bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flooding induces a suite of adaptive plastic responses in the grass Paspalum dilatatum
Authors: Insausti P. , Grimoldi A. A. , Chaneton E. J. , Vasellati V. 
Published: September 2005

Summary

We studied individual responses to flooding in the perennial grass Paspalum dilatatum, a widespread species in the Flooding Pampa of Argentina, using plants established in species‐diverse grassland microcosms.
Flooding effects were evaluated on root and leaf sheath anatomy and shoot morphological traits. Leaf water status and CO2 exchange rates were monitored in flooded and unflooded plants under changing, natural and controlled atmospheric conditions.
Root porosity and leaf sheath aerenchyma increased with flooding. Leaf extension rates and tiller height were also higher in flooded plants, which resulted in a large fraction of the shoot architecture emerging above the water surface. Flooding enhanced stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and net photosynthesis, especially under conditions leading to high air‐vapour pressure deficits. Therefore, flooded plants experienced fewer water deficits during periods of high atmospheric evaporative demand.
P. dilatatum showed tight regulation of water and carbon relations under severe soil‐oxygen deficiency, even in the presence of natural competitors. The suite of adaptive responses documented here might help to explain the observed increase in abundance of this species during extensive floods.
Clinical significance of serum NM23‐H1 protein in neuroblastoma
Authors: Okabe‐Kado Junko , Kasukabe Takashi , Honma Yoshio , Hanada Ryoji , Nakagawara Akira , Kaneko Yasuhiko 
Published: September 2005

We have previously reported that NM23 genes are overexpressed in various hematological malignancies and that serum NM23‐H1 protein levels are useful for predicting patient outcomes. In this study we assessed the clinical implications of serum NM23‐H1 protein on neuroblastoma. We examined serum NM23‐H1 protein levels in 217 patients with neuroblastoma, including 131 found by mass‐screening and 86 found clinically by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and determined the association between levels of this protein, and known prognostic factors or the clinical outcome. The serum NM23‐H1 protein level was higher in neuroblastoma patients than in control children (P < 0.0001). Patients with MYCN amplification had higher serum NM23‐H1 levels than those with a single copy of MYCN. Overall survival was assessed in the 86 patients found clinically, and was found to be worse in patients with higher serum MN23‐H1 levels (≥ 250 ng/mL) than in those with lower levels (< 250 ng/mL; P = 0.034). The higher level of NM23‐H1 was correlated with a worse outcome in patients with a single MYCN copy, or in those younger than 12 months of age. Serum NM23‐H1 protein levels may contribute to predictions of clinical outcome in patients with neuroblastoma. (Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 653 – 660)
Overexpressed Skp2 within 5p amplification detected by array‐based comparative genomic hybridization is associated with poor prognosis of glioblastomas
Authors: Saigusa Kuniyasu , Hashimoto Naoya , Tsuda Hitoshi , Yokoi Sana , Maruno Motohiko , Yoshimine Toshiki , Aoyagi Masaru , Ohno Kikuo , Imoto Issei , Inazawa Johji 
Published: September 2005

To better understand the pathogenesis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and to increase the accuracy of predicting outcomes for patients with this disease, we performed genome‐wide screening for DNA copy‐number aberrations in 22 glioma‐derived cell lines using a custom‐made comparative genomic hybridization‐array. Copy‐number gains were frequently detected at 3q, 7p, 7q, 20q, Xp and Xq, and losses at 4q, 9p, 10p, 10q, 11q, 13q, 14q, 18q, and 22q. Among several non‐random chromosomal aberrations, the gain/amplification of DNA at 5p, which has never been reported before in GBM, was detected with a relatively high ratio (log2 ratio = 0.41–1.19) in four cell lines. Amplification and subsequent overexpression of SKP2, a possible target of amplification within 5p, were detected in four of the 22 cell lines. We also investigated the expression of the gene product in primary GBM by immunohistochemistry, which revealed increased levels of Skp2 in 11 of the 35 tumors examined (31.4%). Heightened expression of Skp2 was associated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.001, logrank test), especially in patients younger than 65 years. These results suggest that overexpression of Skp2 through gene amplification may contribute to the pathogenesis of GBM, and that overabundance of the protein might be a useful prognostic tool in patients with this disease.(Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 676 – 683)
Airway management before, during and after extubation: a survey of practice in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Authors: Rassam S. , SandbyThomas M. , Vaughan R. S. , Hall J. E. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryComplications at extubation remain an important risk factor in anaesthesia. A postal survey was conducted on extubation practice amongst consultant anaesthetists in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The use of short acting drugs encourages anaesthetists to extubate the trachea at lighter levels of anaesthesia. The results show that oxygen (100%) is not routinely administered either before extubation or en route to the recovery area. A trend towards a head up or sitting position at extubation is emerging. However, further research into the use of these positions is required. Airway related complications at extubation are relatively frequent but are usually dealt with by simple basic measures. The role of drugs such as propofol in decreasing the incidence of these complications needs further evaluation. Some of these results give concern for patient safety and for training. The importance of teaching and adherence to continued oxygenation until complete recovery is strongly emphasised. Nerve stimulators should be used continually as standard monitoring throughout the anaesthetic period when muscle‐relaxing drugs are part of the anaesthetic technique.
Variation in end‐of‐life decision making between critical care consultants*
Authors: Poulton B. , Ridley S. , Mackenzie‐Ross R. , Rizvi S. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryConsiderable variation in end‐of‐life decision making is reported between intensive care units in the United Kingdom, possibly because of differences in casemix. Senior medical staff within any one unit should, however, be consistent in such decision making. We reviewed the medical records for a 4‐year period to establish if there was consistency in our own unit. This revealed considerable variation in the apparent willingness of consultants to make end‐of‐life decisions, emphasising the subjective nature of these decisions. Personality typing (Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator) of consultants revealed that those who had made more than the expected number of decisions had scores towards the judging end of the judging/perceiving domain.
Modelling the impact of an influenza pandemic on critical care services in England
Authors: Menon D. K. , Taylor B. L. , Ridley S. A. ,   on behalf of the Intensive Care Society, UK
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan does not consider the impact of a pandemic on critical care services. We modelled the demand for critical care beds in England with software developed by the Centers for Disease Control (Flusurge 1.0), using a range of attack rates and pandemic durations. Using inputs that have been employed in UK Department of Health scenarios (25% attack rate and 8‐week pandemic duration) resulted in a demand for ventilatory support that exceeded 200% of present capacity. Demand remained unsustainably high even when more favourable scenarios were considered. Current critical care bed capacity in England would be unable to cope with the increased demand provided by an influenza pandemic. Appropriate contingency planning is essential.
Screening for thrombophilia in high‐risk situations: a meta‐analysis and cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Wu Olivia , Robertson Lindsay , Twaddle Sara , Lowe Gordon , Clark Peter , Walker Isobel , Brenkel Ivan , Greaves Mike , Langhorne Peter , Regan Lesley , Greer Ian ,   The Thrombosis: Risk and Economic Assessment of Thrombophilia Screening (TREATS) Study
Published: September 2005

SummaryLaboratory testing for the identification of heritable thrombophilia in high‐risk patient groups have become common practice; however, indiscriminate testing of all patients is unjustified. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of universal and selective history‐based thrombophilia screening relative to no screening, from the perspective of the UK National Health Service, in women prior to prescribing combined oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, women during pregnancy and patients prior to major orthopaedic surgery. A decision analysis model was developed, and data from meta‐analysis, the literature and two Delphi studies were incorporated in the model. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for screening compared with no screening was calculated for each patient group. Of all the patient groups evaluated, universal screening of women prior to prescribing hormone replacement therapy was the most cost‐effective (ICER £6824). In contrast, universal screening of women prior to prescribing combined oral contraceptives was the least cost‐effective strategy (ICER £202 402). Selective thrombophilia screening based on previous personal and/or family history of venous thromboembolism was more cost‐effective than universal screening in all the patient groups evaluated.
Cannabis use in sickle cell disease: a questionnaire study
Authors: Howard Jo , Anie Kofi A. , Holdcroft Anita , Korn Simon , Davies Sally C. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryCannabinoids are increasingly being considered for the management of various painful conditions, and could be considered as an option for treating acute pain in sickle cell disease (SCD). The objective of this study was to determine the extent of use of cannabis in the community for pain and other symptom relief, and its side effects during self‐administration in patients with SCD. Patients attending Central Middlesex Hospital in London were invited to complete a structured self‐administered anonymous questionnaire. Eighty‐six young adults with HbSS, HbSC and HbSβthalassaemia disease (median age 30 years) participated in the study. Results showed that 31 (36%) had used cannabis in the previous 12 months to relieve symptoms associated with SCD. The main route in all but two patients was by smoking. The main reasons for use were to reduce pain in 52%, and to induce relaxation or relieve anxiety and depression in 39%. Symptoms related to sedation and mood effects were reported in 77% of patients. The majority of patients (58%) expressed their willingness to participate in studies of cannabis as a medicine. We conclude that research in the use of cannabinoids for pain relief in SCD would be both important and acceptable to adult patients.
Response to bortezomib is associated to osteoblastic activation in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Zangari Maurizio , Esseltine Dixie , Lee Choon‐Kee , Barlogie Bart , Elice Francesca , Burns Michael J. , Kang Seung‐Hee , Yaccoby Shmuel , Najarian Kevin , Richardson Paul , Sonneveld Peter , Tricot Guido 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe prompt response to bortezomib observed in a 63‐year‐old woman with multiple myeloma was associated with a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP). After similar elevations were noted in patients responding to bortezomib, thalidomide, dexamethasone combination, ALP levels were analysed in two large bortezomib trials. A statistically significant elevation of ALP from baseline was observed in responding patients (complete and partial responders) within three cycles of therapy. The rise in ALP after bortezomib in three patients was explained by a parallel increase in bone‐specific ALP and parathyroid hormone, suggesting that response to bortezomib in myeloma is closely associated with osteoblastic activation.
Clinical correlates of steady‐state oxyhaemoglobin desaturation in children who have sickle cell disease
Authors: Quinn Charles T. , Ahmad Naveed 
Published: September 2005

SummaryIndividuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) may have oxyhaemoglobin desaturation during the steady‐state, the causes of which are incompletely known. We studied a cohort of 585 children who have sickle cell anaemia (SS), sickle β0‐thalassaemia (Sβ0), sickle‐haemoglobin C disease (SC), or sickle β+‐thalassaemia (Sβ+) to determine the relationships between steady‐state oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) and SCD genotype, age, gender, steady‐state haemoglobin (Hb) and reticulocyte count, and rate of acute chest syndrome (ACS). The SS/Sβ0 group (n = 390) had lower mean SpO2 than the SC/Sβ+ group (n = 195) (96·3% vs. 98·7%, P < 0·001). Among SS/Sβ0 subjects, a decrease in steady‐state SpO2 correlated with a decrease in Hb, an increase in reticulocytes, older age and male gender. These correlations were not found in the SC/Sβ+ group. Prior ACS did not correlate with steady‐state SpO2. A multivariate model explained 45% of the variability in SpO2, but only 5% of the variation in SpO2 was explained by Hb. We conclude that steady‐state desaturation is common in individuals with SCD, but it appears to be unrelated to prior episodes of ACS and largely unexplained by chronic anaemia.
An evidence‐based review and guidelines for patient self‐testing and management of oral anticoagulation
Authors: Fitzmaurice D. A. , Gardiner C. , Kitchen S. , Mackie I. , Murray E. T. , Machin S. J. ,   The British Society of Haematology Taskforce for Haemostasis and Thrombosis
Published: September 2005

SummaryThere is a limited evidence base for self‐testing and ‐management for oral anticoagulation management. Available data suggest that these are credible models for a significant minority of patients if underpinned by structured training and follow‐up. The guidelines presented are necessarily consensual and outline procedures for patient selection, training, product procurement, product maintenance, quality assurance procedures, dosage adjustment and clinical supervision. The cost‐effectiveness of these models remains to be elucidated within the UK. Further data on both health economic and clinical outcomes are required from UK based studies before widespread implementation of self‐testing and management can be recommended on a wider scale.
Saccharin‐induced protection against powdery mildew in barley: effects on growth and phenylpropanoid metabolism
Authors: Boyle C. , Walters D. R. 
Published: September 2005

Treatment of barley (Hordeum vulgare) with 3 mm saccharin, applied as a foliar treatment to the first leaf or as a soil drench, provided significant control of powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei) on first and second leaves. This was unlikely to be the result of a direct effect of saccharin on the fungus, as application of the chemical to first leaves 2 h before inoculation did not affect conidial germination or formation of appressoria. Saccharin treatment had no significant effect on plant growth, except for a reduction in total leaf area in plants treated with a saccharin drench 14 days before inoculation with mildew. Phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activity was reduced significantly in second leaves 18 and 48 h after inoculation in plants treated with saccharin 14 days earlier. Peroxidase activity increased significantly in plants challenged with mildew within 6 days of saccharin application, although changes were not apparent until 48 h after pathogen challenge. On these occasions, treatment with saccharin resulted in a 33% increase in peroxidase activity compared with controls. In plants inoculated 10 or 14 days after saccharin application, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) activity increased prior to, and 18, 24 and 48 h after, inoculation of the barley plants with mildew. CAD activity increased approximately twofold compared with controls. However, in contrast to peroxidase, CAD activity was significantly higher in saccharin‐treated plants prior to and after inoculation with powdery mildew, suggesting that saccharin primes CAD activity prior to pathogen challenge.
Induction of root‐mat symptoms on cucumber plants by Rhizobium, but not by Ochrobactrum or Sinorhizobium, harbouring a cucumopine Ri plasmid
Authors: Weller S. A. , Stead D. E. , Young J. P. W. 
Published: September 2005

Ochrobactrum CSL 2573, Rhizobium CSL 2411 and Sinorhizobium CSL 2611 strains harbouring the Agrobacterium cucumopine Ri plasmid (pRi), previously were shown to induce root‐mat symptoms in an in vitro cucumber cotyledon assay. In whole‐plant, rockwool‐grown cucumber host tests Rhizobium CSL 2411 was shown to be as efficient an inducer of root‐mat symptoms as the virulent Agrobacterium radiobacter strain NCPPB 4042, which also harbours a cucumopine pRi. Conjugal transfer of pRi to ingressing, avirulent Agrobacterium isolates was observed within root tissues with symptoms. Ochrobactrum CSL 2573 and Sinorhizobium CSL 2611 were not able to induce root‐mat symptoms on plants. Rhizobium CSL 2411 and Ochrobactrum CSL 2573 were reisolated from inoculated plants, but Sinorhizobium CSL 2611 was not detected or isolated from inoculated plants 68 days after inoculation. It was postulated that the differences in pathogenicity observed between the in vitro and in situ host tests were caused by a lack of proper attachment to inoculated root tissues by pRi‐harbouring Ochrobactrum and Sinorhizobium in the whole‐plant host tests.
A Late Paleoproterozoic (1.80 Ga) subduction‐related mafic igneous suite from Lomza, NE Poland
Authors: Krzemińska Ewa , Williams Ian , Wiszniewska Janina 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe Lomza orthoamphibolites in the crystalline basement of NE Poland, dated at 1802 ± 9 Ma by SHRIMP zircon U–Pb, are characterized by high incompatible and REE element contents. These features, the low Nb, and the position of the rock compositions on La–Y–Nb, Zr–Nb/Zr and Zr–Nb–Y tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams, suggest that the metavolcanics formed in a subduction setting, possibly within a continental margin island arc. The likely extension of the belt of Paleoproterozoic mafic magmatism from Latvia and Lithuania into NE Poland provides convincing evidence for the existence of an active plate margin in that region at that time.
Major perturbation of ocean chemistry and a ‘Strangelove Ocean’ after the end‐Permian mass extinction
Authors: Rampino Michael R. , Caldeira Ken 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe severe mass extinction of marine and terrestrial organisms at the end of the Permian Period (c. 251 Ma) was accompanied by a rapid (<100 000 years and possibly <10 000 years) negative excursion of c. 3‰ in the δ13C of the global surface oceans and atmosphere that persisted for some 500 000 years into the Early Triassic. Simulations with an ocean–atmosphere/carbon‐cycle model suggest that the isotope excursion can be explained by collapse of ocean primary productivity, and changes in the delivery and cycling of carbon in the oceans and on land. Model results suggest that severe reduction of marine productivity led to an increase in surface‐ocean dissolved inorganic carbon and a rapid, short‐term increase in atmospheric pCO2 (from a Late Permian base of 850 ppm to c. 2500 ppm). Increase in surface ocean alkalinity may have stimulated the widespread microbial and abiotic shallow‐water carbonate deposition seen in the earliest Triassic. The model is also consistent with a long‐term (>1 Ma) decrease in sedimentary burial of organic carbon in the early Triassic.
Transcriptional gene silencing as a tool for uncovering gene function in maize
Authors: Mark Cigan A. , Unger‐Wallace Erica , Haug‐Collet Kristin 
Published: September 2005

SummaryTranscriptional gene silencing has broad applications for studying gene function in planta. In maize, a large number of genes have been identified as tassel‐preferred in their expression pattern, both by traditional genetic methods and by recent high‐throughput expression profiling platforms. Approaches using RNA suppression may provide a rapid alternative means to identify genes directly related to pollen development in maize. The male fertility gene Ms45 and several anther‐expressed genes of unknown function were used to evaluate the efficacy of generating male‐sterile plants by transcriptional gene silencing. A high frequency of male‐sterile plants was obtained by constitutively expressing inverted repeats (IR) of the Ms45 promoter. These sterile plants lacked MS45 mRNA due to transcriptional inactivity of the target promoter. Moreover, fertility was restored to these promoter IR‐containing plants by expressing the Ms45 coding region using heterologous promoters. Transcriptional silencing of other anther‐expressed genes also significantly affected male fertility phenotypes and led to increased methylation of the target promoter DNA sequences. These studies provide evidence of disruption of gene activity in monocots by RNA interference constructs directed against either native or transformed promoter regions. This approach not only enables the correlation of monocot anther‐expressed genes with functions that are important for reproduction in maize, but may also provide a tool for studying gene function and identifying regulatory components unique to transcriptional gene control.
Plastid division is mediated by combinatorial assembly of plastid division proteins
Authors: Maple Jodi , Aldridge Cassie , Møller Simon Geir 
Published: September 2005

SummaryPlastids arise by division from pre‐existing organelles, and with the recent characterization of several new components of plastid division our understanding of the division process in higher plants has improved dramatically. However, it is still not known how these different protein components act together during division. Here we analyse protein–protein interactions between all known stromal plastid division proteins. Using a combination of quantitative yeast two‐hybrid assays, in planta co‐localization studies, fluorescence resonance energy transfer and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays we show that these proteins do not act in isolation but rather in protein complexes to govern appropriate plastid division. We have previously shown that AtMinD1 forms functional homodimers and we show here that in addition to homodimerization AtMinD1 also interacts with AtMinE1. Furthermore, AtMinE1 has the ability to homodimerize. We also demonstrate that proteins from both FtsZ families (AtFtsZ1‐1 and AtFtsZ2‐1) not only interact with themselves but also with each other, and we show that these interactions are not dependent on correct Z‐ring formation. Further to this we demonstrate that ARC6 specifically interacts with the core domain of AtFtsZ2‐1, but not with AtFtsZ1‐1, providing in planta evidence for a functional difference between the two FtsZ protein families in plants. Our studies have enabled us to construct a meaningful intraplastidic protein–protein interaction map of all known stromal plastid division proteins in Arabidopsis.
External control of transgene expression in tobacco plastids using the bacterial lac repressor
Authors: Mühlbauer Stefan K. , Koop Hans‐Ulrich 
Published: September 2005

SummaryAlthough several induction systems have been described for plants containing transgenes in the nucleus, to date there is only one method for controlling transgene expression in plastids. This consists of chemical induction of a nuclear gene and import of the gene product into plastids, so that transformation of two cellular compartments is required. Here we describe a system for external control of plastid gene expression which is based entirely on plastid components and can therefore be established in a single transformation step. Our system uses modified promoters containing binding sites for the bacterial lac repressor. Chemical induction can be made with intact plants or after harvesting, which provides ecological and economic benefits.