcription factors, which in turn activate gene expression. We recently identified NtMEK2, a tobacco MAPK kinase, as the upstream kinase of SIPK and WIPK, two well‐characterized tobacco stress‐responsive MAPKs. In the conditional gain‐of‐function NtMEK2DD transgenic tobacco plants, the activation of endogenous SIPK and WIPK by NtMEK2DD induces several groups of defense genes, including 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methlyglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR), basic pathogenesis related (PR) genes, systemic acquired resistance gene 8.2 (Sar 8.2), and harpin‐induced gene1 (Hin1). To identify the transcription factor(s) involved in the activation of these defense genes, we performed gel‐mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts from NtMEK2DD plants. Among the common cis‐acting elements present in the promoters of defense‐related genes, we observed a strong increase in the binding activity to the W box in nuclear extracts from the NtMEK2DD plants but not the control NtMEK2KR plants. The elevated W‐box‐binding activity in the nuclear extracts cannot be reversed by phosphatase treatment, excluding the possibility of a direct phosphorylation regulation of WRKY transcription factors by SIPK/WIPK. Instead, we observed a rapid increase in the expression of several WRKY genes in the NtMEK2DD plants. These results suggest that the increase in W‐box‐binding activity after SIPK/WIPK activation is a result of WRKY gene activation, and the NtMEK2–SIPK/WIPK cascade is involved in regulating the expression of genes ranging from transcription factors to defense genes further downstream during plant defense responses.
The effect of bagging branches on levels of endophytic fungal infection in Japanese beech leaves
Authors: Kaneko R. , Kaneko S. 
Published: March 2004

SummaryThe species composition of the endophytic mycobiota in leaves of Japanese beech trees (Fagus crenata) and the sources for leaf infections were studied in a forest reserve situated in central eastern Honshu, Japan. To clarify the mechanism of infection of leaves, half of the branches were covered with polyethylene bags and species composition and levels of endophytic fungal infection were then compared with those of unbagged controls. Isolations were carried out from the leaves, petioles, and current‐year twigs of both, bagged and unbagged branches. Additionally, species composition was detected in overwintered terminal buds of beech trees and in the leaves of potted seedlings that had been placed in the field in different seasons. The species assemblage of the unbagged leaves, petioles, and current‐year twigs was dominated byMycosphaerella buna,Ascochyta fagi,Periconiellasp., andTritirachiumsp. Other frequently recovered species wereXylariasp.,Phomopsissp., andTubakia dryina.Mycosphaerella bunaandA. fagiwere never isolated from leaves on bagged branches.A. fagiwas, however, detected on both bagged and unbagged petioles and current‐year twigs at comparatively low isolation frequencies. The detection ofPericoniellasp. on all occasions in both bagged and unbagged leaves was a characteristic feature that differs from those of the other three dominant endophytic fungi. The fungus was also detected without significant differences in bagged and unbagged petioles and current‐year twigs on most sampling dates. Furthermore,Periconiellasp. was isolated from immature twigs inside the bud scales.Tritirachiumsp. was frequently detected in unbagged leaves and petioles and in both bagged and unbagged current‐year twigs, and rarely in bagged leaves and petioles, but was never recovered from terminal buds. The results of the potted seedling experiments revealed that all four dominant species had airborne inocula. The infection of leaves byM. bunaoccurs exclusively by airborne propagules, i.e. ascospores in spring and conidia in autumn. InPericoniellasp. hyphal growth of the fungus from immature twigs inside the buds into the leaf tissues was suggested in addition to infection by airborne inocula.Tritirachiumsp. hyphae were suggested to grow from previous‐ to current‐year twigs.Ascochyta fagiwas present in the outermost scales of overwintered terminal buds, but no systemic growth of the fungus into the petioles and current‐year twigs was observed. Our technique of covering the branches before new leaves unfolded was effective in preventing infection by airborne inocula of endophytic fungi.
Clinical evaluation of frozen/thawed embryo transfer following transport of oocytes and embryos
Authors: Takanashi Yasuhiro 
Published: March 2004

Background and Aims:  We evaluated the efficacy of the transport oocyte/embryo frozen/thawed embryo transfer method, in which oocytes or embryos were transported from satellite clinics to the main assisted reproductive technology (ART) center, and surplus embryos were placed in cryopreservation.Methods:  We evaluated 41 cycles in 34 patients in the transport oocyte group (TO group). In the TO group the oocytes were collected at the satellite clinics, transported to the main ART center and underwent in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Surplus embryos were used for frozen/thawed embryo transfer. We also evaluated 17 cycles in 10 patients in the transport embryo group (TE group), where surplus embryos were transported to the main ART center and used for frozen/thawed embryo transfer; and 189 cycles in 134 patients in the center group (C group), where surplus embryos collected at the same time at the main ART center were used for frozen/thawed embryo transfer. Oocytes were transported from satellite clinics in HEPES buffered human tubal fluid (HTF) culture medium, and embryos in 30% synthetic serum substitute + HEPES buffered HTF, using a portable incubator we devised.Results:  The proportions of undamaged embryos after freeze/thawing were 47% for the C group, 46% for the TO group, and 46% for the TE group. The numbers of embryos transferred were 2.0 ± 0.7 for the C group, 2.0 ± 0.6 for the TO group, and 2.2 ± 0.4 for the TE group. The rate of embryo transfer was 63% for the C group, 68% for the TO group, and 76% for the TE group. Pregnancy rates per patient were 16% for the C group, 24% for the TO group, and 40% for the TE group. The embryo survival rates (number of embryos with ≥50% viable blastomeres/total number of embryos) were 55% for the C group, 60% for the TO group, and 54% for the TE group. No significant differences were seen between the C group and either the TO or TE groups in any of these parameters.Conclusions:  Favorable results were achieved with the transport oocyte/embryo frozen/thawed embryo transfer method, and it is suitable for widespread clinical application. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 1–8)
A successful pregnancy and delivery outcome for a 46‐year‐old woman following in vitro fertilization
Authors: Yoshida Hiroaki , Oomiya Yuki , Sato Tomoko , Aono Nobuya , Araki Yasuhisa 
Published: March 2004

Background:  Decreased conception rate with advanced maternal age has been well demonstrated. Although this decline becomes apparent at 35 years of age, and accelerates rapidly in women over 40 years of age, we are able to report pregnancy and delivery case for a 46‐year‐old with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET). We report a rare case of a successful delivery of a healthy infant by a 46‐year‐old women following IVF‐ET.Methods:  She tried three times with conventional IVF and two times cryopreserved embryo transfer, but she failed to conceive. Low‐dose dexamethasone was co‐treated the last two times with IVF on the first day of the beginning menstrual cycle daily and continued until retrieval day. We obtained good quality embryos and she became pregnant at the sixth time of IVF which was carried out at the morula and early blastocyst stage.Result:  She finally conceived following co‐treatment with low‐dose dexamethasone. She delivered vaginally a single male infant with no congenital abnormalities at 40 weeks’ (3416 g; 46, XY).Conclusion:  We have demonstrated a successful pregnancy due to obtaining quality embryos using co‐treatment low‐dose dexamethasone and delivery outcome for a 46‐year‐old woman using IVF. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 39–42)
Multiple risk factors of periodontal disease: a study of 9260 Japanese non‐smokers
Authors: Hasegawa Takashi , Watase Hirotoshi 
Published: March 2004

Background:  Periodontal disease (PD) is a lifestyle‐related disease. Risk factors include cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia are the main determinants of the metabolic syndrome that may be derived from insulin resistance (IR). In the present study, we examine the relationships between PD and IR‐related factors.Methods:  This is a cross‐sectional study of 9260 non‐smoking urban Japanese. The subjects were comprised of three groups, aged 40, 50 and 60 years. Periodontal status was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Serum samples were analyzed with an automated spectrophotometer.Results:  Logistic regression analysis of the data showed that age (P = 0.0001), sex (male, P = 0.0045), body mass index (BMI, P = 0.017), mean blood pressure (mBP, P = 0.0297) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG, P = 0.0001) were the variables significantly associated with the prevalence of PD. There was a negative correlation between serum low dense lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and PD (P = 0.0001). In the age‐adjusted profiles, sex (male, P < 0.01), mBP (P < 0.01) and FPG (P < 0.001) had a significantly correlation with PD at age 60, while an inverse correlation between LDL and the prevalence of PD was seen only in the 40‐year‐old group (P < 0.001).Conclusion  This is the first study showing that mBP and LDL are factors that may determine the prevalence of PD. Lifestyle‐related factors could play an important role in the progression of PD.
Archery, Romance and Elite Culture in England and Wales, c.1780–1840
Authors: Johnes Martin 
Published: March 2004

AbstractDuring the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the longbow was rendered redundant as a weapon of war by technological developments such as the musket. Yet at the end of the eighteenth century, archery was revived as a fashionable pastime amongst the English aristocracy thanks to a nostalgic taste for the gothic and medieval. Archery societies were set up across the country, each with its own strict entry criteria, outlandish costumes and extravagant dinners. In a period that saw the making of the modern British upper class, as landowners became more powerful, more unified and more status‐conscious, archery societies were havens of exclusivity and a way of reinforcing and reassuring one's own position in society. Furthermore, women could not only compete in the contests but retain and display their ‘feminine forms’ whilst doing so, and thus the clubs also acted as a forum for introductions, flirtation and romance. This article explores the meaning of archery for upper‐class men and women and demonstrates how wider social needs and interests shaped play, recreation and fashion.
Ocular metastasis of a vaccine‐associated fibrosarcoma in a cat
Authors: Cohen M. , Sartin E. A. , Whitley E. M. , Whitley R. D. , Smith A. N. , Brawner W. R. , Henderson R. , Behrend E. N. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA 6‐year‐old, neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a recurrent vaccine‐associated fibrosarcoma. The cat had three excisions of the tumour prior to presentation and was referred for radiation therapy. Ten months following treatment with radiation therapy, the cat was presented again for a cloudy appearance to the eye. An exenteration was performed, and biopsy revealed fibrosarcoma. At the same time, two discrete pulmonary nodules were identified on thoracic radiographs. Two doses of doxorubicin (20 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/m2) were administered intravenously 3 weeks apart. Despite treatment, the pulmonary nodule doubled in size. This case represents the first antemortem report of ocular metastasis of a vaccine‐associated sarcoma and supports the highly aggressive nature of these tumours.
The effect of fertilization on sap flux and canopy conductance in aEucalyptus salignaexperimental forest
Authors: Hubbard Robert M. , Ryan Michael G. , Giardina Christian P. , Barnard Holly 
Published: March 2004

AbstractLand devoted to plantation forestry (50 million ha) has been increasing worldwide and the genusEucalyptusis a popular plantation species (14 million ha) for its rapid growth and ability to grow well on a wide range of sites. Fertilization is a common silvicultural tool to improve tree growth with potential effects on stand water use, but the relationship between wood growth and water use in response to fertilization remains poorly quantified. Our objectives in this study were to determine the extent, timing and longevity of fertilization effects on water use and wood growth in a non‐water limitedEucalyptus salignaexperimental forest near Hilo, HI. We evaluated the short‐ and long‐term effects of fertilization on water use by measuring sap flux per unit sapwood area, canopy conductance, transpiration per unit leaf area and water‐use efficiency in control and fertilized stands. Short‐term effects were assessed by comparing sap flux before and after fertilizer application. Long‐term effects were assessed by comparing control plots and plots that had received nutrient additions for 5 years.For the short‐term response, total water use in fertilized plots increased from 265 to 487 mm yr−1during the 5 months following fertilization. The increase was driven by an increase in stand leaf area accompanied by an increase in sap flux per unit sapwood area. Sap flux per unit leaf area and canopy conductance did not differ during the 5 months following fertilizer additions. For the last 2 months of our short‐term measurements, fertilized trees used less water per unit carbon gain (361 compared with 751 kg H2O kg C−1in control stands). Trees with 5 years of fertilization also used significantly more water than controls (401 vs. 302 mm yr−1) because of greater leaf area in the fertilized stands. Sap flux per unit sapwood area, sap flux per unit leaf area, and canopy conductance did not differ between control and fertilized trees in the long‐term plots. In contrast to the short‐term response, the long‐term response of water use per unit wood growth was not significant. Overall, fertilization ofE. salignaat our site increased stand water use by increasing leaf area. Fertilized trees grew more wood and used more water, but fertilization did not change wood growth per unit water use.
Atmospheric CO2 elevation has little effect on nitrifying and denitrifying enzyme activity in four European grasslands
Authors: Barnard Romain , Barthes Laure , Roux Xavier Le , Harmens Harry , Raschi Antonio , Soussana Jean‐FranÇois , Winkler Barbro , Leadley Paul W. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine what patterns, if any, existed in the response of nitrifying enzyme activity (NEA), denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA), soil microbial N and soil inorganic N to elevated CO2 across a broad range of grassland environments. We studied the response of these N pools and microbial activities in four CO2‐enrichment sites of the MEGARICH project (Managing European Grasslands as a Sustainable Resource in a Changing Climate). CO2 treatment was studied in factorial combination with a cutting frequency treatment at two sites and with a temperature treatment at one site. Our study showed that microbial biomass N, NEA, DEA and extractable soil [NH4+] and [NO3−] were generally not affected by elevated CO2 in these grassland ecosystems after several years of treatment, nor by cutting frequency or temperature at the sites that included these treatments. Exceptions to this were that DEA and soil [NO3−] decreased by 22% and 45%, respectively, at the French site at elevated CO2. We discuss the possible explanations for this lack of response.