bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linear reaction norm models for genetic merit prediction of Angus cattle under genotype by environment interaction
Authors: Cardoso F. F. , Tempelman R. J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe objectives of this work were to assess alternative linear reaction norm (RN) models for genetic evaluation of Angus cattle in Brazil. That is, we investigated the interaction between genotypes and continuous descriptors of the environmental variation to examine evidence of genotype by environment interaction (G×E) in post-weaning BW gain (PWG) and to compare the environmental sensitivity of national and imported Angus sires. Data were collected by the Brazilian Angus Improvement Program from 1974 to 2005 and consisted of 63,098 records and a pedigree file with 95,896 animals. Six models were implemented using Bayesian inference and compared using the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC). The simplest model was M1, a traditional animal model, which showed the largest DIC and hence the poorest fit when compared with the 4 alternative RN specifications accounting for G×E. In M2, a 2-step procedure was implemented using the contemporary group posterior means of M1 as the environmental gradient, ranging from −92.6 to +265.5 kg. Moreover, the benefits of jointly estimating all parameters in a 1-step approach were demonstrated by M3. Additionally, we extended M3 to allow for residual heteroskedasticity using an exponential function (M4) and the best fitting (smallest DIC) environmental classification model (M5) specification. Finally, M6 added just heteroskedastic residual variance to M1. Heritabilities were less at harsh environments and increased with the improvement of production conditions for all RN models. Rank correlations among genetic merit predictions obtained by M1 and by the best fitting RN models M3 (homoskedastic) and M5 (heteroskedastic) at different environmental levels ranged from 0.79 and 0.81, suggesting biological importance of G×E in Brazilian Angus PWG. These results suggest that selection progress could be optimized by adopting environment-specific genetic merit predictions. The PWG environmental sensitivity of imported North American origin bulls (0.046 ± 0.009) was significantly larger (P &lt; 0.05) than that of local sires (0.012 ± 0.013). Moreover, PWG of progeny of imported sires exceeded that of native sires in medium and superior production levels. On the other hand, Angus cattle locally selected in Brazil tended to be more robust to environmental changes and hence be more suitable when production environments for potential progeny is uncertain.
Les incertitudes identitaires de la famille contemporaine – L'apport des objets flottants
Authors: Caillé Philippe 
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les multiples aspects que peut revêtir aujourd’hui ce que nous dénommons « famille » implique que la famille contemporaine est aujourd’hui plus ambitieuse d’innover que de transmettre. Son identité plus incertaine se basera ainsi sur un « récit fondateur » à découvrir et éventuellement à transmettre. Les neurosciences nous ont récemment fait connaître, en particulier par la découverte des « neurones miroirs », comment un tel récit pouvait se construire, dans la synergie des interactions, par l’assemblage d’« engrammes relationnels » appartenant à l’identité profonde de chacun des membres de la famille. Les « objets flottants », en tant que méthodes d’exploration analogique, nous paraissent exceptionnellement utiles pour révéler aux yeux de la famille comme à ceux de l’intervenant la nature de ces « racines incarnées » d’où prend nécessairement naissance ce qui est actuellement leur « récit fondateur », leur permettant dans les meilleurs cas de se réconcilier avec celui qui gère actuellement leur relation ou de s’en inventer un autre, plus favorable, dans un processus commun de co-création.
Le sens de la famille, le nous et le lien
Authors: Eiguer Alberto 
Published: January 2012

Résumé L’auteur propose une réflexion sur ce qui, selon lui, constitue le sens de la famille : sa raison d’exister ; au-delà d’une conception de la famille comme agrégat d’individu, il tente d’en cerner le sens à partir de l’enchevêtrement complexe de liens intersubjectifs et trans-subjectifs tissés entre ses membres actuels et ceux des générations antérieures.
Dessinez-nous une nouvelle famille
Authors: Vander Borght Christine 
Published: January 2012

Résumé Au départ d’une situation familiale, l’auteure énonce quelques éléments constitutifs des épreuves à franchir pour constituer une « nouvelle » famille, différente de celles que l’on a connues, que ce soit au regard des familles d’origine ou à partir de l’expérience des premiers essais de construction d’une famille à soi. À travers la complexité des processus de recomposition, ces nouveaux assemblages révèlent toutes les embûches et toutes les promesses de ces aventures humaines qui nous concernent de très près.
Une jeunesse comblée dans l'impasse : étude des enjeux individuels et familiaux de l'autonomisation en milieux aisés
Authors: Legendre Sandra , de Coster Lotta , Duret Isabelle 
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les auteurs analysent les difficultés que rencontrent aujourd’hui certains jeunes de milieux aisés au niveau de la construction de leur(s) projet(s) de vie à partir d’études de cas. L’objectif principal de la recherche est de comprendre les processus psychiques individuels et familiaux qui sous-tendent ces difficultés. À partir d’entretiens réalisés avec 18 post-adolescents, les auteurs se penchent sur les particularités des systèmes familiaux de ces jeunes en lien avec leur processus d’autonomisation. La fonction des interruptions ou des « mises à l’arrêt » dans le mouvement vers l’autonomie est également questionnée. Elle permet de mettre en lumière l’impact a priori entravant mais paradoxalement salutaire de ces arrêts, vécus pour cette jeunesse « comblée dans l’impasse » comme une source de souffrance mais aussi comme une sorte de tremplin nécessaire permettant l’accès à l’individuation et à la subjectivation.
Les enfants absents dans le contexte de l'exil
Authors: Duterte Pierre 
Published: January 2012

Résumé Les réfugiés ont un point commun dans leur histoire : leur départ n’a pas été préparé, a eu lieu dans l’urgence de la survie, Le trajet migratoire s’est fait le plus souvent dans des conditions épouvantables d’insécurité, de mise en danger. Très souvent, les familles sont arrivées incomplètes du fait d’enfants laissés au pays, disparus en route, morts. L’absence de l’enfant est une douleur indescriptible et souvent indicible. Il s’instaure donc une nouvelle règle qui est le silence. Cette règle familiale s’applique aux parents, aux enfants arrivés dans le pays d’asile mais aussi aux enfants nés en exil. Parler des enfants absents met en danger. Le thérapeute se retrouve souvent dans une position délicate devant "l’insupportabilité" de la situation. Parfois, le traumatisme de la disparition accolée à la violence et aux traumatismes vécus par les membres de la famille font que le thérapeute pourrait être tenté, lui aussi, d’appliquer la nouvelle règle, celle du silence.
Le paradigme systémique : approche Intersubjective-Narrative versus approche Relationnelle-Générationnelle
Authors: Cigoli Vittorio , Scabini Eugenia 
Published: January 2012

Résumé Après avoir discuté de deux approches différentes – intersubjective-narrative et relationnelle-générationnelle – se référant au paradigme systémique, les auteurs présentent le modèle relationnel-symbolique qu’ils ont développé au cours d’une recherche et d’une pratique s’étendant sur plus de vingt ans. Ils y conçoivent le « système familial » comme une unité multiplex au sein de laquelle figure la co-présence du « corps familial » et de ses parties (membres et leurs croyances, intentions et sentiments).
Morphology and ecology of tadpoles of <i>Ramanella obscura</i> (Anura: Microhylidae)
Authors: Bowatte Gayan , Meegaskumbura Madhava 
Published: January 2012

External, buccal and chondrocranial morphology, bone development and ecology of the tadpoles of Ramanella obscura, a narrow-mouthed frog species endemic to Sri Lanka is described. The tadpoles have a dorsoventrally flattend body, keratinous ridge on lower lip, a postnarial ridge that extends anteriorly between narial papillae and an expanded fenestrated sheet of cartilage associated with the larval otic process and processus lateralis posterior. But they do not possess a medial preglottal papilla in ventral buccal floor as in Microhyla. At Gosner stage 25, there is no bone development; but by stage 35, exoccipitals, parasphenoid, frontoparietals and prootics are developed. By stage 40, in addition to the bones at stage 35, nasals are formed. The tadpoles are tree-hole or small-ground-pool dwellers that feed on particulate matter and infusoria both in the substratum and the water column, for which they have morphological adaptations. No other anuran tadpoles were observed in syntopy with R. obscura tadpoles. Key words: Chondrocranium; buccal morphology; tadpole ecology; endemic; Sri Lanka DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3927 CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 109-120
Effect of mosquito larvicide Abate® on the developmental stages of the Asian common toad, <i>Bufo melanostictus</i>
Authors: Harischandra HKSP , Karunaratne SHPP , Rajakaruna RS 
Published: January 2012

Exposure to chemical contaminants has been identified as a key factor causing widespread mortalities and malformations in amphibians world over. We examined the effect of exposure to commonly used mosquito larvicide, Abate® which has temephos as the active ingredient, on the Asian common toad, Bufo melanostictus, under laboratory conditions. The LC50 values of 16.56 ppm and 17.03 ppm were obtained when one-day old tadpoles (Gosner stage 21-24) and one-week old tadpoles (Gosner stage 25) were exposed to Abate for two weeks, respectively. Chronic exposure to Abate at effective field concentrations used in mosquito control programmes (WHO recommended doses) had a significant effect on the survival of egg stage (Gosner stages 12-14), and one day old tadpoles but not on one week old tadpoles. Tadpoles exposed to Abate grew larger and had a longer larval period and the difference in the duration of larval period was statistically significant. Exposed tadpoles also developed malformations such as rotation of bones, micromelia of the limb bones, hemimelia of femur, skin webbing in the hind limbs and ectrodactyly. Edemas were also observed in the exposed tadpoles. Exposure to all concentrations of Abate had a significant effect on the survival, growth and development of malformations in the early tadpole stages compared to the control group. The reduction in survival was not significant when older tadpoles of one week post-hatch were exposed, although they developed malformations and their larval period was prolonged significantly compared to the control group. Thus, the study shows that Abate is lethal to the early stages of the Asian common toad but the toxicity decreased as the tadpoles grow older. Key words: temephos; amphibians; survival; growth; malformations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3929 CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 133-140
Anti Reverse Transcriptase and Anticancer activity of stem ethanol extracts of <i>Excoecaria agallocha</i> (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Patil RC , Manohar Sonal M , Upadhye Madhav V , Katchi VI , Rao Asha J , Mule Abhishek , Moghe Alpana S 
Published: January 2012

Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae) is a mangrove plant widely used in folklore medicine for the treatment of several diseases. In the present study anti HIV and anticancer properties of active fraction of stem ethanol extracts of the plant were investigated. The fraction showed significant anti-reverse transcriptase activity in the enzyme-based direct binding assay which was as good as that of the standard synthetic inhibitor. Anticancer activity of the same fraction was determined using MTS in vitro assay. It showed potent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cell lines Capan-1 and Miapaca-2 with IC50 values of 4 μg/ml and 7 μg/ml respectively. These results clearly indicate strong anti HIV and anticancer properties in stem extracts of E. agallocha. Key words: mangrove; pancreatic cancer; activity guided fractionation; anti HIV properties DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3931 CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 147-155
Effect of Benzylaminopurine, Gibberellic Acid, Silver Nitrate and Silver Thiosulphate, on postharvest longevity of cut leaves of <i>Dracaena</i>
Authors: Subhashini RMB , Amarathunga NLK , Krishnarajah SA , Eeswara JP 
Published: January 2012

Leaf yellowing associated with early senescence is a major problem associated with cut decorative leaves and flowers of many tropical plant species. Effect of postharvest application of benzylaminopurine (BAP), gibberellic acid (GA3), silver-thiosulphate (STS) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) on vase life of cut leaves of three Dracaena species Dracaena marginata ‘bi colour’, Dracaena sanderiana ‘white’ and Dracaena deremensis were investigated. Deionized water (DIW) was used as the control. All the BAP treatments (25, 50 and 100 μM) applied either as 10 minutes immersion or as 24 h pulse improved the vase life of all three species examined. Application of STS (2 mM) and AgNO3 ( 10 mM Ag ions) did not increase the vase life of D. marginata ‘bi colour’ and D. sanderiana ‘white’ significantly while GA3 (50, 100 and 250 μM) either as a pulse or immersion, significantly reduced the postharvest life of D. deremensis compared to untreated leaves. Results suggest that the application of 25 μM BAP as a pulse treatment for 24 h can be recommended to prolong the postharvest life through delayed leaf senescence and thus enhance the marketability of cut leaves of Dracaena marginata ‘bi colour’, Dracaena sanderiana ‘white’ and Dracaena deremensis. Key words: postharvest life; Dracaena marginata ‘bi colour’; Dracaena sanderiana ‘white’; Dracaena deremensis; marketability DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3932 CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 157-162
Invasion by <i>Austroeupatorium inulifolium</i> (Asteraceae) arrests succession following tea cultivation in the highlands of Sri Lanka
Authors: Pethiyagoda Rohan S , Nanayakkara Sudath 
Published: January 2012

An understanding of floral succession is vital in planning the restoration of native vegetation in abandoned agricultural landscapes. Although such restoration is essential for the establishment of habitat corridors between the fragments of tropical montane cloud forest in the Sri Lankan highlands, in which > 90% of the land has been converted to tea plantations, no studies of succession have hitherto been possible because of the near-total absence of secondary forest in this region. In a pioneering restoration initiative in 1998, however, tea cultivation was abandoned on a 25 ha site (elevation 1540–1780 m) at Agrapatana, ~500 m from a natural forest. Succession was allowed to proceed without intervention, except that tea was removed from 10 ha. By 2009, the invasive Neotropical shrub Austroeupatorium inulifolium and Australian tree Acacia decurrens dominated the vegetation (0.43±0.14 and 0.03±0.04 stems m-2, respectively), to the total exclusion of native woody species. There was no significant difference in the density of Austroeupatorium (82±12%) and Acacia (14±9%) between quadrats with and without tea. Methods to suppress these two aggressive invasive species are urgently needed, especially given that Austroeupatorium has recently become established within pristine montane forests such as Horton Plains National Park (2,100 m elevation). Key words: Acacia decurrens; Eupatorium; montane cloud forest; invasive species DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3934 CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 175-181
Serological examination of Philippine bats for <i>Histoplasma capsulatum</i>
Authors: Arayan Lauren T , Reyes Alisha Wehdnesday B , Masangkay Joseph S , Yoshikawa Yasuhiro , Baticados Waren N , Rovira Hope G 
Published: January 2012

Histoplasmosis is a disease of medical and veterinary concern. Bats are considered as reservoir hosts of the etiologic agent Histoplasma capsulatum, and are therefore used as animal subjects in experimental studies. Thirty six bats, consisiting of nine bats (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Aklan, 22 bats (Megachiroptera: Pterodidae) from Quezon City and another five bats (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Quezon City, Philippines were tested for the presence of precipitating antibodies to H. capsulatum using immunodiffusion assay. Results revealed that none of the bats tested were positive for H. capsulatum in agar gel precipitation assay. This may be due to no previous exposure of the bats to the pathogen, exposure to the pathogen with insufficient time for seroconversion (infection time < 3 - 5 weeks) prior to capture or the bats were resistant to infection. Any one of the aforementioned factors may have contributed to the absence of antibodies or low undetectable levels of circulating antibodies for H. capsulatum in the tested bats. This is the very first attempt at field collecting and monitoring for precipitating antibodies for H. capsulatum in Philippine wildlife, particularly in Philippine bats. Key words: Immunodiffusion assay; wildlife; antibodies; Aklan; Quezon City DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v40i2.3935 CJSBS 2011; 40(2): 183-186
IL-2 Upregulates CD86 Expression on Human CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Paine Ananta , Kirchner Hartmut , Immenschuh Stephan , Oelke Mathias , Blasczyk Rainer , Eiz-Vesper Britta 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe glycoprotein CD86 is an important costimulatory molecule that has been shown to be predominantly expressed on APCs, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. More recently, CD86 was also detected on T cells in specific pathological conditions. The mechanisms of how CD86 might be induced and its functional role in T cells are not well understood. In the present study, we showed that treatment with IL-2 markedly upregulated CD86, but not CD80, in human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. This upregulation occurred in the absence of bystander cells, and isolated naive CD4+ or CD8+ T cells exhibited different time-dependent CD86-expression patterns in response to IL-2. Upregulation of CD86 on activated T cells was reduced by Abs that block IL-2 and IL-2Rα (CD25), indicating a receptor-mediated mechanism. IL-2–dependent CD86 upregulation was blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of the NFAT and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways and was largely reduced by simultaneous exposure to IFN-α. Importantly, a marked increase in CD86 on T cells was also observed in vivo in IL-2–treated patients. In conclusion, IL-2 upregulates CD86 expression on human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells via a receptor-dependent mechanism that involves the NFAT and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways.
Defective CD8 T Cell Responses in Aged Mice Are Due to Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in Virus-Specific Precursors
Authors: Decman Vilma , Laidlaw Brian J. , Doering Travis A. , Leng Jin , Ertl Hildegund C. J. , Goldstein Daniel R. , Wherry E. John 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Aging is associated with suboptimal CD8 T cell responses to viral infections. It is not clear whether these poor responses are due to environmental influences or quantitative and qualitative changes in the pool of responding CD8 T cells. Our studies demonstrated several deleterious age-related changes in the pool of Ag-specific CD8 T cells that respond to infection. The majority of CD8 T cells from uninfected aged mice was CD44Hi and had increased expression of inhibitory receptors including PD1, LAG3, 2B4, and CD160. These aged CD44Hi CD8 T cells were transcriptionally similar to exhausted CD8 T cells found during chronic infections. In addition, the number of virus-specific precursors in aged mice prior to infection was decreased up to 10-fold, and many of these Ag-specific precursors had high expression of CD44 and PD1. Finally, TCR transgenic studies demonstrated that the CD44Hi Ag-specific CD8 T cells from unimmunized aged and young mice were qualitatively inferior compared with CD44Lo CD8 T cells from aged or young donors. Thus, a decrease in precursor frequency as well as qualitative changes of CD8 T cells during aging are directly related to impaired immunity.
STAT1-Independent Control of a Neurotropic Measles Virus Challenge in Primary Neurons and Infected Mice
Authors: O’Donnell Lauren A. , Conway Stephen , Rose R. Wesley , Nicolas Emmanuelle , Slifker Michael , Balachandran Siddharth , Rall Glenn F. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNeurons are chiefly nonrenewable; thus, cytolytic immune strategies to clear or control neurotropic viral infections could have lasting neurologic consequences. IFN-γ is a potent antiviral cytokine that is critical for noncytolytic clearance of multiple neurotropic viral infections, including measles virus (MV); however, the downstream pathways through which IFN-γ functions in neurons have not been defined. Unlike most cell types studied to date in which IFN-γ affects gene expression via rapid and robust activation of STAT1, basal STAT1 levels in primary hippocampal neurons are constitutively low, resulting in attenuated STAT1 activation and consequently slower kinetics of IFN-γ–driven STAT1-dependent gene expression. Given this altered expression and activation of STAT1 in neurons, we sought to determine whether STAT1 was required for IFN-γ–mediated protection from infection in neurons. To do so, we evaluated the consequences of MV challenge of STAT1-deficient mice and primary hippocampal neurons explanted from these mice. Surprisingly, the absence of STAT1 did not restrict the ability of IFN-γ to control viral infection either in vivo or ex vivo. Moreover, the canonical IFN-γ–triggered STAT1 gene expression profile was not induced in STAT1-deficient neurons, suggesting that IFN-γ regulates neuronal STAT1-independent pathways to control viral replication.
Characterization of the Promoter and the Transcriptional Regulation of theLipoxin A4 Receptor(FPR2/ALX) Gene in Human Monocytes and Macrophages
Authors: Waechter Vanessa , Schmid Mattia , Herova Magdalena , Weber Angelika , Günther Viola , Marti-Jaun Jacqueline , Wüst Sophia , Rösinger Marian , Gemperle Claudio , Hersberger Martin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe lipoxin A4 receptor FPR2/ALX plays an important part in host defense and inflammation. The receptor binds structurally diverse agonistic ligands, which mainly regulate chemotaxis and activation of leukocytes. However, little is known about the promoter region of the FPR2/ALX gene and its transcriptional regulation in leukocytes. We identified two TATA-less promoter regions, separated by 224 bp, that drive the expression of FPR2/ALX in macrophages. Both promoter regions increased transcription in a reporter assay, and the basal transcription factors OCT1 and SP1 were shown to bind the first and the second promoter, respectively, and to transactivate transcription. Although monocytes expressed high levels of FPR2/ALX mRNA from the second promoter region, differentiation into macrophages abrogated FPR2/ALX expression. Stimulation of macrophages with a set of cytokines revealed that only IFN-γ and LPS increased FPR2/ALX expression from the first promoter to levels similar to those detected in monocytes. The upregulation by IFN-γ is in part mediated by the interaction of IFN regulatory factor 1 with an IFN-responsive sequence element transcription factor binding site located in the first promoter region of the FPR2/ALX gene. However, this upregulation on the mRNA level did not translate into FPR2/ALX protein expression in macrophages owing to reduced translation of the longer mRNA from the first promoter. In contrast, FPR2/ALX mRNA transcribed from the second promoter was translated into surface expression of FPR2/ALX in monocytes. These data support a model in which FPR2/ALX plays a role in chemotaxis and activation of monocytes; however, they also suggest that its function in resident tissue macrophages is limited.