bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contribution of human neutrophils in the development of protective immune response during in vitro Leishmania major infection
Authors: SAFAIYAN S. , BOLHASSANI A. , NYLEN S. , AKUFFO H. , RAFATI S. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryStimulation of neutrophils may potentiate immunity to Leishmania major. CpG‐containing oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) has immune stimulatory effects and has been suggested as adjuvants and therapeutics to potentiate efficacy of vaccines and treatments against leishmaniasis. Here, we examined the stimulatory effect of synthetic ODN containing CpG motifs class A and B on cytokine production by neutrophils. Neutrophils from healthy donors responded to CpG‐ODN type A, but not to class B, with secretion of IL‐8 and following GM‐CSF pretreatment with TNF‐α production. To test whether neutrophil responses were altered in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and to better understand the role of neutrophils in susceptibility and resistance to disease, we evaluated cytokine responses in GM‐CSF preconditioned neutrophils from asymptomatic (Leishmanin skin test positive, LST+) and nonhealing CL individuals to CpG‐ODN class A and assessed the expression levels of toll‐like receptors (TLR2), 4 and 9. LST+ and healthy donor, but not nonhealing CL neutrophils, responded with TNF‐α secretion. Neutrophils from nonhealing CL displayed increased mRNA expression levels of TLR2, 4 and 9 compared to neutrophils from LST+ or healthy donors. Therefore, failure to cure CL is associated with reduced ability of neutrophils to secrete TNF‐α and correlates with high TLR 2, 4 and 9 expressions.
Rice 14‐3‐3 protein (GF14e) negatively affects cell death and disease resistance
Authors: Manosalva Patricia M. , Bruce Myron , Leach Jan E. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryPlant 14‐3‐3 proteins regulate important cellular processes, including plant immune responses, through protein–protein interactions with a wide range of target proteins. In rice (Oryza sativa), the GF14e gene, which encodes a 14‐3‐3 protein, is induced during effector‐triggered immunity (ETI) associated with pathogens such as Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). To determine whether the GF14e gene plays a direct role in resistance to disease in rice, we suppressed its expression by RNAi silencing. GF14e suppression was correlated with the appearance of a lesion‐mimic (LM) phenotype in the transgenic plants at 3 weeks after sowing. This indicates inappropriate regulation of cell death, a phenotype that is frequently associated with enhanced resistance to pathogens. GF14e‐silenced rice plants showed high levels of resistance to a virulent strain of Xoo compared with plants that were not silenced. Enhanced resistance was correlated with GF14e silencing prior to and after development of the LM phenotype, higher basal expression of a defense response peroxidase gene (POX22.3), and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, GF14e‐silenced plants also exhibit enhanced resistance to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Together, our findings suggest that GF14e negatively affects the induction of plant defense response genes, cell death and broad‐spectrum resistance in rice.
Can carotenoids mediate the potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet light in Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis larvae?
Authors: Ogilvy V. , Preziosi R. F. 
Published: July 2011

SummaryAmphibians have recently experienced unprecedented declines in the wild, the causes of which are often difficult to mitigate. This has increased the importance of ex situ conservation; however, long‐term maintenance and breeding of amphibians in captivity often has limited success. In vertebrates, vitamin D is required for calcium homeostasis and is produced endogenously in skin exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light; however, UV light can be harmful to amphibians in some instances. Carotenoids are dietary pigments that may provide protection from UV light. The aim of this study was to assess the protective capability of carotenoids against the potentially harmful effects of UV light in Silurana (=Xenopus) tropicalis larvae raised in an enhanced or limited UV environment. Tadpole survival and the size and developmental stage reached by the end of the study period were measured. Carotenoids had a significantly positive effect on developmental rate in both UV‐limited and UV‐enhanced environments. Larvae in an enhanced UV environment were significantly larger than those raised under a limited UV environment, irrespective of diet. Carotenoid‐fed larvae tended to have increased survival in relation to those raised without carotenoids, but only in a limited UV environment. Carotenoids appear to provide little protection against UV light in this case. The role of carotenoids in amphibian health has not previously been studied. We show that carotenoid availability significantly influences development and may increase survival in S. (X.) tropicalis larvae. This finding may have important implications for recommendations made on the nutrition of amphibians in captivity.
Genetic linkage map construction for kenaf using SRAP, ISSR and RAPD markers
Authors: Chen Mei‐xia , Wei Cheng‐lin , Qi Jian‐min , Chen Xing‐bo , Su Jian‐guang , Li Ai‐Qing , Tao Ai‐fen , Wu Wei‐ren 
Published: July 2011

With 3 figures and 3 tablesAbstractKenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is one of the most economically important crops for fibre production. Genetic maps have been developed in almost all the agricultural crops. However, genetic information for kenaf, especially, at the molecular level is limited. To better understand the genetic basis of kenaf for the improvement of production and to lay the foundation for molecular breeding efforts, a primary genetic linkage map was constructed using sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Cultivar ‘Alian kenaf’ and ‘Fuhong 992’ were used as parents to construct an F2 population consisting of 180 plants. We selected 494 SRAP, 60 ISSR, 120 RAPD and 300 two‐primer RAPD mixture primers that amplified 396 polymorphic loci in total. At a logarithm of the odds (LOD) score threshold of 5.0 and at a maximum map distance of 25 cM, these 396 loci were used to construct the genetic linkage map with MAPMAKER/EXP 3.0, a total of 307 loci were grouped into 26 linkage groups that spanned a total map length of around 4924.8 cM with a mean density of 16.04 cM per locus. These markers were distributed randomly in all linkage groups without any clustering. The construction of the kenaf genetic linkage map will be useful for further genetic studies including mapping both qualitative and quantitative traits, marker‐assisted selection program, and comparative genomics analysis.
Presence of Nitric Oxide Synthase Immunoreactivity and mRNA in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Oocytes and Embryos
Authors: Rameshbabu K , Sharma R , Singh KP , George A , Chauhan MS , Singla SK , Manik RS , Palta P 
Published: July 2011

ContentsThis study examined the presence of immunoreactivity and mRNA for different nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in immature and in vitro matured oocytes and in embryos at two‐, four‐ and eight‐cell, and morula and blastocyst stages in buffalo. Oocytes obtained from slaughterhouse buffalo ovaries were subjected to in vitro maturation in TCM‐199 + 10% FBS + 5 μg/ml pFSH + 1 μg/ml estradiol‐17β + 0.81 mm sodium pyruvate + 10% buffalo follicular fluid + 50 μg/ml gentamycin sulphate for 24 h in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2 in air) at 38.5°C. Following in vitro fertilization carried out by incubating them with 2–4 million spermatozoa/ml for 18 h, the presumed zygotes were cultured in mCR2aa medium containing 0.6% BSA and 10% FBS for up to 8 days post insemination. Immunofluorescence staining of NOS using antibodies that cross‐reacted either with all the NOS isoforms i.e., universal (uNOS) or specifically with inducible (iNOS) or endothelial (eNOS) isoforms revealed that NOS was present in oocytes and embryos at all the stages examined. Examination of the semi‐quantitative expression of NOS genes by RT‐PCR revealed that the iNOS, eNOS and nNOS mRNA was present in the immature and mature oocytes and in all the embryonic stages examined. In conclusion, it was demonstrated in the present study that immunoreactivity and mRNA for different NOS isoforms was present in buffalo oocytes and pre‐implantation stage embryos.
Prognostic models for renal cell carcinoma recurrence: External validation in a Japanese population
Authors: Utsumi Takanobu , Ueda Takeshi , Fukasawa Satoshi , Komaru Atsushi , Sazuka Tomokazu , Kawamura Koji , Imamoto Takashi , Nihei Naoki , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Ichikawa Tomohiko 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to compare the accuracy of three prognostic models in predicting recurrence‐free survival among Japanese patients who underwent nephrectomy for non‐metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Patients originated from two centers: Chiba University Hospital (n = 152) and Chiba Cancer Center (n = 65). The following data were collected: age, sex, clinical presentation, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, surgical technique, 1997 tumor–node–metastasis stage, clinical and pathological tumor size, histological subtype, disease recurrence, and progression. Three western models, including Yaycioglu's model, Cindolo's model and Kattan's nomogram, were used to predict recurrence‐free survival. Predictive accuracy of these models were validated by using Harrell's concordance‐index. Concordance‐indexes were 0.795 and 0.745 for Kattan's nomogram, 0.700 and 0.634 for Yaycioglu's model, and 0.700 and 0.634 for Cindolo's model, respectively. Furthermore, the constructed calibration plots of Kattan's nomogram overestimated the predicted probability of recurrence‐free survival after 5 years compared with the actual probability. Our findings suggest that despite working better than other predictive tools, Kattan's nomogram needs be used with caution when applied to Japanese patients who have undergone nephrectomy for non‐metastatic RCC.
Latin and British in Roman and Post‐Roman Britain: methodology and morphology
Authors: Russell Paul 
Published: July 2011

AbstractContact between Latin and British, the Brittonic Celtic language, in Roman and post‐Roman Britain has received considerable attention in the last few years as part of a more general discussion of linguistic contact phenomena in early Britain. Much of the discussion has focused on phonological aspects, although morphological features have sometimes been invoked without discussion. The aim of this paper is to consider some of the morphological features which have been claimed to reflect Latin influence on Brittonic Celtic languages, such as loss of a case system, loss of the neuter gender, the development of compound prepositions, and the acquisition of a pluperfect tense.
Language and technology: some examples from Seafaring (Germanic and Celtic)1
Authors: Thier Katrin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractLanguage contact and the transfer of technologies are closely linked and often influence each other. This paper examines a few examples from the domain of seafaring at various periods relevant to the history of Anglo‐Saxon England and the Old English language. The origin of Old English segl is used to illustrate prehistoric influences reflected in the recorded vocabulary; the fate of ciula, the Latin adaptation of ceol, shows the failing of a borrowing in the course of the Anglo‐Saxon period; and floege and cuople are rare Viking Age survivors of oral and literary contact with two very different languages.
Sabrina in the thorns: place‐names as evidence for British and Latin in Roman Britain
Authors: Parsons David N. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis article reviews published work which draws on various kinds of evidence to assess the linguistic situation in Roman Britain. Having reached some interim conclusions about the state of scholarship, it proceeds to examine the particular contribution that place‐names can make to the debate on how far Latin may have taken hold in the province at the expense of the native British Celtic. While there is rather more evidence of Latin here than has often been allowed, the widespread continuity of British across much, at least, of Lowland Britain is reaffirmed, in the face of a recent suggestion to the contrary.
Carbon isotope evidence of last glacial climate variations in the tropical NW Leizhou Peninsula, South China
Authors: ZHONG WEI , CAO JIAYUAN , XUE JIBIN , OUYANG JUN , WANG HAIMEI , TANG XIAOHONG , GAO XIAOYAN 
Published: July 2011

Zhong, W., Cao, J., Xue, J., Ouyang, J., Wang, H., Tang, X. & Gao, X. 2012 (January): Carbon isotope evidence of last glacial climate variations in the tropical NW Leizhou Peninsula, South China. Boreas, Vol. 41, pp. 102–112. 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2011.00224.x. ISSN 0300‐9483.Bulk organic δ13C values of sediment sequences are commonly used to indicate past climatic changes, although the causes and mechanisms leading to the observed organic carbon isotope responses are presently not fully understood. Based on two sedimentary sequences, namely a peat profile and a fluvial and swamp sequence from the tropical NW Leizhou Peninsula in South China, we interpret more negative bulk organic δ13C values to suggest wetter and warmer conditions, implying a stronger East Asian (EA) summer monsoon, and less negative δ13C values to indicate drier and cooler conditions, reflecting a weakening of the EA summer monsoon. A warm and wet period occurred between c. 48.0 and 28.0 cal. ka BP. In the study region, a climate shift occurred at c. 22.0 (or 20.0) cal. ka BP, and the driest and coldest period occurred between c. 19.0 and 16.0 cal. ka BP. After c. 12.0 cal. ka BP, the climate changed towards wetter and warmer conditions. Several possible millennial‐scale dry and cold oscillations characterized possibly by C4 plants, or by more positive organic δ13C values during the period when C3 plants dominated, are cautiously and tentatively interpreted as showing a similarity with Heinrich events and other cold millennial‐scale oscillations evidenced from a Greenland ice core and Chinese stalagmite. We demonstrate that bulk organic δ13C records of sedimentary sequences in the study region have potential for indicating the changes in vegetation composition that were closely associated with climate variation during the last glacial period.
The use of noncellularized artificial dermis in the prevention of scar contracture and hypertrophy
Authors: Téot Luc , Otman Sami , Trial Chloé , Brancati Antonio 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTAbnormal scarring occurring after wounds and burns remains a major source of functional and cosmetic disorders. The dermal part of the skin is recognized as playing a major role in the contraction process. The skin dermis may be involved in superficial wounds, but when the basal membrane and the sources of keratinocytes, like hair follicles and adnexa, are left intact, little visible scarring is observed. The skin elasticity may be preserved, even when the extracellular matrix is somehow altered. On the opposite extreme, in wounds of extended depth, the loss of dermal component results in the absence of elasticity and fibroblastic cell proliferation, leading to hypertrophy and contracture. These phenomena may be explained either by differences in cell populations, by extracellular matrix reactions to different stimuli, or by chemical control of interactions between cells and matrix.
Dipyridamole stress echocardiography in diagnosis and prognosis of hemodialysis patients with asymptomatic coronary disease
Authors: RIVERA Rodolfo F. , MIRCOLI Luca , BONFORTE Giuseppe , TORRI Valter , MONTEFORTE Marta , STELLA Andrea , Genovesi Simonetta 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is high in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of dipyridamole stress echocardiography (DSE) in nondiabetic HD patients without signs or symptoms of CAD. In 51 out of 158 evaluated HD patients (21 females, age 67 [33–85] years, HD duration 38 [9–271] months), resting echocardiography and DSE were performed. Exclusion criteria were known CAD, diabetes mellitus, and pulmonary and oncologic pathologies. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors of abnormal DSE response, while Cox regression analysis was performed to determine variables associated with total and cardiovascular mortality, after 43.3 (11–60) months of follow‐up. Seven patients (14%) showed a positive response to DSE (DSE+). In 5/7, CAD was documented by angiography: All of them underwent coronary revascularization. DSE+ patients had significantly smaller body mass index than patients with a negative response (DSE‐): 21.7 ± 1.9 vs. 25.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2 (p = 0.018). During follow‐up, 16 (31%) patients died. Older age hazard ratio [HR = 1.07; confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.12; p = 0.02] and higher plasma phosphate levels (HR = 10.41; CI = 2.30–47.17; p < 0.01) were predictors of total mortality. Male gender (HR = 22.7; CI = 1.45–354.4; p = 0.03), older age (HR = 1.24; CI = 1.03–1.50; p = 0.02), longer HD duration (HR = 1.13; CI = 1.01–1.26; p = 0.04), and positive response to DSE (HR = 5.82; CI = 1.04–32.65; p = 0.04) were associated with cardiovascular mortality. Ten percent of asymptomatic HD patients had significant CAD, but timely diagnosis did not seem to improve their prognosis. Total survival was associated with age and higher levels of plasma phosphate, while male gender, older age, longer HD duration, and DSE+ were predictors of cardiovascular mortality.
Dialysate saving by automated control of flow rates: Comparison between individualized online hemodiafiltration and standard hemodialysis
Authors: MESIC Enisa , BOCK Andreas , MAJOR Lajos , VASLAKI Lajos , BERTA Klara , WIKSTROM Bjorn , CANAUD Bernard , WOJKE Ralf 
Published: July 2011

AbstractCost reduction and quality improvement seem to be conflicting issues. However, online hemodiafiltration (oHDF) with new automatic functions offers a cost‐efficient therapy compared to hemodialysis (HD). Seven dialysis centers conducted a randomized clinical trial with cross‐over design: high‐flux HD vs. postdilutional oHDF with functions coupling both dialysate and substitution flow rates to blood flow rates. During the 6 weeks of the study, all treatment parameters remained unchanged for HD and oHDF, apart from dialysate and substitution flow rate. Treatment data were recorded during each treatment, and predialytic and postdialytic concentrations of urea were recorded at the end of each study phase. The analysis involved 956 treatments of 54 patients. The mean dialysate consumption was 123.2 ± 6.4 l for HD and 113.4 ± 14.9 l for oHDF (p < 0.0001), the mean dialysis dose was 1.42 ± 0.23 for HD and 1.47 ± 0.26 for oHDF (p < 0.0001); oHDF resulted in a lower dialysate consumption (8.0% less) and a slightly increased dialysis dose (Kt/V 3.5% higher) compared to HD. oHDF with the investigated automatic functions offers substantial savings in dialysate consumption without decreasing dialysis dose.
Extruded and Pressureless‐Sintered Al2O3–SiCwComposite Rods: Fabrication, Structure, Electrical Behavior, and Elastic Modulus
Authors: Bertram Brian D. , Gerhardt Rosario A. , Schultz John W. 
Published: July 2011

Ceramic composite rods of alumina filled with varying volume fractions of silicon carbide whiskers (SiCw) were made by extrusion and pressureless‐sintering. The electrical response was measured over a wide range of frequency (1 mHz–1.8 GHz) and was compared to that of disks made by dry‐pressing and pressureless‐sintering the same starting powder blends. Extrusion resulted in increased whisker alignment and electrical conductivity along the processing direction compared to dry‐pressing. Pressureless sintering resulted in anisotropic shrinkage and the rods having lower density (D), dc conductivity (σdc), andSiCw–SiCwconnection quality compared to fully dense hot‐pressed disks. Porosity (P = 1 − D) increased withSiCwloading and was linearly related to the rod elastic modulus, which was determined via sonic resonance.SiCwpercolation in the extruded rods required greaterSiCwloading, took place over a wider compositional range, and resulted in significantly decreased σdcfor the rods compared to hot‐pressed disks. The σdcof percolated rods having composition near the percolation threshold was sensitive to small changes in porosity and was correlated to the elastic modulus. The weak percolation transition was correlated to a gradual evolution of the complex permittivity spectra. AsSiCwcontent was increased, such spectra exhibited dc‐conductivity tails in the loss which grew in magnitude, and dielectric relaxations which grew in strength, shifted to lower frequency, spread out over wider frequency ranges, and seemed to evolve toward power‐law behavior for the dielectric constant.
Glass‐Free LTCC Microwave Ceramic‐(La0.5Na0.5)1−x(Li0.5Nd0.5)xWO4
Authors: Bian Jian Jiang , Wang Liang 
Published: July 2011

Ceramics (La0.5Na0.5)1−x(Nd0.5Li0.5)xWO4 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.7) have been successfully designed as promising dielectric materials for LTCC applications. The structure and microstructure of the compounds were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) method. The microwave dielectric properties of the ceramics were studied with a network analyzer at the frequency of about 10–14 GHz. Continuous solid solutions (La0.5Na0.5)1−x(Nd0.5Li0.5)xWO4 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.7) were formed as expected in the whole composition range. They could be sintered into dense ceramic (~96% theoretical density) at 800°C/2 h. All samples exhibit single Scheelite structure (I41/a) phase. The dielectric constant increased, whereas the Q × f value decreased continuously, with the increase of x. The τf value changed from negative to positive with the increase of x, and near zero value of −1.4 ppm/°C could be obtained at x = 0.3 composition. Combined excellent microwave dielectric properties with εr = 12.7, Q × f = 23 518 GHz and τf = −1.4 ppm/°C could be obtained when sintered at 800°C/2 h. The chemical compatibility of (La0.5Na0.5)0.7(Nd0.5Li0.5)0.3WO4 ceramic with silver (Ag) powders was also investigated. Some Ag substituted for Li and formed Li2WO4 impurity phase, although isolated Ag still existed in the co‐fired specimen (800°C/2 h).
Photophysical and Photocatalytic Properties of Zn3M2O8 (M = Nb, Ta)
Authors: Noh Tae Hoon , Cho In‐Sun , Lee Sangwook , Kim Dong Wook , Park Sangbaek , Seo Se Won , Lee Chan Woo , Hong Kug Sun 
Published: July 2011

The Zn3M2O8 (M = Nb, Ta) compounds with layered crystal structures were prepared by a conventional solid‐state reaction method, and their electronic‐band structures, optical properties, and photocatalytic activities were investigated. The prepared compounds were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance, and Mott–Schottky measurement. The UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra revealed Zn3Nb2O8 and Zn3Ta2O8 exhibited band gaps of 4.1 and 4.5 eV, respectively. From the electronic‐band‐structure calculations using DFT method, it was found that the valence band in both compounds was constructed by the hybridization of Zn 3d and O 2p orbitals, whereas the conduction band was consisted of Nb 4d (Zn3Nb2O8) and Ta 5d (Zn3Ta2O8) orbitals. The photocatalytic activity of both compounds was examined by the measurement of the H2 production rate in an aqueous methanol solution under UV light irradiation. The Zn3Ta2O8 with a larger band gap exhibited higher activity than Zn3Nb2O8, which was attributed to its higher reduction potential resulting from the difference of its electronic‐band configuration.