bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two different novel cis‐acting elements of erd1, a clpA homologous Arabidopsis gene function in induction by dehydration stress and dark‐induced senescence
Authors: Simpson Sean D. , Nakashima Kazuo , Narusaka Yoshihiro , Seki Motoaki , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko 
Published: March 2003

SummaryMany plant genes have been shown to be induced by water stress and function in stress tolerance. The erd1 gene has been shown to be upregulated in response to both water stress and etiolation. Promoter studies using the erd1 promoter region fused to the luciferase (LUC) reporter gene in Arabidopsis thaliana were performed to identify the putative cis elements involved. Results indicated that the cis elements, responsible for gene expression during dehydration and etiolation, are separately located in two discrete portions of the erd1 promoter. Base substitution analysis showed that a 14‐bp region from −599 to −586, and a myc recognition motif from −466 to −461 are necessary for the induction of LUC activity in dehydrated plants. On the other hand, base substitution analysis revealed that both an abscisic acid responsive element (ABRE)‐like sequence (from −199 to −195) and an ACGT sequence (from −155 to −152) are required for an etiolation‐induced increase in LUC activity. LUC activity measurements from etiolated transgenic plants incubated in either water, N6‐benzyleadenine (BA), or a 1% sucrose solution found that while BA was able to delay the increase in LUC activity seen in water‐treated plants, no increase in LUC activity was seen in plants incubated in sucrose. These results indicate that the erd1 promoter contains two different regulatory systems that are involved in upregulation by dehydration stress and dark‐induced senescence.
The DNA‐binding activity of an AP2 transcriptional activator HvCBF2 involved in regulation of low‐temperature responsive genes in barley is modulated by temperature
Authors: Xue Gang‐Ping 
Published: March 2003

SummaryAn HvCBF2 cDNA was isolated from barley leaves. It encoded a protein containing an AP2 DNA‐binding domain homologous to C‐repeat (CRT)/dehydration‐responsive element (DRE) binding factors (CBF/DREB1). In contrast to the previously reported cold‐inducible CBF/DREB1 genes, HvCBF2 was expressed in barley leaves under non‐stress conditions. Only a transient increase in the HvCBF2 transcript level was observed during cold treatment. Transactivation analysis showed that HvCBF2 was a transcriptional activator, capable of activating expression of a reporter gene driven by a low‐temperature and drought‐responsive HVA1s promoter in barley leaves. The activity of HvCBF2 as a transcriptional activator was upregulated by low temperature. DNA‐binding analysis revealed that HvCBF2 did not bind to the CRT/DRE motif at 30°C. A low, but detectable, binding activity was observed at 25°C and the binding activity gradually increased as the temperature decreased. The binding activity at 0°C was the highest and more than 10 times higher than that at 25°C. The activation and inactivation of HvCBF2 activity were reversible and were achieved in a cell‐free system simply by temperature change. Analysis of the binding sequence showed that HvCBF2 bound to a (G/a)(T/c)CGAC core motif, where the lower‐case letters are less efficient bases. These data suggest that HvCBF2 is a transcription factor interacting with the core CRT/DRE motif containing a preferred sequence of GTCGAC and its DNA‐binding activity is regulated by temperature. This represents a new type of activation mechanism for transcriptional activators.
Mutations in a gene for plastid ribosomal protein S6‐like protein reveal a novel developmental process required for the correct organization of lateral root meristem in Arabidopsis
Authors: Horiguchi Gorou , Kodama Hiroaki , Iba Koh 
Published: March 2003

Summary Arabidopsis rfc3 mutants have previously been isolated with an altered fatty acid composition of membrane lipids. In this study, rfc3 was found to have a sucrose‐conditional defect in the patterning of distal elements in the lateral root meristem. By utilizing this feature, a sucrose‐sensitive process important for lateral root development was localized to the growing portion of rfc3 primary root. Because lateral root formation occurs at a later stage, this finding suggests the existence of an RFC3‐dependent, non‐primordium autonomous signal playing a role in the organization of lateral root meristem. Map‐based cloning of RFC3 gene revealed that it encodes a plastid‐localized ribosomal protein S6‐like protein and provides a potential link between control of plastid gene expression and LR development.
Changes in hydrogen peroxide homeostasis trigger an active cell death process in tobacco
Authors: Dat James F. , Pellinen Riikka ,   Tom Beeckman, Van De Cotte Brigitte , Langebartels Christian , Kangasjärvi Jaakko , Inzé Dirk , Van Breusegem Frank 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIn transgenic tobacco plants with reduced catalase activity, high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can accumulate under photorespiratory conditions. Such a perturbation in H2O2 homeostasis induced cell death in clusters of palisade parenchyma cells, primarily along the veins. Ultrastructural alterations, such as chromatin condensation and disruption of mitochondrial integrity, took place before cell death. Furthermore, enhanced transcript levels of mitochondrial defense genes accompanied these mitochondrial changes. Pharmacological data indicated that the initiation and execution of cell death require de novo protein synthesis and that the signal transduction pathway leading to cell death involved changes in ion homeostasis, (de)phosphorylation events and an oxidative burst, as observed during hypersensitive responses. This oxidase‐dependent oxidative burst is essential for cell death, but it is not required for the accumulation of defense proteins, suggesting a more prominent role for the oxidative burst in abiotic stress‐induced cell death.
Control of Ascorbate Peroxidase 2 expression by hydrogen peroxide and leaf water status during excess light stress reveals a functional organisation of Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: Fryer Michael J. , Ball Louise , Oxborough Kevin , Karpinski Stanislaw , Mullineaux Philip M. , Baker Neil R. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIn Arabidopsis leaves, high light stress induces rapid expression of a gene encoding a cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (APX2), whose expression is restricted to bundle sheath cells of the vascular tissue. Imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated that APX2 expression followed a localised increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) resulting from photosynthetic electron transport in the bundle sheath cells. Furthermore, leaf transpiration rate also increased prior to APX2 expression, suggesting that water status may also be involved in the signalling pathway. Abscisic acid stimulated APX2 expression. Exposure of ABA‐insensitive mutants (abi1‐1, abi2‐1) to excess light resulted in reduced levels of APX2 expression and confirmed a role for ABA in the signalling pathway. ABA appears to augment the role of H2O2 in initiating APX2 expression. This regulation of APX2 may reflect a functional organisation of the leaf to resolve two conflicting physiological requirements of protecting the sites of primary photosynthesis from ROS and, at the same time, stimulating ROS accumulation to signal responses to changes in the light environment.
Erythropoietin to minimize perioperative blood transfusion: a systematic review of randomized trials
Authors: Laupacis  , Fergusson  ,   for The International Study of Peri‐operative Transfusion (ISPOT) Investigators
Published: March 2003

Our aim was to perform a systematic review to determine the efficacy and side‐effects of erythropoietin, given with or without autologous predonation, to patients undergoing orthopaedic or cardiac surgery.A number of studies have been done to determine whether erythropoietin minimizes exposure to perioperative allogeneic red cell transfusion. A systematic review of all randomized trials will provide the best estimate of the efficacy and side‐effects of erythropoietin therapy.All randomized trials of erythropoietin in cardiac or orthopaedic surgery that reported the proportion of patients receiving perioperative allogeneic transfusion were included. The efficacy of erythropoietin was evaluated in subgroups of patients depending upon the route of administration, dose of erythropoietin, the type of control and the methodological quality of the study report.The odds ratio for the proportion of patients transfused with allogeneic blood in studies of erythropoietin to augment autologous donation was 0.42 (95% confidence limits 0.28–0.62; P < 0.0001) for orthopaedic surgery and 0.25 (95% CI 0.08–0.82; P = 0.02) for cardiac surgery. The odds ratio for erythropoietin alone was 0.36 (95% CI 0.24–0.56; P = 0.0001) in orthopaedic surgery and 0.25 (95% CI 0.06–1.04; P < 0.06) in cardiac surgery. The route of administration, dose of erythropoietin, type of control and methodological quality of the study report had no statistically significant effect upon the odds ratios. Although there was no convincing evidence that erythropoietin used alone increased the frequency of thrombotic complications, some studies found an excess of events in erythropoietin‐treated patients, and the number of patients studied was relatively small.Erythropoeitin, when given alone or to augment autologous donation, decreased exposure to perioperative allogeneic transfusion in orthopaedic and cardiac surgery. Further studies are required to definitively establish the safety of erythropoietin alone, to determine the optimal dose of perioperative erythropoietin, and to compare its efficacy and cost‐effectiveness with other methods of minimizing perioperative transfusion.
Perception of risk of blood transfusion: knowledge, group membership and perceived control
Authors: Ferguson E. , Farrell K. , Lowe K. C. , James V. 
Published: March 2003

. The aim was to explore the perceptions of risk and choice behaviour associated with blood transfusion, within four key societal groups, namely general practitioners (GPs), anaesthetists, health/lifestyle journalists and blood donors.The study comprised a series of cross‐sectional survey assessments incorporating a one‐way between groups. Eighty‐eight GPs, 141 anaesthetists, 20 journalists and 250 blood donors participated. The main outcome measures were perceptions of risk associated with blood transfusion (and nine other hazards, e.g. smoking) and whether or not participants, given the choice, would choose to have a transfusion of donated blood or a blood substitute. Level of knowledge formed a third main outcome variable.In terms of rank order, all respondent groups rated the risk of transfusion relatively realistically. That is, they perceived it as very low compared, for example, with smoking or driving a car. Levels of perceived risk about transfusion were associated primarily with subjective knowledge (a sense of what it is felt that people know) rather than objective (what people actually know). This relationship indicated that the more people felt was known, the less risk they perceived. Furthermore, participants were up to five times more likely to choose a blood substitute if they perceived a high level of risk associated with blood transfusion. All groups (especially journalists and blood donors) were under‐confident with respect to their objective knowledge about transfusion (i.e. they knew more than they thought they did).Transfusion risk was perceived as relatively low. Objective knowledge was not associated with perceived risk for a transfusion. It is argued that facts on blood and transfusion should be presented in a manner that is congruent with the type of information being presented.
Diagnostic quality in rural health centres in Burkina Faso
Authors: Krause G. , Schleiermacher D. , Borchert M. , Benzler J. , Heinmüller R. , Ouattara K. , Coulibaly S. , Diasso I. , Ilboudo A. , Diesfeld H.‐J. 
Published: March 2003

Summary objective  To study the quality of diagnostic practice in rural Burkina Faso. method  In 9 health centres of 3 districts, 313 outpatient consultations were observed, and 417 diagnoses by 15 nurses were analysed. Criteria for evaluation of patient history and clinical examination were based on the diagnostic guidelines distributed by the Ministry of Health. results  In only 20% of the diagnoses the nurses took a sufficient history and in only 40% they conducted a sufficient clinical examination. In 21% patients underwent no clinical examination at all. Only 12% of all diagnoses were based on sufficient history‐taking and adequate clinical examinations. The individual elements of clinical examination were performed correctly in 82% of cases. The variation between nurses was immense, but no correlation could be found with regard to their basic training. However, nurses who had received the diagnostic guidelines examined patients more carefully than those who had not. Larger numbers of patients per day are not associated with shorter nurse‐patient contact, and neither is sufficiency of patient history associated with duration of the consultation. conclusion The low diagnostic quality of the outpatient consultations in the studied area indicates that this issue has been neglected in national public health initiatives. But examination skills are good and diagnostic guidelines may have had a positive effect on the diagnostic quality.
The impact of vitamin A supplementation given during a pneumonia episode on the subsequent morbidity of children
Authors: Nacul Luis C. , Arthur Paul , Kirkwood Betty R. , Morris Saul S. , Cameiro Araci C. , Benjamin Adriana F. 
Published: March 2003

objective To evaluate the impact of large‐dose vitamin A supplementation given to infants > 6 months old (200 000 IU) and to preschool children aged 1–4 years (400 000 IU) during a pneumonia episode, on their subsequent morbidity and severe morbidity. method In a randomized, double‐blind, placebo controlled trial, the children were followed‐up with 2‐weekly visits at home for 16 weeks, with the first visit 2 weeks after treatment for pneumonia was initiated. The field workers asked about the presence of morbidity on the day of the visit and in the previous two weeks and about the occurrence and number of clinic attendances and hospital admissions since the last visit. They also measured the patients' respiratory rate and temperature and assessed the children for the presence of cyanosis, chest indrawing and wheezing. results Except for the prevalence of diet refusal which was higher in the vitamin A group, no differences between the study groups were observed, either in the prevalence of morbidity or in the incidence of clinic attendances and hospital admissions. conclusion No evidence was found for a beneficial effect of vitamin A given during acute pneumonia on the subsequent morbidity and severe morbidity of children in a population with marginal vitamin A deficiency.
The effects of ivermectin on onchocercal skin disease and severe itching: results of a multicentre trial
Authors: Brieger  , Awedoba  , Eneanya  , Hagan  , Ogbuagu  , Okello  , Ososanya  , Ovuga  , Noma  , Kale  , Burnham  , Remme  
Published: March 2003

objective To determine the effects of ivermectin in annual, 3‐monthly and 6‐monthly doses on onchocercal skin disease (OSD) and severe itching.method A multicentre, double‐blind placebo controlled trial was conducted among 4072 residents of rural communities in Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda. Baseline clinical examination categorized reactive skin lesions as acute papular onchodermatitis, chronic papular onchodermatitis and lichenified onchodermatitis. Presence and severity of itching was determined by open‐ended and probing questions. Clinical examination and interview took place at baseline and each of 5 subsequent 3‐monthly follow‐up visits.results While prevalence and severity of reactive lesions decreased for all 4 arms, those receiving ivermectin maintained a greater decrease in prevalence and severity over time. The difference between ivermectin and placebo groups was significant for prevalence at 9 months and for severity at 3 months. Differences between placebo and ivermectin groups were much more pronounced for itching. From 6 months onward, the prevalence of severe itching was reduced by 40–50% among those receiving ivermectin compared to the trend in the placebo group.conclusion This is an important effect on disease burden as severe itching is for the affected people the most troubling complication of onchocerciasis. The difference among regimens was not significant, and the recommended regimen of annual treatment for the control of ocular onchocerciasis appears also the most appropriate for onchocerciasis control in areas where the skin manifestations predominate. The final determination of the effect on skin lesions requires a longer period of study.
Epidemic of self‐poisoning with seeds of the yellow oleander tree (Thevetia peruviana) in northern Sri Lanka
Authors: Eddleston M. , Ariaratnam C. A. , Meyer W. P. , Perera G. , Kularatne A. M. , Attapattu S. , Sheriff M. H. R. , Warrell D. A. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Deliberate self‐harm is an important problem in the developing world. Ingestion of yellow oleander seeds (Thevetia peruviana) has recently become a popular method of self‐harm in northern Sri Lanka – there are now thousands of cases each year. These seeds contain cardiac glycosides that cause vomiting, dizziness, and cardiac dysrhythmias such as conduction block affecting the sinus and AV nodes. This paper reports a study of the condition's mortality and morbidity conducted in 1995 in Anuradhapura General Hospital, a secondary referral centre serving 750 000 people in Sri Lanka's north central province. 415 cases were admitted to the hospital during 11 months; 61% were women and 46% were less than 21 years old. A prospective study of 79 patients showed that 6% died soon after admission. 43% presented with marked cardiac dysrhythmias which necessitated their transfer to the coronary care unit in Colombo for prophylactic temporary cardiac pacing. The reasons for the acts of self‐harm were often relatively trivial, particularly in children; most denied that they wished to die. Unfortunately, the case fatality rate for oleander poisoning in Sri Lanka is at least 10%. This epidemic is not only causing many unnecessary deaths, it is also putting immense stress on the already stretched Sri Lankan health services. There is an urgent need for an intervention which could be used in rural hospitals, thus preventing the hazardous and expensive emergency transfer of patients to the capital.
Developing strategies to control schistosomiasis morbidity in nonenrolled school‐age children: experience from Egypt
Authors: Talaat Maha , Omar Mahmoud , Evans David 
Published: March 2003

Summary Schistosomiasis is a major health problem in school‐age children in much of the tropical world. They harbour the most intense infections for both Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. In Egypt, the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) has implemented a successful school‐based treatment programme in which children are screened and those found to be infected treated with praziquantel. High nonenrolment rates in some rural areas have a negative impact on the coverage of this programme and on its ability to reduce transmission in the community. The main aim of our study was to introduce and test a simple intervention to extend treatment to nonenrolled children using the routine MOHP schistosomiasis treatment programme. Twenty villages or ezbas in Tamia district, Fayoum governorate, with 8 schools and 1901 nonenrolled children were targeted. 88.5% of nonenrolled children attended schools to avail themselves of treatment. Coverage rates were significantly higher for girls (P < 0.001). These results are important for countries where schistosomiasis is endemic. They suggest that offering interventions in schools may not only improve the health of school attendees but also be an affordable way of extending services to out‐of‐school children.
Insecticide‐treated curtains reduce the prevalence and intensity of malaria infection in Burkina Faso
Authors: Habluetzel A. , Cuzin N. , Diallo D. A. , Nebié I. , Belem S. , Cousens S. N. , Esposito F. 
Published: March 2003

Summary A large, randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of insecticide‐treated curtains (ITC) on child mortality was conducted in an area of seasonal, holoendemic malaria in Burkina Faso. 158 communities totalling some 90000 people were censused and grouped into 16 geographical clusters, 8 of which were randomly selected to receive ITC in June – July 1994, just prior to the rainy season. In September – October 1995, at the peak period of malaria transmission, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 84 of the villages. A random sample of 905 children aged 6–59 months was identified and visited. 763 children (84%) were present at the time of the visit and recruited into the study. Mothers were asked about fever in the past 24 h, the child's temperature was taken, and a sample of blood collected to identify and quantify malaria infections and to measure haemoglobin (Hb) levels. Children protected by ITC were less likely to be infected with Plasmodium falciparum (risk ratio = 0.92; 95% CI 0.86,0.98) or P. malariae (risk ratio = 0.42, 95% CI 0.19,0.95). The mean intensity of P. falciparum infections was lower among children protected by ITC (899 vs. 1583 trophozoites/μl; P < 0.001), while the mean Hb level was 0.4 g/dl higher (P < 0.001). While we found no evidence that ITC had an impact on the prevalence of malaria‐associated fever episodes, the confidence intervals around our estimates of the impact of ITC on malaria morbidity were wide. We conclude that widespread implementation of ITC in this area of high malaria transmission led to a modest reduction in the prevalence of malaria infection and to a more substantial reduction in the intensity of these infections which caused increased Hb levels. We were unable to demonstrate any impact of ITC on malaria morbidity, but the wide confidence intervals around our point estimates do not preclude the possibility of a substantial impact.