bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historical fire and bamboo dynamics in western Amazonia
Authors: McMichael Crystal H. , Bush Mark B. , Silman Miles R. , Piperno Dolores R. , Raczka Marco , Lobato Luiz C. , Zimmerman Monica , Hagen Stephen , Palace Michael 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimTo determine if recurrent fire accounts for bamboo‐dominated forests that cover about 180,000 km2 of western Amazonia.LocationWestern Amazonia, including Los Amigos and Cocha Cashu, Peru, and Acre, Brazil.MethodsWe identified bamboo (B+) and closed‐canopy forests (B−) using a combination of MODIS imagery, Landsat TM imagery and field surveys. Local‐scale and landscape‐scale patterns of historical bamboo dynamics were analysed by collecting soil cores from B+ and B− sites across three regions. Soil charcoal within cores was used to document previous fire, and phytoliths were employed to reconstruct vegetational patterns through time.ResultsFire occurred in B+ and B− sites with approximately equal frequencies in each region sampled. Between regions, fire signals were most prevalent at Los Amigos, with Cocha Cashu and Acre sites typically containing only trace amounts of charcoal. Vegetational state remained constant through time in both B+ and B− forests of Cocha Cashu and Acre. The persistence of bamboo through time is less clear at Los Amigos, with bamboo presence changing both spatially and temporally.Main conclusionsFire does not appear to be the driving mechanism behind current bamboo distributions, although it may facilitate bamboo invasion. Once established in an area, bamboo persistently dominates the vegetation structure over historical time‐scales at some sites (Cocha Cashu and Acre), but not at others (Los Amigos), which is likely to be a function of patch origin. Increasing human activity, including fire and deforestation, combined with predicted Amazonian drought, may allow bamboo to expand from its current distribution and replace typical Amazonian closed‐canopy forests. These structural changes in the forests have important implications for carbon storage, as Amazonian forests are currently the largest terrestrial carbon sink in the world.
Factors Associated with the Adoption and Use of Management Accounting Techniques in Developing Countries: The Case of Romania
Authors: Albu Nadia , Albu Cătălin Nicolae 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to investigate and analyze through the lens of contingency theory the existence and use of management accounting techniques in Romanian entities, with an in‐depth consideration of the institutional factors characterizing the environment of this country. Using a sample of 109 respondents, we identify factors associated with the existence and use of management accounting techniques in a context where organizational practices are subject to variations, resource and training scarcity, and uncertainty. Our findings indicate that the most important factors are the type of capital and size. The adoption and use of management accounting techniques are mostly associated with the presence of foreign capital as a defining feature of the Romanian environment. However, we find limited statistical support for the importance of the environment and competition, factors usually related to the use of such techniques in other developing countries.
Restricted distribution and limited gene flow in the model ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Zufall Rebecca A. , Dimond Kristen L. , Doerder F. Paul 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe biogeography of microbial eukaryotes has long been debated, but few phylogeographic data have been available to assess whether protists tend to have ubiquitous or endemic distributions. We addressed this issue in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, a highly successful model system in cell and molecular biology. We found that this species has a distribution that is restricted to the Eastern United States, with high diversity in the northeast and low diversity across the rest of its distribution. We find high levels of population subdivision, low rates of migration and significant isolation by distance, supporting the moderate endemicity model of protist biogeography. This restricted gene flow may be a result of small population size, which would reduce the probability of migration events, or the inability to establish after migration. This work lays the foundation for T. thermophila to become a valuable model system for studying population biology.
Mosaic structure of native ant supercolonies
Authors: Seppä P. , Johansson H. , Gyllenstrand N. , Pálsson S. , Pamilo P. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAccording to the inclusive fitness theory, some degree of positive relatedness is required for the evolution and maintenance of altruism. However, ant colonies are sometimes large interconnected networks of nests, which are genetically homogenous entities, causing a putative problem for the theory. We studied spatial structure and genetic relatedness in two supercolonies of the antFormica exsecta, using nuclear and mitochondrial markers. We show that there may be multiple pathways to supercolonial social organization leading to different spatial genetic structures. One supercolony formed a genetically homogenous population dominated by a single mtDNAhaplotype, as expected if founded by a small number of colonizers, followed by nest propagation by budding and domination of the habitat patch. The other supercolony had several haplotypes, and the spatial genetic structure was a mosaic of nuclear and mitochondrial clusters. Genetic diversity probably originated from long‐range dispersal, and the mosaic population structure is likely a result of stochastic short‐range dispersal of individuals. Such a mosaic spatial structure is apparently discordant with the current knowledge about the integrity of ant colonies. Relatedness was low in both populations when estimated among nestmates, but increased significantly when estimated among individuals sharing the same genetic cluster or haplogroup. The latter association indicates the important historical role of queen dispersal in the determination of the spatial genetic structure.
Vascular binding of a pathogen under shear force through mechanistically distinct sequential interactions with host macromolecules
Authors: Moriarty Tara J. , Shi Meiqing , Lin Yi‐Pin , Ebady Rhodaba , Zhou Hong , Odisho Tanya , Hardy Pierre‐Olivier , Salman‐Dilgimen Aydan , Wu Jing , Weening Eric H. , Skare Jon T. , Kubes Paul , Leong John , Chaconas George 
Published: October 2012

SummarySystemic dissemination of microbial pathogens permits microbes to spread from the initial site of infection to secondary target tissues and is responsible for most mortality due to bacterial infections. Dissemination is a critical stage of disease progression by the Lyme spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi. However, many mechanistic features of the process are not yet understood. A key step is adhesion of circulating microbes to vascular surfaces in the face of the shear forces present in flowing blood. Using real‐time microscopic imaging of the Lyme spirochaete in living mice we previously identified the first bacterial protein (B. burgdorferi BBK32) shown to mediate vascular adhesion in vivo. Vascular adhesion is also dependent on host fibronectin (Fn) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of BBK32‐dependent vascular adhesion in vivo. We determined that BBK32–Fn interactions (tethering) function as a molecular braking mechanism that permits the formation of more stable BBK32–GAG interactions (dragging) between circulating bacteria and vascular surfaces. Since BBK32‐like proteins are expressed in a variety of pathogens we believe that the vascular adhesion mechanisms we have deciphered here may be critical for understanding the dissemination mechanisms of other bacterial pathogens.
Epigenetics and chromatin dynamics: a review and a paradigm for functional disorders
Authors: Ordog T. , Syed S. A. , Hayashi Y. , Asuzu D. T. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground  Motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders have high prevalence in the community, cause significant morbidity, and represent a major health care burden. Despite major advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of gastrointestinal neuromuscular functions, many of these diseases still defy mechanistic explanations. The biopsychosocial model underlying the current classification of functional gastrointestinal disorders recognizes and integrates the pathogenetic role of genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors but has not been associated with specific molecular mechanisms.Purpose  Here, we propose that this integrative function is encoded in the chromatin, composed of the DNA and associated histone and non‐histone proteins and non‐coding RNA. By establishing epigenetically heritable ‘molecular memories’ of past stimuli including environmental challenges, the chromatin determines an individual’s responses to future insults and translates them into high‐order outputs such as symptoms and illness behavior. Thus, surveying epigenetic signatures throughout the genome of affected cells in individual patients may make it possible to better understand and ultimately control the phenomena described by the biopsychosocial model. In this review, we provide a high‐level but comprehensive description of the concepts and mechanisms underlying epigenetics and chromatin dynamics, describe the mechanisms whereby the environment can alter the epigenome and identify aspects of functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders where epigenetic mechanisms are most likely to play important roles.
Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery increases number but not density of CCK‐, GLP‐1‐, 5‐HT‐, and neurotensin‐expressing enteroendocrine cells in rats
Authors: Mumphrey M. B. , Patterson L. M. , Zheng H. , Berthoud H.‐R. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackground  Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is very effective in reducing excess body weight and improving glucose homeostasis in obese subjects. Changes in the pattern of gut hormone secretion are thought to play a major role, but the mechanisms leading to both changed hormone secretion and beneficial effects remain unclear. Specifically, it is not clear whether changes in the number of hormone‐secreting enteroendocrine cells, or changes in the releasing stimuli, or both, are important.Methods  We estimated numbers of enteroendocrine cells after immunohistochemical staining in fixed tissue samples from rats at 10–11 months after RYGB.Key Results  Numbers of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) (L‐cells, co‐expressing peptide YY (PYY)), cholecystokinin (CCK), neurotensin, and 5‐HT‐immunoreactive cells were significantly increased in the Roux and common limbs, but not the biliopancreatic limb in RYGB rats compared with sham‐operated, obese rats fed high‐fat diet, and chow‐fed controls. This increase was mostly accounted for by general hyperplasia of all intestinal wall layers of the nutrient‐perfused Roux and common limbs, and less to increased density of expression. The number of ghrelin cells in the bypassed stomach was not different among the three groups.Conclusions & Inferences  The findings suggest that the number of enteroendocrine cells increases passively as the gut adapts, and that the increased total number of L‐ and I‐cells is likely to contribute to the higher circulating levels of GLP‐1, PYY, and CCK, potentially leading to suppression of food intake and stimulation of insulin secretion. Whether changes in releasing stimuli also contribute to altered circulating levels will have to be determined in future studies.
Patient Satisfaction in an Academic Chronic Pain Clinic
Authors: Trentman Terrence L. , Cornidez Eric G. , Wilshusen Laurie L. , Chang Yu‐Hui H. , Seamans David P. , Rosenfeld David M. , Freeman John A. , Chien James J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectivesPatient perception of healthcare quality is of growing interest. It has been shown that patient satisfaction is associated with compliance with medical advice and clinical outcome. The 3‐fold purpose of this study was to identify which attributes of the patient–physician interaction most strongly correlated with patients' perceptions of provider quality of care, to identify key drivers that move patients' perception of overall provider quality from “very good” to “excellent,” and to identify features of the pain clinic experience that were most important to patients but were simultaneously perceived as lacking.MethodsRandomized patient satisfaction survey conducted via telephone approximately 3 weeks after the patient's pain clinic visit.ResultsA total of 999 patients participated in the survey over 5 years (estimated response rate 60.2%). Thoroughness, listening, and time spent with the provider were the 3 attributes most strongly associated with the patients' perceptions of provider quality of care, while thoroughness, listening, punctuality, and clear instructions were the drivers of “very good” vs. “excellent” patient perceived overall provider quality. Areas identified for clinic improvement include thoroughness, providing adequate explanations and instructions, and including patient preferences in decision making.ConclusionsThese results may guide pain clinic physicians as they seek to improve patient perceptions of their care and ultimately patient outcomes.
OsNAC5 overexpression enlarges root diameter in rice plants leading to enhanced drought tolerance and increased grain yield in the field
Authors: Jeong Jin Seo , Kim Youn Shic , Redillas Mark C. F. R. , Jang Geupil , Jung Harin , Bang Seung Woon , Choi Yang Do , Ha Sun‐Hwa , Reuzeau Christophe , Kim Ju‐Kon 
Published: October 2012

SummaryDrought conditions are among the most serious challenges to crop production worldwide. Here, we report the results of field evaluations of transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsNAC5, under the control of either the root‐specific (RCc3) or constitutive (GOS2) promoters. Field evaluations over three growing seasons revealed that the grain yield of the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 plants were increased by 9%–23% and 9%–26% under normal conditions, respectively. Under drought conditions, however, RCc3:OsNAC5 plants showed a significantly higher grain yield of 22%–63%, whilst the GOS2:OsNAC5 plants showed a reduced or similar yield to the nontransgenic (NT) controls. Both the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 plants were found to have larger roots due to an enlarged stele and aerenchyma at flowering stage. Cell numbers per cortex layer and stele of developing roots were higher in both transgenic plants than NT controls, contributing to the increase in root diameter. The root diameter was enlarged to a greater extent in the RCc3:OsNAC5, suggesting the importance of this phenotype for enhanced drought tolerance. Microarray experiments identified 25 up‐regulated genes by more than three‐fold (P < 0.01) in the roots of both transgenic lines. Also identified were 19 and 18 up‐regulated genes that are specific to the RCc3:OsNAC5 and GOS2:OsNAC5 roots, respectively. Of the genes specifically up‐regulated in the RCc3:OsNAC5 roots, GLP, PDX, MERI5 and O‐methyltransferase were implicated in root growth and development. Our present findings demonstrate that the root‐specific overexpression of OsNAC5 enlarges roots significantly and thereby enhances drought tolerance and grain yield under field conditions.
Emerging molecular targets in melanoma invasion and metastasis
Authors: Orgaz Jose L. , Sanz‐Moreno Victoria 
Published: October 2012

SummaryMetastatic cutaneous melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths due to its aggressiveness and high resistance to current therapies. To efficiently metastasize, invasive melanoma cells need to change their cytoskeletal organization and alter contacts with the extracellular matrix and the surrounding stromal cells. Melanoma cells can use different migratory strategies depending on varying environments to exit the primary tumour mass and invade surrounding and later distant tissues. In this review, we have focused on tumour cell plasticity or the interconvertibility that melanoma cells have as one of the factors that contribute to melanoma metastasis. This has been an area of very intense research in the last 5 yr yielding a vast number of findings. We have therefore reviewed all the possible clinical opportunities that this new knowledge offers to both stratify and treat cutaneous malignant melanoma patients.
Accuracy of Adults' Perception of Childhood Obesity in a Military Environment
Authors: West Gordon F. , Hayden Megan R. , Benjamin Carla R. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine how accurately adults in a military environment identified images of children within four different categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese.Design and SampleFor this descriptive correlational research study, the sample was composed of 1,016 adults.MeasuresChi‐square analysis of participant's demographic characteristics and accuracy of identification of six different images of children was conducted.ResultsStatistical significance was demonstrated with participant's self‐image and accuracy of identification in four of the six images.ConclusionsThis research supports the conclusion that individuals who classify themselves as overweight or obese are very accurate in correctly classifying images of children in these categories. While this is true our findings demonstrate that a large number of participants do not correctly self‐identify themselves. This suggests that educational campaigns need to include educational components to increase awareness of what children are considered overweight or obese. Without this, the potential exists for the message to be missed as the parent could potentially perceive the overweight or obese child as normal.
The Strategies of Japanese Public Health Nurses in Medication Support for High‐Risk Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Shimamura Tamae , Taguchi Atsuko , Kobayashi Sayuri , Nagata Satoko , Magilvy Joan Kathy , Murashima Sachiyo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe the support provided by Japanese public health nurses (PHNs) to high‐risk tuberculosis (TB) patients, focusing specifically on the support aimed at preventing interruptions in treatment.Design and SampleA qualitative descriptive approach was used with a convenience sample of 11 PHNs in Japan who cared for TB patients at highest risk for medication adherence problems.MeasuresSemi‐structured interviews were conducted to learn the scope and practice of PHNs with high‐risk TB patients. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive analysis process.ResultsOne main theme was identified: “Supporting the patients in overcoming tuberculosis, regaining health, and living a healthier life.” Three categories with five subcategories described the nurses' activities: (1) empathetic and reliable support, (2) motivational strategies for medication adherence, and (3) developing a foundation for healthier life.ConclusionsThe nurses interviewed described creative and extraordinary strategies used to promote medication adherence and facilitate development of a healthy posttreatment lifestyle. Their approach was patient‐centered and culturally congruent. Findings may be transferrable to PHN practice in other regions as care for this economically disadvantaged and marginalized population is a critical need.
Pyrazole‐substituted Near‐infrared Cyanine Dyes Exhibit pH‐dependent Fluorescence Lifetime Properties
Authors: Lee Hyeran , Berezin Mikhail Y. , Tang Rui , Zhegalova Natalia , Achilefu Samuel 
Published: October 2012

AbstractNear‐infrared heptamethine cyanine dye is functionalized with pyrazole derivatives at the meso‐position to induce pH‐dependent photophysical properties. The presence of pyrazole unsubstituted at 1N‐position is essential to induce pH‐dependent fluorescence intensity and lifetime changes in these dyes. Replacement of meso‐chloro group of cyanine dye IR820 with 1N‐unsubstituted pyrazole resulted in the pH‐dependent fluorescence lifetime changes from 0.93 ns in neutral media to 1.27 ns in acidic media in DMSO. Time‐resolved emission spectra (TRES) revealed that at lower pH, the pyrazole consists of fluorophores with two distinct lifetimes, which cor‐responds to pH‐sensitive and non‐pH‐sensitive species. In contrast, 1N‐substituted pyrazoles do not exhibit pH response, suggesting excited state electron transfer as the mechanism of pH‐dependent fluorescence lifetime sensitivity for this class of compounds.
Solvent‐Dependent Fluorescence Lifetimes of Estrone, 17β‐Estradiol and 17α‐Ethinylestradiol
Authors: Chan Kara Y. , Courtois Benoît , Loose Krista , Hare Patrick M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe fluorescence lifetimes of the estrogens, estrone, 17β‐estradiol and 17α‐ethinylestradiol, were studied in various solvents. The fluorescence lifetimes of 17β‐estradiol and 17α‐ethinylestradiol decreased from 4.7 to 0.9 ns as the solvent hydrogen bond accepting ability increased, in good agreement with other phenolic molecules. Estrone's two fluorescence bands had distinct lifetimes, with the 304 nm band having a lifetime shorter than 200 ps, reflecting efficient energy transfer to the carbonyl group, which had lifetimes ranging from 4.4 to 4.9 ns depending on the solvent. Solvent effects on the 1ππ*, 1πσ* and 1nπ* states that are relevant to estrogen photophysics can adequately explain these trends. The solvent dependence on the excited states of these potent endocrine disruptors has significant implications for their photochemistry.
The Ability of Cyanobacterial Cells to Restore UV‐B Radiation Induced Damage to Photosystem II is Influenced by Photolyase Dependent DNA Repair
Authors: Vass István‐Zoltán , Kós Péter B. , Sass László , Nagy Csaba I. , Vass Imre 
Published: October 2012

AbstractDamage of DNA and Photosystem‐II are among the most significant effects of UV‐B irradiation in photosynthetic organisms. Both damaged DNA and Photosystem‐II can be repaired, which represent important defense mechanisms against detrimental UV‐B effects. Correlation of Photosystem‐II damage and repair with the concurrent DNA damage and repair was investigated in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 using its wild type and a photolyase deficient mutant, which is unable to repair UV‐B induced DNA damages. A significant amount of damaged DNA accumulated during UV‐B exposure in the photolyase mutant concomitant with decreased Photosystem‐II activity and D1 protein amount. The transcript level of psbA3, which is a UV‐responsive copy of the psbA gene family encoding the D1 subunit of the Photosystem‐II reaction center, is also decreased in the photolyase mutant. The wild‐type cells, however, did not accumulate damaged DNA during UV‐B exposure, suffered smaller losses of Photosystem‐II activity and D1 protein, and maintained higher level of psbA3 transcripts than the photolyase mutant. It is concluded that the repair capacity of Photosystem‐II depends on the ability of cells to repair UV‐B‐damaged DNA through maintaining the transcription of genes, which are essential for protein synthesis‐dependent repair of the Photosystem‐II reaction center.