bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Desiccation tolerance of Sphagnum revisited: a puzzle resolved
Authors: Hájek T. , Vicherová E. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAs ecosystem engineers, Sphagnum mosses control their surroundings through water retention, acidification and peat accumulation. Because water retention avoids desiccation, sphagna are generally intolerant to drought; however, the literature on Sphagnum desiccation tolerance (DT) provides puzzling results, indicating the inducible nature of their DT. To test this, various Sphagnum species and other mesic bryophytes were hardened to drought by (i) slow drying; (ii) ABA application and (iii) chilling or frost. DT tolerance was assessed as recovery of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters after severe desiccation. We monitored the seasonal course of DT in bog bryophytes. Under laboratory conditions, following initial de‐hardening, untreated Sphagnum shoots lacked DT; however, DT was induced by all hardening treatments except chilling, notably by slow drying, and in Sphagnum species of the section Cuspidata. In the field, sphagna in hollows and lawns developed DT several times during the growing season, responding to reduced precipitation and a lowered water table. Hummock and aquatic species developed DT only in late autumn, probably as a response to frost. Sphagnum protonemata failed to develop DT; hence, desiccation may limit Sphagnum establishment in drier habitats with suitable substrate chemistry. Desiccation avoiders among sphagna form compact hummocks or live submerged; thus, they do not develop DT in the field, lacking the initial desiccation experience, which is frequent in hollow and lawn habitats. We confirmed the morpho‐physiological trade‐off: in contrast to typical hollow sphagna, hummock species invest more resources in water retention (desiccation avoidance), while they have a lower ability to develop physiological DT.
Emulating a Gravity Model to Infer the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of an Infectious Disease
Authors: Jandarov Roman , Haran Murali , Bjørnstad Ottar , Grenfell Bryan 
Published: November 2013

SummaryProbabilistic models for infectious disease dynamics are useful for understanding the mechanism underlying the spread of infection. When the likelihood function for these models is expensive to evaluate, traditional likelihood-based inference may be computationally intractable. Furthermore, traditional inference may lead to poor parameter estimates and the fitted model may not capture important biological characteristics of the observed data. We propose a novel approach for resolving these issues that is inspired by recent work in emulation and calibration for complex computer models. Our motivating example is the gravity time series susceptible–infected–recovered model. Our approach focuses on the characteristics of the process that are of scientific interest. We find a Gaussian process approximation to the gravity model by using key summary statistics obtained from model simulations. We demonstrate via simulated examples that the new approach is computationally expedient, provides accurate parameter inference and results in a good model fit. We apply our method to analyse measles outbreaks in England and Wales in two periods: the prevaccination period from 1944 to 1965 and the vaccination period from 1966 to 1994. On the basis of our results, we can obtain important scientific insights about the transmission of measles. In general, our method is applicable to problems where traditional likelihood-based inference is computationally intractable or produces a poor model fit. It is also an alternative to approximate Bayesian computation when simulations from the model are expensive.
Species richness estimates of Blattodea s.s. (Insecta: Dictyoptera) from northern Guyana vary depending upon methods of species delimitation
Authors: EVANGELISTA DOMINIC A. , BOURNE GODFREY , WARE JESSICA L. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCockroaches (Order: Blattodea) comprise a taxon that, although very abundant in tropical forests, remains largely unstudied. Making sense of the diversity of species is a challenging task hindered by the large numbers of species and the abundance of cryptic or polymorphic forms. Here, we estimated species richness of cockroaches (s.s.) from northern Guyana while applying a method to deal with these confounding factors. We utilized two interpretations of abundance data, the first using only morphological information, and the second using both morphological and genetic barcode information. The two methods of species delimitation greatly influenced the resulting estimates of species richness. When incorporating genetic barcodes, our total species richness estimate decreased by 26%. Our results emphasize the importance of using independent datasets to delimit species boundaries and expert identification of specimens when possible.
1,25‐DihydroxyvitaminD3and its analogues increase catalase at themRNA, protein and activity level in a canine transitional carcinoma cell line
Authors: Middleton R. P. , Nelson R. , Li Q. , Blanton A. , Labuda J. A. , Vitt J. , Inpanbutr N. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAntioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutases (SOD),MnSODand Cu/ZnSOD, protect cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Numerous studies have reported the anti‐cancer effects of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitaminD3(calcitriol) and its related analogues, seocalcitol and analogue V. In this study, canine bladder transitional cell carcinoma (cbTCC) cells were used to determine effects of calcitriol and its related analogues on antioxidant enzyme gene expression, protein expression and activity. CatalasemRNAwas increased in response to calcitriol (10−7 M), and seocalcitol (10−7and 10−9 M).MnSOD mRNAwas decreased in response to calcitriol at 10−7 M. Catalase was significantly increased in response to calcitriol (10−7and 10−9 M), and seocalcitol (10−9 M). Catalase enzymatic activity increased in response to calcitriol, seocalcitol and analogue V (10−9 M). In addition, global gene expression analysis identified the involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling incbTCC's response to calcitriol and seocalcitol treatment.
Evaluation of the dosimetric properties of a synthetic single crystal diamond detector in high energy clinical proton beams
Authors: Mandapaka A. K. , Ghebremedhin A. , Patyal B. , Marinelli Marco , Prestopino G. , Verona C. , Verona‐Rinati G. 
Published: November 2013

Purpose:To investigate the dosimetric properties of a synthetic single crystal diamond Schottky diode for accurate relative dose measurements in large and small field high‐energy clinical proton beams.Methods:The dosimetric properties of a synthetic single crystal diamond detector were assessed by comparison with a reference Markus parallel plate ionization chamber, an Exradin A16 microionization chamber, and Exradin T1a ion chamber. The diamond detector was operated at zero bias voltage at all times. Comparative dose distribution measurements were performed by means of Fractional depth dose curves and lateral beam profiles in clinical proton beams of energies 155 and 250 MeV for a 14 cm square cerrobend aperture and 126 MeV for 3, 2, and 1 cm diameter circular brass collimators. ICRU Report No. 78 recommended beam parameters were used to compare fractional depth dose curves and beam profiles obtained using the diamond detector and the reference ionization chamber. Warm‐up/stability of the detector response and linearity with dose were evaluated in a 250 MeV proton beam and dose rate dependence was evaluated in a 126 MeV proton beam. Stem effect and the azimuthal angle dependence of the diode response were also evaluated.Results:A maximum deviation in diamond detector signal from the average reading of less than 0.5% was found during the warm‐up irradiation procedure. The detector response showed a good linear behavior as a function of dose with observed deviations below 0.5% over a dose range from 50 to 500 cGy. The detector response was dose rate independent, with deviations below 0.5% in the investigated dose rates ranging from 85 to 300 cGy/min. Stem effect and azimuthal angle dependence of the diode signal were within 0.5%. Fractional depth dose curves and lateral beam profiles obtained with the diamond detector were in good agreement with those measured using reference dosimeters.Conclusions:The observed dosimetric properties of the synthetic single crystal diamond detector indicate that its behavior is proton energy independent and dose rate independent in the investigated energy and dose rate range and it is suitable for accurate relative dosimetric measurements in large as well as in small field high energy clinical proton beams.
Annexin A6-Balanced Late Endosomal Cholesterol Controls Influenza A Replication and Propagation
Authors: Musiol Agnes , Gran Sandra , Ehrhardt Christina , Ludwig Stephan , Grewal Thomas , Gerke Volker , Rescher Ursula 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Influenza is caused by influenza A virus (IAV), an enveloped, negative-stranded RNA virus that derives its envelope lipids from the host cell plasma membrane. Here, we examined the functional role of cellular cholesterol in the IAV infection cycle. We show that shifting of cellular cholesterol pools via the Ca
2+
-regulated membrane-binding protein annexin A6 (AnxA6) affects the infectivity of progeny virus particles. Elevated levels of cellular AnxA6, which decrease plasma membrane and increase late endosomal cholesterol levels, impaired IAV replication and propagation, whereas RNA interference-mediated AnxA6 ablation increased viral progeny titers. Pharmacological accumulation of late endosomal cholesterol also diminished IAV virus propagation. Decreased IAV replication caused by upregulated AnxA6 expression could be restored either by exogenous replenishment of host cell cholesterol or by ectopic expression of the late endosomal cholesterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). Virus released from AnxA6-overexpressing cells displayed significantly reduced cholesterol levels. Our results show that IAV replication depends on maintenance of the cellular cholesterol balance and identify AnxA6 as a critical factor in linking IAV to cellular cholesterol homeostasis.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a major public health concern, and yet, major host-pathogen interactions regulating IAV replication still remain poorly understood. It is known that host cell cholesterol is a critical factor in the influenza virus life cycle. The viral envelope is derived from the host cell membrane during the process of budding and, hence, equips the virus with a special lipid-protein mixture which is high in cholesterol. However, the influence of host cell cholesterol homeostasis on IAV infection is largely unknown. We show that IAV infection success critically depends on host cell cholesterol distribution. Cholesterol sequestration in the endosomal compartment impairs progeny titer and infectivity and is associated with reduced cholesterol content in the viral envelope.
Transcriptomic Analysis of the Host Response to Giardia duodenalis Infection Reveals Redundant Mechanisms for Parasite Control
Authors: Tako Ernest A. , Hassimi Maryam F. , Li Erqiu , Singer Steven M. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThe immune system has numerous mechanisms that it can use to combat pathogens and eliminate infections. Nevertheless, studies of immune responses often focus on single pathways required for protective responses. We applied microarray analysis of RNA in order to investigate the types of immune responses produced against infection with the intestinal pathogenGiardia duodenalis. Infection withG. duodenalisis one of the most common causes of diarrheal disease in the world. While several potential antiparasitic effector mechanisms, including complement lysis, nitric oxide (NO), and α-defensin peptides, have been shown to inhibit parasite growth or killGiardia in vitro, studiesin vivohave thus far shown clear roles only for antibody and mast cell responses in parasite control. A total of 96 transcripts were identified as being upregulated or repressed more than 2-fold in the small intestine 10 days following infection. Microarray data were validated using quantitative PCR. The most abundant category of transcripts was antibody genes, while the most highly induced transcripts were all mast cell proteases. Among the other induced transcripts was matrix metalloprotease 7 (Mmp7), the protease responsible for production of mature α-defensins in mice. While infections in Mmp7-deficient mice showed only a small increase in parasite numbers, combined genetic deletion of Mmp7 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, Nos2) or pharmacological blockade of iNOS in Mmp7-deficient mice resulted in significant increases in parasite loads following infection. Thus, α-defensins and NO are redundant mechanisms for control ofGiardiainfectionsin vivo.IMPORTANCEThe immune system has multiple weapons which it uses to help control infections. Many infections result in activation of several of these response mechanisms, but it is not always clear which responses actually contribute to control of the pathogen and which are bystander effects. This study used the intestinal parasiteGiardia duodenalisto examine the redundancy in immune responses during infections in mice. Our results showed that at least four distinct mechanisms are activated following infections. Furthermore, by blocking two pathways at the same time, we showed that both mechanisms contribute to control of the infection, whereas blocking single responses showed no or minimal effect in these cases.
Long-Lasting T Cell-Independent IgG Responses Require MyD88-Mediated Pathways and Are Maintained by High Levels of Virus Persistence
Authors: Raval Forum M. , Mishra Rabinarayan , Garcea Robert L. , Welsh Raymond M. , Szomolanyi-Tsuda Eva 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTMany viruses induce acute T cell-independent (TI) B cell responses due to their repetitive epitopes and the induction of innate cytokines. Nevertheless, T cell help is thought necessary for the development of long-lasting antiviral antibody responses in the form of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells. We found that T cell-deficient (T cell receptor β and δ chain [TCRβδ] knockout [KO]) mice persistently infected with polyomavirus (PyV) had long-lasting antiviral serum IgG, and we questioned whether they could generate TI B cell memory. TCRβδ KO mice did not form germinal centers after PyV infection, lacked long-lived IgG-secreting plasma cells in bone marrow, and did not have detectable memory B cell responses. Mice deficient in CD4+T cells had a lower persisting virus load than TCRβδ KO mice, and these mice had short-lived antiviral IgG responses, suggesting that a high virus load is required to activate naive B cells continuously, and maintain the long-lasting serum IgG levels. Developing B cells in bone marrow encounter high levels of viral antigens, which can cross-link both their B cell receptor (BCR) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and this dual engagement may lead to a loss of their tolerance. Consistent with this hypothesis, antiviral serum IgG levels were greatly diminished in TCRβδ KO/MyD88−/−mice. We conclude that high persisting antigen levels and innate signaling can lead to the maintenance of long-lasting IgG responses even in the absence of T cell help.IMPORTANCELifelong control of persistent virus infections is essential for host survival. Several members of the polyomavirus family are prevalent in humans, persisting at low levels in most people without clinical manifestations, but causing rare morbidity/mortality in the severely immune compromised. Studying the multiple mechanisms that control viral persistence in a mouse model, we previously found that murine polyomavirus (PyV) induces protective T cell-independent (TI) antiviral IgG. TI antibody (Ab) responses are usually short-lived, but T cell-deficient PyV-infected mice can live for many months. This study investigates how protective IgG is maintained under these circumstances and shows that these mice lack both forms of B cell memory, but they still have sustained antiviral IgG responses if they have high levels of persisting virus and intact MyD88-mediated pathways. These requirements may ensure life-saving protection against pathogens even in the absence of T cells, but they prevent the continuous generation of TI IgG against harmless antigens.
Emergency department malnutrition screening and support model improves outcomes in a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vivanti A , Isenring E , Baumann S , Powrie D , O'Neill M , Clark D , Courtice S , Campbell K , Ferguson M 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo trial malnutrition screening in older adults presenting to an emergency department (ED) and compare two service delivery models of nutritional support on nutritional status, quality of life, falls and unplanned hospital admissions.DesignParticipants (>60 years) presenting to ED screened at malnutrition risk were randomly allocated to either the control group (receiving regular treatment from community hospital interface programme nursing staff) or intervention group (receiving dietetic assessment, nutrition intervention and follow-up in addition to regular community hospital interface programme support). Outcome measures including body weight, quality of life, depression, falls history and days of hospital admissions were collected at baseline and 12 weeks.ResultsOf 703 patients screened, 84 (12%) were identified at malnutrition risk. 24 consented to the intervention study, with 88% (21/24) confirmed to be malnourished. Clinically important but not statistically significant differences were found over the 12-week trial; the intervention group (n=9) gained 0.8 kg (±3.7) while the control group (n=10) lost −1.1 kg (±4.6). The intervention group also had better quality of life, less depression and shorter hospital admissions.ConclusionsMalnutrition screening appears feasible in ED. This pilot suggests a model of care providing nutrition support to older adults identified at nutritional risk may lead to improved patient outcomes but further research in a larger sample is required to confirm these findings.
Prevention of exercise-related injuries and adverse events in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mendes Romeu , Sousa Nelson , Reis Victor Machado , Themudo-Barata José Luís 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Physical activity is widely recommended as an essential non-pharmacological therapeutic strategy to the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with the natural progression of the disease and typical age and anthropometric profile of individuals with type 2 diabetes may expose these patients to an increased risk of injury and acute adverse events during exercise. These injuries and adverse events can lead to fear of new injury and consequent physical inactivity. Preventative measures are essential to reduce risk, increase safety and avoid the occurrence of exercise-related injuries in people with type 2 diabetes. This population can exercise safely if certain precautions are taken and if exercise is adapted to complications and contraindications of each individual. Conditions such as diabetic foot, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic autonomic neuropathy, cardiovascular risk factors, musculoskeletal disorders, hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, dehydration and interactions between medication and exercise should be taken into consideration when prescribing exercise.
Circulating Soluble Cytokine Receptors and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Authors: Ho Gloria Y.F. , Wang Tao , Zheng Siqun L. , Tinker Lesley , Xu Jianfeng , Rohan Thomas E. , Wassertheil-Smoller Sylvia , Xue Xiaonan , Augenlicht Leonard H. , Peters Ulrike , Phipps Amanda I. , Strickler Howard D. , Gunter Marc J. , Cushman Mary 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Background: Soluble cytokine receptors and receptor antagonist of proinflammatory cytokines can modify cytokine signaling and may affect cancer risk.
Methods: In a case–cohort study nested within the Women's Health Initiative cohort of postmenopausal women, we assessed the associations of plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and the soluble receptors of IL-1 (sIL-1R2), IL-6 (sIL-6R and sgp130), and TNF (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) with risk of colorectal cancer in 433 cases and 821 subcohort subjects. Baseline levels of estradiol, insulin, leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α measured previously were also available for data analysis.
Results: After adjusting for significant covariates, including age, race, smoking, colonoscopy history, waist circumference, and levels of estrogen, insulin, and leptin, relatively high levels of sIL-6R and sIL-1R2 were associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk [HRs comparing extreme quartiles (HRQ4-Q1) for sIL-6R, 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38–0.83; HRQ4-Q1 for sIL-1R2, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29–0.67]. The associations with IL-1Ra, sgp130, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were null. The inverse association of sIL-1R2 with colorectal cancer risk persisted in cases diagnosed ≤5 and &gt;5 years from baseline blood draw; the association with sIL-6R, however, was not evident in the latter group, possibly indicating that relatively low levels of sIL-6R in cases might be due to undiagnosed cancer at the time of blood draw.
Conclusions: High circulating levels of sIL-1R2 may be protective against colorectal carcinogenesis and/or be a marker of reduced risk for the disease.
Impact: sIL-1R2 has potential to be a chemopreventive and/or immunotherapeutic agent in inflammation-related diseases. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(1); 179–88. ©2013 AACR.
Phosphoproteomic Profiling Identifies Focal Adhesion Kinase as a Mediator of Docetaxel Resistance in Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lee Brian Y. , Hochgräfe Falko , Lin Hui-Ming , Castillo Lesley , Wu Jianmin , Raftery Mark J. , Martin Shreeve S. , Horvath Lisa G. , Daly Roger J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDocetaxel remains the standard-of-care for men diagnosed with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, only approximately 50% of patients benefit from treatment and all develop docetaxel-resistant disease. Here, we characterize global perturbations in tyrosine kinase signaling associated with docetaxel resistance and thereby develop a potential therapeutic strategy to reverse this phenotype. Using quantitative mass spectrometry–based phosphoproteomics, we identified that metastatic docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cell lines (DU145-Rx and PC3-Rx) exhibit increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) on Y397 and Y576, in comparison with parental controls (DU145 and PC3, respectively). Bioinformatic analyses identified perturbations in pathways regulating focal adhesions and the actin cytoskeleton and in protein–protein interaction networks related to these pathways in docetaxel-resistant cells. Treatment with the FAK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) PF-00562271 reduced FAK phosphorylation in the resistant cells, but did not affect cell viability or Akt phosphorylation. Docetaxel administration reduced FAK and Akt phosphorylation, whereas cotreatment with PF-00562271 and docetaxel resulted in an additive attenuation of FAK and Akt phosphorylation and overcame the chemoresistant phenotype. The enhanced efficacy of cotreatment was due to increased autophagic cell death, rather than apoptosis. These data strongly support that enhanced FAK activation mediates chemoresistance in CRPC, and identify a potential clinical niche for FAK TKIs, where coadministration with docetaxel may be used in patients with CRPC to overcome chemoresistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(1); 190–201. ©2013 AACR.