bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variable offspring size as an adaptation to environmental heterogeneity in a clonal plant species: integrating experimental and modelling approaches
Authors: Charpentier Anne , Anand Madhur , Bauch Chris T. 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. The production of variably sized offspring has been hypothesized to be adaptive to temporal variability in environmental conditions.2. This is difficult to verify empirically, and theoretical models are typically generic and not parameterized with data from real populations; studies integrating theoretical and empirical approaches to this problem are rare.3. Here, we present experimental data on the growth of Scirpus maritimus, a clonal aquatic macrophyte that grows through vegetative extensions involving tubers.4. The experiments show that offspring fitness (biomass productivity) is dependent on environmental conditions (water depth).5. Experimental data indicate that variation in offspring (tuber) sizes can be approximated by a lognormal distribution.6. We use these data to develop a different equation model of S. maritimus growth to test whether producing variably sized offspring is adaptive. The model compares fitness under the lognormal strategy to several hypothetical strategies with qualitatively different variance in offspring size.7. The model results suggest that lognormal variation in S. maritimus tuber size may be adaptive to the temporal variation in water levels that characterize its natural Mediterranean environment.8. We illustrate how the underlying principles that lend adaptive value to offspring size variation may apply to other species experiencing similar environmental conditions.9. Synthesis. Close integration of data and theoretical models creates a unique tool for investigating the adaptive value of life‐history traits in clonal aquatic plants.
Preliminary evidence of an association between the functional c‐kit rs6554199 polymorphism and achalasia in a Turkish population
Authors: Alahdab Y. O. , Eren F. , Giral A. , Gunduz F. , Kedrah A. E. , Atug O. , Yilmaz Y. , Kalayci O. , Kalayci C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground  C‐kit‐positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of the lower esophageal sphincter are reduced in achalasia. Two functional gene polymorphisms (rs2237025 and rs6554199) within the c‐kit gene may affect its transcriptional activity. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that these polymorphisms would be associated with achalasia.Methods  Genomic DNA was extracted and real‐time PCR reactions were used to determine the rs2237025 and rs6554199 c‐kit polymorphisms in 88 Turkish patients with achalasia and 101 healthy controls.Key Results  The frequency of the T allele of rs6554199 was significantly higher in patients with achalasia [odds ratio (OR): 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–2.34; P = 0.038] compared with the G allele. Under a dominant model of inheritance, the carriage of at least one T allele was significantly more frequent in patients with achalasia (80.7%) than in controls (65.3%; OR: 2.21; 95% CI, 1.13–4.33; P = 0.022). No association of the c‐kit rs2237025 polymorphism with achalasia was detected.Conclusions & Inferences  Despite the small sample size and the possibility of a false positive finding, our preliminary data support the hypothesis that the T allele of the c‐kit rs6554199 polymorphism may be associated with achalasia in the Turkish population. These findings need to be replicated in other racial‐ethnically diverse populations.
Diazepam promotes choice of abstinence in cocaine self‐administering rats
Authors: Augier Eric , Vouillac Caroline , Ahmed Serge H. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTWhen facing a choice between cocaine and a potent, albeit inessential, non‐drug alternative (i.e. water sweetened with saccharin), most cocaine self‐administering rats abstain from cocaine in favor of the non‐drug pursuit, regardless of the dose available and even after extended drug use. Only a minority continues to take the drug despite the opportunity of making a different choice and increasing stakes. This pattern of individual variation could suggest that the majority of rats are resilient to addiction, taking cocaine by default of other options. Only a minority would be vulnerable to addiction. This study tested the hypothesis that rats choose to refrain from cocaine self‐administration because cocaine would be conflictual, having both rewarding and anxiogenic properties. Contrary to this hypothesis, however, we report here that diazepam—a broad‐spectrum benzodiazepine anxiolytic—did not decrease, but instead, further increased cocaine abstinence. Interestingly, although diazepam decreased locomotion, rats adapted to this effect by spending more time near the lever associated with the preferred reward, a behavior that minimized the need for locomotion at the moment of choice. When responding for cocaine or saccharin was analyzed separately, we found that diazepam decreased responding for cocaine without affecting responding for saccharin. Finally, the abstinence‐promoting effects of diazepam were also induced in cocaine‐preferring rats treated chronically with diazepam. Overall, this study demonstrates that abstinence from cocaine cannot be explained away by the anxiogenic effects of cocaine, thereby reinforcing the notion of resilience to addiction. It also supports the use of benzodiazepines in the treatment of cocaine addiction.
Oral immunotherapy with immunodominant T‐cell epitope peptides alleviates allergic reactions in a Balb/c mouse model of egg allergy
Authors: Rupa P. , Mine Y. 
Published: September 2011

To cite this article: Rupa P, Mine Y. Oral immunotherapy with immunodominant T‐cell epitope peptides alleviates allergic reactions in a Balb/c mouse model of egg allergy. Allergy 2012; 67: 74–82.AbstractBackground:  Allergen‐specific T‐cell epitopes are obvious targets for immunotherapeutic interventions in allergic disease. T‐cell epitope peptides given orally may provide a practical way of inducing tolerance and preventing allergy.Objective:  This study investigates oral immunotherapy (OIT) with T‐cell epitope peptides of the dominant egg‐white allergen ovomucoid (Ovm) in a Balb/c mouse model of egg allergy.Methods:  Groups of mice were orally sensitized to Ovm and subsequently administered Ovm T‐cell epitopes [single peptide 157–171 (SP) or multiple peptide (157–171)3 (MP)], followed by oral challenge with Ovm. Outcomes post oral challenge were measured as clinical signs, serum histamine, antibody activity (IgG, IgE, IgG1, IgG2, IgA), cytokines (IL‐4, IFN‐γ, IL‐12p70, IL‐10, TGF‐β, and IL‐17), and T regulatory cells (Tregs).Results:  Clinical signs were less frequent in both SP and MP groups (P ≤ 0.05). Specific IgE was less and IgA was more in both groups; however, SP‐treated mice had less histamine and IgG1 and more IgG2‐related antibodies indicating a bias toward the type‐1 response (P ≤ 0.05). Concentration of type‐2 cytokine interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) was significantly less in both groups and IL‐12p70 and IL‐10 were more in SP‐treated mice (P ≤ 0.001). Interferon‐γ, IL‐17, and TGF‐β did not differ significantly. There was significant increase in the percentage of CD4+FOXP3+ and CD4+CD25+ cells in the SP group, indicating the significant role of Tregs in immune regulation.Conclusion:  In summary, we demonstrated that OIT with SP and MP comprising the immunodominant regions of Ovm was safe and significantly reduced subsequent frequency of allergy to Ovm, and validated potential use of Ovm T‐cell epitope as an immunoregulator.
First Detection of Crown Gall Disease on Florida Hopbush Caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Italy
Authors: Polizzi Giancarlo , Aiello Dalia , Scuderi Giuseppe , Guarnaccia Vladimiro , Cirvilleri Gabriella 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDuring the period from 2008 to 2011, symptoms similar to crown gall disease have been detected in potted Dodonaea viscosa cv. ‘Purpurea’ plants in several nurseries located in Catania province (Italy). Gram‐negative bacteria were consistently isolated from gall tissues taken from diseased plants and identified through cultural, biochemical and molecular tests. The obtained isolates were oxidase positive, non‐fluorescent on King’s B medium, utilized mannitol, and were able to grow at 37°C and on nutrient agar containing 2% NaCl. Based on the nutrient profiles revealed by the BIOLOG system, the isolates were identified as Agrobacterium tumefaciens with a probability of 99% and a similarity of 0.61. Furthermore, genomic amplifications were performed by PCR on DNA extracted from representative isolates, with a couple of primers targeting sequences of the Ti plasmid located within the virD region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of occurrence and outbreak of a crown gall disease caused by A. tumefaciens on D. viscosa.
Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in Ovaries of Polytocous versus Monotocous Dairy Goats Using Suppressive Subtractive Hybridization
Authors: An XP , Hou JX , Li G , Peng JY , Liu XQ , Liu HY , Xiao WP , Wang JG , Song YX , Cao BY 
Published: September 2011

ContentsIn this study, suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) was performed to screen differentially expressed genes in ovarian tissues between polytocous and monotocous goats. From the SSH cDNA library, we obtained 29 differentially expressed sequence tags (ESTs) that have high similarity with known genes in the public database, which were involved in signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, cellular molecular dynamics, cytoskeleton, metabolism and oxidation–reduction. In addition, one novel EST that has no similarity with known genes in the public database was obtained. Eight ESTs, TIMP1, NUCB1, OAZ1, CXXC5, CAPNS2, ATP5A1, Z and RPL5, were further examined for the reproducibility of the SSH data by the real‐time quantitative PCR. The results confirmed an increased expression of respective mRNA in ovarian tissues of polytocous goats compared with those of monotocous goats. The study has identified several genes (known or unknown) that may have effect on follicular development, ovulation and egg activation in goats.
Trends in the use of of nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) at an Australian tertiary referral centre: an analysis of surgical decision‐making using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system
Authors: Satasivam Prassannah , Rajarubendra Nieroshan , Chia Ping Han , Munshey Aasheen , Sengupta Shomik , Bolton Damien 
Published: September 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) is increasingly recognised as a preferred form of management for the incidentally detected small renal mass (SRM). Within the context of equivalent oncological outcomes, patients treated by NSS may have a survival advantage over those treated by radical nephrectomy (RN) through a reduced risk of chronic kidney disease and its associated cardiac morbidity. Despite this, according to Medicare data from the USA, a disproportionate number of patients with SRMs continue to be treated with RN instead of NSS. Similar data from Australia are not yet available.The present study explores the evolving management of SRMs at an Australian tertiary centre over a 5‐year period. It utilises the R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry Score to assess how lesion complexity has influenced surgical decision‐making and charts the increasing use of NSS in the management of low‐complexity renal masses at our centre.OBJECTIVE
To examine recent trends in the use of nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS) at our centre. Specifically, we sought to examine the process of surgical decision‐making by applying the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system to assess the complexity of lesions for which surgery was undertaken.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of renal masses treated by surgery from January 2005 to December 2009, including 79 RN and 70 NSS.
CT images were available for analysis in 50 patients within each group.
Lesions were scored on the basis of their complexity using the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring system developed by Kutikov and Uzzo.
RESULTS
There was no difference in age between patients undergoing RN and NSS (median age 61 vs 60 years).
RN was performed for significantly larger lesions (mean [sd] 68 [9] vs 29 [2] mm, P < 0.05) of predominantly moderate and high complexity (12% low, 56% moderate, 32% high).
NSS was primarily used for low‐complexity lesions, but included four (8%) moderate‐complexity lesions in the final 2 years of the study.
The use of NSS increased from 28.6% of cases in 2005 to 60.0% of cases in 2009, which mirrored the increase in the proportion of operations performed for low‐complexity lesions (22.2% low‐complexity in 2005 to 70.6% in 2009, P < 0.01 for trend).
CONCLUSIONS
The increasing use of NSS at our institution mirrored the increasing treatment of low‐complexity renal lesions.
This may reflect an increased detection and referral of such lesions, or a shift towards treatment of lesions that in the past would have been under surveillance.
Practice at our centre reflects a shifting paradigm towards preferential use of NSS for the treatment of suitable renal masses.
Theta lingua franca: A common mid‐frontal substrate for action monitoring processes
Authors: Cavanagh James F. , Zambrano‐Vazquez Laura , Allen John J. B. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWe present evidence that a multitude of mid‐frontal event‐related potential (ERP) components partially reflect a common theta band oscillatory process. Specifically, mid‐frontal ERP components in the N2 time range and error‐related negativity time range are parsimoniously characterized as reflections of theta band activities. Forty participants completed three different tasks with varying stimulus–response demands. Permutation tests were used to identify the dominant time–frequency responses of stimulus‐ and response‐locked conditions as well as the enhanced responses to novelty, conflict, punishment, and error. A dominant theta band feature was found in all conditions, and both ERP component amplitudes and theta power measures were similarly modulated by novelty, conflict, punishment, and error. The findings support the hypothesis that generic and reactive medial prefrontal cortex processes are parsimoniously reflected by theta band activities.
A Proposed Framework for Understanding the Forces behind Legislation of Universal Health Insurance—Lessons from Ten Countries
Authors: Wang C. Jason , Ellender Stacey M. , Textor Theodora , Bauchner Joshua H. , Wu Jen‐You , Bauchner Howard , Huang Andrew T. 
Published: September 2011

ObjectiveTo understand the forces propelling countries to legislate universal health insurance.Data Source/Study DesignDescriptive review and exploratory synthesis of historic data on economic, geographic, socio‐demographic, and political factors.Data Extraction MethodsWe searched under “insurance, health” on MEDLINE and Google Scholar, and we reviewed relevant books and articles via a snowball approach.Principal FindingsTen countries with universal health insurance were studied. For the five countries that passed final universal insurance laws prior to 1958, we found that two forces of “historical context” (i.e., social solidarity and historic patterns), one “ongoing dynamic force” (political pressures), and “one uniqueness of the moment” force (legislative permissiveness) played a major role. For the five countries that passed final legislation between 1967 and 2010, the predominant factors were two “ongoing dynamic forces” (economic pressures and political pressures) and one “uniqueness of the moment” force (leadership). In general, countries in the former group made steady progress, whereas those in the latter group progressed in abrupt leaps.ConclusionsThe lessons of more recent successes—almost all of which were achieved via abrupt leaps—strongly indicate the importance of leadership in taking advantage of generalized economic and political pressures to achieve universal health insurance.
Hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein specific T cells are associated with virological responses to combination therapy in chronic HCV patients
Authors: Zhang Yonghong , Liu Yali , Zhao Yan , Shi Lingxian , Ma Lina , Yan Huiping , Wu Hao , Wei Lai , Dong Tao , Chen Xinyue 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundVirus‐specific T‐cell responses play a major role in antiviral immune response. However, the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific T‐cell responses on combination therapy still remains controversial.AimsTo identify the association between HCV‐specific T cell responses and efficiency of combination therapy.MethodsTo address this issue, a longitudinal analysis of HCV‐specific T‐cell responses to overlapping peptides covering HCV‐nonstructural protein (NS) was performed using ELISpot assay in 48 chronically infected HCV‐1b patients during combination treatment with peginterferon‐alfa and ribavirin.ResultsFifty‐two percent of chronic HCV patients showed detectable HCV‐NS3, NS4 or NS5A specific T‐cell responses before therapy, with NS3 appearing to be the most immunodominant protein followed by NS5A and NS4. In addition, the percentage of patients responding to peptide stimulation was higher in patients with sustained virological response (SVR) when compared with those without SVR. Dynamics of HCV‐NS‐specific T‐cell responses were further analysed; we found that HCV‐specific T‐cell responses maintained higher levels at 12 weeks into treatment in patients with SVR. In contrast, HCV‐specific T‐cell responses in patients without SVR declined significantly at 4 weeks into treatment and maintained low levels at 12 weeks.ConclusionWe found that the HCV‐specific T‐cell responses were associated with good viral control in patients with combination therapy.
Rate‐Dependent AV Nodal Function: Closely Bound Conduction and Refractory Properties
Authors: TADROS RAFIK , BILLETTE JACQUES 
Published: September 2011

Reconciled AV Nodal Conduction and Refractoriness. Introduction: The atrioventricular node (AV) node conducts slowly and filters atrial impulses. Puzzlingly, the recovery (conduction time vs atrial cycle length) and refractory curve (His bundle cycle length vs atrial cycle length) characterizing AV nodal function undergo disparate rate‐dependent changes. We sought the functional origin and significance of these disparate changes.Methods and Results: Differences between the recovery and refractory curve were assessed in 30 steady state AV nodal responses (all potential paired combinations between 5 basic and 6 pretest cycle lengths imposed with S1S2S3 protocols) in rabbit heart preparations. Five of these responses corresponded to standard premature protocols. Both basic and pretest cycle length shortenings increased pretest conduction time that in turn equally shortened the ensuing His‐atrial interval at all test cycle lengths. This effect was mathematically predictable and tended to shift the refractory curve downward whereas not affecting the recovery curve. Moreover, increases in pretest conduction time also shifted the recovery and refractory curve equally rightward on their x‐axis, thereby biasing curve comparison between steady states. This problem could be overcome with equivalent results either by accordingly correcting the atrial cycle length or by using the His‐atrial interval as the recovery index.Conclusion: Recovery and refractory curves from AV nodal steady state responses including standard premature protocols only differ by the His‐atrial interval that decreases with the pretest conduction time. The latter also biases curve comparison between steady states. Rate‐dependent AV nodal function is best assessed with recovery curves freed from changes in pretest conduction time. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 p. 302‐308, March 2012.)
A Fresh Look at U.S. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: The Commercial and Environmentally Sustainable Path Forward
Authors: Haarmeyer David 
Published: September 2011

The growing scarcity of water has a silver lining: water is being transformed into an economic resource whose price will better reflect its true value and thus encourage conservation and stimulate new supplies. This in turn can be expected to put more pressure on water and wastewater organizations to become both commercially and environmentally sustainable. And by making its decision‐making more consistent with economic criteria, the U.S. water industry will be in a better position to address its four major challenges: insufficient capital; industry fragmentation; paucity of innovations; and lack of environmental sustainability.The EPA estimates that maintenance and upgrades of public water systems will require over $344 billion in investment over the next 20 years. The good news, however, is that institutional investors have found major long‐term investment opportunities in water and wastewater infrastructure in the U.K., and have also established a small toehold in the U.S. Focused on increasing the value of the assets they purchase, such active investors can be expected to bring investment discipline as well as capital to water utilities.A more rational approach to the industry's economics will facilitate consolidation of what is a highly fragmented industry, thereby reducing service costs and increasing access to capital, which is badly needed by small U.S. community systems. Contributing further to cost reductions and increased access to capital, a vibrant and commercially oriented industry should also spawn valuable innovation. Finally, more accountable and well‐governed water organizations can become natural leaders in achieving environmental sustainability by ensuring that water is priced to reflect its true costs and that water resources are conserved for the future.
Infrastructure Public‐Private Partnerships: “Partnerships” Come to Fruition
Authors: Offutt J. Perry , Runde James , Selinger Stacie D. 
Published: September 2011

P3s are generally structured as long‐term leases of municipal assets like toll roads, ports, and airports by private investors/operators. Five years ago, municipalities viewed such partnerships primarily as a means of raising capital, and they often viewed maximizing the up‐front proceeds as the primary goal of the transactions.Today's P3s have been re‐defined to focus beyond the bottom line and toward the goal of developing sustainable long‐term partnerships between the public and private sectors. As three transactions from the past year are used to demonstrate, the P3 has emerged as a way for governments to achieve sustainable reinvestment in needed infrastructure while also using the best practices of the private sector to increase the efficiency of and revenue from their asset operations.