bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Utility of Parent Report in the Assessment of Working Memory among Childhood Brain Tumor Survivors
Authors: Howarth Robyn A. , Ashford Jason M. , Merchant Thomas E. , Ogg Robert J. , Santana Victor , Wu Shengjie , Xiong Xiaoping , Conklin Heather M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractChildhood brain tumor survivors are at increased risk for neurocognitive impairments, including working memory (WM) problems. WM is typically assessed using performance measures. Little is known about the value of parent ratings for identifying WM difficulties, the relationship between rater and performance measures, or predictors of parent-reported WM problems in this population. Accordingly, the current study examined the utility of parent report in detecting WM difficulties among childhood brain tumor survivors treated with conformal radiation therapy (n= 50) relative to siblings (n= 40) and solid tumor survivors not receiving central nervous system-directed therapy (n= 40). Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Participants were administered WM measures (digit span, self-ordered search tasks). Findings revealed parents rated brain tumor survivors as having significantly more WM problems (p< .01) compared to controls. However, the BRIEF-WM scale demonstrated poor sensitivity and specificity for detecting performance-based problems. Significant, albeit modest, correlations were found between the BRIEF-WM scale and performance measures (r= −.24–.22;p< .05) for the combined group. Age at testing, socioeconomic status, and IQ were significant predictors of parent reported WM problems. Rater and performance measures offer complimentary yet different information in assessing WM, which reiterates the importance of using both within the context of clinical assessment. (JINS, 2013,19, 1–10)
Interaction of forsterite-91 with distilled water and artificial seawater: a prebiotic chemistry experiment
Authors: de Souza Cláudio M. D. , Carneiro Cristine E. A. , Baú João Paulo T. , da Costa Antonio C. S. , Ivashita Flávio F. , Paesano Andrea , di Mauro Eduardo , de Santana Henrique , Holm Nils G. , Neubeck Anna , Zaia Cássia T. B. V. , Zaia Dimas A. M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn the present work, the interactions between forsterite-91 with distilled water and forsterite-91 with artificial seawater were studied at two pHs (2.0 and 8.0) using different techniques. A large increase in pH was observed for samples incubated at an initially acidic pH (2.0) due to the dissolution of forsterite-91 in distilled water and artificial seawater. Thus, in acidic hydrothermal vents, an increase in the amount of hydrocarbons and magnetite should be expected due to the release of Fe(II). The pHPZC decreased and the pHIEP increased when forsterite-91 was treated with distilled water and artificial seawater. The ions from the artificial seawater had an effect on zeta potential. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and X-ray diffractograms showed halite in the samples of forsterite-91 mixed with artificial seawater. The presence of halite or adsorption of ions on the surface of forsterite-91 could affect the synthesis of magnetite and hydrocarbons in hydrothermal vents, due to a decrease in the dissolution rates of forsterite-91. The dissolution of forsterite-91 yields low concentrations of Fe(III) and Mn(II) as detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Microanalysis of forsterite-91 showed a higher amount of Mn, with an oxidation that was likely not +II, as Mn in supernatant solutions was only detected by EPR spectroscopy after mixing with artificial seawater at pH 2.0. As Fe(III) and Mn(II) are catalyst constituents of magnetite and manganese oxide, respectively, their presence is important for synthesis in hydrothermal vents. Etch pits were observed only in the forsterite-91 sample mixed with distilled water at pH 8.0. Na, Cl, S, Ca and K were detected in the samples mixed with artificial seawater by SEM–EDS. Si, Mg, Fe and Al were detected in almost all supernatant samples due to forsterite-91 dissolution. Cr was not dissolved in the experiments, thus Cr in the mineral could serve as an effective catalyst for Fischer Tropsch Types (FTT) reactions in hydrothermal vent systems. X-ray diffractograms of the original forsterite-91 also showed peaks arising from zeolites and clinochlore. After the samples were treated with artificial seawater, X-ray diffractograms showed the dissolution of zeolite. Experiments should be performed in the natural environment to verify the potential for zeolites to act as a catalyst in hydrothermal vents.
Efficacy of Post Exposure Administration of Doxycycline in a Murine Model of Inhalational Melioidosis
Authors: Gelhaus H. Carl , Anderson Michael S. , Fisher David A. , Flavin Michael T. , Xu Ze-Qi , Sanford Daniel C. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBurkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis. Treatment of melioidosis is suboptimal and developing improved melioidosis therapies requires animal models. In this report, we exposed male BALB/c mice to various amounts of aerosolized B. pseudomallei 1026b to determine lethality. After establishing a median lethal dose (LD50) of 2,772 colony forming units (cfu)/animal, we tested the ability of doxycycline administered 6 hours after exposure to a uniformly lethal dose of ~20 LD50 to prevent death and eliminate bacteria from the lung and spleens. Tissue bacterial burdens were examined by PCR analysis. We found that 100% of mice treated with doxycycline survived and B. pseudomallei DNA was not amplified from the lungs or spleens of most surviving mice. We conclude the BALB/c mouse is a useful model of melioidosis. Furthermore, the data generated in this mouse model indicate that doxycycline is likely to be effective in post-exposure prophylaxis of melioidosis.
Novel ATP2A2 mutations in a large sample of individuals with Darier disease
Authors: Green Elaine K. , Gordon‐Smith Katherine , Burge Susan M. , Grozeva Detelina , Munro Colin S. , Tavadia Sherine , Jones Lisa , Craddock Nicholoas 
Published: January 2013

AbstractDarier disease (DD) is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited skin disorder caused by mutations in ATP2A2, which is expressed in both the skin and the brain and encodes for SERCA2. We have screened the coding regions of ATP2A2 in a total of 95 unrelated individuals with DD to identify the pathogenic mutations. We identified 66 potentially pathogenic mutations in ATP2A2 for 74 of the 95 individuals with DD of which 45 (68%) are thought to be novel. Forty‐nine (74%) are unique to an individual and 17 (26%) were found in more than one individual or overlap with previously identified variants. The results suggest that mutations in ATP2A2 may not be as family‐specific as first thought. The spectrum of mutations identified will inform understanding of the pathogenesis of DD.
Who wears the pants in a mute swan pair? Deciphering the effects of male and female age and identity on breeding success
Authors: Auld Josh R. , Perrins Christopher M. , Charmantier Anne 
Published: January 2013

SummaryTraditionally, many breeding traits (e.g. the timing and size of clutches) were considered to be female‐only traits in that males played little‐to‐no role in their expression. Although the contribution of males to such breeding traits, as well as other aspects of reproduction, is increasingly recognized, few studies have demonstrated the effects of male age and life history on breeding traits and, importantly, whether these effects are underlined by additive‐genetic variation.Here, we take advantage of a long‐term data set on mute swans (Cygnus olor) to demonstrate that the ages of both the male and female parents play significant roles in the timing and size of clutches, although recruitment success did not show similar effects. Individual males varied significantly in their influence on the timing of egg laying.We decomposed this variation using an ‘animal model’; competing models that were the source of this variation as additive‐genetic or permanent‐environmental variation was not statistically distinguishable.Our results add to the growing evidence that reproductive performance should be considered as a product of the identity and condition of both parents.
Role of anti‐annexin A5 in pathogenesis of hypercoagulable state in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Singh Nand K. , Yadav Dawesh Prakash , Gupta Anurag , Singh Usha , Godara Manoj 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimDespite several attempts made during the last decade, the exact pathogenesis of exceedingly high thrombotic events and bad obstetric outcome in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) remains elusive. Anti‐annexin A5 (aANX IgG) is thought to have a role in pathophysiology of APS. We studied role of aANX IgG in the pathogenesis of hypercoagulable state in APS patients.MethodsWe estimated levels of aANX IgG in 112 patients with APS (86 primary and 26 secondary). We also estimated aANX IgG levels in 40 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls, 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) each, without any history of thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity, 10 patients of non‐APS thrombosis and 10 patients of pregnancy loss without APS.ResultsOnly three healthy controls, two SLE (P = 0.239), one RA patient (P = 0.794), three non‐APS thrombosis patients (P = 0.086) and two patients with pregnancy loss without APS (P = 0.258) had marginally elevated values, whereas 53 primary APS (P < 0.001) and 16 secondary APS (P < 0.001) were positive. We also compared aANX IgG levels in different groups. Mean ± standard errors of the mean of healthy controls was 3.77 ± 0.49, in SLE patients it was 4.88 ± 1.17 (P = 1.000), in RA patients it was 4.67 ± 0.97 (P = 1.000), in non‐APS thrombosis it was 7.93 ± 0.88 (P = 0.488) and in pregnancy loss without APS it was 6.80 ± 0.93 (P = 0.789). However, it was significantly elevated in primary APS (12.87 ± 1.07, P < 0.001), secondary APS (11.98 ± 1.41, P = 0.001) and total APS patients (12.68 ± 0.88, P < 0.001).ConclusionFrom the above observations it appears that aANX IgG plays a significant role in producing a hypercoagulable state in primary and secondary APS.
Altered Transcriptional Regulation of Cytokines, Growth Factors, and Apoptotic Proteins in the Endometrium of Infertile Women with Chronic Endometritis
Authors: Di Pietro Cinzia , Cicinelli Ettore , Guglielmino Maria R. , Ragusa Marco , Farina Marco , Palumbo Marco A. , Cianci Antonio 
Published: January 2013

ProblemChronic endometritis (CE) is a poorly investigated and probably underestimated pathology, which may cause abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), pain, and reproductive failures. Due to undefined symptoms and the normal presence of leukocytes in the endometrial mucosa, diagnosis may be missed. Fluid hysteroscopy is a reliable technique for diagnosing this pathology. Few data exist on the biochemical and paracrine alterations that occur in the endometrium of women diagnosed with CE. The aim of the study was to find molecular modification in endometrium related to CE.Method of studySixteen women with hysteroscopic and histological diagnosis of CE and 10 healthy women as controls were enrolled. We compared the endometrial expression profile of 25 genes encoding proteins involved in the inflammatory response, proliferation, and apoptosis in endometrium during implantation window, using high‐throughput real‐time RT‐PCR.ResultsIn women with CE, the endometrial expression of some genes was significantly altered. In particular, IGFBP1, BCL2, and BAX were up‐regulated, while IL11, CCL4, IGF1, and CASP8 were down‐regulated.ConclusionThe altered gene endometrial expression may explain the impaired endometrial receptivity and the finding of endometrial hyperplastic lesions in women affected by CE.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Regulates Endothelial Cell Responsiveness to Interleukin 1 and Amplifies the Cytokine‐Mediated Effect on Cell Proliferation, Migration and the Release of Angiogenic Factors
Authors: Bourdiec Amélie , Bédard David , Rao C. V. , Akoum Ali 
Published: January 2013

ProblemSuccessful embryonic implantation requires an appropriate communication network between the embryo and its near environment within the implantation site. Herein, we examined whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the major embryonic signal, targets endothelial cells and regulate their responsiveness to interleukin 1 (IL1), one of the earliest signals released by embryonic cells.Method of studyHuman microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and migration following exposure to various concentrations of hCG and/or IL1B for different time periods were analyzed by BrdU incorporation and wound healing assays. The expression of soluble (s) and membrane‐bound (mb) IL1 receptors (IL1Rs), IL1R antagonist (IL1RN), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), and IL8 was determined by real‐time PCR, Western blot, and ELISA.ResultsCell proliferation and migration increased in response to IL1B and further in the presence of hCG. IL1B up‐regulated both the signaling IL1R1 and the inhibitory IL1R2, while adding hCG further increased IL1R1 and significantly downregulated IL1R2. This translated into an increased secretion of IL8, which was inhibited in cells where IL1R2 was overexpressed.ConclusionsThese findings reveal a new mechanism by which hCG may target endothelial cells to directly stimulate angiogenesis and favor embryonic growth.
Identification of key residues involved in adrenomedullin binding to the AM1 receptor
Authors: Watkins HA , Au M , Bobby R , Archbold JK , Abdul‐Manan N , Moore JM , Middleditch MJ , Williams GM , Brimble MA , Dingley AJ , Hay DL 
Published: January 2013

Background and PurposeAdrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide hormone whose receptors are members of the class B GPCR family. They comprise a heteromer between the GPCR, the calcitonin receptor‐like receptor and one of the receptor activity‐modifying proteins 1–3. AM plays a significant role in angiogenesis and its antagonist fragment AM22–52 can inhibit blood vessel and tumour growth. The mechanism by which AM interacts with its receptors is unknown.Experimental ApproachWe determined the AM22–52 binding epitope for the AM1 receptor extracellular domain using biophysical techniques, heteronuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and alanine scanning.Key ResultsChemical shift perturbation experiments located the main binding epitope for AM22–52 at the AM1 receptor to the C‐terminal 8 amino acids. Isothermal titration calorimetry of AM22–52 alanine‐substituted peptides indicated that Y52, G51 and I47 are essential for AM1 receptor binding and that K46 and P49 and R44 have a smaller role to play. Characterization of these peptides at the full‐length AM receptors was assessed in Cos7 cells by cAMP assay. This confirmed the essential role of Y52, G51 and I47 in binding to the AM1 receptor, with their substitution resulting in ≥100‐fold reduction in antagonist potency compared with AM22–52. R44A, K46A, S48A and P49A AM22–52 decreased antagonist potency by approximately 10‐fold.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study localizes the main binding epitope of AM22–52 to its C‐terminal amino acids and distinguishes essential residues involved in this binding. This will inform the development of improved AM receptor antagonists.
Pharmacological fractionation of tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons by μ‐conotoxins
Authors: Zhang Min‐Min , Wilson Michael J , Gajewiak Joanna , Rivier Jean E , Bulaj Grzegorz , Olivera Baldomero M , Yoshikami Doju 
Published: January 2013

Background and PurposeAdult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons normally express transcripts for five isoforms of the α‐subunit of voltage‐gated sodium channels: NaV1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 and 1.9. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) readily blocks all but NaV1.8 and 1.9, and pharmacological agents that discriminate among the TTX‐sensitive NaV1‐isoforms are scarce. Recently, we used the activity profile of a panel of μ‐conotoxins in blocking cloned rodent NaV1‐isoforms expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes to conclude that action potentials of A‐ and C‐fibres in rat sciatic nerve were, respectively, mediated primarily by NaV1.6 and NaV1.7.Experimental ApproachWe used three μ‐conotoxins, μ‐TIIIA, μ‐PIIIA and μ‐SmIIIA, applied individually and in combinations, to pharmacologically differentiate the TTX‐sensitive INa of voltage‐clamped neurons acutely dissociated from adult rat DRG. We examined only small and large neurons whose respective INa were >50% and >80% TTX‐sensitive.Key ResultsIn both small and large neurons, the ability of the toxins to block TTX‐sensitive INa was μ‐TIIIA < μ‐PIIIA < μ‐SmIIIA, with the latter blocking ≳90%. Comparison of the toxin‐susceptibility profiles of the neuronal INa with recently acquired profiles of rat NaV1‐isoforms, co‐expressed with various NaVβ‐subunits in X. laevis oocytes, were consistent: NaV1.1, 1.6 and 1.7 could account for all of the TTX‐sensitive INa, with NaV1.1 < NaV1.6 < NaV1.7 for small neurons and NaV1.7 < NaV1.1 < NaV1.6 for large neurons.Conclusions and ImplicationsCombinations of μ‐conotoxins can be used to determine the probable NaV1‐isoforms underlying the INa in DRG neurons. Preliminary experiments with sympathetic neurons suggest that this approach is extendable to other neurons.
Long‐term outcomes after cyclosporine or mycophenolate withdrawal in kidney transplantation – results from an aborted trial
Authors: Åsberg Anders , Apeland Terje , Reisæter Anna V. , Foss Aksel , Leivestad Torbjørn , Heldal Kristian , Thorud Lars O. , Eriksen Bjørn O. , Hartmann Anders ,   The NILS Study Group
Published: January 2013

AbstractLong‐term triple immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and prednisolone may be excessively powerful for many transplant recipients. We compared withdrawal of either MMF or CsA in stable kidney transplants on triple immunosuppression. The study was a prospective, randomized, controlled 12‐months trial in stable kidney transplants. The patients who withdrew CsA were given MMF 2 g/d, and CsA troughs were between 75 and 125 ng/mL in MMF withdrawal. Planned inclusion was 298 patients. The study was prematurely aborted after inclusion of 39 patients. Acute rejection rates were 6/20 (30%) in the MMF group compared with 0/19 (0%) in the CsA group (p = 0.02). Time to acute rejections was 4.0–28.7 months after withdrawal. Trough concentrations of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and CsA showed therapeutic levels. The subjects have been observed for eight yr, and of the 28 patients remaining on randomized therapy, the MMF patients preserved graft function better than CsA patients. Death‐censored graft survival was 75% and 95% (p = 0.18) and patient survival was 70% and 68% (p = 0.99) in the MMF and CsA groups, respectively, at the end of long‐term follow‐up. CsA withdrawal was associated with a high rate of acute rejections. Initially, the treatment of acute rejections was successful. However, five of six lost their grafts in the long term.
Divergent requirements for fibroblast growth factor signaling in zebrafish maxillary barbel and caudal fin regeneration
Authors: Duszynski Robert J. , Topczewski Jacek , LeClair Elizabeth E. 
Published: January 2013

The zebrafish maxillary barbel is an integumentary organ containing skin, glands, pigment cells, taste buds, nerves, and endothelial vessels. The maxillary barbel can regenerate (LeClair & Topczewski 2010); however, little is known about its molecular regulation. We have studied fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway molecules during barbel regeneration, comparing this system to a well‐known regenerating appendage, the zebrafish caudal fin. Multiple FGF ligands (fgf20a, fgf24), receptors (fgfr1‐4) and downstream targets (pea3, il17d) are expressed in normal and regenerating barbel tissue, confirming FGF activation. To test if specific FGF pathways were required for barbel regeneration, we performed simultaneous barbel and caudal fin amputations in two temperature‐dependent zebrafish lines. Zebrafish homozygous for a point mutation in fgf20a, a factor essential for caudal fin blastema formation, regrew maxillary barbels normally, indicating that the requirement for this ligand is appendage‐specific. Global overexpression of a dominant negative FGF receptor, Tg(hsp70l:dn‐fgfr1:EGFP)pd1 completely blocked fin outgrowth but only partially inhibited barbel outgrowth, suggesting reduced requirements for FGFs in barbel tissue. Maxillary barbels expressing dn‐fgfr1 regenerated peripheral nerves, dermal connective tissue, endothelial tubes, and a glandular epithelium; in contrast to a recent report in which dn‐fgfr1 overexpression blocks pharyngeal taste bud formation in zebrafish larvae (Kapsimali et al. 2011), we observed robust formation of calretinin‐positive tastebuds. These are the first experiments to explore the molecular mechanisms of maxillary barbel regeneration. Our results suggest heterogeneous requirements for FGF signaling in the regeneration of different zebrafish appendages (caudal fin versus maxillary barbel) and taste buds of different embryonic origin (pharyngeal endoderm versus barbel ectoderm).
Fish assemblage associations and thresholds with existing and projected oil and gas development
Authors: Dauwalter D. C. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractEnergy development threatens fish and wildlife resources worldwide. This study used constrained ordinations to show fish assemblage structure associated with oil and gas well densities in the Colorado River Basin, Wyoming, but well densities explained only 6.4% of assemblage structure when compared to other factors. Threshold Indicator Taxonomic ANalysis showed significant negative threshold responses by some species to small levels of development (<0.15 wells km−2), whereas positive thresholds were less distinct. Some native and imperilled species could be disproportionately affected if future oil and gas development proceeds in a manner that will impact aquatic resources. Although existing development has not substantially influenced regional fish assemblage structure, it appears to affect a subset of species. Understanding assemblage‐level responses to development can help land managers determine appropriate development levels, prioritise areas for monitoring associated with future development and identify where land protection measures may be needed to offset potential risks.
Seasonal movements with shifts in lateral and longitudinal habitat use by common bream, Abramis brama, in a heavily modified lowland river
Authors: Gardner C. J. , Deeming D. C. , Eady P. E. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAcoustic telemetry was used to investigate the longitudinal and lateral movements and distribution of adult common bream, Abramis brama (L.), over 43 months in a heavily modified lowland river in eastern England. A positive relationship between activity and temperature was found, with bream moving greater cumulative distances during the warmer months and distributed over a greater longitudinal proportion of the main channel. The occupancy of tributaries was related to temperature, with bream entering shallow tributaries during rising temperatures in the spring, whilst a deeper, slow‐flowing tributary was used more frequently during the cooler autumn/winter months. During the autumn, occupancy of this deeper tributary was positively related to flow rate in the main channel, suggesting that bream use this tributary for flow refuge. The functions of these behaviours are discussed along with potential management of heavily modified lowland rivers.