bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age and Strength Influences on Lingual Tactile Acuity
Authors: Steele Catriona M. , Hill Lisa , Stokely Shauna , Peladeau‐Pigeon Melanie 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSensory function during the oral processing of liquids is thought to play a key role in informing the tailoring of swallowing motor behaviors to the flow characteristics of the bolus. In addition to taste receptors, the mouth and tongue house trigeminal nerve receptors that support the sensory detection of bolus size, shape (stereognosis), mass, temperature and movement. Recent studies suggest that healthy adults lose tongue strength with advancing age. However, little is known about changes in the sensory function of the tongue attributable to age, or associated with reductions in strength. In this study, we explored lingual tactile acuity in healthy young and older adults, and measured the relationship between tactile acuity and measures of tongue strength. The results showed an age‐related reduction in lingual tactile acuity that was not explained by variations in tongue strength.Practical ApplicationsSensory motor interactions are a topic of interest in understanding the processing activities that take place in the mouth during eating and swallowing. In this paper, we explore a test of sensory acuity in the mouth, in which the tongue is used to “read” embossed letters on Teflon strips. Our questions were to determine whether sensory acuity for this task declines with age, or with age‐related reductions in tongue strength. We determined that older people perform this task with less accuracy, suggesting some changes in oral sensory function with age. However, these changes were not related to tongue strength. The findings suggest that strength does not play a major role in the kind of sensory discrimination task tested in this study.
rs2230201 polymorphism may dictate complement C3 levels and response to treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Chowdhury S. J. , Karra V. K. , Gumma P. K. , Bharali R. , Kar P. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryThe basis of response of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients to treatment is still unclear, and there may be many other factors which influence treatment outcome other than the existing ones. The serum concentration of C3 closely reflects the total complement activity, and individuals affected by C3 deficiency suffer from recurrent pyogenic infections. This study aims to find out relationship between levels of C3 in serum and its functional SNPs with response to treatment. The study included 132 CHC patients of which 48 received Pegylated IFN+Ribavirin and 81 controls. C3 levels and its three known functional SNP's genotyped by ELISA and SSP PCR, respectively. C3 Level of the healthy group was significantly higher (88.5 ± 19 mg/dL) when compared to CHC group (56 ± 18 mg/dL; P < 0.001). Thirty‐three of 36 responders were rs2230201 CC genotype carriers, whereas 9 of 12 nonresponders were non‐CC genotype. The ‘C’ allele of rs2230201 was found to be associated with increased serum C3 levels when compared to other genotypes in healthy group, whereas CT genotype was associated with lowered serum C3 in CHC group. A serum C3 value of <53 mg/dL was predictive of SVR with sensitivity 63.89% and specificity 66.67%. The study supports the observation that rs2230201 ‘C’ allele is associated with increase of serum C3 levels when compared to ‘T’ allele which may confer advantage in attaining SVR when present in homozygous condition. The study suggests that patients with serum C3 value <53 mg/dL and non‐CC genotypes may not respond to treatment.
Locomotor hindrance of carrying an enlarged sexually selected structure on inclines for male fiddler crabs
Authors: Gerald G. W. , Thiesen K. E. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSexual selection often results in males exhibiting exaggerated traits (e.g. bright colors, elaborate appendages) to attract potential mates and in some cases to also use as a weapon. These traits, however, can impose costs, such as an increase in energy expenditure and a decrease in locomotor performance, which could decrease foraging efficiency and increase an individual's vulnerability to predators. We examined the effect of the enlarged claw in male fiddler crabs Uca pugilator on ecologically relevant performance measures. We measured locomotor performance and kinematics during horizontal, uphill and downhill movements. Speed and stride mechanics were measured for clawed males, males after the claw was removed, and females while running on level (0°), uphill (15 and 30°) and downhill (−15 and −30°) slopes. Endurance capacities were measured on all crabs on horizontal and uphill inclines. Though claw removal had no significant effect on horizontal speeds, removal of the major claw significantly increased uphill speeds of male fiddler crabs at 15 and 30° inclines. Generally, as incline increased, the difference in performance between males with the enlarged claw and those with the claw removed increased. We also found that clawed males exhibit slower downhill speeds compared to clawless males and that claw removal significantly enhanced endurance on all inclines. This study indicates that an assessment of movement on level surfaces alone may not be entirely ecologically relevant when determining the actual costs of sexually selected ornaments.
Effect of toll‐like receptor 7 and 9 targeted therapy to prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Mohamed Fatma E. , Al‐Jehani Rajai M. , Minogue Shane S. , Andreola Fausto , Winstanley Alison , Olde Damink Steven W.M. , Habtesion Abeba , Malagó Massimo , Davies Nathan , Luong Tu Vinh , Dhillon Amar P. , Mookerjee Rajeshwar P. , Dhar Dipok K. , Jalan Rajiv 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsChronic liver disease is a predisposing factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Toll‐like receptors play a crucial role in immunity against microbial pathogens and recent evidence suggests that they may also be important in pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether TLR7 and TLR9 are potential targets for prevention and progression of HCC.MethodsTissue microarrays containing liver samples from patients with cirrhosis, viral hepatitis and HCC were examined for expression of TLR7 and TLR9 and the data obtained was validated in liver specimens from the hospital archives. Proliferation of human HCC cell lines was studied following stimulation of TLR7 and TLR9 using agonists (imiquimod and CpG‐ODN respectively) and inhibition with a specific antagonist (IRS‐954) or chloroquine. The effect of these interventions was confirmed in a xenograft model and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/nitrosomorpholine (NMOR)‐induced model of HCC.ResultsTLR7 and TLR9 expression was up‐regulated in human HCC tissue. Proliferation of HuH7 cells in vitro increased significantly in response to stimulation of TLR7. TLR7 and TLR9 inhibition using IRS‐954 or chloroquine significantly reduced HuH7 cell proliferation in vitro and inhibited tumour growth in the mouse xenograft model. HCC development in the DEN/NMOR rat model was also significantly inhibited by chloroquine (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe data suggest that inhibiting TLR7 and TLR9 with IRS‐954 or chloroquine could potentially be used as a novel therapeutic approach for preventing HCC development and/or progression in susceptible patients.
Bacterial chemoreceptors of different length classes signal independently
Authors: Herrera Seitz M. Karina , Frank Vered , Massazza Diego A. , Vaknin Ady , Studdert Claudia A. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBacterial chemoreceptors sense environmental stimuli and govern cell movement by transmitting the information to the flagellar motors. The highly conserved cytoplasmic domain of chemoreceptors consists in an alpha‐helical hairpin that forms in the homodimer a coiled‐coil four‐helix bundle. Several classes of chemoreceptors that differ in the length of the coiled‐coil structure were characterized. Many bacterial species code for chemoreceptors that belong to different classes, but how these receptors are organized and function in the same cell remains an open question. E. coli cells normally code for single class chemoreceptors that form extended arrays based on trimers of dimers interconnected by the coupling protein CheW and the kinase CheA. This structure promotes effective coupling between the different receptors in the modulation of the kinase activity. In this work, we engineered functional derivatives of the Tsr chemoreceptor of E. coli that mimic receptors whose cytoplasmic domain is longer by two heptads. We found that these long Tsr receptors did not efficiently mix with the native receptors and appeared to function independently. Our results suggest that the assembly of membrane‐bound receptors of different specificities into mixed clusters is dictated by the length‐class to which the receptors belong, ensuring cooperative function only between receptors of the same class.
NudC Nudix hydrolase from Pseudomonas syringae, but not its counterpart from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is a novel regulator of intracellular redox balance required for growth, motility and biofilm formation
Authors: Modzelan Marta , Kujawa Martyna , Głąbski Krzysztof , Jagura‐Burdzy Grażyna , Kraszewska Elzbieta 
Published: July 2014

SummaryNudix pyrophosphatases, ubiquitous in all organisms, have not been well studied. Recent implications that some of them may be involved in response to stress and in pathogenesis indicate that they play important biological functions. We have investigated NudC Nudix proteins from the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato str. DC3000 and from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1161. We found that these homologous enzymes are homodimeric and in vitro preferentially hydrolyse NADH. The P. syringae mutant strain deficient in NudC accumulated NADH and displayed significant defects in growth, motility and biofilm formation. The wild type copy of the nudC gene with its cognate promoter delivered in trans into the nudC mutant restored its fitness. However, introduction of the P. syringae nudC gene under the control of the strong tacp promoter into either P. syringae or P. aeruginosa cells had a toxic effect on both strains. Opposite to P. syringae NudC, the P. aeruginosa NudC deficiency as well as its overproduction had no visible impact on cells. Moreover, P. aeruginosa NudC does not compensate the lack of its counterpart in the P. syringae mutant. These results indicate that NudC from P. syringae, but not from P. aeruginosa is vital for bacteria.
De novo morphogenesis in L‐forms via geometric control of cell growth
Authors: Billings Gabriel , Ouzounov Nikolay , Ursell Tristan , Desmarais Samantha M. , Shaevitz Joshua , Gitai Zemer , Huang Kerwyn Casey 
Published: July 2014

SummaryIn virtually all bacteria, the cell wall is crucial for mechanical integrity and for determining cell shape. Escherichia coli's rod‐like shape is maintained via the spatiotemporal patterning of cell‐wall synthesis by the actin homologue MreB. Here, we transiently inhibited cell‐wall synthesis in E. coli to generate cell‐wall‐deficient, spherical L‐forms, and found that they robustly reverted to a rod‐like shape within several generations after inhibition cessation. The chemical composition of the cell wall remained essentially unchanged during this process, as indicated by liquid chromatography. Throughout reversion, MreB localized to inwardly curved regions of the cell, and fluorescent cell wall labelling revealed that MreB targets synthesis to those regions. When exposed to the MreB inhibitor A22, reverting cells regrew a cell wall but failed to recover a rod‐like shape. Our results suggest that MreB provides the geometric measure that allows E. coli to actively establish and regulate its morphology.
Effects of open and closed suction systems on the haemodynamic parameters in cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Özden Dilek , Görgülü Refia S 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAimsThis study was carried out to determine the effects of open and closed suction systems on haemodynamic parameters of the patients who underwent open heart surgery.BackgroundNurses should work meticulously and carefully as many complications may develop if the method used to perform suctioning is not appropriate.DesignThe quasi‐experimental study design was used.MethodThe study sample comprised 120 patients who underwent open heart surgery in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit of a state hospital in Turkey. Haemodynamic parameters were determined just before, right after, at the 5th and 15th minute after suctioning. The data were evaluated with the One‐Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Repeated Measures, independent t‐test and Bonferroni's test for further analysis (post hoc).ResultsThe difference between heart rate (HR) and mean blood pressure, mean PaO2 and PaCO2, SaO2 and pH values measured before, right after and at the 5th and 15th minute after suctioning was found to be significant in patients who underwent the open suctioning procedure. It was determined that the difference between mean PaO2 values was not significant and that SaO2 versus SpO2 values increased in patients who underwent the closed suctioning procedure. When the open and closed suction systems were compared, statistically significant difference was determined in terms of MAP, SpO2.ConclusionIt was determined that HR, arterial blood pressure and arterial blood gases of the patients who underwent open heart surgery were negatively affected by the open suction system but did not increase significantly as soon as suctioning was over during the closed suctioning procedure. The data obtained indicate that closed system suctioning, compared with open system suctioning, can be used safely on this patient group.Relevance to clinical practiceThe closed suction system is recommended since it contributes to the enhancement of patient safety and the quality of nursing care.
Spore dispersal of basidiomycete fungi at the landscape scale is driven by stochastic and deterministic processes and generates variability in plant–fungal interactions
Authors: Peay Kabir G. , Bruns Thomas D. 
Published: July 2014

Summary

Fungi play an important role in plant communities and ecosystem function. As a result, variation in fungal community composition can have important consequences for plant fitness. However, there are relatively few empirical data on how dispersal might affect fungal communities and the ecological processes they mediate.

We established sampling stations across a large area of coastal landscape varying in their spatial proximity to each other and contrasting vegetation types. We measured dispersal of spores from a key group of fungi, the Basidomycota, across this landscape using qPCR and 454 pyrosequencing. We also measured the colonization of ectomycorrhizal fungi at each station using sterile bait seedlings.

We found a high degree of spatial and temporal variability in the composition of Basidiomycota spores. This variability was in part stochastic and in part explained by spatial proximity to other vegetation types and time of year. Variation in spore community also affected colonization by ectomycorrhizal fungi and seedling growth.

Our results demonstrate that fungal host and habitat specificity coupled with dispersal limitation can lead to local variation in fungal community structure and plant–fungal interactions. Understanding fungal communities also requires explicit knowledge of landscape context in addition to local environmental conditions.
Inflation and Market Uncertainty in South Africa
Authors: Burger Philippe 
Published: July 2014

AbstractComparison of the movements in the VIX index, the rand – dollar exchange rate and South African CPI inflation reveals a striking resemblance between them, raising the question as to whether or not there is an empirical relationship among them. The aim of this paper is to determine whether or not changes in market uncertainty, as reflected in the VIX index, influence South African inflation. Given that the VIX index reflects market uncertainty, its impact on the inflation rate may differ between times of heightened uncertainty and normality, thus suggesting the presence of multiple regimes. To cater for this possibility, the analysis first uses the general‐to‐specific procedure (including squared and cubed values of dependent and independent variables) with impulse indicator saturation dummies to look for non‐linear behaviour in the form of statistically significant squared and cubed variables and clustered periods of outlier dummies that might reflect an alternative regime. Finding such periods, the analysis next uses a Markov‐switching model to model this non‐linear behaviour explicitly. The results show that market volatility as measured by the VIX indeed explains South African inflation. Moreover, as shown by the second regime of the Markov‐switching model, when market volatility is elevated, its influence on inflation also increases.
Evaluating the Possible Impact of Pension Reforms on Elderly Poverty in Europe
Authors: Grech Aaron 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSince the 1990s, reforms have changed substantially both the nature of state pension provision and the level of generosity. This article tries to assess the impact of these changes using estimates of pension wealth for a number of hypothetical cases. By focusing on all prospective pension transfers rather than just those at the point of retirement, this approach can provide additional insights, especially on the impact of changes in benefit indexation.These estimates corroborate existing evidence that reforms have decreased generosity significantly. Moves to link benefits to contributions have made systems less progressive, raising adequacy concerns for certain groups. The reforms have, in particular, strengthened the need of ensuring better access to labour markets, of having in place adequate crediting arrangements and minimum pensions.
Diterpene synthases of the biosynthetic system of medicinally active diterpenoids in Marrubium vulgare
Authors: Zerbe Philipp , Chiang Angela , Dullat Harpreet , O'Neil‐Johnson Mark , Starks Courtney , Hamberger Björn , Bohlmann Jörg 
Published: July 2014

SummaryMarrubium vulgare (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant whose major bioactive compounds, marrubiin and other labdane–related furanoid diterpenoids, have potential applications as anti–diabetics, analgesics or vasorelaxants. Metabolite and transcriptome profiling of M. vulgare leaves identified five different candidate diterpene synthases (diTPSs) of the TPS–c and TPS–e/f clades. We describe the in vitro and in vivo functional characterization of the M. vulgare diTPS family. In addition to MvEKS ent–kaurene synthase of general metabolism, we identified three diTPSs of specialized metabolism: MvCPS3 (+)‐copalyl diphosphate synthase, and the functional diTPS pair MvCPS1 and MvELS. In a sequential reaction, MvCPS1 and MvELS produce a unique oxygenated diterpene scaffold 9,13‐epoxy‐labd‐14‐ene en route to marrubiin and an array of related compounds. In contrast with previously known diTPSs that introduce a hydroxyl group at carbon C–8 of the labdane backbone, the MvCPS1‐catalyzed reaction proceeds via oxygenation of an intermediate carbocation at C–9, yielding the bicyclic peregrinol diphosphate. MvELS belongs to a subgroup of the diTPS TPS–e/f clade with unusual βα–domain architecture. MvELS is active in vitro and in vivo with three different prenyl diphosphate substrates forming the marrubiin precursor 9,13‐epoxy‐labd‐14‐ene, as identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, manoyl oxide and miltiradiene. MvELS fills a central position in the biosynthetic system that forms the foundation for the diverse repertoire of Marrubium diterpenoids. Co‐expression of MvCPS1 and MvELS in engineered E. coli and Nicotiana benthamiana offers opportunities for producing precursors for an array of biologically active diterpenoids.
Host PI(3,5)P2 Activity Is Required for Plasmodium berghei Growth During Liver Stage Infection
Authors: Thieleke‐Matos Carolina , da Silva Mafalda Lopes , Cabrita‐Santos Laura , Pires Cristiana F. , Ramalho José S. , Ikonomov Ognian , Seixas Elsa , Shisheva Assia , Seabra Miguel C. , Barral Duarte C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractMalaria parasites go through an obligatory liver stage before they infect erythrocytes and cause disease symptoms. In the host hepatocytes, the parasite is enclosed by a parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM). Here, we dissected the interaction between the Plasmodium parasite and the host cell late endocytic pathway and show that parasite growth is dependent on the phosphoinositide 5‐kinase (PIKfyve) that converts phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate [PI(3)P] into phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P2] in the endosomal system. We found that inhibition of PIKfyve by either pharmacological or non‐pharmacological means causes a delay in parasite growth. Moreover, we show that the PI(3,5)P2 effector protein TRPML1 that is involved in late endocytic membrane fusion, is present in vesicles closely contacting the PVM and is necessary for parasite growth. Thus, our studies suggest that the parasite PVM is able to fuse with host late endocytic vesicles in a PI(3,5)P2‐dependent manner, allowing the exchange of material between the host and the parasite, which is essential for successful infection.
Development of a Rapid Diagnostic Kit That Uses an Immunochromatographic Device To Detect Antibodies in Human Sparganosis
Authors: Yamasaki Hiroshi , Nakamura Takeshi , Intapan Pewpan M. , Maleewong Wanchai , Morishima Yasuyuki , Sugiyama Hiromu , Matsuoka Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Kaoru , Takayama Katsuyoshi , Kobayashi Yukuharu 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTA diagnostic kit using an immunochromatographic device was developed to replace the time-consuming immunodiagnostic methods for human sparganosis. The kit was found to be faster and easier to use than an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and showed higher sensitivity and specificity. It will be useful for the laboratory diagnosis of hospitalized cases of sparganosis.