bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating and conserving patterns of invertebrate diversity: a test case of New Zealand land snails
Authors: Overton Jacob McC. , Barker Gary M. , Price Robbie 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAim Using New Zealand land snails as a case study, we evaluated recent spatial modelling approaches for the analysis of diversity in species‐rich invertebrate groups. Applications and prospects for improved conservation assessment were investigated.Location New Zealand.Methods The study used a spatially extensive and taxonomically comprehensive, plot‐based dataset on community structure in New Zealand land snails. Generalized regression analysis and spatial prediction (GRASP) was used to model and predict species richness as a function of environmental variables (including aspects of climate, soils and vegetation). Generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) was used to model turnover in species composition in relation to environmental and geographical distances, and to assess community similarity and the representativeness of the reserve network.Results Observed land snail richness in 20 × 20 m plots ranged from 1 to 74 (mean 17.5). The GRASP model explained a modest 27% of the variation in richness. The GDM model explained 57% of the variation in species turnover and indicated approximately equal amounts related to environmental (Cody’s beta diversity) and geographical distance (Cody’s gamma diversity). Temperature and moisture were the most important environmental variables. Results indicate that snail distributions are not only sorted by environment but are also strongly influenced by historical effects consistent with those expected of poorly dispersing taxa that have persisted in refugia during past climatic change. The GDM model enabled spatial classifications of snail communities, highlighting diverse communities in heterogeneous regions, such as the South Island mountains, and also enabled continuous depictions of community similarity and adequacy of New Zealand’s protected natural areas network.Main conclusions The GRASP and GDM analyses allowed us to model and depict spatial patterns of diversity in land snail communities involving 845 species, and produce community classifications and estimates of community similarity. These tools advance conservation assessment in species‐rich groups, but require further conceptual and methodological development.
Nitrite directly vasodilates hypoxic vasculature via nitric oxide‐dependent and ‐independent pathways
Authors: Pinder AG , Pittaway E , Morris K , James PE 
Published: July 2009

Background and purpose: It is postulated that nitrite requires reduction to nitric oxide in order to exert its relaxant effect upon isolated hypoxic vessels. Herein, we evaluate the relative contribution of nitric oxide and characterize the downstream mechanisms of nitrite‐induced vasorelaxation.Experimental approach: Aortic rings were treated with pharmacological agents and exposed to hypoxia (<1% O2). Following pre‐constriction, nitrite (10 µM final) was added to appropriate baths; isometric tension was recorded throughout.Key results: Nitrite (under hypoxic conditions at physiological pH) is capable of exerting physiological effects that cannot be completely inhibited by the inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), 1H [1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one or a nitric oxide scavenger (carboxy‐2‐phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide). Simultaneous blockade of both sGC and cyclooxygenase (COX) completely inhibited the response to nitrite. With regard to the nitric oxide‐dependent component, we confirm that aldehyde oxidase, but not xanthine oxidase or endothelial nitric oxide synthase, was important for the actions of nitrite in our model.Conclusions and implications: Nitric oxide generated from nitrite is not exclusively responsible for the physiological actions observed in isolated hypoxic vessels. Nitrite operates via different pathways dependent on the presence or absence of endothelium to produce vasorelaxation. In intact vessels, both sGC and COX enzymes appear to be important. Irrespective of this difference in relaxation mechanism, nitrite is capable of producing the same maximum relaxation, regardless of the presence of endothelium. Having investigated possible nitrite reduction sites, we confirm that aldehyde oxidase is important for the actions of nitrite.
“Revisiting the Soviet Moment in Sub‐Saharan Africa”
Authors: Matusevich Maxim 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe Soviet Union’s involvement of sub‐Saharan Africa came on the heels of African independence. During the Cold War, both the USSR and the United States engaged in an intense struggle for the “soul of Africa,” vying to win over the newly independent African nations. The Soviets offered Africans an alternative model of socio‐economic development and hoped that its implementation would result in a closer geoplitical alliance and Africa’s inevitable march toward socialism. However, these early euphoric expectations were dashed when it became clear that African nations were often pursuing their own pragmatic objectives. Even those regimes who formally committed to socialism were, in fact, using ideology and exploiting the cold war rivalries and superpower sensibilities for their own political expediency. In Angola, in Somalia, in Ethiopia, and in Southern Africa, the Soviets were left to contend with regimes and political movements that often defied their expectations. Soviet involvement in sub‐Saharan Africa diminished greatly in the wake of Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms in the Soviet Union. With the Cold War waning and the Soviet economy in shambles, the USSR had little incentive to continue its presence in Africa. By the time of Soviet collapse in 1991, the country had lost much of its earlier clout and prominence in Africa, south of the Sahara.
Space, Place and Identities
Authors: Rohkrämer Thomas , Schulz Felix Robin 
Published: July 2009

AbstractOver the last decades, many social scientists have diagnosed a ‘disappearance of space’ (Paul Virilio). Others, however, have presented persuasive arguments for a ‘spatial turn’ (Edward W. Soja) that is the demand to recognise space as a key factor for the social sciences and humanities. Following the latter argument, the article shows the importance of space which is not just a neutral box in which history takes its course. On the contrary, humans are always thrown into a historically specific world and thus linked with their environment. They are both being influenced by the world around them and constructing a social understanding of their surroundings, and it is thus the challenge for studies of space and place to situate themselves between the two reductionist positions of spatial voluntarism and spatial determinism. The survey of more theoretical and empirical studies also shows the key importance of human attachment to ‘their place’ in identity formation, on a local, regional, national and transnational level as well as through qualitative features of landscape such as mountains or plains, rich or sparse vegetation, or the question of access to rivers, lakes and the sea. Such senses of belonging orHeimatare a key aspect of human existence and political action ranging from providing an important sense of community to a dangerous exclusion of alleged ‘others’.
Evaluating the risk of hepatitis B reactivation in patients with haematological malignancies: is the serum hepatitis B virus profile reliable?
Authors: Ferraro Donatella , Pizzillo Paola , Di Marco Vito , Vultaggio Anna , Iannitto Emilio , Venezia Giovanna , Craxì Antonio , Di Stefano Rosa 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground/Aim: Patients with an occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection undergoing deep immunosuppression are potentially at risk of HBV reactivation. In order to assess whether a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for HBV DNA in serum could be used to predict the reactivation of an occult HBV infection, we performed a retrospective study in a cohort of Sicilian patients with oncohaematological diseases.Methods: We studied by a highly sensitive ad hoc nested PCR for serum HBV DNA 75 HBsAg‐negative oncohaematological patients requiring chemotherapy.Results: Thirty‐three patients (44%) were HBV seronegative (anti‐HBc and anti‐HBs negative) and 42 patients (56%) were HBV seropositive (anti‐HBc and/or anti‐HBs positive). Baseline serum HBV DNA was positive in nine out of 33 HBV‐seronegative patients and in nine out of 42 HBV‐seropositive patients (27.3 vs. 21.4%; P=NS). HBsAg seroconversion was observed in five out of 33 seronegative vs. six out of 42 seropositive patients (15 vs. 14%, P=0.9), and in five out of 18 HBV DNA‐positive vs. six out of 57 HBV DNA‐negative patients (27.7 vs. 10.6%P=0.11). Hepatitis C virus infection was found in 18 patients (24.3%), although with no correlation to HBV serological status, presence of serum HBV DNA or frequency of HBsAg seroconversion.Conclusions: In oncohaematological patients undergoing chemotherapy, highly sensitive serum HBV DNA testing at baseline has a 28% predictive ability to forecast HBsAg seroconversion in HBV DNA‐positive patients, and a 90% ability to forecast persistent HBsAg negativity in HBV DNA‐negative patients, a better performance than serological tests.
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection associated with autonomic dysfunction
Authors: Osztovits János , Horváth Tamás , Abonyi Margit , Tóth Tamás , Visnyei Zsolt , Bekö Gabriella , Csák Tímea , Lakatos Péter László , Littvay Levente , Fehér János , Kempler Péter , Kollai Márk , Szalay Ferenc 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground: Impaired autonomic function has been described in patients with chronic liver diseases from different aetiologies, and has proven to be a poor prognostic indicator. To date, it is not known how chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects the autonomic nervous system.Aims: In the present study, we compared cardiovagal autonomic function in patients with chronic HCV infection and healthy controls and examined the relation between autonomic function and serum levels of aminotransferases, HCV RNA, cryoglobulins, albumin and glucose.Methods: Autonomic function was assessed in 45 treatment‐naïve patients with chronic HCV infection and in 40 healthy controls by determining spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) indices. The R–R interval was determined by electrocardiogram recording; continuous radial artery pressure was monitored simultaneously by applanation tonometry. Laboratory analyses and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for serum HCV RNA level were performed by standard procedures.Results: BRS and HRV time and frequency domain indices were lower in patients with HCV infection compared with healthy controls [7.1±3.4 vs. 11.5±6.5 ms/mmHg for BRS, 168.5±160.9 vs. 370.7±349.4 ms2 for low‐frequency HRV (mean±SD); P<0.01]. Multivariate analysis showed that autonomic dysfunction in HCV‐infected patients correlated with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels, but was not associated with serum HCV RNA levels and cryoglobulins.Conclusion: Our results suggest that impaired autonomic function is caused by chronic HCV infection. Further studies are needed, however, to identify the underlying mechanisms.
Liver fat and lipid oxidation in humans
Authors: Kotronen Anna , Seppälä‐Lindroos Anneli , Vehkavaara Satu , Bergholm Robert , Frayn Keith N. , Fielding Barbara A. , Yki‐Järvinen Hannele 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground: Studies in animals show that changes in hepatic fatty acid oxidation alter liver fat content. Human data regarding whole‐body and hepatic lipid oxidation are controversial and based on studies of only a few subjects.Aims: We examined whether whole‐body and hepatic lipid oxidation are altered in subjects with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared with controls.Methods: In vivo measurements of rates of substrate oxidation and insulin sensitivity (using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [3‐3H]glucose) were performed in subjects with NAFLD [mean liver fat 14.0% (interquartile range 7.5–20.5%), n=29] and in control subjects [1.6% (1.0–3.0%), n=29]. Liver fat was measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Plasma concentrations of 3‐hydroxybutyrate (3‐OHB) were measured as markers of hepatic lipid oxidation.Results: In the basal state, substrate oxidation rates and serum 3‐OHB concentrations were comparable in subjects with and without NAFLD. Plasma 3‐OHB concentrations were similarly suppressed by insulin in both the groups. During the insulin infusion, whole‐body lipid oxidation was inversely correlated with insulin‐stimulated glucose disposal (r=−0.48, P<0.0001), which was lower in subjects with NAFLD [3.7±0.2 mg/(kg fat‐free mass min)] than in the control subjects [5.0±0.3 mg/(kg fat‐free mass min), P=0.0008].Conclusions: Hepatic lipid oxidation is unchanged in NAFLD. Whole‐body lipid oxidation is increased because of peripheral insulin resistance. These data imply that alterations in hepatic fatty acid oxidation do not contribute to liver fat content in humans.
Protein–calorie malnutrition as a prognostic indicator of mortality among patients hospitalized with cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Authors: Sam Justina , Nguyen Geoffrey C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground: We conducted a nationwide analysis of the prevalence of protein–calorie malnutrition (PCM) in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHTN) and to determine its mortality and economic impact.Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify admissions throughout the US with cirrhosis and PHTN between 1998 and 2005 using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision diagnostic codes. Prevalence of PCM in this group of patients with cirrhosis was compared with that of general medical inpatients. The impact of PCM on in‐hospital mortality was quantified using multiple logistic regression analysis.Results: There were 114 703 admissions with cirrhosis and PHTN in the NIS between 1998 and 2005. The prevalence of PCM was substantially higher among patients with cirrhosis and PHTN compared with general medical inpatients (6.1 vs. 1.9%, P<0.0001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.55 (95% CI: 1.4–1.7). There was greater prevalence of ascites (64.6 vs. 47.8%, P<0.0001) and hepatorenal syndrome (5.1 vs. 2.8%, P<0.0001) among those with PCM and cirrhosis. In‐hospital mortality was two‐fold higher among patients with cirrhosis and PCM (14.1 vs. 7.5%, P<0.0001), with an adjusted mortality of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.59–1.94). PCM was associated with greater length of stay (8.7 vs. 5.7 days, P<0.0001) and hospital charges (US$36 818 vs. US$22 673; P<0.0001) among patients with cirrhosis.Conclusions: PCM is more common among patients with cirrhosis and PHTN than the general medical population, and is associated with higher in‐hospital mortality and resource utilization. PCM may be an indicator of greater disease severity and should be routinely assessed on admission.
Analysis of the efficacy of treatment with peginterferon α‐2a and ribavirin in patients coinfected with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus
Authors: Yu Jian‐Wu , Sun Li‐Jie , Zhao Yong‐Hua , Kang Peng , Gao Jie , Li Shu‐Chen 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective: To study the virological features of patients coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the efficacy of combination therapy with peginterferon α‐2a and ribavirin in these patients.Methods: The epidemiological and virological data of 50 patients coinfected with HBV and HCV were analysed. The virological response rates of patients treated with peginterferon α‐2a and ribavirin between the HBV and HCV coinfection group and the HCV monoinfection group were compared.Results: HCV‐dominant virus strains accounted for 92.0% of the 50 coinfected individuals, and HCV‐ and HBV‐dominant virus strains accounted for the remaining 8.0%. The HBV DNA level of the patients coinfected with HBV and HCV was 4.6±0.9 log10 copies/ml, which was significantly lower than that in the HBV monoinfection group (5.9±1.2 log10 copies/ml) (t=5.964, P<0.01). The HBeAg‐positive rate (12.0%, 6/50) of the coinfection group was significantly lower than (45.3%, 19/42) that of the HBV monoinfection group (χ2=12.743, P<0.01). The partial early virological response (pEVR) rate and the end‐of‐treatment virological response (ETVR) rate (50.0%, 15/30; 90.0%, 27/30) of patients with genotype 1 in the coinfection group were significantly higher than those (16.0%, 4/25; 56.0%, 14/25) in the HCV monoinfection group (χ2=6.971, P=0.008; χ2=8.307, P=0.004). The relapse rate (55.6%, 15/27) of patients with genotype 1 in the coinfection group was significantly higher than that (21.4%, 3/14) in the HCV monoinfection group (χ2=4.360, P=0.037). The sustained virological response (SVR) rate (40.0%, 12/30) of patients with genotype 1 in the coinfection group was compared with that of the HCV monoinfection group (44.0%, 11/25) (χ2=0.090, P=0.765). There was no significant difference in the on‐treatment virological response, ETVR, SVR and relapse rates between two groups for patients with genotype 2. The incidence of side effects (30%, 15/50) of patients in the coinfection group was significantly higher than that (13%, 6/46) in the HCV monoinfection group (χ2=4.031, P=0.045). The reactivation rate of HBV DNA (33.3%, 9/27) with HCV SVR was significantly higher than that of patients without SVR (8.7%, 2/23) (χ2=4.393, P=0.036).Conclusions: The replication of HBV was suppressed, and HCV was the dominant virus strain. Compared with HCV‐monoinfected patients, pEVR, ETVR and relapse rates of patients with genotype 1 in the coinfection group were high, while they shared similar SVR rates. HBV and HCV coinfection had no impact on the rate of virological response for genotype 2.
Transtactin: a universal transmembrane delivery system forStrep‐tag II‐fused cargos
Authors: Moosmeier Markus A. , Bulkescher Julia , Reed Jennifer , Schnölzer Martina , Heid Hans , Hoppe‐Seyler Karin , Hoppe‐Seyler Felix 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe delivery of molecules into cells poses a critical problem that has to be solved for the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents acting on intracellular targets. Cargos which by themselves cannot penetrate cellular membranes due to their biophysical properties can achieve cell membrane permeability by fusion to protein transduction domains (PTDs). Here, we engineered a universal delivery system based on PTD‐fusedStrep‐Tactin, which we named Transtactin. Biochemical characterization of Transtactin variants bearing different PTDs indicated high thermal stabilities and robust secondary structures. Internalization studies demonstrated that Transtactins facilitated simple and safe transport ofStrep‐tag II‐linked small molecules, peptides and multicomponent complexes, or biotinylated proteins into cultured human cells. Transtactin‐introduced cargos were functionally active, as shown for horseradish peroxidase serving as a model protein. Our results demonstrate that Transtactin provides a universal and efficient delivery system forStrep‐tag II‐fused cargos.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Liu Shilian , Bai Shumei , Qin Zhaoyu , Yang Yinrong , Cui Yazhou , Qin Yanjiang 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging for the lack of a specific diagnostic test. Recent researches in quantitative proteomics, however, offer new opportunities for biomarker discovery and the study of disease pathogenesis. To find more potential protein biomarkers, we used two technologies, 2‐dimensional fluorescence difference in‐gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE), followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) and ultra‐performance liquid chromato‐graph coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q‐TOF MS), to quantitatively analyse differential proteomic expression in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between patients with MS (the experiment group) and patients with other neurological diseases (ONDs; the control group). Analysis by the former technology identified more than 43 different protein spots (39 proteins), of which 17 spots (13 proteins) showed more than 1.5‐fold difference in abundance as analysed by DeCyder software (GE Healthcare, Piscataway. NJ, USA) between the MS and the ONDs groups. The expression of five protein spots was elevated and the expression of 12 protein spots was decreased in the MS group. Meanwhile, the latter method, UPLC/Q‐TOF MS showed 68 different proteins. There were 45 proteins with a difference of more than 1.5 folds between the two groups, in which the expression of 20 proteins was elevated and the expression of 25 proteins was decreased in the MS group. Data provided by the two methods indicated that the proteins overlapped ratio was 27% in the 26 significant proteins that had the same regulation tendency. The differential CSF proteins were analysed further by biological network and it revealed interaction of them. The subsequent ELISA measuring the concentration of cystatin C (P < 0.01), which was one of the proteins discovered simultaneously with the two technologies, confirmed the results of the two quantitative proteomic analysis. The combination of the two quantitative proteomic technologies was helpful in discovering differentially expressed proteins that may have a connection with MS disease physiology and serve as useful biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of MS diseases.
Indolent CD8+ lymphoid proliferation of the ear: A phenotypic variant of the small‐medium pleomorphic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma?
Authors: Beltraminelli Helmut , Müllegger Robert , Cerroni Lorenzo 
Published: July 2009

Background: Recently, Petrella et al. described four patients with an unusual CD8+ lymphoid proliferation arising on the ear. These cases do not correspond clearly to any recognized category of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) described in the World Health Organization (WHO)/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 2005 classification.Methods and Results: Three patients (all men; median age 64; range: 61‐69) presented with plaques or small tumors localized on the ears. All lesions showed histopathologically a dense, diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes within the entire dermis without epidermotropism. Cytomorphology revealed predominance of medium‐sized pleomorphic lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed a cytotoxic phenotype (CD3 + /CD4 −/CD8 +). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐gamma gene revealed a monoclonal rearrangement in two of three patients. Follow‐up data of two patients were available; one is alive without skin or systemic manifestations of the disease after 28 months, whereas the other is alive with persistent skin disease after 7 months.Conclusions: Our observation confirms that some patients present with a peculiar lymphoid proliferation of small‐medium pleomorphic cytotoxic lymphocytes located on the ear, probably representing a phenotypic variant of the cutaneous small/medium pleomorphic T‐cell lymphoma (CSMPTCL). These cases should not be misinterpreted as a high‐grade cytotoxic lymphoma.