bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Web of ecological interactions in an experimental gut microbiota
Authors: Trosvik Pål , Rudi Knut , Strætkvern Knut Olav , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Næs Tormod , Stenseth Nils Chr. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe dynamics of all ecosystems are dictated by intrinsic, density‐dependent mechanisms and by density‐independent environmental forcing. In spite of the importance of the gastrointestinal microbiota in health and disease, the ecology of this system remains largely unknown. Here, we take an ecological approach to gut microbial community analysis, with statistical modelling of time series data from chemostats. This approach removes effects of host forcing, allowing us to describe a network of intrinsic interactions determining the dynamic structure of an experimental gut microbiota. Surprisingly, the main colonization pattern in this simplified model system resembled that of the human infant gut, suggesting a potentially important role of density‐dependent interactions in the early gut microbiota. Knowledge of ecological structures in microbial systems may provide us with a means of controlling such systems by modifying the strength and nature of interactions among microbes and between the microbes and their environment.
The dating game: a reply to Heads (2010)
Authors: Goswami Anjali , Upchurch Paul 
Published: May 2010

Goswami, A. & Upchurch, P. (2010). The dating game: a reply to Heads (2010). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 406–409.In a recent paper, Heads (2010) argued for the use of continental break‐up dates as calibration points for molecular clocks when the taxon of interest is widely distributed but dispersal across open oceans is considered improbable. Using this method, he estimated that the placental mammal clade Primates originated in the Early Jurassic, requiring a 130 million year ghost lineage before the first euprimate fossils appear in the record. We demonstrate that this argument is flawed for several reasons: 1) Heads's description of the “transmogrification” of fossil calibration dates is inaccurate; 2) the dispersal abilities of primates are not known or estimated in any way; 3) transoceanic barriers can form over long periods, and modern ocean current regimes do not necessarily, or often, reflect past conditions; 4) continental breakup times are more poorly constrained than fossil occurrences; and 5) Heads's descriptions of the mammalian fossil record, the affinities of several fossil mammals, and evolutionary rates are erroneous. While we agree that palaeogeography is a valuable subject for evolutionary studies, the methodology described by Heads is problematic and unlikely to improve the accuracy of divergence time estimates. Consequently, Heads' conclusions concerning primate evolution are unsubstantiated and probably incorrect.
Metabolism of acetyl‐l‐carnitine for energy and neurotransmitter synthesis in the immature rat brain
Authors: Scafidi Susanna , Fiskum Gary , Lindauer Steven L. , Bamford Penelope , Shi Da , Hopkins Irene , McKenna Mary C. 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 820–831.AbstractAcetyl‐l‐carnitine (ALCAR) is an endogenous metabolic intermediate that facilitates the influx and efflux of acetyl groups across the mitochondrial inner membrane. Exogenously administered ALCAR has been used as a nutritional supplement and also as an experimental drug with reported neuroprotective properties and effects on brain metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine oxidative metabolism of ALCAR in the immature rat forebrain. Metabolism was studied in 21–22 day‐old rat brain at 15, 60 and 120 min after an intraperitoneal injection of [2‐13C]acetyl‐l‐carnitine. The amount, pattern, and fractional enrichment of 13C‐labeled metabolites were determined by ex vivo13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Metabolism of the acetyl moiety from [2‐13C]ALCAR via the tricarboxylic acid cycle led to incorporation of label into the C4, C3 and C2 positions of glutamate (GLU), glutamine (GLN) and GABA. Labeling patterns indicated that [2‐13C]ALCAR was metabolized by both neurons and glia; however, the percent enrichment was higher in GLN and GABA than in GLU, demonstrating high metabolism in astrocytes and GABAergic neurons. Incorporation of label into the C3 position of alanine, both C3 and C2 positions of lactate, and the C1 and C5 positions of glutamate and glutamine demonstrated that [2‐13C]ALCAR was actively metabolized via the pyruvate recycling pathway. The enrichment of metabolites with 13C from metabolism of ALCAR was highest in alanine C3 (11%) and lactate C3 (10%), with considerable enrichment in GABA C4 (8%), GLN C3 (∼ 4%) and GLN C5 (5%). Overall, our 13C‐NMR studies reveal that the acetyl moiety of ALCAR is metabolized for energy in both astrocytes and neurons and the label incorporated into the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Cycling ratios showed prolonged cycling of carbon from the acetyl moiety of ALCAR in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Labeling of compounds formed from metabolism of [2‐13C]ALCAR via the pyruvate recycling pathway was higher than values reported for other precursors and may reflect high activity of this pathway in the developing brain. This is, to our knowledge, the first study to determine the extent and pathways of ALCAR metabolism for energy and neurotransmitter biosynthesis in the brain.
Delayed pre‐conditioning by 3‐nitropropionic acid prevents 3,4‐methylenedioxymetamphetamine‐induced 5‐HT deficits
Authors: Puerta Elena , Pastor Fiona , Dvoracek Jan , De Saavedra María D. M. , Goñi‐Allo Beatriz , Jordán Joaquín , Hervias Isabel , Aguirre Norberto 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 843–852.AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether late pre‐conditioning using 3‐nitropropionic acid (3NP) prevents the 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) deficits caused by the amphetamine derivative 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the rat. For this purpose we administered 3NP 24 h before MDMA (3 × 5 mg/kg i.p., every 2 h) and rats were killed 7 days later. Pre‐treatment of 3NP afforded complete protection against MDMA‐induced 5‐HT deficits independent of any effect on MDMA‐induced hyperthermia or 5‐HT transporter activity. To identify the transductional mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effect of 3NP, we first examined the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) by using selective inhibitors of all three nitric oxide synthase isoforms. Inhibition of endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, but not inducible nitric oxide synthase, reversed 3NP‐induced pre‐conditioning. The NO donor S‐Nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicilamine mimicked 3NP effects further suggesting the involvement of NO in mediating 3NP protection. To investigate the involvement of NOS/soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/protein kinase G/mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive potassium channels (mitoKATP) signaling pathway we examined the effect of 5‐hydroxydecanoate (5‐HD), a selective mitoKATP blocker, and 1H‐(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline‐1‐one, a potent inhibitor of sGC, on 3NP‐induced tolerance. 5‐hydroxydecanoate, but not 1H‐(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline‐1‐one, suppressed 3NP‐mediated protection suggesting that mitoKATP opening, but not NO‐mediated activation of sGC, participates in the mechanism underlying tolerance to MDMA. Our data also showed that the protective effect of 3NP was abolished by cycloheximide, supporting the involvement of de novo protein synthesis. In conclusion, 3NP‐induced delayed tolerance against 5‐HT deficits caused by MDMA occurs via NO production.
Giprotein coupling to adenosine A1–A2Areceptor heteromers in human brain caudate nucleus
Authors: Casadó Vicent , Barrondo Sergio , Spasic Milena , Callado Luis F. , Mallol Josefa , Canela Enric , Lluís Carmen , Meana Javier , Cortés Antoni , Sallés Joan , Franco Rafael 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 972–980.AbstractPharmacological characterization of adenosine A1and A2Areceptors in human brain caudate nucleus membranes led to non‐cooperative binding of radiolabelled ligands. In human caudate nucleus but not in cortex, the agonist binding to A1receptors was modulated by the agonist binding to A2Areceptors indicating a functional negative cross‐talk. Accordingly, the A1receptor‐activation‐mediated Gi‐dependent guanosine 5′‐o‐(3‐[35S]thio‐triphosphate) binding was modulated by agonist binding to A2Areceptors. A2Areceptors occupation led to a decrease in the potency of A1receptor agonists. These results indicate that A1but not A2Areceptors activation, likely occurring at low adenosine concentrations, engages a Gi‐mediated signaling; however, when both receptors are occupied by adenosine, there is an A2Areceptor‐mediated impairment of Gi‐operated transducing units. These findings are relevant to get insight into the complex relationships derived from co‐expression of multiple neurotransmitter/neuromodulator receptors subtypes that individually are coupled to different G proteins. A further finding was the demonstration that the A2Areceptor agonist, CGS 21680, at high concentrations able to significantly bind to the A1receptor, behaved as a partial agonist of the later receptor. This fact might be taken into account when characterizing CGS 21680 actions in human cells expressing A1receptors when the compound is used at micromolar concentrations.
The association of metabolic syndrome with periodontal disease is confounded by age and smoking in a Korean population: the Shiwha–Banwol Environmental Health Study
Authors: Han Dong‐Hun , Lim Sin‐Ye , Sun Bo‐Cheng , Paek Domyung , Kim Hyun‐Duck 
Published: May 2010

Han D‐H, Lim S‐Y, Sun B‐C, Paek D, Kim H‐D. The association of metabolic syndrome with periodontal disease is confounded by age and smoking in a Korean population: the Shiwha–Banwol Environmental Health Study. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 609–616. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01580.x.AbstractAim: Because metabolic syndrome (MS) is pro‐inflammatory and periodontitis is inflammatory, we issued the hypothesis that MS (the explanatory variable) is associated with periodontitis (the outcome variable). This study aimed to examine the link between MS and periodontitis among Koreans.Materials and Methods: From the Shiwha–Banwol Environmental Health Study, 1046 subjects aged 18 years or older were cross‐sectionally surveyed. All participants underwent comprehensive dental and medical health examinations. The community periodontal index was used to assess periodontitis. Age, gender, monthly family income, smoking, drinking, frequency of daily teeth brushing, and physical activity were evaluated as confounders.Results: MS was strongly associated with periodontitis [odds ratio (OR): 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–2.37], and MS with more components had a higher association. The association was higher for elders aged 65 years or more, males, and smokers. MS including both high glucose and hypertension had a higher association with the OR of 2.19 (95% CI: 1.23–3.90) comparing with other types of MS.Conclusions: Our results suggested that MS might be associated with periodontitis and the association was confounded by age, gender, and smoking. MS with high glucose and hypertension showed the higher impact on this link.
Haplotype‐dependent Differential Activation of the Human IL‐10 Gene Promoter in Macrophages and Trophoblasts: Implications for Placental IL‐10 Deficiency and Pregnancy Complications
Authors: Sharma Surendra , Stabila Joan , Pietras Linda , Singh Arvind R. , McGonnigal Bethany , Ernerudh Jan , Matthiesen Leif , Padbury James F. 
Published: May 2010

Citation Sharma S, Stabila J, Pietras L, Singh AR, McGonnigal B, Ernerudh J, Matthiesen L, Padbury JF. Haplotype‐dependent differential activation of the human IL‐10 gene promoter in macrophages and trophoblasts: Implications for placental IL‐10 deficiency and pregnancy complications. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 179–187Problem  Polymorphic changes in the IL‐10 gene promoter have been identified that lead to altered IL‐10 production. We hypothesized that because of these genotypic changes, the IL‐10 promoter might be expressed in a cell type–specific manner and may respond differentially to inflammatory triggers.Method of study  We created reporter gene promoter constructs containing GCC, ACC, and ATA haplotypes using DNA from patients harboring polymorphic changes at −1082 (G→A), −819 (C→T), and −592 (C→A) sites in the IL‐10 promoter. These individual luciferase reporter constructs were transiently transfected into either primary term trophoblasts or THP1 monocytic cells. DNA‐binding studies were performed to implicate the role of the Sp1 transcription factor in response to differential promoter activity.Results  Our results suggest that the GCC promoter construct was activated in trophoblast cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as demonstrated by reporter gene expression, but not in monocytic cells. The ACC construct showed weaker activation in both cell types. Importantly, while the ATA promoter was constitutively activated in both cell types, its expression was selectively repressed in response to LPS, but only in trophoblasts. DNA‐nuclear protein binding assays with nuclear extracts from LPS treated or untreated cells suggested a functional relevance for Sp1 binding differences at the −592 position.Conclusions  These results demonstrate cell type–specific effects of the genotypic changes in the IL‐10 gene promoter. These responses may be further modulated by bacterial infections or other inflammatory conditions to suppress IL‐10 production in human trophoblasts.
Evaluation of HLA‐G5 Plasmatic Levels During Pregnancy and Relationship with the 14‐bp Polymorphism
Authors: Gonzalez Alvaro , Alegre Estibaliz , Torres Maria I. , Díaz‐Lagares Angel , Lorite Pedro , Palomeque Teresa , Arroyo Ainhoa 
Published: May 2010

Citation Gonzalez A, Alegre E, Torres MI, Díaz‐Lagares A, Lorite P, Palomeque T, Arroyo A. Evaluation of HLA‐G5 plasmatic levels during pregnancy and relationship with the 14‐bp polymorphism. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010Problem  Plasmatic HLA‐G levels increase during pregnancy, but the contribution of each different isoform has not been elucidated yet.Method of study  HLA‐G5 was analyzed by ELISA in 19 controls, 79 women in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy and in nine women monthly until delivery. Genotyping for the 14‐bp polymorphism was performed by PCR amplification of exon 8.Results  HLA‐G5 was detected in plasma from 80% of pregnant women. The levels did not change during pregnancy, and there were no differences compared to control non‐pregnant women. There was a high interindividual variation that was maintained throughout the pregnancy. The presence of +14‐bp allele was associated with HLA‐G5 positivity. Pregnant women who were heterozygotic to 14‐bp polymorphism had significantly higher levels of HLA‐G5 compared to −14 bp/−14‐bp homozygotic.Conclusion  Plasmatic HLA‐G5 levels do not change during pregnancy and its concentration depends on 14‐bp polymorphism.
Restoration of C4 grasses with seasonal fires in a C3/C4 grassland invaded by Prosopis glandulosa, a fire‐resistant shrub
Authors: Ansley R. James , Boutton Thomas W. , Mirik Mustafa , Castellano Michael J. , Kramp Betty A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractQuestions: Can prescribed fire restore C4 perennial grasses in grassland ecosystems that have become dominated by fire‐resistant C3 shrubs (Prosopis glandulosa) and C3 grasses? Do fires in different seasons alter the direction of change in grass composition?Location: Texas, USA.Methods: We quantified short‐ and long‐term (12 yr post‐fire) herbaceous functional group cover and diversity responses to replicated seasonal fire treatments: (1) repeated‐winter fires (three in 5 yr), (2) repeated‐summer fires (two in 3 yr), and (3) alternate‐season fires (two winter and one summer in 4 yr), compared with a no‐fire control.Results: Summer fires were more intense than winter fires, but all fire treatments temporarily decreased Prosopis and C3 annual grass cover. The alternate‐season fire treatment caused a long‐term increase in C4 mid‐grass cover and functional group diversity. The repeated‐summer fire treatment increased C4 short‐grass cover but also caused a long‐term increase in bare ground. The repeated winter fire treatment had no long‐term effects on perennial grass cover. Mesquite post‐fire regrowth had increasingly negative impacts on herbaceous cover in all fire treatments.Conclusions: Summer fire was necessary to shift herbaceous composition toward C4 mid‐grasses. However, the repeated‐summer fire treatment may have been too extreme and caused post‐fire herbaceous composition to “over‐shift” toward less productive C4 short‐grasses rather than C4 mid‐grasses. This study provides some of the first long‐term data showing a possible benefit of mixing seasonal fires (i.e., the alternate‐season fire treatment) in a prescribed burning management plan to restore C4 mid‐grass cover and enhance overall herbaceous diversity.
The effects of urea‐treated potato pulp (PP) ensiled with beet pulp or wheat bran pellets to reduce moisture of PP and flake density of corn grain supplemented with the PP silage on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers
Authors: SUGIMOTO Masahito , SAITO Waka , OOI Motoki 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTThe effects of adding beet pulp or wheat bran to urea‐treated potato pulp (PP) in order to reduce moisture of PP silage and flake density of corn grain on digestibility and ruminal fermentation in beef steers were studied in a split‐plot design experiment. The whole‐plot treatments were PP silage mixed with 0% added pellets (CON), 9% (as‐fed basis) beet pulp pellets (BP) or 9% (as‐fed basis) wheat bran pellets (WB) as water‐absorbing materials. The subplot treatments consisted of supplements formulated to contain either high‐density corn (HDC) or low‐density corn (LDC). BP steers consumed more (BP vs WB, P = 0.011) concentrate than did WB steers, whereas hay intake did not differ between the treatments. Dry matter (BP vs WB, P = 0.023) and organic matter (BP vs WB, P = 0.029) digestibility were higher for BP steers than for WB steers. Starch digestibility was higher (P = 0.006) for LDC than for HDC. There were no differences in the concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen among the treatments. Molar proportions of ruminal acetate were higher for BP steers than for WB steers (BP vs WB, P = 0.030). Conversely, molar proportions of propionate were lower for BP steers than for WB steers (BP vs WB, P = 0.044). Flake density of corn did not affect ruminal characteristics. In conclusion, from the viewpoint of feed intake and digestibility, BP is superior to WB as a moisture control material for urea‐treated PP silage, and flake density of corn supplemented with urea‐treated PP silage does not alter ruminal fermentation.
Accurate analysis of taurine, anserine, carnosine and free amino acids in a cattle muscle biopsy sample
Authors: IMANARI Mai , HIGUCHI Mikito , SHIBA Nobuya , WATANABE Akira 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTWe have established an analysis method for some free amino acids (FAAs), as well as taurine (Tau), anserine (Ans) and carnosine (Car), in a fresh biopsy sample from cattle muscle. A series of model biopsy samples, corresponding to the mixtures of lean meat, fat and connective tissue, was prepared and showed high correlation coefficients between the compound concentration and the 3‐methylhistidine (3‐MeHis) content derived from hydrolysis of the biopsy sample (r = 0.74–0.95, P < 0.01). Interference from blood contamination could not be neglected, because the concentration of some FAAs in blood was comparable to that in muscle. However, it was possible to control the contamination of Tau, Ans, Car, glutamic acid, glutamine, asparatic acid and alanine to less than 5.0% when the blood contamination was controlled to less than 23%.These results suggest the necessity of measuring 3‐MeHis as an index of lean meat and hemoglobin as an index of blood contamination when compounds in muscle biopsy samples are evaluated. We have carried out a series of these analyses using one biopsy sample and reveal differences in Tau, Ans, Car and some FAAs in beef muscle after different feeding regimes.
Characteristics of PCR fragments amplified using five microsatellite markers for identifying the Nagoya breed
Authors: NAKAMURA Akihiro , NAGAO Kenji , WATANABE Hisako , KONDO Hajime 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTThe Nagoya breed is a native chicken of Aichi Prefecture, Japan, a dual‐purpose breed for eggs and meat. A method for distinguishing the Nagoya breed from Aichi Prefecture from other chickens using five microsatellite markers (ABR0015, ABR0257, ABR0417, ABR0495 and ADL0262) has already been utilized in order to check the authenticity of Nagoya breed‐labeled chicken on the market. The present study was conducted to investigate nucleotide sequences and sizes of PCR fragments containing the five microsatellite regions for the Nagoya breed and to confirm that the genomic identification could continue to be applied in the future. The DNA sequencing of fragments containing the five markers showed that ABR0015, ABR0417 and ABR0495 had a single haplotype, ABR0257 had three haplotypes, and ADL0262 had two haplotypes, although all the markers exhibited one fixed fragment size each upon sequencing of the fragments and fragment analysis. The results of the fragment analysis of each marker using DNA samples of 28 Nagoya breed males (G0 generation) reared in 2000–2001 and 20 of their offspring males (G8) reared in 2008–2009 showed one fixed fragment size in both populations. Therefore, we confirmed that the five microsatellite markers are useful tools for accurately distinguishing the Nagoya breed from other chickens.
Stage‐specific effects of osmolarity of a culture medium on development of pig oocytes and miniature pig somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos activated by ultrasound treatment
Authors: MIZOBE Yamato , KURINO Saori , SATA Yoshiaki , MORI Hironori , YOSHIDA Mitsutoshi , MIYOSHI Kazuchika 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTWhether high osmolarity of a culture medium at the early culture stage affects the development of pig oocytes and miniature pig somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos activated by ultrasound was examined. When oocytes were cultured in modified porcine zygote medium‐3 (mPZM‐3) with increased NaCl to 138 mmol/L (mPZM‐3+NaCl; 326 mOsm) or 50 mmol/L sucrose (mPZM‐3+sucrose; 318 mOsm) for the first 2 days and then cultured in normal mPZM‐3 (273 mOsm) for 5 days, the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of oocytes cultured in mPZM‐3 for 7 days. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates of SCNT embryos cultured in mPZM‐3+NaCl for the first 2 days and then cultured in mPZM‐3 for 5 days were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of embryos cultured in mPZM‐3 for 7 days. These results showed that the high osmolarity of a culture medium induced by increasing NaCl concentration during the first 2 days improves the development of pig oocytes and miniature pig SCNT embryos activated by ultrasound.
Breastfeeding Educational Interventions for Health Professionals: A Synthesis of Intervention Studies
Authors: Watkins Amanda L. , Dodgson Joan E. 
Published: May 2010

PURPOSE.  The purpose of this synthesis was to review intervention studies that focused on increasing the breastfeeding knowledge, self‐confidence, and supportive behaviors of healthcare professionals.DESIGN AND METHODS.  Fourteen articles were identified through database searches as the basis for this review.RESULTS.  Breastfeeding education can be effective in increasing the knowledge and confidence of nurses. Duration and exclusivity rates for breastfeeding may also be improved.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Improving nurses' knowledge of breastfeeding is a modifiable factor that is important in supporting a mother in her decision to breastfeed.