bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D insufficiency among hospitalised children in the Northern Territory
Authors: Binks Michael J , Smith‐Vaughan Heidi C , Bar‐Zeev Naor , Chang Anne B , Andrews Ross M 
Published: June 2014

AimAcute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) are the most common reason for hospitalisation of young children in the Northern Territory of Australia. International studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with increased risk of ALRI in paediatric populations, but this has not been explored in tropical regions such as the Top End of the Northern Territory. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among children hospitalised with ALRI in the Northern Territory.MethodsVitamin D serum metabolite (25OHD3) levels were retrospectively measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in 74 children (64% male; 57% Indigenous) aged less than 3 years admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital in the Northern Territory of Australia between May 2008 and May 2010.ResultsThere were 44 (59%) ALRI‐classified hospitalisations and 30 (41%) non‐ALRI‐classified hospitalisations. The most common ALRI diagnoses were bronchiolitis (n = 22, 30%) and pneumonia (n = 21, 28%), whereas the most common non‐ALRI diagnosis was gastroenteritis (n = 20, 27%). Overall, 24/74 (32%) children had 25OHD3 levels <75 nmol/L (insufficiency). For children hospitalised with ALRI, 23% (10/44) had vitamin D insufficiency compared with 47% (14/30) among children hospitalised for other reasons (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.11–1.03; P = 0.043). Twelve of the 20 (60%) children hospitalised for gastroenteritis had vitamin D insufficiency.ConclusionsVitamin D insufficiency was observed in almost one‐third of these hospitalised children. Children hospitalised with an ALRI were less likely to have vitamin D insufficiency compared with children hospitalised for other conditions (predominantly gastroenteritis).
Primary ciliary dyskinesia: Overlooked and undertreated in children
Authors: Hosie Patrick , Fitzgerald Dominic A , Jaffe Adam , Birman Catherine S , Morgan Lucy 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPrimary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a multi‐organ disorder associated with chronic oto‐sino‐pulmonary disease, neonatal respiratory distress, situs abnormalities and reduced fertility. Repeated respiratory tract infections leads to the almost universal development of bronchiectasis. These clinical manifestations are a consequence of poorly functioning motile cilia. However, confirming the diagnosis is quite difficult and is often delayed, so the true incidence of PCD may be significantly higher than current estimates. Nasal nitric oxide has been earmarked as a useful screening tool for identifying patients, but its use is limited in pre‐school‐aged children. Due to the rarity of PCD, the evidence base for management is somewhat limited, and treatment regimens are extrapolated from other suppurative lung disorders, like cystic fibrosis.
Oral vitamin B12 treatment is effective for children with nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency
Authors: Bahadir Aysenur , Reis Pınar Gökçe , Erduran Erol 
Published: June 2014

AimDespite being one of common preventable deficiency disorders, vitamin B12 (vit‐B12) deficiency can lead to serious health problems both in children and adult. The familiar treatment through parenteral route for vit‐B12 deficiency frequently leads to poor adherence, and adequate response to treatment has lead to interest in oral supplementation. This study investigates the efficacy of oral vit‐B12 treatment in children with nutritional vit‐B12 deficiency.MethodsForty‐seven children (from 1 month to 17 years) with vit‐B12 levels below 200 pg/mL were allocated either of two study groups: Group 1 (1–20 months) and Group 2 (6–17 years) which were subdivided according to the duration of treatment (Group 1A&2A: 4 months; Group 1B&2B: 8 months of 1000 μg oral vit‐B12, every day for a week, every other day for 2 weeks, 2 days a week for 2 weeks, then once a week).ResultsVit‐B12 levels among all groups were significantly restored following high oral vit‐B12 doses (P = 0.013, P = 0.001), the regimen being more effective in Group1A and Group1B. Correlation analysis of serum vit‐B12 levels and age at the end of treatment revealed a decreasing trend with the increasing patient age (corelation respectively −65.2%, P = 0.08; −35.4%; P = 0.25).ConclusionData from this study indicate that oral vit‐B12 (1000 μg) for 4 months is effective, giving clinicians more choice, for treatment of children with nutritional vit‐B12 deficiency. However, despite this high dose, lower levels were achieved in older children indicating the necessity of dosage adjustment in accordance with body weight.
Melatonin promotes the acquisition of neural identity through extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 activation
Authors: Chen Xueran , Li Xian , Du Zhaoxia , Shi Wei , Yao Yao , Wang Chen , He Kun , Hao Aijun 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMelatonin, a major pineal secretory product, exerts a range of physiological and neuroprotective effects. However, the functional significance of melatonin in determining neural identity, and the mechanisms by which this may occur, is unknown. In this study, P19 cells were used as a model system and cell behavior was monitored. Our data show that melatonin plays an important role in determining cell fate during neural commitment and promoting the differentiation of pluripotent P19 cells (Oct4+Sox2+) into neural stem cells (Oct4−Sox2+). This promotion appears to coincide with the activation of the MT1 receptor and phosphorylation of extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Furthermore, our results show that melatonin regulates neural fate specification of P19 cells through two distinct mechanisms: the promotion of nuclear localization of ERK1/2 and upregulation of Sox2 transcription, and suppression of Smad1‐induced expression of mesodermal‐specific genes, such as Bra.
Effects of supplemental nanoparticle trivalent chromium on the nutrient utilization, growth performance and serum traits of broilers
Authors: Lin Y. C. , Huang J. T. , Li M. Z. , Cheng C. Y. , Lien T. F. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of nanoparticle trivalent chromium on nutrient utilization, growth performance and serum traits of broilers. This study included two trials. In trial 1, 32 three‐week‐old broilers were divided into four groups: the control, chromium chloride (CrCl3), chromium picolinate (CrPic) and nanoparticle chromium picolinate (NanoCrPic). Chromium was added at a 1200 μg/kg level to evaluate the nutrient and chromium utilization. In trial 2, 160 one‐day‐old broilers were randomly divided into four groups as in trial 1, with four replicates. The results of trial 1 indicated that the chromium utilization is as follows: NanoCrPic > CrPic > CrCl3 and control groups, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Crude fat utilization in CrCl3 group was lower than in that the control group (p < 0.05). The results of trial 2 indicated that feed intake of 4–5 weeks showed better result in the CrCl3 group than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). The results of serum traits indicated that the LDL‐cholesterol in the NanoCrPic groups was lower than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). The NanoCrpic and CrPic groups showed significantly increased serum chromium concentration when compared with the control and CrCl3 groups; the triglyceride level in the CrCl3 group was lower than that in the CrPic group (p < 0.05). This study concluded that compared with CrPic, NanoCrpic supplementation could increase chromium utilization and lower the serum LDL‐cholesterol of broilers.
Effects of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, on cytodifferentiation and mineralization of periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Kitagaki J. , Miyauchi S. , Xie C. J , Yamashita M. , Yamada S. , Kitamura M. , Murakami S. 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectiveThe proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, is known to induce osteoblastic differentiation in a number of cell lines, such as mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblastic precursor cells. As periodontal ligament (PDL) cells are multipotent, we examined whether bortezomib may induce the differentiation of PDL cells into hard‐tissue‐forming cells.Material and MethodsA mouse PDL clone cell line, MPDL22 cells, was cultured in mineralization medium in the presence or absence of bortezomib. Expression of calcification‐related genes and calcified‐nodule formation were evaluated by real‐time PCR and Alizarin Red staining, respectively.ResultsBortezomib increased the expression of calcification‐related mRNAs, such as tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme (ALPase), bone sialoprotein (Bsp), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteopontin, and calcified‐nodule formation in MPDL22 cells. These effects were induced, in part, by increasing the cytosolic accumulation and nuclear translocation of β‐catenin, leading to an increase in expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)‐2, ‐4 and ‐6 mRNAs. In addition, bortezomib enhanced BMP‐2‐induced expression of Bsp and osteopontin mRNAs and increased calcified‐nodule formation in MPDL22 cells.ConclusionBortezomib induced cytodifferentiation and mineralization of PDL cells by enhancing the accumulation of β‐catenin within the cytosol and the nucleus and increasing the expression of Bmp‐2, ‐4 and ‐6 mRNAs. Moreover, bortezomib enhanced the BMP‐2‐induced cytodifferentiation and mineralization of PDL cells, suggesting that bortezomib may be efficacious for use in periodontal regeneration therapy.
Mutation of praR in Rhizobium leguminosarum enhances root biofilms, improving nodulation competitiveness by increased expression of attachment proteins
Authors: Frederix Marijke , Edwards Anne , Swiderska Anna , Stanger Andrew , Karunakaran Ramakrishnan , Williams Alan , Abbruscato Pamela , Sanchez‐Contreras Maria , Poole Philip S. , Downie J. Allan 
Published: June 2014

SummaryIn Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, quorum‐sensing is regulated by CinR, which induces the cinIS operon. CinI synthesizes an AHL, whereas CinS inactivates PraR, a repressor. Mutation of praR enhanced biofilms in vitro. We developed a light (lux)‐dependent assay of rhizobial attachment to roots and demonstrated that mutation of praR increased biofilms on pea roots. The praR mutant out‐competed wild‐type for infection of pea nodules in mixed inoculations. Analysis of gene expression by microarrays and promoter fusions revealed that PraR represses its own transcription and mutation of praR increased expression of several genes including those encoding secreted proteins (the adhesins RapA2, RapB and RapC, two cadherins and the glycanase PlyB), the polysaccharide regulator RosR, and another protein similar to PraR. PraR bound to the promoters of several of these genes indicating direct repression. Mutations in rapA2, rapB, rapC, plyB, the cadherins or rosR did not affect the enhanced root attachment or nodule competitiveness of the praR mutant. However combinations of mutations in rapA, rapB and rapC abolished the enhanced attachment and nodule competitiveness. We conclude that relief of PraR‐mediated repression determines a lifestyle switch allowing the expression of genes that are important for biofilm formation on roots and the subsequent initiation of infection of legume roots.
Leaf out times of temperate woody plants are related to phylogeny, deciduousness, growth habit and wood anatomy
Authors: Panchen Zoe A. , Primack Richard B. , Nordt Birgit , Ellwood Elizabeth R. , Stevens Albert‐Dieter , Renner Susanne S. , Willis Charles G. , Fahey Robert , Whittemore Alan , Du Yanjun , Davis Charles C. 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Leaf out phenology affects a wide variety of ecosystem processes and ecological interactions and will take on added significance as leaf out times increasingly shift in response to warming temperatures associated with climate change. There is, however, relatively little information available on the factors affecting species differences in leaf out phenology.

An international team of researchers from eight Northern Hemisphere temperate botanical gardens recorded leaf out dates of c. 1600 woody species in 2011 and 2012.

Leaf out dates in woody species differed by as much as 3 months at a single site and exhibited strong phylogenetic and anatomical relationships. On average, angiosperms leafed out earlier than gymnosperms, deciduous species earlier than evergreen species, shrubs earlier than trees, diffuse and semi‐ring porous species earlier than ring porous species, and species with smaller diameter xylem vessels earlier than species with larger diameter vessels. The order of species leaf out was generally consistent between years and among sites.

As species distribution and abundance shift due to climate change, interspecific differences in leaf out phenology may affect ecosystem processes such as carbon, water, and nutrient cycling. Our open access leaf out data provide a critical framework for monitoring and modelling such changes going forward.
Interactive effects of acclimation temperature and short‐term stress exposure on resistance traits in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana
Authors: Karl Isabell , Becker Marlen , Hinzke Tjorven , Mielke Melanie , Schiffler Maria , Fischer Klaus 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe ability to buffer detrimental effects of environmental stress on fitness is of great ecological importance because, in nature, pronounced environmental variation may regularly induce stress. Furthermore, several stressors may interact in a synergistic manner. In the present study, plastic responses in cold, heat and starvation resistance are investigated in the tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana Butler, 1879, using a full factorial design with two acclimation temperatures (20 and 27 °C) and four short‐term stress treatments (control, cold, heat, starvation). Warm‐acclimated butterflies are more heat‐ but less cold‐tolerant as expected. Short‐term cold and starvation exposure reduce cold and heat resistance, and short‐term heat exposure decreases cold but increases heat resistance. Starvation resistance is not affected by any of the short‐term treatments. Thus, the effects of short‐term stress exposure are either neutral or negative, except for a positive effect of heat exposure on heat resistance, indicating the negative effects of pre‐exposure to stress. Interestingly, significant interactions between acclimation temperature and short‐term stress exposure for heat and cold resistance are found, demonstrating that larger temperature differences incur more damage. Therefore, animals may not generally be able to benefit from pre‐exposure to stress (through ‘hardening’), depending on their previously experienced conditions. The complex interactions between environmental variation, stress and resistance are highlighted, warranting further investigations.
Application of the nameLemna punctataG. Mey., the type ofLandoltiaLes & D. J. Crawford
Authors: Wiersema J. H. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA recent (2011) attempt to change the previously designated type of the name of a duckweed species is discussed.Lemna punctatawas first applied by Meyer in 1818 to a plant collected from South America, but original specimens have not been located. A prior neotype designation associated this name with a species native to parts of Asia, Australia and the Pacific, and widely introduced elsewhere, including South America. The species is generally treated by taxonomists in the genusSpirodela(either asS. punctataor the synonymS. oligorrhiza) or, more recently, as the sole member of the new (1999) genusLandoltia(asL. punctata). If accepted, this 2011 attempt to re‐neotypifyL. punctatawould disrupt the names of two duckweed species as well as that ofLandoltia. Nomenclatural arguments against accepting this new typification are provided, thereby supporting the continued usage ofLandoltiain the sense intended by its original authors.
Profiles of embryonic nuclear protein binding to the proximal promoter region of the soybean β‐conglycinin α subunit gene
Authors: Yoshino M. , Tsutsumi K. , Kanazawa A. 
Published: June 2014

Abstractβ‐Conglycinin, a major component of seed storage protein in soybean, comprises three subunits: α, α′ and β. The expression of genes for these subunits is strictly controlled during embryogenesis. The proximal promoter region up to 245 bp upstream of the transcription start site of the α subunit gene sufficiently confers spatial and temporal control of transcription in embryos. Here, the binding profile of nuclear proteins in the proximal promoter region of the α subunit gene was analysed. DNase I footprinting analysis indicated binding of proteins to the RY element and DNA regions including box I, a region conserved in cognate gene promoters. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using different portions of box I as a probe revealed that multiple portions of box I bind to nuclear proteins. In addition, an EMSA using nuclear proteins extracted from embryos at different developmental stages indicated that the levels of major DNA–protein complexes on box I increased during embryo maturation. These results are consistent with the notion that box I is important for the transcriptional control of seed storage protein genes. Furthermore, the present data suggest that nuclear proteins bind to novel motifs in box I including 5′‐TCAATT‐3′ rather than to predicted cis‐regulatory elements.
Changes in resting heart rate variability across the menstrual cycle
Authors: Tenan Matthew S. , Brothers R. Matthew , Tweedell Andrew J. , Hackney Anthony C. , Griffin Lisa 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHeart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive indicator of autonomic control. This study examines HRV changes across a normal menstrual cycle and proposes a novel piecewise function controlling for the effects of breathing on HRV spectral parameters. A resting ECG was collected from 13 women at five points in their menstrual cycle. Both heart rate and breathing rate increased across the cycle (p < .01) while time‐domain variability decreased (p = .04). Use of the piecewise function for breathing rate in HRV spectral analysis was confirmed by a substantial increase in model goodness‐of‐fit. HRV spectral parameters, controlled for breathing with the piecewise function, confirm that the decrease in variability is likely due to a parasympathetic withdrawal, since high frequency HRV decreases (p = .02).
The persistence of socially instructed threat: Two threat‐of‐shock studies
Authors: Bublatzky Florian , Gerdes Antje B. M. , Alpers Georg W. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractLearning to anticipate threat is crucial in guiding protective behavior. In classical conditioning, single trial learning can result in long‐lasting fear associations. To examine whether threat learned through social communication is equally stable, an instructed fear paradigm was used with two repeated sessions on 1 day (Study 1; N = 43) and with separate sessions on 3 consecutive days (Study 2; N = 30). Startle EMG, skin conductance level (SCL), and self‐report data were recorded during alternating periods of instructed threat and safety. Within 1 day, threat‐potentiated startle was present across sessions but threat‐enhanced SCL decreased (Study 1). Across days, threat effects subsided with different timing for startle EMG, SCL, and self‐report (Study 2). The present findings are a laboratory analog for the persistence of socially transmitted fear, which can be amazingly resistant to extinction (e.g., in specific phobias) even in the absence of aversive experiences.
Efficacy of Low and High Complexity Vegetation Treatments for Reestablishing Terrestrial Arthropod Assemblages during Montane Wetland Restoration
Authors: Holmquist Jeffrey G. , Schmidt‐Gengenbach Jutta , Demetry Athena 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAssessments of faunal reassembly during wetland restorations have typically been derived from relatively benign, lower‐elevation environments. We investigated recovery of terrestrial arthropod assemblages in conjunction with restoration of a montane wet meadow in Sequoia National Park (Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A.). Our goal was to assess response of arthropod assemblages to wetland restoration in this winter‐dominated environment, including comparison of faunal reassembly in (1) areas of sparse plugs (planted over several years) and (2) dual‐density plantings with additional heterogeneity, complexity, and connectance to source habitats provided by high‐density bands running through sparsely planted habitat (final study year only). Results across all restoration treatments indicated varying levels of faunal reassembly, but convergence of faunal assemblages with reference habitat had not occurred after recovery periods as long as 5 years. Similarity indices and multivariate compositional results indicated a slower recovery than did univariate trends for assemblage metrics and abundances for some individual taxa, highlighting the utility of assessments using a range of taxa and analytical approaches. Faunal recovery did not appear to lag behind that of vegetation structure, despite the short growing season. The dual‐density plantings indicated faster recovery after 1 year, across almost all metrics, than was observed after several years for the sparse plantings. Restoration configurations that increase habitat complexity, heterogeneity, and/or connectance may disproportionately increase rates of passive faunal reassembly and prove to be cost‐effective approaches for promoting recovery of ecosystem function.
Fly on the wall – attachment structures in lower Diptera
Authors: FRIEDEMANN KATRIN , SCHNEEBERG KATHARINA , BEUTEL ROLF G. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPretarsal attachment structures of representatives of the megadiverse Diptera are examined and documented, mainly using scanning electron microscopy. The focus is on the basal ‘nematoceran’ lineages. The diversity in structures is much higher than suggested by brief summarizing accounts in earlier studies. Both hairy and smooth attachment structures occur. A well‐developed, pad‐like empodium with its ventral surface covered with adhesive hairs is arguably a groundplan feature of Diptera. Very often this pad is combined with the presence of hairy pulvilli. However, smooth pulvilli occur in two of the examined groups. A smooth arolium is present in Tipulomorpha and likely an autapomorphy of this clade, suggesting that it was acquired secondarily. Evolutionary transformations are interpreted based on recently published dipteran phylogenies.