bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinico‐pathological evaluation of restrictive cardiomyopathy (endomyocardial fibrosis and idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy) in India
Authors: Seth Sandeep , Thatai Deepak , Sharma Sanjeev , Chopra Prem , Talwar K.K. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackground:Restrictive heart disease is characterized by impairment of ventricular filling during diastole with preserved systolic function. The clinical and histopathological profile on endomyocardial biopsy of a cohort of patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is presented.Methodology:The medical records of patients presenting with heart failure with systemic congestion, subsequently diagnosed as restrictive heart disease after evaluation including cardiac catheterisation, were studied retrospectively to determine the clinical spectrum of restrictive cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis of RCM was made, based on systemic congestion with dilated atria and near normal ventricular size and function. Only patients who had an endomyocardial biopsy were included in the study. Patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis and secondary restrictive heart disease mainly amyloidosis were excluded from the study.Results:All 52 patients had heart failure with normal or near normal left ventricular size and function. Based on right and left ventricle angiography, patients were classified into two groups. Group I with findings suggestive of EMF (n=30) and Group II no evidence of EMF on angiography i.e. ‘idiopathic RCM’ (IRCM) (n=22). Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Echocardiography revealed typical features of endomyocardial fibrosis in Group I patients, with apical obliteration of right and left ventricular apices. Group II patients had no apex obliteration (except in four patients, who were misclassified and in whom angiography did not show apex obliteration). The Group II patients had features of IRCM in the form of normal left and right ventricular size and function with restrictive features of doppler filling along with dilated left and right atria. Angiocardiography in EMF patients showed isolated RV involvement in only two patients. In the remaining 28 patients, the obliterative changes were biventricular with RV involvement more severe than LV involvement. Angiographic findings in Group II (IRCM) patients were unremarkable with preservation of normal trabecular pattern and absence of obliterative changes. Mild atrioventricular regurgitation was present in 10/22 patients. Histopathological examination revealed that endocardial thickening was more common (77% vs. 23%) in EMF patients. The presence of myocyte hypertrophy (70–80%), myocytolysis (40–50%) and interstitial fibrosis (46–56%) were similar in both groups.Conclusions:The majority of our patients had biventricular EMF. A significant number of patients had clinical hemodynamic features of restrictive heart disease but no evidence of EMF on angiography. These IRCM patients had similar clinical profiles to EMF but on endomyocardial biopsy the endocardial thickening was minimal and seen in few patients (5/22).
Evaluation of the performance and concordance of clinical questionnaires for the diagnosis of heart failure in primary care
Authors: Fonseca Cândida , Oliveira António G. , Mota Teresa , Matias Fernando , Morais Humberto , Costa Catarina , Ceia Fátima ,   on behalf of the EPICA Investigators
Published: November 2004

AbstractAim:To validate and estimate the performance statistics and concordance of seven clinical questionnaires for the diagnosis of chronic heart failure (HF).Methods:Community‐based epidemiological survey of patients aged >25 years attending a random sample of primary health care centers in Portugal. Heart failure was identified according to the Guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).Results:A total of 5434 subjects evaluated by 365 investigators were eligible for analysis, 551 of which had criteria for heart failure. Overall, the questionnaires had high specificity, usually above 90%, but low sensitivity, providing an increase in the likelihood of heart failure from 4.3% pre‐test to 25–35% post‐test in most cases. The Göteborg questionnaire was the most balanced regarding sensitivity (84%) and specificity (81%) but this may reflect its use of prescription of digoxin or diuretics as diagnostic criteria for diagnosis. The Walma, Framingham and NHANES‐I questionnaires performed similarly (Sensitivity: 63%, Specificity: 93%), while the Boston and the Gheorghiade questionnaires had a somewhat lower sensitivity (55%). Concordance was good between the Boston, Framingham, Gheorghiade, NHANES‐I and Walma questionnaires.ConclusionsThis study evaluated seven clinical questionnaires for the diagnosis of heart failure in the community. Their low sensitivity impairs their usefulness as diagnostic instruments, but their high specificity makes them useful for the identification of patients with fluid retention and/or exercise intolerance from non‐cardiac causes.
Clinical trials update from the European Society of Cardiology: SENIORS, ACES, PROVE‐IT, ACTION, and the HF‐ACTION trial
Authors: Cleland John G.F. , Loh P. Huan , Freemantle Nick , Clark Andrew L. , Coletta Alison P. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis article provides information and a commentary on landmark trials presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in August 2004, relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention or treatment of heart failure. The SENIORS trial suggests that nebivolol is well tolerated and effective in older patients with heart failure, even if left ventricular systolic function is not markedly depressed. However, patients aged >75 years appeared to gain less benefit. Further data on the effects of nebivolol on symptoms and quality of life are awaited. Two new trials of long‐term antibiotic prophylaxis after myocardial infarction (ACES and PROVE‐IT) showed no benefit. The ACTION trial showed no reduction in serious cardiovascular events with nifedipine GITS in patients with chronic stable angina, despite a substantial reduction in blood pressure. The HF‐ACTION trial announced that the first 700 patients of a projected 3000 had been randomised to either an exercise program or encouragement to exercise but without a formal program. The primary outcome measure is death or hospitalisation for any reason.
Aetiology, comorbidity and drug therapy of chronic heart failure in the real world: the EPICA substudy
Authors: Ceia Fátima , Fonseca Cândida , Mota Teresa , Morais Humberto , Matias Fernando , Costa Catarina , Oliveira António G. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractBackground:Chronic heart failure (CHF) is common and is frequently managed by primary care physicians (PCPs). Despite the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines, standard treatments for CHF are frequently underutilised, particularly in primary care.Aim:To evaluate current drug therapy for CHF in adults with HF diagnosed according to ESC guidelines in the context of the EPICA study. Aetiological features and therapy relevant comorbidities were also analysed.Methods:EPICA was a community‐based epidemiological study conducted in mainland Portugal. The study involved 365 primary care physicians, who evaluated 6300 primary care attendees aged over 25 years. CHF was diagnosed by clinical and echocardiography criteria according to ESC guidelines.Results:Total of 551 cases of CHF were identified, with a mean age of 65±9 years. The estimated overall prevalence of CHF in the Portuguese population was 4.4%; 1.3% with and 1.7% without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). There are 6,280,792 people aged >25 years in Portugal, which extrapolates to 261,400 cases of heart failure. About 80% of patients had a history of hypertension, 39% had a history of coronary artery disease and 15% had atrial fibrillation. Only 58% of patients were on angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and 7% on beta‐blockers. The type of ventricular dysfunction, age and presence of renal failure had little effect on prescription rates. Diuretics were prescribed in 78%. Thiazides were used more frequently in those with preserved systolic function and frusemide in those with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Digoxin was prescribed more often to patients with than without left ventricular systolic dysfunction (34% vs. 17%; p=0.02). Long‐acting nitrates were prescribed to 20% and amiodarone to 8% of patients.Conclusion:The EPICA study, as in other studies in primary care in Europe, particularly the IMPROVEMENT study, suggests that greater efforts are required to improve training of primary care teams in the management of CHF.
Ultrasound vocalisation by rodents does not correlate with behavioural measures of persistent pain
Authors: Wallace Victoria C.J. , Norbury Timothy A. , Rice Andrew S.C. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThree well‐established rodent models of somatic, visceral and neuropathic pain were used to test the hypothesis that a stress and anxiety evoked behaviour, namely ultrasound vocalisation, correlates with other well‐characterised indices of pain behaviour, such as limb withdrawal and stereotypical behaviour.Persistent pain presents a significant clinical problem for which there remains relatively ineffective clinical management and animal models of pain are commonly employed to investigate the underlying pathophysiology and for pre‐clinical evaluation of novel therapies. At present, the assessment of such animal models largely relies on the observation of simple reflex responses which may not entirely represent the full range of rodent pain behaviour. Therefore, additional integrated behavioural indices for the quantification of pain could improve the veracity of animal models. In stressful or harmful situations, it is thought that rodents produce ultrasound vocalisations to communicate within the social group. In this study, the number of ultrasound vocalisations (22 kHz) was measured during both evoked and ongoing pain. Ultrasound vocalisation was not associated with other pain behaviour in any of the inflammatory, visceral or neuropathic pain models examined and is therefore not a useful integrated correlate of pain behaviour.
Possible Influence of Cell Walls upon Ion Concentrations at Plasma Membrane Surfaces. Toward a Comprehensive View of Cell-Surface Electrical Effects upon Ion Uptake, Intoxication, and Amelioration
Authors: Kinraide Thomas B. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractPlant uptake of ions, intoxication by ions, and the alleviation of intoxication by other ions often correlate poorly with ion concentrations in the rooting medium. By contrast, uptake, intoxication, and alleviation correlate well with ion concentrations at the plasma membrane (PM) surface computed as though the PM were bathed directly in the rooting medium with no effect from the cell wall (CW). According to two separate lines of analysis, a close association of CWs and PMs results in a slight increase in cation concentrations and a slight decrease in anion concentrations at the PM surface compared with concentrations when the CW is separated or has no effect. Although slightly different, the ion concentrations at the PM surface computed with and without close association with the CW are highly correlated. Altogether, the CW would appear to have a small effect upon ion uptake by the PM or upon intoxication or alleviation of intoxication originating at the PM surface. These analyses have been enabled by the recent evaluation of parameters required for the electrostatic models (Gouy-Chapman-Stern and Donnan-plus-binding) used to compute electrical potentials and ion concentrations in CWs and at PM surfaces.
Maize Starch-Branching Enzyme Isoforms and Amylopectin Structure. In the Absence of Starch-Branching Enzyme IIb, the Further Absence of Starch-Branching Enzyme Ia Leads to Increased Branching
Authors: Yao Yuan , Thompson Donald B. , Guiltinan Mark J. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Previous studies indicated that the deficiency of starch-branching enzyme (SBE) Ia in the single mutant sbe1a∷Mu (sbe1a) has no impact on endosperm starch structure, whereas the deficiency of SBEIIb in the ae mutant is well known to reduce the branching of starch. We hypothesized that in maize (Zea mays) endosperm, the function of SBEIIb is predominant to that of SBEIa, and SBEIa would have an observable effect only on amylopectin structure in the absence of SBEIIb. To test this hypothesis, the mutant sbe1a was introgressed into lines containing either wx (lacking the granule-bound starch synthase GBSSI) or ae wx (lacking both SBEIIb and GBSSI) in the W64A background. Both western blotting and zymogram analysis confirmed the SBEIa deficiency in sbe1a wx and sbe1a ae wx, and the SBEIIb deficiency in ae wx and sbe1a ae wx. Using zymogram analysis, no pleiotropic effects of sbe1a genes on SBEIIa, starch synthase, or starch-debranching enzyme isoforms were observed. High-performance size exclusion chromatography analysis shows that the chain-length profiles of amylopectin as well as β-limit dextrin were indistinguishable between wx and sbe1a wx, whereas significant differences for both were observed between ae wx and sbe1a ae wx, suggesting an effect of SBEIa on amylopectin biosynthesis that is observable only in the absence of SBEIIb. The amylopectin branch density and the average number of branches per cluster were both higher in endosperm starch from sbe1a ae wx than from ae wx. These results indicate possible functional interactions between SBE isoforms that may involve enzymatic inhibition. Both the cluster repeat distance and the distance between branch points on the short intracluster chains were similar for all genotypes however, suggesting a similar pattern of individual SBE isoforms in cluster initiation and the determination of branch point location.
AtGA3ox2, a Key Gene Responsible for Bioactive Gibberellin Biosynthesis, Is Regulated during Embryogenesis by LEAFY COTYLEDON2 and FUSCA3 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Curaba Julien , Moritz Thomas , Blervaque Renaud , Parcy François , Raz Vered , Herzog Michel , Vachon Gilles 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Embryonic regulators LEC2 (LEAFY COTYLEDON2) and FUS3 (FUSCA3) are involved in multiple aspects of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed development, including repression of leaf traits and premature germination and activation of seed storage protein genes. In this study, we show that gibberellin (GA) hormone biosynthesis is regulated by LEC2 and FUS3 pathways. The level of bioactive GAs is increased in immature seeds of lec2 and fus3 mutants relative to wild-type level. In addition, we show that the formation of ectopic trichome cells on lec2 and fus3 embryos is a GA-dependent process as in true leaves, suggesting that the GA pathway is misactivated in embryonic mutants. We next demonstrate that the GA-biosynthesis gene AtGA3ox2, which encodes the key enzyme AtGA3ox2 that catalyzes the conversion of inactive to bioactive GAs, is ectopically activated in embryos of the two mutants. Interestingly, both β-glucuronidase reporter gene expression and in situ hybridization indicate that FUS3 represses AtGA3ox2 expression mainly in epidermal cells of embryo axis, which is distinct from AtGA3ox2 pattern at germination. Finally, we show that the FUS3 protein physically interacts with two RY elements (CATGCATG) present in the AtGA3ox2 promoter. This work suggests that GA biosynthesis is directly controlled by embryonic regulators during Arabidopsis embryonic development.
nip, a Symbiotic Medicago truncatula Mutant That Forms Root Nodules with Aberrant Infection Threads and Plant Defense-Like Response
Authors: Veereshlingam Harita , Haynes Janine G. , Penmetsa R. Varma , Cook Douglas R. , Sherrier D. Janine , Dickstein Rebecca 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
To investigate the legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, we isolated and studied a novel symbiotic mutant of the model legume Medicago truncatula, designated nip (numerous infections and polyphenolics). When grown on nitrogen-free media in the presence of the compatible bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti, the nip mutant showed nitrogen deficiency symptoms. The mutant failed to form pink nitrogen-fixing nodules that occur in the wild-type symbiosis, but instead developed small bump-like nodules on its roots that were blocked at an early stage of development. Examination of the nip nodules by light microscopy after staining with X-Gal for S. meliloti expressing a constitutive GUS gene, by confocal microscopy following staining with SYTO-13, and by electron microscopy revealed that nip initiated symbiotic interactions and formed nodule primordia and infection threads. The infection threads in nip proliferated abnormally and very rarely deposited rhizobia into plant host cells; rhizobia failed to differentiate further in these cases. nip nodules contained autofluorescent cells and accumulated a brown pigment. Histochemical staining of nip nodules revealed this pigment to be polyphenolic accumulation. RNA blot analyses demonstrated that nip nodules expressed only a subset of genes associated with nodule organogenesis, as well as elevated expression of a host defense-associated phenylalanine ammonia lyase gene. nip plants were observed to have abnormal lateral roots. nip plant root growth and nodulation responded normally to ethylene inhibitors and precursors. Allelism tests showed that nip complements 14 other M. truncatula nodulation mutants but not latd, a mutant with a more severe nodulation phenotype as well as primary and lateral root defects. Thus, the nip mutant defines a new locus, NIP, required for appropriate infection thread development during invasion of the nascent nodule by rhizobia, normal lateral root elongation, and normal regulation of host defense-like responses during symbiotic interactions.
Oxalate Production by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Deregulates Guard Cells during Infection
Authors: Guimarães Rejane L. , Stotz Henrik U. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Oxalic acid is a virulence factor of several phytopathogenic fungi, including Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, but the detailed mechanisms by which oxalic acid affects host cells and tissues are not understood. We tested the hypothesis that oxalate induces foliar wilting during fungal infection by manipulating guard cells. Unlike uninfected leaves, stomatal pores of Vicia faba leaves infected with S. sclerotiorum are open at night. This cellular response appears to be dependent on oxalic acid because stomatal pores are partially closed when leaves are infected with an oxalate-deficient mutant of S. sclerotiorum. In contrast to oxalate-deficient S. sclerotiorum, wild-type fungus causes an increase in stomatal conductance and transpiration as well as a decrease in plant biomass. Green fluorescent protein-tagged S. sclerotiorum emerges through open stomata from the uninfected abaxial leaf surface for secondary colonization. Exogenous application of oxalic acid to the detached abaxial epidermis of V. faba leaves induces stomatal opening. Guard cells treated with oxalic acid accumulate potassium and break down starch, both of which are known to contribute to stomatal opening. Oxalate interferes with abscisic acid (ABA)-induced stomatal closure. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) L. Heynh. mutants abi1, abi3, abi4, and aba2 are more susceptible to oxalate-deficient S. sclerotiorum than wild-type plants, suggesting that Sclerotinia resistance is dependent on ABA. We conclude that oxalate acts via (1) accumulation of osmotically active molecules to induce stomatal opening and (2) inhibition of ABA-induced stomatal closure.
Untranslated Regions from C4 Amaranth AhRbcS1 mRNAs Confer Translational Enhancement and Preferential Bundle Sheath Cell Expression in Transgenic C4Flaveria bidentis
Authors: Patel Minesh , Corey Amy C. , Yin Li-Ping , Ali Shahjahan , Taylor William C. , Berry James O. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract
Many aspects of photosynthetic gene expression are posttranscriptionally regulated in C4 plants. To determine if RbcS mRNA untranslated regions (UTRs) in themselves could confer any characteristic C4 expression patterns, 5′- and 3′-UTRs of AhRbcS1 mRNA from the C4 dicot amaranth were linked to a gusA reporter gene. These were constitutively transcribed from a cauliflower mosaic virus promoter and assayed for posttranscriptional expression patterns in transgenic lines of the C4 dicot Flaveria bidentis. Three characteristic C4 expression patterns were conferred by heterologous AhRbcS1 UTRs in transgenic F. bidentis. First, the AhRbcS1 UTRs conferred strong translational enhancement of gusA expression, relative to control constructs lacking these UTRs. Second, while the UTRs did not appear to confer tissue-specific expression when analyzed by β-glucuronidase activity assays, differences in gusA mRNA accumulation were observed in leaves, stems, and roots. Third, the AhRbcS1 UTRs conferred preferential gusA expression (enzyme activity and gusA mRNA accumulation) in leaf bundle sheath cells. AhRbcS1 UTR-mediated translational enhancement was also observed in transgenic C3 plants (tobacco [Nicotiana tabacum]) and in in vitro translation extracts. These mRNAs appear to be translated with different efficiencies in C4 versus C3 plants, indicating that processes determining overall translational efficiency may vary between these two categories of higher plants. Our findings suggest that the AhRbcS1 5′-UTR functions as a strong translational enhancer in leaves and other tissues, and may work synergistically with the 3′-UTR to modulate overall levels of Rubisco gene expression in different tissues and cell types of C4 plants.
ArabidopsisNAPandPIRRegulate Actin-Based Cell Morphogenesis and Multiple Developmental Processes
Authors: Li Yunhai , Sorefan Karim , Hemmann Georg , Bevan Michael W. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe actin cytoskeleton mediates cellular processes through the dynamic regulation of the time, location, and extent of actin polymerization. Actin polymerization is controlled by several types of evolutionarily conserved proteins, including those comprising the ARP2/3 complex. In animal cells ARP2/3 activity is regulated by WAVE complexes that contain WAVE/SCAR proteins, PIR121, Nap125, and other proteins. The activity of the WAVE complex is regulated by Rho-GTPase-mediated signaling that leads to ARP2/3 activation by WAVE/SCAR proteins. We describe in this report Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genes encoding Nap and PIR proteins. Light-grown Atnap-1 and Atpir-1 mutant plants displayed altered leaf, inflorescence, silique, and seed set phenotypes. Dark-grown Atnap-1 and Atpir-1 seedlings also exhibited longer roots, enhanced skotomorphogenesis and Glc responses, and shorter thicker hypocotyls than those of wild type, showing that AtNAP and AtPIR participate in a variety of growth and developmental processes. Mutations in AtNAP and AtPIR caused cell morphology defects in cotyledon pavement cells and trichomes seen in mutants in ARP2/3 subunits and in plants expressing constitutively active Rop2 GTPase. The patterns and levels of actin polymerization observed in Atnap-1 and Atpir-1 mutant trichome cells and epidermal pavement cell morphology is consistent with Arabidopsis NAP and PIR proteins forming a WAVE complex that activates ARP2/3 activity. The multiple growth and developmental phenotypes of Atnap and Atpir mutants reveals these proteins are also required for a wider variety of cellular functions in addition to regulating trichome cell growth.