bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rolling‐leaf14 is a 2OG‐Fe (II) oxygenase family protein that modulates rice leaf rolling by affecting secondary cell wall formation in leaves
Authors: Fang Likui , Zhao Fangming , Cong Yunfei , Sang Xianchun , Du Qing , Wang Dezhong , Li Yunfeng , Ling Yinghua , Yang Zhenglin , He Guanghua 
Published: February 2012

SummaryAs an important agronomic trait, leaf rolling in rice (Oryza sativa L.) has attracted much attention from plant biologists and breeders. Moderate leaf rolling increases the amount of photosynthesis in cultivars and hence raises grain yield. Here, we describe the map‐based cloning of the gene RL14, which was found to encode a 2OG‐Fe (II) oxygenase of unknown function. rl14 mutant plants had incurved leaves because of the shrinkage of bulliform cells on the adaxial side. In addition, rl14 mutant plants displayed smaller stomatal complexes and decreased transpiration rates, as compared with the wild type. Defective development could be rescued functionally by the expression of wild‐type RL14. RL14 was transcribed in sclerenchymatous cells in leaves that remained wrapped inside the sheath. In mature leaves, RL14 accumulated mainly in the mesophyll cells that surround the vasculature. Expression of genes related to secondary cell wall formation was affected in rl14‐1 mutants, and cellulose and lignin content were altered in rl14‐1 leaves. These results reveal that the RL14 gene affects water transport in leaves by affecting the composition of the secondary cell wall. This change in water transport results in water deficiency, which is the major reason for the abnormal shape of the bulliform cells.
Coming untied? Narrative accounts of social network dynamics from first‐time mental health clients
Authors: Perry Brea L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractExisting research demonstrates a relationship between mental illness and social network attrition over time – a pattern attributed to dysfunctional psychosocial and interpersonal processes and rejection. Yet, according to the social network perspective, personal network dynamics naturally accompany important biographical transitions or events, suggesting that our current understanding of mechanisms underlying network instability in mental illness may be incomplete. This research uses data from the Indianapolis Network Mental Health Study, a longitudinal study of social network dynamics spanning five years. It focuses on in‐depth interviews with 135 individuals making their first major contact with the mental health treatment system. First, levels of tie attrition and replacement in the core discussion networks of individuals with mental illness are compared to a sample with no self‐reported history of mental illness. Second, using open‐ended responses describing why specific individuals mentioned in previous waves were not listed again, respondents’ explanations of attrition are analysed qualitatively. In addition to providing support for existing perspectives, the themes suggest a need to also consider: (i) interaction strategies that maximise the supportiveness of social networks and minimise burden and (ii) changing life circumstances external to social networks that influence opportunities for social interaction.
Bodily changes among people living with physical impairments and chronic illnesses: biographical disruption or normal illness?
Authors: Larsson Annika Taghizadeh , Grassman Eva Jeppsson 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis article focuses on individuals who are growing old with chronic illnesses and early onset impairments. Their experience of illness complications, bodily and functional losses is similar to what Bury has referred to as a biographical disruption. However, whereas Bury argues that a chronic illness amounts to a critical situation for the individual, partly due to its unexpected nature, this does not apply to the participants in our two studies. A second difference concerns Bury’s implicit suggestion that the disruption is a single event that is characteristic of the early stage of a chronic illness. Repeated disruptions seemed to shape the lives of several of those interviewed. At the same time, this article challenges studies which suggest that the notion of disruption is less relevant to people in later life and to those who have experienced difficult lives, and also questions the argument that continuity rather than change characterises the lives of people who have had chronic conditions since their early years. In its approach, the article responds to Williams’ request for studies in the sociology of chronic illness that extend the predominant biographical focus on the middle years of life to both ends of the life course.
Human disturbance is a major determinant of wildlife distribution in Himalayan midhill landscapes of Nepal
Authors: Paudel P. K. , Kindlmann P. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractForest landscapes in the midhills of western Nepal are not adequately conserved within a protected area network. The species and ecosystems in these human‐dominated landscapes are highly endangered. Understanding the effects of human activities on wildlife is therefore important for devising an appropriate conservation strategy in this region. Here, we show, using data on spatial structure of three endangered mountain ungulates, that presence of these species is determined by the level of human disturbance and habitat requirements. We show that species preferring flat areas covered by dense forest are exposed to more intensive human disturbances, and even an adaptation to rugged areas does not imply less human disturbance. Abundance of all species studied declined with the number of villages in the vicinity and increased with distance to nearest village. Therefore, increasing human population may contribute to a decrease of wildlife population in the region. To prevent this, community forestry program enabling local people to protect forest near villages and land‐use strategy aimed at reducing further encroachment of forest in higher altitudes should be immediately launched in the region.
Influence of gestational age and postnatal age on speech sound processing in NICU infants
Authors: Key Alexandra P. F. , Lambert E. Warren , Aschner Judy L. , Maitre Nathalie L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe study examined the effect of gestational (GA) and postnatal (PNA) age on speech sound perception in infants. Auditory event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in response to speech sounds (syllables) in 50 infant NICU patients (born at 24–40 weeks gestation) prior to discharge. Efficiency of speech perception was quantified as absolute difference in mean amplitudes of ERPs in response to vowel (/a/‐/u/) and consonant (/b/‐/g/, /d/‐/g/) contrasts within 150–250, 250–400, 400–700 ms after stimulus onset. Results indicated that both GA and PNA affected speech sound processing. These effects were more pronounced for consonant than vowel contrasts. Increasing PNA was associated with greater sound discrimination in infants born at or after 30 weeks GA, while minimal PNA‐related changes were observed for infants with GA less than 30 weeks. Our findings suggest that a certain level of brain maturity at birth is necessary to benefit from postnatal experience in the first 4 months of life, and both gestational and postnatal ages need to be considered when evaluating infant brain responses.
Describing the interplay between anxiety and cognition: From impaired performance under low cognitive load to reduced anxiety under high load
Authors: Vytal Katherine , Cornwell Brian , Arkin Nicole , Grillon Christian 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAnxiety impairs the ability to think and concentrate, suggesting that the interaction between emotion and cognition may elucidate the debilitating nature of pathological anxiety. Using a verbal n‐back task that parametrically modulated cognitive load, we explored the effect of experimentally induced anxiety on task performance and the startle reflex. Findings suggest there is a crucial inflection point between moderate and high cognitive load, where resources shift from anxious apprehension to focus on task demands. Specifically, we demonstrate that anxiety impairs performance under low load, but is reduced when subjects engage in a difficult task that occupies executive resources. We propose a two‐component model of anxiety that describes a cognitive mechanism behind performance impairment and an automatic response that supports sustained anxiety‐potentiated startle. Implications for therapeutic interventions and emotional pathology are discussed.
The thickness and volume of LLETZ specimens can predict the relative risk of pregnancy‐related morbidity
Authors: Khalid S , Dimitriou E , Conroy R , Paraskevaidis E , Kyrgiou M , Harrity C , Arbyn M , Prendiville W 
Published: February 2012

Please cite this paper as: Khalid S, Dimitriou E, Conroy R, Paraskevaidis E, Kyrgiou M, Harrity C, Arbyn M, Prendiville W. The thickness and volume of LLETZ specimens can predict the relative risk of pregnancy‐related morbidity. BJOG 2012;119:685–691.Objective  The aim of this study was to determine if the individual physical characteristics of the extirpated transformation zone after large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) might predict the relative risk of adverse obstetric outcome, specifically preterm labour (PTL).Design  A retrospective observational study.Setting  University teaching hospital in Dublin (Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, CWIUH).Population  Women who had LLETZ treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in the colposcopy service between 1999 and 2002, and who subsequently had a pregnancy at the CWIUH.Methods  Case records and histology reports for eligible women were examined. Age, parity, smoking history, pregnancy complications and CIN grade were recorded. Exclusion criteria were age >42 years, previous treatment for CIN, previous premature labour or twin pregnancies. The Student’s t‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, analysis of variants (ANOVA) and logistic regression were employed to analyse the data.Main outcome measures  Gestational age at birth, PTL (i.e. <37 weeks of gestation) and miscarriage rate (<24 weeks of gestation).Results  Out of 1808 women who underwent LLETZ treatment, a total of 353 women were identified who subsequently had a pregnancy at the CWIUH, with 321 being eligible for inclusion in the study. Of these, 76.3% delivered at term, 9.1% delivered at <37 weeks of gestation and 14.6% miscarried at <24 weeks of gestation. There was a three‐fold increase in the risk of PTL if the excision volume exceeded 6 cm3 (RR = 3.00; 95% CI 1.45–5.92), or when the thickness of the excised tissue was greater than 12 mm (RR = 2.98; 95% CI 1.27–7.01). The time interval between LLETZ and pregnancy did not appear to have an effect on PTL rates. We found no association between the grade of CIN and the risk of PTL.Conclusions  This study reveals that the thickness and the total volume of the excised transformation zone are associated with an increased risk of PTL. Excisions thicker than 1.2 cm and larger than 6 cm3 carry a three times greater risk for PTL.
A novel variant of human superoxide dismutase 1 harboring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐associated and experimental mutations in metal‐binding residues and free cysteines lacks toxicity in vivo
Authors: Prudencio Mercedes , Lelie Herman , Brown Hilda H. , Whitelegge Julian P. , Valentine Joan S. , Borchelt David R. 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 475–485.AbstractMutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Cu‐binding capacity of SOD1 has spawned hypotheses that implicate metal‐mediated production of reactive species as a potential mechanism of toxicity. In past experiments, we have tested such hypotheses by mutating residues in SOD1 that normally coordinate the binding of Cu, finding that such mutants retain the capacity to induce motor neuron disease. We now describe the lack of disease in mice that express a variant of human SOD1 in which residues that coordinate the binding of Cu and Zn have been mutated (SODMD). SODMD encodes three disease‐causing and four experimental mutations that ultimately eliminate all histidines involved in the binding of metals; and includes one disease‐causing and one experimental mutation that eliminate secondary metal binding at C6 and C111. We show that the combined effect of these mutations produces a protein that is unstable but does not aggregate on its own, is not toxic, and does not induce disease when co‐expressed with high levels of wild‐type SOD1. In cell culture models, we determine that the combined mutation of C6 and C111 to G and S, respectively, dramatically reduces the aggregation propensity of SODMD and may account for the lack of toxicity for this mutant.
Up‐regulation of GLT1 reverses the deficit in cortically evoked striatal ascorbate efflux in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Miller Benjamin R. , Dorner Jenelle L. , Bunner Kendra D. , Gaither Thomas W. , Klein Emma L. , Barton Scott J. , Rebec George V. 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 629–638.AbstractA corticostriatal‐dependent deficit in the release of ascorbate (AA), an antioxidant vitamin and neuromodulator, occurs concurrently in striatum with dysfunctional GLT1‐dependent uptake of glutamate in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington’s disease (HD), an autosomal dominant condition characterized by overt corticostriatal dysfunction. To determine if deficient striatal AA release into extracellular fluid is related to altered GLT1 activity in HD, symptomatic R6/2 mice between 6 and 9 weeks of age and age‐matched wild‐type (WT) mice received single daily injections of 200 mg/kg ceftriaxone, a β‐lactam antibiotic that elevates the functional expression of GLT1, or saline vehicle for five consecutive days. On the following day, in vivo voltammetry was coupled with corticostriatal afferent stimulation to monitor evoked release of AA into striatum. In saline‐treated mice, we found a marked decrease in evoked extracellular AA in striatum of R6/2 relative to WT. Ceftriaxone, in contrast, restored striatal AA in R6/2 mice to WT levels. In addition, intra‐striatal infusion of either the GLT1 inhibitor dihydrokainic acid or dl‐threo‐beta‐benzyloxyaspartate blocked evoked striatal AA release. Collectively, our results provide compelling evidence for a link between GLT1 activation and release of AA into the striatal extracellular fluid, and suggest that dysfunction of this system is a key component of HD pathophysiology.
Understanding the host inflammatory response to wound infection: An in vivo study of Klebsiella pneumoniae in a rabbit ear wound model
Authors: Seth Akhil K. , Geringer Matthew R. , Gurjala Anandev N. , Abercrombie Johnathan A. , Chen Ping , You Tao , Hong Seok J. , Galiano Robert D. , Mustoe Thomas A. , Leung Kai P. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWound infection development is critically dependent on the complex interactions between bacteria and host. Klebsiella pneumoniae has become an increasingly common wound pathogen, but its natural history within wounds has never been studied. Using a validated, in vivo rabbit ear model, wounds were inoculated with K. pneumoniae at different concentrations (102–107 colony‐forming units) with measurement of viable and nonviable bacterial counts, histological wound‐healing parameters, and host inflammatory gene expression at multiple time points postinoculation (48, 96, and 240 hours). Bacteria and wound morphologies were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Comparable experiments were performed in ischemic ears to model immune response impairment. All wounds, despite different inoculants, equilibrated to similar bacterial concentrations by 96 hours. With a 106 colony‐forming units inoculant, wounds at 240 hours showed decreased bacterial counts (p < 0.01), with a corresponding improvement in healing (p < 0.01) and a decrease in inflammatory response (p < 0.05). In contrast, ischemic wounds revealed impaired inflammatory gene expression (p < 0.05) resulting in higher steady‐state bacterial concentrations (p < 0.01), impaired healing (p < 0.05), and biofilm formation on scanning electron microscopy. We conclude that a normal inflammatory response can effectively stabilize and overcome a K. pneumoniae wound infection. An impaired host cannot control this bacterial burden, preventing adequate healing while allowing bacteria to establish a chronic presence. Our novel study quantitatively validates the host immune response as integral to wound infection dynamics.
The relationship between skin stretching/contraction and pathologic scarring: The important role of mechanical forces in keloid generation
Authors: Ogawa Rei , Okai Kazuhisa , Tokumura Fumio , Mori Kazuyuki , Ohmori Yasutaka , Huang Chenyu , Hyakusoku Hiko , Akaishi Satoshi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractKeloids tend to occur on highly mobile sites with high tension. This study was designed to determine whether body surface areas exposed to large strain during normal activities correlate with areas that show high rates of keloid generation after wounding. Eight adult Japanese volunteers were enrolled to study the skin stretching/contraction rates of nine different body sites. Skin stretching/contraction was measured by marking eight points on each region and measuring the change in location of the marked points after typical movements. The distribution of 1,500 keloids on 483 Japanese patients was mapped. The parietal region and anterior lower leg were associated with the least stretching/contraction, while the suprapubic region had the highest stretching/contraction rate. With regard to keloid distribution, there were 733 on the anterior chest region (48.9%) and 403 on the scapular regions (26.9%). No keloids were reported on the scalp or anterior lower leg. Because these sites are rarely subjected to skin stretching/contraction, it appears that mechanical force is an important trigger that drives keloid generation even in patients who are genetically predisposed to keloids. Thus, mechanotransduction studies are useful for developing clinical approaches that reduce the skin tension around wounds or scars for the prevention and treatment of not only keloids but also hypertrophic scars.
E‐mail management of the Modified Atkins Diet for adults with epilepsy is feasible and effective
Authors: Cervenka Mackenzie C. , Terao Natalie N. , Bosarge Jennifer L. , Henry Bobbie J. , Klees Angela A. , Morrison Peter F. , Kossoff Eric H. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPurpose:  The modified Atkins Diet (MAD) is an effective dietary treatment for children with epilepsy. However, adults may have limited access to this therapy because of lack of availability of dietitian or nutrition support or familiarity with the diet by their treating neurologist. This study was designed to investigate the tolerability and efficacy of the MAD administered solely via e‐mail to adults with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.Methods:  A prospective, open‐label, proof‐of‐principle 3‐month study design was employed. Adults were enrolled, instructed on how to self‐administer a 20 g carbohydrate per day MAD, and followed by the investigators only via e‐mail. There were no clinic visits or dietitian contacts during the study period.Key Findings:  Twenty‐five participants (median age 30 years [range 18–66 years], 68% female) consented and 22 started the MAD. The median prior anticonvulsants was 5 (range 2–10) and seizure frequency was 5 per week (range 1–140). Urinary ketosis was achieved in 21 participants (95%), of which 16 (76%) reported at least 40 mg/dl (moderate). Twenty‐one participants (95%) remained on the MAD at 1 month and 14 (64%) at 3 months. After 1 month, 9 (41%) had >50% seizure reduction including one (5%) with >90% seizure reduction using intent‐to‐treat analysis. After 3 months, 6 (27%) had >50% seizure reduction including 3 (14%) with >90% seizure reduction. The mean ketogenic ratio was 1.1:1 (fat:carbohydrates and protein) for those who provided a MAD food record at follow‐up. Over the study period, the median number of e‐mails sent by the participants was 6 (range 1–19). The most frequent side effect was weight loss.Significance:  E‐mail administration of the MAD to adults with refractory epilepsy appears to be feasible and effective. Therefore, when dietitian or physician support is limited for adult patients with epilepsy, remote access via telemedicine could provide an alternative.
Defective visual inhibition in photosensitive idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Strigaro Gionata , Prandi Paolo , Varrasi Claudia , Monaco Francesco , Cantello Roberto 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPurpose:  To assess the visual system excitability of photosensitive patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) with the paired‐pulse flash‐evoked potential (paired F‐VEP) technique.Methods:  We studied 19 photosensitive patients with IGE (16 women) showing a photoparoxysmal electroencephalographic (EEG) response (PPR). Twenty‐two normal subjects of similar age and sex acted as controls (17 women). We recorded F‐VEPs from occipital and central electrodes. Stimuli were single flashes, intermingled to flash pairs at the interstimulus interval (ISI) of 333, 125, 62.5, 50, 33, and 16.5 msec (i.e., at the internal frequency of 3, 8, 16, 20, 30, and 60 Hz). Recordings were done both with closed and open eyes. The single F‐VEP was split into a “main complex” and a “late response,” which were measured separately. As to paired stimuli, the “test” F‐VEP emerged from electronic subtraction of the single F‐VEP to the paired F‐VEP. Grouped data were analyzed by means of nonparametric analyses of variance (ANOVAs).Key Findings:  In patients, the single F‐VEP showed some enhanced components in its early “main complex.” Then, the “test” F‐VEP behaved differently than controls, particularly if recorded with closed eyes, when the normal inhibition was abolished at given ISIs, corresponding to an internal frequency of 16–30 Hz. In patients with a posterior PPR, impaired inhibition was evident over the occipital region only, but in those with a widespread PPR, it also involved the central areas.Significance:  The paired F‐VEP technique documents a defective inhibition in the visual system of photosensitive patients with IGE, whose features and timing likely underlie the PPR origin.