bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Giving them what they want: manipulating Argentine ant activity patterns with water
Authors: Enzmann B. L. , Kapheim K. M. , Wang T. B. , Nonacs P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe invasive success of the exotic Argentine ant [Linepithema humile (Mayr)] is often closely tied to year‐round availability of water sources. Previous studies suggest that the location of such water sources can strongly influence activity patterns of colonies and may be a key predictor of building infestations. We studied activity patterns of Argentine ants in relation to water and food resources in two open‐air structures (aviaries). In one series of manipulations, ant activity inside the aviaries was significantly reduced with the placement of numerous water sources around the outside. Inside activity increased again when the outside water sources were removed. A second series of manipulations involved the placement of water sources at targeted locations outside of the structures. Ant activity inside the aviaries consistently shifted significantly closer to these targeted sites. The results suggest that providing a reliable water source to Argentine ant colonies exterior to buildings can be a non‐chemical method of integrated pest management for reducing ant infestations. Independent of our manipulations, L. humile activity levels predictably declined with time of day, but these changes were uncorrelated with observed surface temperatures. In fact, activity was often noted at surface temperatures higher than those that cause worker mortality under laboratory conditions. This suggests that L. humile exhibits a consistent temperature‐independent circadian activity pattern of reduced foraging in afternoons relative to mornings.
Successful outcome of flexible ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy for renal stones 2 cm or greater
Authors: Takazawa Ryoji , Kitayama Sachi , Tsujii Toshihiko 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAlthough percutaneous nephrolithotomy has been recommended as the first‐line treatment for renal stones larger than 2 cm, its major complication rate is not negligible and less invasive approaches are to be explored. Thanks to the recent advances in endoscopic technology, flexible ureteroscopy has become another option in this setting. Herein we report our most recent experience with flexible ureteroscopy for large renal stones. Between September 2008 and May 2011, 20 patients with renal stones ≥2 cm underwent a total of 28 procedures of ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy, using the Olympus URF‐P5 and a ureteral access sheath. The number of procedures, operative time, stone‐free rates, stone compositions and complications were evaluated. Stone‐free status was defined as the absence of fragments or fragments of ≤4 mm. Mean stone size was 3.1 cm (range 2.0–5.0). The average number of procedures was 1.4. One, two and three procedures were required in 13, six and one patients, respectively. Overall, the stone‐free rate was 90%. The stone‐free rate for preoperative stone size of 2 to ≤4 cm and >4 cm was 100% (14/14) and 67% (4/6), respectively. No major intraoperative complications were identified. Postoperative high‐grade fever was observed in three patients, including one patient who developed sepsis. All these patients were successfully treated conservatively. Our findings suggest that ureteroscopy represents a favorable option for selected patients with renal stones, especially those 2 to ≤4 cm in size.
Mixed electrical–chemical transmission between hippocampal mossy fibers and pyramidal cells
Authors: Vivar Carmen , Traub Roger D. , Gutiérrez Rafael 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMorphological and electrophysiological studies have shown that granule cell axons, the mossy fibers (MFs), establish gap junctions and therefore electrical communication among them. That granule cells express gap junctional proteins in their axons suggests the possibility that their terminals also express them. If this were to be the case, mixed electrical–chemical communication could be supported, as MF terminals normally use glutamate for fast communication with their target cells. Here we present electrophysiological studies in the rat and modeling studies consistent with this hypothesis. We show that MF activation produced fast spikelets followed by excitatory postsynaptic potentials in pyramidal cells (PCs), which, unlike the spikelets, underwent frequency potentiation and were strongly depressed by activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors, as expected from transmission of MF origin. The spikelets, which persisted during blockade of chemical transmission, were potentiated by dopamine and suppressed by the gap junction blocker carbenoxolone. The various waveforms evoked by MF stimulation were replicated in a multi‐compartment model of a PC by brief current‐pulse injections into the proximal apical dendritic compartment, where MFs are known to contact PCs. Mixed electrical and glutamatergic communication between granule cells and some PCs in CA3 may ensure the activation of sets of PCs, bypassing the strong action of concurrent feed‐forward inhibition that granule cells activate. Importantly, MF‐to‐PC electrical coupling may allow bidirectional, possibly graded, communication that can be faster than chemical synapses and subject to different forms of modulation.
TPV1, the first virus isolated from the hyperthermophilic genus Thermococcus
Authors: Gorlas Aurore , Koonin Eugene V. , Bienvenu Nadège , Prieur Daniel , Geslin Claire 
Published: December 2011

SummaryWe describe a novel virus, TPV1 (Thermococcus prieurii virus 1), which was discovered in a hyperthermophilic euryarchaeote isolated from a deep‐sea hydrothermal chimney sample collected at a depth of 2700 m at the East Pacific Rise. TPV1 is the first virus isolated and characterized from the hyperthermophilic euryarchaeal genus Thermococcus. TPV1 particles have a lemon‐shaped morphology (140 nm × 80 nm) similar to the structures previously reported for Fuselloviruses and for the unclassified virus‐like particle PAV1 (Pyrococcus abyssi virus 1). The infection with TPV1 does not cause host lysis and viral replication can be induced by UV irradiation. TPV1 contains a double‐stranded circular DNA of 21.5 kb, which is also present in high copy number in a free form in the host cell. The TPV1 genome encompasses 28 predicted genes; the protein sequences encoded in 16 of these genes show no significant similarity to proteins in public databases. Proteins predicted to be involved in genome replication were identified as well as transcriptional regulators. TPV1 encodes also a predicted integrase of the tyrosine recombinase family. The only two genes that are homologous between TPV1 and PAV1 are TPV1‐22 and TPV1‐23, which encode proteins containing a concanavalin A‐like lectin/glucanase domain that might be involved in virus–host recognition.
Phenotypic variation and host interactions of Xenorhabdus bovienii SS‐2004, the entomopathogenic symbiont of Steinernema jollieti nematodes
Authors: Sugar Darby R. , Murfin Kristen E. , Chaston John M. , Andersen Aaron W. , Richards Gregory R. , deLéon Limaris , Baum James A. , Clinton William P. , Forst Steven , Goldman Barry S. , Krasomil‐Osterfeld Karina C. , Slater Steven , Stock S. Patricia , Goodrich‐Blair Heidi 
Published: December 2011

SummaryXenorhabdus bovienii (SS‐2004) bacteria reside in the intestine of the infective‐juvenile (IJ) stage of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema jollieti. The recent sequencing of the X. bovienii genome facilitates its use as a model to understand host – symbiont interactions. To provide a biological foundation for such studies, we characterized X. bovienii in vitro and host interaction phenotypes. Within the nematode host X. bovienii was contained within a membrane bound envelope that also enclosed the nematode‐derived intravesicular structure. Steinernema jollieti nematodes cultivated on mixed lawns of X. bovienii expressing green or DsRed fluorescent proteins were predominantly colonized by one or the other strain, suggesting the colonizing population is founded by a few cells. Xenorhabdus bovienii exhibits phenotypic variation between orange‐pigmented primary form and cream‐pigmented secondary form. Each form can colonize IJ nematodes when cultured in vitro on agar. However, IJs did not develop or emerge from Galleria mellonella insects infected with secondary form. Unlike primary‐form infected insects that were soft and flexible, secondary‐form infected insects retained a rigid exoskeleton structure. Xenorhabdus bovienii primary and secondary form isolates are virulent towards Manduca sexta and several other insects. However, primary form stocks present attenuated virulence, suggesting that X. bovienii, like Xenorhabdus nematophila may undergo virulence modulation.
Characterization and localization of prodiginines from Streptomyces lividans suppressing Verticillium dahliae in the absence or presence of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Meschke Holger , Walter Stefan , Schrempf Hildgund 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe ascomycete Verticillium dahliae causes worldwide vascular wilt of many field and horticultural plants. The melanized resting structures of this fungus, so‐called microsclerotia, survive for many years in soils and continuously re‐infect plants. Due to the absence of known fungicides, Verticillium wilt causes immense crop losses. We discovered that the Gram‐positive, spore‐forming soil bacterium Streptomyces lividans expresses members of the prodiginine family during co‐cultivation with V. dahliae. Using HPLC and LC‐MS analysis of cultures containing S. lividans alone or grown together with V. dahliae, we found that undecylprodigiosin [394.4 M+H]+ is highly abundant, and streptorubin B [392.4 M+H]+ is present in smaller amounts. Within co‐cultures, the quantity of undecylprodigiosin increased considerably and pigment concentrated at and within fungal hyphae. The addition of purified undecylprodigiosin to growing V. dahliae hyphae strongly reduced microsclerotia formation. Undecylprodigiosin was also produced when S. lividans grew on the roots of developing Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Furthermore, the presence of the undecylprodigiosin producer led to an efficient reduction of V. dahliae hyphae and microsclerotia on plant‐roots. Based on these novel findings and previous knowledge, we deduce that the prodiginine investigated leads to multiple cellular effects, which ultimately impair specific pathways for signal transduction and apoptosis of the fungal plant pathogen.
THE ETHICS OF SHAM SURGERY IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: BACK TO THE FUTURE?
Authors: SWIFT TERESA , HUXTABLE RICHARD 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTDespite intense academic debate in the recent past over the use of ‘sham surgery’ control groups in research, there has been a recent resurgence in their use in the field of neurodegenerative disease. Yet the primacy of ethical arguments in favour of sham surgery controls is not yet established. Preliminary empirical research shows an asymmetry between the views of neurosurgical researchers and patients on the subject, while different ethical guidelines and regulations support conflicting interpretations. Research ethics committees faced with a proposal involving sham surgery should be aware of its ethical complexities. An overview of recent and current placebo‐controlled surgical trials in the field of Parkinson's Disease is provided here, followed by an analysis of the key ethical issues which such trials raise.
BRAIN DEATH IN ISLAMIC ETHICO‐LEGAL DELIBERATION: CHALLENGES FOR APPLIED ISLAMIC BIOETHICS
Authors: PADELA AASIM I. , AROZULLAH AHSAN , MOOSA EBRAHIM 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTSince the 1980s, Islamic scholars and medical experts have used the tools of Islamic law to formulate ethico‐legal opinions on brain death. These assessments have varied in their determinations and remain controversial. Some juridical councils such as the Organization of Islamic Conferences' Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC‐IFA) equate brain death with cardiopulmonary death, while others such as the Islamic Organization of Medical Sciences (IOMS) analogize brain death to an intermediate state between life and death. Still other councils have repudiated the notion entirely. Similarly, the ethico‐legal assessments are not uniform in their acceptance of brain‐stem or whole‐brain criteria for death, and consequently their conceptualizations of, brain death.Within the medical literature, and in the statements of Muslim medical professional societies, brain death has been viewed as sanctioned by Islamic law with experts citing the aforementioned rulings. Furthermore, health policies around organ transplantation and end‐of‐life care within the Muslim world have been crafted with consideration of these representative religious determinations made by transnational, legally‐inclusive, and multidisciplinary councils.The determinations of these councils also have bearing upon Muslim clinicians and patients who encounter the challenges of brain death at the bedside. For those searching for ‘Islamically‐sanctioned’ responses that can inform their practice, both the OIC‐IFA and IOMS verdicts have palpable gaps in their assessments and remain clinically ambiguous. In this paper we analyze these verdicts from the perspective of applied Islamic bioethics and raise several questions that, if answered by future juridical councils, will better meet the needs of clinicians and bioethicists.
Does higher income equal higher levels of happiness in every society? The case of the Mayan people
Authors: Guardiola Jorge , González‐Gómez Francisco , García‐Rubio Miguel A. , Lendechy‐Grajales Ángel 
Published: December 2011

Guardiola J, González‐Gómez F, García‐Rubio MA, Lendechy‐Grajales Á. Does higher income equal higher levels of happiness in every society? The case of the Mayan peopleThis study analysed happiness and several domains of life of Mayan people in the poor rural areas of Yucatan, Mexico. Using a sample of 373 households, we examined the influence of income on happiness and its domains, obtaining results that lend support to the ‘paradox of happy peasants and miserable millionaires’. According to the results, income influences happiness among the Mayan people, as do material domains and health, but income does not influence the domains related to intangible feelings and public goods. A number of reasons, such as a lack of a means for comparison, close contact with nature, adaptation to deprivation, general material improvements compared with the past, low aspirations and a Mayan culture that is devoted to solidarity and enjoyment of social relationships, could explain why the sample population reported high levels of happiness. Although the Mayans' level of happiness is high, their situation nevertheless requires political attention.
Increasing trends in atonic postpartum haemorrhage in Ireland: an 11‐year population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lutomski JE , Byrne BM , Devane D , Greene RA 
Published: December 2011

Please cite this paper as: Lutomski J, Byrne B, Devane D, Greene R. Increasing trends in atonic postpartum haemorrhage in Ireland: an 11‐year population‐based cohort study. BJOG 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471‐0528.2011.03198.xObjective  To derive nationally representative incidence rates of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), and to investigate trends associated with method of delivery, blood transfusion and morbidly adherent placenta (accreta, percreta and increta).Design  Population‐based retrospective cohort study.Setting  Republic of Ireland.Population  Childbirth hospitalisations during the period 1999–2009.Methods  International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐9‐CM and ICD‐10‐AM diagnostic codes from hospital discharge records were used to identify cases of PPH. Significant temporal trends in PPH incidence were determined using Cochrane–Armitage tests for trend. Log‐binomial regression was conducted to assess annual changes in the risk of PPH diagnosis, with adjustment for potential confounding factors.Main outcome measures  PPH, uterine atony, blood transfusion and morbidly adherent placenta.Results  A total of 649 019 childbirth hospitalisations were recorded; 2.6% (n = 16 909) included a diagnosis of PPH. The overall PPH rate increased from 1.5% in 1999 to 4.1% in 2009; atonic PPH rose from 1.0% in 1999 to 3.4% in 2009. Significant increasing trends in atonic PPH rates were observed across vaginal, instrumental, and emergency and elective caesarean deliveries (P < 0.001). The rate of atonic PPH co‐diagnosed with blood transfusion also significantly increased (P < 0.001). Relative to 1999, the risk of atonic PPH in 2009 was three‐fold increased (adjusted RR 3.03; 95% CI 2.76–3.34). Women diagnosed with a morbidly adherent placenta had a markedly higher risk of total PPH (unadjusted RR 13.14; 95% CI 11.43–15.11).Conclusions  Increasing rates of atonic PPH highlight the pressing need for research and for clinical audit focusing on aetiological factors, preventative measures and quality of care, to guide current clinical practice.
Expression of GABAρ receptors in the neostriatum: localization in aspiny, medium spiny neurons and GFAP‐positive cells
Authors: Rosas‐Arellano Abraham , Machuca‐Parra Arturo I. , Reyes‐Haro Daniel , Miledi Ricardo , Martínez‐Torres Ataúlfo 
Published: December 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 900–910.AbstractGABAergic transmission in the neostriatum plays a central role in motor coordination, in which a plethora of GABA‐A receptor subunits combine to modulate neural inhibition. GABAρ receptors were originally described in the mammalian retina. These receptors possess special electrophysiological and pharmacological properties, forming a characteristic class of ionotropic receptors. In previous studies, we suggested that GABAρ receptors are expressed in the neostriatum, and in this report we show that they are indeed present in all the calretinin‐positive interneurons of the neostriatum. In addition, they are located in calbindin‐positive interneurons and projection neurons that express the dopamine D2 receptor. GABAρ receptors were also located in 30% of the glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive cells, and may therefore also contribute to gliotransmission. Quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR suggested that the mRNAs of this receptor do not express as much as in the retina, and that GABAρ2 is more abundant than GABAρ1. Electrophysiological recordings in brain slices provided evidence of neurons expressing a cis‐4‐aminocrotonic acid‐activated, 1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐4‐yl methylphosphinic acid‐sensitive ionotropic GABA receptor, indicating the presence of functional GABAρ receptors in the neostriatum. Finally, electron‐microscopy and immunogold located the receptors mainly in perisynaptic as well as in extrasynaptic sites. All these observations reinforce the importance of GABAρ receptors in the neostriatum and contribute to the diversity of inhibitory regulation in this area.
Electrical conduction along endothelial cell tubes from mouse feed arteries: confounding actions of glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives
Authors: Behringer Erik J , Socha Matthew J , Polo‐Parada Luis , Segal Steven S 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Electrical conduction along endothelium of resistance vessels has not been determined independently of the influence of smooth muscle, surrounding tissue or blood. Two interrelated hypotheses were tested: (i) Intercellular conduction of electrical signals is manifest in endothelial cell (EC) tubes; and (ii) Inhibitors of gap junction channels (GJCs) have confounding actions on EC electrical and Ca2+ signalling.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Intact EC tubes were isolated from abdominal muscle feed (superior epigastric) arteries of C57BL/6 mice. Hyperpolarization was initiated with indirect (ACh) and direct (NS309) stimulation of intermediate‐ and small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (IKCa/SKCa). Remote membrane potential (Vm) responses to intracellular current injection defined the length constant (λ) for electrical conduction. Dye coupling was evaluated following intracellular microinjection of propidium iodide. Intracellular Ca2+ dynamics were determined using Fura‐2 photometry. Carbenoxolone (CBX) or β‐glycyrrhetinic acid (βGA) was used to investigate the role of GJCs.KEY RESULTS Steady‐state Vm of ECs was −25 mV. ACh and NS309 hyperpolarized ECs by −40 and −60 mV respectively. Electrical conduction decayed monoexponentially with distance (λ∼1.4 mm). Propidium iodide injected into one EC spread into surrounding ECs. CBX or βGA inhibited dye transfer, electrical conduction and EC hyperpolarization reversibly. Both agents elevated resting Ca2+ while βGA inhibited responses to ACh.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Individual cells were effectively coupled to each other within EC tubes. Inhibiting GJCs with glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives blocked hyperpolarization mediated by IKCa/SKCa channels, regardless of Ca2+ signalling, obviating use of these agents in distinguishing key determinants of electrical conduction along the endothelium.
Novel cholinergic peptides SLURP‐1 and ‐2 regulate epithelialization of cutaneous and oral wounds
Authors: Chernyavsky Alexander I. , Kalantari‐Dehaghi Mina , Phillips Courtney , Marchenko Steve , Grando Sergei A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIt is well established that auto/paracrine acetylcholine (ACh) is essential for wound epithelialization, and that the mechanisms include regulation of keratinocyte motility and adhesion via nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs). Keratinocyte nAChRs can be also activated by non‐canonical ligands, such as secreted mammalian Ly‐6/urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor‐related protein (SLURP)‐1 and ‐2. In this study, we determined effects of recombinant (r)SLURP‐1 and‐2 on migration of human epidermal and oral keratinocytes under agarose and epithelialization of cutaneous and oral mucosal excisional wounds in mice, and also identified nAChRs mediating SLURP signals. Both in vitro and in vivo, rSLURP‐1 decreased and SLURP‐2 increased epithelialization rate. The mixture of both peptides accelerated epithelialization even further, indicating that their simultaneous signaling renders an additive physiologic response. The specificity of rSLURP actions was illustrated by similar effects on cutaneous and oral wounds, which feature distinct responses to injury, and also by abrogation of rSLURP effects with neutralizing antibodies. rSLURP‐1 acted predominantly via the α7 nAChR‐coupled up‐regulation of the sedentary integrins α2 and α3, whereas SLURP‐2—through α3, and α9 nAChRs up‐regulating migratory integrins α5 and αV. The biologic effects of rSLURPs required the presence of endogenous ACh, indicating that auto/paracrine SLURPs provide for a fine tuning of the physiologic regulation of crawling locomotion via the keratinocyte ACh axis. Since nAChRs have been shown to regulate SLURP production, cholinergic regulation of keratinocyte migration appears to be mediated by a reciprocally arranged network. The cholinergic peptides, therefore, may become prototype drugs for the treatment of wounds that fail to heal.