bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The metabolic modulator trimetazidine triggers autophagy and counteracts stress‐induced atrophy in skeletal muscle myotubes
Authors: Ferraro Elisabetta , Giammarioli Anna Maria , Caldarola Sara , Lista Pasquale , Feraco Alessandra , Tinari Antonella , Salvatore Anna Maria , Malorni Walter , Berghella Libera , Rosano Giuseppe 
Published: August 2013

It has recently been demonstrated that trimetazidine (TMZ), an anti‐ischemic antianginal agent, is also able to improve exercise performance in patients with peripheral arterial disease. TMZ is a metabolic modulator, and the mechanisms underlying its cytoprotective anti‐ischemic activity could be ascribed, at least in cardiomyocytes, to optimization of metabolism. However, regarding the cytoprotection exerted by TMZ on skeletal muscle and allowing the improvement of exercise performance, no information is yet available. In the present study, we investigated in detail the protective effects of this drug on in vitro skeletal muscle models of atrophy. Experiments carried out with murine C2C12 myotubes treated with TMZ revealed that this drug could efficiently counteract the cytopathic effects induced by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐α and by the withdrawal of growth factors. Indeed, TMZ significantly counteracted the reduction in myotube size induced by these treatments. TMZ also increased myosin heavy chain expression and induced hypertrophy in C2C12 myotubes, both effects strongly suggesting a role of TMZ in counteracting atrophy in vitro. In particular, we found that TMZ was able to activate the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase–Akt–mammalian target of rapamycin 2 pathway and to reduce the stress‐induced transcriptional upregulation of atrogin‐1, muscle ring finger protein 1, and myostatin, all of which are key molecules involved in muscle wasting. Moreover, this is the first demonstration that TMZ induces autophagy, a key mechanism involved in muscle mass regulation. On the basis of these results, it can be hypothesized that the improvement in exercise performance previously observed in patients could be ascribed to a cytoprotective mechanism exerted by TMZ on skeletal muscle integrity.
Microeukaryote community composition assessed by pyrosequencing is associated with light availability and phytoplankton primary production along a lowland river
Authors: Bradford Tessa M. , Morgan Matthew J. , Lorenz Zygmunt , Hartley Diana M. , Hardy Christopher M. , Oliver Roderick L. 
Published: August 2013

Summary

The importance of microeukaryotes (protists, ciliates, fungi, algae and small invertebrates) in riverine food webs is well recognised, but the difficulty in surveying these taxa has meant that monitoring of biodiversity in rivers has focused on larger organisms.

Microeukaryote biodiversity was assessed by pyrosequencing of the conserved 18S rRNA gene during summer and autumn at two river sites and a weir pool site that form a flow gradient in the Murray River, Australia.

Concurrent measurements were made of phytoplankton concentrations, irradiance conditions, river metabolism and associated water quality attributes.

Based on operational taxonomic units derived from the molecular analyses, significant differences were identified in eukaryotes between the river and the weir pool.

Taxonomic assignment was possible for 66% of the operational taxonomic units, reflecting the large amount of unsurveyed diversity present.

Visual identification of algae corroborated the orders identified in the molecular data set, and more orders were detected using pyrosequencing.

Day length, depth of light penetration and phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity were strongly linked to eukaryote community composition suggesting the importance of algae as an energy source.

Our finding that microeukaryote biodiversity is linked with environmental characteristics demonstrates the potential of 18S rRNA pyrosequencing for more comprehensive assessment of the condition of an aquatic ecosystem, but further data are required to confirm this potential.
Land‐sharing versus land‐sparing logging: reconciling timber extraction with biodiversity conservation
Authors: Edwards David P. , Gilroy James J. , Woodcock Paul , Edwards Felicity A. , Larsen Trond H. , Andrews David J. R. , Derhé Mia A. , Docherty Teegan D. S. , Hsu Wayne W. , Mitchell Simon L. , Ota Takahiro , Williams Leah J. , Laurance William F. , Hamer Keith C. , Wilcove David S. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSelective logging is a major driver of rainforest degradation across the tropics. Two competing logging strategies are proposed to meet timber demands with the least impact on biodiversity: land sharing, which combines timber extraction with biodiversity protection across the concession; and land sparing, in which higher intensity logging is combined with the protection of intact primary forest reserves. We evaluate these strategies by comparing the abundances and species richness of birds, dung beetles and ants in Borneo, using a protocol that allows us to control for both timber yield and net profit across strategies. Within each taxonomic group, more species had higher abundances with land‐sparing than land‐sharing logging, and this translated into significantly higher species richness within land‐sparing concessions. Our results are similar when focusing only on species found in primary forest and restricted in range to Sundaland, and they are independent of the scale of sampling. For each taxonomic group, land‐sparing logging was the most promising strategy for maximizing the biological value of logging operations.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells: the dark knight or the joker in viral infections?
Authors: Goh Celeste , Narayanan Sowmya , Hahn Young S. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryMyeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature cells of myeloid origin, frequently found in tumor microenvironments and in the blood of cancer patients. In recent years, MDSCs have also been found in non‐cancer settings, including a number of viral infections. The evasion of host immunity employed by viruses to establish viral persistence strikingly parallels mechanisms of tumor escape, prompting investigations into the generation and function of MDSCs in chronic viral infections. Importantly, analogous to the tumor microenvironment, MDSCs effectively suppress antiviral host immunity by limiting the function of several immune cells including T cells, natural killer cells, and antigen‐presenting cells. In this article, we review studies on the mechanisms of MDSC generation, accumulation, and survival in an effort to understand their emergent importance in viral infections. We include a growing list of viral infections in which MDSCs have been reported. Finally, we discuss how MDSCs might play a role in establishing chronic viral infections and identify potential therapeutics that target MDSCs.
Antiviral memory phenotype T cells in unexposed adults
Authors: Su Laura F. , Davis Mark M. 
Published: August 2013

Summaryαβ T cells are an integral part of protective immunity against pathogens. After precursor cells arise in the adult bone marrow or fetal liver, they migrate to the thymus where they rearrange their T‐cell receptor genes (TCR) and undergo selection on the basis of their interactions with ligands expressed by thymic stroma and other cells. Those that survive then exit the thymus to populate the peripheral immune compartment, where they patrol the blood and lymphoid systems. The composition of this pre‐immune peripheral repertoire is critically important in determining the robustness of an immune response. In both mice and humans, the magnitude and diversity of a response are directly correlated with the frequency of precursor T cells. Equally relevant are the functional characteristics of these lymphocytes. Engagement of a specific antigen to the TCR activates signaling pathways in the naive T cell that result in cellular proliferation and the acquisition of particular effector functions. A portion of these persist following the resolution of infection and become memory cells. These memory cells can mount a faster and stronger response when they encounter the same antigen at a later time. As the molecular basis for TCR ligand interaction has become better defined, it is clear that some T cells can recognize multiple distinct ligands and therefore T‐cell memory developed by exposure to one ligand may play a significant role in the response to a different antigen. Thus, there is an increasing focus on understanding how exposure to related or unrelated antigens influences the T‐cell repertoire and impacts subsequent immunity. In this review, we discuss the issue of TCR cross‐reactivity in the development of memory phenotype CD4+ T cells and the implications for pathogen‐specific responses. We review both the human and mouse data and discuss the therapeutic implications of these findings in the contexts of infection and vaccination.
Immunity to viruses: learning from successful human vaccines
Authors: Pulendran Bali , Oh Jason Z. , Nakaya Helder I. , Ravindran Rajesh , Kazmin Dmitri A. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryFor more than a century, immunologists and vaccinologists have existed in parallel universes. Immunologists have for long reveled in using ‘model antigens’, such as chicken egg ovalbumin or nitrophenyl haptens, to study immune responses in model organisms such as mice. Such studies have yielded many seminal insights about the mechanisms of immune regulation, but their relevance to humans has been questioned. In another universe, vaccinologists have relied on human clinical trials to assess vaccine efficacy, but have done little to take advantage of such trials for studying the nature of immune responses to vaccination. The human model provides a nexus between these two universes, and recent studies have begun to use this model to study the molecular profile of innate and adaptive responses to vaccination. Such ‘systems vaccinology’ studies are beginning to provide mechanistic insights about innate and adaptive immunity in humans. Here, we present an overview of such studies, with particular examples from studies with the yellow fever and the seasonal influenza vaccines. Vaccination with the yellow fever vaccine causes a systemic acute viral infection and thus provides an attractive model to study innate and adaptive responses to a primary viral challenge. Vaccination with the live attenuated influenza vaccine causes a localized acute viral infection in mucosal tissues and induces a recall response, since most vaccinees have had prior exposure to influenza, and thus provides a unique opportunity to study innate and antigen‐specific memory responses in mucosal tissues and in the blood. Vaccination with the inactivated influenza vaccine offers a model to study immune responses to an inactivated immunogen. Studies with these and other vaccines are beginning to reunite the estranged fields of immunology and vaccinology, yielding unexpected insights about mechanisms of viral immunity. Vaccines that have been proven to be of immense benefit in saving lives offer us a new fringe benefit: lessons in viral immunology.
The Cognitive Neuroscience of the Teacher–Student Interaction
Authors: Battro Antonio M. , Calero Cecilia I. , Goldin Andrea P. , Holper Lisa , Pezzatti Laura , Shalóm Diego E. , Sigman Mariano 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTPedagogy is the science and art of teaching. Each generation needs to explore the history, theory, and practice of the teacher–student interaction. Here we pave the path to develop a science that explores the cognitive and physiological processes involved in the human capacity to communicate knowledge through teaching. We review examples from our previous work in this research area and discuss a path to reveal the cognitive and cerebral mechanisms by which we teach, unfolding a complex operation such as teaching in its constituents and components.
High degree of genetic differentiation in marine three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: DeFaveri Jacquelin , Shikano Takahito , Shimada Yukinori , Merilä Juha 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPopulations of widespread marine organisms are typically characterized by a low degree of genetic differentiation in neutral genetic markers, but much less is known about differentiation in genes whose functional roles are associated with specific selection regimes. To uncover possible adaptive population divergence and heterogeneous genomic differentiation in marine three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus), we used a candidate gene‐based genome‐scan approach to analyse variability in 138 microsatellite loci located within/close to (<6 kb) functionally important genes in samples collected from ten geographic locations. The degree of genetic differentiation in markers classified as neutral or under balancing selection—as determined with several outlier detection methods—was low (FST = 0.033 or 0.011, respectively), whereas averageFSTfor directionally selected markers was significantly higher (FST = 0.097). Clustering analyses provided support for genomic and geographic heterogeneity in selection: six genetic clusters were identified based on allele frequency differences in the directionally selected loci, whereas four were identified with the neutral loci. Allelic variation in several loci exhibited significant associations with environmental variables, supporting the conjecture that temperature and salinity, but not optic conditions, are important drivers of adaptive divergence among populations. In general, these results suggest that in spite of the high degree of physical connectivity and gene flow as inferred from neutral marker genes, marine stickleback populations are strongly genetically structured in loci associated with functionally relevant genes.
IV. NIH TOOLBOX COGNITION BATTERY (CB): MEASURING LANGUAGE (VOCABULARY COMPREHENSION AND READING DECODING)
Authors: Gershon Richard C. , Slotkin Jerry , Manly Jennifer J. , Blitz David L. , Beaumont Jennifer L. , Schnipke Deborah , Wallner‐Allen Kathleen , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick , Gleason Jean Berko , Hirsh‐Pasek Kathy , Adams Marilyn Jager , Weintraub Sandra 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTMastery of language skills is an important predictor of daily functioning and health. Vocabulary comprehension and reading decoding are relatively quick and easy to measure and correlate highly with overall cognitive functioning, as well as with success in school and work. New measures of vocabulary comprehension and reading decoding (in both English and Spanish) were developed for the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (CB). In the Toolbox Picture Vocabulary Test (TPVT), participants hear a spoken word while viewing four pictures, and then must choose the picture that best represents the word. This approach tests receptive vocabulary knowledge without the need to read or write, removing the literacy load for children who are developing literacy and for adults who struggle with reading and writing. In the Toolbox Oral Reading Recognition Test (TORRT), participants see a letter or word onscreen and must pronounce or identify it. The examiner determines whether it was pronounced correctly by comparing the response to the pronunciation guide on a separate computer screen. In this chapter, we discuss the importance of language during childhood and the relation of language and brain function. We also review the development of the TPVT and TORRT, including information about the item calibration process and results from a validation study. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the measures are discussed.
The arbovirus vector Culex torrentium is more prevalent than Culex pipiens in northern and central Europe
Authors: HESSON J. C. , RETTICH F. , MERDIĆ E. , VIGNJEVIĆ G. , ÖSTMAN Ö. , SCHÄFER M. , SCHAFFNER F. , FOUSSADIER R. , BESNARD G. , MEDLOCK J. , SCHOLTE E.‐J. , LUNDSTRÖM J. O. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTwo species of arbovirus vector, Culex torrentium and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), occur in several European countries, but difficulties in their accurate identification and discrimination have hampered both detailed and large‐scale distribution and abundance studies. Using a molecular identification method, we identified to species 2559 larvae of Cx. pipiens/torrentium collected from 138 sites in 13 European countries ranging from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean coast. In addition, samples of 1712 males of Cx. pipiens/torrentium collected at several sites in the Czech Republic were identified to species based on the morphology of their hypopygia. We found that the two species occur together in large areas of Europe, and that Cx. torrentium dominates in northern Europe and Cx. pipiens dominates south of the Alps. The transition in dominance occurs in central Europe, where both species are roughly equally common. There was a strong correlation between the length of the growing season at different sites and occurrences of the two species. As the growing season increases, the proportion and detection of Cx. torrentium decrease, whereas those of Cx. pipiens increase. The present findings have important consequences for the interpretation of the results of studies on major enzootic and link‐vectors of mosquito‐borne bird‐associated viruses (i.e. Sindbis, West Nile and Usutu viruses), especially in central Europe and Scandinavia.
Is snacking good or bad for health: An overview
Authors: Miller R. , Benelam B. , Stanner S. A. , Buttriss J. L. 
Published: August 2013

SummarySnacking, or the habit of eating little and often, has been postulated to have a range of health benefits in relation to appetite control, bodyweight management and improved blood glucose control in diabetics and pre‐diabetics. However, there is widespread agreement that our current obesogenic environment is encouraging overeating in response to increased food portion sizes, palatability and/or energy‐density of foods, alongside the many social and psychological cues to eat. In this context, and as findings on the health effects of snacking are conflicting, the question remains as to whether more frequent eating and snacking can be of benefit to health. Snacks, if added to habitual meal intake, with no compensation for snack energy contribution, are likely over time to lead to positive energy balance. Hence, snacking might be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic, in addition to more established factors, such as food choice and physical activity. This paper explores the existing evidence concerning the impact of snacking on bodyweight and the behavioural and metabolic response to snacking. The impact of snacking on cognitive function is also discussed. The review highlights the need for further research as, despite many years of scientific interest in snacking, the lack of consistency in study design and snacking definitions and the array of potential confounding factors (e.g.physical activity levels) makes interpretation of findings difficult and has led to little consensus about the optimum number and composition of meals and/or snacks for bodyweight control, health and wellbeing on a population‐wide basis.
Standing on the shoulders of giants: Understanding calcium and vitamin D requirements
Authors: Prentice A. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe quote by Sir Isaac Newton, ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on ye sholders of Giants’ was the theme of the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) Annual Lecture 2012. Illustrations of the seminal contributions of six ‘giants’ of nutrition science, chosen because of their links to the BNF and to vitamin and mineral research in Cambridge, were used to give a historical context to recent studies and controversies on calcium and vitamin D requirements, particularly focusing on rickets and maternal and child nutrition.
Community structures ofN2‐fixing bacteria associated with the phyllosphere of aHolm oak forest and their response to drought
Authors: Rico L. , Ogaya R. , Terradas J. , Peñuelas J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBiological nitrogen (N) fixation is a key pathway in terrestrial ecosystems and is therefore critical for understanding the responses of ecosystems to global environmental changes. The free‐living diazotrophic community is distributed along the canopy‐to‐soil profile, but the ecological significance of epiphyllicN2fixers, despite their functional relevance, on plant foliar surfaces remains very poorly understood compared with theN2‐fixing community in forest litter and soils. We assessed the community structure ofN2fixers and overall bacteria by genetic fingerprinting (t‐RFLP) to explore the seasonal successional patterns of the microbial community in the natural phyllosphere of aHolm oak (Quercus ilex) forest submitted to 12‐year field experiment of rain exclusion mimicking the conditions of drought projected for the coming decades. Leaves ofHolm oak were analysed in different seasons over a period of 1.5 years. The bacterial community of the phyllosphere did not correspond to the surrounding soil biome in the same area. These analyses provided field evidence for the presence of free‐living diazotrophs associated with the tissues of leaves ofHolm oak, the dominant tree species of many Mediterranean forests. The results also revealed that the community composition is affected seasonally and inter‐annually by the environment, and that the composition shifts in response to climate change. Drought treatment increased the richness of the epiphyllic microbial community, especially during the summer. These changes were associated with higher C:N ratios of leaves observed in response to drought in semiarid areas. This epiphyllic microbiota that can potentially fixN2extends the capacity of plants to adapt to the environment.
Effects of relative humidity on infection, colonization and conidiation ofMagnaporthe orzyaeon perennial ryegrass
Authors: Li Y. , Uddin W. , Kaminski J. E. 
Published: August 2013

Grey leaf spot, caused byMagnaporthe oryzae, causes severe damage on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) turf. In this study, the effects of relative humidity (RH, 88 to 100% at 28°C) on infection, colonization and conidiation ofM. oryzaeon perennial ryegrass were investigated in controlled humidity chambers. Results showed that theRHthreshold for successfulM. oryzaeinfection was ≥92% at 28°C. The advancement of infection on the leaf tissue was further examined with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐taggedM. oryzaestrain. No appressorium formation was found when the inoculum was incubated atRH ≤ 88%. Additionally, theGFP‐tagged staining provided a rapid method to quantitatively compare the fungal colonization from leaf tissue at different levels ofRH. The fluorescence intensity data indicated that the fungal biomass was highest at 100%RHand there was no fluorescence intensity observed at 88%RHor below. Conidiation was only observed whenRHwas ≥96%, with the most abundant conidiation occurring 8 days after inoculation. Reduced conidiation was associated with decreasingRH, and no conidiation occurred atRH ≤ 92%. This study indicates that infection and conidiation ofM. oryzaeon perennial ryegrass required different thresholds: 92% and 96%RHfor infection and conidiation, respectively. The quantitative data from this research will assist in prediction of grey leaf spot disease outbreaks and of secondary infection of perennial ryegrass.