bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Genetic Basis of Phenotype Expression in Plants
Authors: OKADA KIYOTAKA , ISHIGURO SUMIE , ARAKI TAKASHI 
Published: February 2005

Abstract Recent developments in plant molecular genetics have revealed a direct relationship between gene structure and its function in plant structure, development, response to stimuli, and metabolic pathways. The rapid progress in this field depends mainly on intensive efforts at isolation of a series of mutants using selected model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), rice (Oryza sativa), and maize (Zea mays). Arabidopsis thaliana is a small crucifer, called “botanical Drosophila” because it has some remarkable features: small genome size, short life‐cycle, small size, and ease of propagation. More than 200 research groups in many countries have isolated mutants defective in the development of embryo, shoot, flower, and root, as well as in response reactions to physical and chemical stimuli such as gravity, light, nutrients, and phytohormones. Some of the Arabidopsis mutants show aberrant structures that may be identified as non‐crucifer characters. For example, a flower mutant, SAKURA. often bears five petals; another mutant, LEUNIG, has no ovarian septum. TERMINAL FLOWER mutant changes indeterminate inflorescence to determinate. Some root mutants do not form lateral roots. Several mutants form one cotyledon. These morphology mutants will provide hints for considering critical genetic changes that may have caused the past evolutionary events.Genes isolated from the morphology mutants are classified into three groups: coding transcription factors, kinases, and other protein motifs. Although the detailed molecular mechanism in the mutants is not known, hierarchical regulatory networks of the genes are being investigated. We will provide examples of the genetic networks at work in organ development, and discuss possible genetic changes that result in drastic morphological variation.
Effects of shot‐peening intensity on fretting fatigue crack‐initiation behaviour of Ti–6Al–4V
Authors: SABELKIN V. , MARTINEZ S. A. , MALL S. , SATHISH S. , BLODGETT M. P. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTThe effects of shot‐peening intensity on fretting fatigue crack‐initiation behaviour of titanium alloy, Ti–6Al–4V, were investigated. Three intensities, 4A, 7A and 10A with 100% surface coverage, were employed. The contact geometry involved a cylinder‐on‐flat configuration. Residual stress and improvement in fretting fatigue life were directly related to shot‐peening intensity. The magnitude of compensatory tensile stress and its location away from the contact surface increased with increasing intensity. The relaxation of residual stress occurred during fretting fatigue which increased with increasing the number of cycles. An analysis using a critical plane‐based fatigue crack‐initiation model showed that stress relaxation during the fretting fatigue affects life and location of crack initiation. Greater relaxation of the residual stress caused greater reduction of fatigue life and shifted the location of crack initiation from inside towards the contact surface. Modified shear stress range (MSSR) parameter was able to predict fretting fatigue crack‐initiation location, which agreed with the experimental counterparts. Also, the computed parameter showed an appropriate trend with the experimental observations of the measured fretting fatigue life based on the shot‐peening intensity.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and sports: a case–control study
Authors: Valenti M. , Pontieri F. E. , Conti F. , Altobelli E. , Manzoni T. , Frati L. 
Published: February 2005

An increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) amongst soccer players in Italy has recently been reported. A case–control study (300 cases and 300 matched controls) wass conducted to explore the association between ALS and physical/sports activities, with specific reference to trauma‐related risk. Neither the practice of competitive sports nor sports‐related traumas were found to be associated with an increased risk of ALS. The practice of physical activities or sports is not per se a risk factor for ALS. Our results exclude sports‐related microtraumas as etiopathogenic factors in the natural history of ALS.
Mechanisms of allergen immunotherapy
Authors: Akdis M. , Schmidt‐Weber C. , Jutel M. , Akdis C. A. , Blaser K. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe molecular and cellular mechanisms of allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) have recently been investigated. It appears that, similar to a normal immune response to allergen, the generation of allergen‐specific, regulatory/suppressor T cells plays a key role in succcessful SIT. T cells before and after SIT and exposure to high allergen doses, showed distinct cytokine profiles. The frequency of interleukin (IL)‐10‐producing T cells revealed that allergen‐specific regulatory/suppressor T cells represent a dominant allergen‐specific T cell subset in healthy individuals and succesful SIT. IL‐10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β induce tolerance in T cells and regulate the specific immunity. Our results demonstrate that IL‐10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β secreting regulatory/suppressor T cells control the healthy allergen response in cooperation with other suppressor molecules, and depletion of this T cell subset or blocking of expressed suppressor molecules, enhanced the specific response. Furthermore, IL‐10 is able to generate noninflammatory IgG4 antibodies and TGF‐β is a switch and promoting factor for IgA. Both cytokines suppress IgE formation. Thus, induction of specific unresponsiveness (tolerance) and development of allergen‐specific regulatory CD4+, CD25+ T cells secreting IL‐10 and/or TGF‐β and the recovery of effector T cells by cytokines from the tissue microenvironment, represent key steps in SIT of allergy and natural immunity to allergens.
Superallergens: a novel mechanism of IgE‐mediated activation of human basophils and mast cells
Authors: Marone G. , Rossi F. W. , Bova M. , Detoraki A. , Liccardo B. , Petraroli A. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryHere we report that specific proteins induced in vivo by viruses (e.g. protein Fv), viral proteins (e.g. gp120) or bacterial proteins (e.g. protein L and protein A) can activate human mast cells and basophils (FcεRI+ cells) to release proinflammatory mediators and cytokines, thereby functioning as immunoglobulin superallergens. Protein Fv acts as an endogenous immunoglobulin superallergen by interacting with IgE VH3+. Similarly, gp120 of HIV‐1 is a viral superallergen activating FcεRI+ cells through interaction with IgE VH3+. Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus functions by interacting with IgE VH3+. Finally, Peptostreptococcus magnus, protein L and a fragment denoted B1–B4 induce mediator release from FcεRI+ cells through interaction with κ light chains of IgE bound on human FcεRI+ cells. Thus, we have identified a novel mechanism by which endogenous, bacterial and viral proteins specifically activate FcεRI+ cells, thereby acting as immunoglobulin superallergens. The in vivo implications of IgE‐mediated activation of human FcεRI+ cells by these immunoglobulin superallergens have yet to be defined. However, it is not inconceivable that endogenous, bacterial and viral superallergens play a pathophysiological role in certain forms of allergic reactions.
RasGRP4 is a lineage‐restricted, guanine nucleotide exchange factor/phorbol ester receptor that controls mast cell development
Authors: Stevens R. L. , Yang Y. , Li L. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe nucleotide sequences of the mouse, rat, and human cDNAs and genes that encode the fourth member of the Ras Guanine Nucleotide Releasing Protein (RasGRP) family of signaling proteins have been deduced. RasGRP4 is a mast cell (MC) restricted, cation‐dependent, guanine nucleotide exchange factor. It also is a diacylglycerol/phorbol ester receptor that plays a prominent role in dictating which protease and eicosanoid mediators are expressed in rat and human MC lines. RasGRP4 appears to act downstream of the surface receptor Kit/CD117 and upstream of the transcription factor MITF. Allelic variants of RasGRP4 have been identified, as well as functionally different isoforms that are the result of variable splicing of its gene. Earlier gene‐linkage studies revealed a site on chromosome 7A3‐B1 that controls intrinsic airway reactivity to methacholine in backcrossed C3H/HeJ and A/J mice. The 18‐exon mRasGRP4 gene resides on chromosome 7A3‐B1, and recent studies revealed that the MCs developed from the hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mouse strain preferentially produce a defective isoform of mRasGRP4. These and other data suggest that RasGRP4 is of critical importance in MC development and that the expression of abnormal isoforms of the protein can lead to MC dysfunction.
Phenotypical and functional heterogeneity of human lung macrophages
Authors: Triggiani M. , Giannattasio G. , Balestrieri B. , Loffredo S. , Forte V. , Granata F. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryMacrophages are tissue‐specific, highly specialized components of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). In the lung macrophages constitute a heterogeneous cell population distributed in different compartments. At least two populations of macrophages can be isolated from mechanically dispersed human lung according to their flotation over density gradients: high density macrophages (HDM) and low density macrophages (LDM). Compared with LDM, a significantly higher percentage of HDM expressed CD40, CD45 and CD86. In contrast, LDM expressed higher levels of the activation markers CD63 and CD64. HDM released higher amounts of TNF‐α in response to LPS than LDM. In addition, HDM, but not LDM, produced IL‐6 when stimulated with histamine. This effect was antagonized by levocetirizine, indicating that it was mediated by the activation of H1 receptor. Thus, the human lung comprises two macrophage populations that differ in surface marker expression and in cytokine production in response to unrelated stimuli.
Natural killer cells and cross‐talk with dendritic cells
Authors: Moretta L. , Ferlazzo G. , Melioli G. , Moretta A. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryNatural Killer (NK) cells, a major actor of the innate immunity, play a central role in defences against viral infectious and tumor growth. NK cells are regulated by a number of surface receptors that either activate or inhibit their function. Of major interest are the inhibitory receptors specific for HLA‐class I molecules. These receptors allow to discriminate between normal cells, expressing sufficient amounts of HLA‐class I molecules, and cells that have lost the surface expression of one or more HLA‐class I alleles, as it occurs in virus‐infected or tumor cells. As shown by recent studies, NK cells can interact with dendritic cells (DC), another important player of the innate immunity. The cross‐talk between these cells, taking place in inflamed tissues and lymph nodes, may shape the functional activities of both cell types and influence downstream adaptive responses initiated by the interaction between DC and T lymphocyte in secondary lymphoid tissues.
The role of dendritic cells in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Novak N. , Bieber T. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a biphasic inflammatory skin disease characterized by an initial phase predominated by Th2 cytokines which switches into a second and more chronic Th1 dominated eczematous phase. Two different, the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) bearing dendritic cell subtypes have been identified in the skin of AD patients: FcεRIhigh Langerhans cells (LC) and FcεRIhigh inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells (IDEC). These two dendritic cell subtypes are supposed to contribute distinctly to the biphasic nature and the outcome of T‐cell responses in AD. In the light of recent developments a picture emerges that different IgE‐receptor bearing DC subtypes in the blood and the skin of AD patients play a pivotal role in the complex pathophysiological network of AD.
Chemokines and their receptors in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Sinigaglia F. , Panina Bordignon P. , D'Ambrosio D. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryT‐cell trafficking into pulmonary tissue is a critical component of the host defense response. Migration of T cells into the lung also appears to orchestrate inflammation, tissue injury and remodelling of tissue architecture. Accumulating evidence suggest that chemokines and their receptors constitute essential cues for the recruitment and localization of T cells into sites of inflammation. Because of the clinical importance of chemokines and the potential benefit of pharmaceutical intervention in the chemokine pathway, there have been many recent advances in the chemokine field. This review focuses on recent data either from clinical observations or animal models that have highlighted the role chemokine biology in asthma and COPD.
The effects of T cell peptides in patients sensitive to cats
Authors: Larché Mark , Kay A. Barry 
Published: February 2005

SummarySynthetic peptides representing T cell epitopes of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 were administered by intradermal injection or inhalation to cat allergic asthmatic volunteers. Both routes of administration were associated with the induction of IgE‐independent, MHC‐restricted isolated late asthmatic reactions (LAR; prolonged bronchoconstriction initiating 2–4 hours after peptide challenge) in a proportion of individuals. Administration via the intradermal, but not the inhaled route, was associated with the induction of antigen‐specific hyporesponsiveness or “tolerance”, both in vivo and in vitro. Following intradermal peptide administration, the magnitude of both the early‐ and late‐phase skin reaction to intradermal challenge with whole allergen extract were significantly reduced. In vitro, proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were reduced together with both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Production of IL‐10 was increased. LAR were not a pre‐requisite for the induction of tolerance. Hyporesponsiveness was transient but several months were required to return to basal reactivity.
Mating structure and genetic relatedness among gynes in the primitively eusocial waspPolistes snelleni(Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Authors: SAYAMA Katsuhiko , TAKAHASHI Jun‐ichi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractMating structure and genetic relatedness among gynes (potential reproductive females) of the paper waspPolistes snelleniwere investigated using DNA microsatellite markers. All colonies had one foundress inseminated by a single male, and no sign of inbreeding was detected. The mean genetic relatedness among gynes was 0.734 ± 0.028 (SE), which is not significantly different from the expected value of 0.75 for full sisters.
Amoxicillin Resistance in Helicobacter pylori: Studies from Tokyo, Japan from 1985 to 2003
Authors: Watanabe Kazuhiro , Tanaka Akifumi , Imase Kyoto , Tokunaga Kengo , Sugano Hajime , Kai Akemi , Ishida Hitoshi , Itoh Takeshi , Takahashi Shin’ichi 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground.  Previous reports revealed no resistant strains of amoxicillin (AMPC), which is usually used in eradication therapy for H. pylori infection. However, the frequency and evolution of natural AMPC‐resistant strains in the Japanese population remains unknown.Aim.  To assess the prevalence of H. pylori resistance against AMPC in the Tokyo area, a collection of 648 H. pylori strains isolated from patients with GI diseases from 1985 to 2003 was tested for their sensitivity to AMPC.Methods.  The susceptibility of the strains was assessed by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the E‐test and/or the Dry‐plate method. The susceptibility breakpoints of AMPC for H. pylori were: sensitive (AMPC‐S); MIC < 0.04 µg/ml, intermittent resistance (AMPC‐I); 0.04–1, resistant (AMPC‐R); > 1.Results.  No AMPC‐R strains were detected in the strains isolated between 1985 and 1996, while the rate of resistance was determined to be 1.1%, 2.1%, 5.4%, 5.6%, 0%, 8.8%, and 1.5% every year, respectively, from 1997 to 2003. The percentage of AMPC‐I strains increased from 2000 to 2003. The total eradication rate of H. pylori in the patients who received triple therapy containing AMPC was 81.4% (214/263). Classified as above, the rates of AMPC‐S, AMPC‐I, and AMPC‐R were 84.6%, 77.8%, 25%, respectively.Conclusion.  H. pylori resistance to AMPC is still rare in Japan, although the percentage of AMPC‐I strains has increased over the last 4 years. The frequency of isolation of strains showing true resistance to AMPC may increase in the future, along with an increase in the frequency of isolation of AMPC‐I strains.
Effect of Dietary Anti‐Urease Immunoglobulin Y onHelicobacter pyloriInfection in Mongolian Gerbils
Authors: Nomura Sachiko , Suzuki Hidekazu , Masaoka Tatsuhiro , Kurabayashi Kumiko , Ishii Hiromasa , Kitajima Masaki , Nomoto Kikuo , Hibi Toshifumi 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground and aim. Helicobacter pyloriis known to be a major pathogenic factor in the development of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Recently, chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin Y (IgY) has been recognized as an inexpensive antibody source for passive immunization against gastrointestinal infections. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of anti‐urease IgY onH. pyloriinfection in Mongolian gerbils.Methods. H. pylori‐infected Mongolian gerbils were administered a diet containing anti‐urease IgY, with or without famotidine (F). After 10 weeks, bacterial culture and measurement of the gastric mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were performed. In a second experiment, another group of gerbils was started on a diet containing F + IgY a week prior toH. pyloriinoculation. After 9 weeks, these animals were examined.Results. In theH. pylori‐infected gerbils, there were no significant differences in the level ofH. pyloricolonization among the different dietary and control groups. However, the MPO activity was significantly decreased in theH. pylorigroup administered the F + IgY diet compared with that in theH. pylorigroup administered the IgY, F, or control diet. Furthermore, in the gerbils administered the F + IgY diet prior to the bacterial inoculation, inhibition ofH. pyloricolonization and suppression of the elevated gastric mucosal MPO activity were observed.Conclusions. Oral administration of urease‐specific IgY not only inhibitedH. pyloridisease activity inH. pylori‐infected gerbils, but also preventedH. pyloricolonization in those not yet infected. These encouraging results may pave the way for a novel therapeutic and prophylactic approach in the management ofH. pylori‐associated gastroduodenal disease.
Intranasal CpG‐Oligodeoxynucleotide is a Potent Adjuvant of Vaccine against Helicobacter pylori, and T Helper 1 Type Response and Interferon‐γ Correlate with the Protection
Authors: Shi Tong , Liu Wen‐zhong , Gao Fei , Shi Gui‐ying , Xiao Shu‐dong 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground.  Although a series of vaccines against Helicobacter pylori have emerged in the past 10 years, the mechanism involved in their protective effect is yet to be elucidated, and more effective vaccine adjuvants remain to be developed. In this study, CpG‐oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG‐ODN) was investigated as a new candidate for a H. pylori vaccine adjuvant. Furthermore, the role of T helper 1 (Th1) type response and interferon (IFN)‐γ in the protective immunity was explored.Methods.  C57BL/6 mice and IFN‐γ knockout mice were intranasally or orally immunized with H. pylori whole cell sonicate (WCS)/CpG‐ODN and challenged with different doses [5 × 108 and 5 × 106 colony‐forming units (CFU)] of H. pylori. The protective effect was assessed as the percentage of noninfected mice. The responsive antibodies and cytokines were analyzed using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry.Results.  The prevention rates against H. pylori infection in mice intranasally immunized with WCS plus CpG‐ODN were dramatically higher than those in sham‐immunized mice (70% vs. 0%, challenged with 5 × 108 CFU H. pylori; 90% vs. 20%, challenged with 5 × 106 CFU H. pylori). Significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and IFN‐γ were detected in the mice immunized with WCS/CpG than in sham‐immunized controls. However, vaccination failed to effectively protect IFN‐γ knockout mice challenged with H. pylori.Conclusions.  CpG‐ODN given intranasally is a potent adjuvant for development of a H. pylori vaccine. Th1‐type response and IFN‐γ are involved in the protection.
Tooth Loss and Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity: the Newcastle Thousand Families Cohort Study at Age 49–51 Years
Authors: Pearce Mark S. , Steele James G. , Campbell David I. , Thomas Julian E. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground.  Helicobacter pylori, one of the commonest chronic bacterial infections of humankind, is an important risk factor for gastric carcinoma. It has also been suggested to be present in dental plaque. This study investigated the potential link between the number of teeth lost and H. pylori seropositivity at age 50 years.Methods.  H. pylori seropositivity at age 50 years was investigated among 334 individuals born in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, in May and June 1947 and related to the number of teeth lost, after adjusting for socioeconomic status.Results.  The unadjusted risk of being seropositive for H. pylori increased with increasing number of teeth lost (odds ratio per tooth 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.06, p = .019). However, after adjustment for socioeconomic status at birth and at age 50 years, the relationship was no longer significant (p = .36).Conclusions.  Our results, obtained using prospectively collected data, suggest that any relationship between poor oral health and seropositivity to H. pylori may be due to both tooth loss and H. pylori colonization being associated with socioeconomic status and related factors.
Phase relationships in grunerite–garnet‐bearing amphibolites in the system CFMASH, with applications to metamorphic rocks from the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt, South Africa
Authors: ZEH A. , HOLLAND T. J. B. , KLEMD R. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractA petrogenetic grid in the model system CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O is presented, illustrating the phase relationships among the minerals grunerite, hornblende, garnet, clinopyroxene, chlorite, olivine, anorthite, zoisite and aluminosilicates, with quartz and H2O in excess. The grid was calculated with the computer software thermocalc, using an upgraded version of the internally consistent thermodynamic dataset HP98 and non‐ideal mixing activity models for all solid solutions. From this grid, quantitative phase diagrams (P–T pseudosections) are derived and employed to infer a P–T path for grunerite–garnet‐bearing amphibolites from the Endora Klippe, part of the Venetia Klippen Complex within the Central Zone of the Limpopo Belt. Agreement between calculated and observed mineral assemblages and garnet zonation indicates that this part of the Central Zone underwent a prograde temperature and pressure increase from c. 540 °C/4.5 kbar to 650 °C/6.5 kbar, followed by a post‐peak metamorphic pressure decrease. The inferred P–T path supports a geotectonic model suggesting that the area surrounding the Venetia kimberlite pipes represents the amphibolite‐facies roof zone of migmatitic gneisses and granulites that occur widely within the Central Zone. In addition, the P–T path conforms to an interpretation that the Proterozoic evolution of the Central Zone was controlled by horizontal tectonics, causing stacking and differential heating at c. 2.0 Ga.