bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TMPRSS2–ERG rearrangement in dominant anterior prostatic tumours: incidence and correlation with ERG immunohistochemistry
Authors: Gopalan Anuradha , Leversha Margaret A , Dudas Maria E , Maschino Alexandra C , Chang Jeremy , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat A , Chen Ying‐Bei , Tickoo Satish K , Reuter Victor E , Fine Samson W 
Published: March 2013

AimTo study prostate cancer zonal differences in TMPRSS2–ERG gene rearrangement.Methods and resultsWe examined 136 well‐characterized dominant anterior prostatic tumours, including 61 transition zone (TZ) and 75 anterior peripheral zone (PZ) lesions, defined using strict anatomical considerations. TMPRSS2–ERG FISH and ERG protein immunohistochemistry were performed on tissue microarrays. FISH results, available for 56 TZ and 71 anterior PZ samples, were correlated with ERG staining and TZ‐associated ‘clear cell’ histology. Fewer TZ cancers (four of 56; 7%) were rearranged than anterior PZ cancers (18 of 71; 25%) (P = 0.009); deletion was the sole mechanism of TZ cancer rearrangement. ERG protein overexpression was present in 4% (two of 56; both FISH+) and 30% (21 of 71; 17 FISH+) of TZ and anterior PZ tumours, respectively. ‘Clear cell’ histology was present in 21 of 56 (38%) TZ and eight of 71 (11%) anterior PZ tumours. Seven per cent of cancers with and 21% without this histology had rearrangement, regardless of zonal origin.ConclusionsTMPRSS2–ERG rearrangement occurs in dominant TZ and anterior PZ prostate cancers, with all rearranged TZ cancers in this cohort showing deletion. ERG immunohistochemistry demonstrated excellent sensitivity (86%) and specificity (96%) for TMPRSS2–ERG rearrangement. TMPRSS2–ERG fusion is rare in TZ tumours and present at a low frequency in tumours displaying ‘clear cell’ histology.
Worldwide transmission and seasonal variation of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus activity during the 2009–2010 pandemic
Authors: Storms Aaron D. , Van Kerkhove Maria D. , Azziz‐Baumgartner Eduardo , Lee Wing‐Kei , Widdowson Marc‐Alain , Ferguson Neil M. , Mounts Anthony W. 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundSeasonal influenza activity varies with geography and time of year.ObjectiveTo describe how pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 [A(H1N1)pdm09] activity varied during the 2009–2010 pandemic.MethodsWe analyzed influenza virological data compiled by the World Health Organization from June 2009–August 2010. We calculated weekly proportions of A(H1N1)pdm09‐positive specimens out of all A(H1N1)pdm09‐positive specimens detected during the study period for each country. We compared parameters of pandemic activity (e.g., peak A[H1N1]pdm09 weekly proportion [peak activity], number of weeks between the 5th and 95th percentiles of A(H1N1)pdm09 cumulative weekly proportion [duration of activity]) between countries in temperate and tropical–subtropical regions. We quantified the proportion of A(H1N1)pdm09 out of all influenza A specimens by country and correlated it with countries' central latitudes.ResultsWe analyzed data from 80 countries (47 temperate, 33 tropical–subtropical). The median proportion of cases identified during the peak week was higher in temperate (0·12) than in tropical–subtropical (0·09) regions (P < 0·01). The median duration of activity was longer in tropical–subtropical (27 weeks) than in temperate countries (20 weeks) (P < 0·01). In most temperate countries (98%), peak pandemic activity occurred during the fall–winter period. There was a positive correlation between country central latitude and proportion of A(H1N1)pdm09 out of all influenza A specimens (r: 0·76; P < 0·01).ConclusionsThe transmission of A(H1N1)pdm09 exhibited similarities with seasonal influenza transmission in that activity varied between temperate and tropical–subtropical countries and by time of year. Our findings suggest the potential utility of accounting for these factors during future pandemic planning.
Using the palaeontological record of Microtus to test species distribution models and reveal responses to climate change
Authors: McGuire Jenny L. , Davis Edward Byrd 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimWe used newly identified fossil specimens to reconstruct the Quaternary distributions of five Microtus species (Rodentia: Arvicolinae) from the Pacific coast of the United States. We used these distributions to test the hypothesis that when projected onto past, alternative climate surfaces, species distribution models (SDMs) created using only climate variables are concordant with the empirical data of fossil Microtus species occurrences.LocationSpecimens from 11 fossil localities in California, Oregon and Nevada were identified and evaluated.MethodsGeometric morphometrics and discriminant analyses were used to identify fossil Microtus specimens. Using a maximum‐entropy modelling approach, the best model for all five species was selected using the Akaike information criterion. Nineteen bioclimate variables were used to create SDMs for the five Microtus species using both Community Climate System Model (CCSM) and Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC) models.ResultsWe confidently identified 144 Microtus fossils, including the first fossil specimens of Microtus oregoni and Microtus townsendii. SDMs reconstructed approximately half the extralimital fossil occurrences (i.e. those found outside the present‐day range). Those species with extralimital occurrences not reconstructed have niche models primarily influenced by precipitation variables. The two species whose extralimitals were well predicted occupy indistinguishable climatic niches.Main conclusionsThe ranges of Pacific coast Microtus species have undergone substantial regional contractions since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21 ka). Inconsistencies between LGM SDMs and Quaternary fossil ranges indicate potential problems with LGM precipitation reconstructions, although interspecific interactions are also likely to contribute to these differences. Overall, the study highlights the need for further, detailed, species‐level palaeodistributions to put recent observations in a broader temporal context and examine the effectiveness of SDMs coupled with climate models for predicting range dynamics under scenarios of climate change.
A COLLECTION OF SURVEYS ON MARKET EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Noussair Charles N. , Tucker Steven 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper highlights the contributions in this special issue to the very large and rapidly growing research on experimental markets. It contains ten surveys of different streams of research in this area including asset markets, contests, environmental policy, frictions, general equilibrium, labor markets, multi‐unit auctions, oligopoly markets, and prediction markets.
Effects of reclining posture on velopharyngeal closing pressure during swallowing and phonation
Authors: Nakayama E. , Tohara H. , Hiraba H. , Sanpei R. , Wakasa H. , Ohno S. , Kumakura A. , Gora K. , Abe K. , Ueda K. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryVelopharyngeal closure plays an important role in preventing air pressure leakage during swallowing and phonation from oropharynx to nasopharynx. Levator veli palatini muscle activity is influenced by oral and nasal air pressure, volume of the swallow bolus and postural changes. However, it is unclear how velopharyngeal closing pressure is affected by reclining posture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reclining posture on velopharyngeal closing pressure during swallowing and phonation. Nine healthy male volunteers (age range, 27−34 years) participated in this study. Velopharyngeal closing pressure during a dry swallow, a 5‐mL liquid swallow, a 5‐mL honey‐thick liquid swallow and phonations of /P∧/ and /K∧/ were evaluated in an upright posture and at reclining postures of 60° and 30°. A manometer catheter was inserted transnasally onto the soft palate, and each trial was repeated three times. A solid‐state manometer catheter with an intra‐luminal transducer was used to evaluate the amplitude and duration of each trial, and data were statistically analysed. Average amplitudes during dry and liquid swallows were significantly lower in reclining postures compared with the upright posture, but the amplitude was not significantly different during the thick liquid swallow. Average durations were not affected by postural changes. The amplitudes during phonations were lower in reclining postures, but the differences were not significant. Velopharyngeal closure is significantly affected by reclining posture. This suggests that velopharyngeal closing pressure may be adjusted according to afferent inputs, such as reclining posture and bolus viscosity.
Patient satisfaction with mini‐implant stabilised full dentures. A 1‐year prospective study
Authors: Tomasi C. , Idmyr B.‐O. , Wennström J. L. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to evaluate patient‐centred outcomes with regard to function and comfort after placement of mini‐implants for stabilisation of complete dentures. The trial was designed as a prospective cohort of 12‐months duration and involved 21 subjects in the age of 50–90 years having a full denture in the maxilla or the mandible with poor stability during function. Flapless installation of 2–4 narrow‐body Dentatus Atlas® implants was performed and retention for the existing denture was obtained by the use of a silicone‐based soft lining material (Tuf‐Link®). Patients' judgement of perceived satisfaction with function and comfort of the dentures was recorded at baseline, 1‐ and 12‐months post‐treatment using 10‐centimetre visual analogue scales (VAS) and a questionnaire. Clinical examination of the conditions of the peri‐implant soft tissues was performed at 12 months. Nineteen of the 21 patients were available for the 12‐month follow‐up examination. The two drop‐out subjects lost all implants within 1 month and rejected retreatment. Further six subjects lost 1–2 implants, but were sucessfully retreated by insertion of new implants. Overall satisfaction, chewing and speaking comfort were all markedly improved from pre‐treatment median VAS scores of around 4–5 to median scores of 9·0–10 (10 = optimal) at the final examination. The prevalence of positive answers to questions regarding stability/function of the denture increased significantly to almost 100% for all questions. Treatment involving maxillary dentures and the use of short implants (7–10 mm) was associated with an increased risk of implant failure. The results indicate that placement of mini‐implants as retentive elements for full dentures with poor functional stability has a marked positive impact on the patients' perception of oral function and comfort as well as security in social life.
Molecular Analysis of ORF6, ORF7 and ORF8 of Beet yellows virus Iranian Isolate
Authors: Tabejamaat Zahra , Massah Amir , Ahoonmanesh Ali 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBeet yellows virus (BYV), a member of the Closteroviridae family, is one of the most important sugar beet yellowing viruses. The nine ORFs of BYV genome encode different proteins required for BYV life cycle. We sequenced a part of the genome of BYV Iranian isolate consisting of ORF6, ORF7 and ORF8. The primer pair BYVA/Z was used for amplification of this region in RT‐PCR. The amplicon (1615 bp) was cloned and sequenced. Comparisons showed the amplified segment is corresponding to ORF6, ORF7 and ORF8 of BYV genome encoding coat protein, p20 and p21 proteins, respectively. The ORF7 of BYV Iranian isolate overlaps with ORF6 and ORF8 in four and 26 nucleotides at 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The ORF7 of Iranian isolate of BYV was sequenced completely. However, approximately 24 nt. from the beginning of ORF6 and 23 nt. from end of ORF8, including the stop codon, were not determined. ORF6, ORF7 and ORF8 showed the highest similarity at nucleotide (98.3, 99.4 and 99.2%) and amino acid (97.4, 98.9 and 100%) sequence levels, with BYV Ukrainian isolate. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of ORF6, ORF7 and ORF8 revealed closer relationship of Iranian isolate of BYV with BYV Ukrainian isolate than other BYV isolates available at GenBank.
Growth conditions determine different melatonin levels in Lupinus albus L
Authors: Arnao Marino B. , Hernández‐Ruiz Josefa 
Published: March 2013

AbstractMelatonin, an indoleamine, which has recently been assigned several roles in plant physiology as a growth promoter, as rooting agent, and as antioxidant in senescence delay and cytoprotection, seems to have a relevant function in plant stress situations. The presence of melatonin increases the resistance of lupin plant tissues (Lupinus albus L.) against natural or artificially induced adverse situations. In this work, we studied the response of lupin plants in controlled stress situations (drought‐, anaerobic‐, pH‐, and cold stress and using ZnSO4, NaCl, and H2O2 as chemical stressors) and measured the changes in endogenous melatonin levels in lupin plants. Also, the effect of abscisic acid, ethylene, and natural environmental conditions were evaluated. In general, nearly all stressful factors caused an increase in melatonin in the investigated organs. The chemical stress provoked by ZnSO4 or NaCl caused the most pronounced changes in the endogenous level of melatonin, followed by cold and drought stressors. In some cases, the level of melatonin increased 12‐fold with respect to the levels in control plants, indicating that melatonin biosynthesis is upregulated in common stress situations, in which it may serve as a signal molecule and/or as a direct antistress agent due to its well‐known antioxidative properties.
Melatonin improves insulin sensitivity independently of weight loss in old obese rats
Authors: Zanuto Ricardo , Siqueira‐Filho Mário A. , Caperuto Luciana C. , Bacurau Reury F. P. , Hirata Emiko , Peliciari‐Garcia Rodrigo A. , do Amaral Fernanda Gaspar , Marçal Anderson C. , Ribeiro Luciene M. , Camporez João P. G. , Carpinelli Ângelo Rafael , Bordin Silvana , Cipolla‐Neto José , Carvalho Carla R. O. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn aged rats, insulin signaling pathway (ISP) is impaired in tissues that play a pivotal role in glucose homeostasis, such as liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. Moreover, the aging process is also associated with obesity and reduction in melatonin synthesis from the pineal gland and other organs. The aim of the present work was to evaluate, in male old obese Wistar rats, the effect of melatonin supplementation in the ISP, analyzing the total protein amount and the phosphorylated status (immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting) of the insulin cascade components in the rat hypothalamus, liver, skeletal muscle, and periepididymal adipose tissue. Melatonin was administered in the drinking water for 8‐ and 12 wk during the night period. Food and water intake and fasting blood glucose remained unchanged. The insulin sensitivity presented a 2.1‐fold increase both after 8‐ and 12 wk of melatonin supplementation. Animals supplemented with melatonin for 12 wk also presented a reduction in body mass. The acute insulin‐induced phosphorylation of the analyzed ISP proteins increased 1.3‐ and 2.3‐fold after 8‐ and 12 wk of melatonin supplementation. The total protein content of the insulin receptor (IR) and the IR substrates (IRS‐1, 2) remained unchanged in all investigated tissues, except for the 2‐fold increase in the total amount of IRS‐1 in the periepididymal adipose tissue. Therefore, the known age‐related melatonin synthesis reduction may also be involved in the development of insulin resistance and the adequate supplementation could be an important alternative for the prevention of insulin signaling impairment in aged organisms.
Fresh and preserved green fodder modify effects of urinary acidifiers on urine pH of horses
Authors: Goren G. , Fritz J. , Dillitzer N. , Hipp B. , Kienzle E. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryHay stabilises urine pH in horses. It is unknown whether this is an effect of structure or of chemical composition. In this study, four ponies (230–384 kg body weight [BW]) were fed six different diets with either a structure or a composition similar to hay with and without acidifiers in a cross‐over experimental design in amounts to maintain body weight with the following main compounds: Fresh grass (GRASS), alfalfa hay (ALF), grass cobs (COBS), grass silage (SIL), straw (STR) or extruded straw (STRe) for 2 to 10 days. Urine pH was measured in all trials, blood pH, blood base excess and bicarbonate as well as mineral balance were determined in GRASS, ALF, STR and STRe. In the trials with straw and extruded straw, urine pH decreased significantly (STR control: 7.8 ± 0.23, acidifier: 5.2 ± 0.38) when acidifiers were added, whereas in all other diets that were based on fresh or preserved green fodder, pH did not decrease below 7. Blood pH was similarly affected by diet and acidifiers. Acidifiers had little effect on the pre‐prandial blood pH, only in diet STR there was a significant reduction in relation to control. Post‐prandial blood pH was significantly reduced by acidifiers in all diets. Blood bicarbonate and base excess showed corresponding effects. Faecal and renal mineral excretion and apparent mineral digestibility were not systematically affected by diet or acidifiers except for chloride. Chloride added as inorganic chloride salt had an even better apparent digestibility than chloride originating from feed. Because only green plant material stabilised acid base balance, chlorophyll and its metabolites are discussed as potential mediators of the effect of green fodder on acid base balance.
A redescription of morphologically similar species from the genus Euglena:E. laciniata, E. sanguinea, E. sociabilis, and E. splendens1
Authors: Karnkowska‐Ishikawa Anna , Milanowski Rafał , Triemer Richard E. , Zakryś Bożena 
Published: March 2013

Euglena sanguinea (Ehrenberg 1831) was one of the first green euglenoid species described in the literature. At first, the species aroused the interest of researchers mainly due to the blood‐red color of its cells, which, as it later turned out, is not a constant feature. Complicated chloroplast morphology, labeled by Pringsheim as the “peculiar chromatophore system”, made the correct identification of the species difficult, which is the reason why, throughout the 20th century, new species resembling E. sanguinea were continually being named due to a lack of suitable diagnostic features to distinguish E. sanguinea. Interest in E. sanguinea has returned in recent years, following findings that the species can produce ichthyotoxins. This was followed by the need to classify E. sanguinea correctly, which was achieved through the verification of morphological and molecular data for all species similar to E. sanguinea. As the result of the analysis, the number of species sharing some morphological similarities with E. sanguinea could be reduced from 12, as described in the literature, to four, with established epitypes and updated diagnostic descriptions. The most important diagnostic features included: the presence of mucocysts (i.e., whether they were visible before and/or after staining), the number of chloroplasts, the size of the double‐sheathed pyrenoids, and the presence of the large paramylon grain in the vicinity of the stigma. Moreover, sequence analysis revealed the presence of unusually long SSU rDNA sequences in E. sanguinea. Previously, SSU rDNA sequences of such length were known to be present in primary osmotrophic euglenoids.
C‐Reactive Protein Triggers Calcium Signalling in Human Neutrophilic Granulocytes via FcγRIIa in an Allele‐Specific Way
Authors: Aas V. , Sand K. L. , Åsheim H.‐C. , Benestad H. B. , Iversen J.‐G. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractC‐reactive protein (CRP) binds to Fcγ‐receptors, FcγRIIa (CD32) with high affinity and to FcγRIa (CD64) with low affinity. The binding to CD32 has been shown to be allele specific, that is, it binds to R/R131 but not to H/H131. Little is known about the cooperation of CRP and neutrophilic granulocytes (PMNs) in inflammatory reactions. The purpose of the present study was to examine CRP signalling in human PMNs, and whether this signalling is also allele specific. Cytosolic calcium of PMN was measured in a single‐cell digital imaging system. Receptor expression and polymorphism were studied by real‐time RT‐PCR, flow cytometry and standard PCR. C‐reactive protein induced cytosolic calcium signals in PMNs from homozygote R/R131donors, but not in PMNs from heterozygote R/H131 donors. However, after the heterozygote PMNs had been incubated with IFN‐γ (100 U/ml) for 2 h, both the proportion of cells responding and the size of the CRP‐induced calcium signals increased. IFN‐γ increased mRNA expression of CD64 about fivefold and surface protein expression of CD64 about fourfold. The calcium signal elicited by CRP was augmented by PMN adhesion to fibronectin, but almost totally abrogated by sphingosine kinase inhibitors. The signals were partly dependent on calcium influx. In conclusion, calcium signalling instigated by CRP in human PMN is FcγRIIa allele specific, as R/R131 responded to CRP, whereas R/H131 did not. However, increased expression of FcγRIa (CD64), stimulated by IFN‐γ, can augment calcium signalling by CRP in low‐responders. This suggests that the state of the PMNs, as well as the genetic origin, affect sensitivity for CRP.
Mountain Pine Beetles Colonizing Historical and Naïve Host Trees Are Associated with a Bacterial Community Highly Enriched in Genes Contributing to Terpene Metabolism
Authors: Adams Aaron S. , Aylward Frank O. , Adams Sandye M. , Erbilgin Nadir , Aukema Brian H. , Currie Cameron R. , Suen Garret , Raffa Kenneth F. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

The mountain pine beetle,
Dendroctonus ponderosae
, is a subcortical herbivore native to western North America that can kill healthy conifers by overcoming host tree defenses, which consist largely of high terpene concentrations. The mechanisms by which these beetles contend with toxic compounds are not well understood. Here, we explore a component of the hypothesis that beetle-associated bacterial symbionts contribute to the ability of
D. ponderosae
to overcome tree defenses by assisting with terpene detoxification. Such symbionts may facilitate host tree transitions during range expansions currently being driven by climate change. For example, this insect has recently breached the historical geophysical barrier of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, providing access to näive tree hosts and unprecedented connectivity to eastern forests. We use culture-independent techniques to describe the bacterial community associated with
D. ponderosae
beetles and their galleries from their historical host,
Pinus contorta
, and their more recent host, hybrid
P. contorta-Pinus banksiana
. We show that these communities are enriched with genes involved in terpene degradation compared with other plant biomass-processing microbial communities. These pine beetle microbial communities are dominated by members of the genera
Pseudomonas
,
Rahnella
,
Serratia
, and
Burkholderia
, and the majority of genes involved in terpene degradation belong to these genera. Our work provides the first metagenome of bacterial communities associated with a bark beetle and is consistent with a potential microbial contribution to detoxification of tree defenses needed to survive the subcortical environment.
Development of a Reverse Transcription-Quantitative PCR Assay for Detection of Salivirus/Klassevirus
Authors: Haramoto Eiji , Kitajima Masaaki , Otagiri Mikie 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACT

A broadly reactive and highly sensitive reverse transcription-quantitative PCR assay to detect salivirus/klassevirus was developed. By means of the developed assay, salivirus/klassevirus was detected in 13 (93%) raw sewage, 4 (29%) secondary-treated sewage, and 9 (16%) river water samples, with a maximum concentration of 9.7 × 10
6
copies/liter.