bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
APalaearctic migratory raptor species tracks shifting prey availability within its wintering range in theSahel
Authors: Trierweiler Christiane , Mullié Wim C. , Drent Rudi H. , Exo Klaus‐Michael , Komdeur Jan , Bairlein Franz , Harouna Abdoulaye , de Bakker Marinus , Koks Ben J. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryMid‐winter movements of up to several hundreds of kilometres are typical for many migratory bird species wintering in Africa. Unpredictable temporary food concentrations are thought to result in random movements of such birds, whereas resightings and recoveries of marked birds suggest some degree of site fidelity. Only detailed (e.g. satellite) tracking of individual migrants can reveal the relative importance and the causes of site choice flexibility and fidelity. The present study investigates how mid‐winter movements of aPalaearctic‐African migratory raptor,Montagu's harrierCircus pygargus, in theSahel ofWestAfrica are related to the availability of food resources.Thirty harriers breeding or hatched in northernEurope were satellite tracked (2005–2009). On average, four home ranges, each separated byc. 200 km, were visited during one overwinter stay in theSahel. Wintering home ranges were similar in size to breeding season home ranges (average over wintering and breeding home range sizec. 200 km2), and harriers showed high site fidelity between years.Most preferred habitat types in theSahel were mosaics of grass‐ and cropland, indicating similar habitat preferences in both the breeding‐ and wintering seasons.The main prey ofMontagu's harriers in theSahel were grasshoppersAcrididae. Highest grasshopper numbers in the field occurred at relatively low vegetation greenness [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values 0·17–0·27]. We usedNDVIas a proxy of food availability for harriers.During their overwinter stay,Montagu's harriers moved in aSouth–South‐western direction between consecutive home ranges. The birds selected areas within the range ofNDVIvalues associated with high grasshopper numbers, thus tracking a ‘green belt’ of predictable changes in highest grasshopper availability.Contrary to earlier hypotheses of random movements in theSahelian‐wintering quarters, the present study shows thatMontagu's harriers visited distinct home ranges, they were site‐faithful and tracked seasonal changes in food availability related to previous rainfall patterns, caused by the shiftingIntertropicalConvergenceZone. Itinerancy may be the rule rather than an exception among insectivorous birds wintering inAfrican savannahs.
Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the family questionnaire in a Brazilian sample of relatives of schizophrenia outpatients
Authors: Zanetti Ana CG , Wiedemann Georg , Dantas Rosana AS , Hayashida Miyeko , de Azevedo‐Marques João M , Galera Sueli AF 
Published: November 2012

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate the internal reliability and validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Family Questionnaire among families of schizophrenia outpatients.BackgroundThe main studies about the family environment of schizophrenia patients are related to the concept of Expressed Emotion. There is currently no instrument to evaluate this concept in Brazil that is easily applicable and comparable with studies from other countries.DesignMethodological and cross‐sectional research design.MethodA convenience sample of 130 relatives of schizophrenia outpatients was selected. The translation and cultural adaptation of the instrument involved experts in mental health and experts in the German language and included back translation, semantic evaluation of items and pretesting of the instrument with 30 relatives of schizophrenia outpatients. The psychometric properties of the instrument were studied with another 100 relatives, which fulfilled the requirements for the Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument. The psychometric properties of the instrument were assessed by construct validity (using an analysis of its key components, comparisons between distinct groups–convergent validity with the Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale) and reliability (checking the internal consistency of its items and its test–retest reproducibility).ResultsThe analysis of main components confirmed dimensionality patterns that were comparable between the original and adapted versions. In two domains of the instrument, critical comments and emotional over‐involvement had moderate and significant correlations, respectively, with Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale, appropriate values of Cronbach's alpha and strong and significant correlations, respectively, in test–retest reproducibility. We observed significant differences between distinct groups of parents in the category of emotional over‐involvement.ConclusionWe conclude that the Portuguese‐adapted version of the Family Questionnaire is valid and reliable for the study sample.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study provided evidence that the Family Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing expressed emotion. It is easy and practical to use and is acceptable for use in a Brazilian cultural population.
Rapid decreases in salinity, but not increases, lead to immune dysregulation in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)
Authors: Choi K , Cope W G , Harms C A , Law J M 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRapid changes in salinity, as with other environmental stressors, can have detrimental effects on fish and may trigger increased susceptibility to disease. However, the precise mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. We examined the effects of sudden increases or decreases in salinity on teleost immune function using Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), as the fish model in a battery of bioassays of increasing immune system specificity. Two different salinity experiments were performed: one of increasing salinity (0 to 5, 10 and 20 g L−1) and one of decreasing salinity (20 to 15, 10 and 5 g L−1). Histopathology of anterior kidney, gills, gonads, intestines and liver of exposed fish was performed, but no remarkable lesions were found that were attributable to the salinity treatment regimes. The spleen was removed from each fish for analysis of cytokine expression, and peripheral blood was used for haematology, cortisol and phagocytosis assays. In the increasing salinity experiments, no significant changes were observed in any immune system assays. However, in the decreasing salinity experiments, lymphopenia, neutrophilia and monocytosis were observed in the peripheral blood without modification of the packed cell volume, plasma protein or plasma cortisol levels. Phagocytosis was increased in response to decreases in salinity from 20 g L−1 to 15 g L−1, 10 g L−1 and 5 g L−1, whereas phagocytic index was not significantly altered. Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) transcription increased during the same decreases in salinity. However, the TGF‐β value at 5 g L−1 was less than those in the 15 and 10 g L−1 salinity treatments. Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) transcription did not significantly respond to either salinity regime. In total, acute salinity changes appeared to trigger reactive dysregulation of the immune response in tilapia, a situation which, when combined with additional co‐occurring stressors such as sudden changes in temperature and/or dissolved oxygen, could make fish more susceptible to infectious diseases. Accordingly, these findings may help to explain how sudden environmental changes may initiate disease outbreaks and lead to critical declines in cultured or wild fish populations.
Mucosal cutting biopsy technique for histological diagnosis of suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach
Authors: Kataoka Mikinori , Kawai Takashi , Yagi Kenji , Sugimoto Hiroko , Yamamoto Kei , Hayama Yasutaka , Nonaka Masaya , Aoki Takaya , Fukuzawa Masakatsu , Fukuzawa Mari , Itoi Takao , Moriyasu Fuminori 
Published: November 2012

Background and AimThe Japanese Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) therapeutic guidelines recommend endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy for histological diagnosis. However, before 2010, this technique was only carried out at a minority of medical institutions in Japan. In the present study, we investigated the usefulness of mucosal cutting biopsy.MethodsIn 18 asymptomatic gastric submucosal tumors, mucosal cutting biopsies were carried out. We examined tumor size, tumor site (lower third: L; middle third: M; upper third: U), histopathological diagnostic yield and complications. In cases that proceeded to surgical resection with a diagnosis of GIST, we compared the pre‐ and postoperative histopathological diagnosis, and the histological degrees of malignancy.ResultsThe tumors had a mean size of 20.3 mm and were located at the L site in five cases, M in four, and U in nine. Histological diagnosis of submucosal tumor was obtained in all the cases. (GIST, n = 13; heterotopic pancreas, n = 2; and leiomyoma, n = 3). No complications (e.g. bleeding, perforation or peritonitis) were seen after this procedure. In all 11 patients with GIST who underwent surgical resection, the histopathological findings from the mucosal cutting biopsy specimens were similar to those from the surgically resected specimens, with agreement between the immunostaining findings and the histological degree of malignancy (90.9%) in 10 patients.ConclusionsThe mucosal cutting biopsy technique is a useful diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of gastric GIST and for selection of the appropriate treatment.
Challenges in dietary guidance: a US perspective
Authors: Slavin J. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryGood nutrition is essential to human health. But how do we define ‘good nutrition'? Nutritional needs vary greatly through the life cycle so a diet that promotes healthy growth and development for a child may not be optimal for the elderly. Also, humans are adaptable to a wide range of dietary patterns and food intakes and their varying cultural preferences must be considered when making dietary recommendations. This paper describes the history of the development of dietary guidelines in the US and discusses some of the complexities around the development of advice for an optimal diet at a population level.The Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been published every five years since 1980. The development of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010) involved an evidence‐based review process to evaluate the strength of the relationships between food intake and disease outcomes. Unfortunately, many accepted relationships between food patterns and disease outcomes are not strongly based on evidence‐based reviews. This creates a challenge for government agencies when developing population guidelines for dietary intake, as well as for future committees charged with agreeing on the basis of an optimal diet for ‘good nutrition’.
Developments in personalised nutrition
Authors: Walsh M. , Kuhn S. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryFood4Me is a 4‐year multi‐partner project under the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), investigating the potential of, and public attitudes towards, personalised nutrition. Food4Me has gathered an international group of experts to survey the current understanding of personalised nutrition and to explore the application of individualised nutrition advice. The Food4Me project will also investigate consumer attitudes and produce new scientific tools for implementation.The project, which started in 2011, expects among its outcomes and achievements a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities and challenges for future personalised nutrition business models; new scientific tools that use dietary, genetic and phenotypic data for personalised nutrition; and a validation of the impact of different levels of personalised nutrition advice to consumers, be they dietary, phenotypic or genetic. It will also report on the attitudes and beliefs of European consumers to all aspects of personalised nutrition, describe the ethical and legal implications, as well as produce best practice guidelines for communicating information on the issue.This will be the first study of its kind in the world, designed to mimic a fully internet‐delivered, personalised nutrition service.
An emerging infectious pathogen endangers an ancient lineage of common carp by acting synergistically with conspecific exotic strains
Authors: Uchii K. , Okuda N. , Minamoto T. , Kawabata Z. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAnthropogenic introduction of non‐native species and the subsequent spread of their accompanying pathogens can cause serious declines in native wildlife populations. The common carp Cyprinus carpio, which is distributed worldwide due to intensive human introduction, is of little concern for conservation. However, the recent discovery of its ancient lineage endemic to the Japanese Archipelago has brought awareness of the conservation significance of the Japanese strain because this strain appears to be threatened by non‐native Eurasian strains that heavily colonize Japanese freshwater bodies. Another threat has been recently posed by a lethal emerging pathogen, Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV‐3), which has spread to Japanese populations of common carp since 2003. Here, we report a significant decline in the frequency of Japanese native carp mtDNA haplotypes in two of the five subpopulations in Lake Biwa, one of the major habitats of the Japanese strain, after mass mortality caused by an outbreak of CyHV‐3. It is likely that the less susceptible non‐native strains may have competitively eliminated the native strain. Our results suggest that the emerging pathogen and invasion of Eurasian strains may pose synergistic threats to Japanese native common carp.
Preliminary Evidence for a Gene–Environment Interaction in Predicting Alcohol Use Disorders in Adolescents
Authors: Miranda Robert , Reynolds Elizabeth , Ray Lara , Justus Alicia , Knopik Valerie S. , McGeary John , Meyerson Lori A. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundEmerging research suggests that genetic influences on adolescent drinking are moderated by environmental factors. The present study builds on molecular‐genetic findings by conducting the first analysis of gene–environment interactions in the association between a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the μ‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene (A118G) and risk of developing an alcohol use disorder (AUD) during adolescence. Specifically, we tested whether variation in parenting practices or affiliation with deviant peers moderated the link between the OPRM1 gene and risk of an AUD.MethodsAdolescents reporting European ancestry (N = 104), ages 12 to 19 years (M = 15.60, SD = 1.77), were interviewed to ascertain AUD diagnoses, provided a DNA sample for genetic analyses, and completed measures of parental monitoring and deviant peer affiliation. Logistic regression was used to test the effects of environmental variables and their interactions with OPRM1 genotype as predictors of AUD diagnosis while controlling for age and sex.ResultsCase–control comparisons showed that the proportion of youth with an AUD (n = 18) significantly differed by genotype such that 33.3% of G allele carriers met criteria for an AUD compared to 10.8% of youth who were homozygous for the A allele (p = 0.006). The OPRM1 × parental monitoring (odds ratio = 0.16) and OPRM1 × deviant peer affiliation (odds ratio = 7.64) interactions were significant predictors of AUD risk, such that G allele carriers with high levels of deviant peer affiliation or lower levels of parental monitoring had the greatest likelihood of developing an AUD (p‐values <0.01).ConclusionsThis study provides initial evidence that the association between the A118G SNP of the OPRM1 gene and risk of AUDs is moderated by modifiable factors. These results are limited, however, by the small sample size and require replication.
Expression of recombinant anti‐colorectal cancer large single‐chain monoclonal antibody in insect cells
Authors: Shao Yingxue , Lee Jeong‐Hwan , Choo Young‐Kug , Ko Kisung 
Published: November 2012

AbstractColorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) CO17‐1A recognizes the tumor‐associated antigen GA733‐2, a cell surface glycoprotein highly expressed in colorectal carcinoma cells which is applicable for preventing and curing colorectal cancer. In this study, we tried to produce a new recombinant anti‐colorectal cancer large single chain (lsc) mAb based on mAb CO17‐1A in the baculovirus‐insect cell protein expression system. Two kinds of recombinant lsc mAbs were generated where variable light chain (VL) and heavy chain (HC) of mAb CO17‐1A were fused together by an interchain linker. The only difference between the two mAbs is based on fusion of an ER retention signal (KDEL) at its C‐terminus of HC. Polymerase chain reaction analysis verified the presence of both recombinant genes in the bacmid for generating viral expression vectors in insect cells. Western blot confirmed the expression of lsc mAbs in baculovirus‐infected insect cells. Cell enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the mAbs from cell lysates bound to SW480 and SW620 human colorectal cancer cells. These results indicate that the baculovirus insect expression system can produce anti‐colorectal lsc mAb recognizing human colorectal cancer cells.
Autoantibodies and decreased expression of the transcription factor ELF‐3 together with increased chemokine pathways support an autoimmune phenotype and altered differentiation in lichen planus located in oral mucosa
Authors: Danielsson K. , Boldrup L. , Rentoft M. , Coates P.J. , Ebrahimi M. , Nylander E. , Wahlin Y.B. , Nylander K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground  The pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP), a chronic inflammatory disease, is not fully understood. It is known that OLP has autoimmune features, and it is suggested to be an autoimmune disease. ELF‐3 is involved in differentiation of keratinocytes and deregulated in different tumours and inflammatory diseases. CXCR‐3 and its ligands CXCL‐10 and CXCL‐11 are increased in autoimmune diseases and linked to Th‐1 immune response.Objectives  To analyse and compare expression of ELF‐3, CXCR‐3, CXCL‐10 and CXCL‐11 in OLP lesions and controls in whole and microdissected epithelium.Methods  Tissue biopsies from 20 patients clinically and histologically diagnosed with OLP and 20 healthy controls were studied using whole tissues or microdissected epithelium. By the use of qRT‐PCR, mRNA levels of ELF‐3, CXCR‐3, CXCL‐10 and CXCL‐11 were studied. Western blot was used for analysis of ELF‐3 protein expression. Sera from 19 OLP patients and 20 controls were analysed with ELISA in search for autoantibodies.Results  The upregulation of CXCR‐3, CXCL‐10 and CXCL‐11 found in OLP is similar to previous findings showing an autoimmune phenotype in lichen planus (LP) and lichen sclerosus. Decreased expression of the differentiation‐related transcription factor ELF‐3 was also seen in OLP lesions, and we further demonstrate presence of circulating autoantibodies against the ELF‐3 protein in sera from 3 of 19 (16%) LP patients tested.Conclusions  On the basis of these findings, we confirm that OLP shows features of an autoimmune disease and suggest deregulated differentiation of keratinocytes to be one of the causes of the disease phenotype.
Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Ethylene‐induced Stomatal Closure in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hou Zhihui , Wang Lanxiang , Liu Jing , Hou Lixia , Liu Xin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a newly‐discovered signaling molecule in plants and has caused increasing attention in recent years, but its function in stomatal movement is unclear. In plants, H2S is synthesized via cysteine degradation catalyzed by D‐/L‐cysteine desulfhydrase (D‐/L‐CDes). AtD‐/L‐CDes::GUS transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. plants were generated and used to investigate gene expression patterns, and results showed that AtD‐/L‐CDes can be expressed in guard cells. We also determined the subcellular localization of AtD‐/L‐CDes using transgenic plants of AtD‐/L‐CDes::GFP, and the results showed that AtD‐CDes and AtL‐CDes are located in the chloroplast and in the cytoplasm, respectively. The transcript levels of AtD‐CDes and AtL‐CDes were affected by the chemicals that cause stomatal closure. Among these factors, ACC, a precursor of ethylene, has the most significant effect, which indicates that the H2S generated from D‐/L‐CDes may play an important role in ethylene‐induced stomatal closure. Meanwhile, H2S synthetic inhibitors significantly inhibited ethylene‐induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis. Ethylene treatment caused an increase of H2S production and of AtD‐/L‐CDes activity in Arabidopsis leaves. AtD‐/L‐CDes over‐expressing plants exhibited enhanced induction of stomatal closure compared to the wild‐type after ethylene treatment; however, the effect was not observed in the Atd‐cdes and Atl‐cdes mutants. In conclusion, our results suggest that the D‐/L‐CDes‐generated H2S is involved in the regulation of ethylene‐induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana.
RCAN1 regulates vesicle recycling and quantal release kinetics via effects on calcineurin activity
Authors: Zanin Mark P. , Mackenzie Kimberly D. , Peiris Heshan , Pritchard Melanie A. , Keating Damien J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe have previously shown that Regulator of Calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) regulates multiple stages of vesicle exocytosis. However, the mechanisms by which RCAN1 affects secretory vesicle exocytosis and quantal release kinetics remain unknown. Here, we use carbon fibre amperometry to detect exocytosis from chromaffin cells and identify these underlying mechanisms. We observe reduced exocytosis with repeated stimulations in chromaffin cells over‐expressing RCAN1 (RCAN1ox), but not in wild‐type (WT) cells, indicating a negative effect of RCAN1 on vesicle recycling and endocytosis. Acute exposure to calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine A and FK‐506, replicates this effect in WT cells but has no additional effect in RCAN1ox cells. When we chronically expose WT cells to cyclosporine A and FK‐506 we find that catecholamine release per vesicle and pre‐spike foot (PSF) signal parameters are decreased, similar to that in RCAN1ox cells. Inhibiting calcineurin activity in RCAN1ox cells has no additional effect on the amount of catecholamine release per vesicle but further reduces PSF signal parameters. Although electron microscopy studies indicate these changes are not because of altered vesicle number or distribution in RCAN1ox cells, the smaller vesicle and dense core size we observe in RCAN1ox cells may underlie the reduced quantal release in these cells. Thus, our results indicate that RCAN1 most likely affects vesicle recycling and quantal release kinetics via the inhibition of calcineurin activity.
An apparent case of undiagnosed donor Kawasaki disease manifesting as coronary artery aneurysm in a pediatric heart transplant recipient
Authors: Friedland‐Little Joshua , Aiyagari Ranjit , Gajarski Robert J. , Schumacher Kurt R. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe present a case of coronary ectasia and LAD coronary artery aneurysm with angiographic characteristics of Kawasaki disease in a three‐yr‐old girl two‐yr status post‐orthotopic heart transplant. Coronary anomalies were noted during initial screening coronary angiography two yr after transplant. Subsequent review of the donor echocardiogram revealed that the LMCA had been mildly dilated prior to transplant. In the absence of any symptoms consistent with Kawasaki disease in the transplant recipient, this appears to be a case of Kawasaki disease in the organ donor manifesting with coronary anomalies in the transplant recipient. The patient has done well clinically, and repeat coronary angiography has revealed partial regression of coronary anomalies. Given multiple reports in the literature of persistent abnormalities of coronary artery morphology and function after Kawasaki disease, close monitoring is warranted, with consideration of potential coronary protective medical therapies.