bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema
Authors: TASAKA SADATOMO , MIZOGUCHI KOSUKE , FUNATSU YOHEI , NAMKOONG HO , YAMASAWA WAKAKO , ISHII MAKOTO , HASEGAWA NAOKI , BETSUYAKU TOMOKO 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is characterized by upper lobe emphysema together with lower lobe fibrosis. The aim of this study was to examine whether cytokine levels in the alveolar space are associated with emphysematous changes superimposed on pulmonary fibrosis.Methods:  Consecutive patients (n = 102), diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis were retrospectively evaluated. Cytokine levels and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, pulmonary function, computed tomography (CT) scores and levels of serum markers were compared between patients with or without emphysema.Results:  Among the 102 patients (14 females, mean age 68 years), 38 (37%) had evidence of upper lobe emphysema on computed tomography (CT). Levels of epithelial neutrophil activating peptide 78 (ENA‐78/CXCL5) and interleukin (IL)‐8/CXCL8 in BAL fluid were significantly higher in patients with emphysema. Vital capacity (VC, % predicted) was greater, and ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO)/alveolar volume (VA) were lower in patients with emphysema. CXCL8 and CXCL5 levels were associated with percentage or absolute numbers of neutrophils in BAL fluid. In addition, CXCL8 levels were inversely correlated with VC and DLCO/VA, and positively correlated with composite physiological index (CPI) and the extent of areas of low attenuation on CT.Conclusions:  Increased CXC chemokine levels in the airspaces may be associated with emphysematous lung changes in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
Vegetative and reproductive phenology of the mangrove Kandelia obovata
Authors: KAMRUZZAMAN MD. , SHARMA SAHADEV , HAGIHARA AKIO 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMangroves in the subtropical area of Japan are growing to their northern limits, yet little is known of their phenology. The aim of the present study was to understand both vegetative and reproductive phenology patterns, such as leaf emergence, leaf fall, bud setting, flowering, fruiting and propagule setting, in the mangrove Kandelia obovata. The phenology of this species was assessed using litter‐fall data for 5 years. Leaf and stipule litter‐falls continued with a clear monthly pattern throughout the years. New leaf production and leaf fall peaked in summer, immediately after the propagules fell. Leaf and stipule litter‐falls were linked to monthly sunshine hour, and monthly mean air temperature and monthly mean air relative humidity, respectively. Kandelia obovata had a distinct flowering period, with the flowering phenophase starting in spring and continuing into summer. Fruit initiation started at the end of summer and continued into autumn, whereas propagule production occurred during winter and spring. Flowering of K. obovata was influenced by monthly sunshine hour and monthly mean air temperature, whereas fruit and propagule litter‐falls were not linked to any climatic factors. The present results showed that a small portion (4.4%) of flowers developed into propagules. The average development period from flower buds to mature propagules was approximately 11 months. Kendall's consistency coefficient suggested that the monthly trends in vegetative and reproductive litter‐fall components, except for branches, did not change significantly among years.
Distribution, dispersal and spread of the invasive social wasp (Vespula germanica) in Argentina
Authors: MASCIOCCHI MAITÉ , CORLEY JUAN 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe studied the distribution and spread of the invasive social waspVespula germanicain Argentina, focusing on the contribution of queen dispersal to territorial expansion.Vespula germanicais native to Eurasia and has invaded several regions of the world, including Southern Argentina. Flight potential of field‐collected queens was measured using flight mills. Also, by means of an extensive survey we estimated the rate of spread by analysing the relationship between years since arrival and distance from the introduction locality. The mean distance flown by wasp queens in flight mills was 404.7 ± 140.8 m (mean ± SE,n = 59), while the rate of spread ofV. germanicawas estimated at 37.2 ± 2.1 km year−1(mean ± SE,n = 67), although faster towards the south. The observed spread rate ofV. germanicawasps in Argentina confirms the invasive potential shown by several Hymenoptera species worldwide. Still, a stratified geographical expansion pattern does not match observed queen dispersal abilities, suggesting that human‐aided transport of hibernating queens is the central driver of the current distribution of these wasps. We suggest that despite several life‐history traits known for social insects that contribute to successful invasion, wasp spread must still rely strongly on human mediated pathways. This observation sheds light on those factors that are crucial for managing invasions of this and related pestiferous wasps.
Forest‐fire regimes affect thermoregulatory opportunities for terrestrial ectotherms
Authors: ELZER AMANDA L. , PIKE DAVID A. , WEBB JONATHAN K. , HAMMILL KATE , BRADSTOCK ROSS A. , SHINE RICHARD 
Published: April 2012

AbstractFire‐induced changes in canopy openness may affect sunlight penetration to the forest floor, and thus the operative temperatures available to terrestrial ectotherms. We examined thermal regimes for two types of ectotherms: diurnally active species that utilize sun‐exposed patches to regulate their body temperatures, and nocturnally active species that depend upon solar radiation striking the rocks under which they shelter. We measured canopy openness, shrub height, radiation transmission and operative environmental temperatures in the open and inside reptile retreat‐sites, at 24 study sites in eucalypt forests in two regions (Gosford and Yengo) in south‐eastern Australia. All sites were last burnt in 2000–2001, but had experienced different fire frequencies (1–4 fires over the previous 37 years). In Gosford, higher fire frequencies reduced canopy openness and radiation transmission at ground and shrub level, and thus reduced environmental temperatures and the thermal quality of reptile habitats. Our modelling based on thermal preferenda of an endangered snake species (the broad‐headed snake Hoplocephalus bungaroides) suggests that increased fire frequency at Gosford halved the amount of time an animal could spend within its preferred (set‐point) range, regardless of whether it thermoregulated beneath rocks or basked out in the open. At Yengo, however, fire frequency did not affect the thermal quality of reptile habitats. Thus, the effects of fire frequency on forest structure and the thermal environment at ground level differed between adjacent areas, and relatively small changes in canopy openness translated into major effects on thermoregulatory opportunities for reptiles. Although fire is a useful management tool for creating open habitats, we need to understand more about the effects of fire frequency on vegetation structure and thermal environment before we can use fire to manage habitats for reptiles.
Activation of spinal TDAG8 and its downstream PKA signaling pathway contribute to bone cancer pain in rats
Authors: Hang Li‐Hua , Yang Jian‐Ping , Yin Wei , Wang Li‐Na , Guo Feng , Ji Fu‐Hai , Shao Dong‐Hua , Xu Qi‐Nian , Wang Xiu‐Yun , Zuo Jian‐Ling 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBone cancer pain is difficult to treat and has a strong impact on the quality of life of patients. Few therapies have emerged because the molecular mechanisms underlying bone cancer pain are poorly understood. Recently, T‐cell death‐associated gene 8 (TDAG8) has been shown to participate in complete Freund’s adjuvant‐induced chronic inflammatory pain. In this study, we aimed to examine whether TDAG8 and its downstream protein kinase A (PKA) pathway are involved in bone cancer pain. A bone cancer pain model was made by inoculation of Walker 256 cells into the intramedullary space of rat tibia. Spinal TDAG8 expression was increased after inoculation with tumor cells. Intrathecal TDAG8 siRNA attenuated bone cancer pain behaviors during the initiation and maintenance phases; there were also concomitant decreases in TDAG8 mRNA and protein levels in spinal cord. Moreover, we found spinal PKA and phosphorylated cAMP response element‐binding (pCREB) protein levels were up‐regulated in the rat model of bone cancer pain. Knockdown of TDAG8 resulted in reduced bone cancer pain‐induced spinal PKA and pCREB protein expression in two procedures. Furthermore, intrathecal H‐89 (a PKA inhibitor) significantly attenuated bone cancer pain behaviors in rats. Our results suggest a causal relationship between TDAG8 expression and the initiation and maintenance of bone cancer pain. Activation of spinal TDAG8 contributes to bone cancer pain through the PKA signaling pathway in rats. These findings may lead to novel strategies for the treatment of bone cancer pain.
Staphylococcusprevails in the skin microbiota of long‐term immunodeficient mice
Authors: Garcia‐Garcerà Marc , Coscollà Mireia , Garcia‐Etxebarria Koldo , Martín‐Caballero Juan , González‐Candelas Fernando , Latorre Amparo , Calafell Francesc 
Published: April 2012

SummaryHost–commensal relationships in the skin are a complex system governed by variables related to the host, the bacteria and the environment. A disruption of this system may lead to new steady states, which, in turn, may lead to disease. We have studied one such disruption by characterizing the skin microbiota in healthy and immunodepressed (ID) mice. A detailed anatomopathological study failed to reveal any difference between the skin of healthy and ID mice. We sequenced the 16S rDNA V1‐V2 gene region to saturation in 10 healthy and 10 ID 8 week‐old mice, and found than all of the healthy and two of the ID mice had bacterial communities that were similar in composition to that of human skin, although, presumably because of the uniform raising conditions, less interindividual variation was found in mice. However, eight ID mice showed microbiota dominated byStaphylococcus epidermidis.Quantitative PCR amplification of 16S rDNA gene and of theStaphylococcus‐specific TstaG region confirmed the previous results and indicated that the quantitative levels ofStaphylococcuswere similar in both groups while the total number of 16S copies was greater in the healthy mice. Thus, it is possible that, under long‐term immunodeficiency, which removes the acquired but not the native immune system,S. epidermidismay inhibit the growth of other bacteria but does not cause a pathogenic state.
Risk Aversion and Trade‐Union Membership*
Authors: Goerke Laszlo , Pannenberg Markus 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIf trade unions provide only their members with insurance against income variations, as a private good, this insurance will provide a stronger incentive for more risk‐averse employees to become union members. Using data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP) and various direct measures of individual risk attitudes, we find robust evidence of a positive relationship between risk aversion and the likelihood of union membership for full‐time employees. This association is particularly strong for males and in West Germany.
Smooth Principal Components for Investigating Changes in Covariances Over Time
Authors: Miller Claire , Bowman Adrian 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe complex interrelated nature of multivariate systems can result in relationships and covariance structures that change over time. Smooth principal components analysis is proposed as a means of investigating whether and how the covariance structure of multiple response variables changes over time, after removing a smooth function for the mean, and this is motivated and illustrated by using data from an aircraft technology study and a lake ecosystem. Inferential procedures are investigated in the cases of independent and dependent errors, with a bootstrapping procedure proposed to detect changes in the direction or variance of components.
NO APICAL MERISTEM (MtNAM) regulates floral organ identity and lateral organ separation in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Cheng Xiaofei , Peng Jianling , Ma Junying , Tang Yuhong , Chen Rujin , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Wen Jiangqi 
Published: April 2012

Summary
The CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC)/NO APICAL MERISTEM (NAM) family of genes control boundary formation and lateral organ separation, which is critical for proper leaf and flower patterning. However, most downstream targets of CUC/NAM genes remain unclear.
In a forward screen of the tobacco retrotransposon1 (Tnt1) insertion population in Medicago truncatula, we isolated a weak allele of the no‐apical‐meristem mutant mtnam‐2. Meanwhile, we regenerated a mature plant from the null allele mtnam‐1. These materials allowed us to extensively characterize the function of MtNAM and its downstream genes.
MtNAM is highly expressed in vegetative shoot buds and inflorescence apices, specifically at boundaries between the shoot apical meristem and leaf/flower primordia. Mature plants of the regenerated null allele and the weak allele display remarkable floral phenotypes: floral whorls and organ numbers are reduced and the floral organ identity is compromised. Microarray and quantitative RT‐PCR analyses revealed that all classes of floral homeotic genes are down‐regulated in mtnam mutants. Mutations in MtNAM also lead to fused cotyledons and leaflets of the compound leaf as well as a defective shoot apical meristem.
Our results revealed that MtNAM shares the role of CUC/NAM family genes in lateral organ separation and compound leaf development, and is also required for floral organ identity and development.
Breast cancer metastasising to the pelvis and abdomen: what the gynaecologist needs to know
Authors: Moore EK , Roylance R , Rosenthal AN 
Published: April 2012

Please cite this paper as: Moore EK, Roylance R, Rosenthal AN. Breast cancer metastasising to the pelvis and abdomen: what the gynaecologist needs to know. BJOG 2012;119:788–794.A small proportion of breast cancers metastasise within the peritoneal cavity. With increasing breast cancer incidence rates, gynaecologists and oncologists will encounter such women more frequently. Most women with intraperitoneal breast cancer are premenopausal. Although data are limited and are likely to be subject to selection bias, the median survival of women undergoing resection appears superior to those not undergoing surgery. Furthermore, survival is broadly similar to that for women undergoing advanced ovarian cancer surgery, particularly when tumour debulking is optimal. Obtaining data via randomised trials is unlikely to be feasible and therefore we recommend prospective data collection via the establishment of an international intraperitoneal breast cancer patient registry. For individual women where survival is anticipated to be more than a few months, we suggest considering referral to a gynaecological oncology team for discussion of surgical options.
sAPPα rescues deficits in amyloid precursor protein knockout mice following focal traumatic brain injury
Authors: Corrigan Frances , Vink Robert , Blumbergs Peter C. , Masters Colin L. , Cappai Roberto , van den Heuvel Corinna 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 208–220.AbstractThe amyloid precursor protein (APP) is thought to be neuroprotective following traumatic brain injury (TBI), although definitive evidence at moderate to severe levels of injury is lacking. In the current study, we investigated histological and functional outcomes in APP−/− mice compared with APP+/+ mice following a moderate focal injury, and whether administration of sAPPα restored the outcomes in knockout animals back to the wildtype state. Following moderate controlled cortical impact injury, APP−/− mice demonstrated greater impairment in motor and cognitive outcome as determined by the ledged beam and Barnes Maze tests respectively (p < 0.05). This corresponded with the degree of neuronal damage, with APP−/− mice having significantly greater lesion volume (25.0 ± 1.6 vs. 20.3 ± 1.6%, p < 0.01) and hippocampal damage, with less remaining CA neurons (839 ± 245 vs. 1353 ± 142 and 1401 ± 263). This was also associated with an impaired neuroreparative response, with decreased GAP‐43 immunoreactivity within the cortex around the lesion edge compared with APP+/+ mice. The deficits observed in the APP−/− mice related to a lack of sAPPα, as treatment with exogenously added sAPPα post‐injury improved APP−/− mice histological and functional outcome to the point that they were no longer significantly different to APP+/+ mice (p < 0.05). This study shows that endogenous APP is potentially protective at moderate levels of TBI, and that this neuroprotective activity is related to the presence of sAPPα. Importantly, it indicates that the mechanism of action of exogenously added sAPPα is independent of the presence of endogenous APP.
US IRBS CONFRONTING RESEARCH IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
Authors: KLITZMAN ROBERT L. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTIncreasingly, US‐sponsored research is carried out in developing countries, but how US Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) approach the challenges they then face is unclear.METHODS:  I conducted in‐depth interviews of about 2 hours each, with 46 IRB chairs, directors, administrators and members. I contacted the leadership of 60 IRBs in the United States (US) (every fourth one in the list of the top 240 institutions by National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding), and interviewed IRB leaders from 34 (55%).RESULTS:  US IRBs face ethical and logistical challenges in interpreting and applying principles and regulations in developing countries, given economic and health disparities, and limited contextual knowledge. These IRBs perceive wide variations in developing world IRBs/RECs' quality, resources and training; and health systems in some countries may have long‐standing practices of corruption. These US IRBs often know little of local contexts, regulations and standards of care, and struggle with understandings of other cultures' differing views of autonomy, and risks and benefits of daily life. US IRBs thus face difficult decisions, including how to interpret principles, how much to pay subjects and how much sustainability to require from researchers. IRB responses and solutions include trying to maintain higher standards for developing world research, obtain cultural expertise, build IRB infrastructure abroad, communicate with foreign IRBs, and ‘negotiate’ for maximum benefits for participants and fearing ‘worst‐case scenarios’.CONCLUSIONS:  US and foreign IRBs confront a series of tensions and dilemmas in reviewing developing world research. These data have important implications for increased education of IRBs/RECs and researchers in the US and abroad, and for research and practice.
The oxidative DNA lesions 8,5′‐cyclopurines accumulate with aging in a tissue‐specific manner
Authors: Wang Jin , Clauson Cheryl L. , Robbins Paul D. , Niedernhofer Laura J. , Wang Yinsheng 
Published: April 2012

SummaryAccumulation of DNA damage is implicated in aging. This is supported by the fact that inherited defects in DNA repair can cause accelerated aging of tissues. However, clear‐cut evidence for DNA damage accumulation in old age is lacking. Numerous studies report measurement of DNA damage in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from tissues of young and old organisms, with variable outcomes. Variability results from genetic differences between specimens or the instability of some DNA lesions. To control these variables and test the hypothesis that elderly organisms have more oxidative DNA damage than young organisms, we measured 8,5′‐cyclopurine‐2′‐deoxynucleosides (cPu), which are relatively stable, in tissues of young and old wild‐type and congenic progeroid mice. We found that cPu accumulate spontaneously in the nuclear DNA of wild‐type mice with age and to a greater extent in DNA repair–deficient progeroid mice, with a similar tissue‐specific pattern (liver > kidney > brain). These data, generated under conditions where genetic and environmental variables are controlled, provide strong evidence that DNA repair mechanisms are inadequate to clear endogenous lesions over the lifespan of mammals. The similar, although exaggerated, results obtained from progeroid, DNA repair–deficient mice and old normal mice support the conclusion that DNA damage accumulates with, and likely contributes to, aging.
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Children in Vietnam in Relation to Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Nguyen Thi Viet Ha , Bengtsson Carina , Yin Li , Nguyen Gia Khanh , Hoang Thi Thu Ha , Phung Dac Cam , Sörberg Mikael , Granström Marta 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  Low Helicobacter pylori eradication rates are common in pediatric trials especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of antibiotic resistance, drug dosage, and administration frequency on treatment outcome for children in Vietnam.Materials and Methods:  Antibiotics resistance of H. pylori was analyzed by the Etest in 222 pretreatment isolates from children 3–15 years of age who were originally recruited in a randomized trial with two treatment regiments: lansoprazole with amoxicillin and either clarithromycin (LAC) or metronidazole (LAM) in two weight groups with once‐ or twice‐daily administration. The study design was an observational study embedded in a randomized trial.Results:  The overall resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and amoxicillin was 50.9%, 65.3%, and 0.5%, respectively. In LAC, eradication was linked to the strains being susceptible to clarithromycin (78.2% vs 29.3%, p = .0001). Twice‐daily dosage of proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) and clarithromycin was more effective for eradication than once‐daily dosage for resistant strains (50.0% vs 14.7%, p = .004) and tended to be so also for sensitive strains (87.5% vs 65.2%, p = .051). Exact antibiotic dose per body weight resulted in more eradication for resistant strains (45.3% vs 8.0%, p = .006). These differences were less pronounced for the LAM regimen, with twice‐daily PPI versus once daily for resistant strains resulting in 69.2% and 50.0% eradication (p = .096), respectively.Conclusions:  Helicobacter pylori clarithromycin resistance was unexpectedly high in young children in Vietnam. Clarithromycin resistance was an important cause for eradication treatment failure. Twice‐daily administration and exact antibiotic dosing resulted in more eradicated infections when the strains were antibiotic resistant, which has implications for the study design in pediatric H. pylori eradication trials.
Stereotypes ofU.S. Immigrants from Four Global Regions
Authors: Timberlake Jeffrey M. , Williams Rhys H. 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveThis study explores variation in stereotypes ofU.S. immigrants fromLatinAmerica, theMiddleEast,Europe, andAsia.MethodWe exploit a split‐ballot design in two waves of theOhioPoll to test hypotheses about effects of contextual and respondent‐level characteristics on immigrant stereotypes.ResultsRespondents generally ratedAsian immigrants most positively andLatinAmerican immigrants most negatively, withEuropean andMiddleEastern immigrants occupying an intermediate position. Findings from regression analyses indicate little direct effect of county‐level percent foreign born or media consumption. The strongest effects observed were income on stereotypes ofMiddleEastern andAsian immigrants and concerns about the problem of unauthorized immigration on stereotypes ofLatinAmerican andMiddleEastern immigrants.ConclusionOur findings suggest that views about the characteristics of certain groups of immigrants are strongly linked to national‐level debates about unauthorized immigration.