bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positron annihilation studies on the behaviour of vacancies in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures
Authors: Yuan Guoliang , Li Chen , Yin Jiang , Liu Zhiguo , Wu Di , Uedono Akira 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The formation and diffusion of vacancies are studied in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures. Oxygen vacancies (V
OS) appear easily in the SrTiO3 substrate during LaAlO3 film growth at 700 °C and 10−4 Pa oxygen pressure rather than at 10−3–10−1 Pa, thus the latter two-dimensional electron gas should come from the polarity discontinuity at the (LaO)+/(TiO2)0 interface. For SrTiO3−δ
/LaAlO3/SrTiO3, high-density V
OS of the SrTiO3−δ
film can pass through the LaAlO3 film and then diffuse to 1.7 µm depth in the SrTiO3 substrate, suggesting that LaAlO3 has V
OS at its middle-deep energy levels within the band gap. Moreover, high-density V
OS may combine with a strontium/titanium vacancy (V
Sr/Ti) to form V
Sr/Ti–O complexes in the SrTiO3 substrate at 700 °C.
SmartGrain: High-Throughput Phenotyping Software for Measuring Seed Shape through Image Analysis
Authors: Tanabata Takanari , Shibaya Taeko , Hori Kiyosumi , Ebana Kaworu , Yano Masahiro 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Seed shape and size are among the most important agronomic traits because they affect yield and market price. To obtain accurate seed size data, a large number of measurements are needed because there is little difference in size among seeds from one plant. To promote genetic analysis and selection for seed shape in plant breeding, efficient, reliable, high-throughput seed phenotyping methods are required. We developed SmartGrain software for high-throughput measurement of seed shape. This software uses a new image analysis method to reduce the time taken in the preparation of seeds and in image capture. Outlines of seeds are automatically recognized from digital images, and several shape parameters, such as seed length, width, area, and perimeter length, are calculated. To validate the software, we performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for rice (Oryza sativa) seed shape using backcrossed inbred lines derived from a cross between japonica cultivars Koshihikari and Nipponbare, which showed small differences in seed shape. SmartGrain removed areas of awns and pedicels automatically, and several QTLs were detected for six shape parameters. The allelic effect of a QTL for seed length detected on chromosome 11 was confirmed in advanced backcross progeny; the cv Nipponbare allele increased seed length and, thus, seed weight. High-throughput measurement with SmartGrain reduced sampling error and made it possible to distinguish between lines with small differences in seed shape. SmartGrain could accurately recognize seed not only of rice but also of several other species, including Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The software is free to researchers.
Fungal palaeodiversity revealed using high‐throughput metabarcoding of ancient DNA from arctic permafrost
Authors: Bellemain Eva , Davey Marie L. , Kauserud Håvard , Epp Laura S. , Boessenkool Sanne , Coissac Eric , Geml Jozsef , Edwards Mary , Willerslev Eske , Gussarova Galina , Taberlet Pierre , Brochmann Christian 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe taxonomic and ecological diversity of ancient fungal communities was assessed by combining next generation sequencing and metabarcoding of DNA preserved in permafrost. Twenty‐six sediment samples dated 16 000–32 000 radiocarbon years old from two localities in Siberia were analysed for fungal ITS. We detected 75 fungal OTUs from 21 orders representing three phyla, although rarefaction analyses suggested that the full diversity was not recovered despite generating an average of 6677 ± 3811 (mean ± SD) sequences per sample and that preservation bias likely has considerable effect on the recovered DNA. Most OTUs (75.4%) represented ascomycetes. Due to insufficient sequencing depth, DNA degradation and putative preservation biases in our samples, the recovered taxa probably do not represent the complete historic fungal community, and it is difficult to determine whether the fungal communities varied geographically or experienced a composition shift within the period of 16 000–32 000 bp. However, annotation of OTUs to functional ecological groups provided a wealth of information on the historic communities. About one‐third of the OTUs are presumed plant‐associates (pathogens, saprotrophs and endophytes) typical of graminoid‐ and forb‐rich habitats. We also detected putative insect pathogens, coprophiles and keratinophiles likely associated with ancient insect and herbivore faunas. The detection of putative insect pathogens, mycoparasites, aquatic fungi and endophytes broadens our previous knowledge of the diversity of fungi present in Beringian palaeoecosystems. A large group of putatively psychrophilic/psychrotolerant fungi was also detected, most likely representing a modern, metabolically active fungal community.
Farm‐by‐farm analysis of microsatellite, mtDNA and SNP genotype data reveals inbreeding and crossbreeding as threats to the survival of a native Spanish pig breed
Authors: Herrero‐Medrano J. M. , Megens H. J. , Crooijmans R. P. , Abellaneda J. M. , Ramis G. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryThe Chato Murciano (CM), a pig breed from the Murcia region in the southeastern region of Spain, is a good model for endangered livestock populations. The remaining populations are bred on approximately 15 small farms, and no herdbook exists. To assess the genetic threats to the integrity and survival of the CM breed, and to aid in designing a conservation program, three genetic marker systems – microsatellites, SNPs and mtDNA – were applied across the majority of the total breeding stock. In addition, mtDNA and SNPs were genotyped in breeds that likely contributed genetically to the current CM gene pool. The analyses revealed the levels of genetic diversity within the range of other European local breeds (He = 0.53). However, when the eight farms that rear at least 10 CM pigs were independently analyzed, high levels of inbreeding were found in some. Despite the evidence for recent crossbreeding with commercial breeds on a few farms, the entire breeding stock remains readily identifiable as CM, facilitating the design of traceability assays. The genetic management of the breed is consistent with farm size, farm owner and presence of other pig breeds on the farm, demonstrating the highly ad hoc nature of current CM breeding. The results of genetic diversity and substructure of the entire breed, as well as admixture and crossbreeding obtained in the present study, provide a benchmark to develop future conservation strategies. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that identifying farm‐based practices and farm‐based breeding stocks can aid in the design of a sustainable breeding program for minority breeds.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 regulates TGF‐β1 production in airway epithelia and asthmatic airway remodeling in mice
Authors: Qin X.‐J. , Zhang G.‐S. , Zhang X. , Qiu Z.‐W. , Wang P.‐L. , Li Y.‐W. , Li W. , Xie Q.‐M. , Ke Y.‐H. , Lee J. J , Shen H.‐H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundTransforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 produced in airway epithelia has been suggested as a contributor to the airway remodeling observed in asthma patients. The protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 is a demonstrable modulator of TGF‐β1 production and thus a potential regulator of airway remodeling.ObjectivesTo define the signal event by which SHP2 regulates asthmatic responses in airway epithelial cells by using a mouse model of experimental OVA‐induced airway remodeling.MethodsThe airways of Shp2flox/flox mice were infected with recombinant adenovirus vectors expressing a Cre recombinase–green fluorescence protein (GFP) fusion protein as part of allergen provocation studies using mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and repeatedly challenged with OVA. Several endpoint pathologies were assessed, including airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR), lung inflammatory score, peribronchial collagen deposition, and α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA) hyperplasia. In vitro studies using airway epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) were used to investigate the role of SHP2 in the regulation of pulmonary remodeling events, including the expression of collagen, α‐SMA, and TGF‐β1.ResultsChronic OVA challenges in wild‐type mice resulted in airway remodeling and lung dysfunction (e.g., increased inflammatory scores, collagen deposition (fibrosis), smooth muscle hyperplasia, and a significant increase in AHR). These endpoint pathology metrics were each significantly attenuated by conditional shp2 gene knockdown in airway epithelia. In vitro studies using BEAS‐2B cells also demonstrated that the level of TGF‐β1 production by these cells correlated with the extent of shp2 gene expression.ConclusionsSHP2 activities in airway epithelial cells appear to modulate TGF‐β1 production and, in turn, regulate allergic airway remodeling following allergen provocation.Clinical ImplicationsOur findings identify SHP2 as a previously underappreciated contributor to the airway remodeling and lung dysfunction associated with allergen challenge. As such, SHP2 represents a potentially novel therapeutic target for the treatment of asthmatics.Capsule summaryAirway epithelial protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 appears to modulate TGF‐β1 activities as part of one or more cellular pathways leading to regulating the airway remodeling and lung dysfunction occurring in mouse models of allergic respiratory inflammation.
Ovarian failure in HAX1‐deficient patients: is there a gender‐specific difference in pubertal development in severe congenital neutropenia or Kostmann disease?
Authors: Carlsson Göran , Kriström Berit , Nordenskj˶ld Magnus , Henter Jan‐Inge , Fadeel Bengt 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimSevere congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a rare disorder of myelopoiesis characterized by neutropenia, recurrent bacterial infections and a maturation arrest of the myelopoiesis in the bone marrow. Homozygous mutations in the HAX1 gene were described in patients with autosomal recessive SCN or Kostmann disease. Some of these patients display neurological disease. We noted, during the course of clinical management of patients with Kostmann disease, insufficient pubertal development in female patients, but not in our male patients. The study objective was to provide a detailed account of this phenotype and its possible relation to HAX1 mutations.MethodsDetailed clinical histories and laboratory investigations of three patients with Kostmann disease belonging to the original kindred in northern Sweden described by Rolf Kostmann are reported.ResultsWe report one male patient with normal puberty and two female patients with insufficient pubertal development. Elevated levels of LH and FSH were recorded in both patients. All three patients harbour the same p.Glu190X mutation in the HAX1 gene.ConclusionsWe show for the first time that female patients with Kostmann disease display primary gonadal insufficiency. This suggests a possible role for HAX1 in the development and/or function of the human ovary.
How I manage patients with atypical microcytic anaemia
Authors: Camaschella Clara 
Published: October 2012

SummaryMicrocytic hypochromic anaemias are a result of defective iron handling by erythroblasts that decrease the haemoglobin content per red cell. Recent advances in our knowledge of iron metabolism and its homeostasis have led to the discovery of novel inherited anaemias that need to be distinguished from common iron deficiency or other causes of microcytosis. These atypical microcytic anaemias can be classified as: (i) defects of intestinal iron absorption (ii) disorders of the transferrin receptor cycle that impair erythroblast iron uptake (iii) defects of mitochondrial iron utilization for haem or iron sulphur cluster synthesis and (iv) defects of iron recycling. A careful patient history and evaluation of laboratory tests may enable these rare conditions to be distinguished from the more common iron deficiency anaemia. Molecular studies allow distinction of the different types, a prerequisite for differentiated therapy.
Social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL) for secondary schools: implementation difficulties and their implications for school‐based mental health promotion
Authors: Lendrum Ann , Humphrey Neil , Wigelsworth Michael 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundIncreasing concern about adolescent mental health problems has resulted in schools being identified as central sites for their prevention (PsycInfo; ERIC 2000–2012). In this context, SEAL for secondary schools was launched in 2007.MethodThe implementation strand of the national evaluation of secondary SEAL comprised longitudinal case studies of nine schools and used multiple methods and data sources, including interviews, observations and document review.ResultsImplementation was variable, both within and between schools; barriers were identified at programme, teacher and school levels.ConclusionsImplementation issues identified have implications for SEAL and school‐based mental health prevention and promotion interventions more generally.
An unfolded variant of the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 with decreased anaphylactic potential
Authors: Starkl P. , Felix F. , Krishnamurthy D. , Stremnitzer C. , Roth‐Walter F. , Prickett S. R. , Voskamp A. L. , Willensdorfer A. , Szalai K. , Weichselbaumer M. , O'Hehir R. E. , Jensen‐Jarolim E. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBackgroundPeanut allergy causes severe type 1 hypersensitivity reactions and conventional immunotherapy against peanut allergy is associated with a high risk of anaphylaxis.ObjectiveOur current study reports proof of concept experiments on the safety of a stably denatured variant of the major peanut allergen Ara h 2 for immunotherapy. We determined the impact of structure loss of Ara h 2 on its IgE binding and basophil degranulation capacity, T cell reactivity as well as anaphylactic potential.MethodsThe secondary structure of untreated and reduced/alkylated Ara h 2 variants was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. We addressed human patient IgE binding to Ara h 2 by ELISA and Western blot experiments. RBL‐SX38 cells were used to test the degranulation induced by untreated and reduced/alkylated Ara h 2. We assessed the anaphylactic potential of Ara h 2 variants by challenge of sensitized BALB/c mice. T cell reactivity was investigated using human Ara h 2‐specific T cell lines and splenocytes isolated from sensitized mice.ResultsReduction/alkylation of Ara h 2 caused a decrease in IgE binding capacity, basophil degranulation and anaphylactic potential in vivo. However, the human T cell response to reduced/alkylated and untreated Ara h 2 was comparable. Mouse splenocytes showed higher metabolic activity upon stimulation with reduced/alkylated Ara h 2 and released similar IL‐4, IL‐13 and IFNγ levels upon treatment with either Ara h 2 variant.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceReduced/alkylated Ara h 2 might be a safer alternative than native Ara h 2 for immunotherapeutic treatment of peanut allergic patients.
House dust mite sublingual immunotherapy: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in elderly patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Bozek A. , Ignasiak B. , Filipowska B. , Jarzab J. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryBackgroundImmunotherapy in elderly patients is controversial, and there is still no evidence supporting this treatment's safety and efficacy in this population. This study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of specific sublingual immunotherapy for house dust mite (HDM) allergens in patients over 60 years of age with allergic rhinitis and a confirmed allergy to HDM.ObjectiveThis study sought to assess nasal symptoms during HDM season, reduce medication use and monitor for adverse reactions during immunotherapy.MethodsOne hundred and eleven 60‐ to 75‐year‐old patients with allergic rhinitis and a confirmed Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae allergy were included in the study. The patients were individually randomized to active or placebo groups using a double‐blind method (NCTO01605760 ClinicalTrials.gov). A total of 51 subjects in the sublingual allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SLIT) group (Staloral 300R, Stallergenes, France) and 57 subjects in the placebo group were monitored for 3 years.ResultsForty‐seven patients completed 3 years of SLIT, and 48 subjects finished the placebo treatment in the same time period. The total nasal symptom score decreased by 44% in the active group and 6% in the placebo group after 3 years of SLIT. This difference was only significant in the active group (P < 0.05). At the end of therapy, the total medication score of the active group decreased significantly by a maximum of 51% (P < 0.05), whereas the total medication score of the placebo control group showed an insignificant decrease (P = 0.56). There were no systemic adverse reactions during the study.Conclusions & Clinical RelevanceSublingual allergen‐specific immunotherapy in elderly patients with a HDM allergy to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae generated a significant clinical improvement in the active group compared with the placebo group, particularly during the heating season. This therapy was well tolerated.
Increased cardiovascular risk after pre‐eclampsia in women with dysglycaemia
Authors: McDonald S. D. , Yusuf S. , Walsh M. W. , Lonn E. , Teo K. , Anand S. S. , Pogue J. , Islam S. , Devereaux P. J. , Gerstein H. C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimsCompared with women with uncomplicated pregnancies, women with a history of pre‐eclampsia have two to five times the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is not known whether this risk is related to albuminuria, a known cardiovascular risk factor that is part of the definition of pre‐eclampsia and that often persists after delivery. Our objective was to determine if the high risk of cardiovascular disease in women with pre‐eclampsia is accounted for by known cardiovascular risk factors including albuminuria.MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 4080 dysglycaemic women enrolled in a large randomized controlled trial who provided an obstetric history and had at least one delivery. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test, lipids, an electrocardiogram and an albumin/creatinine ratio from a first morning urine sample were obtained.ResultsThere were 3613 women with no history of pre‐eclampsia during their pregnancies, 108 with severe pre‐eclampsia and 359 with non‐severe pre‐eclampsia. Women with a history of severe pre‐eclampsia had higher rates of previous cardiovascular disease than women with non‐severe pre‐eclampsia or women without pre‐eclampsia (87, 72 and 72%, P = 0.0019). The high risk of previous cardiovascular disease in women with a history of severe pre‐eclampsia (odds ratio 2.67, 95% CI 1.52–4.70) persisted after adjustment for albuminuria (odds ratio 2.74, 95% CI 1.55–4.83) and also after adjusting for other covariates including albuminuria (odds ratio 3.03, 95% CI 1.69–5.44).ConclusionEven after accounting for cardiovascular risk factors including albuminuria, a history of severe pre‐eclampsia is independently associated with a threefold higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Mating failures as a consequence of sexual selection on females
Authors: Gwynne Darryl T. , Lorch Patrick D. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMultiple mating by individuals successful in sexual competition results in other individuals failing to mate. This leads to sexual selection within a sex, typically the males. However, more species are coming to light in which females are subject to sexual selection. We review the contexts for and nature of sexual selection on females in several insect species where female mating failures have been noted. We then examine evidence of mating failures in two groups of insects, empidid flies (Diptera) and tettigoniid Orthoptera (katydids), in which sexual selection is expected to be relatively stronger on females. Using data from the field, we show for two species of katydids that, as predicted, there are mating failures by females in populations in which the direction of sexual selection appears to be reversed, but not in populations where sexual selection appears to be stronger on males.
Modelling female mating success during mass trapping and natural competitive attraction of searching males or females
Authors: Byers John A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSimulation models of insects encountering sex pheromone with or without mass trapping in which the searching sex is either male (moths and many insect species) or female (some true bugs, beetles, and flies) were developed. The searching sex moved as a correlated random walk, while the opposite sex remained stationary (calling) and released an attractive sex pheromone. The searching sex was caught when encountering a pheromone‐baited trap, and females mated when encountering a male. An encounter with pheromone was defined by the searcher's interception of a circle termed the effective attraction radius (EARc). Parameters of movement (speed and duration), initial numbers of calling sex and searching sex, number of traps, area, and EARc of traps and calling sex were varied individually to evaluate effects on the percentage of females mating. In the natural condition without traps, female mating success in both models was identical. Increasing the EARc of the calling sex caused diminishing increases in female mating success, suggesting that evolution of larger pheromone release and EARc is limited by increasing costs (production/sensitivity) relative to diminishing increases and benefits of mating encounters. With mass trapping, increasing the EARc of traps or density of traps caused similar declines in female mating in both models, but the female‐searching model predicted slightly lower mating success than the male‐searching model. Increasing the EARc of calling insects or the initial density of insects caused similar increases in female mating in both models, but again the female‐searching model had slightly lower mating success than the male‐searching model. The models have implications for mating lek formation and for understanding the variables affecting the success of mass trapping programs for insect pests with either male or female sex pheromones.
Sex ratio dynamics of Gonatocerus ashmeadi, a parasitoid of the glassy‐winged sharpshooter in California
Authors: Lytle John , Kapranas A. , Morgan D.J.W. , Nichols J.M. , Morse J.G. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWe examined whether Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a quasi‐gregarious egg parasitoid of Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), produces precise sex ratios under a field setting. Under laboratory conditions, previous studies have shown that G. ashmeadi exhibits strongly female‐biased sex ratios with low variance in the number of males produced per host. Field‐collected G. ashmeadi tend to produce much less female‐biased sex ratios with high variance in male numbers. We found significant positive effects of proportion parasitism and host density on sex ratio. Proportion parasitism also had a positive effect on sex ratio variance. The findings of this study are discussed in the context of theoretical predictions.