bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In pregnant mice, the infection of Toxoplasma gondii causes the decrease of CD4+CD25+‐regulatory T cells
Authors: GE Y. Y. , ZHANG L. , ZHANG G. , WU J. P. , TAN M. J. , HU W. , LIANG Y. J. , WANG Y. 
Published: May 2008

Summary Acute maternal infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although previous reports have indicated that T. gondii may result in abortion without direct transmission of the parasite to the foetus, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. CD4+CD25+‐regulatory T cells are known to be involved in maternal tolerance toward the foetus‐bearing alloantigens. With a model of pregnant mice infected with T. gondii, we found that Foxp3 mRNA expression levels in both splenocytes and placenta were reduced markedly during the process of infection. Furthermore, the numbers of splenic CD4+CD25+‐regulatory T cells and placental Foxp3+ cells decreased synchronously in the infected mice, and the reduction of splenic CD4+CD25+‐regulatory T cells were associated with apoptosis induced by the infection. Additionally, injection of pregnant mice with excretory–secretory antigens (ESA) of T. gondii also resulted in foetal loss, which could be partly prevented by adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+‐regulatory T cells from normal pregnant mice. These data suggest that foetal loss caused by T. gondii can be independent of vertical infection and that the decrease of CD4+CD25+‐regulatory T cells during infection may represent a previously unrecognized mechanism for the pathogenesis of abortion caused by this parasite.
Increasing amino acid supply in pea embryos reveals specific interactions of N and C metabolism, and highlights the importance of mitochondrial metabolism
Authors: Weigelt Kathleen , Küster Helge , Radchuk Ruslana , Müller Martin , Weichert Heiko , Fait Aaron , Fernie Alisdair R. , Saalbach Isolde , Weber Hans 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe application of nitrogen to legumes regulates seed metabolism and composition. We recently showed that the seed‐specific overexpression of amino acid permease VfAAP1 increases amino acid supply, and the levels of N and protein in the seeds. Two consecutive field trials usingPisum sativumAAP1 lines confirmed increases in the levels of N and globulin in seed; however, compensatory changes of sucrose/starch and individual seed weight were also observed. We present a comprehensive analysis of AAP1 seeds using combinatorial transcript and metabolite profiling to monitor the effects of nitrogen supply on seed metabolism. AAP1 seeds have increased amino acids and stimulated gene expression associated with storage protein synthesis, maturation, deposition and vesicle trafficking. Transcript/metabolite changes reveal the channelling of surplus N into the transient storage pools asparagine and arginine, indicating that asparagine synthase is transcriptionally activated by high N levels and/or C limitation. Increased C‐acceptor demand for amino acid synthesis, resulting from elevated levels of N in seeds, initiates sucrose mobilization and sucrose‐dependent pathways via sucrose synthase, glycolysis and the TCA cycle. The AAP1 seeds display a limitation in C, which leads to the catabolism of arginine, glutamic acid and methionine to putrescine, β‐alanine and succinate. Mitochondria are involved in the coordination of C/N metabolism, with branched‐chain amino acid catabolism and a γ‐amino‐butyric acid shunt. AAP1 seeds contain higher levels of ABA, which is possibly involved in storage‐associated gene expression and the N‐dependent stimulation of sucrose mobilization, indicating that a signalling network of C, N and ABA is operating during seed maturation. These results demonstrate that legume seeds have a high capacity to regulate N:C ratios, and highlight the importance of mitochondria in the control of N–C balance and amino acid homeostasis.
Evaluation of storage mite contamination of commercial dry dog food
Authors: Brazis Pilar , Serra Montserrat , Sellés Alex , Dethioux Fabienne , Biourge Vincent , Puigdemont Anna 
Published: May 2008

AbstractStorage mites may be considered important allergens in dogs with atopic dermatitis. High sensitization rates to Tyrophagus, Acarus, and Lepidoglyphus species have been reported in atopic dogs, and dry pet food has been suggested as a potential source of storage mite exposure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate commercial dry dog food for contamination with storage mites, and how storage time and conditions could influence the risk of contamination. Ten different premium commercial dry dog foods formulated for skin disorders were selected. Food bags were opened and stored for 6 weeks under two different environmental conditions. At different time points, samples from each bag were collected and analysed by microscopy, guanine test, storage mite‐specific traps, and a modified flotation technique.On opening, two storage mites identified as Acarus siro were isolated from one of the 10 bags by flotation technique, indicating that storage mites can be present in packaged dry dog food bags. After 5 weeks of storage under environmental conditions optimal for mite growth (23.2 ± 2.1 °C and 71 ± 5.6% of relative humidity), mites were detected by microscopic observation in nine of the 10 diets. When mites were identified by the flotation technique, Tyrophagus spp. were found to be the most common contaminating species. These results show that dry dog food can be a suitable substrate for storage mite reproduction, and that environmental and storage conditions may influence food contamination and mite development.
Prevalence of sleepiness in surviving drivers of motor vehicle collisions
Authors: Crummy F. , Cameron P. A. , Swann P. , Kossmann T. , Naughton M. T. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: Although alcohol and recreational drugs are recognized as significant risk factors for motor vehicle collisions (MVC), the contribution of sleepiness alone is less clear. We therefore sought to identify the contribution of sleepiness to the risk of a MVC in injured drivers, independent of drugs and alcohol.Methods: A prospective questionnaire and examination of sleep‐related risk factors in drivers surviving MVC in a major hospital‐based trauma centre was carried out.Results: Forty of 112 injured drivers screened were interviewed, of whom approximately 50% had at least one sleep‐related risk factor, 20% having two or more. Of the MVC deemed sleep‐related by questionnaire, only 25% were identified by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau definitions. Shift work was the greatest sleep‐related factor identified contributing to MVC.Conclusion: Sleepiness, particularly related to shift work, needs to be emphasized as a risk factor for MVC. Australian Transport Safety Bureau definitions of sleep‐related MVC are too lenient.
Fatigue life prediction of cracked padded plates
Authors: GUO K. , BELL R. , WANG X. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe fatigue crack propagation analyses of padded plates are conducted to predict the crack growth behaviour under various loading conditions. The fatigue life of a padded plate with a single edge crack originating from the weld toe is calculated using the weight function approach. The fatigue strength of padded plates with different pad thickness under remote loading conditions was investigated and compared to the T‐plate joint. The improvement of the fatigue strength of the pad design is verified. The thickness effect of the padded plate was investigated using the fracture mechanics approach. The geometrically similar model pairs with different initial crack sizes were investigated under remote loading conditions. It was shown that the thickness effect depends on both stress concentration and initial crack size.
Effect of shot peening on fatigue limit of surface flawed samples
Authors: TAKAHASHI F. , TANGE A. , ANDO K. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe effects of shot peening on the fatigue limit of specimens having a semicircular notch of varied surface length, 2a, are investigated. In the case of un‐peened specimens, the fatigue limit of specimens having a notch of a= 0.05 mm was equal to that of the un‐notched specimens. However, the fatigue limit of a= 0.3 mm was 46% smaller than that of the un‐notched specimens. On the contrary, in the case of peened specimens, the fatigue limit of a= 0.2 mm was equal to that of the un‐notched specimens and furthermore, that of a= 0.3 mm was only 5% smaller than that of the un‐notched specimens. Multiple non‐propagating cracks were observed in peened specimens after fatigue testing. The stress intensity factor of the maximum non‐propagating crack size corresponded to that of a= 0.2 mm notch. These results indicate that shot peening increases fatigue limit and decreases the likelihood that a surface flaw will result in failure.
Load spectra analysis and reconstruction for hydraulic pump components
Authors: CARBONI M. , CERRINI A. , JOHANNESSON P. , GUIDETTI M. , BERETTA S. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTHydraulic pumps are used as operating components in many mechanical systems (e.g. actuators in machines for moving materials) and, consequently, during their working life they are subjected to variable amplitude loadings. As this is the case, a thorough analysis of their load histories may be highly useful as it would help to determine an equivalent constant amplitude signal which could be easily applied to a test bench for the homologation of pumps. In the present paper, a novel methodology for the analysis of hydraulic pumps is suggested. The proposed methodology accounts for the different damaging processes of fixed and rotating parts of hydraulic pumps and applies both statistics of extreme values and the analysis of signals in the Markov domain. The results consist of block loadings, to be applied at the test bench, which represent extrapolated experimental signals measured on pumps during their service in different applications.
Applying modified Weibull failure theory to bimaterial specimen under thermal loading
Authors: KHANDAKER M. P. H. , EKWARO‐OSIRE S. , GAUTAM K. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTFailure of a thermally loaded bimaterial specimen was investigated in this research. A high‐stress gradient due to thermal loading occurs around the free edge of the interface of the bimaterial specimen. This high‐stress gradient plays an important role in the failure of the specimen. The Weibull failure theory has been shown to be unable to account for high‐stress gradients in externally loaded bimaterial specimens. The objective of this work is to develop a weight function method to calculate the effective stress intensity factors in the vicinity of a high‐stress gradient in a thermally loaded bimaterial specimen, and to develop a modified Weibull failure theory to handle the high‐stress gradient. It was found that the modified Weibull failure theory generated monotonous trends for the probability of failure with respect to increasing Weibull moduli, as demonstrated in the literature.
Microanatomical diversity of the humerus and lifestyle in lissamphibians
Authors: Canoville Aurore , Laurin Michel 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA study of body size and the compactness profile parameters of the humerus of 37 species of lissamphibians demonstrates a relationship between lifestyle (aquatic, amphibious or terrestrial) and bone microstructure. Multiple linear regressions and variance partitioning with Phylogenetic eigenVector Regressions reveal an ecological and a phylogenetic signal in some body size and compactness profile parameters. Linear discriminant analyses segregate the various lifestyles (aquatic vs. amphibious or terrestrial) with a success rate of up to 89.2%. The models built from data on the humerus discriminate aquatic taxa relatively well from the other taxa. However, like previous models built from data on the radius of amniotes or on the femur of lissamphibians, the new models do not discriminate amphibious taxa from terrestrial taxa on the basis of body size or compactness profile data. To make our inference method accessible, spreadsheets (see supplementary material on the website), which allow anyone to infer a lissamphibian lifestyle solely from body size and bone compactness parameters, were produced. No such easy implementation of habitat inference models is found in earlier papers on this topic.
The combination of docetaxel and the somatostatin analogue lanreotide on androgen‐independent docetaxel‐resistant prostate cancer: experimental data
Authors: Lo Nigro Cristiana , Maffi Monica , Fischel Jean Louis , Formento Patricia , Milano Gerard , Merlano Marco 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of the association between docetaxel and the somatostatin analogue lanreotide on the androgen‐independent prostate cancer cell line PC3, either sensitive or made resistant to docetaxel (PC3R), as new drugs and new combinations have promising clinical activity in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe examined the effect of docetaxel and lanreotide on cell proliferation, with analysis of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and expression of cell‐cycle regulatory proteins.RESULTSCombined treatment with docetaxel and lanreotide inhibited PC3 cell growth in vitro through an enhanced induction of cell death, compared with treatment with either agent alone; this result was particularly evident on PC3R cells. The results suggested that lanreotide could act as a P glycoprotein inhibitor in PC3R cells.CONCLUSIONThe present results provide a promising therapeutic approach for using somatostatin analogues in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer, in which lanreotide could interact with docetaxel in PC3R cells, with possible explanatory mechanisms which involve P glycoprotein‐mediated docetaxel resistance.
Vascular‐targeted photodynamic therapy (padoporfin, WST09) for recurrent prostate cancer after failure of external beam radiotherapy: a study of escalating light doses
Authors: Trachtenberg John , Weersink Robert A. , Davidson Sean R.H. , Haider Masoom A. , Bogaards Arjen , Gertner Mark R. , Evans Andrew , Scherz Avigdor , Savard Joanne , Chin Joseph L. , Wilson Brian C. , Elhilali Mostafa 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVETo report on the efficacy of TOOKAD® (WST 09; NegmaLerads, Magny‐Les‐Hameaux, France) vascular‐targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) as a method of whole‐prostate ablation in patients with recurrent localized prostate cancer after the failure of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients received a fixed photosensitizer dose of 2 mg/kg and patient‐specific light doses as determined by computer‐aided treatment planning. Up to six cylindrical light‐diffusing delivery fibres were placed transperineally in the prostate under ultrasonographic guidance. The treatment response was assessed by measuring serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels, lesion formation (avascular areas of tissue) measured on 7‐day gadolinium‐enhanced T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a 6‐month biopsy.RESULTSTreatment of the whole prostate was possible with minimal effects on surrounding organs. An increased light dose improved the tissue response, with MRI‐detectable avascular lesions, encompassing up to 80% of the prostate in some patients. A complete response, as determined by the 6‐month biopsy, required that patients received light doses of at least 23 J/cm2 in 90% of the prostate volume (D90 > 23 J/cm2). Of the 13 patients who received at least this light dose, eight were biopsy‐negative at 6 months. In this group of eight patients, PSA levels decreased and did so to negligible levels for those patients with a baseline PSA level of <5 ng/mL. Side‐effects were modest and self‐limited in most patients; there were recto‐urethral fistulae in two patients, one of which closed spontaneously.CONCLUSIONSTOOKAD‐VTP can produce large avascular regions in the irradiated prostate, and result in a complete negative‐biopsy response at high light doses. A response rate of more than half for those patients receiving the highest light doses shows the clinical potential of TOOKAD‐VTP to manage recurrence of prostatic carcinoma after EBRT.
Identifying Modifier Loci in Existing Genome Scan Data
Authors: Daw E. W. , Lu Y. , Marian A. J. , Shete S. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIn many genetic disorders in which a primary disease‐causing locus has been identified, evidence exists for additional trait variation due to genetic factors. These findings have led to studies seeking secondary ‘modifier’ loci. Identification of modifier loci provides insight into disease mechanisms and may provide additional screening and treatment targets. We believe that modifier loci can be identified by re‐analysis of genome screen data while controlling for primary locus effects. To test this hypothesis, we simulated multiple replicates of typical genome screening data on to two real family structures from a study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. With this marker data, we simulated two trait models with characteristics similar to one measure of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Both trait models included 3 genes. In the first, the trait was influenced by a primary gene, a secondary ‘modifier’ gene, and a third very small effect gene. In the second, we modeled an interaction between the first two genes. We examined power and false positive rates to map the secondary locus while controlling for the effect of the primary locus with two types of analyses. First, we examined Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) simultaneous segregation and linkage analysis as implemented in Loki, for which we calculated two scoring statistics. Second, we calculated LOD scores using an individual‐specific liability class based on the quantitative trait value. We found that both methods produced scores that are significant on a genome‐wide level in some replicates. We conclude that mapping of modifier loci in existing samples is possible with these methods.
Material properties of coyote dentine under bending: gradients in flexibility and strength by position
Authors: Freeman P. W. , Lemen C. A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe investigate the nonlinear properties of dentine from the upper canines of coyotesCanis latranswith bending tests. With the results we predict the behavior of whole canines under load. Coyote dentine is not homogeneous but is stronger and more ductile farther away from the pulp cavity. The modulus of rupture (MOR) first increases and then declines with distance from the pulp cavity. Our analysis of the composite nature of dentine produced by these gradients indicates that there may be an adaptive explanation with the composite having nearly the strength of the strongest dentine and a work of fracture greater than even the most ductile dentine. Coyote dentine is considerably stronger than human dentine. In coyotes, the peak MOR, a measure of bending strength, is 480 MPa, compared with a maximum of 225 MPa for human dentine. This value is about the same as the weakest coyote dentine that we found near the pulp cavity. Finally, enamel plays, at most, a small role in the bending strength of the whole tooth. Our results indicate that enamel under tension adds little to strength, but we cannot dismiss a small role for enamel in compression.
Stable isotope ecology of fossil hippopotamids from the Lake Turkana Basin of East Africa
Authors: Harris J. M. , Cerling T. E. , Leakey M. G. , Passey B. H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe diet of African hippopotamids can be documented through δ13C analyses of enamel and other tissues. Analysis of a 10‐million‐year sequence of hippopotamids in and near the Lake Turkana Basin of northern Kenya shows that hippos have included a substantial fraction of C3 vegetation in their diets since the late Miocene when C4 vegetation first appears in hippo diet as a measurable fraction. The C4 component of vegetation becomes dominant (>50%) by Upper Burgi time (c. 2 million years ago) but does not reach 100% for all individuals. It is therefore not unexpected that the δ13C values of modern hippopotamids show a higher fraction of dietary C3 biomass than has been estimated from traditional observations. Analysis of δ18O of hippos from different stratigraphic levels shows no systematic trend over time; the average value for fossil hippos over the last 10 million years is similar to that of modern hippos from the Omo River system.
Phylogenetic analysis of the allometric scaling of therapeutic regimes for birds
Authors: Kabat A. P. , Blackburn T. M. , McKechnie A. E. , Butler P. J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe use of allometric scaling to estimate drug doses, regimes, and clearance rates (metabolic dosing) is based on the principle that the amount of drug to be administered is more closely related to daily energy use than to body mass (kg). Thus, by using the allometric estimations of minimal energy consumption (MEC) in kcal day−1based on the formula MEC=kMbb, whereb=3, it is thought to be possible to extrapolate appropriate drug dosage regimens to species for which direct MEC data are unavailable. However, the allometric equations for respiratory variables in birds were developed 30 years ago, and were based on a very small sample size, while the appropriate scaling exponent for the allometry of energy use is a matter of considerable debate. Hence, we revisit the issue of the scaling of therapeutic regimes in birds using the most current expanded database available (resting metabolic rate data for 296 species across 17 bird orders), taking account of the non‐independence of species in this process using a phylogenetically independent approach. We show that the use of caloric values to estimate daily energy consumption introduces significant error into the formula, as there are a number of assumptions that are made when converting rate of oxygen consumption to a caloric value. We also show that there are significant differences in the proportionality or Hainsworth coefficientskacross taxa when the data are examined in a phylogenetic context, although the allometric scaling exponent does not vary. We therefore recommend the use of only data based on oxygen consumption values, and not caloric values, and a multi‐order phylogenetic model when calculating the appropriate drug dosage regime.
Stable isotope ecology of the common hippopotamus
Authors: Cerling T. E. , Harris J. M. , Hart J. A. , Kaleme P. , Klingel H. , Leakey M. G. , Levin N. E. , Lewison R. L. , Passey B. H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe diet of African hippopotamids can be documented through stable carbon isotope ratios (13C/12C) analyses of enamel and other tissues. The common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius is widely assumed to be a pure grazer; however, the 13C/12C ratios of modern H. amphibius show a higher fraction of dietary C3 biomass than estimated from traditional observations. Isotope profiles of modern hair and modern tooth enamel confirm that H. amphibius has a variable diet in both the short‐ (seasonal) and long‐ (sub‐decadal) time scales. Isotopic analyses of extant mammals from the same parks as the analyzed hippos provide comparative examples for diets of C3‐browsers and C4‐grazers. Oxygen isotope ratios (18O/16O) show that the hippo is consistently the most 18O‐depleted mammal in any one ecosystem; this directly reflects its semi‐aquatic habitat.