bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Latitudinally structured variation in the temperature dependence of damselfly growth rates
Authors: Nilsson‐Örtman Viktor , Stoks Robby , De Block Marjan , Johansson Helena , Johansson Frank 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe Metabolic Theory of Ecology predicts that the slope of the rate–temperature relationship, E, remains consistent across traits and organisms, acting as a major determinant of large‐scale ecological patterns. Although E has recently been shown to vary systematically, we have a poor understanding of its ecological significance. To address this question, we conducted a common‐garden experiment involving six damselfly species differing in distribution, estimating E at the level of full‐sib families. Each species was sampled throughout its latitudinal range, allowing us to characterise variation in E along a latitudinal gradient spanning 3600 km. We show that E differs among populations and increases with latitude. E was right‐skewness across species, but this was largely an artefact of the latitudinal trend. Increased seasonality towards higher latitude may contribute to the latitudinal trend in E. We conclude that E should be seen as a trait involved in local adaptation.
Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramatically lower than previously predicted
Authors: Mordecai Erin A. , Paaijmans Krijn P. , Johnson Leah R. , Balzer Christian , Ben‐Horin Tal , de Moor Emily , McNally Amy , Pawar Samraat , Ryan Sadie J. , Smith Thomas C. , Lafferty Kevin D. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe ecology of mosquito vectors and malaria parasites affect the incidence, seasonal transmission and geographical range of malaria. Most malaria models to date assume constant or linear responses of mosquito and parasite life‐history traits to temperature, predicting optimal transmission at 31 °C. These models are at odds with field observations of transmission dating back nearly a century. We build a model with more realistic ecological assumptions about the thermal physiology of insects. Our model, which includes empirically derived nonlinear thermal responses, predicts optimal malaria transmission at 25 °C (6 °C lower than previous models). Moreover, the model predicts that transmission decreases dramatically at temperatures > 28 °C, altering predictions about how climate change will affect malaria. A large data set on malaria transmission risk in Africa validates both the 25 °C optimum and the decline above 28 °C. Using these more accurate nonlinear thermal‐response models will aid in understanding the effects of current and future temperature regimes on disease transmission.
Lactoferrin and its hydrolysate bind directly to the oleate‐activated form of the lipolysis stimulated lipoprotein receptor
Authors: Ahmad Nazir , Girardet Jean‐Michel , Akbar Samina , Lanhers Marie‐Claire , Paris Cédric , Yen Frances T. , Corbier Catherine 
Published: October 2012

The hepatic removal of triglyceride‐rich chylomicrons during the postprandial phase represents an important step towards determining the bioavailability of dietary lipids amongst the peripheral tissues. Indeed, elevated postprandial lipemia is often associated with obesity and increased risk of coronary heart disease. The milk protein, lactoferrin, has been shown to inhibit hepatic chylomicron remnant removal by the liver, resulting in increased postprandial lipemia. Despite numerous studies on potential targets for lactoferrin, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of lactoferrin remain unclear. We recently demonstrated that the lipolysis stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) contributes to the removal of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins during the postprandial phase. Here, we report that while lactoferrin does not have any significant effect on LSR protein levels in mouse Hepa1–6 cells, this protein colocalizes with LSR in cells but only in the presence of oleate, which is needed to obtain LSR in its active form as lipoprotein receptor. Ligand blotting using purified LSR revealed that lactoferrin binds directly to the receptor in the presence of oleate and prevents the binding of triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins. Both C‐ and N‐lobes of lactoferrin as well as a mixture of peptides derived from its hydrolysis retained the ability to bind LSR in its active form. We propose then that the elevated postprandial lipemia observed upon lactoferrin treatment in vivo is mediated in part by its direct interaction with free fatty acid activated LSR, thus preventing clearance of chylomicrons and their remnants through the LSR pathway.Structured digital abstract• Lsr and Lsr bind by comigration in gel electrophoresis (View interaction)• Lsr binds to Lf by filter binding (View interaction)• Lf and Lsr colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)• Lsr physically interacts with VLDL by filter binding (View interaction)
Increased amounts of von Willebrand factor are bound to microparticles after infusion of desmopressin
Authors: Trummer A. , Haarmeijer B. , Werwitzke S. , Wermes C. , Ganser A. , Budde U. , Tiede A. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryEffects of desmopressin (DDAVP) in platelet disorders and primary haemostasis cannot be attributed solely to the increase in FVIII/VWF (von Willebrand factor), as VWF/FVIII concentrates have no effect in these circumstances. Microparticles (MP) can support haemostasis by expression of phospholipids, tissue factor and VWF on their surface. We hypothesized that significant amounts of VWF are bound to MP after DDAVP administration and that consequently depletion of MP should influence VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo plasma levels. Platelet‐poor plasma was either obtained well from healthy controls or before and after DDAVP administration from patients with von Willebrand's disease (type 1 or possible type 1) or patients with other bleeding disorders as controls. Concentrations of MP and VWF parameters were determined before and after MP depletion by different methods (magnetic bead selection, plasma microfiltration, ultracentrifugation). Platelet MP and VWF‐bearing MP were significantly increased after DDAVP. MP depletion by magnetic bead selection led to a significant reduction in VWF:Ag (−18.0%) and VWF:RCo (−27.7%) plasma levels without changes in VWF multimer composition. As results were similar for DDAVP control subjects, the amount of VWF bound to circulating microparticles was significantly higher after DDAVP administration compared with healthy controls (reduction −11.7%). DDAVP leads to a release of microparticles and increases the amount of VWF bound to microparticles which might explain the clinical efficacy of DDAVP in platelet disorders.
Quadriceps strength, inter‐extremity difference (IED) and joint status in adult persons with severe haemophilia in different age stages
Authors: Brunner A. , Stäuber F. , Göhler S. , Czepa D. , Krüger S. , Wendel M. , Seuser A. , Hilberg T. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryQuadriceps weakness seems to be a hallmark in adult persons with severe haemophilia (PWH). The purpose of this study was to compare PWH and non‐haemophilic controls in different age stages with reference to joint status and quadriceps strength. Further aims were to examine the extent of strength‐specific inter‐extremity‐difference (IED) and the prevalence of abnormal IED (AIED). A total of 106 adults with severe haemophilia (H) and 80 controls (C) had undergone an orthopaedic examination for classification of knee and ankle status using the WFH score. Quadriceps strength was evaluated unilaterally as well as bilaterally with a knee extensor device. Each group was divided into four age‐related subgroups (HA/CA: 18–29, HB/CB: 30–39, HC/CC: 40–49, HD/CD: 50–70; in years). H presented a worse knee and ankle status than C indicated by higher WFH scores (P < 0.01). Regarding the age‐matched subgroups only HB showed higher knee scores than CB (P < 0.05). The ankles were clinically more affected in HB‐HD compared with those in age‐matched controls (P < 0.05). H showed lower quadriceps strength than C (P < 0.05). In addition, all subgroups of H presented lower strength (HA: 10–17, HB: 19–23, HC: 35–36, HD: 53–61; in%, P < 0.05). IED was higher in H than in C [H: 12.0 (5.3/32.2) vs. C: 7.1 (2.9/10.9); Median (quartiles) in%, P < 0.001] and increased with age in H. We discovered an AIED in 35% of H. These findings highlight the importance for the early implementation of preventive and rehabilitative muscle training programmes in the comprehensive treatment of PWH.
Information needs of public health practitioners: a review of the literature
Authors: Ford Jennifer , Korjonen Helena 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo review published literature covering the information needs of public health practitioners and papers highlighting gaps and potential solutions in order to summarise what is already known about this population and models tested to support them.MethodsThe search strategy included bibliographic databases LISTA, LISA, PubMed and Web of Knowledge. The results of this literature review were used to create two tables displaying published literature.FindingsThe literature highlighted that some research has taken place into different public health subgroups with consistent findings. Gaps in information provision have also been identified by looking at the information services provided.ConclusionThere is a need for further research into information needs in subgroups of public health practitioners as this group is diverse, has different needs and needs varying information. Models of informatics that can support public health must be developed and published so that the public health information community can share experiences and solutions and begin to build an evidence‐base to produce superior information systems for the goal of a healthier society.
Quantitative trait loci for resistance to Haemonchus contortus artificial challenge in Red Maasai and Dorper sheep of East Africa
Authors: Marshall K. , Mugambi J. M. , Nagda S. , Sonstegard T. S. , Van Tassell C. P. , Baker R. L. , Gibson J. P. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryA genome‐wide scan was performed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to the gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus in a double backcross population of Red Maasai and Dorper sheep. The mapping population comprised six sire families, with 1026 lambs in total. The lambs were artificially challenged with H. contortus at about 6.5 months of age, and nine phenotypes were measured: fecal egg count, packed cell volume decline, two weight traits and five worm traits. A subset of the population (342 lambs) was selectively genotyped for 172 microsatellite loci covering 25 of the 26 autosomes. QTL mapping was performed for models which assumed that the QTL alleles were either fixed or segregating within each breed, combined with models with only an additive QTL effect fitted or both additive and dominance QTL effects fitted. Overall, QTL significant at the 1% chromosome‐wide level were identified for 22 combinations of trait and chromosome. Of particular interest are a region of chromosome 26 with putative QTL for all nine traits and a region of chromosome 2 with putative QTL for three traits. Favorable QTL alleles for disease resistance originated in both the Red Maasai and Dorper breeds, were not always fixed within breed and had significant dominance effects in some cases. We anticipate that this study, in combination with follow‐up work and other relevant studies, will help elucidate the biology of disease resistance.
Economic burden of acute pesticide poisoning in South Korea
Authors: Choi Yeongchull , Kim Younhee , Ko Yousun , Cha Eun S. , Kim Jaeyoung , Lee Won J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectives  To investigate the magnitude and characteristics of the economic burden resulting from acute pesticide poisoning (APP) in South Korea.Methods  The total costs of APP from a societal perspective were estimated by summing the direct medical and non‐medical costs together with the indirect costs. Direct medical costs for patients assigned a disease code of pesticide poisoning were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Reimbursement Data. Direct non‐medical costs were estimated using the average transportation and caregiving costs from the Korea Health Panel Survey. Indirect costs, incurred by pre‐mature deaths and work loss, were obtained using 2009 Life Tables for Korea and other relevant literature.Results  In 2009, a total of 11 453 patients were treated for APP and 1311 died, corresponding to an incidence of 23.1 per 100 000 population and a mortality rate of 2.6 per 100 000 population in South Korea. The total costs of APP were estimated at approximately US$ 150 million, 0.3% of the costs of total diseases. Costs due to pre‐mature mortality accounted for 90.6% of the total costs, whereas the contribution of direct medical costs was relatively small.Conclusion  Costs from APP demonstrate a unique characteristic of a large proportion of the indirect costs originating from pre‐mature mortality. This finding suggests policy implications for restrictions on lethal pesticides and safe storage to reduce fatality and cost due to APP.
Factors affecting seed germination and emergence of Gomphrena perennis
Authors: ACOSTA J M , BENTIVEGNA D J , PANIGO E S , DELLAFERRERA I , PERRETA M G 
Published: October 2012

SummaryControlled growth chamber experiments were conducted to determine factors affecting seed germination and emergence of the troublesome weed Gomphrena perennis. The objective of this research was to examine the effects of temperature, light, moist chilling, osmotic potential, dry storage and depth of seed burial on G. perennis germination and emergence. The optimum temperature for germination was around 15–20°C. Seeds showed germination rates above 90% under 20/10 and 25/15°C temperature regimes. The minimum exposure to light needed to stimulate germination was 1 min. However, the light requirement was reduced after a long storage period. Furthermore, germination was high (>90%) in all moist‐chilling treatments tested. Germination was highly sensitive to increasing osmotic stress. The highest germination percentage (94%) was achieved at 0 MPa, and decreasing osmotic potential from 0 to −0.3 MPa reduced germination to 11%. The highest seedling emergence occurred for seeds placed from 0 to 1 cm deep, and no seedlings emerged from a 5‐cm burial depth. Gomphrena perennis has a suitable environment in a no‐till soybean field, where seeds remaining on the surface have the required temperature, light and depth needed for germination.
MicroRNA‐155 is a predictive marker for survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Shinmei Shunsuke , Sakamoto Naoya , Goto Keisuke , Sentani Kazuhiro , Anami Katsuhiro , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Teishima Jun , Matsubara Akio , Oue Naohide , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Yasui Wataru 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical significance of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, in particular focusing on the association of expression levels of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 with clinicopathological factors, cancer‐specific survival and therapeutic outcomes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients.MethodsQuantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 was carried out on 137 clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases, containing 77 matched pairs of clear cell renal cell carcinoma and normal adjacent kidney tissues from the same patients.ResultsSignificant overexpression of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 was found in clear cell renal cell carcinoma compared with normal kidney tissue. Expression of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 was not associated with prognosis in all stage groups. However, in 43 patients with stage III and IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma, low expression levels of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 correlated with a poor prognosis. Regarding cancer‐free survival of 26 patients with stage III and IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma who received curative resection and cancer‐specific survival of 31 patients who received postoperative therapy with interferon‐α after radical nephrectomy, low expression levels of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 correlated with poor clinical outcomes in these two groups.ConclusionsLow expression of micro‐ribonucleic acid‐155 represents a valuable marker of poor clinical outcomes in patients with stage III and IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Single versus multiple doses of antibiotic prophylaxis in limb fracture surgery
Authors: Morrison Stewart , White Nathan , Asadollahi Saeed , Lade Justin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundThere is no consensus with regard to optimum prophylactic antibiotic regimen in orthopaedic fracture surgery.ObjectiveA systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to determine if multiple‐dose perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is more effective than a single preoperative dose in the prevention of surgical wound infection in patients undergoing operative treatment of low‐energy closed fractures.Data resourcesMedline, Medline in Process and other non‐indexed citations, Embase, Cochrane database of systematic reviews and conference proceedings were searched.Review methodsStudies were included if they were randomized or quasi‐randomized trials comparing the results of a single antibiotic prophylaxis versus multiple doses of the same antibiotic in patients undergoing surgical fixation of closed fractures.ResultsFour studies were found to meet the searching criteria. The mean score for quality assessment of these studies was 16 (8–24 points). Only two out of four studies had detailed analysable data and therefore were included in the final analysis. 921 patients were pooled using a random‐effects model. Compared to multiple‐dose prophylaxis, administration of a single preoperative dose demonstrated no significant difference regarding the overall surgical site infection rate (risk ratio (RR) = 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07–1.25). Multiple‐dose antibiotic prophylaxis is marginally more effective than single dose in reducing the incidence of deep surgical wound infection (risk ratio: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.99).ConclusionThere is lack of definite evidence that multiple‐dose antibiotic prophylaxis is superior to single preoperative dose in low‐energy closed fracture surgery.
Natalizumab may reduce cognitive changes and brain atrophy rate in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: a prospective,  non‐randomized pilot study
Authors: Portaccio E. , Stromillo M. L. , Goretti B. , Hakiki B. , Giorgio A. , Rossi F. , De Leucio A. , De Stefano N. , Amato M. P. 
Published: October 2012

Background and purposeThe development of treatment strategies for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still in its infancy. The objective of this prospective, non‐randomized, pilot study was to assess the possible efficacy of treatment with natalizumab in comparison with interferon beta (IFNB) in a group of relapsing–remitting patients with MS.MethodsWe included 12 patients treated with natalizumab and 14 with IFNB. At baseline and at follow‐up, cognitive functioning was assessed through Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery. All the patients underwent brain MR study with the assessment of T2 lesion volumes, neocortical volume, normalized brain volume and percentage brain volume change (PBVC). Evolution of cognitive performance was assessed using available normative data for the Italian population. Treatment comparisons were assessed through the Mann–Whitney U‐test, anova for repeated measures and linear multivariate regression analyses.ResultsAfter a mean follow‐up of 1.5 years, the mean number of neuropsychological tests with a deteriorating performance was significantly lower in patients treated with natalizumab (0.7 ± 0.7 vs. 1.7 ± 1.4; P = 0.031). Likewise, PBVC was significantly lower in natalizumab‐treated subjects than that observed in patients treated with IFNB (−0.51% ± 0.47% vs. −1.18% ± 0.98%; P = 0.050).ConcluionOur results suggest a potential beneficial effect of natalizumab therapy on cognitive functioning in MS, possibly mediated by a reduction of brain atrophy.
Suppression of Ku70/80 or Lig4 leads to decreased stable transformation and enhanced homologous recombination in rice
Authors: Nishizawa‐Yokoi Ayako , Nonaka Satoko , Saika Hiroaki , Kwon Yong‐Ik , Osakabe Keishi , Toki Seiichi 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Evidence for the involvement of the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway in Agrobacterium‐mediated transferred DNA (T‐DNA) integration into the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis remains inconclusive.

Having established a rapid and highly efficient Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation system in rice (Oryza sativa) using scutellum‐derived calli, we examined here the involvement of the NHEJ pathway in Agrobacterium‐mediated stable transformation in rice. Rice calli from OsKu70, OsKu80 and OsLig4 knockdown (KD) plants were infected with Agrobacterium harboring a sensitive emerald luciferase (LUC) reporter construct to evaluate stable expression and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) construct to monitor transient expression of T‐DNA.

Transient expression was not suppressed, but stable expression was reduced significantly, in KD plants. Furthermore, KD‐Ku70 and KD‐Lig4 calli exhibited an increase in the frequency of homologous recombination (HR) compared with control calli. In addition, suppression of OsKu70, OsKu80 and OsLig4 induced the expression of HR‐related genes on treatment with DNA‐damaging agents.

Our findings suggest strongly that NHEJ is involved in Agrobacterium‐mediated stable transformation in rice, and that there is a competitive and complementary relationship between the NHEJ and HR pathways for DNA double‐strand break repair in rice.
Biogeographical patterns and determinants of invasion by forest pathogens in Europe
Authors: Santini A. , Ghelardini L. , De Pace C. , Desprez‐Loustau M. L. , Capretti P. , Chandelier A. , Cech T. , Chira D. , Diamandis S. , Gaitniekis T. , Hantula J. , Holdenrieder O. , Jankovsky L. , Jung T. , Jurc D. , Kirisits T. , Kunca A. , Lygis V. , Malecka M. , Marcais B. , Schmitz S. , Schumacher J. , Solheim H. , Solla A. , Szabò I. , Tsopelas P. , Vannini A. , Vettraino A. M. , Webber J. , Woodward S. , Stenlid J. 
Published: October 2012

Summary

A large database of invasive forest pathogens (IFPs) was developed to investigate the patterns and determinants of invasion in Europe.

Detailed taxonomic and biological information on the invasive species was combined with country‐specific data on land use, climate, and the time since invasion to identify the determinants of invasiveness, and to differentiate the class of environments which share territorial and climate features associated with a susceptibility to invasion.

IFPs increased exponentially in the last four decades. Until 1919, IFPs already present moved across Europe. Then, new IFPs were introduced mainly from North America, and recently from Asia. Hybrid pathogens also appeared. Countries with a wider range of environments, higher human impact or international trade hosted more IFPs. Rainfall influenced the diffusion rates. Environmental conditions of the new and original ranges and systematic and ecological attributes affected invasiveness.

Further spread of established IFPs is expected in countries that have experienced commercial isolation in the recent past. Densely populated countries with high environmental diversity may be the weakest links in attempts to prevent new arrivals. Tight coordination of actions against new arrivals is needed. Eradication seems impossible, and prevention seems the only reliable measure, although this will be difficult in the face of global mobility.