bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Prefrontal Cortex and Oculomotor Delayed Response: A Reconsideration of the “Mnemonic Scotoma”
Authors: Tsujimoto Satoshi , Postle Bradley R. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The concept of the “mnemonic scotoma,” a spatially circumscribed region of working memory impairment produced by unilateral lesions of the PFC, is central to the view that PFC is critical for the short-term retention of information. Presented here, however, are previously unpublished data that offer an alternative, nonmnemonic interpretation of this pattern of deficit. In their study, Wajima and Sawaguchi [Wajima, K., & Sawaguchi, T. The role of GABAergic inhibiton in suppressing perseverative responses in the monkey prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience Research, 50(Suppl. 1), P3–P317, 2004] applied the GABAA antagonist bicuculline methiodide unilaterally to the PFC of two monkeys while they performed an oculomotor delayed-response task. Consistent with previous studies, errors for the initial memory-guided saccade were markedly higher when the cued location fell into the region of the visual field affected by the infusion. These erroneous saccades tended to select an alternative target location (out of a possible 16) that had not been cued on that trial. By extending the analysis window, however, it was observed that the second, “corrective” saccade often acquired the location that had been cued on that trial. Further analysis of the erroneous initial saccades indicated that they tended to be directed to a location that had been relevant on the previous trial. Thus, the deficit was not one of “forgetting” the cued location. Rather, it was one of selecting between currently and previously relevant locations. These findings suggest a need for a reconsideration of the concept of the mnemonic scotoma, which in turn invites a reconsideration of functional interpretations of sustained neuronal activity in PFC.
Transcriptome analysis of Bupleurum chinense focusing on genes involved in the biosynthesis of saikosaponins
Authors: Sui Chun , Zhang Jie , Wei Jianhe , Chen Shilin , Li Ying , Xu Jiesen , Jin Yue , Xie Caixiang , Gao Zhihui , Chen Hongjiang , Yang Chengmin , Zhang Zheng , Xu Yanhong 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundBupleurum chinenseDC. is a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Saikosaponins are the major bioactive constituents ofB. chinense, but relatively little is known about saikosaponin biosynthesis. The 454 pyrosequencing technology provides a promising opportunity for finding novel genes that participate in plant metabolism. Consequently, this technology may help to identify the candidate genes involved in the saikosaponin biosynthetic pathway.ResultsOne-quarter of the 454 pyrosequencing runs produced a total of 195, 088 high-quality reads, with an average read length of 356 bases (NCBI SRA accession SRA039388). Ade novoassembly generated 24, 037 unique sequences (22, 748 contigs and 1, 289 singletons), 12, 649 (52.6%) of which were annotated against three public protein databases using a basic local alignment search tool (E-value ≤1e-10). All unique sequences were compared with NCBI expressed sequence tags (ESTs) (237) and encoding sequences (44) from theBupleurumgenus, and with a Sanger-sequenced EST dataset (3, 111). The 23, 173 (96.4%) unique sequences obtained in the present study represent novelBupleurumgenes. The ESTs of genes related to saikosaponin biosynthesis were found to encode known enzymes that catalyze the formation of the saikosaponin backbone; 246 cytochrome P450 (P450s) and 102 glycosyltransferases (GTs) unique sequences were also found in the 454 dataset. Full length cDNAs of 7P450s and 7 uridine diphosphateGTs (UGTs) were verified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction or by cloning using 5' and/or 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. TwoP450s and threeUGTs were identified as the most likely candidates involved in saikosaponin biosynthesis. This finding was based on the coordinate up-regulation of their expression withβ-ASin methyl jasmonate-treated adventitious roots and on their similar expression patterns withβ-ASin variousB. chinensetissues.ConclusionsA collection of high-quality ESTs forB. chinenseobtained by 454 pyrosequencing is provided here for the first time. These data should aid further research on the functional genomics ofB. chinenseand otherBupleurumspecies. The candidate genes for enzymes involved in saikosaponin biosynthesis, especially theP450s andUGTs, that were revealed provide a substantial foundation for follow-up research on the metabolism and regulation of the saikosaponins.
Integration of a laterally acquired gene into a cell network important for growth in a strain of Vibrio rotiferianus
Authors: Labbate Maurizio , Boucher Yan , Chowdhury Piklu Roy , Stokes Hatch W 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Lateral Gene Transfer (LGT) is a major contributor to bacterial evolution and up to 25% of a bacterium's genome may have been acquired by this process over evolutionary periods of time. Successful LGT requires both the physical transfer of DNA and its successful incorporation into the host cell. One system that contributes to this latter step by site-specific recombination is the integron. Integrons are found in many diverse bacterial Genera and is a genetic system ubiquitous in vibrios that captures mobile DNA at a dedicated site. The presence of integron-associated genes, contained within units of mobile DNA called gene cassettes makes up a substantial component of the vibrio genome (1-3%). Little is known about the role of this system since the vast majority of genes in vibrio arrays are highly novel and functions cannot be ascribed. It is generally regarded that strain-specific mobile genes cannot be readily integrated into the cellular machinery since any perturbation of core metabolism is likely to result in a loss of fitness.

Results
In this study, at least one mobile gene contained within the Vibrio rotiferianus strain DAT722, but lacking close relatives elsewhere, is shown to greatly reduce host fitness when deleted and tested in growth assays. The precise role of the mobile gene product is unknown but impacts on the regulation of outermembrane porins. This demonstrates that strain specific laterally acquired mobile DNA can be integrated rapidly into bacterial networks such that it becomes advantageous for survival and adaptation in changing environments.

Conclusions
Mobile genes that are highly strain specific are generally believed to act in isolation. This is because perturbation of existing cell machinery by the acquisition of a new gene by LGT is highly likely to lower fitness. In contrast, we show here that at least one mobile gene, apparently unique to a strain, encodes a product that has integrated into central cellular metabolic processes such that it greatly lowers fitness when lost under those conditions likely to be commonly encountered for the free living cell. This has ramifications for our understanding of the role mobile gene encoded products play in the cell from a systems biology perspective.
Secondhand smoke exposure induces Raf/ERK/MAPK-mediated upregulation of cerebrovascular endothelin ETA receptors
Authors: Cao Lei , Xu Cang-Bao , Zhang Yaping , Cao Yong-Xiao , Edvinsson Lars 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Cigarette smoking enhances the risk of stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. The present study established an in vivo rat secondhand cigarette smoking (SHS) model and examined the hypothesis that SHS upregulates endothelin receptors with increased cerebrovascular contraction via the Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway.

Results
Rats were exposed to SHS for up to 8 weeks. The cerebral artery vasoconstriction was recorded by a sensitive myograph. The mRNA and protein expressions for endothelin receptors in cerebral arteries were studied by real-time PCR and Western blot. Compared to fresh air exposed rats, cerebral arteries from SHS rats exhibited stronger contractile responses (P < 0.05) mediated by endothelin type A (ETA) receptors. The expressions of mRNA and protein for ETA receptors in the cerebral arteries from SHS rats were higher (P < 0.05) than that in control. SHS did not affect endothelin type B (ETB) receptor-mediated contractions, mRNA or protein levels. The results suggest that SHS upregulates ETA, but not ETB receptors in vivo. After SHS exposure, the mRNA levels of Raf-1 and ERK1/2, the protein expression of phosphorylated (p)-Raf-1 and p-ERK1/2 were increased (P < 0.05). Raf-1 inhibitor, GW5074 suppressed the enhanced ETA receptor-mediated contraction, mRNA and protein levels induced by SHS. In addition, GW5074 inhibited the SHS-caused increased mRNA and phosphorylated protein levels of Raf-1 and ERK1/2, suggesting that SHS induces activation of the Raf/ERK/MAPK pathway.

Conclusions
SHS upregulates cerebrovascular ETA receptors via the Raf/ERK/MAPK pathway, which provides novel understanding of mechanisms involved in SHS-associated stroke.
Considerations on the use of nucleic acid-based amplification for malaria parasite detection
Authors: Proux Stéphane , Suwanarusk Rossarin , Barends Marion , Zwang Julien , Price Ric N , Leimanis Mara , Kiricharoen Lily , Laochan Natthapon , Russell Bruce , Nosten François , Snounou Georges 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Nucleic acid amplification provides the most sensitive and accurate method to detect and identify pathogens. This is primarily useful for epidemiological investigations of malaria because the infections, often with two or more Plasmodium species present simultaneously, are frequently associated with microscopically sub-patent parasite levels and cryptic mixed infections. Numerous distinct equally adequate amplification-based protocols have been described, but it is unclear which to select for epidemiological surveys. Few comparative studies are available, and none that addresses the issue of inter-laboratory variability.

Methods
Blood samples were collected from patients attending malaria clinics on the Thai-Myanmar border. Frozen aliquots from 413 samples were tested independently in two laboratories by nested PCR assay. Dried blood spots on filter papers from the same patients were also tested by the nested PCR assay in one laboratory and by a multiplex PCR assay in another. The aim was to determine which protocol best detected parasites below the sensitivity level of microscopic examination.

Results
As expected PCR-based assays detected a substantial number of infected samples, or mixed infections, missed by microscopy (27 and 42 for the most sensitive assay, respectively). The protocol that was most effective at detecting these, in particular mixed infections, was a nested PCR assay with individual secondary reactions for each of the species initiated with a template directly purified from the blood sample. However, a lesser sensitivity in detection was observed when the same protocol was conducted in another laboratory, and this significantly altered the data obtained on the parasite species distribution.

Conclusions
The sensitivity of a given PCR assay varies between laboratories. Although, the variations are relatively minor, they primarily diminish the ability to detect low-level and mixed infections and are sufficient to obviate the main rationale to use PCR assays rather than microscopy or rapid diagnostic tests. The optimal approach to standardise methodologies is to provide PCR template standards. These will help researchers in different settings to ensure that the nucleic acid amplification protocols they wish to use provide the requisite level of sensitivity, and will permit comparison between sites.
Consequences of a global enzyme shortage of agalsidase beta in adult Dutch Fabry patients
Authors: Smid Bouwien E , Rombach Saskia M , Aerts Johannes MFG , Kuiper Symen , Mirzaian Mina , Overkleeft Hermen S , Poorthuis Ben JHM , Hollak Carla EM , Groener Johanna EM , Linthorst Gabor E 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Enzyme replacement therapy is currently the only approved therapy for Fabry disease. From June 2009 on, viral contamination of Genzyme's production facility resulted in a worldwide shortage of agalsidase beta leading to involuntary dose reductions (approved dose 1 mg/kg/eow, reduced dose 0.5 mg/kg/m), or switch to agalsidase alpha (administered dose 0.2 mg/kg/eow). An assessment report from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) raised serious concerns about an increase in adverse events at lower dosages of agalsidase beta. We determined the influence of the shortage on clinical event incidence and the most sensitive biochemical marker (lysoGb3) in Dutch Fabry patients.

Methods
The incidence of clinical events per person per year was calculated from start of agalsidase beta treatment until the shortage, and was compared to the incidence of clinical events during the shortage period. In addition, plasma lysoGb3, eGFR, quality of life (SF-36) and brief pain inventory (BPI) questionnaires were analysed.

Results
All thirty-five Dutch Fabry patients using agalsidase beta (17 males) were included. Mean clinical event incidence was unchanged: 0.15 events per person per year before versus 0.15 during the shortage (p = 0.68). In total 28 clinical events occurred in 14 patients during 4.6 treatment years, compared to 7 events in 6 patients during the 1.3 year shortage period. eGFR and BPI scores were not significantly altered. Two SF-36 subscales were significantly but minimally reduced in females. In males, lysoGb3 increased with a median of 8.1 nM (range 2.5 - 29.2) after 1 year of shortage (p = 0.001). Increases in lysoGb3 were found in both patients switching to agalsidase alpha and on a reduced agalsidase beta dose. Antibody status, treatment duration or clinical event incidence showed no clear correlation to lysoGb3 increases.

Conclusions
No increase in clinical event incidence was found in the adult Dutch Fabry cohort during the agalsidase beta shortage. Increases in lysoGb3, however, suggest recurrence of disease activity.
Recent progress in the study of brown adipose tissue
Authors: Yao Xuan , Shan Shifang , Zhang Ying , Ying Hao 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Brown adipose tissue in mammals plays a critical role in maintaining energy balance by thermogenesis, which means dissipating energy in the form of heat. It is held that in mammals, long-term surplus food intake results in energy storage in the form of triglyceride and may eventually lead to obesity. Stimulating energy-dissipating function of brown adipose tissue in human body may counteract fat accumulation. In order to utilize brown adipose tissue as a therapeutic target, the mechanisms underlying brown adipocyte differentiation and function should be better elucidated. Here we review the molecular mechanisms involved in brown adipose tissue development and thermogenesis, and share our thoughts on current challenges and possible future therapeutic approaches.
Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons to study the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Authors: van Kessel Maartje AHJ , Dutilh Bas E , Neveling Kornelia , Kwint Michael P , Veltman Joris A , Flik Gert , Jetten Mike SM , Klaren Peter HM , Op den Camp Huub JM 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The microbes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are of high importance for the health of the host. In this study, Roche 454 pyrosequencing was applied to a pooled set of different 16S rRNA gene amplicons obtained from GI content of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to make an inventory of the diversity of the microbiota in the GI tract. Compared to other studies, our culture-independent investigation reveals an impressive diversity of the microbial flora of the carp GI tract. The major group of obtained sequences belonged to the phylum Fusobacteria. Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes and Gammaproteobacteria were other well represented groups of micro-organisms. Verrucomicrobiae, Clostridia and Bacilli (the latter two belonging to the phylum Firmicutes) had fewer representatives among the analyzed sequences. Many of these bacteria might be of high physiological relevance for carp as these groups have been implicated in vitamin production, nitrogen cycling and (cellulose) fermentation.
Impact of grain-coating iron minerals on dielectric response of quartz sand and implications for ground-penetrating radar
Authors: Josh Matthew , Lintern Melvyn J. , Kepic Anton W. , Verrall Mike 
Published: November 2011

An unexpected result of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys in the Great Victoria Desert (South Australia) was the lack of returning signal in what appeared to be a favorable environment for GPR, with dry silica sand and calcrete aggregates in the near surface. We found that the dielectric response of the dry sand samples had much higher dielectric losses than comparable sands from Western Australia and that the dielectric losses are controlled by the presence of iron oxide minerals, although iron concentrations themselves are only around 0.4%. The samples contained over 90% quartz, with subsidiary amounts of carbonates, kaolin, and smectite occurring with the iron oxide minerals as a coating on the quartz grains. An acid washing procedure removed the reducible iron oxide minerals from the clay coating but left the clays substantially unaltered. Subsequent dielectric and magnetic analysis of the samples indicates that the iron oxide minerals removed during the washing process are responsible for the reduction of GPR penetration at 250 MHz from approximately 10 m to only 1 m.
Role of ST2 in Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome in the MERLIN-TIMI 36 Trial
Authors: Kohli Payal , Bonaca Marc P , Kakkar Rahul , Kudinova Anastacia Y , Scirica Benjamin M , Sabatine Marc S , Murphy Sabina A , Braunwald Eugene , Lee Richard T , Morrow David A 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prognostic performance of ST2 with respect to cardiovascular death (CVD) and heart failure (HF) in patients with non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in a large multinational trial.

BACKGROUND
Myocytes that are subjected to mechanical stress secrete ST2, a soluble interleukin-1 receptor family member that is associated with HF after STE-ACS.

METHODS
We measured ST2 with a high-sensitivity assay in all available baseline samples (N = 4426) in patients enrolled in the Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in the Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 36 (MERLIN-TIMI 36), a placebo-controlled trial of ranolazine in NSTE-ACS. All events, including cardiovascular death and new or worsening HF, were adjudicated by an independent events committee.

RESULTS
Patients with ST2 concentrations in the top quartile (&gt;35 μg/L) were more likely to be older and male and have diabetes and renal dysfunction. ST2 was only weakly correlated with troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide. High ST2 was associated with increased risk for CVD/HF at 30 days (6.6% vs 1.6%, P &lt; 0.0001) and 1 year (12.2% vs 5.2%, P &lt; 0.0001). The risk associated with ST2 was significant after adjustment for clinical covariates and biomarkers (adjusted hazard ratio CVD/HF 1.90, 95% CI 1.15–3.13 at 30 days, P = 0.012; 1.51, 95% CI 1.15–1.98 at 1 year, P = 0.003), with a significant integrated discrimination improvement (P &lt; 0.0001). No significant interaction was found between ST2 and ranolazine (Pinteraction = 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS
ST2 correlates weakly with biomarkers of acute injury and hemodynamic stress but is strongly associated with the risk of HF after NSTE-ACS. This biomarker and related pathway merit further investigation as potential therapeutic targets for patients with ACS at risk for cardiac remodeling.
Pindar und der „Protz“ Xenophon (fr. 122 M.). Von der Positionierung im politischen und im literarischen Feld
Authors: Stenger Jan 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Pindar’s skolion for the Olympic victor Xenophon of Corinth (fr. 122) has received considerable attention for its subject rather than its poetic quality. For it celebrates a dedication of prostitutes to Aphrodite which scholars have considered a subject inappropriate for a choral ode. So they detected traces of a tension between the poet and Xenophon within the text. In this article it is argued that, quite the reverse, Pindar is drawing a parallel between himself and the victor and his family. If we reconsider the pragmatic aspects of the skolion, its relation to Olympian 13 and the context Athenaeus provides for the fragment, we are able to see that Pindar links sport, ritual and politics, thereby serving Xenophon’s ambitions as well as his own. By practising conspicuous consumption Xenophon aims at detaching himself from Corinth’s egalitarian aristocracy, and at the same time the poet promotes himself in the literary field as a poetic innovator and authority. So, both transgress expectations and boundaries.
“As I thought that the speakers most likely might have spoken”. Thukydides Hist. 1. 22. 1 on Composing Speeches
Authors: Schütrumpf Eckart 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
This paper addresses the scholarly controversies surrounding the succinct remark Thucydides makes at Hist. 1. 22. 1 on composing speeches. It argues for the understanding of the “ἂν εἰπεῖν” expression not as contrary-to-fact, as most scholars assume, but as potential of the past, to be translated: “as in his judgment the speakers most likely might have spoken.” The paper proposes that Thucydides indicates a historical method similar to the strategy used in contemporary rhetoric in order to show on the basis of probability considering all the conditions given that certain things were said. The paper scrutinizes every important term used by Thucydides at 1. 22. 1 (ἐδόκουν, τὰ δέοντα, ξύμπασα γνώμη) and the various modern interpretations and translations proposed.
Beobachtungen zu den Thukydidesscholien III. 3. Kodikologische Nachlese
Authors: Kleinlogel Alexander 
Published: November 2011

Zusammenfassung
Der Aufsatz ist die Fortsetzung von „Beobachtungen zu den Thukydidesscholien I“ (Philologus 108, 1964, 233–246) und „Beobachtungen zu den Thukydidesscholien II“ (Philologus 142, 1998, 11–40). Im ersten Abschnitt (3. 1) wird gezeigt, dass durch genauere Dokumentation der Marginalien im Vatic. gr. 126 (B), als es auch in neuen kritischen Ausgaben geschehen ist, mit unterschiedlicher Sicherheit abweichende Lesarten in Ω erschlossen werden können. In 3. 2 wird nachgewiesen, dass die Hand jenes Theodoros, der im Codex Paris. suppl. gr. 255 (A) eine vieldiskutierte Marginalnotiz eingetragen hat, auch – was bisher nicht beachtet worden ist – im Monac. graec. 430 (F) einen ähnlichen Marginaleintrag vorgenommen hat, woraus sich weitreichende Konsequenzen für eine Reihe von Handschriftenkomponenten ergeben. Die Identität jenes Theodoros lässt sich nicht ermitteln, die von Hemmerdinger vorgenommene Identitifikation mit Theodoros Metochites wird widerlegt. Abschnitt 3. 3 untersucht die Wolfenbütteler Handschrift Gud. gr. 35 (Gu) hinsichtlich ihrer Stellung im Stemma der Familie ψ und zeigt, dass Gu nicht zusammen mit μ2 und μ1 eine Abschrift von μ ist, sondern dass Gu selbst die Vorlage von μ2 und μ1 war, also mit μ identisch ist. Dadurch wird eine Vermutung D. Harlfingers bestätigt, dass der Codex Gu, der jetzt nur noch die Markellinosvita und die Anonymusvita des Thukydides enthält, der Rest einer kompletten Thukydideshandschrift ist. Da Gu der Schrift des Maximos Planudes bzw. der seiner Schreiber ähnelt, darf vermutet werden, dass im Gelehrtenkreis um Planudes eine Thukydidesausgabe geschaffen worden ist.