bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
With a little help from my kin: barn swallow nestlings modulate solicitation of parental care according to nestmates' need
Authors: Romano A. , Caprioli M. , Boncoraglio G. , Saino N. , Rubolini D. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn altricial species, offspring competing for access to limiting parental resources (e.g. food) are selected to achieve an optimal balance between the costs of scrambling for food, the benefits of being fed and the indirect costs of subtracting food to relatives. As the marginal benefits of acquiring additional food decrease with decreasing levels of need, satiated offspring should be prone to favour access to food by their needy kin, thus enhancing their own indirect fitness, while concomitantly reducing costs of harsh competition with hungry broodmates. We tested this prediction in feeding trials of barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) nestlings by comparing begging behaviour and food intake of two similar‐sized nestmates, one of which was food‐deprived (FD). Non‐food‐deprived (NFD) offspring modulated begging intensity depending on their nestmate's need: when competing withFDnestmates,NFDnestlings reduced both the intensity and frequency of begging displays compared to themselves in the control trial before food deprivation. Hence,NFDnestlings reduced their competitiveness to the advantage ofFDnestmates, which obtained more feedings and showed a threefold larger increase in body mass. Moderation of individual selfishness can therefore be adaptive in the presence of a needier kin, because the indirect fitness benefits of promoting its condition can outweigh the costs of forgoing being fed, and because it limits the cost of begging escalation against a vigorous competitor.
Updating knowledge on growth, population dynamics, and ecology of the blue and red shrimp, Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816), on the basis of the study of its instars
Authors: Orsi Relini Lidia , Mannini Alessandro , Relini Giulio 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBoth national (GRUND) and international (MEDITS) trawl surveys carried out in the Italian seas since 1994 have produced consistent and rather homogeneous samples of red shrimps (per season, gear, and methods to ascertain abundance). Study and discussion of data regarding Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) from Ligurian fishing grounds during the REDs project (FISH/2004/03‐32) made it possible to verify how key instars of the life of the female shrimp can be recognized from length frequency distributions derived from trawl surveys, allowing the age distributions to be split up. The segment of life that can be studied spans ages 1 and 10 and includes 20 instars, but larger sizes have been found which may extend the life span another 3 years. After age 5, only one growth instar per year occurs. Based on our study of the instars, we developed a size/age key for A. antennatus and used it to derive a von Bertalanffy growth function, total mortality rates and exploitation rates. Our results are related to basic biological and ecological characteristics of this species. Large individuals (females ≥50 mm CL at age 5 onward) present in a considerable percentage in the Ligurian Sea, are very important because (i) their fecundity is very high and therefore greatly influences the reproductive potential and (ii) they represent commercially the most valuable part of the catch. In addition, substantial relationships between the life history of A. antennatus and local oceanographic processes exist because the long life span of the species enlarges the area to which eggs and larvae are transported in surface currents, as well as the active return movements in deep waters where adult life mainly takes place. In the study area, the Northern Current provides the possibility of great horizontal displacement of A. antennatus eggs, larvae and early juveniles and, in general, attention to surface circulation may help to identify affinities in distant Mediterranean populations. This study presents A. antennatus in terms of a resource on the move at a Western Mediterranean scale.
Molecular and Cellular Characterization of Buffalo Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Gade NE , Pratheesh MD , Nath A , Dubey PK , Amarpal  , Sharma B , Saikumar G , Taru Sharma G 
Published: July 2012

ContentsImmune privileged mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell types and possess great potential for human and veterinary regenerative therapies. This study was designed with an objective to isolate, expand and characterize buffalo bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BM‐MSCs) at molecular and cellular level. Buffalo BM‐MSCs were isolated by Ficoll density gradient method and cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). These cells were characterized through alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining, colony‐forming unit (CFU) assay, mRNA expression analysis (CD 73, CD 90, CD 105, Oct4 and Nanog), immunolocalization along with flow cytometry (Stro 1, CD 73, CD 105, Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog) and in situ hybridization (Oct4 and Sox2). Multilineage differentiation (osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic) was induced in vitro, which was further assessed by specific staining. Buffalo BM‐MSCs have the capacity to form plastic adherent clusters of fibroblast‐like cells and were successfully maintained up to 16th passage. These cells were AP positive, and further CFU assay confirmed their clonogenic property. RT‐PCR analysis and protein localization study showed that buffalo BM‐MSCs are positive for various cell surface markers and pluripotency markers. Cytoplasmic distribution of mRNA for pluripotency markers in buffalo BM‐MSCs and multilineage differentiation were induced in vitro, which was further assessed by specific staining. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of buffalo BM‐MSCs, which suggests that MSCs can be derived and expanded from buffalo bone marrow and can be used after characterization as a novel agent for regenerative therapy.
Easy guide to searching for evidence for the busy clinician
Authors: Caldwell Patrina HY , Bennett Trish , Mellis Craig 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe busy clinician is constantly faced with clinical questions regarding patient care. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the large amount of health information available electronically. This article offers one easy approach for searching the electronic database. It is intended for the busy clinician who is unsure how to conduct an electronic search. It provides guidance on where to search and how to search using the PICO search method. It also provides a list of useful resources to help clinicians critically appraise the articles found to determine its relevance.
Seed germination time course and seedling development of Clintonia udensis Trautv. et Mey. (Uvulariaceae): a typical cool temperate woodland perennial in Japan
Authors: SUZUKI KOJIRO , IWASAKI NAHO , KAWANO HITOMI , KAWANO SHOICHI 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSeed germination time course and seedling development mechanisms of Clintonia udensis Trautv. et Mey. (Uvulariaceae) were investigated under experimental condition. Seed germination tests were carried out under four thermal regimes, i. e. 10, 15, 20, and 25°C, after seeds were harvested, and stored at 5°C in wet conditions for 6 months under light‐exposed or shaded conditions. Approximately 63% of all seeds produced had the potential to germinate beyond 4 years and 6 months. The developmental process after germination continued for over 2 years. Phase I: the radicle first breaks through the seed coat 2 years after fructification. Phase II: the radicle becomes much larger with a hypocotyle. Phase III: part of the cotyledon elongates over 20 mm. Phase IV: the plumule further develops in two steps, i. e. the plumule is first formed, while cotyledon is disappearing, and then the plumule appears with second and third radicles, growing with cotyledon.
Comparative analysis of long‐term outcomes of Misgav Ladach technique cesarean section and traditional cesarean section
Authors: Ghahiry Ata , Rezaei Farimah , Karimi Khouzani Reza , Ashrafinia Mansoor 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate pelvic adhesions, dehiscence and chronic pelvic pain in two groups of patients who underwent different cesarean section (CS) operations.Material and Methods:  One hundred and twelve eligible patients who met our criteria were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 52 women who had been operated at their first CS by Misgav Ladach technique and had now undergone a second CS. Group 2 consisted of 60 women who had been operated at their first CS by traditional (Pfannenstiel) technique and had now undergone a second CS. The two groups were compared for long‐term outcomes, including adhesion, pelvic pain and wound dehiscence.Results:  The rate of adhesion in group 2 was 50% filmy type and 1.7% dense type. However, in group 1 the adhesion rate was 50% filmy and there was no dense type (P = 0.12). The location of adhesions were significantly different (P = 0.04). Dehiscence of uterine incision in the second group was seen in three patients but no dehiscence was found in the first group (P = 0.012). The rate of chronic pelvic pain in Misgav Ladach group (group 1) was 17.2% versus 35% in the traditional method (P = 0.01).Conclusion:  The present results support the method of single layer suturing of the uterus and leaving the peritoneum intact in CS.
Socioeconomic status and intake of energy and sodium are associated with calcium intake among pregnant women in Rafsanjan city, Iran
Authors: Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Shariff Zalilah Mohd , Rezaeian Mohsen , Tabatabaei Seyed Zia , Mun Chan Yoke , Tajik Esra 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  Calcium intake in developing countries is lower than that in developed countries. In Iran, inadequate calcium intake in the general population, especially among women, is a public health concern. This cross‐sectional study examined the correlation between sociodemographic, obstetrical and lifestyle factors with calcium intake among pregnant women in Rafsanjan city, southeast Iran.Material and Methods:  A sample of 308 healthy pregnant women aged 18–35 years from seven urban health‐care centers participated in the study. All women were measured for height and weight and interviewed for demographic and socioeconomic, obstetrical, lifestyle and dietary intake information while pre‐pregnancy weight was obtained from prenatal record. Stepwise multiple regression was used to assess factors associated with calcium intake.Results:  The mean daily calcium intake of women was 968.51 ± 363.05 mg/day and only 46.4% of the pregnant women met the dietary reference intakes of 1000 mg for calcium. Milk and milk products showed the greatest contribution to calcium intake (75.11%). Energy‐adjusted calcium intake was positively associated with years of schooling (P < 0.01), calorie (P < 0.01) and energy‐adjusted sodium (P < 0.01) intakes.Conclusion:  This information would be useful in planning and developing appropriate strategies to improve calcium intake in pregnant women. Efforts to increase calcium intake in pregnant women should focus on promoting nutrient‐dense food and making these foods available and accessible, particularly to socioeconomically deprived women.
Clear cell adenocarcinoma arising from umbilical endometriosis
Authors: Obata Koshiro , Ikoma Naoko , Oomura Gen , Inoue Yoshiki 
Published: July 2012

AbstractUmbilical endometriosis is a very rare condition, and as far as we are aware, there have been no reported cases of its malignant transformation. Here, we report a case of clear cell adenocarcinoma arising from umbilical endometriosis in a 60‐year‐old woman who underwent hysterectomy for a uterine myoma at the age of 38, and who denied cyclic bleeding at the site of an umbilical cutaneous nodule correlating with menses until the age of 48. An umbilical tumor (3 cm diameter) was identified by magnetic resonance imaging and an abnormal accumulation was found only at the umbilical lesion by positron emission tomography examination. We observed endometriosis adjacent to the clear cell adenocarcinoma and transformation to carcinoma from endometriosis at the umbilical lesion histopathologically. Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the umbilicus was thought to have arisen from endometriosis; it expressed HER‐2 protein and showed strong mesothelial characteristics immunohistochemically.
Müllerian cyst of the uterus treated with laparoscopy and diagnosed using immunohistology
Authors: Nakae Hanako , Osuga Yutaka , Fujimoto Akihisa , Nakagawa Shunsuke , Ichinose Mari , Yano Tetsu , Taketani Yuji 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAmong uterine cystic tumors, uterine cyst arising from secondary Müllerian epithelium is exceedingly rare. A 45‐year‐old woman presented with pelvic cystic mass, which was initially diagnosed as a paraovarian cyst by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. At laparoscopy, the cyst proved to be a pedunculated uterine cyst, which was easily resected. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined by fallopian epithelium and positively stained for WT‐1, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. The final diagnosis was Müllerian cyst of the uterus. Preoperative diagnosis of uterine Müllerian cyst is usually impossible. Laparoscopy is useful as a minimally invasive treatment to diagnose and resect the cyst at the same time. Specific immunostaining is useful to make a definite diagnosis of Müllerian cyst of the uterus.
Slow chemical transmission between dorsal root ganglion neuron somata
Authors: Rozanski Gabriela M. , Kim Hyunhee , Li Qi , Wong Fiona K. , Stanley Elise F. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSomatic sensory neuron somata are located within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and are mostly ensheathed by individual satellite glial cell sheets. It has been noted, however, that a subpopulation of these DRG somata are intimately associated, separated only by a single thin satellite glial cell membrane septum. We set out to test whether such neuron–glial cell–neuron trimers (NGlNs) are also linked functionally. The presence of NGlNs in chick DRGs was confirmed by electron microscopy. Selective satellite glial cell immunostains were identified and were used to image the inter‐neuron septa in DRG frozen sections. We used a gentle, dispase‐based enzymatic method to isolate chick and rat NGlNs in vitro for double patch clamp recordings. In the majority of pairs tested, an action potential‐like stimulus train delivered to one soma resulted in a delayed, noisy and long‐duration response in its idle partner. The response to a second stimulus train given minutes later was markedly facilitated. Both bidirectional and unidirectional transmission was observed between the paired neurons. Transmission was chemical and block by the general purinergic blocker suramin implicated ATP as a neurotransmitter. We conclude that the two neuronal somata in the NGlN can communicate by chemical transmission, which may involve a transglial, bi‐synaptic pathway. This novel soma‐to‐soma transmission reflects a novel form of processing that may play a role in sensory disorders in the DRG and interneuron communication in the central nervous system.
Phylogenetic distribution of traits associated with plant colonization in Escherichia coli
Authors: Méric Guillaume , Kemsley E. Katherine , Falush Daniel , Saggers Elizabeth J. , Lucchini Sacha 
Published: July 2012

SummaryPlants are increasingly considered as secondary reservoirs for commensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, but the ecological and functional factors involved in this association are not clear. To address this question, we undertook a comparative approach combining phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses of E. coli isolates from crops and mammalian hosts. Phenotypic profiling revealed significant differences according to the source of isolation. Notably, isolates from plants displayed higher biofilm and extracellular matrix production and higher frequency of utilization of sucrose and the aromatic compound p‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid. However, when compared with mammalian‐associated strains, they reached lower growth yields on many C‐sources commonly used by E. coli. Strikingly, we observed a strong association between phenotypes and E. coli phylogenetic groups. Strains belonging to phylogroup B1 were more likely to harbour traits indicative of a higher ability to colonize plants, whereas phylogroup A and B2 isolates displayed phenotypes linked to an animal‐associated lifestyle. This work provides clear indications that E. coli phylogroups are specifically affected by niche‐specific selective pressures, and provides an explanation on why E. coli population structures vary in natural environments, implying that different lineages in E. coli have substantially different transmission ecology.
Insight into the composition of the intercellular matrix of Streptococcus pneumoniae biofilms
Authors: Domenech Mirian , García Ernesto , Prieto Alicia , Moscoso Miriam 
Published: July 2012

SummaryBiofilm matrices consist of a mixture of extracellular polymeric substances synthesized in large part by the biofilm‐producing microorganisms themselves. These matrices are responsible for the cohesion and three‐dimensional architecture of biofilms. The present study demonstrates the existence of a matrix composed of extracellular DNA, proteins and polysaccharides in the biofilm formed by the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Extracellular DNA, visualized by fluorescent labelling, was an important component of this matrix. The existence of DNA–protein complexes associated with bacterial aggregates and other polymers was hypothesized based on the unexpected DNA binding activity of lysozyme LytC, a novel moonlighting protein. Actually, a 25‐amino‐acid‐long peptide derived from LytC (positions 408 and 432 of the mature LytC) was also capable of efficiently binding to DNA. Moreover, the presence of intercellular DNA–LytC protein complexes in pneumococcal biofilms was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Evidence of extracellular polysaccharide different from the capsule was obtained by staining with Calcofluor dye and four types of lectin conjugated to Alexa fluorophores, and by incubation with glycoside hydrolases. The presence of residues of Glcp(1→4) and GlcNAc(1→4) (in its deacetylated form) in the pneumococcal biofilm was confirmed by GC‐MS techniques.
MARTX of Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 is a virulence and survival factor
Authors: Lee Chung‐Te , Pajuelo David , Llorens Amparo , Chen Yi‐Hsuan , Leiro José M. , Padrós Francesc , Hor Lien‐I , Amaro Carmen 
Published: July 2012

SummaryVibrio vulnificus biotype 2 is a polyphyletic group whose virulence for fish relies on a plasmid. This plasmid contains an rtxA gene duplicated in the small chromosome that encodes a MARTX (Multifunctional, Autoprocessing Repeats‐in‐Toxin) unique within the species in domain structure (MARTX type III). To discover the role of this toxin in the fitness of this biotype in the fish‐farming environment, single‐ and double‐knockout mutants were isolated from a zoonotic strain and analysed in a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments with eel, fish cell lines and amoebae isolated from gills. Mice, murine and human cell lines were also assayed for comparative purposes. The results suggest that MARTX type III is involved in the lysis of a wide range of eukaryotic cells, including the amoebae, erythrocytes, epithelial cells and phagocytes after bacterium–cell contact. In fish, MARTX type III may act as a toxin involved in the onset of septic shock, while in mice it may promote bacterial colonization by preventing phagocytosis of bacterial cells. Moreover, this toxin could protect bacteria from predation by amoebae, which would increase bacterial survival outside the host and would explain the fitness of this biotype in the fish‐farming environment.
Physical activity parenting: a systematic review of questionnaires and their associations with child activity levels
Authors: Sleddens E. F. C. , Kremers S. P. J. , Hughes S. O. , Cross M. B. , Thijs C. , De Vries N. K. , O'Connor T. M. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryInsufficient physical activity (PA) is considered a critical contributor to childhood overweight. Parents are a key in influencing their child's PA through various mechanisms of PA parenting, including support, restriction of PA and facilitation of enrolment in PA classes or activities. However, study findings are difficult to compare because instruments vary in terms of constructs, psychometric assessment and type of PA assessed. The goal of the current review was to identify existing PA parenting questionnaires and report on the validation of these measures through findings of their psychometric performance and correlation to youth's PA. The search of eligible studies was restricted to instruments with multiple items. Eleven unique PA parenting questionnaires were identified, and 46 studies that used these instruments were included. Extracted data include sample characteristics, as well as type and assessment methods of parental influence and PA. Findings highlight the tremendous variation in the conceptualization and measurement of PA parenting, common use of non‐validated instruments and lack of comprehensive measures. The development of theory‐based PA parenting measures (preferably multidimensional) should be prioritized to guide the study of the parental role in promoting child's PA as well as the design of family‐based PA interventions.
Amnesia, Anesthesia, and Warranted Fear
Authors: Carbonell Vanessa 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTIs a painful experience less bad for you if you will not remember it? Do you have less reason to fear it? These questions bear on how we think about medical procedures and surgeries that use an anesthesia regimen that leaves patients conscious – and potentially in pain – but results in complete ‘drug‐induced amnesia’ after the fact. I argue that drug‐induced amnesia does not render a painful medical procedure a less fitting object of fear, and thus the prospect of amnesia does not give patients a reason not to fear it. I expose three mistakes in reasoning that might explain our tendency to view pain or discomfort as less fearful in virtue of expected amnesia: a mistaken view of personal identity; a mistaken view of the target of anticipation; and a mistaken method of incorporating past evidence into calculations about future experiences. Ultimately my argument has implications for whether particular procedures are justified and how medical professionals should speak with anxious patients about the prospect of drug‐induced amnesia.
Islamic Views on Artificial Nutrition and Hydration in Terminally Ill Patients
Authors: Alsolamy Sami 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTWithholding and withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration from terminally ill patients poses many ethical challenges. The literature provides little information about the Islamic beliefs, attitudes, and laws related to these challenges. Artificial nutrition and hydration may be futile and reduce quality of life. They can also harm the terminally ill patient because of complications such as aspiration pneumonia, dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea, and hypervolemia. From the perspective of Islam, rules governing the care of terminally ill patients are derived from the principle that injury and harm should be prevented or avoided. The hastening of death by the withdrawal of food and drink is forbidden, but Islamic law permits the withdrawal of futile, death‐delaying treatment, including life support. Nutritional support is considered basic care and not medical treatment, and there is an obligation to provide nutrition and hydration for the dying person unless it shortens life, causes more harm than benefit, or is contrary to an advance directive that is consistent with Islamic law. The decision about withholding or withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration from the terminally ill Muslim patient is made with informed consent, considering the clinical context of minimizing harm to the patient, with input from the patient, family members, health care providers, and religious scholars.