bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conserved extracellular cysteine residues and cytoplasmic loop–loop interplay are required for functionality of the heptahelical MLO protein
Authors: ELLIOTT Candace , MÜLLER Judith , MIKLIS Marco , BHAT Riyaz A. , SCHULZE-LEFERT Paul , PANSTRUGA Ralph 
Published: December 2004

We performed a structure–function analysis of the plasma membrane-localized plant-specific barley (Hordeum vulgare) MLO (powdery-mildew-resistance gene o) protein. Invariant cysteine and proline residues, located either in extracellular loops or transmembrane domains that have been conserved in MLO proteins for more than 400 million years, were found to be essential for MLO functionality and/or stability. Similarly to many metazoan G-protein-coupled receptors known to function as homo- and hetero-oligomers, FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) analysis revealed evidence for in planta MLO dimerization/oligomerization. Domain-swap experiments with closely related wheat and rice as well as diverged Arabidopsis MLO isoforms demonstrated that the identity of the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail contributes to MLO activity. Likewise, analysis of a progressive deletion series revealed that integrity of the C-terminus determines both MLO accumulation and functionality. A series of domain swaps of cytoplasmic loops with the wheat (Triticum aestivum) orthologue, TaMLO-B1, provided strong evidence for co-operative loop–loop interplay either within the protein or between MLO molecules. Our data indicate extensive intramolecular co-evolution of cytoplasmic domains in the evolutionary history of the MLO protein family.
Search for disease-specific cardiovascular reactivity patterns: developing the methodology
Authors: NASCHITZ Jochanan E. , ROZENBAUM Michael , FIELDS Madeline , ISSEROFF Hillel , ENIS Sean , BABICH Jay P. , PECK Shannon , RUBIN PECK Elisabeth , GAITINI Louis , NASCHITZ Shaul , SABO Edmond , ROSNER Itzhak 
Published: December 2004

Aberrations of CVR (cardiovascular reactivity), an expression of autonomic function, lack specificity for a particular disorder. Recently, a CVR pattern particular to chronic fatigue syndrome has been observed. In the present study, we aimed to develop methodologies for assessing disease-specific CVR patterns. As a prototype, a population of 50 consecutive patients with FMF (familial Mediterranean fever) was studied and compared with control populations. A 10 min supine/30 min head-up tilt test with recording of the heart rate and blood pressure or the pulse transit time was performed. Five studies were conducted applying different methods. In each study, statistical analysis identified independent predictors of CVR in FMF. Based on regression coefficients of these predictors, a linear DS (discriminant score) was computed for every subject. Each study established an equation to assess CVR, calculate DS for FMF and determine the sensitivity and specificity of the DS cut-off. In each of the five studies, abnormal CVR was observed in FMF patients. The best accuracy (88% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity for FMF) was obtained by a method based on beat-to-beat heart rate and pulse transit time recordings. Data was processed by fractal and recurrence quantitative analysis with recordings in FMF patients compared with a mixed control population. Identification of disease-specific CVR patterns was possible with the methodologies described in the present study. In FMF, disease-specific CVR may be explained by the interplay between neuroendocrine loops specific to FMF with cardiovascular homoeostatic mechanisms. Recognition of disease-specific CVR patterns may advance the understanding of homoeostatic mechanisms and have implications in clinical practice.
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids throughout the cancer trajectory: influence on disease incidence, progression, response to therapy and cancer-associated cachexia
Authors: Baracos Vickie E. , Mazurak Vera C. , Ma David W. L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractEvidence from epidemiological studies suggests that diets rich inn-3 PUFA may be associated with reduced cancer risk. These observations have formed the rationale for exploring the mechanisms by whichn-3 PUFA may be chemoprotective and have resulted in significant advances in our mechanistic understanding ofn-3 PUFA action on tumour growth. Various interrelated and integrated mechanisms may be at work by whichn-3 PUFA influence cancer at all stages of initiation, promotion, progression, and neoplastic transformation. More recently, experimental studies have reported enhanced tumour cell death with chemotherapy when fish oil is provided while toxic side effects to the host are reduced. Furthermore, cancer-associated wasting has been shown to be attenuated by fish oil supplementation. Clinical evidence suggests that then-3 PUFA status of newly diagnosed cancer patients and individuals undergoing chemotherapy is low. Therefore, both the disease itself and therapeutic treatments may be contributing factors in the decline ofn-3 PUFA status. Dietary supplementation to maintain and replenishn-3 PUFA status at key points in the cancer disease trajectory may provide additional health benefits and an enhanced quality of life. The present review will focus on and critically examine current research efforts related to the putative anti-cancer effects ofn-3 PUFA and their suggested ability to palliate cancer-associated and treatment-associated symptoms.
The essentiality of sulfur is closely related to nitrogen metabolism: a clue to hyperhomocysteinaemia
Authors: Ingenbleek Yves , Young Vernon R 
Published: December 2004

AbstractN and S metabolisms are closely interwoven throughout both the plant and animal kingdoms. The essentiality of S relates to its participation in the structure of S-containing amino acids (SAA), to its inclusion in many sulfonated molecules, and to a myriad of metabolic and catalytic reactions of vital importance. Methionine (Met) is the indispensable SAA supplied by food proteins and its plasma homeostasis is achieved via a number of highly efficient regulatory mechanisms. In all conditions characterised by a negative body protein balance such as in dietary restriction or cytokine-induced hypercatabolic losses, N and S endogenous pools manifest parallel tissue depletion rates. Adaptive conservation of N and S body stores is reached by a functional restraint of the trans-sulfuration cascade, through the depression of cystathionine β-synthase activity. As a result, upstream accumulation of homocysteine favours its re-methylation conversion to Met which helps maintain metabolic pathways of survival value. In addition to the measurement of vitamin indices, that of plasma transthyretin, a sensitive marker of protein nutritional status, is proposed to identify the fluctuations of the total body N component accountable for the alterations of homocysteine concentrations in body fluids.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in primary Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Koljonen Virve , Lassus Patrik , Tukiainen Erkki , Ristimäki Ari , Haglund Caj , Böhling Tom 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly malignant neuroendocrine skin tumor. The typical course of MCC is rapid progression of the primary tumor and metastatic dissemination to the regional lymph nodes. Thus far, no biological, prognostic marker has been established for this aggressive neoplasm.Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) is undetectable in most normal tissues, but it is induced in various cell types by inflammation and carcinogenesis. Although the expression and function of Cox‐2 have been studied extensively in several carcinomas, little is known about Cox‐2 expression in neuroendocrine carcinomas. The aim of the present report was to study Cox‐2 expression in MCC and find out whether this expression correlates with outcome.Methods:  Immunohistochemical analysis for Cox‐2 was performed on 22 primary MCC samples.Results:  Almost 70% of the samples showed positive staining. Protein expression of Cox‐2 was sparse and low in intensity. We found a tendency for enhanced Cox‐2 expression in tumors located in sun‐exposed areas. Cox‐2 expression had no significant statistical correlation with clinical parameters.Conclusions:  MCC expresses Cox‐2 in low levels, and the expression did not prove to be a prognostic factor. Furthermore, the low expression suggests that the primary treatment option for MCC is not therapeutic inhibition of Cox‐2.
Spiradenocylindrocarcinoma: a malignant hybrid tumor
Authors: Carlsten James R. , Lewis Michelle D. J. , Saddler Kirk , Reilly Peter , Pan Teddy , Gnepp Douglas R. , Robinson‐Bostom Leslie 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Eccrine spiradenomas and cylindromas are benign, slowly growing, cutaneous adnexal neoplasms, recently hypothesized to arise from a common pluripotential cell; malignant variants are rare. We found 48 cases of malignant spiradenomas and 33 cases of malignant cylindromas reported in the English literature. Benign tumors demonstrating both spiradenomatous and cylindromatous features have been infrequently reported. Recent immunohistochemical studies of these two tumors have provided compelling evidence that these two tumors may merely represent a single tumor type with a spectrum of histological features.Case report:  We describe two cases of a malignant variant of this rare hybrid tumor occurring in a 62‐year‐old male and a 72‐year‐old female.Conclusion:  We propose the term ‘spiradenocylindrocarcinoma’ to describe malignant tumors with features of both a spiradenoma and a cylindroma. In conjunction with histological features of malignancy, p53 and Ki‐67 immunohistochemical staining may provide helpful clues in determining the malignant potential of this tumor. Further studies are needed to clarify the biologic behavior of such lesions.
Osseous metaplasia in the setting of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy
Authors: Ruiz‐Genao Diana P. , Pascual‐Lopez Marta P. , Fraga Savier , Aragüés Maximiliano , Garcia‐Diez Amaro 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) is a new skin‐fibrosing disorder associated with renal dysfunction. It is marked by the acute onset of induration involving the upper and lower limbs, and it is characterized by distinctive histopathologic findings.Methods:  We report the case of a patient on hemodialysis who presented initially with the characteristic clinical and pathological features of NFD. The patient progressively developed painful hyperkeratotic spicules on both thighs and bone metaplasia was confirmed.Results:  Histological studies were performed at different stages of the disease showing an evolution from the well‐known initial phase of NFD, characterized by thickening of the dermis, increased number of fibroblast‐like cells, and mucin deposits, to an end stage characterized by the presence of dermal ossification.Conclusions:  We report the exceptional finding of bone metaplasia in the setting of a case of NFD.
luxR
Homolog
avhR
in
Agrobacterium vitis
Affects the Development of a Grape-Specific Necrosis and a Tobacco Hypersensitive Response
Authors: Hao Guixia , Zhang Hongsheng , Zheng Desen , Burr Thomas J. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

The
luxR
homolog
aviR
in
Agrobacterium vitis
strain F2/5 was recently shown to be associated with induction of a hypersensitive response (HR) on tobacco and necrosis on grape plants, indicating that the responses are regulated by quorum sensing. We now report a second
luxR
homolog,
avhR
, whose disruption (mutant M1320) results in HR-negative and reduced grape necrosis phenotypes. The deduced AvhR protein has characteristic autoinducer binding and DNA binding domains and is unique among reported functional LuxR homologs in having substitutions at highly conserved Asp70, Trp57, and Trp85 residues, which are predicted to play important roles in autoinducer binding in TraR. M1320 was fully complemented with cloned
avhR
. The same array of
N
-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) from F2/5, M1320, and complemented M1320 were observed; however, the signal strength from extracts of 6-day-old M1320 cultures was stronger than that of F2/5. Cultures of F2/5 amended with AHL extracts from overnight and 6-day cultures of F2/5 and M1320 were not affected in ability to cause HR or necrosis. A region of about 14 kb flanking
avhR
was sequenced and compared with homologous regions of
A. tumefaciens
C58 and
Sinorhizobium meliloti
Rm1021 genomes. Gene order and homology are conserved between the species. A site-directed mutation in a putative gene that resides downstream of
avhR
and that has homology to genes belonging to the ATP-binding cassette transporter family did not affect HR or necrosis phenotypes. It was determined that
avhR
and
aviR
are expressed independently and that neither regulates the expression of a
clpA
homolog in F2/5.
Identification of Two New Genes Involved in Diazotrophic Growth via the Alternative Fe-Only Nitrogenase in the Phototrophic Purple Bacterium
Rhodobacter capsulatus
Authors: Sicking Christa , Brusch Margit , Lindackers Andreas , Riedel Kai-Uwe , Schubert Britta , Isakovic Nazila , Krall Christiane , Klipp Werner , Drepper Thomas , Schneider Klaus , Masepohl Bernd 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

Growth of
Rhodobacter capsulatus
with molecular dinitrogen as the sole N source via the alternative Fe-only nitrogenase requires all seven gene products of the
anfHDGK
-
1
-
2
-
3
operon. In contrast to mutant strains carrying lesions in the structural genes of nitrogenase (
anfH
,
anfD
,
anfG
, and
anfK
), strains defective for either
anf1
,
anf2
, or
anf3
are still able to reduce the artificial substrate acetylene, although with diminished activity. To obtain further information on the role of Anf1, we screened an
R. capsulatus
genomic library designed for use in yeast two-hybrid studies with Anf1 as bait. Two genes, which we propose to call
ranR
and
ranT
(for genes related to alternative nitrogenase), coding for products that interact with Anf1 were identified. A
ranR
mutant exhibited a phenotype similar to that of an
anf1
mutant strain (no growth with N
2
in the absence of molybdenum, but significant reduction of acetylene via the Fe-only nitrogenase), whereas a
ranT
mutant retained the ability to grow diazotrophically, but growth was clearly delayed compared to the parental strain. In contrast to the situation for
anf1
, expression of neither
ranR
nor
ranT
was regulated by ammonium or molybdenum. A putative role for Anf1, RanR, and RanT in the acquisition and/or processing of iron in connection with the Fe-only nitrogenase system is discussed.
A Study on the Outline History of the Household Responsibility System in Rural China Since 1949: The Organizations, Institutions, and Their Changes
Authors: Kaiwen Feng 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe Household Responsibility System has been accepted as the basic institution in rural China since the 1980's and some researchers have proved it more efficient compared with that of the People's Commune System. Unfortunately, few researchers paid attention to the institutional changes that happened before the People's Commune and fewer researchers tried to find the relationship between the Household Responsibility System and the problems that have emerged in recent years. To grasp the whole picture of rural economic institutional changes in China, this paper will focus on the history of the Household Responsibility System before the People's Commune and after the 1980's, and the study tries to prove that: (1) a public property right really needs an appropriate mechanism institution to enforce and fulfill its efficiency, (2) the China Rural Reform based on the Household Responsibility System is the deep-laid reason of the problems which have emerged recently,
Exploring Protest Participation in India: Evidence from the 1996 World Values Survey
Authors: Spehr Scott , Dutt Nitish 
Published: December 2004

Abstract
This paper presents evidence from survey data related to the extent, nature and source of protest participation in India. We examine three models of such activity extensively employed in a western context – the alienation, resource and mobilization models. While we find some evidence for their general applicability, especially in regard to mobilization, many of the most central explanatory variables associated with these models – age, education, urban/rural residence, political trust, acceptance of the present political system, confidence in political institutions and to a lesser extent, gender, reveal associations with protest that are contrary to theoretical expectations. This suggests the necessity for modifying existing theories of unconventional political participation when and if employed in a non-western setting.
Ethnicity, Goal Striving and Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study of Three Ethnic Groups in the United Kingdom
Authors: Mallett Rosemarie , Leff Julian , Bhugra Dinesh , Takei Nori , Corridan Bryan 
Published: December 2004

Background: The need to achieve is common to all societies, and failure to do so may have a highly detrimental psychological impact. For those on the margins of mainstream society, especially migrants or descendants of migrants, the impact of failed or poor achievements may increase their vulnerability to mental illness. Aims: In a prospective study of schizophrenia in three ethnic groups (White, Indian and African-Caribbean) we studied the impact of goal striving and investigated whether the gap between the poor achievement and the high aspirations of members of some minority ethnic groups was potentially a factor contributing to the development of the illness. Methods: The patients and age- and sex-matched controls from their respective communities were asked to rate their perceived current levels of achievement and their past and future expectations in five domains - social standing, housing, education, employment and financial status on a 10-point scale. Results: The control subjects from the three ethnic groups scored similarly in most areas, supporting the validity of inter-ethnic comparisons. The gap between achievement and expectations did not appear to cause high disappointment levels in any group, and in fact only in the domain of housing did the African-Caribbean patients assess their current achievement as being significantly lower than that of their matched controls. Conclusions: Poor housing conditions may be one of the risk factors contributing to the high incidence of schizophrenia in African-Caribbeans.
Beliefs of Psychiatric Nurses about Schizophrenia: A Comparison with Patients’ Relatives and Psychiatrists
Authors: Magliano Lorenza , De Rosa Corrado , FIORILLO Andrea , Malangone Claudio , Guarneri Manuela , Marasco Cecilia , Maj Mario ,   The Working Group of the Italian National Study on Families of Persons with Schizophrenia
Published: December 2004

Background: What patients’ relatives and health professionals think about causes, treatments and psychosocial consequences of schizophrenia can influence its detection and outcome. Aims: To compare the beliefs about schizophrenia in 190 nurses, 110 psychiatrists and 709 relatives of patients with this mental disorder, recruited in 30 randomly selected mental health centres. Methods: In each centre, the key-relatives of the first consecutive 25 subjects with schizophrenia, and the nurses and psychiatrists who had been working in the service for at least one year, were asked to complete the Questionnaire on the Opinions about Mental Illness (QO). Results: The factors most frequently mentioned by psychiatrists and nurses among the causes of schizophrenia were heredity, stress and family conflicts, while those most frequently mentioned by relatives were stress, traumas and love breakdown. Nurses had opinions: (a) similar to those expressed by psychiatrists concerning patients’ ability to work equally as other people, and patients’ punishability in case of illegal acts; (b) similar to those expressed by relatives about patients’ unpredictability and political rights; (c) significantly different from the other two samples as concerns recognition of patients’ affective rights. Conclusions: Family psychoeducational interventions and nurses’ training should address not only clinical aspects but also disability and psychosocial consequences of schizophrenia.
Coping with Infertility among Kuwaiti Women: Cultural Perspectives
Authors: Fido Abdullahi , Zahid Muhammad Ajmal 
Published: December 2004

Backgrounds: Although previous studies conducted in western countries have reported that psychological factors are part of the experience of infertility, no study has assessed this relationship in Arab women. Aims: To examine psychological distress among Kuwaiti women with infertility problems and explore the perceived causes of infertility. Methods: An Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to examine the psychological status of 120 Kuwaiti infertile women and an age-matched sample of 125 healthy pregnant women as a control group. Results: Compared with age-matched pregnant control sample. The infertile women exhibited a significant higher psychopathology in all HADS parameters in the form of tension, hostility, anxiety, depression, self-blame and suicidal ideation. The illiterate group attributed the causes of their infertility to supernatural causes such as evil spirits, witchcraft and God’s retribution, while the educated group blamed nutritional, marital and psychosexual factors for their infertility. Faith and traditional healers were considered as the first treatment choice among illiterate women, while the educated women opted for an infertility clinic for treatment. Childlessness results in social stigmatization for infertile women and places them at risk of serious social and emotional consequences. Conclusions: The prevalence and severity of psychological distress in this sample of infertile Kuwaiti women indicates the appropriateness of referring these patients for psychological evaluation. Successful programmes in dealing with infertility in Kuwait need to include the establishment of a community based intervention strategy to educate people about infertility and to give guidelines for treatment options.
Abnormal interleukin-7 function in common variable immunodeficiency
Authors: Holm Are Martin , Aukrust Pål , Damås Jan Kristian , Müller Fredrik , Halvorsen Bente , Frøland Stig S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCommon variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by low levels of circulating immunoglobulins, leading to frequent infections, particularly of the respiratory tract. Frequently, T-cell abnormalities are observed. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is involved in the homeostasis of lymphocytes, and may be elevated in lymphopenia. Mutations of genes related to IL-7 may lead to severe immunodeficiency disorders. We report elevated plasma levels of circulating IL-7 in a subgroup of CVID. These patients have increased numbers of circulating CD8+ T cells with decreased apoptosis and a predominance of CC chemokine receptor 7- (CCR7-) effector-memory T cells. Moreover, in some of these patients there is impaired response to IL-7 as assessed by in vitro proliferation and secretion of interferon γ and transforming growth factor β. These findings suggest novel pathogenic mechanisms and specific targets for further research in CVID.