bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A requirement of dendritic cell-derived interleukin-27 for the tumor infiltration of regulatory T cells
Authors: Xia Siyuan , Wei Jun , Wang Jingya , Sun Huayan , Zheng Wenting , Li Yangguang , Sun Yanbo , Zhao Huiyuan , Zhang Song , Wen Ti , Zhou Xinglong , Gao Jian-Xin , Wang Puyue , Wu Zhenzhou , Zhao Liqing , Yin Zhinan 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTTregs (Foxp3+CD4+) are enriched in tumors to foster a tolerant microenvironment that inhibits antitumor immune response. IL-27 is reported to regulate the development and function of Tregs in vitro and in vivo; however, the effects of endogenous IL-27 on Tregs in the tumor microenvironment remain elusive. We demonstrated that in the absence of DC-derived IL-27, Tregs were decreased significantly in transplanted B16 melanoma, transplanted EL-4 lymphoma, and MCA-induced fibrosarcoma by using IL-27p28 conditional KO mice. Further studies revealed that IL-27 promoted the expression of CCL22, which is established to mediate the recruitment of peripheral Tregs into tumors. Tumor-associated DCs were identified as the major source of CCL22 in tumor sites, and IL-27 could induce CCL22 expression in an IL-27R-dependent manner. Intratumoral reconstitution of rmCCL22 or rmIL-27, but not rmIL-27p28, significantly restored the tumor infiltration of Tregs in IL-27p28 KO mice. Correlated with a decreased number of Tregs, tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells were found to produce much more IFN-γ in IL-27p28 KO mice, which highlighted the physiological importance of Tregs in suppressing an antitumor immune response. Overall, our results identified a novel mechanism of action of IL-27 on Tregs in the context of cancers.
Group problem-solving skills training for self-harm: randomised controlled trial
Authors: McAuliffe Carmel , McLeavey Breda C. , Fitzgerald Tony , Corcoran Paul , Carroll Bernie , Ryan Louise , O'Keeffe Brian , Fitzgerald Eva , Hickey Portia , O'Regan Mary , Mulqueen Jillian , Arensman Ella 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundRates of self-harm are high and have recently increased. This trend and the repetitive nature of self-harm pose a significant challenge to mental health services.AimsTo determine the efficacy of a structured group problem-solving skills training (PST) programme as an intervention approach for self-harm in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) as offered by mental health services.MethodA total of 433 participants (aged 18–64 years) were randomly assigned to TAU plus PST or TAU alone. Assessments were carried out at baseline and at 6-week and 6-month follow-up and repeated hospital-treated self-harm was ascertained at 12-month follow-up.ResultsThe treatment groups did not differ in rates of repeated self-harm at 6-week, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in psychological and social functioning at follow-up. Only one measure (needing and receiving practical help from those closest to them) showed a positive treatment effect at 6-week (P= 0.004) and 6-month (P= 0.01) follow-up. Repetition was not associated with waiting time in the PST group.ConclusionsThis brief intervention for self-harm is no more effective than treatment as usual. Further work is required to establish whether a modified, more intensive programme delivered sooner after the index episode would be effective.
Assessing the Impact of Growth Hormone Deficiency and Treatment in Adults: Development of a New Disease-Specific Measure
Authors: Brod Meryl , Højbjerre Lise , Adalsteinsson Johan Erpur , Rasmussen Michael Højby 
Published: January 2014

Context:
Approximately 50 000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with GH deficiency, which has negative impacts on cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, and quality of life.

Objective:
This paper presents development and validation of a patient-reported outcome measure (PRO), the Treatment-Related Impact Measure-Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (TRIM-AGHD). The TRIM-AGHD was developed to measure the impact of GH deficiency and its treatment.

Design and Settings:
The development and validation of the TRIM-AGHD was conducted according to the Food and Drug Administration guidance on the development of PROs. Concept elicitation, conducted in three countries included interviews with patients, clinical experts, and literature review. Qualitative data were analyzed based on grounded theory principles, and draft items were cognitively debriefed. The measure underwent psychometric validation in a US clinic-based population. An a priori statistical analysis plan included assessment of the measurement model, reliability, and validity. Item functioning was reviewed using item response theory analyses.

Patients or Other Participants:
Forty-eight patients and six clinical experts participated in concept elicitation and 169 patients completed the validation study.

Main Outcome Measure:
TRIM-AGHD was measured.

Results:
Factor analysis resulted in four domains: energy level, physical health, emotional health, and cognitive ability. The item response theory confirmed adequate item fit and placement within their domain. Internal consistency ranged from 0.82 to 0.95 and test-retest ranged from 0.80 to 0.92. All prespecified hypotheses for convergent validity and all but two for discriminant validity were met.

Conclusions:
The final 26-item TRIM-AGHD can be considered a reliable and valid PRO of the impact of disease and treatment for adult GH deficiency.
Stress inhibition of melatonin synthesis in the pineal organ of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is mediated by cortisol.
Authors: López-Patiño Marcos A. , Gesto Manuel , Conde-Sieira Marta , Soengas José L. , Míguez Jesús M. 
Published: January 2014

Summary
Cortisol has been suggested to mediate the effect of stress on pineal melatonin synthesis in fish. Therefore, we aimed to determine how pineal melatonin synthesis is affected by exposing rainbow trout to different stressors, such as hypoxia, chasing and high stocking density. In addition, to test the hypothesis of cortisol as mediator of such stress-induced effects, a set of animals were IP implanted with coconut oil alone or containing cortisol (50 mg.kg-1 bw) and sampled 5 h or 48 h post injection at mid-day and mid-night. The specificity of such effect was also assessed in cultured pineal organs exposed to cortisol alone or with the general glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, mifepristone (RU486). The patterns of plasma and pineal organ melatonin content displaying highest values at night were affected by stressors (in particular chasing and high stocking density), resulting in decreased plasma and pineal organ melatonin content in both time periods, but with the most robust effect being found at night. The decrease in nocturnal melatonin levels in the pineal organ of stressed fish was accompanied by increased serotonin content and decreased AANAT2 enzymatic activity and mRNA abundance. Similar effects on pineal melatonin synthesis to those elicited by stress were observed in trout implanted with cortisol for either 5 h or 48 h. These data indicate that stress influences negatively the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal organ, thus attenuating the day-night variations of circulating melatonin. The effect might be be mediated by increased cortisol levels which bind to trout pineal organ specific glucocorticoid receptors to modulate melatonin rhythms. Our results in cultured pineal organs are on its support. Considering the relevant role of melatonin conveying photoperiodical information to the synchronization of daily and annual rhythms, the results suggest that stress-induced alterations in melatonin synthesis could affect the availability of fish to integrate rhythmic environmental information.
Periodic heartbeat reversals cause cardiogenic inspiration and expiration with coupled spiracle leakage in resting blowfliesCalliphora vicinaR.-D.
Authors: Wasserthal Lutz T. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryRespiration in insects is thought to be independent of the circulatory system because insects typically lack respiratory pigments and because oxygen transport occurs in the gaseous phase via a ramified tracheal system by diffusion and convection directly to the tissues. In the blowfly, as in other insects with periodic heartbeat reversal, the haemolymph is periodically shifted between the anterior body and abdomen, exerting alternating pressure changes on the compliant tracheae in the thorax and reciprocally in the abdomen. Simultaneous pressure and O2-optode measurements show that, during negative pressure periods, the tracheal PO2 increases by 0.5 kPa. In the quiescent fly, tracheal PO2 is rather high (17.5–18.9 kPa), although the thoracic spiracles remain constricted. Microscopic video records and reflectance measurements revealed that the dorsal soft edges of the valve lips of the second spiracle leave a very small leak, which is passively widened during backward pulses of the heart. Thus, negative pressure, combined with increased leakage of the Sp2 valve enable inspiration in the thorax. The positive pressure periods are correlated with a new type of convective CO2 micro-bursts as shown in flow-through measurements. The bulk of the CO2 is, however, released after longer interbursts in macro-bursts with valves opening actively reminding of the open phase in a cyclic gas exchange (CGE). When the valves open, the PO2 in the thoracic air sacs unexpectedly drops by a mean of 2.75±1.09 kPa, suggesting a displacement of O2 by the transient accumulation of CO2 in the tracheal system before its release.
Neurohormonal changes associated with ritualized combat and the formation of a reproductive hierarchy in the antHarpegnathos saltator
Authors: Penick Clint A. , Brent Colin S. , Dolezal Kelly , Liebig Jürgen 
Published: January 2014

SummaryDominance rank in animal societies is correlated with changes in both reproductive physiology and behavior. In some social insects, dominance status is used to determine a reproductive division of labor, where a few colony members reproduce while most remain functionally sterile. Changes in reproduction and behavior in this context must be coordinated through crosstalk between the brain and the reproductive system. We investigated a role for biogenic amines in forming this connection in the ant Harpegnathos saltator. In this species, workers engage in an elaborate dominance tournament to establish a group of reproductive workers termed gamergates. We analyzed biogenic amine content in the brains of gamergates, inside workers, and foragers under stable colony conditions and found that gamergates had the highest levels of dopamine. Dopamine levels were also positively correlated with increased ovarian activity among gamergates. Next, we experimentally induced workers to compete in a reproductive tournament to determine how dopamine may be involved in the establishment of a new hierarchy. Dopamine levels rose in aggressive workers at the start of a tournament, while workers that were policed by their nestmates (a behavior that inhibits ovarian activity) showed a rapid decline in dopamine. In addition to dopamine, levels of serotonin and tyramine differed among castes, and these changes could contribute to differences in caste-specific behavioral patterns observed among non-reproductive workers. Overall, these results provide support that biogenic amines link changes in behavior and dominance with reproductive activity in H. saltator as well as drive differences in worker task performance.
Measuring gill paracellular permeability with polyethelene glycol-4000 in freely swimming trout: proof of principle
Authors: Robertson Lisa M. , Wood Chris M. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe influence of swimming activity on gill paracellular permeability has not been measured previously in fishes. We critically assessed the use of [3H]PEG-4000 for this purpose, a substance which is also a classic marker for extracellular fluid volume, glomerular filtration rate, and drinking rate. Tests (8h) on resting freshwater trout showed that when measuring [3H]PEG-4000 clearance from the plasma in the efflux direction, correction for a large excretion via glomerular filtration was essential, necessitating urinary catheterization. When measuring [3H]PEG-4000 clearance from the water in the influx direction, correction for a significant uptake by drinking was essential, necessitating terminal gut removal, whereas glomerular filtration losses were minimal. After correction for these alternate routes of loss and uptake, [3H]PEG-4000 clearance rates by efflux from the plasma and by influx from the water were identical, showing that gill paracellular permeability is not rectified, and can be measured in either direction. The influx technique with terminal gut removal was used to assess gill paracellular permeability in trout without urinary catheters freely swimming at 1.2 body lengths per sec for 8h. Branchial [3H]PEG-4000 clearance rate (by influx from the water) increased significantly by about 80% in accord with a similar measured increase in O2 consumption rate. Thus in trout, gill paracellular permeability does increase during exercise, in accord with the traditional concept of the osmorespiratory compromise.
The curriculum Development for the Profiled High School
Authors: Гузеев  , Gouzeev Viacheslav , Курчаткина  , Kurchatkina Irina 
Published: January 2014

Preparation for profiled training should
start within the first years of schooling. Even at
the elementary school children can be conditionally
divided into three types, dependent on the
object of their predominant activity: «thinkers»,
«engineers», «artists». At primary school these
three types are further branched out into eight
metadisciplinary areas depending on work methods
used: individual, family, society, nature, art,
science, technology, semiotic systems. At the high
school level substantive objective profiles are introduced,
further supplemented by subprofiles,
which include disciplines of specialization and
deepening. To facilitate personal guidance and
support for primary and secondary school students,
and personalized profiled education at the
high school restructuring of educational content
is needed.
On Improvement of Teachers’ Methodological Competences in the Context of FGOS Introduction (FGOS — Federal state educational standards)
Authors: Усольцева  , Usoltseva Irina 
Published: January 2014

The article tackles the issue of improving
school-teachers’ methodological competences
in the context of introducing FGOS — the
Federal state educational standards — via changing
approaches to the system of professional
development courses.
Vocational Orientation at Boarding Houses and Orphanages in Germany and Russia (Comparison pedagogical study)
Authors: Демченко  , Demchenko A. , Славгородская  , Slavgorodskaya Marina , Степанов  , Stepanov Nikolay , Балахнина  , Balakhnina S. 
Published: January 2014

The authors present comparison pedagogic
study of vocational orientation and vocational
education among disabled young people,
as well as graduates of boarding schools and
orphanages in Russia and Germany.
Creating Unified Educational Environment Via Integration of Formal, Informal and Info-formal Educational Methods
Authors: Курбатова  , Kurbatova Elena 
Published: January 2014

Russia has become a knowledge-based
society. The unified educational environment as
a means of continuous education could help school
students with the following goals: to gain learning
experience and development by means of different
sources of new knowledge; to develop habit
to learn; to realize the personal need for lifelong
education. The model of the unified educational
environment is presented.
Genomic Signature of Adaptation to Climate in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Yoder Jeremy B , Stanton-Geddes John , Zhou Peng , Briskine Roman , Young Nevin D , Tiffin Peter 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Local adaptation and adaptive clines are pervasive in natural plant populations, yet the effects of these types of adaptation on genomic diversity are not well understood. With a data set of 202 accessions of Medicago truncatula genotyped at almost 2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, we used mixed linear models to identify candidate loci responsible for adaptation to three climatic gradients—annual mean temperature (AMT), precipitation in the wettest month (PWM), and isothermality (ITH)—representing the major axes of climate variation across the species’ range. Loci with the strongest association to these climate gradients tagged genome regions with high sequence similarity to genes with functional roles in thermal tolerance, drought tolerance, or resistance to herbivores of pathogens. Genotypes at these candidate loci also predicted the performance of an independent sample of plant accessions grown in climate-controlled conditions. Compared to a genome-wide sample of randomly drawn reference SNPs, candidates for two climate gradients, AMT and PWM, were significantly enriched for genic regions, and genome segments flanking genic AMT and PWM candidates harbored less nucleotide diversity, elevated differentiation between haplotypes carrying alternate alleles, and an overrepresentation of the most common haplotypes. These patterns of diversity are consistent with a history of soft selective sweeps acting on loci underlying adaptation to climate, but not with a history of long-term balancing selection.
Characterization of Genetic Diversity in the Nematode Pristionchus pacificus from Population-Scale Resequencing Data
Authors: Rödelsperger Christian , Neher Richard A , Weller Andreas M , Eberhardt Gabi , Witte Hanh , Mayer Werner E , Dieterich Christoph , Sommer Ralf J 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The hermaphroditic nematode Pristionchus pacificus is an established model system for comparative studies with Caenorhabditis elegans in developmental biology, ecology, and population genetics. In this study, we present whole-genome sequencing data of 104 P. pacificus strains and the draft assembly of the obligate outcrossing sister species P. exspectatus. We characterize genetic diversity within P. pacificus and investigate the population genetic processes shaping this diversity. P. pacificus is 10 times more diverse than C. elegans and exhibits substantial population structure that allows us to probe its evolution on multiple timescales. Consistent with reduced effective recombination in this self-fertilizing species, we find haplotype blocks that span several megabases. Using the P. exspectatus genome as an outgroup, we polarized variation in P. pacificus and found a site frequency spectrum (SFS) that decays more rapidly than expected in neutral models. The SFS at putatively neutral sites is U shaped, which is a characteristic feature of pervasive linked selection. Based on the additional findings (i) that the majority of nonsynonymous variation is eliminated over timescales on the order of the separation between clades, (ii) that diversity is reduced in gene-rich regions, and (iii) that highly differentiated clades show very similar patterns of diversity, we conclude that purifying selection on many mutations with weak effects is a major force shaping genetic diversity in P. pacificus.
On Devaney chaotic generalized shift dynamical systems
Authors: Shirazi Fatemah , Sarkooh Javad , Taherkhani Bahman 
Published: January 2014

In the following text we prove that in a generalized shift dynamical system (XГ, σφ) for infinite countable Г and discrete X with at least two elements the following statements are equivalent:
the dynamical system (XГ, σφ) is chaotic in the sense of Devaneythe dynamical system (XГ, σφ) is topologically transitivethe map φ: Г → Г is one to one without any periodic point.Also for infinite countable Г and finite discrete X with at least two elements (XГ, σφ) is exact Devaney chaotic, if and only if φ: Г → Г is one to one and φ: Г → Г has niether periodic points nor φ-backwarding infinite sequences.
A fly ash particles media filter for decentralized wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Ahmedi Figene , Pelivanoski Petko 
Published: January 2014

The contribution of this work is twofold: (i) estimation of the hydraulic operation of a coal combustion byproduct (CCBs) through its physical filtration by developing a physical model, and in broader terms, (ii) promoting the transformation of native disposal materials into beneficial materials.
We developed an experiment which examines fly ash as a CCBs for its hydraulic performance, and runs in four main stages: First, fly ash in its natural state is tested in the laboratory to check if its effective size and uniformity coefficient match with recommendations in the literature; Then, fly ash of effective grain size as recommended in the literature is derived; Further, a physical model comprised of such a derived fly ash media filter and which supports horizontal flow of the effluent is developed; Finally, the hydraulic performance of the physical model comprised of derived fly ash in presence of effluent is evaluated and proved that fly ash is an appropriate media filter for hydraulic performance. The work clearly highlights the potential of the easy to reach and costless native fly ash as a media filter for treatment of wastewater which we consider a viable future work.
Ecological aspect in combined sewer overflows chamber design
Authors: Pollert J. 
Published: January 2014

In 2005 one of major Czech manufacturers of glass reinforced plastic pipes asked the Department of Sanitary and Ecological Engineering to develop a new type of combined sewer overflows (CSO) chamber that could become a part of their manufacturing programme. The main requirements were economy of production, easy and fast installation on the field and increased protection of receiving waters.
A simple object consisting of a pipe placed above another one was designed. The object begins with a stilling chamber formed by a conical expansion of the inlet pipe. It is separated from the overflow object itself by a downflow baffle designed to trap floating objects. The CSO chamber is equipped by a flow regulation device (e.g. vortex valve or throttle pipe) at the end. Excess water flows through a slit in the top of the bottom pipe into the upper pipe and from there to the receiving water.
More than 15 prototypes were already installed in the Czech and Slovak Republics and more than 20 are planned to be built in Europe. We hope this type of CSO CHAMBER will help to decrease the cost of construction of new sewers and reconstruction of old ones. Its higher efficiency of separation of suspended particles might also contribute to the improvement of the quality of receiving water bodies according to Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC.