bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the applicability of dialetheism and philosophy of identity to the definition of life
Authors: Kolb Vera M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWe have found that the principles of dialetheism, which state that some contradictions (typically at the limits of a system) may be true, and which amply demonstrate the limits of thought and conception, can be valuable in sorting out and clarifying some astrobiological problems that impede our ability to define life. The examples include the classification of viruses as alive or not alive, and the description of the transition zone for the abiotic-to-biotic transition. Dialetheism gives us the philosophical tool to state that the viruses may be both alive and not alive, and that chemical systems may exist that are both abiotic and biotic.We have extracted some philosophical principles of the identity and have applied them to the identity of living organisms and their life forms. The first and most important idea is that we should define an individual organism via its numerical identity. For each organism its identity will be in relation to itself. As the organism undergoes various changes during its development, and as it transitions from one to the next of its life forms, one can observe numerous qualitative differences between these life forms. Although the life forms change and the organism is in a flux, what remains constant is the numerical identity of the organism. If the organism reproduces, for example by a fission mode, then the daughter cells will have their own numerical identity. We can state that the life of an organism is a sum of all its life forms over the period of time of the existence of the organism. Reproduction, particularly by fission, represents an identity dilemma, but it can be resolved by Gallois' occasional identities theory.
Purification and antibacterial activity of recombinant human lactoferrin in milk of transgenic mice
Authors: Ming-Xing Miao , Yu-Guo Yuan , Li-You An , Jun-Hui Zhao , Ya-Jun Bai , Lei Guo , Yong Cheng 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTo verify its antibacterial activity, recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) was extracted from the milk of transgenic mice (Mus musculus) (PCL25and AP) by gel filtration chromatography and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, its bacteriostatic properties were tested using the agar disc diffusion method. ELISA analysis showed that the concentration of rhLF in the milk of transgenic mice ranged from 7 to 8 mg/ml, and the recombinant protein expressed in the milk had the same molecular weight as the native protein (~78 kDa), indicating that the rhLFs had a strong antibacterial activity onEscherichia coliandSalmonella.
Chromosomes ofCichlasoma trimaculatum(male),Heros managuense(female) and their hybrid offspring
Authors: You-Ling Chen , Qiu-Jin Zhang , Yan-Yin Wang , Jian-Ping Mao 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe F1hybrid offspring of the distant hybridization betweenCichlasoma trimaculatum(male) andHeros managuense(female) were successfully obtained through artificial fertilization, and the chromosome specimen of kidney cells of the two parents and their offspring were prepared using a low colchicine concentration air drying method, Howell and Black's (1980) silver–nucleolar organizer region (Ag–NOR) staining method and Sumner's (1972) C-band staining method. The karyotypes, Ag–NORs and C-bands ofC. trimaculatum, H. managuenseand their offspring were observed. The results showed that the diploid numbers of the two parents and the F1hybrid offspring were all 2n=48. ForC. trimaculatum, the karyotype formula was 2n=2m+8sm+26st+12t, NF=58. Two Ag–NORs were seen on the tips of the short arm of chromosome st7, and the entire chromosomes of st9and st13and the centromeres of the other chromosomes had positive C-bands. ForH. managuense, the karyotype formula was 2n=2m+6sm+28st+12t, NF=56. Two Ag–NORs were located on the tips of the short arm of chromosome sm2and positive C-bands were found in the centromere of all chromosomes. In the F1hybrid offspring, the chromosome formula was 2n=2m+8sm+30st+8t, NF=58. Two Ag–NORs were seen on the tips of the short arm of chromosome sm2; all chromosomes presented positive C-bands in the centromere. No heteromorphic sex chromosome was found. After comparison with the two parents, the F1hybrid offspring was suggested to be the filial generation of the two hybrid parents rather than the gynogenesis ofH. managuenseinduced by heterogeneous sperm ofC. trimaculatum.
CRS-PCR polymorphisms of the GHR gene and its relationship with milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cows
Authors: Li-Juan Wang , Qiu-Ling Li , Chang-Fa Wang , Hong-Mei Wang , Jian-Bin Li , Yun-Dong Gao , Ming-Hai Hou , Ji-Feng Zhong 
Published: January 2010

AbstractSingle-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of exon 8 of the GHR gene were detected in Chinese Holstein cows by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The results showed that exon 8 of the GHR gene digested byTasI could be divided into two kinds of alleles and three kinds of genotypes. The frequencies of allele A and T were 0.6339 and 0.3661, respectively. The frequencies of genotypes AA, AT and TT were 0.459, 0.350 and 0.191, respectively. Sequencing showed one single nucleotide mutation T→A at 4962 bp of the gene in genotype TT when compared with genotype AA, and this mutation resulted in an amino acid change of phenylalanine (TTT)→tyrosine (TAT). The result of χ2testing indicated that the genotypic frequency of the GHR gene digested byTasI did not fit with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in this population (P<0.05). The least-square mean of the fat percentage of this population was higher for genotype TT than for genotype AA (P<0.05).
Cloning of 3′-end full-length cDNA encoding for MT-I and MT-III in yak and analysis of their sequences
Authors: Bin Liu , Li-Ping Zhang , Jian-Ping Wu , Bin-Yun Ma , Feng-Qin Gao , Lian Yan 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDomestic yak (Bos grunniens) metallothionein-I (MT-I) and metallothionein-III (MT-III) cDNA 3′-end full-length sequences (331 and 378 bp; GenBank accession MT-I no. AY758557, MT-III no. DQ492300) from the total RNA of liver and brain tissues were amplified and cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 3′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) using the primers YMT-I SP and M13 primers M4, and YMT-III SP and M13 primers M4, respectively, which included the MT-I (183 bp) coding sequence, MT-III (207 bp) cDNA coding sequences, and also the tailing signal AATAAA and Poly(A) at the 3′-ends of the MT-I and MT-III, respectively. The analyses showed that the yak cDNA sequence coding for MT-I protein was composed of 61 amino acids, including 20 cysteines having a conserved tripeptide structure, for example C–X–C, C–C–X–C–C, C–X–X–C and so on. The yak cDNA sequence coding for MT-III protein was composed of 68 amino acids, including 19 cysteines having both MT-III-specific conserved tripeptides and the same conserved tripeptides as MT-I, including T, CPCP, GEGAEA and so on. They were all comparatively conservative in molecular evolution. These structures indicated that MT-III had the same physiological functions regarding heavy metals (detoxification and so on) as MT-I, and also different specific functions from MT-I, including inhibition of neuron growth.
Identification of polymorphism in the goat callipyge gene (CLPG) and its associations with production traits
Authors: Gui-Ling Cao , Biao Li , Hui Tang , Pei-Rong Tang , Jian-Min Wang , Yun-Liang Jiang 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe Dorset ram of the callipyge phenotype presents with muscular hypertrophy in the buttocks, and its inheritance is polar overdominant. A partial DNA fragment of 250 bp was obtained from the goat (Capra hircas) callipyge gene (CLPG; GenBank accession no. EU753362), which shared 96.04% and 88.65% identity with the corresponding regions of ovine (Ovis aries) and porcine CLPG, respectively. A polymorphism in the DNA fragment was detected by polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Sequencing results indicated no A→C mutation corresponding to the ovine CLPG gene, although one A→C transversion was located 147 bp downstream from the CLPG site. The polymorphism, named SNP216 after its position (where SNP indicates single-nucleotide polymorphism), was investigated in Boer (n=63), Laiwu Black (n=70), Lubei White×Boer Hybrid (n=40), Lubei White (n=29) and Inner Mongolia Alashan White cashmere (n=115) goat populations. The results indicated that allele A was dominant in four of the goat populations, the Inner Mongolia Alashan White cashmere goats being the exception. The first four populations were in a state of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). In Inner Mongolia Alashan White cashmere goats, least-square means of birth weight, production of cashmere and body weight gain from birth to weaning did not differ significantly between the AA and AC phenotypes (P>0.5).
MMsPred: a bioactivity and toxicology predictive system
Authors: Masciocchi Joel , Pireddu Luca , Medda Ricardo , Palla Piergiorgio , Floris Matteo , Pani Luca , Rodriguez-Tome Patricia 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn the last decade, the development and use of new methods in combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening has dramatically increased the number of known biologically active compounds. Paradoxically, the number of drugs reaching the market has not followed the same trend, often because many of the candidate drugs present poor qualities in absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicological properties (ADME-Tox). The ability to recognize and discard bad candidates early in the drug discovery steps would save lost investments in time and money. Machine learning techniques could provide solutions to this problem.The goal of my research is to develop classifiers that accurately discriminate between active and inactive molecules for a specific target. To this end, I am comparing the effectiveness of the application of different machine learning techniques to this problem.	As a source of data we have selected a set of PubChem's public BioAssays1. In addition, with the objective of realizing a real-time query service with our predictors, we aim to keep the features describing the chemical compounds relatively simple.At the end of this process, we should better understand how to build statistical models that are able to recognize molecules active in a specific bioassay, including how to select the most appropriate classification technique, and how to describe compounds in such a way that is not excessively resource-consuming to generate, yet contains sufficient information for the classification. We see immediate applications of such technology to recognize compounds with high-risk of toxicity, and also to suggest likely metabolic pathways that would process it.
Myriocin-mediated up-regulation of hepatocyte apoA-I synthesis is associated with ERK inhibition
Authors: Glaros Elias N. , Kim Woojin S. , Garner Brett 
Published: January 2010

Sphingolipids including sphingomyelin have been implicated as potential atherogenic lipids. Studies in apoE (apolipoprotein E)-null mice have revealed that the serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor myriocin reduces plasma levels of sphingomyelin, ceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate and glycosphingolipids and that this is associated with potent inhibition of atherosclerosis. Interestingly, hepatic apoA-I (apolipoprotein A-I) synthesis and plasma HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol levels were also increased in apoE-null mice treated with myriocin. Since myriocin is a known inhibitor of ERK (extracellular-signal-related kinase) phosphorylation, we assessed the possibility that myriocin may be acting to increase hepatic apoA-I production via this pathway. To address this, HepG2 cells and primary mouse hepatocytes were treated with 200 μM myriocin for up to 48 h. Myriocin increased apoA-I mRNA and protein levels by approx. 3- and 2-fold respectively. Myriocin also increased apoA-I secretion up to 3.5-fold and decreased ERK phosphorylation by approx. 70%. Similar findings were obtained when primary hepatocytes were isolated from apoE-null mice that were treated with myriocin (intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg body weight). Further experiments revealed that the MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase) inhibitor PD98059 potently inhibited ERK phosphorylation, as expected, and increased primary hepatocyte apoA-I production by 3-fold. These results indicate that ERK phosphorylation plays a role in regulating hepatic apoA-I expression and suggest that the anti-atherogenic mechanism of action for myriocin may be linked to this pathway.
Marine habitat use of Peruvian boobies: a geographic and oceanographic comparison between inshore and offshore islands
Authors: Zavalaga Carlos B. , Halls Joanne , Dell'Omo Giacomo 
Published: January 2010

AbstractZavalaga, C. B., Halls, J., and Dell'Omo, G. 2010. Marine habitat use of Peruvian boobies: a geographic and oceanographic comparison between inshore and offshore islands. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 940–951. Foraging areas of Peruvian boobies (Sula variegata) from Isla Lobos de Tierra (LT, inshore) and Isla Lobos de Afuera (LA, offshore) were overlaid with concurrent data on wind patterns and remotely sensed hydrographic features to identify the main abiotic factors that affect booby distribution and to compare habitat use between birds from inshore and offshore islands. Birds used across winds and across headwinds when commuting to their feeding grounds and across tailwinds when returning to their colonies. This strategy increased flight speeds by 38–53% in relation to headwinds, probably resulting in a reduction in energy costs when birds returned to their nests with heavy loads of food. Sea surface temperature of the foraged and the available areas were similar around LT and LA. Boobies from LT fed over the continental shelf and alongshore in areas with chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration higher than expected from a random distribution. Conversely, birds from LA never came inshore, feeding over the shelf break and in waters with concentrations of Chl a similar to those in the available area. Remote-sensing measurements of primary productivity predicted the distribution of Peruvian boobies only for LT. Plumes of enriched water alongshore are formed during the austral summer, favouring the aggregation of anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), the main prey of Peruvian boobies. Boobies from LA may have potentially foraged inshore in an area also used by birds from LT, but it is likely that competition for food and energy constraints to raise three-chick broods restricted foraging range to waters far from the mainland.
Activation of geminivirus V‐sense promoters in roots is restricted to nematode feeding sites
Authors: ESCOBAR CAROLINA , GARCÍA ALEJANDRA , ARISTIZÁBAL FABIO , PORTILLO MARY , HERREROS ESTHER , MUNOZ‐MARTÍN M. ANGELES , GRUNDLER FLORIAN , MULLINEAUX PHILLIP M. , FENOLL CARMEN 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYObligate sedentary endoparasitic nematodes, such as the root‐knot and cyst nematodes, elicit the differentiation of specialized nematode nurse or feeding cells [nematode feeding sites (NFS), giant cells and syncytia, respectively]. During NFS differentiation, marked changes in cell cycle progression occur, partly similar to those induced by some geminiviruses. In this work, we describe the activation of V‐sense promoters from the Maize streak virus (MSV) and Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) in NFS formed by root‐knot and cyst nematodes. Both promoters were transiently active in microinjection experiments. In tobacco and Arabidopsis transgenic lines carrying promoter–β‐glucuronidase fusions, the MSV V‐sense promoter was activated in the vascular tissues of aerial plant parts, primarily leaf and cotyledon phloem tissue and some floral structures. Interestingly, in roots, promoter activation was restricted to syncytia and giant cells tested with four different nematode populations, but undetectable in the rest of the root system. As the activity of the promoter in transgenic rootstocks should be restricted to NFS only, the MSV promoter may have utility in engineering grafted crops for nematode control. Therefore, this study represents a step in the provision of some of the much needed additional data on promoters with restricted activation in NFS useful in biotechnological nematode control strategies.
Ultrasonographic guided axillary plexus blocks with low volumes of local anaesthetics: a crossover volunteer study
Authors: Marhofer P. , Eichenberger U. , Stöckli S. , Huber G. , Kapral S. , Curatolo M. , Kettner S. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryOur study group recently evaluated an ED95 local anaesthetic volume of 0.11 ml.mm−2 cross‐sectional nerve area for the ulnar nerve. This prospective, randomised, double‐blind crossover study investigated whether this volume is sufficient for brachial plexus blocks at the axillary level. Ten volunteers received an ultrasonographic guided axillary brachial plexus block either with 0.11 (‘low’ volume) or 0.4 (‘high’ volume) ml.mm−2 cross‐sectional nerve area with mepivacaine 1%. The mean (SD) volume was in the low volume group 4.0 (1.0) and 14.8 (3.8) ml in the high volume group. The success rate for the individual nerve blocks was 27 out of 30 in the low volume group (90%) and 30 out of 30 in the high volume group (100%), resulting in 8 out of 10 (80%) vs 10 out of 10 (100%) complete blocks in the low vs the high volume groups, respectively (NS). The mean (SD) sensory onset time was 25.0 (14.8) min in the low volume group and 15.8 (6.8) min in the high volume group (p < 0.01). The mean (SD) duration of sensory block was 125 (38) min in the low volume group and 152 (70) min in the high volume group (NS). This study confirms our previous published ED95 volume for mepivacaine 1% to block peripheral nerves. The volume of local anaesthetic has some influence on the sensory onset time.
Modulation of immune responses through direct activation of Toll-like receptors to T cells
Authors: Liu G , Zhang L , Zhao Y 
Published: January 2010

SummaryToll-like receptors (TLRs), which are a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), are involved critically in the generation and regulation of innate immunity as well as initiation of subsequent adaptive immune responses. However, recent research results showed that different subsets of T cells express certain types of TLRs during development and activation stages. Importantly, TLRs participate in the direct regulation of adaptive immune response, possibly as co-stimulatory molecules. In this review we summarize recent studies about the novel regulation of TLRs on the homeostasis and immunity of different T cell subtypes including CD4+CD25+T regulatory cells (Treg) and interleukin (IL)-17-producing CD4+T cells (T helper type 17). The direct involvement of TLRs in T cell-mediated immunity prompted us to reconsider the role of TLRs in the occurrence of autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and graft rejection. The important effects of TLRs in T cell-intrinsic components also prompt us to explore novel vaccine adjuvants for modifying desired immune responses in an efficient way.
Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology processed by ThinPrep: an additional slide decreased the number of inadequate results
Authors: Rossi E. D. , Morassi F. , Santeusanio G. , Zannoni G. F. , Fadda G. 
Published: January 2010

E. D. Rossi, F. Morassi, G. Santeusanio, G. F. Zannoni and G. Fadda  Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology processed by ThinPrep: an additional slide decreased the number of inadequate resultsBackground:  Fine needle aspiration cytology is the most accurate tool for diagnosing thyroid nodules. Its accuracy is related to the rate of inadequate samples, which can be minimized with the adoption of on‐site assessment of the adequacy of the material. The introduction of liquid‐based cytology (LBC) in the thyroid does not allow checking on the adequacy of the cellularity. The possibility of making a second LBC slide for decreasing the number of non‐diagnostic cases is studied.Methods:  Out of 553 cases diagnosed in a single institution from January to March 2005, 166 consecutive cases with an LBC slide reviewed by the same pathologist were evaluated. The cases were classified in a five‐tiered category system (Thy1 to 5 according to the British Thyroid Association guidelines) and all but two (with cystic degeneration) were processed by LBC and stained with Papanicolaou stain. The above‐mentioned categories are defined as follows: Thy1 inadequate or haemorrhagic, Thy2 non‐neoplastic lesion; Thy3 follicular lesion/suspected follicular neoplasm; Thy4 suspicious for malignancy; Thy5 diagnostic of malignancy. For each case the cytological diagnosis was made on the LBC slide and the adequacy of the cellularity for a conclusive diagnosis was assessed.Results:  Of the 166 cases, 39 were non‐diagnostic (Thy1—inadequate), ten presented features of cystic degeneration (Thy1—haemorrhagic), 90 were benign (Thy2), 22 were diagnosed as a follicular lesion (Thy3), one as suspicious of malignancy (Thy4) and four as papillary carcinoma (Thy5). Thirty‐nine cases had a second LBC for achieving a definitive diagnosis with eventual re‐classification. Of these cases, 23 (61.5%) led to a conclusive diagnosis (18 Thy2, five Thy3) with a 18.5% decrease of the inadequacy rate.Conclusions:  The making of an additional LBC slide helps in achieving a diagnosis in cases classified as non‐diagnostic on the first standard slide (52.1% recovery rate). This procedure is particularly helpful for meeting the adequacy criteria in benign and indeterminate lesions and could also be used for refining the diagnosis of suspicious for a malignant thyroid neoplasm.
Differential gene expression in senescing leaves of two silver birch genotypes in response to elevated CO2 and tropospheric ozone
Authors: KONTUNEN‐SOPPELA SARI , RIIKONEN JOHANNA , RUHANEN HANNA , BROSCHÉ MIKAEL , SOMERVUO PANU , PELTONEN PETRI , KANGASJÄRVI JAAKKO , AUVINEN PETRI , PAULIN LARS , KEINÄNEN MARKKU , OKSANEN ELINA , VAPAAVUORI ELINA 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTLong‐term effects of elevated CO2 and O3 concentrations on gene expression in silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) leaves were studied during the end of the growing season. Two birch genotypes, clones 4 and 80, with different ozone growth responses, were exposed to 2× ambient CO2 and/or O3 in open‐top chambers (OTCs). Microarray analyses were performed after 2 years of exposure, and the transcriptional profiles were compared to key physiological characteristics during leaf senescence. There were genotypic differences in the responses to CO2 and O3. Clone 80 exhibited greater transcriptional response and capacity to alter metabolism, resulting in better stress tolerance. The gene expression patterns of birch leaves indicated contrasting responses of senescence‐related genes to elevated CO2 and O3. Elevated CO2 delayed leaf senescence and reduced associated transcriptional changes, whereas elevated O3 advanced leaf senescence because of increased oxidative stress. The combined treatment demonstrated that elevated CO2 only temporarily alleviated the negative effects of O3. Gene expression data alone were insufficient to explain the O3 response in birch, and additional physiological and biochemical data were required to understand the true O3 sensitivity of these clones.