bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal effects on locomotion in the nocturnal gecko Homonota darwini (Gekkonidae)
Authors: Renner Marianne , Cussac Víctor , Ibargüengoytía Nora , Piantoni Carla , Boretto Jorgelina 
Published: March 2007

AbstractNocturnal lizards show a complex adaptation to environmental temperature. They obtain heat from the substratum, using daytime for performing physiological functions inside thermally suitable shelters, and night-time which involves locomotion and loss of heat for capturing prey. Homonota darwini, the southernmost geckonid in the world, is a small nocturnal insectivorous gecko that occurs in saxicolous habitats of Patagonia, Argentina. Geckos were captured by hand during the day on a rocky hill near Bariloche (Río Negro, Argentina) in spring and summer. All the geckos were active during daytime and had good limb mobility with a median body temperature of 23°C. Body temperatures showed a direct dependence on the temperature of the roof of the shelter and on the air temperature. Geckos were made to run on a horizontal track and running speed was measured in two experiments: long runs (1 m) and sprint runs (0.20 m) during the day (diurnal) and at night (nocturnal). Speed was significantly greater in sprints than in long runs and speed increased with body temperature, reaching a maximum at a body temperature of 22°C. Thus, we conclude that, although the low temperatures of Patagonia impose heavy constraints on the physiological performance of Homonota darwini, they have a peculiar arrangement of mechanical and biochemical abilities which allows for resource acquisition at night, using cryptic habits and short sprint runs.
Population size, habitat choice and sexual dimorphism of the Amazonian tortoise (Geochelone denticulata) in Tinigua National Park, Colombia
Authors: Álvarez  , Rojas Ana , Borda Carlos , Stevenson Pablo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe Amazonian tortoise, Geochelone denticulata, has been classified as vulnerable; nevertheless, necessary ecological and demographic information to formulate conservation plans is limited. In this study we present data on population density, habitat preference, diet and morphological measurements of a population inhabiting a lowland rainforest in Colombia. We used line transect methods to estimate population density over three different years, and we measured and marked 73 individuals in two additional years. The estimated population density based on 158 encounters was similar over the three years (41 ± 20, 38 ± 6, 34 ± 8 ind/km2 ±SE, respectively). However, we found marked differences between seasons within years, because it was easy to detect individuals (particularly males) during mating periods. There was no evidence of large scale seasonal migrations; thus, it is possible that individuals were missed in the non-reproductive season and therefore our figures may underestimate population size. For the same reason, sex ratios during the mating season may be more biased towards males than for whole year estimates (1.7:1 vs. 1.2:1). Monthly density estimates were significantly correlated with mating frequency and with estimates of fruit abundance, but were not associated with rainfall, temperature or sun radiance. These results suggest that males might use available energy from fruit to travel extensively during the mating season in search of females. However, the most productive forest type in terms of fruit was not preferred by tortoises, to the contrary, they were more commonly encountered in forests with a high proportion of gaps. Males tended to have larger and more elongated bodies than females. This result supports the hypothesis that since males must travel more in search of mates, it is an advantage for them to have an elongated carapace in order to move through dense understory. More ecological information is required from other geographical locations to establish which ecological variables are most important in determining the carrying capacity for terrestrial tortoises. So far the demographic structure of the populations suggest that predation of young individuals plays a major role.
Do crocodiles co-opt their sense of "touch" to "taste"? A possible new type of vertebrate sensory organ
Authors: Jackson Kate , Brooks Daniel 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe recount here two experiments carried out which suggest the existence of the first described integumentary osmoreceptor of its kind in a vertebrate. Domed pressure receptors, present on the cranial scales of alligators have previously been demonstrated to convey the sensation of "touch" when flattened by pressure. Here we find that morphologically similar domed sensory organs present on the post-cranial scales of crocodylid but not alligatorid crocodilians flatten when exposed to increased osmotic pressure, such as that experienced when swimming in sea water hyper-osmotic to the body fluids. When contact between the integument and the surrounding sea water solution is blocked, crocodiles are found to lose their ability to discriminate salinities. We propose that the flattening of the sensory organ in hyper-osmotic sea water is sensed by the animal as "touch", but interpreted as chemical information about its surroundings.
Growth layers in bones and acrodont teeth of the agamid lizard Laudakia stoliczkana (Blanford, 1875) (Agamidae, Sauria)
Authors: Smirina Ella , Ananjeva Natalia 
Published: March 2007

AbstractGrowth layers in different tubular bones, in dental bone and in tooth dentine of L. stoliczkana were examined to estimate their suitability for the study of its age and growth. All bones studied have growth layers recording annual seasonal patterns of growth. Their pattern is identical in all bones studied. Resting lines, or Lines of Arrested Growth (LAGs) corresponding to the two first hibernations are subjected to resorption in the massive elongate tubular bones (femur and tibia) whereas in the more slender fibula the rate of resorption is lower. In the phalanx even the first formed layers are not subjected to resorption, but its growth in width is most likely limited. Growth layers are formed in acrodont tooth dentine, but these layers are indistinct and cannot be used for age determination. There are growth layers in the bone of attachment, but due to their multidirectional deposition it is difficult, if not impossible, to count them.
Bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation as a potential novel therapeutic tool
Authors: Tsushima K. , Koizumi T. , Tanabe T. , Nakagawa R. , Yoshikawa S. , Yasuo M. , Kubo K. 
Published: March 2007

The aim of the current study was to assess the safety of bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and compare the effectiveness between new internal cooled-RFA and standard noncooled-RFA.Normal lungs from sheep were used (n = 6). Internal cooled-RFA and standard noncooled-RFA were set to assess the most suitable RFA conditions, such as power output, flow rate and ablation time. Internal cooled-RFA was then applied under the most optimal conditions of power output and flow rate for 15, 30, 60 and 120 s, and two water temperatures either room temperature (RT) water or cold water. Criteria for the most appropriate conditions were set over 15 s of ablation time and 50°C of the tip's temperature.Internal cooled-RFA had no complications. Standard noncooled-RFA was complicated with bronchial bleeding after RFA. On the basis of the histological findings, average temperature and average output, the most appropriate conditions of the cooled-RFA were a power output of 30 W and flow rate of 30 or 40 mL·min−1. The cooled-RFA using cold water caused a smaller, more discrete, lesion compared with that using RT water.Bronchoscopy-guided internal cooled-radiofrequency ablation was an effective, safe and feasible procedure that could become a potential therapeutic tool in managing lung pathology.
PU.1 and ICSBP control constitutive and IFN-γ-regulatedTlr9gene expression in mouse macrophages
Authors: Schroder Kate , Lichtinger Monika , Irvine Katharine M , Brion Kristian , Trieu Angela , Ross Ian L , Ravasi Timothy , Stacey Katryn J , Rehli Michael , Hume David A , Sweet Matthew J 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMacrophages are activated by unmethylated CpG-containing DNA (CpG DNA) via TLR9. IFN-γ and LPS can synergize with CpG DNA to enhance proinflammatory responses in murine macrophages. Here, we show that LPS and IFN-γ up-regulated Tlr9 mRNA in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM). The ability of LPS and IFN-γ to induce Tlr9 mRNA expression in BMM was dependent on the presence of the growth factor, CSF-1, which is constitutively present in vivo. However, there were clear differences in mechanisms of Tlr9 mRNA induction. LPS stimulation rapidly removed the CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R) from the cell surface, thereby blocking CSF-1-mediated transcriptional repression and indirectly inducing Tlr9 mRNA expression. By contrast, IFN-γ activated the Tlr9 promoter directly and only marginally affected cell surface CSF-1R expression. An ∼100-bp proximal promoter of the murine Tlr9 gene was sufficient to confer basal and IFN-γ-inducible expression in RAW264.7 cells. A composite IFN regulatory factor (IRF)/PU.1 site upon the major transcription start site was identified. Mutation of the binding sites for PU.1 or IRF impaired basal promoter activity, but only the IRF-binding site was required for IFN-γ induction. The mRNA expression of the IRF family member IFN consensus-binding protein [(ICSBP)/IRF8] was coregulated with Tlr9 in macrophages, and constitutive and IFN-γ-inducible Tlr9 mRNA expression was reduced in ICSBP-deficient BMM. This study therefore characterizes the regulation of mouse Tlr9 expression and defines a molecular mechanism by which IFN-γ amplifies mouse macrophage responses to CpG DNA.
Transcript overexpression of theMBD2andMBD4genes in CD4+ T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Balada Eva , Ordi-Ros Josep , Serrano-Acedo Silvia , Martinez-Lostao Luis , Vilardell-Tarrés Miquel 
Published: March 2007

AbstractGlobal DNA hypomethylation in CD4+ T cells has been detected in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and it seems to be linked to its pathogenesis. We investigated the relationship between overall DNA methylation and the expression of two methyl CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins. DNA deoxymethylcytosine (dmC) content of purified CD4+ T cells from 29 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls was measured by means of an ELISA. Transcript levels of two methyl CpG-binding proteins (MBD2 and MBD4) were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Association studies were also carried out with several laboratory parameters, as well as with the patients’ clinical manifestations. SLE patients had significantly less CD4+ T cell DNA dmC content than controls (0.802±0.134 vs. 0.901±0.133; P=0.007). MBD2 and MBD4 mRNA levels were considerably higher in the patients’ group: 0.975 ± 0683 versus 0.604 ± 0.614 (P=0.004) and 0.359 ± 0.330 versus 0.092 ± 0.169, respectively (P&lt;0.0005). It is interesting that SLE patients showed a negative correlation between methylation indices and MBD2 (r=–0.609, P&lt;0.0005) and MBD4 (r=–0.395, P=0.034) transcript levels. MBD2 and MBD4 transcript overexpression and inverse correlations with DNA methylation indices indicate that both enzymes may really have a direct and active role on the genome-wide DNA hypomethylation observed in CD4+ T cells from SLE patients.
Leukocyte membrane “expansion”: a central mechanism for leukocyte extravasation
Authors: Dewitt Sharon , Hallett Maurice 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe infiltration of inflamed tissues by leukocytes is a key event in the development and progression of inflammation. Although individual cytokines, which coordinate extravasation, have become the targets for therapy, a mechanism that is common to white cell extravasation, regardless of the specific molecular mechanism involved, would represent a more attractive therapeutic target. Such a target may be represented by the events underlying the spreading of leukocytes on the endothelium, which is a necessary prelude to extravasation. This leukocyte “spreading” involves an apparent increase in the cell surface area. The aim of this review is to examine whether the mechanism underlying the apparent expansion of plasma membrane surface area during leukocyte extravasation could be an “Achilles’ heel,” which is amenable to therapeutic intervention. In this short review, we evaluate the models proposed for the mechanism of membrane “expansion” and discuss recent data, which point to a mechanism of membrane “unwrinkling.” The molecular pathway for the unwrinkling of the leukocyte plasma membrane may involve Ca2+ activatio of μ-calpain and cleavage of cytoskeletal linkage molecules such as talin and ezrin. This route could be common to all extravasation signals and thus, represents a potential target for anti-inflammatory therapy.
Detection of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older People by Measuring Vitamin B12 or the Active Fraction of Vitamin B12, Holotranscobalamin
Authors: Clarke Robert , Sherliker Paul , Hin Harold , Nexo Ebba , Hvas Anne Mette , Schneede Joern , Birks Jacqueline , Ueland Per M , Emmens Kathleen , Scott John M , Molloy Anne M , Grimley Evans John 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Background: Impaired vitamin B12 function and decreased vitamin B12 status have been associated with neurological and cognitive impairment. Current assays analyze total vitamin B12 concentration, only a small percentage of which is metabolically active. Concentrations of this active component, carried on holotranscobalamin (holoTC), may be of greater relevance than total vitamin B12.
Methods: We compared the utility of serum holoTC with conventional vitamin B12 for detection of vitamin B12 deficiency in a population-based study of older people, using increased methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations as a marker of metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency in the overall population (n = 2403) and in subsets with normal (n = 1651) and abnormal (n = 752) renal function.
Results: Among all participants, 6% had definite (MMA &gt;0.75 μmol/L) and 16% had probable (MMA &gt;0.45 μmol/L) metabolic vitamin B12 deficiency. In receiver operating characteristic curves for detection of definite vitamin B12 deficiency, holoTC had a greater area under the curve (AUC) compared with vitamin B12 in all participants (0.85 vs 0.76; P &lt;0.001) and in subsets with normal (AUC: 0.87 vs 0.79; P &lt;0.001) and abnormal (AUC: 0.85 vs 0.74; P = 0.002) renal function. Similar findings were observed for detection of moderate vitamin B12 deficiency. Whereas the positive predictive value for both holoTC and vitamin B12 was greater for detection of probable than definite vitamin B12 deficiency, both tests were associated with more false-positive than true-positive test results.
Conclusions: HoloTC has a modestly superior diagnostic accuracy compared with conventional vitamin B12 for the detection of vitamin B12 deficiency, but neither test can be recommended to screen asymptomatic populations.
Reliable Screening for a Pain-Protective Haplotype in the GTP Cyclohydrolase 1 Gene (GCH1) Through the Use of 3 or Fewer Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Lötsch Jörn , Belfer Inna , Kirchhof Anja , Mishra Bikash K , Max Mitchell B , Doehring Alexandra , Costigan Michael , Woolf Clifford J , Geisslinger Gerd , Tegeder Irmgard 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Background: A haplotype in the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (dopa-responsive dystonia) gene (GCH1) is associated with decreased persistent pain. The aim of the present study was to develop a screening method for the pain-protective haplotype.
Methods: Complete genetic information for all 15 GCH1 DNA positions constituting the pain-protective GCH1 haplotype was available from 278 patients. In silico analyses, including discriminant analysis of the most frequent haplotypes, identified distinctive DNA positions that allow detection of the pain-protective haplotype at high sensitivity and specificity with the smallest possible number of DNA positions. Pyrosequencing™ assays were subsequently developed for these DNA positions, established with 662 DNA samples from healthy volunteers, and prospectively validated with a random selection of DNA samples genotyped for all 15 DNA positions.
Results: Diagnosis of the pain-protective GCH1 haplotype was possible with 100% sensitivity and specificity by screening for just 3 GCH1 genetic variants that span the entire DNA range of the haplotype: c.–9610G&gt;A (dbSNP rs8007267G&gt;A) in the 5′ untranslated region, c.343 + 8900A&gt;T (dbSNP rs3783641A&gt;T) in intron 1, and c.*4279 (dbSNP rs10483639C&gt;G) in the 3′ untranslated region. Test sensitivity and specificity were still &gt;95% with 2 or even just 1 of these GCH1 DNA positions.
Conclusions: In silico analysis of complex GCH1 gene haplotypes reduced the requisite number of tested DNA positions from 15 to 3 while maintaining the reliability, specificity, and sensitivity of the genetic diagnosis. This screening method could reduce laboratory diagnostic efforts and facilitate investigations of the pain-protective GCH1 haplotype.
Linguistik und Kulturanalyse – Ansichten eines symbiotischen Verhältnisses / Linguistics and cultural analysis – aspects of a symbiotic relationship
Authors: Günthner Susanne , Linke Angelika 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The present issue of „Zeitschrift für Germanistische Linguistik“ focuses on the relationship between language and culture on the one hand and linguistics and cultural analysis on the other hand.
This introductory article unfolds some of the facets of these relationships in a programmatic way and outlines a concept of language which zooms in on the study of language as a cultural resource and communicating as a cultural practice. Besides discussing pertinent definitions of „culture“ by scholars of cultural anthropology, we shall examine possible impacts of these definitions on a cultural notion of language. Furthermore, we shall show affiliations to concepts of language and culture developed by Herder and Humboldt in the late 18th and early 19th century and reshaped by Cassirer in the beginning of the 20th century. The article will also look into recent developments inside and outside linguistics (especially Ethnography of Communication, Anthropological Linguistics and Interactional Sociology) to trace out grounds for a new perspective on linguistics as part of the interdisciplinary field of cultural studies.
„ein nothwendiges Uebel der Cultur“. Anmerkungen zur Kulturwissenschaftlichkeit der Linguistik / “A necessary evil of culture.” Remarks on the cultural-scientific character of linguistics
Authors: Jäger Ludwig 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Since the onset of its emancipation from its philological origins in the early nineteenth century, linguistics has been affected by a disciplinal self-conception that is resulting in the perception of language becoming increasingly detached from its culturality. In a continuing process of disentanglement, socio-historical, cultural and media scenarios of linguistic and communicative processes have been pushed to the periphery of linguistic studies, whereas they have been increasingly becoming the focus of study in neighboring disciplines in cultural studies. In addition to describing possible reasons for this development, the paper also aims to point out that, contrary to the prevailing anti-culturalistic movement, such as, e. g., Chomsky's “cognitive revolution”, the origin of linguistic knowledge is fundamentally interwoven with its cultural processing. The paper calls for a need to reflect upon the “structural gap” which has resulted from the extensive lack of linguistics being represented in recent cultural-scientific debates in the humanities and social sciences.
Orthographie ohne Literalität. Blinde Flecken der Rechtschreibreform / Orthography without literacy: Blind spots of the orthographical reform
Authors: Eisenberg Peter 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
More than ten years ago the German speaking countries agreed to change the spelling system of their language. The so called Wiener Beschlüsse enacted a completely new system of orthographic rules combined with a list of about 14.000 sample words. At that time it was well known that German orthography was at least not one of the most difficult in Europe, but it seemed to be bad enough for being reworked in a fairly fundamental way.
In contrast to what was expected and to what would have confirmed the prejudices about what Germans normally do, the reform was not accepted. We should try to understand why this was so and why the substance of the new system was finally withdrawn.
The paper pursues two lines of argumentation, the first one being based on linguistic and cultural considerations concerning the status of an orthography viz, a ‚writing system‘ like the German one, the second one being based on purely political considerations. The situation leading to this abortive reform was a very special one, but we should not take for granted that it was unique. Something has to be learned from this expensive and bitter experience.
Die Grimmschen Handexemplare des Deutschen Wörterbuchs A – F / The Grimm author's copies of the German Dictionary A – F
Authors: Kirkness Alan 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Mitte 2005, als ich nach 30jähriger verlorener Liebesmühe die Suche nach den Grimmschen Handexemplaren ihres Deutschen Wörterbuchs (DWB) erneut aufnahm, diesmal in Zusammenarbeit mit Dr. Berthold Friemel von der Arbeitsstelle Grimm-Briefwechsel an der Humboldt-Universität in Berlin, stand folgendes fest: laut ihrem Verlagsvertrag erhielten Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm als Verfasser u. a. zwei Freiexemplare der einzelnen Lieferungen des DWB „auf gutem Schreibpapier mit breitem Rand“, damit sie Nachträge und Zusätze hinzufügen konnten. Hiervon machte nach eigenen Angaben vor allem Jacob Grimm reichlich Gebrauch. So schrieb er zum Beispiel am 21. Dezember 1861 an Karl Weigand;
Wenn Sie überhaupt mein quartexemplar des abdrucks ansehen sollten, wie alles von nachträgen wimmelt! ihrer natur nach können bücher dieser art erst gut werden bei zweiter auflage, die ich nicht erleben kann, noch viel minder als die erste vollführen. gleichviel widerstehe ich nicht dem trieb und der lust zusätze beizuschreiben.