bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal adversity and ecological stressors in natural populations: the role of stress axis programming in individuals, with implications for populations and communities
Authors: Love Oliver P. , McGowan Patrick O. , Sheriff Michael J. 
Published: August 2012

Summary
Biomedical researchers have long appreciated that maternal stressors can induce preparative and adaptive programming in offspring via exposure to maternal Glucocorticoids (GCs). However, few ecologists are aware of the capacity for maternal GC exposure to translate ecological and environmental stressors into preparative and adaptive programmed offspring responses in free‐living systems. We review a growing body of experimental work indicating that circulating maternal GCs link ecological stressors with adaptive programming of the stress axis. Throughout, we emphasise that natural and human‐induced ecological stressors play a fundamental role in programming the capacity of individuals, populations and communities to respond to both predictable and unpredictable ecological change via translating maternal adversity into responsive programming of the vertebrate stress axis.
To encourage rigorous testing of this paradigm in a broad range of ecological systems, we introduce the principal extrinsic stressors with a recognised potential to alter maternal circulating GC levels. We then review from the biomedical literature regarding the underlying physiological and epigenetic mechanisms of stress‐induced programming of individual phenotypes to predict how variation in ecological stressors can produce individual variation in stress axis management.
To appreciate the potential evolutionary inertia (i.e. adaptive value) of maternally programmed individual variation, we review key recent studies in free‐living systems that test its adaptive function, and then discuss how variation in stress‐axis programming may scale up to influence populations and ecological communities.
Given the huge potential of this field, it is encouraging that ecologists are beginning to examine how and why maternal GCs translate ecological and environmental stressors into preparative stress axis programming in free‐living systems.
The effect of cooling on coagulation and haemostasis: Should “Ice” be part of treatment of acute haemarthrosis in haemophilia?
Authors: Forsyth A. L. , Zourikian N. , Valentino L. A. , Rivard G. E. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryRepeated haemarthroses and the consequences of blood in the joint contribute to blood induced joint disease (BIJD) in people with haemophilia (PWH). Prevention of bleeding, through medical management, is the standard of care in developed countries, but is not universally available due to financial and other barriers. Ice application, as part of R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) or alone, is commonly recommended as an adjunct treatment to decrease bleeding, pain, tissue metabolism, oedema, and inflammation. This article will review evidence regarding local cooling by commonly used ice application methods, to decrease the temperature of the skin and intra‐articular (IA) joint space and the resultant effects on haemostasis and coagulation. The general literature was reviewed for articles in English describing temperatures achievable in the skin and IA space using clinically relevant ice protocols, and the effect of cooling on haemostasis and coagulation. The literature demonstrates that typical methods of ice application can cool both the skin and IA space. Published, general literature studies have also consistently demonstrated that experimental cooling of blood and/or tissue, both in vitro and in vivo in humans and in animal models, can significantly impair coagulation and prolong bleeding. In PWH with acute haemarthrosis, ice application has potential to increase haemorrhage morbidity by further impairing coagulation and haemostasis. Ice has not been shown to improve overall outcome, stop bleeding nor swelling from haemarthrosis. Although ice can help manage acute, haemarthrosis‐related pain, there are other available interventions that will not impair coagulation and haemostasis.
PEGylated therapeutic proteins for haemophilia treatment: a review for haemophilia caregivers
Authors: Ivens I. A. , Baumann A. , McDonald T. A. , Humphries T. J. , Michaels L. A. , Mathew P. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPEGylation is the technology involving the covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to a protein‐, peptide‐ or small‐molecule drug to improve their pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and immunological profiles, and thus, enhance the therapeutic effect. Today, PEGylation of proteins is a well‐established technology and is being used in the treatment of a variety of clinical disorders. Several PEGylated coagulation proteins for haemophilia A and B are under development with the goal of prolonging the circulation half‐life of factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX. The prolongation of half‐life, resulting in less frequent injections can provide significant benefits in improving the quality of life of subjects with haemophilia and improvement in adherence to treatment. A review of published literature on PEGylated therapeutic products currently approved for human use and a discussion of a PEGylated recombinant FVIII molecule (BAY 94–9027, Bayer HealthCare, Berkeley, CA, USA) currently being investigated in the pivotal clinical trial prior to registration is provided. Available safety information of PEGylated proteins containing high molecular weight PEG does not indicate any safety concerns to date, following long‐term (chronic) use in animal models or patients. Chronic use of currently available PEGylated products has been shown to be safe, paving the way for chronic use of PEGylated coagulation products in persons with haemophilia.
Predicting dispersal distance in mammals: a trait‐based approach
Authors: Whitmee Sarah , Orme C. David L. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryDispersal is one of the principal mechanisms influencing ecological and evolutionary processes but quantitative empirical data are unfortunately scarce. As dispersal is likely to influence population responses to climate change, whether by adaptation or by migration, there is an urgent need to obtain estimates of dispersal distance.Cross‐species correlative approaches identifying predictors of dispersal distance can provide much‐needed insights into this data‐scarce area. Here, we describe the compilation of a new data set of natal dispersal distances and use it to test life‐history predictors of dispersal distance in mammals and examine the strength of the phylogenetic signal in dispersal distance.We find that both maximum and median dispersal distances have strong phylogenetic signals. No single model performs best in describing either maximum or median dispersal distances when phylogeny is taken into account but many models show high explanatory power, suggesting that dispersal distance per generation can be estimated for mammals with comparatively little data availability.Home range area, geographic range size and body mass are identified as the most important terms across models. Cross‐validation of models supports the ability of these variables to predict dispersal distances, suggesting that models may be extended to species where dispersal distance is unknown.
Investigating face‐to‐face peer interaction patterns in a collaborative Web discovery task: the benefits of a shared display
Authors: Chung C‐W. , Lee C‐C. , Liu C‐C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMobile computers are now increasingly applied to facilitate face‐to‐face collaborative learning. However, the factors affecting face‐to‐face peer interactions are complex as they involve rich communication media. In particular, non‐verbal interactions are necessary to convey critical communication messages in face‐to‐face communication. Through gathering discourse and non‐verbal interaction records, this study explores the peer interactions supported by two collaborative applications: one with mobile computers and the other with shared‐display groupware (SDG). The results show that the students tended to interact with each other according to a distributed and an unsocial interaction pattern when using the application with mobile computers. In contrast, the students who learned with the SDG demonstrated a shared interaction pattern, whereby they often jointly focused on and referred to the shared work. The analysis of the students' work further found that a higher level of discussion was generally associated with the shared interaction pattern. The results seem to support SDG as being useful in augmenting face‐to‐face peer interaction supported by mobile computers. The implications derived from the findings also support the argument that non‐verbal interaction records are useful for quantitatively and qualitatively analysing face‐to‐face peer interactions.
Low numbers of repeat units in variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) regions of white spot syndrome virus are correlated with disease outbreaks
Authors: Hoa T T T , Zwart M P , Phuong N T , de Jong M C M , Vlak J M 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWhite spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most important pathogen in shrimp farming systems worldwide including the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The genome of WSSV is characterized by the presence of two major ‘indel regions’ found at ORF14/15 and ORF23/24 (WSSV‐Thailand) and three regions with variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) located in ORF75, ORF94 and ORF125. In the current study, we investigated whether or not the number of repeat units in the VNTRs correlates with virus outbreak status and/or shrimp farming practice. We analysed 662 WSSV samples from individual WSSV‐infected Penaeus monodon shrimp from 104 ponds collected from two important shrimp farming regions of the Mekong Delta: Ca Mau and Bac Lieu. Using this large data set and statistical analysis, we found that for ORF94 and ORF125, the mean number of repeat units (RUs) in VNTRs was significantly lower in disease outbreak ponds than in non‐outbreak ponds. Although a higher mean RU number was observed in the improved‐extensive system than in the rice‐shrimp or semi‐intensive systems, these differences were not significant. VNTR sequences are thus not only useful markers for studying WSSV genotypes and populations, but specific VNTR variants also correlate with disease outbreaks in shrimp farming systems.
Characterization of myocardial lesions associated with cardiomyopathy syndrome in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., using laser capture microdissection
Authors: Wiik‐Nielsen J , Løvoll M , Fritsvold C , Kristoffersen A B , Haugland Ø , Hordvik I , Aamelfot M , Jirillo E , Koppang E O , Grove S 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., is characterized by focal infiltration in the spongy myocardium and endocardium of the heart. The origin of the mononuclear infiltrate is unknown. Using experimentally infected fish, we investigated localization of the causative agent, piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV), within the heart and characterized the cell population associated with myocardial lesions. Cellular and transcriptional characteristics in the lesions were compared with adjacent non‐infiltrated tissues using laser capture microdissection, RT‐qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Our results reveal that PMCV is almost exclusively present in myocardial lesions. The inflammatory infiltrate comprises a variety of leucocyte populations, including T cells, B cells, MHC class II+ and CD83+ cells, most likely of the macrophage line. Correlation analyses demonstrated co‐ordinated leucocyte activity at the site of the virus infection. Cellular proliferation and/or DNA repair was demonstrated within the myocardial lesions. Different cell populations, mainly myocytes, stained positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Densities of endothelial cells and fibroblasts were not significantly increased. The simultaneous presence of PMCV and various inflammatory cells in all myocardial lesions analysed may indicate that both viral lytic and immunopathological effects may contribute to the pathogenesis of CMS.
Three‐dimensional nanofabrication of polystyrene by focused ion beam
Authors: LEE C.C. , PROUST G. , ALICI G. , SPINKS G.M. , CAIRNEY J.M. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryFocused ion beam micromachining provides a maskless and resistless technique for prototyping of structures from thermoplastic polymers, an example being the production of polystyrene microcantilevers with potential applications as micro/nanoelectromechanical systems sensors and actuators. The applicability of FIB technology is, however, often restricted by the damage created by high energy gallium ion bombardment and local beam heating, which can affect the desired properties and limit the minimum achievable size of the fabricated structure. To investigate the ion‐induced damage and determine the limitations of the technique for polymer nanofabrication, we have exposed thin polystyrene film to the ion beam at varying ion doses, ion energies and specimen temperatures. Ion doses ranging from 1016 to 1018 ions cm−2 show significant gallium implantation, redeposition of sputtered material and chemical degradation in the polymer. Raman results show that the local heating in polymer during milling is severe at room temperature, damaging the aromatic carbon bonding (C = C) in particular. These observations are supported by the results of a beam heating model and Monte Carlo simulations. The chemical degradation caused by local beam heating is found to be significantly reduced by cooling the specimen to −25°C during milling. This is consistent with observations that reversible and repeatable thermal actuation of a fabricated polystyrene–platinum microcantilever is only observed when the cantilever is prepared at low temperature milling. Using this cooling approach, polymer structures can be fabricated with dimensions as low as 200 nm and still retain a sufficient volume of material unaffected by the ion beam.
Induction of slow oscillations by rhythmic acoustic stimulation
Authors: NGO HONG‐VIET V. , CLAUSSEN JENS C. , BORN JAN , MÖLLE MATTHIAS 
Published: August 2012

SummarySlow oscillations are electrical potential oscillations with a spectral peak frequency of ∼0.8 Hz, and hallmark the electroencephalogram during slow‐wave sleep. Recent studies have indicated a causal contribution of slow oscillations to the consolidation of memories during slow‐wave sleep, raising the question to what extent such oscillations can be induced by external stimulation. Here, we examined whether slow oscillations can be effectively induced by rhythmic acoustic stimulation. Human subjects were examined in three conditions: (i) with tones presented at a rate of 0.8 Hz (‘0.8‐Hz stimulation’); (ii) with tones presented at a random sequence (‘random stimulation’); and (iii) with no tones presented in a control condition (‘sham’). Stimulation started during wakefulness before sleep and continued for the first ∼90 min of sleep. Compared with the other two conditions, 0.8‐Hz stimulation significantly delayed sleep onset. However, once sleep was established, 0.8‐Hz stimulation significantly increased and entrained endogenous slow oscillation activity. Sleep after the 90‐min period of stimulation did not differ between the conditions. Our data show that rhythmic acoustic stimulation can be used to effectively enhance slow oscillation activity. However, the effect depends on the brain state, requiring the presence of stable non‐rapid eye movement sleep.
Insect P450s: mounted for battle in their war against toxins
Authors: SCHULER MARY A. 
Published: August 2012

Transcriptome profiling methods are rapidly changing the ways in which insect responses to the environment can be assessed. One article featured in this issue of Molecular Ecology utilizes global expression analysis to extend previous studies examining the basis of insecticide resistance in Helicoverpa species that are devastating crop pests worldwide. In this issue Tao et al. (2012) have used a wide spectrum of biochemical and molecular techniques to examine the extent to which naturally occurring plant compounds and one synthetic insecticide change transcriptome profiles of Helicoverpa armigera larvae (Fig. 1) to enhance their adaptation to plant toxins and insecticides in their diet and environment. With their data highlighting an array of P450 transcripts and a few esterase transcripts that are correlated with increased tolerance to the insecticide deltamethrin, these researchers provide the first comprehensive evaluation of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450), glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and esterase (Est) gene responses in a lepidopteran species repeatedly subjected to pyrethroid selection. Building on this information, these researchers venture into the realm of the biorational in showing that RNAi‐mediated destruction of one prominent toxin‐inducible P450 transcript can increase sensitivity to deltamethrin, thereby compromising larval growth in the presence of this insecticide. The fact that the resulting levels of deltamethrin tolerance in the RNAi‐silenced larvae are not restored completely to the levels in larvae whose defences are not stimulated by consuming plant compounds provides further evidence that their adaptive strategies for survival in toxin‐rich environments include many different P450, esterase and, possibly, other genes. Together, their data highlight the complexity of the defence systems evolving in lepidopterans and other insect pests. Helicoverpa armigera on cotton flower bud.image
Association of TNF‐α polymorphisms with adult dermatomyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus in Bulgarian patients
Authors: Dourmishev Lyubomir , Kamenarska Zornitsa , Hristova Maria , Dodova Rumyana , Kaneva Radka , Mitev Vanio 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) have been implicated in various autoimmune diseases; however, the results are quite controversial, and there is still no widely accepted opinion about their role in the pathology of the autoimmune diseases. This is a pilot study to investigate the association of six SNPs of the TNF‐α gene with the risk of adult dermatomyositis (DM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Bulgarian patients.Materials and methods Twenty‐seven patients with DM and 27 with SLE were included in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood, and six SNPs (−1031T/C, −863C/A, −857C/T, −308G/A, −238G/A, +489G/A) were selected for investigation by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results We found association between the TNF‐α−1031CC genotype and SLE (P = 0.025) and tendency for association with DM (P = 0.0876). The association appeared even stronger in the female patients with SLE (P = 0.024) and DM (P = 0.067). The TNF‐α−857GG genotype shows weak association with SLE (P = 0.097, OR 2.06, 95% CI 0.81–5.29) when analyzed for the whole group, but it appeared significantly associated with SLE in women (P = 0.048, OR 3.23, 95% CI 0.93–11.14). The −863C allele showed association with arthritis in patients with SLE (P = 0.008). The haplotype analysis revealed a significant association between TNF −1031C/−863C/−857C/−308G/+489G haplotype with both DM (P = 0.022) and SLE (P = 0.007) in women.Conclusions The TNF‐α polymorphisms are associated with increased relative risk mainly for SLE, particularly in women, while their role for DM is less evident and needs further analysis in an enlarged sample cohort.
Impaired sleep quality and sleep duration in smokers—results from the German Multicenter Study on Nicotine Dependence
Authors: Cohrs Stefan , Rodenbeck Andrea , Riemann Dieter , Szagun Bertram , Jaehne Andreas , Brinkmeyer Jürgen , Gründer Gerhard , Wienker Thomas , Diaz‐Lacava Amalia , Mobascher Arian , Dahmen Norbert , Thuerauf Norbert , Kornhuber Johannes , Kiefer Falk , Gallinat Jürgen , Wagner Michael , Kunz Dieter , Grittner Ulrike , Winterer Georg 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCigarette smoking is a severe health burden being related to a number of chronic diseases. Frequently, smokers report about sleep problems. Sleep disturbance, in turn, has been demonstrated to be involved in the pathophysiology of several disorders related to smoking and may be relevant for the pathophysiology of nicotine dependence. Therefore, determining the frequency of sleep disturbance in otherwise healthy smokers and its association with degree of nicotine dependence is highly relevant. In a population‐based case‐control study, 1071 smokers and 1243 non‐smokers without lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Axis I disorder were investigated. Sleep quality (SQ) of participants was determined by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. As possible confounders, age, sex and level of education and income, as well as depressiveness, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity, alcohol drinking behaviour and perceived stress, were included into multiple regression analyses. Significantly more smokers than non‐smokers (28.1% versus 19.1%; P < 0.0001) demonstrated a disturbed global SQ. After controlling for the confounders, impaired scores in the component scores of sleep latency, sleep duration and global SQ were found significantly more often in smokers than non‐smokers. Consistently, higher degrees of nicotine dependence and intensity of smoking were associated with shorter sleep duration. This study demonstrates for the first time an elevated prevalence of sleep disturbance in smokers compared with non‐smokers in a population without lifetime history of psychiatric disorders even after controlling for potentially relevant risk factors. It appears likely that smoking is a behaviourally modifiable risk factor for the occurrence of impaired SQ and short sleep duration.
Factors influencing food choices of food‐allergic consumers: findings from focus groups
Authors: Sommer I. , MacKenzie H. , Venter C. , Dean T. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundUp to 35% of the population modify their diet for adverse reactions to food. This study described the food choice behaviour of diagnosed food‐allergic (DFA), self‐reported food‐allergic or intolerant (SFA) and nonfood‐allergic (NFA) consumers, and explored differences between them.MethodsSix focus groups with adults (n = 44) were conducted. Data analysis was performed using thematic content analysis.ResultsCompared to NFA participants, DFA consumers were deprived of satisfaction and pleasure from foods, experienced difficulties finding safe foods and had to be organized with eating. SFA participants faced similar problems, but to a lesser degree; their food choices were strongly influenced by emotional factors or health awareness.ConclusionFood‐allergic consumers' food choices are influenced by a number of factors that differ to those of NFA consumers. It is therefore important to offer people with food allergies or intolerances advice that goes beyond how to avoid allergens.