bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disjunct distributions in Gerris species (Insecta: Hemiptera: Gerridae): an analysis based on spatial and taxonomic patterns of genetic diversity
Authors: Gagnon M.‐C. , Turgeon J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAim  To perform a comparative analysis of distribution and genetic diversity in three closely related water strider species (Gerris) in order to shed light on a putative disjunct distribution in Gerris gillettei.Location  Canada and the western United States.Methods  Entomological collections from Canada and the United States were surveyed for records of Gerris pingreensis, G. gillettei and Gerris incognitus in order to establish the distribution range of each species. Using samples from present populations, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence variation were used to construct minimum‐spanning networks. Distribution patterns and genetic diversity were then compared among species.Results  Our results showed that G. incognitus is a genetically distinct species with an unsuspected disjunct distribution. Gerris pingreensis and G. gillettei were found to share genetic polymorphism and they displayed spatial differences only in terms of haplotype distribution, suggesting that they form a single species.Main conclusions  Distributional and molecular information uncover unusual distribution patterns and underline taxonomic uncertainty in a group of three closely related Gerris species. Vicariance and failure to recolonize following the last glaciation could explain the G. incognitus disjunction. Morphological and DNA‐based species identifications suggest different post‐glacial recolonization processes for G. pingreensis and G. gillettei. The putative discontinuous range of G. gillettei may be explained as disjunct phenotypes of a single species.
Characterization and evolution of two bacteriome‐inhabiting symbionts in cixiid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Pentastirini)
Authors: Bressan Alberto , Arneodo Joel , Simonato Mauro , Haines William P. , Boudon‐Padieu Elisabeth 
Published: September 2009

SummaryLike other plant sap‐sucking insects, planthoppers within the family Cixiidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) host a diversified microbiota. We report the identification and first molecular characterization of symbiotic bacteria in cixiid planthoppers (tribe: Pentastirini). Using universal eubacterial primers we first screened the eubacterial 16S rRNA sequences in Pentastiridius leporinus (Linnaeus) with PCR amplification, cloning, and restriction fragment analysis. We identified three main 16S rRNA sequences that corresponded to a Wolbachia bacterium, a plant pathogenic bacterium, and a novel gammaproteobacterial symbiont. A fourth bacterial species affiliated with ‘Candidatus Sulcia muelleri’ was detected in PCR assays using primers specific for the Bacteroidetes. Within females of two selected cixiid planthoppers, P. leporinus and Oliarus filicicola, fluorescence In situ hybridization analysis and transmission electron microscopy observations showed that ‘Ca. Sulcia muelleri’ and the novel gammaproteobacterial symbiont were housed in separate bacteriomes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both of these symbionts occurred in at least four insect genera within the tribe Pentastirini. ‘Candidatus Purcelliella pentastirinorum’ was proposed as the novel gammaproteobacterial symbiont.
Efficacy of quantifying melanosome transfer with flow cytometry in a human melanocyte–HaCaT keratinocyte co‐culture system in vitro
Authors: Ma Hui‐Jun , Zhao Guang , Zi Shao‐Xia , Li Dong‐Guang , Liu Wen , Yang Qing‐Qi 
Published: September 2009

Please cite this paper as: Efficacy quantifying melanosome transfer with flow cytometry in a human melanocyte–HaCaT keratinocyte co‐culture system in vitro. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e282–e285.Abstract:  In this study, we describe a simple, specific, reproducible and quantitative assay system to assess melanosome transfer. We first established a co‐culture model of normal human epidermal melanocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes. The cells were co‐cultured for 72 h in a serum‐free keratinocyte growth media and double labelled with Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐conjugated antibody against the melanosome‐specific protein gp100, and with Phycoerythrin (PE)‐conjugated antibody against the keratinocyte‐specific marker cytokeratin. Then, the cells were examined using co‐focal microscope and flow cytometry. The increased melanosome transfer from melanocytes to HaCaT keratinocytes was observed in a time‐dependent manner. To verify the accessibility of this method, two known melanosome transfer inhibitors and two known melanosome transfer stimulators were applied. Consistent with previous investigation, soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI), niacinamide inhibited melanosome transfer, α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) increased melanosome transfer, respectively, in a dose‐dependent manner. The model used in this study could thus represent a rapid and reliable tool to identify modulators of human melanosome transfer.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 upregulates interleukin‐8 expression at the level of transcription in human melanoma cells
Authors: Oka Masahiro , Sakaguchi Masanobu , Okada Taro , Nagai Hiroshi , Ozaki Michitaka , Yoshioka Toyo , Inoue Hiroshi , Mukaida Naofumi , Kikkawa Ushio , Nishigori Chikako 
Published: September 2009

Please cite this paper as: Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 upregulates interleukin‐8 expression at the level of transcription in human melanoma cells. Experimental Dermatology 2010; 19: e50–e55.Abstract:  Many melanoma cells continuously produce interleukin‐8 (IL‐8). The involvement of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the constant production of IL‐8 in melanoma cells was examined. The level of IL‐8 production correlated well with that of the phosphorylated (activated) STAT3 in six human melanoma cell lines. Introduction of the constitutively activated form of STAT3 (STAT3‐C) into WM35 melanoma cells, that show low levels of IL‐8 and phosphorylated STAT3, enhanced IL‐8 production. Knockdown of STAT3 suppressed IL‐8 production in WM1205Lu cells that contain a high level of IL‐8 accompanied by STAT3 phosphorylation. Introduction of STAT3‐C markedly increased the luciferase activity in WM1205Lu cells transfected with reporter vectors linked to the 5′‐flanking region of the IL‐8 gene from ‐546 to +44 base pair (bp) and from ‐272 to +44 bp, but not in cells expressing reporter plasmids from ‐133 to +44 bp and from ‐98 to +44 bp. These results indicate that the upregulation of IL‐8 production is caused by constitutive STAT3 activation at the level of gene transcription in melanoma cells.
Pre Admission Antithrombotics are Associated with Improved Outcomes following Ischaemic Stroke: A Cohort from the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network
Authors: Dowlatshahi D. , Hakim A. , Fang J. , Sharma M. 
Published: September 2009

Background Several studies have attempted to identify predictors of outcome following ischaemic stroke. Reduced stroke severity has been reported with pre admission ASA use, and improved outcomes have been reported with pre admission statin treatment. The interaction between pre treatment medications and clinical response to tPA is less clear. The objective of our study was to assess clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischaemic stroke with respect to pre treatment medications. Methods The Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network collected pre morbid and prospective outcome data on 5568 patients with ischaemic stroke. We applied multivariate analyses to correlate pre admission medications with stroke severity on presentation, in-hospital mortality, and modified Rankin at discharge. Analyses were adjusted for age, gender, medical history, tPA administration, blood pressure, and glucose on presentation. Results Pre admission treatment with ASA and clopidogrel was associated with less severe stroke upon presentation. A similar trend was seen with dipyridamole and ticlopidine, but did not reach statistical significance. Pre treatment with ASA and warfarin was associated with improved Rankin scores at discharge. There was no interaction between tPA treatment and pre admission antiplatelets with respect to in-hospital mortality or disability at discharge, although tPA treatment was independently associated with improved Rankin at discharge. Pre treatment antiplatelet use did not result in increased intracerebral haemorrhage following tPA administration. Conclusions Patients with acute ischaemic stroke taking antithrombotic medications at hospital admission have improved functional outcomes. No interaction is noted between use of these medications and outcome following thrombolysis. This large prospective cohort study is consistent with previous published reports, and supports the notion that pre admission antithrombotics may mitigate brain injury during acute stroke.
Subcutaneous pre‐anaesthetic medication with acepromazine–buprenorphine is effective as and less painful than the intramuscular route
Authors: Gurney M. , Cripps P. , Mosing M. 
Published: September 2009

Objectives: To compare reaction to injection, sedation and propofol induction dose in dogs receiving acepromazine–buprenorphine pre‐anaesthetic medication by the intramuscular or subcutaneous routes. Methods: Fifty‐two client owned dogs of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II anaesthetised for diagnostic imaging. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive acepromazine 0·03 mg/kg and buprenorphine 0·02 mg/kg either intramuscular or subcutaneous. Reaction to injection was scored. Sedation was compared before and one hour after pre‐anaesthetic medication. Propofol was administered in 1 mg/kg incremental injections until tracheal intubation was achieved. Total propofol dose was recorded. Results: Reaction to injection was significantly greater (P=0·009) in the intramuscular group compared to the subcutaneous group. Sedation scores were not significantly different (P=0·523) between the intramuscular and the subcutaneous group. There was no statistically significant difference in propofol dose for induction (P=0·7). Clinical Significance: Acepromazine–buprenorphine pre‐anaesthetic medication provides a similar degree of sedation whether administered by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route. The intramuscular route is more painful compared to the subcutaneous route.
OnTrk—The TrkB Signal Transduction Pathway Is an Increasingly Important Target in Cancer Biology
Authors: Thiele Carol J. , Li Zhijie , McKee Amy E. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn the beginning, Trk was an oncogene. Yet Neurotrophin-Trk signaling came to preeminence in the field of neurobiology. Now it is appreciated that Trks regulate important processes in nonneuronal cells and, in addition to their impact on tumors of neural origin, may contribute to the pathogenesis of carcinomas, myelomas, and prostate and lymphoid tumors. Although mutations and rearrangements of Trk are seen only sporadically in human cancers, such as medullary thyroid carcinoma, a number of recent studies indicate that expression of TrkB contributes to tumor pathology. In neuroblastoma, TrkA expression marks good prognosis which TrkB and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression marks poor prognosis. Activation of the BDNF/TrkB signal transduction pathway also stimulates tumor cell survival and angiogenesis and contributes to resistance to cytotoxic drugs and anoikis, enabling cells to acquire many of the characteristic features required for tumorigenesis. Small molecule inhibitors, such as Cephalon's CEP-701, are in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, and a series of AstraZeneca Trk inhibitors are poised to enter the clinic. As monotherapy, inhibitors may be effective only in tumors with activating Trk mutations. Important clinical follow-up will be the assessment of Trk inhibitors in combination with standard chemo- or radiotherapy or other signal transduction pathway inhibitors. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(19):5962–7)
Five-Year Climatology of Midtroposphere Dry Air Layers in Warm Tropical Ocean Regions as Viewed by AIRS/Aqua
Authors: Casey Sean P. F. , Dessler Andrew E. , Schumacher Courtney 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Many studies have commented on the presence of midtroposphere dry air layers in normally moist areas of the warm-pool region in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. In this study, 5 yr of relative humidity (RH) observations from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument aboard the Aqua satellite are analyzed to identify areas of anomalously dry air between 600 and 400 hPa over deep convective regions of the tropical oceans. A dry air layer is defined when midlevel RH is &lt;20%, accounting for the lowest 10% of RH observations. Dry air layers appear to be more frequent over the Indian and Pacific Oceans than over the Atlantic Ocean. Large seasonal differences in the locations of dry air layers are apparent in each ocean basin. Large variations are also noted across the Pacific, suggesting limits on the applicability of case-study trends and observations of dry air layers to the Pacific as a whole. Back trajectories are then calculated for each observed parcel. The origin, or location of dehydration, is identified as the point along each trajectory at which the RH of the parcel is ≥100%. An analysis of the time between dehydration and dry air observation by AIRS suggests that dry air layers in June–August tend to last 1–2 days longer than those observed in other seasons. Although more dry air layers are observed to come from each hemisphere in its respective winter, most sources of dry air layers are subtropical and contribute anomalously dry air year-round. Other meteorological features are noted in the back trajectories, such as the eastward/westward wind transition from the subtropics to the tropics and the effects of the Indian monsoon on dry air distribution paths.
MU Radar and Lidar Observations of Clear-Air Turbulence underneath Cirrus
Authors: Luce Hubert , Nakamura Takuji , Yamamoto Masayuki K. , Yamamoto Mamoru , Fukao Shoichiro 
Published: September 2009

AbstractTurbulence generation mechanisms prevalent in the atmosphere are mainly shear instabilities, breaking of internal buoyancy waves, and convective instabilities such as thermal convection due to heating of the ground. In the present work, clear-air turbulence underneath a cirrus cloud base is described owing to coincident observations from the VHF (46.5 MHz) middle and upper atmosphere (MU) radar, a Rayleigh–Mie–Raman (RMR) lidar, and a balloon radiosonde on 7–8 June 2006 (at Shigaraki, Japan; 34.85°N, 136.10°E). Time–height cross section of lidar backscatter ratio obtained at 2206 LT 7 June 2006 showed the presence of a cirrus layer between 8.0 and 12.5 km MSL. Downward-penetrating structures of ice crystals with horizontal and vertical extents of 1.0–4.0 km and 200–800 m, respectively, have been detected at the cirrus cloud base for about 35 min. At the same time, the MU radar data revealed clear-air turbulence layers developing downward from the cloud base in the environment of the protuberances detected by the RMR lidar. Their maximum depth was about 2.0 km for about 1.5 h. They were associated with oscillatory vertical wind perturbations of up to ±1.5 m s−1 and variances of Doppler spectrum of 0.2–1.5 m−2 s−2. Analysis of the data suggests that the turbulence and the downward penetration of cloudy air were possibly the consequence of a convective instability (rather than a dynamical shear instability) that was likely due to sublimation of ice crystals in the subcloud region. Downward clear-air motions measured by the MU radar were associated with the descending protuberances, and updrafts were observed between them. These observations suggest that the cloudy air might have been pushed down by the downdrafts of the convective instability and pushed up by the updrafts to form the observed protuberances at the cloud base. These structures may be virga or perhaps more likely mamma as reported by recent observations of cirrus mamma with similar instruments and by numerical simulations.
Hydrogen Evolution and Pickup During the Corrosion of Zirconium Alloys: A Critical Evaluation of the Solid State and Porous Oxide Electrochemistry
Authors: Ramasubramanian N , Billot P , Yagnik S 
Published: September 2009

Electrochemical studies were performed in lithiated water (2.5 ppm Li and 1 ppm dissolved hydrogen) at 315°C in autoclave tests, on Zircaloy-2. Only the outside surface of the cladding was exposed to the environment. Specimens were corroded at open circuit potentials and also with externally imposed constant currents and potentials. The effects of weld regions and of a thin sputtered palladium coating on corrosion potential, the polarization behavior, and hydrogen pickup were investigated. Post-transition oxides were grown in steam at 12.5 MPa and 400°C, and electrochemical measurements were performed at 315°C in the lithiated water. The intrinsic electrochemical coupling effect, inherent in welding Zircaloy components, was also investigated in a loop test. Infrared interferometry and differential scanning calorimetry were used to measure the oxide thickness and hydrogen pickup along the specimen length.
Hydrogen pickup at the weld regions, relative to the body of the cladding, was high for specimens from both the autoclave and loop tests. Palladium considerably reduced both the corrosion potential and the hydrogen pickup. A comparison of pickups, from experiments with externally imposed cathodic polarization, identified two effects: (i) a galvanic coupling that resulted in the transfer of hydrogen evolution and, hence, pickup from the body of the cladding to the weld regions, and (ii) an ohmic contact between palladium and the corrosion film that transferred the evolution reaction to palladium. SIMS depth profiles, following incorporation and exchange of isotopes (H, Li, and B), revealed the presence of microporosity in the oxides.
Referring to the energy levels on the SHE scale, the hydrogen electrode potential in the lithiated water environment is calculated to be -0.88 V in the autoclave tests and -0.97 V in the loop test. For the reaction H+ + e = H, the favorable energy level would have a maximum value of ∼+ 0.15 V, after allowing a splitting of the energy levels on the order of ∼2.3 eV for the red-ox couple. For semiconducting (n-type) ZrO2, the conduction band edge is at +1.4 V, too much higher compared to SnO2 with the band edge at +0.1 V. A band overlap for proton reduction is unlikely on zirconium oxide, but would be favored on oxidized tin. It is concluded that hydrogen evolution during the corrosion of Zircaloys is localized at semicon ducting tin sites on the oxide surface and at the exposed alloy inside the pores. The palladium coating differentiated the semiconducting and porous properties of the oxide. Between the two processes of hydrogen evolution, the one occurring inside the pores is associated with the pickup. For bulk intermetallics to be a contributing factor to pickup, they have to be in contact with the alloy and also intersect the pores.
Pioglitazone improves insulin resistance and decreases blood pressure in adult patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Kroese Jeanne Margot , Mooij Christiaan F , van der Graaf Marinette , Hermus Ad R M M , Tack Cees J 
Published: September 2009

ContextPatients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are chronically treated with supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoids, which are known to induce insulin resistance. Thiazolidinediones might reverse this effect and improve insulin sensitivity.ObjectivesTo assess insulin sensitivity in CAH patients and the effect of pioglitazone treatment on insulin sensitivity in CAH patients. Secondary objectives were the effects of treatment with pioglitazone on blood pressure, body fat distribution, lipid, and steroid profiles.DesignRandomized placebo controlled crossover trial.ParticipantsTwelve CAH patients and 12 body mass and age-matched control subjects.InterventionSixteen-week treatment with pioglitazone (45 mg/day) or placebo.Main outcome measureInsulin sensitivity measured by euglycemic clamp and oral glucose tolerance test. Further measures were 24-h blood pressure profiles, body fat distribution measured by magnetic resonance imaging, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioimpedance procedures, liver fat by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, lipid, and steroid profiles.ResultsCAH patients were insulin resistant compared with healthy controls. Treatment with pioglitazone significantly improved insulin sensitivity in CAH patients (glucose infusion rate (GIR) from 28.5±11.6 to 38.9±11.0 μmol/kg per min, P=0.000, GIR in controls 46.2±23.4 μmol/kg per min, P<0.05 versus CAH). Treatment with pioglitazone decreased blood pressure (systolic: 124.0±13.6 vs 127.0±14.9 mmHg, P<0.001, diastolic: 72.8±11.5 vs 77.4±12.6 mmHg, P<0.001). No changes in body fat distribution, lipid, and steroid profiles were observed.ConclusionsCAH patients are insulin resistant compared with matched control subjects. Treatment with pioglitazone improves insulin sensitivity and decreases blood pressure in CAH patients.
Insulinotropic actions of nateglinide in type 2 diabetic patients and effects on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV activity and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide degradation
Authors: McKillop Aine M , Duffy Nicola A , Lindsay John R , Green Brian D , Patterson S , O'Harte Finbarr P M , Bell Patrick M , Flatt Peter R 
Published: September 2009

BackgroundNateglinide restores early-phase insulin secretion to feeding and reduces postprandial hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of nateglinide on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) activity and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) degradation.Research design and methodsBlood samples were collected from type 2 diabetic subjects (n=10, fasting glucose 9.36±1.2 mmol/l) following administration of oral nateglinide (120 mg) 10 min prior to a 75 g oral glucose load in a randomised crossover design.ResultsPlasma glucose reached 18.2±1.7 and 16.7±1.7 mmol/l at 90 min in control and placebo groups (P<0.001). These effects were accompanied by prompt 32% inhibition of DPP-IV activity after 10 min (19.9±1.6 nmol/ml per min, P<0.05), reaching a minimum of 1.9±0.1 nmol/ml per min at 120 min (P<0.001) after nateglinide. Insulin and C-peptide levels increased significantly compared with placebo, to peak after 90 min at 637.6±163.9 pmol/l (P<0.05) and 11.8±1.4 mg/l (P<0.01) respectively. DPP-IV-mediated degradation of GIP was significantly less in patients receiving nateglinide compared with placebo. Inhibition of DPP-IV activity corresponded with a time- and concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of nateglinide on DPP-IV-mediated truncation of GIP(1–42) to GIP(3–42) in vitro. Comparison of in vitro inhibition of DPP-IV by nateglinide and vildagliptin revealed IC50 values of 17.1 and 2.1 μM respectively.ConclusionsAlthough considerably less potent than specified DPP-IV inhibitors, the possibility that some of the beneficial actions of nateglinide are indirectly mediated through DPP-IV inhibition and increased bioavailability of GIP and other incretins merits consideration.