bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of the vitamin D metabolizing enzyme CYP24A1 at the annulus of human spermatozoa may serve as a novel marker of semen quality
Authors: Blomberg Jensen M. , Jørgensen A. , Nielsen J. E. , Bjerrum P. J. , Skalkam M. , Petersen J. H. , Egeberg D. L. , Bangsbøll S. , Andersen A. N. , Skakkebæk N. E. , Juul A. , Rajpert‐De Meyts E. , Dissing S. , Leffers H. , Jørgensen N. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryVitamin D (VD) is important for male reproduction in mammals and the VD receptor (VDR) and VD‐metabolizing enzymes are expressed in human spermatozoa. The VD‐inactivating enzyme CYP24A1 titrates the cellular responsiveness to VD, is transcriptionally regulated by VD, and has a distinct expression at the sperm annulus. Here, we investigated if CYP24A1 expression serves as a marker for VD metabolism in spermatozoa, and whether CYP24A1 expression was associated with semen quality. We included 130 men (53 healthy young volunteers and 77 subfertile men) for semen analysis and immunocytochemical (ICC) detection of CYP24A1. Another 40 men (22 young, 18 subfertile) were tested for in vitro effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and sperm motility. Double ICC staining showed that CYP24A1 and VDR were either concomitantly expressed or absent in 80% of the spermatozoa from young men. The median number of CYP24A1‐expressing spermatozoa was 1% in subfertile men and thus significantly (p < 0.0005) lower than 25% in spermatozoa from young men. Moreover, CYP24A1 expression correlated positively with total sperm count, ‐concentration, ‐motility and ‐morphology (all p < 0.004), and the percentage of CYP24A1‐positive spermatozoa increased (15 vs. 41%, p < 0.0005) after percoll‐gradient‐centrifugation. We noticed that the presence of >3% CYP24A1‐positive spermatozoa distinguished young men from subfertile men with a sensitivity of 66.0%, a specificity of 77.9% and a positive predictive value of 98.3%. Functional studies revealed that 1,25(OH)2D3 increased [Ca2+]i and sperm motility in young healthy men, while 1,25(OH)2D3 was unable to increase motility in subfertile patients. In conclusion, we suggest that CYP24A1 expression at the annulus may serve as a novel marker of semen quality and an objective proxy for sperm function.
The effect of baclofen on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux and measures of sleep quality: a randomized, cross‐over trial
Authors: Orr W. C. , Goodrich S. , Wright S. , Shepherd K. , Mellow M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground  Baclofen, a GABAb agonist, has been shown to reduce episodes of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). To determine if baclofen would significantly reduce reflux during sleep, and also improve objective and subjective measures of sleep.Methods  Twenty‐one individuals with complaints of nighttime heartburn at least twice a week and a Carlsson GERD score of at least 5 were studied. Patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) and simultaneous esophageal pH monitoring on two occasions separated by approximately 1 week in a cross‐over design. The night of each polysomnographic study, patients consumed a refluxogenic meal. Baclofen (40 mg) or placebo was given in random order 90 min prior to the start of the PSG.Key Results  Baclofen significantly reduced the number of reflux events compared with placebo. Upright and recumbent acid contact times were both reduced by baclofen vs placebo, but the differences were not significant. Regarding sleep outcomes, several variables were significantly improved by baclofen. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency increased, and wake after sleep onset decreased in the baclofen condition compared with placebo. Proportion of Stage 1 sleep was also significantly decreased on baclofen.Conclusions & Inferences  In addition to reducing the number of reflux events during sleep, baclofen significantly improved several measures of sleep in patients with documented GER and sleep disturbances. Baclofen could therefore be considered as a useful adjunct therapy to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with nighttime heartburn and sleep disturbance who continue to have heartburn and/or sleep complaints despite PPI therapy.
The Bazar Ophiolite of NW Iberia: a relic of the Iapetus–Tornquist Ocean in the Variscan suture
Authors: Martínez Sonia S. , Gerdes Axel , Arenas Ricardo , Abati Jacobo 
Published: March 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 283–294, 2012AbstractThe Bazar Ophiolite, one of the ophiolitic units involved in the Variscan suture of NW Iberia, is mainly formed by metagabbroic high T amphibolites with N‐MORB affinity. The ophiolite appears accreted under an arc‐derived upper terrane affected by intermediate‐P granulite facies metamorphism dated at 496–484 Ma. U‐Th‐Pb geochronology and Lu‐Yb‐Hf isotope geochemistry of zircons allow recognizing two growth stages. The first occurred during crystallization of the gabbroic protolith and has been dated at 495 ± 2 Ma, whereas the second one, interpreted as dating the high T metamorphism, yielded an age of 475 ± 2 Ma. The chronology of the Bazar Ophiolite and its accretionary history suggest that this unit is a relic of the Cambrian ocean located to the North of Gondwana, the Iapetus–Tornquist Ocean, accreted to a dissected arc during or before the early stages in the opening of the Rheic Ocean.
Intravenous iron supplementation after kidney transplantation
Authors: Rozen‐Zvi Benaya , Gafter‐Gvili Anat , Zingerman Boris , Levy‐Drummer Rachel S. , Levy Liora , Mor Eitan , Gafter Uzi , Rahamimov Ruth 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to evaluate the effect of intravenous (IV) iron supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and detect predictors for response.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of 81 patients who were treated with IV iron post‐transplant. We evaluated predictors of response to treatment defined as an increase in Hb value of more than 1 g/dL by linear regression analysis.ResultsThree months after treatment, the mean Hb level increased significantly from 9.8 ± 1.4 g/dL to 11.1 ± 1.6 g/dL (p < 0.001). A lower baseline Hb value (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.33–0.78 per 1 g/dL increase) was the only predictor of response at three months. The Hb value in the evaluable 60 patients at one yr increased from 9.9 ± 1.4 g/dL to 11.7 ± 1.7 g/dL (p < 0.001). Lower baseline Hb value (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18–0.65 per 1 g/dL increase) and a shorter time from transplantation (OR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.68–0.94 per one yr increase) were predictors of response. Adverse events were reported in five patients (0.7% of doses). The rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate decline was reduced following the IV iron treatment −0.34 ± 1.05 mL/min/month after treatment compared with −0.81 ± 1.11 mL/min/month before treatment (p = 0.013).ConclusionsIV iron treatment was safe and associated with Hb increase in a cohort of patients after kidney transplantation.
Modelling the maintenance of egg polymorphism in avian brood parasites and their hosts
Authors: LIANG W. , YANG C. , STOKKE B. G. , ANTONOV A. , FOSSØY F. , VIKAN J. R. , MOKSNES A. , RØSKAFT E. , SHYKOFF J. A. , MØLLER A. P. , TAKASU F. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn avian brood parasitism, egg phenotype plays a key role for both host and parasite reproduction. Several parrotbill species of the genusParadoxornisare parasitized by the common cuckooCuculus canorus, and clear polymorphism in egg phenotype is observed. In this article, we develop a population genetics model in order to identify the key parameters that control the maintenance of egg polymorphism. The model analyses show that egg polymorphism can be maintained either statically as an equilibrium or dynamically with frequency oscillations depending on the sensitivity of the host against unlike eggs and how the parasite targets host nests with specific egg phenotypes. On the basis of the model, we discuss egg polymorphism observed in parrotbills and other host species parasitized by the cuckoo. We suggest the possibility that frequencies of egg phenotypes oscillate and we appeal for monitoring of cuckoo–host interactions over a large spatiotemporal scale.
The form of sexual selection arising from male–male competition depends on the presence of females in the social environment
Authors: PROCTER D. S. , MOORE A. J. , MILLER C. W. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSexual selection arises from social interactions, and if social environments vary so too should sexual selection. For example, male–male competition often occurs either in the presence or in the absence of females, and such changes in the social environment could affect the form and strength of sexual selection. Here we examine how the presence of a female influences selection arising from male–male competition in a leaf‐footed cactus bug, Narnia femorata, which has a resource defence mating system. Males compete for territories on cacti because females lay eggs on the cactus plants. Females are not always present when this competition first occurs; however, the presence or absence of the female matters. We found that both the form and strength of selection on male traits, those traits that influenced success in intrasexual competition, depended on the social context. When a female was not present, male size and the area of the sexually dimorphic hind legs was only marginally important to winning a contest. However, males with larger overall size and leg area were more likely to win in the presence of a female. There was also positive quadratic selection on these traits when a female was present with both the largest and the smallest males winning. The implication is unexpected alternative strategies when females are present. Our results support the notion that sexual selection should be studied under all relevant social contexts.
Distribution of hepatitis C virus in circulating blood components from blood donors
Authors: Chancey C. , Winkelman V. , Foley J. B. , Silberstein E. , Teixeira‐Carvalho A. , Taylor D. R. , Rios M. 
Published: March 2012

Background and Objectives  Current nucleic acid tests (NAT) for blood donor screening use plasma as the test sample and, consequently, cannot detect virions bound to blood cells of infected donors. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and infectious virions have been detected in association with the cellular components of blood of patients with active liver disease; however, studies comparing HCV viral loads in whole blood and plasma have generated contradictory results. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of HCV in different compartments of the peripheral blood from HCV‐infected blood donors, which may differ from that observed in patients with HCV‐associated liver disease.Materials and Methods  Hepatitis C virus‐positive donor specimens were identified by NAT and antibody testing. HCV RNA was extracted from samples of whole blood and their corresponding components (RBC and plasma). Viral RNA was quantified by real‐time qRT‐PCR.Results  Hepatitis C virus was present in all blood components from infected donors from which RNA could be amplified. For the majority of samples, plasma (34/46) had the highest detectable concentration of HCV RNA, and RBC (37/46) had the lowest. Specimens with negative NAT and positive antibody assays also produced qRT‐PCR negative results.Conclusion  These results indicate that including the RBC fraction in the tested sample will not increase assay sensitivity. Although 10% of the specimens had a higher viral load in whole blood, there was no significant overall increase in sensitivity to justify changes in the specimen format. Thus, plasma specimens are well suited for blood donor screening for HCV.
Association between vitamin C deficiency and dialysis modalities
Authors: ZHANG KUNYING , DONG JIE , CHENG XUYANG , BAI WENYING , GUO WEIYA , WU LEIYUN , ZUO LI 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTAim:  We designed a cross‐sectional study to investigate plasma vitamin C level in patients who underwent maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) to explore whether there is a difference in vitamin C deficiency between MHD patients and CAPD patients.Methods:  This investigation included 382 dialysis patients without vitamin C supplement before the study. Demographic characteristics, laboratory tests, ascorbic acid and total plasma vitamin C level were measured. A linear regression model was built to explore the association between vitamin C deficiency and dialysis modalities after adjusting for age, dialysis vintage, gender, Charlson index, modality of dialysis and hsCRP.Results:  The range of plasma vitamin C level was from 0.48 µg/mL to 31.16 µg/mL. 35.9% (n = 137) patients had severe vitamin C deficiency (<2 µg/mL). Plasma vitamin C level was inversely associated with age and dialysis vintage. After age and dialysis vintage were adjusted, vitamin C deficiency was associated with MHD. R square for model fitting was relatively low, which implied that there were other vitamin C influencing factors not included in the model.Conclusions:  Vitamin C deficiency is common in dialysis patients, especially in patients treated with MHD.
Neurophysiology and therapeutic receptor targets for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Yoshimura Naoki , Miyazato Minoru 
Published: March 2012

AbstractStress urinary incontinence is the most common type of urinary incontinence in women. Stress urinary incontinence involves involuntary leakage of urine in response to abdominal pressure caused by activities, such as sneezing and coughing. The condition affects millions of women worldwide, causing physical discomfort as well as social distress and even social isolation. This type of incontinence is often seen in women after middle age and it can be caused by impaired closure mechanisms of the urethra as a result of a weak pelvic floor or poorly supported urethral sphincter (urethral hypermobility) and/or a damaged urethral sphincter system (intrinsic sphincter deficiency). Until recently, stress urinary incontinence has been approached by clinicians as a purely anatomic problem as a result of urethral hypermobility requiring behavioral or surgical therapy. However, intrinsic sphincter deficiency has been reported to be more significantly associated with stress urinary incontinence than urethral hypermobility. Extensive basic and clinical research has enhanced our understanding of the complex neural circuitry regulating normal function of the lower urinary tract, as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms that might underlie the development of stress urinary incontinence and lead to the development of potential novel strategies for pharmacotherapy of stress urinary incontinence. Therapeutic targets include adrenergic and serotonergic receptors in the spinal cord, and adrenergic receptors at the urethral sphincter, which can enhance urethral reflex activity during stress conditions and increase baseline urethral pressure, respectively. This article therefore reviews the recent advances in stress urinary incontinence research and discusses the neurophysiology of urethral continence reflexes, the etiology of stress urinary incontinence and potential targets for pharmacotherapy of stress urinary incontinence.
New primary resource increases predation on a pest in a banana agroecosystem
Authors: Mollot Gregory , Tixier Philippe , Lescourret Françoise , Quilici Serge , Duyck Pierre‐François 
Published: March 2012

Primary resources may affect the structure of species assemblages in upper trophic levels of food webs. These bottom‐up effects may involve important ecological processes that affect pest control. For example, population densities of natural enemies may increase when alternative preys are favoured by a new resource.
Ants, particularly Solenopsis geminata Forel (Myrmicinae), are recognized as effective predators of herbivores eggs. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the addition of a primary resource in a banana agroecosystem will increase pest control of the banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus Germar (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) by ants.
Using stable isotope analyses, we showed that S. geminata used the new resource pathway provided by the addition of a cover crop. This change was revealed by increased δ13C values (13C/12C) in a cover crop treatment (C4 plant) compared with a banana (C3 plant) in bare soil treatment.
We also showed that the abundance of S. geminata, as measured with pitfall traps, was 4.8–5.4‐fold higher in the cover crop treatment than in the bare soil treatment. Estimation of egg predation rates was in the range 7.8–70.3%, which occurred in plots with the lowest and highest S. geminata numbers, respectively.
The addition of a new primary resource in this system changed the origin of the carbon consumed by predators and increased their densities. The increased ant abundance resulted in increased predation of weevil eggs, which was consistent with our hypothesis. These results will be useful for the design of cropping systems that enhance the biological regulation of pests.
ArxA, a new clade of arsenite oxidase within the DMSO reductase family of molybdenum oxidoreductases
Authors: Zargar Kamrun , Conrad Alison , Bernick David L. , Lowe Todd M. , Stolc Viktor , Hoeft Shelley , Oremland Ronald S. , Stolz John , Saltikov Chad W. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryArsenotrophy, growth coupled to autotrophic arsenite oxidation or arsenate respiratory reduction, occurs only in the prokaryotic domain of life. The enzymes responsible for arsenotrophy belong to distinct clades within the DMSO reductase family of molybdenum‐containing oxidoreductases: specifically arsenate respiratory reductase, ArrA, and arsenite oxidase, AioA (formerly referred to as AroA and AoxB). A new arsenite oxidase clade, ArxA, represented by the haloalkaliphilic bacterium Alkalilimnicola ehrlichii strain MLHE‐1 was also identified in the photosynthetic purple sulfur bacterium Ectothiorhodospira sp. strain PHS‐1. A draft genome sequence of PHS‐1 was completed and an arx operon similar to MLHE‐1 was identified. Gene expression studies showed that arxA was strongly induced with arsenite. Microbial ecology investigation led to the identification of additional arxA‐like sequences in Mono Lake and Hot Creek sediments, both arsenic‐rich environments in California. Phylogenetic analyses placed these sequences as distinct members of the ArxA clade of arsenite oxidases. ArxA‐like sequences were also identified in metagenome sequences of several alkaline microbial mat environments of Yellowstone National Park hot springs. These results suggest that ArxA‐type arsenite oxidases appear to be widely distributed in the environment presenting an opportunity for further investigations of the contribution of Arx‐dependent arsenotrophy to the arsenic biogeochemical cycle.
Drug detection dogs in Australia: More bark than bite?
Authors: HICKEY SOPHIE , MCILWRAITH FAIRLIE , BRUNO RAIMONDO , MATTHEWS ALLISON , ALATI ROSA 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction and Aims.Canines are often used by police for drug detection and deterrence. However, their effectiveness has been questioned. This paper aims to describe the experience of regular illicit drug users when in contact with drug detection dogs.Design and Methods.Regular ecstasy users (n = 2127) were interviewed across Australia between 2008 and 2010 as part of the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System.Results.Over the 3 year period, there was increased visibility of drug detection dogs by regular ecstasy users. New South Wales was the jurisdiction with the most reported sightings, mainly occurring at festivals or live music events. Despite this police presence, however, detection and deterrence rates remained low. Approximately two‐thirds of participants who had seen the drug detection dogs had drugs in their possession at the most recent sighting, yet less than 7% were positively identified by dogs. Further, the majority of participants in possession of drugs took no actions after sighting the dogs, whereas a small group hastily consumed the drugs.Discussion and Conclusions.The low proportion of reported positive notifications from the dogs by the participants who had drugs on them at the time of sighting questions the accuracy and effectiveness of this procedure. Despite the increased visibility of police drug detection dogs, regular ecstasy users continue to use and be in possession of illicit drugs in public, suggesting a limited deterrence effect. The hasty consumption of drugs upon sighting the dogs also raises health concerns.[Hickey S, McIlwraith F, Bruno R, Matthews A, Alati R. Drug detection dogs in Australia: More bark than bite? Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:778–783]
Buddhist thought and nursing: a hermeneutic exploration
Authors: McCaffrey Graham , Raffin‐Bouchal Shelley , Moules Nancy J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this paper I lay out the ground for a creative dialogue between Buddhist thought and contemporary nursing. I start from the observation that in tracing an arc from the existential human experience of suffering to finding compassionate responses to suffering in everyday practice Buddhist thought already appears to present significant affinities with nursing as a practice discipline. I discuss some of the complexities of entering into a cross‐cultural dialogue, which is already well under way in the working out of Western forms of Buddhism, and which is beginning to be reflected in nursing literature. I introduce philosophical hermeneutics as a useful framework for elaborating an open and constructive exchange. I then discuss key Mahayana Buddhist concepts of emptiness and two truths that lead to a dynamic and open way of understanding reality and responding in the world. I turn to examples of original texts to give a flavour of the varied and distinctive forms of literature in the Buddhist tradition. This is intended partly to keep the reader alert to cultural difference (from a Western standpoint, that is) while exploring the creative potential of Buddhist thought. Hermeneutics again provides a framework for interpretation. This paper establishes a philosophical ground for a critical and creative dialogue between Buddhist thought and nursing.
Concurrent analysis: a pragmatic justification
Authors: Snowden Austyn , Atkinson John 
Published: March 2012

AbstractConcurrent analysis (CA) is a process of synthesizing conceptually equivalent data for the purpose of producing a coherent and predictive model in social science. The process of CA is detailed. In short, CA uses Thagard's concept of coherence as a method of explicating links between mental representations. The product is a wide analysis of all pertinent data. This paper provides a philosophical justification for the need and function of CA. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section reviews some problems with the metasynthetic literature. The purpose of this is that CA can be initially understood as a branch of this type of synthesis. The second section links Risjord's post‐paradigmatic position to Rorty's version of pragmatism in order to show the importance of the concept of coherence to these views. The reason for linking these issues is that CA is grounded in rejection of ontological priority. Instead it prioritises a pragmatic conception of coherence. The final section details the mechanics of CA. Concurrent analysis is presented as the most coherent method of synthesizing certain types of narrative evidence if pragmatism is prioritized over ontology. Examples are given from published studies using CA to illustrate the detail of the analysis and the practical value of the product. The examples show that CA appears useful under certain circumstances. These circumstances will be specified, and strengths and weaknesses of the method will be discussed.