bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of 2-Hydroxyisoflavanone Dehydratase. Involvement of Carboxylesterase-Like Proteins in Leguminous Isoflavone Biosynthesis
Authors: Akashi Tomoyoshi , Aoki Toshio , Ayabe Shin-ichi 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Isoflavonoids are ecophysiologically active secondary metabolites of the Leguminosae and known for health-promoting phytoestrogenic functions. Isoflavones are synthesized by 1,2-elimination of water from 2-hydroxyisoflavanones, the first intermediate with the isoflavonoid skeleton, but details of this dehydration have been unclear. We screened the extracts of repeatedly fractionated Escherichia coli expressing a Glycyrrhiza echinata cDNA library for the activity to convert a radiolabeled precursor into formononetin (7-hydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone), and a clone of 2-hydroxyisoflavanone dehydratase (HID) was isolated. Another HID cDNA was cloned from soybean (Glycine max), based on the sequence information in its expressed sequence tag library. Kinetic studies revealed that G. echinata HID is specific to 2,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavanone, while soybean HID has broader specificity to both 4′-hydroxylated and 4′-methoxylated 2-hydroxyisoflavanones, reflecting the structures of isoflavones contained in each plant species. Strikingly, HID proteins were members of a large carboxylesterase family, of which plant proteins form a monophyletic group and some are assigned defensive functions with no intrinsic catalytic activities identified. Site-directed mutagenesis with soybean HID protein suggested that the characteristic oxyanion hole and catalytic triad are essential for the dehydratase as well as the faint esterase activities. The findings, to our knowledge, represent a new example of recruitment of enzymes of primary metabolism during the molecular evolution of plant secondary metabolism.
Control of Sodium Transport in Durum Wheat
Authors: Davenport Romola , James Richard A. , Zakrisson-Plogander Anna , Tester Mark , Munns Rana 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
In many species, salt sensitivity is associated with the accumulation of sodium (Na+) in photosynthetic tissues. Na+ uptake to leaves involves a series of transport steps and so far very few candidate genes have been implicated in the control of these processes. In this study, Na+ transport was compared in two varieties of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) L. subsp. durum known to differ in salt tolerance and Na+ accumulation; the relatively salt tolerant landrace line 149 and the salt sensitive cultivar Tamaroi. Genetic studies indicated that these genotypes differed at two major loci controlling leaf blade Na+ accumulation (R. Munns, G.J. Rebetzke, S. Husain, R.A. James, R.A. Hare [2003] Aust J Agric Res 54: 627–635). The physiological traits determined by these genetic differences were investigated using measurements of unidirectional 22Na+ transport and net Na+ accumulation. The major differences in Na+ transport between the genotypes were (1) the rate of transfer from the root to the shoot (xylem loading), which was much lower in the salt tolerant genotype, and (2) the capacity of the leaf sheath to extract and sequester Na+ as it entered the leaf. The genotypes did not differ significantly in unidirectional root uptake of Na+ and there was no evidence for recirculation of Na+ from shoots to roots. It is likely that xylem loading and leaf sheath sequestration are separate genetic traits that interact to control leaf blade Na+.
A Novel Dwarfing Mutation in a Green Revolution Gene from Brassica rapa
Authors: Muangprom Amorntip , Thomas Stephen G. , Sun Tai-ping , Osborn Thomas C. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Mutations in the biosynthesis or signaling pathways of gibberellin (GA) can cause dwarfing phenotypes in plants, and the use of such mutations in plant breeding was a major factor in the success of the Green Revolution. DELLA proteins are GA signaling repressors whose functions are conserved in different plant species. Recent studies show that GA promotes stem growth by causing degradation of DELLA proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The most widely utilized dwarfing alleles in wheat (Triticum aestivum; e.g. Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b) encode GA-resistant forms of a DELLA protein that function as dominant and constitutively active repressors of stem growth. All of the previously identified dominant DELLA repressors from several plant species contain N-terminal mutations. Here we report on a novel dwarf mutant from Brassica rapa (Brrga1-d) that is caused by substitution of a conserved amino acid in the C-terminal domain of a DELLA protein. Brrga1-d, like N-terminal DELLA mutants, retains its repressor function and accumulates to high levels, even in the presence of GA. However, unlike wild-type and N-terminal DELLA mutants, Brrga1-d does not interact with a protein component required for degradation, suggesting that the mutated amino acid causes dwarfism by preventing an interaction needed for its degradation. This novel mutation confers nondeleterious dwarf phenotypes when transferred to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus), indicating its potential usefulness in other crop species.
Water Stress Deforms Tracheids Peripheral to the Leaf Vein of a Tropical Conifer
Authors: Brodribb Tim J. , Holbrook N. Michele 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Just as a soggy paper straw is prone to yielding under the applied suction of a thirsty drinker, the xylem tracheids in leaves seem prone to collapse as water potential declines, impeding their function. Here we describe the collapse, under tension, of lignified cells peripheral to the leaf vein of a broad-leaved rainforest conifer, Podocarpus grayi de Laub. Leaves of Podocarpus are characterized by an array of cylindrical tracheids aligned perpendicular to the leaf vein, apparently involved in the distribution of water radially through the mesophyll. During leaf desiccation the majority of these tracheids collapsed from circular to flat over the water potential range −1.5 to −2.8 MPa. An increase in the percentage of tracheids collapsed during imposed water stress was mirrored by declining leaf hydraulic conductivity (K leaf), implying a direct effect on water transport efficiency. Stomata responded to water stress by closing at −2.0 MPa when 45% of cells were collapsed and K leaf had declined by 25%. This was still substantially before the initial indications of cavitation-induced loss of hydraulic conductance in the leaf vein, at −3 MPa. Plants droughted until 49% of tracheids had collapsed were found to fully recover tracheid shape and leaf function 1 week after rewatering. A simple mechanical model of tracheid collapse, derived from the theoretical buckling pressure for pipes, accurately predicted the collapse dynamics observed in P. grayi, substantiating estimates of cell wall elasticity and measured leaf water potential. The possible adaptive advantages of collapsible vascular tissue are discussed.
Patterns and determinants of shorebird species richness in the circumpolar Arctic
Authors: Henningsson Sara S. , Alerstam Thomas 
Published: February 2005

AbstractAim The intention with this study was first to investigate and describe the broad‐scale geographical patterns of species richness of breeding shorebirds (Charadriiformes; families: Charadriidae, Scolopacidae and Haematopodidae) throughout the arctic tundra biome. Secondly, after compensating for the positive relationship between net primary productivity (NPP) and species richness, the relative importance of additional ecological and historical variables for species richness was investigated. The main variables considered are NPP, length of snow‐ and ice‐free season, accessibility of regions depending on migratory flyway systems, tundra area at Pleistocene (120 and 20–18 kabp) and Holocene (8 kabp) times, and tundra area at present.Methods Information on shorebird species breeding distributions was compiled from distribution atlases and species accounts. The breeding distributions of shorebirds with ranges partly or completely in the Arctic (a total of 50 species) were mapped in ArcView 3.2 to create a raster grid layer of shorebird species richness at a 1° latitude × longitude resolution. The total and mean species richness value was calculated per each 10° of longitude sector of the Arctic. The relationships between species richness and the different climatic and environmental variables were analysed on the basis of this sector‐wise division of the arctic tundra. The influence of each variable on species richness was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses (multivariate linear regression and general linear model).Results We found that patterns of breeding shorebird species richness in the Arctic tundra biome are to a large degree determined by the NPP, the length of the snow‐ or ice‐free season, the diversity of migratory flyways, as well as the historical extent of tundra habitat area during the maximum cooling of the last glacial period. Essentially, two main regions are distinguishable in the circumpolar Arctic regarding shorebird community richness. These are a species‐rich Beringia‐centred region and a species‐poor Atlantic‐centred region.Main conclusions The underlying explanations to these major trends may primarily be attributed to factors that operate at present through accessibility of areas from contemporary migration flyways, as well as processes that operated in the past during and after the last glacial cycle. The most prominent influence on the shorebird diversity was found for NPP in combination with the diversity of migratory flyways. These flyways provide the links between breeding and wintering resources, often separated by huge distances, and the geographical and ecological conditions associated with the shorebirds’ migration seem to be of particular importance for their breeding diversity in different sectors of circumpolar tundra.
Effect of Acute Sublethal Endotoxaemia onIn VitroDigital Vascular Reactivity in Horses
Authors: Zerpa H. , Vega F. , Vasquez J. , Ascanio E. , Campos G. , Sogbe E. , Romero E. , Ascanio M. , García H. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryEndotoxaemia is a syndrome linked to the development of equine laminitis; however, the relationship between them is uncertain. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of an experimental acute sublethal endotoxaemia model onin vitroequine palmar digital vascular reactivity. Rings of arteries and veins of each forelimb were obtained from 11 clinically healthy horses submitted to two surgical procedures, 3 weeks apart. Before the second surgery, 0.25 μg/kg of lipopolysaccharide fromEscherichia coliO55:B5 in saline, was administered i.v. in 30 min. After 3 h, the vessels were harvested and submitted toin vitrovascular reactivity experiments and histopathology. The response to depolarizing Krebs solution (DKS, 40 mm), phenylephrine (PHE), acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were evaluated. All horses showed colic pain and watery diarrhoea, tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia and leucopenia. Concentration–response curve (CRC) to PHE was shifted to the left in arteries rings from endotoxemic horses without any effect on vein rings. The CRC to ACh was shifted to the right with a reduction in the maximal response. The response to SNP and DKS was similar between groups. There was no evidence of histopathological effects. The increased response to PHE in digital arteries together with a reduction of the endothelium‐dependent response to ACh in arteries and veins, confirm the existing reports where endotoxaemia was found to modify the digital vascular reactivity during the acute phase. As the digital endothelial function is impaired, there may be an increased potential to develop a digital prothrombotic state with a reduced vasodilatory capacity.
Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Two Canine Lipid‐Rich Mammary Carcinomas
Authors: Pérez‐Martínez C. , García‐Iglesias M. J. , Durán‐Navarrete A. J. , Espinosa‐Alvarez J. , García‐Fernández R. A. , Lorenzana‐Robles N. , Fernández‐Pérez S. , García‐Marín J. F. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryClinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings of two uncommon canine lipid‐rich mammary carcinomas are described. The predominant histological feature in both tumours was the presence of at least 80% of cells with intracytoplasmic vacuoles which stained positively with Sudan IV but not with alcian‐blue periodic acid‐schiff method. In both tumours, small groups of non‐vacuolated cells were identified among the vacuolated cells. However, histological and immunohistochemical differences were also found between these tumours. Thus, one of them was composed of tumour cells with a large and single vacuole, which were arranged in lobular pattern, while the other neoplasm showed an intraductal growth of tumour cells with a fine vacuolated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, in the first tumour most vacuolated cells were positive for CK (cytokeratin)8‐7, indicating a secretory epithelial immunophenotype while CK5 and CK8‐7‐expressing non‐vacuolated cells were associated with luminal duct immunophenotype. However, in the second tumour the expression of CK14 in most of vacuolated cells and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) in non‐vacuolated cells, alone or in combination with CK5 suggested a myoepithelial immunophenotype for both cell types. These results suggest heterogeneity of the cell type and growth pattern for this type of canine tumour as has been described in women but not in dogs.
Preliminary Observations on the Effect of Parity on First Day Ultrasonic Detection of Embryo and its Organs in Bovine
Authors: Kolour A. Kheradmand , Batavani R. A. , Ardabili F. Farrokhi 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on the first day of ultrasonic detection of embryo and its organs using 8 MHz frequency. For this purpose, six nulliparous heifers, five primiparous cows and six multiparous cows of the Holstein breed were selected and mated by a single bull from the herd. From day 16 after mating, cows and heifers were examined by ultrasonography thrice weekly for the day of first detection of the embryo and its organs. The mean of first‐day detection in heifers, primiparous and multiparous cows was as follows, respectively: allantois on days 22.3, 23 and 25.8; embryo proper on days 21.8, 23 and 27; heartbeat of embryo on days 26.1, 26.6 and 31.1; amnion on days 31, 31 and 30.8; limb buds on days 29.5, 28.8 and 30.6; stomach (abomasum) on days 32.2, 38.6 and 36.8; spinal column on days 32.6, 33.4 and 37.3; placentomes on days 33.3, 37 and 35.3; eyes on days 35.1, 35.4 and 38.6 and lens on days 40, 41.4 and 44. Although the mean of first day observation of all structures in heifers tends to be earlier than in the other groups, statistically, allantois, the embryo proper and its heartbeat in heifers and primipara were visualized significantly earlier than in multiparous cows. However, there were no differences between heifers and primiparous cows.
Exploring the impact of foreign direct investment on tobacco consumption in the former Soviet Union
Authors: Gilmore A B , McKee M 
Published: February 2005

Background:Tobacco is the single largest cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world; in the former socialist bloc tobacco kills twice as many men as in the west. Although evidence shows that liberalisation of the cigarette trade through the elimination of import barriers leads to significant increases in consumption, far less is known about the impact of foreign direct investment on cigarette consumption. This paper seeks to explore the impact that the substantial transnational tobacco company investments have had on patterns of tobacco trade and consumption in the former Soviet Union.Design:Routine data were used to explore trends in cigarette trade and consumption in the 15 countries of the former Soviet Union from the 1960s to the present day. Comparisons were made between trends in countries that have received substantial investment from the tobacco transnationals and countries that have not.Results:Between 1991 and 2000 cigarette production increased by 96% in countries receiving industry investment and by 11% in countries that did not. Over the same period cigarette consumption increased by 40%; the increase was concentrated in countries receiving investments. Despite these investments, cigarette imports still outweigh exports and no trade surplus has yet to result.Conclusions:The findings suggest that liberalisation of inward investment has a significant and positive impact on cigarette consumption and that without appropriate safeguards, market liberalisation may have long term negative impacts on health. Specific trade rules are needed to govern trade and investment in this uniquely harmful product. Implementation of effective tobacco control policies should precede tobacco industry privatisation. International financial organisations pressing for privatisation should ensure this occurs.
Smokeless tobacco use among professional baseball players: survey results, 1998 to 2003
Authors: Severson H H , Klein K , Lichtensein E , Kaufman N , Orleans C T 
Published: February 2005

Objective:The use of smokeless tobacco (ST) (snuff and chewing tobacco) has long been associated with baseball in the USA. This article reviews six years of survey data from major and minor league baseball players to evaluate trends in tobacco use and quitting patterns over time in order to gain insight into the effects of past interventions and to document continued intervention needs.Method:Surveys were distributed by athletic trainers to major and minor league professional baseball players during spring training session in the six years from 1998 to 2003. The surveys were anonymous and identified only by team, level of league, and other self reported demographic data.Results:ST use among professional baseball players remains much higher than among young males in the general population, and use is most prevalent among white non-Hispanic players. There was a significant decrease in ST use among minor league players from 1998 to 2003, with seven day self reported use declining from 31.7% in 1998 to 24.8% in 2003. No significant year to year changes were observed for major league players. Major league players’ self reported past week use rates, estimated at 35.9% in 1998 and at 36% in 2003, were consistently higher than those of minor league players. Self reported prevalence of past month cigarette and cigar smoking was much lower than ST use for both major and minor league players.Conclusions:Six years of survey data confirm a continuing high use of ST among professional baseball players. Results suggest that the effects of the broad spectrum ST control efforts launched over the past decade may have been stronger among minor than major league players. Stronger policy interventions at the major league level and multi-level efforts, including programmes to increase the use of effective quitting aids and assistance, at both levels of play are needed. Future research is needed to further clarify changes in ST practices among professional players and set policy intervention directions.
Smoke-free law did not affect revenue from gaming in Delaware
Authors: Mandel L L , Alamar B C , Glantz S A 
Published: February 2005

Objective:To determine the effect of the Delaware smoke-free law on gaming revenue.Methods:Linear regression of gaming revenue and average revenue per machine on a public policy variable, time, while controlling for economic activity and seasonal effects.Results:The linear regression showed that the smoke-free law was associated with no effect on total revenue or average revenue per machine.Conclusion:Smoke-free laws are associated with no change in gaming revenue.
An extremely compensatible cigarette by design: documentary evidence on industry awareness and reactions to the Barclay filter design cheating the tar testing system
Authors: Kozlowski L T , Dreschel N A , Stellman S D , Wilkenfeld J , Weiss E B , Goldberg M E 
Published: February 2005

Background:The Barclay cigarette (Brown & Williamson) was introduced in 1980 in the USA in the most expensive launch in history. In the USA and around the world, Barclay was later determined to have a grooved filter design that was compromised by human smokers in the normal act of smoking, but that was measured as ultra-low tar using the standard tar testing protocol.Objectives:To evaluate whether Brown & Williamson knew of the compensatability of Barclay during the design process and before it was released; to evaluate initial responses of competing tobacco companies to Barclay, before complaints were made to the Federal Trade Commission in 1981.Methods:Internet databases of industry documents (Tobacco Documents Online, Legacy Tobacco Documents Library, Brown & Williamson Litigation discovery website, Guildford and major company websites) were searched using key words, key dates, and targeted searches. Documents related specifically to the development, evaluation and release of the Barclay cigarette and related to the responses by competing tobacco companies were examined.Results:Documents indicate the manufacturer was aware of Barclay design problems and was planning, before release, to respond to criticism. Competing companies quickly detected the filter groove stratagem and considered developing their own similar filter, but eventually backed off.Conclusion:The design problems with Barclay were readily understood by cigarette manufacturers, including the maker of Barclay, before official governmental evaluations occurred. Testing involving measured exposures to human smokers may in the end be crucial to identifying problems with novel cigarette designs.
The Book of Job as Polyphonic Text
Authors: Newsom Carol A. 
Published: February 2005

The problem of the 'unity' of the book of Job has been an issue since the rise of historical criticism. Historical-critical analyses, final form literary approaches, and deconstructive readings engage the problem in enlightening but not wholly satisfying ways. A Bakhtinian approach that makes use of the categories of dialogic truth and polyphonic composition provides a means of acknowledging the sharp disjunctions in the book while still providing an account of the unity of the book as a whole. The book of Job can be seen as a dialogue of genres and 'voice ideas' in which no one voice is privileged as the voice of truth. At the same time issues raised in the book of Job disclose limitations in Bakhtin' s analysis of dialogue. In its structure Job's dialogue is internally endless, for the opposition of the soul to God-whether the opposition be hostile or humble-is conceived in it as something irrevocable and eternal. —M.M. Bakhtin, Problems of Dostoevsky's Art1