bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural and functional changes linked to, and factors promoting, cytoplasmic maturation in mammalian oocytes
Authors: Yamada Masayasu , Isaji Yuuki 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn most mammals, oocyte maturation is the final process of oogenesis, from the prophase of the first meiosis (germinal vesicle stage) to the metaphase of the second meiosis (MII), during which the oocyte acquires fertilizable competence as well as post‐fertilization development competence. The nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation processes occur in synchrony but independently. Cytoplasmic maturation entails biochemical and structural changes in the cytoplasm, which give rise to oocytes capable of being fertilized and developing into embryos. Herein we review the literature and results from our own experiments on the structural and molecular events regulating cytoplasmic maturation in oocytes, concentrating on (1) the appropriate reorganization of active mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, a structural and functional feature of cytoplasmic maturation, and (2) factors involved in regulatory mechanisms such as cumulus cell–oocyte gap junctional signaling, cumulus cell–oocyte bidirectional paracrine signaling, and the complex interactions of these signaling processes and follicular fluid constituents in the follicle environment.
Displaced tick-parasite interactions at the host interface
Authors: Nuttall P. A. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryReciprocal interactions of parasites transmitted by blood-sucking arthropod vectors have been studied primarily at the parasite–host and parasite–vector interface. The third component of this parasite triangle, the vector–host interface, has been largely ignored. Now there is growing realization that reciprocal interactions between arthropod vectors and their vertebrate hosts play a pivotal role in the survival of arthropod-borne viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. The vector–host interface is the site where the haematophagous arthropod feeds. To obtain a blood meal, the vector must overcome the host's inflammatory, haemostatic, and immune responses. This problem is greatest for ixodid ticks which may imbibe as much as 15 ml blood whilst continuously attached to their host for 10 days or more. To feed successfully, the interface between tick and host becomes a battle between the host's mechanisms for combating the tick and the tick's armoury of bioactive proteins and other chemicals which it secretes, via saliva, into the feeding lesion formed in the host's skin. Parasites entering this battlefield encounter a privileged site in their vertebrate host that has been profoundly modified by the pharmacological activities of their vector's saliva. For example, ticks suppress natural killer cells and interferons, both of which have potent antiviral activities. Not surprisingly, vector-borne parasites exploit the immunomodulated feeding site to promote their transmission and infection. Certain tick-borne viruses are so successful at this that they are transmitted from one infected tick, through the vertebrate host to a co-feeding uninfected tick, without a detectable viraemia (virus circulating in the host's blood), and with no untoward effect on the host. When such viruses do have an adverse effect on the host, they may impede their vectors' feeding. Thus important interactions between ticks and tick-borne parasites are displaced to the interface with their vertebrate host - the skin site of blood-feeding and infection.
Niche restriction in parasites: proximate and ultimate causes
Authors: Rohde K. 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYHutchinson's (1957) definition of an ecological niche as a multidimensional hypervolume determined by a number of physical and biotic variables is adopted. The number of niche dimensions is very great, but as a working hypothesis it is assumed that a few are sufficient to characterize the niche of a parasite species to a high degree of accuracy. They are host species, microhabitat(s), macrohabitat(s), geographical range, sex and age of host, season, food and hyperparasites. Methods to measure niche width, in particular specificity indices, are discussed, and some examples of niche restriction are described. Proximate and ultimate causes of niche restriction are discussed, mainly using marine parasites as examples. Among proximate causes of one niche dimension, host specificity, are ecological factors restricting exposure to infection to certain host species; host-specific chemical factors that induce hatching, direct infective stages to a host and bring about settlement of a parasite; factors that lead to mortality in or on the wrong host; morphological adaptations that guarantee survival in or on the ‘correct’ host; and availability of suitable hosts. Many factors are likely to be responsible for microhabitat specificity, but have been little studied, except for some physiological and morphological adaptations to particular microhabitats. Macrohabitats and geographical range may be determined by the distribution of intermediate hosts and certain food items, and by a variety of chemical and physical factors. Hosts of different sexes may differ in feeding habits and the composition of the skin, and thus acquire parasites differentially. Hosts of different age may be differentially infected due to accumulation of parasites with age, loss of parasites due to developing resistance (or immunity), and different size and feeding habits. Among ultimate causes of niche restriction and segregation are avoidance of competition, predation and hyperparasites; facilitation of mating; reinforcement of reproductive barriers; and adaptations to environmental complexity. Few studies permit a decision on which factor or factors are responsible in particular cases. Interspecific competition may play a greater role in helminth communities of some host groups than of others, but it seems that, overall, its role has been exaggerated at least for marine parasites. Some ‘classical’ examples of microhabitat segregation explained by interspecific competition can also be explained by reinforcement of reproductive barriers. There is evidence for the importance of facilitation of mating in microhabitat restriction, and the availability of many vacant niches indicates that competition, overall, is not of great importance.
Behavioural defense against parasites: interaction with parasite invasiveness
Authors: Hart B. L. 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYBehavioural patterns involved in avoiding, repelling, or removing parasites allow mammalian hosts to defend themselves from an array of parasites that threaten the host's fitness in the natural world. Some examples of behavioural defenses and the presumed target parasites are: grooming to remove ticks, grouping to reduce attack rate of biting flies, fly repelling movements to reduce parasitic flies, and selective grazing to reduce intake of faecal-borne parasites. These behavioural defenses are discussed with regard to effectiveness in controlling the target parasites. Parasites have sometimes evolved behavioural strategies of evading, penetrating or disabling these behavioural defenses. These parasite behavioural strategies, though less studied, are discussed. Also discussed is the possibility that host behavioural patterns that may defend against one parasite may be exploited by a different type of parasite to facilitate its own transmission. The interplay between host defensive strategies, the cost versus the effectiveness of such strategies, and a parasite's evasion or exploitation of such strategies, may be useful in understanding some aspects of host-parasite dynamics in nature.
Twisted Dickson–Mui invariants and the Steinberg module multiplicity
Authors: WAN JINKUI , WANG WEIQIANG 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe determine the invariants, with arbitrary determinant twists, of the parabolic subgroups of the finite general linear group GLn(q) acting on the tensor product of the symmetric algebra S•(V) and the exterior algebra ∧•(V) of the natural GLn(q)-module V. In addition, we obtain the graded multiplicity of the Steinberg module of GLn(q) in S•(V) ⊗ ∧•(V), twisted by an arbitrary determinant power.
Needs-oriented discharge planning for high utilisers of psychiatric services: multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Puschner B. , Steffen S. , Völker K. A. , Spitzer C. , Gaebel W. , Janssen B. , Klein H. E. , Spiessl H. , Steinert T. , Grempler J. , Muche R. , Becker T. 
Published: March 2011

Aims.Attempts to reduce high utilisation of mental health inpatient care by targeting the critical time of hospital discharge are rare. In this study, we test the effect of a needs-oriented discharge planning intervention on number and duration of psychiatric inpatient treatment episodes (primary), as well as on outpatient service use, needs, psychopathology, depression and quality of life (secondary).Methods.Four hundred and ninety-one adults with a defined high utilisation of mental health care gave informed consent to participate in a multicentre RCT carried out at five psychiatric hospitals in Germany (Düsseldorf, Greifswald, Regensburg, Ravensburg and Günzburg). Subjects allocated to the intervention group were offered a manualised needs-led discharge planning and monitoring intervention with two intertwined sessions administered at hospital discharge and 3 months thereafter. Outcomes were assessed at four measurement points during a period of 18 months following discharge.Results.Intention-to-treat analyses showed no effect of the intervention on primary or secondary outcomes.Conclusions.Process evaluation pending, the intervention cannot be recommended for implementation in routine care. Other approaches, e.g. team-based community care, might be more beneficial for people with persistent and severe mental illness.
Integrative network alignment reveals large regions of global network similarity in yeast and human
Authors: Kuchaiev Oleksii , Pržulj Nataša 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Motivation: High-throughput methods for detecting molecular interactions have produced large sets of biological network data with much more yet to come. Analogous to sequence alignment, efficient and reliable network alignment methods are expected to improve our understanding of biological systems. Unlike sequence alignment, network alignment is computationally intractable. Hence, devising efficient network alignment heuristics is currently a foremost challenge in computational biology.
Results: We introduce a novel network alignment algorithm, called Matching-based Integrative GRAph ALigner (MI-GRAAL), which can integrate any number and type of similarity measures between network nodes (e.g. proteins), including, but not limited to, any topological network similarity measure, sequence similarity, functional similarity and structural similarity. Hence, we resolve the ties in similarity measures and find a combination of similarity measures yielding the largest contiguous (i.e. connected) and biologically sound alignments. MI-GRAAL exposes the largest functional, connected regions of protein–protein interaction (PPI) network similarity to date: surprisingly, it reveals that 77.7% of proteins in the baker's yeast high-confidence PPI network participate in such a subnetwork that is fully contained in the human high-confidence PPI network. This is the first demonstration that species as diverse as yeast and human contain so large, continuous regions of global network similarity. We apply MI-GRAAL's alignments to predict functions of un-annotated proteins in yeast, human and bacteria validating our predictions in the literature. Furthermore, using network alignment scores for PPI networks of different herpes viruses, we reconstruct their phylogenetic relationship. This is the first time that phylogeny is exactly reconstructed from purely topological alignments of PPI networks.
Availability: Supplementary files and MI-GRAAL executables: http://bio-nets.doc.ic.ac.uk/MI-GRAAL/.
Contact: natasha@imperial.ac.uk
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Ultrasound‐guided spinal accessory nerve blockade in the diagnosis and management of trapezius muscle‐related myofascial pain
Authors: Townsley P. , Ravenscroft A. , Bedforth N. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryWe report the first description of ultrasound‐guided spinal accessory nerve blockade using single‐shot and subsequently continuous infusion (via a perineural catheter) local anaesthetic techniques, for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain affecting the trapezius muscle. A 38‐year‐old man presented with a two‐year history of incapacitating left suprascapular pain after a fall onto his outstretched hand. The history and clinical examination was suggestive of myofascial pain affecting the trapezius muscle. This had been unresponsive to pharmacological therapy, physiotherapy or suprascapular nerve blockade. Following identification of the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior triangle of the neck, we performed ultrasound‐guided nerve blocks, first using a single injection of local anaesthetic and subsequently using a continuous infusion via a perineural catheter, to block the nerve and temporarily relieve the patient’s pain. We have demonstrated that the spinal accessory nerve is identifiable in the posterior triangle of the neck and can be blocked successfully using ultrasound guidance. This technique can aid the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain originating from the trapezius muscle.
Autologous stem cell transplant for early relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: results from two transplant centres
Authors: Smith Stephen D. , Moskowitz Craig H. , Dean Robert , Pohlman Brad , Sobecks Ronald , Copelan Edward , Andresen Steven , Bolwell Brian , Maragulia Jocelyn C. , Vanak Jill M. , Sweetenham John , Moskowitz Alison J. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryPrior series have demonstrated that early relapsed (within 1 year) or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is associated with poor prognosis. To determine the outcome for patients with early relapsed/refractory HL in the modern era, we combined data from two large transplant centres, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute (CCTCI) and Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), and analysed consecutive patients transplanted for relapsed/refractory HL following induction failure or remission durations of <1 year. Two hundred and fourteen patients were analysed and the event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) at 6 years for all patients were 45% and 55%, respectively. Factors significant for prognosis in multivariate analysis were extranodal disease and bulky disease (≥5 cm). Patients with 0, 1, or 2 risk factors achieved 6 year EFS of 65%, 47%, and 24% and 6 year OS of 81%, 55%, and 27%, respectively. Patients with the sole risk factor of early relapsed/refractory disease achieved good outcomes in this large series; however the presence of bulk and/or extranodal disease significantly reduced EFS and OS. Patients with these additional risk factors are best suited for clinical trials investigating novel salvage regimens and post‐transplant maintenance strategies.
Evaluation of harvested mushrooms and viability of Agaricus bisporus growth using casing materials made from spent mushroom substrate
Authors: Pardo‐Giménez Arturo , Pardo‐González José E. , Zied Diego C. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe present work evaluates of harvested mushroom and viability of Agaricus bisporus growth in several casing materials based on spent mushroom substrate. The experiment consisted of eight casing layer, which six were made with spent mushroom substrate. The results confirm the usefulness of reincorporating the spent substrate in new cultivation cycles as an ingredient of casing mixtures. In general, biological efficiency was high, three of the SMS based‐casings surpassing the threshold value of 100 kg 100 kg−1 of compost. The high electrical conductivity of mixtures containing a large proportion of spent substrate limits the extent to which it can be used, although mixing it with other materials (such as peat) reduces these values to acceptable levels. In short, it makes economic and environmental sense to reuse spent mushroom substrate as an ingredient of alternative casing materials.
Comparative assessment of proximate composition, physicochemical parameters, fatty acid profile and mineral content in farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Fallah Aziz A. , Siavash Saei‐Dehkordi S. , Nematollahi Amin 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThis study was conducted to determine differences between farmed and wild rainbow trout in terms of proximate and fatty acid composition, physicochemical parameters and mineral content. Fat content of farmed fish fillets was higher, while moisture content was lower than wild fish. However, wild fish had higher pH value and water‐holding capacity comparing to farmed fish. The muscle lipids of farmed fish contained higher proportions of 20:0, 18:1n‐9 and 20:1n‐9; and lower proportions of 18:2n‐6, 20:2cis, 18:3n‐3, 20:3n‐6, 20:4n‐6, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 fatty acids than wild fish. The percentage of total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) was similar in both fish. Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n‐3 PUFAs and n‐3/n‐6 PUFAs ratio were higher in the wild fish comparing to farmed fish, whereas its total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and n‐6 PUFAs contents were lower. Among the seventeen minerals analysed in fish flesh, differences existed between farmed and wild rainbow trout in Ca and Fe contents. Moreover, toxic trace minerals (As, Cd, Pb and Hg) were all present in amounts below their toxic levels. The differences observed between farmed and wild fish may be attributed to the diet constituents and environmental conditions of the fish.
Comparative study of the mineral composition of several varieties of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) from different countries cultivated in Canary Islands (Spain)
Authors: Luis Gara , Rubio Carmen , González‐Weller Dailos , Gutiérrez Angel J. , Revert Consuelo , Hardisson Arturo 
Published: March 2011

SummaryPotatoes are a basic component of human diets worldwide being an excellent source of minerals linked the maintenance of health. Contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), cupper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in seventy‐four fresh potato samples from different varieties consumed in Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain) were determined by flame atomic absorption spetrometry (FAAS). The mean concentrations were 60.1 mg kg−1, 222 mg kg−1, 5047 mg kg−1, 125 mg kg−1, 1.69 mg kg−1, 8 mg kg−1, 1.70 mg kg−1, 3.88 mg kg−1, 62.7 μg kg−1 and 19.9 μg kg−1 for Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni and Cr, respectively. The varieties of local potatoes presented higher mineral contents than imported potatoes. Potassium presented the highest contents in all varieties of potatoes. Iron was the most abundant microelement. Local potatoes offer greater nutritional contributions to the recommended intakes than imported varieties. Within the macrominerals, the highest contribution to the intakes was observed for K, while Fe was the trace element with the largest contribution to the proposed intake.
Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the rheological properties and particle size of gum tragacanth dispersions from different species
Authors: Farzi Mina , Saffari Mohammad Mahdi , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra , Mohammadifar Mohammad Amin 
Published: March 2011

SummaryDispersions of different species of gum tragacanth were sonicated at a frequency of 24 kHz with a total nominal output power of 200 W for different time intervals (0, 7, 15, 45 and 90 s). Various species behave differently under sonication, which is related to structural differences in these species. In the case of Astragaslus compactus and A. rahensus dispersions, as the sonication time increased, the viscosity and particle size of the dispersions decreased, just as in gum Arabic solutions. However, A. gossypinus gum behaved differently compared to the other species. At early stages of sonication (up to 15 s), the viscosity of the dispersions increased sharply and reached its maximum value (106.04 mPa s) as the particle size increased slightly to 275.69 μm. Continuing sonication led to a decrease in the viscosity of the dispersions, though the particle size did not show any changes. This behaviour is thought to be due to the rupture and aggregation of particles.
Optimisation of electroplasmolysis application for increased juice yield in carrot juice production
Authors: Rayman Ahsen , Baysal Taner , Demirdöven Aslıhan 
Published: March 2011

SummaryElectroplasmolysis (EP) which is among electrical methods and helps to increase cell permeability was used in this study as a pretreatment on carrot juice production for improving yield. A voltage range of 20–60 V and an application time of 30–90 s were studied using the electroplasmolyzator. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for determining the appropriate voltage gradient and time that are effective on breakage of vegetable tissues. After the conditions were optimised, carrot juice was produced and compared with untreated control juices on the aspect of yield and some quality characteristics. As a result, yield was increased 10.49% by EP application. Relative to control samples total pectin (14.78%) and total phenolic content (4.73%) have significant increase. In addition by the effect of electrical pretreatment there was an improvement in soluble solid, pulp content and acidity of juices. The results suggested that juice yield and functional properties were improved by EP application.
Changes during fishing season in the fat content and fatty acid profile of edible muscle, liver and gonads of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) caught in the Turkish Black Sea
Authors: Tufan Bekir , Koral Serkan , Köse Sevim 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThis study aimed to determine the fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, Linnaeus, 1758) in their edible muscle, liver and gonad during the catching season (between September 2008 and April 2009) in The Black Sea Region, Turkey. The most abundant FAs in all samples were palmitic acid (ranged as 15.93–27.34%) amongst saturated fatty acids (SFAs), oleic acid (10.72–21.37%) amongst monounsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (5.28–14.11%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (9.83–22.34%) amongst polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). At the beginning of winter, significant increase in edible muscle and liver’s PUFAs and ∑n3/∑n6 were observed (P < 0.05). The highest contents of ∑PUFAs for muscle and liver were observed in January as 38.52% and 38.82%, respectively, while highest n3/n6 ratios were found in April as 10.13% for muscle and in January for liver samples as 9.15%. This study indicates that anchovy is a good nutritional source for human consumption with high contents of omega 3 fatty acids, particularly during winter. In November, about 130 g of anchovy edible meat is found to be in the satisfactory level for EPA + DHA according to the recommended weekly requirement.