bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lactococcus lactis HemW (HemN) is a haem-binding protein with a putative role in haem trafficking
Authors: Abicht Helge K. , Martinez Jacobo , Layer Gunhild , Jahn Dieter , Solioz Marc 
Published: December 2011

Lactococcus lactis cannot synthesize haem, but when supplied with haem, expresses a cytochrome bd oxidase. Apart from the cydAB structural genes for this oxidase, L. lactis features two additional genes, hemH and hemW (hemN), with conjectured functions in haem metabolism. While it appears clear that hemH encodes a ferrochelatase, no function is known for hemW. HemW-like proteins occur in bacteria, plants and animals, and are usually annotated as CPDHs (coproporphyrinogen III dehydrogenases). However, such a function has never been demonstrated for a HemW-like protein. We here studied HemW of L. lactis and showed that it is devoid of CPDH activity in vivo and in vitro. Recombinantly produced, purified HemW contained an Fe–S (iron–sulfur) cluster and was dimeric; upon loss of the iron, the protein became monomeric. Both forms of the protein covalently bound haem b in vitro, with a stoichiometry of one haem per monomer and a KD of 8 μM. In vivo, HemW occurred as a haem-free cytosolic form, as well as a haem-containing membrane-associated form. Addition of L. lactis membranes to haem-containing HemW triggered the release of haem from HemW in vitro. On the basis of these findings, we propose a role of HemW in haem trafficking. HemW-like proteins form a distinct phylogenetic clade that has not previously been recognized.
Economic and energetic analysis of capturing CO
2
from ambient air
Authors: House Kurt Zenz , Baclig Antonio C. , Ranjan Manya , van Nierop Ernst A. , Wilcox Jennifer , Herzog Howard J. 
Published: December 2011

Capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (“air capture”) in an industrial process has been proposed as an option for stabilizing global CO
2
concentrations. Published analyses suggest these air capture systems may cost a few hundred dollars per tonne of CO
2
, making it cost competitive with mainstream CO
2
mitigation options like renewable energy, nuclear power, and carbon dioxide capture and storage from large CO
2
emitting point sources. We investigate the thermodynamic efficiencies of commercial separation systems as well as trace gas removal systems to better understand and constrain the energy requirements and costs of these air capture systems. Our empirical analyses of operating commercial processes suggest that the energetic and financial costs of capturing CO
2
from the air are likely to have been underestimated. Specifically, our analysis of existing gas separation systems suggests that, unless air capture significantly outperforms these systems, it is likely to require more than 400 kJ of work per mole of CO
2
, requiring it to be powered by CO
2
-neutral power sources in order to be CO
2
negative. We estimate that total system costs of an air capture system will be on the order of $1,000 per tonne of CO
2
, based on experience with as-built large-scale trace gas removal systems.
Larval Surveys Indicate Low Levels of Endangered Pallid Sturgeon Reproduction in the Middle Mississippi River
Authors: Boley Ryan M. , Heist Edward J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus is an endangered riverine species that is less abundant than the sympatric shovelnose sturgeon S. platorynchus with which it hybridizes. The two species are morphologically similar, and due to morphological variation within species, allometry, and the occurrence of morphological intermediates, morphological identification of specimens can be problematic. When the pallid sturgeon was listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1990, perceived threats included habitat loss due to habitat alteration (dams and channelization), hybridization, and commercial harvest. Previous studies estimated the ratio of adult pallid sturgeon to adult shovelnose sturgeon to be approximately 1:77 in the middle Mississippi River (MMR; the reach between the Missouri River confluence and the Ohio River confluence). One study using morphological identification estimated that 8–26% of Scaphirhynchus larvae collected in the MMR during May and June were pallid sturgeon. Given that larval pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and their hybrids have overlapping morphologies, DNA markers may provide more accurate species identification. The present study aimed to estimate relative larval abundances of pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and hybrids in the MMR. We genotyped 583 Scaphirhynchus larvae collected from the MMR at 16 DNA microsatellite loci and determined that 581 larvae were shovelnose sturgeon, one was a hybrid, and one was a pallid sturgeon. This study is the first to provide genetically verified larval abundance estimates of Scaphirhynchus species in the MMR. The present data indicate that the rate of pallid sturgeon reproduction relative to shovelnose sturgeon reproduction is an order of magnitude lower than expectations based on adult ratios and that hybrid sturgeon larvae are as common as pure pallid sturgeon.
Localization of Cell Wall Polysaccharides in Normal and Compression Wood of Radiata Pine: Relationships with Lignification and Microfibril Orientation
Authors: Donaldson Lloyd A. , Knox J. Paul 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The distribution of noncellulosic polysaccharides in cell walls of tracheids and xylem parenchyma cells in normal and compression wood of Pinus radiata, was examined to determine the relationships with lignification and cellulose microfibril orientation. Using fluorescence microscopy combined with immunocytochemistry, monoclonal antibodies were used to detect xyloglucan (LM15), β(1,4)-galactan (LM5), heteroxylan (LM10 and LM11), and galactoglucomannan (LM21 and LM22). Lignin and crystalline cellulose were localized on the same sections used for immunocytochemistry by autofluorescence and polarized light microscopy, respectively. Changes in the distribution of noncellulosic polysaccharides between normal and compression wood were associated with changes in lignin distribution. Increased lignification of compression wood secondary walls was associated with novel deposition of β(1,4)-galactan and with reduced amounts of xylan and mannan in the outer S2 (S2L) region of tracheids. Xylan and mannan were detected in all lignified xylem cell types (tracheids, ray tracheids, and thick-walled ray parenchyma) but were not detected in unlignified cell types (thin-walled ray parenchyma and resin canal parenchyma). Mannan was absent from the highly lignified compound middle lamella, but xylan occurred throughout the cell walls of tracheids. Using colocalization measurements, we confirmed that polysaccharides containing galactose, mannose, and xylose have consistent correlations with lignification. Low or unsubstituted xylans were localized in cell wall layers characterized by transverse cellulose microfibril orientation in both normal and compression wood tracheids. Our results support the theory that the assembly of wood cell walls, including lignification and microfibril orientation, may be mediated by changes in the amount and distribution of noncellulosic polysaccharides.
Adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia because of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency have vascular dysfunction
Authors: Harrington Jennifer , Peña Alexia S. , Gent Roger , Hirte Craig , Couper Jennifer 
Published: December 2011

SummaryContext  Patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) because of 21‐hydroxylase deficiency have multiple vascular risk factors. Young adults with CAH have increased intima media thickness, but there have been no studies of vascular function and structure in children with CAH.Objective  To establish whether children with CAH have reduced vascular function and increased carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) when compared to healthy and obese children.Design and Patients  Cross‐sectional study of 14 patients (14·8 years ± 3·2, seven boys) with CAH secondary to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency compared to 28 obese and 53 healthy controls.Measurements  All subjects had assessment of endothelial function flow‐mediated dilatation, (FMD), smooth muscle function glyceryl tri‐nitrate dilatation (GTN) and cIMT. Anthropometric data, resting blood pressure and biochemical variables were also measured.Results  Congenital adrenal hyperplasia subjects had significantly reduced FMD (4·5 ± 3·0%vs 7·5 ± 5·2%; P = 0·04) and GTN (17·2 ± 1·6%vs 28·4 ± 8·4%; P < 0·001) when compared to controls and the impairment was comparable to the obese cohort. There was no significant difference in cIMT between groups. CAH subjects had increased homoeostasis model of assessment‐insulin resistance [HOMA‐IR 2·5 (0·2–2·9) vs 1·8 (0·5–4·2); P = 0·04], waist‐to‐height ratio (0·47 ± 0·05 vs 0·44 ± 0·04; P = 0·02) and higher systolic blood pressure Z score (0·29 ± 0·9 vs−0·24 ± 0·64, P = 0·01) compared to healthy controls but not when compared to obese controls.Conclusions  Subjects with CAH have evidence of vascular dysfunction by adolescence.
Portuguese bee pollen: palynological study, nutritional and microbiological evaluation
Authors: Estevinho Leticia M. , Rodrigues Sandra , Pereira Ana P. , Feás Xesús 
Published: December 2011

SummaryBee pollen is one of the richest and purest natural foods, used in the folk medicine, clinical practices, and food and pharmaceutical industries. This work aims to characterise, for the first time in Portugal, the palynological origin, nutritional value and microbiological safety of this beehive product. It identified ten botanical families, and the more frequent were Boraginaceae and Ericaceae. We have evaluated the water content, aw, pH, reducing sugars, ash, carbohydrate, proteins, lipids, fatty acids and energy. The microorganisms studied were the aerobic mesophiles, moulds and yeasts, faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and sulphite‐reducing clostridia. The studied pollens are nutritionally well balanced, and contain high levels of moisture, proteins, fat, energy, ash, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, essential n‐3 fatty acids and good ratios of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids. In fact, the PUFA represent 66% of the total fatty acids. The samples had good microbiological quality, as none of the samples had toxigenic species.
α‐Lactalbumin solubilisation from a precipitated whey protein concentrates fraction: pH and calcium concentration effects
Authors: Fernández Ayoa , Menéndez Violeta , Riera Francisco A. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe selective precipitation of α‐lactalbumin (α‐La) is the basis for one of the possible methods in whey protein fractionation. Calcium concentration, type of acid added and pH play important roles in α‐La precipitation and on the following resolubilisation. Two washing steps are enough for quantitative removal of β‐lactoglobulin entrapped in the precipitate. α‐La losses are minimised during washing steps (5%) when NaCl is used as washing agent. The most important parameter to control during the resolubilisation step is pH, the maximum amount of the initial re‐dissolved α‐La being 76% when the pH is adjusted to 7.5, CaCl2 concentration is 0.2 m and prior precipitation is carried out adding citric acid. Addition of CaCl2 is not necessary to dissolve α‐La because of the fact that there is enough calcium in the precipitate to join all α‐La; however, its presence improves the solubilisation yield (66% vs. 75%).
Surgical nurses’ perceptions of ethical dilemmas, moral distress and quality of care
Authors: DeKeyser Ganz Freda , Berkovitz Keren 
Published: December 2011

dekeyser ganz f. & berkovitz k. (2012) Surgical nurses’ perceptions of ethical dilemmas, moral distress and quality of care. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(7), 1516–1525.AbstractAim.  To describe surgical nurses’ perceived levels of ethical dilemmas, moral distress and perceived quality of care and the associations among them.Background.  Nurses are committed to providing quality care. They can experience ethical dilemmas and moral distress while providing patient care. Little research has focused on the effect of moral distress or ethical dilemmas on perceived quality of care.Design.  Descriptive, cross‐sectional study.Method.  After administration and institutional Research Ethics Committee approval, a researcher requested 119 surgical nurses working in two Israeli hospitals to fill out three questionnaires (personal background characteristics; Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing and Quality of Nursing Care). Data collection took place from August 2007 to January 2008.Results.  Participant mean age was 39·7 years. The sample consisted mostly of women, Jewish and married staff nurses. The majority of nurses reported low to moderate levels of ethical dilemma frequency but intermediate levels of ethical dilemma intensity. Frequency of ethical dilemmas was negatively correlated with level of nursing skill, meeting patient’s needs and total quality of care. No important correlations were found between intensity of ethical dilemmas and quality of care.Conclusions.  Levels of ethical dilemma frequency were higher than intensity. Nurses tended to be satisfied with their level of quality of care. Increased frequency of ethical dilemmas was associated with some aspects of perceived quality of care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Quality of care is related to ethical dilemmas and moral distress among surgical nurses. Therefore, efforts should be made to decrease the frequency of these feelings to improve the quality of patient care.
Social pleiotropy and the molecular evolution of honey bee vitellogenin
Authors: HAVUKAINEN HELI , HALSKAU ØYVIND , AMDAM GRO V. 
Published: December 2011

In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Kent et al. (2011) describe the adaptive evolution of honey bee vitellogenin that belongs to a phylogenetically conserved group of egg yolk precursors. This glyco‐lipoprotein leads a double life: it is central to egg production in the reproductive queen caste, and a regulator of social behaviour in the sterile worker caste. Does such social pleiotropy constrain molecular evolution? To the contrary; Kent et al. show that the vitellogenin gene is under strong positive selection in honey bees. Rapid change has taken place in specific protein regions, shedding light on the evolution of novel vitellogenin functions.
Water avoidance stress induces frequency through cyclooxygenase‐2 expression: A bladder rat model
Authors: Yamamoto Keisuke , Takao Tetsuya , Nakayama Jiro , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Okuda Hidenobu , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Yoshioka Iwao , Matsuoka Yasuhiro , Miyagawa Yasushi , Tsujimura Akira , Nonomura Norio 
Published: December 2011

Objectives:  Water avoidance stress is a potent psychological stressor and it is associated with visceral hyperalgesia, which shows degeneration of the urothelial layer mimicking interstitial cystitis. Cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors have been recognized to ameliorate frequency both in clinical and experimental settings. We investigated the voiding pattern and cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in a rat bladder model of water avoidance stress.Methods:  After being subjected to water avoidance stress or a sham procedure, rats underwent metabolic cage analysis and cystometrography. Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out to examine cyclooxygenase‐2 messenger ribonucleic acid in bladders of rats. Protein expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 was analyzed with immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Furthermore, the effects of the cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor, etodolac, were investigated by carrying out cystometrography, immunohistochemistry and western blotting.Results:  Metabolic cage analysis and cystometrography showed significantly shorter intervals and less volume of voiding in water avoidance stress rats. Significantly higher expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 messenger ribonucleic acid was verified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting showed significantly higher cyclooxygenase‐2 protein levels in water avoidance stress bladders. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry showed high cyclooxygenase‐2 expression exclusively in smooth muscle cells. All water avoidance stress‐induced changes were reduced by cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor pretreatment.Conclusions:  Chronic stress might cause frequency through cyclooxygenase‐2 gene upregulation in bladder smooth muscle cells. Further study of cyclooxygenase‐2 in the water avoidance stress bladder might provide novel therapeutic modalities for interstitial cystitis.
Intra‐ and postoperative adverse events in children with nephrotic syndrome requiring surgery under general anesthesia
Authors: Greff Bruno , Faivre Judith , Carli Pierre A. , Niaudet Patrick , Orliaguet Gilles A. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryBackground:  There are few data regarding perioperative adverse events in children with nephrotic syndrome.Objectives:  The aim of this study was to describe the nature and frequency of perioperative adverse events in children with nephrotic syndrome.Materials and Methods:  This is a retrospective study from a large university pediatric hospital. All procedures under general anesthesia in children with nephrotic syndrome between January 1995 and May 2007 were included, with the exception of renal transplantation. Data were collected on demographics, etiology of nephrotic syndrome and related treatments, surgical procedures and anesthetic techniques, and pre‐ and postoperative treatments. Adverse events occurring during the intraoperative period and up to the fifth postoperative day were recorded.Results:  Data on eight patients who underwent 24 surgical or interventional procedures under general anesthesia over the study period were reviewed. Three patients had steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome and five patients had congenital or infantile nephrotic syndrome. Five patients had progressed to end‐stage renal failure requiring dialysis. General anesthesia was performed for: nephrectomy (n = 9), central venous catheter insertion (n = 8), peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion (n = 5), and emergency surgery in two cases (acute intestinal intussusception and hemodialysis catheter insertion). Three patients were receiving aspirin and one anticoagulant therapy. No postoperative thrombosis or infections, bleeding, peripheral edema or ascites, and increase in kalemia were noted. There was no significant postoperative increase in median serum creatinine level.Conclusions:  Surgical procedures were seldom associated with the occurrence of perioperative adverse events. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.
STAT3 signaling after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Oliva Anthony A. , Kang Yuan , Sanchez‐Molano Juliana , Furones Concepción , Atkins Coleen M. 
Published: December 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 710–720.AbstractAstrocytes respond to trauma by stimulating inflammatory signaling. In studies of cerebral ischemia and spinal cord injury, astrocytic signaling is mediated by the cytokine receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and Janus kinase (Jak) which phosphorylates the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3). To determine if STAT3 is activated after traumatic brain injury (TBI), adult male Sprague–Dawley rats received moderate parasagittal fluid‐percussion brain injury or sham surgery, and then the ipsilateral cortex and hippocampus were analyzed at various post‐traumatic time periods for up to 7 days. Western blot analyses indicated that STAT3 phosphorylation significantly increased at 30 min and lasted for 24 h post‐TBI. A significant increase in gp130 and Jak2 phosphorylation was also observed. Confocal microscopy revealed that STAT3 was localized primarily within astrocytic nuclei. At 6 and 24 h post‐TBI, there was also an increased expression of STAT3 pathway‐related genes: suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, nitric oxide synthase 2, colony stimulating factor 2 receptor β, oncostatin M, matrix metalloproteinase 3, cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein β, interleukin‐2 receptor γ, interleukin‐4 receptor α, and α‐2‐macroglobulin. These results clarify some of the signaling pathways operative in astrocytes after TBI and demonstrate that the gp130‐Jak2‐STAT3 signaling pathway is activated after TBI in astrocytes.
Occupational Channels for Mexican Migration: New Destination Formation in a Binational Context
Authors: Sanderson Matthew , Painter II Matthew 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn the 1990s, Mexican immigration dispersed spatially, leading to the emergence of many “new destinations,” in nonmetropolitan areas of the United States. Previous studies constrain the scope of the analysis to the United States, limiting our understanding of how new destinations are formed. We place new destination formation into a binational context and emphasize the role of supply‐side immigration dynamics. We argue that occupations in Mexico provide ready‐made paths, or “channels,” for economic incorporation into the United States and that these channels underlie the formation of many new destinations. Using a unique data set on Mexican migration, we estimate a multivariate model that tests for the presence of occupational channels linking analogous sectors of the U.S. and Mexican economies, focusing especially on the food‐processing sector. The results demonstrate that Mexican migration is strongly channeled along occupational lines. There are occupational channels linking each of the major economic sectors in Mexico and the United States, but the effect of channeling is particularly strong in the food‐processing sector. By empirically identifying the existence of occupational channels, this study uncovers a key explanation of new destination formation in many nonmetropolitan areas.
Implementation of the “loaded implant” model in the rat using a miniaturized setup – description of the method and first results
Authors: Wiskott H. W. Anselm , Bonhote Philippe , Cugnoni Joel , Durual Stéphane , Zacchetti Giovanna , Botsis John , Scherrer Susanne S. , Ammann Patrick 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo miniaturize the “loaded implant” model to permit its application to small rodents. In this model, two titanium implants are placed 8 mm apart with their heads protruding from the skin and are forced together by a dedicated actuator. To assess the effect of (i) the post‐implantation healing period and the duration of stimulation and (ii) the intratissular strain level on the microtomographical bone parameters BV/TV, Tb.N., Tb.Th. and BIC.Materials and methodsImplants, 1 × 8 mm, were machined, inserted into the tibiae of rats and activated. A total of 123 animals were used. In series 1, the implants were left to heal for 2/4 weeks and then loaded to generate intratissular strains of 1125 ± 5% με for 4/8 weeks. Series 2 had their implants loaded to 750, 1500 and 2250 ± 5% με, respectively.ResultsBone to implant contact increased upon loading. In series 1, no difference was observed regarding the duration of healing or the stimulation period. In series 2, at 750 με, the bone parameters did not differ from baseline. At 1500 με, all four parameters increased. At 2250 με, three of four parameters decreased relative to 1500 με.Conclusions(i) The loaded implant model can be miniaturized to the millimeter range; (ii) in the present model, implant activation beyond 4 weeks did not affect the bone parameters; (iii) mechanical stimulation increased bone to implant contact by up to 20%; (iv) the results obtained are consistent with the concept of an anabolic effect from 750 to 1500 με and deleterious effects at strains in the 2250 με range; and (v) strains at 2250 με did not lead to implant dis‐integration.