bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hertwig's epithelial root sheath, enamel matrix proteins, and initiation of cementogenesis in porcine teeth
Authors: Bosshardt Dieter D. , Nanci Antonio 
Published: February 2004

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the association between Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) cells, enamel matrix proteins (EMPs), and cementogenesis.Material and Methods: Porcine teeth were examined at the beginning of root formation by light and transmission electron microscopy. Colloidal gold immunocytochemistry was used to analyze the protein expression of amelogenin and ameloblastin.Results: Before and during disintegration of HERS, its cells displayed the cytologic features of protein synthesis and secretion. While some cells assumed an ameloblast‐like phenotype, others extended their territory away from the root surface. A collagenous matrix filled the widening intercellular spaces, and tonofilaments and desmosomes were still present in cells featuring the morphologic characteristics of cementoblasts. Labeling for amelogenin was observed but ameloblastin was not immunodetected. Labeling was associated with organic matrix deposits that were sporadically and randomly distributed both along the root surface and away from it among the dissipated epithelial cells.Conclusions: These findings suggest that HERS' cells occasionally assume a lingering ameloblastic activity at the beginning of root formation in the pig. While the results do not support the hypothesis of a causal relationship between EMPs and cementogenesis, they lend support to the concept of an epithelial origin of cementoblasts.
Local biochemical markers of bone turnover: relationship to subsequent density of healing alveolar bone defects
Authors: Reinhardt Richard A. , Sanderfer Van J. , Meinberg Trudy A. , Nummikoski Pirkka , Lee Hsi‐ming , Marx David B. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractObjectives: This pilot study was designed to test whether biochemical markers of bone turnover in washes of periosteal or trabecular alveolar bone surfaces could be correlated with increases in bone density of an adjacent healing implant socket.Methods: Ten subjects had a canula inserted into the alveolar crest and sterile phosphate‐buffered saline was washed over the periosteal and trabecular surfaces and collected. Surgical flaps were reflected, 5 mm diameter bone cores were removed from the bone wash site, and standardized radiographs were taken. The sites were allowed to heal for 12 weeks, and radiographs were repeated. Bone washes of the healing sites were also collected after 2 and 12 weeks. Washes were analysed for bone turnover markers osteocalcin (OC; radioimmunoassay) and C‐terminal telopeptide of Type 1 collagen (ICTP; enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), and blood component albumin (ALB; ELISA). Changes in bone density during healing were determined by radiographic absorptiometry.Results: OC/ALB and ICTP/ALB ratios were higher for trabecular than periosteal washes at baseline (p0.01). Trabecular OC/ALB and ICTP/ALB were inversely correlated with increasing bone density of the healing bone core socket (r=−0.72, p=0.03; Pearson's correlation coefficient).Conclusions: Biochemical markers of bone turnover in bone washes of specific alveolar bone sites may prove helpful in predicting how the bone density will increase around healing dental implants.
Efficient discovery of DNA polymorphisms in natural populations by Ecotilling
Authors: Comai Luca , Young Kim , Till Bradley J. , Reynolds Steven H. , Greene Elizabeth A. , Codomo Christine A. , Enns Linda C. , Johnson Jessica E. , Burtner Chris , Odden Anthony R. , Henikoff Steven 
Published: February 2004

SummaryWe have adapted the mutation detection technology used in Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING) to the discovery of polymorphisms in natural populations. The genomic DNA of a queried individual is mixed with a reference DNA and used to amplify a target 1‐kbp region of DNA with asymmetrically labeled fluorescent primers. After heating and annealing, heteroduplexes are nicked at mismatched sites by the endonuclease CEL I and cut strands are visualized using Li‐cor gel analyzers. Putative polymorphisms detected in one fluorescence channel can be verified by appearance of the opposite cut strand in the other channel. We demonstrated the efficiency of this technology, called Ecotilling, by the discovery in 150+ individuals of 55 haplotypes in five genes, ranging from sequences differing by a single nucleotide polymorphism to those representing complex haplotypes. The discovered polymorphisms were confirmed by sequencing and included base‐pair changes, small insertions and deletions, and variation in microsatellite repeat number. Ecotilling allows the rapid detection of variation in many individuals and is cost effective because only one individual for each haplotype needs to be sequenced. The technology is applicable to any organism including those that are heterozygous and polyploid.
DVL, a novel class of small polypeptides: overexpression alters Arabidopsis development
Authors: Wen Jiangqi , Lease Kevin A. , Walker John C. 
Published: February 2004

SummarySmall polypeptides can act as important regulatory molecules that coordinate cellular responses required for differentiation, growth, and development. In a gain‐of‐function genetic screen for genes that influence fruit development in Arabidopsis, we identified a novel gene –DEVIL1 (DVL1) – encoding a small protein. Overexpression of DVL1 results in pleiotropic phenotypes featured by shortened stature, rounder rosette leaves, clustered inflorescences, shortened pedicles, and siliques with pronged tips. cDNA analysis indicates that DVL1 has a 153‐nucleotide (nt) open‐reading frame (ORF) encoding a 51‐amino acid polypeptide that shares no significant similarity to previously identified proteins. Sequence alignment shows that DVL1 belongs to a family of related genes that are limited to angiosperm plants. Ectopic overexpression of each of the five closely related Arabidopsis DVL genes causes similar phenotypic changes, suggesting overlapping function in the DVL gene family. Point mutations of conserved amino acids in the C‐terminal region of the DVL1 polypeptide reveal that these conserved residues are required for DVL1‐overexpression phenotypes. Our results show that the DVL family is a novel class of small polypeptides and the overexpression phenotypes suggest that these polypeptides may have a role in plant development.
FIE and CURLY LEAF polycomb proteins interact in the regulation of homeobox gene expression during sporophyte development
Authors: Katz Aviva , Oliva Moran , Mosquna Assaf , Hakim Ofir , Ohad Nir 
Published: February 2004

SummaryThe Arabidopsis FERTILIZATION‐INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM (FIE) polycomb group (PcG) protein, a WD40 homologue of Drosophila extra sex comb (ESC), regulates endosperm and embryo development and represses flowering during embryo and seedling development. As fie alleles are not transmitted maternally, homozygous mutant plants cannot be obtained. To study FIE function during the entire plant life cycle, we used Arabidopsis FIE co‐suppressed plants. Low FIE level in these plants produced dramatic morphological aberrations, including loss of apical dominance, curled leaves, early flowering and homeotic conversion of leaves, flower organs and ovules into carpel‐like structures. These morphological aberrations are similar to those exhibited by plants overexpressing AGAMOUS (AG) or CURLY LEAF (clf) mutants. Furthermore, the aberrant leaf morphology of FIE‐silenced and clf plants correlates with de‐repression of the class I KNOTTED‐like homeobox (KNOX) genes including KNOTTED‐like from Arabidopsis thaliana 2 (KNAT2) and SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM), whereas BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) was upregulated in FIE‐silenced plants, but not in the clf mutant. Thus, FIE is essential for the control of shoot and leaf development. Yeast two‐hybrid and pull‐down assays demonstrate that FIE interacts with CLF. Collectively, the morphological characteristics, together with the molecular and biochemical data presented in this work, strongly suggest that in plants, as in mammals and insects, PcG proteins control expression of homeobox genes. Our findings demonstrate that the versatility of the plant FIE function, which is derived from association with different SET (SU (VAR)3‐9, E (Z), Trithorax) domain PcG proteins, results in differential regulation of gene expression throughout the plant life cycle.
The Dof domain, a zinc finger DNA‐binding domain conserved only in higher plants, truly functions as a Cys2/Cys2 Zn finger domain
Authors: Umemura Yoshimi , Ishiduka Tomoko , Yamamoto Rie , Esaka Muneharu 
Published: February 2004

SummaryThe Dof (DNA‐binding with one finger) proteins are plant transcription factors that have a highly conserved DNA‐binding domain, called the Dof domain. The Dof domain, which is composed of 52 amino acid residues, is similar to the Cys2/Cys2 zinc finger DNA‐binding domain of GATA1 and steroid hormone receptors, but has a longer putative loop than that in the case of these zinc finger domains. The DNA‐binding function of ascorbate oxidase gene binding protein (AOBP), a Dof protein, was investigated by gel retardation analysis. When Cys was replaced by His, the Dof domain could not function as a Cys3/His‐ or a Cys2/His2‐type zinc finger. The characteristic longer loop was essential for DNA‐binding activity. Furthermore, heavy metals such as Co(II), Ni(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Fe(II), and Fe(III) inhibited the DNA‐binding activity of the Dof domain. Manganese ion as well as zinc ion was coordinated by the Dof domain in vitro. On the other hand, the analysis using inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) showed that the Dof domain contained zinc ion but not manganese ion. Thus, the Dof domain was proved to function as a Cys2/Cys2 zinc finger domain.
The irregular xylem 2 mutant is an allele of korrigan that affects the secondary cell wall of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Szyjanowicz Pio M. J. , McKinnon Iain , Taylor Neil G. , Gardiner John , Jarvis Mike C. , Turner Simon R. 
Published: February 2004

SummaryThe irregular xylem 2 (irx2) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana exhibits a cellulose deficiency in the secondary cell wall, which is brought about by a point mutation in the KORRIGAN (KOR) β,1‐4 endoglucanase (β,1‐4 EGase) gene. Measurement of the total crystalline cellulose in the inflorescence stem indicates that the irx2 mutant contains approximately 30% of the level present in the wild type (WT). Fourier–Transform Infra Red (FTIR) analysis, however, indicates that there is no decrease in cellulose in primary cell walls of the cortical and epidermal cells of the stem. KOR expression is correlated with cellulose synthesis and is highly expressed in cells synthesising a secondary cell wall. Co‐precipitation experiments, using either an epitope‐tagged form of KOR or IRX3 (AtCesA7), suggest that KOR is not an integral part of the cellulose synthase complex. These data are supported by immunolocalisation of KOR that suggests that KOR does not localise to sites of secondary cell wall deposition in the developing xylem. The defect in irx2 plant is consistent with a role for KOR in the later stages of secondary cell wall formation, suggesting a role in processing of the growing microfibrils or release of the cellulose synthase complex.
Short interfering RNAs specific for potato spindle tuber viroid are found in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus
Authors: Denti Michela Alessandra , Boutla Alexandra , Tsagris Mina , Tabler Martin 
Published: February 2004

SummaryShort interfering (si) and micro (mi) RNAs influence gene expression at post‐transcriptional level. In plants, different classes of DICER‐LIKE (DCL) enzymes are responsible for the generation of these small regulatory RNAs from different precursors. To characterize the cellular site of their generation and accumulation, we purified nuclei from tomato plants infected with potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) RNA, which is known to replicate in the nucleus via double‐stranded (ds) RNA intermediates. We could detect PSTVd‐specific siRNAs in the cytoplasmic fraction, but not in the nuclear fraction. To correlate the localization of the PSTVd‐specific siRNAs with that of similarly sized small RNAs, we studied the compartmentalization of a naturally occurring miRNA. We could detect the precursor of miR167 in the nucleus, but the mature miRNA was found only in the cytoplasmic fraction. We discuss the consequences of this finding for the model of viroid replication and heterochromatin formation.
Loss of function of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase 1 (HMG1) in Arabidopsis leads to dwarfing, early senescence and male sterility, and reduced sterol levels
Authors: Suzuki Masashi , Kamide Yukiko , Nagata Noriko , Seki Hikaru , Ohyama Kiyoshi , Kato Hisashi , Masuda Kazuo , Sato Shusei , Kato Tomohiko , Tabata Satoshi , Yoshida Shigeo , Muranaka Toshiya 
Published: February 2004

Summary3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGR) catalyzes the first committed step in the cytosolic isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway in higher plants. To understand the contribution of HMGR to plant development, we isolated T‐DNA insertion mutants for HMG1 and HMG2. The hmg1 and hmg2 mutants were both more sensitive than the wild type (WT) to lovastatin, an inhibitor of HMGR. The hmg2 mutant showed no visible phenotype under normal growth conditions. In contrast, the hmg1 mutant exhibited dwarfing, early senescence, and sterility. Expression of senescence‐associated genes 12 (SAG12), a marker gene for senescence, was induced in the hmg1 mutant at an earlier stage than in the WT. Levels of trans‐cytokinins – hormones known to inhibit senescence – were not lower in hmg1. The mutant did not have the typical appearance of brassinosteroid (BR)‐deficient mutants, except for a dwarf phenotype, because of the suppression of cell elongation. The expression of several genes involved in cell elongation was suppressed in hmg1. WT plants treated exogenously with inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis had similar gene expression and sterility characteristics as the hmg1 mutants. Pleiotropic phenotypes were rescued by feeding with squalene, the precursor of sterols and triterpenoids. The sterol levels in hmg1 mutants were lower than in the WT. These findings suggest that HMG1 plays a critical role in triterpene biosynthesis, and that sterols and/or triterpenoids contribute to cell elongation, senescence, and fertility.
Experimental studies of oxymatrine and its mechanisms of action in hepatitis B and C viral infections
Authors: Wu Xie Ning , Wang Guo Jin 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVE:  Viral hepatitis B is a worldwide public health problem; in China, chronic hepatitis B patients account for 30–40 million people and chronic hepatitis C accounts for 16% of all chronic hepatitis patients. Interferon‐alpha (IFNα) is rather expensive and has many serious side‐effects, which makes practioners prudent in its use.METHOD/RESULTS:  A multicenter study held in China showed that the negative seroconversion of HBV DNA by oxymatrine and IFNα‐1b was 42.3% and 40.7%, respectively, and that of HBeAg was 36.5% and 38.9%, respectively, after 3 months treatment with each in patients with chronic hepatitis.CONCLUSIONS:  Oxymatrine has a similar efficacy to IFNα, but with no adverse effects apart from slight injection pain, and it is much less expensive.
Suspected white‐tail spider bite and necrotic ulcers
Authors: Isbister G. K. , Whyte I. M. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Aim: To describe the clinical features, investigation, diagnosis and treatment of ulcers attributed to white‐tail (WT) spider bites or necrotic arachnidism.Methods: The study was a prospective case series of patients referred to the Hunter Area Toxicology Service (a tertiary referral toxicology unit servicing a population of 500 000) with an ulcer or skin lesion that had been attributed to either a suspected WT spider bite or necrotic arachnidism. Eleven patients with skin lesions or necrotic ulcers were referred between January 2000 and June 2002.Results: In two patients that were inpatients in other ­hospitals, investigation and follow up was not possible. In both cases there was no history of spider bite and Staphylococcus aureus was cultured. In nine patients, a diagnosis other than spider bite was made following appropriate investigation and follow up, including: (i) two cases of dermatophytoses, (ii) three staphylo­coccal infections, (iii) one case of pyoderma gangrenosum, (iv) one case of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, (v) one case of Nocardia braziliensis and (vi) one infected diabetic ulcer. There was only one case where the person recalled seeing a spider bite them, but the patient did not collect the spider for identification. The median time to diagnosis was 3 weeks (interquartile range: 3−9 weeks) and 3.5 years in one case. Appropriate treatment was initiated once the correct diagnosis was made and all cases resolved.Conclusions:  In this series, all cases initially referred as WT spider bites or necrotic arachnidism were found to have alternative diagnoses with appropriate investig­ations. This demonstrates that spider bites are an unlikely cause of necrotic ulcers and that all ulcers should be properly investigated with bacterial, fungal and mycobacterial cultures and skin biopsy for histo­pathology. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 38−44)
Evidence‐based guide to slowing the progression of early renal insufficiency
Authors: Johnson D. W. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Early renal insufficiency (ERI), defined as a calculated or measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 30 and 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, is present in more than 10% of the adult Australian population. This pernicious condition is frequently unrecognised, progressive and accompanied by multiple associated comorbidities, including hypertension, renal osteodystrophy, anaemia, sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, hyperparathyroidism and malnutrition. Several treatments have been suggested to retard GFR decline in ERI, including blood pressure reduction, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition, angiotensin receptor antagonism, calcium channel blockade, cholesterol reduction, smoking cessation, erythropoietin therapy, dietary protein restriction, intensive glycaemic control and early intensive multidisciplinary patient education within a renal unit. In addition, specific interventions have been reported to be renoprotective in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, diabetic nephropathy, lupus nephritis and certain forms of primary glomerulonephritis. The present paper reviews the available published randomised controlled clinical trials and meta‐analyses supporting (or refuting) a role for each of these therapeutic manoeuvres. (Intern Med J; 34: 50–57)
Ongoing controversies in the pharmacological management of cancer pain
Authors: Glare P. , Aggarwal G. , Clark K. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract:Pain management remains a problem in advanced cancer. Despite the ready availability of effective analgesia and good evidence to support the prescription of medications, concerns continue over the safety of this practice. The aim of the present paper was to review often‐raised questions when considering the use of opioids, especially in cancer pain, to ascertain the levels of evidence that already exist to support opioid‐ prescribing practice and to identify areas where further research is needed. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 45–49)
A Simple Matter of Control? NHS Hospital Nurses and New Management*
Authors: Bolton Sharon C. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT  Over the past two decades the National Health Hospital Service has been subjected to considerable changes in is organization. ‘New’ public sector management (NPM) has been given the task of changing hospital culture and making service provision more efficient. Nurses, as the largest occupational group within the National Health Service (NHS), have attracted considerable management attention and there are two distinct accounts concerning how NPM has supposedly gained control of the nursing labour process. Firstly, it is proposed that the physical division of labour of health care professionals is now firmly in the hands of hospital management through the use of Tayloristic techniques. Secondly, alternative accounts suggest that public sector organization cultures have been successfully orientated toward a customer service ethos, and that the convincing discourse of ‘quality’ is achieving some success as a normative control device.This paper investigates the responses of nurses to NPM, whichever form this may take, and presents data collected as part of a longitudinal study carried out in an NHS Trust hospital. It charts the changes which have occurred in the nursing labour process over a six year period, but especially draws upon more recent data to show how nurses, over a period of time, develop their own ways of reinterpreting management's desires. It argues that management is more likely to continue to rely on nurses’ traditional autonomy in the delivery of health care in recognition that nurses may resist some but accommodate many of the demands made of them.
Metaphor and Thinking in Science and Religion
Authors: Gerhart Mary , Russell Allan Melvin 
Published: February 2004

AbstractExcerpts from Chapters 1 and 3 of New Maps for Old: Explorations in Science and Religion (Gerhart and Russell 2001) explore the ramifications of metaphoric process for changes in thinking, especially those changes that lead to a new understanding of our world. Examples are provided from science, from religion, and from science and religion together. In excerpts from Chapter 8, a double analogy—theology is to science as science is to mathematics—is proposed for better understanding the contemporary relationship between science and religion. A conservation of epistemological sufficiency is disclosed as one moves from mathematics to empirical science to theology—a move from one discipline to another that involves a sacrifice of one aspect of thought to gain another.
Changing Worldviews: Responding to Betty Birner and Robert Masson
Authors: Gerhart Mary , Russell Allan Melvin 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWorldviews are changed by higher viewpoints that can develop by metaphoric process, the equating of two formerly disparate known concepts. The equating results in a distortion—a tectonic reformation—of the associated fields of meanings that effects a rearrangement of associated concepts leading to new cognitive relations. We comment on reviews of our books Metaphoric Process (1984) and New Maps for Old (2001) by Robert Masson and Betty Birner. Metaphoric process may further understanding of the formation of diverse worldviews and their reconciliation.