bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Evidence for Persistence ofAnaplasma phagocytophilumin the Absence of Clinical Abnormalities in Horses after Recovery from Acute Experimental Infection
Authors: Franzén P. , Aspan A. , Egenvall A. , Gunnarsson A. , Karlstam E. , Pringle J. 
Published: May 2009

Background:Anaplasma phagocytophiluminfects several mammalian species, and can persist in sheep, dogs, and calves. However, whether this organism persists in horses or induces long‐term clinical abnormalities is not known.Objectives:To evaluate whetherA. phagocytophilumcan persist in horses and to document clinical findings for 3 months after complete recovery from acute disease.Animals:Five clinically normal adult horses that had recovered spontaneously from experimentally induced acute disease caused by a Swedish equine isolate ofA. phagocytophilum.Methods:Horses were monitored for up to 129 days post inoculation (PI) by daily clinical examination and at least alternate day blood sampling for evidence ofA. phagocytophilumon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood smears. All horses were euthanized and underwent postmortem examination.Results:All horses were periodically PCR positive after recovery from acute infection. Before day 66 PI 2 horses were persistently PCR negative whereas 3 horses were intermittently PCR positive. Subsequently, 4 of 5 horses were intermittently PCR positive, particularly after stress mimicking interventions. One animal was positive immediately before postmortem examination. Clinical abnormalities related to persistence of anaplasma were not observed. No specific changes were found at postmortem examination, and all sampled tissues from all horses were negative on PCR forA. phagocytophilum.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Infection withA. phagocytophilumcan persist in the horse for at least 129 days. However, the continued presence of the organism is not associated with detectable clinical or pathological abnormalities.
The association between theCOL12A1gene and anterior cruciate ligament ruptures
Authors: Posthumus Michael , September Alison V , O'Cuinneagain Dion , van der Merwe Willem , Schwellnus Martin P , Collins Malcolm 
Published: May 2009

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are among the most severe musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. However, the exact mechanisms which cause these acute injuries are unknown. Recently, sequence variants within two genes, namelyCOL1A1andCOL5A1, which code for the α1 chains of types I and V collagen respectively, were shown to be associated with ACL ruptures. Type XII collagen, similarly to types I and V collagen, is a structural component of the ligament fibril and is encoded by a single gene,COL12A1.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether sequence variants withinCOL12A1are associated with ACL ruptures.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-nine (38 female) participants with clinically and surgically diagnosed ACL ruptures, as well as 216 (83 female) physically active controls participants (CON) without any history of ACL injury were included in this case-control genetic association study. All participants were genotyped for theAluI andBsrI restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) withinCOL12A1.ResultsThe AA genotype of theCOL12A1 AluI RFLP was significantly over-represented in the female (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 5.5, p=0.048), but not male (p=0.359) ACL participants. There were no genotype differences between the ACL and CON group for theBsrI RFLP.ConclusionTheCOL12A1 AluI RFLP is associated with ACL ruptures among female participants in this study. The results suggest that females with an AA genotype are at increased risk of ACL ruptures. These initial genetic association studies should be explored further and, if repeated, incorporated into multifactorial models developed to identify predisposed individuals.
QTL mapping of protein content and seed characteristics under water-stress conditions in sunflower
Authors: Ebrahimi A. , Maury P. , Berger M. , Calmon A. , Grieu P. , Sarrafi A. 
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions controlling seed protein content, kernel and hull weights, and seed density in water-stress conditions in sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). The experiments consisted of a split-plot design (water treatment and recombinant inbred lines) with three blocks in two environments (greenhouse and field). High significant variation was observed between genotypes for all traits as well as for water treatment × genotype interaction. Several specific and nonspecific QTLs were detected for all traits under well-watered and water-stress conditions. Two SSR markers, ORS671_2 and HA2714, linked to protein content were identified that have no interaction with water treatments in greenhouse conditions. We also detected the E35M60_4 marker associated with kernel weight that had no interaction with water treatments. A specific QTL for protein content was detected with important phenotypic variance (17%) under water-stress conditions. Overlapping QTLs for protein content and seed density were identified in linkage group 15. This region probably has a peliotropic effect on protein content and seed density. QTLs for protein content colocated with grain weight traits were also identified.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum–mitochondrial through-space coupling in skeletal muscleThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 14th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference – Muscles as Molecular and Metabolic Machines, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.
Authors: Dirksen Robert T. 
Published: May 2009

The skeletal muscle contractile machine is fueled by both calcium and ATP. Calcium ions activate the contractile machinery by binding to troponin C and relieving troponin-tropomyosin inhibition of actinomyosin interaction. ATP binding to myosin during the contractile cycle results in myosin detachment from actin, and energy liberated from subsequent ATP hydrolysis is then used to drive the next contractile cycle. ATP is also used to lower myoplasmic calcium levels during muscle relaxation. Thus, muscle contractility is intimately linked to the proper control of sarcomeric Ca2+ delivery and (or) removal and ATP generation and (or) utilization. In skeletal muscle, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the primary regulator of calcium storage, release, and reuptake, while glycolysis and the mitochondria are responsible for cellular ATP production. However, the SR and mitochondrial function in muscle are not independent, as calcium uptake into the mitochondria increases ATP production by stimulating oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial ATP production, and production and (or) detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), in turn, modulates SR calcium release and reuptake. Close spatial Ca2+/ATP/ROS/RNS communication between the SR and mitochondria is facilitated by the structural attachment of mitochondria to the calcium release unit (CRU) by 10 nm of electron-dense tethers. The resultant anchoring of mitochondria to the CRU provides a structural basis for maintaining bidirectional SR–mitochondrial through-space communication during vigorous contraction. This review will consider the degree to which this structural link enables privileged or microdomain communication between the SR and mitochondria in skeletal muscle.
Molecular responses to high-intensity interval exerciseThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 14th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference – Muscles as Molecular and Metabolic Machines, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.
Authors: Gibala Martin 
Published: May 2009

From a cell-signaling perspective, short-duration intense muscular work is typically associated with resistance training and linked to pathways that stimulate growth. However, brief repeated sessions of high-intensity interval exercise training (HIT) induce rapid phenotypic changes that resemble traditional endurance training. Given the oxidative phenotype that is rapidly upregulated by HIT, it is plausible that metabolic adaptations to this type of exercise could be mediated in part through signaling pathways normally associated with endurance training. A key controller of oxidative enzyme expression in skeletal muscle is peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), a transcriptional coactivator that serves to coordinate mitochondrial biogenesis. Most studies of acute PGC-1α regulation in humans have used very prolonged exercise interventions; however, it was recently shown that a surprisingly small dose of very intense interval exercise, equivalent to only 2 min of all-out cycling, was sufficient to increase PGC-1α mRNA during recovery. Intense interval exercise has also been shown to acutely increase the activity of signaling pathways linked to PGC-1α and mitochondrial biogenesis, including AMP-activated protein kinase (α1 and α2 subunits) and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. In contrast, signaling pathways linked to muscle growth, including protein kinase B/Akt and downstream targets p70 ribosomal S6 kinase and 4E binding protein 1, are generally unchanged after acute interval exercise. Signaling through AMP-activated protein kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase to PGC-1α may therefore explain, in part, the metabolic remodeling induced by HIT, including mitochondrial biogenesis and an increased capacity for glucose and fatty acid oxidation.
Overexpression of the CXCL3 gene in response to oxidized low-density lipoprotein is associated with the presence of tendon xanthomas in familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Martín-Fuentes Paula , Civeira Fernando , Solanas-Barca María , García-Otín Angel Luis , Jarauta Estíbaliz , Cenarro Ana 
Published: May 2009

To examine if overexpression of certain chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines in response to oxidized low-density lipoprotein could be involved in the onset and development of tendon xanthomas (TX), we quantified IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 and compared gene expression of PPAR-γ, NF-κBIA, IL-8, IL-1β, CXCL3, tryptase, and TNF-α in macrophages of familial hypercholesterolemia subjects with and without TX stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein at 1, 3, 6, and 18 h of incubation. We propose that chemokines belonging to the CXC family could play an important role in the etiology of TX, with CXCL3 being a possible biological marker of onset and development of TX.
Effect of alteration of translation error rate on enzyme microheterogeneity as assessed by variation in single molecule electrophoretic mobility and catalytic activity
Authors: Nichols Ellert R. , Shadabi Elnaz , Craig Douglas B. 
Published: May 2009

The role of translation error for Escherichia coli individual β-galactosidase molecule catalytic and electrophoretic heterogeneity was investigated using CE-LIF. An E. coli rpsL mutant with a hyperaccurate translation phenotype produced enzyme molecules that exhibited significantly less catalytic heterogeneity but no reduction of electrophoretic heterogeneity. Enzyme expressed with streptomycin-induced translation error had increased thermolability, lower activity, and no significant change to catalytic or electrophoretic heterogeneity. Modeling of the electrophoretic behaviour of β-galactosidase suggested that variation of the hydrodynamic radius may be the most significant contributor to electrophoretic heterogeneity.
Amelioration of hypoperfusion after traumatic brain injury by in vivo endothelin-1 knockout
Authors: Petrov Theodor 
Published: May 2009

Endothelin 1 (ET-1) is one of the most powerful vasoconstrictors in the brain. Its expression is upregulated after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is a major factor in the ensuing hypoperfusion. Attenuation of ET-1 effects has been mainly achieved by blockade of its receptors. The result of a direct blockade of ET-1 mRNA synthesis is not known. We used the Marmarou’s model to inflict injury to male Sprague–Dawley rats injected with antisense ET-1 oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) before injury. Laser Doppler flowmetry in noninjured rats (2 groups, i.e., untreated and animals that received cODNs) revealed a constant cerebral blood flow of approximately 14 mL·min–1·100 g–1, whereas the values from injured animals pretreated with control ODNs (cODNs) or from animals subjected to TBI alone were approximately 8.0 mL·min–1·100 g–1 during the 18–48 h time period post-TBI. After antisense ET-1 ODNs pretreatment, however, cerebral blood flow in injured animals was approximately 17 mL·min–1·100 g–1 during the 6–48 h time period. Antisense ET-1 ODNs-treated animals also had 19%–29% larger microvessel cross-sectional area and approximately one-third less ET-1 immunoreactivity in the 50–75% range after injury than did cODNs-treated animals after TBI. The results indicate that this direct in vivo approach is an effective therapeutic intervention for the restoration of cerebral blood flow after TBI.
Effects of nest substrate on egg deposition and incubation conditions in a natural population of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Authors: Wisenden Brian , Alemadi Shireen , Dye Thomas P. , Geray Katie , Hendrickson Jodi , Rud Courtney , Jensen Michael , Sonstegard Goodwin , Malott Michelle 
Published: May 2009

Fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas Rafinesque, 1820) occur commonly in small lakes across the prairie region of North America. Males establish nests, court females, and tend the eggs. In our study population in Minnesota, males choose between two distinct nest substrates that differ in exposure to abiotic conditions affecting egg development: the underside of pond-lily (genus Nuphar Sm.) pads or the underside of submerged sticks. We found that lily pad nests contained more eggs, more clutches of different ages, and eggs distributed over a larger area than nests under submerged sticks. The difference in egg incubation temperatures between lily pad nests and stick nests varied diurnally with air–water temperature gradients. Proximity to the surface allowed lily pad nests to be significantly warmer during the day but only slightly cooler at night than nests under submerged sticks, resulting in about 10 h shorter time to hatch. The availability of lily pads for nests may greatly alter selection on sexual behaviour by males in competing for limiting nest sites of high quality, and female opportunity to exercise choice of mate. Moreover, availability of lily pads changes the role of abiotic conditions. In warm weather, males that nest under lily pads may achieve greater reproductive success than males that nest under sticks.
Morphine uptake, disposition, and analgesic efficacy in the common goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Newby N. C. , Wilkie M. P. , Stevens E. D. 
Published: May 2009

The purposes of the present study were to examine the rate of morphine uptake in goldfish ( Carassius auratus (L., 1758)) when administered via the water, to calculate the pharmacokinetics of morphine when administered intraperitoneally, and to determine whether morphine could act as an analgesic. When administered via the water, morphine uptake was very slow, and the concentration accumulated in the plasma was <1% of that in water after 2 h. Furthermore, changing water pH or hardness caused small changes in morphine uptake from the water, but plasma levels remained <1% of water concentrations after 2 h exposure. The pharmacokinetics of morphine administered intraperitoneally (40 mg/kg) revealed a half-time for elimination of 37 h and a mean residence time of 56 h. Finally, morphine acted as an analgesic when administered via the water as demonstrated by significantly decreased rubbing behaviour in response to the presence of a noxious stimulus (subcutaneous injection of 0.7% acetic acid). Although morphine appeared to have analgesic properties in goldfish, morphine administered via ambient water is not recommended because of its slow rate of uptake.
Training the Brain to Weight Speech Cues Differently: A Study of Finnish Second-language Users of English
Authors: Ylinen Sari , Uther Maria , Latvala Antti , Vepsäläinen Sara , Iverson Paul , Akahane-Yamada Reiko , Näätänen Risto 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Foreign-language learning is a prime example of a task that entails perceptual learning. The correct comprehension of foreign-language speech requires the correct recognition of speech sounds. The most difficult speech–sound contrasts for foreign-language learners often are the ones that have multiple phonetic cues, especially if the cues are weighted differently in the foreign and native languages. The present study aimed to determine whether non-native-like cue weighting could be changed by using phonetic training. Before the training, we compared the use of spectral and duration cues of English /i/ and /I/ vowels (e.g., beat vs. bit) between native Finnish and English speakers. In Finnish, duration is used phonologically to separate short and long phonemes, and therefore Finns were expected to weight duration cues more than native English speakers. The cross-linguistic differences and training effects were investigated with behavioral and electrophysiological methods, in particular by measuring the MMN brain response that has been used to probe long-term memory representations for speech sounds. The behavioral results suggested that before the training, the Finns indeed relied more on duration in vowel recognition than the native English speakers did. After the training, however, the Finns were able to use the spectral cues of the vowels more reliably than before. Accordingly, the MMN brain responses revealed that the training had enhanced the Finns' ability to preattentively process the spectral cues of the English vowels. This suggests that as a result of training, plastic changes had occurred in the weighting of phonetic cues at early processing stages in the cortex.
Deficits in Subprocesses of Visual Feature Search after Frontal, Parietal, and Temporal Brain Lesions—A Modeling Approach
Authors: Müller-Plath Gisela , Ott Derek V. M. , Pollmann Stefan 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Deficits in visuospatial attention are commonly observed after different kinds of brain lesions. However, the structure–function relationships are not well understood. We investigated whether our response time (RT) model, strategies of visual search (STRAVIS), combined with a linear model of brain lesions, enables us to relate specific impairments in cognitive processes to specific sites of focal brain lesions. In STRAVIS, RTs in overt visual feature search with graded target-distractor similarity are decomposed into the durations of successive search steps. Fitting the model to an observer's RTs yields individual estimates of the parameters “attentional focus size,” “attentional dwell time,” and “movement time of attention or the eyes.” In 28 patients with various focal lesions to the frontal, parietal, and/or temporal cortex and 28 matched controls, we determined with the help of linear models which lesions were most predictive for each parameter. Predictions were validated with a second sample of 12 patients and 12 controls. Critical lesion areas for the STRAVIS focus size were the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the temporal lobe, with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lesions reducing the focus and temporal lesions enlarging it. The STRAVIS dwell time was reduced in patients with lesions to the anterior insula and the superior parietal lobe. Lesions to the frontal eye fields, the superior parietal lobe, and the parieto-occipital cortex were most detrimental to the STRAVIS movement time. Applying linear models to a patient sample with heterogeneous lesions may be a promising new method for investigating how different brain areas interplay in a complex task.
A Revised Cloud Overlap Scheme for Fast Microwave Radiative Transfer in Rain and Cloud
Authors: Geer Alan J. , Bauer Peter , O’Dell Christopher W. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The assimilation of cloud- and precipitation-affected observations into weather forecasting systems requires very fast calculations of radiative transfer in the presence of multiple scattering. At the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), performance limitations mean that only a single cloudy calculation (including any precipitation) can be made, and the simulated radiance is a weighted combination of cloudy- and clear-sky radiances. Originally, the weight given to the cloudy part was the maximum cloud fraction in the atmospheric profile. However, this weighting was excessive, and because of nonlinear radiative transfer (the “beamfilling effect”) there were biases in areas of cloud and precipitation. A new approach instead uses the profile average cloud fraction, and decreases RMS errors by 40% in areas of rain or heavy clouds when “truth” comes from multiple independent column simulations. There is improvement all the way from low (e.g., 19 GHz) to high (e.g., 183 GHz) microwave frequencies. There is also improvement when truth comes from microwave imager observations. One minor problem is that biases increase slightly in mid- and upper-tropospheric sounding channels in light-cloud situations, which shows that future improvements will require the cloud fraction to vary according to the optical properties at different frequencies.
Case Study of a Developing African Easterly Wave during NAMMA: An Energetic Point of View
Authors: Arnault Joël , Roux Frank 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The West African perturbation that subsequently evolved into Hurricane Helene (2006) during NASA’s African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (NAMMA), 15 August–14 September 2006, and AMMA’s third special observing period (SOP-3), 15–29 September 2006, has been simulated with the nonhydrostatic Méso-NH model using parameterized convection. The simulated disturbance evolved over West Africa and the adjacent eastern tropical Atlantic through interactions between different processes at the convective scale, mesoscale, and synoptic scale. The aim of this paper is to quantify the energetics of the simulated disturbance. A set of energy equations is first developed in the hydrostatic case to solve the limitations of Lorenz’s analysis when applied to a finite domain. It is shown that this approach is also valid in the compressible and in the anelastic case in order to apply it to the Méso-NH results. Application to the simulated pre-Helene disturbance allows one to determine the most important terms in these equations. These simplifications are taken into account to derive an energy cycle including barotropic and baroclinic conversions of eddy kinetic energy. The development of the simulated system was found to result from barotropic–baroclinic growth over West Africa and barotropic growth over the tropical eastern Atlantic. It is suggested that most of these energy conversions were the result of an adjustment of the wind field in response to the pressure decrease, presumably caused by convective activity.