bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conversion of Cortisone to Cortisol and Prostaglandin F2α Production by the Reproductive Tract of Cows at the Late Luteal Stage In Vivo
Authors: Duong HT , Skarzynski DJ , Piotrowska‐Tomala KK , Bah MM , Jankowska K , Warmowski P , Łukasik K , Okuda K , Acosta TJ 
Published: February 2012

ContentsPrevious in vitro studies demonstrated that bovine endometrium has the capacity to convert inactive cortisone to biologically active cortisol (Cr) and that Cr inhibits cytokine‐stimulated prostaglandin F2α (PGF) production. This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that bovine reproductive tract has the capacity to convert cortisone to Cr in vivo and to evaluate the effects of intravaginal application of exogenous cortisone on uterine PGF secretion during the late luteal stage. The temporal relationships between PGF and Cr levels in uterine plasma were also determined. Catheters were inserted into jugular vein (JV), uterine vein (UV), vena cava caudalis (VCC) and aorta abdominalis (AA) of six cows on Day 15 of the oestrous cycle (ovulation = Day 0) for frequent blood collection. On Day 16, the cows were divided randomly into two groups and infused intravaginally with vaseline gel (10 ml; control; n = 3) or cortisone dissolved in vaseline gel (100 mg; n = 3). Blood samples were collected at −2, −1, −0.5, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h after treatments (0 h). Intravaginal application of cortisone increased plasma concentrations of Cr between 0.5 and 1.5 h in UV, at 0.5 h in VCC, at 1 h in JV and at 1.5 h in AA. The plasma concentrations of PGF in UV and of PGF metabolite in JV were greater at 0.5 and 1 h in the cortisone‐treated animals than in control animals. The levels of PGF in UV blood plasma decreased after Cr reached its highest levels. The overall findings suggest that the female reproductive tract has the capacity to convert cortisone to Cr in vivo. Based on the temporal changes of PGF and Cr levels in the uterine plasma, a biphasic response in PGF secretion was found to be associated to the Cr increase induced by the cortisone treatment at the late luteal stage in non‐pregnant cows.
Pulmonary fungal infections
Authors: SMITH JEANNINA A. , KAUFFMAN CAROL A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThis review details some of the advances that have been made in the recent decade in the diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of pulmonary fungal infections. These advances have occurred because of increasing knowledge regarding the fungal genome, better understanding of the structures of the fungal cell wall and cell membrane and the use of molecular epidemiological techniques. The clinical implications of these advances are more rapid diagnosis and more effective and less toxic antifungal agents. For example, the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, as well as histoplasmosis and blastomycosis, has improved with the use of easily performed antigen detection systems in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment of angioinvasive moulds has improved with the introduction of the new azoles, voriconazole and posaconazole that have broad antifungal activity. Amphotericin B is less frequently used, and when used is often given as lipid formulation to decrease toxicity. The newest agents, the echinocandins, are especially safe as they interfere with the metabolism of the fungal cell wall, a structure not shared with humans cells. Epidemiological advances include the description of the emergence of Cryptococcus gattii in North America and the increase in pulmonary mucormycosis and pneumonia due to Fusarium and Scedosporium species in transplant recipients and patients with haematological malignancies. The emergence of azole resistance among Aspergillus species is especially worrisome and is likely related to increased azole use for treatment of patients, but also to agricultural use of azoles as fungicides in certain countries.
Synchronized spike waves in immature dentate gyrus networks
Authors: Seki Megumi , Kobayashi Chiaki , Takahashi Naoya , Matsuki Norio , Ikegaya Yuji 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAt early developmental stages, immature neuronal networks of the neocortex and hippocampus spontaneously exhibit synchronously oscillating activities, which are believed to play roles in normal circuit maturation. The tissue development of the dentate gyrus (DG) in the hippocampal formation is exceptionally late compared with other brain regions and persists until postnatal periods. Using patch‐clamp recording and functional multineuron calcium imaging, we found that the DG networks of postnatal day (P)3–7 mice spontaneously generated traveling waves of action potentials, which were initiated at the upper blade of the granule cell layer and propagated to the lower blade. The propagation was dependent on glutamatergic and electrical synapses, but not on GABAergic receptor activity. Remarkably, the DG waves were almost completely abolished in offspring born to female rats exposed to restraint stress during pregnancy. In the prenatally stressed offspring, DG granule cell dendrites developed normally until P3 and showed atrophy by P9. Thus, the DG waves may be required for the maturation of DG granule cells.
Lateral regions of the rodent striatum reveal elevated glutamate decarboxylase 1 mRNA expression in medium‐sized projection neurons
Authors: Trifonov Stefan , Houtani Takeshi , Kase Masahiko , Toida Kazunori , Maruyama Masato , Yamashita Yuji , Shimizu Jun‐Ichi , Sugimoto Tetsuo 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe GABA‐synthesizing enzymes glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)1 and GAD2 are universally contained in GABAergic neurons in the central nervous system of the mouse and rat. The two isoforms are almost identically expressed throughout the brain and spinal cord. By using in situ hybridization, we found that the mouse lateral striatum concentrates medium‐sized projection neurons with high‐level expression of GAD1, but not of GAD2, mRNA. This was confirmed with several types of riboprobe, including those directed to the 5′‐noncoding, 3′‐noncoding and coding regions. Immunohistochemical localization of GAD1 also revealed predominant localization of the enzyme in the same striatal region. The lateral region of the mouse striatum, harboring such neurons, is ovoid in shape and extends between interaural +4.8 and +2.8, and at lateral 2.8 and dorsoventral 2.0. This intriguing region corresponds to the area that receives afferent inputs from the primary motor and sensory cortex that are presumably related to mouth and forelimb representations. The lateral striatum is included in the basal ganglia‐thalamocortical loop, and is most vulnerable to various noxious stimuli in the neurodegeneration processes involving the basal ganglia. We have confirmed elevated expression of GAD1 mRNA, but not of GAD2 mRNA, also in the rat lateral striatum. Image analysis favored the view that the regional increase is caused by elevated cellular expression, and that the greatest number of medium‐sized spiny neurons were positive for GAD1 mRNA. The GAD1 mRNA distribution in the mouse lateral striatum partially resembled those of GPR155 and cannabinoid receptor type 1 mRNAs, suggesting functional cooperation in some neurons.
Association between hypoglycaemic events and fall‐related fractures in Medicare‐covered patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Johnston S. S. , Conner C. , Aagren M. , Ruiz K. , Bouchard J. 
Published: February 2012

Aims: This retrospective observational study examined the association between International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM)‐coded outpatient hypoglycaemic events and fall‐related fractures in Medicare‐covered patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods: Data were derived from healthcare claims for individuals with employer‐sponsored Medicare supplemental insurance. The study period consisted of two consecutive 1‐year periods; the baseline period (1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009) and the evaluation period (1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010). Patients selected for study were at least 65 years of age with evidence of type 2 diabetes during the baseline period, as identified using a Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set algorithm or by at least two prescription claims for oral antidiabetic drugs. The baseline period was used to collect information on the patients' demographics and clinical characteristics. The evaluation period was used to identify the presence of hypoglycaemic events and fall‐related fractures. Logistic regression was employed to examine the association between hypoglycaemic events and fall‐related fractures occurring during the evaluation period, adjusting for patients' demographics and clinical characteristics.Results: Of 361 210 included patients, 16 936 had hypoglycaemic events during the evaluation period. Patients with hypoglycaemic events had 70% higher regression‐adjusted odds (hypoglycaemic events odds ratio = 1.70; 95% confidence interval = 1.58–1.83) of fall‐related fractures than patients without hypoglycaemic events. Multiple sensitivity analyses also yielded results suggesting increased odds of fall‐related fractures in patients with hypoglycaemic events.Conclusions: ICD‐9‐CM‐coded outpatient hypoglycaemic events were independently associated with an increased risk of fall‐related fractures. Further studies of the relationship between hypoglycaemia and the risk of fall‐related fractures are warranted.
A comparative study of seed yield parameters in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants and transgenics
Authors: Van Daele Inge , Gonzalez Nathalie , Vercauteren Ilse , de Smet Lien , Inzé Dirk , Roldán‐Ruiz Isabel , Vuylsteke Marnik 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBecause seed yield is the major factor determining the commercial success of grain crop cultivars, there is a large interest to obtain more understanding of the genetic factors underlying this trait. Despite many studies, mainly in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, have reported transgenes and mutants with effects on seed number and/or seed size, knowledge about seed yield parameters remains fragmented. This study investigated the effect of 46 genes, either in gain‐ and/or loss‐of‐function situations, with a total of 64 Arabidopsis lines being examined for seed phenotypes such as seed size, seed number per silique, number of inflorescences, number of branches on the main inflorescence and number of siliques. Sixteen of the 46 genes, examined in 14 Arabidopsis lines, were reported earlier to directly affect in seed size and/or seed number or to indirectly affect seed yield by their involvement in biomass production. Other genes involved in vegetative growth, flower or inflorescence development or cell division were hypothesized to potentially affect the final seed size and seed number. Analysis of this comprehensive data set shows that of the 14 lines previously described to be affected in seed size or seed number, only nine showed a comparable effect. Overall, this study provides the community with a useful resource for identifying genes with effects on seed yield and candidate genes underlying seed QTL. In addition, this study highlights the need for more thorough analysis of genes affecting seed yield.
High Dimensional Variable Selection via Tilting
Authors: Cho Haeran , Fryzlewicz Piotr 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThe paper considers variable selection in linear regression models where the number of covariates is possibly much larger than the number of observations. High dimensionality of the data brings in many complications, such as (possibly spurious) high correlations between the variables, which result in marginal correlation being unreliable as a measure of association between the variables and the response. We propose a new way of measuring the contribution of each variable to the response which takes into account high correlations between the variables in a data-driven way. The proposed tilting procedure provides an adaptive choice between the use of marginal correlation and tilted correlation for each variable, where the choice is made depending on the values of the hard thresholded sample correlation of the design matrix. We study the conditions under which this measure can successfully discriminate between the relevant and the irrelevant variables and thus be used as a tool for variable selection. Finally, an iterative variable screening algorithm is constructed to exploit the theoretical properties of tilted correlation, and its good practical performance is demonstrated in a comparative simulation study.
Structures, Procedures and Social Capital: The Implementation of EU Cohesion Policies by Subnational Governments in Poland
Authors: Lackowska‐Madurowicz Marta , Swianiewicz Paweł 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to contribute to the debate on the Europeanization of new member states by discussing the impact of European Union (EU) regional policy on Polish regions. Analysis of the institutional setting connected to the regional policy proves that the general lack of social trust in Poland determines the unjustified complexity of procedures affecting the absorption of structural funds. In this investigation we adopt the social capital perspective to explain regional variation in the capacity to implement EU regional policy. The conclusions contradict the mainstream thesis that it is bridging social capital that correlates positively with regional economic development and administrative capacities. On the contrary, among the case study regions the one with higher bonding social capital proved more efficient in the absorption of EU funds. The following question remains — does the pace of absorption correspond to allocation decisions that would support the development of a region in a long‐term perspective?RésuméCet article, qui s'inscrit dans le débat sur l'européanisation des nouveaux États membres, s'attache à l'impact de la politique régionale de l'Union européenne (UE) sur les territoires polonais. Une analyse du cadre institutionnel liéà la politique régionale montre que le défaut généralisé de confiance sociale en Pologne amène une complexité injustifiée des procédures qui pèse sur l'absorption des fonds structurels. L'étude adopte l'approche du capital social pour expliquer les variations régionales dans la capacitéà mettre en œuvre la politique régionale de l'UE. Les résultats contredisent la thèse classique selon laquelle c'est un capital social ‘relationnel’ (bridging) qui crée une corrélation positive avec les capacités administrative et de développement économique régionales. Au contraire, parmi les régions étudiées, le cas présentant le capital social le plus ‘affectif’ (bonding) s'est révélé plus efficient dans son utilisation des fonds européens. Il reste une question: le rythme d'absorption correspond‐il à des décisions d'affectation qui favoriseraient le développement d'une région à longue échéance?
Argentine Migrants to Spain and Returnees: A Case for Accumulation of Civic Assets
Authors: Ginieniewicz Jorge 
Published: February 2012

AbstractConceptually, this paper relies on the asset accumulation framework and identifies its relevance to work on Argentine migrants to Spain and returnees. The asset accumulation framework represents an innovative approach to understanding the complexities of migratory flows in a transnational context. In order to comprehend and tackle migration, this framework pays particular attention to investment and savings in various domains, including the financial, social, human, civic and political fields. Responding to gaps in current studies, the objective of this paper is twofold. First, it expands the asset accumulation framework by differentiating between civic and political assets. Second, using data drawn from interviews conducted among Argentine migrants and returnees in the cities of Barcelona and Buenos Aires, this paper fleshes out the definition of civic assets. The findings indicate that, for interviewees, moving to Spain implied the accumulation of civic assets that enhanced the development of a more equitable and democratic society. Respondents incorporated new civic capabilities in several areas, including increased environmental awareness and tolerance for minority groups, as well as the acquisition of knowledge about equity and labour rights. In addition, results suggest that, as a result of the migratory experience, many interviewees went through reflective processes that made them question their old presumptions about both the receiving and sending societies.
Turkish Population Structure and Genetic Ancestry Reveal Relatedness among Eurasian Populations
Authors: Hodoğlugil Uğur , Mahley Robert W. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryTurkey has experienced major population movements. Population structure and genetic relatedness of samples from three regions of Turkey, using over 500,000 SNP genotypes, were compared together with Human Genome Diversity Panel (HGDP) data. To obtain a more representative sampling from Central Asia, Kyrgyz samples (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) were genotyped and analysed. Principal component (PC) analysis reveals a significant overlap between Turks and Middle Easterners and a relationship with Europeans and South and Central Asians; however, the Turkish genetic structure is unique. FRAPPE, STRUCTURE, and phylogenetic analyses support the PC analysis depending upon the number of parental ancestry components chosen. For example, supervised STRUCTURE (K= 3) illustrates a genetic ancestry for the Turks of 45% Middle Eastern (95% CI, 42–49), 40% European (95% CI, 36–44) and 15% Central Asian (95% CI, 13–16), whereas at K= 4 the genetic ancestry of the Turks was 38% European (95% CI, 35–42), 35% Middle Eastern (95% CI, 33–38), 18% South Asian (95% CI, 16–19) and 9% Central Asian (95% CI, 7–11). PC analysis and FRAPPE/STRUCTURE results from three regions in Turkey (Aydin, Istanbul and Kayseri) were superimposed, without clear subpopulation structure, suggesting sample homogeneity. Thus, this study demonstrates admixture of Turkish people reflecting the population migration patterns.
A multi‐modal multiphoton investigation of microstructure in the deep zone and calcified cartilage
Authors: Mansfield Jessica C. , Peter Winlove C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMulti‐modal multiphoton microscopy was used to investigate tissue microstructure in the zone of calcified cartilage, focussing on the collagen fibre organisation at the tidemark and cement line. Thick, unstained and unfixed sagittal sections were prepared from the equine metacarpophalangeal joint. Second harmonic generation (SHG) provided contrast for collagen, two‐photon fluorescence (TPF) for endogenous fluorophores, and coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) allowed the cells to be visualised. The structure of radial and calcified cartilage was found to vary with location across the joint, with the palma regions showing a more ordered parallel arrangement of collagen fibres than the cortical ridge and dorsal regions. These patterns may be associated with regional variations in joint loading. In addition, the cell lacunae had a greater diameter in the dorsal region than in the palmar region. At the cement line some collagen fibres were observed crossing between the calcified cartilage and the subchondral bone. At the tidemark the fibres were parallel and continuous between the radial and calcified cartilage. Beneath early superficial lesions the structure of the tidemark and calcified cartilage was disrupted with discontinuities and gaps in the fibrillar organisation. Cartilage microstructure varies in the deep zones between regions of different loading. The variations in collagen structure observed may be significant to the local mechanical properties of the cartilage and therefore may be important to its mechanical interactions with the subchondral bone. The calcified cartilage is altered even below early superficial lesions and therefore is important in the understanding of the aetiology of osteoarthritis.
Gender determination of effort and associated cardiovascular responses: When men place greater value on available performance incentives
Authors: Barreto Patricia , Wong Jem , Estes Kaleb , Wright Rex A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractParticipants were presented an easy or difficult mental addition task and led to believe that they could win a traditionally masculine incentive by meeting a certain performance standard. As expected, blood pressure and heart rate responses during the work period were stronger under difficult conditions than easy ones among men but low under both difficulty conditions among women. Findings support the suggestion from a conceptual analysis grounded in motivation intensity theory that gender differences in cardiovascular response could be partially understood in terms of effort processes that occur where men and women place different value on available performance incentives.
International trends in Health Science Librarianship: Part 1 – the English speaking world
Authors: Browne Ruth , Lasserre Kaye , McTaggart Jill , Bayley Liz , McKibbon Ann , Clark Megan , Perry Gerald J. , Murphy Jeannette 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis is the second in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century. The invited authors were asked to reflect on developments in their country – viz. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Future issues will track trends in Northern Europe, the Nordic countries, Southern Europe and Latin America.JM
Expert searching in health librarianship: a literature review to identify international issues and Australian concerns
Authors: Lasserre Kaye 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground:  The traditional role of health librarians as expert searchers is under challenge.Objectives:  The purpose of this review is to establish health librarians’ views, practices and educational processes on expert searching.Methods:  The search strategy was developed in LISTA and then customised for ten other databases: ALISA, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. The search terms were (expert search* OR expert retriev* OR mediated search* OR information retriev*) AND librar*. The searches, completed in December 2010 and repeated in May 2011, were limited to English language publications from 2000 to 2011 (unless seminal works).Results:  Expert searching remains a key role for health librarians, especially for those supporting systematic reviews or employed as clinical librarians answering clinical questions.Conclusions:  Although clients tend to be satisfied with searches carried out for them, improvements are required to effectively position the profession. Evidence‐based guidelines, adherence to transparent standards, review of entry‐level education requirements and a commitment to accredited, rigorous, ongoing professional development will ensure best practice.
Disseminate your findings
Authors: Grant Maria J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWhile research training often takes place during every day practice, for the majority of library and information professionals, essential training will have been received as part of the dissertation element of their degree. However, there is a danger that important dissertation study findings are not disseminated if, for example, the student has moved onto a new job. The Health Information and Libraries Journal seek to address this research/practice gap with the introduction of a new feature ‘Dissertations into Practice’ specifically tasked with providing a safe and structured environment for students to disseminate their dissertation project findings.