bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Habitat-related germination behaviour and emergence phenology in the woodland geophyte Anemone ranunculoides L. (Ranunculaceae) from northern Italy
Authors: Mondoni Andrea , Probert Robin , Rossi Graziano , Hay Fiona 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study examined whether the restricted habitat preference of the spring-flowering woodland geophyte Anemone ranunculoides L., compared with that of A. nemorosa growing in the same woodlands in northern Italy, could be explained by subtle differences in germination preference and emergence phenology. Immediately after harvest, seeds of A. ranunculoides were either sown on agar in the laboratory under simulated seasonal temperatures or placed in nylon mesh sachets and buried in the wild. Embryos, undifferentiated at the time of seed dispersal, grew during summer in the laboratory and in the wild, culminating in radicle emergence in the autumn, when temperatures fell to c. 15°C. Shoot emergence was delayed under natural conditions until soil temperature had dropped further to c. 10°C. Compared with populations of the closely related Anemone nemorosa L. occupying the same woodland habitat, which have been reported to have non-dormant radicles, A. ranunculoides displayed a narrower temperature tolerance for radicle emergence and high levels of germination were possible only after prolonged exposure to summer conditions, indicating physiological dormancy. However, unlike A. nemorosa, shoot emergence in A. ranunculoides was not dependent on winter temperatures, suggesting weaker epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy. Under a regime of diurnal temperature alternation, simulating the microclimate where there is little plant cover, germination failed almost completely; this could explain the absence of A. ranunculoides in open habitats.
NEGATING OPERA THROUGH OPERA: COSÌ FAN TUTTE AND THE REVERSE OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT
Authors: LÜTTEKEN LAURENZ 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAmong the operas on which Mozart and Da Ponte collaborated, Così fan tutte is a special case. In some ways, the libretto is more conventional than those provided for Le nozze di Figaro or Don Giovanni, and Mozart was not the first composer asked to set it. To understand the work best, it is necessary to read the text closely. This article concentrates on a few, highly significant characteristics – in particular, the locations in which the opera takes place. Such details provide the foundations for surprising insights into the opera. First, the libretto deals with central issues in eighteenth-century aesthetics, but the mechanist philosophy that informs the plot (reminiscent of that theorized by Julien Offray de La Mettrie in L'Homme machine) defuses these issues over the course of the action. Secondly, the music that turns the libretto into an opera resonates with specialist issues of eighteenth-century music aesthetics, often to turn them, once again, on their heads. In the last analysis, Così fan tutte is an opera in which both text and music question truth and reliability, and the consequences are serious for the opera, for music and for the very Enlightenment itself.
MUSIC AND ‘MUSIC’ IN EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY META-OPERATIC SCORES
Authors: BELLINI ALICE 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT‘Meta-operas’, that is, operas portraying the world of opera and its protagonists (such as impresarios, music directors, librettists and virtuosi), became increasingly common during the eighteenth century. Most of the scholarly literature on meta-opera, however, concentrates on the operas' poetic texts, their librettos. Scholars have dealt with these operas about operas almost as though they were spoken dramas, without taking into account the many ways in which metatheatrical practices and conventions are made more complex by the presence of music.What do meta-operatic scores look like? Are they similar to other ‘ordinary’ scores of the same time, or do their metatheatrical techniques set them aside as special? Considering a number of eighteenth-century works, this article points out how specific musical means can contribute to the overall effect of meta-operatic plots: the stratified nature of meta-narratives is, in fact, mirrored in the scores when realistic music is performed on stage. On these occasions, the presence of more than one layer of musical performance (of music and ‘music’) can be detected in the score. Furthermore, the presence of realistic music allows for a highly flexible treatment of standard operatic practices, and a number of passages work across conventional oppositions such as recitative/closed number, ‘real-life’/‘performed’ and ‘spoken’/‘sung’. Meta-operas, therefore, offer a special perspective on the presence of realistic music in opera.
OntoFox:
Authors: Xiang Zuoshuang , He Yongqun 
Published: August 2009

AbstractOntoFox ("http://ontofox.hegroup.org/":http://ontofox.hegroup.org/) is a web server that facilitates ontology development by automatically fetching ontology terms and their annotations from existing ontologies and saving the results in importable RDF/OWL format. OntoFox is developed based on the MIREOT principle. Currently OntoFox can fetch ontology annotations from >10 existing ontologies. OntoFox provides an efficient approach to promote ontology sharing and interoperability.
Towards Desiderata for an Ontology of Diseases for the Annotation of Biological Datasets
Authors: Bodenreider Olivier , Burgun Anita 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThere is a plethora of disease ontologies available, all potentially useful for the annotation of biological datasets. We define seven desirable features for such ontologies and examine whether or not these features are supported by eleven disease ontologies. The four ontologies most closely aligned with our desiderata are Disease Ontology, SNOMED CT, NCI thesaurus and UMLS.
Effects of insulin resistance on endothelial progenitor cells and vascular repair
Authors: Cubbon Richard M. , Kahn Matthew B. , Wheatcroft Stephen B. 
Published: August 2009

Insulin resistance, a key feature of obesity, the metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, results in an array of metabolic and vascular phenomena which ultimately promote the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is intricately related to insulin resistance through the parallel stimulatory effects of insulin on glucose disposal in metabolic tissues and NO production in the endothelium. Perturbations characteristic of insulin resistance, including dyslipidaemia, inflammation and oxidative stress, may jeopardize the structural or functional integrity of the endothelium. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial damage is mitigated by endogenous reparative processes which mediate endothelial regeneration. EPCs (endothelial progenitor cells) are circulating cells which have been identified as mediators of endothelial repair. Several of the abnormalities associated with insulin resistance, including reduced NO bioavailability, increased production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and down-regulation of intracellular signalling pathways, have the potential to disrupt EPC function. Improvement in the number and function of EPCs may contribute to the protective actions of evidence-based therapies to reduce cardiometabolic risk. In the present article, we review the putative effects of insulin resistance on EPCs, discuss the underlying mechanisms and highlight potential therapeutic manoeuvres which could improve vascular repair in individuals with insulin resistance.
Serotonin targets inhibitory synapses to induce modulation of network functions
Authors: Manzke Till , Dutschmann Mathias , Schlaf Gerald , Mörschel Michael , Koch Uwe R. , Ponimaskin Evgeni , Bidon Olivier , Lalley Peter M. , Richter Diethelm W. 
Published: August 2009

The cellular effects of serotonin (5-HT), a neuromodulator with widespread influences in the central nervous system, have been investigated. Despite detailed knowledge about the molecular biology of cellular signalling, it is not possible to anticipate the responses of neuronal networks to a global action of 5-HT. Heterogeneous expression of various subtypes of serotonin receptors (5-HTR) in a variety of neurons differently equipped with cell-specific transmitter receptors and ion channel assemblies can provoke diverse cellular reactions resulting in various forms of network adjustment and, hence, motor behaviour.Using the respiratory network as a model for reciprocal synaptic inhibition, we demonstrate that 5-HT1AR modulation primarily affects inhibition through glycinergic synapses. Potentiation of glycinergic inhibition of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons induces a functional reorganization of the network leading to a characteristic change of motor output. The changes in network operation are robust and help to overcome opiate-induced respiratory depression. Hence, 5-HT1AR activation stabilizes the rhythmicity of breathing during opiate medication of pain.
Strategies for Cloning PCR Products
Authors: D’Arpa Peter 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONCloning polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified fragments into plasmids offers several advantages. Bacteria containing plasmids can be frozen, providing a ready supply of amplified material. Because of the variety of available plasmids with different promoters and selectable markers, cloning is also useful when mutations are to be introduced into the fragment before expression, or when sequence tags encoded in the vector are to be added in-frame. The ease with which nucleotide sequences can be added to the ends of PCR products has led to the development of a variety of cloning strategies. Because such cloning is typically the first step for generating a reagent that will be used to achieve a specific experimental goal, the efficiency of the cloning procedure is an important consideration: Cloning strategies should be simple in design and execution, requiring a minimum of enzymatic steps. Toward this goal, many companies market and continue to develop reagent kits that improve the ease and rapidity of cloning PCR products. This article focuses on some common and efficient cloning strategies, such as those that use DNA ligase or vaccinia virus topoisomerase I (TOPO), as well as techniques for in vitro and in vivo recombination of PCR products and vectors having homologous duplex ends. Also covered is the production of linear PCR products with defined 5′ and 3′ functional elements, which enable direct mammalian cell expression or in vitro transcription/translation. We present an overview of these strategies, their molecular basis, and their advantages and disadvantages for specific applications.
Single and Double Whole-Mount In Situ Hybridization in Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium) Embryos
Authors: Schinko Johannes , Posnien Nico , Kittelmann Sebastian , Koniszewski Nikolaus , Bucher Gregor 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONThe red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, has emerged as an important model system for studying the evolution of development. Studies with Tribolium complement the vast amount of research done with Drosophila. Developmental features that are conserved between Drosophila and Tribolium, such as body segmentation, are achieved by quite different means, and thus comparison of developmental mechanisms between these two insects can address many interesting questions concerning the evolution of morphology and other characters. Most in situ protocols used for Tribolium have been adapted from Drosophila studies. Whole-mount in situ hybridization is a standard technique to visualize the activity of genes in embryos. The single and double staining protocol presented here uses two nonfluorescent stains to reveal gene activity. The development of both stains can be monitored visually, allowing the strength of the signal to be adjusted as needed. Cells that express both of the genes under investigation are readily detected using a microscope. The use of EGTA during fixation increases the proportion of embryos that devitellinize upon methanol treatment.
Red Flour Beetle (Tribolium) Germline Transformation and Insertional Mutagenesis
Authors: Berghammer Andreas J. , Weber Markus , Trauner Jochen , Klingler Martin 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONThe procedure for introducing transgenes into the Tribolium genome is similar to that for Drosophila and is of comparable efficiency. Purified transposon vector and helper plasmids are injected through the posterior pole of precellular embryos. The injected eggs are incubated under humidified conditions until they hatch. Adults resulting from injected eggs are mated inter se, and transformants are identified among their offspring with the help of visible genetic markers. The helper plasmids express the respective transposase under control of the Drosophila hsp70 promoter, but no heat shock is required. Transgenic animals are identified by fluorescent proteins that are expressed in the eye (and several other tissues including the central nervous system [CNS]) under the control of the artificial 3xP3 promoter. Among the fluorescent proteins enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP), enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP), and dsRed, it is EGFP and EYFP that provide the strongest signals. An alternative marker system based on rescue of the white-eye mutation in the eye pigmentation gene vermilion makes scoring transgenic animals even easier. Using these dominant markers, transgenic lines tagged with different markers can be crossbred, and offspring carrying both constructs can be easily identified, which is useful for remobilization experiments and misexpression experiments using the Gal4/UAS system. This protocol provides a detailed method for the generation of transgenic lines, which also can be applied toward the generation of improved mutator and helper strains.
Dissection and Fixation of Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus) Embryos
Authors: Liu Paul , Kaufman Thomas C. 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONIn this protocol, blastoderm- or germband-stage large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus) embryos are collected, fixed in paraformaldehyde, and dissected from the yolk mass. Germband-stage embryos are stained with SYTOX Green, a fluorescent DNA stain, to facilitate dissection.
Use of the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System for Stable Gene Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Davidson Ann E. , Gratsch Theresa E. , Morell Maria H. , O’Shea K. Sue , Krull Catherine E. 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONSleeping Beauty (SB) transposon-based transfection is a two-component system consisting of a transposase and a transposon containing inverted repeat/direct repeat (IR/DR) sequences that result in precise integration into a TA dinucleotide. The transposon is designed with an expression cassette of interest flanked by IR/DRs, and SB transposase mediates stable integration and reliable long-term expression of the gene of interest. It has recently been demonstrated that SB efficiently mediates gene transfer and stable gene expression in human embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here, we describe a method for transfecting and establishing stable cell lines in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells with the SB system.
Dissection, Plating, and Maintenance of Dorsal Horn Neuron Cultures: Figure 1.
Authors: Albuquerque Cristóvão , Joseph Donald J. , Choudhury Papiya , MacDermott Amy B. 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONPrimary cultures of embryonic dorsal horn (DH) neurons can be prepared using mass cultures, microisland cultures, or macroisland cultures. In all cases, long-term survival of neurons is enhanced by the presence of astrocytes. After the feeder layer of astrocytes has become nearly or fully confluent, it is ready to receive freshly dissociated neurons. Embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons can also be added to the cultures if DRG/DH neuron cocultures are desired. These cultures are suitable for electrophysiological, molecular, and immunocytochemical studies. DH neurons, including both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, form synapses with themselves (autapses) and with each other. DRG neurons form synapses onto DH neurons. Finding synaptically connected pairs of neurons is most readily achieved when the cells are grown on microislands. This protocol describes the dissociation, plating, and maintenance of DH neuron cultures using a feeder layer of astrocytes.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Targeting with Surface-Engineered Lentiviral Vectors
Authors: Verhoeyen Els , Cosset François-Loïc 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONIn the protocol presented here, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are specifically transduced with a vector displaying the HSC-activating polypeptides, stem cell factor (SCF) and thrombopoietin (TPO). Targeted HSC transduction is evaluated in the non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mouse model.
Engineering the Surface Glycoproteins of Lentiviral Vectors for Targeted Gene Transfer
Authors: Verhoeyen Els , Cosset François-Loïc 
Published: August 2009

INTRODUCTIONVectors derived from retroviruses such as lentiviruses and oncoretroviruses are especially suitable tools for long-term gene transfer, because they allow stable integration of a transgene and its propagation in daughter cells. Lentiviral vectors are preferred over vectors derived from oncoretroviruses such as murine leukemia virus (MLV) vectors, because they can transduce nonproliferating target cells. Moreover, lentiviral vectors that can target tissues specifically will be valuable for various gene-transfer approaches in vivo. To achieve targeted gene transfer, two types of surface modifications have been made to lentiviral vectors: (1) heterologous viral glycoproteins have been incorporated to exploit the tropism of other viruses (this is called pseudotyping), and (2) heterologous polypeptides have been fused to viral glycoproteins to retarget the lentiviral particles to a cell of interest. This article provides an overview of innovative approaches to upgrade lentiviral vectors for tissue targeting.
Timing of first alcohol use and alcohol dependence: evidence of common genetic influences
Authors: Sartor Carolyn E. , Lynskey Michael T. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Martin Nicholas G. , Heath Andrew C. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAims  To estimate the magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on timing of first alcohol use and alcohol dependence (AD) and to quantify the overlap in these influences across the two alcohol‐related outcomes.Participants   The sample consisted of 5382 twins (2691 complete pairs), aged 24–36 years, from the Australian Twin Registry.Measurements  History of alcohol use and DSM‐IV alcohol dependence were assessed by structured telephone interview.Findings  In both sexes, the relationship between age at first alcohol use and risk for AD followed a linear trend, such that the highest rates of AD were observed in individuals who began drinking at an earlier than average age (14 years or younger). Heritability estimates for timing of first alcohol use and AD were 36% and 53%, respectively. Shared environmental factors accounted for 15% of variance in initiation. There was no evidence of shared environmental influences on AD. The genetic correlation between timing of first alcohol use and AD was 0.59.Conclusions  Findings highlight the substantial role of genetics in the development of AD and the early manifestation of that genetic risk in the timing of alcohol use initiation which, unlike AD, is also influenced to a modest degree by shared environmental factors. The considerable overlap in heritable influences—and the virtual absence of overlap in individual‐specific environmental influences—on initiation of alcohol use and AD indicates that the association between age at first drink and AD is attributable in large part to common genetic sources of variance.
Brief motivational interventions for college student problem gamblers
Authors: Petry Nancy M. , Weinstock Jeremiah , Morasco Benjamin J. , Ledgerwood David M. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAims  College students experience high rates of problem and pathological gambling, yet little research has investigated methods for reducing gambling in this population. This study sought to examine the efficacy of brief intervention strategies.Design  Randomized trial.Setting  College campuses.Participants  A total of 117 college student problem and pathological gamblers.Interventions  Students were assigned randomly to: an assessment‐only control, 10 minutes of brief advice, one session of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) or one session of MET, plus three sessions of cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT). The three interventions were designed to reduce gambling.Measurements  Gambling was assessed at baseline, week 6 and month 9 using the Addiction Severity Index–gambling (ASI‐G) module, which also assesses days and dollars wagered.Findings  Compared to the assessment‐only condition, those receiving any intervention had significant decreases in ASI‐G scores and days and dollars wagered over time. The MET condition decreased significantly ASI‐G scores and dollars wagered over time, and increased the odds of a clinically significant reduction in gambling at the 9‐month follow‐up relative to the assessment‐only condition, even after controlling for baseline indices that could impact outcomes. The Brief Advice and MET+CBT conditions had benefits on some, but not all, indices of gambling. None of the interventions differed significantly from one another.Conclusions  These results suggest the efficacy of brief interventions for reducing gambling problems in college students.
A double‐blind, randomized, parallel group study to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of slow‐release oral morphine versus methadone in opioid‐dependent in‐patients willing to undergo detoxification
Authors: Madlung‐Kratzer Ekkehard , Spitzer Berhard , Brosch Renate , Dunkel Dirk , Haring Christian 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAims  Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of slow‐release oral morphine (SROM) compared with methadone for detoxification from methadone and SROM maintenance treatment.Design  Randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, comparative multi‐centre study with parallel groups.Setting  Three psychiatric hospitals in Austria specializing in in‐patient detoxification.Participants  Male and female opioid dependents (age > 18 years) willing to undergo detoxification from maintenance therapy in order to reach abstinence.Interventions  Abstinence was reached from maintenance treatment by tapered dose reduction of either SROM or methadone over a period of 16 days.Measurements  Efficacy analyses were based on the number of patients per treatment group completing the study, as well as on the control of signs and symptoms of withdrawal [measured using Short Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS)] and suppression of opiate craving. In addition, self‐reported somatic and psychic symptoms (measured using Symptom Checklist SCL‐90‐R) were monitored.Findings  Of the 208 patients enrolled into the study, 202 were eligible for analysis (SROM: n = 102, methadone: n = 100). Completion rates were 51% in the SROM group and 49% in the methadone group [difference between groups: 2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): −12% to 16%]. The rate of discontinuation in the study was high mainly because of patients voluntarily withdrawing from treatment. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were found in terms of signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal, craving for opiates or self‐reported symptoms. SROM and methadone were both well tolerated.Conclusions  Detoxification from maintenance treatment with tapered dose reduction of SROM is non‐inferior to methadone.