bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of LTA4H and ALOX5AP polymorphism in asthma and allergy susceptibility
Authors: Holloway J. W. , Barton S. J. , Holgate S. T. , Rose‐Zerilli M. J. , Sayers I. 
Published: June 2008

Background:  Leukotrienes (LTs) have been identified as central mediators in asthma and allergy. Pharmacological inhibition of cysteinyl‐LT activity improves asthma symptoms and control. Accumulating evidence suggests a role for the dihydroxy leukotriene LTB4 in airway disease. LTA4 hydrolase and 5‐lipoxygenase activating protein have key roles in LTB4 production. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and haplotypes spanning the LTA4H and ALOX5AP genes have been associated with LTB4 production and myocardial infarction (MI).Objective:  To assess the contribution of LTA4H and ALOX5AP polymorphism to asthma and allergy susceptibility.Methods:  Three hundred and forty‐one Caucasian families (two asthmatic siblings) were genotyped for eight SNPs spanning ALOX5AP and five SNPs spanning LTA4H. Association analyses of asthma and related phenotypes (total IgE, atopy, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, FEV1) were undertaken using the Family Based Association Test.Results:  Single point analyses identified association (P < 0.05) between SNPs SG13S114, SG13S89, SG13S41 (ALOX5AP), rs1978331 (LTA4H) and asthma and/or related phenotypes. Haplotype analyses using all LTA4H SNPs identified a single key risk haplotype for the development of asthma (P = 0.006) and related phenotypes (P = 0.042–0.005). Haplotype analyses using all ALOX5AP SNPs identified several asthma and atopy risk and protective haplotypes. There was limited correlation with previously identified MI risk haplotypes in both genes. Carriers of both ALOX5AP SG13S41 and LTA4H rs1978331 alleles had an increased risk of developing asthma (OR 2.17, CI 1.41–3.32).Conclusions:  These data provide evidence for the role of SNPs spanning the ALOX5AP and LTA4H genes in asthma and atopy susceptibility in the Caucasian population and support a role for LTB4 in disease pathogenesis.
Heritable variation in the timing of spermatophore removal, a mechanism of post‐copulatory female choice in crickets
Authors: MAUTZ B. S. , SAKALUK S. K. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractFemale crickets can exert post‐copulatory mating preferences by prematurely removing a male’s spermatophore after copulation, which terminates sperm transfer. Although most models of sexual selection assume that female mating preferences are heritable, there has been little work addressing genetic variation underlying post‐copulatory mate choice. We used a paternal half‐sib design, in which different males were randomly assigned as mates to several females to create half‐sib families, to determine the heritability of spermatophore retention time in female house crickets, Acheta domesticus. There was significant additive genetic variance in the timing of spermatophore removal by females [h2 = 0.50 ± 0.19 (± SE)], suggesting that the timing of spermatophore removal is determined, in part, by the female’s own genotype independent of the quality of her mate. The relatively high heritability of spermatophore retention time may be reflective of the absence of strong selection on this trait, consistent with previous work showing no difference in the fitness of females permitted to freely remove the spermatophore of their mates and those forced to accept complete ejaculates.
Effects of enzyme addition on the nutritive value of broiler diets containing hulled or dehulled Chinese double‐low rapeseed meals
Authors: Fang Z. F. , Liu Z. L. , Dai J. J. , Qian H. Y. , Qi Z. L. , Ma L. B. , Peng J. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryAn in vitro and a feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of fibre‐degrading enzymes A (xylanase + β‐glucanase), B (xylanase) and C (xylanase + cellulase) on the nutritive value of broiler diets containing either hulled (22.5% and 23.5% for 4–21 days and 22–42 days of age, respectively) or dehulled (20% and 21.5%) Chinese double‐low rapeseed meals (DLRM). Overall, in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DM) or neutral digestibility fibre (NDF) did not differ (p > 0.05) because of meal types; both crude protein (CP) and NDF digestibility was improved (p < 0.05) because of addition of enzymes B or C either to hulled or dehulled DLRM diets. Birds fed dehulled DLRM diets had a higher (p < 0.05) growth rate, feed efficiency and lower (p < 0.05) feed intake than those fed hulled DLRM diets during the overall phase. Enzyme C addition to dehulled DLRM diets resulted in improved (p < 0.05) growth rate and feed efficiency during 4–21 days of age. Enzymes A and B addition elicited a positive response in feed intake and weight gain (p < 0.05), respectively, but did not affect (p > 0.05) feed efficiency. It would appear that the nutritive value of broiler diets containing Chinese DLRM could be improved by appropriate xylanase‐based enzymes. Responses of broilers to fibre‐degrading enzymes could be highlighted by hull removal of fed DLRM.
Ochratoxin A impairs Nrf2‐dependent gene expression in porcine kidney tubulus cells
Authors: Boesch‐Saadatmandi C. , Wagner A. E. , Graeser A. C. , Hundhausen C. , Wolffram S. , Rimbach G. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe mycotoxin, ochratoxin A (OTA), which is produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium subspecies, is frequently present in feedstuffs. Ochratoxin A exhibits a wide range of toxic activities including nephrotoxicity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of OTA‐induced cellular nephrotoxicity have yet not been fully elucidated. Nrf2 is a basic leucine zipper transcriptional activator essential for the coordinated transcriptional induction of antioxidant and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the kidney. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of OTA on the nuclear translocation and transactivation of the transcription factor Nrf2 as well as mRNA levels of Nrf2 target genes including glutathione‐S‐transferase and γ‐glutamylcysteinyl synthetase have been studied in cultured porcine kidney tubulus cells (LLC‐PK1). Nrf2 was induced by sulforaphane, a well‐known activator of this transcription factor. Ochratoxin A significantly decreased γ‐glutamylcysteinyl synthetase and glutathione‐S‐transferase mRNA levels in LLC‐PK1 cells. Decreased mRNA levels of γ‐glutamylcysteinyl synthetase and glutathione‐S‐transferase were accompanied by a lowered nuclear translocation and transactivation of Nrf2. Furthermore, OTA also lowered Nrf2 mRNA levels. Current data indicate that OTA nephrotoxicity may be, at least partly, mediated by an Nrf2‐dependent signal transduction pathway.
Diapause induction in Trichogramma embryophagum Htg. (Hym., Trichogrammatidae): the dynamics of thermosensitivity
Authors: Reznik S. Ya. , Vaghina N. P. , Voinovich N. D. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIt is known that the low temperature is the most important factor inducing the pre‐pupal diapause in Trichogramma species. The position of the thermosensitive period over the life cycle and temporal variation of the degree of responsiveness were investigated in T. embryophagum Htg. by transferring pre‐imaginal stages between ‘neutral’ temperature of 15°C and ‘diapause‐inducing’ temperature of 10°C. Our experiments showed that 6 days long exposure at 10°C significantly increased the percentage of diapausing pre‐pupae when started during rather large part of development: from embryo up to early pre‐pupa. The highest thermosensitivity was recorded during the embryo and the larval stages, with some decrease during the hatching period. Treatments with shorter cold exposures (2–3 days) gave similar results. Even 24 h long exposure at 10°C increased the percentage of diapausing pre‐pupae when applied during egg or early larval stage. Being started at the same stage of development, longer cold exposures caused stronger increase in the percentage of diapausing individuals. The experiments did not reveal any significant daily changes in thermosensitivity: at 12 : 12 h light : dark, larvae subjected to the low temperature during six photophases showed practically the same percentage of diapausing individuals as those subjected to the low temperature during six scotophases, and as those subjected to the 3 days long uninterrupted cold exposure. Hence, in natural conditions even occasional short‐term cold periods could be accumulated.
Reproductive output in a Mediterranean population of the homosclerophoridCorticium candelabrum(Porifera, Demospongiae), with notes on the ultrastructure and behavior of the larva
Authors: Maldonado Manuel , Riesgo Ana 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe reproductive output of sponges possessing small elusive larvae remains little investigated, even though they are relevant community members in many cases. This makes difficult to understand their life cycles and population dynamics. In this study we monitored the dynamics of embryogenesis and larval output in a north‐western Mediterranean population of the sublittoral demospongeCorticium candelabrum. The sponge was moderately abundant, mostly concentrated at overhangs and shaded walls. The population was dominated by relatively small individuals, averaging 1.26 cm3in size. About 89% of individuals in the population produced gametes. Body size did not preclude reproduction, as gametes and embryos occurred in sponges ranging from 0.24 to 13.5 cm3in size. On average, individuals produced 21.3 ± 12 embryos per mm3of sponge tissue, but inter‐annual variability in the reproductive effort was noticed. Larval release was asynchronous at both the individual and the population level, with sponges releasing larvae from early July to August. A yearly production was estimated of about half a million larvae per m2of rocky bottom at those sites where this species occurs. Living larvae measured 340 ± 25 μm in length, were bulb‐shaped, entirely ciliated, and swam with a clockwise rotation. They were hollow, with an internal cavity limited by a monolayered epithelium of columnar cells. All larval cells had a distal cilium arising from a principal centriole connected to a basal foot. There was an orthogonal accessory centriole giving rise to a short striated rootlet (21‐nm periodicity band) that ran between the nucleus and the Golgi apparatus. This is the first reported case in Porifera of a ciliary rootlet derived from an accessory centriole, an uncommon arrangement also found in choanoflagellates. Despite sharing many features, cells of the anterior, medial, and posterior larval region were easily distinguishable from each other because of differences in their internal organization and yolk content. At the distal and proximal poles of all cells, the plasmalemma thickened to produce special junctions and seal the larval epithelium. Distal junctions were septate. The larval cavity was filled with vertically transmitted symbiotic bacteria and collagen fibrils. Collagen condensed below the larval epithelium at different degrees, but was absent in some areas, raising doubts about the occurrence of a true basement membrane. Larvae showed neither recognizable photoreceptory organelles nor evident behavioral responses to experimental light cues. Because the high larval production does not mirror adult abundance in the community, we suspect high levels of larval losses during dispersal and elevated impact of post‐settlement mortality as the probable result of unselective settlement at unsuitable sites.
The ecology and phylogeny of cyanobacterial symbionts in sponges
Authors: Usher Kayley M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCyanobacteria have flexible photosynthetic apparatus that allows them to utilise light at very low levels, making them ideal symbionts for a wide range of organisms. Sponge associations with cyanobacteria are common in all areas of the world, but little is known about them. Recent research has revealed new cyanobacterial symbionts that may be host specific and two major clades, ‘Candidatus Synechococcus spongiarum’ and Oscillatoria spongeliae, that occur in widely separated geographic locations in unrelated sponge hosts. These clades may represent a cluster of closely related symbiont species, or may be single species that are maintained by periods of horizontal transmission over large distances. Erroneous assumptions regarding the importance of cyanobacterial symbionts to the survival of individual sponges or species may arise from cyanosponges being deemed to be phototrophic or mixotrophic without studies of their photophysiology. This review brings together recent and past research on cyanobacterial associations with sponges, including their biogeography, phylogeny, host specificity, and ecology.
Novel use of dexmedetomidine in a patient with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: NATHAN ARUNA T. , MARINO BRADLEY S. , HANNA BRIAN , NICOLSON SUSAN C. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a significant predictor of major perioperative cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing cardiac diagnostic or interventional procedure or non cardiac surgery under sedation and/or anesthesia. Factors that precipitate a pulmonary hypertensive crisis include hypoxia, hypercarbia, acidosis, hypothermia, pain and airway manipulations. Pain management is challenging in patients with significant PAH. We report the use of dexmedetomidine for sedation and analgesia in a 16 year old patient with significant pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia and impending cardiorespiratory failure. This resulted in avoidance of endotracheal intubation and positive pressure ventilation, with subsequent recovery to discharge home.
Intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and survival of pediatric patients undergoing repair of congenital heart disease
Authors: FLICK RANDALL P. , SPRUNG JURAJ , GLEICH STEPHEN J. , BARNES ROXANN D. , WARNER DAVID O. , DEARANI JOSEPH A. , SCOTT PHILLIP D. , HANSON ANDREW C. , SCHROEDER DARRELL R. , SCHEARS GREGORY J. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryBackground:  We studied the association between the introduction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) into routine practice and the survival of children who failed weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We compare two periods, before formal introduction of ECMO in our institution (1993–1999, pre‐ECMO era) and after ECMO became a formalized program (2000–2006, ECMO era).Methods:  Retrospective review of Mayo Clinic Database between 1993 and 2006 for outcomes of patients <18 years old who required ECMO during repair of congenital heart malformations.Results:  Thirty‐five children during ECMO era received intraoperative ECMO, and 17 (54%) survived to hospital discharge. The frequency of ECMO use was the highest in neonates, therefore, this was the only subcohort of pediatric patients that allowed comparison of survival between the pre‐ECMO and ECMO eras. When compared to pre‐ECMO era, neonatal survival increased during ECMO era (P = 0.043). ECMO was mostly used in neonates with higher complexity of cardiac defects undergoing more complex repairs, and the overall improvement of survival was primarily due to better survival of these patients. During pre‐ECMO era, survival was lower in patients with higher risk (P = 0.001). However, during ECMO era, no difference in survival was observed across assigned risk groups (P = 0.658).Conclusions:  The availability of ECMO for neonates failing to wean from CPB was associated with improved survival, especially in children undergoing repair of the most complex congenital heart malformations. After introduction of ECMO, survival improved and no longer depended upon the complexity of surgical repair.
Ultrasound‐guided supraclavicular vs infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in children
Authors: DE JOSÉ MARÍA BELÉN , BANÚS ESTER , NAVARRO EGEA MONTSE , SERRANO SILVIA , PERELLÓ MARINA , MABROK MAGED 
Published: June 2008

SummaryBackground:  Supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks are not common in children because of risk of pneumothorax. However, infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks have been described in paediatric patients both with nerve stimulation and ultrasound (US)‐guidance. US‐guidance reduces the risk of complications in supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in adults.Objective:  To compare the success rate, complications and time of performance of US‐guided supraclavicular vs infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in children.Material and methods:  Eighty children, 5–15 years old, scheduled for upper limb surgery were divided into two randomized groups: group S (supraclavicular), n = 40, and group I (infraclavicular), n = 40. All blocks performed were exclusively US‐guided, by a senior anaesthesiologist with at least 6 months of experience in US‐guided blocks. For supraclavicular blocks the probe was placed in coronal‐oblique‐plane in the supraclavicular fossa and the puncture was in‐plane (IP) from lateral to medial. For infraclavicular blocks the probe was placed parallel and below the clavicle and the puncture was out‐of‐plane. Ropivacaine 0.5% was administered up to a maximum of 0.5 ml·kg−1 until appropriate US‐guided‐spread was achieved. Block duration and volumes of ropivacaine used (mean±1SD) in the supraclavicular approach were recorded. Success rate (mean ± 1 SD, 95%confidence interval), complications rate and time to perform the block (two‐tailed Student′s test) were recorded both for supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches.Results:  In the US‐guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks, the duration of the sensory block was 6.5 ± 2 h and of the motor block was 4 ± 1 h. The volume of ropivacaine used in this group was 6 ± 2 ml. In group I, 88% of blocks achieved surgical anaesthesia without any supplemental analgesia compared with 95% in group S (P = 0.39; difference=7%; 95% CI: −10% to 24%). Failures in group I were because of arterial puncture and insufficient ulnar or radial sensory block. Failures in group S were because of insufficient ulnar sensory block. No pneumothorax or Horner’s syndrome was recorded in either group. The mean time (SD) to perform the block was in group I: 13 min (range 5–16) and in group S: 9 min (range 7–12); the 95% CI for this difference was 2–6 min and was statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  (i) Ultrasound‐guided supraclavicular and infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks are effective in children. (ii) There has been no pneumothorax in 40 US‐guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks performed by anaesthesiologists already trained in US‐guided regional anaesthesia using an IP technique in children ≥5 years old. (iii) In this study, the supraclavicular approach of the brachial plexus was faster to perform than the infraclavicular one.
A new metric for evaluating the correspondence of spatial patterns in vegetation models
Authors: Tang Guoping 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTAim  To present a new metric, the ‘opposite and identity’ (OI) index, for evaluating the correspondence between two sets of simulated time‐series dynamics of an ecological variable.Innovation  The OI index is introduced and its mathematical expression is defined using vectors to denote simulated variations of an ecological variable on the basis of the vector addition rule. The value of the OI index varies from 0 to 1 with a value 0 (or 1) indicating that compared simulations are opposite (or identical). An OI index with a value near 0.5 suggests that the difference in the amplitudes of variations between compared simulations is large. The OI index can be calculated in a grid cell, for a given biome and for time‐series simulations. The OI indices calculated in each grid cell can be used to map the spatial agreement between compared simulations, allowing researchers to pinpoint the extent of agreement or disagreement between two simulations. The OI indices calculated for time‐series simulations allow researchers to identify the time at which one simulation differs from another. A case study demonstrates the application and reliability of the OI index for comparing two simulated time‐series dynamics of terrestrial net primary productivity in Asia from 1982 to 2000. In the case study, the OI index performs better than the correlation coefficient at accurately quantifying the agreement between two simulated time‐series dynamics of terrestrial net primary productivity in Asia.Main conclusions  The OI index provides researchers with a useful tool and multiple flexible ways to compare two simulation results or to evaluate simulation results against observed spatiotemporal data. The OI index can, in some cases, quantify the agreement between compared spatiotemporal data more accurately than the correlation coefficient because of its insensitivity to influential data and outliers and the autocorrelation of simulated spatiotemporal data.
Emotion Elicitor or Emotion Messenger?
Authors: Ruys Kirsten I. , Stapel Diederik A. 
Published: June 2008

The following articles have been retracted from publication in Psychological Science: Ruys, K. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2008). The secret life of emotions. Psychological Science, 19, 385–391. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02097.x Ruys, K. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2008). Emotion elicitor or emotion messenger? Subliminal priming reveals two faces of facial expressions. Psychological Science, 19, 593–603. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02128.x The editors and publishers of Psychological Science have made the retractions following the results of an investigation into the work of Diederik A. Stapel ( https://www.commissielevelt.nl/ ). The Levelt Committee has determined that these articles contained data that were fabricated by author Stapel. His coauthor was unaware of his actions, was not in any way involved in the generation of the data, and agrees to the retraction of the articles. The following Psychological Science articles coauthored by Stapel have been cleared by the Levelt Committee, whose investigation into these articles found no evidence of fraudulent data or practices: Lammers, J., Stapel, D. A., & Galinsky, A. D. (2010). Power increases hypocrisy: Moralizing in reasoning, immorality in behavior. Psychological Science, 21, 737–744. doi:10.1177/0956797610368810 Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., Jordan, J., Pollmann, M., & Stapel, D. A. (2011). Power increases infidelity among men and women. Psychological Science, 22, 1191–1197. doi:10.1177/0956797611416252 Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2009). Differentiating social and personal power: Opposite effects on stereotyping, but parallel effects on behavioral approach tendencies. Psychological Science, 20, 1543–1549. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02479.x The five articles noted above are the only ones published in Psychological Science on which Stapel is listed as an author.
Elision and the Embellished Final Cadence in J. S. Bach's Preludes
Authors: Anson‐cartwright Mark 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTIn a number of Bach's keyboard preludes, the final cadence is richly decorated by interpolated harmonies and melodic figuration, so that it superficially resembles an interrupted cadence. The present study explores Bach's techniques of embellishing such final cadences. Sometimes, the tonic note is elided and the leading note ‘resolves’ to the lowered seventh degree of the scale, as in the Prelude in C major from the Well‐Tempered Clavier, Book I. Another technique of embellishment is the interpolation of submediant and/or subdominant harmonies between dominant and tonic. A survey of Bach's oeuvre indicates that he wrote embellished final cadences exclusively in keyboard preludes and chorale‐based genres (including chorale preludes). A brief concluding discussion of embellished final cadences in works by later composers provides a broad context in which to appreciate the generic and historical significance of this phenomenon.