bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen source and pCO2 synergistically affect carbon allocation, growth and morphology of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi: potential implications of ocean acidification for the carbon cycle
Authors: Lefebvre Stephane C. , Benner Ina , Stillman Jonathon H. , Parker Alexander E. , Drake Michelle K. , Rossignol Pascale E. , Okimura Kristine M. , Komada Tomoko , Carpenter Edward J. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractCoccolithophores are unicellular phytoplankton that produce calcium carbonate coccoliths as an exoskeleton. Emiliania huxleyi, the most abundant coccolithophore in the world's ocean, plays a major role in the global carbon cycle by regulating the exchange of CO2 across the ocean‐atmosphere interface through photosynthesis and calcium carbonate precipitation. As CO2 concentration is rising in the atmosphere, the ocean is acidifying and ammonium (NH4+) concentration of future ocean water is expected to rise. The latter is attributed to increasing anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition, increasing rates of cyanobacterial N2 fixation due to warmer and more stratified oceans, and decreased rates of nitrification due to ocean acidification. Thus, future global climate change will cause oceanic phytoplankton to experience changes in multiple environmental parameters including CO2, pH, temperature and nitrogen source. This study reports on the combined effect of elevated pCO2 and increased NH4+ to nitrate (NO3−) ratio (NH4+/NO3−) on E. huxleyi, maintained in continuous cultures for more than 200 generations under two pCO2 levels and two different N sources. Herein, we show that NH4+ assimilation under N‐replete conditions depresses calcification at both low and high pCO2, alters coccolith morphology, and increases primary production. We observed that N source and pCO2 synergistically drive growth rates, cell size, and the ratio of inorganic to organic carbon. These responses to N source suggest that, compared to increasing CO2 alone, a greater disruption of the organic carbon pump could be expected in response to the combined effect of increased NH4+/NO3− ratio and CO2 level in the future acidified ocean. Additional experiments conducted under lower nutrient conditions are needed prior to extrapolating our findings to the global oceans. Nonetheless, our results emphasize the need to assess combined effects of multiple environmental parameters on phytoplankton biology to develop accurate predictions of phytoplankton responses to ocean acidification.
CD40 and tumour necrosis factor‐α co‐operate to up‐regulate inducuble nitric oxide synthase expression in macrophages
Authors: Portillo Jose‐Andres C. , Feliciano Luis Muniz , Okenka Genevieve , Heinzel Frederick , Subauste M. Cecilia , Subauste Carlos S. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryRegulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) expression is important given the role of this enzyme in inflammation, control of infections and immune regulation. In contrast to tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) alone or CD40 stimulation alone, simultaneous stimulation of mouse macrophages through CD40 ligation and TNF‐α led to up‐regulation of NOS2 and nitric oxide production. This response was of functional relevance because CD40/TNF‐α‐stimulated macrophages acquired nitric oxide‐dependent anti‐Leishmania major activity. CD40 plus TNF‐α up‐regulated NOS2 independently of interferon‐γ, interferon‐α/β and interleukin‐1. TNF receptor‐associated factor 6 (TRAF6), an adapter protein downstream of CD40, appears to be required for NOS2 up‐regulation because a CD40‐TRAF6 blocking peptide inhibited up‐regulation of NOS2 in CD40/TNF‐α‐stimulated macrophages. CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein‐β (C/EBPβ), a transcription factor activated by TNF‐α but not CD40, was required for NOS2 up‐regulation because this enzyme was not up‐regulated when C/EBPβ−/− macrophages received CD40 plus TNF‐α stimulation. These results indicate that CD40 and TNF‐α co‐operate to up‐regulate NOS2, probably via the effect of TRAF6 and C/EBPβ.
Initial apical fit of K‐files versus LightSpeed LSX instruments assessed by micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Marending M. , Schicht O. O. , Paqué F. 
Published: October 2011

Marending M, Schicht OO, Paqué F. Initial apical fit of K‐files versus LightSpeed LSX instruments assessed by micro‐computed tomography. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 169–176, 2012.AbstractAim  To compare the apical fit in two dimensions of the first K‐file versus the first Lightspeed LSX instrument binding at working length after an initial crown‐down preparation.Methodology  Twenty maxillary molars with fully developed roots and four separate root canals were selected. Canals were pre‐flared with ProFile.04 taper instruments to three quarters of estimated working length. Working length was electronically determined using a size 06 K‐file. Progressively larger K‐files were inserted passively to working length. The first binding K‐file was termed initial apical file (IAF). Then, the first binding LSX initial apical lightspeed‐instrument (IAL) was determined. Teeth were scanned with and without instruments in place using micro‐computed tomography. Cross‐sections of the apical part of the root canals were analysed as follows: the largest and smallest diameters of the root canal and the diameter of the instrument were calculated and related to each other. Statistics were performed using Kruskal–Wallis test and Wilcoxon test. The alpha‐type error was set at 0.05.Results  Initial apical file sizes ranged from 8 to 30 and were lowest in second mesiobuccal and highest in palatal canals. IAL sizes ranged from size 20 to 40. The apical large canal diameter was assessed more accurately by the LSX instruments (P < 0.0001). However, the smallest available LSX instrument (i.e. size 20) did not reach working length in 39 of 80 canals.Conclusions  Instruments with a flat widened tip were found to determine apical cross‐sectional diameter better than round, tapered instruments.
Cognitive stimulation during hospitalization improves global cognition of older Taiwanese undergoing elective total knee and hip replacement surgery
Authors: Cheng Chia‐Min , Chiu Ming‐Jang , Wang Jyh‐Horng , Liu Hwa‐Chang , Shyu Yea‐Ing Lotus , Huang Guan‐Hua , Chen Cheryl Chia‐Hui 
Published: October 2011

cheng c.‐m., chiu m.‐j., wang j.‐h., liu h.‐c., shyu y.‐i.l., huang g.‐h. & chen c.c.‐h. (2012) Cognitive stimulation during hospitalization improves global cognition of older Taiwanese undergoing elective total knee and hip replacement surgery. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1322–1329.AbstractAim.  This article is a report on a pilot study conducted to determine the effects of cognitively stimulating activities in older patients undergoing elective hip and/or knee replacement.Background.  Cognitive decline occurs in 16–35·5% of older hospitalized patients. In‐hospital interventions, such as cognitively stimulating activities, might combat cognitive decline. However, evidence supporting such interventions is limited.Methods.  For this randomized pilot trial, 50 older patients (90% women with a mean age of 72·8 years) were recruited in 2008 from a tertiary medical centre in Taiwan. While hospitalized, participants in the intervention group received a daily nurse‐led, individual‐based, cognitive‐stimulation intervention. The comparison group received usual care. Cognitive function was assessed using Mini‐Mental State Examination at admission, discharge and 1 month after discharge.Results.  The incidence of cognitive decline (≥2‐point decline in cognitive score) by hospital discharge was significantly lower for the intervention group (12%) than the usual care group (44%). The intervention group also had better cognitive scores following hospitalization. Upon discharge, participants in the intervention group scored 1·28 points higher than at admission, whereas participants in the usual care declined by 0·76 points. Improvement in cognitive status persisted for the intervention group (+1·33 points) vs. usual care (−0·26 points) at 1 month after discharge. Group differences in changes were statistically significant both at discharge and 1 month afterwards.Conclusion.  Our cognitive‐stimulation intervention benefited global cognitive function among older patients undergoing elective hip and/or knee replacement. The benefit persisted at 1 month after discharge.
Attitudes of qualified vs. student mental health nurses towards an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia
Authors: Linden Mark , Kavanagh Rory 
Published: October 2011

linden m. & kavanagh r. (2012) Attitudes of qualified vs. student mental health nurses towards an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1359–1368.AbstractAim.  This paper is the report of a study which sought to compare the attitudes held by student and qualified mental health nurses towards individuals with schizophrenia in the Republic of Ireland.Background.  Media portrayals of individuals with schizophrenia often include images of aggression and violence. With global initiatives aimed at reducing the stigma and exclusion associated with mental illness, the attitudes of those who care for people with schizophrenia are of particular interest.Methods.  A survey was administered to 66 student mental health nurses, and 121 qualified mental health nurses. Participants completed the community attitudes to mental illness scale and the social interaction scale in 2009. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to test for the effects of qualification, work setting, years of experience and education on the measures.Results.  Nurses employed in a community setting held more positive attitudes, when compared with colleagues who worked in an inpatient setting, as measured by the community mental health ideology subscale, indicating their desire to promote community care for individuals with schizophrenia. Nurses working in an inpatient setting held more socially restrictive attitudes indicating that they felt individuals with schizophrenia were dangerous and should be avoided. These findings were statistically significant at the P < 0·05 level.Conclusions.  Mental health nurses must be alerted to the fact that holding negative attitudes may adversely affect the therapeutic relationship and ultimately lead to stigmatization and its negative consequences.
Density‐dependence vs. density‐independence – linking reproductive allocation to population abundance and vegetation greenness
Authors: Bårdsen Bård‐Jørgen , Tveraa Torkild 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Recent studies have shown that optimal reproductive allocation depends on both climatic conditions and population density. We tested this hypothesis using six years of demographic data from eight reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations coupled with data on population abundance and vegetation greenness [measured using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI)].2. Female spring body mass positively affected summer body mass gain, and lactating females were unable to compensate for harsh winters as efficiently as barren ones. Female spring body mass was highly sensitive to changes in population abundance and vegetation greenness and less dependent on previous autumn body mass and reproductive status. Lactating females were larger than barren females in the spring. Moreover, female autumn body mass was positively related to female autumn body mass and reproductive success and was not very sensitive to changes in vegetation greenness and population abundance.3. Offspring autumn body mass was positively related to both maternal spring and autumn body mass, and as predicted from theory, offspring were more sensitive to changes in vegetation greenness and population abundance than adult females. A lagged cost of reproduction was present as larger females who were barren, the previous year produced larger offspring than equally sized females that successfully reproduced the previous year.4. Reproductive success was negatively related to female autumn body mass and positively related to female spring body mass. Moreover, females who successfully reproduced the previous year experienced the highest reproductive success. The fact that negative density‐dependence was only present for females that had successfully reproduced the previous year further support the hypothesis that reproduction is costly.5. This study shows that female reindeer buffer their reproductive allocation according to expected winter conditions and that their buffering abilities were limited by population abundance and a lagged cost of reproduction and enhanced by vegetation greenness.
Psychometric comparisons of three measures for assessing motor functions in preschoolers with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Wuang Y‐P. , Su C‐Y. , Huang M‐H. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Deficit in motor performance is common in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). A motor function measure with sound psychometric properties is indispensable for clinical and research use. The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of three commonly used clinical measures for assessing motor function in preschoolers with ID: the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐Second Edition, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children‐Second Edition and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale‐Second Edition (PDMS‐2).Method  One hundred and ninety‐one children aged 3–6 years with ID were evaluated with the three measures at three time points: two baseline measurements with a 1‐week interval before the intervention, and a follow‐up measurement after 6 months of paediatric rehabilitation programme. One hundred and forty‐one participants completed all of the assessments. The distribution (ceiling and floor effects) and reliability (internal consistency and test–retest reliability) of each measure were examined. Concurrent validity, predictive validity, and responsiveness were examined as well.Results  All measures, except for the PDMS‐2, had significant floor effects or ceiling effects at one or more time points. The three measures had good internal consistency (Cronbach α ≥ 0.86) and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.96). The Spearman ρ correlation coefficient for each pair of the three measures was ≥0.80, indicating high concurrent validity. The predictive validity of the three measures was satisfactory (Spearman ρ ≥ 0.52). The responsiveness of the three measures was moderate (0.47 ≤ effect size ≤ 0.74). The minimal detectable changes of the three measures were satisfactory.Conclusions  All three measures showed sufficient reliability, validity and responsiveness in preschoolers with ID, but the PDMS‐2 is recommended for its superior psychometric properties.
Adaptive evolution of a key gene affecting queen and worker traits in the honey bee, Apis mellifera
Authors: KENT CLEMENT F. , ISSA AMER , BUNTING ALEXANDRA C. , ZAYED AMRO 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe vitellogenin egg yolk precursor protein represents a well‐studied case of social pleiotropy in the model organism Apis mellifera. Vitellogenin is associated with fecundity in queens and plays a major role in controlling division of labour in workers, thereby affecting both individual and colony‐level fitness. We studied the molecular evolution of vitellogenin and seven other genes sequenced in a large population panel of Apis mellifera and several closely related species to investigate the role of social pleiotropy on adaptive protein evolution. We found a significant excess of nonsynonymous fixed differences between A. mellifera, A. cerana and A. florea relative to synonymous sites indicating high rates of adaptive evolution at vitellogenin. Indeed, 88% of amino acid changes were fixed by selection in some portions of the gene. Further, vitellogenin exhibited hallmark signatures of selective sweeps in A. mellifera, including a significant skew in the allele frequency spectrum, extreme levels of genetic differentiation and linkage disequilibrium. Finally, replacement polymorphisms in vitellogenin were significantly enriched in parts of the protein involved in binding lipid, establishing a link between the gene’s structure, function and effects on fitness. Our case study provides unequivocal evidence of historical and ongoing bouts of adaptive evolution acting on a key socially pleiotropic gene in the honey bee.
Morphological characterisation of Italian weedy rice (Oryza sativa) populations
Authors: FOGLIATTO S , VIDOTTO F , FERRERO A 
Published: October 2011

Fogliatto S, Vidotto F & Ferrero A (2011). Morphological characterisation of Italian weedy rice (Oryza sativa) populations. Weed Research 52, 60–69.SummaryWeedy rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most widespread and problematic weeds in rice cultivation; it spans the globe and can cause high yield losses. In 2008, seeds of 149 weedy rice populations were collected from the major Italian rice cultivation area. In 2009, these populations were sown in a single field to determine their morphological characteristics, including plant height, flag leaf attitude and length, panicle attitude and length, auricle and node colour, seed weight and size, awn length and germination rates at 0, 10 and 30 days of after‐ripening (DAR). Of the collected populations, c. 56% were awned, 17% mucronate and 27% awnless. The morphological characteristics among the awned populations varied widely and displayed the highest average lengths of flag leaf (27.6 cm) and seed (8 mm). Mucronate populations were mainly characterised by small seeds and low germination rates. Awnless populations showed higher germination rates at 30 DAR (20%) and wider seeds (3.7 mm). Awn length and distribution, seed length, 1000 seed weight and germination rates were the most important traits influencing the variability among populations. Awned populations are expected to adapt better to differing environmental and cropping conditions, because of their larger variability.
Development of a high‐throughput real‐time quantitative PCR method to detect and quantify contaminating seeds of Phelipanche ramosa and Orobanche cumana in crop seed lots
Authors: DONGO A , LEFLON M , SIMIER P , DELAVAULT P 
Published: October 2011

Dongo A, Leflon M, Simier P & Delavault P (2011) Development of a high‐throughput real‐time quantitative PCR method to detect and quantify contaminating seeds of Phelipanche ramosa and Orobanche cumana in crop seed lots. Weed Research 52, 34–41.SummaryThe objective of this study was to develop a simple and robust quantitative PCR method for the detection of seeds from two parasitic plants, Phelipanche ramosa and Orobanche cumana, as well as their closely related species, in seed harvests of oilseed rape and sunflower. The method was based on the design of primers/probe sets specific to both parasitic plants and targeting internal transcribed spacer sequences for quantitative real‐time PCR (TaqMan). Together with the proposed DNA extraction protocol, this diagnostic method allows rapid, high‐throughput and accurate assessment of contamination with broomrape seeds, without the requirement of tedious purification steps and identification under a binocular microscope. The TaqMan assay is highly specific, because it did not detect any possible plant contaminants that are likely to be present in harvested crop seeds. The results of this assay can be expressed in terms of the number of parasite seeds per kilogram of crop seeds, a metric that could be utilised to help decisions regarding crop seed lot utilisation and commercialisation.
Risk analysis for deterioration of renal function after pancreas alone transplant
Authors: Chatzizacharias Nikolaos A. , Vaidya Anil , Sinha Sanjay , Sharples Edward , Smith Richard , Jones Gareth , Brockmann Jens , Friend Peter J. 
Published: October 2011

Chatzizacharias NA, Vaidya A, Sinha S, Sharples E, Smith R, Jones G, Brockmann J, Friend PJ. Risk analysis for deterioration of renal function after pancreas alone transplant.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01534.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  The risk of progression to renal replacement after pancreas transplant alone (PTA) is a concern in patients with pre‐transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <70 mL/min/1.73 m2. This is a retrospective, single‐center risk analysis of potential factors affecting renal function after PTA. Twenty‐four patients, transplanted over a three‐yr period, with functioning pancreatic grafts at the study’s end point were included. High tacrolimus levels (>12 mg/dL) at six months post‐transplant was the only independent risk factor identifying a substantial decline in native renal function by Cox regression analysis (HR = 14.300, CI = 1.271–160.907, p = 0.031). The presence of severe pre‐transplant proteinuria (urine Pr/Cr ≥100 mg/mmol) marginally failed to reach significance (p = 0.056). Low eGFR levels alone (≤45 and ≤40 mL/min/1.73 m2) at the time of transplant did not correlate with substantial decline in renal function. Our data suggest that PTA is a justifiable therapy for patients with hypoglycemia unawareness or other life‐threatening diabetic complications, even in those with borderline renal function, provided that they do not suffer from severe proteinuria and appropriate monitoring and tailoring of immunosuppression is ensured.
Six‐month incidence of bloodstream infections in intestinal transplant patients
Authors: Akhter K. , Timpone J. , Matsumoto C. , Fishbein T. , Kaufman S. , Kumar P. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal transplantation has emerged as an established treatment for life‐threatening intestinal failure. The most common complication and cause of death is infection. Risk of infection is highest during the first 6 months, as a consequence of maximal immunosuppression, greater than that required for any other organ allograft.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of all (56) adult and pediatric (<18 years) small bowel transplant patients at our institution between November 2003 and July 2007, and analyzed the 6‐month post‐transplant incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs). We evaluated multiple risk factors, including inclusion of a colon or liver, total bilirubin >5, surgical complications, and acute rejection.ResultsA BSI developed in 34 of the 56 patients, with a total of 85 BSI episodes. Of these BSI episodes, 65.9% were due to gram‐positive organisms, 34.1% gram‐negative organisms, and 2.4% due to fungi. The most common isolates were Enterococcus species, Enterobacter species, Klebsiella species, and coagulase‐negative staphylococci. Inclusion of the liver and/or a preoperative bilirubin >5 mg/dL appeared to increase the incidence of BSI (P = 0.0483 and 0.0005, respectively). Acute rejection and colonic inclusion did not appear to affect the incidence of BSI (P = 0.9419 and 0.8248, respectively). The BSI incidence was higher in children (P = 0.0058).ConclusionsBSIs are a common complication of intestinal transplantation. Risk factors include age <18, inclusion of the liver, and pre‐transplant bilirubin >5. Acute rejection and colon inclusion do not appear to be associated with increased BSI risk.