bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fetal adrenal development: Comparing effects of combined exposures to PCB 118 and PCB 153 in a sheep model
Authors: Zimmer Karin E. , Kraugerud Marianne , Aleksandersen Mona , Gutleb Arno C. , Østby Gunn C. , Dahl Ellen , Berg Vidar , Skaare Janneche U. , Olsaker Ingrid , Ropstad Erik 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of exposure to the ubiquitous contaminants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the fetal adrenal cortex and on plasma cortisol using the domestic sheep (Ovis aries) as a model. Pregnant ewes were intendedly subjected to oral treatment with PCB 153 (98 μg/kg bw/day), PCB 118 (49 μg/kg bw/day) or the vehicle corn oil from mating until euthanasia on gestation day 134 (±0.25 SE). However, because of accidental cross‐contamination occurring twice causing a mixed exposure scenario in all three groups, the focus of this paper is to compare three distinct groups of fetuses with different adipose tissue PCB levels (PCB 153high, PCB 118high and low, combined groups) rather than comparing animals exposed to single PCB congeners to those of a control group. When comparing endocrine and anatomical parameters from fetuses in the PCB 153high (n = 13) or PCB 118high (n = 14) groups with the low, combined group (n = 14), there was a significant decrease in fetal body weight (P < 0.05), plasma cortisol concentration (P < 0.001) and adrenal cortex thickness (P < 0.001). Furthermore, adrenal weight was decreased and plasma ACTH was increased only in the PCB 118high group. Expression of several genes encoding enzymes and receptors related to steroid hormone synthesis was also affected and mostly down‐regulated in fetuses with high PCB tissue levels. In conclusion, we suggest that mono‐and di‐ortho PCBs were able to interfere with growth, adrenal development and cortisol production in the fetal sheep model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
Bacterial biosensors for evaluating potential impacts of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds in multiple species
Authors: Gierach Izabela , Shapero Kayle , Eyster Thomas W. , Wood David W. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTo study the effects and possible mechanisms of suspected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), a wide variety of assays have been developed. In this work, we generated engineered Escherichia coli biosensor strains that incorporate the ligand‐binding domains (LBDs) of the β‐subtype estrogen receptors (ERβ) from Solea solea (sole), and Sus scrofa (pig). These strains indicate the presence of ligands for these receptors by changes in growth phenotype, and can differentiate agonist from antagonist and give a rough indication of binding affinity via dose‐response curves. The resulting strains were compared with our previously reported Homo sapiens ERβ biosensor strain. In initial tests, all three of the strains correctly identified estrogenic test compounds with a high degree of certainly (Z′ typically greater than 0.5), including the weakly binding test compound bisphenol A (BPA) (Z′ ≈ 0.1–0.3). The modular design of the sensing element in this strain allows quick development of new species‐based biosensors by simple LBD swapping, suggesting its use in initial comparative analysis of EDC impacts across multiple species. Interestingly, the growth phenotypes of the biosensor strains indicate similar binding for highly estrogenic control compounds, but suggest differences in ligand binding for more weakly binding EDCs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
PFOS and PCB 153 have direct adverse effects on neonatal testis modeled using a coculture of primary gonocyte and sertoli cells
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liang Jiren , Zhu Hongyan , Li Cuizhen , Wu Qing 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is widely used in industry; it is nonbiodegradable and persistent in the human body and in the environment. Although reports have indicated that young people might have higher PFOS levels in serum or blood than do older people, its adverse effects on neonatal testicular cells had not been investigated previously. PCB 153 is one of the most prevalent polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in biological tissues, but the direct adverse effect of PCB 153 on neonatal testis remains unclear. In this study, we exposed a neonatal Sertoli cell/gonocyte coculture system to PFOS and PCB 153 individually at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM for 24 h. Exposure to either compound reduced the cell viability and induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in dose‐dependent manners, with PCB 153 having a greater effect than PFOS. Whereas PCB 153 induced apoptosis significantly from 10 μM, PFOS induced no obvious change. Morphologically, both PCB 153 and PFOS induced changes in the vimentin and actin filaments in the Sertoli cells, as investigated using confocal argon ion laser scanning microscopy; here, PFOS exhibited a more dramatic effect than did PCB 153. Furthermore, doses of 50 μM for PFOS and 10 μM for PCB 153 were the key concentrations that produced significant differences between the control and exposure groups. We suggest that both PCB 153 and PFOS directly affect neonatal gonocyte and Sertoli cells; the production of ROS and the change in the cytoskeleton in Sertoli cells might be causes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
Involvement of oxidative stress in methyl parathion and parathion‐induced toxicity and genotoxicity to human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells
Authors: Edwards Falicia L. , Yedjou Clement G. , Tchounwou Paul B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMethyl parathion (C8H10NO5PS) and parathion (C10H14NO5PS) are both organophosphate insecticides (OPI) widely used for household and agricultural applications. They are known for their ability to irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase which often leads to a profound effect on the nervous system of exposed organisms. Many recently published studies have indicated that human exposure to OPI may be associated with neurologic, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and reproductive adverse effects. Studies have also linked OPI exposure to a number of degenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also, oxidative stress (OS) has been reported as a possible mechanism of OPI toxicity in humans. Hence, the aim of the present investigation was to use human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells as a test model to evaluate the role of OS in methyl parathion‐ and parathion‐induced toxicity. To achieve this goal, we performed the MTT [3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay for cell viability, lipid peroxidation assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and Comet assay for DNA damage, respectively. Results from MTT assay indicated that methyl parathion and parathion gradually reduce the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, showing 48 h‐LD50 values of 26.20 mM and 23.58 mM, respectively. Lipid peroxidation assay resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) of MDA level in methyl parathion‐ and parathion‐treated HepG2 cells compared with controls, suggesting that OS plays a key role in OPI‐induced toxicity. Comet assay indicated a significant increase in genotoxicity at higher concentrations of OPI exposure. Overall, we found that methyl‐parathion is slightly less toxic than parathion to HepG2 cells. The cytotoxic effect of these OPI was found to be associated, at least in part, with oxidative cell/tissue damage. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
Channel characteristics of ultra‐wideband systems with single co‐channel interference
Authors: Chiu Chien‐Ching , Liu Chun‐Liang , Liao Shu‐Han 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn this paper, the channel characteristics of ultra‐wideband systems with single co‐channel interference are investigated. A ray‐tracing technique is developed to calculate channel frequency responses in an indoor environment, of which the frequency dependence for the dielectric constant and the conductivity are carefully considered. By using the frequency responses, the channel capacities with single co‐channel interference are calculated. The outage probability of the channel capacities are also calculated for analyzing the channel statistical property. Furthermore, some useful channel statistical parameters are also investigated for different material partitions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual inferences of material changes: color as clue and distraction
Authors: Zaidi Qasim 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn a snapshot, a scene consists of things, but across time, the world consists of processes. Some are cyclical, for example, trees changing foliage through the seasons, surfaces getting wet and drying out; others are unidirectional, for example, fruit ripening and then decaying, or dust accumulating on surfaces. Chemical and physical properties of objects provide them with specific surface patterns of colors and textures. When endogenous and exogenous forces alter these colors and textures over time, the ability to identify these changes from appearances can have great utility in judging the composition, state, and history of objects. This short review presents thoughts on studying visual inferences of the properties of materials and their changes, including how to acquire calibrated images of time‐varying materials, how to model time‐varying appearance changes, how to measure observers' identification abilities, and how to parse out the perceptual qualities that help or hinder in recognizing materials and their states. For instance, if color information is removed, observers do significantly worse at recognizing materials and their changes, especially for organic materials. The role of color in object and scene recognition is still being debated, so elucidating color's role in material identification may also help to resolve the wider issue. This review introduces material change as an object of study in human perception and cognition, because the visual traces of changes are integral components of material and object identity. Visually based judgments of materials share the property of propensity with mental inferences, and conscious or unconscious visual imagery may play a role in setting expectancies for object shapes and properties. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 686–700 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.148This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics
Is theory of mind related to social dysfunction and emotional problems in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (velo-cardio-facial syndrome)?
Authors: Campbell Linda E. , Stevens Angela F. , McCabe Kathryn , Cruickshank Lynne , Morris Robin G. , Murphy Declan G. M. , Murphy Kieran C. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
Social dysfunction is intrinsically involved in severe psychiatric disorders such as depression and psychosis and linked with poor theory of mind. Children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS, or velo-cardio-facial syndrome) have poor social competence and are also at a particularly high risk of developing mood (40%) and psychotic (up to 30%) disorders in adolescence and young adulthood. However, it is unknown if these problems are associated with theory of mind skills, including underlying social-cognitive and social-perceptual mechanisms. The present cross-sectional study included classic social-cognitive false-belief and mentalising tasks and social-perceptual face processing tasks. The performance of 50 children with 22q11DS was compared with 31 age-matched typically developing sibling controls. Key findings indicated that, while younger children with 22q11DS showed impaired acquisition of social-cognitive skills, older children with 22q11DS were not significantly impaired compared with sibling controls. However, children with 22q11DS were found to have social-perceptual deficits, as demonstrated by difficulties in matching faces on the basis of identity, emotion, facial speech and gaze compared with sibling controls. Furthermore, performance on the tasks was associated with age, language ability and parentally rated social competence and emotional problems. These results are discussed in relation to the importance of a better delineation of social competence in this population.
Correlation Between Enzyme Activity and Stability of a Protease, an Alpha‐Amylase and a Lipase in a Simplified Liquid Laundry Detergent System, Determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Lund Henrik , Kaasgaard Svend Gunnar , Skagerlind Peter , Jorgensen Lene , Jorgensen Christian Isak , van de Weert Marco 
Published: May 2011

AbstractEnzymes used during washing in laundry detergents have become a universal tool to lower energy consumption and to generate a broad, consumer‐relevant, cleaning effect. However, the stability of these enzymes remains a major obstacle, particularly in liquid products, due to increased interaction between the enzymes and the other components of the detergent. The process of formulation involves extensive shelf‐life stability studies where residual enzyme activities are correlated with formulation variations. As a way to improve the formulation process, we evaluated the possible use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as a tool to predict enzyme stability in liquid detergents. Thus, residual enzyme activity after incubation in a multitude of formulations was determined and compared to thermodynamic data obtained by DSC. The enzymes tested were a protease, an alpha‐amylase and a lipase. We found a strong linear correlation between DSC‐derived data, in particular Tmax (temperature at peak maximum of the transition from the folded to unfolded state) and enzyme activity studies with R2‐values: 0.98 (protease), 0.99 (amylase) and 0.98 (lipase), respectively. Thus, a higher Tmax for the same enzyme in a particular formulation is directly proportional to longer storage stability. These results suggest a new way of greatly accelerating this type of formulation study, allowing estimation of enzyme compatibility with a specific formulation on a daily, rather than the weekly or monthly basis used at present.
Increased Elongase 6 and Δ9‐Desaturase Activity are Associated with n‐7 and n‐9 Fatty Acid Changes in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Thomsen Kelly F. , Laposata Michael , Njoroge Sarah W. , Umunakwe Obi C. , Katrangi Waddah , Seegmiller Adam C. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPatients with cystic fibrosis, caused by mutations in CFTR, exhibit specific and consistent alterations in the levels of particular unsaturated fatty acids compared with healthy controls. Evidence suggests that these changes may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Among these abnormalities are increases in the levels of n‐7 and n‐9 fatty acids, particularly palmitoleate (16:1n‐7), oleate (18:1n‐9), and eicosatrienoate or mead acid (20:3n‐9). The underlying mechanisms of these particular changes are unknown, but similar changes in the n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acid families have been correlated with increased expression of fatty acid metabolic enzymes. This study demonstrated that cystic fibrosis cells in culture exhibit increased metabolism along the metabolic pathways leading to 16:1n‐7, 18:1n‐9, and 20:3n‐9 compared with wild‐type cells. Furthermore, these changes are accompanied by increased expression of the enzymes that produce these fatty acids, namely Δ5, Δ6, and Δ9 desaturases and elongases 5 and 6. Taken together, these findings suggest that fatty acid abnormalities of the n‐7 and n‐9 series in cystic fibrosis are as a result, at least in part, of increased expression and activity of these metabolic enzymes in CFTR‐mutated cells.
Diagnosis of rheumatic carditis in Mongolian children
Authors: Bolormaa Tovuudorj , Tsogtochir Chimedregzen 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and echocardiographic findings in patients with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart diseases (RHD) and to compare echocardiographic findings with the clinical symptoms for the detection of subclinical carditis.MethodsThe study included 156 patients who meet the modified criteria of Jones. M-mode echocardiography was performed using a Sonos-1000 echo machine and 3.5-MHz transducer.ResultsTotal of 156 patients with acute RF and RHD (median age 11.9, standard deviation 3.32, range 5–17, male to female ratio 1:1.4) were evaluated. All patients were divided into 2 groups according their diagnosis. The first group included 71 (45.5%) patients with a first onset of rheumatic fever (ARF), the second group—86 (54.5%) patients with a recurrent rheumatic fever (RHD). By echocardiography, 21 (20.1%) patients of first group, who had clinically isolated polyarthritis and chorea were diagnosed a first degree of mitral regurgitation and mitral valve thickening, which is the characteristic finding of rheumatic carditis. Out of all patients, mitral valve regurgitation was detected by 2D echocardiography in 146 (93.5%) patients. The cause of mitral valve regurgitation was annular dilatation in 48%, mitral valve prolapse in 10% and fibrotic change of valve in 42%.ConclusionMitral regurgitation is the most common finding on Doppler color imaging in patients with the rheumatic carditis. In patients clinically manifesting only polyarthritis and/or chorea, we should exclude the subclinical carditis that can be easily detected by echocardiography. The presence of subclinical carditis should be accepted as an evidence of carditis.
Charles Darwin's use of theology in the Origin of Species
Authors: DILLEY STEPHEN 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis essay examines Darwin's positiva (or positive) use of theology in the first edition of the Origin of Species in three steps. First, the essay analyses the Origin's theological language about God's accessibility, honesty, methods of creating, relationship to natural laws and lack of responsibility for natural suffering; the essay contends that Darwin utilized positiva theology in order to help justify (and inform) descent with modification and to attack special creation. Second, the essay offers critical analysis of this theology, drawing in part on Darwin's mature ruminations to suggest that, from an epistemic point of view, the Origin's positiva theology manifests several internal tensions. Finally, the essay reflects on the relative epistemic importance of positiva theology in the Origin's overall case for evolution. The essay concludes that this theology served as a handmaiden and accomplice to Darwin's science.
Hypocholesterolaemic effect of water-insoluble fish protein from Alaska pollock in ovariectomised rats is not abolished by methionine addition
Authors: Kato Masaki , Ogawa Hiroshi , Kishida Taro , Ebihara Kiyoshi 
Published: May 2011

The present study investigated whether the hypocholesterolaemic effect of water-insoluble fish protein (IFP) from Alaska pollock in ovariectomised (OVX) rats was affected by methionine (Met) addition. OVX rats (6 months old) were fed a cholesterol-free diet containing casein, IFP or IFP+Met as a protein source for 28 d. The ratio of Met:glycine was lower in the IFP and IFP+Met diets compared with the casein diet. Body-weight gain, food intake and liver lipids were not affected by the diet. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was lower in OVX rats fed the IFP diet compared with those fed the casein diet. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of the IFP diet was not abolished by Met addition. Amount of bile acids in the small-intestinal content and faecal excretion of bile acids were higher in OVX rats fed the IFP and IFP+Met diets compared with those fed the casein diet. Ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) mRNA level and faecal excretion of bile acids were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in OVX rats fed the IFP diet compared with those fed the casein diet, but not in those fed the IFP+Met diet. Thus, the hypocholesterolaemic effect of the IFP diet seems to be mediated by increased faecal excretion of bile acids coupled with decreased reabsorption of bile acids from the ileum through a decrease in IBAT and the change in cholesterol metabolism linked to the amino acid profile.
Effect of food form on postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations in older adults
Authors: Conley Travis B. , Apolzan John W. , Leidy Heather J. , Greaves Kathryn A. , Lim Eunjung , Campbell Wayne W. 
Published: May 2011

To assess the effect of food form (FF) on postprandial (PP) plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations, ten older adults (five men and five women, age 72 (sem 2) years, BMI 26·0 (sem 0·9) kg/m2) consumed, on separate days, energy and macronutrient-matched test meal replacement products (MRP) (approximately 25 % of the subject's daily energy need; approximately 54 % carbohydrate, 21 % protein, 25 % fat) in beverage and solid form. Blood samples were taken during fasting and throughout the 4 h PP period; plasma AA concentrations were assessed using HPLC. Consumption of each MRP led to an increase in total AA, branched-chain AA (BCAA), essential AA (EAA), non-essential AA (NEAA) and leucine concentrations (4 h area under the curve, AUC) (time effect; P < 0·05). The beverage MRP resulted in a greater initial (i.e. 30 min) and sustained (4 h AUC) increase in total AA, BCAA, EAA, NEAA and leucine concentrations compared with the solid MRP (each effect of FF; P < 0·05). Although there was no effect of FF on PP insulin response, glucose concentration was greater 1 and 2 h after the solid MRP was consumed (FF × time interaction; P < 0·05). For all PP time points combined, total AA concentration was positively associated with plasma insulin (r 0·25) and glucose (r 0·24) concentrations for the solid MRP but not for the beverage MRP. In conclusion, older adults can achieve higher plasma AA concentrations when a protein-containing MRP is ingested in beverage form. The implications of the higher AA availability on anabolic processes warrant investigation.
Male wing fanning by the aphid parasitoidAphidius ervi(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) produces a courtship song
Authors: Villagra C.A. , Pinto C.F. , Penna M. , Niemeyer H.M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe, herein, report evidence that wing fanning by the aphid parasitoidAphidius erviHaliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) constitutes a courtship song. Complete removal of the forewings or only the distal half of them reduced male copulation success in comparison to intact males. Males that achieved copulation within the observation period produced wing fanning at a higher rate than males that did not copulate. Playback of wing fanning sound altered the behaviour of virgin females, increasing the time they devoted to grooming, as compared with subjects that were exposed to silence or white noise. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the acoustic dimension of the sensory modalities employed by this aphid parasitoid in sexual signalling.