bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensory‐specific clock components and memory mechanisms: investigation with parallel timing
Authors: Gamache Pierre‐Luc , Grondin Simon 
Published: May 2010

AbstractA challenge for researchers in the time‐perception field is to determine whether temporal processing is governed by a central mechanism or by multiple mechanisms working in concert. Behavioral studies of parallel timing offer interesting insights into the question, although the conclusions fail to converge. Most of these studies focus on the number‐of‐clocks issue, but the commonality of memory mechanisms involved in time processing is often neglected. The present experiment aims to address a straightforward question: do signals from different modalities marking time intervals share the same clock and/or the same memory resources? To this end, an interval reproduction task involving the parallel timing of two sensory signals presented either in the same modality or in different modalities was conducted. The memory component was tested by manipulating the delay separating the presentation of the target intervals and the moment when the reproduction of one of these began. Results show that there is more variance when only visually marked intervals are presented, and this effect is exacerbated with longer retention delays. Finally, when there is only one interval to process, encoding the interval with signals delivered from two modalities helps to reduce variance. Taken together, these results suggest that the hypothesis stating that there are sensory‐specific clock components and memory mechanisms is viable.
Enhancing multisensory spatial orienting by brain polarization of the parietal cortex
Authors: Bolognini Nadia , Olgiati Elena , Rossetti Angela , Maravita Angelo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that induces polarity‐specific excitability changes in the human brain, therefore altering physiological, perceptual and higher‐order cognitive processes. Here we investigated the possibility of enhancing attentional orienting within and across different sensory modalities, namely visual and auditory, by polarization of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), given the putative involvement of this area in both unisensory and multisensory spatial processing. In different experiments, we applied anodal or sham tDCS to the right PPC and, for control, anodal stimulation of the right occipital cortex. Using a redundant signal effect (RSE) task, we found that anodal tDCS over the right PPC significantly speeded up responses to contralateral targets, regardless of the stimulus modality. Furthermore, the effect was dependant on the nature of the audiovisual enhancement, being stronger when subserved by a probabilistic mechanism induced by blue visual stimuli, which probably involves processing in the PPC. Hence, up‐regulating the level of excitability in the PPC by tDCS appears a successful approach for enhancing spatial orienting to unisensory and crossmodal stimuli. Moreover, audiovisual interactions mostly occurring at a cortical level can be selectively enhanced by anodal PPC tDCS, whereas multisensory integration of stimuli, which is also largely mediated at a subcortical level, appears less susceptible to polarization of the cortex.
A guide to eliciting and using expert knowledge in Bayesian ecological models
Authors: Kuhnert Petra M. , Martin Tara G. , Griffiths Shane P. 
Published: May 2010

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 900–914AbstractExpert knowledge in ecology is gaining momentum as a tool for conservation decision‐making where data are lacking. Yet, little information is available to help a researcher decide whether expert opinion is useful for their model, how an elicitation should be conducted, what the most relevant method for elicitation is and how this can be translated into prior distributions for analysis in a Bayesian model. In this study, we provide guidance in using expert knowledge in a transparent and credible manner to inform ecological models and ultimately natural resource and conservation decision‐making. We illustrate the decisions faced when considering the use of expert knowledge in a model with the help of two real ecological case studies. These examples are explored further to examine the impact of expert knowledge through ‘priors’ in Bayesian modeling and specifically how to minimize potential bias. Finally, we make recommendations on the use of expert opinion in ecology. We believe if expert knowledge is elicited and incorporated into ecological models with the same level of rigour provided in the collection and use of empirical data, expert knowledge can increase the precision of models and facilitate informed decision‐making in a cost‐effective manner.
The genome of the Gram‐positive metal‐ and sulfate‐reducing bacterium Desulfotomaculum reducens strain MI‐1
Authors: Junier Pilar , Junier Thomas , Podell Sheila , Sims David R. , Detter John C. , Lykidis Athanasios , Han Cliff S. , Wigginton Nicholas S. , Gaasterland Terry , Bernier‐Latmani Rizlan 
Published: May 2010

SummarySpore‐forming, Gram‐positive sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) represent a group of SRB that dominates the deep subsurface as well as niches in which resistance to oxygen and dessication is an advantage. Desulfotomaculum reducens strain MI‐1 is one of the few cultured representatives of that group with a complete genome sequence available. The metabolic versatility of this organism is reflected in the presence of genes encoding for the oxidation of various electron donors, including three‐ and four‐carbon fatty acids and alcohols. Synteny in genes involved in sulfate reduction across all four sequenced Gram‐positive SRB suggests a distinct sulfate‐reduction mechanism for this group of bacteria. Based on the genomic information obtained for sulfate reduction in D. reducens, the transfer of electrons to the sulfite and APS reductases is proposed to take place via the quinone pool and heterodisulfide reductases respectively. In addition, both H2‐evolving and H2‐consuming cytoplasmic hydrogenases were identified in the genome, pointing to potential cytoplasmic H2 cycling in the bacterium. The mechanism of metal reduction remains unknown.
Energy and the tempo of evolution in amphibians
Authors: Wright Shane D. , Gillman Len N. , Ross Howard A. , Keeling D. Jeanette 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTAim  The evolutionary speed hypothesis (ESH) attempts to explain global patterns of species richness on the basis that rates of molecular evolution and speciation in warmer climates have led to a greater accumulation of taxa at lower latitudes. A substantial alternative hypothesis to the ESH is the tropical conservatism hypothesis (TCH). However, recent tests of the TCH, using amphibians as the model taxon, have relied on the assumption that rates of molecular evolution are stable across latitudes and elevations. Here, we test for the first time for systematic variation in rates of molecular evolution across latitude and elevation among amphibians.Location  The dataset is geographically diverse with samples from all continents except Antarctica and also from many of the earth's major tropical–warm temperate archipelagos.Methods  We tested for substitution rate heterogeneity across climatically varying habitats with the mitochondrial RNA genes 12S and 16S. Thus, we report here on our findings for amphibians – a taxon whose phylogenetic and trophic contexts are remote from those previously tested – using genes that have also not been examined before. The study utilized paired contrasts of sister species (188 species across 18 families, including both caudates and anurans) that are spatially separated in either latitudinal or elevational dimensions.Results  We found substantially faster substitution rates for species living in warmer habitats (P= 0.001–0.002) at both lower latitudes (P < 0.02) and lower elevations (P < 0.01).Main conclusions  The consistency of these results with the previous studies that used quite different organisms – and in this instance also using different genes – suggests that this is a ubiquitous pattern in nature consistent with the predictions of the ESH. Recent tests of the TCH that, in estimating diversification rates, have relied on the assumption that DNA evolution occurs at a constant rate across latitudes and elevations, require reconsideration in light of the findings presented here. Our results indicate that greater caution is required when estimating dates of divergence using DNA sequence data.
Crop planting dates: an analysis of global patterns
Authors: Sacks William J. , Deryng Delphine , Foley Jonathan A. , Ramankutty Navin 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTAim  To assemble a data set of global crop planting and harvesting dates for 19 major crops, explore spatial relationships between planting date and climate for two of them, and compare our analysis with a review of the literature on factors that drive decisions on planting dates.Location  Global.Methods  We digitized and georeferenced existing data on crop planting and harvesting dates from six sources. We then examined relationships between planting dates and temperature, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration using 30‐year average climatologies from the Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (CRU CL 2.0).Results  We present global planting date patterns for maize, spring wheat and winter wheat (our full, publicly available data set contains planting and harvesting dates for 19 major crops). Maize planting in the northern mid‐latitudes generally occurs in April and May. Daily average air temperatures are usually c. 12–17 °C at the time of maize planting in these regions, although soil moisture often determines planting date more directly than does temperature. Maize planting dates vary more widely in tropical regions. Spring wheat is usually planted at cooler temperatures than maize, between c. 8 and 14 °C in temperate regions. Winter wheat is generally planted in September and October in the northern mid‐latitudes.Main conclusions  In temperate regions, spatial patterns of maize and spring wheat planting dates can be predicted reasonably well by assuming a fixed temperature at planting. However, planting dates in lower latitudes and planting dates of winter wheat are more difficult to predict from climate alone. In part this is because planting dates may be chosen to ensure a favourable climate during a critical growth stage, such as flowering, rather than to ensure an optimal climate early in the crop's growth. The lack of predictability is also due to the pervasive influence of technological and socio‐economic factors on planting dates.
The duration of migration of Atlantic Anguilla larvae
Authors: Bonhommeau Sylvain , Castonguay Martin , Rivot Etienne , Sabatié Richard , Le Pape Olivier 
Published: May 2010

AbstractOceanic larvae of the European (Anguilla anguilla) and American (A. rostrata) eels have to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Sargasso Sea to European or North American coasts before entering continental habitats. In some European rivers, eel recruitment is now <1% of levels in the 1980s. A better understanding of the effects of anthropogenic pressures and environmental fluctuations on eel larvae and subsequent recruitment is a prerequisite to build efficient management plans. The present paper provides insight into the critical oceanic phase of the eel life cycle with a focus on the duration of the larval migration whose estimates varies between 7 months and more than 2 years in both species. Does this range correspond to a natural variability in larval duration or does it stem from methodological artefacts? We first review the different methods used to estimate the duration of larval migration and critically describe their possible sources of misinterpretation. We then evaluate the consistency of these methods with the current knowledge about the ecology and physiology of eel larvae and the physical oceanography. While a moderate discrepancy in migration duration was found between methods for the American eel, the discrepancy was large in the European eel. In this species, otolith microstructure studies indicated migration durations between 7 and 9 months, while other methods pointed to durations of about 2 years. We show that estimates in favour of a long migration duration seem more robust to methodological caveats than methods estimating short durations of migration.
Prevalence of abdominal obesity in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: de Moraes A. C. F. , Fadoni R. P. , Ricardi L. M. , Souza T. C. , Rosaneli C. F. , Nakashima A. T. A. , Falcão M. C. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to (i) review extant literature on the prevalence of abdominal obesity (AO) in adolescents of both sex (10–19 years old); (ii) analyse the cut‐off points used for the diagnosis of AO and (iii) compare its prevalence between developed and developing countries. The search was carried out using online databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, SCIELO and BioMed Central), references cited by retrieved articles and by contact with the authors, considering articles published from the establishment of the databanks until 19 October 2009. Only original articles and those using waist circumference in the diagnosis were considered. Twenty‐nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen of these studies were performed in developed countries. The prevalence of AO varied from 3.8% to 51.7% in adolescents from developing countries. The range of results was smaller among developed countries; with values from 8.7% to 33.2%. Eighteen different cut‐off points were used. It was concluded the AO prevalence is high among adolescents, but is not clear what sex has a higher proportion and it is greater in adolescents from developing countries; however, there is no consensus in the literature about the criteria to be used.
Brugada‐like cardiac disease in myotonic dystrophy type 2: report of two unrelated patients
Authors: Rudnik‐Schöneborn S. , Schaupp M. , Lindner A. , Kress W. , Schulze‐Bahr E. , Zumhagen S. , Elbracht M. , Zerres K. 
Published: May 2010

Background:  Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder caused by CCTG repeat expansions within intron 1 of the ZNF9 gene on chromosome 3q. Cardiac conduction disturbances, supraventricular arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy are described in DM2 but Brugada‐like features have not yet been reported. Brugada syndrome (BS) is a genetically heterogeneous cardiac conduction disorder which is characterized by a significant ST‐segment elevation upon ECG evaluations and bears an increased risk for sudden cardiac death.Case reports:  We report two unrelated patients with genetically confirmed DM2 who developed clinical relevant cardiac arrhythmias with syncopal events from 35 (patient 1) and 47 years (patient 2). Brugada‐like ECG findings were present in both patients. Family history was negative for BS, but the mothers of both index patients were also affected by DM2 and had different ventricular rhythm disturbances. SCN5A gene sequencing revealed an unknown genetic variant c.4140 C > A, p.N1380K, in patient 1, while no mutation was detected in patient 2.Discussion:  Our observations may suggest that Brugada‐like cardiac arrhythmias can occur in DM2, as this seems also to be the case in DM1. The chance association of two independent inherited disorders has to be considered and cannot be excluded in one of our patients. However, on statistical grounds, this possibility cannot explain all observed cases of DM with Brugada‐like cardiac disease.
Die Zweckentfremdung des kommunalen Kassenkredits – eine rechtlich-ökonomische Analyse
Authors: Gröpl Christoph , Heinemann Friedrich , Kalb Alexander 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe volume of short-term liquidity credit (“Kassenkredit”) of the German municipalities has increased rapidly in the last two decades. This development suggests that this debt instrument has been diverted from its original purpose, namely as an instrument of bridging short-run liquidity shortfalls. In this paper we analyze the reasons for this development - from a legal and institutional perspective on the one hand, and from an economic perspective on the other hand. One key result of the analysis is that this development is partly due to the lacking intervention of municipal supervision institutions from the L¨ander (German Federal States). Obviously, the Länder tolerate the abuse of the Kassenkredit in order to avoid more open types of debt. In addition, we investigate how the introduction of the doubly-entry bookkeeping in the municipalities affects the (improper) use of short-term liquidity credits. Finally, we point to the potential of the municipal Kassenkredit as a loophole in the new German constitutional debt brake.
Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] is a potent ligand for selectively labeling α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Hone Arik J. , Whiteaker Paul , Mohn Jesse L. , Jacob Michele H. , Michael McIntosh J. 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 994–1006.AbstractThe α7* (*denotes the possible presence of additional subunits) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype is widely expressed in the vertebrate nervous system and implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders that compromise thought and cognition. In this report, we demonstrate that the recently developed fluorescent ligand Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] labels α7 nAChRs in cultured hippocampal neurons. However, photobleaching of this ligand during long image acquisition times prompted us to develop a new derivative. In photostability studies, this new ligand, Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A], was significantly more resistant to bleaching than the Cy3 derivative. The classic α7 ligand α‐bungarotoxin binds to α1* and α9* nAChRs. In contrast, Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] potently (IC501.8 nM) and selectively blocked α7 nAChRs but not α1* or α9* nAChRs expressed inXenopusoocytes. Selectivity was further confirmed by competition binding studies of native nAChRs in rat brain membranes. The fluorescence properties of Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] were assessed using human embryonic kidney‐293 cells stably transfected with nAChRs; labeling was observed on cells expressing α7 but not cells expressing α3β2, α3β4, or α4β2 nAChRs. Further imaging studies demonstrate that Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] labels hippocampal neurons from wild‐type mice but not from nAChR α7 subunit‐null mice. Thus, Alexa Fluor 546‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] represents a potent and selective ligand for imaging α7 nAChRs.
Effect of pharmacological chaperones on brain tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase 2
Authors: Calvo Ana C. , Scherer Tanja , Pey Angel L. , Ying Ming , Winge Ingeborg , McKinney Jeffrey , Haavik Jan , Thöny Beat , Martinez Aurora 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 853–863.AbstractPhenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the tryptophan hydroxylases (TPH1 and TPH2) are structurally and functionally related enzymes that share a number of ligands, such as amino acid substrates, pterin cofactors and inhibitors. We have recently identified four compounds (I‐IV) with pharmacological chaperone effect for PAH and phenylketonuria mutants (Pey et al. (2008) J. Clin. Invest. 118, 2858–2867). We have now investigated the effect of these compounds on the brain enzymes TH and TPH2, comparative to hepatic PAH. As assayed by differential scanning fluorimetry each of the purified human PAH, TH and TPH2 was differently stabilized by the compounds and only 3‐amino‐2‐benzyl‐7‐nitro‐4‐(2‐quinolyl)‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1‐one (compound III) stabilized the three enzymes. We also investigated the effect of compounds II‐IV in wild‐type mice upon oral loading with 5 mg/kg/day. Significant effects were obtained by treatment with compound III – which increased total TH activity in mouse brain extracts by 100% but had no measurable effects either on TPH activity nor on monoamine neurotransmitter metabolites dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acid – and with 5,6‐dimethyl‐3‐(4‐methyl‐2‐pyridinyl)‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydrothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one (compound IV) – which led to a 10–30% decrease of these metabolites. Our results indicate that pharmacological chaperones aiming the stabilization of one of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases should be tested on other members of the enzyme family. Moreover, compound III stabilizes in vitro the human TH mutant R202H, associated to autosomal recessive l‐DOPA‐responsive dystonia, revealing the potential of pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of disorders associated with TH misfolding.
IL‐1β induces expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and cell migration via a c‐Src‐dependent, growth factor receptor transactivation in A549 cells
Authors: Cheng Ching‐Yi , Kuo Chang‐Ting , Lin Chih‐Chung , Hsieh Hsi‐Lung , Yang Chuen‐Mao 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP‐9) expression is regulated by mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF‐κB. IL‐1β also stimulates transactivation of growth factor receptors and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt., leading to the expression of inflammatory proteins. Here, we investigated whether these transactivation mechanisms participated in IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐9 expression in A549 cells.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A549 cells were treated with/without pharmacological inhibitors and neutralizing antibody or transfected with dominant negative mutants and siRNA of particular protein kinases before stimulation with IL‐1β. Cell migration was measured by in vitro scratch assay. Expression and enzymatic activity of MMP‐9 were analysed by Western blot and gelatin zymography. Transcriptional activity of MMP‐9 was analysed by RT‐PCR, chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter assays.KEY RESULTS Inhibition of MMP‐9 expression by inhibitors of Src (PP1), platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor and epithelial growth factor (EGF) receptor or transfection with siRNA for Src and Akt prevented IL‐1β‐induced migration of A549 cells. These tyrosine kinases were involved through phosphorylation of Src, PDGF, or EGF receptors (EGFRs) via the formation of Src/PDGFR or Src/EGFR complexes, attenuated by PP1. IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐9 expression through EGFR transactivation was diminished by inhibitors of MMPs and heparin‐binding EGF‐like factor (HB‐EGF), or a neutralizing HB‐EGF antibody. IL‐1β‐stimulated activation and translocation of Akt and NF‐κB (p65); the recruitment of activated NF‐κB (p65) to the MMP‐9 promoter region was attenuated by LY294002.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS IL‐1β‐induced MMP‐9 expression and cell migration was mediated through c‐Src‐dependent transactivation of EGFR/PDGFR/PI3K/Akt linking to the NF‐κB pathway in A549 cells.