bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detrimental effects of ocean acidification on the economically important Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum)
Authors: Bramanti L. , Movilla J. , Guron M. , Calvo E. , Gori A. , Dominguez‐Carrió C. , Grinyó J. , Lopez‐Sanz A. , Martinez‐Quintana A. , Pelejero C. , Ziveri P. , Rossi S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe mean predicted decrease of 0.3–0.4 pHunits in the global surface ocean by the end of the century has prompted urgent research to assess the potential effects of ocean acidification on the marine environment, with strong emphasis on calcifying organisms. Among them, the Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum) is expected to be particularly susceptible to acidification effects, due to the elevated solubility of its Mg‐calcite skeleton. This, together with the large overexploitation of this species, depicts a bleak future for this organism over the next decades. In this study, we evaluated the effects of lowpHon the species from aquaria experiments. Several colonies ofC. rubrumwere long‐term maintained for 314 days in aquaria at two differentpHlevels (8.10 and 7.81,pHT). Calcification rate, spicule morphology, major biochemical constituents (protein, carbohydrates and lipids) and fatty acids composition were measured periodically. Exposure to lowerpHconditions caused a significant decrease in the skeletal growth rate in comparison with the control treatment. Similarly, the spicule morphology clearly differed between both treatments at the end of the experiment, with aberrant shapes being observed only under the acidified conditions. On the other hand, while total organic matter was significantly higher under lowpHconditions, no significant differences were detected between treatments regarding total carbohydrate, lipid, protein and fatty acid composition. However, the lower variability found among samples maintained in acidified conditions relative to controls, suggests a possible effect ofpHdecrease on the metabolism of the colonies. Our results show, for the first time, evidence of detrimental ocean acidification effects on this valuable and endangered coral species.
Traceable components of terrestrial carbon storage capacity in biogeochemical models
Authors: Xia Jianyang , Luo Yiqi , Wang Ying‐Ping , Hararuk Oleksandra 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBiogeochemical models have been developed to account for more and more processes, making their complex structures difficult to be understood and evaluated. Here, we introduce a framework to decompose a complex land model into traceable components based on mutually independent properties of modeled biogeochemical processes. The framework traces modeled ecosystem carbon storage capacity (Xss) to (i) a product of net primary productivity (NPP) and ecosystem residence time (τE). The latter τE can be further traced to (ii) baseline carbon residence times (τ′E), which are usually preset in a model according to vegetation characteristics and soil types, (iii) environmental scalars (ξ), including temperature and water scalars, and (iv) environmental forcings. We applied the framework to the Australian Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLE) model to help understand differences in modeled carbon processes among biomes and as influenced by nitrogen processes. With the climate forcings of 1990, modeled evergreen broadleaf forest had the highest NPP among the nine biomes and moderate residence times, leading to a relatively high carbon storage capacity (31.5 kg cm−2). Deciduous needle leaf forest had the longest residence time (163.3 years) and low NPP, leading to moderate carbon storage (18.3 kg cm−2). The longest τE in deciduous needle leaf forest was ascribed to its longest τ′E (43.6 years) and small ξ (0.14 on litter/soil carbon decay rates). Incorporation of nitrogen processes into the CABLE model decreased Xss in all biomes via reduced NPP (e.g., −12.1% in shrub land) or decreased τE or both. The decreases in τE resulted from nitrogen‐induced changes in τ′E (e.g., −26.7% in C3 grassland) through carbon allocation among plant pools and transfers from plant to litter and soil pools. Our framework can be used to facilitate data model comparisons and model intercomparisons via tracking a few traceable components for all terrestrial carbon cycle models. Nevertheless, more research is needed to develop tools to decompose NPP and transient dynamics of the modeled carbon cycle into traceable components for structural analysis of land models.
Evaluating ecosystem processes in willow short rotation coppice bioenergy plantations
Authors: Rowe Rebecca L. , Goulson Dave , Doncaster C. Patrick , Clarke Donna J. , Taylor Gail , Hanley Mick E. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDespite a growing body of research linking bioenergy cultivation to changing patterns of biodiversity, there has been remarkably little interest in how bioenergy plantations affect key ecosystem processes underpinning important ecosystem services. In this study, we compare how the processes of predation by ground arthropods and litter decomposition varied between Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow bioenergy plantations and alternative land‐uses: arable and set‐aside (agricultural land taken out of production). We deployed litter bags to measure variation in decomposition, and a prey removal assay coupled with pitfall traps and direct searches to investigate variation in predation pressure. Decomposition rate was higher in willow SRC and set‐aside than in cereal crops. Willow SRC had the highest abundance and diversity of ground‐dwelling arthropod predators, but land‐use had no detectable influence on predation of fly pupae or the combined activity‐density of the two principal Coleoptera families (carabids and staphylinids). Overall, our study demonstrates that the conversion of arable land to SRC may have implications for the rate of some, but not all, ecosystem processes, and highlights the need for further research in this area.
Ferritin H is a novel marker of early erythroid precursors and macrophages
Authors: Wang Wei , Grier David D , Woo Jennifer , Ward Martha , Sui Guangchao , Torti Suzy V , Torti Frank M , Beaty Michael W 
Published: February 2013

AimsMacrophages play a critical role in iron homeostasis by recycling iron from red cells and storing it in ferritin, an iron storage protein. The recycled iron is delivered to erythroid precursors for erythropoiesis. In this study, we aimed to determine whether ferritin is highly expressed in macrophages and erythroid precursors, and whether it can be used as a marker for these two cell types.Methods and resultsA ferritin monoclonal antibody was developed, and immunohistochemistry was performed. In normal bone marrows, ferritin antibody stained early erythroid precursors and macrophages. In contrast, myeloid cells, lymphoid cells and megakaryocytes lacked ferritin expression. In leukaemic bone marrows, ferritin was selectively expressed in erythroid blasts (M6), whereas all other blasts were negative. In lymph nodes, ferritin was highly and specifically expressed in macrophages, whereas lymphocytes completely lacked ferritin expression. In non‐haematopoietic tissues, ferritin antibody highlighted alveolar macrophages in the lung, as well as sinus macrophages in the liver and spleen.ConclusionsWe conclude that ferritin is a novel and reliable marker for macrophages and early erythroid precursors, and may be of clinical utility in the diagnosis of diseases associated with these two cell types.
CD24 and CD44 in salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma and in human salivary gland morphogenesis: differential markers of glandular structure or stem cell indicators?
Authors: Ianez Renata C F , Coutinho‐Camillo Claudia M , Buim Marcilei E , Pinto Clóvis A L , Soares Fernando A , Lourenço Silvia V 
Published: February 2013

AimsSalivary gland neoplasms originate from salivary gland compartments, to which they are histologically related. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a benign salivary gland neoplasm that comprises epithelial and myoepithelial cells and a complex stroma, whose structure, architecture and origin (from intercalated ducts) suggest stem cell participation. We compared the expression of CD24 and CD44 in PA and in developing human salivary glands to investigate whether these markers can be considered as cancer stem cell markers.Methods and resultsOne hundred and one cases of PA and salivary gland specimens from 20 human fetuses were examined by immunohistochemistry and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). All PAs were positive for CD24 and CD44 by immunohistochemistry: neoplastic luminal structures were positive for CD24; modified myoepithelial cells were positive for CD44. In fetal salivary glands, these markers were restricted to the intercalated duct region. Real‐time RT‐PCR assays detected increased expression of CD44, but not CD24, in PA specimens in comparison with normal salivary gland controls.ConclusionsPA and stem cells share the expression of CD24 and CD44; their value as markers of neoplastic cell multipotency and the implications of their expression for tumour behaviour are yet to be determined.
CD117 expression in operable oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas predicts worse clinical outcome
Authors: Fan Huijie , Yuan Yuan , Wang Junsheng , Zhou Fuyou , Zhang Mingzhi , Giercksky Karl‐Erik , Nesland Jahn M , Suo Zhenhe 
Published: February 2013

AimsTo investigate the aberrant expression of CD117 in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its prognostic significance.Methods and resultsImmunohistochemical staining for CD117 was performed on tissue microarray and routine tissue sections from 157 oesophageal SCC patients and 10 normal oesophageal epithelia adjacent to tumour. The positive rate of CD117 expression was 29.9% in oesophageal SCC tissues, whereas no CD117 expression was detected in the 10 normal oesophageal epithelia. CD117 expression was significantly associated with T stage (P < 0.001), distant metastasis (P = 0.015), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.019), and clinical stage (P = 0.021). Progression‐free survival in the patients with CD117‐positive tumours was shorter than that in the patients with CD117‐negative tumours (P = 0.010). In univariate analyses, CD117 expression was the most significant factor for overall survival of oesophageal SCC patients (P < 0.001), followed by lymph node metastasis (P = 0.001), T stage (P = 0.002), clinical stage (P = 0.006), distant metastasis (P = 0.020), and histological grade (P = 0.027). Multivariate analyses verified that CD117 expression was an independent prognostic marker for oesophageal SCC patients (P = 0.002). In addition, CD117 expression predicted poorer survival in patients without distant metastases.ConclusionsCD117 expression in operable oesophageal SCC may be a valuable prognostic marker, and detection of its expression in clinical samples may be useful in defining a subclass of oesophageal SCCs with extremely poor clinical outcome, which may require a specially targeted treatment modality.
Eicosanoid modulation by the short‐chain fatty acid n‐butyrate in human monocytes
Authors: Kovarik Johannes J. , Hölzl Markus A. , Hofer Johannes , Waidhofer‐Söllner Petra , Sobanov Yury , Koeffel René , Saemann Marcus D. , Mechtcheriakova Diana , Zlabinger Gerhard J. 
Published: February 2013

Summaryn‐Butyrate deriving from bacterial fermentation in the mammalian intestine is a key determinant in gastrointestinal homeostasis. We examined the effects of this short‐chain fatty acid and Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR) and TLR4 engagement on inflammatory/immunity‐associated genes, cyclo‐oxygenases (COXs), prostaglandins (PGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) in human monocytes. Before RNA isolation, freshly isolated human monocytes were co‐incubated for different time‐points with 1 mm n‐butyrate alone or in combination with bacterial stimuli. Based on a knowledge‐driven approach, a signature of 180 immunity/inflammation‐associated genes was picked and real‐time PCR analysis was performed. Pathway analysis was carried out using a web‐based database analysing program. Based on these gene expression studies the findings were evaluated at the protein/mediator level by Western blot analysis, FACS and ELISA. Following co‐incubation with n‐butyrate and lipopolysaccharide, key enzymes of the eicosanoid pathway, like PTGS2 (COX‐2), TXS, ALOX5, LTA4H and LTC4S, were significantly up‐regulated compared with stimulation with lipopolysaccharide alone. Furthermore, release of the lipid mediators PGE2, 15d‐PGJ2, LTB4 and thromboxane B2 was increased by n‐butyrate. Regarding signalling, n‐butyrate had no additional effect on mitogen‐activated protein kinase and interfered differently with early and late phases of nuclear factor‐κB signalling. Our results suggest that among many other mediators of eicosanoid signalling n‐butyrate massively induces PGE2 production by increasing the expression of PTGS2 (COX‐2) in monocytes following TLR4 and TLR2 activation and induces secretion of LTB4 and thromboxane B2. This underscores the role of n‐butyrate as a crucial mediator of gut‐specific immunity.
Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Staurojoenina mulleri sp. nov. (Trichonymphida, Parabasalia) from the Hindgut of the Kalotermitid Neotermes jouteli
Authors: Gile Gillian H. , Carpenter Kevin J. , James Erick R. , Scheffrahn Rudolf H. , Keeling Patrick J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractStaurojoenina is a large and structurally complex genus of hypermastigont parabasalians found in the hindgut of lower termites. Although several species of Staurojoenina have been described worldwide, all Staurojoenina observed to date in different species of North American termites have been treated as the same species, S. assimilis. Here, we characterize Staurojoenina from the North American termite Neotermes jouteli using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and phylogenetic analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA, and compare it with S. assimilis from its type host, Incisitermes minor. The basic morphological characteristics of the N. jouteli symbiont, including its abundant bacterial epibionts, are similar as far as they may be compared with existing data from S. assimilis, although not consistently identical. In contrast, we find that they are extremely distantly related at the molecular level, sharing a pairwise similarity of SSU rRNA genes comparable to that seen between different genera or even families of other parabasalians. Based on their evolutionary distance and habitat in different termite genera, we consider the N. jouteli Staurojoenina to be distinct from S. assimilis, and describe a new species, Staurojoenina mulleri, in honor of the pioneering parabasalian researcher, Miklos Muller.
Myelin management by the 18.5‐kDa and 21.5‐kDa classic myelin basic protein isoforms
Authors: Harauz George , Boggs Joan M. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe classic myelin basic protein (MBP) splice isoforms range in nominal molecular mass from 14 to 21.5 kDa, and arise from the gene in the oligodendrocyte lineage (Golli) in maturing oligodendrocytes. The 18.5‐kDa isoform that predominates in adult myelin adheres the cytosolic surfaces of oligodendrocyte membranes together, and forms a two‐dimensional molecular sieve restricting protein diffusion into compact myelin. However, this protein has additional roles including cytoskeletal assembly and membrane extension, binding to SH3‐domains, participation in Fyn‐mediated signaling pathways, sequestration of phosphoinositides, and maintenance of calcium homeostasis. Of the diverse post‐translational modifications of this isoform, phosphorylation is the most dynamic, and modulates 18.5‐kDa MBP's protein‐membrane and protein‐protein interactions, indicative of a rich repertoire of functions. In developing and mature myelin, phosphorylation can result in microdomain or even nuclear targeting of the protein, supporting the conclusion that 18.5‐kDa MBP has significant roles beyond membrane adhesion. The full‐length, early‐developmental 21.5‐kDa splice isoform is predominantly karyophilic due to a non‐traditional P‐Y nuclear localization signal, with effects such as promotion of oligodendrocyte proliferation. We discuss in vitro and recent in vivo evidence for multifunctionality of these classic basic proteins of myelin, and argue for a systematic evaluation of the temporal and spatial distributions of these protein isoforms, and their modified variants, during oligodendrocyte differentiation.
The Parkinson's disease‐associated GPR37 receptor‐mediated cytotoxicity is controlled by its intracellular cysteine‐rich domain
Authors: Gandía Jorge , Fernández‐Dueñas Víctor , Morató Xavier , Caltabiano Gianluigi , González‐Muñiz Rosario , Pardo Leonardo , Stagljar Igor , Ciruela Francisco 
Published: February 2013

AbstractGPR37, also known as parkin‐associated endothelin‐like receptor (Pael‐R), is an orphan G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) that aggregates intracellularly in a juvenile form of Parkinson's disease. However, little is known about the structure or function of this receptor. Here, in order to better understand the functioning of this receptor, we focused on the GPR37 C‐terminal tail, in particular on a cystein‐enriched region. Thus, we aimed to reveal the role of these residues on receptor plasma membrane expression and function, and also whether the presence of this cysteine‐rich domain is linked to the previously described receptor‐mediated cytotoxicity. Interestingly, while the deletion of six cysteine residues within this region did not affect receptor internalization it promoted GPR37 plasma membrane expression and signaling. Furthermore, the removal of the C‐terminal cysteine‐rich domain protected against GPR37‐mediated apoptosis and cell death. Overall, we identified a GPR37 domain, namely the C‐terminal tail cysteine‐rich domain, which played a critical role in receptor cell surface expression, function and GPR37‐mediated cytotoxicity. These results might contribute to better comprehend the pathophysiology (i.e. in Parkinson's disease) of this rather unknown member of the GPCR family.
The contribution of nocturnal sleep to the consolidation of motor skill learning in healthy ageing and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Terpening Zoe , Naismith Sharon , Melehan Kerri , Gittins Catherine , Bolitho Sam , Lewis Simon J. G. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryThe benefits of sleep for the consolidation of procedural motor skills are less robust in older adults, although the precise reasons for this remain unclear. To date, even less is known about these processes in older adults with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those which impact on motor functioning. While sleep disturbance and motor symptoms are frequent disabling features of Parkinson's disease, no known studies have directly probed sleep‐dependent memory consolidation for motor skill learning in Parkinson's disease. Forty patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (age = 63.7 years ± 7.7; disease duration 4.1 years ± 4.4) completed a motor skill learning task pre‐ and post‐sleep and were compared to 20 age‐ and sex‐matched controls recruited from the community. Polysomnography was undertaken during the post‐training night and measures of sleep architecture were derived. Parkinson's disease patients did not demonstrate any apparent deficits in within‐session learning and overnight stabilization compared to controls, with both groups failing to demonstrate offline improvements in performance (i.e. memory consolidation). In controls, longer duration in slow wave sleep was associated with improved next‐day session learning (P = 0.007). However, in Parkinson's disease, no relationships between sleep parameters and learning measures were found. Slow wave sleep microarchitecture and the use of dopaminergic medications may contribute to impaired sleep‐dependent multi‐session acquisition of motor skill learning in Parkinson's disease.
The effect of sleep‐specific brain activity versus reduced stimulus interference on declarative memory consolidation
Authors: Piosczyk Hannah , Holz Johannes , Feige Bernd , Spiegelhalder Kai , Weber Friederike , Landmann Nina , Kuhn Marion , Frase Lukas , Riemann Dieter , Voderholzer Ulrich , Nissen Christoph 
Published: February 2013

SummaryStudies suggest that the consolidation of newly acquired memories and underlying long‐term synaptic plasticity might represent a major function of sleep. In a combined repeated‐measures and parallel‐group sleep laboratory study (active waking versus sleep, passive waking versus sleep), we provide evidence that brief periods of daytime sleep (42.1 ± 8.9 min of non‐rapid eye movement sleep) in healthy adolescents (16 years old, all female), compared with equal periods of waking, promote the consolidation of declarative memory (word‐pairs) in participants with high power in the electroencephalographic sleep spindle (sigma) frequency range. This observation supports the notion that sleep‐specific brain activity when reaching a critical dose, beyond a mere reduction of interference, promotes synaptic plasticity in a hippocampal‐neocortical network that underlies the consolidation of declarative memory.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia during sleep in children with upper airway obstruction
Authors: Kabir Muammar M. , Kohler Mark , Pamula Yvonne , Martin James , Kennedy Declan , Abbott Derek , Baumert Mathias 
Published: February 2013

SummaryUpper airway obstruction during adulthood is associated with cardiovascular morbidity; cardiovascular consequences of childhood upper airway obstruction are less well established. This study aimed at investigating the effect of childhood upper airway obstruction on respiratory sinus arrhythmia as a measure of cardiac vagal modulation during night‐time sleep. Overnight polysomnography was conducted in 40 healthy children (20 M; age: 7.5 ± 2.6 years; body mass index percentile: 60.7 ± 26.4%) and 40 children with upper airway obstruction (24 M; age: 7.5 ± 2.7 years; body mass index percentile: 65.8 ± 31.9%). We used the phase‐averaging technique to compute respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude and phase delay. To study sleep stage effects and the effect of upper airway obstruction, respiratory sinus arrhythmia was measured during all artefact‐free sleep episodes, and after exclusion of respiratory events. A significant increase in respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude and phase delay was observed during stage 4 sleep as compared with rapid eye movement sleep in both groups (amplitude: controls = 0.10 ± 0.03 versus 0.07 ± 0.02 s, P < 0.01, respectively, and upper airway obstruction = 0.07 ± 0.03 versus 0.05 ± 0.03 s, P < 0.05, respectively; phase delay: controls = 3.1 ± 0.1 versus 3.0 ± 0.1 rad, P < 0.05, respectively, and upper airway obstruction = 3.13 ± 0.04 versus 3.04 ± 0.08 rad, P < 0.01, respectively). A significant association between respiratory sinus arrhythmia and apnea/hypopnea index was observed during stage 2 sleep in children with upper airway obstruction. Compared with healthy controls, a significant decrease in respiratory sinus arrhythmia amplitude during stage 2 sleep was observed in children with upper airway obstruction (0.09 ± 0.03 versus 0.06 ± 0.03 s, P < 0.05). However, this difference was not apparent when respiratory events were excluded from analysis. Importantly, respiratory sinus arrhythmia showed a strong negative correlation with body mass index. In conclusion, night‐time respiratory sinus arrhythmia in children is sleep stage dependent and normal during quiet sleep in children with relatively mild upper airway obstruction.