bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Who are the users? Who are the developers? Webs of users and developers in the development process of a technical standard
Authors: Millerand Florence , Baker Karen S. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe paper presents an empirical study of user involvement in developing a technical standard for a scientific community's information system project. The case illustrates how multiple perspectives are involved when considering the user role in practice. The case presents a situation where both developers and users were pre‐defined in the design and development phases of the standard as homogeneous groups of actors. Groups of actors changed to become more heterogeneous and ‘fluid’ in the deployment and implementation phases, thus forming ‘webs of developers’ and ‘webs of users’. Detailed analysis of the process in its entirety shows the blurredness of boundaries between ‘developer’ and ‘user’ categories and roles, and reveals challenges at social and organizational levels. Three models pertaining to the system development process are presented in order to illuminate differing perspectives on the user and on the development process itself. The paper draws theoretically from information systems, social informatics, and science and technology studies. The research contributes to a deeper, interdisciplinary understanding of ‘the’ user, of multiple roles in systems development, and of dynamic sets of user–developer relations.
Diverse and conserved nano‐ and mesoscale structures of diatom silica revealed by atomic force microscopy
Authors: HILDEBRAND M. , HOLTON G. , JOY D.C. , DOKTYCZ M.J. , ALLISON D.P. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAn outstanding example of biological pattern formation at the single cell level is the diversity of biomineral structures in the silica cell walls of the unicellular eukaryotic algae known as diatoms. We present a survey of cell wall silica structures of 16 diatom species, which included all major cell wall components (valves, girdle bands and setae), imaged across the nano‐, meso‐ and microscales using atomic force microscopy. Because of atomic force microscopy's superior ability to image surface topology, this approach enabled visualization of the organization of possible underlying organic molecules involved in mineral structure formation. Diatom nanoscale silica structure varied greatly comparing the same feature in different species and different features within a single species, and frequently on different faces of the same object. These data indicate that there is not a strict relation between nanoscale silica morphology and the type of structure that contains it. On the mesoscale, there was a preponderance of linear structures regardless of the object imaged, suggesting that assembly or organization of linear organic molecules or subcellular assemblies that confine a linear space play an essential and conserved role in structure formation on that scale. Microscale structure imparted an overall influence over nano‐ and mesoscale structure, indicating that shaping of the silica deposition vesicle plays a key role in structure formation. These results provide insights into the design and assembly principles involved in diatom silica structure formation, facilitating an understanding of the native system and potentially aiding in development of biomimetic approaches.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Stimulation of 5‐HT1Breceptors enhances cocaine reinforcement yet reduces cocaine‐seeking behavior
Authors: Pentkowski Nathan S. , Acosta Jazmin I. , Browning Jenny R. , Hamilton Elizabeth C. , Neisewander Janet L. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTParadoxically, stimulation of 5‐HT1Breceptors (5‐HT1BRs) enhances sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine but attenuates incentive motivation for cocaine as measured using the extinction/reinstatement model. We revisited this issue by examining the effects of a 5‐HT1BR agonist, CP94253, on cocaine reinforcement and cocaine‐primed reinstatement, predicting that CP94253 would enhance cocaine‐seeking behavior reinstated by a low priming dose, similar to its effect on cocaine reinforcement. Rats were trained to self‐administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, i.v.) paired with light and tone cues. For reinstatement experiments, they then underwent daily extinction training to reduce cocaine‐seeking behavior (operant responses without cocaine reinforcement). Next, they were pre‐treated with CP94253 (3–10 mg/kg, s.c.) and either tested for cocaine‐primed (10 or 2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or cue‐elicited reinstatement of extinguished cocaine‐seeking behavior. For reinforcement, effects of CP94253 (5.6 mg/kg) across a range of self‐administered cocaine doses (0–1.5 mg/kg, i.v.) were examined. Cocaine dose‐dependently reinstated cocaine‐seeking behavior, but contrary to our prediction, CP94253 reduced reinstatement with both priming doses. Similarly, CP94253 reduced cue‐elicited reinstatement. In contrast, CP94253 shifted the self‐administration dose‐effect curve leftward, consistent with enhanced cocaine reinforcement. When saline was substituted for cocaine, CP94253 reduced response rates (i.e. cocaine‐seeking behavior). In subsequent control experiments, CP94253 decreased open‐arm exploration in an elevated plus‐maze suggesting an anxiogenic effect, but had no effect on locomotion or sucrose reinforcement. These results provide strong evidence that stimulation of 5‐HT1BRs produces opposite effects on cocaine reinforcement and cocaine‐seeking behavior, and further suggest that 5‐HT1BRs may be a novel target for developing medications for cocaine dependence.
BRIEF REPORT: No association of alcohol dependence with SLC6A5 and SLC6A9 glycine transporter polymorphisms
Authors: Koller Gabriele , Zill Peter , Fehr Christoph , Pogarell Oliver , Bondy Brigitta , Soyka Michael , Preuss Ulrich‐Wilkelm 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTTo determine whether glycine transporter polymorphisms are associated with alcoholism, three genetic variants of SLC6A5 and two polymorphisms of SLC6A9 were genotyped in 463 German non‐alcoholic controls and 644 German alcohol‐dependent subjects. Association was investigated employing chi‐square statistics and haplotype analysis. There was a significant association between the SLC6A5 polymorphism (rs1443547) and alcohol dependence as alcoholic individuals had a lower rate of AG‐allele (χ2 = 6.048, P = 0.049, d.f. = 2), which did not remain significant after correction for multiple testing. There was no association between SLC6A9 glycine transporter polymorphisms and alcohol dependence, and also none in haplotype analysis.
Human neural stem cell transplantation attenuates apoptosis and improves neurological functions after cerebral ischemia in rats
Authors: ZHANG P. , Li J. , LIU Y. , CHEN X. , KANG Q. , ZHAO J. , LI W. 
Published: July 2009

Background: Neuroprotection is a major therapeutic approach for ischemic brain injury. We investigated the neuroprotective effects induced by transplantation of human embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) into the cortical penumbra 24 h after focal cerebral ischemia.Methods: NSCs were prepared from human embryonic brains obtained at 8 weeks of gestation. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced in adult rats by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Animals were randomly divided into two groups: NSCs‐grafted group and medium‐grafted group (control). Infarct size was assessed 28 days after transplantation by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Neurological severity scores were evaluated before ischemia and at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunohistochemical analysis of Bcl‐2 and Bax were performed at 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation.Results: Physiological parameters of the two groups were comparable, but not significantly different. NSC transplantation significantly improved neurological function (P<0.05) but did not reduce the infarct size significantly (P>0.05). Compared with the control, NSC transplantation significantly reduced the number of TUNEL‐ and Bax‐positive cells in the penumbra at 7 days. Interestingly, the number of Bcl‐2‐positive cells in the penumbra after NSC transplantation was significantly higher than that after medium transplantation (P<0.05).Conclusions: The results indicate that NSC transplantation has anti‐apoptotic activity and can improve the neurological function; these effects are mediated by the up‐regulation of Bcl‐2 expression in the penumbra.
Mitigating on‐call symptoms through organizational justice and job control: a cross‐sectional study among Finnish anesthesiologists
Authors: LINDFORS P. M. , HEPONIEMI T. , MERETOJA O. A. , LEINO T. J. , ELOVAINIO M. J. 
Published: July 2009

Background: On‐call duty has been shown to be associated with health problems among physicians. However, it cannot be abolished, as patient safety has to be assured. Thus, we need to find factors that could mitigate the negative health effects of on‐call duty.Methods: The cross‐sectional questionnaire of the buffering effects of organizational justice, job control, and social support on on‐call stress symptoms was sent to all working Finnish anesthesiologists (n=550).Results: The response rate was 60% (n=328, 53% men). High organizational justice, job control, and social support were associated with a low number of symptoms while on call or the day after in crude analysis and when adjusted for age, gender, and place of work. Only the association between justice and symptoms was robust to additional adjustments for on‐call burden and self‐rated health. In the interaction analysis among those being on call at the hospital, we found that the higher the levels of job control or organizational justice, the lower the number of symptoms.Conclusions: Job control and organizational justice successfully mitigated stress symptoms among those who had on‐call hospital duties. It would be worth enhancing decision‐making procedures, interpersonal treatment, and job control routines when aiming to prevent on‐call stress and related symptoms.
Molecular pathways mediating differential responses to lipopolysaccharide between human and baboon arterial endothelial cells
Authors: Shi Qiang , Cox Laura A. , Glenn Jeremy , Tejero Maria E. , Hondara Vida , VandeBerg John L. , Wang Xing Li 
Published: July 2009

Summary1. Vascular inflammation plays a critical role in atherogenesis. Previously, we showed that baboon arterial endothelial cells (BAEC) were hyporesponsive to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with human arterial endothelial cells (HAEC).2. In the present study, we investigated mechanisms underlying differential responses between HAEC and BAEC to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and LPS.3. Both HAEC and BAEC responded similarly to TNF‐α. However, BAEC showed retarded responses to LPS in expression of E‐selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 and interleukin‐8 (P < 0.05). These changes were confirmed at the mRNA level. Tumour necrosis factor‐α activated nuclear factor‐κB members such as p50, p52, p65, c‐rel and RelB in both HAEC and BAEC. In contrast, LPS activated p50 and p65 only in HAEC. Using microarray assays, we found that TNF receptor‐associated factor 2 (TRAF‐2), TNF receptor superfamily, member 1A‐associated via death domain (TRADD) and nuclear factors such as nuclear factor of kappa in B‐cells inhibitor, α (NFKBIA) and nuclear factor of kappa in B‐cells inhibitor, β (NFKBIB) were upregulated by LPS only in HAEC. Although the baseline expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4 was low in both HAEC and BAEC, TNF‐α activated TLR4 expression in both cell types. Although LPS increased TLR4 expression only in HAEC, human and baboon peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibited similar TLR4 expression and response to LPS. Transfecting BAEC with TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein‐2 overexpression vector conferred BAEC responsiveness to LPS.4. The findings of the present study indicate that an altered TLR4 system may be responsible for the resistance of baboon endothelial cells to LPS. Given the importance of TLR4 in human immune responses and vascular diseases, the natural resistance of baboons to LPS/TLR4‐initiated inflammation could make the baboon a valuable animal model in which to study how inflammation affects atherogenesis.
CYP1A1 MSPI (T6235C) gene polymorphism is associated with mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients
Authors: Jarvis Martin D , Palmer Barry R , Pilbrow Anna P , Ellis Katrina L , Frampton Chris M , Skelton Lorraine , Doughty Rob N , Whalley Gillian A , Ellis Chris J , Yandle Tim G , Richards A Mark , Cameron Vicky A 
Published: July 2009

Summary1. The CYP1A1 T6235C polymorphism (rs4646903) gene polymorphism has been linked to the development of coronary heart disease and cigarette smoking‐related lung cancer. The present study investigated associations between survival in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), smoking and the CYP1A1 T6235C polymorphism.2. Patients with ACS (n = 1251) were genotyped for the CYP1A1 T6235C polymorphism. Patients had a mean age of 67.0 years, 69.8% were male and follow up occurred over a median of 1.9 years.3. Overall genotype frequencies were CC 2.2%, TC 21.7% and TT 76.1%. The CC genotype was associated with baseline characteristics of a higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes (P = 0.017), elevated body mass index (P = 0.001) and younger age (P = 0.045). Patients with the CC genotype had significantly worse survival than TT/TC patients (P = 0.014), independent of ethnicity and established clinical risk factors. When survival was stratified by smoking history, the T6235C genotype was particularly associated with mortality in past or current smokers (mortality 23.5 vs 9.4% in CC and TT/TC patients, respectively; P = 0.019) compared with those who had never smoked (mortality 11.1 vs 11.5% in CC and TT/TC patients, respectively; P = 0.853).4. The results indicate that the homozygous CYP1A1 6235C genotype is associated with greater mortality following the onset of ACS, independent of ethnicity and clinical risk factors, but related to smoking history.
Effects of interview on mood status of pregnant women with high‐risk delivery
Authors: Kitamura Naoyuki , Nagahama Teruyo , Ishizaki Yuko , Kinoshita Yo , Kaneko Kazunari 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground:  Expectant mothers at high risk for preterm labor admitted to the Mother and Child Health Centers (MCH) often have psychological problems and mood disturbances. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an interview by health professionals on their mood status.Methods:  Participants consisted of 52 women admitted to the MCH of Kansai Medical University (KMU) hospital and who had delivered between December 2006 and September 2007. Interview sessions by health professionals consisting of a neonatologist and a clinical psychologist, termed ‘KMU baby doctor‐team interview', were held once a week. During the interview the neonatologist discussed the physiology of preterm infants and treatment for the possible complications while the clinical psychologist listened to the expectant mothers talk about their anxieties or complaints and responded to their requests as much as possible. To investigate their mood status objectively, the participants were asked to complete the Japanese version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) before and after the first session.Results:  On admission, more than 20% of participants ranging from 19 to 42 years of age had mood disturbances in Tension–Anxiety, Depression–Dejection, and Vigor categorized by POMS. The average score for Depression–Dejection, however, significantly improved after the first interview sessions.Conclusions:  Mood disturbances were observed in a considerable number of expectant mothers at high risk for preterm labor. Interviews by health professionals consisting of a neonatologist and a clinical psychologist may alter their mood status.
Diagnostic determination system for high‐risk screening for inborn errors of bile acid metabolism based on an analysis of urinary bile acids using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry: Results for 10 years in Japan
Authors: Nittono Hiroshi , Takei Hajime , Unno Atsushi , Kimura Akihiko , Shimizu Toshiaki , Kurosawa Takao , Tohma Sadahiko , Une Mizuho 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground:  Some patients with cholestasis of unknown cause may have inborn errors of bile acid metabolism (IEBAM) thus causing abnormalities of bile acid biosynthesis. Although seven types of bile acid synthetic defects have thus far been reported for this disorder, no detailed information on its incidence and so on in Japan is yet available. In order to elucidate the current status of IEBAM in Japan, in July 1996 a diagnostic determination system was established for high‐risk screening for IEBAM.Methods:  Urinary bile acids were analyzed on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and quantitative analysis was done using selected ion monitoring (SIM).Results and conclusions:  In a total of 576 samples analyzed over the 10 year period prior to June 2005, 159 patients were found with cholestasis of unknown etiology. Of these patients, 10 (6.3%) were found to have IEBAM by this system, while 91 (61.1%) had cholestasis without a definitive diagnosis. This diagnostic determination system with GC‐MS of urinary bile acids is therefore considered useful for detecting IEBAM.
Dry season habitat use by critically endangered white‐shouldered ibis in northern Cambodia
Authors: Wright H. L. , Buckingham D. L. , Dolman P. M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe present the first scientific study of white‐shouldered ibis Pseudibis davisoni habitat preferences in dry dipterocarp forest. Foraging sites included seasonal pools, forest understorey grasslands and fallow rice fields, with terrestrial sites used more following rainfall. Habitat and anthropogenic effects in logistic models of foraging site selection were examined by multimodel inference and model averaging. White‐shouldered ibis preferred pools with greater cover of short vegetation (<25 cm) and less of the boundary enclosed, and forest sites with greater cover of bare substrate and lower people encounter rate. At forest sites, livestock density was positively related to bare substrate extent and thus may improve suitability for foraging ibis. At pools, livestock removed tall vegetation between the early and late dry season indicating their importance in opening up foraging habitats after wet season growth. However, by the late dry season, pools with greater livestock density had less short vegetation, the habitat favoured by ibis. Conservation strategies for white‐shouldered ibis must consider a range of habitats, not just seasonal wetlands, and should incorporate extensive grazing and associated burning practises of local communities. Further understanding of the effects of these practices on vegetation, prey abundance and prey availability are therefore needed for effective conservation of this species. This will also develop our understanding of potentially beneficial anthropogenic influences in tropical environments.
A novel fluorescent α‐conotoxin for the study of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Hone Arik J. , Whiteaker Paul , Christensen Sean , Xiao Yingxian , Meyer Erin L. , McIntosh J. Michael 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHomomeric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are a well‐established, pharmacologically distinct subtype. The more recently identified α9 subunit can also form functional homopentamers as well as α9α10 heteropentamers. Current fluorescent probes for α7 nicotinic ACh receptors are derived from α‐bungarotoxin (α‐BgTx). However, α‐BgTx also binds to α9* and α1* receptors which are coexpressed with α7 in multiple tissues. We used an analog of α‐conotoxin ArIB to develop a highly selective fluorescent probe for α7 receptors. This fluorescent α‐conotoxin, Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A], blocked ACh‐evoked α7 currents inXenopus laevisoocytes with an IC50value of 2.0 nM. Observed rates of blockade were minute‐scale with recovery from blockade even slower. Unlike FITC‐conjugated α‐BgTx, Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] did not block α9α10 or α1β1δε receptors. In competition binding assays, Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] potently displaced [125I]‐α‐BgTx binding to mouse hippocampal membranes with aKivalue of 21 nM. Application of Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] resulted in specific punctate labeling of KXα7R1 cells but not KXα3β2R4, KXα3β4R2, or KXα4β2R2 cells. This labeling could be abolished by pre‐treatment with α‐cobratoxin. Thus, Cy3‐ArIB[V11L;V16A] is a novel and selective fluorescent probe for α7 receptors.
Chronic ethanol treatment potentiates ethanol‐induced increases in interstitial nucleus accumbens endocannabinoid levels in rats
Authors: Alvarez‐Jaimes Lily , Stouffer David G. , Parsons Loren H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe employedin vivomicrodialysis to characterize the effect of an ethanol challenge injection on endocannabinoid levels in the nucleus accumbens of ethanol‐naïve and chronic ethanol‐treated rats. Ethanol (0.75 and 2 g/kg, i.p.) dose‐dependently increased dialysate 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (to a maximum 157 ± 20% of baseline) and decreased anandamide (to a minimum 52 ± 9% of baseline) in ethanol‐naïve rats. The endocannabinoid clearance inhibitorN‐(4‐hydrophenyl) arachidonoylamide (AM404; 3 mg/kg) potentiated ethanol effects on 2‐arachidonoylglycerol levels but did not alter ethanol‐induced decreases in anandamide. AM404 alone did not alter dialysate levels of either endocannabinoid. Then, we characterized the effect of ethanol challenge on nucleus accumbens endocannabinoid levels in rats previously maintained on an ethanol‐containing liquid diet. Ethanol challenge produced a greater and more prolonged increase in 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (to a maximum 394 ± 135% of baseline) in ethanol‐experienced than in ethanol‐naïve rats. The profile in ethanol‐experienced rats was similar to that produced by AM404 pre‐treatment in ethanol‐naïve rats. AM404 in ethanol‐experienced rats led to a further enhancement in the 2‐arachidonoylglycerol response to ethanol challenge (to a maximum 704 ± 174% of baseline). Our findings demonstrate that ethanol‐induced increases in nucleus accumbens 2‐arachidonoylglycerol are potentiated in animals with a history of ethanol consumption.