bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isotopic evidence for seed transfer from successional areas into forests by short-tailed fruit bats (Carolliaspp.; Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Voigt Christian C. , Voigt-Heucke Silke L. , Kretzschmar Antje S. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract:Neotropical fruit-eating bats play a crucial role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds of pioneer plants from forests into deforested areas. However, later in succession bats may carry seeds in both directions. We used an isotopic approach to reveal the direction of seed transfer mediated by three co-existing short-tailed fruit bats (Carollia castanea,C. sowelliandC. perspicillata) between a forest and an adjacent mid-successional site (>15 y since deforestation); two habitats where individuals of the genusPiperdiffered in stable carbon isotope ratios by ~2.5‰. In a feeding experiment, we confirmed that δ13C of seeds is not altered by digestive processes. We then collected seeds defecated by bats of the genusCarolliaand found that δ13C of these seeds is higher than those ofPiperindividuals growing in the forest, irrespective of whether bats were captured in or outside the forest. We conclude that bats of the genusCarolliawere more likely to carry seeds from successional areas into the forest than in the opposite direction.
Food selection in the black howler monkey following habitat disturbance: implications for the importance of mature leaves
Authors: Behie Alison M. , Pavelka Mary S. M. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract:Primates commonly consume leaves that are high in protein but low in digestion-inhibiting fibre. Due to the fact that mature leaves do not meet these criteria, they are typically avoided and many leaf-eating primates select for leaves high in protein and low in fibre leading to the theory that food selection is based on protein maximization. However, feeding records for a population of black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in Monkey River, Belize, collected over a 5-y period, together with synchronous phenological data, indicate that this population does not meet the expectation and actually prefer mature leaves. This study aims to describe the nutritional composition of the food supply and investigate the possibility that, rather than to maximize protein ingestion, mature leaves are eaten to balance nutrient intake. Macronutrient analyses (moisture, lipids, protein, NDF, ADF and simple sugars) were conducted on a sample of 96 plant samples from 18 food species of this population of black howler. Results reported here show that mature leaves eaten by howlers in this forest contain sufficient protein to meet minimum metabolic requirements (range: 11.6–24%; mean: 16.4% ± 3.8%) and have significantly higher concentrations of simple sugars than young leaves (means of 7.2% ± 2.7% vs. 4.4% ± 2.3% respectively). Thus, it appears that mature leaf ingestion is likely serving to balance energy and protein intake. This result may be due to the disruptive effects of a hurricane in 2001 that resulted in a loss of 80% of the howler population, changed forest composition and may have affected plant chemistry. Despite this, the data reported here suggest that the accepted view that mature leaves are simply fallback foods for primates, eaten only in times of preferred food scarcity, may have to be revised.
Divergence in morphology, but not habitat use, despite low genetic differentiation among insular populations of the lizardAnolis lemurinusin Honduras
Authors: Logan Michael L. , Montgomery Chad E. , Boback Scott M. , Reed Robert N. , Campbell Jonathan A. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract:Studies of recently isolated populations are useful because observed differences can often be attributed to current environmental variation. Two populations of the lizardAnolis lemurinushave been isolated on the islands of Cayo Menor and Cayo Mayor in the Cayos Cochinos Archipelago of Honduras for less than 15 000 y. We measured 12 morphometric and 10 habitat-use variables on 220 lizards across these islands in 2 y, 2008 and 2009. The goals of our study were (1) to explore patterns of sexual dimorphism, and (2) to test the hypothesis that differences in environment among islands may have driven divergence in morphology and habitat use despite genetic homogeneity among populations. Although we found no differences among sexes in habitat use, males had narrower pelvic girdles and longer toe pads on both islands. Between islands, males differed in morphology, but neither males nor females differed in habitat use. Our data suggest that either recent selection has operated differentially on males despite low genetic differentiation, or that they display phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variation. We suggest that patterns may be driven by variation in intrapopulation density or differences in predator diversity among islands.
Effect of smoothing on treatment plan efficiency in IMRT: eclipse Helios™ dose optimisation
Authors: Armoogum KS 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground and purpose: This study examined the effect of varying the X–Y smoothing values on the average Leaf Pair Opening (LPO), MUFactor and total number of monitor units (MU) in a cohort of 20 prostate and head and neck (H&N) patients treated with dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Material and methods: Plans were created using Varian Eclipse™ Treatment Planning System (TPS) version 8.9.09 (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). Clinically approved and dosimetrically verified plans were used as a reference plans. These were re-optimised varying the X and Y smoothing parameters from 0 to 100 in various combinations.Results: For the prostate patients, at X = 0 and Y = 0, the average LPO was 2.4 cm (σ = 0.20 cm) and 3.5 cm (σ = 0.35 cm) for X = 100 and Y = 100. For H&N, the LPO averaged over all fields increased from 1.7 cm (σ = 0.17 cm) at X = 0 and Y = 0 to 2.3 cm (σ = 0.27 cm) at X = 100 and Y = 90. The MUFactor decreased from 1.81 (σ = 0.19) at X = 0 and Y = 0 to 1.38 (σ = 0.11) at X = 100 and Y = 100 for prostates and from 1.50 (σ = 0.14) at X = 0 and Y = 0 to 1.24 (σ = 0.09) for X = 100 and Y = 90 for H&N. Total MU for prostates decreased from 1028.0 (σ = 244.6) at X = 0 and Y = 0 to 688.4 (σ = 159.3) at X = 100 and Y = 100 and from 913 (σ = 267.2) at X = 0 and Y = 0 to 696 (σ = 214.03) at X = 100 and Y = 90 for H&N.Conclusions: Increasing smoothing decreases MUFactor, decreases total MU and increases average LPO but does not greatly enhance organs at risk (OAR) sparing. The Homogeneity Index (HI) and Paddick Conformity Index (CIPAD) appear to vary little after increasing smoothing up to approximately X = 80 and Y = 70.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know: A Lay Person's Perspective on the Proposed Anglican Covenant
Authors: Thompsett Fredrica Harris 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBaptism is the sacrament that incorporates Christians into the Body of Christ; 99 percent of the church are laity. The proposed Anglican Covenant's emphasis on formal authority exercised by bishops and primates changes the relationships among all Anglicans, not just bishops. This change may run against a fundamental Anglican tradition of ongoing communal reflection that acknowledges that elements of church life change because they are no longer convenient or useful in particular locales. In adopting the Anglican Covenant, are we stating that traditional Anglican polity is no longer convenient or useful for the Provinces of the Anglican Communion, including the Episcopal Church?
Range of motion in intervertebral joints: why we don’t trust DinoMorph
Authors: Taylor Michael 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAttempts to quantitatively reconstruct the range of motion of sauropod necks are intrinsically flawed because of ubiquitous distortion in preserved cervical vertebrae. This is true even for specimens that are usually considered particularly well preserved, such as the Carnegie Diplodocus and the Berlin Giraffatitan.
Clinicopathological and prognostic impact of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) and hormone receptor expression in uterine papillary serous carcinoma
Authors: Togami Shinichi , Sasajima Yuko , Oi Takateru , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Onda Takashi , Ikeda Shun‐Ichi , Kato Tomoyasu , Tsuda Hitoshi , Kasamatsu Takahiro 
Published: February 2012

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is a rare and aggressive variant of endometrial carcinoma. Little is known about the pathological and biological features of this tumor. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and hormone receptor (HR) expression have an important role in tumor behavior and clinical outcome, but their relevance in UPSC is not clear. In the present study, the immunohistochemical expression of HER2 and HR was assessed in 27 patients with Stage I disease, 13 with Stage II disease, 25 with Stage III disease, and 6 with Stage IV disease. Correlations between HER2 and HR expression and the clinicopathological parameters of UPSC were evaluated using Cox's univariate and multivariate analyses. For all patients, the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 51% and 66%, respectively; in patients with Stage I, II, III and IV disease, the RFS and OS were 67%/81%, 59%/77%, 43%/54% and 0%/0%, respectively. Of all 71 patients, 14% (10/71) were positive for HER2 and 52% (37/71) were positive for HR. Overexpression of HER2 was correlated with lower OS (P = 0.01), whereas HR overexpression was correlated with higher OS (P = 0.008). In multivariate models, HER2, HR, and histologic subtype were identified as independent prognostic indicators for RFS (P = 0.022, P = 0.018, and P = 0.01, respectively), but HR was the only independent factor associated with OS (P = 0.044). Thus, HER2 and HR are prognostic variables in UPSC, with HR an independent prognostic factor for OS. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 926–932)
LXRβ activation increases intestinal cholesterol absorption, leading to an atherogenic lipoprotein profile
Authors: Hu X. , Steffensen K. R. , Jiang Z.‐Y. , Parini P. , Gustafsson J.‐Å. , Gåfvels M. , Eggertsen G. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  Hu X, Steffensen KR, Jiang Z‐Y, Parini P, Gustafsson J‐Å, Gåfvels M, Eggertsen G (Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; and University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA). LXRβ activation increases intestinal cholesterol absorption, leading to an atherogenic lipoprotein profile. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 452–464.Objectives.  Liver X receptors (LXRs) are essential for the regulation of intestinal cholesterol absorption. Because two isoforms exist, LXRα and LXRβ, with overlapping but not identical functions, we investigated whether LXRα and LXRβ exert different effects on intestinal cholesterol absorption.Design.  Wild‐type (WT), LXRα−/− and LXRβ−/− mice were fed control diet, 0.2% cholesterol‐enriched diet or 0.2% cholesterol‐enriched diet plus the LXR agonist GW3965.Results.  When fed a control diet, all three genotypes showed similar levels of cholesterol absorption. Of interest, a significant increase in cholesterol absorption was found in the LXRα−/− mice, but not in the WT or LXRβ−/− animals, when fed a diet enriched with 0.2% cholesterol or 0.2% cholesterol + GW3965. Reduced faecal neutral sterol excretion and a hydrophobic bile acid profile were also observed in LXRα−/− mice. Greater increases in the apolipoprotein (apo)B‐containing lipoproteins in serum were seen in the LXRα−/− mice. A 0.2% cholesterol + GW3965 diet suppressed intestinal Npc1l1 protein expression to the same extent for all genotypes, while Abca1 and Abcg5 were elevated to the same degree.Conclusions.  In the intestine, LXRα and LXRβ seem to exert similar effects on expression of cholesterol‐transporting proteins such as Npc1l1. Selective activation of LXRβ may generate effects such as increased cholesterol absorption and elevated serum levels of apoB‐containing lipoproteins, which seem to be counteracted by LXRα. Therefore, an intestinal LXRβ‐specific pathway might exist in terms of cholesterol transportation in addition to the main pathway.
Anti‐apolipoprotein A‐1 IgG in patients with myocardial infarction promotes inflammation through TLR2/CD14 complex
Authors: Pagano S. , Satta N. , Werling D. , Offord V. , de Moerloose P. , Charbonney E. , Hochstrasser D. , Roux‐Lombard P. , Vuilleumier N. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  Pagano S, Satta N, Werling D, Offord V, de Moerloose P, Charbonney E, Hochstrasser D, Roux‐Lombard P, Vuilleumier N (Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland; Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, UK; St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland). Anti‐apolipoprotein A‐1 IgG in patients with myocardial infarction promotes inflammation through TLR2/CD14 complex. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 344–357.Objectives.  Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐mediated vascular inflammation, inducible by – amongst other factors – auto‐antibodies, is increasingly recognized as a potential mediator of cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether anti‐apolipoprotein (Apo)A‐1 IgG was associated with a pro‐inflammatory cytokine profile in myocardial infarction (MI) patients and whether anti‐ApoA‐1 IgG elicited a pro‐inflammatory response by activating TLRs.Methods.  As surrogate markers of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, interleukin (IL)‐6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 and MMP‐3 levels were assessed in 221 consecutive MI patients. Using human monocyte‐derived macrophages (HMDMs) we investigated (i) the anti‐ApoA‐1 IgG interaction with TLRs using proximity ligation assay and (ii) anti‐ApoA‐1 IgG‐dependent IL‐6/TNF‐α production. TLR involvement was further confirmed using HEK293‐Blue TLR‐2/‐4 cells and by computational docking simulations.Results.  In MI patients, anti‐ApoA‐1 IgG positivity was associated with higher levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α and MMP‐9, but lower MMP‐3 levels. In in vitro experiments, anti‐ApoA‐1 antibodies bound to HDMDs in a TLR2‐dependent manner, resulting in nuclear translocation of NFκB and a significant increase in TNF‐α and IL‐6 production. Subsequent functional studies highlighted the importance of CD14 as co‐receptor in the anti‐ApoA‐1 IgG–TLR2‐induced cytokine production. Additional bioinformatic studies identified structural homologies between TLR2 and ApoA‐1, which may explain the observed cross‐reactivity between antibodies against these two molecules.Conclusions.  Anti‐ApoA‐1 IgG positivity in MI is associated with a high‐risk cytokine profile. These auto‐antibodies promote inflammation by stimulating the TLR2/CD14 receptor complex, probably because of molecular mimicry, which may contribute to atherosclerosis‐related complications in patients.
A functional variant in the promoter region regulates the C‐reactive protein gene and is a potential candidate for increased risk of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Chang S.‐N. , Tsai C.‐T. , Wu C.‐K. , Lee J.‐K. , Lai L.‐P. , Huang S.‐W. , Huang L.‐Y. , Tseng C.‐D. , Lin J.‐L. , Chiang F.‐T. , Hwang J.‐J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract.  Chang S‐N, Tsai C‐T, Wu C‐K, Lee J‐K, Lai L‐P, Huang S‐W, Huang L‐Y, Tseng C‐D, Lin J‐L, Chiang F‐T, Hwang J‐J (National Taiwan University Hospital Yun‐Lin Branch, Yun‐Lin; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Institute of Pharmacology, Taipei; and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei, Taiwan). A functional variant in the promoter region regulates the C‐reactive protein gene and is a potential candidate for increased risk of atrial fibrillation. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 305–315.Objectives.  In a large population‐based cohort, the level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) in patients at baseline predicts an increased risk of future development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The mechanism of this increased risk is unknown. Furthermore, both the molecular effects of CRP on atrial myocytes and fibroblasts and whether genetic variants in the CRP gene predispose to AF are also unknown.Methods. A genetic association study between CRP gene polymorphisms and AF was performed in two independent populations (I: 100 AF patients and 101 controls; II: 348 AF patients and 356 controls), with functional studies to elucidate the mechanism of association.Results. Three polymorphisms (T‐861C, A‐821G and C‐390A/C‐390T) were found in the 1‐kb promoter of CRP. A triallelic polymorphism (C‐390A/C‐390T) captured all haplotype information and determined the CRP gene promoter activity and the plasma CRP level, and was in nearly complete linkage disequilibrium with G1059C polymorphism in exon 2. The −390A variant was associated with a higher CRP gene promoter activity, a higher plasma CRP level and a higher risk of AF. Patients with AF also had a higher plasma CRP level than controls. CRP significantly increased the inward L‐type calcium current in atrial myocytes with no changes in other ionic currents. CRP did not affect the expressions of type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) and type 1 alpha 2 (COL1A2) procollagens in atrial fibroblasts.Conclusion. A CRP gene promoter triallelic polymorphism was associated with CRP gene promoter activity, determined the plasma level of CRP, and predicted the risk of AF. The mechanism of this may be via augmention of calcium influx by CRP in atrial myocytes, but not because of atrial fibrosis.
The role of flotillin FloA and stomatin StoA in the maintenance of apical sterol‐rich membrane domains and polarity in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Takeshita Norio , Diallinas George , Fischer Reinhard 
Published: February 2012

SummaryApical sterol‐rich plasma membrane domains (SRDs), which can be viewed using the sterol‐binding fluorescent dye filipin, are gaining attention for their important roles in polarized growth of filamentous fungi. The microdomain scaffolding protein flotillin/reggie and related stomatin were thought to be good candidates involved in the formation of SRDs. Here, we show that the flotillin/reggie orthologue FloA tagged with GFP localized as stable dots along the plasma membrane except hyphal tips. Deletion of floA reduced the growth rate, often resulted in irregularly shaped hyphae and impaired SRDs. In contrast, the stomatin orthologue StoA, tagged with GFP, localized at the cortex of young branch tips and at the subapical cortex in long hyphal tips, and was transported bi‐directionally along microtubules on endosomes. Deletion of stoA resulted in irregular hyphal morphology and increased branching especially in young hyphae, but did not obviously affect SRDs. Double deletion of floA and stoA enhanced the defects of growth and hyphal morphology. Our data suggest that the plasma membrane of hyphal tips and in subapical regions are distinct and that FloA is involved in membrane compartmentalization and probably indirectly in SRD maintenance.
Importance and regulation of inositol biosynthesis during growth and differentiation of Streptomyces
Authors: Zhang Guohua , Tian Yuqing , Hu Kun , Zhu Yu , Chater Keith F. , Feng Chi , Liu Gang , Tan Huarong 
Published: February 2012

SummaryUnusually among bacteria, actinobacteria possess myo‐inositol 1‐phosphate synthase (mIPS). In the developmentally complex Streptomyces coelicolor, the mIPS‐encoding gene (inoA) is cotranscribed with a putative regulatory gene (inoR). The inoRA transcript was more abundant in an inoR in‐frame deletion mutant, and InoR formed different complexes in vitro with an extensive region around the inoRA promoter. Binding was relieved by adding glucose 6‐phosphate. Thus, InoR is a metabolite‐sensitive autorepressor that influences inoA expression, and hence the level of inositol, by controlling transcription from PinoRA. Disruption of inoA resulted in inositol‐dependent growth and development, with full phenotypic correction at 0.1 mM inositol: at lower inositol concentrations differentiation was arrested at intermediate stages. This pattern may partly reflect increased demand for membrane phospholipids during sporulation septation. A corresponding sharp upregulation of inoRA transcription coincident with sporulation was dependent on a developmental regulator, WhiI. A truncated form of WhiI could bind two sites downstream of PinoRA, and one of the WhiI‐binding sites overlapped the InoR‐binding site. The combined action of a metabolic regulator and a developmental regulator at the simple PinoRA promoter is a previously undescribed strategy for the differential provision of developmentally appropriate levels of a substance required during the formation of spore chains.
SlrA/SinR/SlrR inhibits motility gene expression upstream of a hypersensitive and hysteretic switch at the level of σD in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Cozy Loralyn M. , Phillips Andrew M. , Calvo Rebecca A. , Bate Ashley R. , Hsueh Yi‐Huang , Bonneau Richard , Eichenberger Patrick , Kearns Daniel B. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryExponentially growing Bacillus subtilis cultures are epigenetically differentiated into two subpopulations in which cells are either ON or OFF for σd‐dependent gene expression: a pattern suggestive of bistability. The gene encoding σD, sigD, is part of the 31‐gene fla/che operon where its location at the 3′ end, 25 kb away from the strong Pfla/che promoter, determines its expression level relative to a threshold. Here we show that addition of a single extra copy of the slrA gene in the chromosome inhibited σd‐dependent gene expression. SlrA together with SinR and SlrR reduced sigD transcript by potentiating a distance‐dependent decrease in fla/che operon transcript abundance that was not mediated by changes in expression from the Pfla/che promoter. Consistent with acting upstream of σD, SlrA/SinR/SlrR was bypassed by artificial ectopic expression of sigD and hysteretically maintained for 20 generations by engaging the sigD gene at the native locus. SlrA/SinR/SlrR was also bypassed by increasing fla/che transcription and resulted in a hypersensitive output in flagellin expression. Thus, flagellin gene expression demonstrated hypersensitivity and hysteresis and we conclude that σd‐dependent gene expression is bistable.