bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What determines the spatial pattern in summer upwelling trends on the U.S. West Coast?
Authors: Seo Hyodae , Brink Kenneth H. , Dorman Clive E. , Koracin Darko , Edwards Christopher A. 
Published: June 2012

Analysis of sea surface temperature (SST) from coastal buoys suggests that the summertime over‐shelf water temperature off the U.S. West Coast has been declining during the past 30 years at an average rate of −0.19°C decade−1. This cooling trend manifests itself more strongly off south‐central California than off Oregon and northern California. The variability and trend in the upwelling north of off San Francisco are positively correlated with those of the equatorward wind, indicating a role of offshore Ekman transport in the north. In contrast, Ekman pumping associated with wind stress curls better explains the stronger and statistically more significant cooling trend in the south. While the coast‐wide variability and trend in SST are strongly correlated with those of large‐scale modes of climate variability, they in general fail to explain the southward intensification of the trend in SST and wind stress curl. This result suggests that the local wind stress curl, often topographically forced, may have played a role in the upwelling trend pattern.
Contracting convex immersed closed plane curves with slow speed of curvature
Authors: Lin Yu-Chu , Poon Chi-Cheung , Tsai Dong-Ho 
Published: June 2012

The authors study the contraction of a convex immersed plane curve with speed

1
α

k

α

\frac {1}{\alpha }k^{\alpha }

, where

α
∈
(
0
,
1
]

\alpha \in (0,1]

is a constant, and show that, if the blow-up rate of the curvature is of type one, it will converge to a homothetic self-similar solution. They also discuss a special symmetric case of type two blow-up and show that it converges to a translational self-similar solution. In the case of curve shortening flow (i.e., when

α
=
1

\alpha =1

), this translational self-similar solution is the familiar “Grim Reaper” (a terminology due to M. Grayson).
Intrinsic volumes of random polytopes with vertices on the boundary of a convex body
Authors: Böröczky Károly , Fodor Ferenc , Hug Daniel 
Published: June 2012

Let

K
K

be a convex body in

R

d

\mathbb {R}^d

, let

j
∈
{
1
,
…
,
d
−
1
}

j\in \{1, \ldots , d-1\}

, and let

ϱ
\varrho

be a positive and continuous probability density function with respect to the

(
d
−
1
)

(d-1)

-dimensional Hausdorff measure on the boundary

∂
K

\partial K

of

K
K

. Denote by

K
n

K_n

the convex hull of

n
n

points chosen randomly and independently from

∂
K

\partial K

according to the probability distribution determined by

ϱ
\varrho

. For the case when

∂
K

\partial K

is a

C
2

C^2

submanifold of

R

d

\mathbb {R}^d

with everywhere positive Gauss curvature, M. Reitzner proved an asymptotic formula for the expectation of the difference of the

j
j

th intrinsic volumes of

K
K

and

K
n

K_n

, as

n
→
∞

n\to \infty

. In this article, we extend this result to the case when the only condition on

K
K

is that a ball rolls freely in

K
K

.
Free and Bound Phenolic Acids and Total Phenolics in Black, Blue, and Yellow Barley and Their Contribution to Free Radical Scavenging Capacity
Authors: Abdel‐Aal El‐Sayed M. , Choo Thin‐Miew , Dhillon Simarata , Rabalski Iwona 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTBarley is considered a healthy food because of its high content of β‐glucan and phenolic antioxidants. In the current study, 28 black, blue, and yellow barleys were investigated in terms of their composition of free and bound phenolic acids and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity. Free phenolics were based on aqueous methanol extraction, whereas bound phenolics were extracted following alkaline hydrolysis. Phenolics were then separated and quantified by liquid chromatography and the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Significant differences were observed between the three barley color groups, and within each color group a wide range of phenolics concentrations existed. Ferulic acid was the predominant phenolic acid in free and bound extracts, followed by p‐coumaric acid in all the barleys investigated. Total phenols content and individual phenolic acids strongly correlated with free radical scavenging capacity of barley. Black and blue barley were found to be related and distinct from yellow barley. The results showed significant variations in phenolics among barleys, with a potential for the development of barley grains with high content of phenolic compounds as antioxidant potential.
First Report of Didymella bryoniae Causing Gummy Stem Blight of Chayote in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Y. C. , Chen J. F. 
Published: June 2012

Chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz, Cucurbitaceae), originally native to Mexico, is an important vegetable known as “dragon-whisker vegetable” and is cultivated for its shoots in Ji-an, Hualien County in eastern Taiwan. In June 2010, 70 to 80% of the chayote plants grown in Ji-an developed necrotic spots on stems, leaves, and fruits. The disease was severe during the warm and rainy season from June to August. The symptoms on stems, leaves, and fruits were water-soaked lesions that eventually dried up, cracked, and produced perithecia on necrotic tissues. A single ascospore was isolated from perithecia harvested from diseased stems and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C for 1 month. Colonies of three isolates (SE5, SE6, and SE7) were white to olivaceous green bearing unicellular conidia measuring 2 to 5 × 3 to 10 μm, which is consistent with the morphological characteristics of Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehm (anamorph Phoma cucurbitacearum (Fr.:Fr.) Sacc.) (1,2,3). DNA of SE5, SE6, and SE7 isolates were obtained using microwave-based method (4). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA (GenBank accessions AB714984, AB714985, and AB714986), PCR-amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4, had 98 to 99% nucleotide sequence identity with D. bryoniae (GenBank Accession Nos. GU045304 and GU592001). A pathogenicity test was conducted in a greenhouse with temperature ranging from 20 to 30°C. Three-day-old mycelial plugs (5 × 5 mm) of the three isolates were placed on the needle-pricked wounds of stems and leaves of 36 4-month-old potted chayote plants wrapped in plastic bags to maintain 100% relative humidity for 2 days. Six days after inoculation, water-soaked lesions formed on the stems and leaves. Controls inoculated with sterile water had no symptoms. The fungus reisolated from the lesions of diseased stems and leaves had morphological characteristics of D. bryoniae. Based on the results of morphology, molecular data, and pathogenicity tests, we reported for the first time to our knowledge that gummy stem blight of chayote is caused by D. bryoniae in Taiwan. References: (1) J. W. Huang and W. R. Hsieh. Plant Prot. Bull. 27:325, 1985. (2) A. P. Keinath et al. Phytopathology 85:364, 1995. (3) E. Punithalingam and P. Holliday. P. 332 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1972. (4) S. R. Tendulkar et al. Biotechnol. Lett. 22:1941, 2003.
First Report of Daylily Leaf Streak Caused by Kabatiella microsticta in China
Authors: Bai Q. R. , Han S. , Xie Y. Y. , Dong R. , Gao J. , Li Y. 
Published: June 2012

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) is an herbaceous, perennial plant, cultivated for its flowers. Daylily is sold in Asian markets as fresh or dried flowers (the flowers of some species, e.g., Hemerocallis citrina, are edible) or as the corm, which is used for medicinal purposes. In June 2011, daylily leaf streak was found in a nursery of Jilin Agricultural University, Jilin Province, China. Symptoms included water-soaked, irregular spots along the leaf midvein that turned orange to reddish brown and eventually enlarged to coalesce into extensive, necrotic streaks along the length of the leaf, as previously reported (2). Heavily infected leaves often withered and died. Four isolates were recovered from necrotic tissue of leaf spots and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C. All colonies were initially cream to peach colored and appeared slimy. With the maturation of the culture, the colonies became dark brown to black with sparse aerial hyphae. Blastic conidia formed simultaneously on intercalary or terminal, undifferentiated conidiogenous cells, and were scattered in dense sections on culture surface. When the conidia dropped from conidiogenous cell, an indistinct scar or a denticle remained. Conidia were hyaline, one-celled, smooth, ellipsoidal, and variable in size (2.73 to 6.01 × 8.45 to 19.36 μm), and all morphological characteristics were consistent with Kabatiella microsticta Bubak (syn. Aureobasidium microstictum; 2,4). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS5 (1). ITS (534 bp) was identical among all four isolates (GenBank Accession No. HE798117) and 100% identical to that of K. microsticta CBS 114.64 (FJ150873). Pathogenicity was confirmed by spraying 20 seedlings of daylily, propagated in tissue-culture medium, with a conidial suspension (106 conidia/ml) of each isolate. A second set of 20 seedlings was sprayed with the same volume of sterile water as the noninoculated control treatment. Plants were grown in the greenhouse at 20 to 25°C and were covered with plastic bags to maintain humidity on the foliage for 72 h. After 5 days, the foliar symptoms described earlier for the field plants appeared on the leaves, whereas the control plants remained healthy. K. microsticta was reisolated from the leaf spots of all 20 inoculated plants. Leaf streak is the most destructive disease of daylily, and was previously reported in Japan and the United States (Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia) (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the disease caused by K. microsticta in China. References: (1) D. E. L. Cooke et al. Mycol. Res. 101:667, 1997. (2) E. J. Hermanides-Nijhof. Stud. Mycol. 15:153, 1977. (3) R. M. Leahy et al. Plant Pathology Circular No. 376, 1996. (4) P. Zalar et al. Stud. Mycol. 61:21, 2008.
Analysis of tumor‐induced lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel invasion of pancreatic carcinoma in the peripheral nerve plexus
Authors: Cheng Peng , Jin Gang , Hu Xiangui , Shi Min , Zhang Yijie , Liu Rui , Zhou Yingqi , Shao Chenghao , Zheng Jianming , Zhu Minghua 
Published: June 2012

Cancer cells can metastasize throughout the body by various mechanisms, including the lymphatic system, resulting in tumor‐induced lymphangiogenesis that can profoundly affect patient survival. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of lymphangiogenesis in the metastasis of pancreatic cancer to the peripheral nerve plexus. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze specimens obtained from 70 ductal adenocarcinoma patients. The markers used included lymphangiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C, the lymphatic‐specific marker D2‐40, and cytokeratin 19, an independent prognostic factor for pancreatic tumors. The relationship between survival rate and invasion of both the lymphatic vessels and peripancreatic nerve plexus (PNP) was evaluated, with clearly elevated lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in tissues adjacent to the cancer tissues. In fact, LVD levels were higher in adjacent tissues than in localized cancer tissues, and lymphatic vessel invasion into tissues adjacent to the tumor was significantly correlated with both PNP invasion (P = 0.005) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.010). Correspondingly, LVD in tissues adjacent to the tumor was correlated with both invasion of lymphatic vessels surrounding the tumor (P = 0.024) and VEGF‐C expression (P = 0.031); in addition, VEGF‐C expression was correlated with invasion of lymphatic vessels around the tumor (P = 0.004). Survival rates were significantly lower in patients in whom there was peritumor lymphatic vessel invasion (P < 0.001), extrapancreatic nerve plexus invasion (P = 0.001), and/or lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001). Based on these results, lymphatic invasion associated with adjacent tumor growth likely contributes to the development of metastatic tumors that invade the PNP.
Epigenetics and blood disorders
Authors: Scholz Bastian , Marschalek Rolf 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThe last three decades of cancer research were guided by the hypothesis that cancer cells evolve due to the accumulation of many genetic aberrations over time. While this is still true for most solid cancers, it might be different in haemato‐malignant diseases, which are mostly characterized by chromosomal translocations that exhibit only few additional mutations. Some of the resulting fusion gene products functionally interfer with epigenetic mechanisms. Recent findings of mutated IDH1, IDH2, DNMT3A or TET2 in myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia patients underscore this notion, and point to the importance of epigenetic changes for developing tumour cells. This review aims (i) to give an overview about the different components of the epigenetic system, (ii) to describe the functions of different proteins or complexes that are involved in setting‐up the epigenetic layer, (iii) to highlight some recent findings, and (iv) to describe the failures and successes when using drugs that are targeting epigenetic components.
Diagnosing autistic spectrum disorder in the age of austerity
Authors: Karim K. , Cook L. , O'Reilly M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundDiagnosing autistic spectrum disorder is a challenge, typically involving myriad professionals. In the current climate we explore how diagnosis is managed in the real world by professionals.MethodsUsing semi‐structured interviews we thematically analyse data from psychiatrists, paediatricians and educational psychologists.ResultsWhile there is some consistency across and within these groups there are also a number of variances, and several important issues are highlighted. These include the problem of time and resources, the issue of location for diagnosis, the value of diagnostic tools and schedules, the need for supporting information, the difficulty of multi‐agency working, the relevance of a physical examination and the eventual diagnostic label.ConclusionsIn the current economic climate and considering changes in guidelines there is a need to evaluate current service provision and enhance services. However, attention needs to be paid to the practical and realistic application of the suggested guidance.
Regulated expression of cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase A reveals an influence on cell size and the secretion of virulence factors in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Choi Jaehyuk , Vogl A. Wayne , Kronstad James W. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryCyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) regulates elaboration of the virulence factors melanin and polysaccharide capsule in Cryptococcus neoformans. A mutation in PKA1 encoding the catalytic subunit is known to reduce virulence in mice while a defect in PKR1 encoding the regulatory subunit enhances disease. Here, we constructed strains with galactose‐inducible and glucose‐repressible versions of PKA1 and PKR1 by inserting the GAL7 promoter upstream of the genes. As expected, no capsule was found in dextrose‐containing media for the PGAL7:PKA1 strain, whereas a large capsule was formed on cells grown in galactose. Along with capsule thickness, high PKA activity also influenced cell size, ploidy and vacuole enlargement, as observed in previous reports of giant/titan cell formation. We employed the regulated strains to test the hypothesis that PKA influences secretion and found that elevated PKA expression positively regulates extracellular protease activity and negatively regulates urease secretion. Furthermore, proper PKA regulation and activity were required for wild‐type levels of melanization and laccase activity, as well as correct localization of the enzyme. The latter phenotype is consistent with the discovery that PKA regulates the organization of intracellular membrane compartments. Overall, these results indicate that PKA influences secretion pathways directly related to virulence factor elaboration.
Activity of the tetrapyrrole regulator CrtJ is controlled by oxidation of a redox active cysteine located in the DNA binding domain
Authors: Cheng Zhuo , Wu Jiang , Setterdahl Aaron , Reddie Khalilah , Carroll Kate , Hammad Loubna A. , Karty Jonathan A. , Bauer Carl E. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryCrtJ from Rhodobacter capsulatus is a regulator of genes involved in the biosynthesis of haem, bacteriochlorophyll, carotenoids as well as structural proteins of the light harvesting‐II complex. Fluorescence anisotropy‐based DNA‐binding analysis demonstrates that oxidized CrtJ exhibits ∼ 20‐fold increase in binding affinity over that of reduced CrtJ. Liquid chromatography electrospray tandem ionization mass spectrometric analysis using DAz‐2, a sulfenic acid (–SOH)‐specific probe, demonstrates that exposure of CrtJ to oxygen or to hydrogen peroxide leads to significant accumulation of a sulfenic acid derivative of Cys420 which is located in the helix–turn–helix (HTH) motif. In vivo labelling with 4‐(3‐azidopropyl)cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione (DAz‐2) shows that Cys420 also forms a sulfenic acid modification in vivo when cells are exposed to oxygen. Moreover, a Cys420 to Ala mutation leads to a ∼ 60‐fold reduction of DNA binding activity while a Cys to Ser substitution at position 420 that mimics a cysteine sulfenic acid results in a ∼ 4‐fold increase in DNA binding activity. These results provide the first example where sulfenic acid oxidation of a cysteine in a HTH‐motif leads to differential effects on gene expression.
Haemophore functions revisited
Authors: Wandersman Cécile , Delepelaire Philippe 
Published: June 2012

SummaryHaem is the major iron source for bacteria that develop in higher organisms. In these hosts, bacteria have to cope with nutritional immunity imposed by the host, since haem and iron are tightly bound to carrier and storage proteins. Siderophores were the first recognized fighters in the battle for iron between bacteria and host. They are non‐proteinaceus organic molecules having an extremely high affinity for Fe3+ and able to extract it from host proteins. Haemophores, that display functional analogy with siderophores, were more recently discovered. They are a class of secreted proteins with a high affinity for haem; they are able to extract haem from host haemoproteins and deliver it to specific receptors that internalize haem. In the past few years, a wealth of data has accumulated on haem acquisition systems that are dependent on surface exposed/secreted bacterial proteins. They promote haem transfer from its initial source (in most cases, a eukaryotic haem binding protein) to the transporter that carries out the membrane crossing step. Here we review recent discoveries in this field, with particular emphasis on similar and dissimilar mechanisms in haemophores and siderophores, from the initial host source to the binding protein/receptor at the cell surface.
The ABC transporter MalFGK2 sequesters the MalT transcription factor at the membrane in the absence of cognate substrate
Authors: Richet Evelyne , Davidson Amy L. , Joly Nicolas 
Published: June 2012

SummaryMalK, the cytoplasmic component of the maltose ABC transporter from Escherichia coli is known to control negatively the activity of MalT, the activator of the maltose regulon, through complex formation. Here we further investigate this regulatory process by monitoring MalT activity and performing fluorescence microscopy analyses under various conditions. We establish that, under physiological conditions, the molecular entity that interacts with MalT is not free MalK, but the maltose transporter, MalFGK2, which sequesters MalT to the membrane. Furthermore, we provide compelling evidence that the transporter's ability to bind MalT is not constitutive, but strongly diminished when MalFGK2 is engaged in sugar transport. Notably, the outward‐facing transporter, i.e. the catalytic intermediate, is ineffective in inhibiting MalT compared to the inward‐facing state, i.e. the resting form. Analyses of available genetic and structural data suggest how the interaction between one inactive MalT molecule and MalFGK2 would be sensitive to the transporter state, thereby allowing MalT release upon maltose entrance. A related mechanism may underpin signalling by other ABC transporters.
Traditional vs wireless intragastric pH monitoring: are the two techniques comparable?
Authors: Caparello C. , Bravi I. , Cantù P. , Grigolon A. , Tenca A. , Mauro A. , Penagini R. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground  Few data are available comparing intragastric pH measured with the traditional catheter‐based and the more recent wireless system (Bravo), and also comparing intraesophageal and intragastric pH during reflux events. Aims of our study were to elucidate these points.Methods  Eleven subjects with functional dyspepsia underwent placement of a Bravo capsule 9 cm below the squamo‐columnar junction (SCJ) and of a dual‐electrode catheter, so that the distal electrode was located 9 cm below and the proximal one 6 cm above the SCJ.Key Results  The wireless system showed lower intragastric pH than the traditional catheter in the postprandial period (median 2.2 wireless vs 2.7 catheter, P < 0.05) but not in the whole 24 h. Moreover, during the 24 h, minimum intraesophageal pH during reflux events was lower than the simultaneous pH in the gastric body recorded using the catheter (2.2 vs 2.4, P < 0.01) and in the postprandial period lower than the one recorded using both techniques (2.3 vs 2.8 wireless and 3.2 catheter, P < 0.001).Conclusions & Inferences  (i) after meals, in the 1st 2 h postprandial pH in the gastric body is significantly lower when measured with the wireless capsule than with the traditional catheter, presumably because of less buffering by food in proximity of the mucosa, (ii) during reflux events intraesophageal pH is lower than pH in the gastric body, in accordance with the notion of greater intragastric acidity in the subcardial region.
Confounding and effect modification in studies of diet and childhood asthma and allergies
Authors: Nurmatov U. , Nwaru B. I. , Devereux G. , Sheikh A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo propose a comprehensive set of confounders and effect modifiers that should be considered in epidemiologic investigations.MethodsTwo reviewers independently critiqued studies included in a recent systematic review and extracted data on the confounders and effect modifiers that were considered and the approaches used to justify inclusion.ResultsOf the 62 studies reviewed, 20 were cohort, 16 case–control, 25 cross‐sectional studies, and one ecologic study. All cohort, cross‐sectional, and ecologic studies had some adjustment for confounding or consideration of effect modification, but this was only the case for 7/16 (44%) case–control studies. Of the 53 studies that considered confounding or effect modification, 39/53 (74%) gave no justification for the inclusion of the variables considered. Studies that justified the inclusion of the variables did so based on empirical evidence (n = 10), conceptual justification (n = 7), or a combination of the two (n = 3). Confounding was handled mainly by using regression modeling, but some case–control studies utilized matching and anova. Ten studies handled effect modification by stratification, eight tested for interaction, and five used both strategies.ConclusionsWe have found substantial shortcomings in the handling of confounding and effect modification in studies of diet and development of childhood asthma/allergies. Selection of variables should be based on conceptual considerations and empirical evidence. Using this approach, we have proposed a comprehensive set of confounders and effect modifiers that need to be considered in future studies.