bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FINES, ORDERS, FEAR . . . AND CONSENT? MEDICAL RESEARCH IN EAST AFRICA, C. 1950s
Authors: GRABOYES MELISSA 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTThis article reconstructs the history of medical research in East Africa (Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda), laying out the lies, rumours, and oppressive techniques that made research such a fraught enterprise during the colonial era. The focus is on the beginning stages of medical research: researchers' arrivals, villagers' responses, the gathering of subjects and consent. New archival and oral sources gathered in East Africa illuminate the research encounter and reintegrate the perspective of villagers cum subjects. Data from the 1950s shows that upon arrival in a village, researchers regularly lied in order to avoid sensitive topics and sidestep potential opposition. Misinformation fuelled villagers' fears, skepticism and rumours of blood stealing researchers. When it came to gathering subjects, researchers were rarely involved in the challenging work of enticing villagers to participate, preferring to rely on chiefs. Chiefs, however, often relied on heavy‐handed and ethically questionable techniques. The article concludes by looking at the much‐discussed concept of group consent, and showing that historically a chief never had the authority to consent on behalf of villagers.
Projecting the distribution of forests in New England in response to climate change
Authors: Tang Guoping , Beckage Brian 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAim  To project the distribution of three major forest types in the northeastern USA in response to expected climate change.Location  The New England region of the United States.Methods  We modelled the potential distribution of boreal conifer, northern deciduous hardwood and mixed oak–hickory forests using the process‐based BIOME4 vegetation model parameterized for regional forests under historic and projected future climate conditions. Projections of future climate were derived from three general circulation models forced by three global warming scenarios that span the range of likely anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.Results  Annual temperature in New England is projected to increase by 2.2–3.3 °C by 2041–70 and by 3.0–5.2 °C by 2071–99 with corresponding increases in precipitation of 4.7–9.5% and 6.4–11.4%, respectively. We project that regional warming will result in the loss of 71–100% of boreal conifer forest in New England by the late 21st century. The range of mixed oak–hickory forests will shift northward by 1.0–2.1 latitudinal degrees (c. 100–200 km) and will increase in area by 149–431% by the end of the 21st century. Northern deciduous hardwoods are expected to decrease in area by 26% and move upslope by 76 m on average. The upslope movement of the northern deciduous hardwoods and the increase in oak–hickory forests coincide with an approximate 556 m upslope retreat of the boreal conifer forest by 2071–99. In our simulations, rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations reduce the losses of boreal conifer forest in New England from expected losses based on climatic change alone.Main conclusion  Projected climate warming in the 21st century is likely to cause the extensive loss of boreal conifer forests, reduce the extent of northern hardwood deciduous forests, and result in large increases of mixed oak–hickory forest in New England.
The worldwide expansion of the Argentine ant
Authors: Vogel Valérie , Pedersen Jes S. , Giraud Tatiana , Krieger Michael J. B. , Keller Laurent 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to determine the number of successful establishments of the invasive Argentine ant outside native range and to see whether introduced supercolonies have resulted from single or multiple introductions. We also compared the genetic diversity of native versus introduced supercolonies to assess the size of the propagules (i.e. the number of founding individuals) at the origin of the introduced supercolonies.Location  Global.Methods  We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers and microsatellite loci to study 39 supercolonies of the Argentine ant Linepithema humile covering both the native (n = 25) and introduced range (n = 14).Results  Data from three mitochondrial genes and 13 nuclear microsatellites suggest that the introduced supercolonies studied originated from at least seven founding events out of the native area in Argentina (primary introductions). The distribution of mtDNA haplotypes also suggests that supercolonies in the introduced range each derive from a single source supercolony and that one of these source supercolonies has been particularly successful, being the basis of many introduced populations spread across the world. Comparison of the genetic diversity of supercolonies based on the five most diverse loci also revealed that native and introduced supercolonies have greatly overlapping ranges of diversity, although the genetic diversity is on average less in introduced than in native supercolonies.Main conclusions  Both primary introductions (from the native range) and secondary introductions (from sites with established invasive supercolonies) were important in the global expansion of the Argentine ant. In combination with the similar social organization of colonies in the native and introduced range, this indicates that invasiveness did not evolve recently as a unique and historically contingent event (e.g. reduction of genetic diversity) in this species. Rather, native L. humile supercolonies have characteristics that make them pre‐adapted to invade new – and in particular disturbed – habitats when given the opportunity. These results have important implications with regard to possible strategies to be used to control invasive ants.
Using multi‐scale species distribution data to infer drivers of biological invasion in riparian wetlands
Authors: Catford Jane A. , Downes Barbara J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAim  Biological invasion is a major conservation problem that is of interest to ecological science. Understanding mechanisms of invasion is a high priority, heightened by the management imperative of acting quickly after species introduction. While information about invading species’ ecology is often unavailable, species distribution data can be collected near the onset of invasion. By examining distribution patterns of exotic and native plant species at multiple spatial scales, we aim to identify the scale (of those studied) that accounts for most variability in exotic species abundance, and infer likely drivers of invasion.Location  River Murray wetlands, south‐eastern Australia.Methods  A nested, crossed survey design was used to determine the extent of variation in wetland plant abundance, grazing intensity and water depth at four spatial scales (reaches, wetland clumps, wetlands, wetland sections), and among three Depth‐strata. We examined responses of exotic and native species groups (grouped into terrestrial and amphibious taxa), native weeds and 10 individual species using hierarchical ANOVA.Results  As a group dominated by terrestrial taxa, exotic species cover varied at reach‐, wetland‐ and section‐scales. This likely reflects differences in abiotic characteristics and propagule pressure at these scales. Groups based on native species did not vary at any scale examined. Cover of 10 species mostly varied among and within wetlands (patterns unrelated to species’ origin or functional group), but species’ responses differed, despite individual plants being similar in size. While flora mostly varied among wetlands, exotic cover varied most among reaches (26%), which was attributed to hydrological modification and human activities.Main conclusions  Multi‐scale surveys can rapidly identify factors likely to affect species’ distributions and can indicate where future research should be directed. By highlighting disproportionate variation in exotic cover among reaches, this study suggests that flow regulation and human‐mediated dispersal facilitate exotic plant invasion in River Murray wetlands.
miR‐17, miR‐19b, miR‐20a, and miR‐106a are down‐regulated in human aging
Authors: Hackl Matthias , Brunner Stefan , Fortschegger Klaus , Schreiner Carina , Micutkova Lucia , Mück Christoph , Laschober Gerhard T. , Lepperdinger Günter , Sampson Natalie , Berger Peter , Herndler‐Brandstetter Dietmar , Wieser Matthias , Kühnel Harald , Strasser Alois , Rinnerthaler Mark , Breitenbach Michael , Mildner Michael , Eckhart Leopold , Tschachler Erwin , Trost Andrea , Bauer Johann W. , Papak Christine , Trajanoski Zlatko , Scheideler Marcel , Grillari‐Voglauer Regina , Grubeck‐Loebenstein Beatrix , Jansen‐Dürr Pidder , Grillari Johannes 
Published: January 2010

SummaryAging is a multifactorial process where deterioration of body functions is driven by stochastic damage while counteracted by distinct genetically encoded repair systems. To better understand the genetic component of aging, many studies have addressed the gene and protein expression profiles of various aging model systems engaging different organisms from yeast to human. The recently identified small non‐coding miRNAs are potent post‐transcriptional regulators that can modify the expression of up to several hundred target genes per single miRNA, similar to transcription factors. Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs contribute to the regulation of most if not all important physiological processes, including aging. However, so far the contribution of miRNAs to age‐related and senescence‐related changes in gene expression remains elusive. To address this question, we have selected four replicative cell aging models including endothelial cells, replicated CD8+ T cells, renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, and skin fibroblasts. Further included were three organismal aging models including foreskin, mesenchymal stem cells, and CD8+ T cell populations from old and young donors. Using locked nucleic acid‐based miRNA microarrays, we identified four commonly regulated miRNAs, miR‐17 down‐regulated in all seven; miR‐19b and miR‐20a, down‐regulated in six models; and miR‐106a down‐regulated in five models. Decrease in these miRNAs correlated with increased transcript levels of some established target genes, especially the cdk inhibitor p21/CDKN1A. These results establish miRNAs as novel markers of cell aging in humans.
Telomerase upregulation is a postcrisis event during senescence bypass and immortalization of two Nijmegen breakage syndrome T cell cultures
Authors: Degerman Sofie , Siwicki Jan Konrad , Osterman Pia , Lafferty‐Whyte Kyle , Keith W. Nicol , Roos Göran 
Published: January 2010

SummaryOur knowledge on immortalization and telomere biology is mainly based on genetically manipulated cells analyzed before and many population doublings post growth crisis. The general view is that growth crisis is telomere length (TL) dependent and that escape from crisis is coupled to increased expression of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene, telomerase activity upregulation and TL stabilization. Here we have analyzed the process of spontaneous immortalization of human T cells, regarding pathways involved in senescence and telomerase regulation. Two Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) T cell cultures (S3R and S4) showed gradual telomere attrition until a period of growth crisis followed by the outgrowth of immortalized cells. Whole genome expression analysis indicated differences between pre‐, early post‐ and late postcrisis cells. Early postcrisis cells demonstrated a logarithmic growth curve, very short telomeres and, notably, no increase in hTERT or telomerase activity despite downregulation of several negative hTERT regulators (e.g. FOS, JUN D, SMAD3, RUNX2, TNF‐α and TGFβ‐R2). Thereafter, cMYC mRNA increased in parallel with increased hTERT expression, telomerase activity and elongation of short telomeres, indicating a step‐wise activation of hTERT transcription involving reduction of negative regulators followed by activation of positive regulator(s). Gene expression analysis indicated that cells escaped growth crisis by deregulated DNA damage response and senescence controlling genes, including downregulation of ATM, CDKN1B (p27), CDKN2D (p19) and ASF1A and upregulation of CDK4, TWIST1, TP73L (p63) and SYK. Telomerase upregulation was thus found to be uncoupled to escape of growth crisis but rather a later event in the immortalization process of NBS T cell cultures.
A mutant telomerase defective in nuclear‐cytoplasmic shuttling fails to immortalize cells and is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Kovalenko Olga A. , Caron Matthieu J. , Ulema Perihan , Medrano Carolina , Thomas Andrew P. , Kimura Masayuki , Bonini Marcelo G. , Herbig Utz , Santos Janine H. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryTelomerase is a reverse transcriptase specialized in telomere synthesis. The enzyme is primarily nuclear where it elongates telomeres, but many reports show that the catalytic component of telomerase (in humans called hTERT) also localizes outside of the nucleus, including in mitochondria. Shuttling of hTERT between nucleus and cytoplasm and vice versa has been reported, and different proteins shown to regulate such translocation. Exactly why telomerase moves between subcellular compartments is still unclear. In this study we report that mutations that disrupt the nuclear export signal (NES) of hTERT render it nuclear but unable to immortalize cells despite retention of catalytic activity in vitro. Overexpression of the mutant protein in primary fibroblasts is associated with telomere‐based cellular senescence, multinucleated cells and the activation of the DNA damage response genes ATM, Chk2 and p53. Mitochondria function is also impaired in the cells. We find that cells expressing the mutant hTERT produce high levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and have damage in telomeric and extratelomeric DNA. Dysfunctional mitochondria are also observed in an ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) cell line that is insensitive to growth arrest induced by the mutant hTERT showing that mitochondrial impairment is not a consequence of the growth arrest. Our data indicate that mutations involving the NES of hTERT are associated with defects in telomere maintenance, mitochondrial function and cellular growth, and suggest targeting this region of hTERT as a potential new strategy for cancer treatment.
Bone mineral density in diabetes mellitus patients with and without a Charcot foot
Authors: Christensen Tomas M. , Bülow Jens , Simonsen Lene , Holstein Per E. , Svendsen Ole L. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryObjective: To measure bone mineral density in patients with diabetes mellitus and the complication Charcot osteoarthropathy (CA).Research design and methods: A total of 49 patients with diabetes were investigated. The population consisted of patients with an acute CA (n = 17) or chronic CA (n = 7). Control groups consisted of diabetes patients with (n = 9) and without neuropathy (n = 11) and who had an amputation of the first toe (n = 5). Values measured were bone mineral density (BMD) in lumbar spine, hip and calcaneus, using lunar DEXA scanner. The bone turnover markers CTX‐1 and N‐MID were measured.Results: There were no differences in BMD measured in the spine and hip. There was an increase in the markers of bone turnover in the patients with acute CA. The BMD of the calcaneus was statistically lower in the affected foot in patients with chronic Charcot (P < 0·01), than in the unaffected foot, but there were no statistically significant differences between the BMD of the calcaneus in the feet in the other groups.Conclusions: From this study, we can conclude that there were no differences in BMD values in the spine and hip between groups. There were no differences between BMD of the calcaneus between groups, except that patients with chronic Charcot had a significantly lower calcaneal BMD in the affected foot than in the healthy foot. Furthermore, there was an increased bone turnover in the group with acute CA, which was not found in the other patients groups. This suggests that the Charcot foot is a rather local phenomenon, with little effect on the skeleton in general.
A revision of the sauropod dinosaur genus ‘Bothriospondylus’ with a redescription of the type material of the Middle Jurassic form ‘B. madagascariensis’
Authors: MANNION PHILIP D. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract:  The sauropod dinosaur ‘Bothriospondylus’, originally named on the basis of Late Jurassic remains from England, is demonstrated to be invalid, and the characters used to diagnose it are shown to be obsolescent features which are widespread throughout Sauropoda. Material referred to this genus spans a temporal range from the Middle Jurassic until the early Late Cretaceous and has been described from five different countries, across three continents. These remains represent a wide array of sauropod groups, comprising non‐neosauropod eusauropods, a macronarian, titanosauriforms (including at least one definite brachiosaurid) and a rebbachisaurid. The type material of the Middle Jurassic ‘B. madagascariensis’ represents a derived non‐neosauropod eusauropod and possesses two potential autapomorphies. However, as a result of the fragmentary nature of the material and the uncertainty surrounding its association, a new taxon is not erected. Of the numerous specimens referred to ‘Bothriospondylus’, however, several remains are considered diagnostic: Ornithopsis hulkei (Early Cretaceous, UK), Lapparentosaurus madagascariensis (Middle Jurassic, Madagascar) and Nopcsaspondylus alarconensis (early Late Cretaceous, Argentina). At least three types of sauropod were present in the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) of north‐west Madagascar, with a basal eusauropod (Archaeodontosaurus), a more derived eusauropod (‘B. madagascariensis’) and a titanosauriform (Lapparentosaurus) all approximately contemporaneous. Palaeocontinental reconstructions suggest that Middle Jurassic Madagascan sauropods would still have been capable of global biotic interchange, and this is perhaps reflected in their diverse assemblage. Re‐evaluation of these Malagasy forms has shed new light on this important time period in sauropod evolution.
Rethinking the Petrucci Pavement
Authors: Miller Elizabeth , Graves Alun 
Published: January 2010

This paper presents an important new piece of research on the layout and sources of the maiolica Petrucci Pavement (c.1509; V&A: 4915–5386–1857) commissioned by Pandolfo Petrucci, ruler of Siena, for his palace in that city.It proposes a new layout for the pavement that exhibits a coherence and underlying logic absent in previous reconstructions. This layout is not only believed to come close to the original configuration of the floor, thus providing a more authentic view of the object, it also demonstrates the hitherto concealed impact of Islamic design on the Petrucci pavement. This then reveals its relationship to important works by Pinturicchio dating from the 1490s. The pavement can now also be seen to exemplify a type of cultural exchange taking place across Europe and the Middle East dating back until at least the twelfth century. This challenges traditional binary oppositions such as East/West and medieval/Renaissance.
Epidermal growth factor receptor gene numerical aberrations are frequent events in actinic keratoses and invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Toll Agustí , Salgado Rocío , Yébenes Mireia , Martín‐Ezquerra Gemma , Gilaberte Montserrat , Baró Teresa , Solé Francesc , Alameda Francisco , Espinet Blanca , Pujol Ramon Maria 
Published: January 2010

Please cite this paper as: Epidermal growth factor receptor gene numerical aberrations are frequent events in actinic keratoses and invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: 151–153.Abstract:  Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification and protein overexpression are common in several cancers. EGFR status has seldom been studied in cutaneous squamous carcinomas (SCCs), or their precursors, actinic keratoses (AKs). We evaluated the presence of EGFR genomic aberrations and EGFR protein overexpression in 25 AKs and 35 invasive SCCs by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry. EGFR numerical aberrations were detected in 52% of AKs and 77.1% of SCCs (P = 0.042). EGFR amplification was identified in 12% of AKs and 20% of SCCs. No differences regarding EGFR numerical aberrations were observed when AKs with high‐grade dysplasia were compared with SCCs. A good correlation was observed between EGFR numerical aberrations and EGFR overexpression. Our results suggest that EGFR numerical aberrations occur in the early stages of epithelial carcinogenesis in skin, not playing a role in the progression from low‐grade SCCs into more aggressive phenotypes.
Drug prescribing by Italian family paediatricians: an exception?
Authors: Clavenna A , Sequi M , Bonati M 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAims:  To identify which drugs are considered ‘essential’ by Italian family paediatricians based on their prescriptions.Methods:  Prescriptions reimbursed by the National Health System, involving 923 177 children < 14 years old, and dispensed during 2005 by the retail pharmacies of 15 local health units (LHUs) in the Lombardy Region, were analysed. The percentage of family paediatricians prescribing each single drug was calculated. A percentage ≥75% was considered as a high degree of agreement.Results:  In all, 746 different drugs were prescribed to 486 405 children (52.7%). The median number of drugs prescribed by each paediatrician was 60 (interquartile range 51–71). A total of 22 drugs were prescribed by at least 75% of paediatricians and six were prescribed by all the paediatricians. In all, 95% of the paediatricians prescribed four or more cephalosporins and 92% prescribed four inhaled steroids. Only eight of the 22 most frequent drugs are included in the World Health Organization Essential Medicines for children list.Conclusion:  Despite the huge number of drugs prescribed, only for 22 there was a concordance between family paediatricians. Initiatives to evaluate and promote a more rational use of drugs in Italian children are necessary.
Early severe weight loss in newborns after discharge from regular nurseries
Authors: Tjora E , Karlsen LC , Moster D , Markestad T 
Published: January 2010

AbstractAims:  To study incidence and risk factors of early neonatal dehydration in a Norwegian population based cohort.Methods:  Term neonates admitted to a paediatric department during 2002–2008 with a weight loss ≥ 12% within three weeks of age were identified retrospectively through review of medical records. For each patient a sex‐matched control group of two full‐term infants was selected to assess risk factors for dehydration.Results:  A total of 38 of 37 321 infants (1.0‰) were admitted at a median age of 6 (interquartile range 5–12) days, and the admission rate increased during the study period (p for trend = 0.008). Simultaneously, mean nursery stay decreased from 3.5 to 2.7 days (p = 0.022). Mean weight loss was 15.0% of birth weight and 17 of 29 (58.6%) had serum sodium above 145 mmol/L. The only significant difference between patients and controls was that mothers of patients were older (32.3 ± 5.0 vs. 29.4 ± 5.4 years, p = 0.005).Conclusion:  Short nursery stay may be a risk factor for dehydration in newborn infants.