bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential clustering of Caspr by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells
Authors: Eisenbach Menahem , Kartvelishvily Elena , Eshed‐Eisenbach Yael , Watkins Trent , Sorensen Annette , Thomson Christine , Ranscht Barbara , Barnett Susan C. , Brophy Peter , Peles Elior 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFormation of the paranodal axoglial junction (PNJ) requires the presence of three cell adhesion molecules: the 155‐kDa isoform of neurofascin (NF155) on the glial membrane and a complex of Caspr and contactin found on the axolemma. Here we report that the clustering of Caspr along myelinated axons during development differs fundamentally between the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. In cultures of Schwann cells (SC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, membrane accumulation of Caspr was detected only after myelination. In contrast, in oligodendrocytes (OL)/DRG neurons cocultures, Caspr was clustered upon initial glial cell contact already before myelination had begun. Premyelination clustering of Caspr was detected in cultures of oligodendrocytes and retinal ganglion cells, motor neurons, and DRG neurons as well as in mixed cell cultures of rat forebrain and spinal cords. Cocultures of oligodendrocyte precursor cells isolated from contactin‐ or neurofascin‐deficient mice with wild‐type DRG neurons showed that clustering of Caspr at initial contact sites between OL processes and the axon requires glial expression of NF155 but not of contactin. These results demonstrate that the expression of membrane proteins along the axolemma is determined by the type of the contacting glial cells and is not an intrinsic characteristic of the axon. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of the novel calcium antagonist NP04634 on kainic acid‐induced seizures in rats
Authors: Morales‐Garcia Jose A. , Luna‐Medina Rosario , Martinez Ana , Santos Angel , Perez‐Castillo Ana 
Published: June 2009

AbstractKainic acid (KA)‐induced status epilepticus (SE) is a well‐characterized model of excitotoxic neuronal injury. Excitotoxicity results from activation of specific glutamate receptors, with resultant elevation of intracellular Ca2+. The CA1 and CA3 subregions of the hippocampus are especially vulnerable to KA, and this pattern of neuronal injury resembles that occurring in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Calcium plays an essential role in excitotoxicity, and accordingly calcium channel inhibitors have been shown to have protective effects in various experimental models of epilepsy and brain injury. Moreover, they also potentiate the antiseizure efficacy of conventional antiepileptic drugs. This study was undertaken to determine whether NP04634, a novel compound, reported as a non‐L‐type voltage‐sensitive calcium channel (VSCC) inhibitor, could prevent the entrance in SE and the neuronal loss evoked by intraperitoneal injection of KA. Our results show that intragastrical administration of NP04634 reduced the percentage of rats that entered SE after KA injection, increased the latency of SE entry, and significantly reduced the mortality of rats that entered SE. Also, NP04634 prevented the loss of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and reduced the gliosis induced by KA. These results point to a potential anticonvulsant and neuroprotective role for NP04634. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homogeneity of average annual air temperature time series for Croatia
Authors: Pandžić Krešo , Likso Tanja 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHomogeneity of the mean annual air temperature values at 2 m above ground for 22 stations in Croatia, in the period 1961–2000, is considered. The standard normal homogeneity test (SNHT) has been applied for this purpose, detecting both abrupt and gradual linear trend homogeneity breaks. For a group of lower‐rank weather stations (poorer data quality), the results indicating inhomogeneity are sometimes difficult to explain. It has been shown that homogeneity breaks in multiannual averages are not higher than 0.5 °C, which could influence the natural trend analysis as well as some other statistical structures such as climatological normals, correlation functions or smoothed time series. Because of this, homogenization has usually to be adapted to the newest situation. On the other hand, the first principal component amplitude, describing more than 90% of the considered air temperature field variance, indicates that the spatial average of the mean annual temperature for the whole territory of Croatia is not dependent on inhomogeneities present in a particular time series. This result is in accordance with those previously obtained for Sweden and Switzerland as well as with some similar results obtained for larger continental and global scales. [‘However, Easterling and Peterson (1995a, b) found that on very large spatial scales (half a continent to global), positive and negative homogeneity adjustments in individual station's maximum and minimum temperature time series largely balance out so when averaged into a single time series, the adjusted and unadjusted trend were similar.’–cited by Peterson et al. (1998)]. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Eighty years of meteorological observations at Wageningen, the Netherlands: precipitation and evapotranspiration
Authors: Jacobs A. F. G. , Heusinkveld B. G. , Holtslag A. A. M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAnnual and seasonal characteristics of precipitation and evapotranspiration were analysed of an 80‐year data record (1928–2008) at Wageningen (the Netherlands). The precipitation series shows a mean annual rainfall of 765 ± 130 mm with a relatively high interannual variability [coefficient of variation (CV) = 17.0%]. Both the annual and seasonal rainfall trends show a small but statistically insignificant increase. Potential evapotranspiration was estimated by Makkink's formula, using observations of incoming solar radiation and air temperature as inputs. This provides a mean evapotranspiration of (525 ± 50) mm annum−1 with a relatively low interannual variability (CV = 9.5%). The annual and seasonal trends appear to be statistically significant, except for the summer season. In addition, since 1992, actual evapotranspiration is measured by the eddy‐covariance technique and these results were found to be highly correlated with the potential evapotranspiration (Eact ≈ 0.75Epot). A comparison is made with a class A evaporation pan operating between 1984 and 1989. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Long‐term changes and regional differences in temperature and precipitation in the metropolitan area of Hamburg
Authors: Schlünzen K. H. , Hoffmann P. , Rosenhagen G. , Riecke W. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractClimate changes and the urban climate of the ‘green city’ Hamburg and its metropolitan region are analyzed using observational data for temperature and precipitation. Values for Hamburg's synoptic site HH‐Fuhlsbüttel start in 1891 and are used to determine climate changes. Additional data from up to 45 climate stations are used to analyze the different aspects of the regional climate and urban effects on the temperature [urban heat island (UHI)] and precipitation [urban precipitation impact (UPI)]. The analysis of the long‐term data shows that the climate has already changed. Annual precipitation significantly increases ∼0.8 mm/year when focusing on years 1891–2007 and ∼1.3 mm/year for 1948–2007. Precipitation increases are largest in November through March and March as well as June for 1978–2007. For April and July of this period, a precipitation decrease is found. The precipitation distribution shows that moderate daily precipitation amounts (≤10 mm/day) have increased by about 10% between 1948–1977 and 1978–2007. Precipitation amounts > 10 mm/day have increased by 20% in the same period. Average temperatures significantly increase by 0.07 K/decade (1891–2007), 0.19 K/decade (1948–2007), 0.6 K/decade (1978–2007) with largest significant increases in fall. For the UHI, it is found that the average temperature is higher up to 1.1 K in the densely build‐up city area than outside. Values are about halved for more green urban areas but also depend on more local impacts. The minimum temperatures are up to 3 K higher and maximum temperatures slightly lower in the inner city than in the rural during summer. The winter temperatures are higher throughout the urban area. The UHI differences depend on wind speed; this dependence is best described by using the inverse square root of the wind speed. Classification using different wind directions shows that the precipitation is significantly higher (5–20%) for downwind of urban areas compared with the upwind side. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Increased expression of hyaluronic acid binding protein 1 is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Chen Yan‐Bo , Jiang Chuan‐Tao , Zhang Guo‐Qiang , Wang Jin‐Song , Pang Da 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesHyaluronic acid binding protein 1 (HABP1), a family of proteins interacting with hyaluronan (HA), had been associated with cell adhesion and tumor invasion. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between clinicopathologic factors and patient survival time with the expression of HABP1 in breast cancer patients.MethodsExpression of HABP1 mRNA and protein were detected with real‐time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining in 63 breast cancer and non‐cancerous matched tissues.ResultsThe mRNA expression level of HABP1 was unrelated to the patient's age, tumor size, histological grade, TNM stage. However, it proved to be positively related to axillary nodes metastasis (P = 0.008). Furthermore, it was shown that the survival rate of patients with low HABP1 expression was significantly higher than that of patients with high HABP1 expression (P = 0.025). Multivariate analysis revealed that HABP1 mRNA expression level was a significant factor for predicting prognosis (P = 0.022). The immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression level of HABP1 in breast cancer cells was higher than that in normal breast cells.ConclusionHABP1 might be an independent predictive factor for breast cancer prognosis and up‐regulation of HABP1 might play an important role in the metastasis of breast cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:382–386. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physico‐chemical changes in bauxite residue following application of spent mushroom compost and gypsum
Authors: Courtney R. G. , Jordan S. N. , Harrington T. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPhysical properties exhibited by unvegetated mine wastes pose limitations to vegetation establishment and growth. In an attempt to promote vegetation cover on bauxite residue, a field trial was established to determine the effect of spent mushroom compost (SMC) and gypsum amendment on enhancing the physical properties of the residue. SMC was incorporated at rates of 0, 60, 80 and 120 t ha−1 with gypsum at 0, 40 and 90 t ha−1 and Holcus lanatus sown at a rate of 80 kg ha−1.The addition of SMC and gypsum was beneficial in improving the physical properties of the residue and promoting growth. Principally increasing organic content of the residue decreased bulk density and particle density whilst improving substrate porosity. Residue pH, EC and sodicity of the residue were also affected by the amendments, which positively impacted on microaggregate stability and preventing clay dispersion. Pearson correlations demonstrate that the most significant parameters in determining clay dispersion potential are the pH and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of the residue. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Salinity‐related desertification and management strategies: Indian experience
Authors: Singh G. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHigh concentration of salts in the rootzone soil limits the productivity of nearly 953 million ha of productive land in the world. Australia, followed by Asia, has the largest area under salinity and sodicity. Most of the salt‐affected soils and brackish ground water resources are confined to arid and semiarid regions and are the causative factors for triggering the process of desertification. The problem of salinity and sodicity has degraded about 6·73 million ha area in India. Secondary salinization associated with introduction of irrigation in dry areas like Thar desert in the western part of the country and Sharda Sahayak in Central India have caused desertification due to rise of salts with the rise in ground water level. Large scale cultivation of prawns using sea water in coastal Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere rendered about 2.1 million ha area unfit for agriculture. Similarly, 30–84 per cent ground water in north‐western states of the country is either saline and /or brackish and is unfit for irrigation. Use of marginal quality water for irrigation has rendered several thousand ha of productive land unfit for cultivation. The Central Soil Salinity Research Institute was established in 1969 at Karnal to develop sustainable and eco‐friendly technologies for reclamation and management of salt‐affected soils and judicious use of marginal quality waters. The institute has developed location‐specific techniques for reversion of salinity related desertification in India. Salient findings of research during the last three decades and more are presented in this review. This paper deals with (a) classification, nature and extent of salt‐affected soils and poor quality water in India, (b) case studies/socio‐economic concerns of salinity related desertification, (c) chemical, hydrological and biological approaches in use for rehabilitation of salt‐affected soils, (d) guidelines for safe and productive use of marginal quality ground water through cyclic and mixed mode and precision irrigation techniques, (e) successful rehabilitation case studies, (f) alternate land use practices such as raising forest plantations, horticulture, agroforestry, high value medicinal, aromatic and flowering crops, etc., (g) technological, social, economic and environmental impacts and (h) future line of research. Issues requiring policy initiatives to halt salinity‐related desertification are also discussed in this review paper. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Periodic, quasi‐periodic, and random quadratic nonlinear photonic crystals
Authors: Arie A. , Voloch N. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractQuadratic nonlinear photonic crystals are materials in which the second order susceptibility χ(2) is spatially modulated while the linear susceptibility remains constant. These structures are significantly different than the more common photonic crystals, in which the linear susceptibility is modulated. Nonlinear processes in nonlinear photonic crystals are governed by the phase matching requirements, which are determined by the reciprocal lattice of these crystals. Therefore, the modulation of the nonlinear susceptibility enables to engineer the spatial and spectral response in various three‐wave mixing processes. It enables to support the efficient generation of new optical frequencies at multiple directions. We analyze three wave mixing processes in nonlinear photonic crystals in which the modulation is either periodic, quasi‐periodic, radially symmetric or even random. We discuss both one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional modulations. In addition to harmonic generations, we outline several new possibilities for all‐optical control of the spatial and polarization properties of optical beams in specially designed nonlinear photonic crystals.
On the use of the extreme dependency score to investigate the performance of an NWP model for rare events
Authors: Ghelli Anna , Primo Cristina 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe extreme dependency score (EDS) has been recently proposed as a non‐vanishing measure of skill to verify predictions of rare events. An idealized example is employed to investigate the properties of the EDS when the probability of the event happening is small, as is the case for rare events. The paper warns about the non‐dependency of EDS on the false alarms and the correct rejections when the sample size is fixed, which encourages hedging. Thus, the EDS should not be the sole score used to assess a model's performance on forecasting rare events. The dependency of the EDS on the event probability (base rate) is also analysed. It is shown that the EDS can be written as a function of the base rate and the hit rate, and that only in a very particular condition the score is independent of the event probability. Therefore, when comparing forecasts skills in terms of the EDS, special attention has to be paid to separate the variations in skill from the variations of the probability that the event happens over time.The score is used to assess the performance of the ECMWF deterministic precipitation forecast over Europe for different forecast ranges and precipitation thresholds. Verification of precipitation forecasts in terms of EDS, combined with an assessment of the false alarm rate, shows a clear improvement of the ECMWF deterministic forecast for precipitation of rare events (i.e. large rainfall amounts). Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
NMR‐based metabolomics of urine for the atherosclerotic mouse model using apolipoprotein‐E deficient mice
Authors: Leo Gregory C. , Darrow Andrew L. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractNMR‐based metabolomics of mouse urine was used in conjunction with the traditional staining and imaging of aortas for the characterization of disease advancement, that is, plaque formation in untreated and drug‐treated apolipoprotein‐E (apoE) knockout mice. The metabolomics approach with multivariate analysis was able to differentiate the captopril‐treated from the untreated mice in general agreement with the staining results. Principal component analysis showed a pattern shift in both the drug‐treated and untreated samples as a function of time that could possibly be explained as the effect of aging. Allantoin, a marker attributed to captopril treatment was elevated in the drug‐treated mice. From partial least squares–discriminant analysis, xanthine and ascorbate were elevated in the untreated mice and were possible markers of plaque formation in the apoE knockout mice. Several additional peaks in the spectra characterizing the study endpoint were found but their respective metabolite identities were unknown. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HongrES1, a cauda epididymis‐specific protein, is involved in capacitation of guinea pig sperm
Authors: Ni Ya , Zhou Yuchuan , Chen Wen‐Ying , Zheng Min , Yu Jianmin , Li Chuyan , Zhang Yonglian , Shi Qi‐Xian 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCapacitation requires removal of proteins secreted by the cauda epididymis. Previously, we isolated and cloned the HongrES1 gene from rat cauda epididymis and found that it was exclusively expressed there. Here we report that HongrES1 mRNA is also expressed in the guinea pig cauda epididymis using Northern blot analysis, and the molecular weight of its cognate protein is approximately 48 kDa by Western blot analysis. Therefore, we investigated whether HongrES1 was involved in regulation of sperm capacitation in guinea pig. The results show that HongrES1 antisera (HA) significantly enhances sperm capacitation with maximal stimulation at a dilution of 1:500. Capacitation was reversed when capacitated spermatozoa were re‐exposed to HongrES1 protein (HP, 0.25 µg/ml). In other words, HP acted as a decapacitation factor. HA accelerated the onset of capacitation and promoted a sperm hyperactivated motility response. Sperm capacitation was accelerated by HA stimulation of extracellular calcium influx while HP prevented extracellular calcium from influxing. Indirect immunofluorescence staining finds HP localized over the acrosomal anterior region of the sperm head, which exfoliates gradually during capacitation incubation, and completely disappeared after the acrosome reaction. Thus, HongrES1 expressed by the cauda epididymis is a novel molecule that regulates the physiology of guinea pig sperm prior to fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 984–993, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diverse functions of HBEGF during pregnancy
Authors: Jessmon Philip , Leach Richard E. , Armant D. Randall 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe establishment of pregnancy requires an intimate physical interaction and a molecular dialogue between the conceptus and the maternal reproductive tract that commences at implantation and continues until the placenta is formed and fully functional. Failure of the regulatory processes that ensure the fidelity of this relationship can precipitate a catastrophic pregnancy loss. One of the earliest identified molecular mediators of blastocyst implantation is heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like growth factor (HBEGF), which signals between the endometrium and implanting trophoblast cells to synchronize their corresponding developmental programs. HBEGF expression by trophoblast cells of the developing placenta appears to regulate extravillous differentiation and provide cytoprotection in a sometimes‐hostile environment. This versatile member of the EGF signaling system will be examined in light of its associations with key events during early pregnancy. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 1116–1127, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ion current activity and molecules modulating maturation and growth stages of ascidian (Ciona intestinalis) oocytes
Authors: Silvestre Francesco , Cuomo Annunziata , Tosti Elisabetta 
Published: June 2009

AbstractElectrophysiological techniques were used to study ion currents in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis oocyte plasma membranes during different stages of growth and meiosis. Three stages (A, B, C) of immature oocytes were discriminated in the ovary, with the germinal vesicle (GV) showing specific different features of growth and maturation. Stage A (pre‐vitellogenic) oocytes exhibited the highest L‐type Ca2+current activity, and were incompetent for meiosis resumption. Stage B (vitellogenic) oocytes showed Na+ currents that remained high during the maturation, up to the post‐vitellogenic stage C oocytes. The latter had acquired meiotic competence, undergoing spontaneous maturation and interacting with the spermatozoon. However, fertilized oocytes did not produce normal larvae, suggesting that cytoplasmic maturation plays a specific role in embryo development. Spontaneous maturation was inhibited at low pH whereas trypsin was able to trigger germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) regardless of pH; in addition spontaneous maturation was not affected by removal of follicle cells or by inhibiting junctional communication between oocyte and follicle cells. Taken together these results imply: (i) Ca2+ and Na+ currents are involved in meiotic progression, growth, and acquisition of meiotic competence; (ii) trypsin‐like molecules may have a role as candidates for providing the physiological stimulus to resume meiosis. Finally, we provide evidence that follicle cells in Ciona are not involved in triggering GVBD as it occurs in other ascidians. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 1084–1093, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.