bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The use of focus groups in complex and pressurised IS studies and evaluation using Klein & Myers principles for interpretive research
Authors: O'hEocha Colm , Wang Xiaofeng , Conboy Kieran 
Published: September 2011

AbstractStudies of information systems (IS) often involve many complexities, uncertainties and restrictions. As a result, researchers have to adopt innovative research approaches or tailor and extend existing ones. This paper describes and evaluates an innovative focus group approach used to study three IS development teams, which had to cope with the application of a broad, polymorphous framework, untested in practice, seeking to elicit potentially highly sensitive opinions and judgements in a highly pressurised, time‐restricted environment. This paper makes two significant contributions. To conduct this evaluation, the researchers operationalised the Klein & Myers seven principles for interpretive study for the first time, creating a set of questions that other IS researchers can now use to evaluate their own interpretive studies. The paper also applies these to the design of the focus groups and develops a set of recommendations for future IS researchers to consider based on lessons learned in this study.
Marine dispersal as a pre‐requisite for Gondwanan vicariance among elements of the galaxiid fish fauna
Authors: Burridge Christopher P. , McDowall Robert M. , Craw Dave , Wilson Mark V. H. , Waters Jonathan M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to determine the contributions of Gondwanan vicariance and marine dispersal to the contemporary distribution of galaxiid fishes. This group has been central in arguments concerning the roles of dispersal and vicariance in the Southern Hemisphere, as some taxa have marine life history stages through which transoceanic dispersal may have been facilitated, yet other galaxiids are entirely restricted to freshwaters.Location  Southern Hemisphere land masses of Gondwanan derivation.Methods  Biogeographic hypotheses of Gondwanan vicariance and marine dispersal were tested using four lines of evidence: (1) concordance of species–area phylogenetic relationships, (2) molecular estimates of lineage divergence times with a priori expectations based on plate tectonics, (3) reconstructions of ancestral dispersal capabilities, and (4) reconstructions of distribution inheritance scenarios (using the dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis model to infer historical ranges and dispersal and extinction events).Results  Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed from 4531 mitochondrial and nuclear nucleotide characters, and 181 morphological characters, across 53 of the 56 presently recognized species. Phylogenetic relationships were generally well resolved and supported among galaxiids using the combined dataset, and conflicting relationships between molecular and morphological datasets typically received low topological support from either or both datasets. Transoceanic disjunctions were exhibited at 16 nodes, but only three pre‐dated relevant continental fragmentation events; furthermore, ancestral distribution inheritance scenarios for two of these nodes reflected cladogenesis within, rather than between, Gondwanan land masses, and ancestral marine dispersal capability could not be rejected for all three. Instead, the four lines of evidence surveyed suggest that Gondwanan vicariance occurred twice, but in both instances was preceded by marine dispersal between land masses, and in at least one instance was initiated by the cessation of marine dispersal subsequent to continental fragmentation.Main conclusions  Gondwanan vicariance appears to have been preceded by marine dispersal in the few instances where it may explain contemporary galaxiid distribution, such that these biogeographic mechanisms may sometimes have a synergistic relationship.
Context‐dependent benefits from ant–plant mutualism in three sympatric varieties of Chamaecrista desvauxii
Authors: Baker‐Méio Beatriz , Marquis Robert J. 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. Mutualistic interactions are characterized by conditional outcomes that depend on both the biotic and the abiotic context. However, limited information is available on the factors that affect the strength of ant–plant interactions among sympatric congeneric species.2. We compared the benefits gained from attracting ants via extrafloral nectaries – i.e. lowered herbivory and increased seed set – of three co‐occurring varieties in the Chamaecrista desvauxii complex (Leguminosae) in a cerrado area in Uberlândia, Brazil. Using whole‐individual exclusion experiments, we tested the hypotheses (i) that the relative strength of those benefits is higher in the variety with the largest extrafloral nectaries and (ii) that those benefits are conditional on the presence of predispersal seed predators.3. Extrafloral nectaries are larger, produce more nectar and attract more ants in var. brevipes than in the other two varieties included in the study. Var. modesta has intermediate‐sized nectaries, while a third, undescribed variety has small nectaries, and both attract relatively few ants.4. For var. brevipes, extrafloral nectary (EFN) removal significantly increased folivory and attack on fruits by sucking insects, decreasing the relative number of flowers, fruits and seeds produced per individual. For the other two varieties, in contrast, ant effects were reduced, and ants did not significantly improve reproductive success. In addition, effects of EFN removal were less pronounced or absent when seed predators were excluded from fruits of var. brevipes.5. Synthesis. We showed experimentally that benefits from interactions of three co‐occurring varieties of Chamaecrista desvauxii with ants are context‐dependent both within and among taxa. Variation in the strength of mutualisms among sympatric taxa may potentially reinforce ecological reproductive isolation and contribute to diversification in this group.
Prevalence and different characteristics of two serotypes of Streptococcus parauberis isolated from the farmed olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck and Schlegel), in Korea
Authors: Han S Y , Kang B K , Kang B J , Shin S P , Soen B H , Kim J M , Kim J H , Choresca C H , Han J E , Jun J W , Park S C 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe prevalence of two serotypes of Streptococcus parauberis isolated from the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, was evaluated in a total of 29 isolates between 2003 and 2010 in Korea. Streptococcus parauberis isolates were divided into two serologically distinct types (serotype 1 and serotype 2), except for one strain (S1091), using an agglutination assay with rabbit antiserum, and serotype 1 was identified as the dominant type (24 of 29 isolates) in this study. To identify the characteristics of the two serotypes of S. parauberis, we conducted a biochemical test using the API 20 Strep kit, a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assay, sequence analysis of 16S‐23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) and a pathogenicity test. In TEM, both serotypes possessed polysaccharide capsule layers around the cell surface when bacterial cells were treated with a homologous serotype of rabbit antiserum. However, we were unable to discriminate serotype‐specific biochemical characteristics and genetic characteristics of 16S‐23S rRNA ISR between the two serotypes. In the pathogenicity test, the serotype 1 strains induced significantly higher mortality than the serotype 2 strains in olive flounder when experimentally inoculated via the intraperitoneal route.
Experimental evidence for direct in situ binding of IgM and IgT to early trophonts of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet) in the gills of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)
Authors: von Gersdorff Jørgensen L , Heinecke R D , Skjødt K , Rasmussen K J , Buchmann K 
Published: September 2011

AbstractFreshwater fish are able to mount a protective immune response against the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) following a non‐lethal exposure. Factors involved in immunity comprise cellular and humoral factors, but antibodies have been suggested to play a prominent role in protection. However, host antibodies have not yet been demonstrated to bind to the parasite in situ. By the use of immunohistochemical techniques, this study demonstrated that IgT and IgM bind to surface structures, including cilia, on the early feeding stage of the parasite in the gills of immune rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, shortly (2 h) after invasion. No binding of IgT and no or only a weak binding of IgM was observed on the parasites in the gills of similarly exposed but naïve rainbow trout. This study indicates that antibodies play an important part in the protection of immune fish against Ich although additional humoral and cellular factors may contribute to this reaction.
Mycobacterium salmoniphilum infection in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Zerihun M A , Nilsen H , Hodneland S , Colquhoun D J 
Published: September 2011

AbstractMultiple greyish‐white visceral nodules containing abundant rapidly growing and acid‐fast bacteria, subsequently identified as Mycobacterium salmoniphilum, were detected in moribund and newly dead market‐sized fish during a period of increased mortality in an Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, farm in western Norway. Isolates cultured from diseased fish were phenotypically consistent with Mycobacterium sp. previously isolated from Atlantic salmon [MT 1890 (= NCIMB13533), MT1892, MT1900 and MT1901] in the Shetland Isles, Scotland. Partial sequences of 16S rDNA, ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS1), 65‐kDa heat‐shock protein (Hsp65) and β subunit of RNA polymerase (rpoB) revealed 97‐99% similarity with M. salmoniphilum type strain ATCC 13758T. The source of infection was not confirmed. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled following experimental challenge of Atlantic salmon with field isolate NVI6598 (FJ616988). Mortality was recorded in experimentally infected fish; however, the infection remained subclinical in the majority of affected fish over the 131‐day challenge period.
The sea louse Lepeophtheirus acutus (Caligidae, Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda) as a pathogen of aquarium‐held elasmobranchs
Authors: Kik M J L , Janse M , Benz G W 
Published: September 2011

AbstractLepeophtheirus acutus
Heegaard, 1943 (Caligidae, Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda), was collected from or observed on four of six elasmobranch species held at Burgers’ Zoo (Arnhem, The Netherlands). Circumstantial evidence suggested that a zebra shark, Stegostoma fasciatum (Hermann), from the wild carried the infection into the facility, where copepods reproduced and colonized additional hosts. Copepods typically attached on and about the eyes, in the mouth and occasionally about the cloaca and on the claspers. Severe ocular lesions were associated with infections on zebra sharks, a grey reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (Bleeker), whitetip reef sharks, Triaenodon obesus (Rüppell), and giant shovelnose ray, Rhinobatos typus Bennett, while blacktip reef sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy & Gaimard), and blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus (Valenciennes), living in infested aquaria showed no sign of infection. Water treatments using trichlorfon were considered primarily responsible for the eradication of copepods from hosts and infested aquaria. This case is the first report of a copepod infection being closely associated with disease and death of an aquarium‐held elasmobranch. Given its ability to infect a wide variety of elasmobranchs and promote life‐threatening lesions on some hosts, L. acutus should be considered a dangerous pathogen of captive elasmobranchs.
Health professionals' attitudes and emotions towards working with adults with intellectual disability (ID) and mental ill health
Authors: Rose N. , Kent S. , Rose J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectives  Mainstream mental health services are providing more care for individuals with an intellectual disability (ID); this has implications for staff and service users. Attitudes of staff towards people with ID in mental health services may be negative and negative staff attitudes may have a detrimental impact on service provision.Design  A cross‐sectional design was used.Methods  A questionnaire designed to investigate the attitudes and emotions of staff towards delivering mental health care to adults with ID was completed by 84 staff from mainstream and specialist ID services.Results  Staff in both services experienced more positive emotions when working with clients whom they are currently employed to work with. When the frequency of contact with adults with ID, the number of individuals worked with and the amount of formal ID training received were considered, there was no significant difference between the attitudes of staff in both services. Positive correlations were found between attitude scores and positive emotional experiences in both services.Conclusions  The research suggests that numerous factors, including the role of emotional experience and a number of environmental aspects, need to be considered in the context of providing mental health services to adults with ID to ensure the highest quality. Research limitations and clinical implications of the study are also considered.
Effects of aberrations and specimen structure in conventional, confocal and two‐photon fluorescence microscopy
Authors: SIMMONDS R. D. , WILSON T. , BOOTH M. J. 
Published: September 2011

SummarySpecimen‐induced aberrations cause a reduction in signal levels and resolution in fluorescence microscopy. Aberrations also affect the image contrast achieved by these microscopes. We model the effects of aberrations on the fluorescence signals acquired from different specimen structures, such as point‐like, linear, planar and volume structures, when imaged by conventional, confocal and two‐photon microscopes. From this we derive the image contrast obtained when observing combinations of such structures. We show that the effect of aberrations on the visibility of fine features depends upon the specimen morphology and that the contrast is less significantly affected in microscopes exhibiting optical sectioning. For example, we show that point objects become indistinguishable from background fluorescence in the presence of aberrations, particularly when imaged in a conventional fluorescence microscope. This demonstrates the significant advantage of using confocal or two‐photon microscopes over conventional instruments when aberrations are present.
Cellular protein quality control and the evolution of aggregates in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)
Authors: Seidel K. , Meister M. , Dugbartey G. J. , Zijlstra M. P. , Vinet J. , Brunt E. R. P. , van Leeuwen F. W. , Rüb U. , Kampinga H. H. , den Dunnen W. F. A. 
Published: September 2011

K. Seidel, M. Meister, G. J. Dugbartey, M. P. Zijlstra, J. Vinet, E. R. P. Brunt, F. W. van Leeuwen, U. Rüb, H. H. Kampinga and W. F. A. den Dunnen (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 548–558Cellular protein quality control and the evolution of aggregates in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)Aims: A characteristic of polyglutamine diseases is the increased propensity of disease proteins to aggregate, which is thought to be a major contributing factor to the underlying neurodegeneration. Healthy cells contain mechanisms for handling protein damage, the protein quality control, which must be impaired or inefficient to permit proteotoxicity under pathological conditions. Methods: We used a quantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry of the pons of eight patients with the polyglutamine disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. We employed the anti‐polyglutamine antibody 1C2, antibodies against p62 that is involved in delivering ubiquitinated protein aggregates to autophagosomes, antibodies against the chaperones HSPA1A and DNAJB1 and the proteasomal stress marker UBB+1. Results: The 1C2 antibody stained neuronal nuclear inclusions (NNIs), diffuse nuclear staining (DNS), granular cytoplasmic staining (GCS) and combinations, with reproducible distribution. P62 always co‐localized with 1C2 in NNI. DNS and GCS co‐stained with a lower frequency. UBB+1 was present in a subset of neurones with NNI. A subset of UBB+1‐containing neurones displayed increased levels of HSPA1A, while DNAJB1 was sequestered into the NNI. Conclusion: Based on our results, we propose a model for the aggregation‐associated pathology of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: GCS and DNS aggregation likely represents early stages of pathology, which progresses towards formation of p62‐positive NNI. A fraction of NNI exhibits UBB+1 staining, implying proteasomal overload at a later stage. Subsequently, the stress‐inducible HSPA1A is elevated while DNAJB1 is recruited into NNIs. This indicates that the stress response is only induced late when all endogenous protein quality control systems have failed.
Contribution of Innate Immune Responses towards Resistance to African Trypanosome Infections
Authors: Namangala B. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDuring the course of African trypanosomiasis, an intact monocytic cell system appears to be crucial for the initiation and maintenance of antitrypanosome responses and could be critical for the survival of trypanosome‐infected host. Monocytic cells in turn require support from other components of the innate immunity as well as adaptive immunity for effective and sustained control of trypanosome infections. In this review, the contribution of specific components of the innate immune system towards resistance to African trypanosomes is discussed in the context of host survival and the ideas presented are expected to stimulate more debate and research on host innate mechanisms of defence against African trypanosomiasis.
The Effects of Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein on Functional Responses in the NK Cell Line YTS
Authors: Dominguez‐Villar M. , Garcia‐Cozar F. J. , Chambers B. J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractHepatitis C virus infection affects more than 170 million people worldwide. More than 80% of the patients are not able to eliminate the virus and progress to a chronic infection that usually culminates in complications such as cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the adaptive immune response has been widely shown to be essential for viral clearance, the role of natural killer (NK) cells is not clearly understood. In this study, the effect of HCV core protein is examined on NK cell function, i.e., cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. The expression of core protein in the YTS NK cell line led to an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells soon after transduction. The surviving cells exhibited decreased cytotoxicity associated with decreases in perforin and granzyme B expression. Furthermore, the HCV core protein–transduced YTS NK cells had reduced IFNγ production as well as an altered surface receptor expression pattern. These features may correspond to a state of functional anergy similar to that seen in T cells transduced with HCV core protein. Together, these data suggest that HCV core protein may alter NK cell function.
IgG Rheumatoid Factors Against the Four Human Fc‐gamma Subclasses in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (The Swedish TIRA Project)
Authors: Kanmert D. , Kastbom A. , Almroth G. , Skogh T. , Enander K. , Wetterö J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractRheumatoid factor (RF), i.e. a family of autoantibodies against the Fc part of IgG, is an important seromarker of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Traditional particle agglutination without disclosing the antibody isotype remains the predominating diagnostic method in clinical routine. Although IgG‐RF attracts pathogenic interest, its detection remains technically challenging. The present study aimed at developing a set of tests identifying IgG‐RFs directed against the four IgG subclasses. IgG‐RF against either subclass of human IgG‐Fc were analysed with four novel enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) utilizing four recombinant human Fc‐gamma fragments (hIgG1–4) as sources of antigen. Sera from 40 patients with recent onset RA (20 seropositive and 20 seronegative by IgM‐RF and IgA‐RF‐isotype‐specific ELISA) were analysed. Sera from 20 healthy blood donors served as reference. Among the IgM‐/IgA‐RF‐positive RA‐sera, IgG‐RF was found directed against hIgG1 and hIgG2, but not against hIgG3 or hIgG4. Significant correlations were seen between IgG‐RF against hIgG2‐Fc and IgM‐RF (r = 0.666) levels. Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate any correlation to disease course and outcome.
Regulatory T cells Contribute to Diabetes Protection in Lipopolysaccharide‐Treated Non‐Obese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Caramalho I. , Rodrigues‐Duarte L. , Perez A. , Zelenay S. , Penha‐Gonçalves C. , Demengeot J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIt is well established that viral, parasitic or bacterial infections can prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurrence in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice. On the other hand, defects in CD4+ Regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers and/or function contribute to T1D aetiology in NOD mice and in humans. In this work, we formally tested whether the protective role of the bacterial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on diabetes incidence results from enhanced Treg activity. We first report that weekly administration of LPS to young prediabetic NOD mice, presenting or not insulitis at the time of treatment, afforded full protection from diabetes. Taking advantage from the high but incomplete penetrance of diabetes in NOD mice raised in specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions we compared untreated disease‐free old animals with gender‐ and age‐matched LPS‐treated mice. Histological and flow cytometry analysis indicated that LPS treatment did not prevent islet infiltration or priming of diabetogenic T cells but increased Foxp3+ and CD103+ Treg frequency and numbers. By performing adoptive transfer experiments into alymphoid NOD/SCID recipients, we further demonstrated that CD25+ cells from LPS‐treated NOD mice, but not from naturally protected animals, maintained diabetogenic cells at check. Our study suggests that T cell regulation represents a cellular mechanism to explain the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ and reinforces the notion that immune activity consolidates dominant tolerance.