bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex at the margins: parthenogenesis vs. facultative and obligate sex in a Neotropical ant
Authors: Kellner K. , Seal J. N. , Heinze J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractGeographic parthenogenesis is a distribution pattern, in which parthenogenetic populations tend to live in marginal habitats, at higher latitudes and altitudes and island‐like habitats compared with the sexual forms. The facultatively parthenogenetic ant Platythyrea punctata is thought to exhibit this general pattern throughout its wide range in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Workers of P. punctata from the Caribbean produce diploid female offspring from unfertilized eggs by thelytokous parthenogenesis, and mated females and males are rare. In contrast, workers in one colony from Costa Rica were incapable of thelytoky; instead mated workers produced all female offspring. Because sample sizes were very low in former studies, we here use microsatellite markers and explicit tests of thelytoky to examine the population genetic structure of ancestral and derived populations of P. punctata throughout the Caribbean and Central America. Populations from the Caribbean islands were fully capable of parthenogenesis, and population genetic signatures indicate that this is the predominant mode of reproduction, although males are occasionally produced. In contrast, the northernmost population on the mainland (Texas) showed signatures of sexual reproduction, and individuals were incapable of reproduction by thelytoky. Contrary to expectations from a geographic parthenogenesis distribution pattern, most parts of the mainland populations were found to be facultatively thelytokous, with population genetic signatures of both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction.
Transcriptional analysis of rat photoreceptor cells reveals daily regulation of genes important for visual signaling and light damage susceptibility
Authors: Kunst Stefanie , Wolloscheck Tanja , Hölter Philip , Wengert Alexander , Grether Markus , Sticht Carsten , Weyer Veronika , Wolfrum Uwe , Spessert Rainer 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPhotoreceptor cells face the challenge of adjusting their function and, possibly, their susceptibility to light damage to the marked daily changes in ambient light intensity. To achieve a better understanding of photoreceptor adaptation at the transcriptional level, this study aimed to identify genes which are under daily regulation in photoreceptor cells using microarray analysis and quantitative PCR. Included in the gene set obtained were a number of genes which up until now have not been shown to be expressed in photoreceptor cells, such as Atf3 (activating transcription factor 3) and Pde8a (phosphodiesterase 8A), and others with a known impact on phototransduction and/or photoreceptor survival, such as Grk1 (G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 1) and Pgc‐1α (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, coactivator 1alpha). According to their daily dynamics, the genes identified could be clustered in two groups: those with peak expression during the second part of the day which are uniformly promoted to cycle by light/dark transitions and those with peak expression during the second part of the night which are predominately driven by a clock. Since Grk1 and Pgc‐1α belong in the first group, the present results support a concept in which transcriptional regulation of genes by ambient light contributes to the functional adjustment of photoreceptor cells over the 24‐h period.
Jacques Lacan's theory of the subject as real, symbolic and imaginary: how can Lacanian theory be of help to mental health nursing practice?
Authors: McSherry A. 
Published: November 2012

Accessible summary
Mental health nursing is in a process of redefining itself and being asked to promote mental health to a wider public, and it therefore needs to engage with ideas new to nursing.
Jacques Lacan's ideas appear of particular relevance to those interested in mental health. In particular, a symptom for Lacan is the way one may have to cope with one's particular way of being.
It is only when a symptom becomes a problem that we seek help. When a problem arises we need to look at it in a wider perspective rather than pathologize it, and this is where Lacan's concept of the three registers is of major importance.
AbstractThis paper presents an outline of Lacan's theory of the human subject, in particular focusing on Lacan's concepts of the real, symbolic and imaginary registers, and how an understanding of these can inform change and practice in mental health nursing. Mental health nursing is under pressure to define itself as a practice distinct from other professions in the field, and to respond in new ways to promoting mental health to the individual and a wider public. Lacan's theory of the subject is of particular relevance to mental health nurses working with mental distress but has received little attention in mental health nursing literature. Six implications for practice are outlined in terms of: against normalization, the importance of the function of the symptom, what cannot be known, meaning as ever‐changing, against empathy and against holistic ideas of the self.
Contrasting responses of Kupffer cells and inflammatory mononuclear phagocytes to biliary obstruction in a mouse model of cholestatic liver injury
Authors: Duwaerts Caroline C. , Gehring Stephan , Cheng Chao‐Wen , van Rooijen Nico , Gregory Stephen H. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundBiliary obstruction and cholestasis are serious complications of many liver diseases. Although resident hepatic macrophages (Kupffer cells) are frequently implicated in disease progression, most studies fail to differentiate the contribution of Kupffer cells and inflammatory mononuclear phagocytes (iMNPs) that infiltrate the liver subsequent to obstruction.AimThis study was undertaken to examine the roles and potential interactions of these two disparate mononuclear phagocyte populations in hepatic injury attending cholestasis.MethodsFemale, C57Bl/6 mice were injected with magnetic beads on day 3 prior to sham operation or bile duct ligation (BDL) to facilitate subsequent Kupffer cell isolation. Three days post‐surgery, animals were euthanized, and bead‐containing Kupffer cells and iMNPs were separated, purified and analysed. To examine the ability of Kupffer cells to modulate iMNP activity, iMNPs were isolated from the livers of intact and Kupffer cell‐depleted mice on day 3 post‐surgery and compared.ResultsPurified Kupffer cells and iMNP populations obtained from BDL mice exhibited heterogeneous morphologies rendering them visually indistinguishable. iMNPs, however, were characterized by the increased expression of Ly‐6C and CD11b and the elevated production of chemokines/cytokines characteristic of inflammatory cells. In the absence of Kupffer cells, iMNPs immigrating to the liver following BDL exhibited significant decreases in CD11b and Ly‐6C expression, and in pro‐inflammatory chemokine/cytokine production.ConclusionsKupffer cells and iMNPs exhibit disparate biological responses to biliary obstruction and cholestasis. Kupffer cells play a key role in regulating iMNP influx and activity.
Interventions guided by analysis of quality indicators decrease the frequency of laryngospasm during pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Mc Donnell Conor 
Published: November 2012

SummaryIntroductionClinical outcomes in pediatric anesthesia have improved significantly over the last 20–30 years but unexpected laryngospasm that is difficult to treat can still result in patient morbidity, increased postoperative medical management and unnecessary hospital admission. The incidence of laryngospasm in pediatric anesthesia is difficult to determine with incidences from 0.9% to as high as 14% quoted in the literature. Clinical experience in our institution suggests that laryngospasm is one of the more frequent unanticipated complications that occur under general anesthesia. Therefore, we applied quality improvement (QI) methodology to: (i) identify the etiology and contributing factors that lead to unanticipated incidents during pediatric anesthesia care; and (ii) decrease the incidence of laryngospasm during pediatric anesthesia care by focusing on awareness, preparedness, education and knowledge translation.Materials & MethodsWe conducted a 30‐month improvement project. Twelve months of baseline data describing unanticipated events during pediatric anesthesia care were collected prospectively in a single institution. Data were analyzed to identify leading causes of these unanticipated events and to identify key drivers to improve overall quality of care. Interventions focused on raising awareness of the impact of laryngospasm on quality of patient care, knowledge dissemination and the creation of a knowledge translation tool to encourage future early learning. The primary objective was to decrease the incidence of unanticipated calls for help due to laryngospasm by 50% over a 12‐month period.ResultsDuring the 12‐month baseline data period, laryngospasm was responsible for 33 instances (50%) of the 65 ‘calls for help’ identified. The incidence of laryngospasm for which help was sought was 0.25% of all anesthetics performed during the baseline data period. After the introduction of our interventions, 16 (24%) of the 68 ‘calls for help’ over the subsequent 16 months were attributed to laryngospasm. The incidence of laryngospasm for which help was sought during the second time period was 0.09% of all anesthetics performed.ConclusionsWe applied QI methodology to identify potential improvements in the quality of anesthesia care we deliver to our patients. By designing a number of key drivers and interventions specifically focused on laryngospasm, we decreased the incidence of unanticipated calls for help due to laryngospasm by 50% and maintained this improvement to clinical care across a 12‐month period.
European guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of adenovirus infection in leukemia and stem cell transplantation: summary of ECIL‐4 (2011)
Authors: Matthes‐Martin S. , Feuchtinger T. , Shaw P.J. , Engelhard D. , Hirsch H.H. , Cordonnier C. , Ljungman P. ,   The fourth European Conference on Infections in Leukemia
Published: November 2012

AbstractHuman adenovirus (HAdV) infections are increasingly recognized as important pathogens in immunocompromised hosts, especially in patients with severely suppressed T‐cell function. The 4th European Conference of Infections in Leukemia (ECIL‐4) has developed evidence‐based guidelines for diagnosis and management of HAdV infections. The risk for HAdV‐associated disease is increased in children, and risk factors for HAdV disease are T‐cell depletion, unrelated and cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, graft‐versus‐host disease grades III–IV, and lymphopenia. The recommended technique for monitoring of high‐risk patients is quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cidofovir is the most used antiviral therapy, although no controlled study has been performed. HAdV‐specific T‐cell therapy is in development.
Functional specialization of duplicated AP3‐like genes in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Roque Edelín , Serwatowska Joanna , Cruz Rochina M. , Wen Jiangqi , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Yenush Lynne , Beltrán José Pío , Cañas Luis A. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe B–class of MADS box genes has been studied in a wide range of plant species, but has remained largely uncharacterized in legumes. Here we investigate the evolutionary fate of the duplicated AP3‐like genes of a legume species. To obtain insight into the extent to which B‐class MADS box gene functions are conserved or have diversified in legumes, we isolated and characterized the two members of the AP3 lineage in Medicago truncatula: MtNMH7 and MtTM6 (euAP3 and paleoAP3 genes, respectively). A non‐overlapping and complementary expression pattern of both genes was observed in petals and stamens. MtTM6 was expressed predominantly in the outer cell layers of both floral organs, and MtNMH7 in the inner cell layers of petals and stamens. Functional analyses by reverse genetics approaches (RNAi and Tnt1 mutagenesis) showed that the contribution of MtNMH7 to petal identity is more important than that of MtTM6, whereas MtTM6 plays a more important role in stamen identity than its paralog MtNMH7. Our results suggest that the M. truncatula AP3‐like genes have undergone a functional specialization process associated with complete partitioning of gene expression patterns of the ancestral gene lineage. We provide information regarding the similarities and differences in petal and stamen development among core eudicots.
Evolutionary analyses of non‐family genes in plants
Authors: Ye Chu‐Yu , Li Ting , Yin Hengfu , Weston David J. , Tuskan Gerald A. , Tschaplinski Timothy J. , Yang Xiaohan 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThere are a large number of ‘non‐family’ (NF) genes that do not cluster into families with three or more members per genome. While gene families have been extensively studied, a systematic analysis of NF genes has not been reported. We performed comparative studies on NF genes in 14 plant species. Based on the clustering of protein sequences, we identified ~94 000 NF genes across these species that were divided into five evolutionary groups: Viridiplantae wide, angiosperm specific, monocot specific, dicot specific, and those that were species specific. Our analysis revealed that the NF genes resulted largely from less frequent gene duplications and/or a higher rate of gene loss after segmental duplication relative to genes in both low‐copy‐number families (LF; 3–10 copies per genome) and high‐copy‐number families (HF; >10 copies). Furthermore, we identified functions enriched in the NF gene set as compared with the HF genes. We found that NF genes were involved in essential biological processes shared by all plant lineages (e.g. photosynthesis and translation), as well as gene regulation and stress responses associated with phylogenetic diversification. In particular, our analysis of an Arabidopsis protein–protein interaction network revealed that hub proteins with the top 10% most connections were over‐represented in the NF set relative to the HF set. This research highlights the roles that NF genes may play in evolutionary and functional genomics research.
Fingerprinting Acute Leukemia: DNA Methylation Profiling of B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Cimmino Luisa , Aifantis Iannis 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Summary: In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Geng and colleagues report on their use of a combination of promoter cytosine methylation profiling with gene expression and ChIP sequencing to elucidate molecular signatures of adult B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia patient samples with BCR–ABL1, E2A–PBX1, and MLL rearrangements. The unique epigenetic and gene expression signatures of these clinically unfavorable B-ALL subtypes identify novel biomarkers and provide a strong rationale for repurposing existing therapies to treat these molecularly distinct diseases. Cancer Discov; 2(11); 976–8. ©2012 AACR.
Commentary on Geng et al., p. 1004.
Ground-Based Observations and Modeling of the Visibility and Radar Reflectivity in a Radiation Fog Layer
Authors: Boers R. , Baltink H. Klein , Hemink H. J. , Bosveld F. C. , Moerman M. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The development of a radiation fog layer at the Cabauw Experimental Site for Atmospheric Research (51.97°N, 4.93°E) on 23 March 2011 was observed with ground-based in situ and remote sensing observations to investigate the relationship between visibility and radar reflectivity. The fog layer thickness was less than 200 m. Radar reflectivity values did not exceed −25 dBZ even with visibilities less than 100 m. The onset and evaporation of fog produce different radar reflectivity–visibility relationships. The evolution of the fog layer was modeled with a droplet activation model that used the aerosol size distribution observed at the 60-m altitude tower level as input. Radar reflectivity and visibility were calculated from model drop size spectra using Mie scattering theory. Since radiative cooling rates are small in comparison with cooling rates due to adiabatic lift of aerosol-laden air, the modeled supersaturation remains low so that few aerosol particles are activated to cloud droplets. The modeling results suggest that the different radar reflectivity–visibility relationships are the result of differences in the interplay between water vapor and cloud droplets during formation and evaporation of the fog. During droplet activation, only a few large cloud droplets remain after successfully competing for water vapor with the smaller activated droplets. These small droplets eventually evaporate (deactivate) again. In the fog dissolution/evaporation stage, only these large droplet need to be evaporated. Therefore, to convert radar reflectivity to visibility for traffic safety products, knowledge of the state of local fog evolution is necessary.
Decadal Climate Information Needs of Stakeholders for Decision Support in Water and Agriculture Production Sectors: A Case Study in the Missouri River Basin
Authors: Mehta Vikram M. , Knutson Cody L. , Rosenberg Norman J. , Olsen J. Rolf , Wall Nicole A. , Bernadt Tonya K. , Hayes Michael J. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Many decadal climate prediction efforts have been initiated under phase 5 of the World Climate Research Programme Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. There is considerable ongoing discussion about model deficiencies, initialization techniques, and data requirements, but not much attention is being given to decadal climate information (DCI) needs of stakeholders for decision support. Here, the authors report the results of exploratory activities undertaken to assess DCI needs in water resources and agriculture sectors, using the Missouri River basin as a case study. This assessment was achieved through discussions with 120 stakeholders.
Stakeholders’ awareness of decadal dry and wet spells and their societal impacts in the basin are described, and stakeholders’ DCI needs and potential barriers to their use of DCI are enumerated. The authors find that impacts, including economic impacts, of decadal climate variability (DCV) on water and agricultural production in the basin are distinctly identifiable and characterizable. Stakeholders have clear notions about their needs for DCI and have offered specific suggestions as to how these might be met. However, while stakeholders are eager to have climate information, including decadal climate outlooks (DCOs), there are many barriers to the use of such information. The first and foremost barrier is that the credibility of DCOs is yet to be established. Second, the nature of institutional rules and regulations, laws, and legal precedents that pose obstacles to the use of DCOs must be better understood and means to modify these, where possible, must be sought. For the benefit of climate scientists, these and other stakeholder needs are also articulated in this paper.
Junction region of EWS-FLI1 fusion protein has a dominant negative effect in Ewing’s Sarcoma in vitro
Authors: Jully Babu , Vijayalakshmi Ramshankar , Gopal Gopisetty , Sabitha Kesavan , Rajkumar Thangarajan 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Ewing’s sarcoma is a malignancy characterized by a specific 11:22 chromosomal translocation which generates a novel EWS-FLI1 fusion protein functioning as an aberrant transcription factor. In the present study, we have further characterized the junction region of the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein.

Methods
In-silico model of EWS-FLI1 fusion protein was analysed for ligand binding sites, and a putative region (amino acid (aa) 251–343 of the type 1 fusion protein) in the vicinity of the fusion junction was cloned and expressed using bacterial expression. The recombinant protein was characterized by Circular Dichroism (CD). We then expressed aa 251–280 ectopically in Ewing’s sarcoma cell-line and its effect on cell proliferation, tumorigenicity and expression of EWS-FLI1 target genes were analysed.

Results
Our modelling analysis indicated that Junction region (aa 251–343) encompasses potential ligand biding sites in the EWS-FLI1 protein and when expressed in bacteria was present as soluble form. Ectopically expressing this region in Ewing’s sarcoma cells inhibited tumorigenicity, and EWS-FLI1 target genes indicating a dominant negative biological effect.

Conclusions
Junction region can be exploited further as target for drug development in future to specifically target EWS-FLI1 in Ewing’s Sarcoma.
Switching industrial production processes from complex to defined media: method development and case study using the example of Penicillium chrysogenum
Authors: Posch Andreas E , Spadiut Oliver , Herwig Christoph 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundFilamentous fungi are versatile cell factories and widely used for the production of antibiotics, organic acids, enzymes and other industrially relevant compounds at large scale. As a fact, industrial production processes employing filamentous fungi are commonly based on complex raw materials. However, considerable lot-to-lot variability of complex media ingredients not only demands for exhaustive incoming components inspection and quality control, but unavoidably affects process stability and performance. Thus, switching bioprocesses from complex to defined media is highly desirable.ResultsThis study presents a strategy for strain characterization of filamentous fungi on partly complex media using redundant mass balancing techniques. Applying the suggested method, interdependencies between specific biomass and side-product formation rates, production of fructooligosaccharides, specific complex media component uptake rates and fungal strains were revealed. A 2-fold increase of the overall penicillin space time yield and a 3-fold increase in the maximum specific penicillin formation rate were reached in defined media compared to complex media.ConclusionsThe newly developed methodology enabled fast characterization of two different industrialPenicillium chrysogenumcandidate strains on complex media based on specific complex media component uptake kinetics and identification of the most promising strain for switching the process from complex to defined conditions. Characterization at different complex/defined media ratios using only a limited number of analytical methods allowed maximizing the overall industrial objectives of increasing both, method throughput and the generation of scientific process understanding.
Laparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymph node dissection for advanced proximal gastric cancer in left approach: a new operation procedure
Authors: Jia-Bin Wang , Chang-Ming Huang , Chao-Hui Zheng , Ping Li , Jian-Wei Xie , Jian-Xian Lin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo explore the feasibility of laparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymph node dissection in a left-sided approach for advanced proximal gastric cancer.MethodsThe clinical data of 32 patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymph node dissection from June 2010 to December 2011 were analyzed.ResultsLaparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymph node dissection using a left-sided approach was successfully performed for all patients without open conversion. The mean operation time was 206.4±54.3 minutes, mean intraoperative blood loss was 68.2±34.1 ml, mean number of No. 10 lymph nodes dissected was 2.8±2.1, mean number of positive No. 10 lymph nodes was 0.6±1.2, and the incidence of No. 10 lymph node metastasis was 11.6%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 11.3±1.5 days. The postoperative morbidity rate was 9.4%, and there was no postoperative death. Splenic lobar vessels of all 32 patients were anatomically classified and divided into three types: 4 patients had a single lobar vessel, 22 had two lobar vessels and 6 had three lobar vessels.ConclusionsLaparoscopic spleen-preserving No. 10 lymph node dissection for advanced proximal gastric cancer using a left-sided approach is technically feasible. It simplifies the complicated surgical procedure of No. 10 lymph node dissection and leads to the popularization and promotion of this technique.