bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causation in the Social Sciences
Authors: Kincaid Harold 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Because of the obstacles to experimentation and because of the complexity of the social world, the social sciences present fertile grounds for investigating issues surrounding causation. This article aims to sketch a number of issues and only secondarily argues for particular positions. It approaches the issues that are discussed with some general background assumptions that frame the issues and are also supported by the topics discussed. Those assumptions concern the nature of causal claims in general, more specifically, questions about the extent to which our understanding of causation can be perfectly general. It presents a number of issues about the ontology and epistemology of causation in the social sciences. The general theme is that these issues cannot be decided in the abstract but must pay careful attention to the empirical presuppositions made and the kinds of evidence for them.
Importance of Protein‐Rich Components in Emulsifying Properties of Corn Fiber Gum
Authors: Yadav Madhav P. , Cooke Peter , Johnston David B. , Hicks Kevin B. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTPurified corn fiber gum (CFG‐F) isolated from fine (kernel endosperm‐derived) corn fiber that contained ≈2% residual protein was extracted with 70% aqueous ethanol. The aqueous ethanol extract (AEE), which contained 19.5% of the total CFG, contained a high percentage of the proteinaceous material present in the original gum sample. The AEE gum contained 6.81% protein by weight. The residue (R), which constituted 66% of the total CFG‐F, contained only 0.55% of protein. The emulsifying properties of R and AEE in a model oil‐in‐water emulsification system were studied by measuring turbidity after 1, 2, and 3 weeks, particle size after 4 weeks, and by confocal laser scanning microscopy after three months of storage at room temperature. These gums were compared with the standard well‐known emulsifiers native acacia gum (NAG) and modified acacia gum (MAG). The results indicate that although AEE contains protein‐rich components, it is not as good an emulsifier as the residue which contains only 0.55% of protein. However, emulsions prepared with the whole (unfractionated) CFG‐F under similar conditions were more stable showing higher turbidity and smaller particles size than those prepared with either R or AEE.
Prognostic significance of genetic alterations detected by high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism array in gastric cancer
Authors: Tada Motohisa , Kanai Fumihiko , Tanaka Yasuo , Sanada Masashi , Nannya Yasuhito , Tateishi Keisuke , Ohta Miki , Asaoka Yoshinari , Seto Motoko , Imazeki Fumio , Yoshida Haruhiko , Ogawa Seishi , Yokosuka Osamu , Omata Masao 
Published: January 2010

We sought to identify genomic changes that could be useful for clinical application, focusing on chromosomal instability and using a high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We analyzed 34 gastric cancer cell lines for areas of DNA that exhibited copy number changes using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 50 K Arrays. The results obtained with the cell lines were verified in 42 gastric cancer tissues using genomic PCR, quantitative real‐time PCR, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analyses. Twenty‐six local homozygous deletion regions, including 13 novel loci, and 31 recurrent high‐grade gain regions, encompassing 14 novel loci, were found in the gastric cancer cell lines. Among the genes detected for high‐grade gain in the cell lines, MYC, PAK1, and ITGB4BP showed copy number gain in more than 40% of gastric cancer tissues. LOH of AB051467, PTPRD, A2BP1, and C20orf133 was detected in more than 35% of gastric cancer tissues. The number of LOH was significantly greater in tumors with lymph node metastasis. In the early stage, the prognosis of patients with LOH of less than two genes was significantly better than that of those with LOH of two genes or more. Using high‐density SNP arrays, we identified several novel and minute genomic alterations. LOH of four genes could be useful for prediction of lymph node metastasis and prognosis in early stage gastric cancers.(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1261–1269)
Mechanism of antitumor effect of a novel bFGF binding peptide on human colon cancer cells
Authors: Wang Cong , Lin Shaoqiang , Nie Yanfang , Jia Xinglong , Wang Jing , Xiao Jian , Wu Jianzhang , Li Xiaokun , Wu Xiaoping 
Published: January 2010

Colon cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was up‐regulated in patients with colon cancer and was considered as a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we first demonstrated that a novel bFGF‐binding peptide (named P7) inhibited proliferation of several colon cancer cell lines including HT‐29, LoVo, and Caco2 cells stimulated by bFGF. Further investigations with HT‐29 cells indicated that P7 arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase of bFGF‐stimulated cells, reduced the levels of phospho‐Erk1/Erk2 induced by bFGF, and caused significant changes in the expression of proteins related to proliferation, cell cycle, and cancer. Our results suggested that the bFGF‐binding peptide has a potential antitumor effect on colon cancer.(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 1212–1218)
The endothelial cells downregulate the generation of factor VIIa through EPCR binding
Authors: Puy Cristina , López‐Sagaseta Jacinto , Hermida José , Montes Ramón 
Published: January 2010

SummaryTraces of activated factor VII (FVIIa) are required to maintain haemostasis. Activated factor X (FXa) is the main activator of FVII in the absence of tissue factor. However, little is known about how this mechanism is regulated. We and others reported the interaction between FVII and the endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR). We have analysed the role of EPCR in the FXa‐dependent FVIIa generation. Activation was performed on the surface of human aortic endothelial cells in the presence or absence of a blocking anti‐EPCR monoclonal antibody (mAb). Western‐blot analyses revealed that FVII activation was increased twofold upon EPCR blocking. Kinetic analyses revealed that blocking doubled the catalytic efficiency for activation. Protein C was unable to mimic the effect of the anti‐EPCR mAb on activation. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that binding of EPCR and phospholipids to FVII were mutually exclusive. The 50% inhibitory concentration value for phospholipids to reduce the binding of FVIIa to EPCR was 57·67 ± 0·11 μmol/l. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that EPCR and phosphatidylserine are located at different regions of the cell surface. We propose that EPCR downregulates FVII activation by moving it from phosphatidylserine‐rich regions. In summary, this study described a new anticoagulant role for EPCR.
Impaired host defence against Mycobacterium avium in mice with chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Fujita M , Harada E , Matsumoto T , Mizuta Y , Ikegame S , Ouchi H , Inoshima I , Yoshida S , Watanabe K , Nakanishi Y 
Published: January 2010

Summary
Patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), an inherited disorder of phagocytic cells, often contract recurrent life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections. CGD is considered to arise from a functional defect of the O2-generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in phagocytes. To determine whether or not NADPH oxidase is crucial to the host defence against Mycobacterium avium, we investigated the response against M. avium using CGD model mice (gp91-phox-) of C57BL/6 strain. A tracheal injection of 1 × 107 colony-forming units (CFU)/head of M. avium strain FN into the CGD mice resulted in a pulmonary infection, while also increasing the mortality rate. In contrast, normal C57BL/6 mice injected with same dose of the organisms did not develop severe pulmonary infection and were able to survive through 2 months of observation. The macrophages obtained from the CGD mice were observed to have a higher burden of the bacterial growth than macrophages from normal C57BL/6 mice. These results suggest that the defect of the NADPH oxidase function impairs the host defence against M. avium infection.
Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β signalling attenuates interleukin (IL)-18 plus IL-2-induced interstitial lung disease in mice
Authors: Segawa S , Goto D , Yoshiga Y , Sugihara M , Hayashi T , Chino Y , Matsumoto I , Ito S , Sumida T 
Published: January 2010

SummaryInterstitial lung disease (ILD) is an intractable disease induced by various factors in humans. However, there is no universally effective treatment for ILD. In this study, we investigated the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling in the pathogenesis of ILD by using model mice. Injection of interleukin (IL)-18 plus IL-2 in C57BL6 (B6) mice resulted in acute ILD by infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells and a significant increase of TGF-β mRNA in the lung. To examine the pathogenetic role of TGF-β in ILD mice, we used SB-431542 (4-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-benzamide), which is a potent and selective inhibitor of TGF-β receptor I (TβRI), also known as activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5). Treatment of B6-ILD mice with SB-431542 resulted in improvement of ILD, delay in mortality, reduction of the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-6 in the lungs. The same treatment also decreased significantly the percentage of natural killer (NK) cells in the lungs (P &lt; 0·05) and mRNA expression levels of certain chemokines such as CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5 and CXCL10 in B6-ILD. These findings were confirmed by IL-18 plus IL-2 treatment of Smad3-deficient (Smad3–/–) mice (P &lt; 0·05). Our results showed that inhibition of TGF-β signalling reduced the percentage of NK cells and the expression of certain chemokines in the lungs, resulting in improvement of ILD. The findings suggest that TGF-β signalling may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IL-18 plus IL-2-induced ILD in mice.
Effects of transgenic endothelin‐2 overexpression on diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats
Authors: Liefeldt L. , Rylski B. , Walcher F. , Manhart J. , Kron S. , Rosenke Y.‐W. , Paul M. , Neumayer H.‐H. , Amann K. , Peters H. 
Published: January 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (3): 203–210AbstractBackground  Transgenic overexpression of human endothelin‐2 in rats was used to characterize the contribution of endothelin to diabetic cardiomyopathy.Materials and methods  Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin in transgenic rats and transgene‐negative controls. Nondiabetic animals were included as well to form a 4‐group study design. Heart morphological and molecular alterations were analysed following 6 months of hyperglycaemia.Results  Plasma endothelin concentrations were significantly higher in both transgenic groups than in wild‐type groups (nondiabetic: 3·5 ± 0·4 vs. 2·1 ± 0·2, P < 0·05; diabetic: 4·5 ± 0·4 vs. 2·5 ± 0·4 fmol mL−1, P < 0·01). Diabetes induced cardiac hypertrophy in both wild‐type and transgenic rats and showed the highest myocardial interstitial tissue volume density in diabetic transgenic rats (1·5 ± 0·07%) as compared with nondiabetic transgenic (1·1 ± 0·03%), nondiabetic wild‐type (0·8 ± 0·01%) and diabetic wild‐type rats (1·1 ± 0·03%; P < 0·01 for all comparisons). A similar pattern with the most severe changes in the enothelin‐2 transgenic, diabetic animals was observed for hypertrophy of the large coronary arteries and the small intramyocardial arterioles respectively. Cardiac mRNA expression of endothelin‐1, endothelin receptors type A and B were altered in some degree by diabetes or transgenic overexpression of endothelin‐2, but not in a uniform manner. Blood pressure did not differ between any of the four groups.Conclusions  Overexpression of the human endothelin‐2 gene in rats aggravates diabetic cardiomyopathy by more severe coronary and intramyocardial vessel hypertrophy and myocardial interstitial fibrosis. This transgenic intervention provides further and independent support for a detrimental, blood pressure‐independent role of endothelins in diabetic cardiac changes.
Over‐expression of Runx1 transcription factor impairs the development of thymocytes from the double‐negative to double‐positive stages
Authors: Wong Won F. , Nakazato Megumi , Watanabe Toshio , Kohu Kazuyoshi , Ogata Takehiro , Yoshida Naomi , Sotomaru Yusuke , Ito Mamoru , Araki Kimi , Telfer Janice , Fukumoto Manabu , Suzuki Daisuke , Sato Takehito , Hozumi Katsuto , Habu Sonoko , Satake Masanobu 
Published: January 2010

SummaryRunx1 transcription factor is highly expressed at a CD4/CD8‐double‐negative (DN) stage of thymocyte development but is down‐regulated when cells proceed to the double‐positive (DP) stage. In the present study, we examined whether the down‐regulation of Runx1 is necessary for thymocyte differentiation from the DN to DP stage. When Runx1 was artificially over‐expressed in thymocytes by Lck‐driven Cre, the DN3 population was unaffected, as exemplified by proper pre‐T‐cell receptor expression, whereas the DN4 population was perturbed as shown by the decrease in the CD27hi sub‐fraction. In parallel, the growth rate of DN4 cells was reduced by half, as measured by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. These events impaired the transition of DN4 cells to the DP stage, resulting in the drastic reduction of the number of DP thymocytes. The Runx1 gene has two promoters, a proximal and a distal promoter; and, in thymocytes, endogenous Runx1 was mainly transcribed from the distal promoter. Interestingly, only distal, but not proximal, Runx1 over‐expression exhibited an inhibitory effect on thymocyte differentiation, suggesting that the distal Runx1 protein may fulfil a unique function. Our collective results indicate that production of the distal Runx1 protein must be adequately down‐regulated for thymocytes to transit from the DN to the DP stage, a critical step in the massive expansion of the T‐cell lineage.
Acidification‐dependent activation of CD1d‐restricted natural killer T cells is intact in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Rzemieniak Sarah E. , Hirschfeld Aaron F. , Victor Rachel E. , Chilvers Mark A. , Zheng Dongjun , Van Den Elzen Peter , Turvey Stuart E. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryCD1d‐restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells are emerging as critical regulators of the immune response to infectious agents, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and therapies to augment NKT‐cell activation may represent a novel approach to treat chronic, antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections. We examined the capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) from people with cystic fibrosis (CF) to activate NKT cells. Our study was motivated by three lines of evidence: (i) NKT cells play a critical role in clearing P. aeruginosa infection; (ii) activation of NKT cells requires acidification‐dependent processing of glycolipid antigens within the endolysosomal compartment; and (iii) endolysosomal acidification may be reduced in CF. We demonstrated that NKT‐cell activation was dependent upon intact organelle acidification as inhibitors of the vacuolar (H+)‐ATPases prevented DCs from activating NKT cells with two glycolipid antigens, α‐galactosylceramide and galactose‐galactosylceramide. In contrast, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel dysfunction had no significant biological impact on the capacity of DCs to activate NKT cells. Dendritic cells from subjects with CF and DCs treated with the thiazolidinone CFTRinh‐172 inhibitor showed no reduction in their ability to activate NKT cells. Based on these data, we find no evidence for an inherent defect in glycolipid antigen presentation to NKT cells in CF subjects.
Interaction strength, food web topology and the relative importance of species in food webs
Authors: O’Gorman Eoin J. , Jacob Ute , Jonsson Tomas , Emmerson Mark C. 
Published: January 2010

Summary 1. We established complex marine communities, consisting of over 100 species, in large subtidal experimental mesocosms. We measured the strength of direct interactions and the net strength of direct and indirect interactions between the species in those communities, using a combination of theoretical and empirical approaches. 2. Theoretical predictions of interaction strength were derived from the interaction coefficient matrix, which was parameterised using allometric predator–prey relationships. Empirical estimates of interaction strength were quantified using the ln‐ratio, which measures the change in biomass density of species A in the presence and absence of species B. 3. We observed that highly connected species tend to have weak direct effects and net effects in our experimental food webs, whether we calculate interaction strength theoretically or empirically. 4. We found a significant correlation between our theoretical predictions and empirical estimates of direct effects and net effects. The net effects correlation was much stronger, indicating that our experimental communities were dominated by a mixture of direct and indirect effects. 5. Re‐calculation of the theoretical predictions of net effects after randomising predator and prey body masses did not affect the negative relationship with connectance. 6. These results suggest that food web topology, which in this system is constrained by body mass, is overwhelmingly important for the magnitude of direct and indirect interactions and hence species importance in the face of biodiversity declines.
Determination of minimal concentration of Piscirickettsia salmonis in water columns to establish a fallowing period in salmon farms
Authors: Olivares J , Marshall S H 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA highly sensitive real‐time PCR procedure to detect and quantify the number of Pisciricketsia salmonis units in seawater samples from affected farm sites has been developed. The purpose was to determine a fallowing period that would allow safe restocking of the target farm with new fish. Bacterial load was determined in water samples by comparing the obtained amplification values against a standard curve generated by the amplification of known concentrations of the ITS‐ribosomal component of P. salmonis DNA, cloned in a suitable vector. The standard curve was linear over the range of 101–1010 log units. Target samples were taken every 10 days over a 40‐day period, at 5 m depth and at the surface. In a highly affected area of southern Chile, the number of bacterial units in farm water decreased to zero at day 50. Therefore, a fallowing period of 50 days post‐removal of cages of affected fish appears to be appropriate before restocking. This procedure could be adapted to control disease problems because of other pathogens in fish farm waters.
Nano‐TiC obtained through a reaction of MWCNTs with Zr(Y,Ti)O2
Authors: PYDA W. , MORGIEL J. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe zirconia nanopowder stabilized with 2.5 mol% Y2O3 and doped with 18 mol% TiO2 (Zr(Y,Ti)O2) was homogenized with 5.2 wt% multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) through colloidal processing. The resultant mixture was heat‐treated for 2 h at 1200°C in vacuum under a pressure of 5 · 10−4 mbar. The microstructure characterization was performed using the TECNAI FEG (200 kV) SuperTWIN transmission electron microscope, equipped with the integrated EDAX detector. The TEM observations of the as‐received samples showed single strands of the carbon nanotubes uniformly dispersed among zirconia crystallites. Heat treatment of the Zr(Y,Ti)O2‐MWCNT mixture caused the transformation of carbon nanotubes into polycrystalline TiC nanofibres and nanorods as confirmed by both the energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy microanalysis and the high‐resolution electron microscopy (HREM) observations. Relying on the above, a mechanism of the TiC in situ crystallization controlled by carbon diffusion through the newly formed TiC phase was discussed.
Friction, adhesion and durability and influence of humidity on adhesion and surface charging of skin and various skin creams using atomic force microscopy
Authors: TANG W. , BHUSHAN B. , GE S. 
Published: January 2010

SummarySkin cream is commonly used to improve skin health and create a smooth, soft and moist perception by altering the surface roughness, friction, adhesion, elasticity and surface charging of skin surface. In this study, we present the first systematic study on friction, adhesion, durability and influence of humidity on adhesion and surface charging of skin and various skin creams using atomic force microscopy. Skin is subjected to various daily activities with time, and the durability is closely tied to product compositions. Durability of various skin creams was studied by repeated cycling tests. In order to better understand the frictional behaviour, the dynamic viscosities of various skin creams were measured. Skin cream thinly coats the skin surface and can cause drastic changes in the mechanical properties. In addition to mechanical properties, adhesive force is one of the important factors in determining the tactile perception of skin cream and is directly affected by the film thickness. Because the environmental dependence of skin and skin cream is of importance, the influence of humidity on adhesive force, film thickness and Young's modulus mapping were measured using force distance technique. The health and feel of skin are significantly affected by its surface charging, the surface potential of skin and various cream‐treated skins was measured using the Kelvin probe method.
Macroevolutionary pattern of sexual size dimorphism in geckos corresponds to intraspecific temperature‐induced variation
Authors: STAROSTOVÁ Z. , KUBIČKA L. , KRATOCHVÍL L. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMany animal lineages exhibit allometry in sexual size dimorphism (SSD), known as ‘Rensch’s rule’. When applied to the interspecific level, this rule states that males are more evolutionary plastic in body size than females and that male‐biased SSD increases with body size. One of the explanations for the occurrence of Rensch’s rule is the differential‐plasticity hypothesis assuming that higher evolutionary plasticity in males is a consequence of larger sensitivity of male growth to environmental cues. We have confirmed the pattern consistent with Rensch’s rule among species of the gecko genus Paroedura and followed the ontogeny of SSD at three constant temperatures in a male‐larger species (Paroedura picta). In this species, males exhibited larger temperature‐induced phenotypic plasticity in final body size than females, and body size and SSD correlated across temperatures. This result supports the differential‐plasticity hypothesis and points to the role phenotypic plasticity plays in generating of evolutionary novelties.
Repression of competition favours cooperation: experimental evidence from bacteria
Authors: KÜMMERLI R. , Van Den BERG P. , GRIFFIN A. S. , WEST S. A. , GARDNER A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRepression of competition (RC) within social groups has been suggested as a key mechanism driving the evolution of cooperation, because it aligns the individual’s proximate interest with the interest of the group. Despite its enormous potential for explaining cooperation across all levels of biological organization, ranging from fair meiosis, to policing in insect societies, to sanctions in mutualistic interactions between species, there has been no direct experimental test of whether RC favours the spread of cooperators in a well‐mixed population with cheats. To address this, we carried out an experimental evolution study to test the effect of RC upon a cooperative trait – the production of iron‐scavenging siderophore molecules – in the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We found that cooperation was favoured when competition between siderophore producers and nonsiderophore‐producing cheats was repressed, but not in a treatment where competition between the two strains was permitted. We further show that RC altered the cost of cooperation, but did not affect the relatedness among interacting individuals. This confirms that RC per se, as opposed to increased relatedness, has driven the observed increase in bacterial cooperation.