bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Na+,K+‐pumps and transmembrane Na+,K+‐distribution in muscle function
Authors: Clausen T. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractNa+,K+‐ATPase situated in the plasma membrane mediates active extrusion of Na+ and intracellular accumulation of K+. This transport system – the Na+,K+‐pump – is the major regulator of the transmembrane distribution of Na+ and K+, and is itself subject to regulation by a wide variety of factors in skeletal muscles.The excitation of skeletal muscles is elicited by a rapid influx of Na+, followed by an equivalent efflux of K+ across sarcolemmal and t‐tubular membranes. Due to their size and sudden onset, these events constitute the major transport challenge for the Na+,K+‐pumps. Skeletal muscles contain the largest single pool of K+ in the organism. During intense exercise, the Na+,K+‐pumps cannot readily reaccumulate K+ into the muscle cells. Therefore, the working muscles undergo a net loss of K+, causing up to a doubling of the K+ concentration in the arterial blood plasma in less than 1 min and even larger increases in interstitial K+. This may induce depolarization, loss of excitability and force, in particular in muscles, where the excitation‐induced passive Na+,K+‐fluxes are large. During continuous stimulation of isolated rat muscles, there is a highly significant correlation between the rise in extracellular K+ and the rate of force decline. Fortunately, excitation increases the Na+,K+‐pumping rate within seconds. Thus, maximum activation of up to 20‐fold above the resting transport rate may be reached in 10 s, with utilization of all available Na+,K+‐pumps. In muscles, where excitability is reduced by pre‐exposure to high [K+]o, acute activation of the Na+,K+‐pumps by hormones or intermittent electrical stimulation restores excitability and contractility. In working muscles, the Na+,K+‐pumps, due to rapid activation of their large transport capacity, play a dynamic regulatory role in the from second to second ongoing restoration and maintenance of excitability and force. Excitation is a self‐limiting process that depends on the leak/pump ratio for Na+ and K+. Acute inhibition of the Na+,K+‐pumps with ouabain or downregulation of the Na+,K+‐pump capacity clearly reduces contractile endurance in isolated muscles. The Na+,K+‐pumps are a limiting factor for contractile force and endurance. This is in particular noted if their capacity is reduced because of inactivity or disease. For these reasons, tight regulation of the Na+,K+‐pumps is crucial for the maintenance of plasma K+, membrane potential and excitability in skeletal muscle. This is achieved by:

acute activation of the Na+,K+‐pumps elicited by excitation, catecholamines, insulin, insulin‐like growth factor I, calcitonins and amylin; and
long‐term regulation of the content of Na+,K+‐pumps exerted by thyroid hormones, adrenal steroids, insulin, training, inactivity, fasting, K+‐deficiency or K+‐overload.

In conclusion, the Na+,K+‐pump is a central target for regulation of Na+,K+‐distribution, important for the contractile performance of skeletal muscles, the pathophysiology of several diseases and for therapeutic intervention.
Dogkeeping practices as reported by readers of an Australian dog enthusiast magazine
Authors: Masters AM , McGreevy PD 
Published: February 2008

Objective  To characterise Australian domestic dogkeeping practices relevant to canine health and welfare.Procedure  A quantitative questionnaire was distributed nationally through Dog's Life magazine. Data on management practices, household and dog demographics from 690 Australian dogs in 485 self‐selected respondent households were analysed using ordinal and binary regression.Results  Several variables, relating to dog, owner and environment were associated with management practices. The size of the dog correlated positively with being fed outdoors (P < 0.001), gameplaying (P = 0.016) and being trained (P = 0.001) and negatively with time spent indoors (P < 0.001). Neutered dogs were more likely to be walked every day (P = 0.027) and have had prior treatment for unwelcome behaviours (P < 0.001) but less likely to be fed outdoors (P < 0.013). The number of children in the household correlated with the dog being fed outdoors (P < 0.001). The number of adult female humans in the household correlated with dog being neutered (P < 0.001) whereas the reverse was linked to number of adult male humans in the household (P < 0.013). Larger numbers of adult female humans in the household were associated with a higher incidence of prior treatment for unwelcome behaviours (P = 0.020). The number of dogs in the household correlated negatively with dogs being walked every day (P < 0.004) and gameplaying (P = 0.001). Pure bred dogs were more likely to have attended puppy preschool than cross breeds (P = 0.002).Conclusion  Reference to previous studies of Australian dog owners suggests that the current data are representative in terms of location of households, sex and age of dogs, however, the proportion of pure bred dogs in the current survey was surprisingly high. This was perhaps because respondents were from a particular sector of the Australian dog‐owning population. It must be acknowledged that Dog's Life magazine readers may be atypical of Australian dog owners, nevertheless, the study demonstrates that variables relating to the dog, owner or environment can be used to characterise management styles.
Sanhedrin, Sanhedriyyot, or Mere Invention?
Authors: Grabbe Lester 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe institution of the Sanhedrin has been taken for granted in much discussion on Second Temple Judaism. In recent years, however, it has come to be questioned. This study examines the primary evidence and asks historical questions: Did such an institution (under the name "Sanhedrin" or some other name or names) actually exist? If so, what form did it take? How might it have functioned? The study concludes that such an institution did exist, but not as described in the Mishnah tractate Sanhedrin, and it varied in function and power through its long history.
Rainfall Occurrence in the U.S. Warm Season: The Diurnal Cycle*
Authors: Carbone R. E. , Tuttle J. D. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The diurnal occurrence of warm-season rainfall over the U.S. mainland is examined, particularly in light of forcings at multiple scales. The analysis is based on a radar dataset of 12-seasons duration covering the U.S. mainland from the Continental Divide eastward. The dataset resolves 2-km features at 15-min intervals, thus providing a detailed view of both large- and regional-scale diurnal patterns, as well as the statistics of events underlying these patterns. The results confirm recent findings with respect to the role of propagating rainfall systems and the high frequency at which these are excited by sensible heating over elevated terrain. Between the Rockies and the Appalachians, ∼60% of midsummer rainfall occurs in this manner.
Most rainfall in the central United States is nocturnal and may be attributed to the following three main forcings: 1) the passage of eastward-propagating rainfall systems with origins near the Continental Divide at 105°W; 2) a nocturnal reversal of the mountain–plains solenoid, which is associated with widespread ascent over the plains; and 3) the transport of energetic air and moisture convergence by the Great Plains low-level jet.
Other features of interest include effects of the Appalachians, semidiurnal signals of regional significance, and the impact of breezes along the Gulf of Mexico. A modest effort was put forth to discern signals associated with El Niño and the Southern Oscillation. While tendencies in precipitation patterns are observed, the record is too short to draw conclusions of general significance.
Determining Thorpe Scales from Ship-Lowered CTD Density Profiles
Authors: Gargett Ann , Garner Teresa 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCTD measurements taken as an integral part of oceanographic cruises could provide valuable information on spatial locations and time variability of significant shear-generated mixing in the ocean interior if used routinely to calculate Thorpe scales, that is, estimates of the scales of vertical overturning in an otherwise stably stratified fluid. This paper outlines methods for calculating reliable Thorpe scales from density profiles taken with a shipborne CTD, including removal of questionable instabilities associated with termination of pressure reversals, reduction of the effects of density noise by computation of an intermediate density profile, and overturn verification by a two-parameter (Ro, ΔN) diagnostic. The Ro criterion alone reliably removes overturns that result from salinity spikes at the high gradient boundaries of a weakly stratified layer, a common cause of highly suspect overturns. The ΔN diagnostic is a new water mass test describing the degree of “tightness” of the temperature–salinity (T–S) relationship. The present two-parameter diagnostic rejects a significantly larger percentage of suspect overturns than does a previous single-parameter water mass test. Despite developing a more reliable water mass diagnostic, the authors conclude that rejection of overturns based on a water mass test that incorporates expectation of T–S tightness is not warranted, given possibilities of T–S “looseness” resulting from mixing over regions of nonlinear T–S structure and/or from potential effects of differential diffusion.
Potential for luxS related signalling in marine bacteria and production of autoinducer-2 in the genus Shewanella
Authors: Bodor Agnes , Elxnat Bettina , Thiel Verena , Schulz Stefan , Wagner-Döbler Irene 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
The autoinducer-2 (AI-2) group of signalling molecules are produced by both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as the by-product of a metabolic transformation carried out by the LuxS enzyme. They are the only non species-specific quorum sensing compounds presently known in bacteria. The luxS gene coding for the AI-2 synthase enzyme was found in many important pathogens. Here, we surveyed its occurrence in a collection of 165 marine isolates belonging to abundant marine phyla using conserved degenerated PCR primers and sequencing of selected positive bands to determine if the presence of the luxS gene is phylogenetically conserved or dependent on the habitat.

Results
The luxS gene was not present in any of the Alphaproteobacteria (n = 71) and Bacteroidetes strains (n = 29) tested; by contrast, these bacteria harboured the sahH gene, coding for an alternative enzyme for the detoxification of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in the activated methyl cycle. Within the Gammaproteobacteria (n = 76), luxS was found in all Shewanella, Vibrio and Alteromonas isolates and some Pseudoalteromonas and Halomonas species, while sahH was detected in Psychrobacter strains. A number of Gammaproteobacteria (n = 27) appeared to have neither the luxS nor the sahH gene. We then studied the production of AI-2 in the genus Shewanella using the Vibrio harveyi bioassay. All ten species of Shewanella tested produced a pronounced peak of AI-2 towards the end of the exponential growth phase in several media investigated. The maximum of AI-2 activity was different in each Shewanella species, ranging from 4% to 46% of the positive control.

Conclusion
The data are consistent with those of fully sequenced bacterial genomes and show that the potential for lu xS related signalling is dependent on phylogenetic affiliation rather than ecological niche and is largest in certain groups of Gammaproteobacteria in the marine environment. This is the first report on AI-2 production in Shewanella species; its signalling role in these organisms remains to be elucidated.
Tight correlation between expression of the Forkhead transcription factor FOXM1 and HER2 in human breast cancer
Authors: Bektas Nuran , Haaf Anette ten , Veeck Jürgen , Wild Peter Johannes , Lüscher-Firzlaff Juliane , Hartmann Arndt , Knüchel Ruth , Dahl Edgar 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundFOXM1 regulates expression of cell cycle related genes that are essential for progression into DNA replication and mitosis. Consistent with its role in proliferation, elevated expression of FOXM1 has been reported in a variety of human tumour entities.FOXM1is a gene of interest because recently chemical inhibitors of FOXM1 were described to limit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cellsin vitro, indicating that FOXM1 inhibitors could represent useful anticancer therapeutics.MethodsUsing immunohistochemistry (IHC) we systematically analysed FOXM1 expression in human invasive breast carcinomas (n = 204) and normal breast tissues (n = 46) on a tissue microarray. Additionally, using semiquantitative realtime PCR, a collection of paraffin embedded normal (n = 12) and cancerous (n = 25) breast tissue specimens as well as benign (n = 3) and malignant mammary cell lines (n = 8) were investigated for FOXM1 expression. SPSS version 14.0 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsFOXM1 was found to be overexpressed in breast cancer in comparison to normal breast tissue both on the RNA and protein level (e.g. 8.7 fold as measured by realtime PCR). We found a significant correlation between FOXM1 expression and the HER2 status determined by HER2 immunohistochemistry (P< 0.05). Univariate survival analysis showed a tendency between FOXM1 protein expression and unfavourable prognosis (P= 0.110).ConclusionFOXM1 may represent a novel breast tumour marker with prognostic significance that could be included into multi-marker panels for breast cancer. Interestingly, we found a positive correlation between FOXM1 expression and HER2 status, pointing to a potential role of FOXM1 as a new drug target in HER2 resistant breast tumour, as FOXM1 inhibitors for cancer treatment were described recently. Further studies are underway to analyse the potential interaction between FOXM1 and HER2, especially whether FOXM1 directly activates theHER2promoter.
Short-term outcome in total knee replacement after soft-tissue release and balancing
Authors: Unitt L. , Sambatakakis A. , Johnstone D. , Briggs T. W. R. 
Published: February 2008

We studied the influence of soft-tissue releases and soft-tissue balance on the outcome of 526 total knee replacements one year after operation. The surgery had been performed by seven surgeons in five centres in the United Kingdom between October 1999 and December 2002. Balancing was carried out by five surgeons using spacers and trials and by two surgeons using a ‘balancer’ instrument. All the surgeons assessed the adequacy of their releases by taking measurements with the balancer after soft-tissue release before implanting the components. Independent observers collected the Oxford knee scores and applied the American Knee Society functional and knee scores as well as recording the range of movement of the replaced knee. These were compared with the pre-operative scores and the extent of the releases. We found differences in outcomes between minimal and extensive releases and between balanced and imbalanced knees. Knees requiring extensive soft-tissue releases showed greater change in the short-term clinical outcome without increased complications and achieved similar results at one year compared with those with less deformity pre-operatively which had required less soft-tissue release. Balancing an imbalanced knee improved the short-term knee outcome.
Soft-tissue sarcomas of the hand
Authors: Pradhan A. , Cheung Y. C. , Grimer R. J. , Peake D. , Al-Muderis O. A. , Thomas J. M. , Smith M. 
Published: February 2008

We have investigated the oncological outcome of 63 patients with soft-tissue sarcomas of the hand managed at three major centres in the United Kingdom. There were 44 males and 19 females with a mean age of 45 years (11 to 92). The three most common diagnoses were synovial sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma and epithelioid sarcoma. Local excision was carried out in 45 patients (71%) and amputation in 18 (29%). All those treated by amputation had a wide margin of excision but this was only achieved in 58% of those treated by local excision. The risk of local recurrence was 6% in those treated by amputation compared with 42% for those who underwent attempted limb salvage. An inadequate margin of excision resulted in a 12 times greater risk of local recurrence when compared with those in whom a wide margin of excision had been achieved. We were unable to demonstrate any role for radiotherapy in decreasing the risk of local recurrence when there was an inadequate margin of excision. Patients with an inadequate margin of excision had a much higher risk of both local recurrence and metastasis than those with wide margins. The overall survival rate at five years was 87% and was related to the grade and size of the tumour and to the surgical margin. We have shown that a clear margin of excision is essential to achieve local control of a soft-tissue sarcoma in the hand and that failure to achieve this results in a high risk of both local recurrence and metastastic disease.
A total hip replacement infected with mycobacterium bovis after intravesicular treatment with Bacille-Calmette-Guérin for bladder cancer
Authors: Reigstad O. , Siewers P. 
Published: February 2008

An 86-year-old male presented with a loose total hip replacement (THR) ten years after implantation. At revision for anticipated aseptic loosening, watery pus was found in the joint and Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG) was seen on culture. The bacterial strain was identified and was identical to the BCG used in the intravesicular treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma in this patient ten months earlier. After revision he received a full course of antituberculous treatment. The clinical and radiological results were excellent after follow-up for 30 months with his uncemented THR showing satisfactory incorporation. His inflammatory markers were normal and his Harris hip score was 95 points. The diagnosis of a tuberculous infection can be easily missed, but must be considered, especially if sterile pus is encountered.
β‐Globin gene cluster haplotypes and α‐thalassemia in sickle cell disease patients from Trinidad
Authors: Jones‐Lecointe Altheia , Smith Erskine , Romana Marc , Gilbert Marie‐Georges , Charles Waveney P. , Saint‐Martin Christian , Kéclard Lisiane 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this study, we have determined the frequency of βS haplotypes in 163 sickle cell disease patients from Trinidad. The α3.7 globin gene deletion status was also studied with an observed gene frequency of 0.17. Among the 283 βS chromosomes analyzed, the Benin haplotype was the most prevalent (61.8%) followed by Bantu (17.3%), Senegal (8.5%), Cameroon (3.5%), and Arab‐Indian (3.2%), while 5.7% of them were atypical. This βS haplotypes distribution differed from those previously described in other Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Guadeloupe, and Cuba), in agreement with the known involvement of the major colonial powers (Spain, France, and Great Britain) in the slave trade in Trinidad and documented an Indian origin of the βS gene. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Socioenvironmental conditions and nutritional status in urban and rural schoolchildren
Authors: Oyhenart Evelia E. , Castro Luis E. , Forte Luis M. , Sicre Maria L. , Quintero Fabian A. , Luis Maria A. , Torres Maria F. , Luna Maria E. , Cesani Maria F. , Orden Alicia B. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe analyzed the nutritional status of urban and rural schoolchildren from Mendoza (Argentina), but avoided rural and urban categorization by generating subpopulations as a function of their socioenvironmental characteristics. We transformed weight and height data into z‐scores using the CDC/NCHS growth charts; defined underweight, stunting, and wasting by z‐scores of less than −2 SD; and calculated overweight and obesity, according to the cutoff proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Socioenvironmental characteristics included housing, public services, parental resources, and farming practices; we processed these variables by categorical principal‐component analysis. The two first axes defined four subgroups of schoolchildren: three of these were associated with urban characteristics, while the remaining subgroup was considered rural. Nutritional status differed across groups, whereas overweight was similar among the groups and obesity higher in urban middle‐income children. Urban differences were manifested mainly as underweight, but rural children exhibited the greatest stunting and wasting. Thus, the negative effects of environment on nutritional status in children are not restricted to poor periurban and rural areas, though these are indeed unfavorable environments for growth: some urban families provide children with sufficient quantity and diversity of foods to expose them to obesity. By contrast, the more affluent urban families would appear to have greater possibilities for allowing their children to adopt a healthy life‐style. Although the causes of differences in nutritional status between middle‐ and high‐income urban groups are not clear, these determinants probably involve economic as well as educational influences. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Technical note: Improved ancient DNA purification for PCR using ion‐exchange columns
Authors: Kim Kijeong , Kim Kyung‐Yong , Jeon Eunhee , Togloom Ariunaa , Cho Youn‐Ock , Lee Min‐Soo , Lkhagvasuren Gavaachimed , Choi Jee‐Hye , Tumen Dashtseveg , Ja Park Ae , Kim Keun‐Cheol , Park Ki‐Won , Kim Jae‐Hyun , Noh Maengseok , Yoo Kwon‐Jong , Lee Kwang‐Ho 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA novel method of ancient DNA (aDNA) purification was developed using ion‐exchange columns to improve PCR‐amplifiable DNA extraction from ancient bone samples. Thirteen PCR‐resistant ancient bone samples aged 500–3,300 years were tested to extract aDNA using a recently reported, silica‐based aDNA extraction method and an ion‐exchange column method for the further purification. The PCR success rates of the aDNA extracts were evaluated for the amplification ability of the fragments of mitochondrial DNA, a high‐copy DNA, and amelogenin, a low‐copy DNA. The results demonstrate that the further purification of silica‐based aDNA extracts using ion‐exchange columns considerably improved PCR amplification. We suggest that the ion‐exchange column‐based method will be useful for the improvement of PCR‐amplifiable aDNA extraction, particularly from the poorly preserved, PCR‐resistant, ancient samples. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.