bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variation in agar composition and properties from Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) of the Patagonian coast of Argentina
Authors: Martín Lucas A. , Rodríguez María C. , Matulewicz María C. , Fissore Eliana N. , Gerschenson Lía N. , Leonardi Patricia I. 
Published: May 2013

SummarySeasonal variation of agar from specimens of a commercially exploited population of Gracilaria gracilis (Stackhouse) Steentoft, Irvine & Farnham in the Patagonian coast of Argentina was studied. For each seasonal harvest, random samples of plants were pooled for subsequent polysaccharide extraction at different water temperatures and agar physico‐chemical properties and composition were determined.Both spring and summer plants yielded 30% and 41% of agar, respectively, which differed slightly in their at rest rheological behavior. Spring and summer plants produced strong gels (238 and 218 g cm−2, respectively), but the latter gels had nil adhesiveness. In autumn plants, agar yield decayed to 19%, though the product still maintained similar gel strength (210 g cm−2). Adhesiveness in this product was at least an order of magnitude higher than in the others, concomitant with a peak in the formation of tetraspores and carpospores. This suggests a biological role for the galactan in the initial attachment of spores to the substrate. But since fall corresponds to the settling of reproductive structures, caution should be taken to harvest the algae once spores have been shed from mother plants.
Physiological ecology of photosynthesis in Prasiola stipitata (Trebouxiophyceae) from the Bay of Fundy, Canada
Authors: Kang Eun Ju , Scrosati Ricardo A. , Garbary David J. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe physiological ecology of Prasiola stipitata was examined in situ from two supralittoral sites in the Bay of Fundy (Nova Scotian, Canada) during November 2011, when the population was undergoing major expansion. Photosynthetic parameters (effective quantum yield, ΦPSII, maximum quantum yield, Fv/Fm, and relative electron transport rate, rETR) were evaluated using chlorophyll fluorescence of PSII. A largely shaded and continuously moist population showed no change in ΦPSII from one hour after sunrise to sunset in which natural irradiance varied between 3 and 300 μmol photons m−2 s−1. High irradiance (up to 1800 μmol photons m−2 s−1) had no apparent negative impacts on either quantum yield or rETR, but high desiccation in the field reduced quantum yield to almost zero. When thalli were brought into the laboratory, no change in Fv/Fm was observed up to 60% dehydration; however, there was a steep decline in Fv/Fm between 60% and 85% dehydration. Thalli showed complete recovery of Fv/Fm within one hour of reimmersion in seawater after 2 days of desiccation. After 15 days of desiccation full recovery required 24 h and after 30 days of desiccation thalli showed only partial recovery. These observations confirm the adaptation to photosynthesis in high irradiances and the rapid recovery following extreme desiccation observed in other Prasiola species.
The Functional Role of Oxytocin in the Induction of Oocyte Meiotic Resumption in Cattle
Authors: De Cesaro MP , Trois RL , Gutierrez K , Siqueira L , Rigo ML , Glanzner WG , Oliveira JF , Gonçalves PB 
Published: May 2013

ContentsThe aim of the present study was to examine the role of oxytocin (OT) in the progesterone (P4) and prostaglandins (PGs) pathway to induce oocyte meiotic resumption. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were co‐cultured with follicular hemisections for 15 h to determine the effects of different doses of OT or atosiban (ATO; oxytocin receptor antagonist) on oocyte meiotic resumption. In another experiment, we examined the effect of the interaction between P4, OT and PGs on the regulatory cascade of the oocyte meiotic resumption. Oxytocin at 1 μm was effective in inducing meiotic resumption in oocytes co‐cultured with follicular cells (84.0%), not differing from the positive control group (74.4%). Atosiban inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner the positive effect of OT on the meiotic resumption (27.6% metaphase I with 10 μm of ATO, which did not differ from the 25.5% of the negative control group). Furthermore, a third experiment showed that P4 was able to induce oocyte meiotic resumption, which was inhibited by ATO. However, the OT positive effect was not blocked by mifepristone (P4 antagonist), but was inhibited by indomethacin (a non‐selective PTGS2 inhibitor). Collectively, these data suggest a sequential role of P4, OT and PGs in the induction of oocyte meiotic resumption.
The Effect of Dose and Type of Cloprostenol on the Luteolytic Response of Dairy Cattle during the Ovsynch Protocol under Different Oestrous Cycle and Physiological Characteristics
Authors: Valldecabres‐Torres X , Larrosa‐Morales P , Cuervo‐Arango J 
Published: May 2013

ContentsThe objective of this study was to characterize the effect of dose and type of cloprostenol (CLO) on the luteolytic response of dairy cattle during the Ovsynch protocol under different oestrus cycle and physiological characteristics. Twelve non‐lactating dairy cows and 111 lactating dairy cows were used in three experiments. In Experiment I, cows were synchronized so that they had only a 5.5‐ to 6‐day‐old corpus luteum (CL) at the time of the prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) treatment of Ovsynch. In Experiment II, cows were synchronized so that they had at least a CL of approximately 14 days old at the time of PGF2α treatment and an accessory CL if they had responded to the first GnRH of Ovsynch. Furthermore, in each experiment, cows received either a standard or a double dose of d‐CLO as the luteolytic treatment. In Experiment III, lactating cows were blocked by parity and assigned to one of three luteolytic treatments during Ovsynch: 500 μg d,l‐CLO, 150 or 300 μg of d‐CLO. In Experiment I, the dose of d‐CLO had an effect (p = 0.08) on the percentage of cows with full luteolysis, but not in Experiment II (p > 0.1). More cows in Experiment II had full luteolysis than did cows of Experiment I (87% vs 58%, respectively; p = 0.007). In Experiment III, 87.1%, 84.4% and 86.2% lactating dairy cows had full luteolysis and 37.8%, 36.8% and 36.1% of cows became pregnant after treatment with 500 μg d,l‐CLO, 150 or 300 μg of d‐CLO, respectively (p > 0.05).
In Vitro Development of Bison Embryos Using Interspecies Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
Authors: Seaby RP , Alexander B , King WA , Mastromonaco GF 
Published: May 2013

ContentsInterspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (interspecies SCNT) has been explored in many domestic and non‐domestic animal species. However, problems arise during the development of these embryos, which may be related to species‐specific differences in nuclear–cytoplasmic communication. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possibility of producing bison embryos in vitro using interspecies SCNT and assess the developmental potential of these embryos. Treatment groups consisted of cattle in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cattle SCNT as controls and wood bison SCNT, plains bison SCNT and wisent SCNT as experimental groups. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were assessed, and blastocyst quality was determined using total cell number, apoptotic incidence and relative quantification of mitochondria‐related genes NRF1, MT‐CYB and TFAM. These results indicate that embryos can be produced by interspecies SCNT in all bison species/subspecies (13.34–33.54% blastocyst rates). Although increased incidence of apoptosis was observed in bison SCNT blastocysts compared to cattle SCNT controls (10.45–12.69 vs 8.76, respectively) that corresponded with significantly lower cell numbers (80–87 cells vs >100 cells, respectively), no major differences were observed in the expression of NRF1, MT‐CYB and TFAM. This study is the first to report the production of bison embryos by interspecies SCNT. Blastocyst development in all three bison species/subspecies was greater than the rates obtained in previous studies by IVF, which supports the potential role of SCNT for in vitro embryo production in this species. Yet, further investigation of developmental competence and the factors influencing blastocyst quality and viability is required.
Polanyi in Brussels or Luxembourg? Social rights and market regulation in European insurance
Authors: Mabbett Deborah 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union to ban sex discrimination in insurance has shown the potential reach of the principle of non‐discrimination. This paper discusses the different positions taken by participants in the policy process leading up to the decision, in order to reveal the potential and limitations of non‐discrimination as the basis for market‐regulatory social policy. It is shown that the European Commission's initial support for prohibiting insurance discrimination faltered with the realization that the measure would have little efficacy as a distributive social policy. It was left to the Court to assert that non‐discrimination rights are constitutive for European markets, regardless of their functional and instrumental limitations. The Court's focus was on the market‐integrative potential of rights as sources of norms for the conduct of insurance relationships. It is argued that this form of constitutive regulation is distinct from distributive social policy as it does not require that outcomes are egalitarian, but, rather, that the processes governing market relations should respect fundamental rights.
Successful systemic high‐dose ribavirin treatment of respiratory syncytial virus‐induced infections occurring pre‐engraftment in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Gueller S. , Duenzinger U. , Wolf T. , Ajib S. , Mousset S. , Berger A. , Martin H. , Serve H. , Bug G. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIntroductionRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a frequent cause of respiratory tract infectious disease (RTID) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients associated with a high mortality once infection has progressed from upper RTID (URTID) to lower RTID (URTID). Aerosolized ribavirin (RBV) is considered a cornerstone of treatment, but is expensive and has toxic side effects on patients and staff. In this study, RSV infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from routinely collected throat swabs in HSCT patients. Infected individuals were treated according to an institutional protocol using intravenous (IV) RBV for patients with LRTID and oral ribavirin for URTID.ResultsRSV infection was diagnosed in 10 patients (median age 60 years) a median of 15 days after allogeneic HSCT for high‐risk acute myeloid leukemia. Five patients with LRTID received IV RBV within 7 days after HSCT, and 5 with URTID were treated with oral RBV 12–40 days after HSCT. One patient died of septic shock associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa‐induced pneumonia 28 days after HSCT in prolonged neutropenia. All patients became RSV PCR negative on throat swabs within a median of 22 days from start of RBV. Despite severe lymphopenia, no patient treated for URTID progressed to LRTID. Neutrophil recovery was delayed in 3 patients.ConclusionsWe show that IV and oral RBV were efficacious in preventing progression and reducing mortality of RSV infection in this small series of allogeneic HSCT recipients. Randomized studies are not to be expected for this condition and therefore reporting case series could help in determining optimal RSV treatment.
Evaluation of preoperative and intraoperative red blood cell transfusion practices at Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique
Authors: Burke Zachary D.C. , Chen James B. , Conceicao Celson , Hoffman Risa M. , Miller Lee T. , Taela Atanasio , DeUgarte Daniel A. 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate preoperative and intraoperative blood transfusion practices in Hospital Central (Maputo, Mozambique) and estimate the number of potentially avoidable transfusions.Study Design and MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed. Age, comorbidities, hemoglobin (Hb), the potential for blood loss, and units of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions were recorded. Preoperative transfusions were evaluated to determine whether they met criteria established by the Mozambican Ministry of Health as well as proposed guidelines based on more restrictive protocols. Avoidable blood transfusions were defined as those preoperative transfusions that were not indicated based on these guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors that predicted transfusion.ResultsA total of 205 patients (age range, 0.1‐86 years) underwent surgery in the main operating room during the 2‐week study period. Overall, 35 (17%) patients received 68 transfusions. Of these, 36 transfusions were given preoperatively and 32 were given intraoperatively. Thirty‐six percent of preoperative transfusions were avoidable according to national guidelines. Ninety‐two percent were avoidable using more restrictive guidelines. The primary predictors of preoperative blood transfusion were lower Hb (odds ratio [OR], 0.390/1 g/dL; p < 0.0001) and the potential for blood loss (OR, 3.73; p = 0.0410).ConclusionsAdherence to existing Hb thresholds recommended by national blood transfusion guidelines could significantly reduce the number of transfusions and the association risk of transfusion‐transmissible infections. Adoption of more restrictive guidelines is recommended to further improve blood transfusion utilization and further reduce the transmission risk of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis.
Dynamic regulation of glycine–GABA co‐transmission at spinal inhibitory synapses by neuronal glutamate transporter
Authors: Ishibashi Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Junya , Nakahata Yoshihisa , Nabekura Junichi 
Published: May 2013

Key points
Inhibition mediated by GABA and glycine is essential for controlling a balance of excitation and inhibition in the spinal cord.
Although these transmitters are known to be co‐released from the same synaptic vesicles, the mechanisms that control the packaging of GABA + glycine into synaptic vesicles have not been fully characterized.
In this study, using paired whole‐cell recording, we found that raised extracellular glutamate levels increased the amplitude of GABAergic IPSCs by enhancing glutamate uptake but reduced glycine release.
High‐frequency trains of stimulation decreased glycinergic IPSCs more than GABAergic IPSCs at GABA/glycine mixed synapses, and repetitive stimulation occasionally failed to evoke glycinergic but not GABAergic IPSCs.
The present results suggest that the use of GABA as a transmitter at GABA/glycine mixed synapses may afford protection against pathophysiological hyperexcitability associated with increased extracellular glutamate concentration.
Abstract  Fast inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system is mediated by γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine, which are accumulated into synaptic vesicles by a common vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (VIAAT) and are then co‐released. However, the mechanisms that control the packaging of GABA + glycine into synaptic vesicles are not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate the dynamic control of the GABA–glycine co‐transmission by the neuronal glutamate transporter, using paired whole‐cell patch recording from monosynaptically coupled cultured spinal cord neurons derived from VIAAT‐Venus transgenic rats. Short step depolarization of presynaptic neurons evoked unitary (cell‐to‐cell) inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs). Under normal conditions, the fractional contribution of postsynaptic GABA or glycine receptors to the unitary IPSCs did not change during a 1 h recording. Intracellular loading of GABA or glycine via a patch pipette enhanced the respective components of inhibitory transmission, indicating the importance of the cytoplasmic concentration of inhibitory transmitters. Raised extracellular glutamate levels increased the amplitude of GABAergic IPSCs but reduced glycine release by enhancing glutamate uptake. Similar effects were observed when presynaptic neurons were intracellularly perfused with glutamate. Interestingly, high‐frequency trains of stimulation decreased glycinergic IPSCs more than GABAergic IPSCs, and repetitive stimulation occasionally failed to evoke glycinergic but not GABAergic IPSCs. The present results suggest that the enhancement of GABA release by glutamate uptake may be advantageous for rapid vesicular refilling of the inhibitory transmitter at mixed GABA/glycinergic synapses and thus may help prevent hyperexcitability.
Human hypoglossal motor unit activities in exercise
Authors: Walls Clinton E. , Laine Christopher M. , Kidder Ian J. , Bailey E. Fiona 
Published: May 2013

Key points
Motor units (MUs) are the fundamental element of force generation. Here we document the MU activities of the airway dilator muscle genioglossus (GG) during breathing at rest and in heavy exercise.
Based on our observations we suggest that tonic MU activity, albeit with varying degrees of respiratory modulation, is the preponderant activity in the GG motoneuron pool of healthy young adults at rest in the upright position.
Second, we show that exercise‐driven increases in respiratory drive are associated with increased GG electromyographic activity principally due to recruitment of previously silent MUs and to a shift in the firing behaviour of already active MUs to inspiratory phase‐dependent bursting.
Such expiration‐related inhibition may arise secondary to an exercise‐related central enhancement of motoneuron excitability that amplifies the response to afferent input.
Abstract  The genioglossus (GG) muscle is considered the principal protruder muscle of the tongue that dilates and stiffens the pharyngeal airway. We recorded whole muscle and single motor unit (MU) activities in healthy adults performing progressive intensity exercise on a cycle ergometer. Tungsten microelectrodes were inserted percutaneously into the GG of 11 subjects (20–40 years) to record electromyographic (EMG) activities and pulmonary ventilation (VI) at rest and at workload increments up to 300 W. Increases in respiratory drive were associated with increases in VI, mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti) and tonic and phasic components of the GG EMG activity. In contrast, individual MUs typically showed expiration‐related decreases in firing as exercise intensity increased. We suggest the decrease in MU activity may occur secondary to afferent feedback from lungs/chest wall and that compensation for more negative inspiratory airway pressures generated during heavy exercise occurs primarily via recruitment of previously silent MUs.
Acute exercise induces tumour suppressor protein p53 translocation to the mitochondria and promotes a p53–Tfam–mitochondrial DNA complex in skeletal muscle
Authors: Saleem Ayesha , Hood David A. 
Published: May 2013

Key points
p53 is one of several important proteins that regulate the synthesis and function of mitochondria in muscle, and mice lacking p53 have impaired aerobic capacity.
The role of p53 in response to physiological stress such as exercise has not been investigated.
We demonstrate that acute exercise induces the translocation of p53 to mitochondria, and promotes a subsequent interaction with mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to positively affect mtDNA transcription.
This rapid effect on p53 translocation probably represents an early exercise response which can promote long‐term beneficial mitochondrial and metabolic adaptations in muscle.
The results could have clinical implications in light of the growing recognition of exercise as an alternative therapy in cancer treatment, and the central role of p53 in halting tumorigenesis.
Abstract  The major tumour suppressor protein p53 plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial content and function in skeletal muscle. p53 has been shown to reside in the mitochondria complexed with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); however, the physiological repercussions of mitochondrial p53 remain unknown. We endeavoured to elucidate whether an acute bout of endurance exercise could mediate an increase in mitochondrial p53 levels. C57Bl6 mice (n= 6 per group) were randomly assigned to sedentary, acute exercise (AE, 15 m min−1 for 90 min) or acute exercise + 3 h recovery (AER) groups. Exercise concomitantly increased the mRNA content of nuclear‐encoded (PGC‐1α, Tfam, NRF‐1, COX‐IV, citrate synthase) and mtDNA‐encoded (COX‐I) genes in the AE group, and further by ∼5‐fold in the AER group. Nuclear p53 protein levels were reduced in the AE and AER groups, while in contrast, the abundance of p53 was drastically enhanced by ∼2.4‐fold and ∼3.9‐fold in subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria, respectively, in the AER conditions. Within the mitochondria, the interaction of p53 with mtDNA at the D‐loop and with Tfam was elevated by ∼4.6‐fold and ∼3.6‐fold, respectively, in the AER group. In the absence of p53, the enhanced COX‐I mRNA content observed with AE and AER was abrogated. This study is the first to indicate that endurance exercise can signal to localize p53 to the mitochondria where it may serve to positively modulate the activity of the mitochondrial transcription factor Tfam. Our findings help us understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise as a therapeutic intervention designed to trigger the pro‐metabolic functions of p53.