bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shelf edge and shoreline trajectories, a dynamic approach to stratigraphic analysis
Authors: Henriksen Sverre , Hampson Gary J. , Helland‐Hansen William , Johannessen Erik P. , Steel Ron J. 
Published: September 2009

ABSTRACTThe Shelf Edge and Shoreline Trajectories Conference, convened in Tromsø, Norway, during the autumn of 2007, was attended by a group of specialists working in the crossover between industry and academia. This paper introduces the concepts of shelf edge‐ and shoreline‐trajectory analysis, and discusses some of the advantages of applying such concepts in contrast to more traditional sequence stratigraphic analysis. This special issue of Basin Research focuses on how observations of outcrop and subsurface datasets, particularly three‐dimensional (3D) seismic data, may be used as an aid to identify palaeo‐shelf edges and shorelines. Moreover, the approach shows how linking the cross‐sectional path of a shoreline as it migrates (shoreline trajectory) and the pathway taken by the shelf‐edge during the development of a series of accreting clinoforms (shelf‐edge trajectory) to the analysis of sedimentological or seismic facies can improve predictions of lithology distribution. The following 15 papers present well‐documented case studies from a variety of shelf and shelf‐margin settings where these concepts have been applied to depositional systems ranging in age from Permian to Recent. A wide spectrum of data types and methods, including two dimensional and 3D seismic data, well logs and core material as well as high‐resolution biostratigraphy, outcrop studies and modern bathymetric data have been applied in the various papers. Despite the considerable age range of the deposits investigated and the data types used for the studies, all of the authors have converged towards the objective approach of trajectory analysis. However, any analytical method has some uncertainty attached to it, and a discussion of possible pitfalls and sources of error is also a part of this introductory paper. Although this special issue presents some recent advances in the way to conduct stratigraphic analysis, we realise that this is only a further step in an evolving discipline. Development of sequence stratigraphic concepts will continue, and new contributions will evaluate past work as they seek to develop the subject.
Impaired up‐regulation of polo‐like kinase 2 in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia lymphocytes resistant to fludarabine and 2‐chlorodeoxyadenosine: a potential marker of defective damage response
Authors: De Viron Emeline , Knoops Laurent , Connerotte Thierry , Smal Caroline , Michaux Lucienne , Saussoy Pascale , Vannuffel Pascal , Beert Eline , Vekemans Marie‐Christiane , Hermans Cédric , Bontemps Françoise , Van Den Neste Eric 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe functional evaluation of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and p53 was recently developed in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL), a disease in which the response to DNA damage is frequently altered. We identified a novel biomarker of chemosensitivity based on the induction of DNA damage by the purine nucleoside analogues (PNA) fludarabine and 2‐chlorodeoxyadenosine (CdA). Using genome‐wide expression profiling, it was observed that, in chemosensitive samples, PNA predominantly increased the expression of p53‐dependent genes, among which PLK2 was the most highly activated at early time points. Conversely, in chemoresistant samples, p53‐dependent and PLK2 responses were abolished. Using a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, we confirmed that PNA dose‐ and time‐dependently increased PLK2 expression in chemosensitive but not chemoresistant B‐CLL samples. Analysis of a larger cohort of B‐CLL patients showed that cytotoxicity induced by PNA correlated well with PLK2 mRNA induction. Interestingly, we observed that failure to up‐regulate PLK2 following PNA and chemoresistance were not strictly correlated with structural alterations in the TP53 gene. In conclusion, we propose that testing PLK2 activation after a 24‐h incubation with PNA could be used to investigate the functional integrity of DNA damage‐response pathways in B‐CLL cells, and predict clinical sensitivity to these drugs.
ATG‐saporin‐S6 immunotoxin: a new potent and selective drug to eliminate activated lymphocytes and lymphoma cells
Authors: Polito Letizia , Bortolotti Massimo , Farini Valentina , Pedrazzi Manuela , Tazzari Pier Luigi , Bolognesi Andrea 
Published: September 2009

SummaryAnti‐thymocyte globulins (ATG) are currently used to prevent graft‐versus‐host disease in haematopoietic stem cell transplants from alternative donors and to treat and prevent acute organ rejection after transplantation. Many recent studies have demonstrated that ATG can also be beneficial in patients with myeloma, lymphoma, leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. This study showed, for the first time, that the cytotoxic effect of ATG can been enhanced by conjugation with saporin‐S6, which is one of the most stable and active type‐1 ribosome‐inactivating proteins. The ATG‐saporin‐S6 immunotoxin showed a strong cytotoxic effect on five lymphoma‐ and leukaemia‐derived cell lines as well as on activated lymphocytes while sparing non‐haematological cell lines. ATG‐saporin‐S6 induced a time‐dependent activation of caspase‐3/7 in RAJI cells. The caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐fmk partially rescued the cells that were treated with ATG‐saporin‐S6, suggesting that multiple cell death pathways, some of which are caspase independent, play a role in ATG‐saporin‐S6 toxicity. In our experiments ATG increased the complement‐independent cytotoxicity of activated lymphocytes by a magnitude of 3–5 logs after conjugation. These findings suggest that the ATG‐saporin‐S6 immunotoxin is a promising therapeutic tool for many pathological conditions involving T lymphocytes and T and B neoplastic cells.
Efficacy and safety of deferasirox doses of >30 mg/kg per d in patients with transfusion‐dependent anaemia and iron overload
Authors: Taher Ali , Cappellini Maria D. , Vichinsky Elliott , Galanello Renzo , Piga Antonio , Lawniczek Tomasz , Clark Joan , Habr Dany , Porter John B. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe highest approved dose of deferasirox is currently 30 mg/kg per d in many countries; however, some patients require escalation above 30 mg/kg per d to achieve their therapeutic goals. This retrospective analysis investigated the efficacy (based on change in serum ferritin levels) and safety of deferasirox >30 mg/kg per d in adult and paediatric patients with transfusion‐dependent anaemias, including β‐thalassaemia, sickle cell disease and the myelodysplastic syndromes. In total, 264 patients pooled from four clinical trials received doses of >30 mg/kg per d; median exposure to deferasirox >30 mg/kg per d was 36 weeks. In the overall population there was a statistically significant median decrease in serum ferritin of 440 μg/l (P < 0·0001) from pre‐dose‐escalation to the time‐of‐analysis; significant decreases were also observed in adult and paediatric patients, as well as β‐thalassaemia patients. The adverse event profile in patients who received deferasirox doses of >30 mg/kg per d was consistent with previously published data. There was no worsening of renal or liver function following dose escalation. Deferasirox >30 mg/kg per d effectively reduced iron burden to levels lower than those achieved prior to dose escalation in patients with transfusion‐dependent anaemias. This has important implications for patients who are heavily transfused and may require higher doses to reduce body iron burden.
Linkage between bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and gene markers of IL‐4 cytokine gene cluster and T‐cell receptor α/δ gene complex in Korean nuclear families
Authors: Cho S.‐H. , Son J.‐W. , Koh Y.‐Y. , Min K.‐U. , Kim Y.‐Y. , Kim Y.‐K. 
Published: September 2009

Several candidate genes have been reported to be linked to intermediate phenotypes of asthma in Caucasian populations.To evaluate linkage between phenotypes of asthma and gene markers of high affinity IgE receptor‐β gene (D11S97), IL‐4 cytokine gene cluster (IL‐4R1), and T‐cell receptor α/δ gene complex (D14S50) in Korean nuclear families.Nuclear families (127 probands and their 130 siblings) for the linkage analysis were ascertained through asthmatic children. Linkages between total serum IgE response, skin responses to common aeroallergens, and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were performed using a sib‐pair approach.The square difference of the slope of the dose–response curve (DRS) between sib‐pairs with two IL‐4R1 identical alleles was smaller than with one or with neither IL‐4R1 identical allele (P = 0.004). As for D14S50, the differences of DRS between sib‐pairs with two identical alleles and with one identical allele were smaller than with neither identical alleles (P = 0.01). As for D11S97, no significant differences were observed among the groups with identical alleles of two, one or zero. With regard to total serum IgE levels, no significant linkage was found between this phenotype and the above three gene markers. As for skin responses to common aeroallergens, significant evidence was obtained to establish a linkage between this phenotype and the marker IL‐4R1 (P = 0.01). However, no significant linkage was found between this phenotype and the markers D11S97 and D14S50.The expression of bronchial responsiveness to methacholine may be influenced by genetic factors in the IL‐4 cytokine gene cluster and/or T‐cell receptor α/δ gene complex, but the genetic influence of the FcεRI‐β gene may be minimal in the expression of bronchial responsiveness in Korean nuclear families.
Pityrosporum and Candida specific and non‐specific humoral, cellular and cytokine responses in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Savolainen J. , Lintu P. , Kosonen J. , Kortekangas‐Savolainen O. , Viander M. , Pène J. , Kalimo K. , Terho E. O. , Bousquet J. 
Published: September 2009

Recent cytokine (RT‐PCR, ELISA) analyses of inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD) have suggested a role for IL‐4, IL‐5 and IFNγ. Pityrosporum ovale and Candida albicans are important allergens in some patients with AD of the seborrhoic head, neck and shoulder region. In AD patients, the saprophytic yeasts induce IgE responses while they usually induce TH1 type responses. The cytokine responses induced by yeasts in AD are sparsely investigated.To characterize the P. ovale‐ and C. albicans‐specific and non‐specific humoral, lymphoproliferative and cytokine (IL‐2, 4, 5 and IFNγ) responses in AD.Fifteen AD patients and seven healthy controls (HC) were included. Ficoll‐isolated PBMC were stimulated by PHA and laboratory‐generated extracts of P. ovale and C. albicans. Lymphocyte proliferation was measured by 3H‐thymidine incorporation and cytokine production by sandwich‐ELISAs. The antigen‐specific IgG and IgE antibodies were analysed by ELISA and nitrocellulose RAST. Pityrosporum ovale‐ and C. albicans‐specific IgE (both P < 0.001) and P. ovale‐induced PBMC proliferation (P < 0.02) were elevated in AD. In general, the IL‐4/IFNγ ratio induced by P. ovale was higher than that induced by C. albicans (P < 0.01). The PHA‐induced IL‐2 (P < 0.05) and IL‐4 responses (P < 0.005), and the C. albicans‐induced IL‐5 response (P < 0.02) and IFNγ response (P < 0.01), were elevated in AD. A network of correlations was seen between serum total and the yeast‐specific IgE, P. ovale‐specific lymphoproliferation, PHA‐induced IL‐2, IL‐4 and IL‐5, and C. albicans‐induced IL‐5.The cytokine profiles found in this study support the role of TH0 or TH1 cells by the side of TH2 cells in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Pityrosporum ovale appears to be associated more with IL‐4 responses and C. albicans with IFNγ responses.
Effects of monotherapy with intra‐nasal corticosteroid or combined oral histamine and leukotriene receptor antagonists in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Wilson A. M. , Orr L. C. , Sims E. J. , Lipworth B. J. 
Published: September 2009

The combination of a leukotriene receptor antagonist with an antihistamine may have beneficial effects in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).To determine how combined oral mediator blockade compares to monotherapy with intranasal corticosteroid in the treatment of SAR.Twenty‐two patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were enrolled in a placebo controlled crossover study comparing 2 weeks therapy of either (a) 200 µg intranasal mometasone furoate (MF) once daily or (b) 10 mg oral montelukast plus 10 mg oral cetirizine once daily (MON/CZ), with a 7–10 day placebo period prior to each treatment period. Domiciliary measures of symptoms and nasal flow were recorded daily. Measurements of posterior rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry and nasal nitric oxide were made after all treatment and placebo periods.There were significant (P < 0.05) improvements in domiciliary peak nasal flow (l/min) with both MF (133 (3.8)) and MON/CZ (124 (3.8)) compared to pooled placebo (110 (4.0). Both treatments also showed significant improvement in terms of nasal blockage (units) (PL: 1.1(0.1), MF: 0.5 (0.1), MON/CZ 0.7 (0.1); and total nasal symptoms (units) (PL: 3.5 (0.3), MF 1.6 (0.3), MON/CZ 1.7 (0.3)), although there was no significant difference between the two active treatments. There were no significant differences between placebo and treatment for rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry or nitric oxide.Both intranasal mometasone furoate as monotherapy and oral cetirizine plus montelukast as cotherapy were equally effective for objective and subjective measures of treatment response in SAR. Domiciliary measurements of symptoms and peak flow were more sensitive than laboratory measurements of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry and nasal nitric oxide.
Intracellular glutathione regulates tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced p38 MAP kinase activation and RANTES production by human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Hashimoto S. , Gon Y. , Matsumoto K. , Takeshita I. , Machino T. , Horie T. 
Published: September 2009

RANTES plays an important role in the production of allergic inflammation of the airway through its chemotactic activity for eosinophils. The cellular reduction and oxidation (redox) changes are involved in the activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase and the induction of cytokine expression. It has previously been shown that tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐MA activates p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase to produce cytokine, including RANTES, that N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuates cytokine production by human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), and that sensitivity to TNFα is inversely correlated with cellular redox state. However, a role of cellular redox regulated by intracellular glutathione (GSH) in TNFα‐induced p38 MAP kinase activation and p38 MAP kinase‐mediated RANTES production by human BECs has not been determined.Human BECs were exposed to NAC or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). TNFα‐induced p38 MAP kinase activation and p38 MAP kinase‐mediated RANTES production by human BECs were then examined in order to clarify these issues.The results showed that: NAC attenuated TNFα‐induced p38 MAP kinase activation and RANTES production; SB 203580 as the specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase activity attenuated TNF‐α‐induced RANTES production; BSO facilitated TNF‐α‐induced p38 MAP kinase activation and RANTES production; SB 203580 attenuated BSO‐mediated facilitation of TNF‐α‐induced RANTES production; and the intracellular GSH increased in NAC‐treated cells, whereas the intracellular GSH was reduced in BSO‐treated cells.These results indicate that cellular redox regulated by GSH is critical for TNF‐α‐induced p38 MAP kinase activation and p38 MAP kinase‐mediated RANTES production by human BECs.
The topical glucocorticoids beclomethasone dipropionate and fluticasone propionate inhibit human T‐cell allergen‐induced production of IL‐5, IL‐3 and GM‐CSF mRNA and protein
Authors: Powell N. , Till S. J. , Kay A. B. , Corrigan C. J. 
Published: September 2009

T‐cell production of eosinophil‐active cytokines (IL‐5, IL‐3, GM‐CSF) is thought to be fundamental to asthma pathogenesis. Inhaled aeroallergens may be one important stimulus for T‐cell cytokine production in asthma.To compare the potency and efficacy of the topical anti‐asthma glucocorticoids beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and fluticasone propionate (FP) in inhibiting allergen‐driven peripheral blood T‐cell proliferation and production of IL‐3, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF mRNA and protein.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from six atopic asthmatics sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) were cultured in the presence of HDM and serial dilutions of BDP or FP in vitro. Cellular proliferation (7 days) and culture supernatant cytokine concentrations (6 days) were measured by uptake of tritiated thymidine and ELISA, respectively. Cytokine mRNA expression (24 h) was measured in three subjects using a quantitative PCR technique.Both BDP and FP inhibited allergen‐induced T‐cell proliferation, expression of IL‐3, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF mRNA, and secretion of the corresponding proteins in a concentration‐dependent fashion. FP was considerably more potent, but not more efficacious, in exerting these actions.Both BDP and FP have the potential markedly to inhibit allergen‐induced T‐cell production of asthma‐relevant cytokines. This activity is effected at the level of T‐cell proliferation and cytokine gene transcription. These properties may be key features of the anti‐asthma activity of these drugs. The greater potency of FP in vitro may be responsible for its greater clinical potency.
The response of stream fish to local and reach‐scale variation in the occurrence of a benthic aquatic macrophyte
Authors: ARGENTINA JANE E. , FREEMAN MARY C. , FREEMAN BYRON J. 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. The aquatic macrophyte Podostemum ceratophyllum has been shown to increase stream productivity, abundance and biomass of benthic invertebrates, and local occurrences of some stream fishes. However, experimental evidence that fishes preferentially associate with Podostemum is lacking, and the value of Podostemum as a predictor of stream fish assemblage composition has not been studied.2. We conducted two short‐term (2 week), small‐scale (36 m2) experimental manipulations of Podostemum cover in the Conasauga River (Georgia and Tennessee, U.S.), and found higher abundances of benthic insectivorous fishes in patches with augmented (>80%) compared to reduced (7%) Podostemum cover. In an observational study, we quantified associations among percent cover of Podostemum, fish species richness, land cover, shoal length and base‐flow turbidity at 20 randomly selected shoals from a 39‐km reach that spanned a gradient of decreasing forest land cover.3. Richness of all fish species and of lotic fishes peaked in the centre of the study reach, and richness was weakly correlated with predictor variables. Occupancy models for individual species also indicated that longitudinal position was a strong covariate for 13 of 19 species examined, with little support that Podostemum cover influenced occupancy.4. Local associations may reflect choices by benthic fishes to utilise Podostemum, whereas downstream decline in fish species richness and Podostemum cover may reflect altered capacity of the system to support native species.
Interactions between fauna and sediment control the breakdown of plant matter in river sediments
Authors: NAVEL SIMON , MERMILLOD‐BLONDIN FLORIAN , MONTUELLE BERNARD , CHAUVET ERIC , SIMON LAURENT , PISCART CHRISTOPHE , MARMONIER PIERRE 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. A substantial portion of particulate organic matter (POM) is stored in the sediment of rivers and streams. Leaf litter breakdown as an ecosystem process mediated by microorganisms and invertebrates is well documented in surface waters. In contrast, this process and especially the implication for invertebrates in subsurface environments remain poorly studied.2. In the hyporheic zone, sediment grain size distribution exerts a strong influence on hydrodynamics and habitability for invertebrates. We expected that the influence of shredders on organic matter breakdown in river sediments would be influenced strongly by the physical structure of the interstitial habitat.3. To test this hypothesis, the influence of gammarids (shredders commonly encountered in the hyporheos) on degradation of buried leaf litter was measured in experimental systems (slow filtration columns). We manipulated the structure of the sedimentary habitat by addition of sand to a gravel‐based sediment column to reproduce three conditions of accessible pore volume. Ten gammarids were introduced in columns together with litter bags containing alder leaves at a depth of 8 cm in sediment. Leaves were collected after 28 days to determine leaf mass loss and associated microbial activity (fungal biomass, bacterial abundance and glucosidase, xylosidase and aminopeptidase activities).4. As predicted, the consumption of buried leaf litter by shredders was strongly influenced by the sediment structure. Effective porosity of 35% and 25% allowed the access to buried leaf litter for gammarids, whereas a lower porosity (12%) did not. As a consequence, leaf litter breakdown rates in columns with 35% and 25% effective porosity were twice as high as in the 12% condition. Microbial activity was poorly stimulated by gammarids, suggesting a low microbial contribution to leaf mass loss and a direct effect of gammarids through feeding activity.5. Our results show that breakdown of POM in subsurface waters depends on the accessibility of food patches to shredders.
Integrating floral scent, pollination ecology and population genetics
Authors: Whitehead Michael R. , Peakall Rod 
Published: September 2009

Summary1. Floral scent is a key factor in the attraction of pollinators. Despite this, the role of floral scent in angiosperm speciation and evolution remains poorly understood. Modern population genetic approaches when combined with pollination ecology can open new opportunities for studying the evolutionary role of floral scent.2. A framework of six hypotheses for the application of population genetic tools to questions about the evolutionary role of floral scent is presented. When floral volatile chemistry is linked to pollinator attraction we can analyse questions such as: Does floral volatile composition reflect plant species boundaries? Can floral scent facilitate or suppress hybridization between taxa? Can the attraction of different pollinators influence plant mating systems and pollen‐mediated gene flow? How is population genetic structure indirectly influenced by floral scent variation?3. The application of molecular tools in sexually deceptive orchids has confirmed that volatile composition reflects species boundaries, revealed the role of shared floral odour in enabling hybridization, confirmed that the sexual attraction mediated by floral odour has implications for pollen flow and population genetic structure and provided examples of pollinator‐mediated selection on floral scent variation. Interdisciplinary studies to explore links between floral volatile variation, ecology and population genetics are rare in other plant groups.4. Ideal study systems for future floral scent research that incorporate population genetics will include closely related taxa that are morphologically similar, sympatric and co‐flowering as well as groups that display wide variation in pollination mechanisms and floral volatiles.