bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon dynamics in the future forest: the importance of long‐term successional legacy and climate–fire interactions
Authors: Loudermilk E. Louise , Scheller Robert M. , Weisberg Peter J. , Yang Jian , Dilts Thomas E. , Karam Sarah L. , Skinner Carl 
Published: July 2013

AbstractUnderstanding how climate change may influence forest carbon (C) budgets requires knowledge of forest growth relationships with regional climate, long‐term forest succession, and past and future disturbances, such as wildfires and timber harvesting events. We used a landscape‐scale model of forest succession, wildfire, and C dynamics (LANDIS‐II) to evaluate the effects of a changing climate (A2 and B1 IPCC emissions; Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory General Circulation Models) on total forest C, tree species composition, and wildfire dynamics in the Lake Tahoe Basin, California, and Nevada. The independent effects of temperature and precipitation were assessed within and among climate models. Results highlight the importance of modeling forest succession and stand development processes at the landscape scale for understanding the C cycle. Due primarily to landscape legacy effects of historic logging of the Comstock Era in the late 1880s, C sequestration may continue throughout the current century, and the forest will remain a C sink (Net Ecosystem Carbon Balance > 0), regardless of climate regime. Climate change caused increases in temperatures limited simulated C sequestration potential because of augmented fire activity and reduced establishment ability of subalpine and upper montane trees. Higher temperatures influenced forest response more than reduced precipitation. As the forest reached its potential steady state, the forest could become C neutral or a C source, and climate change could accelerate this transition. The future of forest ecosystem C cycling in many forested systems worldwide may depend more on major disturbances and landscape legacies related to land use than on projected climate change alone.
Linking El Niño, local rainfall, and migration timing in a tropical migratory species
Authors: Shaw Allison K. , Kelly Kathryn A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractCurrent climate models project changes in both temperature and precipitation patterns across the globe in the coming years. Migratory species, which move to take advantage of seasonal climate patterns, are likely to be affected by these changes, and indeed, a number of studies have shown a relationship between changing climate and the migration timing of various species. However, these studies have almost exclusively focused on the effects of temperature change on species that inhabit temperate zones. Here, we explore the relationship between rainfall and migration timing in a tropical species, Gecarcoidea natalis (Christmas Island red crab). We find that the timing of the annual crab breeding migration is closely related to the amount of rain that falls during a ‘migration window’ period prior to potential egg release dates, which is in turn related to the Southern Oscillation Index, an atmospheric El Niño‐ Southern Oscillation Index. As reproduction in this species is conditional on successful migration, major changes in migration patterns could have detrimental consequences for the survival of the species. This study serves to broaden our understanding of the effects of climate change on migratory species and will hopefully inspire future work on rainfall and tropical migrations.
Compensatory responses to insulin resistance in obese African‐American and Latina girls
Authors: Hasson R. E. , Adam T. C. , Davis J. N. , Watanabe R. M. , Goran M. I. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPurposeInsulin responses to oral and intravenous glucose markedly differ by ethnicity. This study examined whether ethnic differences in pancreatic insulin secretion, hepatic insulin extraction and clearance explain these disparate findings in 35 obese African–American and 41 Latina girls (Tanner Stages: IV–V; ages: 14–18; body mass index percentile: 85.9–99.8%).MethodsPancreatic insulin secretion, hepatic insulin extraction and clearance were estimated by C‐peptide and insulin modeling during an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity (SI), acute insulin response to glucose (AIRG) and disposition index were derived from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test.ResultsCompared to Latinas, obese African–American adolescents had lower pancreatic insulin secretion (21.3%; P < 0.01), glucose incremental area under the curve (IAUC) (41.7%, P = 0.02), C‐peptide IAUC (25.1%, P < 0.01) and SI (33.7%; P < 0.01). There were no ethnic differences in hepatic insulin extraction and clearance (P's > 0.05).ConclusionsCompensatory mechanisms to insulin resistance do not appear to explain the ethnic differences in insulin responses to oral and intravenous glucose in obese African–American and Latina girls.
The role of RgpA in the pathogenicity of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the murine periodontitis model
Authors: Wilensky Asaf , Polak David , Houri‐Haddad Yael , Shapira Lior 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate the in vivo role of gingipains in Porphyromonas gingivalis' virulence, and suggest a possible host mechanisms through which the bacteria cause alveolar bone loss.Materials and MethodsMice were orally infected with P. gingivalis wild type, or the gingipains mutants (RgpA−, Kgp−, RgpA−/Kgp−). Mice were analysed for alveolar bone loss using micro‐computed tomography. The molecular effects of the proteases were evaluated using the subcutaneous chamber model. Mice were infected with P. gingivalis wild type or mutants. Exudates were analysed for cytokine and leukocytes levels, in vivo phagocytosis, P. gingivalis survival and serum anti‐P. gingivalis IgG titres.ResultsOnly RgpA‐expressing bacteria induced significantly alveolar bone loss, and suppressed phagocytosis resulting in increased survival of P. gingivalis in the chamber exudates. In addition, RgpA‐expressing bacteria induced higher levels of leukocytes and cytokines 2 h post‐infection, and reduced levels of serum anti‐P. gingivalis IgG titres 7 days post‐infection.ConclusionsOur findings showed that elimination of RgpA from P. gingivalis diminished inflammation, but augmented phagocytosis and antibody titres, coincidental with reduced alveolar bone loss. These findings support the hypothesis that RgpA is a critical virulence factor in the pathogenesis of experimental periodontitis in mice.
Arrestin‐dependent but G‐protein coupled receptor kinase‐independent uncoupling of D2‐dopamine receptors
Authors: Celver Jeremy , Sharma Meenakshi , Thanawala Vaidehi , Christopher Octeau J. , Kovoor Abraham 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe reconstituted D2 like dopamine receptor (D2R) and the delta opioid receptor (DOR) coupling to G‐protein gated inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir3) and directly compared the effects of co‐expression of G‐protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK) and arrestin on agonist‐dependent desensitization of the receptor response. We found, as described previously, that co‐expression of a GRK and an arrestin synergistically increased the rate of agonist‐dependent desensitization of DOR. In contrast, only arrestin expression was required to produce desensitization of D2R responses. Furthermore, arrestin‐dependent GRK‐independent desensitization of D2R‐Kir3 coupling could be transferred to DOR by substituting the third cytoplasmic loop of DOR with that of D2R. The arrestin‐dependent GRK‐independent desensitization of D2R desensitization was inhibited by staurosporine treatment, and blocked by alanine substitution of putative protein kinase C phosphorylation sites in the third cytoplasmic loop of D2R. Finally, the D2R construct in which putative protein kinase C phosphorylation sites were mutated did not undergo significant agonist‐dependent desensitization even after GRK co‐expression, suggesting that GRK phosphorylation of D2R does not play an important role in uncoupling of the receptor.
image
The classical model for the uncoupling and desensitization of G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) involves the phosphorylation of the agonist‐bound receptor by G protein coupled receptor kinases (GRK), followed by the binding of arrestin to the GRK phosphorylated agonist‐activated receptor. We reconstituted D2‐dopamine receptor (D2R) signaling in Xenopus oocytes to show that arrestin‐mediated uncoupling of D2R from associated G proteins (Gαβγ) occurs independently of GRKs.
Personal awareness and behavioural choices on having a stoma: a qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Tao Hui , Songwathana Praneed , Isaramalai Sang‐arun , Zhang Ying 
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectivesTo answer how personal awareness and behavioural choices on having a stoma have been described and interpreted in previous qualitative studies.BackgroundOver the past two decades, there has been an accumulation of the qualitative studies concerning the experiences of individuals living with a stoma. Synthesising the findings of these studies would be able to improve the understanding among health providers.DesignQualitative metasynthesis.MethodsThe literature was obtained through searching CINAHL and PubMed databases for papers published in English, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database for papers published in Chinese from 1990–March 2012. Sixteen articles were selected using the predefined criteria.ResultsThree themes about personal awareness and behavioural choices on having a stoma were identified: altered self, restricted life and overcoming restrictions. The results showed the impacts of having a stoma through the analysis on connections between personal awareness and behavioural choices.ConclusionsHaving a stoma means that the individuals have to learn to be aware of and accustomed to changes and restrictions in their everyday lives. The individuals take behavioural efforts to overcome these restrictions involving: deciding on whether to reveal or conceal their stomas to others based on the possibility of being accepted or rejected, using internal resources, seeking and receiving external supports.Relevance to clinical practiceThe description and interpretation on personal awareness and behavioural choices associated with having a stoma is useful for nurses in providing practical, informational and emotional supports to help the individuals successfully adapt to their lives with a stoma.
Becoming a father is an emotional roller coaster – an analysis of first‐time fathers′ blogs
Authors: Åsenhed Liselotte , Kilstam Jennie , Alehagen Siw , Baggens Christina 
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectivesTo identify and describe the process of fatherhood during the partner's pregnancy among expectant, first‐time fathers.BackgroundPregnancy seems to be a demanding period for expectant fathers, and this period is a part of their transition to fatherhood. Blogs can be seen as personal diaries and offer an alternative method of collecting data as they are an arena for sharing experiences and narratives.DesignAn explorative qualitative design.MethodsBlogs from the Internet by eleven first‐time fathers living in Sweden were included in the study. Qualitative content analysis was used for the analysis of the blogs.ResultsA theme emerged expressing the latent content of the text: ‘Becoming a father for the first time is an emotional roller coaster where the role of the expectant father is not obvious’ and five different categories describing the manifest content: the pregnancy, a new life, to make the child real, preparations for the delivery and the arrival of the child, and a new role in life.ConclusionsThe metaphor ‘roller coaster’ indicates the tension between different feelings about the men's future as fathers. They are searching for answers on how to be a good father. They feel excluded when they visit antenatal care centres and have difficulties finding out how to support their partner. This is an existential period when they understand themselves as adults and also miss relatives who have died. During pregnancy, the men start to communicate with their child, and this interaction gives a sense of reality and creates hope and joy about being a father.Relevance to clinical practiceStaff involved in antenatal care can use the knowledge from this study when meeting with expectant fathers. Perspectives expressed in blogs may enhance the professionals' understanding that the transition process of fatherhood is complex.
Transversus abdominis plane block provides postoperative analgesic effects after cesarean section: Additional analgesia to epidural morphine alone
Authors: Onishi Yoko , Kato Rie , Okutomi Toshiyuki , Tabata Ken‐ichi , Amano Kan , Unno Nobuya 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of our study was: (i) to investigate whether transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block confers additional analgesic effects to epidural morphine alone; and (ii) to determine plasma levels of local anesthetics after TAP block in post‐cesarean women.Material and MethodsThe subjects were parturients undergoing cesarean section under combined spinal‐epidural anesthesia. Morphine (2 mg) was administered to the epidural space close to the end of surgery. Women who desired TAP block were allocated to the TAP group. Women who did not undergo TAP block were allocated to the control group. In the TAP group, 20 mL of either 0.375% ropivacaine or 0.3% levobupivacaine was infused to both sides of the transversus abdominis plane after surgery. All patients were placed on a patient‐controlled i.v. analgesia regimen with morphine after surgery. Time to the first morphine request and amount of morphine consumption within 24 h after surgery were compared in patients with and without TAP block. Plasma concentrations of local anesthetics were determined at 15, 30 and 60 min after TAP block.ResultsForty and 54 patients were allocated to the control and TAP group, respectively. The median time to the first morphine request was longer (555 vs 215 min), and the median cumulative morphine consumption within 24 h was lower (5.3 vs 7.7 mg) in the TAP group than in the control group. The maximum median concentrations of ropivacaine and bupivacaine after TAP block were 784 and 553 ng/mL, respectively.ConclusionTAP block had additional analgesic effects to epidural morphine alone.
Value of Bishop score and ultrasound cervical length measurement in the prediction of cesarean delivery
Authors: Cubal Adelaide , Carvalho Joana , Ferreira Maria João , Rodrigues Graça , Carmo Olímpia Do 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Bishop score and cervical length in predicting the outcome of induced labor.Material and MethodsA prospective observational study was performed during a year in women undergoing labor induction. Prior to the procedure, Bishop score was evaluated by transvaginal digital examination and cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasound. Demographic data and labor details were recorded.ResultsA total of 197 women were analyzed; 166 women had a vaginal delivery (84.3%) and 31 had a cesarean section (15.7%). On univariate analysis, nulliparity, Bishop score >5 and cervical length <30 mm were all associated with cesarean delivery. On multivariate analysis, only nulliparity remained significantly associated with cesarean delivery and the other characteristics did not achieve statistical significance. When women were stratified according to parity, there was a significant association between cesarean delivery and nulliparity, but not multiparity.ConclusionsOur results suggest that Bishop score and cervical length are good predictors of successful induction of labor, particularly in nulliparous women.
Hypoxia alters phosphorylation status of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐binding protein‐1 and attenuates biological activities of IGF‐I in HepG2 cell cultures
Authors: Tsunawaki Tomonori , Sakai Keiji , Momomura Mai , Wachi Yuichi , Matsuzawa Yukiko , Iwashita Mitsutoshi 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimInsulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I is known to stimulate fetal growth. One of the IGF‐binding proteins, IGFBP‐1, suppresses IGF‐I activity, and thereby inhibits fetal growth. Because hypoxic stress in the uterus is known to cause fetal growth restriction, we examined the effects of hypoxia on IGFBP‐1 production and phosphorylation status.MethodsBecause liver is a main IGFBP‐1 production site in the fetus, we used a hepatoma cell line, HepG2 cells, that secrete a large amount of IGFBP‐1, express IGF‐I receptors and model fetal liver metabolism in vitro. IGFBP‐1 was analyzed by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) following immunoblotting, and IGFBP‐1 phosphorylation status was analyzed by native PAGE following immunoblotting.ResultsTotal concentrations of IGFBP‐1 in media were higher and the highly phosphorylated isoforms were dominant in low oxygen conditions. Phosphorylation of IGF‐I receptor by IGF‐I was attenuated in low oxygen conditions. IGF‐I‐induced phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) was attenuated in low oxygen conditions as well. However, attenuated phosphorylation of IGF‐I receptor and IRS‐1 were not observed in low oxygen conditions if the cells were stimulated with LR3IGF‐I that has a similar binding affinity to IGF‐I receptor but much less binding affinity to IGFBP‐1 compared to those of native IGF‐I. While IGF‐I‐induced cell proliferation was also inhibited in low oxygen conditions, LR3IGF‐I‐stimulated cell proliferation was not inhibited. These findings indicate that low oxygen conditions inhibit IGF‐I action by increasing IGFBP‐1, especially phosphorylated IGFBP‐1, which inhibits IGF‐I action.ConclusionThis study has indicated that hypoxia‐induced IGFBP‐1 production in the fetus may be a conserved physiological mechanism for restricting IGF‐I‐stimulated fetal growth.
Prenatal diagnosis of X‐linked recessive Lenz microphthalmia syndrome
Authors: Suzumori Nobuhiro , Kaname Tadashi , Muramatsu Yukako , Yanagi Kumiko , Kumagai Kyoko , Mizuno Seiji , Naritomi Kenji , Saitoh Shinji , Sugiura‐Ogasawara Mayumi 
Published: July 2013

AbstractLenz microphthalmia syndrome comprises microphthalmia–anophthalmia with mental retardation, malformed ears and skeletal anomalies, and is inherited in an X‐linked recessive pattern. In 2004, it was reported that the missense mutation (BCL‐6 co‐repressor gene [BCOR] c.254C>T, p.P85L) in a single family with Lenz microphthalmia syndrome co‐segregated with the disease phenotype. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis for X‐linked recessive Lenz microphthalmia syndrome with the mutation. A 32‐year‐old gravida 5, para 2 Japanese woman was referred to Nagoya City University Hospital at 15 weeks of gestation. After genetic counseling and informed consent, amniocentesis was performed for fetal karyotyping, which was 46,XY. Using the extracted DNA from cultured amniotic cells, fetal search for BCOR c.254C>T mutation was undertaken. The couple requested medical termination of pregnancy, and the postabortion examination confirmed the diagnosis. This is the third report of a BCOR mutation, associated with X‐linked syndromic microphthalmia, and most importantly, it is always the same mutation. The prenatal genetic diagnosis of the Lenz microphthalmia syndrome allowed time for parental counseling and delivery planning.
Characterization and application of a flow system for in vitro multispecies oral biofilm formation
Authors: Blanc V. , Isabal S. , Sánchez M. C. , Llama‐Palacios A. , Herrera D. , Sanz M. , León R. 
Published: July 2013

Background and ObjectiveBacteria in the oral cavity grow in the form of biofilms; these structures are subject to constant saliva or gingival crevicular fluid flow conditions. The aims of this study were: (i) to develop and to characterize an in‐vitro biofilm model with oral bacteria growing under flow and shear conditions; and (ii) to demonstrate the usefulness of the model for evaluating the activity of three antiplaque agents.Material and MethodsWe used a bioreactor to grow the oral bacteria Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Veillonella parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis under planktonic conditions. Biofilms were established using a modified Robbins device on hydroxyapatite (HAP) discs. Three‐ to 7‐d‐old biofilms were analysed using culture methods, scanning electron microscopy, Live/Dead staining and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (confocal laser scanning microscopy). Finally, we assessed the antimicrobial activity of three mouthrinses [0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), 0.12% chlorhexidine and sodium fluoride (CHX+NaF) and 0.12% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CHX+CPC)] using a planktonic test (short interval–killing test) and in our 4‐d biofilm model.ResultsThe viable cell counts showed that each species was consistently found in the biofilms throughout the study. The architecture and cell distribution were similar to those described for biofilms in situ, with the exception of a thin layer of living cells that was found close to the HAP. The effectiveness test of the mouthwashes demonstrated that cells in biofilms showed more tolerance compared with planktonic cells. Moreover, it was observed that in 4‐d biofilm formed in vitro, CHX+CPC caused significantly higher mortality compared with CHX (p = 0.003) and CHX+NaF (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur results suggest that we have a highly reproducible system for multispecies oral biofilm formation and that it is a useful tool for assessing antibacterial molecules before their clinical evaluation. It also has great potential to be used in basic research on supragingival and subgingival biofilms.