bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between immunocompetence during winter and subsequent reproductive decisions and survival in the Great Tit
Authors: Snoeijs Tinne , Adriaensen Frank , Pinxten Rianne , Matthysen Erik , Eens Marcel 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The typical costs associated with parasitism have led to the suggestion that immunosuppression in the host may be an important mechanism mediating the life history cost of reproduction, defined as a decrease in residual reproductive value as a consequence of parental effort. More immunocompetent individuals have therefore been predicted to reveal higher fitness through more optimal reproductive decisions and increased survival. In this study, we simulated a challenge to the immune system of male and female great tits (Parus major) by injecting a novel but harmless antigen, sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and related the elicited immune response to (long-term) survival and reproductive traits, relevant to the determination of lifetime reproductive success in this species. In females, we could not detect any relationships between humoral immunocompetence and laying date, clutch size, or mean fledging mass during the breeding season following the winter period during which we assessed the immune response. Furthermore, immune response to SRBC did not predict survival of male and female great tits until the following breeding season as well as until the breeding season the year after. Overall, humoral immunological quality measured during winter did not predict important fitness components in great tits.
A phylogenetic perspective on absence and presence of a sex-limited polymorphism
Authors: Van Gossum Hans , Mattern Michelle. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Sex-limited polymorphism is widely distributed among animal taxa, but has only rarely been studied from a macro-evolutionary perspective. We investigate the evolution of female-limited polymorphism by mapping presence or absence of multiple discrete morphs on published phylogenetic trees for North American representatives of two damselfly genera. The results indicate that female polymorphy represents the ancestral condition based on the species included with subsequent loss and monomorphy representing the evolutionary end-point in most cases. According to one phylogeny, character optimization suggests that expression of the polymorphism may be lost (to a state of monomorphy) and gained again (back to polymorphy). Earlier work indicated that changes from polymorphy to monomorphy might be coupled with evolution of the mating system from polyandry to monandry. The results presented here, however, do not convincingly support such view.
Why a Large Amount of Rain Falls over the Sea in the Vicinity of Western Sumatra Island during Nighttime
Authors: Wu Peiming , Hara Masayuki , Hamada Jun-ichi , Yamanaka Manabu D. , Kimura Fujio 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Precipitation measurements from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite indicate that annual rainfall over the sea in the vicinity of western Sumatra Island is among the highest on the earth, and most of this rainfall occurs during nighttime. Surface meteorological observations at Tabing on the western coast of the island show frequent occurrences of sudden offshore winds accompanied by an abrupt drop in surface temperatures in the late afternoon and evening. Model simulations for a 1-month period during the rainy season of the region successfully simulate the satellite-observed regional distribution and diurnal variation of rainfall. The simulation results show that convection develops across a wide area over the mountainous areas of the island at similar times in the afternoon with the development of thermally induced local circulations. At these times of the day, convection over the sea along the western coast of the island is suppressed by the thermally and topographically induced diurnal changes in the boundary layer flow. When convection over the mountains of the island dissipates in the late afternoon and evening, a zone of cold surface outflow along the western coast results from the mountain convection breaking out to the sea. Meanwhile, the convective inhibition offshore is reduced in the evening, and the offshore flow causes regular occurrences of convection over the sea near the coast. The triggered convective systems propagate offshore and westward in multicell cluster storms during nighttime, bringing heavy rainfall over the sea off the western coast of the island. Sensitivity experiments with a flat-topography model demonstrate that the frequent occurrence of offshore flow in the late afternoon and evening on the western coast is caused by the mountainous topography of the island and its induced afternoon convection. The mountains on the island and the resultant thermally and convectively induced local circulations can play an important role in the formation of nocturnal abundant rainfall over the sea west of Sumatra Island.
A Multiscale Ensemble Filtering System for Hydrologic Data Assimilation. Part I: Implementation and Synthetic Experiment
Authors: Pan Ming , Wood Eric F. , McLaughlin Dennis B. , Entekhabi Dara , Luo Lifeng 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
The multiscale autoregressive (MAR) framework was introduced in the last decade to process signals that exhibit multiscale features. It provides the method for identifying the multiscale structure in signals and a filtering procedure, and thus is an efficient way to solve the optimal estimation problem for many high-dimensional dynamic systems. Later, an ensemble version of this multiscale filtering procedure, the ensemble multiscale filter (EnMSF), was developed for estimation systems that rely on Monte Carlo samples, making this technique suitable for a range of applications in geosciences. Following the prototype study that introduced EnMSF, a strategy is devised here to implement the multiscale method in a hydrologic data assimilation system, which runs a land surface model. Assimilation experiments are carried out over the Arkansas–Red River basin, located in the central United States (∼645 000 km2), using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model with a computing grid of 1062 pixels. A synthetic data assimilation experiment is performed, driven by meteorological forcing fields downscaled from the ensemble forecasts made by the NOAA/National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System (CFS). The classic full-rank ensemble Kalman filter is used as the benchmark to evaluate the multiscale filter performance, and comparisons are also made with a horizontally uncoupled filter. It is demonstrated that the multiscale filter is able to closely approximate the full-rank solution with a low computational cost (∼1/20 of the full-rank filter) in an experiment in which the top-layer soil moisture is assimilated, whereas the horizontally uncoupled filter fails to approximate the full-rank solution.
Access to Diabetes Self-management Education
Authors: Peyrot Mark , Rubin Richard R. , Funnell Martha M. , Siminerio Linda M. 
Published: February 2009

Purpose To examine factors related to access to diabetes self-management education (DSME), including services delivered and sought; patient, physician, and program barriers to access; educator outreach and expansion efforts; and perceptions of alternative DSME delivery strategies. Methods Internet surveys were completed by 1169 adults with diabetes (661 with prior DSME, 508 with no prior DSME) from a national community survey panel, 1871 educators who were AADE members, and 629 physicians (212 diabetes specialists, 417 primary care practitioners) from a national physician survey panel. Results Physicians want patients to receive more self-management support, but some report that patients are told to do things with which the physician does not agree. Provider (physician and educator)—delivered DSME is more highly regarded among those who have received it than among those who have not received it. Physicians generally have positive perceptions of provider-delivered DSME, and educators see physicians as key to encouraging DSME use in patients. Some physicians are concerned about losing patients sent to DSME, and 11% of patients report changing physicians as a result of DSME. Most DSME programs have grown recently as a result of recruiting efforts and adding new programs/services; most programs plan more such efforts. Patients prefer traditional DSME sources/settings and are moderately accepting of media sources. Conclusions Additional efforts are required to guarantee that all people with diabetes receive the DSME they need. This will require increased referral by physicians, increased follow-through by patients, and increased availability of DSME in forms that make it appealing to patients and physicians.
MicroRNA-29b induces global DNA hypomethylation and tumor suppressor gene reexpression in acute myeloid leukemia by targeting directly DNMT3A and 3B and indirectly DNMT1
Authors: Garzon Ramiro , Liu Shujun , Fabbri Muller , Liu Zhongfa , Heaphy Catherine E.A. , Callegari Elisa , Schwind Sebastian , Pang Jiuxia , Yu Jianhua , Muthusamy Natarajan , Havelange Violaine , Volinia Stefano , Blum William , Rush Laura J. , Perrotti Danilo , Andreeff Michael , Bloomfield Clara D. , Byrd John C. , Chan Kenneth , Wu Lai-Chu , Croce Carlo M. , Marcucci Guido 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Aberrant DNA hypermethylation contributes to myeloid leukemogenesis by silencing structurally normal genes involved in hematopoiesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting protein-coding mRNAs. Recently, miRNAs have been shown to play a role as both targets and effectors in gene hypermethylation and silencing in malignant cells. In the current study, we showed that enforced expression of miR-29b in acute myeloid leukemia cells resulted in marked reduction of the expression of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B at both RNA and protein levels. This in turn led to decrease in global DNA methylation and reexpression of p15INK4b and ESR1 via promoter DNA hypomethylation. Although down-regulation of DNMT3A and DNMT3B was the result of a direct interaction of miR-29b with the 3′ untranslated regions of these genes, no predicted miR-29b interaction sites were found in the DNMT1 3′ untranslated regions. Further experiments revealed that miR-29b down-regulates DNMT1 indirectly by targeting Sp1, a transactivator of the DNMT1 gene. Altogether, these data provide novel functional links between miRNAs and aberrant DNA hypermethylation in acute myeloid leukemia and suggest a potentially therapeutic use of synthetic miR-29b oligonucleotides as effective hypomethylating compounds.
Endothelial cell activation leads to neutrophil transmigration as supported by the sequential roles of ICAM-2, JAM-A, and PECAM-1
Authors: Woodfin Abigail , Voisin Mathieu-Benoit , Imhof Beat A. , Dejana Elisabetta , Engelhardt Britta , Nourshargh Sussan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractLeukocyte transmigration is mediated by endothelial cell (EC) junctional molecules, but the associated mechanisms remain unclear. Here we investigate how intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM-2), junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) mediate neutrophil transmigration in a stimulus-dependent manner (eg, as induced by interleukin-1β [IL-1β] but not tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), and demonstrate their ability to act in sequence. Using a cell-transfer technique, transmigration responses of wild-type and TNF-α p55/p75 receptor-deficient leukocytes (TNFR−/−) through mouse cremasteric venules were quantified by fluorescence intravital microscopy. Whereas wild-type leukocytes showed a normal transmigration response to TNF-α in ICAM-2−/−, JAM-A−/−, and PECAM-1−/− recipient mice, TNFR−/− leukocytes exhibited a reduced transmigration response. Hence, when the ability of TNF-α to directly stimulate neutrophils is blocked, TNF-α–induced neutrophil transmigration is rendered dependent on ICAM-2, JAM-A, and PECAM-1, suggesting that the stimulus-dependent role of these molecules is governed by the target cell being activated. Furthermore, analysis of the site of arrest of neutrophils in inflamed tissues from ICAM-2−/−, JAM-A−/−, and PECAM-1−/− mice demonstrated that these molecules act sequentially to mediate transmigration. Collectively, the findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action of key molecules implicated in leukocyte transmigration.
The Trypanosoma cruzi nucleic acid binding protein Tc38 presents changes in the intramitochondrial distribution during the cell cycle
Authors: Duhagon María A , Pastro Lucía , Sotelo-Silveira José R , Pérez-Díaz Leticia , Maugeri Dante , Nardelli Sheila C , Schenkman Sergio , Williams Noreen , Dallagiovanna Bruno , Garat Beatriz 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Tc38 of Trypanosoma cruzi has been isolated as a single stranded DNA binding protein with high specificity for the poly [dT-dG] sequence. It is present only in Kinetoplastidae protozoa and its sequence lacks homology to known functional domains. Tc38 orthologues present in Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania were proposed to participate in quite different cellular processes. To further understand the function of this protein in Trypanosoma cruzi, we examined its in vitro binding to biologically relevant [dT-dG] enriched sequences, its expression and subcellular localization during the cell cycle and through the parasite life stages.

Results
By using specific antibodies, we found that Tc38 protein from epimastigote extracts participates in complexes with the poly [dT-dG] probe as well as with the universal minicircle sequence (UMS), a related repeated sequence found in maxicircle DNA, and the telomeric repeat. However, we found that Tc38 predominantly localizes into the mitochondrion. Though Tc38 is constitutively expressed through non-replicating and replicating life stages of T. cruzi, its subcellular localization in the unique parasite mitochondrion changes according to the cell cycle stage. In epimastigotes, Tc38 is found only in association with kDNA in G1 phase. From the S to G2 phase the protein localizes in two defined and connected spots flanking the kDNA. These spots disappear in late G2 turning into a diffuse dotted signal which extends beyond the kinetoplast. This later pattern is more evident in mitosis and cytokinesis. Finally, late in cytokinesis Tc38 reacquires its association with the kinetoplast. In non-replicating parasite stages such as trypomastigotes, the protein is found only surrounding the entire kinetoplast structure.

Conclusions
The dynamics of Tc38 subcellular localization observed during the cell cycle and life stages support a major role for Tc38 related to kDNA replication and maintenance.
Oncoprotein HCCR-1 expression in breast cancer is well correlated with known breast cancer prognostic factors including the HER2 overexpression, p53 mutation, and ER/PR status
Authors: Ha Seon-Ah , Lee Youn Soo , Shin Seung Min , Kim Hyun Kee , Kim Sanghee , Namkoong Hong , Kim Hae Joo , Jung Sang Min , Lee Yu Sun , Chung Yeun Jun , Jung Sang Seol , Kim Jin Woo 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Oncoprotein HCCR-1 functions as a negative regulator of the p53 and contributes breast tumorigenesis. The serum HCCR-1 assay is useful in diagnosing breast cancer and mice transgenic for HCCR developed breast cancers. But it is unknown how HCCR-1 contributes to human breast tumorigenesis.

Methods
Oncogene HCCR-1 expression levels were determined in normal breast tissues, breast cancer tissues and cancer cell lines. We examined whether HCCR-1 protein expression in breast cancer is related to different biological characteristics, including ER, PR, p53 genotype, and HER2 status in 104 primary breast cancer tissues using immunohistochemical analyses.

Results
HCCR-1 was upregulated in breast cancer cells and tissues compared with normal breast tissues. In this study, overexpression of HCCR-1 was well correlated with known breast cancer prognostic markers including the presence of steroid receptors (ER and PR), p53 mutation and high HER2 overexpression. HCCR-1 was not detected in the ER-negative, PR-negative, p53 negative and low HER2 breast cancer tissues. These data indicate that the level of HCCR-1 in breast cancer tissues is relatively well correlated with known breast cancer factors, including the HER2 overexpression, p53 mutation, and ER/PR status.

Conclusion
Determination of HCCR-1 levels as options for HER2 testing is promising although it needs further evaluation.
In vitro drug release behavior from a novel thermosensitive composite hydrogel based on Pluronic f127 and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer
Authors: Gong Chang Yang , Shi Shuai , Dong Peng Wei , Zheng Xiu Ling , Fu Shao Zhi , Guo Gang , Yang Jing Liang , Wei Yu Quan , Qian Zhi Yong 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Most conventional methods for delivering chemotherapeutic agents fail to achieve therapeutic concentrations of drugs, despite reaching toxic systemic levels. Novel controlled drug delivery systems are designed to deliver drugs at predetermined rates for predefined periods at the target organ and overcome the shortcomings of conventional drug formulations therefore could diminish the side effects and improve the life quality of the patients. Thus, a suitable controlled drug delivery system is extremely important for chemotherapy.

Results
A novel biodegradable thermosensitive composite hydrogel, based on poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL-PEG, PECE) and Pluronic F127 copolymer, was successfully prepared in this work, which underwent thermosensitive sol-gel-sol transition. And it was flowing sol at ambient temperature but became non-flowing gel at body temperature. By varying the composition, sol-gel-sol transition and in vitro drug release behavior of the composite hydrogel could be adjusted. Cytotoxicity of the composite hydrogel was conducted by cell viability assay using human HEK293 cells. The 293 cell viability of composite hydrogel copolymers were yet higher than 71.4%, even when the input copolymers were 500 μg per well. Vitamin B12 (VB12), honokiol (HK), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as model drugs to investigate the in vitro release behavior of hydrophilic small molecular drug, hydrophobic small molecular drug, and protein drug from the composite hydrogel respectively. All the above-mentioned drugs in this work could be released slowly from composite hydrogel in an extended period. Chemical composition of composite hydrogel, initial drug loading, and hydrogel concentration substantially affected the drug release behavior. The higher Pluronic F127 content, lower initial drug loading amount, or lower hydrogel concentration resulted in higher cumulative release rate.

Conclusion
The results showed that composite hydrogel prepared in this paper were biocompatible with low cell cytotoxicity, and the drugs in this work could be released slowly from composite hydrogel in an extended period, which suggested that the composite hydrogel might have great potential applications in biomedical fields.
Release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the lung cancer cell line CALU-1 in vitro
Authors: Filipiak Wojciech , Sponring Andreas , Mikoviny Tomas , Ager Clemens , Schubert Jochen , Miekisch Wolfram , Amann Anton , Troppmair Jakob 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
The aim of this work was to confirm the existence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) specifically released or consumed by lung cancer cells.

Methods
50 million cells of the human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line CALU-1 were incubated in a sealed fermenter for 4 h or over night (18 hours). Then air samples from the headspace of the culture vessel were collected and preconcentrated by adsorption on solid sorbents with subsequent thermodesorption and analysis by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Identification of altogether 60 compounds in GCMS measurement was done not only by spectral library match, but also by determination of retention times established with calibration mixtures of the respective pure compounds.

Results
The results showed a significant increase in the concentrations of 2,3,3-trimethylpentane, 2,3,5-trimethylhexane, 2,4-dimethylheptane and 4-methyloctane in the headspace of CALU-1 cell culture as compared to medium controls after 18 h. Decreased concentrations after 18 h of incubation were found for acetaldehyde, 3-methylbutanal, butyl acetate, acetonitrile, acrolein, methacrolein, 2-methylpropanal, 2-butanone, 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane, 2-ethoxy-2-methylpropane, and hexanal.

Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate that certain volatile compounds can be cancer-cell derived and thus indicative of the presence of a tumor, whereas other compounds are not released but seem to be consumed by CALU-1 cells.
Upregulation of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated endothelium promotes inflammation
Authors: Ngo My-Linh , Mahdi Fakhri , Kolte Dhaval , Shariat-Madar Zia 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackgroundProlylcarboxypeptidase (Prcp) gene, along with altered PRCP and kallikrein levels, have been implicated in inflammation pathogenesis. PRCP regulates angiotensin 1–7 (Ang 1–7) – and bradykinin (BK) – stimulated nitric oxide production in endothelial cells. The mechanism through which kallikrein expression is altered during infection is not fully understood. Investigations were performed to determine the association between PRCP and kallikrein levels as a function of the upregulation of PRCP expression and the link between PRCP and inflammation risk in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endothelium activation.MethodsThePrcptranscript expression in LPS-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) activation was determined by RT-PCR for mRNA. PRCP-dependent kallikrein pathway was determined either by Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) or by biochemical assay.ResultsWe report that PRCP is critical to the maintenance of the endothelial cells, and its upregulation contributes to the risk of developing inflammation. Significant elevation in kallikrein was seen on LPS-treated HUVECs. The conversion of PK to kallikrein was blocked by the inhibitor of PRCP, suggesting that PRCP might be a risk factor for inflammation.ConclusionThe increased PRCP lead to a sustained production of bradykinin in endothelium following LPS treatment. This amplification may be an additional mechanism whereby PRCP promotes a sustained inflammatory response. A better appreciation of the role of PRCP in endothelium may contribute to a better understanding of inflammatory vascular disorders and to the development of a novel treatment.
Altered microRNA expression in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Lian Jie , Zhang Xiansheng , Tian Hui , Liang Ning , Wang Yong , Liang Chaozhao , Li Xin , Sun Fei 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA molecules, are indicated to play essential roles in spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the expression patterns or function of miRNAs in human testes involved in infertility.

Methods
In this study, the miRNA expression profiles of testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and normal controls were performed by using microarray technologies.

Results
Altered microRNA expression in NOA patients was found, with 154 differentially down-regulated and 19 up-regulated miRNAs. These findings have been confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays on select miRNAs, including miR-302a, miR-491-3p, miR-520d-3p and miR-383. Several down-regulated miRNA clusters in patients with NOA were identified, such as the oncogenic potential of the mir-17-92 cluster and mir-371,2,3 cluster.

Conclusion
This is the first report that the expression of miRNAs is altered in testicular tissues of patients with NOA, suggesting a role of miRNAs in regulating spermatogenesis in human males.