bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age-related Differences in Corticomotor Excitability and Inhibitory Processes during a Visuomotor RT Task
Authors: Fujiyama Hakuei , Hinder Mark R. , Schmidt Matthew W. , Tandonnet Christophe , Garry Michael I. , Summers Jeffery J. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This study tested the postulation that change in the ability to modulate corticospinal excitability and inhibitory processes underlie age-related differences in response preparation and generation during tasks requiring either rapid execution of a motor action or actively withholding that same action. Younger (n = 13, mean age = 26.0 years) and older adults (n = 13, mean age = 65.5 years) performed an RT task in which a warning signal (WS) was followed by an imperative signal (IS) to which participants were required to respond with a rapid flexion of the right thumb (go condition) or withhold their response (no-go condition). We explored the neural correlates of response preparation, generation, and inhibition using single- and paired-pulse TMS, which was administered at various times between WS and IS (response preparation phase) and between IS and onset of response-related muscle activity in the right thumb (response generation phase). Both groups exhibited increases in motor-evoked potential amplitudes (relative to WS onset) during response generation; however, this increase began earlier and was more pronounced for the younger adults in the go condition. Moreover, younger adults showed a general decrease in short-interval intracortical inhibition during response preparation in both the go and no-go conditions, which was not observed in older adults. Importantly, correlation analysis suggested that for older adults the task-related increases of corticospinal excitability and intracortical inhibition were associated with faster RT. We propose that the declined ability to functionally modulate corticospinal activity with advancing age may underlie response slowing in older adults.
Observations of Thermohaline Convection adjacent to Brunt Ice Shelf
Authors: Fer Ilker , Makinson Keith , Nicholls Keith W. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Observations were made of ocean microstructure and horizontal currents adjacent to Brunt Ice Shelf in the southeastern Weddell Sea. Periods of in situ supercooled water extending as deep as 65 m were associated with ice nucleation and frazil formation at depth. Ascending ice crystals due to convection lead to increased dissipation rates. The main outflow of potentially supercooled water from deep beneath ice shelf is suggested to be in the deep channel northeast of the measurement site. Because this water is advected southward along the front, it becomes in situ supercooled, leading to suspended ice formation, thermohaline convection, and enhanced dissipation.
Distinct Modes of Internal Variability in the Global Meridional Overturning Circulation Associated with the Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds
Authors: Wei Wei , Lohmann Gerrit , Dima Mihai 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
The internal variability of the global meridional overturning circulation (GMOC) in long-term integration of the earth system model Community Earth System Models (COSMOS) is examined in this study. Two distinct modes of the GMOC, which are closely linked to the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds (SWW) anomalies, are found to vary on multidecadal and centennial time scales. The dominant mode is characterized by Southern Ocean dynamics: strengthening and poleward shift of the SWW associated with a positive phase of the southern annular mode yield Ekman-induced northward mass transport, including a zonally asymmetric response in the Southern Ocean sea surface temperature and a cooling in the tropical Pacific Ocean due to large-scale upwelling. The second mode projects mainly onto the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). It is driven by a combination of SWW variation and buoyancy forcing. Based on the relationship between the two modes together with the wind perturbation experiments, the authors emphasize that the full AMOC response to the SWW change takes several centuries in their model. The sea surface temperature in Northern Hemisphere high latitudes is significantly affected in this mode, showing a large-scale warming. Their results from a mid-Holocene experiment imply that both modes are independent from the climate background conditions in the Holocene. Finally, the authors argue that the natural modes of GMOC are important to understand trends in ocean circulation, with consequences for heat and carbon budgets for past, present, and future climate.
Reversine suppresses oral squamous cell carcinoma via cell cycle arrest and concomitantly apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Lee Ying-Ray , Wu Wei-Ching , Ji Wen-Tsai , Chen Jeff Yi-Fu , Cheng Ya-Ping , Chiang Ming-Ko , Chen Hau-Ren 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe effective therapies for oral cancer patients of stage III and IV are generally surgical excision and radiation combined with adjuvant chemotherapy using 5-Fu and Cisplatin. However, the five-year survival rate is still less than 30% in Taiwan. Therefore, evaluation of effective drugs for oral cancer treatment is an important issue. Many studies indicated that aurora kinases (A, B and C) were potential targets for cancer therapies. Reversine was proved to be a novel aurora kinases inhibitor with lower toxicity recently. In this study, the potentiality for reversine as an anticancer agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was evaluated.MethodsEffects of reversine on cell growth, cell cycle progress, apoptosis, and autophagy were evaluated mainly by cell counting, flow cytometry, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence.ResultsThe results demonstrated that reversine significantly suppressed the proliferation of two OSCC cell lines (OC2 and OCSL) and markedly rendered cell cycle arrest at G2/M stage. Reversine also induced cell death via both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis. In addition, reversine could inhibit Akt/mTORC1 signaling pathway, accounting for its ability to induce autophagy.ConclusionsTaken together, reversine suppresses growth of OSCC via multiple mechanisms, which may be a unique advantage for developing novel therapeutic regimens for treatment of oral cancer in the future.
Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine does not modify plasma cytokines and chemokines or intracellular cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum in Mozambican Children
Authors: Quelhas Diana , Puyol Laura , Quintó Llorenç , Nhampossa Tacilta , Serra-Casas Elisa , Macete Eusébio , Aide Pedro , Sanz Sergi , Aponte John J , Doolan Denise L , Alonso Pedro L , Menéndez Clara , Dobaño Carlota 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundCytokines and chemokines are key mediators of anti-malarial immunity. We evaluated whether Intermittent Preventive Treatment in infants with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTi-SP) had an effect on the acquisition of these cellular immune responses in Mozambican children. Multiple cytokines and chemokines were quantified in plasma by luminex, and antigen-specific cytokine production in whole blood was determined by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry, at ages 5, 9, 12 and 24 months.ResultsIPTi-SP did not significantly affect the proportion of CD3+ cells producing IFN-γ, IL-4 or IL-10. Overall, plasma cytokine or chemokine concentrations did not differ between treatment groups. Th1 and pro-inflammatory responses were higher than Th2 and anti-inflammatory responses, respectively, and IFN-γ:IL-4 ratios were higher for placebo than for SP recipients. Levels of cytokines and chemokines varied according to age, declining from 5 to 9 months. Plasma concentrations of IL-10, IL-12 and IL-13 were associated with current infection or prior malaria episodes. Higher frequencies of IFN-γ and IL-10 producing CD3+ cells and elevated IL-10, IFN-γ, MCP-1 and IL-13 in plasma were individually associated with increased malaria incidence, at different time points. When all markers were analyzed together, only higher IL-17 at 12 months was associated with lower incidence of malaria up to 24 months.ConclusionsOur work has confirmed that IPTi-SP does not negatively affect the development of cellular immune response during early childhood. This study has also provided new insights as to how these cytokine responses are acquired upon age and exposure toP. falciparum, as well as their associations with malaria susceptibility.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov:NCT00209795
Molecular characterization of a mosaic locus in the genome of 'CandidatusLiberibacter asiaticus'
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Zhou Changyong , Deng Xiaoling , Su Huanan , Chen Jianchi 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly destructive disease of citrus production worldwide. 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', an unculturable alpha proteobacterium, is a putative pathogen of HLB. Information about the biology and strain diversity of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' is currently limited, inhibiting the scope of HLB research and control.

Results
A genomic region (CLIBASIA_05640 to CLIBASIA_05650) of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' showing hyper-sequence variation or locus mosaicism was identified and investigated using 262 bacterial strains (188 from China and 74 from Florida). Based on the characteristic electrophoretic profiles of PCR amplicons generated by a specific primer set, eight electrophoretic types (E-types) were identified, six E-types (A, B, C, D, E, and F) in China and four E-types (A, C, G, and H) in Florida. The 'Ca. L. asiaticus' strains from China consisted predominately of E-type A (71.3%) and E-type B (19.7%). In contrast, the 'Ca. L. asiaticus' strains from Florida was predominated by E-type G (82.4%). Diversity of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' in China was also evidenced. Strains from the high altitude Yunnan Province consisted of five E-types with E-type B being the majority (62.8%), whereas strains from the low altitude coastal Guangdong Province consisted of only two E-types with E-type A as the majority (97.0%). Sequence analyses revealed that variation of DNA amplicons was due to insertion/deletion events at CLIBASIA_05650 and the downstream intergenic region.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated the genomic mosaicism of 'Ca. L. asiaticus' resulted from active DNA insertion/deletion activities. Analyses of strain variation depicted the significant inter- and intra-continent diversity of 'Ca. L. asiaticus'.
The role of the Arabidopsis FUSCA3transcription factor during inhibition of seed germination at high temperature
Authors: Chiu Rex S , Nahal Hardeep , Provart Nicholas J , Gazzarrini Sonia 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundImbibed seeds integrate environmental and endogenous signals to break dormancy and initiate growth under optimal conditions. Seed maturation plays an important role in determining the survival of germinating seeds, for example one of the roles of dormancy is to stagger germination to prevent mass growth under suboptimal conditions. The B3-domain transcription factor FUSCA3 (FUS3) is a master regulator of seed development and an important node in hormonal interaction networks inArabidopsis thaliana. Its function has been mainly characterized during embryonic development, whereFUS3is highly expressed to promote seed maturation and dormancy by regulating ABA/GA levels.ResultsIn this study, we present evidence for a role ofFUS3in delaying seed germination at supraoptimal temperatures that would be lethal for the developing seedlings. During seed imbibition at supraoptimal temperature, theFUS3promoter is reactivated and inducesde novosynthesis ofFUS3mRNA, followed by FUS3 protein accumulation. Genetic analysis shows thatFUS3contributes to the delay of seed germination at high temperature. Unlike WT, seeds overexpressingFUS3(ML1:FUS3-GFP) during imbibition are hypersensitive to high temperature and do not germinate, however, they can fully germinate after recovery at control temperature reaching 90% seedling survival.ML1:FUS3-GFPhypersensitivity to high temperature can be partly recovered in the presence of fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis, suggesting this hypersensitivity is due in part to higher ABA level in this mutant. Transcriptomic analysis shows that WT seeds imbibed at supraoptimal temperature activate seed-specific genes and ABA biosynthetic and signaling genes, while inhibiting genes that promote germination and growth, such as GA biosynthetic and signaling genes.ConclusionIn this study, we have uncovered a novel function for the master regulator of seed maturation,FUS3, in delaying germination at supraoptimal temperature. Physiologically, this is important since delaying germination has a protective role at high temperature. Transcriptomic analysis of seeds imbibed at supraoptimal temperature reveal that a complex program is in place, which involves not only the regulation of heat and dehydration response genes to adjust cellular functions, but also the activation of seed-specific programs and the inhibition of germination-promoting programs to delay germination.
Hardship financing of healthcare among rural poor in Orissa, India
Authors: Binnendijk Erika , Koren Ruth , Dror David M 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
This study examines health-related "hardship financing" in order to get better insights on how poor households finance their out-of-pocket healthcare costs. We define hardship financing as having to borrow money with interest or to sell assets to pay out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Methods
Using survey data of 5,383 low-income households in Orissa, one of the poorest states of India, we investigate factors influencing the risk of hardship financing with the use of a logistic regression.

Results
Overall, about 25% of the households (that had any healthcare cost) reported hardship financing during the year preceding the survey. Among households that experienced a hospitalization, this percentage was nearly 40%, but even among households with outpatient or maternity-related care around 25% experienced hardship financing.
Hardship financing is explained not merely by the wealth of the household (measured by assets) or how much is spent out-of-pocket on healthcare costs, but also by when the payment occurs, its frequency and its duration (e.g. more severe in cases of chronic illnesses). The location where a household resides remains a major predictor of the likelihood to have hardship financing despite all other household features included in the model.

Conclusions
Rural poor households are subjected to considerable and protracted financial hardship due to the indirect and longer-term deleterious effects of how they cope with out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The social network that households can access influences exposure to hardship financing. Our findings point to the need to develop a policy solution that would limit that exposure both in quantum and in time. We therefore conclude that policy interventions aiming to ensure health-related financial protection would have to demonstrate that they have reduced the frequency and the volume of hardship financing.
Aberrant phenotypes of transgenic mice expressing dimeric human erythropoietin
Authors: Yun Seong-Jo , Naidansuren Purevjargal , Sim Bo-Woong , Park Jong-Ju , Park Cha-Won , Nanjidsuren Tseeleema , Kang Myung-Hwa , Hwang Sue-Yun , Yoon Jong-Taek , Min Kwan-Sik 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundDimeric human erythropoietin (dHuEPO) peptides are reported to exhibit significantly higher biological activity than the monomeric form of recombinant EPO. The objective of this study was to produce transgenic (tg) mice expressing dHuEPO and to investigate the characteristics of these mice.MethodsA dHuEPO-expressing vector under the control of the goat beta-casein promoter, which produced a dimer of human EPO molecules linked by a 2-amino acid peptide linker (Asp-Ile), was constructed and injected into 1-cell fertilized embryos by microinjection. Mice were screened using genomic DNA samples obtained from tail biopsies. Blood samples were obtained by heart puncture using heparinized tubes, and hematologic parameters were assessed. Using the microarray analysis tool, we analyzed differences in gene expression in the spleens of tg and control mice.ResultsA high rate of spontaneous abortion or death of the offspring was observed in the recipients of dHuEPO embryos. We obtained 3 founder lines (#4, #11, and #47) of tg mice expressing thedHuEPOgene. However, only one founder line showed stable germline integration and transmission, subsequently establishing the only transgenic line (#11). We obtained 2 F1 mice and 3 F2 mice from line #11. The dHuEPO protein could not be obtained because of repeated spontaneous abortions in the tg mice. Tg mice exhibited symptoms such as short lifespan and abnormal blood composition. The red blood cell count, white blood cell count, and hematocrit levels in the tg mice were remarkably higher than those in the control mice. The spleens of the tg mice (F1 and F2 females) were 11- and -21-fold larger than those of the control mice. Microarray analysis revealed 2,672 spleen-derived candidate genes; more genes were downregulated than upregulated (849/764). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used for validating the results of the microarray analysis of mRNA expression.ConclusionsIn conclusion, dHuEPO tg mice caused excessive erythrocytosis that led to abnormal blood composition, short lifespan, and abnormal splenomegaly. Further, we identified 2,672 genes associated with splenomegaly by microarray analysis. These results could be useful in the development of dHuEPO-producing tg animals.
Strain specific transcriptional response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected macrophages
Authors: Koo Mi-Sun , Subbian Selvakumar , Kaplan Gilla 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundTuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infection caused byMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb)remains a significant health problem worldwide with a third of the world population infected and nearly nine million new cases claiming 1.1 million deaths every year. The outcome following infection byMtbis determined by a complex and dynamic host-pathogen interaction in which the phenotype of the pathogen and the immune status of the host play a role. However, the molecular mechanism by whichMtbstrains induce different responses during intracellular infection of the host macrophage is not fully understood. To explore the early molecular events triggered uponMtbinfection of macrophages, we studied the transcriptional responses of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) to infection with two clinicalMtbstrains, CDC1551 and HN878. These strains have previously been shown to differ in their virulence/immunogenicity in the mouse and rabbit models of pulmonary TB.ResultsIn spite of similar intracellular growth rates, we observed that compared to HN878, infection by CDC1551 of BMM was associated with an increased global transcriptome, up-regulation of a specific early (6 hours) immune response network and significantly elevated nitric oxide production. In contrast, at 24 hours post-infection of BMM by HN878, more host genes involved in lipid metabolism, including cholesterol metabolism and prostaglandin synthesis were up-regulated, compared to infection with CDC1551.In association with the differences in the macrophage responses to infection with the 2Mtbstrains, intracellular CDC1551 expressed higher levels of stress response genes than did HN878.ConclusionsIn association with the early and more robust macrophage activation, intracellular CDC1551 cells were exposed to a higher level of stress leading to increased up-regulation of the bacterial stress response genes. In contrast, sub-optimal activation of macrophages and induction of a dysregulated host cell lipid metabolism favored a less stressful intracellular environment for HN878. Our findings suggest that the ability of CDC1551 and HN878 to differentially activate macrophages during infection probably determines their ability to either resist host cell immunity and progress to active disease or to succumb to the host protective responses and be driven into a non-replicating latent state in rabbit lungs.
Bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2) restricts mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) replication in vivo
Authors: Jones Philip H , Mehta Harshini V , Maric Martina , Roller Richard J , Okeoma Chioma M 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundBone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST-2) is a cellular factor that restricts the egress of viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) from the surface of infected cells, preventing infection of new cells. BST-2 is variably expressed in most cell types, and its expression is enhanced by cytokines such as type I interferon alpha (IFN-α). In this present study, we used the beta-retrovirus, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) as a model to examine the role of mouse BST-2 in host infectionin vivo.ResultsBy using RNA interference, we show that loss of BST-2 enhances MMTV replication in cultured mammary tumor cells andin vivo. In cultured cells, BST-2 inhibits virus accumulation in the culture medium, and co-localizes at the cell surface with virus structural proteins. Furthermore, both scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and transmission electron micrograph (TEM) show that MMTV accumulates on the surface of IFNα-stimulated cells.ConclusionsOur data provide evidence that BST-2 restricts MMTV release from naturally infected cells and that BST-2 is an antiviral factorin vivo.
The occurrence of Chlamydiaspp. in pigs with and without clinical disease
Authors: Englund Stina , Hård af Segerstad Carl , Arnlund Frida , Westergren Eva , Jacobson Magdalena 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundWithin the generaChlamydia, the development of refined diagnostic techniques has allowed the identification of four species that are capable of infecting pigs. The epidemiology, clinical, and zoonotic impacts of these species are however largely unknown. The study aimed to investigate the presence ofChlamydiaspp. in the intestines of growing pigs and in conjunctival swabs from finisher pigs, and relate the findings to clinical signs.ResultsBy histology, 20 of 48 pigs had intestinal lesions that may be consistent with chlamydial infection. By PCR, forty-six of the pigs were positive whereas two samples were inhibited. Sequencing of 19 DNA extracts identified these asChlamydia suis. By immunohistochemistry, 32 of 44 samples were positive and a significant relationship was detected between macroscopically visible intestinal lesions and a high degree of infection. By real-time PCR, a significant difference was detected between pigs with and without conjunctivitis when a Ct value of 36 was employed but not when a Ct value of 38 was employed.ConclusionsChlamydia suiswas demonstrated in most samples and overall, no correlation to clinical signs was detected. However, a correlation was noted between samples with a high degree of infection and the presence of clinical signs. It is possible, that the intensive pig production systems studied might predispose for the transmission and maintenance of the infection thus increasing the infectious load and the risk for disease in the pig.