bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ERM for insurance companies – adding the investor's point of view ‐ Abstract of the London Discussion
Authors: Hitchcox Andrew 
Published: October 2011

This abstract relates to the following paper:HitchcoxA.N., KlumpesP.J.M., McGaugheyK.W., SmithA.D. & TavernerN.H.ERM for insurance companies – adding the investor's point of view. British Actuarial Journal, doi:10.1017/S1357321711000122
Gathering insights on disease etiology from gene expression profiles of healthy tissues
Authors: Silva A. Sofia , Wood Shona H. , van Dam Sipko , Berres Sven , McArdle Anne , de Magalhães João Pedro 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
Motivation: Gene expression profiles have been widely used to study disease states. It may be possible, however, to gather insights into human diseases by comparing gene expression profiles of healthy organs with different disease incidence or severity. We tested this hypothesis and developed an approach to identify candidate genes associated with disease development by focusing on cancer incidence since it varies greatly across human organs.
Results: We normalized organ-specific cancer incidence by organ weight and found that reproductive organs tend to have a higher mass-normalized cancer incidence, which could be due to evolutionary trade-offs. Next, we performed a genome-wide scan to identify genes whose expression across healthy organs correlates with organ-specific cancer incidence. We identified a large number of genes, including genes previously associated with tumorigenesis and new candidate genes. Most genes exhibiting a positive correlation with cancer incidence were related to ribosomal and transcriptional activity, translation and protein synthesis. Organs with enhanced transcriptional and translational activation may have higher cell proliferation and therefore be more likely to develop cancer. Furthermore, we found that organs with lower cancer incidence tend to express lower levels of known cancer-associated genes. Overall, these results demonstrate how genes and processes that predispose organs to specific diseases can be identified using gene expression profiles from healthy tissues. Our approach can be applied to other diseases and serve as foundation for further oncogenomic analyses.
Contact: jp@senescence.info
Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
HDA6 Directly Interacts with DNA Methyltransferase MET1 and Maintains Transposable Element Silencing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Xuncheng , Yu Chun-Wei , Duan Jun , Luo Ming , Wang Koching , Tian Gang , Cui Yuhai , Wu Keqiang 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The molecular mechanism of how the histone deacetylase HDA6 participates in maintaining transposable element (TE) silencing in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is not yet defined. In this study, we show that a subset of TEs was transcriptionally reactivated and that TE reactivation was associated with elevated histone H3 and H4 acetylation as well as increased H3K4Me3 and H3K4Me2 in hda6 mutants. Decreased DNA methylation of the TEs was also detected in hda6 mutants, suggesting that HDA6 silences the TEs by regulating histone acetylation and methylation as well as the DNA methylation status of the TEs. Similarly, transcripts of some of these TEs were also increased in the methyltransferase1 (met1) mutant, with decreased DNA methylation. Furthermore, H4 acetylation, H3K4Me3, H3K4Me2, and H3K36Me2 were enriched at the coregulated TEs in the met1 and hda6 met1 mutants. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that HDA6 physically interacts with MET1 in vitro and in vivo, and further deletion analysis demonstrated that the carboxyl-terminal region of HDA6 and the bromo-adjacent homology domain of MET1 were responsible for the interaction. These results suggested that HDA6 and MET1 interact directly and act together to silence TEs by modulating DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and histone methylation status.
Behavioural trait variants in a habitat‐forming species dictate the nature of its interactions with and among heterospecifics
Authors: Pruitt Jonathan N. , Cote Julien , Ferrari Maud C. O. 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Although ecologists commonly categorize species in terms of their functional roles, function diversity occurring at the level of the individual is often dismissed.2. Multi‐female colonies of the spider Anelosimus studiosus serve as habitat for a myriad of arthropods, and colony members display notably polymorphic behavioural tendencies: females exhibit either an ‘aggressive’ or ‘docile’ behavioural phenotype.3. We manipulated the phenotypic composition of colonies (100% aggressive, 50% aggressive and 50% docile, 100% docile) and tested its effects on species interactions between A. studiosus and its web associates, and among the web associates themselves.4. We found that the phenotypic composition of A. studiosus colonies significantly impacted interactions within their web. In colonies of all aggressive females, the relationship between A. studiosus (−) and its web associates (+) was exploitative and web associates negative impacted each other’s performance. In colonies of all docile females, the relationship between A. studiosus (+) and its web associates (+) was facilitative and web associates positively influenced each other’s performance. Colonies of mixed phenotype had intermediate interactions.5. Our data suggest that (i) the mixture of behavioural trait variants within groups can mediate the nature of both direct and indirect species interactions, and (ii) community structure can affect which social group compositions enjoy highest fitness.
Influence of resin cement and post configuration on bond strength to root dentine
Authors: Soares C. J. , Pereira J. C. , Valdivia A. D. C. M. , Novais V. R. , Meneses M. S. 
Published: October 2011

Soares CJ, Pereira JC, Valdivia ADCM, Novais VR, Meneses MS. Influence of resin cement and post configuration on bond strength to root dentine. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 136–145, 2012.AbstractAim  To evaluate the effect of luting agent and fibreglass post design on bond strength to root dentine at different depths within the canal.Methodology  Ninety single‐rooted teeth were root filled and prepared to receive either a parallel‐sided and serrated fibreglass post (Reforpost no. 2) or a tapered and smooth fibreglass post (Exato Cônico). The posts were cemented with the following resin cements: dual‐cured resin cement (Rely X ARC), two self‐adhesive resin cements (Rely X Unicem and MaxCem) and a self‐cured resin cement (Cement‐Post). The roots were cross‐sectioned to obtain two 1‐mm‐thick discs for each cervical, middle and apical third of the prepared root portion. The posts were submitted to a micropush‐out test at a speed of 0.5 mm min−1, and the bond strength values (MPa) were submitted to anova in a split‐plot arrangement and Tukey’s test (P < 0.05).Results  The RelyX Unicem demonstrated significantly higher bond strength values (P < 0.001) along the root dentine. The RelyX ARC and Cement‐Post had similar bond strength values in the cervical third; however, the bond strength decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in an apical direction for the RelyX ARC. Significantly lower bond strength values (P < 0.001), irrespective of canal region, were found for MaxCem cement. The bond strength was similar for both post configurations irrespective of the resin cement and canal region.Conclusions  The retention of glass fibre posts remained unaffected by surface roughness but was influenced by resin cement type. The self‐adhesive cement RelyX Unicem yielded a significantly greater (P < 0.001) bond strength value when cementing the fibreglass posts.
Self‐injurious behaviour: limbic dysregulation and stress effects in an animal model
Authors: Muehlmann A. M. , Kies S. D. , Turner C. A. , Wolfman S. , Lewis M. H. , Devine D. P. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Self‐injurious behaviour (SIB) is prevalent in neurodevelopmental disorders, but its expression is highly variable within, and between diagnostic categories. This raises questions about the factors that contribute to aetiology and expression of SIB. Expression of SIB is generally described in relation to social reinforcement. However, variables that predispose vulnerability have not been as clearly characterised. This study reports the aetiology and expression of self‐injury in an animal model of pemoline‐induced SIB. It describes changes in gross neuronal activity in selected brain regions after chronic treatment with pemoline, and it describes the impact that a history of social defeat stress has on the subsequent expression of SIB during pemoline treatment.Methods  Experiment 1– Male Long‐Evans rats were injected on each of five consecutive days with pemoline or vehicle, and the expression of SIB was evaluated using a rating scale. The brains were harvested on the morning of the sixth day, and were assayed for expression of cytochrome oxidase, an index of sustained neuronal metabolic activity. Experiment 2– Male Long‐Evans rats were exposed to a regimen of 12 daily sessions of social defeat stress or 12 daily sessions of handling (i.e. controls). Starting on the day after completion of the social defeat or handling regimen, each rat was given five daily injections of pemoline. The durations of self‐injurious oral contact and other stereotyped behaviours were monitored, and the areas of tissue injury were quantified.Results  Experiment 1– Neuronal metabolic activity was significantly lower in a variety of limbic and limbic‐associated brain structures in the pemoline‐treated rats, when compared with activity in the same regions of vehicle‐treated controls. In addition, neuronal activity was low in the caudate–putamen, and in subfields of the hypothalamus, but did not differ between groups for a variety of other brain regions, including nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, ventral tegmentum, thalamus, amygdala, and cortical regions. Experiment 2– All the pemoline‐treated rats exhibited SIB, and whereas the social defeat regimen did not alter the total amount of self‐injurious oral contact or other stereotyped behaviours, it significantly increased the severity of tissue injury.Conclusions  A broad sampling of regional metabolic activity indicates that the pemoline regimen produces enduring changes that are localised to specific limbic, hypothalamic and striatal structures. The potential role of limbic function in aetiology of SIB is further supported by the finding that pemoline‐induced self‐injury is exacerbated by prior exposure to social defeat stress. Overall, the results suggest brain targets that should be investigated further, and increase our understanding of the putative role that stress plays in the pathophysiology of SIB.
Nuclear roles and regulation of chromatin structure by the stress‐dependent MAP kinase Sty1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Sansó Miriam , Vargas‐Pérez Itzel , García Patricia , Ayté José , Hidalgo Elena 
Published: October 2011

SummaryMicroorganisms are invariably exposed to abrupt changes in their environment, and consequently display robust, high plasticity gene programmes to respond to stresses. In fission yeast, the Sty1 pathway is activated in response to diverse stress conditions, such as osmotic and oxidative stress, heat shock or nitrogen deprivation. The MAP kinase Sty1 and its substrate, the transcription factor Atf1, regulate diverse processes mainly at the nucleus. For instance, Sty1, Atf1 and its heterodimeric partner Pcr1 participate in promoting recombination at some hot spots, and in the assembly of heterochromatin at the mating locus. Their main role, however, is to engage a wide gene expression programme aimed to allow cellular survival by decreasing and repairing the damage exerted. Once Sty1 and Atf1 are activated by stress, they are recruited to promoters of up to 5–10% of the coding genes and regulate their transcription. Even though there is no simple, global relationship establishing RNA polymerase II occupancy, nucleosome architecture and transcriptional activity in eukaryotes, we discuss within this review the current knowledge and future perspectives of how activation of Sty1 and Atf1 affect chromatin architecture of a large fraction of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome to trigger the cellular response to environmental stress.
Activated chemoreceptor arrays remain intact and hexagonally packed
Authors: Briegel Ariane , Beeby Morgan , Thanbichler Martin , Jensen Grant J. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryBacterial chemoreceptors cluster into exquisitively sensitive, tunable, highly ordered, polar arrays. While these arrays serve as paradigms of cell signalling in general, it remains unclear what conformational changes transduce signals from the periplasmic tips, where attractants and repellents bind, to the cytoplasmic signalling domains. Conflicting reports support and contest the hypothesis that activation causes large changes in the packing arrangement of the arrays, up to and including their complete disassembly. Using electron cryotomography, here we show that in Caulobacter crescentus, chemoreceptor arrays in cells grown in different media and immediately after exposure to the attractant galactose all exhibit the same 12 nm hexagonal packing arrangement, array size and other structural parameters. ΔcheB and ΔcheR mutants mimicking attractant‐ or repellent‐bound states prior to adaptation also show the same lattice structure. We conclude that signal transduction and amplification must be accomplished through only small, nanoscale conformational changes.
A novel FUT1 allele was identified in a Chinese individual with para‐Bombay phenotype
Authors: Xu X. , Tao S. , Ying Y. , Hong X. , He Y. , Zhu F. , Lv H. , Yan L. 
Published: October 2011

Background: The para‐Bombay phenotype is characterised by H‐deficient or H partially deficient red blood cells (RBCs) in individuals who secrete ABH antigens in their saliva. Samples from an individual whose RBCs had an apparent para‐Bombay phenotype and his family members were investigated and a novel FUT1 allele was identified.Materials and Methods: RBCs' phenotype was characterised by standard serologic technique. Genomic DNA was sequenced with primers that amplified the coding sequence of FUT1 and FUT2, respectively. Routine ABO genotyping analysis was performed. Haplotypes of FUT1 were identified by TOPO cloning sequencing. Recombination expression vectors of FUT1 mutation alleles were constructed and transfected into COS‐7 cells. The pα‐(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase activity of expression protein was determined.Results:
B101/O02 genotype of the proband was correlated with ABH substances in saliva. The proband carried a new FUT1 allele which showed 35C/T, 235G/C and 682A/G heterozygote by directly DNA sequencing. Two haplotypes, 235C and 35T+682G, were identified by TOPO cloning sequencing and COS‐7 cells transfected with five recombination vectors including wild‐type, 35T, 235C, 682G and 35T+682G alleles were established respectively. The α‐(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase activities of cell lysates which had transfected with 35T, 235C, 682G and 35T+682G recombination vectors showed 79·45, 16·23, 80·32 and 24·59%, respectively, compared with that of the wild‐type FUT1‐transfected cell lysates.Conclusion: A novel FUT1 allele 235C was identified, which greatly diminished the activity of α‐(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase.
Adolescent pre‐exposure to ethanol and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) increases conditioned rewarding effects of MDMA and drug‐induced reinstatement
Authors: Ribeiro Do Couto Bruno , Daza‐Losada Manuel , Rodríguez‐Arias Marta , Nadal Roser , Guerri Consuelo , Summavielle Teresa , Miñarro Jose , Aguilar Maria A. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTMany adolescents often take ethanol (EtOH) in combination with 3,4‐methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). In the present work, we used a mouse model to study the effect of repeated pre‐exposure during adolescence to EtOH (2 g/kg), MDMA (10 or 20 mg/kg) or EtOH + MDMA on the rewarding and reinstating effects of MDMA in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Pre‐exposure to EtOH, MDMA or both increased the rewarding effects of a low dose of MDMA (1.25 mg/kg). These pre‐treatments did not affect the acquisition of the CPP induced by 5 mg/kg of MDMA. However, the CPP was more persistent in mice pre‐exposed to both doses of MDMA or to EtOH + MDMA20. After extinction of the CPP induced by 5 mg/kg of MDMA, reinstatement was observed in all groups with a priming dose of 2.5 mg/kg of MDMA, in the groups pre‐exposed to EtOH or MDMA alone with a priming dose of 1.25 mg/kg, and in the groups pre‐treated with MDMA alone with a priming dose of 0.625 mg/kg. Pre‐treatment during adolescence with MDMA or EtOH induced long‐term changes in the level of biogenic amines [dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid, homovanillic acid, dopamine turnover, serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) and 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid (5‐HIAA) in the striatum, and 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA in the cortex] after the first reinstatement test, although these effects depended on the dose used during conditioning. These results suggest that exposure to EtOH and MDMA during adolescence reinforces the addictive properties of MDMA.
Long‐Term Field Drought Affects Leaf Protein Pattern and Chloroplast Ultrastructure of Winter Wheat in a Cultivar‐Specific Manner
Authors: Vassileva V. , Demirevska K. , Simova‐Stoilova L. , Petrova T. , Tsenov N. , Feller U. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractRecurrent drought periods of varying duration often cause extensive crop damage and affect wheat production in Southern Europe. This study compares biochemical and ultrastructural responses of four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars to long‐term field drought, and their contribution to final grain yield. Gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analyses combined with transmission electron microscopy and grain yield evaluation were employed to assess drought susceptibility of the wheat cultivars. Two of them behaved as drought‐tolerant, the other two presented as drought sensitive. Enhanced degradation of Rubisco large subunit (RLS), Rubisco small subunit (RSS) and Rubisco activase (RA) accompanied by an increased protease activity and reduced levels of heat shock proteins (HSP70) and dehydrins (DHNs) were associated with drought sensitivity. Drought tolerance coincided with relatively stable or increased HSP70 and DHN contents, and unchanged/higher levels of RLS, RSS and RA. Sensitive cultivars were more vulnerable to ultrastructural damages, showing obvious degradation of chloroplast membrane systems and depletion of leaf starch reserves. These drought responses affected yield potential, as tolerant cultivars gave higher yield under intense drought. Thus, our results provide additional insights into the complexity of plant drought responses, identifying multiple interacting traits that may serve as indirect selection criteria for wheat drought tolerance.
Influence of adult diet and exposure to methyl eugenol in the mating performance of Bactrocera philippinensis
Authors: Obra G. B. , Resilva S. S. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractEnhancement of the sterile male performance in Bactrocera philippinensis through access to protein (yeast hydrolysate) and/or exposure to methyl eugenol (ME) was investigated in this study. The temporal occurrence of sexual maturity of B. philippinensis was determined for both laboratory sterile and wild flies. Laboratory tests were also conducted to determine the peak age of ME feeding in relation to male fly age and sexual maturity and effect of protein on the longevity of sterile males. Field cage mating tests were performed to examine the effect of adult diet (P+ vs. P−) and ME exposure (ME+ vs. ME−) on the mating competitiveness of the sterile male B. philippinensis. P+ME+ sterile male flies achieved significantly more matings with wild females than P+ME− or PE−ME− sterile males. Based on the relative sterile index, P+ sterile male flies were significantly more sexually competitive when competing for wild females than P− flies. The results confirm that the pre‐release diet can be significantly improved to increase the effectiveness of the application of the sterile technique against B. philippinensis.
Complete Genome Sequence, Phylogenetic Relationships and Molecular Diagnosis of an Indian Isolate of Potato Virus X
Authors: Mandal Bikash , Kumar Alok , Rani Pooja , Jain Rakesh Kumar 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe complete genome of a Potato virus X (PVX) isolate from India (ptDel‐9), which occurred symptomlessly in potato but induced ringspots on Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi and necrotic mosaic on Nicotiana benthamiana, was sequenced. The genome was 6435 nucleotides long (JF430080) and contained five open reading frames. The isolate was closely related to those reported from the Eurasian region (95.1–97.1% sequence similarity) and distantly related to those reported from South America (77.2–77.9%). The CP gene was expressed in Escherichia coli as a 76‐kDa fusion protein with maltose‐binding protein and used to generate polyclonal antibodies, which successfully detected PVX in field samples of potato by ELISA. In 20% of field samples, for which ELISA failed, the virus was successfully detected by RT‐PCR. This is the first report of molecular characterization of PVX occurring in India.
Split‐weaning Before Altrenogest Synchronization of Multiparous Sows Alters Follicular Development and Reduces Embryo Survival
Authors: van Leeuwen JJJ , Verhoeven M , van der Heden‐van Noort I , Kranenbarg S , Kemp B , Soede NM 
Published: October 2011

ContentsThis study used split‐weaning (SW) to induce differences in follicle size at weaning and study its consequences for follicle development during and after post‐weaning altrenogest feeding and for reproductive performance. Multiparous sows (n = 47) were assigned to SW (n = 23; litter size reduced to the six smallest piglets 3 days before weaning) or control (C; n = 24; normal weaning). Altrenogest (20 mg/day) was fed to all 47 sows from Day −1 till Day 5 (complete weaning = Day 0). Follicle size on Day 1, 2 and 8 was smaller in C than in SW (p ≤ 0.05). Ovulation rate was similar, but C sows had higher embryo survival rate (ESR) than SW sows (83 ± 19 and 58 ± 31%, respectively; p = 0.001). SW sows with low ESR (<63%; n = 10) had a greater follicle size on days 3–6 than SW sows with high ESR (>63%; n = 10; p ≤ 0.04). A decrease in follicle size between Day 5 and 6 of altrenogest feeding was associated with increased ESR in both treatments (p = 0.002). Follicle pool analyses (assessment of all follicles >2 mm) revealed that on Day 3, sows with low ESR had a higher % of follicles >5 mm compared with sows with high ESR (30% vs 10%; p = 0.04). Thus, sows in which follicle growth was less suppressed during altrenogest feeding had a lower ESR. These effects on follicle development and ESR were more pronounced in split‐weaned sows.
Identification of Soluble Forms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptors, sVEGFR‐1 and sVEGFR‐2, in Bovine Dominant Follicles
Authors: Macias VR , Pinzón C , Fierro F , Vergara M , Martínez D , Rosado A , Gutiérrez CG , Rosales‐Torres AM 
Published: October 2011

ContentsThe development of dominant follicles requires the parallel growth of a vascular network, regulated by VEGF and its receptors VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2. Here, we demonstrate the presence of mRNA for the soluble forms of VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 by RT‐PCR and the respective proteins by Western blot, in bovine dominant follicles. The 3′ end of the mRNA coding region and the deduced C‐terminal amino acid sequence of the bovine VEGFR soluble forms were similar to those previously described in human and mice. The relative abundance of sVEGFR‐1 was higher in dominant follicles of day 4, decreasing on day 6 and further on day 9 of the cycle. In contrast, sVEGFR‐2 expression was low on day 4 follicles and increased as the cycle advanced, becoming greater on day 9. The changes of sVEGFR‐1 and sVEGFR‐2 with the age of the bovine dominant follicle indicate a physiological role in its growth and atresia.