bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins using a novel thyroid stimulating hormone receptor–guanine nucleotide-binding protein, (GNAS) fusion bioassay
Authors: Pierce M , Sandrock R , Gillespie G , Meikle A W 
Published: July 2012

Summary
Hyperthyroidism, defined by overproduction of thyroid hormones, has a 2–3% prevalence in the population. The most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. A diagnostic biomarker for Graves' disease is the presence of immunoglobulins which bind to, and stimulate, the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). We hypothesized that the ectopically expressed TSHR gene in a thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay could be engineered to increase the accumulation of the GPCR pathway second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), the molecule measured in the assay as a marker for pathway activation. An ectopically expressing TSHR-mutant guanine nucleotide-binding protein, (GNAS) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell clone was constructed using standard molecular biology techniques. After incubation of the new clone with sera containing various levels of TSI, GPCR pathway activation was then quantified by measuring cAMP accumulation in the clone. The clone, together with a NaCl-free cell assay buffer containing 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG)6000, was tested against 56 Graves' patients, 27 toxic thyroid nodule patients and 119 normal patients. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, when comparing normal with Graves' sera, the assay yielded a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 99% and an efficiency of 98%. Total complex precision (within-run, across runs and across days), presented as a percentage coefficient of variation, was found to be 7·8, 8·7 and 7·6% for low, medium and high TSI responding serum, respectively. We conclude that the performance of the new TSI assay provides sensitive detection of TSI, allowing for accurate, early detection of Graves' disease.
Traditional shifting agriculture: tracking forest carbon stock and biodiversity through time in western Panama
Authors: Pelletier Johanne , Codjia Claude , Potvin Catherine 
Published: July 2012

AbstractReducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) requires developing countries to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and removals from forests in a manner that is robust, transparent, and as accurate as possible. Although shifting cultivation is a dominant practice in several developing countries, there is still very limited information available on how to monitor this land‐use practice for REDD+ as little is known about the areas of shifting cultivation or the net carbon balance. In this study, we propose and test a methodology to monitor the effect of the shifting cultivation on above‐ground carbon stocks. We combine multiyear remote sensing information, taken from a 12‐year period, with an in‐depth community forest carbon stock inventory in Palo Seco Forest Reserve, western Panama. Using remote sensing, we were able to separate four forest classes expressing different forest‐use intensity and time‐since‐intervention, which demonstrate expected trends in above‐ground carbon stocks. The addition of different interventions observed over time is shown to be a good predictor, with remote sensing variables explaining 64.2% of the variation in forest carbon stocks in cultivated landscapes. Multitemporal and multispectral medium‐resolution satellite imagery is shown to be adequate for tracking land‐use dynamics of the agriculture‐fallow cycle. The results also indicate that, over time, shifting cultivation has a transitory effect on forest carbon stocks in the study area. This is due to the rapid recovery of forest carbon stocks, which results in limited net emissions. Finally, community participation yielded important additional benefits to measuring carbon stocks, including transparency and the valorization of local knowledge for biodiversity monitoring. Our study provides important inputs regarding shifting cultivation, which should be taken into consideration when national forest monitoring systems are created, given the context of REDD+ safeguards.
Autonomy and procedural justice in strategic systems planning
Authors: Mirchandani Dinesh A. , Lederer Albert L. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractJob characteristics and procedural justice theories offer an avenue through which to better understand the effectiveness of the strategic planning of decision support and other information systems in the subsidiaries of multinational firms. The first theory suggests that greater autonomy leads to greater perceptions of fair treatment, and the second suggests that perceptions of fair treatment lead to greater commitment and performance. A postal survey of 130 chief information officers of the US subsidiaries of multinational firms collected data to test hypotheses based on the theory.Data analysis using partial least squares tested a high‐level model and a decomposed model. The high‐level model revealed that a second order strategic systems planning (SSP) autonomy construct predicted the perceptions of procedural justice, procedural justice predicted a second order SSP construct, and the SSP construct predicted SSP effectiveness. The decomposed model showed that autonomy in the especially creative strategy conception phase of planning predicted procedural justice. Procedural justice predicted all of the phases of SSP, while the strategy selection phase alone led to planning effectiveness.These findings underscore the impact of the autonomy to be creative and of the sense of fair treatment, both within the context of limited autonomy for the choice of the strategy. They highlight the impact of the choice of the strategy in contrast to other planning phases, and perhaps most importantly, they argue for local control of the planning process.
Regulation of the brain dopaminergic system by juvenile hormone in honey bee males (Apis mellifera L.)
Authors: Sasaki K. , Akasaka S. , Mezawa R. , Shimada K. , Maekawa K. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDopamine (DA) and juvenile hormone (JH) are multifunctional regulators of behaviour in social insects, with distinct effects across species and even between different dominance positions within the same species. We examined the effects of JH on the brain dopaminergic system in honey bee males to investigate the potential relationship between JH and DA within Apis mellifera. Both DA content and the expression of three DA receptor genes (Amdop1, Amdop2 and Amdop3) increased in the male honey bee brain from day 4 to day 8 after emergence. Treatment of 4‐day‐old males with a JH analogue (methoprene, JHA) enhanced brain DA levels. Brain expression of Amdop1 was also enhanced by JHA but not by a DA receptor agonist 2‐amino 6,7‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene (6,7‐ADTN), indicating that Amdop1 up‐regulation was not mediated by increased DA receptor stimulation. Furthermore, Amdop1 expression was still enhanced when JHA was co‐applied with the DA receptor antagonist cis‐(Z)‐flupenthixol. Expression levels of Amdop2 and Amdop3 were not altered by JHA, 6,7‐ADTN or by JHA plus the DA receptor antagonist. Regulation of the brain dopaminergic system by JH, as observed in solitary species, is conserved in male honey bees but not in female honey bees and other advanced eusocial insects.
Recolonization after habitat restoration leads to decreased genetic variation in populations of a terrestrial orchid
Authors: VANDEPITTE K. , GRISTINA A. S. , DE HERT K. , MEEKERS T. , ROLDÁN‐RUIZ I. , HONNAY O. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractColonization is crucial to habitat restoration projects that rely on the spontaneous regeneration of the original vegetation. However, as a previously declining plant species spreads again, the likelihood of founder effects increases through recurrent population founding and associated serial bottlenecks. We related Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers genetic variation and fitness to colonization history for all extant populations of the outcrossing terrestrial orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata in an isolated coastal dune complex. Around 1970, D. incarnata suffered a severe bottleneck yet ultimately persisted and gradually spread throughout the spatially segregated dune slacks, aided by the restoration of an open vegetation. Genetic assignment demonstrated dispersal to vacant sites from few nearby extant populations and very limited inflow from outside the spatially isolated reserve. Results further indicated that recurrent founding from few local sources resulted in the loss of genetic diversity and promoted genetic divergence (FST = 0.35) among populations, but did not influence population fitness. The few source populations initially available and the limited inflow of genes from outside the study reserve, as a consequence of habitat degradation and spatial isolation, may have magnified the genetic effects of recurrent population founding.
Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) induced by Leishmania infection of human dendritic cells
Authors: DONOVAN M. J. , TRIPATHI V. , FAVILA M. A. , GERACI N. S. , LANGE M. C. , BALLHORN W. , McDOWELL M. A. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryDendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal role in regulating immunity, establishing immunologically privileged tissue microenvironments and maintaining homoeostasis. It is becoming increasingly clear that one key mechanism that mediates many DC functions is production of the immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO). For pathogens that cause chronic infection, exploitation of host DCs is a solution to establish and persist within a host. Leishmania parasites cause a range of clinical manifestations, all involving chronic infection, and are proficient at avoiding immune responses. We demonstrate here that infection of human myeloid‐derived DC with L. major and L. donovani induces IDO expression using a mechanism that involves autocrine or paracrine stimulation with a DC‐secreted factor. Leishmania‐induced IDO suppresses allogeneic and tetanus toxoid–specific lymphocyte proliferation, an inhibition that is reversed with the IDO inhibitor, 1‐methyl tryptophan (1‐MT). Furthermore, IDO expression by human DC does not require live Leishmania infection, as parasite lysates also up‐regulate IDO mRNA production. Our data suggest that one mechanism Leishmania parasites utilize to circumvent immune clearance may be to promote the induction of IDO among host DC within the infection microenvironment.
Climate‐driven cyclicity in an Early Cretaceous synrift lacustrine series (Aguilón sub‐basin, NE Spain)
Authors: Soria Ana R. , Muñoz Arsenio , Liesa Carlos L. , Luzón Aránzazu , Meléndez Alfonso , Meléndez M. Nieves 
Published: July 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 407–416, 2012AbstractLacustrine sedimentation is very sensitive to climate changes and its cyclicity analysis allows a better quantitation of the time of sedimentation than other methods. Climate and tectonic influence on sedimentation in a synrift basin is interpreted from the spectral analysis of a 49‐m‐thick series, which includes 88 deepening–shallowing lacustrine cycles. The interpreted position of the different facies with respect to the palaeolake shoreline and the depth of deposition are used as input for spectral analysis. To recognise a clear climate signal, it was necessary to eliminate the thicker cycles from the analysis. Results show power spectrum maxima (confidence level >99%) at 199, 47 and 15 cm. The first two are interpreted as representing short eccentricity and precession cycles respectively. The 88 deepening–shallowing cycles thus would reflect the influence of precession. Thicker cycles reflect short episodes with a significant increase of accommodation space due to synsedimentary tectonics.
Evolutionary reshuffling in the Errantivirus lineage Elbe within the Beta vulgaris genome
Authors: Wollrab Cora , Heitkam Tony , Holtgräwe Daniela , Weisshaar Bernd , Minoche André E. , Dohm Juliane C. , Himmelbauer Heinz , Schmidt Thomas 
Published: July 2012

SummaryLTR retrotransposons and retroviruses are closely related. Although a viral envelope gene is found in some LTR retrotransposons and all retroviruses, only the latter show infectivity. The identification of Ty3‐gypsy‐like retrotransposons possessing putative envelope‐like open reading frames blurred the taxonomical borders and led to the establishment of the Errantivirus, Metavirus and Chromovirus genera within the Metaviridae. Only a few plant Errantiviruses have been described, and their evolutionary history is not well understood. In this study, we investigated 27 retroelements of four abundant Elbe retrotransposon families belonging to the Errantiviruses in Beta vulgaris (sugar beet). Retroelements of the Elbe lineage integrated between 0.02 and 5.59 million years ago, and show family‐specific variations in autonomy and degree of rearrangements: while Elbe3 members are highly fragmented, often truncated and present in a high number of solo LTRs, Elbe2 members are mainly autonomous. We observed extensive reshuffling of structural motifs across families, leading to the formation of new retrotransposon families. Elbe retrotransposons harbor a typical envelope‐like gene, often encoding transmembrane domains. During the course of Elbe evolution, the additional open reading frames have been strongly modified or independently acquired. Taken together, the Elbe lineage serves as retrotransposon model reflecting the various stages in Errantivirus evolution, and allows a detailed analysis of retrotransposon family formation.
Pocketcheck: updating the HLA class I peptide specificity roadmap
Authors: Huyton T. , Ladas N. , Schumacher H. , Blasczyk R. , Bade‐Doeding C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe structural determination of peptide:HLA (human leucocyte antigen) class I complexes by X‐ray crystallography has provided valuable information for understanding how peptides bind to individual HLA class I molecules and how this may influence the immune response. We compared 101 crystal structures of 9‐mer peptide:HLA class I complexes available in the protein data bank (PDB) by performing a contact analysis using the Contact Map Analysis webserver http://ligin.weizmann.ac.il/cma. An InterSystems Caché ‘post‐relational’ database containing residue position, amino acid (AA) and buried surface that contact a particular peptide position was then created allowing data comparison for all the structures (Pocketcheck). The analysis illustrates that the HLA class I residues 24, 45, 63 and 67 show high contact frequencies to both the p1 and/or p2 position of bound peptides, indicating that they might influence the nature of a peptide anchor. To determine the influence of these residues we utilized soluble HLA technology and mass spectrometry to analyze peptides derived from HLA‐B*44:06 since it differs from the previously described allele B*44:02 by seven AA exchanges located in the alpha 1 domain (residues 24, 32, 41, 45, 63, 67 and 80). HLA‐B*44:06 features an anchor motif of P or A at p2 and Y or W at the C‐terminal. Additionally B*44:06‐derived peptides feature an auxiliary anchor motif at p1, comprising D or E. Our results illustrate that structural analysis can provide valuable information to understand allogenicity and provides a further step towards intelligent HLA mismatching.
Effects of feeding a high omega‐3 fatty acids diet in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis
Authors: Moreau M. , Troncy E. , del Castillo J. R. E. , Bédard C. , Gauvin D. , Lussier B. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe aim of this randomized, placebo‐controlled and double‐blinded trial was to compare the effect of a veterinary therapeutic diet (VTD) rich in omega‐3 fatty acids (omega‐3) from fish origin to a regular diet used as control (CTR) over a period of 13 weeks in dogs afflicted by naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA). Thirty privately owned dogs were selected. Dogs had lameness confirmed by an orthopaedic examination, had stifle/hip OA and had locomotor disability based on the peak of the vertically oriented ground reaction force (PVF) measured using a force platform. At Baseline, all owners were asked to determine 2–5 activities of daily living that were the most impaired. Activities were scores (0–4) in accordance with severity using case‐specific outcome measures (CSOM). The PVF was also measured. Dogs (15/group) were then randomly assigned to receive either the CTR or the VTD. The CSOM was completed twice weekly. The recording of PVF was repeated at Week 7 and 13. The VTD‐fed dogs showed a significantly higher PVF at Week 7 (p < 0.001) and at Week 13 (p < 0.001) when compared to Baseline. From Baseline to Week 13, VTD‐fed dogs had a mean (± SD) change in PVF recording of 3.5 ± 6.8% of body weight (%BW) compared with 0.5 ± 6.1%BW (p = 0.211) in CTR‐fed dogs. This change in primary outcome was consistent with an effect size of 0.5. Conversely, dogs fed the CTR did not show significant change in PVF measurements. At the end of the study, the CSOM was significantly decreased (p = 0.047) only in VTD fed dogs. In lame OA dogs, a VTD that contains high level of omega‐3 from fish origin improved the locomotor disability and the performance in activities of daily living. Such nutritional approach appears interesting for the management of OA.
Decreased serum carnitine is independently correlated with increased tissue accumulation levels of advanced glycation end products in haemodialysis patients
Authors: ADACHI TAKEKI , FUKAMI KEI , YAMAGISHI SHO‐ICHI , KAIDA YUSUKE , ANDO RYOTARO , SAKAI KAZUKO , ADACHI HISASHI , OTSUKA AKI , UEDA SEIJI , SUGI KENZO , OKUDA SEIYA 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  There is accumulating evidence that advanced glycation end products (AGE) play a role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with haemodialysis (HD). Carnitine deficiency is frequently observed in HD patients, which may also contribute to CVD. In this study, we examined whether carnitine deficiency was independently associated with increased tissue accumulation levels of AGE in HD patients.Methods:  One hundred and twenty‐nine HD patients underwent determinations of blood chemistries including serum level of carnitine. Tissue AGE levels were evaluated by measuring skin autofluorescence with an AGE‐reader.Results:  Serum carnitine levels were significantly lower, while skin AGE levels were significantly higher in HD patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). In univariate analysis, β2‐microglobulin (β2‐MG) and carnitine (inversely) were correlated with skin AGE levels. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that carnitine levels were one of the independent determinants of skin AGE levels (P = 0.024). When β2‐MG‐adjusted skin AGE levels were stratified by serum carnitine levels, a statistical significance and dose‐response relationship were observed (P = 0.043). Furthermore, skin AGE levels were one of the independent determinants of serum carnitine levels as well (P = 0.012).Conclusion:  The present study demonstrated that decreased carnitine levels were independently associated with increased skin AGE levels in HD patients. Since carnitine is reported to inhibit the formation of AGE in vitro, our study suggests that supplementation of carnitine may be a therapeutic target for preventing the accumulation of tissue AGE and subsequently reducing the risk of CVD in HD patients.
α‐Actinin‐4 is involved in the process by which dexamethasone protects actin cytoskeleton stabilization from adriamycin‐induced podocyte injury
Authors: LIU HAIMEI , GAO XIA , XU HONG , FENG CHUN , KUANG XINYU , LI ZENGXIA , ZHA XILIANG 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Glucocorticoid therapy has been used in childhood nephrotic syndrome since the 1950s, where the characteristic change is effacement of the actin‐rich foot process of glomerular podocytes. Recent studies have shown that glucocorticoids, in addition to their general immunosuppressive and anti‐inflammatory effects, have a direct effect on podocytes, regulate some apoptotic factors, and increase the stability of actin filaments. However, the precise mechanism(s) underlying the protective effects of glucocorticoids on podocytes remain unclear. It is known that adriamycin (ADR) can induce podocyte foot process effacement and trigger massive proteinuria in rodent models. However, few reports have examined the direct role of ADR in podocyte actin rearrangement in vitro. In this study, we investigated how ADR directly induced podocyte actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and further analyzed how dexamethasone prevented such injury.Methods:  We used confocal microscopy to assess podocyte actin rearrangement. Western blot analysis and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were performed to measure the protein and mRNA levels of α‐actinin‐4.Results:  We demonstrated that there was a time‐dependent ADR‐induced podocyte actin rearrangement with less than 12 h of ADR treatment in cultured podocytes. Dexamethasone could protect podocytes from ADR‐induced injury and also stabilize the expression of α‐actinin‐4.Conclusion:  This study showed that dexamethasone had direct effects on podocytes: α‐actinin‐4 may be one of the potential target molecules.
Percutaneous core biopsy of small renal mass lesions: a diagnostic tool to better stratify patients for surgical intervention
Authors: Menogue Stuart R. , O'Brien Beverley A. , Brown Alexandra L. , Cohen Ronald J. 
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Biopsy of incidentally detected small renal masses is a safe and accurate method of determining benign from malignant lesions. Renal biopsy identifies over one quarter of cases as benign; however, one in five biopsy procedures results in insufficient material for a diagnosis.The study contributes an additional 268 renal biopsy cases to the literature and further assesses the accuracy of biopsy and its ability to reduce the number of patients undergoing radical surgery for benign lesions. The results of lesions managed conservatively with follow‐up are also presented. Furthermore, the study identifies an improved diagnostic trend for needle core biopsies over the period.OBJECTIVES
To further validate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous core biopsy in small renal masses ([SRMs]≤4 cm) in response to the rising prevalence of renal ‘incidentalomas’.
To determine the value of percutaneous core biopsy in its ability to influence the choice of intervention or surveillance for the management of SRMs.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We collected data on the incidence of benign, malignant and non‐diagnostic samples from 268 SRM (clinical T1a) biopsies performed at our institution between 1998 and 2009.
The diagnostic accuracy of biopsy in small renal lesions was examined in cases proceeding to nephrectomy.
Follow‐up on the remaining non‐surgical cases was performed.
RESULTS
SRMs (≤4 cm, clinical T1a) constituted 59% of all renal lesions diagnosed; 80% of these biopsies were diagnostic and 20% were non‐diagnostic.
Of the diagnostic samples, 74% were malignant and 26% were benign.
Thirty‐three percent (17 of the initial 52) non‐diagnostic samples underwent re‐biopsy, with 94% yielding a histological diagnosis on repeat sampling.
Fifty‐eight percent of our diagnostic masses underwent nephrectomy, returning a renal biopsy accuracy rate of 100% for identifying lesions as benign or malignant.
Of the 98 observed masses, 49% were benign, 28% malignant and 23% were non‐diagnostic. In 63% of these cases, size remained stable in the follow‐up period.
CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous core biopsy continues to provide an accurate and safe tool for preoperative tissue diagnosis of SRMs and should be offered to patients before considering surgical intervention.
With regard to both benign and malignant T1a renal lesions, in select patient groups, those electing to undergo observation may expect favourable short‐ to medium‐term outcomes.