bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene expression analysis in citrus reveals the role of gibberellins on photosynthesis and stress
Authors: HUERTA LAURA , FORMENT JAVIER , GADEA JOSÉ , FAGOAGA CARMEN , PEÑA LEANDRO , PÉREZ‐AMADOR MIGUEL A. , GARCÍA‐MARTÍNEZ JOSÉ LUIS 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThe effect of gibberellins (GA) on internode transcriptome was investigated in transgenic Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata) plants overexpressing endogenousCcGA20ox1(encoding a GA biosynthetic gene), and in non‐transformed explants treated with GA3, using a citrus cDNA microarray. Substantial modulation of gene expression was found in senseCcGA20oxplants. Extensive up‐regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and carbon utilization, and down‐regulation of those involved in protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis were shown for the first time in plants with higher GA content. Importantly, increase of net photosynthesis in attached leaves was also demonstrated. Expression of other genes belonging to functional groups not reported previously to be regulated by GA (mainly abiotic and biotic stresses, and cuticle biosynthesis), and genes involved in cell division and cell wall architecture were also differentially expressed. Culture of citrus explants for 24 h in GA3solution produced much lower changes in the transcriptome compared withCcGA20oxplants (1.6% versus 16%, respectively, of total genes in the microarray), suggesting that most of the changes observed inCcGA20oxplants were a consequence of a long‐standing GA effect. Interestingly, genes related to abiotic and biotic stresses were similarly modulated in transgenics and GA3‐treated explants.
MAP‐kinase‐activated protein kinase 2 expression and activity is induced after neuronal depolarization
Authors: Thomas Tobias , Hitti Edward , Kotlyarov Alexey , Potschka Heidrun , Gaestel Matthias 
Published: August 2008

AbstractMitogen‐activated protein kinase‐activated protein kinase (MK)2 is one of several downstream targets of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and has a well documented role in inflammation. Here, we describe a possible new function of MK2. We show that triggering depolarization by potassium chloride or increasing the cellular cAMP by forskolin treatment led to elevated levels of expression and activity of mouse MK2. In both treatments, the kinase inhibitor H89 completely prevented the up‐regulation of MK2 at the transcript level. By the use of different cell lines we demonstrated that the induction of MK2 expression is characteristic of neuronal cells and is absent in fibroblasts, macrophages and kidney cells. In vivo, induction of a status epilepticus by systemic administration of the chemoconvulsant kainic acid resulted in markedly reduced neurodegeneration in the pyramidal layer of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus and hilus of MK2‐deficient mice compared with wild‐type mice. Together, our data suggest a possible role of MK2 in the cellular response after neuronal depolarization, in particular in excitotoxicity.
The effects of rod and cone loss on the photic regulation of locomotor activity and heart rate
Authors: Thompson Stewart , Lupi Daniela , Hankins Mark W. , Peirson Stuart N. , Foster Russell G. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBehavioral responses to light indirectly affect cardiovascular output, but in anesthetized rodents a direct effect of light on heart rate has also been described. Both the basis for this response and the contribution of rods, cones and melanopsin‐based photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) remains unknown. To understand how light acutely regulates heart rate we studied responses to light in mice lacking all rod and cone photoreceptors (rd/rd cl ) along with wild‐type controls. Our initial experiments delivered light to anesthetized mice at Zeitgeber time (ZT)16 (4 h after lights off, mid‐activity phase) and produced an increase in heart rate in wild‐type mice, but not in rd/rd cl animals. By contrast, parallel experiments in freely‐moving mice demonstrated that light exposure at this time suppressed heart rate and activity in both genotypes. Because of the effects of anesthesia, all subsequent studies were conducted in freely‐moving animals. The effects of light were also assessed at ZT6 (mid‐rest phase). At this timepoint, wild‐type mice showed an irradiance‐dependent increase in heart rate and activity. By contrast, rd/rd cl mice failed to show any modulation of heart rate or activity, even at very high irradiances. Increases in heart rate preceded increases in locomotor activity and remained elevated when locomotor activity ceased, suggesting that these two responses are at least partially uncoupled. Collectively, our results show an acute and phase‐dependent effect of light on cardiovascular output in mice. Surprisingly, this irradiance detection response is dependent upon rod and cone photoreceptors, with no apparent contribution from melanopsin pRGCs.
Single‐port laparoscopy in colorectal surgery
Authors: Remzi F. H. , Kirat H. T. , Kaouk J. H. , Geisler D. P. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose  Laparoscopy is the approach of choice for the majority of colorectal disorders that require a minimally invasive abdominal operation. As the emphasis on minimizing the technique continues, natural orifice surgery is quickly evolving. The authors utilized an embryologic natural orifice, the umbilicus, as sole access to the abdomen to perform a colorectal procedure. Herein, we present our initial experience of single‐port laparoscopic colorectal surgery using a Uni‐X™ Single‐Port Access Laparoscopic System (Pnavel Systems, Morganville, New Jersey, USA) with a multi‐channel cannula and specially designed curved laparoscopic instrumentation.Method  The abdomen was approached through a 3.5 cm incision via the umbilicus and a single‐port access device was utilized to perform a right hemicolectomy on a patient with an unresectable caecal polyp and a body mass index of 35. Ligation of the ileocolic artery was done with a LigaSure Device™ (Covidien Ltd, Norwalk, Connecticut, USA), and was followed by colonic mobilization, extraction and extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis.Results  The total operative time was 115 min with minimal blood loss. Hospital stay was 4 days with no undue sequelae.Conclusion  Single‐port laparoscopic surgery may allow common colorectal laparoscopic operations to be performed entirely through the patient’s umbilicus and enable an essentially scarless procedure. Additional experience and continued investigation are warranted.
Variance inflation in sequential calculations of body surface area, plasma volume, and prostate‐specific antigen mass
Authors: Sivanandam Arun , Siva Siddharth , Bhandari Mahendra , Menon Mani 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVETo assess the magnitude of variability among 11 formulae for human body surface area (BSA) and then among eight for plasma volume (PV), as used to represent physiological indices for body metabolism, drug dosages and body fluid management, and to evaluate the potential cumulative effect of variance inflation with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) mass as an endpoint.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn 3020 men undergoing robotic radical prostatectomy (RRP) at the Vattikuti Urology Institute between 2001 and 2008, the variation in BSA and PV formulae was calculated, as well as PSA mass, using analysis of variance (anova), Bland‐Altman plots, linear regression, and correlation analyses.RESULTSFor estimating BSA,anovaindicated significant variance among the 11 formulae used (P < 0.001) with a between‐groups variance of 5.45. Bland‐Altman plots reported bias when the Dubois formula was compared to other BSA formulae. Furthermore theanovafor PV, with BSA as a predictor, indicated significant variance among the eight formulae used (P < 0.001), with a mean between‐group variance of 444.4 and a mean inflation factor of 81.5. Scatter plots between one PV formula (Boer) and others had a good linear fit. For PSA mass,anovaindicated significant variance (P < 0.001) using PV as a predictor, with a mean between‐group variance of 16 799.6 and a mean variance inflation factor of 37.8.CONCLUSIONSThere is significant variation in the BSA calculated by commonly used formulae. This variation is carried over and further magnified in the sequential calculation of PV and PSA mass. Hence arbitrary selection of BSA and PV formulae is likely to affect inferences.
THE NEUTRALITY OF RIGHTNESS AND THE INDEXICALITY OF GOODNESS: BEYOND OBJECTIVITY AND BACK AGAIN
Authors: Fileva Iskra 
Published: August 2008

AbstractMy purpose in the present paper is two‐fold: to provide a theoretical framework for understanding the difference between rightness and virtue; and to systematically account for the role of objective rightness in an individual person's decision making. I argue that a decision to do something virtuous differs from a decision to do what's right not simply, as is often supposed, in being motivated differently but, rather, in being taken from a different point of view. My argument to that effect is the following. The ‘objectively right’ course of action must be right, ‘neutrally’ speaking, that is right for each of the participants in a given situation: if it is right for you to do A, then it cannot, at the same time, be right for me to prevent you from doing A. But the latter is precisely how things work with virtuous action: for instance, it may be virtuous of you to assume responsibility for my blunder, but it isn't virtuous of me to let you do so. I maintain, on this basis, that, while objectivity does have normative force in moral decision‐making, the objective viewpoint is not, typically, the viewpoint from which decisions to act virtuously are taken. I then offer an account of objectivity's constraining power.
Students’ learning experiences from interprofessional collaboration on a training ward in municipal care
Authors: Lidskog Marie , Löfmark Anna , Ahlström Gerd 
Published: August 2008

AbstractOne way to offer students pursuing health and social care programmes realistic experiences of teamwork is interprofessional training wards where students from different educational programmes learn teamwork by working together. In the present study, a training ward in municipal care for older people was evaluated. Students from occupational therapy, nursing and social work programmes worked together on the ward for 3 weeks to learn with, from and about each other. The aim of the study was to compare students’ attitudes towards practice on a training ward before and after and to evaluate goal fulfilment after 3 weeks’ interprofessional education on a training ward. An attitude questionnaire was distributed to all students before and after their time on the ward, supplemented with a retrospective goal‐fulfilment questionnaire afterwards. The results show that the collaborative, social experience the training ward offers was appreciated by the students and in most respects, met the learning goals set up for the course. The most important learning experience was working together in a real‐life setting. However, there are some issues to take into consideration when planning and developing training wards. The setting needs to be realistic and relevant in relation to future roles for all of the student groups involved. The value and purpose of engaging together in basic patient care needs to be the subject of further investigation. When it comes to fostering competent team‐workers, training wards seem to be one way forward. But to fully understand the challenges and difficulties involved in planning these wards, the learning achieved must be understood in the context of the setting as a whole, in all its aspects.
Prioritising potential guilds of specialist herbivores as biological control agents for prickly acacia through simulated herbivory
Authors: Dhileepan K. , Lockett C. , Robinson M. , Pukallus K. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractUnderstanding plant response to herbivory facilitates the prioritisation of guilds of specialist herbivores as biological control agents based on their potential impacts. Prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica ssp. indica) is a weed of national significance in Australia and is a target for biological control. Information on the susceptibility of prickly acacia to herbivory is limited, and there is no information available on the plant organ (i.e. leaf, shoot and root in isolation or in combination) most susceptible to herbivory. We evaluated the ability of prickly acacia seedlings, to respond to different types of simulated herbivory (defoliation, shoot damage, root damage and combinations), at varying frequencies (no herbivory, single, two and three events of herbivory) to identify the type and frequency of herbivory that will be required to reduce the growth and vigour. Defoliation and shoot damage, individually, had a significant negative impact on prickly acacia seedlings. For the defoliation to be effective, more than two defoliation events were required, whereas a single bout of shoot damage was enough to cause a significant reduction in plant vigour. A combination of defoliation + shoot damage had the greatest negative impact. The study highlights the need to prioritise specialist leaf and shoot herbivores as potential biological control agents for prickly acacia.
Recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of restless legs syndrome
Authors: Smith Jennifer E. , Tolson Jerry M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose: To review the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and its relevance to nurse practitioners (NPs).Data sources: Comprehensive review of the scientific literature on the diagnosis and treatment of RLS in adults.Conclusions: RLS is a chronic neurological disorder that, with varying degrees of severity, affects 5%–10% of the general population. Because of the circadian pattern of onset, the symptoms of RLS may be associated with significant sleep disturbance and may have a negative impact on quality of life. RLS is characterized by a compelling urge to move the legs and usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable sensations in the legs. Symptoms begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity and are worse in the evening or at night. Other features supportive of a diagnosis include a family history, the presence of periodic leg movements in sleep, and the relief of symptoms after treatment with a dopaminergic therapy. Although the etiology of RLS is unknown, it is thought that symptoms result from a central dopaminergic dysfunction and dopamine agonists are considered first‐line treatment for moderate‐to‐severe primary RLS. Nondopaminergic therapies and nonpharmacologic interventions may also be appropriate in the management of less severe cases of RLS.Implications for practice: NPs are often the first healthcare providers to see patients with RLS and therefore need to be able to accurately recognize and diagnose the disorder; this, in turn, will enable them to successfully manage the treatment of RLS.
Canine dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction: assessment of myocardial function and clinical outcome
Authors: Loureiro J. , Smith S. , Fonfara S. , Swift S. , James R. , Dukes‐McEwan J. 
Published: August 2008

Objective:The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate echocardiographic findings and myocardial function including pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging in dogs with naturally occurring dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and (ii) to investigate the clinical outcome and response to therapy in these dogs.Methods:Two cases were retrospectively reviewed and three cases were prospectively evaluated including clinical findings, diagnostic test results (including standard Doppler echocardiography and pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging), response to treatment and outcome. The two retrospective cases received no treatment. Other cases were treated with a β‐blocker.Results:All dogs had a variable intensity left apical systolic murmur. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and scimitar‐shaped left ventricular outflow tract Doppler flow profile were present in all cases. Pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging interrogation of the interventricular septum revealed E′/A′ reversal in all but one patient. Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and total resolution of the dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction were observed in all cases.ClinicalSignificance:Young dogs are affected with a possible terrier breed predisposition. Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction may be distinguished from canine hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as progressive resolution of echocardiographic abnormalities was documented. Pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging abnormalities provide further evidence for significant diastolic dysfunction associated with the hypertrophy.
The Augmentation of Internal Blade Tip-Cap Cooling by Arrays of Shaped Pins
Authors: Bunker Ronald S. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The objective of the present study is to demonstrate a method to provide substantially increased convective heat flux on the internal cooled tip cap of a turbine blade. The new tip-cap augmentation consists of several variations involving the fabrication or placement of arrays of discrete shaped pins on the internal tip-cap surface. Due to the nature of flow in a 180deg turn, the augmentation mechanism and geometry have been designed to accommodate a mixture of impingementlike flow, channel flow, and strong secondary flows. A large-scale model of a sharp 180deg tip turn is used with the liquid crystal thermography method to obtain detailed heat transfer distributions over the internal tip-cap surface. Inlet channel Reynolds numbers range from 200,000 to 450,000 in this study. The inlet and exit passages have aspect ratios of 2:1, while the tip turn divider-to-cap distance maintains nearly the same hydraulic diameter as the passages. Five tip-cap surfaces were tested including a smooth surface, two different heights of aluminum pin arrays, one more closely spaced pin array, and one pin array made of insulating material. Effective heat transfer coefficients based on the original smooth surface area were increased by up to a factor of 2.5. Most of this increase is due to the added surface area of the pin array. However, factoring this surface area effect out shows that the heat transfer coefficient has also been increased by about 20–30%, primarily over the base region of the tip cap itself. This augmentation method resulted in negligible increase in tip turn pressure drop over that of a smooth surface.
Cortactin Recruitment by Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 during Infection In Vitro and Ex Vivo
Authors: Mousnier Aurelie , Whale Andrew D. , Schüller Stephanie , Leong John M. , Phillips Alan D. , Frankel Gad 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) O157:H7 is an important human pathogen that colonizes the gut mucosa via attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions; A/E lesion formation in vivo and ex vivo is dependent on the type III secretion system (T3SS) effector Tir. Infection of cultured cells by EHEC leads to induction of localized actin polymerization, which is dependent on Tir and a second T3SS effector protein, TccP, also known as EspF
U
. Recently, cortactin was shown to bind both the N terminus of Tir and TccP via its SH3 domain and to play a role in EHEC-triggered actin polymerization in vitro. In this study, we investigated the recruitment of cortactin to the site of EHEC adhesion during infection of in vitro-cultured cells and mucosal surfaces ex vivo (using human terminal ileal in vitro organ cultures [IVOC]). We have shown that cortactin is recruited to the site of EHEC adhesion in vitro downstream of TccP and N-WASP. Deletion of the entire N terminus of Tir or replacing the N-terminal polyproline region with alanines did not abrogate actin polymerization or cortactin recruitment. In contrast, recruitment of cortactin to the site of EHEC adhesion in IVOC is TccP independent. These results imply that cortactin is recruited to the site of EHEC adhesion in vitro and ex vivo by different mechanisms and suggest that cortactin might have a role during EHEC infection of mucosal surfaces.
Two-Partner Secretion Systems of
Neisseria meningitidis
Associated with Invasive Clonal Complexes
Authors: van Ulsen Peter , Rutten Lucy , Feller Moniek , Tommassen Jan , van der Ende Arie 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

The two-partner secretion (TPS) pathway is widespread among gram-negative bacteria and facilitates the secretion of very large and often virulence-related proteins. TPS systems consist of a secreted TpsA protein and a TpsB protein involved in TpsA transport across the outer membrane. Sequenced
Neisseria meningitidis
genomes contain up to five TpsA- and two TpsB-encoding genes. Here, we investigated the distribution of TPS-related open reading frames in a collection of disease isolates. Three distinct TPS systems were identified among meningococci. System 1 was ubiquitous, while systems 2 and 3 were significantly more prevalent among isolates of hyperinvasive clonal complexes than among isolates of poorly invasive clonal complexes. In laboratory cultures, systems 1 and 2 were expressed. However, several sera from patients recovering from disseminated meningococcal disease recognized the TpsAs of systems 2 and 3, indicating the expression of these systems during infection. Furthermore, we showed that the major secreted TpsAs of systems 1 and 2 depend on their cognate TpsBs for transport across the outer membrane and that the system 1 TpsAs undergo processing. Together, our data indicate that TPS systems may contribute to the virulence of
N. meningitidis
.
TrxR, a New CovR-Repressed Response Regulator That Activates the Mga Virulence Regulon in Group A Streptococcus
Authors: Leday Temekka V. , Gold Kathryn M. , Kinkel Traci L. , Roberts Samantha A. , Scott June R. , McIver Kevin S. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTCoordinate regulation of virulence factors by the group A streptococcus (GAS)Streptococcus pyogenesis important in this pathogen's ability to cause disease. To further elucidate the regulatory network in this human pathogen, the CovR-repressed two-component system (TCS)trxSRwas chosen for further analysis based on its homology to a virulence-related TCS inStreptococcus pneumoniae. In a murine skin infection model, an insertion mutation in the response regulator gene,trxR, led to a significant reduction in lesion size, lesion severity, and lethality. Curing thetrxRmutation restored virulence comparable to the wild-type strain. ThetrxSRoperon was defined in vivo, and CovR was found to directly repress its promoter in vitro. DNA microarray analysis established that TrxR activates transcription of Mga-regulated virulence genes, which may explain the virulence attenuation of thetrxRmutant. This regulation appears to occur by activation of themgapromoter, Pmga, as demonstrated by analysis of a luciferase reporter fusion. Complementation of thetrxRmutant withtrxRon a plasmid restored expression of Mga regulon genes and restored virulence in the mouse model to wild-type levels. TrxR is the first TCS shown to regulate Mga expression. Because it is CovR repressed, TrxR defines a new pathway by which CovR can influence Mga to affect pathogenesis in the GAS.