bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sperm express a Ca2+-regulated NAADP synthase
Authors: Vasudevan Sridhar R. , Galione Antony , Churchill Grant C. 
Published: March 2008

NAADP (nicotinic acid–adenine dinucleotide phosphate), the most potent Ca2+-mobilizing second messenger, is active in a wide range of organisms and cell types. Until now, all NAADP-producing enzymes have been thought to be members of the ADP-ribosyl cyclase family. ADP-ribosyl cyclases exhibit promiscuous substrate selectivity, synthesize a variety of products and are regulated in a limited manner, which may be non-physiological. In the present paper, we report the presence of an enzyme on the surface of sea urchin sperm that exhibits bell-shaped regulation by Ca2+ over a range (EC50 of 10 nM and IC50 of 50 μM) that is physiologically relevant. Uniquely, this surface enzyme possesses complete selectivity for nucleotides with a 2′-phosphate group and exhibits only base-exchange activity without any detectable cyclase activity. Taken together, these findings indicate that this novel enzyme should be considered as the first true NAADP synthase.
The Day They Buried the Ayatollah
Authors: Fenton Tom 
Published: March 2008

Note by Iranian Studies: Journalism has the potential to make a reporter feel at least as important as the subject of his or her reports. The temptation can be even stronger in global journalism, with reporters from the affluent nations covering the traumas of the people in more problem-ridden parts of the world. By contrast, in Tom Fenton's account of Ayatollah Khomeini's funeral in 1989, a seasoned reporter goes beyond the apparently chaotic and frenzied action by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Iranians to see the historic significance of the event and the man.Thomas Trail Fenton, born 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland, retired from CBS in 2004 after a thirty-four year career. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1952 and was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1961, serving in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Fenton began his career in journalism at The Baltimore Sun, where he worked until 1970, reporting from Europe and the Middle East, including the June 1967 Israeli-Arab war and the May 1968 student protests in France, which earned Fenton an award from the Overseas Press Club.Fenton joined CBS News as a correspondent in the Rome Bureau in 1970, followed by assignments to the bureaus in Tel Aviv, Paris, London and Moscow. He became Senior European Correspondent in 1979. He reported on the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, and the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. After the fall of Mohammad Reza Shah in 1979, Fenton was the first western journalist to interview Ayatollah Khomeini. He later returned to Iran to report on the hostage crisis that had followed the occupation of the American Embassy in Tehran. During the 1990s, Fenton covered the break up of the Soviet Union, the wars in the Balkans, and the violence in the Middle East and Africa. After retiring, Fenton wrote Bad News: The Decline of Reporting, the Business of News, and the Danger to Us All in 2005.
Optimizing the size of the sequence profiles to increase the accuracy of protein sequence alignments generated by profile–profile algorithms
Authors: Poleksic Aleksandar , Fienup Mark 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Profile-based protein homology detection algorithms are valuable tools in genome annotation and protein classification. By utilizing information present in the sequences of homologous proteins, profile-based methods are often able to detect extremely weak relationships between protein sequences, as evidenced by the large-scale benchmarking experiments such as CASP and LiveBench.
Results: We study the relationship between the sensitivity of a profile–profile method and the size of the sequence profile, which is defined as the average number of different residue types observed at the profile's positions. We also demonstrate that improvements in the sensitivity of a profile–profile method can be made by incorporating a profile-dependent scoring scheme, such as position-specific background frequencies. The techniques presented in this article are implemented in an alignment algorithm UNI-FOLD. When tested against other well-established methods for fold recognition, UNI-FOLD shows increased sensitivity and specificity in detecting remote relationships between protein sequences.
Availability: UNI-FOLD web server can be accessed at http://blackhawk.cs.uni.edu
Contact: poleksic@cs.uni.edu
Trophic cascades in a temperate seagrass community
Authors: Moksnes Per‐Olav , Gullström Martin , Tryman Kentaroo , Baden Susanne 
Published: March 2008

We assessed the relative importance of bottom–up and top–down processes in structuring an eelgrass community in Sweden, a system impacted both by eutrophication and overfishing. Using artificial seagrass as substrate, we manipulated nutrient levels and predator abundance in a full‐factorial cage‐experiment.The results revealed a seagrass community dominated by strong top–down processes controlling the aggregate biomass of mesograzers and macroalgae. In the absence of predators the large amphipod Gammarus locusta became very abundant resulting in a leaf community with low biomass of algae and smaller mobile fauna. One enclosed gobid fish predator reduced the abundance of adult G. locusta by >90%, causing a three to six times increase in the biomass of algae, smaller mesograzers and meiofauna. Numerous small predators in uncaged habitats reduced the biomass of G. locusta and other mesograzers by >95% in comparison to the fish treatment, further increasing the biomass of epiphytic algae and meiofauna. Although water column nutrient enrichment caused a temporal bloom of the filamentous macroalgae Ulva spp., no significant nutrient‐effects were found on the algal community at the end of the experiment. The only lasting nutrient‐effect was a significant increase in the biomass of G. locusta, but only in the absence of ambient predators.These results demonstrate that mesograzers can respond to enhanced food supply, increase their biomass and control the algal growth when predation rates are low. However, in the assessed system, high predation rates appear to make mesograzers functionally extinct, causing a community‐wide trophic cascade that promotes the growth of ephemeral algae. This top–down effect could penetrate down, despite a complex food‐web because the interaction strength in the community was strongly skewed towards two functionally dominant algal and grazer species that were vulnerable to consumption. These results indicate that overexploitation of gadoid fish may be linked to increased macroalgal blooms and loss of eelgrass in the area through a trophic cascade affecting the abundance of mesograzers.
Case of skin injuries due to stings by crown‐of‐thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci)
Authors: SATO Hironobu , TSURUTA Yuichiro , YAMAMOTO Yu‐ichi , ASATO Yutaka , TAIRA Kiyohito , HAGIWARA Keisuke , KAYO Susumu , IWANAGA Setsuko , UEZATO Hiroshi 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTA case of skin injuries due to stings by crown‐of‐thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, in a 53‐year‐old Okinawan woman is reported. She went to a beach to gather shellfish on 8 April 2001 and fell to the ground with her left palm on a crown‐of‐thorns starfish that happened to be close to her. She hurried to the emergency section of our hospital. An emergency doctor sterilized the wound and administered an antibiotic, an analgesic agent and an injection of a tetanus antitoxin. He tried to remove the remaining spines from the palm with great difficulty. Because swelling and subcutaneous indurations of the left palm had persisted thereafter, oral and topical administration of corticosteroid started on 13 April. Physical examination at the dermatology section revealed approximately 10 stab wounds of the left palm with pus, subcutaneous bleeding and many abrasions around them. X‐rays of the left hand showed foreign bodies, 2–10 mm in size, located on the lesions. The patient was treated with a topical injection of 2 mg triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort‐A), diluted fivefold with 1% Xylocaine, once a week. Some of the foreign body granulomatous lesions improved but pain and subcutaneous indurations persisted in most of the lesions. Because the X‐ray photographs showed many remaining spines, surgical excision to remove them was performed under local anesthesia 3 months after the injury. All the symptoms improved after the operation. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the spines revealed that their tips had fragile lattice‐like structures.
Nicotine patch therapy prior to quitting smoking: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Shiffman Saul , Ferguson Stuart G. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAim To evaluate the incremental efficacy of starting nicotine patch treatment prior to quitting compared to the current regimen of starting patch treatment on the target quit day.Design and measurements Meta‐analysis of four eligible studies using pre‐cessation patch treatment, located by database search and contacts with cessation researchers. The studies all compared starting treatment with nicotine patch prior to the target quit date to starting active treatment at the quit date, some in the context of concurrent mecamylamine treatment. The primary end‐point for the analysis was continuous abstinence for at least 28 days assessed at 6 weeks following quit day; 6‐month outcomes were also examined.Findings Compared to starting active patch treatment on quit day, pre‐cessation treatment with nicotine patches was found to double the odds of quitting. This was true both at 6 weeks [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31–2.93] and 6 months (pooled OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.46–3.22) treatment outcomes. Mecamylamine co‐treatment did not modify these effects.Conclusions Across the four studies analyzed, pre‐cessation patch treatment was found to produce a robust increase in quit rates compared to current regimens starting patch at quit day. Pre‐cessation patch use represents a promising innovation in smoking cessation therapy with potential beneficial implications for improved public health by further increasing quitting success.
Self‐help smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Naughton Felix , Prevost A. Toby , Sutton Stephen 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAims  Self‐help smoking cessation interventions for pregnant smokers are of importance due to their potential to be wide‐reaching, low‐cost and their appeal to pregnant smokers who are interested in quitting smoking. To date, however, there has been no systematic assessment of their efficacy. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy of self‐help interventions for pregnant smokers and to investigate whether self‐help material intensity, type or delivery are associated with cessation.Methods  The literature was searched for randomized and quasi‐randomized controlled trials of self‐help smoking cessation interventions for pregnant smokers without significant cessation counselling. Fifteen trials met the inclusion criteria and relevant data were extracted independently.Results  The primary meta‐analysis pooled 12 trials comparing usual care (median quit rate 4.9%) with self‐help (median quit rate 13.2%) and yielded a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–2.73], indicating that self‐help interventions on average nearly double the odds of quitting compared with standard care. However, a further meta‐analysis failed to find evidence that intervention materials of greater intensity increase quitting significantly over materials of lesser intensity (pooled OR = 1.25, 95% CI 0.81–1.94). There was insufficient evidence to determine whether the tailoring of materials or levels of one‐to‐one contact were related to intervention efficacy.Conclusions  Self‐help interventions appear to be more effective than standard care although, due mainly to a lack of trials, it is unclear whether more sophisticated and intensive approaches increase intervention effectiveness.
Respirable dose delivery of fluticasone propionate from a small valved holding chamber, a compact breath actuated integrated vortex device and a metered dose inhaler
Authors: Nair Arun , Menzies Daniel , Barnes Martyn , Burns Patricia , McFarlane Lesley , Lipworth Brian J. 
Published: March 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Respirable dose delivery of inhaled steroids may be improved by the use of conventional valved holding chambers (such as the Aerochamber Plus spacer), but these are bulky and cumbersome to use.• A novel compact breath actuated device with integrated vortex chamber (Synchro‐Breathe) has been developed to overcome these problems,• The lung bioavailability of inhaled fluticasone propionate is dependant on respirable dose delivery, and hence the performance of inhaler devices can be quantified by measuring the degree of adrenal suppression as a surrogate for relative lung dose. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study compares the respirable dose delivery (as relative adrenal suppression) of inhaled fluticasone delivered via Synchro‐Breathe, conventional pMDI (Evohaler), and an optimally prepared Aerochamber Plus spacer in patients with asthma.• The Aerochamber Plus and the Synchro‐Breathe devices produced significantly higher respirable dose delivery of inhaled fluticasone than the pMDI, in terms of the relative degree of adrenal suppression.AIMSTo compare the respirable dose delivery of the hydrofluroalkane fluticasone propionate (HFA‐FP) via an optimally prepared Aerochamber Plus spacer (AP), via a Synchro‐Breathe (SB) device, and pMDI Evohaler (EH).METHODSSeventeen mild to moderate asthmatics completed the study using a randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, three way crossover design. Single doses of placebo or HFA‐FP 2.0 mg were administered via the EH, AP, and SB devices. The overnight urinary cortisol : creatinine ratio (OUCC) was measured at baseline and after each dose.RESULTSSignificant suppression of OUCC occurred from baseline with AP and SB but not EH devices (geometric mean fold suppression, 95% CI): AP: 3.18 (2.29, 4.36), P < 0.001; SB: 1.79 (1.31, 2.40), P = 0.001; EH: 1.12 (0.69, 1.44), p = 0.37 (equating to 68%, 45% and 9% falls, respectively). Significant differences in OUCC between devices were as follows: (geometric mean fold difference, 95% CI): AP vs. EH. 2.83 (2.09, 3.82), P < 0.001; AP vs. SB: 1.78 fold (1.21, 2.60), P = 0.003; SB vs. EH: 1.59 (1.09, 2.31), P = 0.013 (equating to 65%, 44% and 37% differences, respectively).CONCLUSIONSThe use of an optimally prepared AP spacer and breath actuated SB device, when compared with pMDI, significantly increased the respirable dose of HFA‐FP.
Is the β thalassaemia trait of clinical importance?
Authors: Premawardhena A. , Arambepola M. , Katugaha N. , Weatherall D. J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryAlthough the β thalassaemia trait affects millions of people worldwide, there have been no controlled studies to determine whether it is associated with any clinical disability or abnormal physical signs. To address this question, 402 individuals were studied: 217 with β thalassaemia trait, of whom 154 were aware of the diagnosis and 63 were unaware until after the completion of the study; 89 normal controls; and 96 controls with mild hypochromic anaemia. There was a significant increase in symptoms ascribable to anaemia and episodes of pyrexia in those with the β thalassaemia trait that were not influenced by prior knowledge that they had this condition. There was no difference in physical findings, notably splenomegaly, between those with β thalassaemia trait and either control group.
The VWF/ADAMTS13 axis in the antiphospholipid syndrome: ADAMTS13 antibodies and ADAMTS13 dysfunction
Authors: Austin S. K. , Starke R. D. , Lawrie A. S. , Cohen H. , Machin S. J. , Mackie I. J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryAutoantibodies to ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin‐like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I motif, member 13) play an important role in the development of microthrombosis in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). In severe cases of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), microthrombosis can occur similar to that seen in TTP, suggesting possible mutual pathogenic factors. However, the role of ADAMTS13 in APS is unknown. We hypothesised that aberrations in ADAMTS13 may occur in APS and evaluated ADAMTS13 and von Willebrand factor (VWF) in 68 patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPA) including 52 with APS. Thirty‐three (49%) had IgG anti‐ADAMTS13 with 12 of these patients having reduced ADAMTS13 activity, suggesting neutralising antibodies. Low ADAMTS13 activity (median 34%) was demonstrated in 22/68 (33%), all with normal ADAMTS13 antigen levels consistent with dysfunctional ADAMTS13. Reduced ADAMTS13 activity was not secondary to elevated von Willebrand factor (VWF), or increased VWF secretion (normal VWF propeptide), although a reduced VWF clearance was noted in APS. Analysis found no associations between the ADAMTS13 abnormalities and any aPA profile or thrombotic/obstetric complications, although this study was not adequately powered to address clinical associations. Nevertheless, these findings highlight that ADAMTS13 autoantibodies and ADAMTS13 dysfunction can occur in APS, and although the clinical significance remains undetermined, ADAMTS13 dysfunction may be contributory to thrombogenesis in autoimmune conditions other than TTP.
Advances in clinical research in sickle cell disease
Authors: Hagar Ward , Vichinsky Elliott 
Published: March 2008

SummarySickle cell disease continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality despite increases in life expectancy. This review looks at recent translational research in sickle cell disease, covering the red cell membrane, the vascular endothelium, local and systemic inflammation and the potentially pivotal role of nitric oxide as a key regulator of sickle cell complications. Clinical research reviewed includes pulmonary hypertension, which is emerging as a particularly deadly scourge of adults with any haemolytic anaemia, and newer insights into older, more established complications and treatments, such as red cell transfusions, the need for and use of iron chelation and avascular necrosis. Finally, recent studies about those factors that affect the day‐to‐day lives of persons with sickle cell disease, pain and neuropsychiatric functioning, are discussed.
Balancing parents' and very young children's rights in care proceedings: decision‐making in the context of the Human Rights Act 1998
Authors: Munro Emily R. , Ward Harriet 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper explores whether the Human Rights Act 1998 has influenced the approach a range of professionals, including social workers, managers and children's guardians adopt when they examine and seek to balance the potentially competing rights of parents and children involved in care proceedings. Drawing on findings from an empirical study of the decision‐making process that influences the life pathways of very young children in care, it also explores some of the dilemmas professionals face in their day‐to‐day practice and examines whether parental rights are prioritized over children's rights in certain instances.
Combined effect of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐13 polymorphisms on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Korean children with asthma
Authors: Kim H‐B. , Kang M‐J. , Lee S‐Y. , Jin H‐S. , Kim J‐H. , Kim B‐S. , Jang S‐O. , Lee Y‐C. , Sohn M‐H. , Kim K‐E. , Hong S‐J. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground
TNF‐α and IL‐13, two pivotal pro‐inflammatory cytokines, are increased in asthmatic airways and may be linked to asthma susceptibility and/or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).Objective
We investigated the association between the TNF‐α−308G/A polymorphism and asthma susceptibility or asthma‐related phenotypes in Korean children with asthma, and tested for a combined effect with IL‐13 polymorphisms.Methods
Asthmatic children (n=719) and non‐atopic healthy control children (n=243) were evaluated for asthma phenotypes including total serum IgE and BHR to methacholine. Genotypes were determined by PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results
The allele frequency of TNF‐α−308A in asthmatics (14.1%) was higher than that in control children [8.7%, odds ratio (OR) 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–2.82]. Significantly lower PC20 values were found in asthmatic children carrying one or two copies of the TNF‐α risk allele (−308A) vs. those homozygous for the common allele (P=0.026). Combined analysis revealed that atopic asthmatic children co‐inherited the risk alleles of TNF‐α−308G/A and IL‐13 +2044G/A more frequently than control children (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.00–3.65), and asthmatic children co‐inheriting both risk alleles had significantly lower PC20 values vs. asthmatic children homozygous for the common alleles (P=0.024).Conclusion
The TNF‐α promoter polymorphism (−308G/A) may be associated with asthma susceptibility and BHR in Korean children with asthma. In addition, there appears to be a synergistic effect between the TNF‐α promoter polymorphism and an IL‐13 coding region polymorphism in terms of asthma susceptibility and BHR in this population.
The association between the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and arterial stiffness in young healthy subjects
Authors: Shapiro Y. , Boaz M. , Matas Z. , Fux A. , Shargorodsky M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryAldosterone might affect arterial stiffening, in both the short‐ and long‐term. We investigated a possible association between excess aldosterone, reflected by an increased aldosterone : renin ratio (ARR) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in young healthy adults. In a single‐centre study, 60 subjects were evaluated for lipid profile, glucose, hs‐CRP, renin and aldosterone. PWV was performed as a simple non‐invasive recording and computer analysis of the two artery sites pressure waveform using SphygmoCor (version 7·1, AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia). The ARR was significantly, positively associated with PWV: r = 0·298, P = 0·02. ARR was not associated with anthropometric variables, blood pressure (BP), metabolic and inflammatory parameters. In conclusion, the ARR was significantly associated with PWV and may exhibit direct effects of aldosterone on the vascular wall, which are not related to changes in conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
Diversity and distribution patterns of some mesophyll‐feeding leaf hoppers of temperate woodland canopy
Authors: CLARIDGE M. F. , WILSON M. R. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Temperate woodland canopy as a habitat for insects is discussed.
A general account is given of the Typhlocybinae as the mesophyll‐feeding guild of canopy feeders.
Three sampling sites in South Wales are described, from which adult leaf‐hoppers were sampled regularly from twelve species of trees during 1974.
Rearing records, based on the sampling of last instar nymphs and subsequent rearing of adults, are given.
Over 20 000 adult insects of thirty‐five identified species were taken during 1974.
Results are analysed to compare species associations with different tree species. Most leaf‐hoppers show very distinct specific plant‐dependent distributions within the canopy. Many are dominantly associated with only one host plant. Others show more complicated patterns of associations. Only one species was found on all trees sampled.
The patterns of leafhopper distributions in woodland canopy are compared with previously described grassland habitats. The relative permanence and size of trees may be important factors.
Examples of groups of ecologically similar species coexisting together are discussed.