bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of intrapyloric botulinum toxin injection on gastric emptying and meal‐related symptoms in gastroparesis patients
Authors: ARTS J. , VAN GOOL S. , CAENEPEEL P. , VERBEKE K. , JANSSENS J. , TACK J. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackgroundRecent observations in limited numbers of patients suggest a potential benefit of intrapyloric injection of botulinum toxin in the treatment of gastroparesis.AimTo characterize the effect of botulinum toxin on solid and liquid gastric emptying and on meal‐related symptoms.MethodsIn 20 gastroparesis patients (17 women, mean age 37 ± 3 years, three diabetic and 17 idiopathic), gastric emptying for solids and liquids was measured before and one month after intrapyloric botulinum toxin 4 × 25 units. Before the meal and at 15‐min intervals up to 240 min postprandially, the patient graded the intensity of six gastroparesis symptoms, and a meal‐related severity score was obtained by adding all intensities. Data (mean ± S.E.M.) were compared using paired Student's t‐test.ResultsTreatment with botulinum toxin significantly enhanced solid (t1/2 132 ± 16 vs. 204 ± 35 min, P < 0.05) but not liquid (92 ± 10 vs. 104 ± 11 min, N.S.) emptying. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in cumulative meal‐related symptom score (73.5 ± 16.3 vs. 103 ± 17.1 baseline, P = 0.01) as well as individual severity scores for postprandial fullness, bloating, nausea and belching (all P < 0.001, two‐way anova).ConclusionsBotulinum toxin improves solid but not liquid gastric emptying in gastroparesis, and this is accompanied by significant improvement of several meal‐related symptoms.
Anion exchanger 2 mediates the action of arsenic trioxide
Authors: Pan Xiao‐Yan , Chen Guo‐Qiang , Cai Li , Buscemi Stephen , Fu Guo‐Hui 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAnion exchanger 2 (AE2) mediates the exchange of Cl−/HCOacross the plasma membrane and plays a role in the regulation of intracellular pH. The present study showed that AE2 protein expression was upregulated immediately after exposure to either low (0·5 μmol/l) or high (1 and 2 μmol/l) concentrations of arsenic trioxide. This suggests that arsenic trioxide may act via regulation of intracellular pH. Changing the culture pH in NB4 cells modulated the degradation of promyelocytic leukaemia‐retinoic acid receptor‐alpha (PML‐RARα), PML and RARα, which supported this hypothesis. DIDS (4,4′‐diisothiocyanodihydrostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid) inhibited AE2 function, preventing the arsenic trioxide‐induced degradation of RARα and low concentration showed synergistic effects on the expression of CD11c, which is related with cell differentiation. In addition, DIDS rescued the cells from 1 μmol/l arsenic trioxide‐induced apoptosis. In conclusion, AE2 mediated the action of arsenic trioxide via regulation of intracellular pH and a novel pathway for the mechanism of action of arsenic trioxide is reported.
Dispersal status‐dependent response to the social environment in the Common Lizard,Lacerta vivipara
Authors: ARAGÓN P. , MEYLAN S. , CLOBERT J. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryIndividuals following different strategies such as philopatry or dispersal may also differ in other phenotypic traits, since dispersing individuals have to face novel physical and social environments. There is growing evidence of the use of information obtained from conspecifics in a variety of contexts. It has been demonstrated that before natal dispersal, juveniles ofLacerta viviparause social information through conspecific chemical cues, and that various phenotypes use this information differently. We hypothesized that, after dispersal, the behavioural responses of yearlings to different social environments assessed through conspecific odours depend on the dispersal status.We tested the response of philopatric and dispersing yearlings ofL. viviparato different types of social cues, controlling for the prenatal and postnatal environment. Each yearling was faced with environments with no conspecific odours, with scent‐marks from one or three yearlings that were held isolated during captivity, and from three socially housed yearlings. Thus, we examined the response to the number of donors and to the social environment experienced by donors. We recorded the time spent walking and attempting to escape as indicators of activity and avoidance response, respectively.Philopatric and dispersing individuals reacted differently to the social environments presented through odour marks. This dispersal status‐dependent response was not modulated by the prenatal and postnatal factors examined.
A comparative analysis of the diving behaviour of birds and mammals
Authors: HALSEY L. G. , BLACKBURN T. M. , BUTLER P. J. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryWe use a large interspecific data set on diving variables for birds and mammals, and statistical techniques to control for the effects of phylogenetic non‐independence, to assess evolutionary associations among different elements of diving behaviour across a broad and diverse range of diving species. Our aim is to assess whether the diving ability of homeothermic vertebrates is influenced by factors other than the physiology of the species.Body mass is related to dive duration even when dive depth is controlled for and thus for a given dive depth, larger species dive for longer. This implies that larger species have a greater capacity for diving than is expressed in their dive depth. Larger animals that dive shallowly, probably for ecological reasons such as water depth, make use of the physiological advantage that their size confers by diving for longer.Dive duration correlates with dive depth more strongly than with body mass. This confirms that some animals are poor divers for their body mass, either because of a lower physiological capacity or because their behaviour limits their diving.Surface duration relates not only to dive duration but also to dive depth, as well as to both independently. This indicates a relationship between dive depth and surface duration controlling for dive duration, which suggests that deeper dives are energetically more expensive than shallow dives of the same duration.Taxonomic class does not improve any of the dive variable models in the present study. There is thus an unsuspected consistency in the broad responses of different groups to the effects on diving of the environment, which are therefore general features of diving evolution.
Land use affects the relationship between species diversity and productivity at the local scale in a semi‐arid steppe ecosystem
Authors: ZHOU Z. , SUN O. J. , HUANG J. , GAO Y. , HAN X. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe accelerating extinction rate of plant species and its effect on ecosystem functioning is a hotly debated topic in ecological research. Most research projects concerning the relationship between species diversity and productivity have been conducted in artificial plant communities, with only a few in natural ecosystems. In this study we examined the relationship between species diversity and above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP) over two consecutive growth seasons (2004 and 2005) in a semi‐arid steppe ecosystem of northern China, that were subjected to different land uses.Land use affected the relationship between species diversity and ANPP in this semi‐arid steppe ecosystem. Exclusion of grazing without or with biomass removal by mowing increased ANPP, species richness and species diversity compared with free grazing; the effect was reflected mainly as enhanced importance of the perennial forbs functional group in terms of their relative contributions to ANPP, plant cover and plant abundance.Many mechanisms regulate the relationship between species diversity and productivity. Differential effects of anthropogenic activities on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning greatly complicate the analysis of such relationships. On grazing‐exclusion sites the relationship between ANPP and species richness can be best described as an exponential growth function (R2 = 0·99,P < 0·001,n = 24); whereas on the free‐grazing site the relationship takes the form of exponential decay (R2 = 0·96,P < 0·001,n = 24). Our study concludes that the mode and severity of disturbance are important factors for interpreting the relationship between species diversity and productivity in semi‐arid steppe ecosystems.
Enhanced major histocompatibility complex class I binding and immune responses through anchor modification of the non‐canonical tumour‐associated mucin 1‐8 peptide
Authors: Lazoura Eliada , Lodding Jodie , Farrugia William , Ramsland Paul A. , Stevens James , Wilson Ian A. , Pietersz Geoffrey A. , Apostolopoulos Vasso 
Published: July 2006

SummaryDesigning peptide‐based vaccines for therapeutic applications in cancer immunotherapy requires detailed knowledge of the interactions between the antigenic peptide and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in addition to that between the peptide–MHC complex and the T‐cell receptor. Past efforts to immunize with high‐affinity tumour‐associated antigenic peptides have not been very immunogenic, which may be attributed to the lack of T cells to these peptides, having been deleted during thymic development. For this reason, low‐to‐medium affinity non‐canonical peptides represent more suitable candidates. However, in addition to the difficulty in identifying such antigens, peptide binding to MHC, and hence its ability to induce a strong immune response, is limited. Therefore, to enhance binding to MHC and improve immune responses, anchor modifications of non‐canonical tumour‐associated peptides would be advantageous. In this study, the non‐canonical tumour‐associated peptide from MUC1, MUC1‐8 (SAPDTRPA), was modified at the MHC anchor residues to SAPDFRPL (MUC1‐8‐5F8L) and showed enhanced binding to H‐2Kb and improved immune responses. Furthermore, the crystal structure of MUC1‐8‐5F8L in complex with H‐2Kb was determined and it revealed that binding of the peptide to MHC is similar to that of the canonical peptide OVA8 (SIINFEKL).
Legitimate family violence as represented in the print media: textual analysis
Authors: Redman Susan , Taylor Julie 
Published: July 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study of how issues around the use of smacking by parents are represented in the print media. Our purpose was not to state a case for or against the use of smacking. Rather, within the contemporary social context we sought to answer the question, ‘Why is smacking considered to be a legitimate part of parenting in the United Kingdom?’Background.  Although a number of government proposals aiming to ban the use of smacking by parents have been presented in the United Kingdom parliament and Scottish Executive, current legislation allows parents to use this form of physical discipline as long as it does not result in physical injury to the child. For the purposes of this discussion, smacking is considered as a social phenomenon rather than an activity simply to be favoured or to be opposed.Method.  A sample of 244 articles from five different United Kingdom newspapers was examined during 2004. Schema analysis that drew upon semiotics was used to analyse these print media representations about the use of legitimate violence by parents towards children.Findings.  Newspaper reportage about the parental use of physical discipline has increased over the past 20 years. Only one newspaper (The Independent) published on this topic prior to 1994. The discourse about the use of physical discipline by parents has changed over time from one that focuses on the effectiveness of smacking to one that about the human rights of the child. The main themes identified in the print media discourse were the rights of the child, the effectiveness of smacking, long‐term effects and consequences, and the role of the state.Conclusion.  Media texts can influence and reinforce social dimensions of the label. The beliefs and attitudes of healthcare professionals and parents about smacking may be influenced by such representations.
Habitat differentiation and the ecological costs of hybridization: the effects of introduced mulberry (Morus alba) on a native congener (M. rubra)
Authors: BURGESS KEVIN S. , HUSBAND BRIAN C. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe effects of hybridization on the abundance of parental taxa depends on their relative frequency, the viability of hybrid offspring and the degree of ecological differentiation among parental and hybrid taxa. Habitat overlap can facilitate competition for suitable sites and threaten the persistence of parental taxa, especially those in small populations.Here we examine ecological differentiation between the endangered North American red mulberry (Morus rubra), introduced white mulberry (M. alba) and red × white hybrids in a reciprocal transplant experiment. Fitness of red, white and hybrid mulberry was estimated as survival and above‐ground biomass of seedling and juvenile life stages, transplanted into open (white habitat) and shaded (red habitat) forest environments. In addition, all taxa, including reciprocal hybrids (R × W, W × R), were compared in a common garden in full sun.In the reciprocal transplant study, red mulberry was consistently less fit than white and hybrid mulberry regardless of transplant habitat; F1hybrids were as fit as white mulberry. In the common garden, red mulberry and hybrids with red mothers had lower fitness than white mulberry and hybrids with white mothers. Reciprocal hybrid crosses differed significantly with respect to survival and cumulative fitness, but not biomass.Red mulberry is not ecologically differentiated from white or hybrid mulberry in the three transplant environments examined; rather, it is consistently the least fit taxon. Therefore, all else being equal, hybridization with white mulberry and the subsequent presence of hybrids will place red mulberry at a strong disadvantage during establishment.The results highlight the potential effect of hybridization by introduced species on the abundance of native species, particularly at the northern extremes of its geographical range, where populations are small and native environments may be degraded or at the limits of ecological tolerance.
Beyond ‘faith‐based medicine’ and EBM
Authors: Simone John De 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives  Longstanding debate on evidence‐based medicine (EBM) may have reached a critical saturation point. I briefly report on systematic reviews on the recurring themes in the critical literature. In this context, some criticisms to EBM are substantial and enduring, although convincing arguments to contrast unresolved issues have yet to be produced. Nonetheless, few changes have been adopted and conservative attitudes persist in EBM. Despite its ‘success’, implementation in practice has been inexorably overshadowed leading to paradoxical shortcomings. This controversial scenario offers a formidable occasion to gain needed insight. The aim of this paper is to attempt a comprehensive analysis by reframing a number of key concerns, while furnishing pragmatic, interdisciplinary solutions for these deep‐rooted dilemmas. In the interests of all stakeholders, I seek to promote a concerted effort to resolve conflict and build consensus.
Methods  This paper explores a strategically unifying vision of primary care, based on current understanding of practice patterns, having a research‐friendly ‘common ground’ where practitioners’ information needs may be met. In addition, an analysis of existing problems identifies underlying ‘root causes’. Moreover, I expediently reframe crucial matters by focusing on EBM, more than as a paradigm, as an organisation, hence amenable to a variety of cross‐disciplinary analyses and solutions. Finally, recent state‐of‐the‐art reviews on implementation and dissemination research are cited for the pertinent implications for study design and practice.
Results  Present policies and influential testimonials on behalf of EBM encounter the pitfalls of hindering learning and progress through defensive attitudes and mechanisms. Current study designs and evaluation criteria must strive to adapt to real‐world settings, rather than vice versa.
Conclusions  The arguments exposed herein alter the terms of the debate on EBM and may outline a basis for initiatives with conflict‐resolution and consensus‐building scopes.
Research results have expiration dates: ensuring timely systematic reviews
Authors: Barroso Julie , Sandelowski Margarete , Voils Corrine I. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractTime and timeliness are key issues in appraising and ensuring the clinical relevance of systematic reviews. Time considerations entering the systematic review process include the history of the clinical problem, disease, or treatment that is the target of the review, and the history of the research conducted to address it. These considerations guide: (i) formulation of the research problems and questions; (ii) setting of parameters for the search and retrieval of studies; (iii) determination of inclusion and exclusion criteria; (iv) appraisal of the clinical relevance of findings; (v) selection of the findings that will be synthesized; and (vi) interpretation of the results of that synthesis.
Measurement of biological information with applications from genes to landscapes
Authors: SHERWIN WILLIAM B. , JABOT FRANCK , RUSH REBECCA , ROSSETTO MAURIZIO 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBiological diversity is quantified for reasons ranging from primer design, to bioprospecting, and community ecology. As a common index for all levels, we suggest Shannon's SH, already used in information theory and biodiversity of ecological communities. Since Lewontin's first use of this index to describe human genetic variation, it has been used for variation of viruses, splice‐junctions, and informativeness of pedigrees. However, until now there has been no theory to predict expected values of this index under given genetic and demographic conditions. We present a new null theory for SH at the genetic level, and show that this index has advantages including (i) independence of measures at each hierarchical level of organization; (ii) robust estimation of genetic exchange over a wide range of conditions; (iii) ability to incorporate information on population size; and (iv) explicit relationship to standard statistical tests. Utilization of this index in conjunction with other existing indices offers powerful insights into genetic processes. Our genetic theory is also extendible to the ecological community level, and thus can aid the comparison and integration of diversity at the genetic and community levels, including the need for measures of community diversity that incorporate the genetic differentiation between species.
The trp RNA‐binding attenuation protein (TRAP) of Bacillus subtilis regulates translation initiation of ycbK, a gene encoding a putative efflux protein, by blocking ribosome binding
Authors: Yakhnin Helen , Yakhnin Alexander V. , Babitzke Paul 
Published: July 2006

SummaryExpression of the Bacillus subtilis tryptophan biosynthetic genes trpEDCFBA and trpG, as well as a putative tryptophan transport gene (trpP), are regulated in response to tryptophan by the trp RNA‐binding attenuation protein (TRAP). TRAP regulates expression of these genes by transcription attenuation and translation control mechanisms. Here we show that TRAP also regulates translation of ycbK, a gene that encodes a protein with similarities to known efflux proteins. As a likely TRAP‐binding site consisting of 11 NAG repeats overlaps the ycbK translation initiation region, experiments were carried out to determine whether TRAP regulates translation of ycbK. TRAP was observed to regulate expression of a ycbK′–′lacZ translational fusion 20‐fold in response to tryptophan. Binding studies indicated that TRAP binds to the ycbK transcript with high affinity and specificity. Footprint studies revealed that the central seven triplet repeats were protected by bound TRAP, while toeprint results suggest that nine triplet repeats contribute to TRAP binding. Additional toeprint and in vitro translation analyses demonstrated that bound TRAP regulates YcbK synthesis by blocking ribosome binding. We also identified two dipeptide coding minigenes between the Shine‐Dalgarno sequence and start codon of ycbK. Expression of one of the minigenes modestly interfered with translation of ycbK.
A camel passes through the eye of a needle: protein unfolding activity of Clp ATPases
Authors: Zolkiewski Michal 
Published: July 2006

SummaryClp ATPases are protein machines involved in protein degradation and disaggregation. The common structural feature of Clp ATPases is the formation of ring‐shaped oligomers. Recent work has shown that the function of all Clp ATPases is based on an energy‐dependent threading of substrates through the narrow pore at the centre of the ring. This review gives an outline of known mechanistic principles of threading machines that unfold protein substrates either before their degradation (ClpA, ClpX, HslU) or during their reactivation from aggregates (ClpB). The place of Clp ATPases within a broad AAA+ superfamily of ATPases associated with various cellular activities suggests that similar mechanisms can be used by other protein machines to induce conformational rearrangements in a wide variety of substrates.
Adaptive Offspring Sex Ratio Depends on Male Tail Length in the Guppy
Authors: Karino Kenji , Kobayashi Miho , Orita Kazuhiro 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA biased sex ratio in a brood is considered to be an adaptive strategy under certain circumstances. For example, if the expected reproductive success of one sex is greater than that of the other, parents should produce more offspring of the former sex than the latter. A previous study has documented that in the guppy,Poecilia reticulata, the female offspring of males possessing proportionally longer tails exhibit smaller body sizes and show decreased reproductive outputs than those of males having shorter tails. On the other hand, the total lengths of the male offspring of the long‐tailed males are larger because of their longer tails; consequently, they exhibit greater sexual attractiveness to females. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that this asymmetry in the expected reproductive success between the male and female offspring of long‐tailed males may result in a biased sex ratio that is dependent on the tail lengths of their fathers. This hypothesis was tested in the present study. The results showed that the females that mated with long‐tailed males produced more male offspring than those that mated with short‐tailed males. Logistic regression analysis showed that the ratio of tail length to the standard length of the fathers is a determinant factor of the sex of their offspring. These results suggest that the manipulation of the offspring sex ratios by parents enhances the overall fitness of the offspring.
In vitro Effect of Zearalenone and α‐Zearalenol on Boar Sperm Characteristics and Acrosome Reaction
Authors: Tsakmakidis IA , Lymberopoulos AG , Alexopoulos C , Boscos CM , Kyriakis SC 
Published: July 2006

ContentsThis study was conducted to determine the in vitro effects of three different concentrations (125, 187.5 and 250 μm in diluted semen) of zearalenone (zen) and α‐zearalenol (α‐zen) on boar sperm. Semen parameters such as motility, viability and spontaneous acrosome reaction were evaluated. From the results it was shown that both zen and α‐zen affected the sperm characteristics significantly (p < 0.05), except for α‐zen at the low concentration which did not decrease the percentage of live reacted spermatozoa significantly. In conclusion, zen and α‐zen are directly toxic when they affect boar semen in vitro and consequently decrease the fertilization ability of the sperm. The higher the concentration of mycotoxin tested, the greater the decline of sperm parameters noticed. The influence of mycotoxins was found to be time‐ and dose‐dependent.