bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Projecting global marine biodiversity impacts under climate change scenarios
Authors: Cheung William W.L. , Lam Vicky W.Y. , Sarmiento Jorge L. , Kearney Kelly , Watson Reg , Pauly Daniel 
Published: February 2009

AbstractClimate change can impact the pattern of marine biodiversity through changes in species’ distributions. However, global studies on climate change impacts on ocean biodiversity have not been performed so far. Our paper aims to investigate the global patterns of such impacts by projecting the distributional ranges of a sample of 1066 exploited marine fish and invertebrates for 2050 using a newly developed dynamic bioclimate envelope model. Our projections show that climate change may lead to numerous local extinction in the sub‐polar regions, the tropics and semi‐enclosed seas. Simultaneously, species invasion is projected to be most intense in the Arctic and the Southern Ocean. Together, they result in dramatic species turnovers of over 60% of the present biodiversity, implying ecological disturbances that potentially disrupt ecosystem services. Our projections can be viewed as a set of hypothesis for future analytical and empirical studies.
Ethnicity a risk factor? The relation between ethnicity and large‐ and small‐vessel disease in White people, Black people, and Asians within a hospital‐based population
Authors: Wolma J. , Nederkoorn P. J. , Goossens A. , Vergouwen M. D. I. , Van Schaik I. N. , Vermeulen M. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Previous studies suggest that in patients with ischaemic stroke, White people often present with large‐vessel and Black people with small‐vessel strokes. This study investigates the relation between large‐ and small‐vessel disease, and ethnicity in White, Black, and Asian patients in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.Methods:  In a hospital‐based population of 668 patients ethnicity was determined by self‐identification. The relation between ethnicity and carotid stenosis, as an indicator of large‐vessel disease, was determined using univariate analysis, and adjusted for age, gender, hypertension and smoking. Subsequently the relation between ethnicity and lacunar infarcts, as a manifestation of small‐vessel disease, was investigated.Results:  The odds ratio for having carotid stenosis, compared to White patients, was 0.55 (0.23–1.33) for Blacks, 0.53 (0.18–1.52) for Asians, and 0.64 (0.14–2.85) for other ethnicities. The adjusted odds ratio for a non‐White patient compared to a White patient was 0.44 (0.19–1.02) (P = 0.05). The non‐White patients more often presented with lacunar infarcts compared to Whites.Conclusion:  We found an association between White patients and the presence of carotid artery stenosis. Not only in Black but also in Asian patients the association with carotid artery stenosis was substantially lower. In the non‐White population there was an association with lacunar infarcts compared to Whites.
Migrant Remittances and Household Wellbeing in Urban Zimbabwe
Authors: Bracking Sarah , Sachikonye Lloyd 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEvidence from household surveying in December 2005 in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, indicates that a wide network of international migrant remitters are ameliorating the economic crisis in Zimbabwe by sending monetary and in‐kind transfers to over 50 per cent of urban households. The research combines quantitative measurement of scale and scope, with demographic and qualitative narrative to build a holistic picture of the typography of receiving and non‐receiving households. A complex set of interrelated variables helps to explain why some households do and others do not receive income and goods from people who are away, and the economic and social extent of their subsequent benefit from them. Moreover, the mixed methods approach is designed to capture inter‐household and likely macroeconomic effects of how households receive their goods and money; and of how they subsequently exchange (if applicable), store and spend it. Evidence emerges of a largely informal, international social welfare system, but one which is not without adverse inter‐household effects for some. These include suffering exclusion from markets suffering from inflationary pressures, not least as a result of other people’s remittances. This paper explores the role of remittances, within this internationalised informal welfare system which we can map from our household survey, in reframing vulnerability and marginalization differentially among and between our subject households.
Learning to ‘talk the talk’: the relationship of psychopathic traits to deficits in empathy across childhood
Authors: Dadds Mark R. , Hawes David J. , Frost Aaron D.J. , Vassallo Shane , Bunn Paul , Hunter Kirsten , Merz Sabine 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Psychopathy is characterised by profound deficits in the human tendency to feel and care about what other people feel, often known as ‘affective empathy’. On the other hand, the psychopath often has intact ‘cognitive’ empathy skills, that is, he is able to describe what and why other people feel, even if he does not share or care about those feelings. Despite a rapidly advancing neuroscience of empathy, little is known about the developmental underpinnings of this psychopathic disconnect between affective and cognitive empathy.Methods:  The parents of N = 2760, 3–13‐year‐olds reported on the levels of empathy, callous‐unemotional traits (CU), and antisocial behaviour (AB). Consistent with current theory and measurement practice, an index of ‘psychopathic traits’ was derived from the CU and AB measures.Results:  There are important gender and developmental differences in empathy deficits related to psychopathic traits. As expected, psychopathy is associated with severe deficits in affective empathy across all ages for males; however, no such deficits were found for females. Contrary to adult findings, psychopathic traits are associated with deficits in cognitive empathy in childhood for both sexes; however, males with high psychopathic traits appear to overcome these deficits in cognitive empathy as they move through the pubertal years.Conclusions:  In contrast to cognitive empathy, low affective empathy does not appear to be associated with psychopathic traits in females. The characteristic disconnect between cognitive and affective empathy seen in adult male psychopathy crystallises in the pubertal years when they appear to learn to ‘talk the talk’ about other people’s emotions, despite suffering severe deficits in their emotional connection (affective empathy) to others.
Effects of nitric oxide on neutrophil influx depends on the tissue: role of leukotriene B4 and adhesion molecules
Authors: Leite ACRM , Cunha FQ , Dal‐Secco D , Fukada SY , Girão VCC , Rocha FAC 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  We investigated the effect of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) influx in zymosan or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced arthritis and peritonitis.Experimental approach:  Wistar rats received intra‐articular (i.art.) zymosan (30–1000 µg) or LPS (1–10 µg). Swiss C57/Bl6 mice genetically deficient in intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1−/−) or in β2‐integrin (β2‐integrin−/−) received zymosan either i.art. or i.p. PMN counts, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) levels were measured in joint and peritoneal exudates. Groups received the NOS inhibitors NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (LN), nitro‐L‐arginine, N‐[3‐(aminomemethyl)benzyl] acetamide or aminoguanidine, prior to zymosan or LPS, given i.p. or s.c. in the arthritis and peritonitis experiments respectively. A group of rats received LN locally (i.art. or i.p.), 30 min prior to 1 mg zymosan i.art.Key results:  Systemic or local NOS inhibition significantly prevented PMN migration in arthritis while increasing it in peritonitis, regardless of stimuli, concentration of NOS inhibitors and species. NOS inhibition did not alter TNF‐α and IL‐10 but decreased LTB4 in zymosan‐induced arthritis. LN administration significantly inhibited PMN influx into the joints of ICAM‐1−/− and β2‐integrin−/− mice with zymosan‐arthritis, while not altering PMN influx into the peritoneum of mice with zymosan‐peritonitis.Conclusions and implications:  Nitric oxide has a dual modulatory role on PMN influx into joint and peritoneal cavities that is stimulus‐ and species‐independent. Differences in local release of LTB4 and in expression of ICAM‐1 and β2‐integrin account for this dual role of NO on PMN migration.
Canine cutaneous epitheliotropic T‐cell lymphoma: a review
Authors: Fontaine J. , Bovens C. , Bettenay S. , Mueller R. S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractCutaneous epitheliotropic T‐cell lymphoma in the dog is a rare neoplastic condition with unknown aetiology. The dermatitis is characterized by infiltration of neoplastic T lymphocytes with a specific tropism for the epidermis and the adnexal structures. The different clinical and histological forms (mycosis fungoides, pagetoid reticulosis and Sézary syndrome) are reviewed. The disease in the dog resembles the human syndrome, but in 80% of the canine cases, neoplastic cells are CD4−/CD8+versus CD4+/CD8−in 90% of the human patients. Prognosis is poor with a survival time from few months to 2 years. Treatments frequently have a low efficacy. New protocols using lomustine may improve the poor prognosis of the disease.
Alternative method to determine the hematocrit of red blood cell units: a potential use in the apheresis unit
Authors: Farrell Sharon B. , Shelat Suresh G. , Kim Haewon C. , Drew Christa 
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: In automated erythrocytapheresis procedures, achieving the desired‐end hematocrit (Hct) requires that the COBE Spectra (CaridianBCT) machine be programmed with the mean Hct of the replacement red blood cell (RBC) units. To determine unit Hct, data derived from quality control (QC) Hct data were utilized. However, if a unit volume is outside the quality control (QC) volume parameters, the unit is accessed to measure its Hct. In this study, 21 percent of all RBC units need to be accessed to determine the Hct, which affects 47.5 percent of patient's erythrocytapheresis procedures. Spiking the unit compromises its integrity and hastens the expiration time of the unit. Nurses must wait until the patient arrives to check units outside QC parameters, thereby delaying the start time of procedures. Even if sampled units are kept refrigerated, they cannot be returned to the blood bank inventory once spiked. The goal of this study was to determine if accurate Hct levels from RBC units could be obtained from a unique segment.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To determine the centrifuged Hct, samples were prepared from the RBC units and compared to that of the unique segment.RESULTS: The Hct of the unique segment exceeded that of the RBC unit by a small (1.2% in AS‐1 units, 0.92% in AS‐3 units), but statistically significant amount.CONCLUSION: The Hct from unique RBC segments closely approximates that of the original RBC unit. Unique segments can be made that will maintain the integrity and shelf life of RBC units.
Sinus Lift Using a Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite Silica Gel in Severely Resorbed Maxillae: Histological Preliminary Study
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Dellavia Claudia 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTPurpose: The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate histologically a nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite silica gel in maxillary sinus floor grafting in severely resorbed maxillae.Materials and Methods: A total of 16 consecutive patients scheduled for sinus lift were recruited during this study. Patients were randomly divided in two groups, eight patients each. In both groups, preoperative residual bone level ranged between 1 and 3 mm (mean value of 2.03 mm). No membrane was used to occlude the buccal window.Second surgery was carried out after a healing period of 3 months in Group 1 and 6 months in Group 2. Using a trephine bur, one bone specimen was harvested from each augmented sinus and underwent histological and histomorphometric analysis.Results: Histological analysis showed significant new bone formation and remodeling of the grafted material. In the cores obtained at 6 months, regenerated bone, residual NanoBone, and bone marrow occupied respectively 48 ± 4.63%, 28 ± 5.33%, and 24 ± 7.23% of the grafted volume. In the specimens taken 3 months after grafting, mean new bone was 8 ± 3.34%, mean NanoBone was 45 ± 5.10%, and mean bone marrow was 47 ± 6.81% of the bioptical volume.Conclusions: Within the limits of this preliminary prospective study, it was concluded that grafting of maxillary sinus using nanostructured hydroxyapatite silica gel as only bone filler is a reliable procedure also in critical anatomic conditions and after early healing period.
Clinical use of physical activity measures
Authors: Reiser Lorraine M , Schlenk Elizabeth A 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To provide a review of physical activity measures and subjective and objective methods of its measurement. Considerations for the use of these measurements in research and practice will be discussed.Data sources:  The PubMed, CINAHL, and Health and Psychosocial Instruments databases, and the Centers for Disease Control Web site were searched using the search term “Physical Activity Measurement.”Conclusions:  Physical activity is a lifestyle factor that is a key focus in chronic disease–related research, prevention, and interventions. Healthy People 2010 set goals of decreasing the prevalence of preventable diseases by encouraging healthier lifestyle patterns. Shifts toward more sedentary lifestyles have resulted in increases in life‐limiting disease states, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Physical activity measurements have been used widely in research studies but are less commonly used in primary care. Measuring individuals’ physical activity levels as part of the health assessment will enhance the provider’s ability to engage in health promotion and suggest health protection interventions. The strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications to practice of physical activity measures are summarized in an effort to familiarize nurse practitioners (NPs) with commonly used tools and encourage integration of physical activity assessment into their current practice.Implications for practice:  NPs are in an ideal position to promote health by encouraging appropriate amounts of physical activity. Screening, health promotion, and disease prevention are part of the core competencies of NP practice established by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. Increased knowledge of physical activity measures will enhance the NP’s ability to evaluate relevant physical activity research for use in evidence‐based practice. Incorporation of simple yet appropriate physical activity measurements into practice will expand the NP’s ability to identify and thus address sedentary lifestyles in their clientele.
Interventions for promoting mobility in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Yeom Hye A , Keller Colleen , Fleury Julie 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPurpose:  The purposes of this review were to provide an updated report of intervention studies designed to enhance mobility in older adults and discuss the strengths and limitations of existing intervention studies and their implications for practice.Data sources:  Medline, CINAHL, and PsychInfo were searched to identify original research articles reporting interventions for promoting mobility in community‐dwelling older adults.Conclusion:  Effective interventions for enhancing mobility in older adults include walking, aerobic exercise, and resistance training focusing on strength, balance, and flexibility. Group‐based interventions show significant beneficial effects in increasing mobility. To obtain significant effects of physical activity interventions, the patient should participate in the exercise programs for at least 12 weeks. Strengths of existing clinical trials for promoting mobility in older adults include testing of various types of physical activity and training interventions and the use of an experimental design with a control group. The major challenges of creating mobility enhancement recommendations for older adults include detailing a mobility enhancement program will delay disability, creating a specific program dose for different populations by gender and ethnicity, and developing culturally appropriate mobility enhancement programs to improve adherence over time.Implications for practice:  Prescribing regular physical activity including aerobic exercise and resistance training in a primary care setting can be a beneficial approach to minimize progression of impaired mobility in older adults. The typical dose of the physical activity prescription is 20–60 min of aerobic activity three times weekly. Adherence to mobility enhancement recommendations by older patients can be followed up by in‐person interview or use of mobility monitoring tools such as exercise diary or log.
Excitation of the M Intermediates of Bacteriorhodopsin†
Authors: Tóth‐Boconádi Rudolf , Dér András , Fábián László , Taneva Stefka Germanova , Keszthelyi Lajos 
Published: February 2009

AbstractProtein electric response signals (PERS) of the M intermediates of wild‐type bacteriorhodopsin (bR) were recorded. Contrary to earlier findings reporting on a single‐phase response upon excitation of the M intermediates, a kinetic analysis of the signals revealed the existence of three components, the fastest and the slowest ones of negative, while the middle one of positive sign with respect to the normal direction of proton pumping. Based on proton motion indicator experiments and molecular dipole calculations, the components were assigned to proton transfer steps and conformational changes driving the bR molecule back from the M to the ground state upon blue light excitation. The fastest, negative pump component was assigned to the proton transfer from D85 to the Schiff base. The subsequent positive component was attributed to rearrangements in the protein core (in the vicinity of the retinal molecule), triggered by the primary proton transfer process. The slowest component was established to reflect charge rearrangements associated with proton uptake by the protein from the bulk.
Designing Point Mutants to Detect Structural Coupling in a Heterotrimeric G Protein α‐subunit by NMR Spectroscopy†
Authors: Abdulaev Najmoutin G. , Mao Xiang , Ramon Eva , Ngo Tony , Mysliwy Justyna , Marino John P. , Ridge Kevin D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTo better understand the mechanism by which the activating signal is transmitted from the receptor‐interacting regions on the G protein α‐subunit (Gα) to the guanine nucleotide‐binding pocket, we generated and characterized mutant forms of Gα with alterations in switch II (Trp‐207→Phe) and the carboxyl‐terminus (Phe‐350→Ala). Previously reported bacterial expression methods for the high‐level production of a uniformly isotope‐labeled Gtα/Gi1α chimera, ChiT, were successfully used to isolate milligram quantities of 15N‐labeled mutant protein. NMR analysis showed that while the GDP/Mg2+‐bound state of both mutants shared an overall conformation similar to that of the GDP/Mg2+‐bound state of ChiT, formation of the “transition/activated” state in the presence of aluminum fluoride (AlF4−) revealed distinct differences between the wild‐type and mutant Gα subunits, particularly in the response of the 1HN, 15N cross‐peak for the Trp‐254 indole in the Trp‐207→Phe mutant and the 1HN, 15N cross‐peak for Ala‐350 in the Phe‐350→Ala mutant. Consistent with the NMR data, the F350→Ala mutant showed an increase in intrinsic fluorescence that was similar to Gtα and ChiT upon formation of the “transition/activated” state in the presence of AlF4−, whereas the intrinsic fluorescence of the Trp‐207→Phe mutant decreased. These results show that the substitution of key amino acid positions in Gα can effect structural changes that may compromise receptor interactions and GDP/GTP exchange.
Mitochondrial Responses of Normal and Injured Human Skin Fibroblasts Following Low Level Laser Irradiation—An In Vitro Study
Authors: Zungu Innocent L. , Hawkins Evans Denise , Abrahamse Heidi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractLaser irradiation has proved to be very efficient in speeding and improving the quality of healing in pathological conditions of diverse etiologies. However, the mechanisms by which the beneficial effects are attained are not clear. Mitochondria are the primary phototargets during irradiation. The study aimed to establish if laser irradiation had an effect on hypoxic and acidotic cells. The study also aimed to use existing information regarding the possible mechanism of action (established in wounded cells) and apply these principles to acidic and hypoxic irradiated cells to determine whether laser has a stimulatory or inhibitory effect. Cell cultures were modified to simulate conditions of hypoxia (hypoxic gas mixture 95% N2 and 5% O2) and acidosis (pH 6.7) whereas the central scratch model was used to simulate a wound. Cells were irradiated with a helium–neon (632.8 nm, 3 mW cm−2) laser using 5 or 16 J cm−2 on days 1 and 4. Mitochondrial responses were measured 1 or 24 h after laser irradiation by assessing changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cyclic AMP, intracellular Ca2+ and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cell viability. Hypoxia and acidosis significantly reduced MMP when compared with normal nonirradiated control cells. Wounded, hypoxic and acidotic cells irradiated with 5 J cm−2 showed an increase in mitochondrial responses when compared with nonirradiated cells while 16 J cm−2 showed a significant decrease. The study confirmed that laser irradiation with 5 J cm−2 stimulated an increase in intracellular Ca2+ which resulted in an increase in MMP, ATP and cAMP, which ultimately results in photobiomodulation to restore homeostasis of injured cells.
Dissection of Environmental Changes at the Cytoplasmic Surface of Light‐activated Bacteriorhodopsin and Visual Rhodopsin: Sequence of Spectrally Silent Steps†
Authors: Kim Tai‐Yang , Moeller Martina , Winkler Kathrin , Kirchberg Kristina , Alexiev Ulrike 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe physico‐chemical properties as well as the conformation of the cytoplasmic surface of the 7‐helix retinal proteins bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and visual rhodopsin change upon light activation. A recent study found evidence for a transient softening of bR in its key intermediate M [Pieper et al. (2008) Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 228103] as a direct proof for the functional significance of protein flexibility. In this report we compare environmental and flexibility changes at the cytoplasmic surface of light‐activated bR and rhodopsin detected by time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The changes in fluorescence of covalently bound fluorescent probes and protein real‐time dynamics were investigated. We found that in fluorescently labeled bR and rhodopsin the intensity of fluorescein and Atto647 increased upon formation of the key intermediates M and metarhodopsin‐II, respectively, suggesting different surface properties compared to the dark state. Furthermore, time‐resolved fluorescence anisotropy experiments reveal an increase in steric restriction of loop flexibility because of changes in the surrounding protein environment in both the M‐intermediate as well as the active metarhodopsin‐II state. The kinetics of the fluorescence changes at the rhodopsin surface uncover multiple transitions, suggesting metarhodopsin‐II substates with different surface properties. Proton uptake from the aqueous bulk phase correlates with the first transition, while late proton release seems to parallel the second transition. The last transition between states of different surface properties correlates with metarhodopsin‐II decay.