bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitrodevelopment of goat parthenogenetic and somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos derived from different activation protocols
Authors: Guo Jitong , Liu Fengjun , Guo Zekun , Li Yu , An Zhixing , Li Xuefeng , Li Yuqiang , Zhang Yong 
Published: June 2009

SummaryOocyte activation is an essential step in animal cloning to allow subsequent development of the reconstructed embryos. A special activation protocol is required for different animal species. The present study investigated low temperature, electrical pulses, ethanol, ionomycin and strontium for goat oocyte activation in order to optimize the protocols. We found, as a result, effective activation and parthenogenetic development of goat oocytes that had been derived from ionomycin, strontium and electrical pulse groups. Within each group 79.3–81.6%, 2.2–78.8% and 65.5% of the oocytes cleaved and 16.2–24.8%, 0–15.6% and 11.1% of the cleaved embryos developed into blastocysts when the oocytes were activated by ionomycin combined with 6-dimethylaminopurine, strontium plus cytochalasin B and electrical pulses combined with cytochalasin B, respectively. However, low temperature and ethanol were both unable to activate goat oocytes under our experimental conditions. When ionomycin combined with 6-dimethylaminopurine and strontium plus cytochalasin B was applied to activate somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos derived from cultured cumulus, 51.0% and 72.5% of the embryos cleaved, respectively. After transfer of 4-cell embryos into recipients, one (1/19 and 1/7) of the recipients from each group was found to be pregnant as detected by ultrasound, but both of these recipients lost the embryos between 45 and 60 days of pregnancy.
Dionysus and drama in the Buddhist art of Gandhara
Authors: Brancaccio Pia , Liu Xinru 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis essay examines the relationships existing between Dionysian traditions of wine drinking and drama that reached the easternmost part of the Hellenistic world, and the Buddhist culture and art that flourished in Gandhara (Eastern Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan) under the Kushan kings between the first and third centuries CE. By piecing together archaeological, artistic and literary evidence, it appears that along with viniculture and viticulture, Dionysian rituals, Greek theatre and vernacular drama also became rooted in these eastern lands. Continuous interactions with the Graeco-Roman world strengthened these important cultural elements. At the beginning of the Common Era Dionysian traditions and drama came to be employed by the Buddhists of Gandhara to propagate their own ideas. The creation of a body of artworks representing the life of the Buddha in narrative form along with the literary work of Ashvaghosha, may be an expression of the same dramatic format that developed locally along with a strong Dionysian ritual presence.
Desirable teeth: the medieval trade in Arctic and African ivory
Authors: Seaver Kirsten A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis article examines the Danish archaeologist Else Roesdahl’s hypothesis that, by the early fourteenth century, an abundance in Europe of elephant ivory from Africa caused a price drop that edged out walrus ivory, with a devastating economic impact on Norse Greenland that directly contributed to the colony’s collapse. While it seems clear that artisanal use of walrus ivory fell from the late fourteenth century onward, and that Greenland exports of walrus ivory decreased in the fourteenth century, evidence for a pre-1500 price drop for African elephant ivory in the European market is lacking. Nor can it be demonstrated that European demand for walrus tusks shrank prior to 1500. Roesdahl’s speculations about changes in the ivory trade and their effect on the Norse Greenland colony are therefore open to question as an explanation for the colony’s demise. An alternative view is proposed, namely that reduced export of Greenland walrus ivory was initiated by the Greenlanders themselves in response to political and economic changes in the Atlantic and North Sea region, at a time when codfish drew English fishermen and fish merchants ever farther west into the North Atlantic, and that the Greenlanders took part in that westward movement.
European colonial soldiers in the nineteenth century: their role in white global migration and patterns of colonial settlement
Authors: Bosma Ulbe 
Published: June 2009

AbstractMore than six million European soldiers were involved in nineteenth-century empire-building and a substantial number of them stayed behind in the colonies. Throughout history, soldiers have been priming the pump for settler colonies, being a reliable force in difficult pioneering circumstances with high mortality rates. In the age of European mass migration, however, these colonial soldiers were consistently excluded from migration statistics. This article argues that there is a nexus between the beginning of the age of mass migration and the exclusion of colonial soldiers from migration history. Their status as un-free labourers developed into an anomaly at a time when free labour and free European migration increasingly became the norm. An important implication of including these colonial soldiers in the purview of migration history would be a revisiting of nineteenth-century European emigration history. It would require a broader comparative perspective on coercive labour conditions among nineteenth-century European migrants (military and non-military). This effort could be part of an ongoing revision of the perception of the age of European mass migration as overwhelmingly free.
The Action of Bacteriophage Ω8 on Two Strains of Escherichia coli 08
Authors: Wallenfels Barbara , Jann K. 
Published: June 2009

Bacteriophage Ω8 is propagated in Escherichia coli E56b (08: K27-:H-), a non-capsulated strain. Another non-capsulated strain, E. coli 2398 (08:K?-:H-), is killed by bacteriophage Ω8 without phage propagation. This strain was formerly believed to be E. coli 093:K?-:H-, cross-reacting with strain E56b. We have established chemical and serological identity of the 08-specific lipopolysaccharides of the two strains.
The 08-specific lipopolysaccharides of both strains inhibited the infection of Escherichia coli E56b with bacteriophage Ω8 equally well. The adsorption rate constants of Ω8 were identical for the two strains of E. coli 08. Evidence was obtained with 32P-labelled bacteriophage Ω8 for penetration of viral DNA into both bacterial strains. In host strain E56b, phage particle synthesis occurred normally. In strain 2398 the viral DNA was not degraded but its expression was blocked. The killing effect of Ω8 on E. coli strain 2398 is supposed to be due to damage of the cytoplasmic membrane, which could not be reversed under the influence of viral information. This was indicated by a blockage of cellular respiration, β-galactoside transport and RNA as well as protein synthesis.
Studies on the α-L-Arabinofuranosidase Complex from Sclerotinia fructigena in Relation to Brown Rot of Apple
Authors: Laborda F. , Archer S. A. , Fielding A. H. , Byrde R. J. W. 
Published: June 2009

α-L-Arabinofuranosidase (AF) was detected in apple fruitlets experimentally infected by Sclerotinia fructigena. In extracts of such fruitlets, three AF isoenzymes were separated by preparative isoelectric focusing. When the fungus was grown in shake culture with different carbon sources, AF was detected in each culture filtrate and mycelial homogenate. Although fungus growth and total AF varied with the carbon source, the AF isoenzyme pattern was similar in each instance to that obtained when grown on sodium polypectate.
Each of the partially purified AF isoenzymes behaved differently in substrate specificity and inhibitor studies; however, each showed a specificity for α-L-arabino-furanosides. The two extracellular AF isoenzymes released monomeric arabinose when incubated with araban or apple cell walls. External AF III (pI 6·5) was more active on a substrate of apple cell wall material than external AF I (pI 3·0). The latter form of the enzyme was less susceptible to inhibition by either oxidized or unoxidized apple juice. Two isolates of Sclerotinia fructigena with low growth rate in vivo secreted no AF III in vitro.
The Effects of the Carbon Source on Glutamate Dehydrogenase Activities in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Hynes M. J. 
Published: June 2009

The NADP-specific glutamate dehydrogenase (NADP-GDH) activity of Aspergillus nidulans was rapidly lost from cultures starved for a carbon source. This loss of NADP-GDH was blocked by protein synthesis inhibitors. Glutamate repressed NADP-GDH but did not cause rapid loss of activity. Since NADP-GDH is involved in the participation of ammonium in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism, the loss of NADP-GDH activity accompanying carbon starvation may be important in the interaction between carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Increased NAD specific glutamate dehydrogenase activity (NAD-GDH) was observed when mycelium was transferred to medium lacking glucose. The increase in NAD-GDH activity was greatest when glutamate was present. Protein synthesis inhibitors did not prevent this increase in activity.
Two mutants, amdT102 and amdT19, which are altered in regulation of nitrogen metabolism, are similar to the wild-type strain with regard to regulation of NADP-GDH and NAD-GDH.
Lysis Induced by Sodium Ion and Its Relation to Lytic Enzyme Systems in Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum
Authors: OGATA S. , HONGO M. 
Published: June 2009

Summary: Growing Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum was lysed by sodium ion concentrations above o'I M (maximum effect at 0.3 M). The rate of lysis depended on the age of the culture. The most rapid lysis occurred in organisms from logarithmically growing cultures which were incubated for 3 to 5 h; organisms from stationary phase cultures were completely resistant to Na+-induced lysis. Sodium ion-induced lysis was related to autolysis of the organisms and was greatly affected by pH and temperature. The optimum pH was about 6.0, and the optimum temperature 35°C. Various chemical inhibitors, including known enzyme inhibitors (such as Cu2+ and p-chloromercuribenzoate) and fixative agents (such as formalin and glutaraldehyde), inhibited the lysis, while organisms whose growth had been inhibited by antibiotics such as tetracycline, were also resistant to Na+-induced lysis. The lysate produced by Na+-treatment itself had lytic activity on isolated walls, thought to be due to its content of autolysin.
About 3o to 6o min after mitomycin C treatment (which induced the production of the phage tail-like bacteriocin clostocin O), the organisms were temporarily resistant to Na+-induced lysis. However the organisms reverted to the state of high sensitivity to Na+ when clostocin O-associated endolysin was produced. We suggest that Na+-induced lysis is due to the action of wall lytic enzymes such as autolysin and clostocin O-endolysin.
Elevated pretransplant ferritin is associated with a lower incidence of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease and inferior survival after myeloablative allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mahindra Anuj , Bolwell Brian , Sobecks Ronald , Rybicki Lisa , Pohlman Brad , Dean Robert , Andresen Steve , Sweetenham John , Kalaycio Matt , Copelan Edward 
Published: June 2009

SummaryElevated pretransplant serum ferritin levels have been associated with an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We studied 222 patients who underwent myeloablative allogeneic HCT in whom pretransplantation serum ferritin levels were available. Pretransplantation ferritin > 1910 μg/l was associated with lower overall survival (P = 0·003), lower relapse‐free survival (P = 0·003), decreased chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) (P = 0·019) and increased non‐relapse mortality (NRM) (P = 0·042). Similar results were obtained when pretransplantation ferritin was analysed as a continuous variable and by quartiles. Our results indicate that an elevated pretransplant ferritin level adversely impacts transplantation outcomes. The adverse impact of elevated ferritin on NRM and survival was despite its association with lower incidences of acute and chronic GVHD, which are major causes of NRM. The association of ferritin with iron overload and its influence on HCT outcomes requires further prospective validation.
Downregulation of cell survival signalling pathways and increased cell damage in hydrogen peroxide‐treated human renal proximal tubular cells by alpha‐erythropoietin
Authors: Andreucci M. , Fuiano G. , Presta P. , Lucisano G. , Leone F. , Fuiano L. , Bisesti V. , Esposito P. , Russo D. , Memoli B. , Faga T. , Michael A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective:  Erythropoietin has been shown to have a protective effect in certain models of ischaemia‐reperfusion, and in some cases the protection has been correlated with activation of signalling pathways known to play a role in cell survival and proliferation. We have studied whether erythropoietin would overcome direct toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment to human renal proximal tubular (HK‐2) cells.Materials and methods:  HK‐2 cells were incubated with H2O2 (2 mm) for 2 h with or without erythropoietin at concentrations of 100 and 400 U/ml, and cell viability/proliferation was assessed by chemical reduction of MTT. Changes in phosphorylation state of the kinases Akt, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2) were also analysed.Results:  Cells incubated with H2O2 alone showed a significant decrease in viability, which did not significantly change by addition of erythropoietin at concentration of 100 U/ml, but was further reduced when concentration of erythropoietin was increased to 400 U/ml. Phosphorylation state of the kinases Akt, GSK‐3β, mTOR and ERK1/ERK2 of H2O2‐treated HK‐2 cells was slightly altered in the presence of erythropoietin at concentration of 100 U/ml, but was significantly less in the presence of erythropoietin at a concentration of 400 U/ml. Phosphorylation of forkhead transcription factor FKHRL1 was diminished in cells incubated with H2O2 and erythropoietin at a concentration of 400 U/ml.Conclusions:  Erythropoietin, at high concentrations, may significantly increase cellular damage in HK‐2 cells subjected to oxidative stress, which may be due in part to decrease in activation of important signalling pathways involved in cell survival and/or cell proliferation.
Depressive symptoms and behavioural health risks in young women attending an urban sexual health clinic
Authors: Fernandez V. , Kramer T. , Fong G. , Doig A. , Garralda M. E. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground  Adolescence is a time of increased health risk behaviours and depressive symptoms and disorders. Most young people with depressive disorders, however, are not under the care of specialist child and adolescent mental health services, and there is increasing interest in identifying alternative appropriate settings which are acceptable for young people and may attract those at high risk for depressive disorders.Aim  To assess depressive and behavioural health risks in attendees to a sexual health clinic (SHC) for young people.Method  Cross‐sectional controlled study of women attending a SHC and school attendees, using questionnaires on depressive symptoms and mental health problems, sexual activity and substance use.Results  115/178 attendees 14–19 years old completed questionnaires. In the comparison between 66 women aged 16–18 years and 49 socio‐demographically group‐matched school controls, SHC attendees reported higher levels of sexual activity and substance use. They were significantly more at risk for depression (20/65 or 30% vs. 4/46 or 8%; χ2P < 0.01) on the Beck Depression Inventory, for emotional (12/66 or 18% vs. 1/49 or 2%; χ2P < 0.01), hyperactivity (11/66 or 16% vs. 2/46 or 4%; χ2P < 0.05) and conduct (8/66 or 12% vs. 0/49; χ2P < 0.05) problems on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. High depressive scores were significantly associated with a history of self‐harm, earlier alcohol use and having tried cannabis, but not with sexual risk behaviours. Earlier age at first sexual intercourse was linked to higher sexual and substance use risks.Conclusion  We have found high levels of depressive symptoms among attendees to a SHC for young people, which seem an appropriate setting for screening and providing guidance for depression and other health risk behaviours.
New imaging approaches to phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas
Authors: Havekes Bas , King Kathryn , Lai Edwin W. , Romijn Johannes A. , Corssmit Eleonora P. M. , Pacak Karel 
Published: June 2009

SummaryFormerly used concepts for phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas have been challenged by recent discoveries that at least 24% of tumours are familial and thereby often multiple in various locations throughout the body. Furthermore, tumours are often malignant and perhaps more aggressive if associated with SDHB gene mutations. Some paragangliomas are clinically silent and may present only with dopamine hypersecretion. In the current era where CT and MRI are more commonly used, tumours are more often found as incidentalomas and MRI may be less specific for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma than previously thought. Because of unique tumour characteristics (e.g. the presence of cell membrane and intracellular vesicular norepinephrine transporters) these tumours were ‘born’ to be imaged by means of specific functional imaging approaches. Moreover, additional recent discoveries related to apoptosis, hypoxia, acidosis, anaerobic glycolysis and angiogenesis, often disturbed in tumour cells, open new options and challenges to specifically image phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas and possibly link those results to their pathophysiology, genotypic alterations and metastatic potential. Functional imaging, especially represented by positron emission tomography (PET), offers an excellent approach by which tumour‐specific processes can be detected, evaluated and seen in the context of tumour‐specific behaviour and its genetic signature. In this review, we address the recent developments in new functional imaging modalities for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma and provide the reader with suggested imaging approaches in various phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas of sympathetic origin. Current imaging algorithms of head and neck parasympathetic paragangliomas are not discussed. Finally, this review outlines some future perspectives of functional imaging of these tumours.
Problems in diagnosing atypical Gitelman’s syndrome presenting with normomagnesaemia
Authors: Nakamura Akinobu , Shimizu Chikara , Nagai So , Yoshida Masahiro , Aoki Kazutaka , Kondo Takuma , Miyoshi Hideaki , Wada Norio , Tajima Toshihiro , Terauchi Yasuo , Yoshioka Narihito , Koike Takao 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjective  Gitelman’s syndrome, recognized as a variant of Bartter’s syndrome, is characterized by hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis in combination with hypomagnesaemia and hypocalciuria. Overlapping biochemical features in Gitelman’s syndrome and Bartter’s syndrome has been observed. Here, we investigated the clinical, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of five, chronic, nonhypertensive and hypokalaemic Japanese patients.Methods  Serum and urinary electrolytes, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were measured in five patients (four males and one female) with hypokalaemia. Renal clearance tests were performed and distal fractional chloride reabsorption calculated. Finally, mutational analysis of the thiazide‐sensitive Na‐Cl co‐transporter gene was performed.Results  Symptoms in patients varied from mild (muscle weakness and numbness) to severe (tetany and foot paralysis). All patients were normotensive or hypotensive, and all had hypokalaemia, hypocalciuria, and hyperreninaemic hyperaldosteronism. However, two male patients had normomagnesaemia, while the remainder was hypomagnesaemic. Renal clearance tests showed that the administration of furosemide decreased distal fractional chloride reabsorption, while thiazide ingestion failed to decrease it. Genetic analysis identified six thiazide‐sensitive Na‐Cl co‐transporter gene mutations, including two novel ones. Therefore, on the basis of the confirmatory renal clearance tests and mutational analysis, a diagnosis of Gitelman’s syndrome was made in these patients.Conclusions  Two of the five patients diagnosed with Gitelman’s syndrome were normomagnesaemic, which is uncommon in this syndrome. Our study indicates that renal clearance tests and mutation analysis can play an important role in diagnosing Gitelman’s syndrome more precisely.
Prey protein influences growth and decoration building in the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi
Authors: BLAMIRES SEAN J. , HOCHULI DIETER F. , THOMPSON MICHAEL B. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract. 1. Protein is important for a foraging animal to consume, as it promotes growth and enhances survival, particularly in web‐building spiders, which need to invest considerable protein into web building and may trade‐off growth for web investment.2. The influence of dietary protein uptake on growth and web investment was tested in the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi, by feeding them flies reared on three different media: (1) high protein, (2) low protein, and (3) standard (control) media. There was a negative correlation between protein and energy content of the flies across treatments; flies reared on the high protein media had the highest protein, but lowest energy, while flies reared on the low protein media had the lowest protein but highest energy.3. It was found that silk investment and web architecture in A. keyserlingi was not affected by diet. Growth and decoration building were both enhanced when spiders were fed a high protein diet.4. It was concluded that protein intake, rather than energy, influenced both growth and decoration building because: (1) protein intake enhances growth in other animals, (2) protein is essential for silk synthesis, especially aciniform silk, and (3) protein is a limiting factor actively sought by foraging animals in natural environments.