bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinoblastoma protein regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and endoreduplication in plants
Authors: Park Jong‐A. , Ahn Joon‐Woo , Kim Yu‐Kyung , Kim Su Jung , Kim Ju‐Kon , Kim Woo Taek , Pai Hyun‐Sook 
Published: March 2005

SummaryRetinoblastoma protein (Rb) plays a key role in cell cycle control, cell differentiation, and apoptosis in animals. In this study, we used virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) to investigate the cellular functions of Rb in higher plants. VIGS of NbRBR1, which encodes the Nicotiana benthamiana Rb homolog, resulted in growth retardation and abnormal organ development. At the cellular level, Rb suppression caused prolonged cell proliferation in tissues that are normally differentiated, which indicates that Rb is a negative regulator of plant cell division. Furthermore, differentiation of the epidermal pavement cells and trichomes was partially retarded, and stomatal clusters formed in the epidermis, likely due to uncontrolled cell division of stomata precursor cells. Rb suppression also caused extra DNA replication in endoreduplicating leaf cells, suggesting a role of Rb in the endocycle. These Rb phenotypes were accompanied by stimulated transcription of E2F and E2F‐regulated S‐phase genes. Thus, disruption of Rb function in plants leads to ectopic cell division in major organs that correlates with a delay in cell differentiation as well as increased endoreduplication, which indicates that Rb coordinates these processes in plant organ development.
A nuclear‐encoded sigma factor, Arabidopsis SIG6, recognizes sigma‐70 type chloroplast promoters and regulates early chloroplast development in cotyledons
Authors: Ishizaki Yoko , Tsunoyama Yuichi , Hatano Kyoko , Ando Kohei , Kato Ko , Shinmyo Atsuhiko , Kobori Maki , Takeba Go , Nakahira Yoichi , Shiina Takashi 
Published: March 2005

SummaryEubacterial‐type multi‐subunit plastid RNA polymerase (PEP) is responsible for the principal transcription activity in chloroplasts. PEP is composed of plastid‐encoded core subunits and one of multiple nuclear‐encoded sigma factors that confer promoter specificity on PEP. Thus, the replacement of sigma factors associated with PEP has been assumed to be a major mechanism for the switching of transcription patterns during chloroplast development. The null mutant (sig6‐1) of plastid sigma factor geneAtSIG6exhibited a cotyledon‐specific pale green phenotype. Light‐dependent chloroplast development was significantly delayed in thesig6‐1mutant. Genetic complementation of the mutant phenotype by theAtSIG6cDNA demonstrated that AtSIG6 plays a key role in light‐dependent chloroplast development. Northern and array‐based global analyses for plastid transcripts revealed that the transcript levels of most PEP‐dependent genes were greatly reduced in thesig6‐1mutant, but that the accumulation of nuclear‐encoded RNA polymerase (NEP)‐dependent transcripts generally increased. As the PEPαsubunit and PEP‐dependenttrnVaccumulated at normal levels in thesig6‐1mutant, theAtSIG6knockout mutant probably retained functional PEP, and the transcriptional defects are likely to have been directly caused byAtSIG6deficiency. Most of the AtSIG6‐dependent genes are preceded byσ70‐type promoters comprised of conserved −35/−10 elements. Thus, AtSIG6 may act as a major general sigma factor in chloroplasts during early plant development. On the other hand, the mutant phenotype was restored in older seedlings. Arabidopsis probably contains another late general sigma factor, the promoter specificity of which widely overlaps with that of AtSIG6.
The profile of fogo selvagem (endemic pemphigus foliaceus) at the University Hospital of Brasilia–Brazil. Epidemiological and clinical considerations
Authors: Quinteiro Ribeiro Ana Maria , Aiza Alvarez Rosicler Rocha , Friedman Horácio , Campbell Iphis ,   The Cooperative Group osn Fogo Selvagem Research
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackground  Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) or fogo selvagem (FS) is an endemic autoimmune disease, characterized by flaccid bullae induced by IgG4 subclass antibodies. The authors demonstrate the epidemiological and clinical status of patients who have been followed at the University Hospital of Brasília (HUB) for more than 15 years.Methods  One hundred and ninety‐six patients with FS took part in the project. In setting up this study a historical descriptive cohort of patients was put together. In order to collect data, the authors used a questionnaire where the patient indicated the sex, age at the onset, occupation, origin, clinical status, including scalp compromise, evolution, cofactors influencing clinical worsening and the treatment compliance. In order to minimize loss to follow up, the authors used the statistical method of incidence density (patients/years).Results  The disease occurred in 58.4% of the young patients in the 11–30‐year age bracket, and 52% came from urban areas. These patients included students and teachers. Localized disease predominated as compared with the generalized presentation of this condition. Fifty‐nine percent of the patients evolved to the recurrent form. Those patients with the evolutional form, in remission for more than 1 year (94%), had been followed for more than 5 years. Even patients with the less active forms of the disease had scalp lesions. Thus scalp lesions are not an indicator of bad prognosis.Conclusions  In the present study, the disease affected patients from a higher sociocultural class than previously described. Furthermore, in contrast to other reports, a substantial number of the patients lived in urban areas, although often spending some time in a rural setting for leisure or professional activities. This study suggests that the longer the follow up, the higher the likelihood that the disease would progress to a more controlled clinical presentation. Scalp lesions were not related to adverse prognosis. Sun, heat and infections act as triggering factors for the immunological imbalance, worsening the disease.
Evaluation of time‐dependent response to psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) treatment with topical 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) gel in palmoplantar dermatoses
Authors: Engin Burhan , Oguz Oya 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackground  Topical psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) is an effective treatment for localized forms of eczema, psoriasis, and palmoplantar pustulosis, which avoids some of the undesirable side‐effects of systemic psoralens.Aims  In this study, the efficacy of topical PUVA treatment with 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) gel was compared with placebo plus UVA in chronic recurrent palmoplantar dermatoses.Methods  Twenty‐two patients with palmoplantar disease (11 with psoriasis vulgaris, six with eczema, and five with pustulosis) were enrolled in the study. The study design was a left–right comparison: one hand or foot was treated with 8‐MOP 0.01% gel plus UVA, whilst the contralateral hand or foot received placebo and UVA for 6 weeks. Twenty minutes after application of the gel, both sides were exposed to UVA. The treatment regimen was three times a week, and the UVA dose was increased weekly by 20%.Results  A comparison of the pre‐ and post‐treatment scores with regard to the severity of the clinical picture and the infiltration of plaques showed a significant decrease (from 7.5 ± 2.0 to 2.5 ± 2.1 and from 2.0 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.5, respectively) in the sites treated with 8‐MOP gel compared with placebo after 6 weeks.Conclusion  The results of the study indicate that at least 18 courses of local PUVA within 6 weeks, with a cumulative dose of 87 J/cm2, are required to induce a significant decrease in the disease severity and an improvement in the infiltration of plaques due to 8‐MOP gel at a concentration of 0.01% when treating chronic recurrent palmoplantar dermatoses.
Nosocomial nasal myiasis owing to Cochliomyia hominivorax: a case in French Guiana
Authors: Couppié Pierre , Roussel Morgane , Rabarison Patrick , Sockeel Marie‐Josée , Sainte‐Marie Dominique , Marty Christian , Carme Bernard 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe larval stages of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax are responsible for myiasis, which primarily affects wounds. We report the case of a bed‐ridden patient with dementia who developed right nasal myiasis during his stay at Cayenne Hospital. Progression was favorable, but the nasal pyramid was partially destroyed. In zones where this fly is endemic, particular attention should be given to hospitalized patients with wounds and consciousness problems.
Willan's itch and other causes of pruritus in the elderly
Authors: Ward Jon R. , Bernhard Jeffrey D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractItch in the elderly presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A thorough history, review of systems, and physical examination are critical to determining its cause. Examination of the skin may be misleading. There are frequently only secondary lesions, eczematous changes, lichenification, and excoriation, which may be misdiagnosed as a primary dermatitis. Xerosis may be the cause, but it is sometimes merely coincidental. If primary lesions are present, a skin biopsy can enable a diagnosis to be made. Systemic causes of itch, such as cholestasis, uremia, hyperthyroidism, medications, or lymphoma, must be considered. If the cause remains elusive, idiopathic itching of the elderly or so‐called “senile pruritus” may be considered. However, we propose to discard the term “senile pruritus”, which can be offensive and frightening. We propose to replace it with “Willan's itch”. Robert Willan (1757–1812) is honored as one of the founders of modern dermatology thanks to his book, On Cutaneous Diseases, and its morphological approach to skin disease. He was probably the first to give a good clinical description of itching in the elderly. The diagnosis of Willan's itch should be reserved for generalized pruritus in the absence of xerosis or other recognizable cause. The pathophysiology of this form of pruritus is poorly understood, but it is likely that age‐related changes of the skin, cutaneous nerves, and other parts of the nervous system play a role. Anecdotal and limited data suggest that gabapentin, cutaneous field stimulation, serotonin antagonists, and ultraviolet B phototherapy may attenuate itch in some of these patients.
Hypertrophic and keloidal scars: an approach to polytherapy
Authors: Boutli‐Kasapidou Fotini , Tsakiri Amalia , Anagnostou Eleni , Mourellou Olga 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackground  Cryotherapy and intralesional corticosteroids have been used separately or in combination as a treatment for hypertrophic and keloidal scars. The addition of silicone gel to the treatment schedule might be of interest.Methods  Twenty patients with hypertrophic and keloidal scars received two 15‐s cycles (in total 30 s) of cryotherapy treatments at every session (once monthly for 12 months) with intralesional injections of trimcinolone acetonide 0.1% (10–40 mg/mL, once monthly for 3 months). Topical application of silicone gel was added three times daily (for 12 months). The control group included 10 patients who received treatment with silicone sheeting.Results  After 1 year there was improvement in all the parameters studied, especially in terms of symptoms, cosmetic appearance and associated signs (P < 0.0001) compared to baseline and compared to the control group.Conclusion  Our study suggests that polytherapy may be an effective tool in the therapy of hypertrophic and keloidal scars.
Clinical, histopathological and virological findings in patients with focal epithelial hyperplasia from Colombia
Authors: González Leonor V. , Gaviria Angela M. , Sanclemente Gloria , Rady Peter , Tyring Stephen K. , Carlos Roman , Correa Luis A. , Sanchez Gloria I. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractBackground  Focal epithelial hyperplasia (FEH) is a rare oral HPV‐related disease, highly prevalent in certain ethnic communities. A previous study found 7.5% prevalence among school children from the Indian community Embera‐Chamí in Colombia.Objective  To determine the prevalence and Human Papillomavirus (HPVs)‐type in children with FEH.Materials and methods  One hundred and thirty‐eight students were screened. All FEH samples were HPV‐tested by two PCR‐based systems.Results  We identified 18 FEH cases. β‐globin amplification was obtained in 15 cases and nine were HPV‐55‐positive by the HPV‐PCR‐hybridization method. Nine cases (50%) were HPV‐13‐positive by the GP5+/GP6+‐based method. Twelve cases (80%) were HPV‐positive by one or the other method. Forty‐four percent and 88% of interviewed parents reported family histories of FEH and toothbrush sharing, respectively.Conclusions  Human Papillomavirus‐DNA was identified in the majority of FEH cases and HPV‐13 was the only genotype involved. Frequent familiar infection suggests interfamiliar transmission, genetic predisposition or infection susceptibility among family members.
Effect of glucose toxicity on intraportal tilapia islet xenotransplantation in nude mice
Authors: Al‐Jazaeri Ayman , Xu Bao‐You , Yang Hua , MacNeil Danielle , Leventhal Joseph R. , Wright James R. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Background:  Discordant xenogeneic islets transplanted intraportally into athymic nude rats experience primary non‐function and are rapidly destroyed. Recently, it has been reported that adult porcine islets transplanted intraportally into nude mice are also rapidly destroyed and that this constitutes a new model for instant blood‐mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR).Methods:  Tilapia (fish) islets were harvested, mechanically broken into mammalian islet‐sized fragments, cultured for 48 h, and transplanted via the portal vein into athymic or euthymic mice.Results:  There were several groups of recipient mice. Streptozotocin‐diabetic nude mice received 400 islets via the portal vein (n = 12). Recipients were killed when hyperglycemic (>200 mg/dl); livers and native pancreases were examined histologically. Mean graft survival time, based on function, was 5.4 ± 1.2 days; at autopsy, histology showed occasional viable islets. We also performed a group of transplants in non‐diabetic nude mice (n = 6) and then killed the recipients 2 or 4 weeks later; all had abundant viable, well‐granulated islet grafts based on histology. Therefore, the intraportal environs in nude mice are not incompatible with discordant fish islets; rather, it appears as if hyperglycemia adversely affects the intraportal islet grafts (i.e. ‘‘glucose toxicity’’). To test this hypothesis, transplants were performed into non‐diabetic nude mice and allowed to engraft for either 3 days (n = 6) or 10 days (n = 8) prior to injection of streptozotocin (200 to 220 mg/kg i.v.) to destroy the β‐cells in the recipients’ native islets (n.b. tilapia islets are exceedingly resistant to streptozotocin); these recipients were followed for 28 days post‐transplantation (or until hyperglycemic) and then killed for histology. Mean graft function exceeded 25 days for both groups and viable well‐granulated, tilapia islets grafts were readily identified in all recipients; in all but one, the native pancreases were markedly β‐cell depleted – confirming that normoglycemia was due to functional fish islet xenografts.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that ‘‘glucose toxicity’’ plays a role in the immediate demise of intraportal tilapia islet xenografts.
Prey Escape Direction is Influenced by the Pivoting Displays of Flush‐Pursuing Birds
Authors: Jabłoński Piotr G. , McInerney Caitríona 
Published: March 2005

AbstractPainted redstart, Myioborus pictus, and its congeners in Central and South America, belong to a small fraction of insectivorous flush‐pursuing birds. Unlike most of the small insectivorous birds, which glean prey from substrates, the flush pursuers spread and pivot their conspicuously patterned tails and wings. This display triggers prey escape flights which are hypothesized to occur through visual stimulation of prey escape circuits [giant descending neuron cluster (GDNC) in Diptera] sensitive to the looming motion of an approaching bird, translational motion of a pivoting body with widely spread tail and contrast of the white‐black plumage pattern. In this paper, data from field observations of redstarts and experiments with bird models show an increase in the frequency of prey escapes away from the strong visual stimulation of an open tail, and in the direction opposite to that of the horizontal translational motion present in the pivots. We discuss how the effect on prey escape direction may enhance prey interception capabilities of redstarts during aerial pursuits. Combined with an earlier study the results show that, unlike the movements of typical gleaner–foragers, the flush displays by redstarts affect prey escape direction in a manner that may facilitate prey tracking and capture by birds. Because the GDNs, which mediate escape initiation, are not sensitive to motion direction, we hypothesize that other neurons, in addition to the GDNs, are involved in influencing the direction of escape responses.
Snake Species Discrimination by Wild Bonnet Macaques (Macaca radiata)
Authors: Ramakrishnan Uma , Coss Richard G. , Schank Jeffrey , Dharawat Amita , Kim Susan 
Published: March 2005

AbstractWild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) were studied in southern India to assess their ability to discriminate non‐venomous, venomous and predatory snakes. Realistic snake models were presented to eight troops of bonnet macaques at feeding stations and their behavior was video‐recorded 3 min before and 3 min after snake exposure. Snakes presented were: (1) venomous Indian cobra (Naja naja) displaying an open hood with ‘eyespots’; (2) venomous common Indian krait (Bungarus caeruleus); (3) non‐venomous green keelback (Macropisthodan plumbicolor); (4) non‐venomous rat snake (Ptyas mucosus); and (5) Indian python (Python molurus) which preys on macaques. Latencies to detect and react to the snakes were evaluated to determine initial responsiveness. Longer‐term assessment was measured as the percentage of time individuals looked at the snakes and monitored the activity of nearby individuals before and after snake detection. All snake models engendered caution and maintenance of a safe distance. Alarm calling occurred only during python presentations. The cobra engendered a startle response or running in the largest percentage of individuals after its detection, whereas the rat snake and python elicited bipedal standing or ambulating to monitor the snakes. We also examined the influence of age on snake recognition. Juveniles and subadults looked at the cobra, krait, and python for a larger percentage of time than adults did; albeit, adults looked at the python substantially longer than at the other snakes. Age differences in behavior suggest that, with the exception of the python, repeated experience with snakes in the wild moderates excitability, consistent with the likely threat of envenomation.
Geographic and Temporal Variation of the Male Zebra Finch Distance Call
Authors: Runciman David , Zann Richard A. , Murray Neil D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractTemporal and geographic variation of acoustic signals can provide insights into dispersal patterns, population history and speciation. Vocalizations that are transmitted from one generation to the next are of particular value in this respect because they can reveal patterns of gene flow, effectively behaving as population markers. The male zebra finchTaeniopygia guttatadistance call is one such vocalization; sons learn their father's distance call in the first 40 d of life and it is individually stereotyped thereafter. We investigated geographic variation in the zebra finch by comparing the structure of distance calls recorded from 61 males from six populations across the continent‐wide range of the Australian subspeciesT. g. castanotis. Intra‐population variation was high, in many cases greater than the variation among all males recorded, possibly because of population interchange. However, three of six call variables measured, including the newly discovered modulated element, varied geographically although the pattern of distance call variation did not agree with that of geographic proximity of populations. The proportion of calls with a modulated element increased dramatically over 7 yr in central Australia but there was no change over a similar period of time in south‐eastern Australia where no calls contained the element. The findings suggest that interchange among widely separated populations may be commonplace in Australian zebra finches, with the possible exception of those from south‐eastern Australia.
A Quantified Ethogram for Oviposition inTriturusNewts: Description and Comparison ofT. helveticusandT. vulgaris
Authors: Norris Karen M. , Hosie Charlotte A. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractFemale newts of the genusTriturusdeposit and wrap their eggs individually in the submerged leaves of aquatic macrophytes. Although this behaviour has previously been described, the different elements of the oviposition process have not been fully characterized nor any attempt made to quantify the behavioural elements. The study examined the oviposition behaviour of the two similarly sized species,Triturus helveticusandT. vulgarison a standardized substrate macrophyte,Rorippa nasturtium–aquaticum. Continuous focal sampling was used to develop a baseline of discrete behavioural elements enabling quantification and comparison of oviposition behaviour between the two species. The results showed that the same pattern of elements was followed for each egg laid and the same key elements of the process were present in each newt species. Although these are broadly similar in size, there were striking differences in certain aspects of the oviposition sequence between the two species. Key findings were that leaf sniffing and leaf flexing and a measure of the duration of ovipositing were all significantly greater in females ofT. helveticusand females ofT. vulgarislaid significantly more eggs than those ofT. helveticusin a standard observation period. The work presented here defines a baseline ethogram and shows how it can be used to reveal quantifiable differences in closely related species. This demonstrates its value in furthering our understanding of oviposition – a key aspect of female behaviour currently understudied inTriturusbehavioural ecology, despite its intrinsic interest and value in understanding recruitment and maintenance of populations.
In Vitro Fertilization Reveals Offspring Recognition via Self‐Referencing in a Fish with Paternal Care and Cuckoldry
Authors: Neff Bryan D. , Sherman Paul W. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractMale bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) exhibit alternative life histories: some males (parentals) delay maturation for up to 7 yr, then build nests, court females, and care for the eggs and fry, whereas other males (cuckolders) mature precociously, attempt to steal fertilizations from parentals, and provide no parental care. Parental males could avoid misdirecting their nepotism (i.e. caring for unrelated young) by abandoning entire broods if they were sired mainly by cuckolders or by discriminating between offspring and non‐kin fry within broods for which they care. We tested for kin discrimination by obtaining sperm from parental and cuckolder males and eggs from several females, and using them to conceive fry in vitro. In ‘blind’ laboratory tests, parental males (but not cuckolder males) distinguished between sources of dripping water that had been conditioned by their own offspring vs. unrelated fry. Parental males that were in the best physical condition were especially choosy. Because the only referents available to our experimental subjects were chemical cues emanating from their own body, our results imply that parental males can use self‐referent phenotype matching for kin recognition. This mechanism enables males to make the adaptive, nepotistic adjustments in paternal care that have been documented in previous studies.