bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure and distribution of sensilla on the antennae of female fig wasp Eupristina sp. (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae)
Authors: Li Zongbo , Yang Pei , Peng Yanqiong , Yang Darong 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn the species‐specific and obligate mutualism between the fig (Moraceae: Ficus spp.) and its pollinator (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae), the continuity of lifecycle of both partners completely depends on the female pollinator's ability to detect receptive figs. To better understand the chemical location mechanism, we examined the antennae and their sensilla of the female fig pollinator Eupristina sp. using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antennae of female Eupristina sp. are geniculated, and in total, there were seven types of sensilla found on the antennae: two types of multiporous placoid sensilla (type 1 is sausage‐like and type 2 is rounded), sensilla trichodea (ST), basiconic sensilla (BS), chaetica sensilla (ChS), coeloconic sensilla (CoS), and one specialized sensillum classified as sensillum obscurum (SO). We described external morphology, abundance, distribution, ultrastructure and discussed putative functions. We inferred from their ultrastructures as chemoreceptors that two types of multiporous placoid sensilla, BS and CoS, were innervated by sensory neurons. The aporous type ST, ChS, and SO were not innervated by dendrites which may function as mechanoreceptor/proprioceptor. These results were also discussed in relation to the interaction between Eupristina sp. and its host fig.
The organization of attention in typical development: A new preschool attention test battery
Authors: Breckenridge Kate , Braddick Oliver , Atkinson Janette 
Published: November 2012

This article introduces a new battery of attention tests for typically developing and atypically developing children with a mental age of 3–6 years. In the light of adult and child studies supporting a model of distinct networks for specific attentional operations, tests in the current battery were selected with the aim of measuring functions of selective attention, sustained attention and attentional control (executive function). Normative data were collected from 154 typically developing children aged 3–6 years and examined using exploratory factor analysis to determine latent constructs underlying test performance. This analysis suggested increasing differentiation of attention functions over the age range, with support for the hypothesized three‐factor model only after 4½ years of age. Additional analyses supported the validity of the new attention battery with respect to (1) parent/teacher report measures of everyday attention behaviour and (2) later performance on the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA‐Ch), a battery designed for children aged 6–16 years. The results show the developing differentiation of attention functions and support the ecological and predictive validity of the battery as providing early performance‐based measures of attention and an attention ‘profile’ for each individual child, which may aid characterization and remediation of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in allergic asthma and the role of inhaled corticosteroid treatment
Authors: Bratke K. , Prieschenk C. , Garbe K. , Kuepper M. , Lommatzsch M. , Virchow J. C. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) infiltrate sites of acute Th2‐dominant inflammation, but their role in allergic asthma remains unclear.ObjectiveTo characterize circulating pDCs from patients with allergic asthma outside their respective allergen season.MethodsAdhesion molecules, co‐stimulatory molecules, immunoglobulin receptors and chemokine receptors were quantified on blood pDCs from 20 patients with allergic asthma and 18 healthy controls using flow cytometry. In addition, IL‐6‐, TNF‐α‐ and IFN‐α‐secretion were analysed after stimulating isolated pDCs with TLR7‐ and TLR9‐ligands.ResultsPlasmacytoid dendritic cells from patients with allergic asthma showed an increased expression of chemokine receptors involved in inflamed tissue homing such as CCR2, CCR4, CCR9, CCR10, CXCR2, CXCR5 and CXCR6, while the expression of the lymph node homing receptor CXCR3 was down‐regulated. In addition, these pDCs exhibited a higher expression of activation markers and Th2‐associated molecules such as CD40, CD62L, CD64 and FcεRIα. In contrast, TLR7‐mediated IL‐6‐, TNF‐α‐ and IFN‐α‐secretion was significantly reduced in pDCs from patients with asthma. The TLR9‐mediated cytokine response was only suppressed in those patients who were treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) during previous allergen seasons. The same effect was observed for CD54 and OX40L expression.ConclusionsWe report an increased expression of activation markers, and Th2‐associated molecules, and an increased migratory potential of circulating pDCs in allergic asthma. These changes are accompanied by a reduced TLR7‐mediated cytokine response. In addition, our results suggest a longterm impact of ICS treatment on the characteristics of circulating pDCs.
Protection from articular damage by passive or active anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α immunotherapy in human TNF-α transgenic mice depends on anti-TNF-α antibody levels
Authors: Semerano L , Biton J , Delavallée L , Duvallet E , Assier E , Bessis N , Bernier E , Dhellin O , Grouard-Vogel G , Boissier M-C 
Published: November 2012

Summary
Active anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α immunization with the kinoid of TNF-α (TNF-K) induces polyclonal anti-TNF-α antibodies and ameliorates arthritis in human TNF-α (hTNF-α) transgenic mice (TTg). We compared the efficacy of TNF-K to that of infliximab (IFX) and of TNF-K and IFX co-administration, and evaluated whether the titres of anti-hTNF-α antibodies induced by immunization were a determinant of TNF-K efficacy. Forty-eight TTg mice received one of the following treatments: TNF-K immunization (TNF-K group); weekly IFX throughout the study duration (IFXw0–15); TNF-K plus weekly IFX for 4 weeks (TNF-K + IFX); and weekly IFX for 4 weeks (IFXw0–4); PBS. Animals were killed at week 16. Anti-hTNF-α antibody titres and clinical and histological scores were compared. All TNF-K immunized mice (TNF-K and TNF-K + IFX) produced anti-hTNF-α antibodies. Titres were higher in TNF-K versus TNF-K + IFX (P &lt; 0·001) and correlated inversely with histological inflammation (R = −0·78; P = 0·0001) and destruction (R = −0·67; P = 0·001). TNF-K + IFX had higher histological inflammation and destruction versus TNF-K (P &lt; 0·05). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of anti-hTNF-α antibody titres identified the criterion cut-off value to discriminate most effectively between the TNF-K and TNF-K + IFX groups. Mice with high versus low titres had less histological inflammation and destruction (P &lt; 0·05). In a model of TNF-α-dependent arthritis, protection from articular damage by TNF-K correlates with the titres of induced anti-hTNF-α antibodies. The co-administration of TNF-K and a short course of infliximab does not result in less articular damage versus solely TNF-K, due probably to lower anti-hTNF-α antibody production. These results are relevant for future development of active anti-TNF-α immunization in human disease.
Does elastography reduce the need for thyroid FNAs?
Authors: Mehrotra P. , McQueen A. , Kolla S. , Johnson S. J. , Richardson D. L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveUltrasound elastography (USE) assesses lesion stiffness by evaluating tissue distortion in response to stress; it is emerging as a potentially useful tool to augment the ultrasound characterisation of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of USE examination of thyroid nodules compared with pathological outcome, especially to determine whether USE could reliably detect benign nodules and reduce the numbers of ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (USgFNAC).DesignOver a three‐year period, thyroid nodules were initially characterised by B‐mode ultrasound (US) findings. Where USgFNAC was indicated by clinical concern and/or the sonographic appearances, the lesion was then subjected to USE by an experienced operator prior to the USgFNAC.Patients147 thyroid nodules were examined by USE and USgFNAC in 146 patients.MeasurementsThe elastographic appearance was subjectively categorized at the time of the examination (soft, intermediate or hard) and subsequently compared with the cytological/histological outcome.ResultsA total of 122 nodules were non‐neoplastic, 5 nodules were benign neoplasms, 10 nodules had indeterminate cytology and 10 were malignant neoplasms. The sensitivity of USE for malignancy was 90·0%, specificity was 79·6%, PPV was 24·3%, NPV was 99·1% and accuracy was 80·3%.ConclusionThyroid nodules that are soft at USE have a high likelihood of being non‐neoplastic and subjective USE assessment of thyroid nodules by an experienced operator can be a useful means of avoiding USgFNAC for benign nodules. In contrast, we suggest that all nodules that are intermediate or hard on USE undergo USgFNAC.
ABC3 Part I: a review of the guidelines for terminology, classification and management of cervical cytology in England
Authors: Smith J. H. F. 
Published: November 2012

J. H. F. SmithABC3 Part I: a review of the guidelines for terminology, classification and management of cervical cytology in EnglandThe provision of guidance on cytology reporting and evaluation, first outlined in 1995 with the publication of Achievable Standards, Benchmarks for Reporting, and Criteria for Evaluating Cervical Cytopathology (ABC), and subsequently revised and expanded in a second edition in 2000, has been pivotal to the success of the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP), ensuring that standards are upheld, and that rigorous evaluation and quality assurance take place.In the last decade, major changes to the NHSCSP, notably the adoption of revised age ranges and screening intervals for all women in England, implementation of liquid‐based cytology and, most recently, the decision to introduce high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) testing for triage of low‐grade and borderline (equivalent to 'atypical') cytological abnormalities and test of cure after treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) determined that an updated version of ABC was required.The third edition of ABC recommends adoption, with minor modification, of the revised British Society for Clinical Cytology terminology and provides guidance on the management of abnormal cytology results linked to this terminology taking account of HR‐HPV testing. To accommodate these changes, expanded result codes, which are electronic codes used to transfer management information to central computers for follow‐up, call and recall of individual women, have been developed. Further guidance on specimen adequacy is also provided. Revised performance indicators are described and explained in a separate article by R. Blanks in this issue of Cytopathology.All the changes in ABC3 are designed to support the mission statement of the NHSCSP that ‘the objective of cervical screening is to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality by screening with a high sensitivity for the detection of CIN2 or worse, whilst maintaining a high specificity’.
Spatial–temporal patterns of Ceratocystis wilt in Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil
Authors: Ferreira M. A. , Harrington T. C. , Gongora‐Canul C. C. , Mafia R. G. , Zauza E. A. V. , Alfenas A. C. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryCeratocystis wilt, caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata, has become the most important disease in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp. and hybrids) plantations in Brazil. To further our understanding of the epidemiology of this disease, we surveyed eucalyptus plantations in the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia that were known to have Ceratocystis wilt or were thought to have been planted with infected rooted cuttings. There was generally higher disease incidence in the Minas Gerais plantations, which were on former Cerrado forest sites and likely had soilborne inoculum prior to planting eucalyptus. In such plantations, disease incidence was not evident before 20 months after planting but slowly increased up to 50% at 74 months. The symptomatic and killed trees were aggregated, perhaps from uneven distribution of inoculum in the soil. Also, the progression of cumulative disease incidence best fit a monomolecular model, which is typical of soilborne diseases (fixed level of initial inoculum with little or no secondary inoculum during the crop rotation). However, plots where some trees had been harvested during the rotation showed very high levels of disease incidence in the sprouts that arose from stumps, suggesting secondary spread of the pathogen on harvesting tools or machinery. Most of the Bahia plantations were on pastureland prior to eucalyptus cultivation, and the pathogen was likely introduced with infected nursery stock. In such plots, symptoms were evident as soon as 7 months after planting, and most of the mortality occurred within 12 months. The diseased trees on former pastureland sites were sometimes aggregated within planting rows, suggesting that bunches of infected nursery stock were planted together within the rows. Care should be taken in planting disease‐free planting material and spreading the pathogen on tools, but on sites with soilborne inoculum, use of resistant clones may be the only management option.
Hemodynamic responses in amygdala and hippocampus distinguish between aversive and neutral cues during Pavlovian fear conditioning in behaving rats
Authors: McHugh Stephen B. , Marques‐Smith Andre , Li Jennifer , Rawlins J. N. P. , Lowry John , Conway Michael , Gilmour Gary , Tricklebank Mark , Bannerman David M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractLesion and electrophysiological studies in rodents have identified the amygdala and hippocampus (HPC) as key structures for Pavlovian fear conditioning, but human functional neuroimaging studies have not consistently found activation of these structures. This could be because hemodynamic responses cannot detect the sparse neuronal activity proposed to underlie conditioned fear. Alternatively, differences in experimental design or fear levels could account for the discrepant findings between rodents and humans. To help distinguish between these alternatives, we used tissue oxygen amperometry to record hemodynamic responses from the basolateral amygdala (BLA), dorsal HPC (dHPC) and ventral HPC (vHPC) in freely‐moving rats during the acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear. To enable specific comparison with human studies we used a discriminative paradigm, with one auditory cue [conditioned stimulus (CS)+] that was always followed by footshock, and another auditory cue (CS−) that was never followed by footshock. BLA tissue oxygen signals were significantly higher during CS+ than CS− trials during training and early extinction. In contrast, they were lower during CS+ than CS− trials by the end of extinction. dHPC and vHPC tissue oxygen signals were significantly lower during CS+ than CS− trials throughout extinction. Thus, hemodynamic signals in the amygdala and HPC can detect the different patterns of neuronal activity evoked by threatening vs. neutral stimuli during fear conditioning. Discrepant neuroimaging findings may be due to differences in experimental design and/or fear levels evoked in participants. Our methodology offers a way to improve translation between rodent models and human neuroimaging.
Mixotrophic organisms become more heterotrophic with rising temperature
Authors: Wilken Susanne , Huisman Jef , Naus‐Wiezer Suzanne , Van Donk Ellen 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe metabolic theory of ecology predicts that temperature affects heterotrophic processes more strongly than autotrophic processes. We hypothesized that this differential temperature response may shift mixotrophic organisms towards more heterotrophic nutrition with rising temperature. The hypothesis was tested in experiments with the mixotrophic chrysophyte Ochromonas sp., grown under autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions. Our results show that (1) grazing rates on bacterial prey increased more strongly with temperature than photosynthetic electron transport rates, (2) heterotrophic growth rates increased exponentially with temperature over the entire range from 13 to 33 °C, while autotrophic growth rates reached a maximum at intermediate temperatures and (3) chlorophyll contents during mixotrophic growth decreased at high temperature. Hence, the contribution of photosynthesis to mixotrophic growth strongly decreased with temperature. These findings support the hypothesis that mixotrophs become more heterotrophic with rising temperature, which alters their functional role in food webs and the carbon cycle.
Petuniaflowers solve the defence/apparency dilemma of pollinator attraction by deploying complex floral blends
Authors: Kessler Danny , Diezel Celia , Clark David G. , Colquhoun Thomas A. , Baldwin Ian T. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFlowers recruit floral visitors for pollination services by emitting fragrances. These scent signals can be intercepted by antagonists such as florivores to locate host plants. Hence, as a consequence of interactions with both mutualists and antagonists, floral bouquets likely consist of both attractive and defensive components. While the attractive functions of floral bouquets have been studied, their defensive function has not, and field‐based evidence for the deterrence of floral‐scent constituents is lacking. In field and glasshouse experiments with five lines of transgenicPetunia x hybridaplants specifically silenced in their ability to release particular components of their floral volatile bouquet, we demonstrate that the emission of single floral‐scent compounds can dramatically decrease damage from generalist florivores. While some compounds are used in host location, others prevent florivory. We conclude that the complex blends that comprise floral scents are likely sculpted by the selective pressures of both pollinators and herbivores.
Transcranial brain sonography findings in two main variants of progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Kostić V. S. , Mijajlović M. , Smajlović D. , Lukić M. J. , Tomić A. , Svetel M. 
Published: November 2012

Background and purposeProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) can occur with two main clinical presentations, classified as classical Richardson's syndrome (PSP‐RS) and as PSP‐parkinsonism (PSP‐P), the most common atypical PSP variant. The differential diagnosis between them is challenging. Therefore, we studied different ultrasound markers by transcranial sonography in individuals with PSP‐RS and PSP‐P, to test their value in the diagnostic work up of these patients.MethodsTranscranial sonography was performed in 21 patients with PSP‐RS and 11 patients with PSP‐P. Echogenic sizes of the substantia nigra (SN) and the lenticular nuclei (LN), as well as the width of the third ventricle, were measured.ResultsAmong the patients with PSP‐RS and PSP‐P, three (14%) and eight (73%) patients had a hyperechogenic SN (P = 0.020), respectively. Uni‐ or bilateral hyperechogenicity of the LN was observed in 67% and 36% of patients with PSP‐RS and PSP‐P, respectively (P = 0.101). Third ventricle was significantly wider in patients with PSP‐RS (11.2 ± 2.3 mm) when compared with patients with PSP‐P (7.5 ± 1.4 mm; P = 0.001).ConclusionOur data, possibly reflecting pathological differences, primarily contribute supporting the view that the neurodegenerative process differs in the two PSP variants.
Azelaic acid reduced senescence‐like phenotype in photo‐irradiated human dermal fibroblasts: possible implication of PPARγ
Authors: Briganti Stefania , Flori Enrica , Mastrofrancesco Arianna , Kovacs Daniela , Camera Emanuela , Ludovici Matteo , Cardinali Giorgia , Picardo Mauro 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAzelaic acid (AzA) has been used for the treatment for inflammatory skin diseases, such as acne and rosacea. Interestingly, an improvement in skin texture has been observed after long‐time treatment with AzA. We previously unrevealed that anti‐inflammatory activity of AzA involves a specific activation of PPARγ, a nuclear receptor that plays a relevant role in inflammation and even in ageing processes. As rosacea has been considered as a photo‐aggravated disease, we investigated the ability of AzA to counteract stress‐induced premature cell senescence (SIPS). We employed a SIPS model based on single exposure of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to UVA and 8‐methoxypsoralen (PUVA), previously reported to activate a senescence‐like phenotype, including long‐term growth arrest, flattened morphology and increased synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal). We found that PUVA‐treated HDFs grown in the presence of AzA maintained their morphology and reduced MMP‐1 release and SA‐β‐galactosidase‐positive cells. Moreover, AzA induced a reduction in ROS generation, an up‐modulation of antioxidant enzymes and a decrease in cell membrane lipid damages in PUVA‐treated HDFs. Further evidences of AzA anti‐senescence effect were repression of p53 and p21, increase in type I pro‐collagen and abrogation of the enhanced expression of growth factors, such as HGF and SCF. Interestingly, PUVA‐SIPS showed a decreased activation of PPARγ and AzA counteracted this effect, suggesting that AzA effect involves PPARγ modulation. All together these data showed that AzA interferes with PUVA‐induced senescence‐like phenotype and its ability to activate PPAR‐γ provides relevant insights into the anti‐senescence mechanism.
Signal processing evaluation of myoelectric sensor placement in low‐level gestures: sensitivity analysis using independent component analysis
Authors: Naik Ganesh R. , Kumar Dinesh K. , Palaniswami Marimuthu 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSurface electromyogram (sEMG) is a technique in which electrodes are placed on the skin overlying a muscle to detect the electrical activity. Multiple electrical sensors are essential for extracting intrinsic physiological and contextual information from the corresponding sEMG signals. The reason, why more than just one sEMG signal capture has to be used, is as follows: Due to signal propagation inside the human body in terms of an electrical conductor, there cannot be a one‐to‐one mapping of activities between muscle fibre groups and corresponding sEMG sensing electrodes. Each of such electrodes rather records a composition of many, and widely activity‐independent signals, and such kind of raw signal capture cannot be efficiently used for pattern matching due to its linear dependency. On the other hand, Independent component analysis (ICA) provides the perfect answer of separating skin surface recordings into a set of independent muscle actions. Hence, there is a need for a method that indicates the quality of the sensor placements in sEMG. The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of source separation for sEMG using ICA. The actual use in practical sEMG experiments is demonstrated, when the number of recording channels for electrical muscle activities is varied.