bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the diversity of cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera:Chrysididae) in the post‐agriculture area of theKampinosNationalPark,Poland
Authors: Szczepko Katarzyna , Kruk Andrzej , Bartos Maciej , Wiśniowski Bogdan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn the Kampinos National Park (Poland), which is aUNESCOBiosphere Reserve, 47 caught per unit effort samples ofChrysididae were collected in 2000–2006. The aim of the study was to identify the factors promoting the diversity of this rarely studied group of parasitic wasps.A total of 722 specimens belonging to 37 species were recorded, including 18 threatened species and six others recently described as new to the Polish fauna.No chrysidids were recorded in forests, instead they were most abundant on fallow land (i.e. in open habitats), of which those located on dry soils were preferred over humid ones, just as by their endogeic (nesting in the ground) hosts. Many chrysidids that are parasites of hypergeic (nesting above the ground) species were significantly associated with old abandoned wooden buildings, where their hosts use holes in wood for nesting.In addition to the characteristics of the habitat sampled, its position in the land mosaic also determined the diversity of chrysidids. Their lowest abundance and species diversity were recorded in samples from different types of habitat, all located in a uniform environment (i.e. with few other habitats nearby), which limited the diversity of resources available within the flight ranges of chrysidids and their hosts.Our study, thus consistent with the concept that habitat heterogeneity enhances faunal diversity, brings important conclusions for the management of park landscapes: afforestation of open areas (both intentional and resulting from natural succession of plant communities) and removal of old abandoned wooden buildings may limit the land mosaicity and thus faunal diversity.
Fucoidan Protects against Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Rat Neuronal Damage and Inhibits the Production of Proinflammatory Mediators in Primary Microglia
Authors: Cui Yan‐Qiu , Jia Yan‐Jun , Zhang Ting , Zhang Quan‐Bin , Wang Xiao‐Min 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackgroundFucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, possesses potent antiinflammatory effects.AimsTo examine the effect of fucoidan treatment on inflammation‐mediated dopaminergic neuronal damage and its potential mechanisms.MethodsMicroglial activation and injury of dopaminergic neurons were induced by intranigral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the effects of fucoidan treatment on animal behavior, microglial activation and survival ratio of dopaminergic neurons were investigated. We further observed the efficacy of fucoidan on tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS‐activated primary microglia.ResultsFucoidan significantly improved the behavioral manifestation, prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons and inhibited the deleterious activation of microglia in the substantia nigra pars compacta of LPS‐treated rats. Further in vitro experiments indicated that the excessive production of TNF‐α and ROS in LPS‐induced primary microglia were significantly inhibited by fucoidan administration.ConclusionThis is the first study to demonstrate that fucoidan possesses neuroprotective effects on injured dopaminergic neurons in a LPS‐induced animal model of Parkinson's disease. The mechanisms underlying these effects may include its potent down‐regulation of intracellular ROS and subsequent proinflammatory cytokine release in LPS‐activated microglia.
Caecal lipomatosis as a cause of colic in a 9‐year‐old gelding
Authors: de Bont M. P. , Malbon A. J. , Sardon D. , Archer D. C. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryLipomatosis is an uncommon cause of colic. This case report details the pre‐ and intraoperative findings of a 9‐year‐old gelding, presented with acute abdominal pain. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a massive fatty infiltrate involving an extensive portion of the base and mid‐body of the caecum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an infiltrative lipomatous lesion of the equine caecum.
Developmental relationships between speech and writing: Is verb‐phrase anaphora production a special case?
Authors: Donaldson Morag L. , Cooper Lynn S. M. 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundYoung children's speech is typically more linguistically sophisticated than their writing. However, there are grounds for asking whether production of cohesive devices, such as verb‐phrase anaphora (VPA), might represent an exception to this developmental pattern, as cohesive devices are generally more important in writing than in speech and so might be expected to be more frequent in children's writing than in their speech.AimsThe study reported herein aims to compare the frequency of children's production ofVPAconstructions (e.g.,Mary is eating an apple and so is John) between a written and a spoken task.SampleForty‐eight children participated from each of two age groups: 7‐year‐olds and 10‐year‐olds.MethodsAll the children received both a spoken and a written sentence completion task designed to elicit production ofVPA. Task order was counterbalanced.ResultsVPAproduction was significantly more frequent in speech than in writing and when the spoken task was presented first. Surprisingly, the 7‐year‐olds producedVPAconstructions more frequently than the 10‐year‐olds.ConclusionsDespite the greater importance of cohesion in writing than in speech, children's production ofVPAis similar to their production of most other aspects of language in that more sophisticated constructions are used more frequently in speech than in writing. Children's written production of cohesive devices could probably be enhanced by presenting spoken tasks immediately before written tasks. The lower frequency ofVPAproduction in the older children may reflect syntactic priming effects or a belief that they should produce sentences that are as fully specified as possible.
Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in the Korean population – Korean National Health Insurance Corporation Survey 2008
Authors: Lim Eun Shil , Ko Yu Kyung , Ban Keum Ok 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimTo determine the factors affecting the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in younger and older Koreans.BackgroundMetabolic syndrome, in combination with other, interrelated predisposing factors, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In Korea, the prevalence of this syndrome, like those of other chronic diseases, has increased continually in recent years.DesignThis is an analytic, descriptive cross‐sectional study.MethodsThis survey targeted 690,283 examinees that had undergone a medical examination on a life transition period performed by the National Health Insurance Corporation from January–December 2008. For the purpose of this study, the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the criteria of the American Heart Association and the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The relationship between the risk factors and prevalence rate was shown using a multiple logistic regression model.ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 24·8% in the 40 year olds and 40·8% in the 66 year olds. Among the younger adults, the prevalence in women was only 0·57 times that in men. A multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that heavy obesity and family history of cardiovascular disease are the strongest independent predictors of metabolic syndrome among younger and older Koreans.ConclusionAs a management strategy, a nursing intervention strategy for the improvement of lifestyle factors including self‐care through proper diet and exercise should be developed and implemented.
Lipopolysaccharide induces a stromal–epithelial signalling axis in a rat model of chronic periodontitis
Authors: Firth James D. , Ekuni Daisuke , Irie Koichiro , Tomofuji Takaaki , Morita Manabu , Putnins Edward E. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimLipopolysaccharide is a bacterial virulence factor implicated in chronic periodontitis, which may penetrate the junctional epithelial barrier and basement membrane to insult underlying stroma. We sought to identify lipopolysaccharide‐induced global gene expression changes responsible for signalling between stroma and epithelium during disease onset.Materials and MethodsUsing a rat lipopolysaccharide periodontitis model, junctional epithelium and underlying stromal tissue were separately collected from healthy and diseased animals by laser‐capture microdissection and subject to gene expression microarray analysis. Key gene products identified were validated in gingival epithelial and fibroblast cell cultures.ResultsGlobal gene expression patterns distinguishing health versus disease were found in and between both tissue types. In stroma, the most significantly altered gene ontology function group (Z ≥ 4.00) was cytokines, containing most significantly (±2‐fold; p < 0.05) upregulated genes amphiregulin, IL1‐β and Fas ligand, all positive, diffusible modulators of the epithelial growth factor receptor pathway. In epithelium, the most significant changes were in downregulated FOS‐related antigen‐1 gene, somatostatin receptor‐2 gene and mucin‐4 gene, all negative modulators of the epithelial growth factor receptor pathway.ConclusionThese results establish a periodontitis model for studying gene product interactions and suggests that the onset of junctional epithelial disease hyperproliferation involves a concerted stromal–epithelial signalling axis.
PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IN THE OLD AND NEW EUROPE: THE ROLE OF AGGLOMERATION EXTERNALITIES
Authors: Marrocu Emanuela , Paci Raffaele , Usai Stefano 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTAs Europe is currently characterized by huge disparities in the economic performance of “old” and “new” states, we investigate whether this is the result of local agglomeration—specialization and diversity—externalities. Our spatial econometric analysis focuses on total factor productivity dynamics over the period 1996–2007 for 13 industries located in 276 European regions. Consistently with the “nursery cities” theory, we find that diversity exerts a positive effect in the knowledge‐intensive services of the “old” Europe urban areas, while specialization is still effective in the “new” Europe low‐tech manufacturing. Human and technological capital has also a positive impact.
Effects of feeding pistachio by‐products silage on growth performance, serum metabolites and urine characteristics in Holstein male calves
Authors: Shakeri P. , Riasi A. , Alikhani M. , Fazaeli H. , Ghorbani G. R. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThis study investigated physiological effects of pistachio by‐products silage (PBPS) substituted in Holstein male calves diets and its effects on the growth performance. Twenty‐four Holstein male calves (4–5 months of age and 155.6 ± 13.5 kg BW) were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets (n = 6); contained 0%, 6%, 12% and 18% of PBPS (DM basis) respectively. During a 6‐month experiment, dry matter intake (DMI) and weight gain were recorded and blood and urine samples were collected at different times. Results showed that mean DMI was not affected by different levels of PBPS in diets. But the calves fed 6% PBPS had the highest average daily gain (p < 0.05) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). The calves fed 12% and 18% PBPS had lower albumin, white blood cell, haemoglobin and packed cell volume (p < 0.05) than those fed other diets. However, other serum metabolites, complete blood count (CBC), insulin and liver enzymes were not affected by the experimental diets. The long‐term feeding of PBPS at different levels had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on pH, specific gravity, the number of white and red blood cells and epithelial cells count in urine. The animals did not show any symptom of illness or toxicity during the experimental period and all of the blood and urine parameters were in a normal range. It was concluded that substitution of PBPS up to 18% of the total diet that provide up to 18.2 g/kg DM total tannin had no adverse effects for Holstein male calves.
Tissue damage and immunity in cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Nylén S. , Eidsmo L. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by parasitic infection of dermal macrophages resulting in intense immune‐mediated tissue inflammation and skin ulceration. The severity of the disease is dependent on parasite species as well as the immune responses evoked by the host. Most cases ofCLheal spontaneously. In rare cases, the ulcer/s become chronic, and someLeishmaniaspecies may induce mucosal leishmaniasis (MCL) leading to severe tissue damage. Due to difficulties in obtaining skin tissue, most human studies ofCLhave been limited to the analysis of peripheral blood. While systemic responses may be good correlates of immunity, tissue damage and local immune responses at the site of infection is seldom reflected in alterations in the peripheral blood. In this review, we discuss the different forms ofCLfocusing on thein situresponses in established disease and the mechanisms involved in pathology and healing ofLeishmaniainfection. Great effort has been put into animal models dissecting the immune events behind the evolution of disease, tissue pathology and parasite control. These models of genetically engineered, immune deficient mice or mice given therapy prior to onset of overt disease poorly reflect the clinical situation, where patients seek treatment once infection is well established. Models of established disease are needed to address the clinical challenge of identifying new therapeutic targets in treatmentCL. Through understanding immune deviations duringCLpotential benefits and risks of emerging biological drugs in leishmaniasis can be addressed.
Identification and Evaluation of Twin-Arginine Translocase Inhibitors
Authors: Vasil Michael L. , Tomaras Andrew P. , Pritchard Arthur E. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

The twin-arginine translocase (TAT) in some bacterial pathogens, including
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, contributes to pathogenesis by translocating extracellular virulence determinants across the inner membrane into the periplasm, thereby allowing access to the Xcp (type II) secretory system for further export in Gram-negative organisms, or directly to the outside surface of the cell, as in
M. tuberculosis
. TAT-mediated secretion appreciably contributes to virulence in both animal and plant models of bacterial infection. Consequently, TAT function is an attractive target for small-molecular-weight compounds that alone or in conjunction with extant antimicrobial agents could become novel therapeutics. The TAT-transported hemolytic phospholipase C (PlcH) of
P. aeruginosa
and its multiple orthologs produced by the above pathogens can be detected by an accurate and reproducible colorimetric assay using a synthetic substrate that detects phospholipase C activity. Such an assay could be an effective indicator of TAT function. Using carefully constructed recombinant strains to precisely control the expression of PlcH, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay to evaluate, in duplicate, >80,000 small-molecular-weight compounds as possible TAT inhibitors. Based on additional TAT-related functional assays, purified PlcH protein inhibition experiments, and repeat experiments of the initial screening assay, 39 compounds were selected from the 122 initial hits. Finally, to evaluate candidate inhibitors for TAT specificity, we developed a TAT titration assay that determines whether inhibition of TAT-mediated secretion can be overcome by increasing the levels of TAT expression. The compounds
N
-phenyl maleimide and Bay 11-7082 appear to directly affect TAT function based on this approach.
Importance of the Genetic Diversity within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex for the Development of Novel Antibiotics and Diagnostic Tests of Drug Resistance
Authors: Köser Claudio U. , Feuerriegel Silke , Summers David K. , Archer John A. C. , Niemann Stefan 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Despite being genetically monomorphic, the limited genetic diversity within the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) has practical consequences for molecular methods for drug susceptibility testing and for the use of current antibiotics and those in clinical trials. It renders some representatives of MTBC intrinsically resistant against one or multiple antibiotics and affects the spectrum and consequences of resistance mutations selected for during treatment. Moreover, neutral or silent changes within genes responsible for drug resistance can cause false-positive results with hybridization-based assays, which have been recently introduced to replace slower phenotypic methods. We discuss the consequences of these findings and propose concrete steps to rigorously assess the genetic diversity of MTBC to support ongoing clinical trials.
Genome Sequence of Reyranella massiliensis, a Bacterium Associated with Amoebae
Authors: Pagnier Isabelle , Croce Olivier , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , La Scola Bernard 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Reyranella massiliensis
is an
Alphaproteobacterium
member of the class
Rhodospirillaceae
, growing in amoebae. We sequenced the genome of type strain 521
T
. It is composed of a 5,792,218-bp chromosome and encodes 5,675 protein-coding genes and 53 RNA genes, including 3 rRNA genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus endophyticus 2102
Authors: Lee Yong-Jik , Lee Sang-Jae , Kim Sun Hong , Lee Sang Jun , Kim Byoung-Chan , Lee Han-Seung , Jeong Haeyoung , Lee Dong-Woo 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Bacillus endophyticus
2102 is an endospore-forming, plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium isolated from a hypersaline pond in South Korea. Here we present the draft sequence of
B. endophyticus
2102, which is of interest because of its potential use in the industrial production of algaecides and bioplastics and for the treatment of industrial textile effluents.
Genome Sequence of the Methanotrophic Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate Producer Methylocystis parvus OBBP
Authors: del Cerro Carlos , García Jesús M. , Rojas Antonia , Tortajada Marta , Ramón Daniel , Galán Beatriz , Prieto María A. , García José L. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Methylocystis parvus
OBBP is an obligate methylotroph considered the type species of the genus
Methylocystis
. Two
pmoCAB
particulate methane monooxygenase operons and one additional singleton
pmoC
paralog were identified in the sequence. No evidence of genes encoding soluble methane monooxygenase was found. Comparison of
M. parvus
OBBP and
Methylocystis
sp. strain Rockwell (ATCC 49242) suggests that both species should be taxonomically classified in different genera.
Genome Sequence of a Cold-Adaptable Sulfamethoxazole-Degrading Bacterium, Pseudomonas psychrophila HA-4
Authors: Jiang Benchao , Cui Di , Li Ang , Gai Zhonghui , Ma Fang , Yang Jixian , Ren Nanqi 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas psychrophila
HA-4 is a cold-adaptable, sulfamethoxazole-degrading bacterium. The genes related to its cold adaptation mechanism and sulfamethoxazole metabolism were unknown. We present the draft genome of strain HA-4. It could provide further insight into the sulfamethoxazole-degrading mechanism of strain HA-4.
Cryptococcal Genotype Influences Immunologic Response and Human Clinical Outcome after Meningitis
Authors: Wiesner Darin L. , Moskalenko Oleksandr , Corcoran Jennifer M. , McDonald Tami , Rolfes Melissa A. , Meya David B. , Kajumbula Henry , Kambugu Andrew , Bohjanen Paul R. , Knight Joseph F. , Boulware David R. , Nielsen Kirsten 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTIn sub-Saharan Africa, cryptococcal meningitis (CM) continues to be a predominant cause of AIDS-related mortality. Understanding virulence and improving clinical treatments remain important. To characterize the role of the fungal strain genotype in clinical disease, we analyzed 140Cryptococcusisolates from 111 Ugandans with AIDS and CM. Isolates consisted of 107 nonredundantCryptococcus neoformansvar.grubiistrains and 8C. neoformansvar.grubii/neoformanshybrid strains. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to characterize genotypes, yielding 15 sequence types and 4 clonal clusters. The largest clonal cluster consisted of 74 isolates. The results of Burst and phylogenetic analysis suggested that theC. neoformansvar.grubiistrains could be separated into three nonredundant evolutionary groups (Burst group 1 to group 3). Patient mortality was differentially associated with the different evolutionary groups (P= 0.04), with the highest mortality observed among Burst group 1, Burst group 2, and hybrid strains. Compared to Burst group 3 strains, Burst group 1 strains were associated with higher mortality (P= 0.02), exhibited increased capsule shedding (P= 0.02), and elicited a more pronounced Th2response duringex vivocytokine release assays with strain-specific capsule stimulation (P= 0.02). The results of these analyses suggest that cryptococcal strain variation can be an important determinant of human immune responses and mortality.IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformansis a common life-threatening human fungal pathogen that is responsible for an estimated 1 million cases of meningitis in HIV-infected patients annually. Virulence factors that are important in human disease have been identified, yet the impacts of the fungal strain genotype on virulence and outcomes of human infection remain poorly understood. Using an analysis of strain variation based onin vitroassays and clinical data from Ugandans living with AIDS and cryptococcal infection, we report that strain genotype predicts the type of immune response and mortality risk. These studies suggest that knowledge of the strain genotype during human infections could be used to predict disease outcomes and lead to improved treatment approaches aimed at targeting the specific combination of pathogen virulence and host response.
Thermoreversible gelation polymer as an embolic material for aneurysm treatment: a delivery device for dermal fibroblasts and basic fibroblast growing factor into experimental aneurysms in rats
Authors: Dobashi Hisashi , Akasaki Yasuharu , Yuki Ichiro , Arai Takao , Ohashi Hiroki , Murayama Yuichi , Takao Hiroyuki , Abe Toshiaki 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundThis study evaluates whether thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP) can be used as a delivery device to deploy dermal fibroblasts and cytokines into experimental aneurysms in rats.MethodsThe right common iliac artery of rats was surgically ligated and an experimental aneurysm was created by applying exogenous elastase. Seven days later, two aneurysms were harvested and used as controls (Group A), two were embolized with pure TGP (Group B), two were embolized with TGP and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (Group C) and two were embolized with TGP loaded with rat dermal fibroblasts (Group D). The aneurysms were also embolized with TGP mixed with dermal fibroblasts and bFGF at different concentrations (10 ng/ml: Group E (n=2), 100 ng/ml: Group F (n=2), 1000 ng/ml: Group G (n=2)). Each aneurysm sample was harvested after 7 days and histologic analyses were performed.ResultsThe most advanced thrombus organization in the aneurysm, such as prominent fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, was observed in Groups E, F and G, although there was no noticeable difference between the groups. Moderate thrombus organization was seen in Group D and minimal thrombus organization was seen in Groups B and C.ConclusionsTGP mixed with both dermal fibroblasts and bFGF induced the most advanced thrombus organization in the experimental aneurysms followed by TGP mixed only with dermal fibroblasts. TGP may be useful as a delivery device to deploy fibroblasts and cytokines into aneurysms.