bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical reconsiderations when estimating the mesophyll conductance to CO2 diffusion in leaves of C3 plants by analysis of combined gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements
Authors: YIN XINYOU , STRUIK PAUL C. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTExisting methods to estimate the mesophyll conductance to CO2 diffusion (gm) are often based on combined gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. However, estimations of average gm by these methods are often unreliable either because the range of usable data is too narrow or because the estimations are very sensitive to measurement errors. We describe three method variants to estimate gm, for which a wider range of data are usable. They use curve‐fitting techniques, which minimise the sum of squared model deviations from the data for A (CO2 assimilation rate) or for J (linear electron transport rate). Like the existing approaches, they are all based on common physiological principles assuming that electron transport limits A. The proposed variants were far less sensitive than the existing approaches to ‘measurement noise’ either created randomly in the generated data set or inevitably existing in real data sets. Yet, the estimates of gm from the three variants differed by approximately 15%. Moreover, for each variant, a stoichiometric uncertainty in linear electron transport‐limited photosynthesis can cause another 15% difference. Any estimation of gm using gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements should be considered with caution, especially when gm is high.
Peripheral Immune Response in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Aktas E. , Ciftci F. , Bilgic S. , Sezer O. , Bozkanat E. , Deniz O. , Citici U. , Deniz G. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCellular immune response and delayed‐type hypersensitivity reactions are considered to play a major role in the immunopathogenesis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). But the exact mechanism is still to be clarified. Th1 cells are mainly involved in cellular immune responses in PTB and provide a normal healing process with minimal or no sequela whereas Th2 cell and CD8+ T lymphocyte responses may lead to more severe type of disease. In this study, we investigated the peripheral blood immune responses in PTB. The study group consisted of acid fast positive young male soldiers with PTB and a negative HIV serology. The control group included healthy young volunteer male soldiers without a history of PTB. Intracytoplasmic cytokine content of CD8+ T cells and lymphocytes, including IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ were determined by flow cytometry, and IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α serum levels were measured by cytometric bead array (CBA). No difference was observed between the percentages of T, B, NK cells and HLA‐DR expression in both groups, however, the number of CD3+HLA‐DR+ activated T cell percentages was higher in PTB group as compared to healthy subjects. IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10 contents of lymphocytes and IFN‐γ+CD8+ T cells were found to be significantly lower in PTB patients when compared with healthy subjects, and in parallel, serum IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5 and TNF‐α levels were also significantly lower in PTB patients. In conclusion we suggest that, CD8+ T cells producing both Th1 and Th2 type cytokines, may play important role in the peripheral immune response to mycobacteria.
Systematic re‐appraisal of the gall‐usurping wasp genus Synophrus Hartig, 1843 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini)
Authors: PÉNZES ZSOLT , MELIKA GEORGE , BOZSÓKI ZOLTÁN , BIHARI PÉTER , MIKÓ ISTVÁN , TAVAKOLI MAJID , PUJADE‐VILLAR JULI , FEHÉR BALÁZS , FÜLÖP DÁVID , SZABÓ KRISZTIÁN , BOZSÓ MIKLÓS , SIPOS BOTOND , SOMOGYI KÁLMÁN , STONE GRAHAM N. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.Several unanswered questions remain regarding the taxonomy and phylogeny of inquiline gallwasps (Cynipidae: Synergini), obligate inhabitants of plant galls induced primarily by other gallwasps (Cynipidae: Cynipini and Diplolepidini). Here we use morphological and molecular data to revise the inquiline genus Synophrus, members of which are notable for extensively modifying the structure of galls induced by oak gallwasp hosts on oaks in the section Cerris of Quercus subgenus Quercus in the Western Palaearctic. Previous taxonomic treatments have recognized three Western Palaearctic species of Synophrus: S. pilulae, S. politus and S. olivieri. Our results support the establishment of four additional Western Palaearctic species: Synophrus hungaricussp.n., S. libanisp.n., S. syriacussp.n. and S. hispanicussp.n. We describe and diagnose these new taxa, analyse their phylogenetic relationships, and show that Synophrus inquilines are able to impose their own gall phenotypes on those of their hosts. We provide an updated key to Synophrus.
Morpho‐tectonic evolution of the Crimean mountains (Ukraine) as constrained by apatite fission track data
Authors: Pánek Tomáš , Danišík Martin , Hradecký Jan , Frisch Wolfgang 
Published: June 2009

AbstractApatite fission track thermochronology (AFT) is used to investigate the low‐temperature thermal evolution of the Crimean Mountains and provide new insights into the geodynamic and geomorphic evolution of the westernmost tip of the Caucasus–Crimean fold‐and‐thrust belt. The vast majority of the samples taken from Jurassic sedimentary and magmatic rocks revealed AFT ages in the range of 51–32 Ma. These ages, together with modelled cooling paths, show that the mountain range experienced a thermal overprint after the Late Cimmerian orogeny. We interpret the overprint in terms of the burial of Cimmerian structures by a thick pile (>4 km) of platform sediments during Early Cretaceous–Late Eocene times. This scenario implies that highly elevated palaeosurfaces of Early Cretaceous age survived in large part because of the protection provided by thick accumulations of platform deposits. Since final uplift in the middle Pliocene, the palaeosurfaces have been significantly degraded and dissected by fluvial incision and large‐scale landslides.
The Arabidopsis TSPO‐related protein is a stress and abscisic acid‐regulated, endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi‐localized membrane protein
Authors: Guillaumot Damien , Guillon Stéphanie , Déplanque Thomas , Vanhee Celine , Gumy Christophe , Masquelier Danièle , Morsomme Pierre , Batoko Henri 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe Arabidopsis geneAt2g47770encodes a membrane‐bound protein designated AtTSPO (Arabidopsis thalianaTSPO‐related). AtTSPO is related to the bacterial outer membrane tryptophan‐rich sensory protein (TspO) and the mammalian mitochondrial 18‐kDa translocator protein (18 kDa TSPO), members of the group of TspO/MBR domain‐containing membrane proteins. In this study we show that AtTSPO is mainly detected in dry seeds, but can be induced in vegetative tissues by osmotic or salt stress or abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, corroborating available transcriptome data. Using subcellular fractionation, immunocytochemistry and fluorescent protein tagging approaches we present evidence that AtTSPO is targeted to the secretory pathway in plants. Induced or constitutively expressed AtTSPO can be detected in the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi stacks of plant cells. AtTSPO tagged with fluorescent protein in transgenic plants (Arabidopsis and tobacco) was mainly detected in the Golgi stacks of leaf epidermal cells. Constitutive expression of AtTSPO resulted in increased sensitivity to NaCl, but not to osmotic stress, and in reduced greening of cultured Arabidopsis cells under light growing conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AtTSPO were more sensitive to ABA‐induced growth inhibition, indicating that constitutive expression of AtTSPO may enhance ABA sensitivity. AtTSPO is rapidly downregulated during seed imbibition, and the ABA‐dependent induction in plant is transient. Downregulation of AtTSPO seems to be boosted by treatment with aminolevulinic acid. Taken together, these results suggest that AtTSPO is a highly regulated protein, induced by abiotic stress to modulate, at least in part, transient intracellular ABA‐dependent stress perception and/or signalling.
Unequally redundant RCD1 and SRO1 mediate stress and developmental responses and interact with transcription factors
Authors: Jaspers Pinja , Blomster Tiina , Brosché Mikael , Salojärvi Jarkko , Ahlfors Reetta , Vainonen Julia P. , Reddy Ramesha A. , Immink Richard , Angenent Gerco , Turck Franziska , Overmyer Kirk , Kangasjärvi Jaakko 
Published: June 2009

SummaryRADICAL‐INDUCED CELL DEATH1 (RCD1) is an important regulator of stress and hormonal and developmental responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Together with its closest homolog, SIMILAR TO RCD‐ONE1 (SRO1), it is the only Arabidopsis protein containing the WWE domain, which is known to mediate protein–protein interactions in other organisms. Additionally, these two proteins contain the core catalytic region of poly‐ADP‐ribose transferases and a conserved C‐terminal domain. Tissue and subcellular localization data indicate that RCD1 and SRO1 have partially overlapping functions in plant development. In contrast mutant data indicate that rcd1 has defects in plant development, whereas sro1 displays normal development. However, the rcd1 sro1 double mutant has severe growth defects, indicating that RCD1 and SRO1 exemplify an important genetic principle – unequal genetic redundancy. A large pair‐wise interaction test against the REGIA transcription factor collection revealed that RCD1 interacts with a large number of transcription factors belonging to several protein families, such as AP2/ERF, NAC and basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH), and that SRO1 interacts with a smaller subset of these. Full genome array analysis indicated that in many cases targets of these transcription factors have altered expression in the rcd1 but not the sro1 mutant. Taken together RCD1 and SRO1 are required for proper plant development.
Adherence to artesunate–amodiaquine combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria in children in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Authors: Beer Netta , Ali Abdullah S. , Rotllant Guida , Abass Ali K. , Omari Rahila S. , Al‐mafazy Abdul‐wahiyd H. , Björkman Anders , Källander Karin 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjectives  To estimate caretaker adherence to co‐blistered, but not co‐formulated, artesunate‐amodiaquine (AsAq) for uncomplicated malaria and identify factors associated with caretaker adherence.Methods  Cross sectional household survey of caretakers of 210 children under 5 years of age who had been prescribed and dispensed AsAq at 21 public health facilities (HFs). The caretakers were interviewed in their homes on the 4th day of receiving the 3 day treatment. Adherence of caretakers was assessed by self report and pill count.Results  Caretaker adherence to AsAq was 77% (95% CI: 67%–87%). Non‐adherence resulted in under‐dosing ¾ of the time and was most often in the form of wrong daily doses due to misunderstanding or forgetting the correct dose regimens. Predictors of adherence were education exceeding 7 years (OR = 5.08, P = 0.008) and receiving the exact number of pills to complete the treatment regimen (OR = 4.09, P = 0.006). All caretakers of children who were administered the first dose at the HF had adhered to the treatment.Conclusion  We found moderate levels of caretaker adherence to AsAq. Further improvement could be achieved by producing dose‐specific packaging for infants, providing clear instructions and giving the first dose under observation at the HF.
Virological evaluation of domestic water purification devices commonly used in India emphasizes inadequate quality and need for virological standards
Authors: Verma Vikram , Arankalle Vidya A. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjectives  To evaluate the performance of domestic water purification units with respect to contaminating enteric viruses.Methods  Eight domestic water purification systems widely used in India were evaluated using hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a model virus. For HEV concentration and detection, membrane filtration and real‐time PCR were used respectively. Viral log reduction value (LRV) was calculated for each unit.Results  Viral log reduction value was 0.21 for unit 6 (polyester + carbon), 1.45 for unit 4 (filter + UV), 1.52 for unit 3 (filter + chlorine), 1.70 for a carbon + exhaust indication contact disinfection unit, 2.20 for an iodine resin unit, 2.51 for a dual filter unit and 6.53 for a hollow fibre membrane unit and a gravity‐fed filter unit. Thus, only the technologies employed by the latter two were efficient in complete removal of HEV.Conclusions  The majority of the water purifiers under use are inadequate. Virological standards in evaluating such devices need to be established urgently, in order to help manufacturers to improve the performance of such products and most importantly, to help consumers.
Tepoxalin reduces pruritus and modified CADESI‐01 scores in dogs with atopic dermatitis: a prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study
Authors: Horvath‐Ungerboeck Christa , Thoday Keith L. , Shaw Darren J. , Van Den Broek Adri H. M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThirty dogs with atopic dermatitis were given tepoxalin (Zubrin®, Intervet/Schering‐Plough Animal Health, Boxmeer, the Netherlands) or placebo once daily for 4 weeks, followed by a wash‐out period of 1 week before reversing the treatments. Pruritus was scored by the owners using the Edinburgh Pruritus Scale and one investigator employed a modification of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index‐01 (mCADESI‐01) to score the physical lesions. After administration of tepoxalin there was a ≥ 50% reduction in pruritus and mCADESI‐01 scores in 36% and 25% of the dogs, respectively, whereas following administration of the placebo there was a ≥ 50% reduction in pruritus and mCADESI‐01 scores in only 25% and 16% of the dogs, respectively. Analysis of pooled data indicated that tepoxalin resulted in a significant reduction in pruritus (P = 0.012) and mCADESI‐01 (P = 0.002) scores but there was no significant change after placebo. The median pruritus scores before and after tepoxalin were 2 (range 1–5) and 1 (range 0–5), respectively, and before and after placebo were 2 (range 0–4) and 2 (range 0–4), respectively. The median mCADESI scores before and after tepoxalin were 23 (range 0–68) and 16 (range 0–72), respectively, and before and after placebo were 18 (range 3–79) and 24 (range 0–65), respectively. At the dose used in this study (10.0–19.1 mg kg−1), tepoxalin was well‐tolerated and no adverse effects were noted.
CNS and lung metastasis of sebaceous epithelioma in a dog
Authors: Bettini Giuliano , Morini Maria , Mandrioli Luciana , Capitani Ombretta , Gandini Gualtiero 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSebaceous epithelioma is a common canine cutaneous neoplasm characterized by a preponderance of basaloid cells with few well‐differentiated sebocytes. It is considered a low‐grade malignancy, as it may occasionally recur at the excision site; the possibility of lymph node metastasis is anecdotally reported, and distant metastases have never been observed. This case report presents the clinical and pathological features of a sebaceous epithelioma of the upper lip with a highly aggressive behaviour. The patient was a 9‐year‐old female dachshund that developed local recurrence 11 months after the excision of the primary sebaceous epithelioma and multiple lung and central nervous system metastases 5 months later. The designation epitheliomatous sebaceous carcinoma has been suggested for aggressive sebaceous epitheliomas, although differential criteria are still to be determined.
The diversification of mate preferences by natural and sexual selection
Authors: RUNDLE H. D. , CHENOWETH S. F. , BLOWS M. W. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe evolution of sexual display traits or preferences for them in response to divergent natural selection will alter sexual selection within populations, yet the role of sexual selection in ecological speciation has received little empirical attention. We evolved 12 populations ofDrosophila serratain a two‐way factorial design to investigate the roles of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of female mate preferences for male cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Mate preferences weakened in populations evolving under natural selection alone, implying a cost in the absence of their expression. Comparison of the vectors of linear sexual selection revealed that the populations diverged in the combination of male CHCs that females found most attractive, although this was not significant using a mixed modelling approach. Changes in preference direction tended to evolve when natural and sexual selection were unconstrained, suggesting that both processes may be the key to initial stages of ecological speciation. Determining the generality of this result will require data from various species across a range of novel environments.
Eusociality and the success of the termites: insights from a supertree of dictyopteran families
Authors: DAVIS R. B. , BALDAUF S. L. , MAYHEW P. J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSociality in insects may negatively impact on species richness. We tested whether termites have experienced shifts in diversification rates through time. Supertree methods were used to synthesize family‐level relationships within termites, cockroaches and mantids. A deep positive shift in diversification rate is found within termites, but not in the cockroaches from which they evolved. The shift is responsible for most of their extant species richness suggesting that eusociality is not necessarily detrimental to species richness, and may sometimes have a positive effect. Mechanistic studies of speciation and extinction in eusocial insects are advocated.
Prion removal effect of a specific affinity ligand introduced into the manufacturing process of the pharmaceutical quality solvent/detergent (S/D)‐treated plasma OctaplasLG®
Authors: Neisser‐Svae A. , Bailey A. , Gregori L. , Heger A. , Jordan S. , Behizad M. , Reichl H. , Römisch J. , Svae T.‐E. 
Published: June 2009

Background and Objectives  A new chromatographic step for the selective binding of abnormal prion protein (PrPSc) was developed, and optimization for PrPSc capture was achieved by binding to an affinity ligand attached to synthetic resin particles. This step was implemented into the manufacturing process of the solvent/detergent (S/D)‐treated biopharmaceutical quality plasma Octaplas® to further improve the safety margin in terms of risk for variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) transmission.Materials and Methods  Intermediates and Octaplas® final container material, spiked with hamster brain‐derived PrPSc‐containing fractions, were used for experiments to establish the feasibility of introducing this novel chromatography step. The binding capacity per millilitre of ligand gel was determined under the selected manufacturing conditions. In addition, the specificity of the ligand gel to bind PrPSc from human sources was investigated. A validated Western blot test was used for the identification and quantification of PrPSc.Results  A reduction factor of ≥ 3·0 log10 could be demonstrated by Western blotting, utilizing the relevant Octaplas® matrix from manufacturing. In this particular cell‐free plasma solution, the PrPSc binding capacity of the selected gel was very high (≥ 6 log10 ID50/ml, equivalent to roughly 10 log10 ID50/column at manufacturing scale). The gel binds specifically PrPSc from both animal (hamster and mouse) and human (sporadic and variant CJD) sources.Conclusion  This new single‐use, disposable PrPSc‐harvesting gel ensures a very high capacity in terms of removing the pathogenic agent causing vCJD from the new generation OctaplasLG®, in the event that prions can be found in plasma from donors incubating the disease and thereby contaminating the raw material plasma used for manufacturing.
Deradelphous Cephalothoracopagus in Kittens
Authors: Mazzullo G. , Macrì F. , Rapisarda G. , Marino F. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryCephalothoracopagus is a very rare form of conjoined twins and is characterized by fusion of heads and thoraxes with two separate spines, limbs and pelves. The aim of this study was to describe a case of female cephalothoracopagus kitten puppy. The most important gross findings involved the external body and some of the internal organs. Radiological features revealed main developmental abnormality of the head, spines and thorax. Authors discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of this condition, infrequently reported in veterinary practice, pointing out the importance of embryonic duplications commonly associated with dystocia.
Transplantation of Spongia officinalis L. (Porifera, Demospongiae): a technical approach for restocking this endangered species
Authors: Baldacconi Rossella , Cardone Frine , Longo Caterina , Mercurio Maria , Marzano Carlotta Nonnis , Gaino Elda , Corriero Giuseppe 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe present study focuses on the reproductive success of transplants of the bath sponge Spongia officinalis Linnaeus, 1759, with the aim of investigating the possibility of restocking this species, one of the most endangered organisms of the Mediterranean sessile zoobenthos. Transplants of S. officinalis, collected from a wild population along the Apulian coasts (Ionian Sea, Italy), have been moved into an area where the species was present in the past. The transplants consisted both of specimens in toto and of fragments of different sizes, obtained after having cut the mother sponge into pieces. All transplanted sponges showed complete cicatrisation of the cut surfaces within a month of the initial manipulation and had a survival rate of 100% throughout the 12 months of the study. From the present investigation, it has emerged that the reproductive effort and the larval release by the transplants do not differ significantly from those shown by the source population. This successful technical approach supports its application as a strategy for restocking the population of this endangered species.
Decreased mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells contributes to impaired neovascularization in diabetes
Authors: Kang Lina , Chen Qin , Wang Lian , Gao Ling , Meng Kui , Chen Junhao , Ferro Albert , Xu Biao 
Published: June 2009

Summary

Circulating bone marrow (BM)‐derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in neovascularization. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the reduction in circulating EPCs in a mouse model of diabetes induced by streptozotocin.
Compared with non‐diabetic controls, diabetic mice had reduced circulating EPCs (0.59 ± 0.11 vs 0.94 ± 0.21%, respectively; P < 0.01) and increased plasma endothelial microparticles (18 642 ± 6809 vs 5692 ± 1862/mL, respectively; P < 0.01). In a mouse bone marrow (BM) transplantation model, increased adhesion of transplanted BM cells to aortas of diabetic mice was observed compared with control (900 ± 194 vs 431 ± 109 cells/mm2, respectively; P < 0.01).
Following hindlimb ischaemia, diabetic mice exhibited suppressed EPC mobilization, a reduction in the expected increase in capillary density and suppressed restoration of transcutaneous oxygen pressure in the ischaemic tissue. Diabetic mice also showed impaired ischaemia‐induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α and interleukin‐1β, an exaggerated increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and ‐9 and a suppressed increase in tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1. On multivariate analysis, VEGF expression was the only independent factor related to circulating EPC count.
In conclusion, the data indicate that the decrease in basal circulating EPCs in diabetes may be attributable, in part, to consumptive loss of EPCs due to increased endothelial damage. Impairment of ischaemia‐induced EPC mobilization in the diabetic mouse model is associated with altered HIF‐1α/VEGF and MMP/TIMP regulation and represents a novel mechanism underlying defective postischaemic neovascularization in diabetes.