bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Function of the epaxial muscles in walking, trotting and galloping dogs: implications for the evolution of epaxial muscle function in tetrapods
Authors: Schilling Nadja , Carrier David R. 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYThe body axis plays a central role in tetrapod locomotion. It contributes to the work of locomotion, provides the foundation for the production of mechanical work by the limbs, is central to the control of body posture, and integrates limb and trunk actions. The epaxial muscles of mammals have been suggested to mobilize and globally stabilize the trunk, but the timing and the degree to which they serve a particular function likely depend on the gait and the vertebral level. To increase our understanding of their function, we recorded the activity of the m. multifidus lumborum and the m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum at three cranio-caudal levels in dogs while they walked, trotted and galloped. The level of muscle recruitment was significantly higher during trotting than during walking, but was similar during trotting and galloping. During walking, epaxial muscle activity is appropriate to produce lateral bending and resist long-axis torsion of the trunk and forces produced by extrinsic limb muscles. During trotting, they also stabilize the trunk in the sagittal plane against the inertia of the center of mass. Muscle recruitment during galloping is consistent with the production of sagittal extension. The sequential activation along the trunk during walking and galloping is in accord with the previously observed traveling waves of lateral and sagittal bending, respectively, while synchronized activity during trotting is consistent with a standing wave of trunk bending. Thus, the cranio-caudal recruitment patterns observed in dogs resemble plesiomorphic motor patterns of tetrapods. In contrast to other tetrapods, mammals display bilateral activity during symmetrical gaits that provides increased sagittal stability and is related to the evolution of a parasagittal limb posture and greater sagittal mobility.
A multi-stage anti-predator response increases information on predation risk
Authors: Hemmi Jan M. , Pfeil Andreas 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYOptimal escape theory generally assumes that animals have accurate information about predator distance and direction of approach. To what degree such information is available depends not only on the prey's sensory capabilities but also on its behaviour. The structure of behaviour can strongly constrain or support the gathering of information. The ability of animals to collect and process information is therefore an important factor shaping predator avoidance strategies. Fiddler crabs, like many prey animals, escape predators in a multi-step sequence. In their initial response, they do not have accurate information about a predator's distance and approach trajectory and are forced to base their response decision on incomplete information that is not strictly correlated with risk. We show here that fiddler crabs gather qualitatively different visual information during successive stages of their escape sequence. This suggests that multi-stage anti-predator behaviours serve not only to successively reduce risk but also to increase the quality of information with regards to the actual risk. There are countless reasons why prey animals are not able to accurately assess risk. By concentrating on sensory limitations, we can quantify such information deficits and investigate how improving risk assessment helps prey optimise the balance between predation risk and escape costs.
Diapause termination and development of encystedArtemiaembryos: roles for nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Robbins Heather M. , Van Stappen Gilbert , Sorgeloos Patrick , Sung Yeong Yik , MacRae Thomas H. , Bossier Peter 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYEncysted embryos (cysts) of the brine shrimp Artemia undergo diapause, a state of profound dormancy and enhanced stress tolerance. Upon exposure to the appropriate physical stimulus diapause terminates and embryos resume development. The regulation of diapause termination and post-diapause development is poorly understood at the molecular level, prompting this study on the capacity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) to control these processes. Exposure to H2O2 and NO, the latter generated by the use of three NO generators, promoted cyst development, emergence and hatching, effects nullified by catalase and the NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO). The maximal effect of NO and H2O2 on cyst development was achieved by 4 h of exposure to either chemical. NO was effective at a lower concentration than H2O2 but more cysts developed in response to H2O2. Promotion of development varied with incubation conditions, indicating for the first time a population of Artemia cysts potentially arrested in post-diapause and whose development was activated by either H2O2 or NO. A second cyst sub-population, refractory to hatching after prolonged incubation, was considered to be in diapause, a condition broken by H2O2 but not NO. These observations provide clues to the molecular mechanisms of diapause termination and development in Artemia, while enhancing the organism's value in aquaculture by affording a greater understanding of its growth and physiology.
Structural and Spectroscopic Characteristics of a Proton-Conductive Ionic Liquid Diethylmethylammonium Trifluoromethanesulfonate [dema][TfOH]
Authors: Mori Kazuki , Hashimoto Syu , Yuzuri Tomoaki , Sakakibara Kazuhisa 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Structural specificity including dynamic behavior and stable conformations in the bulk phase of diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate [dema][TfOH], which is assumed to be a prominent ionic liquid electrolyte for non-humidified intermediate temperature fuel cells, have been investigated by 1H NMR, IR spectroscopic analyses, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. It is found that an N–H proton in [dema][TfOH] is an exchangeable mobile proton which can be substituted by D2O, and free rotation around the N–C bond in the ethyl side chain of the ammonium cation is retarded by ionic interactions between the cations and anions, therefore the methylene protons in the ethyl side chain are unisochronous. In addition, the rotational barrier of this N–C bond was observed to be 71 kJ mol−1, comparable to the barrier height of the amide N–C bond (which is well-known to have partial double bond character) from temperature-dependent NMR experiments by monitoring the peak-shape changes of methylene protons in the ethyl side chain of the ammonium cation. The bulk-phase structure of [dema][TfOH] was calculated by MD simulations on the basis of the OPLS-AA force field, and the evaluated structure was consistent with those of experimental results. Thus, IR spectrum frequency of the N–H proton, and the 1H NMR chemical shift values could be rationally assigned on the basis of the theoretically evaluated structures in the bulk phase.
Correlation of serum-adjusted calcium with ionized calcium over a 24-h period in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency before and after growth hormone replacement
Authors: White Helen D , Joshi A A , Ahmad A M , Durham B H , Vora J P , Fraser W D 
Published: April 2010

Background Difficulties associated with measuring ionized calcium in clinical practice have led to the use of total calcium, with or without adjustment for albumin concentration, as an estimate of calcium metabolism. We examined the correlation between ionized and total/adjusted calcium over a 24-h period in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD), a group of patients with previously reported alterations in calcium metabolism. Methods Four patients with AGHD were consented to the study. They were hospitalized for 24 h where half-hourly blood samples were collected for ionized calcium, total calcium, albumin and creatinine, before and one month after the commencement of growth hormone replacement. Total calcium concentration was adjusted for serum albumin. Results Strong correlations were found between ionized calcium and adjusted calcium ( r2 = 0.840 and 0.766 for visits 1 and 2, respectively, P < 0.001), and between ionized calcium and total calcium ( r2 = 0.828 and 0.731 for visits 1 and 2, respectively, P < 0.001). Correlations remained significant during the day (ionized versus adjusted calcium: r2 = 0.847 and 0.780 for visits 1 and 2, respectively; ionized versus total calcium: r2 = 0.860 and 0.792 for visits 1 and 2, respectively, all P < 0.001) and at night (ionized versus adjusted calcium: r2 = 0.831 and 0.802 for visits 1 and 2, respectively; ionized versus total calcium: r2 = 0.767 and 0.722 for visits 1 and 2, respectively, all P < 0.001). Conclusion The results of our study suggest that total calcium and serum-adjusted calcium can be used in place of ionized calcium as a reliable indicator of calcium metabolism over a 24-h period in patients with AGHD.
Prognostic Significance of the 2004 WHO/ISUP Classification for Prediction of Recurrence, Progression, and Cancer-Specific Mortality of Non–Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Tumors of the Urinary Bladder
Authors: Pan Chin-Chen , Chang Yen-Hwa , Chen Kuang-Kuo , Yu Hui-Jung , Sun Chih-Hao , Ho Donald M. T. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
To verify prognostic significance of the 2004 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading systems, we retrospectively studied the tumors of 1,515 patients who underwent transurethral resection of primary non–muscle-invasive urothelial tumors (pTa, 1,006 patients; pT1, 509 patients) confined to the bladder. Cases were classified according to the 2004 WHO/ISUP systems as 212 cases of papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), 706 low-grade papillary urothelial carcinomas (LPUCs), and 597 high-grade papillary urothelial carcinomas (HPUCs). PUNLMP showed the statistically significantly lowest recurrence cumulative incidence compared with the other tumor types. There were significant differences and trends for higher progression and cancer-specific mortality cumulative incidence in the following order: PUNLMP, LPUC, pTa HPUC, and pT1 HPUC. No differences of progression and cancer-specific mortality cumulative incidence were found between pTa and pT1 LPUC. Our study validates the usefulness of the 2004 WHO/ISUP system to classify urothelial tumors into prognostically distinct categories that would contribute to the design of therapeutic and monitoring strategies for patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder urothelial tumors.
Oxidized-LDL/β2-Glycoprotein I Complexes Are Associated With Disease Severity and Increased Risk for Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Greco Thomas P. , Conti-Kelly Ann Marie , Anthony J. Robert , Greco Thomas , Doyle Robin , Boisen Matt , Kojima Kazuo , Matsuura Eiji , Lopez Luis R. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)/β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) complexes have been implicated in atherogenesis. oxLDL/β2GPI complexes were measured in 339 patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes. Approximately 68% had angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD) and significantly higher mean ± SD levels of oxLDL/β2GPI (3.75 ± 6.31 U/mL) than patients with normal coronary arteries (2.21 ± 3.03 U/mL; P = .0026). Patients with severe CAD had significantly higher mean ± SD levels of oxLDL/β2GPI (8.71 ± 12.87 U/mL) compared with the overall mean of 3.25 U/mL (P &lt; .05) and a significantly higher rate (28.9%) of adverse events than the overall rate of 11.2% (P &lt; .05). Patients with adverse events had higher mean ± SD levels of oxLDL/β2GPI (4.05 ± 5.38 U/mL) than patients without adverse events (3.15 ± 5.53; P = .029). The relative risk for adverse events in higher oxLDL/β2GPI quartiles was 3.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–9.1; P = .06) for quartile 3 and 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.2–10.4; P = .02) for quartile 4. Our results support the concept that oxLDL/β2GPI complexes are associated with severity of CAD and a 3.5-fold increased risk for adverse outcomes.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia With t(9;11)(p21–22;q23)
Authors: Chandra Pranil , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Zuo Zhuang , Yao Hui , Ravandi Farhad , Reddy Neeli , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Kantarjian Hagop , Jones Dan 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
We compared pathogenetic features of 32 de novo and 29 therapy-related (t) t(9;11)(p21-22;q23)/MLLT3-MLL acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases to identify progression factors and to assess whether distinction between these manifestations is warranted. MLLT3-MLL rearrangement was commonly the sole karyotypic abnormality at diagnosis, with many secondary chromosomal changes emerging at relapse in both subgroups. Ras point mutations were common in both groups (overall, 18/50 [36%]) and associated with monocytic phenotype and aneuploid progression. Expression patterns of 675 microRNAs profiled in 7 cases were also similar, with let-7 species linked to Ras down-modulation expressed at low levels. Outcome for both groups was poor (relapsed or refractory in 49/61 [80%] cases); however, patients with t-AML were generally older and female, with worse outcome (P = .03), likely secondary to t-AML mostly arising in patients with breast cancer following topoisomerase inhibitor–containing chemotherapy. Ras activation seems to complement the MLLT3-MLL oncogene in transformation with features of de novo and t-AML with MLLT3-MLL being similar.
Plasma MicroRNA 499 as a Biomarker of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Adachi Taichi , Nakanishi Michio , Otsuka Yoritaka , Nishimura Kunihiro , Hirokawa Gou , Goto Yoichi , Nonogi Hiroshi , Iwai Naoharu 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs 21–25 nucleotides in length. Recently, we reported that miRNA 208 (miR-208) is produced exclusively in the rat myocardium and that plasma miR-208 is a biomarker of myocardial injury in rats. In the present study, we assessed the hypothesis that plasma concentrations of myocardial-specific miRNAs can be used to diagnose myocardial injury in humans.
Methods: We used array analysis of miRNA production in various human tissues to identify heart-specific miRNAs. We assessed the plasma concentrations of miR-499 in 14 individuals with acute coronary syndromes, 15 individuals with congestive heart failure, and 10 individuals without cardiovascular diseases. Plasma miR-499 concentrations were measured with a real-time reverse-transcription PCR method that used an artificial small RNA as an internal calibrator.
Results: The miRNA array analysis of various human tissues indicated that miR-499 was produced almost exclusively in the heart. Plasma miR-499 concentrations were measurably increased in all individuals with acute myocardial infarction but were below the limit of detection for all individuals in the other patient groups.
Conclusions: The plasma concentration of miR-499 may be a useful biomarker of myocardial infarction in humans.
Heritability and Genome-Wide Linkage Scan of Subjective Happiness
Authors: Bartels Meike , Saviouk Viatcheslav , de Moor Marleen H. M. , Willemsen Gonneke , van Beijsterveldt Toos C. E. M. , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , de Geus Eco J. C. , Boomsma Dorret I. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractCauses of individual differences in happiness, as assessed with the Subjective Happiness Scale, are investigated in a large of sample twins and siblings from the Netherlands Twin Register. Over 12,000 twins and siblings, average age 24.7 years (range 12 to 88), took part in the study. A genetic model with an age by sex design was fitted to the data with structural equation modeling in Mx. The heritability of happiness was estimated at 22% for males and 41% in females. No effect of age was observed. To identify the genomic regions contributing to this heritability, a genome-wide linkage study for happiness was conducted in sibling pairs. A subsample of 1157 offspring from 441 families was genotyped with an average of 371 micro-satellite markers per individual. Phenotype and genotype data were analyzed in MERLIN with multipoint variance component linkage analysis and age and sex as covariates. A linkage signal (logarithm of odds score 2.73, empirical p value 0.095) was obtained at the end of the long arm of chromosome 19 for marker D19S254 at 110 cM. A second suggestive linkage peak was found at the short arm of chromosome 1 (LOD of 2.37) at 153 cM, marker D1S534 (empirical p value of .209). These two regions of interest are not overlapping with the regions found for contrasting phenotypes (such as depression, which is negatively associated with happiness). Further linkage and future association studies are warranted.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 (CDKL5) Mutation Screening in Rett Syndrome and Related Disorders
Authors: White Rose , Ho Gladys , Schmidt Swetlana , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Fischer Alexandra , Yendle Simone C. , Bienvenu Thierry , Nectoux Juliette , Ellaway Carolyn J. , Darmanian Artur , Tong XingZhang , Cloosterman Desiree , Bennetts Bruce , Kalra Veena , Fullston Tod , Gecz Jozef , Cox Timothy C. , Christodoulou John 
Published: April 2010

AbstractRett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder affecting females almost exclusively and is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Mutations in the X-linked methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene have been found in up to 95% of classical RTT cases and a lesser proportion of atypical cases. Recently, mutations in another X-linked gene, CDKL5 (cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5) have been found to cause atypical RTT, in particular the early onset seizure (Hanefeld variant) and one female with autism. In this study we screened several cohorts of children for CDKL5 mutations, totaling 316 patients, including individuals with a clinical diagnosis of RTT but who were negative for MECP2 mutations (n = 102), males with X-linked mental retardation (n = 9), patients with West syndrome (n = 52), patients with autism (n = 59), patients with epileptic encephalopathy (n = 33), patients with Aicardi syndrome (n = 7) and other patients with intellectual disability with or without seizures (n = 54). In all, seven polymorphic variations and four de novo mutations (c.586C>T [p.S196L]; c.58G>C [p.G20R]; c.2504delC [p.P835fs]; deletion of exons 1 - 3) were identified, and in all instances of the latter the clinical phenotype was that of an epileptic encephalopathy. These results suggest that pathogenic CDKL5 mutations are unlikely to be identified in the absence of severe early-onset seizures and highlight the importance of screening for large intragenic and whole gene deletions.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Height and Body Mass Index in Australian Twin Families
Authors: Liu Jimmy Z. , Medland Sarah E. , Wright Margaret J. , Henders Anjali K. , Heath Andrew C. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Duncan Alexis , Montgomery Grant W. , Martin Nicholas G. , McRae Allan F. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractHuman height and body mass index are influenced by a large number of genes, each with small effects, along with environment. To identify common genetic variants associated with these traits, we performed genome-wide association studies in 11,536 individuals composed of Australian twins, family members, and unrelated individuals at ∼550,000 genotyped SNPs. We identified a single genome-wide significant variant for height (Pvalue = 1.06 × 10–9) located inHHIP, a well-replicated height-associated gene. Suggestive levels of association were found for other known genes associated with height (Pvalues < 1 × 10–6):ADAMTSL3,EFEMP1,GPR126, andHMGA2; and BMI (Pvalues < 1 × 10–4):FTOandMC4R. Together, these variants explain less than 2% of total phenotypic variation for height and 0.5% for BMI.
Exploring Genetic and Environmental Influences on Miscarriage Rates: A Twin Study
Authors: Burri Andrea V. , Cherkas Lynn , Spector Timothy D. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractMiscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, occurring in up to 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Our understanding of the etiology is still limited but is believed to be multifactorial, including endocrine and anatomical abnormalities, immunologic, genetic and lifestyle factors. The aim of this study was to explore whether genetic variability in miscarriage is under any genetic influence. 3234 MZ and DZ female twins completed postal self-completion questionnaires on pregnancies. Rates were adjusted for total number of pregnancies. The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to variation in miscarriage was assessed using twin intra-pair correlations and quantified using a variance components model fitting approach. We found 22.7% of our twins reporting having suffered at least one miscarriage. Current age, age at first pregnancy and higher number of pregnancies all had a significant influence on reported miscarriage. The concordance of miscarriage was similar in identical and non-identical twins, 26% and 27%, respectively. Shared environment and predominantly random error and unique environment rather than genetic factors best explained the total variation of miscarriage. To our knowledge, this is the first large twin study exploring heritability of miscarriage which unlike the vast majority of common variable traits, shows no significant genetic influence. In the absence of clear environmental factors, these results suggest the influence of random factors.
Temporal and Territorial Analysis of Multiple Deliveries in Spain (1900–2006)
Authors: Fuster Vicente , Zuluaga Pilar , Román-Busto Jorge , Colantonio Sonia E. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractTemporal variations in the frequency of multiple maternities in many Western European countries have been described. However, within a single country, regional differences are observed. Urban industrialized regions and rural agricultural areas have experienced in recent decades a distinct decline in multiple deliveries, which in cases have been related to maternal age and parity changes. Research on multiple deliveries in Spain is scarce and none of the studies go back to the beginning of the 20th century or consider regional variation over an extended period of time. The present paper is a yearly study on multiple deliveries in Spain since 1900 including a geographical analysis. Rather than dealing with recent changes in multi-parity, this paper is concerned with Spain's long-term national variation (between 1900 and 2006). The changing pattern of double and triple deliveries was analyzed using data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE). Twinning rates in Spain are low in comparison to those of equivalent periods in other countries, and the minimum rates correspond to the 1980s decade. Results were interpreted by taking into account the influence of age at maternity and reproductive variation up to 1990. A good fit between observed and predicted rates was obtained after the application of models, which besides maternal age and parity, include their interaction. Regarding territorial variability, the values corresponding to southern, northern and insular Spanish provinces are consistent with an earlier reduction of the crude birth rate in the north-east regions and latter in the southern regions and the Canary Islands.