bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen cycling in canopy soils of tropical montane forests responds rapidly to indirect N and P fertilization
Authors: Matson Amanda L. , Corre Marife D. , Veldkamp Edzo 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAlthough the canopy can play an important role in forest nutrient cycles, canopy‐based processes are often overlooked in studies on nutrient deposition. In areas of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deposition, canopy soils may retain a significant proportion of atmospheric inputs, and also receive indirect enrichment through root uptake followed by throughfall or recycling of plant litter in the canopy. We measured net and gross rates of N cycling in canopy soils of tropical montane forests along an elevation gradient and assessed indirect effects of elevated nutrient inputs to the forest floor. Net N cycling rates were measured using the buried bag method. Gross N cycling rates were measured using 15N pool dilution techniques. Measurements took place in the field, in the wet and dry season, using intact cores of canopy soil from three elevations (1000, 2000 and 3000 m). The forest floor had been fertilized biannually with moderate amounts of N and P for 4 years; treatments included control, N, P, and N + P. In control plots, gross rates of NH4+ transformations decreased with increasing elevation; gross rates of NO3− transformations did not exhibit a clear elevation trend, but were significantly affected by season. Nutrient‐addition effects were different at each elevation, but combined N + P generally increased N cycling rates at all elevations. Results showed that canopy soils could be a significant N source for epiphytes as well as contributing up to 23% of total (canopy + forest floor) mineral N production in our forests. In contrast to theories that canopy soils are decoupled from nutrient cycling in forest floor soil, N cycling in our canopy soils was sensitive to slight changes in forest floor nutrient availability. Long‐term atmospheric N and P deposition may lead to increased N cycling, but also increased mineral N losses from the canopy soil system.
Comparing annual and perennial crops for bioenergy production – influence on nitrate leaching and energy balance
Authors: Pugesgaard Siri , Schelde Kirsten , Larsen Søren Ugilt , Lærke Poul Erik , Jørgensen Uffe 
Published: June 2014

AbstractProduction of energy crops is promoted as a means to mitigate global warming by decreasing dependency on fossil energy. However, agricultural production of bioenergy can have various environmental effects depending on the crop and production system. In a field trial initiated in 2008, nitrate concentration in soil water was measured below winter wheat, grass‐clover and willow during three growing seasons. Crop water balances were modelled to estimate the amount of nitrate leached per hectare. In addition, dry matter yields and nitrogen (N) yields were measured, and N balances and energy balances were calculated. In willow, nitrate concentrations were up to approximately 20 mg l−1 nitrate‐N during the establishment year, but declined subsequently to <5 mg l−1 nitrate‐N, resulting in an annual N leaching loss of 18, 3 and 0.3 kg ha−1 yr−1 N in the first 3 years after planting. A similar trend was observed in grass‐clover where concentrations stabilized at 2–4 mg l−1 nitrate‐N from the beginning of the second growing season, corresponding to leaching of approximately 5 kg ha−1 yr−1 N. In winter wheat, an annual N leaching loss of 36–68 kg ha−1 yr−1 was observed. For comparison, nitrate leaching was also measured in an old willow crop established in 1996 from which N leaching ranged from 6 to 27 kg ha−1 yr−1. Dry matter yields ranged between 5.9 and 14.8 Mg yr−1 with lowest yield in the newly established willow and the highest yield harvested in grass‐clover. Grass‐clover gave the highest net energy yield of 244 GJ ha−1 yr−1, whereas old willow, winter wheat and first rotation willow gave net energy yields of 235, 180 and 105 GJ ha−1 yr−1. The study showed that perennial crops can provide high energy yields and significantly reduce N losses compared to annual crops.
Novel investigations on the protective role of the FVIII/VWF complex in inhibitor development
Authors: Mannucci P. M. , Shi Q. , Bonanad S. , Klamroth R. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryDevelopment of inhibitory antibodies to infused factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates is the most serious unresolved complication of haemophilia A treatment. Systematic reviews suggest a twofold higher incidence of inhibitors with recombinant (rFVIII) vs. plasma‐derived (pdFVIII) FVIII products, but study methodologies vary widely. The lower immunogenicity of pdFVIII concentrates is believed to derive from the presence of von Willebrand factor (VWF) which acts as protector and chaperone for FVIII. Several novel investigations reinforce the protective role of the VWF/FVIII complex in inhibitor development. At the basic science level, numerous in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated that VWF‐containing pdFVIII concentrates (pdFVIII/VWF) provide better protection against inhibitor neutralization than rFVIII products. Conformational aspects of the binding between VWF and FVIII are thought to prevent the ‘attack’ on FVIII by inhibitory antibodies. VWF/FVIII binding is 100% in pdFVIII products but only 80% in recombinant products and this ‘free’ FVIII may be a target for inhibitory antibodies. At the clinical level, newer strategies to prevent inhibitor development in previously untreated patients with severe haemophilia are under investigation. The concept of early prophylaxis (before the onset of a bleed) is convincing from a theoretical point of view but requires further evaluation. The Study on Inhibitors in Plasma‐Product Exposed Toddlers is specifically addressing the issue of relative immunogenicity between classes of FVIII product (recombinant vs. plasma‐derived). Currently nearing its target enrolment of 300 patients, this international randomized controlled trial is expected to provide some definitive answers about this ever‐present clinical dilemma.
European Mobilities or Poverty Migration? Discourses on Roma in Germany
Authors: Castañeda Heide 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis article discusses the discursive framing of displacement and legitimacy for Roma migrants living in Germany to explore distinctions between “economic” and “forced” migration. Despite efforts towards their inclusion at the EU level, there has been an escalation in anti‐Roma sentiment across Europe simultaneous with increased transnational mobility. Based on media analysis and ethnographic research spanning 2011 to 2013, the inconsistencies and ironies associated with distinctions between voluntary and forced migration – and the consequences of this distinction for experiences in a host country – are illustrated using three cases. These highlight the range of reactions to Roma as “poverty migrants” (with its a priori assumption about welfare needs) to “bogus” or illegitimate refugees, even when fleeing desperate circumstances. These framings, and the inconsistencies they inherently entail, highlight investment in European identity and citizenship as migrants are defined, categorized, and managed by states seeking to curtail population movements deemed problematic.
Split‐root systems applied to the study of the legume‐rhizobial symbiosis: What have we learned?
Authors: Larrainzar Estíbaliz , Gil‐Quintana Erena , Arrese‐Igor Cesar , González Esther M. , Marino Daniel 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSplit‐root system (SRS) approaches allow the differential treatment of separate and independent root systems, while sharing a common aerial part. As such, SRS is a useful tool for the discrimination of systemic (shoot origin) versus local (root/nodule origin) regulation mechanisms. This type of approach is particularly useful when studying the complex regulatory mechanisms governing the symbiosis established between legumes and Rhizobium bacteria. The current work provides an overview of the main insights gained from the application of SRS approaches to understand how nodule number (nodulation autoregulation) and nitrogen fixation are controlled both under non‐stressful conditions and in response to a variety of stresses. Nodule number appears to be mainly controlled at the systemic level through a signal which is produced by nodule/root tissue, translocated to the shoot, and transmitted back to the root system, involving shoot Leu‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinases. In contrast, both local and systemic mechanisms have been shown to operate for the regulation of nitrogenase activity in nodules. Under drought and heavy metal stress, the regulation is mostly local, whereas the application of exogenous nitrogen seems to exert a regulation of nitrogen fixation both at the local and systemic levels.
HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibition prior to transient focal cerebral ischaemia is neuroprotective in mice
Authors: Chen Ruoli L. , Ogunshola O. O. , Yeoh Karkheng K. , Jani Anant , Papadakis Michalis , Nagel Simon , Schofield Christopher J. , Buchan Alastair M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of 2‐(1‐chloro‐4‐hydroxyisoquinoline‐3‐carboxamido) acetic acid (IOX3), a selective small molecule inhibitor of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylases, on mouse brains subject to transient focal cerebral ischaemia. Male, 8‐ to 12‐week‐old C57/B6 mice were subjected to 45 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) either immediately or 24 h after receiving IOX3. Mice receiving IOX3 at 20 mg/kg 24 h prior to the MCAO had better neuroscores and smaller blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption and infarct volumes than mice receiving the vehicle, whereas those having IOX3 at 60 mg/kg showed no significant changes. IOX3 treatment immediately before MCAO was not neuroprotective. IOX3 up‐regulated HIF‐1α, and increased EPO expression in mouse brains. In an in vitro BBB model (RBE4 cell line), IOX3 up‐regulated HIF‐1α and delocalized ZO‐1. Pre‐treating IOX3 on RBE4 cells 24 h before oxygen–glucose deprivation had a protective effect on endothelial barrier preservation with ZO‐1 being better localized, while immediate IOX3 treatment did not. Our study suggests that HIF stabilization with IOX3 before cerebral ischaemia is neuroprotective partially because of BBB protection, while immediate application could be detrimental. These results provide information for studies aimed at the therapeutic activation of HIF pathway for neurovascular protection from cerebral ischaemia.
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We show that IOX3, a selective small molecule (280.66 Da) HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, could up‐regulate HIF‐1α and increase erythropoietin expression in mice. We further demonstrate that HIF stabilization with IOX3 before cerebral ischaemia is neuroprotective partially because of blood–brain barrier (BBB) protection, while immediate application is detrimental both in vivo and in vitro. These findings provide new insights into the role of HIF stabilization in ischaemic stroke.
Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN): what we need and what we know
Authors: Cavaletti Guido 
Published: June 2014

AbstractChemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is one of the most frequent and severe long‐term side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Preclinical and clinical studies have extensively investigated CIPN searching for effective strategies to limit its severity or to treat CIPN‐related impairment, but the results have been disappointing. Among the reasons for this failure are methodological flaws in both preclinical and clinical investigations. Their successful resolution might provide a brighter perspective for future studies. Among the several neurotoxic chemotherapy drugs, oxaliplatin may offer a clear example of a methodological approach eventually leading to successful clinical trials. However, the same considerations apply to the other neurotoxic agents and, although frequently neglected, also to the new “targeted” agents.
Bone augmentation using a highly porous PLGA/β‐TCP scaffold containing fibroblast growth factor‐2
Authors: Yoshida T. , Miyaji H. , Otani K. , Inoue K. , Nakane K. , Nishimura H. , Ibara A. , Shimada A. , Ogawa K. , Nishida E. , Sugaya T. , Sun L. , Fugetsu B. , Kawanami M. 
Published: June 2014

Background and ObjectiveBeta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), a bio‐absorbable ceramic, facilitates bone conductivity. We constructed a highly porous three‐dimensional scaffold, using β‐TCP, for bone tissue engineering and coated it with co‐poly lactic acid/glycolic acid (PLGA) to improve the mechanical strength and biological performance. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of implantation of the PLGA/β‐TCP scaffold loaded with fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) on bone augmentation.Material and MethodsThe β‐TCP scaffold was fabricated by the replica method using polyurethane foam, then coated with PLGA. The PLGA/β‐TCP scaffold was characterized by scanning electron miscroscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction, compressive testing, cell culture and a subcutaneous implant test. Subsequently, a bone‐forming test was performed using 52 rats. The β‐TCP scaffold, PLGA‐coated scaffold, and β‐TCP and PLGA‐coated scaffolds loaded with FGF‐2, were implanted into rat cranial bone. Histological observations were made at 10 and 35 d postsurgery.ResultsSEM and TEM observations showed a thin PLGA layer on the β‐TCP particles after coating. High porosity (> 90%) of the scaffold was exhibited after PLGA coating, and the compressive strength of the PLGA/β‐TCP scaffold was six‐fold greater than that of the noncoated scaffold. Good biocompatibility of the PLGA/β‐TCP scaffold was found in the culture and implant tests. Histological samples obtained following implantation of PLGA/β‐TCP scaffold loaded with FGF‐2 showed significant bone augmentation.ConclusionThe PLGA coating improved the mechanical strength of β‐TCP scaffolds while maintaining high porosity and tissue compatibility. PLGA/β‐TCP scaffolds, in combination with FGF‐2, are bioeffective for bone augmentation.
What became of Hystrix?
Authors: ZHANG Hai‐Qin , YANG Rui‐Wu , YANG Cai‐Rong , HUANG Yan , FAN Xing , SHA Li‐Na , KANG Hou‐Yang , WANG Yi , ZHOU Yong‐Hong 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHystrix Moench was a perennial genus of the Triticeae. Its members differed from those of other genera in the tribe in lacking glumes. The type species is H. patula Moench, a North American taxon. When it became accepted that H. patula should be included in Elymus, Hystrix could not be used as a generic name. The problem became how to treat the other species that had been included in Hystrix. Hystrix patula, like many other species of Elymus, has the StH genomic composition but H. coreana (Honda) Ohwi, H. californica (Bol.) Kuntze, H. duthiei (Stapf) Bor ssp. duthiei, and H. duthiei ssp. longearistata have the NsXm genomic composition that is associated with Leymus. Using genomic in situ hybridization analysis, we showed that H. komarovii (Roshev.) Ohwi has an NsEe genomic composition, a combination not known from any other species. Hystrix sibirica (Trautv.) Kuntze and H. duthiei ssp. japonica are included in Leymus on morphological grounds. The status of H. kunlunensis K. S. Hao is not clear. In this paper, we summarize our results and those of others concerning what is now known and the problems that remain concerning the species that used to be included in Hystrix.
A vacuolar‐H+‐pyrophosphatase (TgVP1) is required for microneme secretion, host cell invasion, and extracellular survival of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Liu Jing , Pace Douglas , Dou Zhicheng , King Thayer P. , Guidot Daniel , Li Zhu‐Hong , Carruthers Vern B. , Moreno Silvia N. J. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe vacuolar proton pyrophosphatase (H+‐PPase) of Toxoplasma gondii (TgVP1), a membrane proton pump, localizes to acidocalcisomes and a novel lysosome‐like compartment termed plant‐like vacuole (PLV) or vacuolar compartment (VAC). We report the characterization of a T. gondii null mutant for the TgVP1 gene. Propagation of these mutants decreased significantly because of deficient attachment and invasion of host cells, which correlated with deficient microneme secretion. Processing of cathepsin L (CPL) in these mutants was deficient only when the parasites were incubated in the presence of low concentrations of the vacuolar H+‐ATPase (V‐H+‐ATPase) inhibitor bafilomycin A1, suggesting that either TgVP1 or the T. gondii V‐H+‐ATPase (TgVATPase) are sufficient to support CPL processing. The lack of TgVP1 did not affect processing of micronemal proteins, indicating that it does not contribute to proMIC maturations. The TgVP1 null mutants were more sensitive to extracellular conditions and were less virulent in mice. We demonstrate that T. gondii tachyzoites possess regulatory volume decrease capability during hypo‐osmotic stress and this ability is impaired in TgVP1 null mutants implicating TgVP1 in osmoregulation. We hypothesize that osmoregulation is needed for host cell invasion and that TgVP1 plays a role during the normal lytic cycle of T. gondii.
Identification of essential alphaproteobacterial genes reveals operational variability in conserved developmental and cell cycle systems
Authors: Curtis Patrick D. , Brun Yves V. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe cell cycle of Caulobacter crescentus is controlled by a complex signalling network that co‐ordinates events. Genome sequencing has revealed many C. crescentus cell cycle genes are conserved in other Alphaproteobacteria, but it is not clear to what extent their function is conserved. As many cell cycle regulatory genes are essential in C. crescentus, the essential genes of two Alphaproteobacteria, Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Rhizobiales) and Brevundimonas subvibrioides (Caulobacterales), were elucidated to identify changes in cell cycle protein function over different phylogenetic distances as demonstrated by changes in essentiality. The results show the majority of conserved essential genes are involved in critical cell cycle processes. Changes in component essentiality reflect major changes in lifestyle, such as divisome components in A. tumefaciens resulting from that organism's different growth pattern. Larger variability of essentiality was observed in cell cycle regulators, suggesting regulatory mechanisms are more customizable than the processes they regulate. Examples include variability in the essentiality of divJ and divK spatial cell cycle regulators, and non‐essentiality of the highly conserved and usually essential DNA methyltransferase CcrM. These results show that while essential cell functions are conserved across varying genetic distance, much of a given organism's essential gene pool is specific to that organism.
The expression of antibiotic resistance genes in antibiotic‐producing bacteria
Authors: Mak Stefanie , Xu Ye , Nodwell Justin R. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryAntibiotic‐producing bacteria encode antibiotic resistance genes that protect them from the biologically active molecules that they produce. The expression of these genes needs to occur in a timely manner: either in advance of or concomitantly with biosynthesis. It appears that there have been at least two general solutions to this problem. In many cases, the expression of resistance genes is tightly linked to that of antibiotic biosynthetic genes. In others, the resistance genes can be induced by their cognate antibiotics or by intermediate molecules from their biosynthetic pathways. The regulatory mechanisms that couple resistance to antibiotic biosynthesis are mechanistically diverse and potentially relevant to the origins of clinical antibiotic resistance.
In vitro expression of Candida albicans alcohol dehydrogenase genes involved in acetaldehyde metabolism
Authors: Bakri M.M. , Rich A.M. , Cannon R.D. , Holmes A.R. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryAlcohol consumption is a risk factor for oral cancer, possibly via its conversion to acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen. The oral commensal yeast Candida albicans may be one of the agents responsible for this conversion intra‐orally. The alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) family of enzymes are involved in acetaldehyde metabolism in yeast but, for C. albicans it is not known which family member is responsible for the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde. In this study we determined the expression of mRNAs from three C. albicans Adh genes (CaADH1, CaADH2 and CaCDH3) for cells grown in different culture media at different growth phases by Northern blot analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. CaADH1 was constitutively expressed under all growth conditions but there was differential expression of CaADH2. CaADH3 expression was not detected. To investigate whether CaAdh1p or CaAdh2p can contribute to alcohol catabolism in C. albicans, each gene from the reference strain C. albicans SC5314 was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cell extracts from an CaAdh1p‐expressing S. cerevisiae recombinant, but not an CaAdh2p‐expressing recombinant, or an empty vector control strain, possessed ethanol‐utilizing Adh activity above endogenous S. cerevisiae activity. Furthermore, expression of C. albicans Adh1p in a recombinant S. cerevisiae strain in which the endogenous ScADH2 gene (known to convert ethanol to acetaldehyde in this yeast) had been deleted, conferred an NAD‐dependent ethanol‐utilizing, and so acetaldehyde‐producing, Adh activity. We conclude that CaAdh1p is the enzyme responsible for ethanol use under in vitro growth conditions, and may contribute to the intra‐oral production of acetaldehyde.
Clinical utility of B‐type natriuretic peptide (NP) in pediatric cardiac surgery – a systematic review
Authors: Afshani Nura , Schülein Simone , Biccard Bruce M. , Thomas Jenny M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundNP is a biomarker that has been used in the diagnosis, management, and prognostication of a number of cardiovascular disorders in the pediatric population. The physiological role of this hormone is to allow the myocardium to adapt to stress or strain imposed by a volume and/or pressure load.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the utility of preoperative and postoperative NP to predict outcome in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery for structural congenital heart disease.MethodWe conducted a systematic review by searching three electronic databases using the search terms ‘paediatric’ or ‘pediatric’ and ‘B‐type natriuretic peptide’. Twenty peer‐reviewed papers were included in the study.ResultsPreoperative NP levels were associated with the severity of cardiac failure in several studies. Preoperative NPs also correlated with early postoperative outcome measures such as duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, duration of mechanical ventilation, presence of low cardiac output syndrome, length of stay in the intensive care unit and in one study, death. Early (within 24 h) postoperative NPs showed a stronger correlation than preoperative NPs to early postoperative adverse events.ConclusionNPs provide a simple, noninvasive and complementary tool to echocardiography that can be used to assist clinicians in the assessment and management of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease in the perioperative period.