bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined split liver and kidney transplantation in a three‐year‐old child with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and complete thrombosis of the inferior vena cava
Authors: Khan Zahida , Sciveres Marco , Salis Paola , Minervini Marida , Maggione Giuseppe , Cintorino Davide , Riva Silvia , Gridelli Bruno , Emma Francesco , Spada Marco 
Published: September 2009

Khan Z, Sciveres M, Salis P, Minervini M, Maggione G, Cintorino D, Riva S, Gridelli B, Emma F, Spada M. Combined split liver and kidney transplantation in a three‐year‐old child with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 and complete thrombosis of the inferior vena cava. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: E64–E70. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  PH1 is an inborn error of the metabolism in which a functional deficiency of the liver‐specific peroxisomal enzyme, AGT, causes hyperoxaluria and hyperglycolic aciduria. Infantile PH1 is the most aggressive form of this disease, leading to early nephrocalcinosis, systemic oxalosis, and end‐stage renal failure. Infantile PH1 is rapidly fatal in children unless timely liver‐kidney transplantation is performed to correct both the hepatic enzyme defect and the renal end‐organ damage. The surgical procedure can be further complicated in infants and young children, who are at higher risk for vascular anomalies, such as IVC thrombosis. Although recently a limited number of children with IVC thrombosis have underwent successful kidney transplantation, successful multi‐organ transplantation in a child with complete IVC thrombosis is quite rare. We report here the interesting and technically difficult case of a three‐yr‐old girl with a complete thrombosis of the IVC, who was the recipient of combined split liver and kidney transplantation for infantile PH1. Although initial delayed renal graft function with mild‐to‐moderate acute rejection was observed, the patient rapidly regained renal function after steroid boluses, and was soon hemodialysis‐independent, with good diuresis. Serum and plasma oxalate levels progressively decreased; although, to date they are still above normal. Hepatic and renal function indices were at, or approaching, normal values when the patient was discharged 15‐wk post‐transplant, and the patient continues to do well, with close and frequent follow‐up. This is the first report of a successful double‐organ transplant in a pediatric patient presenting with infantile PH1 complicated by complete IVC thrombosis.
Synergistic and antagonistic interaction between different branches of the immune system is related to melanin‐based coloration in nestling tawny owls
Authors: GASPARINI J. , PIAULT R. , BIZE P. , ROULIN A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWhen exposed to parasites, hosts often mount energetically expensive immune responses, and this may alter resource allocation between competing life history traits including other components of the immune system. Here, we investigated whether a humoral immune challenge towards a vaccine reduces or enhances the cutaneous immune responses towards an injection of lipopolysaccharid (LPS, innate immunity) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA, T‐cell immunity) in nestling tawny owls in interaction with the degree of plumage melanin‐based coloration. The humoral immune challenge enhanced the response to LPS similarly in differently coloured nestlings. In contrast, the same humoral immune challenge enhanced immune response to PHA in dark reddish melanic nestlings while reducing it in pale reddish melanic nestlings. Our results highlight that both antagonistic and synergistic interactions can take place among branches of immune system, and that the sign and magnitude of these interactions can vary with immune responses involved and the degree of melanin‐based coloration.
Parent–offspring conflict and selection on egg size in turtles
Authors: JANZEN F. J. , WARNER D. A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe trade‐off between offspring size and number can present a conflict between parents and their offspring. Because egg size is constrained by clutch size, the optimal egg size for offspring fitness may not always be equivalent to that which maximizes parental fitness. We evaluated selection on egg size in three turtle species (Apalone mutica, Chelydra serpentina and Chrysemys picta) to determine if optimal egg sizes differ between offspring and their mothers. Although hatching success was generally greater for larger eggs, the strength and form of selection varied. In most cases, the egg size that maximized offspring fitness was greater than that which maximized maternal fitness. Consistent with optimality theory, mean egg sizes in the populations were more similar to the egg sizes that maximized maternal fitness, rather than offspring fitness. These results provide evidence that selection has maximized maternal fitness to achieve an optimal balance between egg size and number.
Local adaptation of Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae) to biotic counterparts: complex scenarios revealed when two herbivore guilds are considered
Authors: ORTEGÓN‐CAMPOS I. , PARRA‐TABLA V. , ABDALA‐ROBERTS L. , HERRERA C. M. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis study evaluated whether the herb Ruellia nudiflora is locally adapted to a specialist insect seed predator (SP) and insect folivores, and if plant local adaptation (LA) to the former is more likely. A reciprocal transplant experiment was conducted using three sites in Yucatan (Mexico) (n = 864 plants). A third of the plants of each origin were placed at each site, and we recorded the following during a 9‐month period: fruit number, leaf damage, and fruits attacked by SP. Results indicated lack of plant LA for all the variables measured. Instead, seed predation was c. 100% greater for native plants at one study site, suggesting insect LA or plant maladaptation; folivory was homogeneous across sites/origins. Based on these results, we discuss differences in the potential each herbivore guild has to promote plant LA, as well as divergent evolutionary outcomes of plant–herbivore interactions across sites.
Floral Traits and Seed Production of Sorghum A‐, B‐ and R‐lines under Chilling Field Temperatures
Authors: Cisneros‐López M. E. , Mendoza‐Onofre L. E. , Zavaleta‐Mancera H. A. , González‐Hernández V. A. , Córdova‐Téllez L. , Hernández‐Martínez M. , Mora‐Aguilera G. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn A‐lines of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), seed production under field conditions with manual pollination is generally lower than that in self‐pollinated B‐lines. This may be associated with floral differences. Six pairs of A/B‐lines and four R‐lines were evaluated during 2005 and 2006 at Montecillo, State of México (2240 m altitude). Rachis length, number of primary branches and fertile flowers per panicle, 100‐seed weight, seed number, seed yield and seed set per panicle were evaluated. In the A‐lines, the pistil characteristics were also measured and in the male‐fertile lines, the size of anthers and the amount and size of viable pollen were recorded. Compared with the A‐ and B‐lines, the R‐lines exhibited significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) numbers of flowers, seed set and seed yield per panicle and they also produced more pollen grains of larger size and with greater viability during their longer flowering period (FP). Between A‐ and B‐lines, there were differences (P ≤ 0.05) in most of the yield traits, which also interacted with year. The proportion of viable pollen in B‐ and R‐lines (75 %) was not considered to be a factor that might account for their low seed production. Chilling temperatures (3.5–8.4 °C) during the FP could have affected stigma receptivity in the three different line types and thus may have reduced seed set in the male‐fertile lines.
Different models for evaluation of growth traits and Kleiber ratio in an experimental flock of Iranian fat‐tailed Afshari sheep
Authors: Eskandarinasab M. , Ghafouri‐Kesbi F. , Abbasi M.A. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryRecords for Afshari sheep were retrieved from data collected between 2000 and 2005 at the Zanjan University experimental flock, at Zanjan, Iran. (Co)variance components and corresponding genetic parameters for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6‐month weight (W6), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADGa), from birth to 6 months (ADGb), from weaning to 6 months (ADGc), Kleiber ratio at weaning (WWKR) and Kleiber ratio at 6 months of age (W6KR) were estimated using univariate and bivariate analyses by the DFREML procedure. The Kleiber ratio, defined as growth rate/metabolic weight, has been suggested to be a useful indicator of growth efficiency and an indirect selection criterion for feed conversion. Estimates of direct heritability (h2) were 0.23, 0.27, 0.11, 0.22, 0.07, 0.01, 0.13 and 0.06 for BW, WW, W6, ADGa, ADGb, ADGc, WWKR and W6KR, respectively. Maternal genetic effects represented a relatively large proportion of the total phenotypic variance for BW (m2 = 0.22), whereas maternal permanent environmental effects were significant for W6 (c2 = 0.15), ADGb (c2 = 0.16), ADGc (c2 = 0.14) and W6KR (c2 = 0.16). Results of bivariate analyses indicated the variable genetic correlations between traits. The largest positive genetic relationships were between adjacent measurements. The moderate estimates of h2 for early growth traits indicate that in Afshari sheep faster genetic improvement through selection is possible for these traits. In order to increase the efficiency of feed conversion, use of Kleiber ratio in selection programmes was recommended.
Estimation of genetic parameters of feed intake and daily gain in Durocs using data from electronic swine feeders
Authors: Chen C.Y. , Misztal I. , Tsuruta S. , Zumbach B. , Herring W.O. , Holl J. , Culbertson M. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryGenetic parameters for daily feed intake (DFI, g/day) and daily gain (DG, g/day) were estimated using records of 1916 Duroc boars from electronic feeder stations. Management was limited and resulted in varied ranges of age and weight on test. Boars were housed in 102 pens, each equipped with one feeder, and allowed ad libitum feeding. Weekly averages of DFI and DG were used due to large variation in daily records. Six traits were defined as DFI and DG during 85–106 (period 1), 107–128 (period 2) and 129–150 days of age (period 3). A six‐trait model included age as a linear and a quadratic covariate for DFI and a linear covariate for DG with a fixed effect of year–week–pen and random effects of litter, additive genetic animal and permanent environmental animal. Variance components were estimated by a Bayesian approach using Gibbs sampling algorithm. Estimates of heritability for respective periods were 18%, 12% and 10% for DFI and 21%, 11% and 10% for DG. Genetic correlations between DFI and DG in the same period were 0.70, 0.73 and 0.32 for the respective periods. DFI and DG obtained from automatic feeders can be analysed to reveal variation across testing periods by using weekly averages when many monthly averages are incomplete.
Ultraviolet Radiation Dose to be Applied in Recipient Zebrafish Embryos for Germ‐line Chimaerism is Strain Dependent
Authors: Francisco‐Simão M , Cardona‐Costa J , Perez Camps M , García‐Ximénez F 
Published: September 2009

ContentsGerm‐line chimaerism is a powerful technique that has proved to be useful to produce viable gametes when transplanted blastomeres colonize the germinal ridges in recipient embryos and obtaining offspring from such transplanted cells. In fish, ionizing radiations were commonly used for embryo penalization to cancelling the cell participation of recipient embryos in development and in gamete production. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation when compared with other radiation types is cheaper, easier and no special installations are required for its use. So, the aim of this work was to establish the optimal UV radiation dose to be applied in zebrafish embryos at mid‐blastula transition stage of development, in order to use them as penalized recipient embryos in futures chimaerism assays. A UV germicide lamp was used as radiation source (0.529 mW/cm2). Four exposure levels and three exposure times of UV radiation were tested. The survival rates obtained with the non‐dechorionated embryos without lid group suggested that it could be the optimal exposure level to achieve the objective proposed. With the obtained results, we concluded that this UV radiation dose for 60 and 30 s are optimal parameters to penalize recipient wild and gold strain zebrafish embryos, respectively in chimaerism assays, but without involving their survival and apparently normal development.
Contrasting early visual cortical activation states causally involved in visual imagery and short‐term memory
Authors: Cattaneo Zaira , Vecchi Tomaso , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Silvanto Juha 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWhether visual imagery and visual short‐term memory (STM) share the same neural resources, and the extent to which the early visual cortex (V1/V2) is involved in these processes, has been the subject of much debate. Here, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in two separate experiments to contrast the neural states associated with visual imagery and visual STM in the early visual cortex. In Experiment 1, we investigated V1/V2 activation states at the end of the retention phase in a visual imagery and a visual STM task. V1/V2 TMS facilitated performance in both tasks; the finding that imagery and STM interacted with TMS in the same way suggests that the two processes have similar effects on early visual cortical excitability. In Experiment 2, we investigated V1/V2 activation states at the beginning of the retention phase. V1/V2 TMS impaired performance in the visual STM task, whereas it had no effect on the imagery task. Taken together, our findings show that the late phases of the early visual cortical activation state associated with visual imagery and visual STM are similar; differences between the two processes are apparent in the early phases of the tasks. Our results also suggest that the causal role of the early visual cortex in visual STM includes both the initial translation of the visual input into working memory and the subsequent maintenance of the mental representation. Finally, our findings indicate that visual STM sensory recruitment in working memory might act via excitability modulation of V1/V2 neurons.
Preconditioning selective ventral root injury promotes plasticity of ascending sensory neurons in the injured spinal cord of adult rats – possible roles of brain‐derived  neurotrophic factor, TrkB and p75 neurotrophin receptor
Authors: Li Fang , Li Li , Song Xing‐Yun , Zhong Jin‐Hua , Luo Xue‐Gang , Xian Cory J , Zhou Xin‐Fu 
Published: September 2009

AbstractPreconditioning sciatic nerve injury enhances axonal regeneration of ascending sensory neurons after spinal cord injury. A key question is whether direct injury of sensory nerves is necessary for the enhanced regeneration. The lumbar 5 ventral root transection (L5 VRT) model, a model of selective motor nerve injury, provides a useful tool to address this question. Here we examined the effects of a preconditioning L5 VRT on the regeneration after a subsequent dorsal column transection (DCT) in adult Sprague–Dawley rats. We found that L5 VRT 1 week before DCT increased the number of Fast Blue (FB)‐labeled neurons in the L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and promoted sprouting/regenerating axons to grow into the glial scar. L5 VRT also induced a dramatic upregulation of expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the preconditioned DRG and in the injured spinal cord. Moreover, almost all of the FB‐labeled sprouting/regenerating neurons expressed BDNF, and approximately 55% of these neurons were surrounded by p75 neurotrophin receptor‐positive glial cells. This combined injury led to an increase in the number of BDNF‐ and TrkB‐immunoreactive nerve fibers in the dorsal column caudal to the lesion site. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that L5 VRT promotes sprouting/regeneration of ascending sensory neurons, indicating that sensory axotomy may not be essential for the plasticity of injured dorsal column axons. Thus, the sensory neurons could be preprimed in the regenerative milieu of Wallerian degeneration and neuroinflammation, which might alter the expression of neurotrophic factors and their receptors, facilitating sprouting/regeneration of ascending sensory neurons.
NCAM expression induces neurogenesis in vivo
Authors: Boutin Camille , Schmitz Brigitte , Cremer Harold , Diestel Simone 
Published: September 2009

AbstractNeural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) plays an important role during neural development and in the adult brain, whereby most functions of NCAM have been ascribed to its unique polysialic acid (PSA) modification. Recently we presented evidence suggesting that expression of NCAM in vivo interferes with the maintenance of forebrain neuronal stem cells. We here aimed at investigating the fate of cells generated from NCAM‐overexpressing stem cells in postnatal mouse brain and at elucidating the functional domains of NCAM mediating this effect. We show that ectopic expression of the NCAM140 isoform in radial glia and type C cells induces an increase in cell proliferation and consequently the presence of additional neuronal type A cells in the rostral migratory stream. A mutant NCAM protein comprising only fibronectin type III repeats and immunoglobulin‐like domain 5 was sufficient to induce this effect. Furthermore, we show that the neurogenic effect is independent of PSA, as transgenic NCAM is not polysialylated in radial glia and type C cells. These results suggest that heterophilic interactions of NCAM with other components of the cell membrane must be involved.
The semaphorin 4D‐plexin‐B signalLing complex regulates dendritic and axonal complexity in developing neurons via diverse pathways
Authors: Vodrazka Peter , Korostylev Alexander , Hirschberg Alexandra , Swiercz Jakub M. , Worzfeld Thomas , Deng Suhua , Fazzari Pietro , Tamagnone Luca , Offermanns Stefan , Kuner Rohini 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSemaphorins and their receptors, plexins, have emerged as key regulators of various aspects of neuronal development. In contrast to the Plexin‐A family, the cellular functions of Plexin‐B family proteins in developing neurons are only poorly understood. An activation of Plexin‐B1 via its ligand, semaphorin 4D (Sema4D), produces an acute collapse of axonal growth cones in hippocampal and retinal neurons over the early stages of neurite outgrowth. However, the functional role of Sema4D‐Plexin‐B interactions over subsequent stages of neurite development, differentiation and maturation has not been characterized. Here we addressed this question using morphogenetic assays and time‐lapse imaging on developing rat hippocampal neurons as a model system. Interestingly, Sema4D treatment over several hours was observed to promote branching and complexity in hippocampal neurons via the activation of Plexin‐B1. The activation of receptor tyrosine kinases and the Rho kinase following Sema4D treatment was found to control dendritic and axonal morphogenesis by differentially regulating branching and extension. Phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase, but not extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, was observed to be important for the stimulatory effects of Sema4D on dendritic branching. Furthermore, we observed that the mammalian target of rapamycin is activated downstream of Plexin‐B1 and contributes to Sema4D‐induced effects on dendritic branching. In contrast, glycogen synthase kinase‐3 beta, another effector of phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase signalling, was not involved. Thus, our results show that Sema4D‐Plexin‐B interactions modulate dendritic and axonal arborizations of developing neurons by co‐ordinated and concerted activation of diverse signalling pathways.
Modulation of movement‐associated cortical activation by transcranial direct current stimulation
Authors: Stagg C. J. , O’Shea J. , Kincses Z. T. , Woolrich M. , Matthews P. M. , Johansen‐Berg H. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is currently attracting increasing interest as a tool for neurorehabilitation. However, local and distant effects of tDCS on motor‐related cortical activation patterns remain poorly defined, limiting the rationale for its use. Here we describe the results of a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiment designed to characterize local and distant effects on cortical motor activity following excitatory anodal stimulation and inhibitory cathodal stimulation. Fifteen right‐handed subjects performed a visually cued serial reaction time task with their right hand in a 3‐T MRI scanner both before and after 10 min of 1‐mA tDCS applied to the left primary motor cortex (M1). Relative to sham stimulation, anodal tDCS led to short‐lived activation increases in the M1 and the supplementary motor area (SMA) within the stimulated hemisphere. The increase in activation in the SMA with anodal stimulation was found also when directly comparing anodal with cathodal stimulation. Relative to sham stimulation, cathodal tDCS led to an increase in activation in the contralateral M1 and dorsal premotor cortex (PMd), as well as an increase in functional connectivity between these areas and the stimulated left M1. These increases were also found when directly comparing cathodal with anodal stimulation. Significant within‐session linear decreases in activation occurred in all scan sessions. The after‐effects of anodal tDCS arose primarily from a change in the slope of these decreases. In addition, following sham stimulation compared with baseline, a between‐session decrease in task‐related activity was found. The effects of cathodal tDCS arose primarily from a reduction of this normal decrease.
Dissociable substrates for body motion and physical experience in the human action observation network
Authors: Cross Emily S. , Hamilton Antonia F. de C. , Kraemer David J. M. , Kelley William M. , Grafton Scott T. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractObservation of human actions recruits a well‐defined network of brain regions, yet the purpose of this action observation network (AON) remains under debate. Some authors contend that this network has developed to respond specifically to observation of human actions. Conversely, others suggest that this network responds in a similar manner to actions prompted by human and non‐human cues, and that one’s familiarity with the action is the critical factor that drives this network. Previous studies investigating human and non‐human action cues often confound novelty and stimulus form. Here, we used a dance‐learning paradigm to assess AON activity during observation of trained and untrained dance cues where a human model was present or absent. Results show that individual components of the AON respond differently to the human form and to dance training. The bilateral superior temporal cortex responds preferentially to videos with a human present, regardless of training experience. Conversely, the right ventral premotor cortex responds more strongly when observing sequences that had been trained, regardless of the presence of a human. Our findings suggest that the AON comprises separate and dissociable components for motor planning and observing other people’s actions.