bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Immigration on Entrepreneurship
Authors: Zelekha Yaron 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThis research focuses on the impact of immigration on entrepreneurship. I find clear evidence that immigration has a significant impact on entrepreneurship. The paper makes three important contributions to the research of both immigration and entrepreneurship. First, it proposes unique empirical evidence using a cross‐section analysis in which the country's level of immigrants has a significantly positive affect on its level of entrepreneurship. Second, it adds to the theoretical understanding of the mechanisms and environments that characterize positive immigration effects on entrepreneurship. I suggest that country‐specific characteristics – in particular urban, open, competitive and culturally diversified (including open minded for ethnic and gender diversity) – influence significantly the positive effect of immigrants on the country's level of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, these positive effects are magnified as the flow of immigrants grows. Third, it uses for the first time in the literature a cross‐section data set of 176 countries of immigrants and entrepreneurial activity.
Analysis of a fungus‐specific transcription factor family, the Candida albicans zinc cluster proteins, by artificial activation
Authors: Schillig Rebecca , Morschhäuser Joachim 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe zinc cluster proteins are a family of transcription factors that are unique to the fungal kingdom. In the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, zinc cluster transcription factors control the expression of virulence‐associated traits and play key roles in the development of antifungal drug resistance. Gain‐of‐function mutations in several zinc cluster transcription factors, which result in constitutive overexpression of their target genes, are a frequent cause of azole resistance in clinical C. albicans isolates. We found that zinc cluster proteins can also be artificially activated by C‐terminal fusion with the heterologous Gal4 activation domain. We used this strategy to create a comprehensive library of C. albicans strains expressing all 82 zinc cluster transcription factors of this fungus in a potentially hyperactive form. Screening of this library identified regulators of invasive filamentous growth and other phenotypes that are important during an infection. In addition, the approach uncovered several novel mediators of fluconazole resistance, including the multidrug resistance regulator Mrr2, which controls the expression of the major C. albicans multidrug efflux pump CDR1. Artificial activation therefore is a highly useful method to study the role of zinc cluster transcription factors in C. albicans and other fungi of medical, agricultural and biotechnological importance.
Mean corpuscular volume is associated with endothelial dysfunction and predicts composite cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Solak Yalcin , Yilmaz Mahmut Ilker , Saglam Mutlu , Demirbas Seref , Verim Samet , Unal Hilmi Umut , Gaipov Abduzhappar , Oguz Yusuf , Kayrak Mehmet , Caglar Kayser , Vural Abdulgaffar , Turk Suleyman , Covic Adrian , Kanbay Mehmet 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimMean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a measure of size of red blood cells. Recently a few studies showed an association of macrocytosis with all‐cause mortality. We aimed to assess the relationship of MCV with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the effect of MCV on endothelial function.MethodsThis is an observational cohort study with a prospectively maintained cohort of patients with stage 1–5 CKD. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and laboratory values were measured at baseline. Multivariate linear and Cox regression analyses were used to predict independent associations of FMD and composite CV events, respectively.ResultsA total of 309 patients were included in the study. In contrast to anaemia MCV did not show a significant change among CKD groups. MCV was an independent predictor of FMD in addition to serum haemoglobin, CRP, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and eGFR. Median MCV value was 85 fl. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that at 38 months the survival rate was 97.6% in the group with MCV < 85 compared to 81.6% in the arm with MCV ≥ 85 (P < 0.001, log‐rank test). Cox regression analysis showed MCV as a predictor of composite CV events independent of major confounding factors.ConclusionThis is the first study in the literature showing an independent association of MCV and FMD. Our results also determined MCV as an independent predictor of composite CV events independent of anaemia, inflammation, diabetes and eGFR in patients with CKD.
Identifying spinal sensory pathways activated by noxious esophageal acid
Authors: Harrington A. M. , Brierley S. M. , Isaacs N. J. , Young R. L. , Ashley Blackshaw L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel is critical for spinal afferent signaling of burning pain throughout the body. Such pain frequently originates from the esophagus, following acid reflux. The contribution of TRPV1 to spinal nociceptor signaling from the esophagus remains unclear. We aimed to identify the spinal afferent pathways that convey nociceptive signaling from the esophagus, specifically those sensitive to acid, and the extent to which TRPV1 contributes.MethodsAcid/pepsin (150 mM HCl/1 mg mL−1 pepsin) or saline/pepsin was perfused into the esophageal lumen of anesthetized wild‐type and TRPV1 null mice over 20 min, followed by atraumatic perfuse fixation and removal of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). To identify neurons responsive to esophageal perfusate, immunolabeling for neuronal activation marker phosphorylated extracellular receptor‐regulated kinase (pERK) was used. Labeling for calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and isolectin B4 (IB4) was then used to characterize responsive neurons.Key ResultsEsophageal acid/pepsin perfusion significantly increased the number of pERK‐immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the DRG and the cervical and thoracic spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) relative to saline/pepsin (DRG P < 0.01; cervical DH P < 0.05 and thoracic DH P < 0.005). The number of pERK‐IR neurons following acid perfusion was significantly attenuated in TRPV1 −/− mice (DH P < 0.05 and DRG P < 0.05).Conclusions & InferencesThis study has identified populations of spinal afferent DRG neurons and DH neurons involved in signaling of noxious acid from the esophagus. There is a major contribution of TRPV1 to signaling within these pathways.
Confronting model predictions of carbon fluxes with measurements of Amazon forests subjected to experimental drought
Authors: Powell Thomas L. , Galbraith David R. , Christoffersen Bradley O. , Harper Anna , Imbuzeiro Hewlley M. A. , Rowland Lucy , Almeida Samuel , Brando Paulo M. , da Costa Antonio Carlos Lola , Costa Marcos Heil , Levine Naomi M. , Malhi Yadvinder , Saleska Scott R. , Sotta Eleneide , Williams Mathew , Meir Patrick , Moorcroft Paul R. 
Published: July 2013

Summary

Considerable uncertainty surrounds the fate of Amazon rainforests in response to climate change.

Here, carbon (C) flux predictions of five terrestrial biosphere models (Community Land Model version 3.5 (CLM3.5), Ecosystem Demography model version 2.1 (ED2), Integrated BIosphere Simulator version 2.6.4 (IBIS), Joint UK Land Environment Simulator version 2.1 (JULES) and Simple Biosphere model version 3 (SiB3)) and a hydrodynamic terrestrial ecosystem model (the Soil–Plant–Atmosphere (SPA) model) were evaluated against measurements from two large‐scale Amazon drought experiments.

Model predictions agreed with the observed C fluxes in the control plots of both experiments, but poorly replicated the responses to the drought treatments. Most notably, with the exception of ED2, the models predicted negligible reductions in aboveground biomass in response to the drought treatments, which was in contrast to an observed c. 20% reduction at both sites. For ED2, the timing of the decline in aboveground biomass was accurate, but the magnitude was too high for one site and too low for the other.

Three key findings indicate critical areas for future research and model development. First, the models predicted declines in autotrophic respiration under prolonged drought in contrast to measured increases at one of the sites. Secondly, models lacking a phenological response to drought introduced bias in the sensitivity of canopy productivity and respiration to drought. Thirdly, the phenomenological water‐stress functions used by the terrestrial biosphere models to represent the effects of soil moisture on stomatal conductance yielded unrealistic diurnal and seasonal responses to drought.
On the cellular site of two‐pore channel TPC1 action in the Poaceae
Authors: Dadacz‐Narloch Beata , Kimura Sachie , Kurusu Takamitsu , Farmer Edward E. , Becker Dirk , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Hedrich Rainer 
Published: July 2013

Summary

The slow vacuolar (SV) channel has been characterized in different dicots by patch‐clamp recordings. This channel represents the major cation conductance of the largest organelle in most plant cells. Studies with the tpc1‐2 mutant of the model dicot plant Arabidopsis thaliana identified the SV channel as the product of the TPC1 gene. By contrast, research on rice and wheat TPC1 suggested that the monocot gene encodes a plasma membrane calcium‐permeable channel.

To explore the site of action of grass TPC1 channels, we expressed OsTPC1 from rice (Oryza sativa) and TaTPC1 from wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the background of the Arabidopsis tpc1‐2 mutant. Cross‐species tpc1 complementation and patch‐clamping of vacuoles using Arabidopsis and rice tpc1 null mutants documented that both monocot TPC1 genes were capable of rescuing the SV channel deficit.

Vacuoles from wild‐type rice but not the tpc1 loss‐of‐function mutant harbor SV channels exhibiting the hallmark properties of dicot TPC1/SV channels. When expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells OsTPC1 was targeted to Lysotracker‐Red‐positive organelles.

The finding that the rice TPC1, just like those from the model plant Arabidopsis and even animal cells, is localized and active in lyso‐vacuolar membranes associates this cation channel species with endomembrane function.
Canopy light cues affect emission of constitutive and methyl jasmonate‐induced volatile organic compounds inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kegge Wouter , Weldegergis Berhane T. , Soler Roxina , Eijk Marleen Vergeer‐Van , Dicke Marcel , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Pierik Ronald 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe effects of plant competition for light on the emission of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were studied by investigating how different light qualities that occur in dense vegetation affect the emission of constitutive and methyl‐jasmonate‐inducedVOCs.Arabidopsis thalianaColumbia (Col‐0) plants andPieris brassicaecaterpillars were used as a biological system to study the effects of light quality manipulations onVOCemissions and attraction of herbivores.VOCs were analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and the effects of light quality, notably the red : far red light ratio (R : FR), on expression of genes associated withVOCproduction were studied using reverse transcriptase–quantitativePCR.The emissions of both constitutive and methyl‐jasmonate‐induced green leaf volatiles and terpenoids were partially suppressed under lowR : FRand severe shading conditions. Accordingly, theVOC‐based preference of neonates of the specialist lepidopteran herbivoreP. brassicaewas significantly affected by theR : FRratio.We conclude thatVOC‐mediated interactions among plants and between plants and organisms at higher trophic levels probably depend on light alterations caused by nearby vegetation. Studies on plant–plant and plant–insect interactions throughVOCs should take into account the light quality within dense stands when extrapolating to natural and agricultural field conditions.
Perturbation of the indigenous rat oral microbiome by ciprofloxacin dosing
Authors: Manrique P. , Freire M.O. , Chen C. , Zadeh H.H. , Young M. , Suci P. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryMucosal surfaces such as the gut, vagina and oral cavity are colonized by microbiota that are an integral component of the healthy ecosystem. Recent molecular techniques make it feasible to correlate antimicrobial dosing levels with changes in microbiome composition. The objective of this study was to characterize the rat oral plaque microbiome composition at doses of ciprofloxacin that were considerably above and below nominal in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations of a variety of gram‐positive oral commensal bacteria. We exposed the oral cavities of rats to relatively low (0.1 μg ml−1) and high (20 μg ml−1) doses of ciprofloxacin in the drinking water over a 3‐day period. Plaque microbiota were characterized using 454 pyrosequencing. The rat indigenous community was dominated by the genera Rothia (74.4%) and Streptococcus (4.7%). Dosing at 0.1 μg ml−1 was associated with changes in Rothia and Streptococcus species that were not significant, whereas dosing at 20 μg ml−1 caused a pronounced (significant) reduction in the relative abundance of the Streptococcus genus. Taxonomic independent analysis indicated that the perturbation in the overall community structure attributed to dosing with ciprofloxacin at either the low or high dose was relatively low. The results suggest that it is feasible to use an antimicrobial dosing regimen to selectively target a specific subset of a mucosal microbiome for elimination with minimal perturbation of the entire community.
Radical Protection by Differently Composed Creams in the UV/VIS and IR Spectral Ranges
Authors: Meinke Martina C. , Syring Felicia , Schanzer Sabine , Haag Stefan F. , Graf Rüdiger , Loch Manuela , Gersonde Ingo , Groth Norbert , Pflücker Frank , Lademann Jürgen 
Published: July 2013

AbstractModern sunscreens are well suited to provide sufficient protection in the UV range because the filter substances absorb or scatter UV radiation. Although up to 50% of radicals are formed in the visible and infrared spectral range during solar radiation protection strategies are not provided in this range. Previous investigations of commercially available products have shown that in addition to physical filters, antioxidants (AO) are necessary to provide protective effects in the infrared range by neutralizing already formed radicals. In this study, the efficacy of filter substances and AO to reduce radical formation in both spectral ranges was investigated after UV/VIS or IR irradiation. Optical properties and radical protection were determined for the investigated creams. It was found that organic UV filters lower radical formation in the UV/VIS range to 35% compared to untreated skin, independent of the presence of AO. Further reduction to 14% was reached by addition of 2% physical filters, whereas physical filters alone were ineffective in the UV/VIS range due to the low concentration. In contrast, this filter type reduced radical formation in the IR range significantly to 65%; similar effects were aroused after application of AO. Sunscreens which contain organic UV filters, physical filters and AO ensure protection in the complete solar spectrum.
Heritability ofUlmus minorresistance toDutch elm disease and its relationship to vessel size, but not to xylem vulnerability to drought
Authors: Venturas M. , López R. , Martín J. A. , Gascó A. , Gil L. 
Published: July 2013

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a vascular wilt disease that causes the occlusion and cavitation of xylem vessels. Therefore, it is hypothesized that those elms that are less vulnerable to cavitation by drought might be more resistant toDED. To test this hypothesis, the relationship between xylem vulnerability to cavitation and susceptibility toDEDwas examined in progenies of crosses between susceptible and resistant individuals ofUlmus minor. Hydraulic conductivity and xylem vulnerability curves were evaluated and anatomical features such as vessel size, length and grouping were measured. Next, elms were inoculated withOphiostoma novo‐ulmi, the cause ofDED, and pre‐dawn and midday water potentials, stomatal conductance and wilting percentages were assessed. Progenies ofR × Rcrosses showed significantly lower mean wilting percentages (30–50%) than the progeny ofS × Scrosses (75%). Fifty percent conductivity loss was reached atc. −1 MPa, pointing out a high vulnerability of this species to drought‐induced cavitation. Crown wilting percentage as a result of inoculation and xylem vulnerability to cavitation by water stress did not show any significant correlation. Nevertheless, significant differences in theoretical hydraulic conductivity and vessel size parameters (diameter, length and size distributions) were found among the tested progenies. Susceptible trees had significantly wider and longer vessels. Xylem structure of resistant elms seems to restrict pathogen spread rather than prevent cavitation.
Identification of three novel human leukocyte antigen alleles, HLA‐B*58:43, HLA‐C*03:190, and HLA‐DPA1*01:12, in an East African cohort
Authors: Nykoluk M. , Bailey R. C. , Moses S. , Plummer F. A. , Luo M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThree novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were identified using a sequence‐based typing of HLA class I and class II alleles of 1867 participants from a male circumcision cohort in Kenya. The new alleles were first identified by sequencing and then confirmed by cloning the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products and sequencing multiple clones. HLA‐B*58:43 was identical to HLA‐B*58:02 with the exception of a nucleotide change at codon 125 in exon 3 (GCC→ACC), and resulted in the amino acid change from Alanine to Threonine. HLA‐C*03:190 was identical to HLA‐C*03:02:01 with the exception of a nucleotide change at codon 131 in exon 3 (CGC→TGC), and resulted in the amino acid change from Arginine to Cysteine. HLA‐DPA1*01:12 was identical to HLA‐DPA1*01:03:01:01 with the exception of a nucleotide change at codon 66 in exon 2 (TTG→TCG), and resulted in the amino acid change from Leucine to Serine.
Comparative validation of computer programs for haplotype frequency estimation from donor registry data
Authors: Eberhard H.‐P. , Madbouly A. S. , Gourraud P. A. , Balère M. L. , Feldmann U. , Gragert L. , Maldonado Torres H. , Pingel J. , Schmidt A. H. , Steiner D. , van der Zanden H. G. M. , Oudshoorn M. , Marsh S. G. E. , Maiers M. , Müller C. R. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractEstimation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype frequencies from unrelated stem cell donor registries presents a challenge because of large sample sizes and heterogeneity ofHLAtyping data. For the 14th InternationalHLAand Immunogenetics Workshop, five bioinformatics groups initiated the ‘Registry Diversity Component’ aiming to cross‐validate and improve current haplotype estimation tools. Five datasets were derived from different donor registries and then used as input for five different computer programs for haplotype frequency estimation. Because of issues related to heterogeneity and complexity ofHLAtyping data identified in the initial phase, the same five implementations, and two new ones, were used on simulated datasets in a controlled experiment where the correct results were knowna priori. These datasets contained various fractions of missingHLA‐DRmodeled after European haplotype frequencies. We measured the contribution of sampling fluctuation and estimation error to the deviation of the frequencies from their true values, finding equivalent contributions of each for the chosen samples. Because of patient‐directed activities, selective prospective typing strategies and the variety and evolution of typing technology, some donors have more complete and betterHLAdata. In this setting, we show that restricting estimation to fully typed individuals introduces biases that could be overcome by including all donors in frequency estimation. Our study underlines the importance of critical review and validation of tools in registry‐related activity and provides a sustainable framework for validating the computational tools used. Accurate frequencies are essential for match prediction to improve registry operations and to help more patients identify suitably matched donors.
Masitinib mesylate for metastatic and non‐resectable canine cutaneous mast cell tumours
Authors: Smrkovski O. A. , Essick L. , Rohrbach B. W. , Legendre A. M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMasitinib mesylate is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of gross, non‐metastatic grade II and III canine mast cell tumours (MCTs). This study evaluated the use of masitinib as a frontline and rescue agent for metastatic and non‐metastatic canine MCTs. Identification of toxicities and prognostic factors in these dogs was of secondary interest. Twenty‐six dogs were included in this study. The overall response rate to masitinib was 50%. The median survival time for dogs that responded to masitinib was 630 days versus 137 days for dogs that did not respond (P = 0.0033). Toxicity was recorded in 61.5% of treated dogs, but the majority of adverse events were mild and self‐limiting. Response to masitinib, not tumour grade, stage or location, was the most significant prognostic factor for survival in dogs with MCTs.