bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenology model from surface meteorology does not capture satellite‐based greenup estimations
Authors: FISHER JEREMY I. , RICHARDSON ANDREW D. , MUSTARD JOHN F. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSeasonal temperature change in temperate forests is known to trigger the start of spring growth, and both interannual and spatial variations in spring onset have been tied to climatic variability. Satellite dates are increasingly being used in phenology studies, but to date that has been little effort to link remotely sensed phenology to surface climate records. In this research, we use a two‐parameter spring warming phenology model to explore the relationship between climate and satellite‐based phenology. We employ daily air temperature records between 2000 and 2005 for 171 National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration weather stations located throughout New England to construct spring warming models predicting the onset of spring, as defined by the date of half‐maximum greenness (D50) in deciduous forests as detected from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer. The best spring warming model starts accumulating temperatures after March 20th and when average daily temperatures exceed 5°C. The accumulated heat sums [heating degree day (HDD)] required to reach D50 range from 150 to 300 degree days over New England, with the highest requirements to the south and in coastal regions. We test the ability of the spring warming model to predict phenology against a null photoperiod model (average date of onset). The spring warming model offers little improvement on the null model when predicting D50. Differences between the efficacies of the two models are expressed as the ‘climate sensitivity ratio’ (CSR), which displays coherent spatial patterns. Our results suggest that northern (beech‐maple‐birch) and central (oak‐hickory) hardwood forests respond to climate differently, particularly with disparate requirements for the minimum temperature necessary to begin spring growth (3 and 6°C, respectively). We conclude that spatial location and species composition are critical factors for predicting the phenological response to climate change: satellite observations cannot be linked directly to temperature variability if species or community compositions are unknown.
Fine‐scale spatial genetic structure in mixed oak stands with different levels of hybridization
Authors: VALBUENA‐CARABAÑA M. , GONZÁLEZ‐MARTÍNEZ S. C. , HARDY O. J. , GIL L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractOaks are model species for the study of natural introgressive hybridization. High interfertility among oak taxa might result in collective evolution, through transpecific spread of advantageous alleles, challenging the standard concept of species. Nine highly polymorphic microsatellite (nuSSR) loci were analysed in three mixed oak populations ofQuercus pyrenaicaandQuercus petraea(Montejo, Somosierra and Robregordo) with different density and hybridization rates. Both leaf morphology and molecular markers were used to assess individual admixture rates. Insights about the relative effect of density and hybridization rates on fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) were obtained from autocorrelograms andSpstatistics. Differences in SGS among populations were higher than between species. These differences cannot be attributed solely to census densities but also relate to other factors, such as the spatial configuration of the population. Hybridization was an important factor shaping within‐population spatial genetic structure, and an interspecific component of SGS was found in Somosierra. Indirect estimates of historical gene flow in Montejo were compared with actual values of gene dispersal assessed by parentage analysis in a former study. Similar values were found for current and historical gene flow in both species, which might reflect demographical stability.
Regional differences in expression of TPH‐1, SERT, 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT4 receptors in the human stomach and duodenum
Authors: Van Lelyveld N. , Ter Linde J. , Schipper M. E. I. , Samsom M. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract  The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of the role of serotonergic signalling in normal gastroduodenal function at a molecular level.Mucosal biopsy specimens were collected from the fundus, antrum and duodenum of 11 healthy subjects. Serotonin (5‐HT)‐positive cells were counted and the mRNA levels of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), serotonin transporter (SERT), 5‐HT4 receptor and 5‐HT3 receptor subunits were quantified by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The number of 5‐HT‐positive cells was larger in the duodenum compared with the stomach (P < 0.001). Serotonin transport protein expression was 19‐fold higher in the duodenum compared with the antrum and 457‐fold higher compared with the fundus (P < 0.001). Tryptophan hydroxylase‐1 expression was lower in the duodenum compared with the antrum and fundus (regional differences −2.3 and −3.6, respectively). The 5‐HT4 receptor and the 5‐HT3C and 5‐HT3E receptor subunits were more abundantly expressed in duodenum compared with the stomach (P < 0.001).The larger number of 5‐HT‐positive cells, the higher expression of 5‐HT3 and 5‐HT4 receptors, and in particularly the higher uptake capacity of 5‐HT in the duodenum, point out to a more prominent role of serotonergic signalling at the mucosal level in the duodenum compared with the stomach.
The evolutionary ecology of individual phenotypic plasticity in wild populations
Authors: NUSSEY D. H. , WILSON A. J. , BROMMER J. E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe ability of individual organisms to alter morphological and life‐history traits in response to the conditions they experience is an example of phenotypic plasticity which is fundamental to any population's ability to deal with short‐term environmental change. We currently know little about the prevalence, and evolutionary and ecological causes and consequences of variation in life history plasticity in the wild. Here we outline an analytical framework, utilizing the reaction norm concept and random regression statistical models, to assess the between‐individual variation in life history plasticity that may underlie population level responses to the environment at both phenotypic and genetic levels. We discuss applications of this framework to date in wild vertebrate populations, and illustrate how natural selection and ecological constraint may alter a population's response to the environment through their effects at the individual level. Finally, we present future directions and challenges for research into individual plasticity.
Leucocyte antibodies in blood donors and a look back on recipients of their blood components
Authors: Maślanka K. , Michur H. , Żupańska B. , Uhrynowska M. , Nowak J 
Published: January 2007

Background and Aim  The role of leucocyte antibodies in donors is poorly understood in pathogenesis of transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI). We examined antibodies in donors and traced recipients transfused with their blood components.Material and Methods  Antibodies were examined in 1043 donors by five methods, look back performed in 26 recipients.Results  Anti‐human leucocyte antigen detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 9·8% women but none in men. Specificities identified using FlowPRA, antibodies detected after several months. TRALI reported in one recipient from immunized donor. In 11 of 26 recipients without TRALI, cognate antigens were identified.Conclusion  Detection of antibodies in donors cannot predict TRALI, even in recipients with cognate antigen(s).
Total and Differential Leucocyte Counts and Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Lymph, Afferent and Efferent to the Supramammary Lymph Node, During Endotoxin‐Induced Bovine Mastitis
Authors: Lun S , Åström G , Magnusson U , Östensson K 
Published: January 2007

ContentsLeucocyte trafficking in afferent and efferent mammary lymph and the supramammary lymph node in cows was examined during 4 h after intramammary infusion of endotoxin fromEscherichia coli. Total and differential leucocyte counts were measured in milk, blood and lymph. The proportions of CD4+, CD8+, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+and IgM+lymphocytes were examined in the lymph and lymph node. At post‐infusion hour (PIH) 4, the flow rates of both lymph fluids had increased approximately eightfold. Total leucocyte concentration increased in afferent lymph, but decreased in efferent lymph. Neutrophils increased in afferent lymph at PIH 2 and in efferent lymph and milk at PIH 4. The predominant cell type in afferent lymph shifted from lymphocyte to neutrophil while lymphocyte was still at PIH 4 the predominant type in efferent lymph. Among the lymphocytes, B cells were predominant in afferent lymph and lymph node at PIH 4 while T cells, mainly CD4+cells, were predominant in efferent lymph both at PIH 0 and PIH 4. The CD4 : CD8 ratio was higher in efferent lymph and the challenged lymph node than in afferent lymph and the control node, respectively. There was a significant difference in proportions of each lymphocyte subpopulation except for IgM+cells, between afferent and efferent lymph after infusion. According to the results, there was already during the first hours of the immune response, a non‐random trafficking of neutrophils and lymphocyte subpopulations resulting in a changed distribution of cells in afferent and efferent lymph and a difference in lymphocyte reactivity between the two lymph fluids.
Effect of Sperm Cryopreservation and Supplementing Semen Doses with Seminal Plasma on the Establishment of a Sperm Reservoir in Gilts
Authors: Abad M , Sprecher DJ , Ross P , Friendship RM , Kirkwood RN 
Published: January 2007

ContentsFrozen‐thawed (FT) boar sperm have a reduced fertile life, due in part to a capacitation‐like status induced by cooling. Reversal of this cryocapacitation in vitro by exposure to boar seminal plasma (SP) has been demonstrated. The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of SP on the ability of FT sperm to create an oviductal sperm reservoir following artificial insemination (AI). In Experiment one, 35 pre‐pubertal gilts were injected (IM) with 400 IU eCG plus 200 IU hCG to induce oestrus. At detection of oestrus, gilts were inseminated with 3 × 109 live sperm, either fresh (FS; n = 13), FT (n = 10), or FT supplemented with 10% v/v SP (n = 12). Gilts were killed 8 h later, their reproductive tracts recovered and the uterotubal junctions (UTJs) flushed to recover sperm. Fewer (p < 0.01) sperm were recovered following FT, compared to FS, inseminations, and there was no evident effect of SP. In Experiment two, 30 pre‐pubertal gilts received IM injections of 1000 IU eCG followed by 5 mg pLH 80 h later to control time of ovulation. Gilts were inseminated with 3 × 109 live FS sperm (n = 6), FT sperm (n = 15) or FT sperm plus 10% SP (n = 9) at 12 h before ovulation and then sacrificed 8 h later. The UTJs were dissected and flushed for sperm recovery. Fewest (p < 0.001) sperm were recovered following FT insemination and there was no evident effect of SP. These data demonstrate that the size of the sperm reservoir is markedly reduced in gilts inseminated with FT sperm. However, the lack of effect of SP suggested that either it did not reverse cryocapacitation or that such a reversal does not impact the in vivo ability to create a sperm reservoir.
Economic Convergence in Seven Asian Economies
Authors: Li Haizheng , Xu Zhenhui 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe impressive economic growth in a select group of Asian economies in the last several decades prompts some to argue that authoritarianism helps rapid economic growth while democracy hampers it. In this paper, we used the panel data approach to test this hypothesis for seven Asian economies, including South Korea, Singapore, and China. Our results reject the strong version of this hypothesis but fail to reject the weak version of it. Specifically, we found insignificant impacts of political freedom but significant effects of economic freedom on advancing economic convergence in these economies.
Astrocytes aged in vitro show a decreased neuroprotective capacity
Authors: Pertusa M. , García‐Matas S. , Rodríguez‐Farré E. , Sanfeliu C. , Cristòfol R. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAlterations in astrocyte function that may affect neuronal viability occur with brain aging. In this study, we evaluate the neuroprotective capacity of astrocytes in an experimental model of in vitro aging. Changes in oxidative stress, glutamate uptake and protein expression were evaluated in rat cortical astrocytes cultured for 10 and 90 days in vitro (DIV). Levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100β increased at 90 days when cells were positive for the senescence β‐galactosidase marker. In long‐term astrocyte cultures, the generation of reactive oxygen species was enhanced and mitochondrial activity decreased. Simultaneously, there was an increase in proteins that stained positively for nitrotyrosine. The expression of Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD‐1) and haeme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) proteins and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased in aged astrocytes. Glutamate uptake in 90‐DIV astrocytes was higher than in 10 DIV ones, and was more vulnerable to inhibition by H2O2 exposure. Enhanced glutamate uptake was probably because of up‐regulation of the glutamate/aspartate transporter protein. Aged astrocytes had a reduced ability to maintain neuronal survival. These findings indicate that astrocytes may partially loose their neuroprotective ability during aging. The results also suggest that aged astrocytes may contribute to exacerbating neuronal injury in age‐related neurodegenerative processes.
Survival and apoptosis: a dysregulated balance in liver cancer
Authors: Fabregat Isabel , Roncero César , Fernández Margarita 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground/Aims: Dysregulation of the balance between proliferation and cell death represents a protumorigenic principle in human hepatocarcinogenesis. This article aims to provide a review of the current findings about how physiological hepatocyte apoptosis is regulated and whether or not its dysregulation might contribute to the progression towards a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) process.Results: Although some physiological proapoptotic molecules are downregulated or inactivated in HCC, such as Fas, p53, Bax or Bid, dysregulation of the balance between death and survival is mainly due to overactivation of antiapoptotic signals. Thus, some growth factors that mediate cell survival are upregulated in HCC, as well as the molecules involved in the machinery responsible for cleavage of their proforms to an active peptide. The expression of the pten gene is reduced or absent in almost half the HCCs and the Spred family of Ras/ERK inhibitors is also dysregulated in HCC, which consequently lead to the overactivation of relevant survival kinases: AKT and ERKs. Alterations in the expression and/or activity of molecules involved in counteracting apoptosis, such as NF‐κB, Bcl‐XL, Mcl‐1 or c‐IAP1, have also been observed in HCC.Conclusions: Therefore, therapeutic strategies to inhibit selectively antiapoptotic signals in tumour cells have the potential to provide powerful tools to treat liver cancer.
Profiling of genes differentially expressed in a rat of early and later gestational ages with high‐density oligonucleotide DNA array
Authors: Chen Wei , Fu Xiaobing , Ge Shili , Sun Tongzhu , Zhou Gang , Han Bing , Li Haihong , Sheng Zhiyong 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTThe early gestational fetus heals dermal wounds rapidly and scarlessly. This phenomenon appears to be intrinsic to fetal skin and is probably modulated by interplay of many genes. We ventured to study differences in gene expression between earlier gestational skin (EGS) and later gestational skin (LGS) with the aid of high‐density oligonucleotide DNA array to explore the molecular mechanism underlying scarless healing. Total RNA was isolated from fetal Wistar rat skin of the scarless (E15) and scar‐forming (E18) periods of gestation (term=21.5 days), and purified to mRNAs. Both the mRNAs from EGS and LGS were reversely transcribed to cDNAs, and were labeled with the incorporation of fluorescent dCTP for preparing the hybridization probes through single primer amplification reaction and Klenow labeling methods. The mixed probes were then hybridized to the oligonucleotide DNA arrays that contained 5,705 DNA fragments representing 5,705 rat genes. After highly stringent washing, the microarray was scanned for fluorescent signals to display the differentially expressed genes between two groups of tissues. Among 5,705 rat genes, there were 53 genes (0.93%) with differentially expressed levels between EGS and LGS; 27 genes, including fibroblast growth factor 8 and follistatin, were up‐regulated (0.47%); and 26 genes, containing lymphoid enhancer binding factor‐1 and β‐catenin, were down‐regulated (0.46%) in fetal skin of scarless period vs. scar‐forming period. Analyses of genes related to ion channels, growth factors, extracellular matrix and cellular skeleton, and movement confirmed that our molecular data obtained by oligonucleotide DNA array were consistent with the published biochemical and clinical findings of fetal scarless healing. Stronger expression of fibroblast growth factor 8, follistatin, and weaker expression of lymphoid enhancer binding factor‐1 and β‐catenin in EGS vs. LGS were also testified with reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting methods. Oligonucleotide DNA array was a powerful tool for investigating different gene expression between scarless and scar‐forming periods of gestation in the rat fetal skin. Many genes were involved in the phenotypic transition from scarless to scar‐forming wound repair during gestation. Further analysis of the obtained genes will help to understand the molecular mechanism of fetal scarless healing.
Effects of Conditioned Reward and Nonreward Cues on the Heart Rate Response to Alcohol Intoxication in Male Social Drinkers
Authors: Brunelle Caroline , Pihl Robert O. 
Published: January 2007

Background: An exaggerated heart rate (HR) increase following alcohol intoxication has been suggested to reflect sensitivity to alcohol‐induced reward. The goal of this study is to verify whether pairing alcohol ingestion with conditioned reward and nonreward cues can influence HR responses to alcohol in previously identified individuals with a low and a high HR response.Methods: Fifty‐six male social drinkers participated in a 2‐day study. On day 1, participants consumed 0.75 g/kg of body weight of pure ethanol. A median split of the alcohol‐induced HR responses identified groups of low and high HR responders. On day 2, both groups participated while sober in a computer task where distinct auditory and visual cues were paired either with monetary reward or no monetary reward. Subsequently, participants were randomly assigned to an alcohol challenge, which occurred while they were exposed to either the conditioned cues of reward or to the nonreward cues.Results: The physiological response to alcohol intoxication on day 2 was compared with alcohol‐induced HR responses on day 1 (neutral alcohol challenge) for both low and high HR responders. Paired t‐tests showed that high HR responders had significantly decreased alcohol‐induced HR responses on day 2 in the nonreward condition when compared with day 1. No other relationships between cardiac responses to alcohol and cue conditions were obtained.Conclusions: The rewarding nature of alcohol can be altered by the context in which it is consumed in a subset of individuals who are sensitive to alcohol's stimulating properties.
Effects of Drink‐Stress Sequence and Gender on Alcohol Stress Response Dampening in High and Low Anxiety Sensitive Drinkers
Authors: Zack Martin , Poulos Constantine X. , Aramakis V. Bess , Khamba Baljit K. , MacLeod Colin M. 
Published: January 2007

Background: This study tested the appraisal disruption hypothesis of alcohol stress response dampening (SRD) in male and female high or low anxiety sensitive (AS) undergraduates. The hypothesis predicts that alcohol SRD will be greater when drinking occurs before versus after stress exposure. High AS males' predominant social‐evaluative concerns further implied that alcohol SRD to a social stressor (i.e., a speech) would be relatively stronger in high AS males than in high AS females.Methods: Male and female (n=90/gender) high and low AS participants (≥70th; ≤30th percentile on Anxiety Sensitivity Index‐Revised) were matched on drinking habits and randomly assigned to 1 of 9 experimental cells. Drink type—alcohol (0.7 g/kg males; 0.63 g/kg females), placebo, soda—was fully crossed with stress condition—drink before stress (DBS), drink after stress (DAS), and no stress control (NSC). Stress was induced by telling participants they would be required to make a self‐revealing speech. Stress response dampening was assessed for state anxiety on the Spielberger scale and Stroop interference to threat‐related words. Subjective desire for alcohol was also assessed.Results: Relative to placebo, alcohol (peak blood alcohol concentration, 0.064%) reliably reduced state anxiety in high AS but not in low AS participants. Alcohol decreased STAI scores and Stroop interference to social threat words significantly more in the DBS than the DAS condition in high AS males; high AS females displayed the exact opposite pattern of effects. In contrast to other participants, high AS males also reported relatively strong desire scores under alcohol.Conclusions: Overall, the results do not support the appraisal disruption hypothesis as a general mechanism of alcohol SRD in undergraduate drinkers. The findings for high AS males do support the hypothesis, while the opposing profile for high AS females implies that the nature of the stressor (i.e., social challenge) may contribute to gender differences in alcohol SRD in high AS individuals.
Dehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis mimicking familial hyperkalaemic hypertension: clinical and genetic investigation
Authors: Beaurain Geneviève , Mathieu Flavie , Grootenboer Sabine , Fiquet Béatrice , Cynober Thérèse , Tchernia Gil , Delaunay Jean , Jeunemaitre Xavier 
Published: January 2007

AbstractDehydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (DHS) is a rare dominant form of hereditary haemolytic anaemia. In some families, pseudohyperkalaemia accompanies DHS. Familial hyperkalaemic hypertension (FHHt), a rare autosomal dominant form of arterial hypertension, is associated with genuine hyperkalaemia. We present a large French family in which DHS and FHHt were diagnosed independently in two separate branches. In branch A, mild DHS accompanied by pseudohyperkalaemia was found. In branch B, the proband and her daughter were initially diagnosed with FHHt, based on the coincidence of high blood pressure and hyperkalaemia. After finding out that branches A and B were related, reinvestigation of the affected members of branch B lead to the diagnosis of DHS, yielding the largest DHS kindred known in France. This allowed extensive linkage analysis based on 19 microsatellites markers in 12 affected and 10 unaffected members at 16q24.1qter, where one known DHS locus maps to. A maximal two‐point LOD score (4.71 at θ = 0) was obtained for markers D16S3074 and D16S476. Haplotype analysis led to the definition of a new 11.5 cM disease interval with an upper limit at microsatellite D16S3037.