bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of colonization and spread in the fungal spruce pathogen Onnia tomentosa
Authors: GERMAIN H. , BERGERON M.‐J. , BERNIER L. , LAFLAMME G. , HAMELIN R. C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe basidiomycetous fungus Onnia tomentosa is one of the most widespread root rot pathogens in North America. Although the disease is more severe on spruce and pine trees, this pathogen can infect several coniferous species. To study the population structure of O. tomentosa, we harvested 180 basidiocarps in a 45‐year‐old white spruce plantation in western Quebec in autumn 1997 and extracted DNA directly from individual basidiocarps. Using a combination of spatial coordinates and molecular data based on the analysis of two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci, we measured the average genet size and molecular diversity and assessed the relative contribution of basidiospores and vegetative growth to the stand colonization. Most of the sampled basidiocarps that clustered spatially belonged to the same genet. A total of 37 discrete multilocus genets of an average size of 3.42 m were obtained. The genet size distribution was skewed towards smaller genets (<3 m) that displayed higher diversity than the larger genets (>3 m). The nuclear loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in the larger genets, but not in the smaller genets, which displayed a deficiency of heterozygotes. This suggests a Wahlund effect, whereby different colonization events resulted in expected heterozygosity higher than observed heterozygosity. Using an estimate of the growth rate of the fungus, only a few of the largest genets were approximately the age of the plantation. These observations are consistent with the colonization by basidiospores subsequent to site preparation and tree planting followed by secondary colonization events and vegetative spread.
Osteopontin is expressed and functional in human eosinophils
Authors: Puxeddu I. , Berkman N. , Ribatti D. , Bader R. , Haitchi H. M. , Davies D. E. , Howarth P. H. , Levi‐Schaffer F. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Puxeddu I, Berkman N, Ribatti D, Bader R, Haitchi HM, Davies DE, Howarth PH, Levi‐Schaffer F. Osteopontin is expressed and functional in human eosinophils. Allergy 2010; 65: 168–174.AbstractBackground:  Eosinophils are critically involved in allergic inflammation and tissue remodeling. Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycoprotein molecule which exhibits pro‐fibrogenic and pro‐angiogenic properties and has recently also been implicated in allergic diseases. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of OPN in human eosinophils.Methods:  Osteopontin mRNA (RT‐PCR) and protein (immunofluorescence) expression in peripheral blood eosinophils from atopic human subjects were evaluated. Soluble OPN release was determined in resting and activated eosinophils. The contribution of OPN to eosinophil‐induced angiogenesis was determined using the chick embryo chorio‐ allantoic membrane (CAM) assay and OPN‐induced eosinophil chemotaxis was determined (ChemoTx System microplate wells). Finally, OPN expression in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from mild asthmatic and normal control subjects was determined.Results:  Osteopontin is expressed in human eosinophils and is increased following GM‐CSF and IL‐5 activation. Eosinophil‐derived OPN contributes to eosinophil‐induced angiogenesis. Recombinant OPN promotes eosinophil chemotaxis in vitro and this effect is mediated by α4β1 integrin binding. Soluble OPN is increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mild asthmatic subjects and correlates with eosinophil counts.Conclusions:  We therefore conclude that OPN is likely to contribute to the process of angiogenesis observed in the airways in asthma.
Time‐series nasal epithelial transcriptomics during natural pollen exposure in healthy subjects and allergic patients
Authors: Mattila P. , Renkonen J. , Toppila‐Salmi S. , Parviainen V. , Joenväärä S. , Alff‐Tuomala S. , Nicorici D. , Renkonen R. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Mattila P, Renkonen J, Toppila‐Salmi S, Parviainen V, Joenväärä S, Alff‐Tuomala S, Nicorici D, Renkonen R. Time‐series nasal epithelial transcriptomics during natural pollen exposure in healthy subjects and allergic patients. Allergy 2010; 65: 175–183.AbstractBackground:  The role of epithelium has recently awakened interest in the studies of type I hypersensitivity.Objective:  We analysed the nasal transcriptomics epithelial response to natural birch pollen exposure in a time series manner.Methods:  Human nasal epithelial cell swabs were collected from birch pollen allergic patients and healthy controls in winter season. In addition, four specimens at weekly intervals were collected from the same subjects during natural birch pollen exposure in spring and transcriptomic analyses were performed.Results:  The nasal epithelium of healthy subjects responded vigorously to allergen exposure. The immune response was a dominating category of this response. Notably, the healthy subjects did not display any clinical symptoms regardless of this response detected by transcriptomic analysis. Concomitantly, the epithelium of allergic subjects responded also, but with a different set of responders. In allergic patients the regulation of dyneins, the molecular motors of intracellular transport dominated. This further supports our previous hypothesis that the birch pollen exposure results in an active uptake of allergen into the epithelium only in allergic subjects but not in healthy controls.Conclusion:  We showed that birch pollen allergen causes a defence response in healthy subjects, but not in allergic subjects. Instead, allergic patients actively transport pollen allergen through the epithelium to tissue mast cells. Our study showed that new hypotheses can arise from the application of discovery driven methodologies. To understand complex multifactorial diseases, such as type I hypersensitivity, this kind of hypotheses might be worth further analyses.
Phylogeography of Hemibarbus labeo (Cyprinidae): secondary contact of ancient lineages of mtDNA
Authors: Lin Chung‐Jian , Lin Hung‐Du , Wang Jiang‐Ping , Chao Seau‐Chiou , Chiang Tzen‐Yuh 
Published: October 2009

Lin, C.‐J., Lin, H.‐D., Wang, J.‐P., Chao, S.‐C. & Chiang, T.‐Y. (2007). Phylogeography of Hemibarbus labeo (Cyprinidae): secondary contact of ancient lineages of mtDNA. —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 23–35.Nucleotide sequences of the D‐loop control region of mtDNA were used to assess the genetic structure and phylogeography of Hemibarbus labeo in Mainland China and Taiwan. A hierarchical analysis of molecular variance of populations in 11 major streams from three geographical regions revealed significant structuring among populations and geographical regions. High levels of nucleotide diversity (π = 1.88%) and haplotype diversity (h = 96 ± 0.009%) suggest a large effective population size. A maximum likelihood tree based on mtDNA variation identified two ancient mtDNA lineages, which split approximately 3.39 million years ago. Overlapping distribution of the major lineages displayed low correspondence with geographical regions and reflects a scenario of secondary mergence after long isolation. Gene genealogy further revealed a unidirectional migration. Nevertheless, there existed a phylogeographical structure that mostly agreed with a biogeographical hypothesis. That is, within each lineage, a close phylogeny between populations of the River‐Campagna and East‐Pacific regions was supported by the mtDNA gene genealogy, although monophyly of each geographical region was not supported. The degree of genetic differentiation was correlated with geographical distances between populations, displaying a pattern of ‘isolation by distance’. Gene genealogy of mtDNA revealed that Yangtzejiang population may act as a divergence centre of H. labeo. In addition, Taiwan population was colonized via a recent a founder event, likely from population Yangtzejiang River about 131 000 years before present. Low haplotype number and genetic variability also suggested possible bottleneck events in the Rongjiang and Dazhangjiang populations.
Trends in epidemiology and treatment of upper urinary tract tumours in the Netherlands 1995–2005: an analysis of PALGA, the Dutch national histopathology registry
Authors: Cauberg Evelyne C.C. , Salomons Maartje A. , Kümmerlin Intan P.E.D. , De Reijke Theo M. , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , De La Rosette Jean J.M.C.H. , Kate Fiebo J.W. , Laguna Pes M. Pilar 
Published: October 2009

Study Type – Therapy (prospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVETo evaluate changes in incidence, distribution of stage and grade as well as surgical treatment of upper urinary tract (UUT) tumours in the Netherlands from 1995 to 2005.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe PALGA registry, a nationwide network and registry of pathology encompassing all hospitals in the Netherlands, was used as primary data source. Pathology reports of all primary surgical procedures or biopsies without further surgical treatment within the next year, of cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter during the period 1995–2005, were included. The number of surgically treated UUT tumours per year, type of treatment and tumour characteristics were recorded.RESULTSThe population consisted of 2321 (67%) men and 1145 (33%) women with a mean age of 68.6 years. The distribution according to side was similar (left 44.1%, right 41.5%), bilateral tumours were rare (0.6%) and most tumours were in the renal pelvis (51.3%). Both the incidence and the incidence rate per 100 000 person‐years increased during the study period (P < 0.001). Most urothelial cancers were grade 2 (40.9%) or 3 (41.2%) and stage Ta (30.6%), T1 (18.1%) or T3 (22.8%). There was an increase in grade 3 (P = 0.003) and muscle‐invasive (P = 0.003) tumours in men only. Nephroureterectomy was performed in 41.3% of the cases and there was an increasing trend to endoscopic surgery (P = 0.019), although the absolute number was low.CONCLUSIONThe incidence of surgically treated UUT tumours increased, with a significant trend towards more advanced disease in men. Most tumours were treated by nephroureterectomy or nephrectomy, although there was an increasing trend to endoscopic surgery.
Radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer with microscopic bladder neck involvement: survival and prognostic implications
Authors: Villari Donata , Nesi Gabriella , Della Melina Alessandro , Palli Domenico , Ceroti Marco , Castigli Marco , Filocamo Maria Teresa , Li Marzi Vincenzo , Nicita Giulio 
Published: October 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo report the oncological outcome of 106 patients who had locally advanced prostate cancer with microscopic bladder neck invasion, identified in a series of 1129 patients surgically treated with retropubic radical prostatectomy over a 12‐year period.PATIENTS AND METHODSAll specimens were reviewed. Microscopic bladder neck invasion was defined as the presence of neoplastic cells within the smooth muscle bundles of the bladder neck, with no accompanying prostatic glandular tissue on the corresponding slide. Survival was analysed for different subgroups in relation to several variables.RESULTSThe follow‐up (median 7.2 years, mean 6.68, range 0.3–14) was available for 106 patients with microscopic bladder neck invasion. Seminal vesicle invasion was present in 69.8% of the cases, lymph node involvement in 29.2%, apex infiltration in 31.8%, and positive surgical margins in 23.6%. Biochemical progression occurred in 61 (57.5%) patients, and 25 of them died from cancer. The mean (sd) biochemical progression‐free survival was 0.68 (0.05), 0.59 (0.05), 0.40 (0.05) and 0.38 (0.05) at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Age, Gleason score and lymph node invasion were independent prognostic factors on multivariate analysis. Overall and cancer‐specific survival rates were 0.75 (0.04) and 0.80 (0.04) at 5 years and 0.57 (0.04) and 0.75 (0.04) at 10 years, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node involvement and surgical Gleason score ≥8 significantly increased the risk of death. On multivariate analysis only the surgical Gleason score had an independent prognostic role with regard to overall survival (P = 0.01; odds ratio 2.82, 95% confidence interval 1.2–6.4) and cancer‐specific survival (P < 0.001; 8.6, 2.5–28.8).CONCLUSIONSIn this series, overall and cancer‐specific survival rates were comparable to those reported for surgically treated cT3 prostate cancers. The lack of need for external urinary diversion during the entire follow‐up significantly contributed to the patients’ quality of life.
Cannabinoids prevent the opposite regulation of astroglial connexin43 hemichannels and gap junction channels induced by pro‐inflammatory treatments
Authors: Froger Nicolas , Orellana Juan A. , Cohen‐Salmon Martine , Ezan Pascal , Amigou Edwige , Sáez Juan C. , Giaume Christian 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBrain injuries as well as neurodegenerative diseases, are associated with neuro‐inflammation characterized by astroglial and microglial activation and/or proliferation. Recently, we reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activation of microglia inhibits junctional channels and promotes hemichannels, two connexin43 functions in astrocytes. This opposite regulation is mediated by two pro‐inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐1 beta and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, released from activated microglia. Because cannabinoids (CBs) have anti‐inflammatory properties and their receptors are expressed by glial cells, we investigated on primary cortical cultures the effects of CB agonists, methanandamide and synthetic CBs on (i) cytokines released from LPS‐activated microglia and (ii) connexin43 functions in astrocytes subjected to pro‐inflammatory treatments. We observed that CBs inhibited the LPS‐induced release of interleukin‐1 beta and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha from microglia. Moreover, the connexin43 dual regulation evoked by the pro‐inflammatory treatments, was prevented by CB treatments. Pharmacological characterizations of CB actions on astrocytic connexin43 channels revealed that these effects were mainly mediated through CB1 receptors activation, although non‐CB1/CB2 receptors seemed to mediate the action of the methanandamide. Altogether these data demonstrate that in inflammatory situations CBs exert, through the activation of different sub‐types of glial CB receptors, a regulation on two functions of connexin43 channels in astrocytes known to be involved in neuron survival.
α‐secretase mediated conversion of the amyloid precursor protein derived membrane stub C99 to C83 limits Aβ generation
Authors: Jäger Sebastian , Leuchtenberger Stefanie , Martin Anne , Czirr Eva , Wesselowski Johanna , Dieckmann Marco , Waldron Elaine , Korth Carsten , Koo Edward H. , Heneka Michael , Weggen Sascha , Pietrzik Claus U. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Swedish mutation within the amyloid precursor protein (APP) causes early‐onset Alzheimer’s disease due to increased cleavage of APP by BACE1. While β‐secretase shedding of Swedish APP (APPswe) largely results from an activity localized in the late secretory pathway, cleavage of wild‐type APP occurs mainly in endocytic compartments. However, we show that liberation of Aβ from APPswe is still dependent on functional internalization from the cell surface. Inspite the unchanged overall β‐secretase cleaved soluble APP released from APPswe secretion, mutations of the APPswe internalization motif strongly reduced C99 levels and substantially decreased Aβ secretion. We point out that α‐secretase activity‐mediated conversion of C99 to C83 is the main cause of this Aβ reduction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that α‐secretase cleavage of C99 even contributes to the reduction of Aβ secretion of internalization deficient wild‐type APP. Therefore, inhibition of α‐secretase cleavage increased Aβ secretion through diminished conversion of C99 to C83 in APP695, APP695swe or C99 expressing cells.
Coping with clean intermittent catherization – experiences from a patient perspective
Authors: Jaquet Annette , Eiskjær Jannie , Steffensen Kirsten , Laursen Birgitte Schantz 
Published: October 2009

Background:  Poor bladder emptying is a well‐known phenomenon in urology which increases the risk of urinary tract infection. Thus, it is important to insure effective bladder emptying for the patient. This may be performed by emptying the bladder intermittently by means of a disposable catheter. The method is called clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). The purpose of CIC is, apart from the scientific reasons, to give patients the opportunity to live the life they did prior to experiencing problems with bladder emptying. In our view, a large number of patients do not cope with their new life with CIC in spite of learning programmes and written guidance.Aim:  The aim of this study was to develop knowledge about how patients experience having to empty their bladder by using a disposable catheter for the rest of their lives. Knowledge nurses could be used to improve the quality of the procedure for CIC training. Furthermore this study also helps in investigating the strategies used by the patients used to master CIC in order to improve the organization of training in the future.Method:  The research design was qualitative and took a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. The data were based on interviews with eight patients using CIC.Results and conclusion:  The results suggested that need to perform CIC for the rest of one’s life resulted in a traumatic crisis which could be experienced to be more or less stressful. Situations were mastered employing strategies which could either be problem‐ or emotion‐focused. These strategies aimed, respectively, at solving the problem or at reducing the unpleasant feelings connected with the situation.
Self‐rated health – what does it capture at 1 year after childbirth? Investigation of a survey question employing thinkaloud interviews
Authors: Schytt Erica , Waldenström Ulla , Olsson Pia 
Published: October 2009

Aim:  This paper reports an investigation of how the survey question ‘How would you summarize your state of health at present’ is interpreted and what it captures when asked at 1 year after childbirth.Background:  Self‐rated health measured by a single item question is a well‐established patient outcome as it predicts morbidity and the use of health services. However, there is limited understanding of what the question captures in early motherhood.Method:  A qualitative design combining data collection by means of a short form, concurrent and retrospective thinkaloud interviews, and a semi‐structured interview, with 26 Swedish women during 2005 was employed. The text was analysed by qualitative content analysis. A theoretical framework describing four cognitive tasks usually performed when a respondent answers a survey question guided the analysis: interpretation of the question, retrieval of information, forming a judgement and giving a response.Findings:  The questions of self‐rated health left open for the new mothers to evaluate what was most important for her. It captured a woman’s total life situation, such as family functioning and well‐being, relationship with partner, combining motherhood and professional work, energy, physical symptoms and emotional problems affecting daily life, stressful life events, chronic disease with ongoing symptoms, body image, physical exercise and happiness. Neither childbirth‐related events nor childbirth‐related symptoms were included in the responses. Less than ‘good’ self‐rated health represented a high burden of health problems.Conclusion:  Our results showed that the question on self‐rated health was a measure of women’s general health and well‐being in their present life situation, but it did not seem to measure recovery after childbirth specifically.
Being in charge of life: perceptions of lifestyle among women of retirement age
Authors: Elgán Carina , Axelsson Åsa , Fridlund Bengt 
Published: October 2009

Aim:  The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of lifestyle among women of retirement age.Background:  Women go through many transitions during their lives, which impact on their lifestyle and possibly their outlook on life. Family circumstances such as motherhood and marital status change over time and the menopause is also likely to influence their view of life.Method:  Data were collected through interviews with 20 women, aged 61–70, selected by means of strategic sampling. The interviews were analysed using a phenomenographic approach.Findings:  Three structural aspects emerged: being healthy as life turns out, living life in their own way, and taking care of everyday life. The women described lifestyle as a means of being healthy, having an active role in society, being content with what one has and the need to adapt oneself to limiting circumstances. Lifestyle was also associated with being in charge and making one’s own choices in life based on one’s own values. They reported that they were independent and made decisions about their life. The informants considered that lifestyle was an asset that helped them to cope with everyday life and to make the most of each day.Conclusion:  Lifestyle is a tool that requires independence, the right to self‐determination over everyday life and adjustment to limitations in order to ensure the psychological well‐being of women of retirement age. Further research is needed in order to delineate the possible association between lifestyle and psychological well‐being.
The interaction of fluid inclusions and migrating grain boundaries in a rock analogue: deformation and annealing of polycrystalline camphor–ethanol mixtures
Authors: SCHMATZ J. , URAI J. L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe results of deformation and annealing experiments using a rock analogue containing a liquid phase as observed in transmitted light microscopy are presented. Samples were made of camphor–ethanol mixtures, with the polycrystalline solid being a rhombohedral phase and the liquid a saturated solution of camphor in ethanol. Results show the in situ pore fluid morphology during grain boundary migration recrystallization. Samples were deformed at high homologous temperatures (Th ∼ 0.7) and strain rates of 1 × 10−6 to 9 × 10−4 s−1. For grain boundary migration rates ranging from 10−10 to 10−6 ms−1 Zener pinning, not only the drag and drop of fluid inclusions by migrating grain boundaries but also the passage of grain boundaries over fluid inclusions without noticeable interaction was observed. The drag‐limiting migration rate is three times lower for post‐kinematic annealing than for dynamic recrystallization and shows a weak dependence on fluid inclusion size. A detailed description is presented of fluid inclusion–grain boundary interaction with respect to fluid inclusion sizes and grain boundary migration rates. Fluid inclusions show up to 39% reduction in diameter after passage of a grain boundary, indicating fluid flow along the mobile grain boundary.