bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The regulatory role of the NO/cGMP signal transduction cascade during larval attachment and metamorphosis of the barnacleBalanus (=Amphibalanus) amphitrite
Authors: Zhang Yu , He Li-Sheng , Zhang Gen , Xu Ying , Lee On-On , Matsumura Kiyotaka , Qian Pei-Yuan 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe barnacle Balanus amphitrite is among the most dominant fouling species on intertidal rocky shores in tropical and subtropical areas and is thus a target organism in antifouling research. After being released from adults, the swimming nauplius undertakes six molting cycles and then transforms into a cyprid. Using paired antennules, a competent cyprid actively explores and selects a suitable substratum for attachment and metamorphosis (collectively known as settlement). This selection process involves the reception of exogenous signals and subsequent endogenous signal transduction. To investigate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) during larval settlement of B. amphitrite, we examined the effects of an NO donor and an NO scavenger, two nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, and a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor on settling cyprids. We found that the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) inhibited larval settlement (referring both attachment and metamorphosis in this paper hereafter) in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, both NO scavenger 2-(-4-Carboxypheny)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolineoxyl-1-oxyl-3-oxide (Carboxy-PTIO) and NOS inhibitors aminoguanidine hemisulfate (AGH) and S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMIS) significantly accelerated larval settlement. Suppression of the downstream GC activity by using a GC-selective inhibitor 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) could also significantly accelerate the larval settlement. Interestingly, the settlement inhibition effects of SNP could be attenuated by ODQ at all concentrations tested. In the developmental expression profiling of NOS and sGC, the lowest expression of both genes was detected in the cyprid stage, a critical stage for the larval decision of attachment and metamorphosis. In sum, we concluded that NO regulates larval settlement via mediating down-stream cGMP signalling.
Serotonergic neuroepithelial cells of the skin in developing zebrafish: morphology, innervation and oxygen-sensitive properties
Authors: Coccimiglio Maria L. , Jonz Michael G. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryIn teleost fish, O2 chemoreceptors of the gills (neuroepithelial cells, NECs) initiate cardiorespiratory reflexes during hypoxia. In developing zebrafish, hyperventilatory and behavioural responses to hypoxia are observed before development of gill NECs, indicating that extrabranchial chemoreceptors mediate these responses in embryos. We have characterised a population of cells of the skin in developing zebrafish that resemble O2-chemoreceptive gill NECs. Skin NECs were identified by serotonin immunolabelling and were distributed over the entire skin surface. These cells contained synaptic vesicles and were associated with nerve fibres. Skin NECs were first evident in embryos 24-26 hours post-fertilisation (h.p.f.), and embryos developed a behavioural response to hypoxia between 24-48 h.p.f. The total number of NECs declined with age from approximately 300 cells per larva at 3 days post-fertilisation (d.p.f.) to about 120 cells at 7 d.p.f., and were rarely observed in adults. Acclimation to hypoxia (30 mmHg) or hyperoxia (300 mmHg) resulted in delayed or accelerated development, respectively, of peak resting ventilatory frequency and produced changes in the ventilatory response to hypoxia. In hypoxia-acclimated larvae, the temporal pattern of skin NECs was altered such that the number of cells did not decrease with age. By contrast, hyperoxia produced a more rapid decline in NEC number. The neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine, degraded catecholaminergic nerve terminals that made contact with skin NECs and eliminated the hyperventilatory response to hypoxia. These studies indicate that skin NECs are sensitive to changes in O2 and suggest that they may play a role in initiating responses to hypoxia in developing zebrafish.
Prolactin regulates luminal bicarbonate secretion in the intestine of the sea bream (Sparus auratus L.)
Authors: Ferlazzo Antonella , Carvalho Edison S.M. , Gregorio Silvia F. , Power Deborah M. , Canario Adelino V.M. , Trischitta Francesca , Fuentes Juan 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) is a pleiotropic endocrine factor that plays a major role in the regulation of ion balance in fish, with demonstrated actions mainly in the gills and kidney. The role of PRL in intestinal ion transport remains little studied. In marine fish, that have high drinking rates epithelial bicarbonate secretion in the intestine produces luminal carbonate aggregates believed to play a key role in water and ion homeostasis. The present study was designed to establish the putative role of PRL in the regulation of intestinal bicarbonate secretion (BCS) in a marine fish. Basolateral addition of PRL to the anterior intestine of the sea bream mounted in Ussing chambers causes a rapid (&lt;20 min) decrease of BCS measured by pH-stat. A clear inhibitory dose response curve is obtained, with a maximal inhibition of 60-65% of basal BCS. The threshold concentration of PRL with a significant effect on BCS is 10 ng.ml-1, which is comparable with putative plasma levels in seawater fish. The effect of PRL on apical BCS is independent of the generation route for bicarbonate, as shown in a preparation devoid of basolateral HCO3- /CO2 buffer. In addition, specific inhibitors of JAK2 (AG-490, 50μM), PI3K (LY-294002, 75μM) or MEK (U-012610, 10μM) cause a 50-70% reduction in the effect of PRL on BCS, and demonstrate the involvement of PRL receptors. In addition to rapid effects, PRL actions are mediated at a genomic level. Incubation of intestinal explants of anterior intestine of the sea bream in vitro for 3 hours demonstrates a specific effect of PRL on expression of Slc4a4A (Na+-HCO3- co-transporter), but not on Slc26a6A or Slc26a3B (Cl-/ HCO3-- exchangers). We propose a new role for PRL in the regulation of BCS, an essential function for ion/water homeostasis in the intestine of marine fish.
Autonomous measurement of ingestion and digestion processes in free swimming sharks
Authors: Meyer Carl , Holland Kim 
Published: August 2012

Summary
Direct measurement of predator feeding events would represent a major advance in marine trophic ecology. To date, devices available for empirically quantifying feeding in free-swimming fishes have relied on measuring stomach temperature, pH or physical motility, each of which has major, practical limitations. We hypothesized that the considerable physical changes which occur in the stomachs of carnivorous predators during the processes of ingestion and digestion should be quantifiable using Bulk Electrical Impedance measured across paired electrodes. We used a prototype archival data logging tag (Wildlife Computers Inc. Redmond, WA) to record changes in impedance inside the stomachs of captive, free swimming tiger and sandbar sharks over multiple, successive feeding events. Feeding and digestion events produced characteristic changes in electrical impedance of the stomach contents identifiable as 5 successive phases: (1) Pre-ingestion (empty stomach), (2) Ingestion, (3) Chemical 'lag' phase, (4) Mechanical 'chyme' phase, and (5) Stomach emptying phase. The duration of the chyme phase was positively related to meal size.
Severe and complicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in children
Authors: Jat Kana Ram , Guglani Vishal , Khairwa Anju 
Published: August 2012

Summary Plasmodium vivax, thought to be benign until recently, has been associated with severe malaria and its complications. This retrospective study describes severe and complicated P. vivax malaria in children. It affected almost all of the organ systems and the most commonly found complications were thrombocytopenia and severe anaemia. All children with malaria, including malaria caused by P. vivax, should be monitored for such complications.
Plasma Adiponectin and the Risk of Hypertension in White and Black Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Wang Lu , Manson JoAnn E , Gaziano J Michael , Liu Simin , Cochrane Barbara , Cook Nancy R , Ridker Paul M , Rifai Nader , Sesso Howard D 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDAdiponectin may have a protective role in the development of obesity-related metabolic and vascular disorders, including hypertension. We conducted a prospective, nested case control study to investigate the relation between baseline plasma adiponectin, measures of adiposity, and subsequent risk of hypertension.METHODSWe selected 400 white and 400 black postmenopausal women, age &lt;70 years, who developed incident hypertension during 5.9-year follow-up and an equal number of age- and race-matched controls in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. We measured plasma concentrations of total adiponectin in their baseline blood samples.RESULTSIn crude matched models, plasma adiponectin was inversely associated with risk of hypertension among both white and black women. The association appeared to be nonlinear in white women but dose related in black women. Adjustment for lifestyle factors, measures of obesity, and obesity-related clinical factors attenuated these associations. The multivariable relative risk (95% CI) of hypertension across increasing quartiles of plasma adiponectin were 1.00, 0.98 (0.66–1.46), 0.63 (0.41–0.97), and 0.92 (0.60–1.42) in white women (Ptrend: 0.38) and 1.00, 0.96 (0.64–1.46), 0.83 (0.53–1.29), and 0.58 (0.36–0.94) in black women (Ptrend: 0.02). Further adjustment for inflammatory markers and endothelial markers eliminated the association in white, but not black, women.CONCLUSIONSIn this prospective, nested case control study, we found an inverse association between plasma adiponectin and risk of hypertension in white and black postmenopausal women. The reduced risk of hypertension was limited to only intermediate concentrations of adiponectin in white women whereas it was graded across quartiles of adiponectin in black women.
Auswertung resistiver Brücken bei minimierter Leistungsaufnahme
Authors: Stöhr Ingmar , Werthschützky Roland 
Published: August 2012

Zusammenfassung
Es wird ein Konzept zur energieminimalen Auswertung resistiver Brücken vorgestellt. Resistive Sensoren sind ausgereift und weit verbreitet. In energieautarken Systemen haben sie gegenüber kapazitiven Sensoren jedoch den Nachteil eines hohen Stromverbrauchs. Indem die Brücke nur noch zu den Abtastzeitpunkten des AD-Wandlers mit Strom versorgt wird, kann bis zu 99,9% der Energie für den Betrieb des Sensors eingespart werden. Grenzen auf Grund elektrischer und thermischer Ausgleichsvorgänge werden diskutiert.
Genome-Wide Association Mapping in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Is Possible Using Genome Admixture ofSolanum lycopersicumvar.cerasiforme
Authors: Ranc Nicolas , Muños Stephane , Xu Jiaxin , Le Paslier Marie-Christine , Chauveau Aurélie , Bounon Rémi , Rolland Sophie , Bouchet Jean-Paul , Brunel Dominique , Causse Mathilde 
Published: August 2012

AbstractGenome-wide association mapping is an efficient way to identify quantitative trait loci controlling the variation of phenotypes, but the approach suffers severe limitations when one is studying inbred crops like cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Such crops exhibit low rates of molecular polymorphism and high linkage disequilibrium, which reduces mapping resolution. The cherry type tomato (S. lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) genome has been described as an admixture between the cultivated tomato and its wild ancestor, S. pimpinellifolium. We have thus taken advantage of the properties of this admixture to improve the resolution of association mapping in tomato. As a proof of concept, we sequenced 81 DNA fragments distributed on chromosome 2 at different distances in a core collection of 90 tomato accessions, including mostly cherry type tomato accessions. The 81 Sequence Tag Sites revealed 352 SNPs and indels. Molecular diversity was greatest for S. pimpinellifolium accessions, intermediate for S. l. cerasiforme accessions, and lowest for the cultivated group. We assessed the structure of molecular polymorphism and the extent of linkage disequilibrium over genetic and physical distances. Linkage disequilibrium decreased under r2 = 0.3 within 1 cM, and minimal estimated value (r2 = 0.13) was reached within 20 kb over the physical regions studied. Associations between polymorphisms and fruit weight, locule number, and soluble solid content were detected. Several candidate genes and quantitative trait loci previously identified were validated and new associations detected. This study shows the advantages of using a collection of S. l. cerasiforme accessions to overcome the low resolution of association mapping in tomato.
Resampling QTL Effects in the QTL Sign Test Leads to Incongruous Sensitivity to Variance in Effect Size
Authors: Rice Daniel P , Townsend Jeffrey P 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAllelic effects at quantitative trait loci (QTL) between lineages are potentially informative for indicating the action of natural selection. The QTL Sign Test uses the number of + and − alleles observed in a QTL study to infer a history of selection. This test has been constructed to condition on the phenotypic difference between the two lines in question. By applying the test to QTL data simulated under selection, we demonstrate that conditioning on the phenotypic difference results in a loss of power to reject the neutral hypothesis and marked sensitivity to variation in locus effect magnitude.
Association of Interleg BP Difference with Overall and Cardiovascular Mortality in Hemodialysis
Authors: Chen Szu-Chia , Chang Jer-Ming , Tsai Yi-Chun , Tsai Jer-Chia , Su Ho-Ming , Hwang Shang-Jyh , Chen Hung-Chun 
Published: August 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
An interarm BP difference has been associated with atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This study investigated whether an interleg BP difference was associated with peripheral vascular disease and overall and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This study enrolled 210 hemodialysis patients from December 2006 to January 2007. Bilateral leg BPs were measured simultaneously by an ankle-brachial index (ABI)–form device before hemodialysis.

Results
The mean follow-up period was 4.4±1.5 years. ABI <0.9 and high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were independently associated with an interleg difference in systolic BP of ≥15 mmHg or diastolic BP of ≥10 mmHg. Furthermore, this difference was an independent predictor for overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68–6.72; P<0.01) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.84–12.71; P<0.01) after adjustment for demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters. After further adjustment for ABI <0.9 and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, the relation remained significant to overall mortality (HR, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.28–6.64; P=0.01) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.05–9.44; P=0.04).

Conclusions
A difference in systolic BP of ≥15 mmHg or diastolic BP of ≥10 mmHg between legs was associated with peripheral vascular disease and increased risk for overall and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. Detection of an interleg BP difference may identify hemodialysis patients at increased risk of peripheral vascular disease and overall and cardiovascular mortality.
Urinary Biomarkers in Obstructive Nephropathy
Authors: Trnka Peter , Ivanova Larissa , Hiatt Michael J. , Matsell Douglas G. 
Published: August 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Obstructive nephropathy is a leading cause of CKD in children. The assessment of severity of renal impairment and the prediction of which children will progress to renal failure are, however, challenging.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements
This case-control study measured the urinary excretion of candidate biomarkers in 27 prevalent case-patients with posterior urethral valves (PUVs) and 20 age-matched controls, correlated their urinary concentration with GFR, and analyzed receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and regression analyses to assess their performance as tests for low GFR.

Results
The median urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio was higher in children with PUV (45 g/mol; range, 5–361 g/mol) than in controls (7 g/mol; range, 3–43 g/mol) (P<0.01) and correlated inversely with renal function (r = −0.44; P<0.05). In whole urine, excretion of aquaporin-2 was significantly decreased, whereas that of TGFβ and L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) was significantly increased. Whole-urine TGFβ excretion correlated inversely with GFR (r = −0.53; P<0.05). As tests for low GFR, whole-urine TGFβ, L1CAM, and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio performed best, with areas under the ROC curves of 0.788, 0.795, and 0.814, respectively. By linear regression analysis, whole-urine TGFβ, L1CAM, and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio were associated with low GFR in the case-patients.

Conclusions
Candidate biomarkers of obstructive nephropathy can be readily measured in whole urine and in urine exosomes. In boys with PUV, these biomarkers correlate with GFR.
Three-dimensional finite element analysis of occlusal stress distribution in the human skull with premolar extraction
Authors: Choi Dong-Soon , Cha Bong-Kuen , Jang Insan , Kang Kyung-Hwa , Kim Sang-Cheol 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To analyze the effect of orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction on the stress distribution of the occlusal force in the human skull.

Materials and Methods:
A three-dimensional finite element (3D FE) model was constructed based on computed tomography scan data, and it served as the pretreatment model. For the extraction model simulating postorthodontic occlusion, the first premolar was removed in the pretreatment model, and the anterior and posterior segments were repositioned. Stress distribution was evaluated by 3D FE analysis in both models under the simulation of 1000 N for occlusal forces and 400 N for masseter muscle force.

Results:
The occlusal stresses were concentrated at the alveolar bone near the teeth, the infrazygomatic crest, the frontal process, the temporal process of the zygomatic bone, the infraorbital rim, the pyriform aperture region, and the pterygoid plate in both models. The von Mises stress at the pterygoid plate area was lower in the extraction model (3.53 MPa) than in the pretreatment model (5.57 MPa), while the stress at the frontal process of the maxilla was higher in the extraction model (2.32 MPa) than in the pretreatment model (2.16 MPa).

Conclusions:
The results indicated that the occlusal forces were transferred through the maxillonasal, maxillozygomatic, and maxillopterygoid stress trajectories and that stress distribution moved more “forward” with the orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction.
Three-dimensional motion of the uncovertebral joint during head rotation
Authors: Nagamoto Yukitaka , Ishii Takahiro , Iwasaki Motoki , Sakaura Hironobu , Moritomo Hisao , Fujimori Takahito , Kashii Masafumi , Murase Tsuyoshi , Yoshikawa Hideki , Sugamoto Kazuomi 
Published: August 2012

Object
The uncovertebral joints are peculiar but clinically important anatomical structures of the cervical vertebrae. In the aged or degenerative cervical spine, osteophytes arising from an uncovertebral joint can cause cervical radiculopathy, often necessitating decompression surgery. Although these joints are believed to bear some relationship to head rotation, how the uncovertebral joints work during head rotation remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to elucidate 3D motion of the uncovertebral joints during head rotation.

Methods
Study participants were 10 healthy volunteers who underwent 3D MRI of the cervical spine in 11 positions during head rotation: neutral (0°) and 15° increments to maximal head rotation on each side (left and right). Relative motions of the cervical spine were calculated by automatically superimposing a segmented 3D MR image of the vertebra in the neutral position over images of each position using the volume registration method. The 3D intervertebral motions of all 10 volunteers were standardized, and the 3D motion of uncovertebral joints was visualized on animations using data for the standardized motion. Inferred contact areas of uncovertebral joints were also calculated using a proximity mapping technique.

Results
The 3D animation of uncovertebral joints during head rotation showed that the joints alternate between contact and separation. Inferred contact areas of uncovertebral joints were situated directly lateral at the middle cervical spine and dorsolateral at the lower cervical spine. With increasing angle of rotation, inferred contact areas increased in the middle cervical spine, whereas areas in the lower cervical spine slightly decreased.

Conclusions
In this study, the 3D motions of uncovertebral joints during head rotation were depicted precisely for the first time.
Relationships between soil physico-chemical properties and total viable bacterial counts in Sunderban mangrove forests, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Zabed , Aziz Chaman Binta , Saha Mihir Lal 
Published: August 2012

Although soil bacterial communities are one of the important biotic components that influence decomposition and nutrient mineralization in the terrestrial ecosystems, factors driving this biotic community in the Sunderban mangrove forests are not well studied. The present study examined the importance of soil physico?chemical properties in driving soil bacterial communities in the Sunderban mangrove forests, Bangladesh. Soils were collected from 12 locations under four sites, namely Koromjal, Kotka, Hironpoint, and Dublarchar of Sunderban forests. Results showed a large range of variation in total bacterial colony counts (7.65 × 104 ? 14.5 × 104 cfu/g soil), soil moisture (9.0 ? 27.0%), total nitrogen (0.057 ? 0.158%), available nitrogen (0.504 ? 2.016 ?g/g soil), soil salinity (20.99 ? 34.99 mg chloride/g soil), and organic carbon (0.460 ? 0.885%). Data of the present study revealed that the number of total viable bacterial count was significantly and positively correlated only with total nitrogen content in soil indicating that total nitrogen content is the major driving factor of bacterial communities in the Sunderban mangrove forest soils.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v21i2.11515 Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 21(2): 169-175, 2012 (July)