bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of oxytocin receptors is greatly reduced in the placenta of heavy mares with retained fetal membranes due to secondary uterine atony
Authors: Rapacz‐Leonard A. , Raś A. , Całka J. , Janowski T. E. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryReasons for performing studyFetal membrane retention can be a life‐threatening condition and its incidence exceeds 50% in heavy draught mares. Although fetal membrane retention is commonly treated with repeated injections of oxytocin, based on the suggestion that it is caused mainly by secondary atony of the uterus, this treatment sometimes fails. This led us to ask if expression of oxytocin receptors differs in mares that retain fetal membranes due to secondary uterine atony.ObjectivesTo determine whether expression of oxytocin receptors in equine placental tissues differs when heavy draught mares expel fetal membranes or retain them because of secondary uterine atony.Study designControlled study using archived tissues.MethodsPlacental biopsies (containing the endometrium and allantochorion) were taken from 8 heavy draught mares during parturition. Four mares expelled fetal membranes shortly after foaling (control mares) and 4 mares retained them (expulsion time was >3 h from delivery). The 4 mares that retained fetal membranes had secondary atony of the uterus. The amount of oxytocin receptors was estimated by measuring the intensity of western blot bands. The presence and location of oxytocin receptors were determined by immunocytochemistry.ResultsOxytocin receptor expression was nearly 50 times less intense in mares with placenta retention due to secondary atony of the uterus and immunocytochemical staining was barely visible. In the control mares, oxytocin receptors were found in both epithelial and endothelial cells of the placenta and staining was most intense where the endometrium contacts the allantochorion.ConclusionsInadequate expression of oxytocin receptors may be a cause of uterine atony leading to fetal membrane retention.
Bile salt recognition by human liver fatty acid binding protein
Authors: Favretto Filippo , Santambrogio Carlo , D'Onofrio Mariapina , Molinari Henriette , Grandori Rita , Assfalg Michael 
Published: January 2015

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) act as intracellular carriers of lipid molecules, and play a role in global metabolism regulation. Liver FABP (L‐FABP) is prominent among FABPs for its wide ligand repertoire, which includes long‐chain fatty acids as well as bile acids (BAs). In this work, we performed a detailed molecular‐ and atomic‐level analysis of the interactions established by human L‐FABP with nine BAs to understand the binding specificity for this important class of cholesterol‐derived metabolites. Protein–ligand complex formation was monitored using heteronuclear NMR, steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. BAs were found to interact with L‐FABP with dissociation constants in the narrow range of 0.6–7 μm; however, the diverse substitution patterns of the sterol nucleus and the presence of side‐chain conjugation resulted in complexes endowed with various degrees of conformational heterogeneity. Trihydroxylated BAs formed monomeric complexes in which single ligand molecules occupied similar internal binding sites, based on chemical‐shift perturbation data. Analysis of NMR line shapes upon progressive addition of taurocholate indicated that the binding mechanism departed from a simple binary association equilibrium, and instead involved intermediates along the binding path. The co‐linear chemical shift behavior observed for L‐FABP complexes with cholate derivatives added insight into conformational dynamics in the presence of ligands. The observed spectroscopic features of L‐FABP/BA complexes, discussed in relation to ligand chemistry, suggest possible molecular determinants of recognition, with implications regarding intracellular BA transport. Our findings suggest that human L‐FABP is a poorly selective, universal BA binder.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecA is indispensable for inhibition of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐dependent bactericidal activity of THP‐1‐derived macrophages in vitro
Authors: Szulc‐Kielbik Izabela , Brzezinska Marta , Kielbik Michal , Brzostek Anna , Dziadek Jaroslaw , Kania Katarzyna , Sulowska Zofia , Krupa Agnieszka , Klink Magdalena 
Published: January 2015

Our knowledge about the mechanisms utilized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis to survive inside macrophages is still incomplete. One of the mechanism that protects M. tuberculosis from the host's microbicidal products and allows bacteria to survive involves DNA repair systems such as the homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ) pathways. It is accepted that any pathway that contributes to genome maintenance should be considered as potentially important virulence factor. In these studies, we investigated reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐α production by macrophages infected with wild‐type M. tuberculosis, with an HR‐defective mutant (∆recA), with an NHEJ‐defective mutant [∆(ku,ligD)], with a mutant defective for both HR and NHEJ [∆(ku,ligD,recA)], or with appropriate complemented strains. We also assessed the involvement of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2 in the response of macrophages to infection with the above‐mentioned strains, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in M. tuberculosis‐infected macrophages. We found that mutants lacking RecA induced a greater bactericidal response by macrophages than did the wild‐type strain or an NHEJ‐defective mutant, and activated ERK1/2 was involved only in the response of macrophages to recA deletion mutants [∆(ku,ligD,recA) and ∆recA]. We also demonstrated that only the triple mutant induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate‐stimulated macrophages. Moreover, HR‐defective mutants induced lower amounts of tumor necrosis factor‐α secretion than did the wild‐type or ∆(ku,ligD). Our results indicate that RecA contributes to M. tuberculosis virulence, and also suggest that diminished ERK1/2 activation in macrophages infected with M. tuberculosis possessing recA may be an important mechanism by which wild‐type mycobacteria escape intracellular killing.
A Creative Helicobacter pylori Diagnosis Scheme Based on Multiple Genetic Analysis System: Qualification and Quantitation
Authors: Zhou Lifang , Zhao Fuju , Hu Binjie , Fang Yi , Miao Yingxin , Huang Yiqin , Ji Da'nian , Zhang Jinghao , Xu Lingli , Zhang Yanmei , Bao Zhijun , Zhao Hu 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, several diagnostic assays for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are available, but each has some limitations. Further, a high‐flux quantitative assay is required to assist clinical diagnosis and monitor the effectiveness of therapy and novel vaccine candidates.MethodsThree hundred and eighty‐seven adult patients [nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) 295, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) 77, gastric cancer (GC) 15] were enrolled for gastrointestinal endoscopies. Three biopsy samples from gastric antrum were collected for the following tests: culture, rapid urease test (RUT), histopathology, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Multiple Genetic Analysis System (MGAS). The diagnostic capability of H. pylori for all methods was evaluated through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsBased on the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of MGAS were 92.9 and 92.4%, and positive predict value (PPV) and negative predict value (NPV) were 96.0 and 87.1%, respectively. All the above parameters of MGAS were higher than that of culture (except its specificity), RUT and histopathology, and nearly closed to that of conventional PCR. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.7575 (Culture), 0.8870 (RUT), 0.9000 (Histopathology), 0.9496 (Conventional PCR), and 0.9277 (MGAS). No significant statistical difference was observed for the H. pylori DNA load in different disease groups (p = .067). In contrast, a statistically significant difference in the H. pylori DNA copy number was observed based on age (p = .043) and gender (p = .021).ConclusionsThe data showed that MGAS performed well in detecting H. pylori infection. Furthermore, the quantitative analysis showed that the load of H. pylori was significantly different within both age and gender groups. These results suggested that MGAS could be a potential alternative method for clinical detection and monitoring of the effectiveness of H. pylori therapy.
Optimisation of soya bean oil bleaching by ultrasonic processing and investigate the physico‐chemical properties of bleached soya bean oil
Authors: Abedi Elahe , Sahari Mohammad Ali , Barzegar Mohsen , Azizi Mohammad Hossein 
Published: January 2015

SummaryIn this study, an ultrasonic bleaching method for soya bean oil under different conditions was optimised by monitoring the reduction of oil‐containing colourants. Ultrasonic power, clay content, temperature and time had a significant interaction effect on (P < 0.05) the reduction of oil pigments and colourants. Under optimised conditions, red and yellow colour indices in the ultrasound‐bleached soya bean oil reduced to 74.44% and 75.55%, and 54.18% and 58.85%, respectively, at amplitudes of 85% and 65%. Carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations also reduced to 81.19% and 83.62%, and 94.66% and 95.26%, respectively, at 85% and 65% ultrasonic power. The overall contents of sterols and tocopherols decreased using ultrasonic bleaching process compared with the neutralised soya bean oil. Although the peroxide value (PV) of the soya bean oil after ultrasonic and control bleaching reduced, this index was higher in the ultrasonic bleached oil than the control one. The results showed that the ultrasonic bleaching process could be an alternative to the industrial bleaching method as it reduced clay usage, temperature and time of bleaching about 35%, 35% and 10%, respectively.
Isolation of antimicrobial agent from the marine algae Cystoseira hakodatensis
Authors: Jun Joon‐Young , Nakajima Sosuke , Yamazaki Koji , Kawai Yuji , Yasui Hajime , Konishi Yasuyuki 
Published: January 2015

SummaryCystoseira hakodatensis is an unutilised brown algae belonging to family Sargassaceae. A crude methanol extract from the algae showed inhibitory effects on the growths of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus licheniformis. To isolate the major antimicrobial agent, a sequential active‐guided isolation procedure was applied: liquid–liquid extraction, column chromatography and bio‐autography. A marked antimicrobial agent (active α) was isolated in hydrophobic fraction and was determined to phenolics without carbohydrates and proteins by phytochemical test. Regarding the antimicrobial potential, the isolated active α showed better inhibitory effects against B. cereus and B. licheniformis at 2 and 4 times of lower concentrations (62.5 and 31.3 μg mL−1) in comparison with epigallocatechin gallate. These results showed that C. hakodatensis is a potential source of antimicrobial agent capable of preventing the growth of the two bacteria.
Polymorphisms of the NOS3 gene in Tunisian patients with Behçet's disease
Authors: Kallel A. , Sbaï M. H. , Houman M. H. , Sediri Y. , Ouertani D. , Smiti Khanfir M. , Ben Ghorbel I. , Jemaa R. , Kaabachi N. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryBehçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent orogenital ulceration, ocular inflammation and skin lesions. Reduced plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with BD have been implicated in the development of the endothelial abnormalities and thrombotic complications occurring in these patients. Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) have been inconsistently associated with BD. This inconsistency may derive from population stratification secondary to ethnic diversity, and consideration limited to only one rather than combinations of polymorphisms. We studied three genetic variations in the NOS3 gene: a single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter region −786T>C, in exon 7 (Glu298Asp), and a variable number of tandem repeats in intron 4 (4a4b) of the NOS3 gene in 100 unrelated Tunisian patients with BD and 148 healthy controls. In addition, we also examined the association of NOS3 gene haplotypes with BD. Analyses of the Glu298Asp, −786T>C and 4a4b polymorphisms were made by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism technique and PCR genotyping, respectively. The distribution of the Glu298Asp genotype differed significantly between patients with BD and controls (P = 0.01). Allele Asp298 was significantly more frequent in patients with BD than in controls (P = 0.005, OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.14–2.54). In contrast, distribution of alleles and genotypes of −786T>C and 4a4b polymorphisms was not different between the control and BD group. However, the frequency of Asp‐T‐4b haplotype was significantly higher in patients with BD than in healthy controls. By gender, the signification remained only for heterozygous men (P = 0.03) and homozygous women (P = 0.02). These results suggest that Glu298Asp polymorphism of the NOS3 gene is associated with BD susceptibility in Tunisian patients.
Determination of U–Pb Ages for Young Zircons using Laser Ablation‐ICP‐Mass Spectrometry Coupled with an Ion Detection Attenuator Device
Authors: Sakata Shuhei , Hattori Kentaro , Iwano Hideki , Yokoyama Takaomi D. , Danhara Tohru , Hirata Takafumi 
Published: January 2015

We have developed new analytical procedures to measure precise and accurate 238U–206Pb and 235U–207Pb ages for young (~ 1 Ma) zircons using laser ablation‐ICP‐mass spectrometry. For young zircons, both careful correction for the background counts and analysis of very small Pb/U ratios (i.e., 206Pb/238U < 0.00016 and 207Pb/235U < 0.0001 for 1 Ma zircons) are highly desired. For the correction of the background, the contribution of the background signal intensities for the analytes, especially for the residual signal intensities for 206Pb and 207Pb, was defined through laser ablation of synthesised zircons (ablation blank) containing negligible Pb. The measured signal intensities for 202Hg, 206Pb and 207Pb signals obtained by the ablation blank were slightly higher than those obtained by data acquisition without laser ablation (gas blank). For the wider dynamic range measurements on Pb/U ratios, an attenuator device for the ion detection system was employed to extend the capability to monitor high‐intensity signals (i.e., > 3 Mcps). Through the attenuator device, the ion currents were reduced to 1/450 of the signal intensity without the attenuator. Because the switching time for the attenuator was shorter than 1 ms, signal intensities for only specific isotopes could be reduced. With attenuation of the 238U signal, counting statistics on 206Pb and 207Pb isotopes could be improved and counting loss on the 238U signal could be minimised. To demonstrate the reliability of this new analytical technique, 238U–206Pb and 235U–207Pb ages for three young zircon samples (collected from Osaka Group Pink Volcanic Ash, Kirigamine and Bishop Tuff) were measured. The data presented here demonstrate clearly that the present technique could become a major analytical tool for in situ U–Pb age determination of young zircons (~ 1 Ma).
The relationship between motivation and achievement in interdependent situations
Authors: Johnson David W. , Johnson Roger T. , Roseth Cary , Shin Tae Seob 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis meta‐analysis investigates the degree to which achievement is positively associated with motivation within situations characterized by positive, negative, and no interdependence. First, the relative effects of positive, negative, and no interdependence on motivation and achievement were determined. Then the amount of variance in achievement explained by motivation (and vice versa) was calculated. In all, 629 independent studies were included, representing 26 different countries. Results also showed that motivation accounted for 14% of the variance in achievement (and vice versa). When the lowest‐quality studies were eliminated, the percentage of achievement explained by motivation increased to 24%. Positive interdependence resulted in greater motivation and achievement than did negative or no interdependence. Implications for theory and application are discussed.
Development of Sediment and Nutrient Export Coefficients for U.S. Ecoregions
Authors: White Michael , Harmel Daren , Yen Haw , Arnold Jeff , Gambone Marilyn , Haney Richard 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWater quality impairment due to excessive nutrients and sediment is a major problem in the United States (U.S.). An important step in the mitigation of impairment in any given water body is determination of pollutant sources and amount. The sheer number of impaired waters and limited resources makes simplistic load estimation methods such as export coefficient (EC) methods attractive. Unfortunately ECs are typically based on small watershed monitoring data, which are very limited and/or often based on data collected from distant watersheds with drastically different conditions. In this research, we seek to improve the accuracy of these nutrient export estimation methods by developing a national database of localized EC for each ecoregion in the U.S. A stochastic sampling methodology loosely based on the Monte‐Carlo technique was used to construct a database of 45 million Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) simulations. These simulations consider a variety of climate, topography, soils, weather, land use, management, and conservation implementation conditions. SWAT model simulations were successfully validated with edge‐of‐field monitoring data. Simulated nutrient ECs compared favorably with previously published studies. These ECs may be used to rapidly estimate nutrient loading for any small catchment in the U.S. provided the location, area, and land‐use distribution are known.
Identifying and Evaluating a Suitable Index for Agricultural Drought Monitoring in the Texas High Plains
Authors: Moorhead Jerry E. , Gowda Prasanna H. , Singh Vijay P. , Porter Dana O. , Marek Thomas H. , Howell Terry A. , Stewart B.A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDrought is a complex and highly destructive natural phenomenon that affects portions of the United States almost every year, and severe water deficiencies can often become catastrophic for agricultural production. Evapotranspiration (ET) by crops is an important component in the agricultural water budget; thus, it is advantageous to include ET in agricultural drought monitoring. The main objectives of this study were to (1) conduct a literature review of drought indices with a focus to identify a simple but simultaneously adequate drought index for monitoring agricultural drought in a semiarid region and (2) using the identified drought index method, develop and evaluate time series of that drought index for the Texas High Plains. Based on the literature review, the Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was found to satisfy identified constraints for assessing agricultural drought. However, the SPEI was revised by replacing reference ET with potential crop ET to better represent actual water demand. Data from the Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration network was used to calculate SPEIs for the major irrigated crops. Trends and magnitudes of crop‐specific, time‐series SPEIs followed crop water demand patterns for summer crops. Such an observation suggests that a modified SPEI is an appropriate index to monitor agricultural drought for summer crops, but it was found to not account for soil water stored during the summer fallow period for winter wheat.
Seeking, Thinking, Acting: Understanding Suburban Resident Perceptions and Behaviors Related to Stream Quality
Authors: Slagle Kristina M. , Wilson Robyn S. , Heeren Alexander 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTheories in risk, psychology, and communication suggest aiming to inform the public about basic ecological facts may not be enough to influence knowledge of risks or behaviors to mitigate water quality risks. The risk information‐seeking and processing model and the theory of planned behavior suggest several additional variables that are likely to influence risk‐mitigating behaviors. We used data from a survey of watershed residents in Ohio to explore a model of behavioral intentions to positively impact stream health. Residents' informational norms, or the perceived pressure to know about local stream health, strongly predicted their information‐seeking behaviors. Active‐seeking behaviors predicted positive attitudes toward behaviors impacting stream health, which predicted intentions to positively impact stream health. Implications for outreach include couching communication in terms of risk found important to the local community, here wildlife were seen as negatively influenced by water quality, as opposed to plain reports typically provided by utility companies. Increasing social pressure to feel informed by emphasizing the existing knowledge of stream ecology among residents could change the norm for the less informed. A low response rate limits the generalizability of findings here, but leveraging these findings in outreach efforts could prove more successful in engaging the public to improve stream health and support policies to improve stream health.
Comparative phylogeography of land snail species in mountain refugia in the European Southern Alps
Authors: Nägele Kathrin‐Lisa , Hausdorf Bernhard 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAimWe investigated the location of Pleistocene mountain refugia in the European Southern Alps based on distribution data for four endemic land snail taxa and tested the hypothesis that the subdivision of species into endemic subspecies may be attributed to the same vicariance events.LocationThe European Southern Alps between Lago di Como and Lago di Garda in Italy.MethodsWe compiled distributional data for four land snail species (Cochlostoma porroi, Clausilia brembina, Clausilia whateliana and Charpentieria itala), which are subdivided into endemic subspecies in the study region, and investigated to what extent their distribution areas are congruent and correspond to regions that remained unglaciated during the glacials. To examine also whether their phylogeographic patterns are concordant, as would be expected if the subdivision of the species was caused by the same vicariance events, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships between the subspecies of the four species using 16S rDNA sequences and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data.ResultsThe endemic subspecies were found to be concentrated in mountain regions that remained unglaciated during the glacials, consistent with these regions acting as Pleistocene refugia for these snails. Although the Oglio glacier did not equally affect the differentiation of the investigated species, the repeated contractions of their ranges into these refugia resulted in similar patterns of colonization and differentiation.Main conclusionsClimate change such as the recurrent glaciations during the Pleistocene can result in similar distribution and colonization patterns, but the patterns in different species and their evolutionary trajectories are rarely completely identical because of their different histories, the randomness of dispersal, and small differences in ecology or dispersal capability.