bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Niche differentiation of ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers in rice paddy soil
Authors: Ke Xiubin , Angel Roey , Lu Yahai , Conrad Ralf 
Published: January 2013

SummaryThe dynamics of populations and activities of ammonia‐oxidizing and nitrite‐oxidizing microorganisms were investigated in rice microcosms treated with two levels of nitrogen. Different soil compartments (surface, bulk, rhizospheric soil) and roots (young and old roots) were collected at three time points (the panicle initiation, heading and maturity periods) of the season. The population dynamics of bacterial (AOB) and archaeal (AOA) ammonia oxidizers was assayed by determining the abundance (using qPCR) and composition (using T‐RFLP and cloning/sequencing) of their amoA genes (coding for a subunit of ammonia monooxygenase), that of nitrite oxidizers (NOB) by quantifying the nxrA gene (coding for a subunit of nitrite oxidase of Nitrobacter spp.) and the 16S rRNA gene of Nitrospira spp. The activity of the nitrifiers was determined by measuring the rates of potential ammonia oxidation and nitrite oxidation and by quantifying the copy numbers of amoA and nxrA transcripts. Potential nitrite oxidation activity was much higher than potential ammonia oxidation activity and was not directly affected by nitrogen amendment demonstrating the importance of ammonia oxidizers as pace makers for nitrite oxidizer populations. Marked differences in the distribution of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers, and of Nitrobacter‐like and Nitrospira‐like nitrite oxidizers were found in the different compartments of planted paddy soil indicating niche differentiation. In bulk soil, ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (Nitrosospira and Nitrosomonas) were at low abundance and displayed no activity, but in surface soil their activity and abundance was high. Nitrite oxidation in surface soil was dominated by Nitrospira spp. By contrast, ammonia‐oxidizing Thaumarchaeota and Nitrobacter spp. seemed to dominate nitrification in rhizospheric soil and on rice roots. In contrast to soil compartment, the level of N fertilization and the time point of sampling had only little effect on the abundance, composition and activity of the nitrifying communities. The results of our study show that in rice fields population dynamics and activity of nitrifiers is mainly differentiated by the soil compartments rather than by nitrogen amendment or season.
Effect of parasitoids, seed‐predators and ant‐mutualists on fruiting success and germination of Acacia drepanolobium in Kenya
Authors: Martins Dino J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAcacia drepanolobium is an obligate ant‐plant that bears dehiscent pods exploited by predispersal seed‐predators and parasitoids. Fruit set and seed germination in relation to ant‐association, bruchid and parasitoid infestation were investigated in a large‐scale multi‐year study in Kenya. Ant‐association had a significant impact on the overall numbers of fruiting trees. 94.8% of Crematogaster mimosae‐occupied trees, 25.6% of C. nigriceps‐occupied trees, and 82.2% of Tetraponera penzigi‐occupied trees set fruit. Within each tree, ant‐association had no significant impact on the amount of seed produced: C. mimosae‐occupied trees produced 47.5 seeds per branch, C. nigriceps‐occupied trees 44.9 seeds per branch and T. penzigi‐occupied trees 38.3 seeds per branch. Ant‐association did not limit seed‐predators or vary significantly by ant. Seeds infested by bruchids germinated in significantly lower proportions (6.2%) compared to uninfested seed (78.6%). Bruchid‐infested seed is also exploited by parasitoid wasps. Parasitoids appear to have a moderate but significant ‘rescue’ effect on bruchid‐infested seed with 18.4% of parasitoid‐infested seed germinating. Stable isotopes (δ15N) revealed the trophic structure of the seed‐associated insects, showing clearly that bruchids are seed predators and the parasitoid wasp Dinarmus magnus exploits the dominant Bruchidius sp.
Infrequent attention to dietary and physical activity behaviours in conversations in Swedish child health services
Authors: Bohman B , Eriksson M , Lind M , Ghaderi A , Forsberg L , Rasmussen F 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate conversations between nurses and parents in Swedish child health services and to assess to what extent attention is directed towards dietary and physical activity behaviours in children.MethodsTwenty‐three nurses audio‐recorded one session each. Recordings were assessed and topics were classified according to predetermined categories.ResultsThe three most frequent topics of conversation concerned physical examinations of the child (30% of session time), talking to the child to establish or maintain contact and interest (15%), and development of language skills (12%). Dietary habits came on fourth place (10%), and physical activity ranked 14 (4%).ConclusionAttention to dietary and physical activity behaviours in children is infrequent in Swedish child health services. Concern is raised about the efficacy of prevention efforts against childhood obesity.
A phase I study of pulse high‐dose vorinostat (V) plus rituximab (R), ifosphamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) in patients with relapsed lymphoma
Authors: Budde Lihua E. , Zhang Michelle M. , Shustov Andrei R. , Pagel John M. , Gooley Ted A. , Oliveira George R. , Chen Tara L. , Knudsen Nancy L. , Roden Jennifer E. , Kammerer Britt E. , Frayo Shani L. , Warr Thomas A. , Boyd Thomas E. , Press Oliver W. , Gopal Ajay K. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryGiven the poor outcomes of relapsed aggressive lymphomas and preclinical data suggesting that ≥2·5 μmol/l concentrations of vorinostat synergize with both etoposide and platinums, we hypothesized that pulse high‐dose vorinostat could safely augment the anti‐tumour activity of (R)ICE [(rituximab), ifosphamide, carboplatin, etoposide] chemotherapy. We conducted a phase I dose escalation study using a schedule with oral vorinostat ranging from 400 mg/d to 700 mg bid for 5 d in combination with the standard (R)ICE regimen (days 3, 4 and 5). Twenty‐nine patients [median age 56 years, median 2 prior therapies, 14 chemoresistant (of 27 evaluable), 2 prior transplants] were enrolled and treated. The maximally tolerated vorinostat dose was defined as 500 mg twice daily × 5 d. Common dose limiting toxicities included infection (n = 2), hypokalaemia (n = 2), and transaminitis (n = 2). Grade 3 related gastrointestinal toxicity was seen in 9 patients. The median vorinostat concentration on day 3 was 4·5 μmol/l (range 4·2–6·0 μmol/l) and in vitro data confirmed the augmented antitumour and histone acetylation activity at these levels. Responses were observed in 19 of 27 evaluable patients (70%) including 8 complete response/unconfirmed complete response. High‐dose vorinostat can be delivered safely with (R)ICE, achieves potentially synergistic drug levels, and warrants further study, although adequate gastrointestinal prophylaxis is warranted.
Biological roles of cAMP: variations on a theme in the different kingdoms of life
Authors: Gancedo Juana M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCyclic AMP (cAMP) plays a key regulatory role in most types of cells; however, the pathways controlled by cAMP may present important differences between organisms and between tissues within a specific organism. Changes in cAMP levels are caused by multiple triggers, most affecting adenylyl cyclases, the enzymes that synthesize cAMP. Adenylyl cyclases form a large and diverse family including soluble forms and others with one or more transmembrane domains. Regulatory mechanisms for the soluble adenylyl cyclases involve either interaction with diverse proteins, as happens in Escherichia coli or yeasts, or with calcium or bicarbonate ions, as occurs in mammalian cells. The transmembrane cyclases can be regulated by a variety of proteins, among which the α subunit and the βγ complex from G proteins coupled to membrane receptors are prominent. cAMP levels also are controlled by the activity of phosphodiesterases, enzymes that hydrolyze cAMP. Phosphodiesterases can be regulated by cAMP, cGMP or calcium‐calmodulin or by phosphorylation by different protein kinases. Regulation through cAMP depends on its binding to diverse proteins, its proximal targets, this in turn causing changes in a variety of distal targets. Specifically, binding of cAMP to regulatory subunits of cAMP‐dependent protein kinases (PKAs) affects the activity of substrates of PKA, binding to exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (Epac) regulates small GTPases, binding to transcription factors such as the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) or the virulence factor regulator (Vfr) modifies the rate of transcription of certain genes, while cAMP binding to ion channels modulates their activity directly. Further studies on cAMP signalling will have important implications, not only for advancing fundamental knowledge but also for identifying targets for the development of new therapeutic agents.
The effect of mesenchymal stem cells on dynamic changes of T cell subsets in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis
Authors: Li G , Yuan L , Ren X , Nian H , Zhang L , Han Z C , Li X , Zhang X 
Published: January 2013

Summary
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being explored extensively as a promising treatment for autoimmune diseases. We have recently reported that MSCs could ameliorate experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats. In this study, we examined further the effects of MSCs on the dynamics of T cell subsets in both eye and spleen and their cytokine production during the course of EAU. We focused on when and where the MSCs had inhibitory effects on T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells and how long the inhibitory effect lasted, in order to provide more mechanistic evidence for MSCs on the treatment of uveitis. Compared to the control group, administration of MSCs decreased the production of Th1 and Th17 cytokines significantly, while the production of Th2 and regulatory T cell (Treg) cytokines [interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] was elevated during the entire course of EAU. Correspondingly, the dynamic levels of IL-17 in the aqueous humour (AqH) were reduced in MSC-treated rats. Moreover, the ratio of Th17/Treg cells in both spleen and eye was decreased. These results provide powerful evidence that MSCs can regulate negatively both Th1 and Th17 responses and restore the balance of Th17/Tregs in the whole course of EAU, which is important for the regression of the disease.
Up-regulation of alternate co-stimulatory molecules on proinflammatory CD28null T cells in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome
Authors: Hodge G , Hodge S , Ahern J , Holmes-Liew C-L , Reynolds P N , Holmes M 
Published: January 2013

Summary
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is associated with lack of immunosuppression of T cell proinflammatory cytokines and increased T cell granzyme B. Repeated antigen-driven proliferation down-regulates T cell CD28. We hypothesized that down-regulation of CD28 and up-regulation of alternate co-stimulatory molecules (CD134, CD137, CD152 and CD154) on T cells may be associated with BOS. Co-stimulatory molecules, granzyme B, perforin and intracellular cytokines were measured by flow cytometry on T cells from stable lung transplant patients (n = 38), patients with BOS (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10). There was a significant increase in the percentage of CD4/28null and CD8/28null T cells producing granzyme B, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in BOS compared with stable patients. Down-regulation of CD28 was associated with steroid resistance and up-regulation of CD134, CD137, CD152 and CD154 on CD4+ T cells and CD137 and CD152 on CD8+ T cells. There was a significant correlation between increased CD28null/CD137 T cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α with BOS grade (r = 0·861, P &lt; 0·001 for CD28null/CD137 IFN-γ/CD8) and time post-transplant (r = 0·698, P &lt; 0·001 for CD28null/CD137 IFN-γ/CD8). BOS is associated with down-regulation of CD28 and up-regulation of alternate co-stimulatory molecules on steroid-resistant peripheral blood proinflammatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Therapeutic targeting of alternate co-stimulatory molecules on peripheral blood CD28null T cells and monitoring response using these assays may help in the management of patients with BOS.
Anxiety symptoms severity and short‐term clinical outcome in first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Montreuil Tina C. , Malla Ashok K. , Joober Ridha , Bélanger Claude , Lepage Martin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimIn psychotic disorders, a limited number of studies have documented the presence of symptoms of anxiety, especially in first‐episode psychosis (FEP). There is a growing interest in better understanding how these symptoms may affect the severity of psychotic symptoms and clinical outcome. This study examined the association between symptoms of anxiety, as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and short‐term clinical outcome. We first examined the potential association between anxiety symptom severity among FEP patients and remission. A secondary objective explored the relation between the PANSS single item subscale ‘anxiety’ item and the total score value of the HARS.MethodData were collected on 201 FEP patients divided into remitted and unremitted groups based on clinical data at 6 months. Anxiety ratings were compared between 67 remitted and 99 unremitted patients with the HARS, and for 72 remitted and 103 unremitted patients with the (G2) PANSS.ResultsA significant interaction Time × Group was observed on the HARS and on the PANSS G2 item. Looking at the two time points specifically, groups did not significantly differ at baseline on either the HARS or the PANSS. At 6 months, these two groups were significantly different on both anxiety rating scores – HARS [t(170) = 3.48, P = 0.001)] and PANSS G2 [t(173) = 2.51, P = 0.013)].ConclusionAnxiety severity is marked in FEP, and appears to be linked to poor short‐term clinical outcome. The PANSS single item (G2) seems to represent a good indicator of anxiety as it significantly correlates with a more systematic measure of anxiety, namely the HARS score. Anxiety severity appears to vary across diagnosis type.
Transition to university: the role played by emotion
Authors: McMillan W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractStudents experience transition to university as challenging. Recent studies implicate emotion in university success. This article reports on a pilot study to examine the extent to which school to university transition is experienced as emotional. Understanding the role of emotion in this transition can inform mechanisms for student support. This qualitative study used focus group interviews to elicit insider accounts of transition. The pilot cohort consisted of a tutorial group of twenty‐eight students from within the class of one hundred and eight‐first‐year students at one Faculty of Dentistry in South Africa. Three focus group interviews were conducted. Issues identified in the literature as significant were used to analyse the data. Eleven descriptive tags related to transition and associated with emotion were identified from the data. These were clustered into four themes – ‘academic challenges’, ‘friends and family’, ‘outside constraints’ and ‘identity’. Findings suggest that emotions are a natural part of the experience of transition. Drawing on insights of students' emotional needs, it is suggested that students in transition need a roadmap and a guide. A framework, to be used as a roadmap, is suggested. Peer mentoring is discussed as a mechanism for mediating the framework and thus for supporting students in the transition.
Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation of coadministration of lacosamide and an oral contraceptive (levonorgestrel plus ethinylestradiol) in healthy female volunteers
Authors: Cawello Willi , Rosenkranz Bernd , Schmid Bernhard , Wierich Werner 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPurposeTo determine whether the antiepileptic drug lacosamide affects the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a combined oral contraceptive (OC; ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg plus levonorgestrel 0.15 mg).MethodsThis was an open‐label trial in healthy female volunteers. Eligible women entered cycle 1 of the trial on the first day of menstruation. Cycle 1 was a medication‐free, run‐in phase of approximately 28 days to confirm that normal ovulation occurred. Volunteers with confirmed ovulation entered the subsequent cycle and started taking OCs. After establishing ovulation suppression (defined as progesterone serum concentration <5.1 nm on day 21 of the menstrual cycle) in volunteers taking the OCs in cycle 2, lacosamide 400 mg/day was administered concomitantly in the subsequent cycle (cycle 3). The pharmacokinetic parameters of area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC), maximum steady‐state plasma drug concentration (Cmax), and time to maximum concentration (tmax) were measured for the OC components and lacosamide.Key FindingsA total of 37 volunteers completed cycle 1, and 32 completed cycle 2. In each of the 31 volunteers who completed the trial (through cycle 3), pharmacodynamic assessment showed progesterone serum concentration was <5.1 nm on day 21 of cycle 2, when the OC was administered alone, and on day 21 of cycle 3, when lacosamide was administered concomitantly. The AUC of ethinylestradiol alone versus together with lacosamide was 1,067 ± 404 versus 1,173 ± 330 pg h/ml. Corresponding values of Cmax were 116.9 ± 48.8 versus 135.7 ± 28.6 pg/ml. For levonorgestrel, the AUC alone was 74.2 ± 21.4 versus 80.9 ± 18.5 ng h/ml with lacosamide. Corresponding values of Cmax were 6.7 ± 1.9 versus 7.4 ± 1.5 ng/ml. The AUC and Cmax point estimates and almost all 90% confidence intervals (except for Cmax of ethinylestradiol) for ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (with and without lacosamide) were within the conventional bioequivalence range, and no relevant changes in tmax were observed for ethinylestradiol (1.5 ± 0.6 h alone vs. 1.4 ± 0.7 h with lacosamide) or for levonorgestrel (1.5 ± 1.0 h alone vs. 1.1 ± 0.6 h with lacosamide). Lacosamide pharmacokinetics were consistent with those observed in previous studies of lacosamide alone, with values for AUC of 113.5 ± 20.7 μg h/ml, Cmax of 13.8 ± 2.2 μg/ml, and tmax of 1.1 ± 0.4 h.SignificanceLacosamide and an OC containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel have low potential for drug–drug interaction; therefore, coadministration of the two drugs is unlikely to result in contraceptive failure or loss of seizure control.
Default mode network connectivity indicates episodic memory capacity in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: McCormick Cornelia , Quraan Maher , Cohn Melanie , Valiante Taufik A. , McAndrews Mary Pat 
Published: January 2013

SummaryPurposeThe clinical relevance of resting state functional connectivity in neurologic disorders, including mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), remains unclear. This study investigated how connectivity in the default mode network changes with unilateral damage to one of its nodes, the hippocampus (HC), and how such connectivity can be exploited clinically to characterize memory deficits and indicate postsurgical memory change.MethodsFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) resting state scans and neuropsychological memory assessments (Warrington Recognition Tests for Words and Faces) were performed on 19 healthy controls, 20 patients with right mTLE, and 18 patients with left mTLE. In addition, postsurgical fMRI resting state and memory change (postsurgical memory performance–presurgical memory performance) data were available for half of these patients.Key FindingsPatients with mTLE showed reduced connectivity from the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) to the epileptogenic HC and increased PCC connectivity to the contralateral HC. Stronger PCC connectivity to the epileptogenic HC was associated with better presurgical memory and with greater postsurgical memory decline. Stronger PCC connectivity to the contralateral HC was associated with less postsurgical memory decline. Following surgery, PCC connectivity to the remaining HC increased from presurgical values and showed enhanced correlation with postsurgical memory function. It is notable that this index was superior to others (hippocampal volume, preoperative memory scores) in explaining variance in memory change following surgery.SignificanceOur results demonstrate the striking clinical significance of the brain's intrinsic connectivity in evaluating cognitive capacity and indicating the potential of postsurgical cognitive morbidity in patients with mTLE.
Sinus node dysfunction: An adverse effect of lacosamide
Authors: Chinnasami Suganthi , Rathore Chaturbhuj , Duncan John S. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryLacosamide, a recently introduced antiepileptic drug, acts by enhancing the slow inactivation of voltage‐dependent sodium channels. Cardiac conduction disturbances, namely atrial fibrillation and atrioventricular block, have been reported in patients with epilepsy. We report a patient with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy who developed asymptomatic sinus node dysfunction following lacosamide use, which resolved on stopping lacosamide. This is the first report of sinus node dysfunction associated with lacosamide therapy.
Hsp90, an unlikely ally in the war on cancer
Authors: Barrott Jared J. , Haystead Timothy A. J. 
Published: January 2013

On the surface heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an unlikely drug target for the treatment of any disease, let alone cancer. Hsp90 is highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed in all cells. There are two major isoforms α and β encoded by distinct genes and together they may constitute 1%–3% of the cellular protein. Deletion of the protein is embryonic lethal and there are no recognized polymorphisms suggesting an association or causal relationship with any human disease. With respect to cancer, the proteins absence from two recent high profile articles, ‘Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation’ [Hanahan & Weinberg (2011) Cell 144, 646–674] and ‘Comprehensive molecular portraits of human breast tumours’ [Koboldt et al. (2012) Nature] underlines the perception that it is an unlikely bona fide target to treat this disease. Yet, to date, there are 17 distinct Hsp90 inhibitors in clinical trials for multiple indications in cancer. The protein has been championed for over 20 years by the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD, USA) as a cancer target since the discovery of the antitumor activity of the natural product geldanamycin. This review aims to look at the conundrum of why Hsp90 can even be considered a druggable target for the treatment of cancer. We propose that in contrast to the majority of chemotherapeutics our growing armamentarium of investigational Hsp90 drugs represents an elegant choice that offers real hope in the long‐term treatment of certain cancers.