bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversal of functional defects in highly differentiated young and old CD8 T cells by PDL blockade
Authors: Henson Sian M. , Macaulay Richard , Franzese Ornella , Akbar Arne N. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryHighly differentiated CD8+ CD28− CD27− T cells have short telomeres, defective telomerase activity and reduced capacity for proliferation. In addition, these cells express increased levels of inhibitory receptors and display defective Akt(ser473) phosphorylation following activation. It is not known whether signalling via programmed death 1 (PD‐1) contributes to any of the attenuated differentiation‐related functional changes in CD8+ T cells. To address this we blocked PD‐1 signalling during T‐cell receptor (TCR) activation using antibodies against PD‐1 ligand 1 (PDL1) and PDL2. This resulted in a significant enhancement of Akt(ser473) phosphorylation and TCR‐induced proliferative activity of highly differentiated CD8+ CD28− CD27− T cells. In contrast, the reduced telomerase activity in these cells was not altered by blockade of PDL1/2. We also demonstrate that PD‐1 signalling can inhibit the proliferative response in primary human CD8+ T cells from both young and older humans. These data collectively highlight that some, but not all, functional changes that arise during progressive T‐cell differentiation and during ageing are maintained actively by inhibitory receptor signalling.
Long microsatellites and unusually high levels of genetic diversity in the Orthoptera
Authors: Chapuis M.‐P. , Streiff R. , Sword G. A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMuch remains to be learned about the mutational processes governing the evolution of microsatellite repeat regions and the associated levels of genetic diversity observed at microsatellite markers across populations or species. An extensive survey of microsatellite variation in 210 insect species from six major orders revealed that within Orthopterans, which are characterized by giant genomes, levels of genetic diversity were ∼20% higher and microsatellite repeat arrays were longer than in any other group. Because of the mutation dependence on repeat length, this result suggests a higher microsatellite loci mutation rate in the Orthoptera. We deem it plausible that differences among insect orders, either in mismatch repair systems or in abundance of transposable element‐derived microsatellites, can shape the size distribution of both genomes and microsatellite repeat regions. Our findings emphasise that observed levels of genetic diversity can greatly vary across species (orders at least) because of molecular differences in the mechanisms that determine microsatellite size, and are therefore critical to conservation and population genetics studies, where microsatellite repeat variability is primarily interpreted in terms of population demography and history.
A practice‐based study on the effect of a short sucrose/xylitol exposure on survival of primary teeth caries free
Authors: ANTTONEN VUOKKO , HALUNEN ILKKA , PÄKKILÄ JARI , LARMAS MARKKU , TJÄDERHANE LEO 
Published: December 2011

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 356–362
Background.  In a randomized double‐blinded clinical trial, preschool children used sucrose or xylitol chewing gum regularly for 2 months to study the preventive effect of xylitol on acute otitis media (AOM). Salivary mutans streptococci (sm) levels of the children were measured before the exposure. Those with ≥105sm CFU in 1 mL saliva were considered to have high sm levels (sm+); and those with <105 CFU low sm levels (sm−).Aim.  This practice‐based study aims to evaluate long‐term dental effects of the sucrose/xylitol exposure on primary teeth.Design.  For analyses, individuals were divided into sub groups according to their study group in the original AOM trial and baseline sm levels. Outcome events owing to dental caries of their all primary teeth were followed from dental records up to 12 years. Survival of teeth caries free was determined by Kaplan–Meier method and analysed statistically by Wilcoxon testing.Results.  Survival of primary teeth caries free of children with high sm levels in the sucrose group was significantly shorter compared with all other groups when followed until shedding.Conclusions.  Two months’ regular exposure to sucrose was sufficient to induce dental caries in primary teeth of children with elevated sm levels at baseline.
Initiating end‐of‐life care pathways: a discussion paper
Authors: Watts Tessa 
Published: December 2011

watts t. (2012) Initiating end‐of life‐care pathways: a discussion paper. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2359–2370.AbstractAims.  To discuss the intricacies of the decision‐making process about initiating end‐of‐life care pathways.Background.  Internationally, enhancing the quality of end‐of‐life care has become a central concern in governments’ health policies. Despite limited empirical evaluation, end‐of‐ life care pathways have been championed and widely adopted as complex interventions to enhance end‐of‐life care worldwide.Data sources.  A literature search of established electronic databases was conducted for published articles in English addressing decision‐making and end‐of‐life care pathways between 1997–2010. Manual searches of relevant journals and internet sites were also undertaken.Discussion.  The initiation of an end‐of‐life care pathway marks the transition to the terminal phase of care. Although guidance for commencing these pathways exists, this may not overcome the complexities of the decision‐making process, which must be viewed in context, namely: marking the transition to terminal care, dealing with ambiguity, reaching professional consensus and engaging patients and families.Implications for nursing.  Nurses in all care settings have an important role in easing the transition to end‐of‐ life care. Accordingly, nurses need not only an appreciation of end‐of‐life care pathways, but the complexities surrounding the decision to commence a pathway and their role within.Conclusion.  The initiation of an end‐of‐life care pathway is contingent on the outcome of a complex decision‐making process which is rarely explored and poorly understood.
Obstructive sleep apnoea in adults: body postures and weight changes interactions
Authors: OKSENBERG ARIE , DYNIA AIDA , NASSER KHITAM , GADOTH NATAN 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe aim of this work was to study the relationship between changes of body posture dominance and changes of body weight overtime in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea. The participants were 112 non‐treated adults with obstructive sleep apnoea who underwent two polysomnographic evaluations at our Sleep Disorders Unit during an average of 6.2 years interval. Positional patients – having most of their breathing abnormalities in the supine posture and who became non‐positional patients – had a significant gain in weight and a significant increase in apnoea–hypopnoea index, mainly in lateral apnoea–hypopnoea index. On the contrary, non‐positional patients who became positional patients had a significant decrease in weight (but less than the increase in weight of positional patients who became non‐positional patients) and showed a significant improvement in apnoea–hypopnoea index, again mainly in lateral apnoea–hypopnoea index. These non‐positional patients who became positional patients initially had a less severe disease, as judged by apnoea–hypopnoea index, lateral apnoea–hypopnoea index and minimum SaO2 during non‐rapid eye movement sleep, and were less obese than non‐positional patients who remained non‐positional patients. The later were the patients who showed initially the worst disease and were more obese than the rest of the patients, and their condition did not change significantly over time. Non‐positional patients who converted to positional patients showed a decrease in body weight and improvement of obstructive sleep apnoea, while positional patients who converted to non‐positional patients showed an increase in body weight and worsening of obstructive sleep apnoea. It appears that weight changes have a modulatory effect on positional dominance, and lateral apnoea–hypopnoea index appears to be a sensitive parameter of these changes.
Sex‐specific demographic behaviours that shape human genomic variation
Authors: HEYER E. , CHAIX R. , PAVARD S. , AUSTERLITZ F. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn the human species, the two uniparental genetic systems (mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome) exhibit contrasting diversity patterns. It has been proposed that sex‐specific behaviours, and in particular differences in migration rate between men and women, may explain these differences. The availability of high‐density genomic data and the comparison of genetic patterns on autosomal and sex chromosomes at global and local scales allow a reassessment of the extent to which sex‐specific behaviours shape our genome. In this article, we first review studies comparing the genetic patterns at uniparental and biparental genetic systems and assess the extent to which sex‐specific migration processes explain the differences between these genetic systems. We show that differences between male and female migration rates matter, but that they are certainly not the only contributing factor. In particular, differences in effective population size between men and women are also likely to account for these differences. Then, we present and discuss three anthropological processes that may explain sex‐specific differences in effective population size and thus human genomic variation: (i) variance in reproductive success arising from, for example, polygyny; (ii) descent rules; and (iii) transmission of reproductive success.
Patterns and processes of dispersal behaviour in arvicoline rodents
Authors: LE GALLIARD JEAN‐FRANÇOIS , RÉMY ALICE , IMS ROLF A. , LAMBIN XAVIER 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA good understanding of mammalian societies requires measuring patterns and comprehending processes of dispersal in each sex. We investigated dispersal behaviour in arvicoline rodents, a subfamily of mammals widespread in northern temperate environments and characterized by a multivoltine life cycle. In arvicoline rodents, variation in life history strategies occurs along a continuum from precocial to delayed maturation that reflects seasonal and ecological fluctuations. We compared dispersal across and within species focusing on the effects of external (condition‐dependent) and internal (phenotype‐dependent) factors. Our data revealed substantial, unexplained variation between species for dispersal distances and a strong variation within species for both dispersal distance and fraction. Some methodological aspects explained variation across studies, which cautions against comparisons that do not control for them. Overall, the species under consideration display frequent short‐distance dispersal events and extremely flexible dispersal strategies, but they also have hitherto unexpected capacity to disperse long distances. Female arvicolines are predominantly philopatric relative to males, but we found no clear association between the mating system and the degree of sex bias in dispersal across species. Dispersal is a response to both various proximate and ultimate factors, including competition, inbreeding avoidance, mate searching and habitat quality. In particular, our review suggests that costs and benefits experienced during transience and settlement are prime determinants of condition dependence. Patterns of phenotype‐dependent dispersal are idiosyncratic, except for a widespread association between an exploration/activity syndrome and natal dispersal. Consequences for population dynamics and genetic structures are discussed.
Coordination of a mitochondrial superoxide burst during the hypersensitive response to bacterial pathogen in Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: CVETKOVSKA MARINA , VANLERBERGHE GREG C. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTWe characterized responses of Nicotiana tabacum to pathovars of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. These included a compatible response associated with necrotic cell death (pv. tabaci), an incompatible response that included hypersensitive response (HR) cell death (pv. maculicola) and an incompatible response that induced defences but lacked the HR (pv. phaseolicola). Signalling molecules (salicylic acid, nitric oxide, H2O2) known to induce the stress responsive tobacco Aox1a gene [that encodes the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) component alternative oxidase (AOX)] accumulated preferentially during the HR, but this did not elevate Aox1a transcript or AOX protein, while the transcript and protein were strongly elevated during the defence response to pv. phaseolicola. In addition, matrix manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity declined during the HR, unlike its response to the other pathovars, and unlike the response of other superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. Finally, the HR (but not the response to pv. phaseolicola or pv. tabaci) was accompanied by an early and persistent mitochondrial superoxide (O2‐) burst prior to cell death. We propose that a coordinated response of the major ETC mechanism to avoid O2‐ generation (AOX) and the sole enzymatic means to scavenge mitochondrial O2‐ (MnSOD) is important in the determination of cell fate during responses to pathogen.
Evaluation of remote sensing‐based seismic site characterization using earthquake damage data
Authors: Shafique Muhammad , van der Meijde Mark , van der Werff Harald M. A. 
Published: December 2011

Terra Nova, 24, 123–129, 2012AbstractPreparing seismic site characterization maps requires extensive geological and geotechnical data collection and interpretation. This study evaluates a remote sensing‐based method to generate seismic site characterization map at 30‐m spatial resolution. Geographical object‐based image analysis was applied to topographic attributes computed from an Advance Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Digital Elevation Model to demarcate terrane units of mountains, piedmonts and basins. Classified terrane units were verified through a field‐based landform map resulting in an accuracy of 70%. To evaluate the importance of classified terrane units for seismic site characterization and their role in earthquake‐induced building damage, the classified terrane units were compared with 2005 Kashmir earthquake damage data derived from field visits and SPOT‐5 imagery. This shows that 81% of the less, moderate and severe damage intensity zones correspond with mountains, piedmonts and basins respectively. Classified terrane units were assigned Vs30 to generate a seismic site characterization map.
Responses of Photosynthesis and Photosystem II to Higher Temperature and Salt Stress in Sorghum
Authors: Yan K. , Chen P. , Shao H. , Zhao S. , Zhang L. , Zhang L. , Xu G. , Sun J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractGas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence transient were examined in leaves of sorghum under salt stress and high temperature. During salt treatment with 50 and 150 mm NaCl, photosynthetic rate (Pn) decreased, which could be ascribed to stomatal limitation. Salt stress had no effect on photosystem II (PSII) activity. At high temperatures, PSII function was inhibited in leaves of sorghum, indicated by the decrease in PSII performance index on absorption base and PSII maximal photochemistry efficiency (Fv/Fm); however, the decrease was lower in salt‐treated sorghum, suggesting that salt adaption enhanced heat tolerance of PSII. The enhanced heat resistance can be expressed on all the components of PSII including reaction centre, donor side and acceptor side. Consistently, a slight decrease in Pn was found in salt‐treated sorghum at high temperatures, indicating that salt adaption also enhanced heat tolerance of photosynthesis. Proline plays an important protective role in plant response to environmental stress, and its large accumulation in salt‐treated sorghum might be the underlying reason leading to the enhanced heat tolerance. As for this pattern of photosynthetic response, sorghum seems to be a reliable crop species for human beings in the face of global warming and increasing salinity of agricultural land.
Effect of excess levels of lysine and leucine in wheat‐based, amino acid‐fortified diets on the mRNA expression of two selected cationic amino acid transporters in pigs
Authors: Morales A. , Barrera M. A. , Araiza A. B. , Zijlstra R. T. , Bernal H. , Cervantes M. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of excess levels of Leu and Lys on the expression of b0,+ and CAT‐1 mRNA in jejunum, liver and the muscles Longissimus dorsi (LDM) and Semitendinosus (STM). Twenty pigs with an average initial BW of 16.4 ± 1.7 kg were used in a Randomized Complete Block. Dietary treatments (T) were as follows: T1, basal diet; T2, basal plus 3.5 g l‐Lys/kg diet; T3, basal plus 1.5 g l‐Leu/kg diet; T4, basal plus 3.5 g l‐Lys plus 1.5 g l‐Leu/kg diet. Diets in T1 and T3 met 100% the requirement of Lys for pigs within the 10 to 20 kg body weight range; diets in T2 and T4 contained 35% excess of Lys. Also, diets in T1 and T2 supplied 104%, whereas diets in T3 and T4 supplied 116% the requirement of Leu. The expression of b0,+ in jejunum was reduced (p = 0.002) because of the supplementation of l‐Leu, but l‐Lys supplementation had no effect (p = 0.738). In contrast, the expression of b0,+ in STM (p = 0.012) and liver (p = 0.095) was reduced by the high level of Lys, but Leu had no effect (p > 0.100). CAT‐1 expression in STM increased by high Lys (p = 0.023) and Leu (p = 0.007) levels. In liver, the expression of CAT‐1 substantially increased (p = 0.001) because of Lys. In conclusion, excess levels of dietary Lys and Leu affect the expression of cationic amino acid transporters, and this effect varies depending on the studied tissue.
Within‐generation dynamics of leatherjackets (Tipula paludosa Meig.)
Authors: Blackshaw R. P. , Moore J. P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLarvae of Tipula paludosa (leatherjackets) are pests of grassland and cereals, and important prey items for a range of farmland birds. Their population dynamics from year to year have been the subject of study, but within‐generation dynamics have received much less attention. The duration and occurrence of instars and size of the population is important to both pest management and bird conservation. Leatherjackets were collected monthly from four grass fields over five generations (October to September). Count data were analysed for sources of variability and used to estimate the timing and duration of instars and population changes over a single generation. Instar durations were correlated with temperature. From the first to third instars, sample counts were strongly influenced by the location of the site and the generation. Fourth instar larvae showed a similar decline in numbers across all sites and generations. The duration and timing of first to third instars was more variable than that of the fourth instar, but there was limited evidence that this was influenced by temperature. Only the durations of the third and fourth instars were correlated. The population decline from April to September coincided with the onset of the fourth instar. Our results show that the factors influencing leatherjacket numbers change over the life cycle, but by the fourth instar, these are biotically driven. The predictability of its numerical decline indicates defined windows for crop damage and availability as prey. The stability of its timing suggests that day length may synchronize the annual cycle. Fixed timing of the fourth instar will have important consequences for the timing of crop damage and the conservation of farmland birds as climate changes.
Fumigant activity of essential oils and their components from Eucalyptus codonocarpa and E. dives against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) at three temperatures
Authors: Lim E. , Lee B. H. , Park C. G. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractEssential oils derived from eighteen species of the Myrtaceae family native to Australia, and major constituents of two oils selected from these oils were tested for their fumigant activity against adult females and eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) at 5, 15 and 25°C. Essential oils of Eucalyptus codonocarpa and Eucalyptus dives showed the highest fumigant activity against female adults at 10 μl/l at 15 and 25°C. Among major constituents of the two essential oils, piperitone was the most effective against female adults, followed by terpinene‐4‐ol at 10 μl/l at all three temperatures. The two essential oils and these two constituents lowered egg hatchability at 10 μl/l at 25°C. Our results suggest that piperitone should be further investigated as a potential fumigant against T. urticae.
The interaction of soybean aphids and soybean cyst nematodes on selected resistant and susceptible soybean lines
Authors: Heeren J. R. , Steffey K. L. , Tinsley N. A. , Estes R. E. , Niblack T. L. , Gray M. E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSoybean aphids, Aphis glycines Matsumura, and soybean cyst nematodes, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, are economic pests of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., in the north‐central United States. Combined, these pests may account for 20–50% of yield reductions in a soybean crop. Only limited information is available concerning the interaction of these two pests on soybean production. During the summers of 2006 and 2007, we conducted a field‐experiment near Urbana, IL, to evaluate the effect of resistant and susceptible soybean lines on the development and reproduction of both pests in combination with each other. We also examined how each pest, as well as their interaction, affected the yield of susceptible and resistant soybean lines. Soybean plants grown within caged plots were infested with soybean aphids and soybean cyst nematodes; cumulative aphid days and soybean cyst nematode egg densities were determined at the end of each growing season. Soybean aphids were able to survive on all four soybean lines in both years of this study; however, aphid‐resistant lines generally had fewer cumulative aphid days than aphid‐susceptible lines. Likewise, nematode‐resistant lines typically had fewer eggs than nematode‐susceptible lines. During both years, we failed to observe a significant interaction between these two pests on the reproduction of one another. Yield data from 2006 was inconclusive; however, results from 2007 suggest that yield‐loss when soybean aphids and soybean cyst nematodes occur jointly is not significantly greater than when these two pests occur independently. The relationship between these two pests, and our inability to observe an interaction, are discussed.
Expression of a synthetic cry1AcF gene in transgenic Pigeon pea confers resistance to Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Ramu S. V. , Rohini S. , Keshavareddy G. , Gowri Neelima M. , Shanmugam N. B. , Kumar A. R. V. , Sarangi S. K. , Ananda Kumar P. , Udayakumar M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPigeon pea is an important legume. Yield losses due to insect pests are enormous in the cultivation of this crop. Expression of cry proteins has led to increased resistance to pests in several crops. We report in this paper, expression of a chimeric cry1AcF (encoding cry1Ac and cry1F domains) gene in transgenic pigeon pea and its resistance towards Helicoverpa armigera. PCR, Southern hybridization, RT‐PCR and Western analysis confirmed stable integration and expression of the cry1AcF gene in pigeon pea transgenics. When screened for efficacy of the transformants for resistance against H. armigera, the transgenics showed not only high mortality of the larva but could also resist the damage caused by the larvae. Analysis for the stable integration, expression and efficacy of the transgenics resulted in the identification of four T3 plants arising from two T1 backgrounds as highly promising. The results demonstrate potentiality of the chimeric cry1AcF gene in developing H. armigera‐resistant pigeon pea.