bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced salt stress tolerance of rice plants expressing a vacuolar H+‐ATPase subunit c1 (SaVHAc1) gene from the halophyte grass Spartina alterniflora Löisel
Authors: Baisakh Niranjan , RamanaRao Mangu V. , Rajasekaran Kanniah , Subudhi Prasanta , Janda Jaroslav , Galbraith David , Vanier Cheryl , Pereira Andy 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe physiological role of a vacuolar ATPase subunit c1 (SaVHAc1) from a halophyte grass Spartina alterniflora was studied through its expression in rice. The SaVHAc1‐expressing plants showed enhanced tolerance to salt stress than the wild‐type plants, mainly through adjustments in early stage and preparatory physiological responses. In addition to the increased accumulation of its own transcript, SaVHAc1 expression led to increased accumulation of messages of other native genes in rice, especially those involved in cation transport and ABA signalling. The SaVHAc1‐expressing plants maintained higher relative water content under salt stress through early stage closure of the leaf stoma and reduced stomata density. The increased K+/Na+ ratio and other cations established an ion homoeostasis in SaVHAc1‐expressing plants to protect the cytosol from toxic Na+ and thereby maintained higher chlorophyll retention than the WT plants under salt stress. Besides, the role of SaVHAc1 in cell wall expansion and maintenance of net photosynthesis was implicated by comparatively higher root and leaf growth and yield of rice expressing SaVHAc1 over WT under salt stress. The study indicated that the genes contributing toward natural variation in grass halophytes could be effectively manipulated for improving salt tolerance of field crops within related taxa.
Voxel‐based morphometry in patients with obsessive‐compulsive behaviors in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Perry D. C. , Whitwell J. L. , Boeve B. F. , Pankratz V. S. , Knopman D. S. , Petersen R. C. , Jack C. R. , Josephs K. A. 
Published: January 2012

Background and purpose:  Obsessions and compulsive (OC) behaviors are a frequent feature of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), but their structural correlates have not been definitively established.Methods:  Patients with bvFTD presenting to the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center were recruited. Each patient’s caregiver was given the Yale‐Brown Obsessive‐Compulsive scale (YBOCS) to document the type and presence of OC behaviors and to rate their severity. All subjects underwent standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that was evaluated using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). Seventeen patients with bvFTD were recruited, and 11 were included in the study and compared with 11 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Six were excluded for lack of MRI at the time of survey or a pre‐existing neurodegenerative condition.Results:  Nine of the 11 reported OC behaviors, with the most frequent compulsions being checking, hoarding, ordering/arranging, repeating rituals, and cleaning. In the VBM analysis, total YBOCS score correlated with gray matter loss in the bilateral globus pallidus, left putamen, and in the lateral temporal lobe, particularly the left middle and inferior temporal gyri (P < 0.001 uncorrected for multiple comparisons).Conclusions:  Obsessive‐compulsive behaviors were frequent among these patients. The correlation with basal ganglia atrophy may point to involvement of frontal subcortical neuronal networks. Left lateral temporal lobe volume loss probably reflects the number of MAPT mutation patients included but also provides additional data implicating temporal lobe involvement in OC behaviors.
Brain development of very preterm and very low‐birthweight children in childhood and adolescence: a meta‐analysis
Authors: de KIEVIET JORRIT F , ZOETEBIER LYDIA , van ELBURG RUURD M , VERMEULEN R JEROEN , OOSTERLAAN JAAP 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  The aim of this article was to clarify the impact and consequences of very preterm birth (born <32wks of gestation) and/or very low birthweight ([VLBW], weighing <1500g) on brain volume development throughout childhood and adolescence.Method  The computerized databases PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and EMBASE were searched for studies that reported volumetric outcomes during childhood or adolescence using magnetic resonance imaging and included a term‐born comparison group. Fifteen studies were identified, encompassing 818 very preterm/VLBW children and 450 term‐born peers. Average reductions in the total brain volume, white matter volume, grey matter volume, and in the size of the cerebellum, hippocampus, and corpus callosum were investigated using meta‐analytic methods.Results  Very preterm/VLBW children were found to have a significantly smaller total brain volume than the comparison group (d=−0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.43 to −0.73; p<0.001), smaller white matter volume (d=−0.53; CI −0.40 to −0.67; p<0.001), smaller grey matter volume (d=−0.62; CI −0.48 to −0.76; p<0.001), smaller cerebellum (d=−0.74; CI −0.56 to −0.92; p<0.001), smaller hippocampus (d=−0.47; CI −0.26 to −0.69; p<0.001), and smaller corpus callosum (d=−0.71; CI −0.34 to −1.07; p<0.001). Reductions have been associated with decreased general cognitive functioning, and no relations with age at assessment were found.Interpretation  Very preterm/VLBW birth is associated with an overall reduction in brain volume, which becomes evident in equally sized reductions in white and grey matter volumes, as well as in volumes of diverse brain structures throughout childhood and adolescence.
Paroxysmal non‐epileptic motor events in childhood: a clinical and video‐EEG–polymyographic study
Authors: CANAVESE CARLOTTA , CANAFOGLIA LAURA , COSTA CATERINA , ZIBORDI FEDERICA , ZORZI GIOVANNA , BINELLI SIMONA , FRANCESCHETTI SILVANA , NARDOCCI NARDO 
Published: January 2012

Aim The aim of this article was to describe the phenomenology and polymyographic features of paroxysmal non‐epileptic motor events (PNMEs) observed in a series of typically developing and children with neurological impairment.Method We conducted a retrospective evaluation of 63 individuals (29 females; 34 males) affected by PNMEs at the National Neurological Institute ‘C. Besta’ between 2006 and 2008. Individuals were included in the study if they had PNMEs documented by a video‐electroencephalography–polymyographic study and were aged between 1 month and 18 years (mean age at the time of video‐electroencephalography–polymyography: 5y 10mo).Results In 45 of the 63 participants (71%), PNMEs were associated with other neurological conditions (secondary) including epilepsy, whereas in 18 participants PNME was the only neurological symptom (primary). Clinical features allowed classification of the motor disturbance into usual movement disorder categories in 31 individuals (49%); in the remaining 32 (51%), the movement disorder was characterized on the basis of polymyographic pattern of ‘jerks’ or ‘sustained contraction’. The most frequent PNMEs were paroxysmal dyskinesias, followed by startle, stereotypies, shuddering, sleep myoclonus, psychogenic movement disorders, and benign myoclonus of early infancy; the last syndrome was also observed in children with neurological impairment. In eight participants, PNMEs remained unclassified.Interpretation PNMEs may occur in both healthy and children with neurological impairment and are caused by a wide range of static and progressive conditions. In the majority of children with neurological impairment with associated epilepsy, the PNMEs do not fit into the usual movement disorders categories. A video‐electroencephalography–polymyography is therefore useful for characterizing them.
Designing occupancy surveys and interpreting non‐detection when observations are imperfect
Authors: Wintle Brendan A. , Walshe Terry V. , Parris Kirsten M. , McCarthy Michael A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim  Conservation practitioners use biological surveys to ascertain whether or not a site is occupied by a particular species. Widely used statistical methods estimate the probability that a species will be detected in a survey of an occupied site. However, these estimates of detection probability are alone not sufficient to calculate the probability that a species is present given that it was not detected. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate methods for correctly calculating (1) the probability a species occupies a site given one or more non‐detections, and (2) the number of sequential non‐detections necessary to assert, with a pre‐specified confidence, that a species is absent from a site.Location  Occupancy data for a tree frog in eastern Australia serve to illustrate methods that may be applied anywhere species’ occupancy data are used and detection probabilities are < 1.Methods  Building on Bayesian expressions for the probability that a site is occupied by a species when it is not detected, and the number of non‐detections necessary to assert absence with a pre‐specified confidence, we estimate occupancy probabilities across tree frog survey locations, drawing on information about where and when the species was detected during surveys.Results  We show that the number of sequential non‐detections necessary to assert that a species is absent increases nonlinearly with the prior probability of occupancy, the probability of detection if present, and the desired level of confidence about absence.Main conclusions  If used more widely, the Bayesian analytical approaches illustrated here would improve collection and interpretation of biological survey data, providing a coherent way to incorporate detection probability estimates in the design of minimum survey requirements for monitoring, impact assessment and distribution modelling.
How biotic interactions may alter future predictions of species distributions: future threats to the persistence of the arctic fox in Fennoscandia
Authors: Hof Anouschka R. , Jansson Roland , Nilsson Christer 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim With climate change, reliable predictions of future species geographic distributions are becoming increasingly important for the design of appropriate conservation measures. Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely used to predict geographic range shifts in response to climate change. However, because species communities are likely to change with the climate, accounting for biotic interactions is imperative. A shortcoming of introducing biotic interactions in SDMs is the assumption that biotic interactions remain the same under changing climatic factors, which is disputable. We explore the performance of SDMs while including biotic interactions.Location Fennoscandia, Europe.Methods We investigate the appropriateness of the inclusion of biotic factors (predator pressure and prey availability) in assessing the future distribution of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in Fennoscandia by means of SDM, using the algorithm MaxEnt.Results Our results show that the inclusion of biotic interactions enhanced the accuracy of SDMs to predict the current arctic fox distribution, and we argue that the accuracy of future predictions might also be enhanced. While the range of the arctic fox is predicted to have decreased by 43% in 2080 because of temperature‐related variables, projected increases in predator pressure and reduced prey availability are predicted to constrain the potential future geographic range of the arctic fox in Fennoscandia 13% more.Main conclusions The results indicate that, provided one has a good knowledge of past changes and a clear understanding of interactions in the community involved, the inclusion of biotic interactions in modelling future geographic ranges of species increases the predictive power of such models. This likely has far‐reaching impacts upon the design and implementation of possible conservation and management plans. Control of competing predators and supplementary feeding are suggested as necessary management actions to preserve the Fennoscandian arctic fox population in the face of climate change.
Telomere dysfunctional environment induces loss of quiescence and inherent impairments of hematopoietic stem cell function
Authors: Song Zhangfa , Zhang Junling , Ju Zhenyu , Rudolph K. Lenhard 
Published: January 2012

SummaryPrevious studies have shown that telomere dysfunction induces alteration in the systemic (circulatory) environment impairing the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) but these defects can be reverted by re‐exposing HSCs to an environment with functional telomeres. In contrast, HSC intrinsic telomere dysfunction induces permanent and irreversible limitations in the repopulation capacity partially depending on the induction of checkpoints such as cell cycle arrest, differentiation, or apoptosis. It is currently unknown whether telomere dysfunctional environment can induce irreversible, cell intrinsic defects impairing the function of HSCs. Here, we analyzed the functional reserves of murine, wild‐type HSCs with intact telomeres that were transiently exposed to a telomere dysfunctional environment (late generation telomerase knockout mice) or to an environment with functional telomeres (wild‐type mice). The study shows that the telomere dysfunctional environment leads to irreversible impairments in the repopulation capacity of wild‐type HSCs. The telomere dysfunctional environment impaired the maintenance of HSC quiescent. Moreover, the study shows that alterations in the systemic (circulatory) environment rather than the bone stromal niche induce loss of stem cell quiescence and irreversible deficiencies of HSCs exposed to a telomere dysfunctional environment.
Worldwide Screening for Canine Hip Dysplasia: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Verhoeven Geert , Fortrie Ruth , Van Ryssen Bernadette , Coopman Frank 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveTo critically review the different screening systems used for canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and their impact on the prevalence of the disease.Study designCritical literature review.MethodsLiterature search throughPubMed (November 1959–October 2011) and theOrthopedicFoundation forAnimals (OFA),FédérationCynologiqueInternationale (FCI),BritishVeterinaryAssociation/KennelClub (BVA/KC), andPennsylvaniaHipImprovementProgram (PennHIP) websites.ResultsTheOFA,FCI, andBVA/KCscreening methods, which use the hip‐extended radiographic projection, have had relatively minor success onCHDprevalence. These screening approaches are prone to conflicting data regarding interobserver agreement. ThePennHIPandDorsolateralSubluxation (DLS) systems, both distraction methods, have not reported on prevalence but seem to be important heritable traits in genomic screening of dysplastic dogs.ConclusionA shift towards genome screening yields a promising future combatingCHD, although further investigation towards fine‐mapping in the search for genes, responsible forCHD, is necessary.
Chronology of Hip Dysplasia Development in a Cohort of 48 Labrador Retrievers Followed for Life
Authors: Smith Gail K. , Lawler Dennis F. , Biery Darryl N. , Powers Michelle Y. , Shofer Frances , Gregor Thomas P. , Karbe Georga T. , McDonald‐Lynch Mischa B. , Evans Richard H. , Kealy Richard D. 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the chronology of radiographic signs of canine hip dysplasia (CHD), specifically joint laxity and secondary osteoarthritis (OA).Study DesignLongitudinal cohort study.AnimalsPaired littermates, 48Labrador retrievers.MethodsConventional, ventrodorsal, hip‐extended (HE) radiographs were evaluated yearly forCHDaccording to the subjective criteria of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).PennHIPscreening was performed at 2 years of age to assess joint laxity by distraction index (DI). Histopathologic evaluation of coxofemoral joints was performed at the dogs’ natural end of life.ResultsCoxofemoral subluxation, as identified on theHEradiograph occurred by 2 years of age and not thereafter. Accuracy ofOFA‐criteria scoring was poor: 55% of dogs scored “normal” at 2 years of age became radiographically dysplastic by the end of life (45% negative predictive value,NPV); 92% of the dogs scored as normal at 2 years of age had histopathologicOAofCHD(8%NPV). TheDIpredicted all 48 dogs to be susceptible toOAofCHDand 98% had radiographic or histopathologicOAby the end of life.ConclusionOFA‐criteria score was profoundly influenced by environmental factors, such as diet restriction and age, reducing its value as a selection criterion.DImeasurements were not influenced by dietary treatment suggesting higher trait heritability.
Radiographic Hip Joint Phenotype of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Authors: Karbe Georga T. , Biery Darryl N. , Gregor Thomas P. , Giger Urs , Smith Gail K. 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate the radiographic hip joint phenotype of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.Study DesignProspective and retrospective cross‐sectional study.AnimalsPembroke Welsh Corgis (n = 399).MethodsVentrodorsal, hip‐extended radiographs were evaluated for subluxation, osteoarthritis (OA), caudolateral curvilinear osteophytes (CCO), and circumferential femoral head osteophytes (CFHO) of PennHIP evaluated Corgis. Joint laxity was measured by distraction index (DI).ResultsAll Corgis had DI > 0.30 (mean, 0.66), 6.8% had OA, 18% had subluxation, 22.3% had CCO, and 74.4% had CFHO. Higher DI increased the odds for subluxation and canine hip dysplasia (CHD) but not for OA, CCO, or CFHO. The presence of CCO increased the odds for OA by 4.6 times (P= .002) and 2.2 times (P= .01) for hip dysplasia. All dogs with OA had CFHO. The presence of CFHO increased the odds for subluxation by 8.7 times (p < .001) and 8.9 times (P < .001) for hip dysplasia. Subluxation increased the odds for OA by 15.4 times (P < .001).ConclusionCorgis had a low frequency of conventional OA despite having hip laxity that has been shown to correlate with hip OA and hip dysplasia in large‐breed dogs. The relationship between CCO and OA was similar to published findings in nonchondrodystrophic large‐breed dogs and the CFHO was significantly associated with subluxation. Both CCO and CFHO are associated with hip dysplasia in this small chondrodystrophic breed.
Nano Total Hip Replacement in 12 Dogs
Authors: Ireifej Shadi , Marino Dominic , Loughin Catherine 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the short‐term clinical outcome of nano total hip replacement (NanoTHR) in dogs.Study DesignRetrospective case series.AnimalsDogs (n = 12).MethodsMedical records (2009–2011) of dogs that had nano‐THR were reviewed for signalment, weight, clinical signs, side, age, prosthesis sizes, concurrent surgeries performed, complications, operative time, 3‐month postoperative pelvic radiograph results, and lameness scores.ResultsBreeds were Yorkshire Terriers (n = 6), Toy Poodles (2), with 1 each of Maltese, Pomeranian, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Shih‐Tzu. Median body was 4.87 kg (range, 2.5–5.90 kg) and median age, 35.75 months (range, 12–144 months). Radiographs were taken in 4 dogs at 12 days (n = 2), 14 days (1), and 30 days (1) after surgery because of presentation for an acute grade 5 lameness. Three dogs had femoral fractures distal to the femoral implant tip and 1 dog displaced the acetabular implant medially. After revision surgery, all femoral fractures were assessed as healed with intact plate fixation. The dog with the medially displaced acetabular component responded to conservative management including strict confinement and analgesic administration. Eight dogs (58%) were assigned a grade 1 lameness and 4 dogs were grade 2 (33%) at 12‐week examination. The 3 dogs with grade 5 lameness scores found to have femoral fractures within 1 month after surgery, subsequently improved to grade 1 (n = 1) and 2 (2) 12 weeks after revision surgery. The dog with medial acetabular displacement improved to a grade 2 lameness 12 weeks after conservative management.ConclusionsAlthough all 12 dogs had good‐to‐excellent outcomes, 33% experienced significant complications associated with the technique. As improvements in instrumentation and refinements in the technique are developed, NanoTHR can be considered an alternative to the femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) or medical management of coxofemoral disease for toy breed dogs. Further studies with a larger number of dogs and longer follow‐up times are required.
A Simple “Streak Length Method” for Quantifying and Characterizing Red Blood Cell Velocity Profiles and Blood Flow in Rat Skeletal Muscle Arterioles
Authors: AL‐KHAZRAJI BARAA K. , NOVIELLI NICOLE M. , GOLDMAN DANIEL , MEDEIROS PHILIP J. , JACKSON DWAYNE N. 
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Al‐Khazraji BK, Novielli NM, Goldman D, Medeiros PJ, Jackson DN. A simple “Streak Length Method” for quantifying and characterizing red blood cell velocity profiles and blood flow in rat skeletal muscle arterioles. Microcirculation 19: 327–335, 2012.AbstractObjectives:  To develop a valid experimental method for quantifying blood flow in continuously branching skeletal muscle arterioles, and to derive an empirical relationship between velocity ratio (VMax/VMean) and arteriolar diameter.Methods:  We evaluated arteriolar trees using IVVM of rat gluteus maximus muscle and developed a method to acquire single fluorescent‐labeled RBC velocities across arteriolar lumens to create velocity profiles. These data were used to calculate the blood flow for 37 vessel segments (diameters: 21–115 μm).Results:  Mass balance at arteriolar bifurcations had 0.6 ± 3.2% error. Velocity ratios ranged from 1.35 to 1.98 and were positively correlated with diameter (p < 0.0001), and VRBC profiles were blunted with decreasing diameter.Conclusions:  We present a means for quantifying blood flow in continuously branching skeletal muscle arterioles. Further, we provide an equation for calculating velocity ratios based on arteriolar diameter, which may be used by others for blood flow calculations.
Spotlight Issue: MicroRNAs in the Microcirculation—From Cellular Mechanisms to Clinical Markers
Authors: SIOW RICHARD C.M. , CLOUGH GERALDINE F. 
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Siow RCM, Clough GF. Spotlight Issue: MicroRNAs in the microcirculation—from cellular mechanisms to clinical markers. Microcirculation19: 193–195, 2012.AbstractThis spotlight issue of Microcirculation contains four state‐of‐the‐art review articles on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of endogenous, highly conserved, small, non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post transcriptional level, and can act as key regulators of cellular mechanisms within the microcirculation. The expert reviews address issues, such as the role of miRNAs in determining endothelial cell differentiation and lineage commitment, the physiological role of miRNAs as critical modulators of endothelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and in angiogenesis, and their aberrant expression in different vascular disorders. The reviews also explore the prognostic value of miRNAs in cardiovascular disease and how they may serve both as a therapeutic target and clinical biomarker in the future. This cutting edge edition of the journal Microcirculation highlights the progress that has been made in this new and challenging research area.