bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma vasopressin, oxytocin, estradiol, and progesterone related to water and sodium excretion in normal pregnancy and gestational hypertension
Authors: RISBERG ANITHA , OLSSON KERSTIN , LYRENÄS SVEN , SJÖQUIST MATS 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective. To investigate associations between plasma oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations and renal water and sodium excretion during normal pregnancy in comparison with gestational hypertension. Design. A prospective open trial conducted in the 12th, 24th, and 36th weeks of gestation. Settings. Seven antenatal clinics in Sweden. Participants. Thirty‐seven normotensive women, 15 women with gestational hypertension, and five women with mild preeclampsia. Main outcome measures. Hormones were analyzed with radioimmunoassay. Albumin, osmolality, sodium, and urea were analyzed by routine methods. Results. Blood pressure was elevated in the hypertensive women and body mass index in mild preeclampsia from week 12. Renal sodium excretion did not differ between groups or weeks and mean renal free water clearance was negative. In normotensive women, the vasopressin concentration was 1.1±0.2 (week 12) and 0.7±0.1 pmol/L (week 36: p = 0.053). In hypertensive women, vasopressin concentration was 1.7±1.0 pmol/L, week 12, and 0.7±0.1 pmol/L in week 36 (ns). In normotensive women, oxytocin concentration increased from 23±1 pmol/L in week 12 to 48±3 pmol/L in week 36 (p<0.001). Corresponding values in hypertensive women were 36±11 (week 12) and 55±5 pmol/L (week 36: ns). In all groups, plasma estradiol concentration increased. Plasma progesterone increased until week 24 in normotensive and hypertensive women with further increase in normotensive women. Conclusions. The low plasma vasopressin and increasing plasma oxytocin concentrations with unchanged water and sodium excretion indicate that oxytocin assists vasopressin in concentrating urine during pregnancy.
Culture and Propagation of Laboratory Populations of the African Butterfly Bicyclus anynana
Authors: Brakefield Paul M. , Beldade Patrícia , Zwaan Bas J. 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes methods required for the culture of the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana. The larvae are typically fed and maintained on pot-grown maize plants (Zea mays) that are ~50 cm high. Males and females can be separated as pupae or adults. Adults are fed on moist banana and will readily mate in the laboratory. Females lay eggs on available grass plants. We use a standard temperature of 27°C (because an approximate rule is that developmental time is twice as long at 20°C), a high relative humidity of ~60%-70% (the exact level is not critical), and a 12:12 photoperiod similar to the climate experienced in the wet season near the equator. Both larval and pupal molts are gated by photoperiod and can be readily timed (e.g., by use of time-exposure filming). To set up cohorts of standard developmental stages, an appropriate timing for this photoperiod is chosen: Pupation usually occurs shortly after lights out, and larval molts also occur during the night. At ~27°C, egg development takes 4 d, and the total generation time is 5-6 wk, yielding about eight generations a year in selection experiments.
Surgical Manipulations on Pupal Wings from the African Butterfly Bicyclus anynana: Grafts
Authors: Brakefield Paul M. , Beldade Patrícia , Zwaan Bas J. 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes a procedure for transplanting tissue of the eyespot organizer in early pupae of the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana. In very young pupae, before apolysis, the pupal wing case is attached to the sheet of cells that will form the dorsal surface of the adult forewing. Therefore, if a piece of pupal cuticle is removed and transplanted to a novel site on the developing wing (where a corresponding patch has been removed), the underlying cells of the dorsal forewing are transferred together with it. The pattern determination effects of the transplanted wing tissue on the surrounding cells can be examined by comparing the experimental and control wings of the adult butterfly. Square grafts can be turned 180° (or 90°) before implantation to distinguish donor and host tissue, because the orientation of the scale cells is determined before grafting.
Immunohistochemistry Staining of Embryos from the African Butterfly Bicyclus anynana
Authors: Brakefield Paul M. , Beldade Patrícia , Zwaan Bas J. 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes an immunohistochemical method for the detection of proteins in developing embryos of the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana. The embryos are stained with a primary antibody against a protein of interest, followed by a fluorescently labeled secondary antibody.
Preparation and Immunolabeling of Caenorhabditis elegans: Figure 1
Authors: Crittenden Sarah , Kimble Judith 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONThe use of antibodies to visualize the distribution and subcellular localization of gene products powerfully complements genetic and molecular analysis of gene function in Caenorhabditis elegans. The challenge to immunolabeling C. elegans is finding the fixation and permeabilization methods that effectively make antigens accessible without destroying the tissue morphology or the antigen. Embryos are surrounded by a chitinous eggshell and larvae and adults are surrounded by a collagenous cuticle, each of which must be permeabilized to allow penetration of antibodies. In addition, antigens and antibodies are sensitive to different fixing and permeabilizing conditions. This protocol describes two methods for tissue fixation. The whole-mount freeze-cracking method is a good starting point as it is easy and works well with most antibodies and with embryos, larvae, and adults. In the tissue extrusion method, gonads and intestines, which are extruded from the carcass, are well fixed and permeabilized. Tissues remaining in the carcass are not usually stained well. The protocol concludes with an antibody incubation procedure in which fixed worms are incubated overnight with primary antibody, subsequently exposed to secondary antibody, and mounted for viewing.
Construction of Adenovirus Vectors with RGD-Modified Fiber for Transductional Targeting
Authors: Kawakami Yosuke , Curiel David T. 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONTherapeutic gene transfer strategies aim to maximize gene transfer and expression in target cells. However, gene delivery systems often fail to preferentially transduce target cells in mixed cell populations. In addition, limitations in vector specificity can lead to transduction of non-target cells, resulting in untoward toxicity, even with compartmental dosing. Thus, vector optimization is critical for the development of efficient genetic experiments. The life cycle and biology of adenovirus (Ad) infection and transgene expression in cells have been thoroughly characterized. Ad infection is initiated by recognition of the native Ad5 receptor, coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR), on target cells by the carboxy-terminal portion (i.e., knob) of the fiber protein. The development of genetically modified Ad vectors with transductional specificity for a single cell type requires “retargeting”: the ablation of endogenous tropism and the introduction of novel tropism determinants for target cells. This protocol describes the construction of chimeric fibers. Homologous recombination between the pAdEasy-1 and the fiber shuttle plasmid (pFiber-dE3-RGD) is used to generate a rescue plasmid with a mutant fiber that inserts Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) at the carboxyl terminus of the fiber knob region. The resultant fiber-modified rescue plasmid (pAdEasy-RGD) is isogenic to AdEasy-1 (except the fiber region) and can therefore be used for another round of homologous recombination with pShuttle-promoter-Luc to make a final Ad vector construct that expresses the luciferase gene and contains an RGD-modified fiber knob. This construct can then be tested for targeting efficacy against cells expressing αv integrin cell surface receptors.
Systematic Monitoring of Protein Complex Composition and Abundance by Blue-Native PAGE
Authors: Eubel Holger , Millar A. Harvey 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONMany polypeptides do not perform their functions as single autonomous units in vivo. Instead, multiple polypeptides associate to form higher molecular mass structures. Blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) allows a range of the major protein complexes involved in such protein-protein interactions to be visualized simultaneously and in a single experiment. When combined with a second dimension of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the BN/SDS-PAGE procedure can resolve the complexes according to their molecular weight, as well as the subunits within each complex, according to the molecular weights of the subunits. Similarly, used in conjunction with differential in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE), it can accurately quantify changes in protein complex abundance or subunit composition between different samples, or between different complexes within the same sample. The following basic protocol describes sample preparation and gel casting for the first (BN-PAGE) and second (SDS-PAGE) dimensions. Variants are presented with and without DIGE labeling, along with the additional steps required for the fluorescence DIGE technique.
The Cytokinin Type-B Response Regulator PtRR13 Is a Negative Regulator of Adventitious Root Development inPopulus
Authors: Ramírez-Carvajal Gustavo A. , Morse Alison M. , Dervinis Christopher , Davis John M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAdventitious root formation at the base of plant cuttings is an innate de novo organogenesis process that allows massive vegetative propagation of many economically and ecologically important species. The early molecular events following shoot excision are not well understood. Using whole-genome microarrays, we detected significant transcriptome remodeling during 48 h following shoot removal in Populus tremula × Populus alba softwood cuttings in the absence of exogenous auxin, with 27% and 36% of the gene models showing differential abundance between 0 and 6 h and between 6 and 24 h, respectively. During these two time intervals, gene networks involved in protein turnover, protein phosphorylation, molecular transport, and translation were among the most significantly regulated. Transgenic lines expressing a constitutively active form of the Populus type-B cytokinin response regulator PtRR13 (ΔDDKPtRR13) have a delayed rooting phenotype and cause misregulation of CONTINUOUS VASCULAR RING1, a negative regulator of vascularization; PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE TRANSPORTER9, an auxin efflux transporter; and two APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR genes with sequence similarity to TINY. Inappropriate cytokinin action via ΔDDKPtRR13 expression appeared to disrupt adventitious root development 24 h after shoot excision, when root founder cells are hypothesized to be sensitive to the negative effects of cytokinin. Our results are consistent with PtRR13 acting downstream of cytokinin to repress adventitious root formation in intact plants, and that reduced cytokinin signaling after shoot excision enables coordinated expression of ethylene, auxin, and vascularization pathways leading to adventitious root development.
BIN2 Functions Redundantly with Other Arabidopsis GSK3-Like Kinases to Regulate Brassinosteroid Signaling
Authors: Yan Zhenyan , Zhao Jun , Peng Peng , Chihara Ray K. , Li Jianming 
Published: April 2009

AbstractGLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE3 (GSK3) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase involved in a variety of developmental signaling processes. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome encodes 10 GSK3-like kinases that are clustered into four groups. Forward genetic screens have so far uncovered eight mutants, all of which carry gain-of-function mutations in BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2), one of the three members in group II. Genetic and biochemical studies have implicated a negative regulatory role for BIN2 in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Here, we report the identification of eight ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized loss-of-function bin2 alleles and one T-DNA insertional mutation each for BIN2 and its two closest homologs, BIN2-Like1 and BIN2-Like2. Our genetic, biochemical, and physiological assays revealed that despite functional redundancy, BIN2 plays a dominant role among the three group II members in regulating BR signaling. Surprisingly, the bin2bil1bil2 triple T-DNA insertional mutant still responds to BR and accumulates a more phosphorylated form of a BIN2 substrate than the wild-type plant. Using the specific GSK3 inhibitor lithium chloride, we have provided strong circumstantial evidence for the involvement of other Arabidopsis GSK3-like kinases in BR signaling. Interestingly, lithium chloride treatment was able to suppress the gain-of-function bin2-1 mutation but had a much weaker effect on a strong BR receptor mutant, suggesting the presence of a BIN2-independent regulatory step downstream of BR receptor activation.
The Wound-, Pathogen-, and Ultraviolet B-ResponsiveMYB134Gene Encodes an R2R3 MYB Transcription Factor That Regulates Proanthocyanidin Synthesis in Poplar
Authors: Mellway Robin D. , Tran Lan T. , Prouse Michael B. , Campbell Malcolm M. , Constabel C. Peter 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn poplar (Populus spp.), the major defense phenolics produced in leaves are the flavonoid-derived proanthocyanidins (PAs) and the salicin-based phenolic glycosides. Transcriptional activation of PA biosynthetic genes leading to PA accumulation in leaves occurs following herbivore damage and mechanical wounding as well as infection by the fungal biotroph Melampsora medusae. In this study, we have identified a poplar R2R3 MYB transcription factor gene, MYB134, that exhibits close sequence similarity to the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) PA regulator TRANSPARENT TESTA2 and that is coinduced with PA biosynthetic genes following mechanical wounding, M. medusae infection, and exposure to elevated ultraviolet B light. Overexpression of MYB134 in poplar resulted in transcriptional activation of the full PA biosynthetic pathway and a significant plant-wide increase in PA levels, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that recombinant MYB134 protein is able to bind to promoter regions of PA pathway genes. MYB134-overexpressing plants exhibited a concomitant reduction in phenolic glycoside concentrations and other minor alterations to levels of small phenylpropanoid metabolites. Our data provide insight into the regulatory mechanisms controlling stress-induced PA metabolism in poplar, and the identification of a regulator of stress-responsive PA biosynthesis constitutes a valuable tool for manipulating PA metabolism in poplar and investigating the biological functions of PAs in resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Scout robot with wheeling‐hopping combination locomotion
Authors: Zhao Jie , Liu Gangfeng , Yan Jihong , Zang Xizhe 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a new scout robot that tries to combine the hopping movement and the wheeling movement to greatly enlarge the scope of robot's activities.Design/methodology/approachA five‐shank hopping mechanism was employed to build the wheeling‐hopping combination scout robot. The non‐linear character of the five‐shank hopping mechanism was analyzed and then used in the proposed non‐linear spring‐mass model for the robot.FindingsThe rules of robot's movement were deduced, influencing factors of the jumping height were analyzed and the countermeasure was adopted. Simulations and an experiment of the robot's movement showed that the robot has strong locomotivity and survival ability.Originality/valueA five‐shank hopping mechanism is proposed, analyzed and combined with wheeling movement to enhance the locomotivity and survival ability of scout robot.
Inspection of welding pool height from shading in pulsed GTAW with wire filler
Authors: Wang J.F. , Wang W.Y. , Chen S.B. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe control of weld penetration in gas tungsten‐arc welding (GTAW) is required for fully automated systems to overcome variations in the welding process. The surface depression of weld pool, or weld pool height, has a close relationship with width of the backside bead in the full‐penetrated weld. The purpose of this paper is to inspect the pool height.Design/methodology/approachA fast linear approach, based on shape from shading (SFS) algorithm, was employed to reconstruct a 3D shape of welding pool from a 2D image, which was obtained from a real welding pool. Then the pool height can be extracted. Furthermore, three methods were introduced to improve the above algorithm.FindingsThe reconstructed pool height was in good agreement with the real height of weld pool from experiments.Research limitations/implicationsThe algorithm requires a uniform reflection on the pool surface.Practical implicationsThis method is applicable to inspect weld pool height in GTAW. It is a basis for future work on control of weld penetration.Originality/valueA faster SFS algorithm has been introduced to extract weld pool height in real‐time. Moreover, the algorithm was improved to fit for extracting the surface shape of weld pool.
Team‐based reward allocation structures and the helping behaviors of outcome‐interdependent team members
Authors: Bamberger Peter A. , Levi Racheli 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of two key team‐based pay characteristics – namely reward allocation procedures (i.e. reward based on norms of equity, equality or some combination of the two) and incentive intensity – on both the amount and type of help given to one another among members of outcome‐interdependent teams.Design/methodology/approachA total of 180 undergraduate students participate in a laboratory simulation with a 2 × 3 experimental design. Servicing virtual “clients,” participants receive pre‐scripted requests for assistance from anonymous teammates. ANOVA and hierarchical regression analyses are used to test the hypotheses.FindingsRelative to equity‐oriented group‐based pay structures, equality‐oriented pay structures are found to be associated with both significantly more help giving in general and more of the type of help likely to enhance group‐level competencies (i.e. autonomous help). Incentive intensity strengthens the effects of reward allocation on the amount (but not the type) of help giving.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the short time frame of the simulation poses a significant threat to external validity, the findings suggest that team‐based compensation practices may provide organizational leaders with an important tool by which to shape critical, helping‐related team processes, with potentially important implications for both team learning and performance.Practical implicationsManagers interested in promoting capacity‐building and helping among team members should avoid allocating team rewards strictly on the basis of the individual contribution.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first empirical findings regarding how alternative modes of team‐based reward distribution may influence key group processes among members of outcome interdependent teams.
Effects of country variables on young generation's attitude towards American products: a multi‐attribute perspective
Authors: Chen Hsiu‐Li 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the country‐of‐origin (COO) effect and consumer patriotism on young generation's attitude toward American products with multi‐attributes: across different cultures and different product categories.Design/methodology/approachA 2 × 2 research design (Taiwan/Indonesia)×(high‐tech products and non‐high‐tech products) and LISREL technique are employed to examine the effects.FindingsThe results of the study find that both Taiwanese and Indonesian cases show that country‐of‐origin (COO) has a significantly positive effect on the attitude toward American‐made products. Moreover, Indonesian respondents who demonstrate higher patriotism show negative attitudes toward American products. The effects of COO on purchase intentions are product‐specific and consumer consuming‐specific. Stronger product attitude exists for Taiwan's sample than for Indonesia's, primarily due to higher cultural identification with America.Originality/valueThe “Made in USA” slogan could be used to promote American products to people from younger generations. COO may have a different effect on consumer purchase intention between high‐tech and non‐high‐tech products and between different consuming countries. Marketers using the “Made in USA” slogan as a promotion tool should show special concern for the product category as well as for cultural identification factors.
Analysing complex policy change in Hong Kong: what role for critical discourse analysis?
Authors: Cheng Annie Y.N. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe Hong Kong government recently reformed pre‐primary education with the introduction of a voucher scheme. At the time this policy caused considerable opposition from across Hong Kong Society. This paper seeks to use Fairclough's model of critical discourse analysis to explore a key policy text and seeks to assess to what extent such an analytical framework can help develop a better understanding of the processes of policy development.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses critical discourse analysis methods and applies these to a specific policy text relating to the reform of pre‐primary education.FindingsThe paper suggests that critical discourse analysis can provide a useful analytical tool for analysing the complexities of the policy development process. In particular it surfaces key tensions within policy, such as those between commitments to equity and efficiency, that may have a significant impact on the outcomes of subsequent policy implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a small scale study. Its findings are tentative. There is some merit in the approach adopted, but the use of this approach in relation to policy development requires further work to develop it.Originality/valueThe paper adds to the understanding of how a range of methods of data analysis can help develop a more sophisticated understanding of the nuances of policy development.
Assessment of quality of midwifery care in labour and delivery wards of selected Kordestan Medical Science University hospitals
Authors: Simbar Masoumeh , Ghafari Farideh , Tork Zahrani Shahnaz , Alavi Majd Hamid 
Published: May 2009

PurposeQuality improvement of reproductive health care has been announced as one of five global strategies to accelerate progress toward reproductive health goals. The World Health Organization emphasises the evaluation of structure, procedure and outcome of health services to improve quality of care. This study aims to assess the quality of provided care in labour and delivery units in two selected Kordestan Medical Science University hospitals.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive study methodology was utilised to assess the quality of care provided to 96 women with normal pregnancies. Two checklists were used to observe procedures of care and structure together with a questionnaire utilised to assess satisfaction ratings of patients. Data were analysed by SPSS 11.5.FindingsMidwifery care was provided in different stages of labour, with the following mean percentages of compatibility with desirable situation: first stage of labour (71.4 per cent), second stage of labour (63.03 per cent), third stage of labour (80.63 per cent) and first 2 hours after labour (70.50 per cent). The lowest scores were related to the domains of “emotional support”, “hand wash” and “assessment of vital signs”.Originality/valueThe paper develops instructions for care provision or promotion of partograph use for continuous monitoring and evaluation of quality of care by managers. Increasing midwifery personnel and providing facilities for accompanied people to improve quality of emotional care can lead to quality improvement, and finally the women's health and satisfaction.