bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change predicted to cause severe increase of organic carbon in lakes
Authors: LARSEN SØREN , ANDERSEN TOM , HESSEN DAG O. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractRiverine transport of organic carbon (OC) to the ocean is a significant component in the global carbon (C) cycle and the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) in rivers and lakes is vital for ecosystem properties and water quality for human use. By use of a large dataset comprising chemical variables and detailed catchment information in ∼1000 Norwegian pristine lakes covering a wide climatic range, we were able to predict TOC concentrations with high accuracy. We further predict, using a ‘space‐for‐time’ approach and a downscaled, moderate, climate change scenario, that northern, boreal regions likely will experience strong increases in OC export from catchments to surface waters. Median concentrations of OC in these lakes will increase by 65%, from the current median of 2.0–3.3 mg C L−1. This is a long‐term effect, primarily mediated by increased terrestrial vegetation cover in response to climate change. This increase OC will have severe impacts on food‐webs, productivity and human use. Given the robustness of the estimates and the general applicability of the parameters, we suggest that these findings would be relevant to boreal areas in general.
Nitrous oxide fluxes from a grain–legume crop (narrow‐leafed lupin) grown in a semiarid climate
Authors: BARTON LOUISE , BUTTERBACH‐BAHL KLAUS , KIESE RALF , MURPHY DANIEL V. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractUnderstanding nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from grain–legume crops in semiarid and arid regions is necessary if we are to improve our knowledge of global terrestrial N2O losses resulting from biological N2 fixation. N2O fluxes were measured from a rain‐fed soil, cropped to a grain–legume in a semiarid region of southwestern Australia for 1 year on a subdaily basis. The site included plots planted to narrow‐leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius; ‘lupin’) and plots left bare (no lupin). Fluxes were measured using soil chambers connected to a fully automated system that measured N2O by gas chromatography. Daily N2O fluxes were low (−0.5 to 24 g N2O‐N ha−1 day−1) and not different between treatments, culminating in an annual loss of 127 g N2O‐N ha−1. Greatest daily N2O fluxes occurred from both treatments in the postharvest period, and following a series of summer and autumn rainfall events. At this time of the year, soil conditions were conducive to soil microbial N2O production: elevated soil water contents, increased inorganic nitrogen (N) and dissolved organic carbon concentrations, and soil temperatures generally > 25 °C; furthermore, there was no active plant growth to compete for mineralized N. N2O emissions from the decomposition of legume crop residue were low, and approximately half that predicted using the currently recommended IPCC methodology. Furthermore, the contribution of the biological N2 fixation process to N2O emissions appeared negligible in the present study, supporting its omission as a source of N2O from the IPCC methodology for preparing national greenhouse gas inventories.
Fungal endophytes reduce regrowth and affect competitiveness of meadow fescue in early succession of pastures
Authors: Saari S. , Helander M. , Lehtonen P. , Wallius E. , Saikkonen K. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSystemic‐ and seed‐transmitted fungal endophytes are suggested to enhance competitive dominance of agronomic grasses by increasing plant growth and defence against herbivores. We studied whether Neotyphodium uncinatum endophyte infection frequencies of meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) and botanical composition of pastures are affected by 4, 5, 7 and 21 years of grazing by dairy cattle. We then examined with one greenhouse and two field experiments, whether endophyte infection and clipping affect regrowth of young or mature plants relative to nutrient availability in soil. The frequencies of infected plants and the number of plant species were less in grazed parts of the pastures. Endophytes significantly reduced relative regrowth and dry biomass of regrowth of the grass irrespective of nutrient levels in a 1‐year‐old field (on an average 18% in 2 months) and under high nutrient conditions in the greenhouse experiment (on an average 3% in 3 months) respectively. However, effects of endophytes were not detected in 5‐year‐old fields and under low nutrient conditions in the greenhouse. In contrast to past studies, our results demonstrate that grazing may negatively affect endophyte–grass symbiosis and number of plant species of successional pastures, and suggest that the effects of endophytes may be linked to the ontogeny of the host.
Major histocompatibility complex class I binding predictions as a tool in epitope discovery
Authors: Lundegaard Claus , Lund Ole , Buus Søren , Nielsen Morten 
Published: May 2010

SummaryOver the last decade, in silico models of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway have developed significantly. Before, peptide binding could only be reliably modelled for a few major human or mouse histocompatibility molecules; now, high‐accuracy predictions are available for any human leucocyte antigen (HLA) ‐A or ‐B molecule with known protein sequence. Furthermore, peptide binding to MHC molecules from several non‐human primates, mouse strains and other mammals can now be predicted. In this review, a number of different prediction methods are briefly explained, highlighting the most useful and historically important. Selected case stories, where these ‘reverse immunology’ systems have been used in actual epitope discovery, are briefly reviewed. We conclude that this new generation of epitope discovery systems has become a highly efficient tool for epitope discovery, and recommend that the less accurate prediction systems of the past be abandoned, as these are obsolete.
Macrophages express membrane bound form of APRIL that can generate immunomodulatory signals
Authors: Lee Sang‐Min , Jeon Sung‐Tak , Suk Kyoungho , Lee Won‐Ha 
Published: May 2010

SummaryMembers of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily play an essential role in inducing various biological responses including proliferation, differentiation, survival and cell death. A proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL), first identified as a stimulant of tumour proliferation, is now known as a regulator of B‐cell‐mediated immune responses through the modulation of B‐cell survival and activation. However, the role of APRIL in macrophage function has not been explored. High level expression of APRIL was detected on the surface of cells of the monocytic lineage including the human macrophage‐like cell line, THP‐1. To identify the role of APRIL in macrophage functions, THP‐1 cells were stimulated with either its counterpart (TACI : Fc fusion protein) or a monoclonal antibody that is specific to APRIL. Stimulation of APRIL resulted in the expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators such as interleukin‐8 and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 through the activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase and nuclear factor‐κB. In contrast, stimulation of APRIL had an inhibitory effect on processes that require cytoskeletal movement such as phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan and chemotaxis through an inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase activity. These observations demonstrate that macrophages express a membrane‐bound form of APRIL which, upon stimulation, modulates the activities of macrophages through stimulation or inhibition of processes associated with inflammation.
Stromal cells differentially regulate neutrophil and lymphocyte recruitment through the endothelium
Authors: McGettrick Helen M. , Buckley Christopher D. , Filer Andrew , Ed Rainger G. , Nash Gerard B. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryStromal fibroblasts modify the initial recruitment of leucocytes by endothelial cells (EC), but their effects on subsequent transendothelial migration remain unclear. Here, EC and dermal or synovial fibroblasts were cultured on opposite surfaces of 3‐μm pore filters and incorporated in static or flow‐based migration assays. Fibroblasts had little effect on tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced transendothelial migration of neutrophils, but tended to increase the efficiency of migration away from the endothelium. Surprisingly, similar close contact between EC and fibroblasts strongly reduced lymphocyte migration in static assays, and nearly abolished stable lymphocyte adhesion from flow. Fibroblasts did not alter endothelial surface expression of adhesion molecules or messenger RNA for chemokines. Inhibition of attachment did not occur when EC‐fibroblast contact was restricted by using 0·4‐μm pore filters, but under these conditions pre‐treatment with heparinase partially inhibited adhesion. In the 3‐μm pore co‐cultures, inhibition of metalloproteinase activity partially recovered lymphocyte adhesion, but addition of CXCL12 (SDF‐1α) to the endothelial surface did not. Hence, the ability of EC to present activating chemokines for lymphocytes may have been enzymatically inhibited by direct contact with fibroblasts. To avoid contact, we cultured EC and fibroblasts on separate 3‐μm pore filters one above the other. Here, fibroblasts promoted the transendothelial migration of lymphocytes. Fibroblasts generate CXCL12, but blockade of CXCL12 receptor had no effect on lymphocyte migration. While stromal cells can provide signal(s) promoting leucocyte migration away from the sub‐endothelial space, direct cell contact (which might occur in damaged tissue) may cause disruption of chemokine signalling, specifically inhibiting lymphocyte rather than neutrophil recruitment.
LAMP‐2‐deficient human B cells exhibit altered MHC class II presentation of exogenous antigens
Authors: Crotzer Victoria L. , Glosson Nicole , Zhou Delu , Nishino Ichizo , Blum Janice S. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules present antigenic peptides derived from engulfed exogenous proteins to CD4+ T cells. Exogenous antigens are processed in mature endosomes and lysosomes where acidic proteases reside and peptide‐binding to class II alleles is favoured. Hence, maintenance of the microenvironment within these organelles is probably central to efficient MHC class II‐mediated antigen presentation. Lysosome‐associated membrane proteins such as LAMP‐2 reside in mature endosomes and lysosomes, yet their role in exogenous antigen presentation pathways remains untested. In this study, human B cells lacking LAMP‐2 were examined for changes in MHC class II‐restricted antigen presentation. MHC class II presentation of exogenous antigen and peptides to CD4+ T cells was impaired in the LAMP‐2‐deficient B cells. Peptide‐binding to MHC class II on LAMP‐2‐deficient B cells was reduced at physiological pH compared with wild‐type cells. However, peptide‐binding and class II‐restricted antigen presentation were restored by incubation of LAMP‐2‐negative B cells at acidic pH, suggesting that efficient loading of exogenous epitopes by MHC class II molecules is dependent upon LAMP‐2 expression in B cells. Interestingly, class II presentation of an epitope derived from an endogenous transmembrane protein was detected using LAMP‐2‐deficient B cells. Consequently, LAMP‐2 may control the repertoire of peptides displayed by MHC class II molecules on B cells and influence the balance between endogenous and exogenous antigen presentation.
The nuclear question: rethinking species importance in multi‐species animal groups
Authors: Srinivasan Umesh , Raza Rashid Hasnain , Quader Suhel 
Published: May 2010

Summary1. Animals group for various benefits, and may form either simple single‐species groups, or more complex multi‐species associations. Multi‐species groups are thought to provide anti‐predator and foraging benefits to participant individuals.2. Despite detailed studies on multi‐species animal groups, the importance of species in group initiation and maintenance is still rated qualitatively as ‘nuclear’ (maintaining groups) or ‘attendant’ (species following nuclear species) based on species‐specific traits. This overly simplifies and limits understanding of inherently complex associations, and is biologically unrealistic, because species roles in multi‐species groups are: (i) likely to be context‐specific and not simply a fixed species property, and (ii) much more variable than this dichotomy indicates.3. We propose a new view of species importance (measured as number of inter‐species associations), along a continuum from ‘most nuclear’ to ‘least nuclear’. Using mixed‐species bird flocks from a tropical rainforest in India as an example, we derive inter‐species association measures from randomizations on bird species abundance data (which takes into account species ‘availability’) and data on 86 mixed‐species flocks from two different flock types. Our results show that the number and average strength of inter‐species associations covary positively, and we argue that species with many, strong associations are the most nuclear.4. From our data, group size and foraging method are ecological and behavioural traits of species that best explain nuclearity in mixed‐species bird flocks. Parallels have been observed in multi‐species fish shoals, in which group size and foraging method, as well as diet, have been shown to correlate with nuclearity. Further, the context in which multi‐species groups occur, in conjunction with species‐specific traits, influences the role played by a species in a multi‐species group, and this highlights the importance of extrinsic factors in shaping species importance.5. Our view of nuclearity provides predictive power in examining species roles in a variety of situations (e.g. predicting leadership in differently composed communities), and can be applied to examine a broad range of ecological and evolutionary questions pertinent to multi‐species groups in general.
Implementing bedside handover: strategies for change management
Authors: McMurray Anne , Chaboyer Wendy , Wallis Marianne , Fetherston Cathy 
Published: May 2010

Aims and objectives.  To identify factors influencing change in two hospitals that moved from taped and verbal nursing handover to bedside handover.Background.  Bedside handover is based on patient‐centred care, where patients participate in communicating relevant and timely information for care planning. Patient input reduces care fragmentation, miscommunication‐related adverse events, readmissions, duplication of services and enhances satisfaction and continuity of care.Design.  Analysing change management was a component of a study aimed at developing a standard operating protocol for bedside handover communication. The research was undertaken in two regional acute care hospitals in two different states of Australia.Method.  Data collection included 532 semi‐structured observations in six wards in the two hospitals and 34 in‐depth interviews conducted with a purposive sample of nursing staff involved in the handovers. Observation and interview data were analysed separately then combined to generate thematic analysis of factors influencing the change process in the transition to bedside handover.Results and conclusion.  Themes included embedding the change as part of the big picture, the need to link the project to standardisation initiatives, providing reassurance on safety and quality, smoothing out logistical difficulties and learning to listen. We conclude that change is more likely to be successful when it is part of a broader initiative such as a quality improvement strategy.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses are generally supportive of quality improvement initiatives, particularly those aimed at standardising care. For successful implementation, change managers should be mindful of clinicians’ attitudes, motivation and concerns and their need for reassurance when changing their practice. This is particularly important when change is dramatic, as in moving from verbal handover, conducted in the safety of the nursing office, to bedside handover where there is greater transparency and accountability for the accuracy and appropriateness of communication content and processes.
Evaluation of nursing and medical students’ attitudes towards people with disabilities
Authors: Sahin Hatice , Akyol Asiye D 
Published: May 2010

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this study is to assess the attitudes of students towards disabled people and provide suggestions to make necessary changes in the curricula.Background.  Disabled people suffer from rejection, exclusion and discrimination. The undergraduate education of future health professionals should include processes of critical thinking towards and analysis of the disabled.Design.  Cross‐sectional design was used.Methods.  All the preclinical medical and nursing students in our institution were included in study. Data were collected using the Turkish Attitudes towards Disabled Person Scale (TATDP) and demographical variables. TATDP Scale was scored according to five‐point Likert Scale.Results.  Students’ mean attitude score is 120·57 (SD 15·24). Subscale mean scores are 53·61 (SD 7·25) for compassion (CP), 50·47 (SDS 7·26) for social value (SV) and 16·49 (SD 2·89) for resource distribution (RD). Whilst nursing students had less contact with the disabled, medical students had a closer contact with them. Medical students acquired more prior knowledge about attitudes towards the disabled. Total attitude scores of female students were above the students’ mean attitude score when compared to those of male students.Conclusion.  Only if early contact is established with patients and the disabled, practical educational strategies are adopted, and the students are provided with information on attitudes about the disabled, will a social model of disability be introduced into the curriculum.Relevance to clinical practice.  This study results were presented to curriculum planning committees of nursing and medical schools, so that they should use them as needs assessment data in developing a disability awareness curriculum. The curriculum will be implemented in cooperation with not only schools but also other social institutions. For instance, clerkship applications will be accomplished by cooperating with nursing homes and organisations of disabled people.
Health‐related beliefs and consumer knowledge as determinants of fish consumption
Authors: Pieniak Z. , Verbeke W. , Scholderer J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground: Despite scientific evidence on the positive effects of seafood consumption on human health, the consumption of fish remains below the recommended intake levels for the majority of Europeans. The present study aimed to explore cultural differences in potential determinants of fish consumption: consumers’ knowledge and health‐related beliefs, as well as the relationship between those variables, socio‐demographics and fish consumption frequency, using data from five European countries.Methods: A cross‐sectional consumer survey was carried out in 2004 with representative household samples from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Spain. The sample consisted of 4786 respondents, aged 18–84 years, who were responsible for food purchasing and cooking in the household.Results: European consumers had a very strong belief that eating fish is healthy. Consumers’ belief that eating fish is healthy, their interest in healthy eating and objective fish‐related nutrition knowledge, positively, but only weakly, influenced fish consumption frequency. Subjective knowledge was found to be a stronger predictor of fish consumption than the previously noted factors. Age and education contributed, both directly and indirectly through knowledge, to explain fish consumption behaviour. However, the path coefficients in the estimated model were relatively low, which indicates that fish consumption frequency was also determined by factors other than health‐related beliefs and consumers’ knowledge.Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that communication should focus on health‐related benefits other than fish consumption alone. Communicating that eating fish is healthy and stressing the health benefits of fish alone, as is still commonly performed (e.g. in generic promotion and other types of public information campaigns) will be insufficient to achieve higher levels of compliance with fish consumption recommendations.
Evaluation and standardisation of different matrices used for double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges to fish
Authors: Vassilopoulou E. , Douladiris N. , Sakellariou A. , Cortes S. V. , Sinaniotis A. , Rivas M. F. , Papadopoulos N. G. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Fish allergens represent one of the most common causes of adverse reactions to food worldwide. Double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) are the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis. However, no standardised recipes are available for common food allergens such as fish, and a well trained dietitian is essential for creating and standardising them. The present study aimed to create and standardise recipes for use in DBPCFCs to fish.Methods:  Three recipes were prepared. Employing a standardised procedure, a total of 35 panelists evaluated the different matrices using an evaluation form. A paired comparison test was used to estimate total evaluation’s outcome. Fish allergic patients were challenged with different fish species blinded with the selected matrix and evaluated the recipe using the same form.Results:  From a base recipe and step‐by‐step modifications, a low fat recipe was selected among other recipes tested, which proved to be appropriate for fish blinding, in terms of taste, odour, appearance and blinding. Patients challenged with the final matrix found it acceptable, no matter which fish type was used.Conclusions:  In this pilot study, a recipe with satisfactory organoleptic characteristics was developed and validated for DBPCFC to fish.
Nanomechanical characterization of skin and skin cream
Authors: BHUSHAN B. , TANG W. , GE S. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe mechanical properties of skin are an important characteristic of its resistance to damage and important indicators of pathological situations. Skin care products are the most common method to improve skin health and create a smooth, soft, and elastic perception by altering the mechanical properties of skin. It is of interest to study how skin cream affects the mechanical properties of skin. It also can help to quantify the effectiveness of cosmetic products. In this study, we present a systematic study of the mechanical properties of virgin skin and cream‐treated skin. In nanoscratch measurements, the scratch wear tracks were generated at various loads using an atomic force microscope. Hardness and elastic moduli were measured using a nanoindenter. The in situ tensile properties of virgin skin and cream‐treated skin were measured using a custom‐built tensile stage that attaches to the atomic force microscope. Compared with virgin skin, cream‐treated skin exhibits better scratch resistance up to a normal load of 15 μN. The indentation hardness and elastic modulus of cream‐treated skin are lower than that of virgin skin, indicating that the skin cream moistens and softens the skin surface. In the stretching experiments, the elastic modulus is lower and ultimate strain is higher than that of virgin skin, indicating skin cream can improve the tensile response of skin. Mechanisms for the observed trends are discussed.