bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EARLY FLOWERING 5 acts as a floral repressor in Arabidopsis
Authors: Noh Yoo‐Sun , Bizzell Colleen M. , Noh Bosl , Schomburg Fritz M. , Amasino Richard M. 
Published: May 2004

Summary EARLY FLOWERING 5 (ELF5) is a single‐copy gene involved in flowering time regulation in Arabidopsis. ELF5 encodes a nuclear‐targeted protein that is related to the human nuclear protein containing a WW domain (Npw)38‐binding protein (NpwBP). Lesions in ELF5 cause early flowering in both long days and short days. elf5 mutations partially suppress the late flowering of both autonomous‐pathway mutants and FRIGIDA (FRI)‐containing lines by reducing the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a floral repressor upon which many of the flowering pathways converge. elf5 mutations also partially suppress photoperiod‐pathway mutants, and this, along with the ability of elf5 mutations to cause early flowering in short days, indicates that ELF5 also affects flowering independently of FLC.
Silencing of subfamily I of protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunits results in activation of plant defense responses and localized cell death
Authors: He Xiaohua , Anderson Jeffrey C. , Pozo Olga del , Gu Yong‐Qiang , Tang Xiaoyan , Martin Gregory B. 
Published: May 2004

SummaryThe central importance of protein phosphorylation in plant defense responses has been demonstrated by the isolation of several disease‐resistance genes that encode protein kinases. In addition, there are many reports of changes in protein phosphorylation accompanying plant responses to pathogens. In contrast, little is known about the role of protein dephosphorylation in regulating plant defenses. We report that expression of the LePP2Ac1 gene, which encodes a catalytic subunit of the heterotrimeric protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac), is rapidly induced in resistant tomato leaves upon inoculation with an avirulent strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. By analysis of PP2Ac gene sequences from several plant species, we found that PP2Ac genes cluster into two subfamilies, with LePP2Ac1 belonging to subfamily I. Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) in Nicotiana benthamiana was used to suppress expression of genes from subfamily I and not from subfamily II. The PP2Ac‐silenced plants had greatly decreased PP2A activity, constitutively expressed pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes, and developed localized cell death in stems and leaves. In addition, the plants were more resistant to a virulent strain of P. syringae pv. tabaci and showed an accelerated hypersensitive response (HR) to effector proteins from both P. syringae and the fungal pathogen, Cladosporium fulvum. Thus, catalytic subunits of PP2Ac subfamily I act as negative regulators of plant defense responses likely by de‐sensitizing protein phosphorylation cascades.
A novel Arabidopsis gene TONSOKU is required for proper cell arrangement in root and shoot apical meristems
Authors: Suzuki Takamasa , Inagaki Soichi , Nakajima Sakiko , Akashi Takafumi , Ohto Masa‐aki , Kobayashi Masatomo , Seki Motoaki , Shinozaki Kazuo , Kato Tomohiko , Tabata Satoshi , Nakamura Kenzo , Morikami Atsushi 
Published: May 2004

SummaryRoot apical meristem (RAM) and shoot apical meristem (SAM) are vital for the correct development of the plant. The direction, frequency, and timing of cell division must be tightly controlled in meristems. Here, we isolated new Arabidopsis mutants with shorter roots and fasciated stems. In the tonsoku (tsk) mutant, disorganized RAM and SAM formation resulted from the frequent loss of proper alignment of the cell division plane. Irregular cell division also occurred in the tsk embryo, and the size of cells in meristems and embryo in tsk mutant was larger than in the wild type. In the enlarged SAM of the tsk mutant, multiple centers of cells expressing WUSCHEL (WUS) were observed. In addition, expression of SCARECROW (SCR) in the quiescent center (QC) disappeared in the disorganized RAM of tsk mutant. These results suggest that disorganized cell arrangements in the tsk mutants result in disturbed positional information required for the determination of cell identity. The TSK gene was found to encode a protein with 1311 amino acids that possesses two types of protein–protein interaction motif, leucine–glycine–asparagine (LGN) repeats and leucine‐rich repeats (LRRs). LGN repeats are present in animal proteins involved in asymmetric cell division, suggesting the possible involvement of TSK in cytokinesis. On the other hand, the localization of the TSK–GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion protein in nuclei of tobacco BY‐2 cells and phenotypic similarity of tsk mutants to other fasciated mutants suggest that the tsk mutation may cause disorganized cell arrangements through defects in genome maintenance.
Herbivore‐induced plant vaccination. Part II. Array‐studies reveal the transience of herbivore‐specific transcriptional imprints and a distinct imprint from stress combinations
Authors: Voelckel Claudia , Baldwin Ian T. 
Published: May 2004

SummaryMicroarray technology has given plant biologists the ability to simultaneously monitor changes in the expression of hundreds of genes, and yet, to date, this technology has not been applied to ecological phenomena. In native tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata), prior attack of sap‐feeding mirids (Tupiocoris notatus) results in vaccination of the plant against subsequent attacks by chewing hornworms (Manduca sexta). This vaccination is mediated by a combination of direct and indirect defenses and tolerance responses, which act in concert with the attack preferences of a generalist predator. Here, we use microarrays enriched in herbivore‐elicited genes with a principal components analysis (PCA) to characterize transcriptional ‘imprints’ of single, sequential, or simultaneous attacks by these two main herbivores of N. attenuata. The PCA identified distinctly different imprints left by individual attack from the two species after 24 h, but not after 5 days. Moreover, imprints of sequential or simultaneous attacks differed significantly from those of single attack, suggesting the existence of a distinct gene expression program responsive to the combination of biological stressors. A dissection of the transcriptional imprints revealed responses in direct and indirect defense genes that were well correlated with observed increases in defense metabolites. Attack from both herbivores elicits a switch from growth‐ to defense‐related transcriptional processes, and herbivore‐specific changes occur largely in primary metabolism and signaling cascades. PCA of these polygenic transcriptional imprints characterizes the ephemeral changes in the transcriptome that occur during the maturation of ecologically relevant phenotypic responses.
Overexpression of a novel small peptide ROTUNDIFOLIA4 decreases cell proliferation and alters leaf shape in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Narita Noriyuki N. , Moore Sally , Horiguchi Gorou , Kubo Minoru , Demura Taku , Fukuda Hiroo , Goodrich Justin , Tsukaya Hirokazu 
Published: May 2004

SummaryLeaf shape is determined by polar cell expansion and polar cell proliferation along the leaf axes. However, the genes controlling polar cell proliferation during leaf morphogenesis are largely unknown. We identified a dominant mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, rotundifolia4‐1D (rot4‐1D), which possessed short leaves and floral organs. We showed that the altered leaf shape is caused by reduced cell proliferation, specifically in the longitudinal (proximal–distal) axis of the leaf, suggesting that the ROT4 gene controls polar cell proliferation in lateral organs. The ROT4 open‐reading frame (ORF) encodes a novel small peptide that had not been identified in the Arabidopsis genome annotation. Overexpression of a ROT4–green fluorescence protein (GFP) fusion protein in transgenic plants recapitulated the rot4 phenotype, suggesting that ROT4 acts to restrict cell proliferation. The ROT4–GFP fusion protein localized to the plasma membrane when expressed in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that ROT4 defines a novel seed plant‐specific family of small peptides with 22 members in Arabidopsis, ROT FOUR LIKE1–22 (RTFL1–22). All RTFL members share a conserved 29‐amino acid domain, the RTF domain, and overexpression of the ROT4 RTF domain alone is sufficient to confer a rot4‐1D phenotype. Loss‐of‐function mutations in several RTFL genes were aphenotypic, suggesting that there may be some functional redundancy between family members. Analyses by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and in situ hybridization revealed that ROT4 is expressed in the shoot apex and young leaves of wild‐type plants, consistent with a role for ROT4 in controlling polarity‐dependent cell proliferation during wild‐type leaf morphogenesis.
Use of elective temporary clips in preventing intraoperative cerebral aneurysm rupture
Authors: Pang Peter Ka‐Hung , Chan Kwong‐Yau , Zhu Xian‐Lun , Datta Narendra N. , Ur Rehman Safi , Htun Aung Tin , Poon Christopher Yee‐Fat , Kwok John Ching‐Kwong 
Published: April 2004

Objective:  To review the result of microsurgical treatment for cerebral aneurysms at Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, with the focus on the use of elective temporary clipping (ETC) in reducing intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IOR).Methods:  All clinical notes and operation records of patients who had undergone aneurysm‐clipping microsurgery from July 1996 to November 2002 were reviewed.Results:  In the past 6 years, 148 patients with 150 aneurysms had undergone microsurgical clipping operations. The overall usage rate of ETC was only 25% (38 out of 150) in the present surgical series. Elective temporary clipping was most frequently applied (40%) in treating anterior communicating artery aneurysm. The overall IOR rate was 26% without ETC, versus 8% with ETC, with 18% absolute risk reduction (95% confident interval: 3.2%−28.2%) and 70% relative risk reduction, respectively. The numbers needed for treatment was 5.55. The benefit of ETC was most prominently observed in treating anterior communicating artery aneurysm in which the IOR rate was reduced from 42 to 12%, with 30% absolute risk reduction. Among cases of IOR that occurred without prior elective temporary clip application, the mortality rate was 20.7%. For IOR patients with prior elective temporary clip application, there was no mortality.Conclusion:  The present study demonstrates that ETC had led to a significant overall reduction in IOR rate and ETC was associated with better clinical outcome. We encourage and recommend the use of ETC in preventing IOR during aneurysm microsurgery. A prospective study will be conducted on the same topic in our hospitals.
DNA methylation in bile of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice
Authors: WONG J.S.W. , TO K.F. , TONG J.H.M. , WONG J. , LEE K.F. , ENDERS N.G. , LAI P.B.‐S. 
Published: April 2004

Background: The diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice is heavily dependent upon radiological imagings. Pre‐operative histological diagnosis suffers from the problems of inadequate samples or false negativity. This study explored the feasibility of using molecular diagnostic techniques (promoter hypermethylation) to help in the diagnosis in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice from their bile samples.Methods: Bile samples were collected from 11 patients suffering from malignant obstructive jaundice (seven cholangiocarcinoma, 2 carcinoma of pancreas, one hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct invasion, one carcinoma of gall bladder). Cell pellets were then collected from bile by centrifugation and subjected to methylation‐ specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) to detect promoter methylation in four candidate tumour‐suppressor genes (RASSF1A, p16, HIC1, ECAD). Five samples from patients having benign biliary conditions were used as controls.Results: All the samples from patients with malignancy demonstrated at least one aberrant hypermethylation in the tumour suppression genes. The frequencies of promoter hypermethylation were: RASSF1A (45.45%), p16 (45.45%), HIC1 (18.18%), and ECAD (72.73%). Combining the result of p16 and ECAD, the sensitivity of predicting malignant obstructive jaundice by promoter hypermethylation was up to 90.91%.Conclusion: The methylation pattern of multiple tumour suppressor genes in the bile samples may contribute to the preoperative diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice. Further study with larger sample size should allow us to better determine the sensitivity and specificity of such diagnostic tool.
Laparoscopic versus Open Approach of Small Bowel Obstruction due to Food Bolus: A Comparative Study
Authors: CHEUNG H.Y.S. , YAU K.K. , SIU W.T. , LI M.K.W. 
Published: April 2004

Introduction: Food bolus is an uncommon cause of small bowel obstruction, and the traditional treatment is by laparotomy. With the mastery of minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction has been demonstrated to be feasible and safe.Aim: A retrospective comparative study was conducted to compare patients treated by conventional open approach vs. laparoscopic approach in terms of operation time, postoperative complications, hospital stay and recurrence rate.Patients and Method: Between November 1998 to November 2003, patients with the diagnosis of small bowel obstruction with or without operation were retrieved from the hospital computer record. Those operated patients will have their operation record reviewed to identify all food bolus obstruction cases. The case notes of these patients were study to collect data for analysis.Result: A total of 496 cases of small bowel obstruction due to variable causes were found. Only 24 cases (4.8%) were due to food bolus obstruction. 14 cases were treated by conventional open method (OP group) and 10 cases were treated by laparoscopic approach (LAP group). Three cases in LAP group were converted to open by minilaparotomy wound. Both groups were comparable in age and sex. The median operation time was 47.5 min (25–65) in LAP group versus 65 min (30–150) in OP group, P=0.068. The median hospital stay was 4.0 days (3–14) in LAP group versus 7.5 days (5–120) in OP group, P=0.009. There was no postoperative complication in LAP group whereas OP group encountered four complications, P=0.038. There was no recurrence in both groups after median follow up time of 20 months (3–54).Conclusion: Small bowel obstruction due to food bolus is uncommon. Laparoscopic approach was safe and feasible in managing this condition with shorter operation time, shorter hospital stay and less complication than conventional open method.
Holmium laser core through internal urethrotomy with explantation of UroLume stent. An ideal approach for a complicated posterior urethral stricture
Authors: GUPTA N.P. , ANSARI M.S. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAlthough the UroLume wallstent has been proven effective in the treatment of recurrent urethral stricture, obstruction may recur in some cases. A likely cause of obstruction is hyperplastic tissue reaction, which may necessitate the removal of the stent. The hyperplastic tissue reaction may be severe, resulting in a completely obliterative stricture. Stent removal with a completely obliterative stricture and the stent in situ is a tedious job, as there is no lumen in which to place the laser fiber to cut the stent wires. We report on a patient in whom a UroLume urethral stent was placed one year ago for post‐traumatic recurrent bulbomembranous urethral stricture. The stricture recurred in spite of the stent in place and the lumen was finally completely obliterated. A holmium laser was used for core through internal urethrotomy and the explantation of the stent.
Successful bladder management for a pure urogenital sinus anomaly
Authors: KITTA TAKEYA , KAKIZAKI HIDEHIRO , IWAMI DAIKI , TANDA KATUTOSHI 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe report on a case of a pure urogenital sinus anomaly presented with bladder distention. A seven‐day‐old girl with an abdominal distension was referred to the Division of Urology, Hakodate Central Hospital, Hakodate, Japan. A common urogenital sinus without abnormalities in the labium, clitoris or anus was found. A computed tomography (CT) scan documented a distended bladder without hydrometrocolpos or hydroureteronephrosis. Cystography performed at 44 days revealed a large flaccid bladder without ureteral reflux. Urinary management by an indwelling urethral catheter was maintained until 3 months, when an endoscopic examination was performed and a stenotic urethral‐type urogenital sinus with low confluence was diagnosed. Parents successfully instituted clean intermittent catheterization as a temporary urinary management, and postvoid residual urine gradually decreased. At 2 years of age, flap vaginoplasty was performed. In an urodynamic study performed postoperatively, the detrusor pressure during voiding was 40–50 cmH2O. The patient maintained spontaneous voiding without consequences. Appropriate urinary care is essential to prevent urological complications in cases with a pure urogenital sinus anomaly.
A case of traumatic testicular torsion associated with a ruptured epididymis
Authors: KWONG YUNE , NATHAN TIM , MCDONALD JEAN 
Published: May 2004

AbstractTo salvage the testis, most urological surgeons advocate early exploration of enlarging scrotal masses or suspected testicular ruptures resulting from trauma. A case of testicular torsion within a hematoma, following blunt testicular trauma is presented, and we suggest that another indication for exploring a scrotal mass following blunt injury is to help establish an early diagnosis of torsion of the testicle.
Retrospective analysis of 135 renal trauma cases
Authors: SAHIN HAYRETTIN , AKAY ALI FERRUH , YILMAZ GÜLSEN , TAÇYILDIZ IBRAHIM HALIL , BIRCAN MEHMET KAMURAN 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBackground: We review our trauma cases over the last 11 years and discuss our diagnosis and treatment modalities.Methods: One hundred and thirty‐five patients with renal injuries who had been hospitalized in the Urology and General Surgery clinics of Dicle University hospital between 1990 and 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated with regard to age, sex, cause of trauma, transport time, diagnostic methods, grade of injuries, associated organ injuries, treatments and complications.Results: One hundred and forty‐one renal injuries were established in 135 patients. The patients were between 5 and 65 years old; 114 (84.4%) were male and 21 (15.6%) were female. The most common cause of injuries (99 patients) was penetrating injuries. The transport time to hospital after injury was approximately 116 min. Immediate laparotomy was performed in 95 hemodynamically unstable patients. Radiological investigations were carried out in the remaining 40 patients. Most of the injuries were grade 4 (28, 19.86%) or 5 (60, 42.55%). Isolated renal injury was established in only 22 of 135 patients. Nephrorrhaphy was performed in 45 of 141 kidneys. Twelve injured kidneys were managed conservatively. Nephrectomy was performed in 66 of 141 kidneys. The remaining injured kidneys were managed with different treatment methods. Twenty‐nine (21.48%) patients were lost intraoperatively or during the early postoperative period.Conclusion: We believe that our rates of nephrectomy and mortality were high because of the long transport time, unsuitable transport type, frequent high grade and high rate of associated organ injuries.
Simple testicular cyst: A rare cause of scrotal swelling in infancy
Authors: CEYLAN HALUK , KARACA İRFAN , SARI İBRAHİM , ORTAÇ RAGIP , ÖZOKUTAN B. HAYRİ , KERVANCIOĞLU SELİM 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA simple testicular cyst is a rare cause of scrotal swelling in infancy. Only 10 cases have been reported in children less than two years of age in the English literature. Pathogenesis of the lesion is unclear. Preoperative diagnosis is possible using ultrasonography (US). Testis‐sparing surgery with simple enucleation of the cyst has a favorable outcome. We report two patients with a simple testicular cyst, who were 9 and 8 months of age. The first case was referred with a presumptive diagnosis of hydrocele, and the second infant was admitted with a history of testicular swelling. Ultrasonography provided accurate preoperative diagnosis in both of the cases. The patients were successfully treated with testis‐sparing surgery with outstanding long‐term results. This unusual lesion of infancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a scrotal mass.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the kidney
Authors: ISHIKAWA TOMOMOTO , FUJISAWA MASATO , TAMADA HIROSHI , INOUE TAKAAKI , SHIMATANI NOBORI 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA 38‐year‐old man without prior contributory history presented complaining of a tumor in the left upper abdomen without tenderness. Suspecting renal cell carcinoma of the dark cell type, a nephrectomy was performed. Microscopic examination showed a proliferation of spindle cells containing numerous blood vessels. A diffuse infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells was scattered throughout the lesion.
Multiple primary malignancies in Japanese patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: SATO SOSHU , SHINOHARA NOBUO , SUZUKI SHIN , HARABAYASHI TORU , KOYANAGI TOMOHIKO 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the incidence, nature and prognosis of multiple primary malignancies involving renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Japan.Methods: Between 1975 and 1998, 319 patients underwent an operation for RCC at Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. The incidence of other primary malignancies was determined and classified as antecedent, synchronous or subsequent. Follow‐up was obtained by thorough chart review or telephone interview, and ranged from 0 to 276 months (median 49.0 months). To analyze the influence of other primary malignancies on prognosis, overall and cause‐specific survival rates of the patients with an antecedent or synchronous malignancy were compared to the remaining patients.Results:  Of the 319 patients there was at least one other malignancy in 38 patients (12%). Four patients had two other malignancies. The other malignancies were antecedent in 13, synchronous in 19 and subsequent in 10 patients. Twenty‐two patients had gastrointestinal cancer. In cases of antecedent or synchronous diagnosis of other primary malignancies, RCC was commonly incidental, small or low‐stage. Multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model showed that, for overall survival, the presence of other antecedent or synchronous malignancies was the second most significant prognostic factor, following the pathological stage of RCC.Conclusions: In Japanese patients with RCC, the incidence of other primary malignancies was not uncommon and these malignancies contributed to the prognosis of these patients. Therefore, the malignant potential of individual tumors should be paid careful attention in the management of these patients.