bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pea aphid promotes amino acid metabolism both in Medicago truncatula and bacteriocytes to favor aphid population growth under elevated CO2
Authors: Guo Huijuan , Sun Yucheng , Li Yuefei , Tong Bin , Harris Marvin , Zhu‐Salzman Keyan , Ge Feng 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRising atmospheric CO2 levels can dilute the nitrogen (N) resource in plant tissue, which is disadvantageous to many herbivorous insects. Aphids appear to be an exception that warrants further study. The effects of elevated CO2 (750 ppm vs. 390 ppm) were evaluated on N assimilation and transamination by two Medicago truncatula genotypes, a N‐fixing‐deficient mutant (dnf1) and its wild‐type control (Jemalong), with and without pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) infestation. Elevated CO2 increased population abundance and feeding efficiency of aphids fed on Jemalong, but reduced those on dnf1. Without aphid infestation, elevated CO2 increased photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, nodule number, biomass, and pod number for Jemalong, but only increased pod number and chlorophyll content for dnf1. Furthermore, aphid infested Jemalong plants had enhanced activities of N assimilation‐related enzymes (glutamine synthetase, Glutamate synthase) and transamination‐related enzymes (glutamate oxalate transaminase, glutamine phenylpyruvate transaminase), which presumably increased amino acid concentration in leaves and phloem sap under elevated CO2. In contrast, aphid infested dnf1 plants had decreased activities of N assimilation‐related enzymes and transmination‐related enzymes and amino acid concentrations under elevated CO2. Furthermore, elevated CO2 up‐regulated expression of genes relevant to amino acid metabolism in bacteriocytes of aphids associated with Jemalong, but down‐regulated those associated with dnf1. Our results suggest that pea aphids actively elicit host responses that promote amino acid metabolism in both the host plant and in its bacteriocytes to favor the population growth of the aphid under elevated CO2.
Unraveling environmental drivers of a recent increase in Swiss fungi fruiting
Authors: Büntgen Ulf , Peter Martina , Kauserud Håvard , Egli Simon 
Published: May 2013

AbstractDisentangling biotic and abiotic drivers of wild mushroom fruiting is fraught with difficulties because mycelial growth is hidden belowground, symbiotic and saprotrophic supply strategies may interact, and myco‐ecological observations are often either discontinuous or too short. Here, we compiled and analyzed 115 417 weekly fungal fruit body counts from permanent Swiss inventories between 1975 and 2006. Mushroom fruiting exhibited an average autumnal delay of 12 days after 1991 compared with before, the annual number of fruit bodies increased from 1801 to 5414 and the mean species richness doubled from 10 to 20. Intra‐ and interannual coherency of symbiotic and saprotrophic mushroom fruiting, together with little agreement between mycorrhizal yield and tree growth suggests direct climate controls on fruit body formation of both nutritional modes. Our results contradict a previously reported declining of mushroom harvests and propose rethinking the conceptual role of symbiotic pathways in fungi‐host interaction. Moreover, this conceptual advancement may foster new cross‐disciplinary research avenues, and stimulate questions about possible amplifications of the global carbon cycle, as enhanced fungal production in moist mid‐latitude forests rises carbon cycling and thus increases greenhouse gas exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere.
Influence of Migraine and of Migraine Aura on Balance and Mobility – A Controlled Study
Authors: Carvalho Gabriela F. , Chaves Thais C. , Dach Fabíola , Pinheiro Carina F. , Gonçalves Maria C. , Florencio Lidiane L. , Ferreira Karen S. , Bigal Marcelo E. , Bevilaqua‐Grossi Débora 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundMigraine, especially migraine with aura (MA), appears to be a risk factor for ischemic lesions in the posterior fossa. The clinical relevance of the lesions is uncertain. Accordingly, herein, we identified individuals with MA, migraine without aura (MO), and without migraine (controls) in order to investigate their balance and mobility.MethodsParticipants were selected among patients seen in an outpatient headache clinic. Controls had no history of headache. Balance was assessed by measuring the oscillation area using force plates and mobility was assessed with the Timed Up and Go test.ResultsOf 92 volunteers, 31 had MO (38 ± 10 years), 31 had MA (37 ± 8), and 30 were controls (33 ± 9). Subjects with MA had larger oscillation area (2.5 ± 1.4 cm2 and 3.7 ± 2.9 cm2) relative to those with MO (2.0 ± 1.7 cm2 and 2.1 ± 2.2 cm2, P = .02) and controls (1.5 ± 0.8 cm2 and 1.7 ± 1.2 cm2, P < .001) when standing in the bipodal position, respectively, with opened and closed eyes. MA was different with MO while standing in the unipodal position with eyes opened (right leg 6.7 ± 2.5 cm2 vs 4.9 ± 1.7 cm2, P = .002; left leg 6.5 ± 2.7 cm2 and 4.8 ± 1.4 cm2, P = .008). No differences were seen between MA and MO regarding the Timed Up and Go, although both groups were different than controls (8.5 seconds. and 6.5 seconds, P < .001; 8.2 and 6.5 seconds, P < .01, respectively). Dizziness symptoms happened in 25/31 (80%) of those with MA and 20/31 (65%) with MO, relative to 2/30 (6.5%) in controls (P < .0001 and P < .001).ConclusionAura negatively affects static balance and mobility in individuals with migraine. Dizziness is a prevalent symptom in this population.
Effects of oral intake of hydrogen water on liver fibrogenesis in mice
Authors: Koyama Yukinori , Taura Kojiro , Hatano Etsuro , Tanabe Kazutaka , Yamamoto Gen , Nakamura Kojiro , Yamanaka Kenya , Kitamura Koji , Narita Masato , Nagata Hiromitsu , Yanagida Atsuko , Iida Taku , Iwaisako Keiko , Fujinawa Hikohito , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: May 2013

AimLiver fibrosis is the universal consequence of chronic liver diseases. Sustained hepatocyte injury initiates an inflammatory response, thereby activating hepatic stellate cells, the principal fibrogenic cells in the liver. Reactive oxygen species are involved in liver injury and are a promising target for treating liver fibrosis. Hydrogen water is reported to have potential as a therapeutic tool for reactive oxygen species‐associated disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrogen water on liver fibrogenesis and the mechanisms underlying these effects.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were fed with hydrogen water or control water, and subjected to carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide and bile duct ligation treatments to induce liver fibrosis. Hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells were isolated from mice and cultured with or without hydrogen to test the effects of hydrogen on reactive oxygen species‐induced hepatocyte injuries or hepatic stellate cell activation.ResultsOral intake of hydrogen water significantly suppressed liver fibrogenesis in the carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide models, but these effects were not seen in the bile duct ligation model. Treatment of isolated hepatocyte with 1 μg/mL antimycin A generated hydroxyl radicals. Culturing in the hydrogen‐rich medium selectively suppressed the generation of hydroxyl radicals in hepatocytes and significantly suppressed hepatocyte death induced by antimycin A; however, it did not suppress hepatic stellate cell activation.ConclusionWe conclude that hydrogen water protects hepatocytes from injury by scavenging hydroxyl radicals and thereby suppresses liver fibrogenesis in mice.
Omega‐3 fatty acid therapy reduces triglycerides and interleukin‐6 in hypertriglyeridemic HIV patients
Authors: Metkus TS , Timpone J , Leaf D , Goetz M Bidwell , Harris WS , Brown TT 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesCardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are common in HIV‐infected patients and residual systemic inflammation is thought to contribute to both of these disorders. We performed a randomized placebo‐controlled trial of omega‐3‐acid (O3A) ethyl esters in HIV‐infected patients with hypertriglyceridaemia, hypothesizing that O3A would decrease serum levels of triglycerides, markers of systemic inflammation, and markers of bone turnover.MethodsHIV‐infected patients (n = 48 recruited at three sites) with CD4 count >200 cells/μL, suppressed viral load, and triglycerides >200 mg/dL were randomized to placebo or 3.6 g/d of O3A. Fasting lipid profiles and markers of inflammation and bone turnover were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment.ResultsBaseline HIV status, lipid profile, bone metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors were similar between the groups. Inflammatory markers were similar between the treatment groups at baseline, except for interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, which were higher in the O3A group. The concentration of triglycerides in patients receiving O3A decreased by a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of −34 (−149, 9.5) mg/dL vs. a median increase of 46.5 (−51, 123) mg/dL in the placebo group (P = 0.01). The median percentage change in IL‐6 was greater in the O3A group compared with the placebo group [−39% (−63, 12%) vs. 29% (10, 177%), respectively; P = 0.006]. Similar results were observed for TNF‐α, but not other inflammatory or bone turnover markers.ConclusionsO3A ethyl esters decreased the concentrations of triglycerides, IL‐6 and TNF‐α in patients with well‐controlled HIV infection and hypertriglyceridaemia. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings and investigate their clinical significance.
Accuracy of working length measurement: electronic apex locator versus cone‐beam computed tomography
Authors: Lucena C. , López J. M. , Martín J. A. , Robles V. , González‐Rodríguez M. P. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimTo compare the accuracy of working length (WL) determination using the Raypex 6® electronic apex locator and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodologyA total of 150 extracted human teeth were decoronated and randomly assigned to five groups (n = 30). WL was measured with the Raypex 6® at both the ‘constriction’ and the ‘apex’ marks under dry conditions (group 1) or with 2.5% NaOCl, distilled water or Ultracain® (groups 2–4). The radiological WL (group 5) was calculated from bucco‐lingual and mesio‐distal CBCT sections. Differences between electronic, CBCT measurements and actual length (AL) were calculated. Positive and negative values, respectively, indicate measurements falling short or long of AL. Two‐way anova and the Bonferroni and Welch tests were used to compare mean differences amongst groups. The chi‐squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare percentages of precise, ±0.5 and ±1.0 mm of the AL measurements amongst the experimental groups. Statistical analysis was performed at α = 0.05.ResultsMean differences with respect to AL ranged from 0.26 to −0.36 mm and from 0.05 to 0.18 mm, respectively, for the electronic measurements at the ‘constriction’ mark and ‘apex’ mark. CBCT measurements were an average of 0.59 mm shorter than AL. Percentages of electronic measurements falling within ±0.5 mm of the corresponding AL referred to the ‘apex’ mark were greater than at the ‘constriction’ mark, but the differences were only significant in group 4 (with Ultracain®). Percentages of CBCT measurements falling within ±0.5 mm of AL (46.7%) were significantly lower than electronic measurements, regardless of the condition of the root canal. In 30–38.5% of the measurements taken at the ‘apex’ mark and in 3.4–13.3% of those at the ‘constriction’ mark, the file tip extended beyond the foramen.ConclusionsElectronic measurements were more reliable than CBCT scans for WL determination. The Raypex 6® was more accurate in locating the major foramen than the apical constriction under the experimental set‐up.
Effect of commercial enzymatic preparation with pectolytic activities on conventional extraction and ultrasound‐assisted extraction of oil from grape seed (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Da Porto Carla , Decorti Deborha , Natolino Andrea 
Published: May 2013

SummaryConventional solvent extraction (CE) and ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) in hexane for oil from untreated and enzyme‐treated grape seeds were investigated and compared. Among the output power tested (50, 100 and 150 W) in UAE on untreated seeds, UAE at 150 W for 30 min with liquid‐to‐solid ratio 8:1 (v/w) gave oil extraction yield comparable to CE (ca. 14% w/w) for 6 h with liquid‐to‐solid ratio 12:1 (v/w). CE and UAE at 150 W did not influence the fatty acid profiles of oil. CE oil was found to be the most oxidised. The enzymatic treatments (2, 4 and 6 g per 100 g seeds of Rapidase® Expression) prior to CE enhanced by 2.5% of the oil yield. Enzymatic treatments higher than 2 g per 100 g seeds increased relative value of some fatty acids both in CE and UAE. Enzymatic pretreatment from 2 to 4 g per 100 g seeds significantly improved some physicochemical parameters of oil quality when extracted by CE, but not by UAE.
Does biofeedback affect incontinence and quality of life in Turkish women?
Authors: İlgün Seda , Ovayolu Nimet , Ovayolu Özlem , Özcanlı Derya , Yağcı Faruk 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTAlthough urinary incontinence (UI) is not a life‐threatening disease, it is a common health problem that affects quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFE) with biofeedback on incontinence and quality of life in women with UI. This clinical study was a randomized, controlled and experimental research conducted on 60 patients in total (30 control and 30 intervention patients) at a university hospital. Data were collected by using a questionnaire, Incontinence Quality of Life (I‐QOL) instrument, and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF). The intervention group received biofeedback treatment for 16 sessions in total, each of which lasted 20 min, for 8 weeks, twice weekly, in a urodynamic unit. The obtained data were evaluated using χ2, Student's t, one‐way analysis of variance (anova), Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. It was observed that the incontinence inquiry form mean score of 16·1 ± 2·2 in the intervention group before biofeedback application decreased to 11·6 ± 4·6 after the application, whereas it increased from 14·0 ± 4·7 to 14·7 ± 4·7 in the control group (p < 0·05). It was also determined that the quality of life total mean score of 52·1 ± 10·5 in the intervention group before biofeedback application increased to 58·7 ± 14·7 after the application, whereas it decreased from 58·1 ± 16·1 to 53·5 ± 16·1 in the control group (p < 0·05). At the end of this study it was observed that PFE with biofeedback reduced incontinence and increased quality of life in women.
A unique Y gene in the Asian malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi encodes a small lysine‐rich protein and is transcribed at the onset of embryonic development
Authors: Criscione F. , Qi Y. , Saunders R. , Hall B. , Tu Z. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn many organisms the Y chromosome initiates sex determination and regulates male fertility and mating behaviour. However, molecular characterization of Y genes is rare outside of a few model species because it is difficult to clone and analyse repeat‐rich heterochromatic Y sequences. In insects, Y genes are only well characterized in a small number of Drosophila species. Here we report the discovery of GUY1 (gene unique to the Y), a gene unique to the Y chromosome in the Asian malaria mosquito, Anopheles stephensi, using an approach that compares Illumina sequences separately obtained from male and female genomic DNA. Experimental evidence confirmed that GUY1 is a single copy gene found only on the Y chromosome. GUY1 is transcribed at the very onset of zygotic transcription and encodes a small lysine‐rich protein that forms two alpha helices and shows DNA‐binding properties. Interestingly, three helix‐loop‐helix proteins are key factors that determine sex in the early embryo in Drosophila melanogaster. Single embryo analysis indicated that GUY1 is only transcribed in male embryos and that the GUY1 promoter is functional in the early embryos. GUY1 may be used as a paternally inherited molecular marker. Further investigation of GUY1 will contribute to the genetic approaches to control mosquito‐borne diseases.
Piety in a Secular Society: Migration, Religiosity, and Islam in Britain
Authors: Lewis Valerie A. , Kashyap Ridhi 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWhile in the American context religion is seen to facilitate immigrant incorporation by providing both spiritual and socioeconomic resources, in Europe high levels of religiosity are theorized as a barrier for immigrant incorporation into the secular mainstream. This is particularly salient for Islam, Europe's largest minority religion. In this study, we use the 2008–2009 England and Wales Citizenship Survey to compare levels and predictors of religiosity between Muslim and non‐Muslim first‐generation immigrants and their native‐born counterparts. Overall, Muslims are more religious than non‐Muslims. The results show that among non‐Muslims, the foreign‐born are significantly more religious than the native‐born; among Muslims, however, nativity has no impact on religiosity, indicating the native‐born are as highly religious as the foreign‐born. Additionally, although education is associated with reduced religiosity among non‐Muslim immigrants and native‐born, for Muslims it has no significant impact. Muslims across diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds show strong religious adherence. Results suggest that pathways to secular, mainstream norms do not operate in the same manner across Muslim and non‐Muslim immigrant groups.
An unusual object in the root canal of a primary tooth – a case report
Authors: Pereira Treville , Pereira Svylvy 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundChildren often have the habit of inserting objects into their mouth. Occasionally, these objects may be accidentally ingested. This may be frightening and stressful both for the child and the parents. In most cases, children avoid informing their parents due to the fear of being punished.Case ReportThis article presents a case of a foreign object embedded in the tooth of a 7‐year‐old boy. The parents were unaware of the presence of a foreign object in their child's tooth.ConclusionThe tooth was extracted and the foreign body was retrieved from the canal to avoid any complications.
Slowing down Social Europe? The struggle over work and employment regulation
Authors: Mailand Mikkel 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe present article discusses whether the strengthening of the regulation‐sceptical actors during the 2000s has affected the scope and content of EU‐level regulation in two work‐and‐employment‐related areas, and the role coalitions have played in the decision‐making processes. In the employee involvement area, the pro‐regulation forces still appeared able to get new regulation adopted and to prevent unwanted regulation from being adopted. In the employment policy area, a few examples of successful attempts by the regulation‐sceptical actors to slow down Social Europe were found, but these were fewer than could be expected. One explanation for this relatively weak impact might be that the Commission's search for legitimacy in order to be re‐elected functions as an ‘automatic stabiliser’. Contrary to studies of previous processes, no solid coalitions were found in any of the cases analysed, although several actors took positions as expected.
Wage claims in the British private sector: 1979–2003
Authors: Ingram Peter , Rickman Neil , Wadsworth Jonathan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWage claims have been an important feature of British industrial relations during the postwar period. They help set the boundaries within which wage negotiations take place and provide an insight into the conduct of negotiations, especially during periods of change in industrial relations. Despite this, claims remain an underinvestigated area. This article provides a unique investigation of the dimensions of wage claims over a period of free collective bargaining. The number of wage claims declined along with unionisation but, over a period of economic turbulence, the conduct of British wage setting began to change. We examine data on claims and investigate the influences on changes in those claims over time. We find that external factors (inflation, unemployment and legislative control of unions) were more prominent in shaping the development of claims than changes in the composition of groups who continued to post claims.
China's Labor Transition and the Future of China's Rural Wages and Employment
Authors: Li Qiang , Huang Jikun , Luo Renfu , Liu Chengfang 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper contributes to the assessment of China's rural labor markets. According to our data, the increase in off‐farm employment that China experienced during the 1980s and 1990s continued during the 2000s. Our analysis shows that migration has become the most prevalent off‐farm activity, although the destination of migrants is shifting from outside of one's province to destinations closer to home. The present paper finds that large shares of male and female individuals, especially those under 40 years, are working off the farm. These findings represent an important contribution to the labor economics field. First, the results of the present paper reveal that the labor transition from the agricultural sector to the non‐agricultural sector for key segments of China's rural labor force is nearly complete. Second, although a large share of China's rural labor force work in agriculture, most of these workers are older men and women (and likely would not be willing to take low‐wage, labor‐intensive jobs). Third, the rising unskilled wage rate in China is partially a result of the tightening of the labor force in the young age cohorts. Finally, due to factors associated with the one child policy and other demographic transition forces, successive age cohorts will continue to fall in absolute number in the coming decade. Assuming China's growth continues, we expect to see further wage increases since it will take higher wages to coax more workers to work off the farm.
Roots of Tomorrow's Digital Divide: Documenting Computer Use and Internet Access in China's Elementary Schools Today
Authors: Yang Yihua , Hu Xiao , Qu Qinghe , Lai Fang , Shi Yaojiang , Boswell Matthew , Rozelle Scott 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper explores China's digital divide, with a focus on differences in access to computers, learning software, and the Internet at school and at home among different groups of elementary school children in China. The digital divide is examined in four different dimensions: (i) between students in urban public schools and students in rural public schools; (ii) between students in rural public schools and students in private migrant schools; (iii) between migrant students in urban public schools and migrant students in private migrant schools; and (iv) between students in Han‐dominated rural areas and students in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. Using data from a set of large‐scale surveys in schools in different parts of the country, we find a wide gap between computer and Internet access of students in rural areas and those in urban public schools. The gap widens further when comparing urban students to students from minority areas. The divide is also large between urban and rural schools when examining the quality of computer instruction and access to learning software. Migration does not appear to eliminate the digital divide, unless migrant families are able to enroll their children in urban public schools. The digital divide in elementary schools may have implications for future employment, education and income inequality in China.