bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cetaceans of Southeast Alaska: distribution and seasonal occurrence
Authors: Dahlheim Marilyn E. , White Paula A. , Waite Janice M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim  To assess the distribution, group size, seasonal occurrence and annual trends of cetaceans.Location  The study area included all major inland waters of Southeast Alaska.Methods  Between 1991 and 2007, cetacean surveys were conducted by observers who kept a constant watch when the vessel was underway and recorded all cetaceans encountered. For each species, we examined distributional patterns, group size, seasonal occurrence and annual trends. Analysis of variance (anovaF) was used to test for differences in group sizes between multiple means, and Student’s t‐test was used to detect differences between pairwise means. Cetacean seasonal occurrence and annual trends were investigated using a generalized linear model framework.Results  Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were seen throughout the region, with numbers lowest in spring and highest in the fall. Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) distributions were more restricted than that reported for humpback whales, and the low number of sightings precluded evaluating seasonal trends. Three killer whale (Orcinus orca) eco‐types were documented with distributions occurring throughout inland waters. Seasonal patterns were not detected or could not be evaluated for resident and offshore killer whales, respectively; however, the transient eco‐type was more abundant in the summer. Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) were distributed throughout the region, with more sightings in spring and summer than in fall. Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) distribution was clumped, with concentrations occurring in the Icy Strait/Glacier Bay and Wrangell areas and with no evidence of seasonality. Pacific white‐sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) were observed only occasionally, with more sightings in the spring. For most species, group size varied on both an annual and seasonal basis.Main conclusions  Seven cetacean species occupy the inland waters of Southeast Alaska, with distribution, group size, seasonal occurrence and annual trends varying by species. Future studies that compare spatial and temporal patterns with other features (e.g. oceanography, prey resources) may help in identifying the key factors that support the high density and biodiversity of cetaceans found in this region. An increased understanding of the region’s marine ecology is an essential step towards ensuring the long‐term conservation of cetaceans in Southeast Alaska.
Validation study of a portable monitoring device for identifying OSA in a symptomatic patient population
Authors: TO Kin‐Wang , CHAN Wing‐Chi , CHAN Tat‐On , TUNG Alvin , NGAI Jenny , NG Susanna , CHOO Kah‐Lin , HUI David S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder associated with early atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The gold standard for confirming OSAS is based on an attended overnight polysomnography (PSG) in a sleep laboratory; however lack of health‐care resources creates long waiting times for patient access to this diagnostic test. This study evaluated the ability of a portable sleep‐monitoring device to identify patients in Hong Kong with suspected OSAS.Methods:  Patients with symptoms of OSAS were invited to use the ARES (apnoea risk evaluation system) concurrently with an attended inpatient PSG. Several sets of AHI were generated by the ARES provider based on different oxygen desaturation criteria and surrogate parameters of arousal. The results were compared against PSG to determine the optimal sensitivity and specificity.Results:  There were 141 patients who completed the study successfully. Results of AHI from the ARES study were presented in the order of different scoring criteria––4% oxygen desaturation alone, obstructive events with 3% oxygen desaturation and obstructive events with 1% desaturation plus surrogate arousal criteria. The sensitivity was 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77–0.90), 0.89 (95% CI: 0.89–0.94) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.94–0.99), respectively. The specificity was 1, 1 and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.55–0.71), respectively. The receiver operating curve had an area of 0.96, 0.97 and 0.98, respectively. The kappa coefficient varied from 0.24 to 0.55 for agreement of severity between PSG and ARES. The likelihood ratio positive and the likelihood ratio negative were 2.61, infinity, infinity and 0.16, 0.11, 0.05, respectively, in the order of oxygen desaturation described earlier.Conclusions:  The ARES device has reasonable sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing severe OSAS in symptomatic Chinese patients. There is moderate agreement between ARES and PSG in the diagnosis of severe disease, but less agreement in patients with mild/moderate disease.
Tako‐tsubo‐like cardiomyopathy after EpiPen administration
Authors: Zubrinich C. M. , Omar Farouque H. M. , Rochford S. E. , Sutherland M. F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTako‐tsubo‐like cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute chest pain, electrocardiographic changes and increased cardiac enzymes in the absence of obstructive coronary vessel disease. We describe the development of tako‐tsubo‐like cardiomyopathy in an elderly woman after the use of an EpiPen for generalized urticaria and angioedema. As adrenaline may participate in the pathogenesis of this condition, the need for careful patient selection and education in the use of adrenaline self‐injectors remains imperative.
Arsenic uptake and metabolism in plants
Authors: Zhao F. J. , Ma J. F. , Meharg A. A. , McGrath S. P. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryArsenic (As) is an element that is nonessential for and toxic to plants. Arsenic contamination in the environment occurs in many regions, and, depending on environmental factors, its accumulation in food crops may pose a health risk to humans. Recent progress in understanding the mechanisms of As uptake and metabolism in plants is reviewed here. Arsenate is taken up by phosphate transporters. A number of the aquaporin nodulin26‐like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) are able to transport arsenite, the predominant form of As in reducing environments. In rice (Oryza sativa), arsenite uptake shares the highly efficient silicon (Si) pathway of entry to root cells and efflux towards the xylem. In root cells arsenate is rapidly reduced to arsenite, which is effluxed to the external medium, complexed by thiol peptides or translocated to shoots. One type of arsenate reductase has been identified, but its in planta functions remain to be investigated. Some fern species in the Pteridaceae family are able to hyperaccumulate As in above‐ground tissues. Hyperaccumulation appears to involve enhanced arsenate uptake, decreased arsenite‐thiol complexation and arsenite efflux to the external medium, greatly enhanced xylem translocation of arsenite, and vacuolar sequestration of arsenite in fronds. Current knowledge gaps and future research directions are also identified.

Contents

Summary
777

I.
Introduction
777

II.
Mechanisms of arsenic uptake and efflux
778

III.
Rhizosphere interactions
782

IV.
Arsenic metabolism in planta
783

V.
Long‐distance translocation of arsenic
786

VI.
Arsenic hyperaccumulation
788

VII.
Conclusions
788

Acknowledgements
789

References
789
Certificate of Need (CON) for Cardiac Care: Controversy over the Contributions of CON
Authors: Ho Vivian , Ku‐Goto Meei‐Hsiang , Jollis James G. 
Published: December 2008

Objectives. To test whether state Certificate of Need (CON) regulations influence procedural mortality or the provision of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).Data Sources. Medicare inpatient claims obtained for 1989–2002 for patients age 65+ who received CABG or PCI.Study Design. We used differences‐in‐differences regression analysis to compare states that dropped CON during the sample period with states that kept the regulations. We examined procedural mortality, the number of hospitals in the state performing CABG or PCI, mean hospital volume, and statewide procedure volume for CABG and PCI.Principal Findings. States that dropped CON experienced lower CABG mortality rates relative to states that kept CON, although the differential is not permanent. No such mortality difference is found for PCI. Dropping CON is associated with more providers statewide and lower mean hospital volume for both CABG and PCI. However, statewide procedure counts remain the same.Conclusions. We find no evidence that CON regulations are associated with higher quality CABG or PCI. Future research should examine whether the greater number of hospitals performing revascularization after CON removal raises expenditures due to the building of more facilities, or lowers expenditures due to enhanced price competition.
The Language of Intoxication: Preliminary Investigations
Authors: Levitt Ash , Sher Kenneth J. , Bartholow Bruce D. 
Published: December 2008

Background:  The extensive vocabulary individuals use to describe alcohol’s subjective effects has largely gone unexamined in contemporary alcohol research. The present study examined the language drinkers use to describe their own intoxication. It is argued that this language can provide a more complete characterization of alcohol’s subjective effects than is available from existing objective and subjective measures of alcohol use and can inform future self‐report research.Method:  Toward this goal, a preliminary, cross‐sectional, web‐based study of the familiarity and usage of current intoxication‐related words was conducted in 2 different samples (n = 290 and 146, respectively) of university undergraduates.Results:  Exploratory factor analyses using data from the first sample and confirmatory factor analyses using data from the second sample similarly showed that commonly used terms loaded onto 2 factors, which directly reflected the number of drinks required to be considered moderately or heavily intoxicated, respectively. Gender differences were also found in the familiarity and self‐use of some terms across both samples.Conclusions:  The findings suggest that alcohol researchers include multiple intoxication‐related terms in future self‐report research, and to periodically assess current intoxication‐related vocabulary considering demographic, generational, and socio‐cultural differences.
α2A‐Adrenergic Receptor Signaling Underlies Synergistic Enhancement of Ethanol‐Induced Behavioral Impairment by Clonidine
Authors: Bender Tara Summer , Abdel‐Rahman Abdel A. 
Published: December 2008

Background: We tested the hypothesis that central α2A‐adrenergic receptor (α2AAR) signaling plays a key role in clonidine‐ethanol evoked synergistic behavioral impairment.Methods: Male Sprague‐Dawley rats, with intracisternal and jugular vein cannulae implanted 6 days earlier, were tested for drug‐induced behavioral impairment. The latter was assessed as the duration of loss of righting reflex (LORR) and rotorod performance every 15 minutes until the rat recovered to the baseline walk criterion (180 seconds). In a separate cohort, c‐Fos expression in locus coeruleus (LC) and cerebellum was determined as a marker of neuronal activity following drug treatment.Results: Rats that received clonidine (60 μg/kg, i.v.) followed by ethanol (1 g/kg, i.v.) exhibited synergistic impairment of rotorod performance and LORR. The mixed α2AAR and I1‐imidazoline receptor agonist clonidine (30, 60, and 90 μg/kg) synergistically and dose‐dependently enhanced behavioral impairment elicited by ethanol (1 g/kg). Possible involvement of I1‐imidazoline receptors was ruled out because selective I1‐agonist rilmenidine (300 μg/kg, i.v.) did not cause behavioral impairment alone or enhance ethanol‐evoked behavioral impairment. Pharmacological blockade of central α2AAR (RX821002, 0.3 mg i.c.) abolished the synergy between clonidine and ethanol; the behavioral response caused by the drug combination was similar to that caused by ethanol alone. Conversely, involvement of central α2BAR in the interaction was ruled out because blockade of central α2BAR (ARC‐239) independently evoked a strong sedative effect. Clonidine (60 μg/kg) or ethanol (1 g/kg) alone increased, but their combination decreased, c‐Fos levels in LC, while inconsistent c‐Fos responses were observed in cerebellum.Conclusions: Central α2AAR, but not I1‐imidazoline or α2BAR, signaling is implicated in the synergistic enhancement of ethanol‐evoked behavioral impairment by clonidine. Although the mechanism of c‐Fos response remains to be investigated, this neurochemical response highlights the LC as a neuroanatomical target for clonidine‐ethanol behavioral interaction.
Structural and mechanistic insights into Mps1 kinase activation
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Yuting , Gao Yuefeng , Xu Quanbin , Wang Feng , Zhu Songcheng , Old William , Resing Katheryn , Ahn Natalie , Lei Ming , Liu Xuedong 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMps1 is one of the several essential kinases whose activation is required for robust mitotic spindle checkpoint signalling. The activity of Mps1 is tightly regulated and increases dramatically during mitosis or in response to spindle damage. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying Mps1 regulation, we determined the crystal structure of the kinase domain of Mps1. The 2.7‐Å‐resolution crystal structure shows that the Mps1 kinase domain adopts a unique inactive conformation. Intramolecular interactions between the key Glu residue in the αC helix of the N‐terminal lobe and the backbone amides in the catalytic loop lock the kinase in the inactive conformation. Autophosphorylation appears to be a priming event for kinase activation. We identified Mps1 autophosphorylation sites in the activation and the P+1 loops. Whereas activation loop autophosphorylation enhances kinase activity, autophosphorylation at the P+1 loop (T686) is associated with the active kinase. Mutation of T686 autophosphorylation site impairs both autophosphorylation and transphosphorylation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that phosphorylation of T676 may be a priming event for phosphorylation at T686. Finally, we identified two critical lysine residues in the loop between helices αEF and αF that are essential for substrate recruitment and maintaining high levels of kinase activity. Our studies reveal critical biochemical mechanisms for Mps1 kinase regulation.
Up‐regulation of reverse cholesterol transport key players and rescue from global inflammation by ApoA‐IMilano
Authors: Cimmino Giovanni , Ibanez Borja , Vilahur Gemma , Speidl Walter S. , Fuster Valentin , Badimon Lina , Badimon Juan J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRecombinant‐ApoA‐IM (rApoA‐IM) administration has been shown to regress and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. However, the mechanisms responsible for these beneficial effects are not fully understood. The aims of the present study were to define whether the benefits of rApoA‐IM treatment were mediated via an enhanced reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and/or anti‐inflammation‐related mechanisms. Advanced aortic lesions were induced in New Zealand White rabbits (n= 16). Animals were randomized to placebo or rApoA‐IM (rApoA‐IM/phospholipids; ETC‐216), two infusions 4 days apart. Four days after last dose, aortas and livers were processed for cholesterol content, expression of RCT‐related receptors (ATP‐binding cassette A‐1 [ABCA‐1] and scavenger receptor BI [SR‐BI]), and inflammation‐related markers (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] and capase‐3). Oxidative stress was assessed in the vessel wall and in plasma. rApoA‐IM administration resulted in a significant reduction in the hepatic and aortic cholesterol content without differences in plasma levels. This effect was associated with an up‐regulation of vessel wall ABCA‐1, as well as a hepatic and arterial‐wall SR‐BI up‐regulation. Systemic and atherosclerotic‐plaque inflammation markers were significantly reduced by the rApoA‐IM administration, as demonstrated by a reduction in circulating oxidative stress markers and prostaglandin F1‐α levels, and the down‐regulation of the iNOS and caspase 3 in the aortic lesions. rApoA‐IM up‐regulated the ABCA‐1 and SR‐BI levels to a greater extent than the wild‐type form of apoA‐I in in vitro studies done with lipid‐rich macrophages. Our data suggest that rApoA‐IM administration enhances RCT and induces a ‘rescue’ from the global inflammatory status associated with atherosclerotic disease. The Milano form of apoA‐I seems to be more efficient in RCT than the apoA‐I wild‐type.
Isolation and characterization of DUSP11, a novel p53 target gene
Authors: Caprara Greta , Zamponi Raffaella , Melixetian Marina , Helin Kristian 
Published: December 2008

Abstractp53 regulates the expression of genes involved in cell cycle control, apoptosis and DNA damage repair. Here we demonstrate that DUSP11 (dual specificity phosphatase 11), a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family that binds to RNA‐RNP complexes and RNA splicing factors, is a p53 target gene. Consistent with this, the expression of DUSP11 is induced in a p53‐dependent manner after treatment with DNA damaging agents. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that p53 binds to 2 putative p53 DNA binding sites in the promoter region of DUSP11. Colony formation and proliferation assays demonstrated that the ectopic expression of wild‐type, but not catalytical inactive, DUSP11 leads to growth arrest. Furthermore inhibition of DUSP11 expression by shRNA increases the proliferation of normal and DNA damaged cells in tissue culture. Finally we show that the splicing factor SAM68 (Src‐associated protein in mitotic cells) binds to DUSP11 in vitro and in vivo. Taken together these results suggest that DUSP11 contributes to p53‐dependent inhibition of cell proliferation and that it might be involved in regulating RNA splicing through SAM68.
How does plant richness affect pollinator richness and temporal stability of flower visits?
Authors: Ebeling Anne , Klein Alexandra‐Maria , Schumacher Jens , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: December 2008

Pollinators play a key role in the reproduction of most plant species, and pollinator and plant diversity are often related. We studied an experimental gradient of plant species richness for a better understanding of plant–pollinator community interactions and their temporal variability, because in non‐experimental field surveys plant richness is often confounded with gradients in management, soil fertility, and community composition. We observed pollinator species richness and frequency of visits six times in 73 plots over two years, and used advanced statistical analysis to account for the high number of zeroes that often occur in count data of rare species. The frequency of pollinator visits increased linearly with both the blossom cover and the number of flowering plant species, which was closely related to the total number of plant species, whereas the number of pollinator species followed a saturation curve. The presence of particularly attractive plant species was only important for the frequency of flower visits, but not to the richness of pollinators. Plant species richness, blossom cover, and the presence of attractive plant species enhanced the temporal stability in the frequency of pollinator visits.In conclusion, grasslands with high plant diversity enhance and stabilize frequent and diverse flower visitations, which should sustain effective pollination and plant reproduction.
Actinomycotic canaliculitis: resolution following surgery and short topical antibiotic treatment
Authors: Baldursdóttir Eyrún , Sigurdsson Haraldur , Jónasson Lárus , Gottfredsson Magnús 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to study the incidence and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with actinomycotic canaliculitis in Iceland.Methods:  We present a nationwide, retrospective case series for which cases were identified by searches of hospital diagnostic registries and pathology databases. Case histories were reviewed and histopathological analysis repeated to confirm the diagnosis.Results:  Nine cases of actinomycotic canaliculitis were diagnosed in Iceland during 1988–2007. Subjects included six women and three men and represented 16% of all patients diagnosed with actinomycosis in the country. The incidence was 0.16 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year. Age‐specific incidence rates were 0.59 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year for the 40–59‐year‐old age group and 1.37 cases/100 000 inhabitants/year for individuals aged 60–79 years. All patients underwent a three‐way snip procedure and 1 week of topical antibacterial therapy.Conclusions:  Actinomycotic canaliculitis is an uncommon condition which frequently eludes diagnosis. Topical antibiotics for 1 week may be sufficient following surgery, a finding which contrasts with previous reports.
Reaction time during semi‐automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) in patients with advanced visual field loss
Authors: Nowomiejska Katarzyna , Vonthein Reinhard , Paetzold Jens , Zagorski Zbigniew , Kardon Randy , Schiefer Ulrich 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to evaluate reaction time (RT) in patients with advanced visual field (VF) loss using semi‐automated kinetic perimetry (SKP).Methods:  Seventy‐eight patients with advanced VF loss caused by glaucoma (31) or retinitis pigmentosa (19), homonymous VF loss caused by post‐chiasmal lesions (18) and unilateral anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) (10) were examined with SKP (Octopus 101 perimeter). One eye in each patient was enrolled. Additionally, VFs in the 10 healthy fellow eyes of the patients with AION were compared with those in the 10 affected eyes. Reaction time was assessed during the SKP session by presenting kinetic stimuli (III4e) with constant angular velocities of 3 °/second moving linearly along so‐called ‘RT vectors’ at four different locations inside the III4e isoptre. Each stimulus presentation was repeated four times in randomized order.Results:  The geometric mean RT was 794 ms (95% reference interval [RI] 391–1615 ms) in patients with glaucoma, 702 ms (95% RI 306–1608 ms) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and 675 ms (95% RI 312–1460 ms) in patients with hemianopia. Increases in RT for every 1 ° of eccentricity were 1%, 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively. The geometric mean RT in the 10 patients with unilateral optic neuropathy was 644 ms in affected eyes and 435 ms in unaffected eyes, reflecting an increase of 51% (95% confidence interval 42–62%).Conclusions:  We found substantial inter‐subject variability in RT in patients with advanced VF loss. It is possible to correct the position of the isoptres by assessing individual RT. There were no relevant differences in RT between the disease groups. Reaction time increases with eccentricity. In monocular disease (AION), RT is prolonged, compared with in healthy fellow eyes. However, in clinical routine the RT‐related displacement of isoptres is negligible in the vast majority of cases.