bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sluggish vagal brake reactivity to physical exercise challenge in children with selective mutism
Authors: Heilman Keri J. , Connolly Sucheta D. , Padilla Wendy O. , Wrzosek Marika I. , Graczyk Patricia A. , Porges Stephen W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractCardiovascular response patterns to laboratory-based social and physical exercise challenges were evaluated in 69 children and adolescents, 20 with selective mutism (SM), to identify possible neurophysiological mechanisms that may mediate the behavioral features of SM. Results suggest that SM is associated with a dampened response of the vagal brake to physical exercise that is manifested as reduced reactivity in heart rate and respiration. Polyvagal theory proposes that the regulation of the vagal brake is a neurophysiological component of an integrated social engagement system that includes the neural regulation of the laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles. Within this theoretical framework, sluggish vagal brake reactivity may parallel an inability to recruit efficiently the structures involved in speech. Thus, the findings suggest that dampened autonomic reactivity during mobilization behaviors may be a biomarker of SM that can be assessed independent of the social stimuli that elicit mutism.
International fuel tax assessment: an application to Chile
Authors: Parry Ian , Strand Jon 
Published: January 2012

AbstractGasoline and diesel fuel are heavily taxed in many developed and some emerging and developing countries. Outside the United States and Europe, however, there has been little attempt to quantify the external costs of vehicle use, so policy makers lack guidance on whether prevailing tax rates are economically efficient. This paper develops a general approach for estimating motor vehicle externalities, and hence corrective taxes on gasoline and diesel, based on pooling local data with extrapolations from US evidence. The analysis is illustrated for the case of Chile, although it could be applied to other countries.
A European perspective for developing modern multifunctional agroforestry systems for sustainable intensification
Authors: Smith Jo , Pearce Bruce D. , Wolfe Martin S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractOne of the key questions of primary importance to global agriculture and food security is how to optimize sustainable intensification to balance competing demands on land for food and energy production, while ensuring the provision of ecosystem services and maintaining or increasing yields. Integrating trees and agriculture through agroforestry has been attracting increasing interest as an agroecological approach to sustainable intensification. Trees have traditionally been important elements of temperate agricultural systems around the world, but there has been increasing separation of agriculture, forestry and nature over the past few decades. This paper discusses what we can learn from traditional agroforestry systems to help develop modern systems that integrate ecological farming and agroecological advances to achieve sustainable intensification. We also discuss the existing barriers to wider adoption of agroforestry, and identify how these barriers can be overcome to promote agroforestry as a mainstream land-use system.
The phenology, yield and tuber composition of ‘early’ crop potatoes: A comparison between organic and conventional cultivation systems
Authors: Lombardo Sara , Lo Monaco Antonino , Pandino Gaetano , Parisi Bruno , Mauromicale Giovanni 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPotato production in several Mediterranean countries is focused on the ‘early’ crop type, and is generally associated with intensive applications of farming inputs. Here we report, for the first time, a comparison of crop performance between organic and conventional cultivation systems. Three cultivars were tested over two seasons (2007 and 2008) to record their phenology, yield and tuber chemical composition. The organic cultivation system was less productive than the conventional one across both years with respect to total yield, but in the season (2008) when late blight infection was not severe the difference was narrowed from 7% (Ditta) to 20% (MN 2-1577 S1). The Italian breeding clones (MN 1404 O5 and MN 2-1577 S1) deserve specific consideration due to their higher total yield and nutritional value (in terms of total protein and vitamin C content) under organic cultivation system than the cultivar Ditta. In addition, the organic farming produced tubers with a lower nitrate content, an important benefit in the context of human health. In conclusion, our results indicate that organic cultivation of ‘early’ potatoes can deliver acceptable agronomic and qualitative performances. However, the response of the ‘early’ crop potato to organic farming depends upon both seasonal conditions and cultivar choice. In particular, the selection of appropriate cultivars is one of the key aspects to optimize this environmentally friendly production system.
The role of terrestrial vegetation in atmospheric Hg deposition: Pools and fluxes of spike and ambient Hg from the METAALICUS experiment
Authors: Graydon Jennifer A. , St. Louis Vincent L. , Lindberg Steve E. , Sandilands Ken A. , Rudd John W. M. , Kelly Carol A. , Harris Reed , Tate Michael T. , Krabbenhoft Dave P. , Emmerton Craig A. , Asmath Hamish , Richardson Murray 
Published: January 2012

As part of the Mercury Experiment to Assess Atmospheric Loading in Canada and the U.S. (METAALICUS), different stable Hg(II) isotope spikes were applied to the upland and wetland areas of a boreal catchment between 2001 and 2006 to examine retention of newly deposited Hg(II). In the present study, a Geographical Information Systems (GIS)‐based approach was used to quantify canopy and ground vegetation pools of experimentally applied upland and wetland spike Hg within the METAALICUS watershed over the terrestrial loading phase of the experiment. A chemical kinetic model was also used to describe the changes in spike Hg concentrations of canopy and ground vegetation over time. An examination of the fate of spike Hg initially present on canopy vegetation using a mass balance approach indicated that the largest percentage flux from the canopy over one year post‐spray was emission to the atmosphere (upland: 45%; wetland: 71%), followed by litterfall (upland: 14%; wetland: 10%) and throughfall fluxes (upland: 12%; wetland: 9%) and longer term retention of spike in the forest canopy (11% for both upland and wetland). Average half‐lives (t1/2) of spike on deciduous (110 ± 30 days) and coniferous (180 ± 40 days) canopy and ground vegetation (890 ± 620 days) indicated that retention of new atmospheric Hg(II) on terrestrial (especially ground) vegetation delays downward transport of new atmospheric Hg(II) into the soil profile and runoff into lakes.
Thermotidal and land‐heating forcing of the diurnal cycle of oceanic surface winds in the eastern tropical Pacific
Authors: Takahashi Ken 
Published: January 2012

The diurnal cycle in the oceanic surface winds in the tropical eastern Pacific is shown, through numerical experiments with a regional atmospheric model, to be associated with the migrating diurnal atmospheric thermal tide, forced by absorption of solar near‐IR radiation by tropospheric water vapor, and a topographically‐modified extended sea‐breeze, forced by diurnal land heating. Idealized experiments prove capable of discriminating the effects of both processes, showing that beyond 2000 km from the coast, the thermal tide is dominant, while closer to the coast both processes are of the same order. The shortwave forcing due to water vapor is also found to produce a diurnal cycle in precipitation, but the process appears to be independent from the thermal tide and it is proposed that this effect is mediated by the radiatively‐forced changes in the column stability.
Genome sequence and genetic linkage analysis of Shiitake mushroom Lentinula edodes
Authors: Yip Pui Ying , Wong Kin Sing , Li Lei , Huang Qian Li , Kwan Hoi Shan , Au Chun Hang , Wong Man Chun , Qin Jing , Kwok Iris Sze Wai , Nong Wen Yan , Chum Winnie Wing Yan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractLentinula edodes (Shiitake/Xianggu) is an important cultivated mushroom. Understanding the genomics and functional genomics of L. edodes allows us to improve its cultivation and quality. Genome sequence is a key to develop molecular genetic markers for breeding and genetic manipulation. We sequenced the genome of L. edodes monokaryon L54A using Roche 454 and ABI SOLiD genome sequencing. Sequencing reads of about 1400Mb were de novo assembled into a 40.2 Mb genome sequence. We compiled the genome sequence into a searchable database with which we have been annotating the genes and analyzing the metabolic pathways. In addition, we have been using many molecular techniques to analyze genes differentially expressed during development. Gene ortholog groups of L. edodes genome sequence compared across genomes of several fungi including mushrooms identified gene families unique to mushroom-forming fungi. We used a mapping population of haploid basidiospores of dikaryon L54 for genetic linkage analysis. High-quality variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, and deletions of the mapping population formed a high-density genetic linkage map. We compared the linkage map to the L. edodes L54A genome sequence and located selected quantitative trait loci. The Shiitake community will benefit from these resources for genetic studies and breeding.
Ro52/SSA sensitizes cells to death receptor‐induced apoptosis by down‐regulating c‐FLIP(L)
Authors: Zhang Jing , Fang Lei , Zhu Xuguo , Qiao Yiting , Yu Mei , Wang Lu , Chen Yuan , Yin Wu , Hua Zi‐Chun 
Published: January 2012

AbstractRo52/SSA is an autoantigen that presents in patients with SS (Sjögren's syndrome) and SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It increases cell death and redistributes itself to apoptotic blebs, but its pro‐apoptotic function has not been completely identified. Overexpression of Ro52/SSA promoted cell apoptosis induced by DR (death receptor) in caspase‐8‐dependent manner. Ro52/SSA expression down‐regulated c‐FLIP(L) [cellular (Fas‐associated death domain)‐like interleukin 1β‐converting enzyme‐inhibitory protein long form] expression, and Ro52/SSA siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) increased c‐FLIP(L) production, indicating that Ro52/SSA plays a role in c‐FLIP(L) regulation. Ro52/SSA negatively regulated c‐FLIP(L) transcriptional level probably by suppressing NF‐κB (nuclear factor κB) signalling. The data suggest that Ro52/SSA is involved in DR‐mediated apoptosis by regulating c‐FLIP(L).
Atrial dyssynchrony syndrome: an overlooked phenomenon and a potential cause of ‘diastolic’ heart failure
Authors: Eicher Jean‐Christophe , Laurent Gabriel , Mathé Anaëlle , Barthez Olivier , Bertaux Géraldine , Philip Jean‐Luc , Dorian Paul , Wolf Jean‐Eric 
Published: January 2012

AimsThe purpose of the present study was too explore the role of interatrial dyssynchrony in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF).Methods and resultsFor the case study we selected seven patients with severe HFPEF, with interatrial block on electrocardiogram (ECG), and a delayed and interrupted A wave on mitral Doppler. Echocardiographic left atrial (LA) volumes/functions, mitral E/A and E/e‘ ratios, mitral A wave duration/deceleration time, and interatrial mechanical delays (IAMDs) at tissue Doppler, were studied. We performed right heart catheterization, and an electrophysiological study (EPS) for the measurement of interatrial conduction delay (IACD) and left atrioventricular interval (LAVI). Mean IAMD was 106 ms. All the patients exhibited a restrictive mitral Doppler pattern, high E/A and E/e' ratios, and short A wave duration/deceleration time. Left atrial volume was increased, with severely depressed functions. Right heart catheterization showed severe post‐capillary pulmonary hypertension. The EPS showed an IACD of 170 ± 20 ms, with a short LAVI. Left atrial pacing through the coronary sinus reduced the IACD to 25 ± 15 ms. In the pilot study, 29 patients with HFPEF were compared with 27 age‐matched control patients. HFPEF patients had longer P waves, shorter A waves, and a longer IAMD than the controls. Prevalence of severe IAMD >60 ms was 59% in HFPEF and 0% in controls. In the HFPEF group, patients with an IAMD >60 ms had significantly shorter A waves and higher E/e' ratio.ConclusionSome HFPEF patients present with IACD, delayed LA systole, shortened LA emptying, decreased LA compliance, and increased filling pressures. Whether the condition of these patients could be improved by atrial resynchronization deserves further investigation.
Xenon Attenuates Hippocampal Long-term Potentiation by Diminishing Synaptic and Extrasynaptic N -methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Currents
Authors: Kratzer Stephan , Mattusch Corinna , Kochs Eberhard , Eder Matthias , Haseneder Rainer , Rammes Gerhard 
Published: January 2012

Background
The memory-blocking properties of general anesthetics are of high clinical relevance and scientific interest. The inhalational anesthetic xenon antagonizes N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It is unknown if xenon affects long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular correlate for memory formation. In hippocampal brain slices, the authors investigated in area CA1 whether xenon affects LTP, NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission, and intracellular calcium concentrations.

Methods
In sagittal murine hippocampal brain slices, the authors investigated the effects of xenon on LTP by recording excitatory postsynaptic field potentials. Using fluorometric calcium imaging, the authors tested the influence of xenon on calcium influx during high-frequency stimulation. In addition, using the patch-clamp technique, the xenon effect on synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDA receptors and L-type calcium channels was examined.

Results
In the absence of xenon, high-frequency stimulation reliably induced LTP and potentiated field potential slopes to (mean ± SEM) 127.2 ± 5.8% (P < 0.001). In the presence of xenon, high-frequency stimulation induced only a short-term potentiation, and field potentials returned to baseline level after 15-20 min (105.9 ± 2.9%; P = 0.090). NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents were reduced reversibly by xenon to 65.9 ± 9.4% (P = 0.007) of control. When extrasynaptic receptors were activated, xenon decreased NMDA currents to 58.2 ± 5.8% (P < 0.001). Xenon reduced the increase in intracellular calcium during high-frequency stimulation without affecting L-type calcium channels.

Conclusions
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation is crucial for the induction of CA1 LTP. Thus, the depression of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission presumably contributes to the blockade of LTP under xenon. Because LTP is assumed to be involved in learning and memory, its blockade might be a key mechanism for xenon's amnestic properties.
The Ubiquitin E3 Ligase LOSS OF GDU2 Is Required for GLUTAMINE DUMPER1-Induced Amino Acid Secretion in Arabidopsis
Authors: Pratelli Réjane , Guerra Damian D. , Yu Shi , Wogulis Mark , Kraft Edward , Frommer Wolf B. , Callis Judy , Pilot Guillaume 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Amino acids serve as transport forms for organic nitrogen in the plant, and multiple transport steps are involved in cellular import and export. While the nature of the export mechanism is unknown, overexpression of GLUTAMINE DUMPER1 (GDU1) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) led to increased amino acid export. To gain insight into GDU1’s role, we searched for ethyl-methanesulfonate suppressor mutants and performed yeast-two-hybrid screens. Both methods uncovered the same gene, LOSS OF GDU2 (LOG2), which encodes a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. The interaction between LOG2 and GDU1 was confirmed by glutathione S-transferase pull-down, in vitro ubiquitination, and in planta coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation indicated that LOG2 and GDU1 both localized to membranes and were enriched at the plasma membrane. LOG2 expression overlapped with GDU1 in the xylem and phloem tissues of Arabidopsis. The GDU1 protein encoded by the previously characterized intragenic suppressor mutant log1-1, with an arginine in place of a conserved glycine, failed to interact in the multiple assays, suggesting that the Gdu1D phenotype requires the interaction of GDU1 with LOG2. This hypothesis was supported by suppression of the Gdu1D phenotype after reduction of LOG2 expression using either artificial microRNAs or a LOG2 T-DNA insertion. Altogether, in accordance with the emerging bulk of data showing membrane protein regulation via ubiquitination, these data suggest that the interaction of GDU1 and the ubiquitin ligase LOG2 plays a significant role in the regulation of amino acid export from plant cells.
A Novel Method of Transgene Delivery into Triticale Plants Using the Agrobacterium Transferred DNA-Derived Nano-Complex
Authors: Ziemienowicz Alicja , Shim Youn-Seb , Matsuoka Aki , Eudes Francois , Kovalchuk Igor 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Genetic transformation of monocotyledonous plants still presents a challenge for plant biologists and biotechnologists because monocots are difficult to transform with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, whereas other transgenesis methods, such as gold particle-mediated transformation, result in poor transgene expression because of integration of truncated DNA molecules. We developed a method of transgene delivery into monocots. This method relies on the use of an in vitro-prepared nano-complex consisting of transferred DNA, virulence protein D2, and recombination protein A delivered to triticale microspores with the help of a Tat2 cell-penetrating peptide. We showed that this approach allowed for single transgene copy integration events and prevented degradation of delivered DNA, thus leading to the integration of intact copies of the transgene into the genome of triticale plants. This resulted in transgene expression in all transgenic plants regenerated from microspores transfected with the full transferred DNA/protein complex. This approach can easily substitute the bombardment technique currently used for monocots and will be highly valuable for plant biology and biotechnology.
The decline of anti‐drug antibody titres after discontinuation of anti‐TNFs: implications for predicting re‐induction outcome in IBD
Authors: Ben‐Horin S. , Mazor Y. , Yanai H. , Ron Y. , Kopylov U. , Yavzori M. , Picard O. , Fudim E. , Maor Y. , Lahat A. , Coscas D. , Eliakim R. , Dotan I. , Chowers Y. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryBackgroundAnti‐drug antibodies can be elicited by infliximab and adalimumab, but the rate of their decay after therapy is stopped is unknown.AimTo investigate the decline of anti‐drug antibody titre after anti‐TNF cessation, and to evaluate the clinical utility of anti‐drug antibody measurement before anti‐TNF re‐induction.MethodsInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who stopped anti‐TNF therapy and had measurable anti‐drug antibodies were prospectively followed up by serial blood measurements of antibodies levels. The clinical outcome of a second cohort of patients who received re‐induction by infliximab or adalimumab after a drug holiday >4 months was determined vis‐à‐vis their anti‐drug antibodies status before re‐induction.ResultsThe first cohort included 22 patients with anti‐drug antibodies who were prospectively followed up after cessation of anti‐TNF. Sixteen had antibodies‐to‐infliximab (ATI) and six had antibodies‐to‐adalimumab (ATA). ATI titres declined within 12 months to below detection levels in 13/16 infliximab‐treated patients, whereas ATA titres became undetectable in only 2/6 adalimumab‐treated patients (P = 0.04). The second cohort comprised 27 patients who resumed anti‐TNFs (24 infliximab, 3 adalimumab). Of these, 3/5 patients with measurable anti‐drug antibodies before re‐induction experienced severe hypersensitivity reaction and/or nonresponse mandating drug‐discontinuation, compared to 11/22 patients who were re‐induced without measurable anti‐drug antibodies (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 0.2–11, P = 0.7).ConclusionsAntibodies to infliximab titres decline to undetectable levels within one year of cessation of infliximab in the majority of patients, whereas antibodies to adalimumab seem to persist longer after adalimumab discontinuation. Measuring antibodies to infliximab prior to infliximab re‐induction is probably of little clinical utility, especially if more than a 12‐month drug‐holiday has elapsed.
Intracranial hypotension headache after uncomplicated caudal epidural injection
Authors: Thomas R. , Thanthulage S. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryA caudal epidural injection was performed on a middle‐aged woman for pain in her right foot. Although the procedure was uncomplicated and a good epidurogram was obtained, the patient went on to develop an orthostatic headache with generalised weakness and syncopal episodes that were treated successfully by epidural blood patching. We describe the aetiology, presentation and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension and review the similarities with our patient’s clinical presentation. We hypothesise as to how our intervention may have resulted in a dural tear.
Cluster randomized trials of prescription medicines or prescribing policy: public and general practitioner opinions in Scotland
Authors: Mackenzie Isla S. , Wei Li , Paterson Kenneth R. , MacDonald Thomas M. 
Published: January 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Cluster randomized trials (randomized policy design studies) can be used to compare the safety and effectiveness of different interventions.• Cluster randomized trials are relatively novel in the context of studying drug interventions.• Using cluster randomized trials to investigate drug safety and effectiveness would require public and primary‐care practitioner co‐operation.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• The general public in Scotland is broadly supportive of the concept of cluster randomized trials (randomized policy design studies) to improve understanding of comparative effectiveness and safety of medicines within the National Health Service.• There is a spread of opinion among general practitioners in Scotland regarding the acceptability of the concept of cluster randomized trials in the field of drug safety and effectiveness.• Of the general public participants, 97% agreed that the National Health Service has a duty to determine the safety and effectiveness of the medicines its doctors prescribe.AIMS To understand public and general practitioner (GP) opinion on the acceptability of randomized policy design (RPD) studies (cluster randomized trials) of prescription medicines in Scotland.METHODS We surveyed public opinion on the concept of RPD studies in a sample of 1040 adults to determine acceptability and understand how people feel when changes are made to their medicines. We also surveyed GPs (n = 1034) about the concept of RPD studies as a tool for improving understanding of comparative effectiveness and safety of medicines in the ‘usual care’ setting.RESULTS Thirty per cent of people would be happy to receive a letter about randomized policy changes to their therapy, 31% would not mind or had no opinion and 39% would be unhappy. This view was sensitive to the reason for change; effectiveness and safety reasons were most acceptable (96%) and cost saving least acceptable (39%). Only 19% thought randomized policy change was not an acceptable method of determining the best treatments. Eighty‐one per cent of respondents were willing for their medical data to be followed up to compare drug treatments (further 10% undecided). Participants reporting long‐term medical conditions and those reporting previous changes to drug therapy were more in favour of RPD studies than other participants.Thirty‐three per cent (n = 341) of GPs responded to our survey. Of these, 45% were in favour of RPD studies, 19% were undecided and 36% not in favour.CONCLUSIONS The public in Scotland is broadly supportive of the concept of randomized policy design studies of medicines, while there is a spread of opinion among GPs.