bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of human immunodeficiency virus-1 on monocyte-derived dendritic cell maturation and function
Authors: Fairman P , Angel J B 
Published: June 2012

SummaryDendritic cells (DC) are mediators of the adaptive immune response responsible for antigen presentation to naive T cells in secondary lymph organs. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) has been reported to inhibit the maturation of DC, but a clear link between maturation and function has not been elucidated. To understand further the effects of HIV-1 on DC maturation and function, we expanded upon previous investigations and assessed the effects of HIV-1 infection on the expression of surface molecules, carbohydrate endocytosis, antigen presentation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responsiveness over the course of maturation. In vitro infection with HIV-1 resulted in an increase in the expression of DC-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) as well as decreases in maturation-induced CCR7 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II expression. Retention of endocytosis that normally occurs with DC maturation as well as inhibition of antigen presentation to CD8+ T cells was also observed. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) responsiveness to LPS as measured by phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 was not affected by HIV-1 infection. In summary, in-vitro HIV-1 impairs DC maturation, as defined by cell surface protein expression, with selective alterations in mature DC function. Understanding the mechanisms of DC dysfunction in HIV infection will provide further insight into HIV immune pathogenesis.
Leaf and tiller dynamics in two competingC3grass species: influence of neighbours and nitrogen on morphogenetic traits
Authors: Gatti M. L. , Ayala Torales A. T. , Cipriotti P. A. , Golluscio R. A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe objective of this work was to analyse the competitive interactions betweenBromus willdenowiiKunth. (BW = prairie grass) and a perennialC3grassDactylis glomerataL. (DG = cocksfoot) through morphogenetic traits, during pasture establishment. Four combinations of species (pureBW, pureDG,DGflanked byBWandBWflanked byDGplants), with and without winter nitrogen fertilization, were factorially arranged in a complete random block design. Data were recorded on three tiller age cohorts of the central target plant: the main stem and those that appeared 20 and 30 days after fertilization (daf). Leaf elongation rate (LER) of the older tillers was the only variable affected by nitrogen addition. Annual neighbours, which showed higherLERthan perennial ones, caused a decrease in leaf lifespan in the younger tillers and a delay in the leaf appearance rate on the main stem and on 20‐daf tillers, and the tiller appearance rate. Annual neighbours controlled leaf and tiller dynamics and therefore restricted the vertical and horizontal space occupation of the target plant. These results reinforce the advantage of using a low seeding rate for the annual species to avoid negative effects on perennial grass establishment and persistence.
Theoretical approaches to gender and IT: examining some Australian evidence
Authors: Ridley Gail , Young Judy 
Published: June 2012

AbstractResearchers have sought a theoretical perspective to explain the under‐representation of women in the information technology (IT) workforce of many nations. Gender imbalance limits the size and skill sets of IT human resources. The essentialist theory, social construction theory and individual differences theory of gender and IT have been proposed to account for the IT gender gap. This study examined evidence for these theories to explain this gap through content analysis of articles published in the national newspaper, The Australian, over three time periods. Newspaper articles report implicit theoretical perspectives on IT and gender and influence the views of the Australian public, including women. While evidence to support all theories was found over the three periods, the essentialist theory was dominant. Increased utility of the individual differences theory to account for the IT gender gap was seen in 2007–2008. The primary contribution of this study is to provide evidence that suggests that theoretical approaches, whether implicit or explicit, shape how people understand the under‐representation of women in the IT workforce. Media interventions are proposed to help redress the imbalance through increased awareness.
Delimiting the geographical background in species distribution modelling
Authors: Acevedo Pelayo , Jiménez‐Valverde Alberto , Lobo Jorge M. , Real Raimundo 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAim  The extent of the study area (geographical background, GB) can strongly affect the results of species distribution models (SDMs), but as yet we lack objective and practicable criteria for delimiting the appropriate GB. We propose an approach to this problem using trend surface analysis (TSA) and provide an assessment of the effects of varying GB extent on the performance of SDMs for four species.Location  Mainland Spain.Methods  Using data for four well known wild ungulate species and different GBs delimited with a TSA, we assessed the effects of GB extent on the predictive performance of SDMs: specifically on model calibration (Miller’s statistic) and discrimination (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic plot, AUC; sensitivity and specificity), and on the tendency of the models to predict environmental potential when they are projected beyond their training area.Results  In the training area, discrimination significantly increased and calibration decreased as the GB was enlarged. In contrast, as GB was enlarged, both discriminatory power and calibration decreased when assessed in the core area of the species distributions. When models trained using small GBs were projected beyond their training area, they showed a tendency to predict higher environmental potential for the species than those models trained using large GBs.Main conclusions  By restricting GB extent using a geographical criterion, model performance in the core area of the species distribution can be significantly improved. Large GBs make models demonstrate high discriminatory power but are barely informative. By delimiting GB using a geographical criterion, the effect of historical events on model parameterization may be reduced. Thus purely environmental models are obtained that, when projected onto a new scenario, depict the potential distribution of the species. We therefore recommend the use of TSA in geographically delimiting the GB for use in SDMs.
Different approaches to expressing Edwardsiella tarda antigen GAPDH in attenuated Vibrio anguillarum for multivalent fish vaccines
Authors: Zheng Y , Xiao Y , Wu H , Wang Q , Xiao J , Zhang Y , Liu Q 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWith the development of gene technology, expressing heterologous antigens in attenuated bacteria has become an important strategy to design multivalent vaccines. In our previous work, an attenuated Vibrio anguillarum named MVAV6203 was developed and proven to be an efficient live vaccine candidate. In this research, we aimed to express protective antigen glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) of Edwardsiella tarda in attenuated Vibrio anguillarum to establish a multivalent V. anguillarum vector vaccine. Several strategies were compared between low‐ vs. high‐copy plasmid‐mediated antigen expression, in vivo‐inducible vs. constitutive antigen expression and intracellular vs. surface‐displaying antigen expression. Zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton), was applied as the fish model to evaluate the immune protection of the V. anguillarum vector vaccine candidates. Our results demonstrated that V. anguillarum MVAV6203 (pUTatLNG40), which harbours a low‐copy plasmid‐loaded antigen surface display system under the control of a constitutive promoter, presented the best protective efficacy against the infection of Vibrio anguillarum (relative per cent survival, RPS = 85%) and Edwardsiella tarda (RPS = 70%).
Germline RAD51C mutations in ovarian cancer susceptibility
Authors: Coulet F , Fajac A , Colas C , Eyries M , Dion‐Minière A , Rouzier R , Uzan S , Lefranc J‐P , Carbonnel M , Cornelis F , Cortez A , Soubrier F 
Published: June 2012

AbstractSeveral genes might explain BRCA1/2 negative breast and ovarian family cases. Deleterious mutations in few genes involved in the Fanconi complex are responsible for Fanconi anemia at the homozygous state and breast cancer (BC) susceptibility at the heterozygous state (BRCA2, PALB2, BRIP1). RAD51C plays an important role in the double‐strand break repair pathway and a biallelic missense mutation in the RAD51C gene was found in a Fanconi anemia‐like disorder. Subsequently, six monoallelic pathogenic mutations were identified after screening 480 BRCA1/2 negative breast and ovarian cancer (BC/OC) pedigrees. Several reports were unsuccessful to replicate these results. To investigate whether germline mutations in RAD51C are associated with an increased risk of developing BC/OC, we screened, by Sanger sequencing of the coding sequence, 117 index cases of breast and ovarian families from French or European origin, and negative for BRCA1/2 mutations. In our study, we found 3 pathogenic mutations among 117 families screened which corresponds to a 2.6% frequency. Our results confirm that RAD51C is a susceptibility gene for ovarian and BC and that this gene should be screened for mutations in families with multiple BC/OC.
A Study on the Overwintering of Cucumber Downy Mildew Oospores in China
Authors: Zhang Yan‐ju , Pu Zi‐jing , Qin Zhi‐wei , Zhou Xiu‐yan , Liu Dong , Dai Li‐ting , Wang Wen‐bo 
Published: June 2012

AbstractOospore formation of Pseudoperonospora cubensis was investigated in 10 Chinese locations: Mohe, Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, Beijing, Liaocheng, Yinchuan, Xining, Yangling and Haikou. Oospores were observed in all but Haikou. Oospore viability was monitored from 10 January to 10 July 2009, in Harbin. Percentages of activated oospores increased from 10 April with a peak in late May (14.0% on 25 May 2009), and then decreased. This is in accordance with the usual time of downy mildew appearance in Harbin, 20–30 May. Inoculation tests using the oospores overwintered in Harbin, whether in the greenhouse or outdoors, showed that these were viable, with a disease occurrence of 26.6–95.0%. Oospores overwintering locally could be primary infection sources of downy mildew in cool temperate northern China.
Effects of Long‐Term Storage Methods on the Infectivity of Urediospores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi
Authors: Schmitz Helena Katharina , Stammler Gerd 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA method for long‐term storage of spores of Phakopsora pachyrhizi was optimized. Three methods with different procedures for spore harvest and four different reactivation methods (varying in hydration or using heat shock) were analysed for the suitability for long‐term storage at −80°C. All conservation methods as well as all reactivation methods lead to the infection of soybean leaves after 1 year of storage. Regarding efficiency and labour input, the most recommended method is to tap off spores from infected and sporulating leaves with subsequent dehydration before storage at −80°C. Because hydration or heat shock steps did not provide any advantages, spores can be suspended in Tween water directly after storage and used as inoculum.
Multiple secondary cutaneous tumours following electron beam radiotherapy for cutaneous malignancies of the scalp
Authors: Wolfe Christopher M , Green W Harris , Hatfield H Keith , Shakar Thomas J , Baniahmad Omid , Cognetta Armand B 
Published: June 2012

AbstractElectron beam radiation is a commonly used and effective treatment modality for cutaneous malignancies. Secondary cutaneous malignancies arising in electron beam treatment sites are rarely reported. We report on seven patients who developed multiple secondary tumours arising within and immediately around electron beam radiation treatment sites in the setting of treatment for diffuse primary disease or as adjunctive therapy for aggressive cutaneous malignancies.
Rapamycin‐mediated suppression of renal cyst expansion in del34 Pkd1−/− mutant mouse embryos: An investigation of the feasibility of renal cyst prevention in the foetus
Authors: STAYNER CHERIE , SHIELDS JUSTIN , SLOBBE LYNN , SHILLINGFORD JONATHAN M , WEIMBS THOMAS , ECCLES MICHAEL R 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT:Aim:  Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in humans involves kidney cyst expansion beginning in utero. Recessive PKD can result in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) within the first decade, whereas autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 gene, typically leads to ESRD by the fifth decade of life. Inhibition of mTOR signalling was recently found to halt cyst formation in adult ADPKD mice. In contrast, no studies have investigated potential treatments to prevent cyst formation in utero in recessive PKD. Given that homozygous Pkd1 mutant mice exhibit cyst formation in utero, we decided to investigate whether mTOR inhibition in utero ameliorates kidney cyst formation in foetal Pkd1 homozygous mutant mice.Methods:  Pregnant Pkd1+/− female mice (mated with Pkd1+/− male mice) were treated with rapamycin from E14.5 to E17.5. Foetal kidneys were dissected, genotyped and evaluated by cyst size as well as expression of the developmental marker, Pax2.Results:  Numerous cysts were present in Pkd1−/− kidneys, which were twice the weight of wild‐type kidneys. Cyst size was reduced by a third in rapamycin‐treated Pkd1−/− kidney sections and kidney mass was reduced to near wild‐type levels. However, total cyst number was not reduced compared with control embryos. Pax2 expression and kidney development were unaltered in rapamycin‐treated mice but some lethality was observed in Pkd1−/− null embryos.Conclusion:  Rapamycin treatment reduces cyst formation in Pkd1−/− mutant mice; therefore, the prevention of kidney cyst expansion in utero by mTOR inhibition is feasible. However, selective rapamycin‐associated lethality limits its usefulness as a treatment in utero.
Air pollution: Impact and prevention
Authors: SIERRA‐VARGAS MARTHA PATRICIA , TERAN LUIS M. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTAir pollution is becoming a major health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. In support of this observation, the World Health Organization estimates that every year, 2.4 million people die because of the effects of air pollution on health. Mitigation strategies such as changes in diesel engine technology could result in fewer premature mortalities, as suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This review: (i) discusses the impact of air pollution on respiratory disease; (ii) provides evidence that reducing air pollution may have a positive impact on the prevention of disease; and (iii) demonstrates the impact concerted polices may have on population health when governments take actions to reduce air pollution.
Effects of resistance training on the performance of activities of daily living in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Garuffi Marcelo , Costa José Luiz Riani , Hernández Salma Sthephany Soleman , Vital Thays Martins , Stein Angelica Miki , Santos Julimara Gomes dos , Stella Florindo 
Published: June 2012

Aim:  The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training in activities of daily living performance in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.Methods:  An exploratory and longitudinal study, lasting for 16 weeks, with the participation of 34 patients divided equally in: the training group (TG), who participated in a resistance training protocol (three sets of 20 repetitions in five exercises); and the social gathering group (SGG), who participated in a social interaction protocol (i.e. group dynamics, writing and reading activities).Results:  We observed significant differences between the groups in moving around the house, climbing stairs, standing up from the floor and putting on socks tests.Conclusion:  This study showed that resistance training improves agility, lower limb strength, balance and flexibility in AD patients, while SGG protocol is important to improve the agility. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 322–328.
More than half of hip fracture patients do not regain mobility in the first postoperative year
Authors: Vochteloo Anne JH , Moerman Sophie , Tuinebreijer Wim E , Maier Andrea B , de Vries Mark R , Bloem Rolf M , Nelissen Rob GHH , Pilot Peter 
Published: June 2012

Aim:  To measure functional recovery and determine risk factors for failure to return to the prefracture level of mobility of hip fracture patients 1 year postoperatively.Methods:  A prospective cohort follow‐up study of 390 hip fracture patients aged 65 years and older was carried out. Patients were stratified in categories based on prefracture mobility: mobile without aid, with aid in‐ and outdoors, or only mobile indoors. Immobile patients were excluded. Risk factors for not regaining prefracture mobility were identified.Results:  Nearly half of all patients regained their prefracture level of mobility after 1 year. Mobile patients without an aid were less likely to return to their prefracture mobility level compared with patients who were mobile with aid or mobile indoors. After 1 year, 18.7% of all patients had become immobile. Most important independent risk factors for failure to return to the prefracture level of mobility were a limited prefracture level of activities of daily living and a delirium during admission.Conclusions:  The risk not to regain prefracture mobility is highest in mobile patients without an aid. The risk of becoming immobile is higher in those having a lower prefracture mobility. Activities of daily living dependence and delirium were the main risk factors for not regaining mobility. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 334–341.
Shell biofilm‐associated nitrous oxide production in marine molluscs: processes, precursors and relative importance
Authors: Heisterkamp Ines M. , Schramm Andreas , Larsen Lone H. , Svenningsen Nanna B. , Lavik Gaute , de Beer Dirk , Stief Peter 
Published: June 2012

SummaryEmission of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) from freshwater and terrestrial invertebrates has exclusively been ascribed to N2O production by ingested denitrifying bacteria in the anoxic gut of the animals. Our study of marine molluscs now shows that also microbial biofilms on shell surfaces are important sites of N2O production. The shell biofilms of Mytilus edulis, Littorina littorea and Hinia reticulata contributed 18–94% to the total animal‐associated N2O emission. Nitrification and denitrification were equally important sources of N2O in shell biofilms as revealed by 15N‐stable isotope experiments with dissected shells. Microsensor measurements confirmed that both nitrification and denitrification can occur in shell biofilms due to a heterogeneous oxygen distribution. Accordingly, ammonium, nitrite and nitrate were important drivers of N2O production in the shell biofilm of the three mollusc species. Ammonium excretion by the animals was found to be sufficient to sustain N2O production in the shell biofilm. Apparently, the animals provide a nutrient‐enriched microenvironment that stimulates growth and N2O production of the shell biofilm. This animal‐induced stimulation was demonstrated in a long‐term microcosm experiment with the snail H. reticulata, where shell biofilms exhibited the highest N2O emission rates when the animal was still living inside the shell.
Horizontal and vertical resource dilemmas in natural resource management: the case ofAfrican fisheries
Authors: Sjöstedt Martin 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe world's fisheries are under severe pressure. Yet, according to the marine trophic index, the health and stability of marine ecosystems vary greatly across countries. The argument developed and tested in this article holds that some of the sources of this variation can potentially be derived from differences in the character of two fundamental relationships in society – a horizontal one between resource users and a vertical relationship between the government and the resource users. The empirical analysis focuses on sub‐Saharan Africa and finds that levels of ethnic and linguistic heterogeneity and levels of democracy in the year that each country declared its exclusive economic zone have a close relationship with ensuing marine exploitation patterns.
Long‐term expression of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor slows, but does not stop retinal degeneration in a model of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Ohnaka Masayuki , Miki Katsuaki , Gong Yuan‐Yuan , Stevens Rebecca , Iwase Takeshi , Hackett Sean F. , Campochiaro Peter A. 
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 1047–1053.AbstractRetinitis pigmentosa is a group of diseases in which one of hundreds of mutations causes death of rod photoreceptor cells and then cones gradually die from oxidative damage. As different mutations cause rod cell death by different mechanisms, mutation‐specific treatments are needed. Another approach is to use a neurotrophic factor to promote photoreceptor survival regardless of the mechanism of cell death, and previous studies have demonstrated encouraging short‐term results with gene transfer of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). We generated rd10 mice with doxycycline‐inducible expression of GDNF in photoreceptors (Tet/IRBP/GDNF‐rd10 mice) or retinal pigmented epithelial cells (Tet/VMD2/GDNF‐rd10 mice). In doxycycline‐treated Tet/IRBP/GDNF‐rd10 mice, there was a 9.3 × 104‐fold increase in Gdnf mRNA at P35 and although it decreased over time, it was still increased by 9.4 × 103‐fold at P70. Gdnf mRNA was increased 4.5 × 102‐fold in doxycycline‐treated Tet/VMD2/GDMF‐rd10 mice at P35 and was not significantly decreased at P70. GDNF protein levels were increased about 2.3‐fold at P35 and 30% at P70 in Tet/IRBP/GDNF‐rd10 mice, and in Tet/VMD2/GDNF‐rd10 mice they were increased 30% at P35 and not significantly increased at P70. Despite the difference in expression, Tet/IRBP/GDNF‐rd10 and Tet/VMD2/GDNF‐rd10 mice had comparable significant increases in outer nuclear layer thickness and mean photopic and scotopic ERG b‐wave amplitudes compared with rd10 mice at P35 which decreased, but was still significant at P70. Compared with rd10 mice, Tet/IRBP/GDNF‐rd10 and Tet/VMD2/GDNF‐rd10 mice had comparable significant improvements in cone density at P50 that decreased, but were still significant at P70. These data indicate that despite a large difference in expression of GDNF, Tet/IRBP/GDNF‐rd10 and Tet/VMD2/GDNF‐rd10 provide comparable slowing of photoreceptor degeneration, but cannot stop the degeneration.