bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two initial vaccinations with the Bm86-based Gavacplus vaccine against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplusinduce similar reproductive suppression to three initial vaccinations under production conditions
Authors: Vargas Milagros , Montero Carlos , Sánchez Dunia , Pérez Danny , Valdés Mario , Alfonso Aymé , Joglar Marisdania , Machado Héctor , Rodríguez Elsa , Méndez Luis , Lleonart Ricardo , Suárez Marisela , Fernández Erlinda , Estrada Mario P , Rodríguez-Mallón Alina , Farnós Omar 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, affects livestock production in many regions of the world. Up to now, the widespread use of chemical acaricides has led to the selection of acaricide-resistant ticks and to environmental contamination. Gavacplus is a subunit vaccine based on the recombinant Bm86 tick antigen expressed in yeast, capable to control infestations of R. microplus under controlled and production conditions. The vaccine constitutes the core element of broad control programs against this ectoparasite, in which acquired immunity in cattle to Bm86 is combined with a rational use of acaricides. At present, the conventional vaccine scheme consists of three doses that should be administered at weeks 0, 4 and 7, followed by a booster every six months.

Results
In this study we assayed a reduction in the number of the initial doses of Gavacplus, evaluated the time course and the level of bovine anti-Bm86 antibodies elicited, and analyzed the vaccine effect on ticks engorging on immunized cattle under production conditions. Following three different immunization schemes, the bovines developed a strong and specific immune response characterized by elevated anti-Bm86 IgG titers. A reduction in the weight of engorging female ticks, in the weight of the eggs laid and also in R. microplus viable eggs percentage was obtained by using only two doses of Gavacplus administered at weeks 0 and 4, followed by a booster six months later. This reduction did not differ from the results obtained on ticks engorging on cattle immunized at weeks 0, 4 and 7. It was also demonstrated that anti-Bm86 antibody titers over 1:640, measured in bovines immunized at weeks 0 and 4, were sufficient to affect weight and reproductive potential of female ticks as compared with ticks engorging on unvaccinated animals. In addition, no statistically significant differences were detected in the average weight of eggs laid by ticks engorged on immunized cattle that showed anti-Bm86 specific titers in the range of 1:640 to 1:81920.

Conclusion
The administration of two initial doses of Gavacplus containing 100 μg of Bm86 antigen to non-immunized cattle under production conditions is sufficient to affect the weight and the reproductive capacity of R. microplus engorging females. According to these results, cattle herds' manipulation and vaccine costs could be potentially reduced with a positive impact on the implementation of integrated control programs against R. microplus.
A genetic screen for replication initiation defective (rid) mutants in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Locovei Alexandra M , Yin Ling , D'Urso Gennaro 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
In fission yeast the intra-S phase and DNA damage checkpoints are activated in response to inhibition of DNA replication or DNA damage, respectively. The intra-S phase checkpoint responds to stalled replication forks leading to the activation of the Cds1 kinase that both delays cell cycle progression and stabilizes DNA replication forks. The DNA damage checkpoint, that operates during the G2 phase of the cell cycle delays mitotic progression through activation of the checkpoint kinase, Chk1. Delay of the cell cycle is believed to be essential to allow time for either replication restart (in S phase) or DNA damage repair (in G2). Previously, our laboratory showed that fission yeast cells deleted for the N-terminal half of DNA polymerase ε (Cdc20) are delayed in S phase, but surprisingly require Chk1 rather than Cds1 to maintain cell viability. Several additional DNA replication mutants were then tested for their dependency on Chk1 or Cds1 when grown under semi-permissive temperatures. We discovered that mutants defective in DNA replication initiation are sensitive only to loss of Chk1, whilst mutations that inhibit DNA replication elongation are sensitive to loss of both Cds1 and Chk1. To confirm that the Chk1-sensitive, Cds1-insensitive phenotype (rid phenotype) is specific to mutants defective in DNA replication initiation, we completed a genetic screen for cell cycle mutants that require Chk1, but not Cds1 to maintain cell viability when grown at semi-permissive temperatures. Our screen identified two mutants, rid1-1 and rid2-1, that are defective in Orc1 and Mcm4, respectively. Both mutants show defects in DNA replication initiation consistent with our hypothesis that the rid phenotype is replication initiation specific. In the case of Mcm4, the mutation has been mapped to a highly conserved region of the protein that appears to be required for DNA replication initiation, but not elongation. Therefore, we conclude that the cellular response to inhibition of DNA replication initiation is distinct from blocking DNA replication elongation, and this difference can be exploited to identify mutants specifically defective in DNA replication initiation.
Protein complex prediction based on k-connected subgraphs in protein interaction network
Authors: Habibi Mahnaz , Eslahchi Changiz , Wong Limsoon 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Protein complexes play an important role in cellular mechanisms. Recently, several methods have been presented to predict protein complexes in a protein interaction network. In these methods, a protein complex is predicted as a dense subgraph of protein interactions. However, interactions data are incomplete and a protein complex does not have to be a complete or dense subgraph.

Results
We propose a more appropriate protein complex prediction method, CFA, that is based on connectivity number on subgraphs. We evaluate CFA using several protein interaction networks on reference protein complexes in two benchmark data sets (MIPS and Aloy), containing 1142 and 61 known complexes respectively. We compare CFA to some existing protein complex prediction methods (CMC, MCL, PCP and RNSC) in terms of recall and precision. We show that CFA predicts more complexes correctly at a competitive level of precision.

Conclusions
Many real complexes with different connectivity level in protein interaction network can be predicted based on connectivity number. Our CFA program and results are freely available from http://www.bioinf.cs.ipm.ir/softwares/cfa/CFA.rar.
Cross-reactions between engineered xylose and galactose pathways in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Garcia Sanchez Rosa , Hahn-Hägerdal Bärbel , Gorwa-Grauslund Marie F 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Overexpression of the PGM2 gene encoding phosphoglucomutase (Pgm2p) has been shown to improve galactose utilization both under aerobic and under anaerobic conditions. Similarly, xylose utilization has been improved by overexpression of genes encoding xylulokinase (XK), enzymes from the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (non-ox PPP) and deletion of the endogenous aldose reductase GRE3 gene in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains carrying either fungal or bacterial xylose pathways. In the present study, we investigated how the combination of these traits affect xylose and galactose utilization in the presence or absence of glucose in S. cerevisiae strains engineered with the xylose reductase (XR)-xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) pathway.

Results
In the absence of PGM2 overexpression, the combined overexpression of XK, the non-ox PPP and deletion of the GRE3 gene significantly delayed aerobic growth on galactose, whereas no difference was observed between the control strain and the xylose-engineered strain when the PGM2 gene was overexpressed. Under anaerobic conditions, the overexpression of the PGM2 gene increased the ethanol yield and the xylose consumption rate in medium containing xylose as the only carbon source. The possibility of Pgm2p acting as a xylose isomerase (XI) could be excluded by measuring the XI activity in both strains. The additional copy of the PGM2 gene also resulted in a shorter fermentation time during the co-consumption of galactose and xylose. However, the effect was lost upon addition of glucose to the growth medium.

Conclusions

PGM2 overexpression was shown to benefit xylose and galactose fermentation, alone and in combination. In contrast, galactose fermentation was impaired in the engineered xylose-utilizing strain harbouring extra copies of the non-ox PPP genes and a deletion of the GRE3 gene, unless PGM2 was overexpressed. These cross-reactions are of particular relevance for the fermentation of mixed sugars from lignocellulosic feedstock.
Thyroid Cancer Recurrence in Patients Clinically Free of Disease with Undetectable or Very Low Serum Thyroglobulin Values
Authors: Kloos Richard T. 
Published: September 2010

Design: This was a retrospective clinical study.
Setting: The study was conducted at a university-based tertiary cancer hospital.
Patients: One hundred seven patients had initial thyroid cancer surgery and subsequent remnant radioiodine ablation. Patients underwent recombinant human TSH (rhTSH)-mediated diagnostic whole-body scan and rhTSH-stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement before April 2001 if they had no antithyroglobulin antibodies, were clinically free of disease, and had one or more undetectable (≤0.5 ng/ml) or low (0.6–1 ng/ml) basal Tg measurements on levothyroxine. Patients were stratified according to their rhTSH-Tg responses: group 1, Tg 0.5 ng/ml or less (68 patients); group 2, Tg from 0.6 to 2.0 ng/ml (19 patients); and group 3, Tg greater than 2 ng/ml (20 patients).
Main Outcome Measures: Tumor recurrence was measured.
Results: In group 1, two of 62 patients (3%) with follow-up recurred. In group 2, 63% converted to group 1, whereas two of 19 (11%) converted to group 3 and then recurred. Sixteen of the initial 20 group 3 patients (80%) recurred, including recurrence rates of 69 and 100% for those with an initial rhTSH-Tg greater than 2.0 ng/ml but 5.0 ng/ml or less, and 4.6 ng/ml or greater, respectively. One group 3 patient died of distant metastases. rhTSH-Tg more accurately predicted tumor recurrence than basal Tg. An rhTSH-Tg threshold of 2.5 ng/ml or greater optimally predicted future recurrence with sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of 80, 97, 95, and 84%, respectively.
Conclusions: The prevalence of postablation thyroid cancer recurrence is predicted by the rhTSH-Tg response with an optimal Tg threshold of 2.5 ng/ml. Still, recurrent disease occurs in some patients with an initial rhTSH-Tg of 0.5 ng/ml or less.
Effects of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Gene Expression in Myometrial Explants from Pregnant Women
Authors: Cordeaux Yolande , Tattersall Mark , Charnock-Jones D. Stephen , Smith Gordon C. S. 
Published: September 2010

Context: Progesterone is important physiologically and therapeutically to maintain uterine quiescence during pregnancy, in part through controlling myometrial gene expression.
Objective: The objective of the study was to use expression microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) validation to determine the changes in gene expression induced by prolonged exposure of human myometrium to a synthetic progestogen.
Design: Myometrial explants, obtained at elective cesarean section (n = 9), were maintained in culture, under 0.6 g tension, for 65 h in the presence of medroxyprogesterone acetate (100 nm) or vehicle. Expression array was performed using Illumina beadchip arrays. Approximately 30% of differentially expressed transcripts were validated in biological replicates (n = 10) by qRT-PCR.
Results: The 114 significantly regulated transcripts were significantly enriched in inflammatory response (P = 0.00001), growth factor activity (P = 0.0004), and cytokine activity genes (P = 0.008). Thirty-four transcripts were validated using qRT-PCR in explants obtained from 10 further women. There was very close agreement in the fold changes obtained by array and qRT-PCR (r2 = 0.9, P &lt; 0.0001). We confirmed significant down-regulation of a number of genes that have been well characterized as progesterone sensitive (IL-1B, IL-6, PTGS2, and GJA1). However, the top and sixth most down-regulated transcripts encoded two cytokines, IL-11 and IL-24, respectively, not previously implicated in mediating the effects of progesterone in myometrium. Both were validated by qRT-PCR (4.3- and 2.2-fold down-regulated, both P &lt; 0.001).
Conclusions: Medroxyprogesterone acetate controls expression of multiple genes in myometrium, including many that have not previously been characterized as progestogen regulated in this tissue, including IL-11 and IL-24. It is plausible that proteins encoded by some of these genes may have important but as yet uncharacterized effects in controlling human parturition.
Laboratory Apparatus and Procedures for Preparing Test Specimens of Slurry Mixed Soils
Authors: Castelbaum David , Olson Mitchell R. , Sale Thomas C. , Shackelford Charles D. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
A laboratory mixing apparatus used to prepare test specimens of columns of soil mixed with slurries consisting of clay, typically bentonite, and granular zero-valent iron (ZVI) is described. The slurries are injected and simultaneously mixed into the soil via a hollow-stem auger to mimic the process that occurs in the field associated with the remediation of source zones contaminated with chlorinated solvents (e.g., carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene) using large-diameter (e.g., 2.4 m or 8 ft) hollow-stem augers. The presentation includes descriptions of the testing apparatus and procedures for preparing the test columns, mixing the slurries into the base (host) soil, and determining the resulting vertical distributions in the physical properties (e.g., unit weight, water content, porosity, void ratio, clay content, ZVI content, and degree of saturation) of the post-mixed column specimens. Example results of the vertical distributions in physical properties as well as of treatability studies for base soils that were contaminated with chlorinated solvents are provided to illustrate the use of the laboratory apparatus and testing procedures.
After 30 Years, How ASTM E35.22 and Gandy Company Have Survived Change
Authors: Gandrud Dale E. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
ASTM E35 was organized in 1973 so industry, academic and government sectors can provide valuable assistance to EPA. Initially E35.22 equipment subcommittee concentrated on standard test methods characterizing equipment performance. When granular guidelines were proposed to restrict characteristics allowed in commercial formulation, the formulation chemists became involved in that subcommittee. They found E35.22 was a forum they could meet and contribute to the effort working with the engineers who founded the subcommittee. Within 4 four years, the chemist and their suppliers became the majority, far outnumbering the engineers. E35 has benefited greatly from that development.
Menarchal Timing in Type 1 Diabetes Through the Last 4 Decades
Authors: Schweiger Bahareh , Klingensmith Georgeanna J. , Snell-Bergeon Janet K. 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
We sought to examine whether age at menarche has changed over the past 4 decades by comparing age at menarche by year of diagnosis with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This work consisted of a cross-sectional study of age at menarche in two cohorts: adolescents (ages 11–24 years, n = 228) and adults (ages 19–55 years, n = 290, enrolled in the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study).

RESULTS
The adolescent cohort reported a younger age of menarche than the adult women with type 1 diabetes (12.69 ± 0.08 vs. 13.22 ± 0.12 years, mean ± SE, P &lt; 0.001). Age at menarche was later in both adolescent girls and adult women with type 1 diabetes diagnosed before menarche (12.82 ± 1.16 and 13.7 ± 2.23 years) than for individuals diagnosed after menarche (12.12 ± 1.25 and 12.65 ± 1.38 years, P &lt; 0.001 for both). Age at menarche was then examined by decade of type 1 diabetes diagnosis (1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, and 2000–2009). Age at menarche significantly declined over the 4 decades (P = 0.0002). However, the delay in menarche among girls diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before menarche compared with those diagnosed after menarche was also significant across all decades (P &lt; 0.0001) and did not change significantly over time (P = 0.41 for interaction of cohort and diagnosis premenarche).

CONCLUSIONS
Age at menarche has declined over the past 4 decades among girls with type 1 diabetes, but a delay in age at menarche remains among individuals diagnosed before menarche compared with individuals diagnosed after menarche.
Diabetes Preventive Services and Policy Implications in the U.S.
Authors: He Xiaoxing Z. 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the patient or physician practice characteristics predict the use of diabetes preventive care services.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of 27,169 adult ambulatory care visits, using the 2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data. The outcome variable is whether any preventive care services, defined as diagnostic tests (glucose, urinalysis, A1C, and blood pressure) or patient education (diet/nutrition, exercise, and stress management), were ordered/provided. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of diabetes preventive care services, controlling for patient and physician practice characteristics. All analyses were adjusted for the complex survey design and analytic weights.

RESULTS
Compared with people without diabetes, diabetic patients were older (63 vs. 53 years; P &lt; 0.01) and were more likely to be nonwhite and covered by Medicare insurance. In multivariate analyses, younger patients and the availability of primary care physicians, electronic medical records, and on-site laboratory tests were associated with more effective preventive care services (P &lt; 0.05). If physician compensation relied on productivity, preventive care services were less likely (odds ratio 0.4 [95% CI 0.27–0.82 for men and 0.26–0.81 for women]). Although the patterns of patient education and diagnostic testing were similar, the provision of patient education was less likely than that of diagnostic testing.

CONCLUSIONS
Primary care physicians and practice features seem to steer diabetes preventive services. Given the time constraints of physicians, strategies to strengthen structural capabilities of primary care practices and enhance partnerships with public health systems on diabetic patient education are recommended.
Clinical Outcomes of Pregnancies Complicated by Mild Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Differ by Combinations of Abnormal Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Values
Authors: Black Mary Helen , Sacks David A. , Xiang Anny H. , Lawrence Jean M. 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between levels of hyperglycemia, determined by each prenatal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) value (fasting, 1 and 2 h), and maternal and perinatal outcomes and to determine whether the risk for these outcomes differs for women whose value(s) equaled or exceeded the thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) established by the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This article discusses a retrospective study of 8,711 women, delivering at ≥20 weeks' gestation, who had a prenatal 2-h 75-g OGTT without a prior 50-g challenge and were not treated with insulin, glyburide, diet, and/or exercise during pregnancy. Associations between adverse outcomes and elevated OGTT values are reported.

RESULTS
After excluding treated women, 19.4% of the remaining women had IADPSG-defined GDM. Continuous fasting, 1- and 2-h OGTT measures, and GDM (yes/no) were significantly associated with most adverse outcomes. However, the magnitude and significance of risk for these outcomes differed by various combinations of abnormal glucose values. Women with normal fasting and elevated postload values were at higher risk for preterm delivery, gestational hypertension, and having an infant with hyperbilirubinema, whereas women with elevated fasting and normal postload values were at higher risk of having a large-for-gestational-age infant, compared with women without GDM.

CONCLUSIONS
Risks for different adverse outcomes vary depending on which single or combined IADPSG-defined OGTT thresholds are equaled or exceeded. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether changing pre- and postprandial glucose targets during pregnancy will more uniformly reduce adverse outcomes.
Energies and Landé factors for some excited levels in Lu I (Z = 71)
Authors: Karaçoban Betül , Özdemir Leyla 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
We have calculated relativistic energies and Landé factors for 5d6s
2, 5d
26s, 6s6p
2, 6s
27s, 5d
3, 5d6s7s, 6s
26p, 5d6s6p, 5d
26p and 6s
27p excited levels outside the core [Xe]4f
14 in neutral lutetium (Lu I, Z = 71). These calculations are based on the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) method, within the framework of the Breit-Pauli relativistic corrections. Moreover, the results obtained have been compared with other works.
Evolution of breeding systems and fruits in New WorldGaliumand relatives (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Soza Valerie L. , Olmstead Richard G. 
Published: September 2010

•Premise of the study: Dioecy occurs in only about 6% of angiosperms, yet it has evolved many times from hermaphroditism. Polygamy is an even more uncommon condition within angiosperms, in which both unisexual and bisexual flowers occur within a species. Polygamy, dioecy, and hermaphroditism all occur within a New World clade ofGalium(Rubiaceae), in which dioecy is hypothesized to have evolved from hermaphroditism via polygamy. At least five sections ofGaliumas traditionally defined by fruit morphology occur within this group. We tested the monophyly of sections defined by fruit morphology and sought to determine origins and pathways of breeding systems within this group.•Methods: We obtained chloroplast (rpoB‐trnC, trnC‐psbM, trnL‐ndhJ) and nuclear ribosomal (external transcribed spacer) DNA sequences for 89 taxa from theCruciata‐Galium‐Valantia(CGV) clade to estimate the phylogeny. Ancestral states for breeding systems, fruit types, and fruit hairs were reconstructed using parsimony and likelihood analyses.•Key results: We identified nine well‐supported lineages of New WorldGaliumtaxa. However, none of the sections traditionally defined by fruit morphology are monophyletic. Dioecy is inferred to have arisen at least three times from hermaphroditism; polygamy is inferred to have arisen at least twice from dioecy and at least six times from hermaphroditism.•Conclusions: Polygamy appears to be a terminal condition in the CGV clade and not a pathway to dioecy. Fruit characters traditionally used in the taxonomy of this group have arisen multiple times within this clade ofGaliumand are not reliable indicators of shared evolutionary history.