bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of outer membrane c‐type cytochromes MtrC and OmcA in Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 cell production, accumulation, and detachment during respiration on hematite
Authors: MITCHELL A. C. , PETERSON L. , REARDON C. L. , REED S. B. , CULLEY D. E. , ROMINE M. R. , GEESEY G. G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe iron‐reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 has the capacity to contribute to iron cycling over the long term by respiring on crystalline iron oxides such as hematite when poorly crystalline phases are depleted. The ability of outer membrane cytochromes OmcA and MtrC of MR‐1 to bind to and transfer electrons to hematite has led to the suggestion that they function as terminal reductases when this mineral is used as a respiratory substrate. Differences in their redox behavior and hematite‐binding properties, however, indicate that they play different roles in the electron transfer reaction. Here, we investigated how these differences in cytochrome behavior with respect to hematite affected biofilm development when the mineral served as terminal electron acceptor (TEA). Upon attachment to hematite, cells of the wild‐type (WT) strain as well as those of a ΔomcA mutant but not those of a ΔmtrC mutant replicated and accumulated on the mineral surface. The results indicate that MtrC but not OmcA is required for growth when this mineral serves as TEA. While an OmcA deficiency did not impede cell replication and accumulation on hematite prior to achievement of a maximum surface cell density comparable to that established by WT cells, OmcA was required for efficient electron transfer and cell attachment to hematite once maximum surface cell density was achieved. OmcA may therefore play a role in overcoming barriers to electron transfer and cell attachment to hematite imposed by reductive dissolution of the mineral surface from cell respiration associated with achievement of high surface cell densities.
Temporal requirements of heat shock factor‐1 for longevity assurance
Authors: Volovik Yuli , Maman Moria , Dubnikov Tatyana , Bejerano‐Sagie Michal , Joyce Derek , Kapernick Erik A , Cohen Ehud , Dillin Andrew 
Published: February 2012

SummaryReducing the activity of the insulin/IGF‐1 signaling pathway (IIS) modifies development, elevates stress resistance, protects from toxic protein aggregation (proteotoxicity), and extends lifespan (LS) of worms, flies, and mice. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, LS extension by IIS reduction is entirely dependent upon the activity of the transcription factors DAF‐16 and the heat shock factor‐1 (HSF‐1). While DAF‐16 determines LS exclusively during early adulthood, it is required for proteotoxicity protection also during late adulthood. In contrast, HSF‐1 protects from proteotoxicity during larval development. Despite the critical requirement for HSF‐1 for LS extension, the temporal requirements for this transcription factor as a LS determinant are unknown. To establish the temporal requirements of HSF‐1 for longevity assurance, we conditionally knocked down hsf‐1 during larval development and adulthood of C. elegans and found that unlike daf‐16, hsf‐1 is foremost required for LS determination during early larval development, required for a lesser extent during early adulthood and has small effect on longevity also during late adulthood. Our findings indicate that early developmental events affect LS and suggest that HSF‐1 sets during development of the conditions that enable DAF‐16 to promote longevity during reproductive adulthood. This study proposes a novel link between HSF‐1 and the longevity functions of the IIS.
Discovery of an oak gall wasp (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) inducing galls on deciduous oak trees in India
Authors: ABE Yoshihisa , BHUYAN Mantu , MECH Jiten , BHATTACHARYYA Pranab R. , IDE Tatsuya , MISHIMA Misako , SUYAMA Chika , SATO Shinsuke , MATSUO Kazunori , WACHI Nakatada 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe report for the first time the occurrence of an oak gall wasp Andricus mukaigawae (Mukaigawa) (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on the deciduous oak Quercus griffithii Hook. F & Thomson ex Miq. in India. Andricus mukaigawae is the only cynipid species that has been observed to induce galls on deciduous oak species in India to date. In addition, this is the first record of a gall wasp species with a distribution extending all the way from the eastern Palearctic region to the Indian subcontinent, suggesting the existence of a close relationship between cynipid faunas on deciduous oak trees in the two regions.
Effects of forest disturbances on aquatic insect assemblages
Authors: YOSHIMURA Mayumi 
Published: February 2012

AbstractNatural and human‐made disasters such as floods and logging occur in and around rivers. Stream‐dwelling aquatic insects respond to these disturbances in various ways. Primary consumers among them rely greatly on algae and leaf litter from riparian vegetation as food. Therefore, once a disturbance such as a flood has occurred, insects may find it difficult to find food in a stream, and the aquatic insect assemblage can be impacted greatly as a result. Disturbances in riparian areas also increase fine sediment loads into streams, damaging habitat and altering the aquatic insect assemblage. Deforestation impacts not only terrestrial but also aquatic animals. In this review paper, aquatic insect assemblages are assessed according to alterations in land use in and around streams. Following this paper, it is expected that clarification of aquatic insect fauna and their life cycles will progress and that the distribution and habitat use of aquatic insects will be afforded greater attention in forest management.
Interaction of Angiogenically Stimulated Intermediate CD163+ Monocytes/Macrophages With Soft Hydrophobic Poly(n‐Butyl Acrylate) Networks With Elastic Moduli Matched to That of Human Arteries
Authors: Mayer Anke , Kratz Karl , Hiebl Bernhard , Lendlein Andreas , Jung Friedrich 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe cell population of peripheral blood monocytes/macrophages (MO) is heterogeneous: The majority of the MO are CD14++ CD16‐ and named “classical” (= MO1). Furthermore, two other subpopulations were described: CD14++ CD16+ (“intermediate” = MO2) and CD14+ CD16++ (“non‐classical” = MO3). It is reported that MO2 possess anti‐inflammatory properties and express the MO lineage marker CD163. On a hydrophilic neutrally charged acrylamide‐based hydrogel human intermediate (CD14++ CD16+), angiogenically stimulated CD163++ monocytes/macrophages (aMO2) maintained a proangiogenic and noninflammatory status for at least 14 days. Here, we explored whether this aMO2 subset adhered to hydrophobic poly(n‐butyl acrylate) networks (cPnBA) and also remained in its proangiogenic and noninflammatory status. Because substrate elasticity can impact adherence, morphology, and function of cells, cPnBAs with different Young's modulus (250 and 1100 kPa) were investigated, whereby their elasticity was tailored by variation of the cross‐linker content and matched to the elasticity of human arteries. The cPnBAs exhibited similar surface properties (e.g., surface roughness), which were maintained after ethylene oxide sterilization and exposure in serum‐free cell culture medium for 18 h at 37°C. aMO2 were seeded on cPnBA samples (1.7 × 105 cells/1.33 cm2) in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM high glucose) supplemented with vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF‐A165, 10 ng/mL) and fetal calf serum (10 vol%) for 3 and 72 h. On both polymeric samples (n = 3 each), the numbers of adherent cells per unit area were significantly higher (P < 0.01; cPnBA0250: 3 h 13 ± 5 cells/mm2, 72 h 234 ± 106 cells/mm2; cPnBA1100: 3 h 14 ± 3 cells/mm2, 72 h 198 ± 113 cells/mm2) compared to control cultures (glass, 3 h: 6 ± 3 cells/mm2, 72 h: 130 ± 83 cells/mm2) and showed a typically spread morphology. The mRNA expression profile of the aMO2 was not influenced by the substrate elasticity. In the supernatant of aMO2 on cPnBA0250, significantly less VEGF‐A165 product was found than expected based on the mRNA level measured (P < 0.01). Tests with recombinant VEGF‐A165 then demonstrated that significantly more VEGF‐A165 was adhered on cPnBA0250 than on cPnBA1100 (P < 0.01). Seeded on cPnBA, aMO2—unaffected by the elastic moduli of both substrates—seemed to remain in their subset status and secreted VEGF‐A165 without release of proinflammatory cytokines. These in vitro results might indicate that this MO subset can be used as cellular delivery system for proangiogenic and noninflammatory mediators to support the endothelialization of cPnBA.
White matter microstructural changes of thalamocortical networks in photosensitivity and idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Groppa Sergiu , Moeller Friederike , Siebner Hartwig , Wolff Stephan , Riedel Christian , Deuschl Günther , Stephani Ulrich , Siniatchkin Michael 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Photosensitivity or photoparoxysmal response (PPR) is an electroencephalography trait that is highly associated with idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) and characterized by changes in cortical excitability in response to photic stimulation. Studying functional and structural changes of PPR might provide important insights into the pathogenesis of IGE. Recent studies revealed a functional network consisting of occipital, parietal, and precentral areas that might be implicated in PPR. Herein, we investigate the microstructural changes associated with PPR.Methods:  Twelve healthy subjects with PPR, nine patients with IGE and PPR (IGE‐PPR group), and 18 healthy controls were studied with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. Tract‐based spatial statistics were used to test for regional differences in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity between groups.Key Findings:  Subjects with PPR exhibited higher FA in the right precentral juxtacortical white matter and higher MD in lateral occipital areas relative to controls. Patients with IGE‐patients showed additional increases in regional FA in the thalamus and juxtacortical precentral and parietal areas. Both subjects with PPR and patients with IGE‐PPR presented axial and radial diffusivity changes in the occipital regions.Significance:  Our results show that PPR is associated with subcortical microstructural changes in precentral, parietal, and occipital regions. The coexistence of PPR and IGE is associated with white matter abnormalities in the thalamus and precuneus. PPR and epilepsy share similar functional and structural networks in widespread cortical and subcortical areas.
Focal epilepsies in adult patients attending two epilepsy centers: Classification of drug‐resistance, assessment of risk factors, and usefulness of “new” antiepileptic drugs
Authors: Gilioli Isabella , Vignoli Aglaia , Visani Elisa , Casazza Marina , Canafoglia Laura , Chiesa Valentina , Gardella Elena , La Briola Francesca , Panzica Ferruccio , Avanzini Giuliano , Canevini Maria Paola , Franceschetti Silvana , Binelli Simona 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPurpose:  To classify the grade of antiepileptic drug (AED) resistance in a cohort of patients with focal epilepsies, to recognize the risk factors for AED resistance, and to estimate the helpfulness of “new‐generation” AEDs.Methods:  We included 1,155 adults with focal epilepsies who were observed consecutively after 1990 and followed regularly at two epilepsy centers. We systematically collected the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic data using a custom‐written database. We classified the patients as seizure‐free or AED resistant according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria, and we evaluated the risk factors associated with AED resistance using logistic regression analysis. We further grouped AED‐resistant patients in different grades (I, II, and III) according to the number of AEDs already tried as proposed by Perucca.Key Findings:  AED resistance occurred in 57.8% of the 729 patients with symptomatic focal epilepsies and was positively associated with electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities, seizure type, and the presence of mesial temporal sclerosis. Among 426 patients without detectable causes, the percentage of AED resistance was significantly lower (39.2%) and correlated with EEG abnormalities and psychiatric symptoms. Among AED‐resistant patients, the majority (64.6%) had tried three or more AEDs, which fit the more severe grade III proposed by Perucca. Among seizure‐free patients, more than one‐half (57%) needed to try two or more AEDs before reaching seizure control (14.9% needed three or more AEDs). Furthermore, among seizure‐free patients who could be previously classified as resistant to two or more AEDs, 52.2% reached seizure freedom while receiving treatment with “new generation” AEDs.Significance:  The ILAE classification of AED resistance, as well the graded classification proposed by Perucca, was easily exploitable in our patients, although these classifications systems appear to have a limited value in predicting seizure outcome. Actually, a small but not negligible percentage of patients reached seizure freedom after trying several AEDs (including “new” AEDs), suggesting repeated trials may be necessary for seizure control.
Reflections on Giving Bad News
Authors: Gilmore Thomas 
Published: February 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:356–358 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractDeath in the emergency department (ED) is fairly common. Giving bad news can be difficult, but it is a skill that is vitally important for the emergency physician. In the past it may have been difficult to find good resources on the subject, but now there are many reviews and guidelines; the SPIKES and GRIEV_ING protocols are two such guidelines. Furthermore, giving bad news is now taught in medical school and residency. This reflection is about giving the news of the death of a family member over the telephone. Little literature addresses giving bad news over the telephone.
Discrimination of basal cell carcinoma from benign lesions based on extraction of ulcer features in polarized‐light dermoscopy images
Authors: Kefel Serkan , Guvenc Pelin , LeAnder Robert , Stricklin Sherea M. , Stoecker William V. 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundUlcers are frequently visible in magnified, cross‐polarized, dermoscopy images of basal cell carcinoma. An ulcer without a history of trauma, a so‐called ‘atraumatic’ ulcer, is an important sign of basal cell carcinoma, the most common skin cancer. Distinguishing such ulcers from similar features found in benign lesions is challenging. In this research, color and texture features of ulcers are analyzed to discriminate basal cell carcinoma from benign lesions.MethodsUlcers in polarized‐light dermoscopy images of 49 biopsy‐proven basal cell carcinomas were identified and manually selected. For 153 polarized‐light dermoscopy images of benign lesions, those areas that most closely mimicked ulcers were similarly selected. Fifteen measures were analyzed over the areas of ulcers and ulcer mimics. Six of those measures were texture measures: energy, variance, smoothness, skewness, uniformity, and entropy. Nine of those measures were color measures: relative measures of red, green, and blue; chromaticity of red, green, and blue; and the ratios blue‐to‐green, blue‐to‐red, and green‐to‐red.ResultsA back‐propagation artificial neural network was able to discriminate most of the basal cell carcinoma from benign lesions, with an area under the ROC curve as high as 92.46%, using color and texture features of ulcer areas.ConclusionSeparation of basal cell carcinoma from benign cutaneous lesions using image analysis techniques applied to ulcers is feasible. As ulcers are a critical feature in malignant lesions, this finding may have application in the automatic detection of basal cell carcinoma.
Differentiation of subgroups of monosymptomatic enuresis according to prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex
Authors: Eggert Paul , Freischmidt Sönke , Bismarck Phillip v. , Schulz‐Jürgensen Sebastian 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim:  Monosymptomatic enuresis (ME) is a common disorder in children with serious social and psychological consequences. Treatment is usually initiated with desamino‐arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) and/or alarm therapy as first‐line treatment and imipramine as second‐line. All treatments have proven efficacy, but are not successful with all patients. Therefore, a differentiation into subgroups according to treatment efficacy would be beneficial.Methods:  A group of patients resistant to first‐line treatment was treated with imipramine and compared with matched controls successfully treated with dDAVP and/or alarm therapy. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) to acoustic startle reflexes was measured in all patients.Results:  In a group of 23 nonresponders, the median PPI was 72% (range 43–94%) compared with the matched dDAVP/alarm – responders with a median PPI of 26% (range 0–61%) (p < 0.0001). The response rate to imipramine was 87%.Conclusion:  The presented data provide evidence that PPI allows to identify two subgroups of ME. The results offer further insight into (at least) two different pathomechanisms involved in ME: (i) a maturational delay of reflex inhibition with reduced PPI and (ii) a normal PPI, possibly with abnormal sleep patterns, that can be influenced by imipramine.
Historical control data on prenatal developmental toxicity studies in rabbits
Authors: Ema Makoto , Aoyama Hiroaki , Arima Akihiro , Asano Yuzo , Chihara Kazuhiro , Endoh Katsumi , Fujii Sakiko , Hara Hiroaki , Higuchi Hashihiro , Hishikawa Atsuko , Hojo Hitoshi , Horimoto Masao , Hoshino Nobuhito , Hosokawa Yoshinori , Inada Hiroshi , Inoue Ayumi , Itoh Keiichi , Izumi Hiroyuki , Maeda Maki , Matsumoto Kiyoshi , Matsuo Seiki , Matsuura Ikuo , Mineshima Hiroshi , Miwa Yoji , Miyata Hidenori , Mizoguchi Yasumoto , Nakano Nao , Naya Masato , Nishizawa Hanako , Noritake Ken‐ichi , Noyori Hiroko , Ohta Takafumi , Oku Harutaka , Shimizu Tatsuya , Shimomura Kazuhiro , Shiozawa Kei , Takakura Ikuro , Tanaka Ryota , Uesugi Tohru , Yabe Kaoru , Yamauchi Toshiaki , Yokoi Ryohei 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTHistorical control data on rabbit prenatal developmental toxicity studies, performed between 1994–2010, were obtained from 20 laboratories, including 11 pharmaceutical and chemical companies and nine contract laboratories, in Japan. In this paper, data were incorporated from a laboratory if the information was based on 10 studies or more. Japanese White rabbits and New Zealand White rabbits were used for prenatal developmental toxicity studies. The data included maternal reproductive findings at terminal cesarean sections and fetal findings including spontaneous incidences of morphological alterations. No noticeable differences between strains or laboratories were observed in the maternal reproductive and fetal developmental data. The inter‐laboratory variations in the incidences of fetal external, visceral, and skeletal alterations seem to be due to differences in the selection of observation parameters, observation criteria, and classification of the findings, and terminology of fetal alterations.
Review article: Late post‐hysterectomy ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Saad Aldin Ehab , Saadeh Joanna , Ghulmiyyah Labib , Hitti Eveline 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEctopic pregnancy after hysterectomy is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition requiring prompt diagnosis to prevent the increased mortality associated with rupture. Twenty‐seven cases of late post‐hysterectomy ectopic pregnancy reported in the English literature since 1918 were reviewed and analysed for presenting symptoms, missed diagnosis rate at initial presentation, location of ectopic and rupture rate at diagnosis. The presenting symptoms were found to be non‐specific. The diagnosis in this population is twice more likely to be missed than in women with intact uteri. The rupture rate is 63%, compared with 37% in women with intact uteri. The majority of late post‐hysterectomy ectopic pregnancies (62%) were located in the fallopian tubes. Because of the potential risk of mortality, emergency physicians should always consider the possibility of ectopic pregnancy in childbearing women whose surgical history includes hysterectomy without oophorectomy. Evaluation of abdominal pain in this population should include a pregnancy test to ensure prompt diagnosis when the possibility of pregnancy exists clinically.
Spectroscopic and Photophysical Properties of dUTP and Internally DNA Bound Fluorophores for Optimized Signal Detection in Biological Formats
Authors: Linck Lena , Kapusta Peter , Resch‐Genger Ute 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEfficient signal generation in DNA‐based assays requires understanding of the influence of fluorophore’s interactions on the spectroscopic properties. The resulting changes in fluorescence intensity, quantum yield, emission anisotropy, and fluorescence lifetime provide straightforward tools for the study of molecular dynamics and interaction between labels and nucleic acids. Searching for bright fluorescent reporters for rolling circle amplification (RCA) as efficient signal enhancement strategy for biological formats, we investigated the spectroscopic properties of seven dyes: cyanines, rhodamines, and BODIPYs. They spectrally resemble Cy3, the most frequently used fluorophore in biodetection formats, and are measured in six samples (free dye, dye‐dUTP, internally labeled ssDNA and dsDNA—single‐ and triple‐labeled) using steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorometry. Special emphasis was dedicated to characterizing the nature of the interaction of these fluorophores differing in dye class, charge, and rigidity. Our results suggest dye charge and structure as main factors governing the dye’s interactions, with DY‐555 and Cy3B presenting the best candidates for our envisaged signal amplification strategy. This label comparison underlines the importance of a proper understanding of structure‐property relations and dye–biomolecule interactions for reporter choice and presents a road map towards the design and interpretation of experiments using these labels on DNA of known sequence.
Evolutionary dynamics of separate and combined exposure of Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 to antibiotics and bacteriophage
Authors: Escobar‐Páramo Patricia , Gougat‐Barbera Claire , Hochberg Michael E. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe use of bacteriophages against pathogenic bacteria in health care and in the food industry is now being advocated as an alternative to the use of antibiotics. But what is the evolutionary response for a bacterial population if both antibiotics and phages are used in combination? We employ an experimental evolution approach to address these questions and exposed Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 and a related hypermutator strain (mutS−) to the action of the antibiotic rifampicin and the lytic bacteriophage SBW25ϕ2. We then compared the densities, growth rates, and the mutations at the rpoB locus leading to rifampicin resistance of the evolved bacterial populations. We observed that the evolutionary response of populations under different treatments varied depending on the order in which the antimicrobials were added and whether the bacterium was a hypermutator. We found that wild‐type rifampicin‐resistant populations involved in biofilm formation often reverted to rifampicin sensitivity when stresses were added sequentially. In contrast, when the mortality agents were added simultaneously, phage populations frequently went extinct and the bacteria evolved antibiotic resistance. However, populations of the hypermutator mutS− converged to a single genotype at the rpoB locus. Future investigation on other bacteria and using different antibiotics and bacteriophage are needed to evaluate the generality of our findings.