bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preimplantation embryonic development in a tropical vespertillionid bat
Authors: Pakrasi P. L. , Tiwari A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEarly embryonic development and implantation were studied in one of the Indian tropical bat Scotophilus heathi. This species is selected from its previous reports for an alternate animal model to study the reproduction in mammals. This bat is monoestrus. It also exhibits differential growth of embryos and generally one implantation per uterine horn. Embryo development was studied with dated pregnant females bred in captivity. Scotophilus heathi is an induced ovulator requiring several matings for ovulation to occur. In captivity, generally, it ovulates a single ovum after the third mating in captivity. The second ovulation occurs either at the fourth or fifth matings in the case when first ovulation occurs at the third mating. In our experiment, 70% of the bat ovulated both the ova simultaneously either at the fourth or fifth mating. The females that showed differential ovulation also showed differential embryonic development and differential implantation. The embryos could not begin compaction during cleavage and went to a state of block for about 8–10 days at the 6–8‐cell stage. This block was found to be related to the formation of corpora lutea. Culmination of block coincides with the presence of progesterone in serum. Then, the developmental block is removed and embryos resume development. The total preimplantation period of development takes 20–22 days including the block period. This study reports that bat embryonic development can be studied like in other laboratory animals. It may also provide another model to study developmental block.
Evaluating food hygiene inspection schemes: ‘Scores on Doors’ in the UK
Authors: Worsfold Denise , Worsfold Philip M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFood hygiene inspection results previously kept confidential from the public may now be released, and this gives food authorities the opportunity to publish these ratings, known as ‘Scores on Doors’, allowing consumers to make informed decisions when deciding where they will eat. The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is supporting trials of some of these schemes, which will involve more than 60 of the 400 local authorities, some of which have yet to launch their schemes. Other food authorities are running disclosure schemes independent of the FSA pilot scheme. The FSA has commissioned an evaluation of ‘Scores on Doors’ schemes to determine which is the most effective scheme with a view to launching a consistent nationwide scheme. A survey of ‘Scores on Doors’ schemes reveals many differences in the way they operate. This includes differences in the interpretation of scores, the extent of information that is disclosed, the communication channels used to disclose information, the amount of publicity provided for businesses and the public, the publicity given to the schemes by local media, and whether businesses are scored retrospectively or scored at inspection following the launch of the scheme. The implications of these variables for a comprehensive evaluation of the schemes are explored.
Co‐application of NMDA and dopamine‐induced rapid translation of RSK2 in the mature hippocampus
Authors: Kaphzan Hanoch , Doron Guy , Rosenblum Kobi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractRibosomal S6 kinase2 (RSK2) is known to take part in several signal transduction cascades including Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Regulated Kinase (MAPK/ERK). Following our recent observation that ERK can serve as a coincidence detector for fast and slow neurotransmission in the hippocampus, we analyzed the status of RSK2 phosphorylation subsequent to application of NMDA, dopamine, or both to preparations of mature hippocampal slices in Sprague–Dawley rats. RSK2 was indeed phosphorylated; however, in addition, the amount of RSK2 protein (60%) was induced within 10 min following stimulation. Moreover, the induced expression of RSK2 could be detected in both the cell body layer and the dendrites of hippocampal CA1 cells. Pharmacological analysis showed that RSK2 induction was MAPK ERK Kinase (MEK)‐ERK independent, but mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) and translation dependent. We suggest that the fast kinetics of RSK2 translation that follows physiological stimulations, together with recent observations that its over‐expression is vital for the attenuation of major signal transduction cascades, indicate an expanded physiological function of RSK2 in neurons, and sheds new light on the role of RSK2 in the Coffin–Lowry syndrome.
Isolation and characterization of dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Authors: KONGRIT C. , SIRIPUNKAW C. , BROCKELMAN W. Y. , AKKARAPATUMWONG V. , WRIGHT T. F. , EGGERT L. S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe endangered Asian elephant is found today primarily in protected areas. We characterized 18 dinucleotide microsatellite loci in this species. Allelic diversity ranged from three to eight per locus, and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.200 to 0.842 in a wild population. All loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, but linkage disequilibrium was detected between two loci in the wild, but not in the zoo elephants. These loci will be useful for the population‐level studies of this species.
A set of novel DNA polymorphisms within candidate genes potentially involved in ecological divergence between Populus alba and P. tremula, two hybridizing European forest trees
Authors: JOSEPH JEFFREY A. , LEXER CHRISTIAN 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe have identified 53 DNA (single nucleotide, microsatellite, and insertion‐deletion) polymorphisms within 12 candidate genes potentially involved in ecological differences between Populus alba and P. tremula, two hybridizing European forest trees. The genes represent candidates for functional roles associated with abiotic or biotic stress response, cross‐talk, phenology, and leaf development. Distributions within sequences, intraspecific levels of diversity, and genetic divergence (FST) between species are reported for each polymorphism, as are haplotype frequencies for each gene. The markers will be used for population genomic studies of the barrier to gene flow between these two ecologically divergent forest trees.
The novice, the native, and the nature of language teacher expertise
Authors: Shin Ji‐eun , Kellogg David 
Published: July 2007

Previous studies of linguistic imperialism and native‐speakerism in EFL have focused on political or social issues rather than actual classroom discourse. In contrast, in this study a broadly socio‐cultural approach and transcript data are used to examine the teaching talk of one novice expatriate English teacher working in Korean primary‐level EFL. Compared with a native Korean teacher, her language is simpler, in both exchange and utterance length, with fewer new content words and, surprisingly, more grammatical errors. While the children use less Korean with her, they also use less English. The authors hold that English language expertise might usefully be reconceptualized as a form of teaching expertise, rather than vice versa, and thus primary‐level EFL may be considered a special case of primary teaching rather than EFL for young learners.
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Dietary restriction alters demographic but not behavioral aging in Drosophila
Authors: Bhandari Poonam , Jones Melanie A. , Martin Ian , Grotewiel Michael S. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryDietary restriction extends lifespan substantially in numerous species including Drosophila. However, it is unclear whether dietary restriction in flies impacts age‐related functional declines in conjunction with its effects on lifespan. Here, we address this issue by assessing the effect of dietary restriction on lifespan and behavioral senescence in two wild‐type strains, in our standard white laboratory stock, and in short‐lived flies with reduced expression of superoxide dismutase 2. As expected, dietary restriction extended lifespan in all of these strains. The effect of dietary restriction on lifespan varied with genetic background, ranging from 40 to 90% extension of median lifespan in the seven strains tested. Interestingly, despite its robust positive effects on lifespan, dietary restriction had no substantive effects on senescence of behavior in any of the strains in our studies. Our results suggest that dietary restriction does not have a global impact on aging in Drosophila and support the hypothesis that lifespan and behavioral senescence are not driven by identical mechanisms.
Mating increases starvation resistance and decreases oxidative stress resistance in Drosophila melanogaster females
Authors: Rush Brandy , Sandver Sarah , Bruer Jessica , Roche Robin , Wells Michael , Giebultowicz Jadwiga 
Published: July 2007

SummaryMating stimulates complex physiological changes in females of Drosophila melanogaster. Long‐term effects of mating are manifested in increased fecundity and shortened lifespan. It is not clear how mating affects stress resistance in fly females. We addressed this question here and found that mated and highly fecund wild‐type D. melanogaster females have significantly higher resistance to starvation throughout their lifetime than age‐matched virgin females. Mean survival time under starvation was age dependent with maximum survival time observed in 15‐day‐old mated females. Mating‐induced increase in starvation resistance was associated with significantly higher fat reserves stored as triacylglycerols. While mated females had higher resistance to starvation, their resistance to oxidative stress was significantly lower than in age‐matched virgins. Our study revealed that mating leads to an opposing relationship between resistance to starvation and resistance to oxidative stress in Drosophila females. Thus, shortened lifespan of mated females is associated with their high‐fat content and greater susceptibility to oxidative stress.
Telomerase reverse transcriptase haploinsufficiency and telomere length in individuals with 5p– syndrome
Authors: Du Hong‐Yan , Idol Rachel , Robledo Sara , Ivanovich Jennifer , An Ping , Londono‐Vallejo Arturo , Wilson David B. , Mason Philip J. , Bessler Monica 
Published: July 2007

SummaryTelomerase, which maintains the ends of chromosomes, consists of two core components, the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA (TERC). Haploinsufficiency for TERC or TERT leads to progressive telomere shortening and autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita (DC). The clinical manifestations of autosomal dominant DC are thought to occur when telomeres become critically short, but the rate of telomere shortening in this condition is unknown. Here, we investigated the consequences of de novo TERT gene deletions in a large cohort of individuals with 5p– syndrome. The study group included 41 individuals in which the chromosome deletion resulted in loss of one copy of the TERT gene at 5p15.33. Telomere length in peripheral blood cells from these individuals, although within the normal range, was on average shorter than in normal controls. The shortening was more significant in older individuals suggesting an accelerated age‐dependent shortening. In contrast, individuals with autosomal dominant DC due to an inherited TERC gene deletion had very short telomeres, and the telomeres were equally short regardless of the age. Although some individuals with 5p– syndrome showed clinical features that were reminiscent of autosomal dominant DC, these features did not correlate with telomere length, suggesting that these were not caused by critically short telomeres. We conclude that a TERT gene deletion leads to slightly shorter telomeres within one generation. However, our results suggest that several generations of TERT haploinsufficiency are needed to produce the very short telomeres seen in patients with DC.
Triglyceride and high‐density lipoprotein levels as the markers of disease activity and their association with TNF‐α and TNF receptor system in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: KARIMIFAR M. , GHARIBDOOST F. , AKBARIAN M. , MEYSAMIE A. P. , KHOSRAVI SH. , KARIMIFAR Mozh , SHAHRAM F. , NADJI A. , JAMSHIDI A. R. , AKHLAGHI M. , YAZDANI B. , DAVATCHI F. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  There are some clues that measurement of triglyceride (TG) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and their correlation with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), soluble TNF‐α receptor type 1 and type 2 (sTNFR1, sTNFR2) in serum could be valuable in the assessment of disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study, fasting blood samples were obtained from 86 SLE patients referred to the Rheumatology Research Center of Tehran University in Shariati Hospital, Iran. Disease activity was determined by using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). TG and HDL obtained after overnight fasting were analysed by routine chemistry. Levels of circulating TNF‐α, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  Triglyceride levels were associated with SLEDAI (r = 0.59, P < 0.001), TNF‐α (r = 0.27, P < 0.01), and with sTNFR1 (r = 0.54, P < 0.001); on the contrary, HDL levels were negatively associated with SLEDAI (r = –0.29, P < 0.007), TNF‐α (r = –0.27, P < 0.01), and sTNFR1 (r = –0.35, P < 0.001). The correlation of TG and HDL with sTNFR2 were (r = 0.13, P > 0.23) and (r = –0.17, P > 0.1), respectively. In multiple logistic regression models, the levels of TNF‐α and HDL were omitted.Conclusion:  Dyslipoproteinemia with high TG/low HDL levels correlates with disease activity in SLE, and enhanced activity in the TNF‐α/sTNFR system. With results of this study and the same studies, serum levels of TG, HDL, TNF‐α, sTNFR1, sTNFR2 are valuable markers for estimation of disease activity in SLE.
Increased TGF‐β–producing CD4+ T lymphocytes in postburn patients and their potential interaction with dermal fibroblasts in hypertrophic scarring
Authors: Wang JianFei , Jiao Haiyan , Stewart Tara L. , Shankowsky Heather A. , Scott Paul G. , Tredget Edward E. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe development of hypertrophic scar involves a complex interplay between cells and cytokines. Although the mechanism underlying its pathogenesis is not well understood, a polarized T‐helper type 2 immune response has been reported, indicating a role for CD4+ T lymphocytes in hypertrophic scarring. Here, we report an increased frequency of CD4+/transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)‐producing T cells in the peripheral blood and hypertrophic scar tissue of burn patients. These cells may play an indirect regulatory role in hypertrophic scar by affecting the functions of dermal fibroblasts. Our results show an increase in cell proliferation and collagen synthesis by dermal fibroblasts treated with medium derived from burn patient CD4+ T lymphocytes but not from the CD4+ T cells of normal subjects. Using confocal microscopy and immunoblotting, we found the level of α‐smooth muscle actin to be elevated in these treated dermal fibroblasts, which also showed an enhanced ability to contract collagen lattices. TGF‐β levels in medium conditioned by the culture of CD4+ T lymphocytes from burn patients were significantly higher than in the conditioned medium from CD4+ T lymphocytes of normal subjects. In addition, the application of a TGF‐β–neutralizing antibody significantly reduced the effect of burn patient CD4+ T lymphocyte medium on dermal fibroblast proliferation and collagen lattice contraction. Our study suggests that CD4+/TGF‐β–producing T lymphocytes may play an important role in postburn hypertrophic scarring.
Adipose tissue extract enhances skin wound healing
Authors: Fu Xiaobing , Fang Lijun , Li Haihong , Li Xiaokun , Cheng Biao , Sheng Zhiyong 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe main function of adipose tissue has been considered as storage of triglycerides. Adipose tissue was considered harmful for healing extensive and deep burns because of poor circulation and easy liquefaction in wound beds, which offer an excellent culture medium for bacteria. However, these traditional concepts have been challenged with the discovery of the endocrine function of adipose tissue. To investigate the effects of adipose tissue extract on wound healing, we created four 3.0 × 2.5 cm full‐thickness wounds on each side of the back of male Wu Zhi Shan minipigs (n=6), for eight wounds in each animal. The wounds were randomly divided to receive normal saline (0.5 mL; controls), adipose tissue extract (1.5 g), basic fibroblast growth factor (50 U/cm2), and epidermal growth factor (50 U/cm2). Reduction in wound area and wound volume was accelerated with adipose tissue treatment as compared with growth factor or control treatment. The thickness of the regenerated epidermis and the number of new vascular nets were markedly increased in adipose tissue‐treated wounds. Biopsy of adipose tissue‐treated wounds showed enhanced expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Factor VIII‐related antigen, which indicated active cell differentiation and proliferation. In vitro study in rat tissue showed adipose tissue extracts stimulating skin growth. Bacteriology results showed no significant differences in amount or type of bacteria, whatever the treatment. These results may challenge the traditional concept that adipose tissue plays a negative role in wound healing and may offer direct evidence for encouraging the retention of adipose tissue in autologous skin grafting for skin wounds.
In vitro binding of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, and bacterial collagenase on collagenous wound dressings
Authors: Metzmacher Iris , Ruth Peter , Abel Martin , Friess Wolfgang 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTChronic wounds are characterized by failure in wound‐healing response and a delay in healing or nonclosure of the wounds. This results in a high effort in clinical treatment and/or home care. A major difference between acute wounds and chronic wounds is the imbalance of proteinase inhibitors and proteinase activity that regulates the degradation and regeneration of the extracellular matrix proteins. Collagen and collagen/oxidized regenerated cellulose dressings act as a competitive substrate for matrix metalloproteinase‐2, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and bacterial collagenase and influence this imbalance positively. Both wound dressings, approved for chronic wound treatment, the bovine collagen type I sponge and the oxidized regenerated cellulose collagen sponge, did not differ significantly in their sorption profiles for all enzymes. In general, binding was enhanced with a longer incubation time. The density of the device and the accessible surface, which can be controlled by the manufacturing process, are the crucial factors for the efficiency of the wound dressing.
Modeling the effects of treating diabetic wounds with engineered skin substitutes
Authors: Waugh Helen V. , Sherratt Jonathan A. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a novel mathematical model of wound healing in both normal and diabetic cases is presented, focusing upon the effects of adding two currently available commercial engineered skin substitute therapies to the wound (Apligraf™ and Dermagraft™). Our work extends a previously developed model, which considers inflammatory and repair macrophage dynamics in normal and diabetic wound healing. Here, we extend the model to include equations for platelet‐derived growth factor concentration, fibroblast density, collagen density, and hyaluronan concentration. This enables us to examine the variation of these components in both normal and diabetic wound healing cases, and to model the treatment protocols of these therapies. Within the context of our model, we find that the key component to successful healing in diabetic wounds is hyaluronan and that the therapies work by increasing the amount of hyaluronan available in the wound environment. The time‐to‐healing results correlate with those observed in clinical trials and the model goes some way to establishing an understanding of why diabetic wounds do not heal, and how these treatments affect the diabetic wound environment to promote wound closure.
A new thermodynamic model for clino‐ and orthoamphiboles in the system Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–O
Authors: DIENER J. F. A. , POWELL R. , WHITE R. W. , HOLLAND T. J. B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA recent thermodynamic model for the Na–Ca clinoamphiboles in the system Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–O (NCFMASHO), is improved, and extended to include cummingtonite–grunerite and the orthoamphiboles, anthophyllite and gedrite. The clinoamphibole model in NCMASH is adopted, but the extension into the FeO‐ and Fe2O3‐bearing systems is revised to provide thermodynamic consistency and better agreement with natural assemblage data. The new model involves order–disorder of Fe–Mg between the M2, M13 and M4 sites in the amphibole structure, calibrated using the experimental data on site distributions in cummingtonite–grunerite. In the independent set of end‐members used to represent the thermodynamics, grunerite (rather than ferroactinolite) is used for FeO, with two ordered Fe–Mg end‐members, and magnesioriebeckite (rather than ferritschermakite) is used for Fe2O3. Natural assemblage data for coexisting clinoamphiboles are used to constrain the interaction energies between the various amphibole end‐members. For orthamphibole, the assumption is made that the site distributions and the non‐ideal formulation is the same as for clinoamphibole. The data set end‐members anthophyllite, ferroanthophyllite and gedrite, are used; for the others, they are based on the clinoamphibole end‐members, with the necessary adjustments to their enthalpies constrained by natural assemblage data for coexisting clino‐ and orthoamphiboles. The efficacy of the models is illustrated with P–T grids and various pseudosections, with a particular emphasis on the prediction of mineral assemblages in ferric‐bearing systems.
New, high‐precision P–T estimates for Oman blueschists: implications for obduction, nappe stacking and exhumation processes
Authors: YAMATO P. , AGARD P. , GOFFÉ B. , DE ANDRADE V. , VIDAL O. , JOLIVET L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOman blueschists and eclogites lie below the obduction nappe of the Semail ophiolite in one of the key areas on Earth for the study of plate convergence. Here new metamorphic and tectonic constraints are provided for the central, yet poorly constrained Hulw unit, sandwiched between the low‐grade units (∼10 kbar, <300 °C) and the As Sifah eclogites (Pmax ∼ 23 kbar; Tmax ∼ 600 °C).TWEEQU multi‐equilibrium thermobarometry, using both compositional mapping and spot analyses, and Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material yield a high‐precision P–T path for the Hulw and As Sheikh units and reveal that they shared a common P–T history in four stages: (i) a pressure decrease from 10–12 kbar, 250–300 °C to 7–9 kbar, 300–350 °C; (ii) almost isobaric heating at ∼8–10 kbar from 300–350 °C to 450–500 °C; (iii) a pressure decrease at moderate temperatures (∼450–500 °C); and (iv) isobaric cooling at ∼5–6 kbar from 450–500 to 300 °C. No significant pressure or temperature gap is observed across the upper plate–lower plate discontinuity to the north and west of the Hulw unit.The combination of tectonic and P–T data constrains the stacking chronology of the three main metamorphic units comprising the Saih Hatat window (i.e. the Ruwi‐Quryat, the Hulw‐As Sheikh and the Diqdah‐As Sifah units). These results strengthen the view that the tectonic and metamorphic data are conveniently accounted for by a simple, N‐vergent continental subduction of the passive Arabian margin below the obduction nappe along a cold P–T gradient.