bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphology and chronology of diphyodont dentition in miniature pigs, Sus Scrofa
Authors: Wang F , Xiao J , Cong W , Li A , Song T , Wei F , Xu J , Zhang C , Fan Z , Wang S 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveThere is little knowledge about the tooth replacement in large mammals. The aim of this study is to investigate the tooth replacement patterns in Chinese miniature pig (Sus Scrofa).Materials and MethodsThe developmental patterns of mandibular successional and additional teeth from Chinese miniature pig before and after birth were investigated by microanatomy, immunohistochemistry, and cone beam computed tomography.ResultsSecondary dental lamina for successional teeth was not visible until its predecessor progressed to late bell stage. Successional teeth reached early cap stage when their predecessor began to erupt. The development patterns and speed varied between anterior and posterior successional teeth. Additional molars, derived from the free end of additional dental lamina, initiated sequentially in mandible ramus, while previous additional molar progressed into late bell stage. Proliferating cells in the permanent primordium were distributed asymmetrically.ConclusionsOur findings identify the characteristic patterns about spatiotemporal morphogenesis of successional teeth in context of their predecessor and cascade initiation of additional molars in miniature pigs. Our study provides a basis toward better understanding the mechanisms underlying diphyodont replacement in human and also assists in tooth regeneration and tooth engineering in large animal.
Effects of ocean acidification on growth and physiology of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) in a rockpool‐scenario
Authors: Olischläger Mark , Bartsch Inka , Gutow Lars , Wiencke Christian 
Published: April 2013

SummaryRising atmospheric CO2‐concentrations will have severe consequences for a variety of biological processes. We investigated the responses of the green alga Ulva lactuca (Linnaeus) to rising CO2‐concentrations in a rockpool scenario. U. lactuca was cultured under aeration with air containing either preindustrial pCO2 (280 μatm) or the pCO2 predicted by the end of the 21st century (700 μatm) for 31 days. We addressed the following question: Will elevated CO2‐concentrations affect photosynthesis (net photosynthesis, maximum relative electron transport rate (rETR(max)), maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), pigment composition) and growth of U. lactuca in rockpools with limited water exchange? Two phases of the experiment were distinguished: In the initial phase (day 1–4) the Seawater Carbonate System (SWCS) of the culture medium could be adjusted to the selected atmospheric pCO2 condition by continuous aeration with target pCO2 values. In the second phase (day 4–31) the SWCS was largely determined by the metabolism of the growing U. lactuca biomass. In the initial phase, Fv/Fm and rETR(max) were only slightly elevated at high CO2‐concentrations, whereas growth was significantly enhanced. After 31 days the Chl a content of the thalli was significantly lower under future conditions and the photosynthesis of thalli grown under preindustrial conditions was not dependent on external carbonic anhydrase. Biomass increased significantly at high CO2‐concentrations. At low CO2‐concentrations most adult thalli disintegrated between day 14 and 21, whereas at high CO2‐concentrations most thalli remained integer until day 31. Thallus disintegration at low CO2‐concentrations was mirrored by a drastic decline in seawater dissolved inorganic carbon and HCO3−. Accordingly, the SWCS differed significantly between the treatments. Our results indicated a slight enhancement of photosynthetic performance and significantly elevated growth of U. lactuca at future CO2‐concentrations. The accelerated thallus disintegration at high CO2‐concentrations under conditions of limited water exchange indicates additional CO2 effects on the life cycle of U. lactuca when living in rockpools.
Sympathetic Nervous System Function and Dysfunction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Rubinger Dvora , Backenroth Rebecca , Sapoznikov Dan 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAdequate sympathetic nervous system activation is essential for the compensatory mechanisms of blood pressure maintenance during the hemodialysis (HD) procedure. Chronic sympathetic nervous system overactivity, however, may lead to the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in HD patients. The present review focuses on recent findings on the sympathetic nervous system activity in these patients. Sympathetic overactivity has been demonstrated directly by muscle sympathetic nerve activity recordings (MSNA) in chronic renal disease, but only rarely in HD patients. In the latter, sympathetic activity has mostly been assessed using indirect methodology. Decreased heart rate variability, increased blood pressure variability (BPV), and suppressed baroreflex function are believed to represent chronic sympathetic overactivity in HD patients. The HD procedure and ultrafiltration are associated with enhanced sympathetic activity and baroreflex activation. During most episodes of intradialytic hypotension, the baroreflex is adequately activated; sympathetic withdrawal with bradycardia, however, has been reported during excessive hypovolemia. Sympathetic overactivity is also believed to be a mechanism associated with intradialytic hypertensive episodes and refractory hypertension. While successful renal transplantation is associated with improvement of heart rate variability (HRV), improvement and restoration of baroreflex function, persistent sympathetic overactivity has been documented in transplanted patients using MSNA recordings. Decreased HRV and baroreflex function have been reported to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity in HD patients. The predictive value of sympathetic outflow assessed by MSNA has yet to be determined. Optimization of HD treatment, pharmacological interventions, and renal sympathetic denervation are several approaches targeting sympathetic overactivity to improve cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Not Moving Clauses: Connectivity in Clausal Arguments
Authors: Moulton Keir 
Published: April 2013

AbstractNovel reconstruction data is introduced which argues that clauses do not move leftward, thus contributing to a long‐standing debate about sentential subjects and topics (Koster 1978, Alrenga 2005). Although fronted clauses appear to reconstruct for variable‐binding purposes, I offer several arguments that these bound‐variable interpretations are only apparent. First, left‐dislocated CPs do not exhibit the kinds of reconstruction interactions that hold of other moved constituents, as discovered by Lebeaux (1991). Second, we find apparent bound variables in left‐dislocated CPs that can be shown to have no movement source that would provide a site for reconstruction. I will then provide a detailed analysis that marshals the semantics ofde repronouns to explain why covariation without reconstruction is available in these dislocated CPs. Aside from offering a detailed syntax–semantics for clausal complementation, I make the case that there must be syntactic derivations of sentential subjects and topics that do not involve movement and that a parsimonious theory rules out movement of clausal arguments altogether.
Decreased Vancomycin Susceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus Caused by IS
256
Tempering of WalKR Expression
Authors: McEvoy Christopher R. E. , Tsuji Brian , Gao Wei , Seemann Torsten , Porter Jessica L. , Doig Kenneth , Ngo Dung , Howden Benjamin P. , Stinear Timothy P. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(VISA) strains often arise by mutations in the essential two-component regulator
walKR
; however their impact on
walKR
function has not been definitively established. Here, we investigated 10 MRSA strains recovered serially after exposure of vancomycin-susceptible
S. aureus
(VSSA) JKD6009 to simulated human vancomycin dosing regimens (500 mg to 4,000 mg every 12 h) using a 10-day hollow fiber infection model. After continued exposure to the vancomycin regimens, two isolates displayed reduced susceptibility to both vancomycin and daptomycin, developing independent IS
256
insertions in the
walKR
5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR). Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) revealed a 50% reduction in
walKR
gene expression in the IS
256
mutants compared to the VSSA parent. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter analysis, promoter mapping, and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed these findings and showed that the IS
256
insertions had replaced two SigA-like
walKR
promoters with weaker, hybrid promoters. Removal of IS
256
reverted the phenotype to VSSA, showing that reduced expression of WalKR did induce the VISA phenotype. Analysis of selected WalKR-regulated autolysins revealed upregulation of
ssaA
but no change in expression of
sak
and
sceD
in both IS
256
mutants. Whole-genome sequencing of the two mutants revealed an additional IS
256
insertion within
agrC
for one mutant, and we confirmed that this mutation abolished
agr
function. These data provide the first substantial analysis of
walKR
promoter function and show that prolonged vancomycin exposure can result in VISA through an IS
256
-mediated reduction in
walKR
expression; however, the mechanisms by which this occurs remain to be determined.
Investigation of the Function of Candida albicans Als3 by Heterologous Expression in Candida glabrata
Authors: Fu Yue , Phan Quynh T. , Luo Guanpingsheng , Solis Norma V. , Liu Yaoping , Cormack Brendan P. , Edwards John E. , Ibrahim Ashraf S. , Filler Scott G. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

During hematogenously disseminated infection, blood-borne
Candida albicans
invades the endothelial cell lining of the vasculature to invade the deep tissues. Although the
C. albicans
Als3 invasin is critical for invasion and damage of endothelial cells
in vitro
, a
C. albicans als3
Δ/Δ mutant has normal virulence in the mouse model of disseminated infection. We hypothesized that the contribution of Als3 to virulence is obscured by the presence of additional
C. albicans
invasins. To elucidate the
in vivo
function of Als3, we heterologously expressed
C. albicans ALS3
in
Candida glabrata
, a yeast that lacks a close
ALS3
ortholog and has low virulence in mice. We found that following intravenous inoculation into mice, the
ALS3
-expressing strain preferentially trafficked to the brain, where it induced significantly elevated levels of myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and gamma interferon. Also, the
ALS3
-expressing strain had enhanced adherence to and invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells
in vitro
, demonstrating a potential mechanism for
ALS3
-mediated neurotropism. In addition, upon initiation of infection, the
ALS3
-expressing strain had increased trafficking to the cortex of the kidneys. With prolonged infection, this strain persisted in the kidneys at significantly higher levels than the control strain but did not induce an elevated inflammatory response. Finally, the
ALS3
-expressing strain had increased resistance to neutrophil killing
in vitro
. These results indicate that during disseminated infection, Als3 mediates initial trafficking to the brain and renal cortex and contributes to fungal persistence in the kidneys.
Attenuation of Leishmania infantum chagasi Metacyclic Promastigotes by Sterol Depletion
Authors: Yao Chaoqun , Gaur Dixit Upasna , Barker Jason H. , Teesch Lynn M. , Love-Homan Laurie , Donelson John E. , Wilson Mary E. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTThe infectious metacyclic promastigotes ofLeishmaniaprotozoa establish infection in a mammalian host after they are deposited into the dermis by a sand fly vector. SeveralLeishmaniavirulence factors promote infection, including the glycosylphosphatidylinositol membrane-anchored major surface protease (MSP). MetacyclicLeishmania infantum chagasipromastigotes were treated with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD), a sterol-chelating reagent, causing a 3-fold reduction in total cellular sterols as well as enhancing MSP release without affecting parasite viabilityin vitro. MβCD-treated promastigotes were more susceptible to complement-mediated lysis than untreated controls and reduced the parasite load 3-fold when inoculated into BALB/c mice. Paradoxically, MβCD-treated promastigotes caused a higher initialin vitroinfection rate in human or murine macrophages than untreated controls, although their intracellular multiplication was hindered upon infection establishment. There was a corresponding larger amount of covalently bound C3b than iC3b on the parasite surfaces of MβCD-treated promastigotes exposed to healthy human serumin vitro, as well as loss of MSP, a protease that enhances C3b cleavage to iC3b. Mass spectrometry showed that MβCD promotes the release of proteins into the extracellular medium, including both MSP and MSP-like protein (MLP), from virulent metacyclic promastigotes. These data support the hypothesis that plasma membrane sterols are important for the virulence ofLeishmaniaprotozoa at least in part through retention of membrane virulence proteins.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A JPEG ENCODER MAPPED ONTO A VIRTUAL MPSoC-NoC ARCHITECTURE USING TLM 2.0.1
Authors: ESCOBAR-JUZGA F. A. , SEGURA-QUIJANO F. E. 
Published: April 2013

Networks on Chip (NoCs) are commonly used to integrate complex embedded systems and multiprocessor platforms due to their scalability and versatility. Modeling tools used at the functional level use SystemC to perform hardware–software co-design and error correction concurrently, thus, reducing time to market. This work analyzes a JPEG encoding algorithm mapped onto a configurable M × N, mesh/torus, NoC platform described in SystemC with the transaction level modeling (TLM) standard; timing constraints for both, the router and network interface controller, are assigned according to a hardware description language (HDL) model written for this purpose. Processing nodes are also described as SystemC threads and their computation delays are assigned depending on the amount and cost of the operations they perform. The programming model employed is message passing. We start by describing and profiling the JPEG algorithm as a task graph; then, four partitioning proposals are mapped onto three NoCs of different size. Our analysis comprises changes in topology, virtual channel depth, routing algorithms, network speed and task-node assignments. Through several high-level simulations we evaluate the impact of each parameter and we show that, for the proposed model, most improvements come from the algorithm partitioning.
Preferential traits for breeding Nguni cattle in low-input in-situ conservation production systems
Authors: Tada Obert , Muchenje Voster , Dzama Kennedy 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted in communal and small-scale Nguni cattle enterprises to determine preferential traits for improvement under low-input cattle breeding programs. Forty-one farmers participated in ranking six specific traits of breeding bulls and cows. Kruskal-Wallis test and ordinal logistic regression were used to determine mean ranks of traits and odds ratios of predictors (enterprise ownership, gender, farmer age, education level, agriculture training) on specified trait ranks, respectively. Preferential traits for breeding bulls were in the order; aggression and mating behaviour (1.86), tick and disease resistance (1.90), body condition score (2.69), scrotal circumference (4.52), body size and conformation (4.71) and coat colour (5.02). For breeding cows,preferential order were; tick and disease resistance (1.55), reproductive efficiency (2.02), body condition score (3.14), body size and conformation (4.21), coat colour (4.74) and milk yield (5.31). Less old farmers (< 50 years) and those from communal enterprises preferred bull coat colour more than scrotal circumference. Farmers with primary education and those with formal agriculture training had the least odds ratio estimates on the poorly ranked bull coat colour. The informally trained farmers, older age group (> 50 years), females and those from small-scale enterprises had odds ratio estimates less than one for the sixth ranked milk yield in Nguni cows. It was concluded that trait preference in breeding bulls and cows is significantly influenced by socio-economic and demographic factors. It is recommended to consider farmer preferences in trait selection and designing communal breeding programs.
Surgical treatment of physeal injuries of the lateral aspect of the clavicle
Authors: Rashid A. , Christofi T. , Thomas M. 
Published: April 2013

Lateral clavicular physeal injuries in adolescents are frequently misinterpreted as acromioclavicular dislocations. There are currently no clear guidelines for the management of these relatively rare injuries. Non-operative treatment can result in a cosmetic deformity, warranting resection of the non-remodelled original lateral clavicle. However, fixation with Kirschner (K)-wires may be associated with infection and/or prominent metalwork. We report our experience with a small series of such cases.Between October 2008 and October 2011 five patients with lateral clavicular physeal fractures (types III, IV and V) presented to our unit. There were four boys and one girl with a mean age of 12.8 years (9 to 14). Four fractures were significantly displaced and treated operatively using a tension band suture technique. One grade III fracture was treated conservatively. The mean follow-up was 26 months (6 to 42).All patients made an uncomplicated recovery. The mean time to discharge was three months. The QuickDASH score at follow-up was 0 for each patient. No patient developed subsequent growth disturbances.We advocate the surgical treatment of significantly displaced Grade IV and V fractures to avoid cosmetic deformity. A tension band suture technique avoids the problems of retained metalwork and the need for a secondary procedure. Excellent clinical and radiological results were seen in all our patients.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:664–7.
Charles Darwin’s Mitochondria
Authors: Hayman John 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCharles Darwin’s long-term illness has been the subject of much speculation. His numerous symptoms have led to conclusions that his illness was essentially psychogenic in nature. These diagnoses have never been fully convincing, however, particularly in regard to the proposed underlying psychological background causes of the illness. Similarly, two proposed somatic causes of illness, Chagas disease and arsenic poisoning, lack credibility and appear inconsistent with the lifetime history of the illness. Other physical explanations are simply too incomplete to explain the range of symptoms. Here, a very different sort of explanation will be offered. We now know that mitochondrial mutations producing impaired mitochondrial function may result in a wide range of differing symptoms, including symptoms thought to be primarily psychological. Examination of Darwin’s maternal family history supports the contention that his illness was mitochondrial in nature; his mother and one maternal uncle had strange illnesses and the youngest maternal sibling died of an infirmity with symptoms characteristic of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS syndrome), a condition rooted in mitochondrial dysfunction. Darwin’s own symptoms are described here and are in accord with the hypothesis that he had the mtDNA mutation commonly associated with the MELAS syndrome.
Multigenerational Patterns and Internal Structures in Families in which Grandparents Raise Grandchildren
Authors: Goldberg-Glen Robin , Sands Roberta G. , Cole Ralph D. , Cristofalo Carolyn 
Published: April 2013

‘Skipped generation’ families, consisting of grandparents and grandchildren with parents absent from the home, are frequently served in social work agencies. These families have unique multigenerational patterns and family structures that are important for service providers to recognize. This paper uses a multigenerational systems perspective to highlight the diversity among grandparent-headed households. Twenty families who were previously part of a larger study of stress, well-being, and life satisfaction among caregiving grandparents constituted a follow-up case study involving videotaped family interviews one year after the first study. Three families representing the range of diversity among the twenty are described with accompanying genograms. Differences in structure, interactional processes, and links with prior generations are identified in each case. These examples reveal the strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as the diversity, of grandparent-headed families.
The influence of (5′R) and (5′S)-5′,8-cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine for the electronic properties of nucleosides pairs. The theoretical quantum mechanics studies
Authors: Karwowski Boleslaw 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Oxidatively generated damage to DNA frequently appears in the human genome as the effect of aerobic metabolism or as the result of exposure to exogenous oxidizing agents such as ionization radiation. In this paper, for the first time, the electronic properties of nucleoside pairs containing 5′,8-cyclo-2′-deoxyadenosine (cdA) in their 5′R and 5′S diastereomeric forms (cdA(R)::T and cdA(S)::T) as the simplest model of ds-DNA have been discussed. The following values of the selected electronic parameters, measured in eV, were found for cdA(R)::T, cdA(S)::T, and dA::T, respectively, adiabatic/vertical electron affinity: 0.39/0.24, 0.35/0.18, 0.33/0.21; and adiabatic/vertical ionization potential: 7.27/7.50, 7.7.25/7.49, 7.03/7.27. Moreover, based on the results of the relaxation energy, the presence of cdA(S)::T should provide the highest barrier for electron transfer in ds-DNA. Analyses of hydrogen bond length deviations reveal that the formation of cationic forms results in higher elongation than that of anionic forms. Moreover, during the electron attachment or detachment for the investigated cdA(R)::T, cdA(S)::T, and dA::T nucleoside pairs, the same scheme of changes in hydrogen bond length was noted.
Kazanistan: John Rawls's Oriental Utopia
Authors: Hatzenberger Antoine 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT
In The Law of Peoples (1999), John Rawls develops the concept of realistic utopia within the framework of a philosophy of international relations. In order to illustrate his definition of “decent peoples” he imagines an “idealized Islamic people named Kazanistan.” What are the context and status of the imaginary construct of a society of peoples? How are the people of Kazanistan described? In what sense, and to what extent, is this “idealized Islamic people” imagined by Rawls really a utopia?