bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methods to study toxic transgenes inC. elegans: an analysis of protease-dead separase in theC. elegansembryo
Authors: Mitchell Diana M. , Uehlein Lindsey R. , Bembenek Joshua N. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTWe investigated whether the protease activity of separase, which is required for chromosome segregation, is also required for its other roles during anaphase inC. elegansgiven that non-proteolytic functions of separase have been identified in other organisms. We find that expression of protease-dead separase is dominant-negative inC. elegansembryos. TheC. elegansembryo is an ideal system to study developmental processes in a genetically tractable system. However, a major limitation is the lack of an inducible gene expression system for the embryo. The most common method for embryonic expression involves generation of integrated transgenes under the control of thepie-1promoter, usingunc-119as a selection marker. However expression of dominant-negative proteins kills the strain preventing analysis of mutants. We have developed two methods that allow for the propagation of lines carrying dominant-negative transgenes in order to study protease-dead separase in embryos. The first involves feedinggfpRNAi to eliminate transgene expression and allows propagation of transgenic lines indefinitely. Animals removed fromgfpRNAi for several generations recover transgene expression and associated phenotypes. The second involves propagation of the transgene with the female specificpie-1promoter via the male germline and analysis of phenotypes in embryos from F1 heterozygous hermaphrodites that express the protein. Using these methods, we show that protease-dead separase causes chromosome nondisjunction and cytokinesis failures. These methods are immediately applicable for studies of dominant-negative transgenes and should open new lines of investigation in theC. elegansembryo.
Antimicrobial Activity against Beneficial Microorganisms and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Mentha suaveolens ssp. insularis Grown in Sardinia
Authors: Petretto Giacomo Luigi , Fancello Francesco , Zara Severino , Foddai Marzia , Mangia Nicoletta P. , Sanna Maria Lina , Omer Elasyed A. , Menghini Luigi , Chessa Mario , Pintore Giorgio 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe aim of this work was to determine the chemical constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (EO) of the aerial parts of Mentha sueveolens spp. insularis grown in Sardinia (Italy) against probiotic and starter microorganisms. The gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis allowed to identified 34 compounds, most of oxygenated monoterpene compounds (82.5%) and among them, pulegone was found as major compound (46.5%). The agar diffusion test carried out employing the EO of Mentha suaveolens spp. insularis showed a low antibacterial activity, in particular no action was noticed for probiotic bacteria belonging to lactic acid bacteria groups, whereas almost all yeasts strains tested were inhibited. The automated microtitter dilution assay showed a clear effect at increasing concentration of EO on the specific growth rate (μ) and extension of the lag phase (λ) only for S. xylosus SA23 among bacteria and for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Tetrapisispora phaffii CBS 4417, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, and Candida zemplinina among yeasts. Results obtained in this work allow us to broaden the knowledge on the effect of EOs on probiotic and food‐related microorganisms.Practical ApplicationMentha suaveolens spp. insularis may be used in combination with probiotic bacteria into the food matrix or encapsulated in coating and edible films for food preservation.
Prognostic factors for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer treated with gemcitabine‐platinum as first‐line therapy in an observational setting in China
Authors: Ye Wenyu , Yang Yicheng , Wang Jin , Kadziola Zbigniew , Rajan Narayan , Qin Shukui 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined the prognostic factors associated with survival in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving gemcitabine‐platinum regimens as first‐line therapy in real‐world clinical settings in China.MethodsData was analyzed from a multinational, prospective, non‐interventional, observational study of individuals receiving gemcitabine‐platinum regimens as first‐line therapy for NSCLC, focusing on 300 patients from mainland China. A Cox regression model was used to determine the association of 38 prognostic factors, including patient smoking characteristics, with overall survival.ResultsIn these 300 patients, the mean age was 58.9 (±10.8) years, with males comprising 71% of the population. Thirty percent of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) of 0 and 70% had a PS of 1. The majority of patients had NSCLC of adenocarcinoma origin (57%). Multivariate Cox regression analyses adjusted for baseline factors revealed that gender, tumor (T) staging, metastasis (M) staging, liver metastases, serum albumin, and superior vena cava obstruction were significant prognostic factors. Smoking during therapy was not significantly associated with survival, although numbers were small for this variable (n = 16). Weight loss of >10% was a significant prognostic factor for adverse events.ConclusionsGender, T staging, M staging, liver metastases, superior vena cava obstruction, and serum albumin are prognostic factors affecting overall survival in mainland Chinese patients receiving first‐line gemcitabine‐platinum regimens for advanced NSCLC. These negative prognostic factors may warrant further investigation in clinical trials.
Cardio‐metabolic consequences of glucocorticoid replacement: relevance of ultradian signalling
Authors: Henley David E. , Lightman Stafford L. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryChronic exposure to elevated glucocorticoid levels is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, manifest classically in Cushing's syndrome and with high‐dose glucocorticoid therapy. However, cardiovascular events are also reportedly higher in patients with primary and secondary hypoadrenalism receiving ‘replacement’ glucocorticoid doses. This has been attributed to an inability to mimic accurately the diurnal rhythm of cortisol with current oral replacement therapy and subsequent glucocorticoid excess. Although development of delayed release oral preparations has sought to overcome this problem, there has been little attention on the ultradian rhythm of glucocorticoids and its relevance for replacement therapy and associated cardio‐metabolic comorbidity. Endogenous glucocorticoids are released in a pulsatile manner, and this ultradian rhythm is important in maintaining homeostatic control through glucocorticoid‐receptor (GR)‐dependent transcription regulation that rapidly responds to circulating hormone levels. Constant glucocorticoid exposure can result in continuous transcription, aberrant mRNA accumulation and abnormal protein levels. GR regulation of transcription programmes is highly cell and tissue specific, binding to distinct genomic loci in different cellular contexts. GR also interacts with a large cohort of DNA‐binding factors with cell‐specific interactions. The relevance of kinetic patterns of GR‐dependent gene expression in vivo is not yet fully elucidated. However, given that GR gene variants are associated with cardiovascular disease, it is possible that ultradian delivery of glucocorticoid replacement may become important, at least in selected patients.
Phylogeny of the family Sialidae (Insecta: Megaloptera) inferred from morphological data, with implications for generic classification and historical biogeography
Authors: Liu Xingyue , Hayashi Fumio , Yang Ding 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSialidae (alderflies) is a family of the holometabolous insect order Megaloptera, with ca. 75 extant species in eight genera distributed worldwide. Alderflies are a group of “living fossils” with a long evolutionary history. The oldest fossil attributed to Sialidae dates back to the Early Jurassic period. Further, the global distribution of modern‐day species shows a remarkably disjunctive pattern. However, due to the rareness of most species and scarcity of comprehensive taxonomic revisions, the phylogeny of Sialidae remains largely unexplored, and the present classification system is in great need of renewal. Here we reconstruct the first phylogeny for Sialidae worldwide based on the most comprehensive sampling and broadest morphological data ever presented for this group of insects. All Cenozoic alderflies belong to a monophyletic clade, which may also include the Early Jurassic genus †Dobbertinia, and the Late Jurassic genus †Sharasialis is their putative sister taxon. Two subfamilies of Sialidae are proposed, namely †Sharasialinae subfam. nov. and Sialidinae. Austrosialis is the sister of all other extant genera, an assemblage which comprises three monophyletic lineages: the Stenosialis lineage, the Ilyobius lineage, and the Sialis lineage. The revised classification of Sialidae is composed of 12 valid genera and 87 valid species. Ilyobius and Protosialis are recognized as valid generic names, while Nipponosialis is treated as a synonym of Sialis. Reconstruction of the ancestral area proposes a global distribution of alderflies in Pangaea before their diversification. The generic diversification of alderflies might have occurred before the breakup of Pangaea, but the divergence of some lineages or genera was probably promoted by the splitting of this supercontinent.
Management of large bowel obstruction with self‐expanding metal stents. A multicentre retrospective study of factors determining outcome
Authors: Geraghty J. , Sarkar S. , Cox T. , Lal S. , Willert R. , Ramesh J. , Bodger K. , Carlson G. L. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimUK cancer guidelines recommend patients with colonic obstruction due to suspected malignancy be considered for stenting with a self‐expanding metal stent (SEMS). Considerable variation in practice exists due to a lack of expertise, technical difficulties and other, as yet ill‐defined features. This retrospective multi‐centre study aims to determine the outcome following colonic stenting for large bowel obstruction and identify factors associated with successful intervention.MethodA regional programme of colonic stenting for large bowel obstruction, in five UK centres from 2005 to 2010 was evaluated for outcome including technical and clinical success, survival, complications and reoperation.ResultsA SEMS was inserted in 334 patients, including 264 (79.0%) for palliation and 52 (15.6%) as a bridge to surgery. Technical success was achieved in 292 (87.4%) patients, with 46 (13.8%) experiencing a complication or technical failure. Reoperation was required in 39 (14.8%) patients stented for palliation of colorectal cancer of whom 16 (6.1%) subsequently required a colostomy. A one‐stage primary anastomosis was achieved in 35 (67.3%) of the 52 patients undergoing stenting as a bridge to resection. Technical success did not vary by indication or site of obstruction (P = 0.60) but was higher for operators who had performed more than 10 procedures (OR 3.34, P = 0.001). ASA grade ≥3 predicted a worse clinical outcome (OR 0.43, P = 0.04). The through‐the‐scope (TTS) endoscopy technique was more successful than radiological placement alone (90.3% vs 74.8%, P < 0.001).ConclusionExperienced operators using a TTS technique achieved a better outcome for the emergency management of large bowel obstruction. Older, sicker patients and those with extracolonic and benign strictures fared less well.
Impression cytology diagnosis of ulcerative eyelid malignancy
Authors: Sen S. , Lyngdoh A. D. , Pushker N. , Meel R. , Bajaj M. S. , Chawla B. 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveThe utility of impression cytology in ocular diseases has predominantly been restricted to the diagnosis of dry eye, limbal stem cell deficiency and conjunctival neoplasias. Its role in malignant eyelid lesions remains largely unexplored. Although scrape cytology is more popular for cutaneous lesions, impression cytology, being non‐traumatic, has an advantage in small and delicate areas such as the eyelid. The present study has been designed to evaluate its role in the diagnosis and management of malignant eyelid lesions.MethodsThirty‐two histopathologically proven malignant eyelid lesions diagnosed over a 2‐year period, including 13 basal cell carcinomas, 11 sebaceous carcinomas, four squamous cell carcinomas, two malignant melanomas and two poorly differentiated carcinomas, formed the study group.ResultsThe results of impression cytology were compared with those of histopathology in the study group and with an age‐ and sex‐matched group of benign cases as controls. The sensitivity of impression cytology was 84% (27/32) for the diagnosis of malignancy and 28% (9/32) for categorization of the type of malignancy.ConclusionsImpression cytology is a simple, useful, non‐invasive technique for the detection of malignant ulcerative eyelid lesions. It is especially useful as a follow‐up technique for the detection of recurrences.
The effect of inbreeding rate on fitness, inbreeding depression and heterosis over a range of inbreeding coefficients
Authors: Pekkala Nina , Knott K. Emily , Kotiaho Janne S. , Nissinen Kari , Puurtinen Mikael 
Published: February 2014

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of inbreeding and genetic drift within populations and hybridization between genetically differentiated populations is important for many basic and applied questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. The magnitudes and even the directions of these effects can be influenced by various factors, especially by the current and historical population size (i.e. inbreeding rate). UsingDrosophila littoralisas a model species, we studied the effect of inbreeding rate over a range of inbreeding levels on (i) mean fitness of a population (relative to that of an outbred control population), (ii) within‐population inbreeding depression (reduction in fitness of offspring from inbred versus random mating within a population) and (iii) heterosis (increase in fitness of offspring from interpopulation versus within‐population random mating). Inbreeding rate was manipulated by using three population sizes (2, 10 and 40), and fitness was measured as offspring survival and fecundity. Fast inbreeding (smaller effective population size) resulted in greater reduction in population mean fitness than slow inbreeding, when populations were compared over similar inbreeding coefficients. Correspondingly, populations with faster inbreeding expressed more heterosis upon interpopulation hybridization. Inbreeding depression within the populations did not have a clear relationship with either the rate or the level of inbreeding.
A novel pathogenic peptide of thyroglobulin (2208–2227) induces autoreactive T‐cell and B‐cell responses in both high and low responder mouse strains
Authors: Kanistras Ioannis , Hatzioannou Aikaterini , Lymberi Peggy 
Published: February 2014

SummaryExperimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) is commonly induced by thyroglobulin (Tg) or Tg peptides in mice genetically susceptible to thyroiditis. In the present study, we investigated the immunogenic and pathogenic potential of a novel 20mer human Tg peptide, p2208 (amino acids 2208–2227), in mouse strains classified as low (LR) or high (HR) responders in EAT. The peptide was selected for its content in overlapping binding motifs for MHC class II products, associated with either resistance (Ab), or susceptibility (As, Ek) to EAT. We therefore immunized LR BALB/c (H‐2d) and C57BL/6 (H‐2b) strains, as well as HR CBA/J (H‐2k) and SJL/J (H‐2s) mice with 100 nmol of p2208 in adjuvant and collected their sera, lymph nodes and thyroid glands for further analysis. The p2208 peptide was found to contain B‐cell and cryptic T‐cell epitope(s) in two of the four strains examined, one LR and one HR. Specifically, it elicited direct EAT in C57BL/6 mice (two of seven mice, infiltration index 1–3), as well as in SJL/J mice (two of six mice, infiltration index 1–2). Such an EAT model could provide insights into the immunoregulatory cascades taking place in resistant hosts.
Influence of intra‐pocket anesthesia gel on treatment outcome in periodontal patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Derman Sonja H. M. , Lowden Claudia E. , Hellmich Martin , Noack Michael J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimCompare the treatment outcome after scaling and root‐planing using local anesthesia gel or injected local anesthesia.Material and methodThirty‐eight patients with periodontitis and good general health were included in a randomized, single‐blind, split‐mouth clinical trial. Probing depths and clinical attachment levels were recorded at baseline and 6 weeks after treatment. Performed treatment procedures were scaling and root planing using two types of local anesthesia for separate treatment appointments. Anesthetics used were intra‐pocket lidocaine and prilocaine gel (2.5% each) and injected articaine (1:100,000 adrenaline). Type of anesthesia for first appointment was randomized and switched for second appointment. Patients′ pain perception and anesthesia acceptance were recorded on questionnaires.ResultsNo influence of applied type of anesthesia could be detected for change of probing pocket depths and clinical attachment level (p > 0.05). These findings are valid even for deeper pockets. Gel‐group had significant higher intra‐operative pain perception. In retrospect 69% of patients favored gel.ConclusionTreatment outcome is not compromised by use of anesthesia gel in comparison to injected anesthesia. The same beneficial results for probing pocket depths and clinical attachment gain could be detected. The majority of patients prefer local anesthesia gel despite a slightly greater procedural discomfort.
CONTRACTS, ENTREPRENEURS, MARKET CREATION AND JUDGEMENT: THE CONTEMPORARY MAINSTREAM THEORY OF THE FIRM IN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Walker Paul 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis survey gives an overview of the theory of the firm as it is formulated within the contemporary ‘mainstream’ of economics. Two groupings of theories are briefly discussed: principal–agent and incomplete contract models. Next, three of the most recent contributions regarding firms are considered. The reference point approach is looked at first followed by a discussion of Spulber's bookThe Theory of the Firm. Last, we consider the entrepreneurial judgement perspective.
Effects of cumulative trauma load on perceptions of health, blood pressure, and resting heart rate in urban African American youth
Authors: Conner‐Warren Rhonda 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPurposeThis study examined relationships between cumulative trauma (CT) and urban African American (AA) adolescents' blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and perceptions of health.Design and MethodA correlational design using secondary data analysis studied effects of CT, health outcomes, and perceptions of health. Participants were 175 urban AA youth (11–16 years) who completed structured surveys and physiological measures of HR and BP before and after exercise.ResultsAA youth were experiencing high levels of CT. Negative correlations were obtained between AA females' perceptions of their health and systolic BP with levels of trauma. No gender differences were found in HR or BP.Practice ImplicationsAA females with high CT may perceive themselves as less healthy and can be at risk for health problems.
Capsicum annuum S (CaS) promotes reproductive transition and is required for flower formation in pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Authors: Cohen Oded , Borovsky Yelena , David‐Schwartz Rakefet , Paran Ilan 
Published: February 2014

Summary

The genetic control of the transition to flowering has mainly been studied in model species, while few data are available in crop species such as pepper (Capsicum spp.). To elucidate the genetic control of the transition to flowering in pepper, mutants that lack flowers were isolated and characterized.

Genetic mapping and sequencing allowed the identification of the gene disrupted in the mutants. Double mutants and expression analyses were used to characterize the relationships between the mutated gene and other genes controlling the transition to flowering and flower differentiation.

The mutants were characterized by a delay in the initiation of sympodial growth, a delay in the termination of sympodial meristems and complete inhibition of flower formation. Capsicum annuum S (CaS), the pepper (Capsicum annuum) ortholog of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) COMPOUND INFLORESCENCE and petunia (Petunia hybrida) EVERGREEN, was found to govern the mutant phenotype. CaS is required for the activity of the flower meristem identity gene Ca‐ANANTHA and does not affect the expression of CaLEAFY. CaS is epistatic over other genes controlling the transition to flowering with respect to flower formation.

Comparative homologous mutants in the Solanaceae indicate that CaS has uniquely evolved to have a critical role in flower formation, while its role in meristem maturation is conserved in pepper, tomato and petunia.
Orbital forcing in turbidite accumulation during the Eocene greenhouse interval
Authors: Payros Aitor , Martínez‐Braceras Naroa 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe influence of astronomically driven short‐term climate change (Milankovitch cycles) on deep‐marine turbidite systems is not well‐known, particularly in the case of long‐term greenhouse intervals with no significant glacio‐eustatic sea‐level fluctuations. This study, carried out at the Gorrondatxe section (Global Stratotype Section and Point for the base of the Lutetian Stage in the western Pyrenees), demonstrates that the characteristics of lower–middle Eocene fan‐fringe/basin‐plain turbiditic and pelagic deposits varied in line with orbitally forced fluctuations in seasonal rainfall, runoff and terrigenous input to the sea. Reduced turbiditic activity during the formation of pelagic limy precessional hemicouplets indicates subdued seasonality and low terrigenous input. Conversely, turbidity currents were more frequent, had greater energy and were more voluminous during the formation of pelagic marly hemicouplets, suggesting precessional hemicycles with strong seasonality and heavy summer rainfall. These differences at precessional time scales were enhanced at maximum eccentricity because turbiditic activity was most intense when boreal summer occurred at perihelion (i.e. maximum seasonality) but declined when it occurred at aphelion. At minimum eccentricity, with relatively weak seasonality throughout one (or more than one) precessional cycle (>21 kyr), turbiditic activity remained relatively low. The pattern observed at the Gorrondatxe fan‐fringe/basin‐plain succession implies that the orbitally forced environmental changes must also have affected the inner and middle parts of the submarine fan. The astronomical influence on terrigenous sediment input also determined the changing characteristics of the pelagic sedimentation. Thus, terrigenous sediment contribution to pelagic sedimentation fluctuated by a factor of five during opposite precessional situations at maximum eccentricity, whereas there was almost no fluctuation at minimum eccentricity.