bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiochemical Assay of Juvenile Hormone Biosynthesis Rate in Ants
Authors: Brent Colin , Dolezal Adam 
Published: July 2009

INTRODUCTIONJuvenile hormone (JH) is an important insect hormone known to have many effects on development, reproduction, and behavior in both solitary and social insects. This protocol describes how to quantify in vitro biosynthesis rates from excised corpora allata (CA), the glands responsible for JH production. Excised glands are incubated with radiolabeled methionine, resulting in the production of radiolabeled JH III, which can then be quantified. This protocol is most useful when quantification of the activity of the glands, rather than circulating JH levels, is desired. Its difficulties lie primarily in the ability to remove and handle the glands correctly.
In Situ Hybridization on Ant Ovaries and Embryos
Authors: Khila Abderrahman , Abouheif Ehab 
Published: July 2009

INTRODUCTIONThe detection of transcript distribution throughout a fixed tissue is a major step in studying the transcriptional activity of target genes and their function. In situ hybridization specifically detects the spatial distribution of RNA transcripts using an antisense RNA probe. This protocol describes the preparation of digoxigenin-labeled antisense RNA probes and their hybridization to complementary mRNA sequences; expression can then be localized using an antibody against digoxigenin conjugated to a chromogenic enzyme. In ants, this method can be applied to visualize cell populations of interest among other populations in a tissue, such as insect ovaries, or in the whole organism, such as insect embryos. Specific markers (e.g., genes known to be expressed in particular clusters of cells) can be cloned and used as probes to study the distribution and development of germline cells (e.g., nanos, vasa), neurons (repo), or limb structures (e.g., distal-less). Various markers might also allow the study of oogenesis (nanos, par-1, oskar), segmentation in the embryo (e.g., engrailed, wingless), or other developmental processes.
Establishment of the Winter-Annual Growth Habit viaFRIGIDA-Mediated Histone Methylation atFLOWERING LOCUS CinArabidopsis
Authors: Jiang Danhua , Gu Xiaofeng , He Yuehui 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn Arabidopsis thaliana, flowering-time variation exists among accessions, and the winter-annual (late-flowering without vernalization) versus rapid-cycling (early flowering) growth habit is typically determined by allelic variation at FRIGIDA (FRI) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). FRI upregulates the expression of FLC, a central floral repressor, to levels that inhibit flowering, resulting in the winter-annual habit. Here, we show that FRI promotes histone H3 lysine-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in FLC to upregulate its expression. We identified an Arabidopsis homolog of the human WDR5, namely, WDR5a, which is a conserved core component of the human H3K4 methyltransferase complexes called COMPASS-like. We found that recombinant WDR5a binds H3K4-methylated peptides and that WDR5a also directly interacts with an H3K4 methyltransferase, ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX1. FRI mediates WDR5a enrichment at the FLC locus, leading to increased H3K4me3 and FLC upregulation. WDR5a enrichment is not required for elevated H3K4me3 in FLC upon loss of function of an FLC repressor, suggesting that two distinct mechanisms underlie elevated H3K4me3 in FLC. Our findings suggest that FRI is involved in the enrichment of a WDR5a-containing COMPASS-like complex at FLC chromatin that methylates H3K4, leading to FLC upregulation and thus the establishment of the winter-annual growth habit.
Characteristics of prostate cancers found in specimens removed by radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer and their relationship with serum prostate‐specific antigen level
Authors: Nakagawa Tohru , Kanai Yae , Komiyama Motokiyo , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Kakizoe Tadao 
Published: July 2009

Prostate cancer mass screening using serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) has been conducted widely in the world. However, little is known about the true prevalence of prostate cancer in the ‘normal’ PSA range (4.0 ng/mL or less). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer occurring in men with a wide range of PSA levels. The study comprised 349 male patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy for bladder cancer. Patients who had had treatment for known prostate cancer were excluded. Tissue specimens were reviewed microscopically. Ninety‐one patients (26.1%) were found to have prostate cancer, and 68 (74.7%) of these 91 cancers were considered to be clinically significant. Both increasing patient age and PSA level were significantly correlated with an increased incidence of both all and significant prostate cancers. Sixty‐five (21.9%) among 297 patients with PSA < 4.0 ng/mL had prostate cancer, and 45 (69.2%) of the 65 cancers were significant cancers. Eighteen patients had prostate cancers 0.5 mL or more in volume. Among the 18 patients, the PSA level was 4 ng/mL or more in 11, and 3 ng/mL or more in 15. Our study shows that prostate cancer is a common finding in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens excised because of bladder cancers, and a significant proportion of these cancers are clinically significant. PSA still appears to be a useful screening tool for detecting prostate cancers with significant volume. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1880–1884)
Dynamic models allowing for flexibility in complex life histories accurately predict timing of metamorphosis and antipredator strategies of prey
Authors: Higginson Andrew D. , Ruxton Graeme D. 
Published: July 2009

Summary1. The development of antipredator defences in the larval stage of animals with complex life cycles is likely to be affected by costs associated with creating and maintaining such defences because of their impact on the timing of maturation or metamorphosis.2. Various theoretical treatments have suggested that investment in defence should both increase or decrease with increasing resource availability, but a recent model predicts investment in defences should be highest at intermediate resource level and predator density.3. Previous models of investment in defence and timing of metamorphosis provide a poor match to empirical data. Here we develop a dynamic state‐dependent model of investment in behavioural and morphological defences that enables us to allow flexibility in investment in defences over development, the timing of metamorphosis and the size of the organism at metamorphosis that were absent from previous theory.4. We show that the inclusion of this flexibility results in different predictions to those of the fixed investment approach used previously, especially when we allow metamorphosis to occur at the optimal time and state for the organism.5. Under these more flexible conditions, we predict that morphological defences should be insensitive to resource level whilst behavioural defences should either increase or decrease with increasing resources depending on the predation risk and the magnitude of the fitness benefits of large size at metamorphosis.6. Our work provides a formal framework in which we might progress in the study of how the use of antipredator defences is affected by their costs. Most of the predictions of our model in are in good accord with empirical results, and can be understood in terms of the underlying biological assumptions. The reasons why simpler models failed to match empirical observations can be explained, and our predictions that are a poor match help to target the circumstances which warrant future study.
Predicting the distribution of Sasquatch in western North America: anything goes with ecological niche modelling
Authors: Lozier J. D. , Aniello P. , Hickerson M. J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe availability of user‐friendly software and publicly available biodiversity databases has led to a rapid increase in the use of ecological niche modelling to predict species distributions. A potential source of error in publicly available data that may affect the accuracy of ecological niche models (ENMs), and one that is difficult to correct for, is incorrect (or incomplete) taxonomy. Here we remind researchers of the need for careful evaluation of database records prior to use in modelling, especially when the presence of cryptic species is suspected or many records are based on indirect evidence. To draw attention to this potential problem, we construct ENMs for the North American Sasquatch (i.e. Bigfoot). Specifically, we use a large database of georeferenced putative sightings and footprints for Sasquatch in western North America, demonstrating how convincing environmentally predicted distributions of a taxon’s potential range can be generated from questionable site‐occurrence data. We compare the distribution of Bigfoot with an ENM for the black bear, Ursus americanus, and suggest that many sightings of this cryptozoid may be cases of mistaken identity.
Long‐term changes in soils of second‐growth forest following abandonment from agriculture
Authors: Matlack Glenn R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim  The assembly of a forest flora on sites abandoned from agriculture is potentially limited by the physical and chemical suitability of soils. This paper describes the post‐agricultural development of soil in deciduous forest sites to gauge its importance in limiting a second‐growth forest flora.Location  Northern Delaware and south‐eastern Pennsylvania, USA.Methods  A chronosequence of 99 second‐growth forest sites was assembled in the Piedmont region. Stand age ranged from 0–20 to > 100 years since canopy closure, as determined from historical aerial photographs. Seventy‐four sites are likely to have experienced cultivation before regeneration of forest. The presence of large rocks or pit‐and‐mound microtopography suggests that the remaining 25 sites were not cultivated, although they were probably used as pasture and/or woodlot. Soil organic content, moisture, pH, and concentrations of extractable potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and sulphur were measured in samples from each site. Coarse woody debris, size of the largest tree, canopy openness and several microtopographic features were also recorded.Results  Most soil variables fell into two separate but internally correlated groups: the first group including organic matter, moisture and sulphur; the second including pH, calcium, potassium and magnesium. In formerly cultivated sites, organic matter, moisture and sulphur increased gradually through the chronosequence, approaching values recorded in uncultivated sites at 81–100 years. Calcium, potassium, magnesium and pH declined sharply between the 21–40‐ and 41–60‐year classes – probably an indirect effect related to geographic location and selective abandonment. Phosphorous also declined with time, but the decline was not as clearly defined.Main conclusions  The progress of soil recovery observed here is faster than rates implied in other studies, possibly because these sites experienced a period as pasture before reversion to forest. Sites appear to have returned to undisturbed‐forest levels as fast as or faster than the predicted accumulation of a forest flora, suggesting that assembly of second‐growth forest communities is not limited by the rate of soil development in this region.
Incidence and clinical characteristics of ocular infections after heart transplantation: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Del Pozo Jose L. , Van De Beek Diederik , Daly Richard C. , Pulido Jose S. , McGregor Christopher G.A. , Patel Robin 
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Ocular infections associated with organ transplantation are well documented following renal and liver transplantation; however, few studies have reported ocular infections following heart transplant.Methods:  We retrospectively studied patients who underwent heart transplantation in the Mayo Clinic Cardiac Transplant Program from January 1st 1988 through June 30th 2006.Results:  We report the frequency and type of ocular infections among 313 heart transplant recipients. There were eight patients (2.5%) diagnosed with ocular infections including three cases of ophthalmic zoster, one case of cytomegalovirus retinitis, one case of Aspergillus fumigatus endophthalmitis, one case of Haemophilus influenzae conjunctivitis, one case of blepharitis, and one case of preseptal orbital cellulitis.Conclusions:  Ocular infections are rare after heart transplantation and usually present within the first year post‐transplantation. The majority can be regarded as opportunistic infections which may be indicative of infections at other body sites. Ocular infections after heart transplantation may be associated with significant morbidity and visual loss if not promptly diagnosed.
Health care insurance in Japan: Beyond a binary vision of State and family
Authors: Naïto Kusuto 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDespite significant regional diversity in household structures and the existence of community solidarity in Japan, caring for elderly dependent persons has traditionally been considered an exclusively family, and female, responsibility. However, as a result of socio‐demographic changes during the second half of the twentieth century, a public system of health care insurance was introduced in 2000. The objective of this development was to “socialize” family and female care activities. This article presents a critical analysis of Japan's health care insurance system and the context that gave rise to its introduction. An important issue is whether the system meets the needs of the elderly and their carers (family and non‐family). A further issue is whether the system can take account of regional diversity, diversity in household situations (above and beyond financial concerns), and societal values and beliefs. The article concludes by arguing that demographic ageing presents a societal requirement for the ongoing adjustment of behaviour patterns and living arrangements.
J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 253–262 (July/August 2008) Protocol to predict the dry skin benefit from the unique in‐shower body lotion product form
Authors: Ertel K. , Rodriguez V. , Bacon R. , Farris R. , Hartwig P. 
Published: July 2009

SynopsisA controlled exposure method was developed to predict dry skin improvement from a new in‐shower body lotion product form. An in‐shower body lotion is used in the shower after cleansing, and methods for cleansers and leave‐on lotions are not applicable. Protocol parameters were chosen on the basis of consumer habits and practices studies and randomized clinical testing. The resulting protocol is consumer‐relevant, and reliably and reproducibly predicts dry skin improvement from the in‐shower body lotion product form.
Adalimumab for psoriasis patients who are non‐responders to etanercept: open‐label prospective evaluation
Authors: Martyn‐Simmons CL , Green L , Ash G , Groves RW , Smith CH , Barker JNWN 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground  Targeted biologic therapies have made a significant impact on the treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends etanercept, a human recombinant tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor fusion protein, for moderate to severe psoriasis patients who have failed conventional therapies. There is, however, no data available on the role of other TNF antagonists for patients who have failed etanercept. Adalimumab, a fully human, anti‐TNF monoclonal antibody, is approved for treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis.Objectives  To assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (40 mg weekly) in psoriasis patients who were non‐responders to high‐dosage etanercept (50 mg twice weekly).Methods  All patients attending a tertiary referral service for severe psoriasis who were non‐responders to high‐dosage etanercept [i.e. failed to achieve ≥ 50% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50) after 12 weeks of treatment] were considered for open‐label adalimumab therapy for 12 weeks. Details on clinical course, PASI, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and adverse events were recorded at baseline and weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12.Results  Four of five patients in this study had reached at least PASI 50 by week 12. Of these, two patients achieved a 75% improvement in PASI (PASI 75). No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions  Initial data from this open‐label prospective evaluation suggests that weekly adalimumab therapy is an effective treatment for patients with severe psoriasis who had failed to respond to at least 3 months of high‐dosage etanercept.
Inhibitory control in anxious and healthy adolescents is modulated by incentive and incidental affective stimuli
Authors: Hardin Michael G. , Mandell Darcy , Mueller Sven C. , Dahl Ronald E. , Pine Daniel S. , Ernst Monique 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Anxiety disorders are characterized by elevated, sustained responses to threat, that manifest as threat attention biases. Recent evidence also suggests exaggerated responses to incentives. How these characteristics influence cognitive control is under debate and is the focus of the present study.Methods:  Twenty‐five healthy adolescents and 25 adolescents meeting DSM‐IV diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder were compared on a task of response inhibition. Inhibitory control was assayed with an antisaccade task that included both incentive (monetary reward) and incidental emotion (facial expression) cues presented prior to the execution of inhibitory behavior.Results:  Inhibitory control was enhanced following exposure to threat cues (fear faces) only in adolescent patients, and following exposure to positive cues (happy faces) only in healthy adolescents. Results also revealed a robust performance improvement associated with monetary incentives. This incentive effect did not differ by group. No interaction between incentives and emotional cues was detected.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that biased processing of threat in anxious adolescents affects inhibitory control, perhaps by raising arousal prior to behavioral performance. The absence of normalization of performance in anxious adolescents following exposure to positive emotional cues is a novel finding and will require additional exploration. Future studies will need to more specifically examine how perturbations in positive emotion processes contribute to the symptomatology and the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders.
Evolving Darwin's ‘most wonderful’ plant: ecological steps to a snap‐trap
Authors: Gibson Thomas C. , Waller Donald M. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAmong carnivorous plants, Darwin was particularly fascinated by the speed and sensitivity of snap‐traps inDionaeaandAldrovanda. Recent molecular work confirms Darwin's conjecture that these monotypic taxa are sister toDrosera, meaning that snap‐traps evolved from a ‘flypaper’ trap. Transitions include tentacles being modified into trigger hairs and marginal ‘teeth’, the loss of sticky tentacles, depressed digestive glands, and rapid leaf movement. Pre‐adaptations are known for all these traits inDroserayet snap‐traps only evolved once. We hypothesize that selection to catch and retain large insects favored the evolution of elongate leaves and snap‐tentacles inDroseraand snap‐traps. Although sticky traps efficiently capture small prey, they allow larger prey to escape and may lose nutrients.Dionaea's snap‐trap efficiently captures and processes larger prey providing higher, but variable, rewards. We develop a size‐selective model and parametrize it with field data to demonstrate how selection to capture larger prey strongly favors snap‐traps. As prey become larger, they also become rarer and gain the power to rip leaves, causing returns to larger snap‐traps to plateau. We propose testing these hypotheses with specific field data and Darwin‐like experiments. The complexity of snap‐traps, competition with pitfall traps, and their association with ephemeral habitats all help to explain why this curious adaptation only evolved once.
Share or compete? Load‐dependent recruitment of prefrontal cortex during dual‐task performance
Authors: Low Kathy A. , Leaver Echo E. , Kramer Arthur F. , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDual‐task performance requires flexible attention allocation to two or more streams of information. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is considered important for executive function, and recent modeling work proposes that attention control may arise from selective activation and inhibition of different processing units within this region. Here, we used a tone discrimination task and a visual letter memory task to examine whether this type of competition could be measurable using a neuroimaging technique, the event‐related optical signal, with high spatial and temporal resolution. Left and right DLPFC structures were differentially affected by task priority and load, with the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) being preferentially recruited by the visual memory task, whereas the two tasks competed for recruitment, in a spatially segregated manner, in right MFG. The data provide support for a competition view of dual‐task processing.
Outcome expectancy as a moderator of mental fatigue influence on cardiovascular response
Authors: Stewart Christopher C. , Wright Rex A. , Azor Hui Siu‐Kuen , Simmons Angel 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFemale undergraduates performed an easy (fatigue low) or difficult (fatigue high) scanning task and then were presented mental arithmetic problems with instructions that they would earn a high or low chance of winning a prize if they did as well as or better than 50% of those who had performed previously. As expected, blood pressure responses in the second work period rose or tended to rise with fatigue where the chance of winning was high. By contrast, the responses tended weakly to decline with fatigue where the chance of winning was low. The pressure findings support the suggestion of a recent fatigue analysis that success importance should moderate fatigue influence on CV responses to a challenge so long as fatigued performers view success as possible. They also conceptually replicate previous fatigue results and provide a special class of evidence that fatigue influence on CV response is mediated by effort.
Reciprocal modulation of eye‐blink and pinna‐flexion components of startle during reward anticipation
Authors: Hackley Steven A. , Muñoz Miguel Ángel , Hebert Karen , Valle‐Inclán Fernando , Vila Jaime 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBecause expectancies play a central role in current theories of dopaminergic neuron function, it is important to develop measures of reward anticipation processes. In the present study, reflexogenic bursts of white noise were presented to 39 healthy young adults as they awaited rewards and punishments in a gambling‐like task. The rewards were small pieces of chocolate; the punishments, segments of bitter‐tasting banana peel. Consistent with prior research on affective valence, postauricular reflexes were larger prior to rewards than punishments, whereas the reverse was true for acoustic blink reflexes. We theorized that potentiation of the postauricular reflex prior to consuming appetizing food is related to the priming of ear‐retraction musculature during nursing in our remote ancestors.