bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychological stress accelerates the onset of tumour formation and alters the type and location of tumours in a DMBA mouse carcinogenesis model
Authors: Flint Melanie , McCarty Kenneth , Jenkins Frank , Conrads Thomas , Sun Mai , Baum Andrew 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPsychological stress is recognized as a factor that contributes to increased susceptibility to a number of diseases, including cancer. Psychological stress, via release of chemical mediators, can induce long‐term changes in the organism resulting in an altered responsiveness of the organism to external carcinogens. The present investigation sought to evaluate the impact of stress on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐induced carcinogenesis. We utilized a repetitive restraint stress mouse model and the model PAH, 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Restraint stress was applied three times a week for 6 weeks and DMBA was administered intra‐gastrically once a week for 6 weeks and formation of skin, mammary and ovarian tumours was examined at 26 weeks by pathological analyses. The results indicate that stress accelerates the onset of tumour formation produced in response to DMBA and significantly influences the type and location of tumours. Taken together, these results demonstrate that stress enhances the carcinogenicity of DMBA. These results clearly indicate the need for further characterization of the impact of stress on carcinogen metabolism in oncology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of reagent type on the acetylation of barley and maize starches
Authors: Nuñez‐Santiago Carmen , Garcia‐Suarez Francisco J.L. , Roman‐Gutierrez Alma Delia , Bello‐Pérez Luis A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe objective of this work was to study the effect of reagent type on properties of acetylated barley starch (BS) and maize starch (MS) after modification with acetic anhydride (AA) and vinyl acetate (VA) at similar molar concentration for mole of glucose of both reagents. Degree of substitution (DS), morphological characteristics and granule size distribution, gelatinization and retrogradation, pasting properties, and X‐ray diffraction pattern were evaluated. Acetylation disturbs the short and long range order, and the effect was higher with AA than VA, and for BS than MS. This is due to the higher DS determined in AA–BS. In the pasting profile, acetylated starch showed the maximum peak viscosity at lower temperature, this effect was strongest for BS and anhydride acetic‐acetylation. Differential scanning calorimetry showed decrease in gelatinization parameters in acetylated starches (temperatures and enthalpy), and retrogradation was suppressed by acetylation. This effect was stronger in starches acetylated with AA despite their higher DS. This pattern can be explained from the occurrence of surface effects in acetylation with AA.
Transplanted Oligodendrocytes and Motoneuron Progenitors Generated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Promote Locomotor Recovery After Spinal Cord Transection
Authors: Erceg Slaven , Ronaghi Mohammad , Oria Marc , García Roselló Mireia , Aragó Maria Amparo Pérez , Lopez Maria Gomez , Radojevic Ivana , Moreno-Manzano Victoria , Rodríguez-Jiménez Francisco-Javier , Shanker Bhattacharya Shom , Cordoba Juan , Stojkovic Miodrag 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold great promise for the treatment of patients with many neurodegenerative diseases particularly those arising from cell loss or neural dysfunction including spinal cord injury. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of transplanted hESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPC) and/or motoneuron progenitors (MP) on axonal remyelination and functional recovery of adult rats after complete spinal cord transection. OPC and/or MP were grafted into the site of injury in the acute phase. Based on Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores recovery of locomotor function was significantly enhanced in rats treated with OPC and/or MP when compared with control animals. When transplanted into the spinal cord immediately after complete transection, OPC and MP survived, migrated, and differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes and neurons showing in vivo electrophysiological activity. Taken together, these results indicate that OPC and MP derived from hESC could be a useful therapeutic strategy to repair injured spinal cord.
Robot soccer
Authors: Sammut Claude 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRobot soccer is a test bed for a variety of robotic and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods. Its relevance to Cognitive Science is that it confronts the designer with a task that requires the integration of almost all aspects of AI to create an agent that is capable of working in a complex, dynamic environment inhabited by other agents, some of which are cooperative and others competitive. We describe the main elements that make up a robot soccer player and how these players associate to create effective teams. We pay special attention to the architecture of the players. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 824–833This article is categorized under:

Computer Science > Robotics
Psychology > Theory and Methods
Stocking rate effects on metabolizable energy intake and grazing behaviour of Tan sheep in steppe grassland on the Loess Plateau of Northwest China
Authors: CHEN X. J. , HOU F. J. , MATTHEW C. , HE X. Z. 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYA simulated grazing system was set up in Huanxian County, Gansu province, on the Loess Plateau of Northwest China, involving the purchase of 18-month-old wether lambs in June of each year atc. 20 kg body weight (BW) and sale 6 months later atc. 35 kg BW. Three stocking rate (SR) treatments of 2·7, 5·3 and 8·7 wether lambs/ha were evaluated on geographically separated warm season (WS) and cold season (CS) paddocksc. 1 km apart; 3 years' data are reported (2004–2006). The metabolizable energy (ME) yield of the grazing system, calculated from the weight of animals fed and their weight gain, averaged 1·7, 3·3 and 4·7 GJ/ha/year for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, in the WS and 0·9, 1·9, and 2·7 GJ/ha/year, respectively, in the CS for SR of 2·7, 5·3 and 8·7 animals/ha. Detailed grazing behaviour records were kept in order to elucidate intake dynamics. In these grazing systems, bite weight was typicallyc. 0·04 g/bite, lower than for temperate grazing systems at comparable herbage mass. A hypothesis for further study is proposed that this may relate to the distribution of a similar herbage mass over a greater sward height range in steppe vegetation than in temperate grass pasture. Sheep increased their bite rate (bites/min) and the number of steps/min at higher SR to compensate, such that intake/animal was reduced by not more than 10% with a threefold increase in SR. At higher SR, herbage ground cover on grazed plots was still lower than on ungrazed plots, 1 year after a 90-day summer grazing period or a 48-day winter grazing period. The significance of the findings for management of these systems is briefly discussed.
The Príncipe Thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus: a newly split, ‘Critically Endangered’, forest flagship species
Authors: DALLIMER MARTIN , MELO MARTIM , COLLAR NIGEL J. , JONES PETER J. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryRecently recognised as specifically distinct, the Príncipe Thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus is endemic to the island of Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. Formerly treated as conspecific with the more abundant T. olivaceofuscus from the nearby island of São Tomé, the Príncipe Thrush is considered rare and likely to be restricted to primary rainforest. A 2007 survey of Príncipe comprising 177 point transect locations covering 13 sites under different land uses (six in primary forest, three in secondary forest and four in plantations) encountered 18 individuals. Thrushes were found only in primary rainforest, where overall densities were 0.10 birds ha−1, equating to a population size of 435 individuals (95% confidence intervals: 208–913). We adjusted this estimate to take into account the fact that the highest density (0.22 birds ha−1) only occurred above 600 m, giving a final estimated population size of only 364 birds (95% confidence intervals: 186–887). In light of evidence of recent declines, possibly driven by hunting pressure, in the number of mature individuals and the limited area of occurrence of the species, the IUCN Red List category for the Príncipe Thrush should be ‘Critically Endangered’ under both criteria B1a+b(iii and v) and C2a(ii). The recent designation of the primary forests of southern Príncipe as a protected area (Parque Natural d’Obô do Príncipe) provides an opportunity for the conservation of this newly described species, which we recommend is used as a flagship for the forests as a whole.
Real-time qRT-PCR analysis of EGF receptor in cumulus-oocyte complexes recovered by laparoscopy in hormonally treated goats
Authors: Almeida K.C. , Pereira A.F. , Alcântara Neto A.S. , Avelar S.R.G. , Bertolini L.R. , Bertolini M. , Freitas V.J.F. , Melo L.M. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryOvarian stimulation with exogenous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has been used to increase the number of viable oocytes for laparoscopic oocyte recovery (LOR) in goats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two FSH protocols for ovarian stimulation in goats on the expression pattern of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) recovered by LOR. After real-time qRT-PCR analysis, expression profiles of morphologically graded COCs were compared prior to and afterin vitromaturation (IVM) on a FSH protocol basis. The use of a protocol with higher number of FSH injections at a shorter interval resulted in GI/GII COCs with a higher level of EGFR expression in cumulus cells, but not in the oocyte, which was correlated with an elevated meiotic competence following IVM. Based on the maturation profile and EGFR expression patterns observed between groups, the morphological selection of COCs prior to IVM was not a good predictor of oocyte meiotic competence. Therefore, EGFR may be a good candidate marker for indirect prediction of goat oocyte quality. The IVM process of goat COCs increased the EGFR expression in oocytes and cumulus cells, which seemed to be strongly associated with the resumption of meiosis. In summary, differential EGFR expression in goat cumulus cells was associated with thein vivoprematuration process, and in turn, the upregulation in the entire COC was associated with IVM. Cause-and-effect relationships between such increased expression levels, particularly in the oocyte, and oocyte competence itself still need to be further investigated.
Positive everyday experiences interact with social support to predict depression in multiple sclerosis
Authors: VARGAS GRAY A. , ARNETT PETER A. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBoth social support and stress predict depression in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Little work has been done on the relationship between positive life experiences and depression in this group. Ninety MS patients completed the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ), the Hassles and Uplifts Scale (HUS), the Chicago Multiscale Depression Inventory (CMDI), and the Affective Reading Span Task (ARST). The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was also used. Separate regression analyses were conducted with the EDSS entered at step 1, ARST memory bias score at step 2, SSQ at step 3, either Hassles or Uplifts at step 4, and the interaction term at step 5 to predict depression. Uplifts interacted significantly with social support to predict depression, but hassles did not. After considering disability level, memory bias, and social support and uplifts main effects, the interaction of uplifts and social support accounted for nearly 5% independent variance in depression (p < .05). These results suggest that the absence of uplifts, combined with low levels of social support, is related to depression in MS patients. More generally, these data indicate that it is important to study the absence of positive experiences along with stress and negative experiences in this population. (JINS, 2010, 16, 1039–1046.)
Planetary Trojans – the main source of short period comets?
Authors: Horner J. , Lykawka P. S. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOne of the key considerations when assessing the potential habitability of telluric worlds will be that of the impact regime experienced by the planet. In this work, we present a short review of our understanding of the impact regime experienced by the terrestrial planets within our own Solar system, describing the three populations of potentially hazardous objects which move on orbits that take them through the inner Solar system. Of these populations, the origins of two (the Near-Earth Asteroids and the Long-Period Comets) are well understood, with members originating in the Asteroid belt and Oort cloud, respectively. By contrast, the source of the third population, the Short-Period Comets, is still under debate. The proximate source of these objects is the Centaurs, a population of dynamically unstable objects that pass perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) between the orbits of Jupiter and Neptune. However, a variety of different origins have been suggested for the Centaur population. Here, we present evidence that at least a significant fraction of the Centaur population can be sourced from the planetary Trojan clouds, stable reservoirs of objects moving in 1:1 mean-motion resonance with the giant planets (primarily Jupiter and Neptune). Focussing on simulations of the Neptunian Trojan population, we show that an ongoing flux of objects should be leaving that region to move on orbits within the Centaur population. With conservative estimates of the flux from the Neptunian Trojan clouds, we show that their contribution to that population could be of order ~3%, while more realistic estimates suggest that the Neptune Trojans could even be the main source of fresh Centaurs. We suggest that further observational work is needed to constrain the contribution made by the Neptune Trojans to the ongoing flux of material to the inner Solar system, and believe that future studies of the habitability of exoplanetary systems should take care not to neglect the contribution of resonant objects (such as planetary Trojans) to the impact flux that could be experienced by potentially habitable worlds.
From tau phosphorylation to tau aggregation: what about neuronal death?
Authors: Buée Luc , Troquier Laëtitia , Burnouf Sylvie , Belarbi Karim , Van der Jeugd Anneke , Ahmed Tariq , Fernandez-Gomez Francisco , Caillierez Raphaelle , Grosjean Marie-Eve , Begard Séverine , Barbot Bérangère , Demeyer Dominique , Obriot Hélène , Brion Ingrid , Buée-Scherrer Valérie , Maurage Claude-Alain , Balschun Detlef , D'Hooge Rudi , Hamdane Malika , Blum David , Sergeant Nicolas 
Published: July 2010

Tau pathology is characterized by intracellular aggregates of abnormally and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. It is encountered in many neurodegenerative disorders, but also in aging. These neurodegenerative disorders are referred to as tauopathies. Comparative biochemistry of the tau aggregates shows that they differ in both tau isoform phosphorylation and content, which enables a molecular classification of tauopathies. In conditions of dementia, NFD (neurofibrillary degeneration) severity is correlated to cognitive impairment and is often considered as neuronal death. Using tau animal models, analysis of the kinetics of tau phosphorylation, aggregation and neuronal death in parallel to electrophysiological and behavioural parameters indicates a disconnection between cognition deficits and neuronal cell death. Tau phosphorylation and aggregation are early events followed by cognitive impairment. Neuronal death is not observed before the oldest ages. A sequence of events may be the formation of toxic phosphorylated tau species, their aggregation, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (from pre-tangles to ghost tangles) and finally neuronal cell death. This sequence will last from 15 to 25 years and one can ask whether the aggregation of toxic phosphorylated tau species is a protection against cell death. Apoptosis takes 24 h, but NFD lasts for 24 years to finally kill the neuron or rather to protect it for more than 20 years. Altogether, these data suggest that NFD is a transient state before neuronal death and that therapeutic interventions are possible at that stage.
Factor VII Deficiency: Immunological Characterization of Genetic Variants and Detection of Carriers
Authors: Mariani G. , Mazzucconi M. G. , Hermans J. , Ciavarella N. , Faiella A. , Hassan H. J. , Mannucci P. M. , Nenci G. G. , Orlando M. , Romoli D. , Mandelli F. 
Published: July 2010

Summary. Twenty‐one patients with congenital factor VII deficiency belonging to 16 different kindreds were investigated. The existence of three immunochemical variants on the ground of factor VII activity (VII:C) and factor VII‐related antigen (VII:Ag) levels (VII−, VII+ and VIIR) was established. There was no correlation between the presence of factor VII:Ag and either the clinical picture or the specific function as studied with the Km calculations.Genetically the mode of inheritance is the same whatever the immunological variant, but the identification of carriers is simplified when the presence of factor VII‐related antigen is assayed throughout a kindred.
Haemorrhagic Thrombocytopathy Associated with Dilatation of the Platelet—Membrane Complex
Authors: Green David , Ts'ao Chung‐hsin , Cohen Isaac , Rossi Ennio C. 
Published: July 2010

Summary.We evaluated eight patients from four families because of a history of excessive bleeding. Most patients had prolonged bleeding times, absent secondary wave of platelet aggregation in response to epinephrine, collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and defective 14C‐serotonin release and platelet factor 3 availability. These findings are characteristic of a platelet release defect. Electron‐microscopic examination of the platelets of seven patients revealed a common abnormality. From 30% to 70% of the platelets in any given sample exhibited a prominent membrane complex and dilated, tortuous surface‐connected canalicular system (‘swiss‐cheese’ platelet). In two patients there was coincident storage‐pool disease, but the remainder had adequate dense bodies and a normal ratio of ATP to ADP. SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of platelet proteins and glycoproteins showed no abnormalities. The patency of the canalicular system was demonstrated in one patient by the observation that dense bodies appeared in the cannaliculi and outside the platelets following collageninduced aggregation of polylysine‐treated platelets. Since platelet‐aggregation responses to the calcium ionophore A23187 were normal, we conclude that the defective platelet function in these patients may be due to impaired calcium mobilization from the morphologically abnormal membrane complex.
Coagulation Abnormalities following Intensive Plasma Exchange on the Cell Separator
Authors: Chirnside Ann , Urbaniak S. J. , Prowse C. V. , Keller A. J. 
Published: July 2010

Summary.The effects of intensive plasma exchange on the circulating levels of coagulation factors I, II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X and antithrombin III were determined. During courses of daily exchange marked cumulative reductions of coagulation factors may occur, particularly in the case of factors I, II and X, although usually remaining above the levels considered adequate for haemostasis. The extent of cumulative reduction and subsequent recovery differed for patients with different diseases. While antithrombin III levels were reduced during plasma exchange the results suggest that this may be partly due to consumption as well as physical removal.The very low incidence of haemorrhagic sequelae and absence of thrombotic events following plasma exchange at this Centre is explained by the maintenance of adequate levels of coagulation factors and of antithrombin III even during courses of daily plasma exchange.
Dosage and control of oral anticoagulants: an international collaborative survey
Authors: Poller L. , Taberner D. A. 
Published: July 2010

Summary.An international survey of oral anticoagulant dosage has been carried out comparing the mean dosage prescribed in hospitals in 23 countries. In addition, participants using the Quick prothrombin time test were asked to assess the adequacy of dosage of a lyophilized test plasma which was mid‐therapeutic using the British Comparative Thromboplastin (BCT).The overall mean dosage proved similar for the groups of laboratories using the Quick test and human brain thromboplastin and Thrombotest although wide differences existed between individual centres. The survey indicated that these discrepancies were due partly to the adoption of different intensities of anticoagulation. In addition, local differences in patients’response to anticoagulants were apparent, e.g. North American centres prescribed a higher mean dose with a more intense therapeutic range than Europeans. Hong Kong physicians appear to prescribe a much lower dose than the rest of the world although the intensity of their treatment is comparable, whereas South African hospitals give moderate doses of warfarin despite a conservative therapeutic range. Such geographical variation in response would invalidate standardization of anticoagulant treatment based on the mean dosage approach.
The bone marrow in human cerebral malaria: parasite sequestration within sinusoids
Authors: Wickramasinghe S. N. , Phillips R. E. , Looareesuwan Sornchai , Warrell D. A. , Hughes Madeleine 
Published: July 2010

SummaryBone marrow aspirates from patients with cerebral malaria were studied with the light and electron microscopes. Various abnormalities were found including: (1) an increase in plasma cells and macrophages, sometimes to a marked degree; (2) phagocytosis of parasitized red cells by macrophages and of merozoites by neutrophil metamyelocytes. neutrophil granulocytes and macrophages; (3) an increase in the proportion of eosinophil granulocytes and their precursors; (4) the presence of giant metamyelocytes; and (5) morphological abnormalities of erythroblasts, particularly irregularly‐shaped nuclei and karyorrhexis. A high percentage of the red cells within marrow sinusoids were parasitized and the parasitized cells were attached to the endothelium. Some marrow sinusoids were packed with and completely obstructed by parasitized cells. Strands of electron‐dense material were sometimes found connecting the knobs of parasitized red cells to endothelial cells or to the knobs of adjacent parasitized red cells. A striking finding was a complex interdigitation between cytoplasmic processes developed by some of the parasitized red cells and those developed by the endothelial cells to which they were attached. Occasionally, cytoplasmic processes arising from marginated parasitized red cells completely penetrated the endothelial cell and emerged extravascularly. Several parasitized red cells were also found extravascularly between haemopoietic cells. Sequestration of parasitized red cells within small blood vessels may play a part in the pathogenesis not only of the encephalopathy of cerebral malaria but also of the bone marrow dysfunction in severe malaria.