bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multivariate analysis of determinants of bacterial contamination of whole‐blood donations
Authors: Perez P. , Bruneau C. , Chassaigne M. , Salmi L. R. , Noel L. , Allouch P. , Audurier A. , Gulian C. , Janus G. , Boulard G. , De Micco P. 
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives Introduction of bacteria into blood components at the collection stage seems to be a frequent occurrence. We therefore assessed determinants of bacterial contamination of whole‐blood donations to gain insight into contamination mechanisms and direct prevention.Materials and Methods A cross‐sectional study was carried out on donors accepted for whole‐blood donation in four French blood banks. Each blood bank used its own two‐stage procedure for phlebotomy site preparation. Contamination was identified by culturing two 15‐ml samples (collected aseptically at the outset of donation) in a BacT/Alert 240® system. Determinants were assessed by logistic regression analysis.Results Bacterial contamination, mainly by skin flora, occurred in 76 (2·2%) out of 3385 donations. Significant determinants were as follows: the blood bank (odds ratio [OR] range = 3·0–5·6, P < 0·001); lack of repetition of scrub (OR = 2·7, P = 0·032); and donor age > 35 years (OR = 1·8, P = 0·036).Conclusion Systematic scrub repetition should be implemented to reduce bacterial contamination by skin flora at the collection stage. Further research is required to clarify the role of different antiseptic agents and of donor age.
Inclusion trail patterns in porphyroblasts from the Foothills Terrane, California: a record of orogenesis or local strain heterogeneity?
Authors: Paterson S. R. , Vernon R. H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA major problem with the current use of porphyroblast–matrix microstructural relationships to infer orogenic histories, such as multiple orthogonal orogenic events, is that other evidence for these events is typically lacking. For example, a comparison of regional relationships and local structures formed in and adjacent to porphyroblasts present in contact aureoles in the Foothills Terrane, Sierra Nevada, California, shows that: (1) except in shear zones, contact aureoles and local zones along lithological contacts, the Foothills Terrane has a single regional cleavage, although locally formed by multiple processes; (2) the regional cleavage and locally developed porphyroblast inclusion trails have variable orientations, and neither dataset supports the formation of dominantly subhorizontal and subvertical cleavages in this orogen; (3) structural and metamorphic heterogeneities occur at all scales and can markedly affect inclusion trail patterns in porphyroblasts; (4) complex porphyroblast growth features and internal inclusion trail patterns can form in porphyroblasts that grow during short time intervals in contact aureoles, indicating that local complexity in porphyroblasts does not imply regional complexity. Because of these conclusions, multiple datasets, rather than data acquired only from porphyroblasts, should be considered when attempting to understand the evolution of orogens. Furthermore, using microstructural information preserved only in porphyroblasts to infer orogenic processes and plate motions is generally unjustified.
Submicron polyphase inclusions in garnet from the Tananao Metamorphic Complex, Taiwan: a key to unravelling otherwise unrecognized metamorphic events
Authors: Hwang S. L. , Yui T. F. , Chu H. T. , Shen P. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTKyanite and staurolite occur in the Tananao Metamorphic Complex as submicron inclusions in almandine‐rich garnet from a metamorphosed palaeosol weathering horizon, near Hoping, eastern Taiwan. Quartz, rutile/brookite and zircon are also found as associated submicron inclusions in garnet. Employing the reaction ilmenite+kyanite+quartz=almandine+rutile, and the breakdown of staurolite and quartz as thermobarometers, these submicron‐scale minerals formed at >8.3–8.8 kbar and < 660–690 °C. This P–T estimate is different from that (i.e. 5–7 kbar and 530–550 °C) derived from matrix minerals, which include almandine‐rich garnet, muscovite, chlorite, chloritoid, plagioclase, quartz and ilmenite. These results suggest that submicron inclusions in garnet‐like materials may record portions of the otherwise undocumented prograde path or provide information about previous metamorphic events and thus yield new insights into orogenic belts.
Malaria transmission risk variations derived from different agricultural practices in an irrigated area of northern Tanzania
Authors: Ijumba J. N. , Mosha F. W. , Lindsay S. W. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Malaria vector Anopheles and other mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were monitored for 12 months during 1994–95 in villages of Lower Moshi irrigation area (37°20′ E, 3°21′ S; ∼700 m a.s.l.) south of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. Adult mosquito populations were sampled fortnightly by five methods: human bait collection indoors (18.00–06.00 hours) and outdoors (18.00–24.00 hours); from daytime resting‐sites indoors and outdoors; by CDC light‐traps over sleepers. Anopheles densities and rates of survival, anthropophily and malaria infection were compared between three villages representing different agro‐ecosystems: irrigated sugarcane plantation; smallholder rice irrigation scheme, and savannah with subsistence crops. Respective study villages were Mvuleni (population 2200), Chekereni (population 3200) and Kisangasangeni (population ?1000), at least 7 km apart. Anopheles arabiensis Patton was found to be the principal malaria vector throughout the study area, with An. funestus Giles sensu lato of secondary importance in the sugarcane and savannah villages. Irrigated sugarcane cultivation resulted in water pooling, but this did not produce more vectors. Anopheles arabiensis densities averaged four‐fold higher in the ricefield village, although their human blood‐index was significantly less (48%) than in the sugarcane (68%) or savannah (66%) villages, despite similar proportions of humans and cows (ratio 1 : 1.1–1.4) as the main hosts at all sites. Parous rates, duration of the gonotrophic cycle and survival rates of An. arabiensis were similar in villages of all three agro‐ecosystems.The potential risk of malaria, based on measurements of vectorial capacity of An. arabiensis and An. funestus combined, was four‐fold higher in the ricefield village than in the sugarcane or savannah villages nearby. However, the more realistic estimate of malaria risk, based on entomological inoculation rates, indicated that exposure to infective vectors was 61–68% less for people in the ricefield village, due to the much lower sporozoite rate in An. arabiensis (ricefield 0.01%, sugarcane 0.1%, savannah 0.12%). This contrast was attributed to better socio‐economic conditions of rice farmers, facilitating relatively more use of antimalarials and bednets for their families. Our findings show that, for a combination of reasons, the malaria challenge is lower for villagers associated with an irrigated rice‐growing scheme (despite greater malaria vector potential), than for adjacent communities with other agro‐ecosystems bringing less socio‐economic benefits to health. This encourages the development of agro‐irrigation schemes in African savannahs, provided that residents have ready access to antimalaria materials (i.e. effective antimalaria drugs and insecticidal bednets) that they may better afford for protection against the greater vectorial capacity of An. arabiensis from the ricefield agro‐ecosystem.
Expression studies of key adipogenic transcriptional factors reveal that the anti‐adipogenic properties of retinol in primary cultured human preadipocytes are due to retinol per se
Authors: Machinal‐Quélin F. , Dieudonné M. N. , Leneveu M. C. , Pecquery R. , Castelli D. , Oddos T. , Giudicelli Y. 
Published: March 2003

SynopsisThe aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying the antiadipogenic effect of retinol that we recently reported in primary cultured human preadipocytes.Exposure of human preadipocytes to the potent alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, 4‐methyl‐pyrazole, failed to alter the antiadipogenic effect of retinol (3.5 µm), suggesting that the latter effect is due to retinol per se rather than to its oxidation product, retinoic acid (RA).Moreover, retinol, in contrast to what is generally observed with RA, did not alter the expression of the major adipogenic transcriptional factors PPARγ and C/EBPα but, like RA, reduced transcription of an adipospecific gene controlled in part by C/EBP, the ob gene.These results indicate that retinol per se inhibits the adipo‐conversion of human preadipocytes and suggest that the mechanisms of this antiadipogenic action implies at least in part inhibition of C/EBP transcriptional activity.
Commercial dry dog food in the north central United States is not contaminated by Dermatophagoides house dust mites
Authors: Deboer Douglas J. , Schreiner Terri A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractContamination of home‐stored cereal grain food products with Dermatophagoides spp. house dust mites (HDM) was reported recently, along with anaphylaxis after consumption of these foods by dust mite‐allergic people. We hypothesized that commercial dry dog food could become similarly contaminated, particularly if stored improperly, and could eventually contribute to allergic signs in dogs. Newly purchased bags of dry dog food (n = 30), from a variety of sources and manufacturers, and client samples of dry dog food (n = 50), stored under a variety of conditions, were obtained. Food samples were extracted in aqueous buffer, and extracts were assayed using ELISA for Dermatophagoides group II (Der II) allergen, as a marker for the presence of HDM. Der II allergen was not detected in any of the 30 newly purchased or 50 stored samples tested. Positive control samples consisting of house dust or dog food mixed with house dust, similarly extracted, and Dermatophagoides commercial allergen extract were positive for Der II in the same assay. We could find no evidence of HDM contamination in newly purchased or stored commercial dry dog food in the north central United States.
Congenital hypotrichosis in a Percheron draught horse
Authors: Valentine Beth A. , Hedstrom Olaf R. , Miller William H. , Scott Danny W. , Mathies Suzette 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA blue roan Percheron foal was born with poorly circumscribed patchy alopecia of the trunk and legs. Teeth and hoof development were normal. Alopecia was progressive, becoming almost complete by 1 year of age. Histopathological findings in a skin biopsy obtained at 7 months of age were consistent with severe follicular hypoplasia. Sebaceous glands, epitrichial sweat glands and arrector pilae muscles were normal. The horse is alive and otherwise well at 6 years of age, although adult stature is considered small for this breed. The clinical history and histopathological findings are most consistent with a form of congenital hypotrichosis.
The mast cell in wound healing
Authors: Noli Chiara , Miolo Alda 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis review describes the role of the mast cell in the pathobiology of skin healing. After illustrating its main morphofunctional characteristics, with special reference to the dog and cat, we consider the involvement of the mast cell in the various phases of skin repair. With the aid of a wide array of newly formed or preformed mediators released by degranulation, the activated mast cell controls the key events of the healing phases: triggering and modulation of the inflammatory stage, proliferation of connective cellular elements and final remodelling of the newly formed connective tissue matrix. The importance of the mast cell in regulating healing processes is also demonstrated by the fact that a surplus or deficit of degranulated biological mediators causes impaired repair, with the formation of exuberant granulation tissue (e.g. keloids and hypertrophic scars), delayed closure (dehiscence) and chronicity of the inflammatory stage.
An ankyrin repeat‐containing protein plays a role in both disease resistance and antioxidation metabolism
Authors: Yan Juqiang , Wang Jing , Zhang Hong 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe Arabidopsis ankyrin repeat‐containing protein AKR2 was identified as a GF14λ‐interacting protein in a yeast two‐hybrid screening (GF14λ is a 14‐3‐3 protein). Reduced expression of AKR2 by using the antisense technique results in small necrotic areas in leaves accompanied by higher production of H2O2, similar to the hypersensitive response to pathogen infection in plant disease resistance. Transcripts of genes encoding pathogen‐induced protein PR‐1 (pathogen‐related protein 1) and stress‐responsive protein GST6 (glutathione S‐transferase 6) are increased in antisense plants. The resistance to a bacterial pathogen infection was also increased by at least 10‐fold in antisense plants. AKR2 also interacts with another GF14λ‐interacting protein, the ascorbate peroxidase 3 that scavenges H2O2 in plant cells. These data suggest that AKR2 may be a negative regulator of PR‐1 expression, and is probably involved in the regulation of antioxidation metabolism that is shared by both disease resistance and stress responses.
Cultivated tomato has defects in both S‐RNase and HT genes required for stylar function of self‐incompatibility
Authors: Kondo Katsuhiko , Yamamoto Mayu , Matton Daniel P. , Sato Takanori , Hirai Masashi , Norioka Shigemi , Hattori Tsukaho , Kowyama Yasuo 
Published: March 2003

SummaryCultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), a self‐compatible species, evolved from self‐incompatible (SI) species in the genus Lycopersicon following a breakdown of the self‐incompatibility system. In order to elucidate the molecular basis of this breakdown in L. esculentum, we first analysed the stylar proteins with an in‐gel assay for ribonuclease activity and 2D‐PAGE. No S‐RNase protein or its activity was detected in the style of L. esculentum. We then introduced the S6‐RNase gene from an SI relative, L. peruvianum, into L. esculentum. However, the styles of transgenic plants expressing S6‐RNase at levels comparable to those found in the L. peruvianum style were unable to reject self‐pollen and L. peruvianum pollen in an allele‐specific manner. This indicated that defect in the S‐RNase expression was not the sole reason for the loss of self‐incompatibility in tomato. The asparagine‐rich HT protein, originally identified from the style of Nicotiana alata, is the other stylar factor involved in self‐incompatibility reaction. We cloned and sequenced two distinct genes encoding HT‐A and HT‐B proteins from L. peruvianum (LpHT‐A and LpHT‐B) and L. esculentum (LeHT‐A and LeHT‐B). A frame shift mutation in the coding sequence of LeHT‐A and a stop codon in the ORF of LeHT‐B were found, and no LeHT‐B transcript was detected in the style of L. esculentum. The results suggest that the breakdown of self‐incompatibility in cultivated tomato is associated with loss‐of‐function mutations in both S‐RNase and HT genes.
Activation of AtMEK1, an Arabidopsis mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase, in vitro and in vivo: analysis of active mutants expressed in E. coli and generation of the active form in stress response in seedlings
Authors: Matsuoka Daisuke , Nanmori Takashi , Sato Ken‐ichi , Fukami Yasuo , Kikkawa Ushio , Yasuda Takeshi 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, consisting of MAPK, MAPK kinase (MAPKK) and MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK), is the signaling system that relays various external signals, including mitogens and stresses in eukaryotes. MAPKK is activated by phosphorylation in the consensus motif, SXXXS/T, in animals, but the regulation mechanism for the plant MAPKK by phosphorylation, having the putative phosphorylation motif of S/TXXXXXS/T, is not yet fully clarified. Here we constructed a series of mutants of AtMEK1, an Arabidopsis MAPKK, having the sequence T218‐X‐S220‐X‐X‐X‐S224 that fits both of the plant‐ and animal‐type motifs. We show that the two double‐mutant proteins replacing Thr‐218/Ser‐224 and Ser‐220/Ser‐224 by Glu expressed in Escherichia coli show a constitutive activity to phosphorylate the Thr and Tyr residues of the kinase‐negative mutant of an Arabidopsis MAPK, named ATMPK4, in vitro. The mutation analysis of AtMEK1 replacing Thr‐218 and Ser‐220 to Ala suggested that Thr‐218 is autophosphorylated by the enzyme. The wild‐type ATMPK4 was also phosphorylated by the active mutants of AtMEK1 and showed a high protein kinase activity toward myelin basic proteins. In contrast, ATMPK3, another Arabidopsis MAPK, was a poor substrate of this plant MAPKK, indicating that AtMEK1 has a substrate specificity preferring ATMPK4 to ATMPK3, at least in vitro. Furthermore, AtMEK1 immunoprecipitated from Arabidopsis seedlings stimulated with wounding, cold, drought, and high salt showed an elevated protein kinase activity toward the kinase‐negative ATMPK4, while the amounts of the AtMEK1 protein did not change significantly. These data indicate that the AtMEK1 becomes an active form through phosphorylation and activates its downstream target ATMPK4 in stress response in Arabidopsis.
The Arabidopsis aberrant growth and death2 mutant shows resistance to Pseudomonas syringae and reveals a role for NPR1 in suppressing hypersensitive cell death
Authors: Rate Debra N. , Greenberg Jean T. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryA novel Arabidopsis mutant has been identified with constitutive expression of GST1‐GUS using plants with a pathogen‐responsive reporter transgene containing the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) coding region driven by the GST1 promoter. The recessive mutant, called agd2 (aberrant growth and death2), has salicylic acid (SA)‐dependent increased resistance to virulent and avirulent strains of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, elevated SA levels, a low level of spontaneous cell death, callose deposition, and enlarged cells in leaves. The enhanced resistance of agd2 to virulent P. syringae requires the SA signaling component NONEXPRESSOR OF PR1 (NPR1). However, agd2 renders the resistance response to P. syringae carrying avrRpt2 NPR1‐independent. Thus agd2 affects both an SA‐ and NPR1‐dependent general defense pathway and an SA‐dependent, NPR1‐independent pathway that is active during the recognition of avirulent P. syringae. agd2 plants also fail to show a hypersensitive cell death response (HR) unless NPR1 is removed. This novel function for NPR1 is also apparent in otherwise wild‐type plants: npr1 mutants show a stronger HR, while NPR1‐overproducing plants show a weaker HR when infected with P. syringae carrying the avrRpm1 gene. Spontaneous cell death in agd2 is partially suppressed by npr1, indicating that NPR1 can suppress or enhance cell death depending on the cellular context. agd2 plants depleted of SA show a dramatic exacerbation of the cell‐growth phenotype and increased callose deposition, suggesting a role for SA in regulating growth and this cell‐wall modification. AGD2 may function in cell death and/or growth control as well as the defense response, similarly to what has been described in animals for the functions of NFκB.
Relationship between nuchal translucency at 11–14 weeks and nuchal fold at 20–24 weeks of gestation
Authors: Salomon L. J. , Bernard J. P. , Taupin P. , Benard C. , Ville Y. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo examine the relationship between the measurement of nuchal translucency in the first trimester and nuchal fold in the second trimester in normal pregnancy.MethodsThis was a prospective study of 592 singleton pregnancies. Fetal nuchal translucency was measured at 11–14 weeks of gestation and nuchal fold at 20–24 weeks of gestation. Linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between nuchal translucency and nuchal fold after adjustment for gestational age.ResultsThere was no significant association between nuchal translucency and nuchal fold thickness.ConclusionIt is possible that measurement of nuchal translucency and nuchal fold may provide an independent contribution in screening for trisomy 21.Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fetal nuchal translucency screening in 12 495 pregnancies in Sardinia
Authors: Zoppi M. A. , Ibba R. M. , Floris M. , Monni G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the distribution of fetal nuchal translucency thickness in normal and chromosomally abnormal fetuses in Sardinia and to determine the effectiveness of screening by a combination of fetal nuchal translucency and maternal age.MethodsFetal nuchal translucency thickness and crown–rump length were measured at 10–14 weeks of gestation in 12 495 pregnancies. A reference range of fetal nuchal translucency thickness for crown–rump length was determined from the 10 001 singleton pregnancies with known normal pregnancy outcome. The median nuchal translucency thickness for crown–rump length was determined by regression analysis of the calculated median values of nuchal translucency thickness for each 0.1 mm interval in crown–rump length. The proportions of unaffected fetuses and those with trisomy 21 or other chromosomal defects with nuchal translucency thickness > 1.5 and 2.0 multiples of the regressed normal median for crown–rump length were calculated. The distribution of estimated risks based on maternal age and fetal nuchal translucency thickness according to The Fetal Medicine Foundation software were also determined and the sensitivity and false‐positive rates were calculated.ResultsIn the 10 001 normal pregnancies, the median fetal nuchal translucency thickness increased with crown–rump length (median nuchal translucency thickness = 0.3496 + 0.018 × crown–rump length) (r2 = 0.4411). In the singleton pregnancies, there were 64 fetuses with trisomy 21 and 46 with other chromosomal defects. The fetal nuchal translucency thickness was > 1.5 multiples of the median in 510 (5%) of the normal fetuses, in 52 (81%) of the trisomy 21 fetuses and in 33 (72%) of those with other chromosomal defects. The respective values for nuchal translucency thickness > 2.0 multiples of the median were 195 (2%), 41 (64%) and 32 (70%). In 184 multiple pregnancies, there were four fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities and in three of these the nuchal translucency thickness was > 1.5 multiples of the median. Screening by a combination of maternal age and fetal nuchal translucency thickness with a risk cut‐off of 1 in 300 identified 90% of trisomy 21 pregnancies and 85% of all other chromosomal defects for a false‐positive rate of 9%.ConclusionScreening for chromosomal defects by measurement of nuchal translucency thickness identifies 80% of fetuses with trisomy 21 for a false‐positive rate of 5%. In our population with a median maternal age of 33 years, screening by a combination of maternal age and fetal nuchal translucency thickness with a risk cut‐off of 1 in 300 identified 90% of trisomy 21 pregnancies for a false‐positive rate of 9%.Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology