bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of longitudinal height data using random regression
Authors: Wang Chunkao , Andersson Bengt , Waldmann Patrik 
Published: October 2009

Genetic analysis of forest longitudinal height data using random regression (RR) has the potential to be attractive to tree breeders because of its advantages for selection at early ages. Our study provides an example of implementation of RR to forest tree height growth data. The data set comes from the Swedish Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) breeding program with a pedigree over three generations and consists of 899 trees with reconstructed phenotypic height records for 16 years. Legendre polynomials and B-splines were used as base functions in RR models. The restricted maximum likelihood method was employed to estimate (co)variance parameters. Results show that heritability increased with age, except for early ages (years 1 to 4). In general, slightly higher heritabilities were found for the RR model than for the single-trait and paired-trait analyses for most ages. Moreover, the heritabilities obtained with B-splines as the base function tended to be somewhat higher than those obtained with Legendre polynomials. The RR method provides a promising approach for estimating genetic parameters of longitudinal data that can be used in early selection. However, application to real data from other species and to simulated data is needed before general breeding recommendations can be established.
Heritability of Thromboxane A2and Prostaglandin E2Biosynthetic Machinery in a Spanish Population
Authors: Vila Luis , Martinez-Perez Angel , Camacho Mercedes , Buil Alfonso , Alcolea Sonia , Pujol-Moix Nuria , Soler Marta , Antón Rosa , Souto Juan-Carlos , Fontcuberta Jordi , Soria José-Manuel 
Published: October 2009

Objective—Prostanoids play a critical role in clinical areas such as inflammation, thrombosis, immune response, and cancer. Although some studies suggest that there are genes that determine variability of some prostanoid-related phenotypes, the genetic influence on these traits has not been evaluated.Methods and Results—The relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences to the prostanoid biosynthetic pathway-related phenotypes, cyclooxygenase isoenzymes, microsomal-PGE-synthase-1 and TxA-synthase expression, and thromboxane-A2and prostaglandin-E2production by stimulated whole blood, were assessed in a sample of 308 individuals in 15 extended families. The effects of measured covariates (such as sex, age, and smoking), genes, and environmental variables shared by members of a household were quantified. Heritabilities ranging from 0.406 to 0.634 for enzyme expression and from 0.283 to 0. 751 for prostanoid production were found.Conclusions—These results demonstrate clearly the importance of genetic factors in determining variation in phenotypes that are components of the prostanoid biosynthetic pathways. The presence of such strong genetic effects suggest that it will be possible to localize previously unknown genes that influence quantitative variation in these phenotypes, some of which affect multiple aspects of cell biology, with important clinical implications.
Female genital cutting
Authors: Khaja Khadija , Barkdull Carenlee , Augustine Marva , Cunningham Dianne 
Published: October 2009

English The purpose of this qualitative study with 17 Somali-born North American immigrant women was to better understand the women’s experiences with and views of female genital cutting (FGC), as well as their recommendations for developing more effective, inclusive and respectful prevention and intervention strategies for the practice. French La finalité de cette étude qualitative menée auprès de 17 femmes immigrantes nord américaines nées en Somalie était de mieux comprendre les expériences des femmes, leurs opinions à propos de l’excision, ainsi que leurs recommandations pour développer des stratégies de prévention et d’intervention plus efficaces, inclusives, et respectueuses pour la pratique. Spanish El propósito de este estudio cualitativo de 17 mujeres nacidas en Somalia que emigraron a los EEUU es comprender mejor las experiencias y visiones de estas mujeres en relación a la mutilación de genitales femeninos (FGC, por sus siglas en inglés), así como también sus recomendaciones para el desarrollo de estrategias de prevención e intervención más efectivas, inclusivas y respetuosas a la hora de realizar dicha práctica.
Psychosocial interventions and mass populations
Authors: Bourassa Jennifer 
Published: October 2009

English This article is one of the first to analyze international psychosocial approaches to large-scale disasters outside Westernized Eurocentric realms. Using the 2004 South-east Asian tsunamis as a basis, it highlights the potential empowerment and advocacy roles and strategies international social workers can deploy with populations affected by disasters. French Cet article est l’un des premiers à analyser les approches psychosociales internationales des désastres de large échelle ayant eu lieu en dehors des royaumes occidentaux eurocentriques. En prenant comme base les tsunamis du Sud Est asiatique de 2004, il éclaire les rôles potentiel d’empowerment (renforcement de la capacité d’agir) et d’advocacy (défense des droits) et les stratégies internationales que les travailleurs sociaux peuvent déployer avec les populations affectées par ces désastres. Spanish Este artículo es uno de los primeros en analizar los acercamientos psicosociales internacionales a los desastres de gran escala que han ocurrido fuera de los reinos eurocéntricos occidentales. Utilizando como base los tsunamis del sureste de Asia de 2004, resalta los roles y estrategias de poder y defensa que los trabajadores sociales internacionales pueden desplegar en poblaciones afectadas por desastres naturales.
Reciprocal e-mentoring
Authors: Plummer Carol A. , Omwenga Nyang'au Tom 
Published: October 2009

English Few have been able to benefit from international exchanges due to the distance, cost and complications of cross-cultural teaching and learning. This article discusses how university and non-profit social work professionals can create, sustain and benefit from internet communication. A case example provides concrete examples of possibilities inherent in this international exchange. French Seuls quelques individus ont pu bénéficier d’échanges internationaux: à cause de la distance, du coût et des complications de l’enseignement et de l’apprentissage interculturels. Cet article traite de la façon dont l’université et les professionnels du travail social à but non lucratif peuvent créer, maintenir et bénéficier de la communication internet. Une étude de cas apporte des exemples concrets de possibilités inhérentes à cet échange international. Spanish Pocos han podido beneficiarse de intercambios internacionales debido a la distancia, el costo y las complicaciones del aprendizaje y la enseñanza intercultural. Este artículo discute como las universidades y los profesionales del trabajo social sin fines de lucro pueden crear, mantener y beneficiarse de la comunicación vía Internet. Un caso tipo provee ejemplos concretos de las posibilidades inherentes a este intercambio internacional.
Culturally sensitive approaches to health and social care
Authors: Chau Ruby C.M. , Yu Sam W.K. 
Published: October 2009

English With the focus on how Chinese older people in the UK use health and social care services, this article demonstrates how these services’ sensitivity is undermined by mistaken assumptions about whether ethnic-minority groups organize health and care according to their cultural principles, and the unity of these principles. French Centré sur la façon dont les Chinois âgés utilisent les services de santé et d’accompagnement social en Grande Bretagne, cet article démontre comment la perception de ces services est biaisée par des représentations erronées selon lesquelles les groupes des minorités ethniques organisent la santé et l’accompagnement social selon leurs principes culturels et en vertu de l’unité de ces principes. Spanish Este artículo se centra en cómo las personas chinas de tercera edad usan los servicios sociales y de salud en Gran Bretaña. Hay suposiciones erróneas acerca de la unidad de principios culturales, y acerca de cómo los grupos étnicos organ izan el cuidado social y el cuidado de la salud. Estas suposiciones debilitan la sensibilidad cultural hacia estos grupos.
FXa Inhibition and Coagulation Changes During DVT Prophylaxis by Enoxaparin Over the Course of a 15-Day Follow-Up in Septic Patients
Authors: Zenáhlíková Zuzana , Kvasnička Jan , Kudrnová Zuzana , Sudrová Magda , Brzežková Radka , Mazoch Jiří , Malíková Ivana , Vyborny Josef , Erhart David , Pecen Ladislav 
Published: October 2009

The objective of our study was to examine the changes in coagulation parameters and inflammatory reaction over the course of 15 days in patients with severe sepsis. We tried to identify mechanisms by which sepsis-induced pathophysiological changes may influence the effectiveness of subcutaneously (SC) administered enoxaparin 40 mg once daily. A total of 16 patients (8 men, 8 women; age 35-83 years) meeting the inclusion criteria of severe sepsis were enrolled in this study. The follow-up was performed on days 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 of hospitalization at the intensive care unit (ICU). Blood coagulation (activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], prothrombin time [PT], fibrinogen, antithrombin (AT), protein C [PC], D-dimer, fragment 1.2 [F1.2], factor Xa [FXa] inhibition) and inflammatory reactants (interleukin 6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], orosomucoid, α-1-antitrypsin) were tested. The mean FXa inhibition was 0.17 (±0.17) IU/mL. The arbitrarily established range of FXa inhibition for prophylaxis, 0.2 to 0.4 IU/mL, was reached in 22 cases (20%), while in 74 cases (68%), it was below and in 13 cases (12%) above the aforementioned range. Factor Xa inhibition positively correlated with AT (r = .42; P < .001) and PC (r = .45; P < .001) activities. A negative correlation was found between the FXa inhibition and α-1-antitrypsin concentrations (r = —.33; P = .01) but only in the subgroup with α-1-antitrypsin concentrations ≥2.2 g/L. We confirmed that in most patients with sepsis, the prophylaxis with enoxaparin did not lead to the required FXa inhibition. The inhibition of FXa by enoxaparin depends mainly on the AT and PC activities.
Residential Location, Travel Behaviour, and Energy Use: Hangzhou Metropolitan Area Compared to Copenhagen
Authors: Næss Petter 
Published: October 2009

This paper presents the results of a study of the influence of residential locations on travelling behaviour in the Hangzhou Metropolitan Area in China. Based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study shows that the location of a dwelling, relative to the centre structure of Hangzhou Metropolitan Area, can exert a considerable influence on the travelling behaviour of the respondents included in the survey. On average, people living close to downtown Hangzhou used less energy for transport. They travelled less in total and made a greater share of their journeys by bike or on foot. The location of the dwelling relative to the closest second-order and third-order centre can also influence travelling, but not to the same extent as the location of the residence relative to the city centre of Hangzhou. The geographical differences in travelling behaviour exist independently of residential preferences and attitudes to transport and environmental issues and therefore cannot be explained by residential self-selection. Instead, a number of rationales for travel behaviour identified in the qualitative interviews showed important links in the causal mechanisms by which residential location can influence travel.
Reduction of amiodarone pulmonary toxicity in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers
Authors: Kosseifi Semaan G. , Halawa Ahmad , Bailey Beth , Micklewright Melinda , Roy Thomas M. , Byrd Ryland P. 
Published: October 2009

Background: Amiodarone (AM) is a widely used anti-arrhythmic medication. Its utility is, however, limited by adverse side effects. The mechanism of amiodarone-induced toxicity (APT) in the lungs is attributed primarily to stimulation of the angiotensin enzyme system leading to lung cell apoptosis and cell death. This mechanism has been demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo experimental animal studies. To date, however, no in vivo human studies have confirmed this mechanism for APT. Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine whether angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) offer a protective effect against APT in humans. Demonstration of a protective effect of an ACE-I or ARB would suggest that stimulation of the angiotensin enzyme system may be a key process in APT. Design: An 8-year retrospective analysis of all patients on AM therapy at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center was undertaken. Results: A total of 1000 patients on AM were identified. One-hundred-and-seventeen were excluded from the study. Five-hundred-and-twenty-four patients were simultaneously on an ACE-I or ARB. The remaining 359 patients were not. Pulmonary toxicity attributed to AM was identified in five and 14 patients with and without concomitant ACE-I or ARB therapy, respectively. The APT rate for the entire patient sample was 2.2%. APT occurred in 1% of patients on an ACE-I or ARB and in 3.9% of patients not taking an ACE-I or ARB. This observed difference in percentage of APT was statistically significant. Conclusion: The concomitant use of ACE-I or ARB in patients taking AM appears to offer a protective effect against APT. This observation suggests that the stimulation of the angiotensin enzyme system may play an important role in APT in humans.
Scl regulates the quiescence and the long-term competence of hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Lacombe Julie , Herblot Sabine , Rojas-Sutterlin Shanti , Haman André , Barakat Stéphane , Iscove Norman N. , Sauvageau Guy , Hoang Trang 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The majority of long-term reconstituting hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) in the adult is in G0, whereas a large proportion of progenitors are more cycling. We show here that the SCL/TAL1 transcription factor is highly expressed in LT-HSCs compared with short-term reconstituting HSCs and progenitors and that SCL negatively regulates the G0-G1 transit of LT-HSCs. Furthermore, when SCL protein levels are decreased by gene targeting or by RNA interference, the reconstitution potential of HSCs is impaired in several transplantation assays. First, the mean stem cell activity of HSCs transplanted at approximately 1 competitive repopulating unit was 2-fold decreased when Scl gene dosage was decreased. Second, Scl+/− HSCs were at a marked competitive disadvantage with Scl+/+ cells when transplanted at 4 competitive repopulating units equivalent. Third, reconstitution of the stem cell pool by adult HSCs expressing Scl-directed shRNAs was decreased compared with controls. At the molecular level, we found that SCL occupies the Cdkn1a and Id1 loci in primary hematopoietic cells and that the expression levels of these 2 regulators of HSC cell cycle and long-term functions are sensitive to Scl gene dosage. Together, our observations suggest that SCL impedes G0-G1 transition in HSCs and regulates their long-term competence.
TLR8-dependent TNF-α overexpression in Fanconi anemia group C cells
Authors: Vanderwerf Scott M. , Svahn Johanna , Olson Susan , Rathbun R. Keaney , Harrington Christina , Yates Jane , Keeble Winifred , Anderson David C. , Anur Praveen , Pereira Noemi F. , Pilonetto Daniela V. , Pasquini Ricardo , Bagby Grover C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractTumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production is abnormally high in Fanconi anemia (FA) cells and contributes to the hematopoietic defects seen in FA complementation group C–deficient (Fancc−/−) mice. Applying gene expression microarray and proteomic methods to studies on FANCC-deficient cells we found that genes encoding proteins directly involved in ubiquitinylation are overrepresented in the signature of FA bone marrow cells and that ubiquitinylation profiles of FA-C and complemented cells were substantially different. Finding that Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) was one of the proteins ubiquitinylated only in mutant cells, we confirmed that TLR8 (or a TLR8-associated protein) is ubiquitinylated in mutant FA-C cells and that TNF-α production in mutant cells depended upon TLR8 and the canonical downstream signaling intermediates interleukin 1 receptor–associated kinase (IRAK) and IκB kinase-alpha/beta. FANCC-deficient THP-1 cells and macrophages from Fancc−/− mice overexpressed TNF-α in response to TLR8 agonists but not other TLR agonists. Ectopically expressed FANCC point mutants were capable of fully complementing the mitomycin-C hypersensitivity phenotype of FA-C cells but did not suppress TNF-α overproduction. In conclusion, FANCC suppresses TNF-α production in mononuclear phagocytes by suppressing TLR8 activity and this particular function of FANCC is independent of its function in protecting the genome from cross-linking agents.
Smad4-dependent pathways control basement membrane deposition and endodermal cell migration at early stages of mouse development
Authors: Costello Ita , Biondi Christine A , Taylor Jennifer M , Bikoff Elizabeth K , Robertson Elizabeth J 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundSmad4 mutant embryos arrest shortly after implantation and display a characteristic shortened proximodistal axis, a significantly reduced epiblast, as well as a thickened visceral endoderm layer. Conditional rescue experiments demonstrate that bypassing the primary requirement for Smad4 in the extra-embryonic endoderm allows the epiblast to gastrulate. Smad4-independent TGF-β signals are thus sufficient to promote mesoderm formation and patterning. To further analyse essential Smad4 activities contributed by the extra-embryonic tissues, and characterise Smad4 dependent pathways in the early embryo, here we performed transcriptional profiling of Smad4 null embryonic stem (ES) cells and day 4 embryoid bodies (EBs).ResultsTranscripts from wild-type versus Smad4 null ES cells and day 4 EBs were analysed using Illumina arrays. In addition to several known TGF-β/BMP target genes, we identified numerous Smad4-dependent transcripts that are mis-expressed in the mutants. As expected, mesodermal cell markers were dramatically down-regulated. We also observed an increase in non-canonical potency markers (Pramel7,Tbx3,Zscan4), germ cell markers (Aire,Tuba3a,Dnmt3l) as well as early endoderm markers (Dpp4,H19,Dcn). Additionally, expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling enzymesMmp14andMmp9was decreased in Smad4 mutant ES and EB populations. These changes, in combination with increased levels oflaminin alpha1, cause excessive basement membrane deposition. Similarly, in the context of the Smad4 null E6.5 embryos we observed an expanded basement membrane (BM) associated with the thickened endoderm layer.ConclusionSmad4 functional loss results in a dramatic shift in gene expression patterns and in the endodermal cell lineage causes an excess deposition of, or an inability to breakdown and remodel, the underlying BM layer. These structural abnormalities probably disrupt reciprocal signalling between the epiblast and overlying visceral endoderm required for gastrulation.
Hsp-90 and the biology of nematodes
Authors: Him Nik AIIN , Gillan Victoria , Emes Richard D , Maitland Kirsty , Devaney Eileen 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

Background
Hsp-90 from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is unique in that it fails to bind to the specific Hsp-90 inhibitor, geldanamycin (GA). Here we surveyed 24 different free-living or parasitic nematodes with the aim of determining whether C. elegans Hsp-90 was the exception or the norm amongst the nematodes. We combined these data with codon evolution models in an attempt to identify whether hsp-90 from GA-binding and non-binding species has evolved under different evolutionary constraints.

Results
We show that GA-binding is associated with life history: free-living nematodes and those parasitic species with free-living larval stages failed to bind GA. In contrast, obligate parasites and those worms in which the free-living stage in the environment is enclosed within a resistant egg, possess a GA-binding Hsp-90. We analysed Hsp-90 sequences from fifteen nematode species to determine whether nematode hsp-90s have undergone adaptive evolution that influences GA-binding. Our data provide evidence of rapid diversifying selection in the evolution of the hsp-90 gene along three separate lineages, and identified a number of residues showing significant evidence of adaptive evolution. However, we were unable to prove that the selection observed is correlated with the ability to bind geldanamycin or not.

Conclusion
Hsp-90 is a multi-functional protein and the rapid evolution of the hsp-90 gene presumably correlates with other key cellular functions. Factors other than primary amino acid sequence may influence the ability of Hsp-90 to bind to geldanamycin.
A new procedure for determining the genetic basis of a physiological process in a non-model species, illustrated by cold induced angiogenesis in the carp
Authors: Herbert John MJ , Buffa Francesca M , Vorschmitt Henrik , Egginton Stuart , Bicknell Roy 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackgroundPhysiological processes occur in many species for which there is yet no sequenced genome and for which we would like to identify the genetic basis. For example, some species increase their vascular network to minimise the effects of reduced oxygen diffusion and increased blood viscosity associated with low temperatures. Since many angiogenic and endothelial genes have been discovered in man, functional homolog relationships between carp, zebrafish and human were used to predict the genetic basis of cold-induced angiogenesis inCyprinus Carpio(carp). In this work, carp sequences were collected and built into contigs. Human-carp functional homolog relationships were derived via zebrafish using a new Conditional Stepped Reciprocal Best Hit (CSRBH) protocol. Data sources including publications, Gene Ontology and cDNA libraries were then used to predict the identity of known or potential angiogenic genes. Finally, re-analyses of cold carp microarray data identified carp genes up-regulated in response to low temperatures in heart and muscle.ResultsThe CSRBH approach outperformed all other methods and attained 8,726 carp to human functional homolog relationships for 16,650 contiguous sequences. This represented 3,762 non-redundant genes and 908 of them were predicted to have a role in angiogenesis. The total number of up-regulated differentially expressed genes was 698 and 171 of them were putatively angiogenic. Of these, 5 genes representing the functional homologs NCL, RHOA, MMP9, GRN and MAPK1 are angiogenesis-related genes expressed in response to low temperature.ConclusionWe show that CSRBH functional homologs relationships and re-analyses of gene expression data can be combined in a non-model species to predict genes of biological interest before a genome sequence is fully available. Programs to run these analyses locally are available fromhttp://www.cbrg.ox.ac.uk/~jherbert/.