bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical characterisation of the hydrocolloid from Brea tree (Cercidium praecox)
Authors: Bertuzzi María A. , Slavutsky Anibal M. , Armada Margarita 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThe Brea gum (BG) is a hydrocolloid obtained as phloematic exudate from Cercidium praecox. The exudate was purified by solution and subsequent drying. BG showed high solubility in water 28.3% at 25 °C that increased as temperature was raised. Viscosity of BG solutions increased with BG concentration increase and temperature decrease. Addition of acid or alkali produced changes in solution viscosity as the electrostatic charges on the macromolecule were altered. Solution density at 25 °C increased linearly with hydrocolloid concentration up to saturation. BG lowered the surface tension of water to 51.3 mN m−1 when BG concentration was 5%, remaining constant for higher concentrations. The diameter of oil droplets emulsified decreased and foamability increased with BG concentration increase up to 5% of BG. BG presents adequate functional characteristics for use as stabiliser in preparations with high content of insoluble solids and as stabiliser and emulsifier in emulsions and foams.
Reversal of multicentury tree growth improvements and loss of synchrony at mountain tree lines point to changes in key drivers
Authors: Fajardo Alex , McIntire Eliot J. B. 
Published: February 2012

Summary1. Altitudinal tree line ecotones (ATE) are among the most sensitive plant formations facing global warming as the altitudinal decrease in temperature is considered the driver controlling the upper elevation limit of tree lines world‐wide. In this study, we attempted to answer the following questions: (i) how have the conditions during the last 2–3 centuries affected ATE tree growth (physiology) and recruitment (demography)? and (ii) how strong is synchrony between these two processes at the ATEs?2. We used spatial sampling grids at different ATEs in two ecosystems on two subcontinents: Nothofagus pumilio in the Andes of Chilean Patagonia (46° SL) and Pinus albicaulis in the Rockies of Western Montana, USA (46° NL). Basal increment cores were extracted from trees to estimate the growth and recruitment date. An annual detrended basal area increment was estimated for each tree and was modelled against elevation and time.3. Tree growth improved over multiple centuries at all tree lines. Recently (c. 50 years), however, improvements are disappearing or reversing. The uppermost tree line trees showed moderate declines in Montana and incipient declines in Patagonia. The declines are most dramatic slightly below current tree line (c. 200 m). Tree recruitment patterns showed that tree lines have been moving uphill in both regions until at least 40–70 years ago. These movements occurred primarily through abrupt pulses upward with infilling occurring concurrently (Patagonia) or at some time thereafter (Montana).4. Synchrony between growth and recruitment occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries in both regions. This synchrony was negative in Patagonia and positive in Montana, with varying lag periods. During the 20th century, these patterns of synchrony were lost at all sites. This loss of synchrony suggests that we could be entering a global period in which temperature is no longer the dominant driver of key features of tree lines.5.
Synthesis. Our study shows that at two structurally different tree lines, recent and initial declines in growth and losses of long‐term synchrony are occurring in the latter part of the 20th century. These findings are opposite to simplistic expectations of global warming effects on tree line dynamics and call for a model reformulation that uncouples drivers of growth and recruitment.
Are existing measures of overall diet quality associated with peak bone mass in young premenopausal women?
Authors: Zagarins S. E. , Ronnenberg A. G. , Gehlbach S. H. , Lin R. , Bertone‐Johnson E. R. 
Published: February 2012

How to cite this article
Zagarins S.E., Ronnenberg A.G., Gehlbach S.H., Lin R. & Bertone‐Johnson E.R. (2012) Are existing measures of overall diet quality associated with peak bone mass in young premenopausal women? J Hum Nutr Diet.25, 172–179AbstractBackground:  Low peak bone mass in young adulthood is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fracture after menopause, and an understanding of the modifiable factors that contribute to low peak bone mass is important for fracture prevention. Diet is an important modifiable factor linked to bone health and, although studies have examined the role of individual dietary components in bone health, bone growth and maintenance are complex processes, and such studies may not adequately represent the role of diet in these processes.Methods:  To address this issue, a cross‐sectional analysis of 226 healthy, premenopausal women aged 18–30 years was conducted to determine whether existing indices of overall diet quality are associated with bone density in premenopausal women nearing peak bone mass. Bone density was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and diet quality was measured using two overall diet scores based on current dietary guidelines: the Recommended Food Score and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI).Results:  In the multiple linear regression, bone density did not increase across quartiles of either diet quality score and was not associated with continuous diet quality variables. Furthermore, none of the individual AHEI components (e.g. fruit intake, vegetable intake) were associated with bone density.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that existing diet quality scores are not appropriate for studies of peak bone mass, most likely because they do not give sufficient weight to foods and nutrients important to bone health. We recommend the development of a diet pattern index that better predicts bone mass measures.
Differences in relationships among sleep apnoea, glucose level, sleep duration and sleepiness between persons with and without type 2 diabetes
Authors: HARADA YUKA , OGA TORU , CHIN KAZUO , TAKEGAMI MISA , TAKAHASHI KEN‐ICHI , SUMI KENSUKE , NAKAMURA TAKAYA , NAKAYAMA‐ASHIDA YUKIYO , MINAMI ITSUNARI , HORITA SACHIKO , OKA YASUNORI , WAKAMURA TOMOKO , FUKUHARA SHUNICHI , MISHIMA MICHIAKI , KADOTANI HIROSHI 
Published: February 2012

SummaryObstructive sleep apnoea is common in patients with diabetes. Recently, it was reported that short sleep duration and sleepiness had deleterious effects on glucose metabolism. Thereafter, several reports showed relationships between glucose metabolism and obstructive sleep apnoea, sleep duration or sleepiness. But the interrelationships among those factors based on recent epidemiological data have not been examined. We analysed data on 275 male employees (age, 44 ± 8 years; body mass index, 23.9 ± 3.1 kg m−2) who underwent a cross‐sectional health examination in Japan. We measured fasting plasma glucose, sleep duration using a sleep diary and an actigraph for 7 days, and respiratory disturbance index with a type 3 portable monitor for two nights. Fifty‐four subjects (19.6%) had impaired glucose metabolism, with 21 having diabetes. Of those 21 (body mass index, 25.9 ± 3.8 kg m−2), 17 (81.0%) had obstructive sleep apnoea (respiratory disturbance index ≥ 5). Regarding the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea, 10, four and three had mild, moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnoea, respectively. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea was greater in those with than without diabetes (P = 0.037). Multiple regression analyses showed that the respiratory disturbance index independently related to fasting plasma glucose only in the diabetic subjects. In patients with diabetes, after adjustment for age, waist circumference, etc. sleep fragmentation had a greater correlation with fasting plasma glucose than sleep duration, but without significance (P = 0.10). Because the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea is extremely high in patients with diabetes, sufficient sleep duration with treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, which ameliorates sleep fragmentation, might improve fasting plasma glucose.
Biochemical mapping of a ligand‐binding domain within Arabidopsis BAM1 reveals diversified ligand recognition mechanisms of plant LRR‐RKs
Authors: Shinohara Hidefumi , Moriyama Yuji , Ohyama Kentaro , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu 
Published: February 2012

SummaryLeucine‐rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR‐RKs) are the largest sub‐family of transmembrane receptor kinases in plants. In several LRR‐RKs, a loop‐out region called an ‘island domain’, which intercepts the extracellular tandem LRRs at a position near the transmembrane domain, constitutes the ligand‐binding pocket, but the absence of the island domain in numerous LRR‐RKs raises questions about which domain recognizes the ligand in non‐island domain LRR‐RKs. Here, we used photoaffinity labeling followed by chemical and enzymatic digestion to show that BAM1, a CLV1/BAM‐family LRR‐RK whose extracellular domain comprises 22 consecutive LRRs, directly interacts with the small peptide ligand CLE9 at the LRR6–LRR8 region that is relatively distal from the transmembrane domain. Multiple sequence alignment and homology modeling revealed that the inner concave side of LRR6–LRR8 of CLV1/BAM‐family LRR‐RKs deviates slightly from the LRR consensus. In support of our findings, the clv1‐4 mutant carries a missense mutation at the inner concave side of LRR6 of CLV1, and introduction of the corresponding mutation in BAM1 resulted in complete loss of ligand binding activity. Our results indicate that the ligand recognition mechanisms of plant LRR‐RKs are more complex and diverse than anticipated.
Cutaneous bacillary angiomatosis in renal transplant recipients: report of three new cases and literature review
Authors: Moulin C. , Kanitakis J. , Ranchin B. , Chauvet C. , Gillet Y. , Morelon E. , Euvrard S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBacillary angiomatosis (BA) is a rare vasculoproliferative disorder due to Bartonella henselae (BH) or Bartonella quintana. It can involve many organs, including the skin, and has been mainly reported in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In organ transplant recipients (OTR), this disorder remains misdiagnosed and therapeutic guidelines are nonexistent. We report 3 cases of BA with skin involvement in OTR and review similar cases from the literature. BA manifests on the skin with violaceous lesions mimicking Kaposi sarcoma, and is associated with fever, lymphadenopathy, and liver, spleen, or lung nodules. Bartonellosis infections in OTR are due to BH, the agent causing cat‐scratch disease (CSD), but BA comprises histologically a prominent vascular proliferation, which is usually lacking in CSD. Cultures and serologic tests are poorly reliable for the diagnosis, which relies on demonstration of BH within the lesions. A history of cat exposure exists in most cases and pediatric OTR are at higher risk. Prevention consists of regular use of a flea‐control product in cats and prompt cleaning of scratches. Our cases highlight several original features of this rare condition, which could potentially improve the management of BA in OTR.
Chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus‐6 in transplant recipients
Authors: Lee S.‐O. , Brown R.A. , Razonable R.R. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHuman herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) is unique among human herpesviruses because of its ability to integrate into chromosomes. This entity, termed chromosomally integrated HHV‐6 (CIHHV‐6), is often mistaken for active infection and treated unnecessarily. The clinical significance of CIHHV‐6 in transplant recipients is not defined. Herein, the clinical characteristics of 7 liver transplant patients with CIHHV‐6 from our recent study, together with 14 other published cases of CIHHV‐6 were reviewed. Of the 21 cases, CIHHV‐6B was reported most commonly among solid organ transplant recipients, while CIHHV‐6A was mostly seen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients. None of the 21 patients developed clinical symptoms related to HHV‐6 after transplantation. However, antiviral therapy was administered to 5 asymptomatic patients mistaken to have HHV‐6 infection because of their very high HHV‐6 DNA levels, 3 who developed symptomatic cytomegalovirus disease, and 1 with graft‐versus‐host disease that was mistaken for HHV‐6 infection. In patients who received antiviral therapy, there was no apparent decline in HHV‐6 DNA load, although change in viral kinetics is difficult to discern in the setting of high baseline HHV‐6 DNA load. Clinicians should be aware of this entity of CIHHV‐6 so that antiviral therapy can be considered in the proper clinical context.
Plasma concentrations of caspofungin at two different dosage regimens in a patient with hepatic dysfunction
Authors: van der Elst K.C.M. , Brüggemann R.J.M. , Rodgers M.G.G. , Alffenaar J.W.C. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract:The currently recommended dosage regimen of caspofungin (50 mg/day) was developed for patients with invasive candidiasis. With invasive aspergillosis, successful outcomes occur in less than half the patients. We evaluate the pharmacokinetics in a patient with elevated liver enzyme levels after liver transplantation, who received caspofungin for the treatment of aspergillosis. Plasma concentrations of caspofungin were monitored at 2 different dosage regimens. The area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) at a dosage of 70 mg was 191 mg h/L and was associated with an increase in liver enzymes. After dose reduction to 50 mg with an AUC of 100 mg h/L, liver enzymes normalized. In conclusion, caspofungin plasma concentrations may be helpful to evaluate exposure and reduce the need for off‐label dosing.
Anti‐tuberculosis prophylaxis following renal transplantation: acceptable variations?
Authors: Field M. , Clarke A. , Kelleher M. , Hamsho A. , Mellor S. , Ready A. , Inston N. , van Dellen D. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundGuidelines suggest tuberculosis (TB) prophylaxis in renal transplant recipients originating in endemic areas or in those at risk from non‐endemic countries. Concern remains that these guidelines may fail to provide adequate prophylaxis for a cohort of patients who remain at potential risk. We aimed to determine variation patterns among different transplant units within the United Kingdom (UK) with regard to TB prophylaxis policy.MethodsThe renal pharmacist at each of the 25 UK renal transplant centers was contacted. Specific information was obtained relating to drug prophylaxis given, duration of treatment, as well as which transplant recipients were eligible for treatment.ResultsA 96% response rate (24/25 centers) was achieved. Prophylaxis regimens varied from no prophylaxis to isoniazid 300 mg given life‐long. The most common duration of treatment was 6 months post transplantation (at 7 centers). Variations existed in the concurrent use of pyridoxine. A wide discrepancy was seen in the determination of who should receive prophylaxis, with no clear association with frequency of TB incidence in the region.ConclusionsA marked discrepancy exists among national renal transplant units in pharmacologic prophylaxis for TB, as well in the selection of individuals for this treatment.
Multilocus analysis of nucleotide variation inDrosophila madeirensis, an endemic species of the Laurisilva forest in Madeira
Authors: KHADEM M. , MUNTÉ A. , CAMACHO R. , AGUADÉ M. , SEGARRA C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDrosophila madeirensisis an endemic species of Madeira that inhabits the island Laurisilva forest. Nucleotide variation inD. madeirensisis analysed in six genomic regions and compared to that previously reported for the same regions inDrosophila subobscura, an abundant species in the Palearctic region that is closely related toD. madeirensis. The gene regions analysed are distributed along the O3inversion. The O3arrangement is monomorphic inD. madeirensis, and it was present in ancestral populations ofD. subobscurabut went extinct in this species after the origin of the derived OSTand O3+4arrangements. Levels of nucleotide polymorphism inD. madeirensisare similar to those present in the OSTand O3+4arrangements ofD. subobscura, and the frequency spectrum is skewed towards rare variants. Purifying selection against deleterious nonsynonymous mutations is less effective inD. madeirensis. AlthoughD. madeirensisandD. subobscuracoexist at present in Madeira, no clear evidence of introgression was detected in the studied regions.
Single origin of human commensalism in the house sparrow
Authors: SÆTRE G.‐P. , RIYAHI S. , ALIABADIAN M. , HERMANSEN J. S. , HOGNER S. , OLSSON U. , GONZALEZ ROJAS M. F. , SÆTHER S. A. , TRIER C. N. , ELGVIN T. O. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe current, virtually worldwide distribution of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a result of its commensal relationship with humans. It has been suggested that long before the advent of agriculture, an early glacial advance resulted in two disjunct ranges of ancestral house sparrows – one in the Middle East and another on the Indian subcontinent. Differentiation during this period of isolation resulted in two major groups of subspecies: the domesticus group and the indicus group. According to this hypothesis, commensalism with humans would have evolved independently in the two regions and at least twice. An alternative hypothesis is that morphological differences between the subspecies represent very recent differentiation, following expansions from a single source. To test between these hypotheses, we analysed genetic variation at the mitochondrial DNA control region and at three nuclear loci from several house sparrow populations in Europe, Asia and North Africa. No differentiation between the indicus and domesticus groups was found, supporting the single origin hypothesis. One of the subspecies in the indicus group, P. d. bactrianus, differs ecologically from other house sparrows in being migratory and in preferentially breeding in natural habitat. We suggest that bactrianus represents a relict population of the ancestral, noncommensal house sparrow. When agricultural societies developed in the Middle East about 10 000 years ago, a local house sparrow population of the bactrianus type adapted to the novel environment and eventually became a sedentary, human commensal. As agriculture and human civilizations expanded, house sparrows experienced a correlated and massive expansion in range and numbers. The pattern of genetic variation analysed here is consistent with this scenario.
Cortisol release, heart rate and heart rate variability, and superficial body temperature, in horses lunged either with hyperflexion of the neck or with an extended head and neck position
Authors: Becker‐Birck M. , Schmidt A. , Wulf M. , Aurich J. , von der Wense A. , Möstl E. , Berz R. , Aurich C. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBringing the head and neck of ridden horses into a position of hyperflexion is widely used in equestrian sports. In our study, the hypothesis was tested that hyperflexion is an acute stressor for horses. Salivary cortisol concentrations, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and superficial body temperature were determined in horses (n = 16) lunged on two subsequent days. The head and neck of the horse was fixed with side reins in a position allowing forward extension on day A and fixed in hyperflexion on day B. The order of treatments alternated between horses. In response to lunging, cortisol concentration increased (day A from 0.73 ± 0.06 to 1.41 ± 0.13 ng/ml, p < 0.001; day B from 0.68 ± 0.07 to 1.38 ± 0.13 ng/ml, p < 0.001) but did not differ between days A and B. Beat‐to‐beat (RR) interval decreased in response to lunging on both days. HRV variables standard deviation of RR interval (SDRR) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR differences) decreased (p < 0.001) but did not differ between days. In the cranial region of the neck, the difference between maximum and minimum temperature was increased in hyperflexion (p < 0.01). In conclusion, physiological parameters do not indicate an acute stress response to hyperflexion of the head alone in horses lunged at moderate speed and not touched with the whip. However, if hyperflexion is combined with active intervention of a rider, a stressful experience for the horse cannot be excluded.
Hepatoprotective effects of S‐adenosylmethionine and silybin on canine hepatocytes in vitro
Authors: Au A. Y. , Hasenwinkel J. M. , Frondoza C. G. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryInflammation and oxidative stress are associated with liver injury and development of liver disease. The transcription factors nuclear factor‐kappa beta (NF‐κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) play critical roles in modulating liver injury and damage. Activation of NF‐κB induces production of pro‐inflammatory molecules including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and macrophage chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1). Nrf2 regulates genes controlling antioxidants. Our laboratory previously showed that hepatocytes, the primary functional cell type comprising liver tissue, respond to the cytokine interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) by increased production of PGE2, IL‐8 and MCP‐1. This increase is associated with nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. In this study, we evaluated whether primary canine hepatocytes pre‐treated with the combination of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAMe; 30 and 2000 ng/ml) and silybin (SB; 298 ng/ml), agents with known anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties, could attenuate IL‐1β‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress. The SAMe and SB combination reduced cytokine‐induced PGE2, IL‐8 and MCP‐1 production while also inhibiting NF‐κB nuclear translocation. These changes were accompanied by increased antioxidant enzyme‐reduced glutathione (GSH) comparable to control levels. The study shows for the first time that the SAMe and SB combination inhibits both inflammation and oxidative stress through two separate signalling pathways.
What's new in liver fibrosis? The origin of myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis
Authors: Iwaisako Keiko , Brenner David A , Kisseleva Tatiana 
Published: February 2012

AbstractChronic liver injury of many etiologies produces liver fibrosis and may eventually lead to the formation of cirrhosis. Fibrosis is part of a dynamic process associated with the continuous deposition and resorption of extracellular matrix, mainly fibrillar collagen. Studies of fibrogenesis conducted in many organs including the liver demonstrate that the primary source of the extracellular matrix in fibrosis is the myofibroblast. Hepatic myofibroblasts are not present in the normal liver but transdifferentiate from heterogeneous cell populations in response to a variety of fibrogenic stimuli. Debate still exists regarding the origin of hepatic myofibroblasts. It is considered that hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts have fibrogenic potential and are the major origin of hepatic myofibroblasts. Depending on the primary site of injury the fibrosis may be present in the hepatic parenchyma as seen in chronic hepatitis or may be restricted to the portal areas as in most biliary diseases. It is suggested that hepatic injury of different etiology triggers the transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts from distinct cell populations. Here we discuss the origin and fate of myofibroblast in liver fibrosis.