bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PYGMY SPERM WHALES KOGIA BREVICEPS IN THE NORTHEAST ATLANTIC: NEW INFORMATION ON STOMACH CONTENTS AND STRANDINGS
Authors: Santos M. B. , Pierce G. J. , López A. , Reid R. J. , Ridoux V. , Mente E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractLittle is known about the feeding ecology of pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) in the Northeast Atlantic. Results are presented on the stomach contents of five whales stranded on the Galician coast (NW Spain) between 1995 and 2002 and seven whales stranded on the French Atlantic coast between 1984 and 2001. These results are compared with those obtained from the stomach contents of two pygmy sperm whales (a pregnant female and her calf ) stranded on the Scottish (UK) coast in 1999, the first records of the species in Scotland. In 13 out of 14 cases, food remains consisted almost entirely of cephalopod beaks, although some crustacean and fish remains were also present. In all the Spanish specimens, the identified prey were oceanic species: the cephalopods Histioteuthis reversa, H. bonnellii, Todarodes sagittatus, the viperfish Chauliodus sloani, and the giant mysid Gnatophausia sp. The same cephalopod species were found in the stomachs of the whales stranded in Scotland, although both whales had also consumed neritic cephalopod species such as Rossia macrosoma and other sepiolids. In the French specimens, almost all prey identified were oceanic cephalopods (H. reversa, Brachioteuthis riseii, T. sagittatus, Taonius pavo, etc.), but remains of crustaceans and a neritic squid (Loligo forbesi) were also found. One whale from France had eaten mainly Henslow's swimming crab (Polybius henslowi). Results from the present study are consistent with those found by other authors in the Azores and the Canary Islands in that pygmy sperm whales appear to be mainly teuthophagous, with histioteuthid squids forming an important part of the diet. Strandings records suggest that occurrence of pygmy sperm whales in the NE Atlantic may be seasonal, with most strandings occurring in autumn and winter.
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A MASS‐ESTIMATION METHOD FOR WEDDELL SEALS
Authors: Ireland Darren , Garrott Robert A. , Rotella Jay , Banfield Jeff 
Published: February 2006

AbstractTraditional methods of acquiring mass data limit the ability to collect large samples from across populations of some pinnipeds, or to sample without great disturbance to the animals. In order to collect substantial samples of mass data from the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) population in Erebus Bay, Antarctica, we developed the equipment and methods for estimating the mass of Weddell seals using digital photographs. Resulting regression models predict the mass of adult female seals to within ±13.8% of estimated mass, and ±25.9% of estimated mass for pups. We show the protocols developed are repeatable and efficient enough to be applied to a large number of animals in a relatively short period of time and may be useful for studies of other marine mammals. We caution that prediction intervals exist around mass estimates and must be accounted for when estimates are applied to biological questions. In a limited application of the method, differences in mass transfer between experienced and inexperienced maternal females and their pups were detected when prediction error variance around mass estimates was explicitly included. Similar mass‐estimation methods may therefore be useful in consideration of biological questions requiring large samples of mass previously unattainable.
DOES DIVING LIMIT BRAIN SIZE IN CETACEANS?
Authors: Marino Lori , Sol Daniel , Toren Kristen , Lefebvre Louis 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe test the longstanding hypothesis, known as the dive constraint hypothesis, that the oxygenation demands of diving pose a constraint on aquatic mammal brain size.Using a sample of 23 cetacean species we examine the relationship among six different measures of relative brain size, body size, and maximum diving duration. Unlike previous tests we include body size as a covariate and perform independent contrast analyses to control for phylogeny. We show that diving does not limit brain size in cetaceans and therefore provide no support for the dive constraint hypothesis. Instead, body size is the main predictor of maximum diving duration in cetaceans. Furthermore, our findings show that it is important to conduct robust tests of evolutionary hypotheses by employing a variety of measures of the dependent variable, in this case, relative brain size.
Development of fetal haemoglobin-blood cells (F cells) within colorectal tumour tissues
Authors: Wolk M , Martin J E , Reinus C 
Published: February 2006

Aim:To evaluate the sources of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) as an indicator in cancer. An immunohistochemical study was carried out on some of the most common kinds of cancer. All of these cancers had serologically high levels of HbF as evaluated previously.Methods:Immunoaffinity-purified anti-HbF was immunohistochemically used to study F cell distribution in the following cancers: colorectal adenocarcinoma, urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma, brain tumours, lung carcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma, leukaemia, Burkitt’s lymphoma and endometrial carcinoma.Results:In colorectal adenocarcinoma, HbF-containing red blood cells (FRBC) were present within thin-walled vessels or were disposed in dense clusters within the tumour. Some of these cells were nucleated or binucleated HbF-erythroblasts or HbF-normoblasts (FNBS). In two cases, high levels of mitoses within HbF-erythroblasts were observed. In half of the cases with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder, regional intratumoral blood vessels were found to contain 5–50% FRBC. In the other tumours examined, F cells were not observed. FRBCs, however, were occasionally observed in the regional lymph nodes of some of these cancers.Conclusions:The evaluation of HbF as a potential plasma marker is suggested by the high concentration of FRBCs in colorectal tumours. The apparent development of FRBCs in colorectal tumour tissues is an interesting observation, as these cells were previously thought to develop in medullary or lymphoid tissues. It is thus suggested that the colonic microenvironment may stimulate extramedullary fetal-type haematopoiesis.
Primary prevention of latex related sensitisation and occupational asthma: a systematic review
Authors: LaMontagne A D , Radi S , Elder D S , Abramson M J , Sim M 
Published: February 2006

Methods:Eight primary prevention intervention studies on natural rubber latex (NRL) published since 1990 were identified and reviewed. This is the largest evidence base of primary prevention studies for any occupational asthmagen.Results:Review of this small and largely observational evidence base supports the following evidence statement: Substitution of powdered latex gloves with low protein powder-free NRL gloves or latex-free gloves greatly reduces NRL aeroallergens, NRL sensitisation, and NRL-asthma in healthcare workers. Evidence in support of this statement is ranked SIGN level 2+, referring to well conducted case-control or cohort studies with a low risk of confounding, bias, or chance and a moderate probability that the relationship is causal.Conclusion:Substitution of powdered latex gloves with low protein powder-free NRL gloves or latex-free gloves promises benefits to both workers’ health and cost and human resource savings for employers. This message should be broadly disseminated beyond the hospital sector to include other healthcare settings (such as aged care facilities) as well as food service and other industries where latex gloves might be used.
Methodology for delineating groundwater protection areas against persistent contaminants
Authors: Bussard T. , Tacher L. , Parriaux A. , Maître V. 
Published: February 2006

This study proposes a general methodology, applied in Switzerland, for the delineation of protection areas for abstracted groundwater against persistent chemical contaminants in order to establish: (1) remediation programmes in the event of contamination and (2) prevention programmes, in a general way.
This new approach is based on the complete groundwater flow cycle, from the surface of the catchment zone to the groundwater source itself; areas with the highest contribution rate to the groundwater source will be preferentially protected. The method under consideration thus provides a tool for sustainable development and land management.
To date, four actual cases have been treated in order to test the method's applicability. The results are convincing in various porous or fractured aquifers. One case is presented to illustrate an application of the methodology.
C/EBPα determines hematopoietic cell fate in multipotential progenitor cells by inhibiting erythroid differentiation and inducing myeloid differentiation
Authors: Suh Hyung Chan , Gooya John , Renn Katie , Friedman Alan D. , Johnson Peter F. , Keller Jonathan R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractC/EBPα is an essential transcription factor required for myeloid differentiation. While C/EBPα can act as a cell fate switch to promote granulocyte differentiation in bipotential granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs), its role in regulating cell fate decisions in more primitive progenitors is not known. We found increased numbers of erythroid progenitors and erythroid cells in C/EBPα–/– fetal liver (FL). Also, enforced expression of C/EBPα in hematopoietic stem cells resulted in a loss of erythroid progenitors and an increase in myeloid cells by inhibition of erythroid development and inducing myeloid differentiation. Conditional expression of C/EBPα in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells induced myeloid-specific genes, while inhibiting erythroid-specific gene expression including erythropoietin receptor (EpoR), which suggests a novel mechanism to determine hematopoietic cell fate. Thus, C/EBPα functions in hematopoietic cell fate decisions by the dual actions of inhibiting erythroid and inducing myeloid gene expression in multipotential progenitors.
Uncoupling of T-cell effector functions by inhibitory killer immunoglobulin–like receptors
Authors: Henel Gabriella , Singh Karnail , Cui Dapeng , Pryshchep Sergey , Lee Won-Woo , Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jörg J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractKiller immunoglobulin–like receptors (KIRs) are a family of regulatory cell-surface molecules expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and memory T-cell subsets. Their ability to prevent the formation of an activation platform and to inhibit NK cell activation is the basis of the missing self model of NK cell function. The benefits of KIR expression for T-cell biology are unclear. We studied how KIR2DL2 regulates T-cell function. Engagement of KIR2DL2 by the ligand human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–Cw3 did not affect conjugate formation between CD4+KIR2DL2+ T cells and superantigen-pulsed target cells or the development of mature immune synapses with lipid rafts. KIR2DL2 and the corresponding HLA-C ligand were initially recruited to the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster (pSMAC). Consequently, KIR2DL2 engagement did not inhibit the phosphorylation of early signaling proteins and T-cell–receptor (TCR)–mediated cytotoxicity or granule exocytosis. After 15-30 minutes, KIR2DL2 moved to the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC), colocalizing with CD3. TCR synapses dissociated, and phosphorylated phospholipase C (PLC)–γ1, Vav1, and extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were reduced 90 minutes after stimulation. Gene array studies documented that the inhibition of late signaling events by KIR2DL2 affected transcriptional gene activation. We propose that KIRs on memory T cells operate to uncouple effector functions by modifying the transcriptional profile while leaving granule exocytosis unabated.
Dasatinib (BMS-354825) targets an earlier progenitor population than imatinib in primary CML but does not eliminate the quiescent fraction
Authors: Copland Mhairi , Hamilton Ashley , Elrick Lucy J. , Baird Janet W. , Allan Elaine K. , Jordanides Niove , Barow Martin , Mountford Joanne C. , Holyoake Tessa L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractDasatinib (BMS-354825), a novel dual SRC/BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor, exhibits greater potency than imatinib mesylate (IM) and inhibits the majority of kinase mutations in IM-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We have previously demonstrated that IM reversibly blocks proliferation but does not induce apoptosis of primitive CML cells. Here, we have attempted to overcome this resistance with dasatinib. Primitive IM-resistant CML cells showed only single-copy BCR-ABL but expressed significantly higher BCR-ABL transcript levels and BCR-ABL protein compared with more mature CML cells (P = .031). In addition, CrKL phosphorylation was higher in the primitive CD34+CD38– than in the total CD34+ population (P = .002). In total CD34+ CML cells, IM inhibited phosphorylation of CrKL at 16 but not 72 hours, consistent with enrichment of an IM-resistant primitive population. CD34+CD38– CML cells proved resistant to IM-induced inhibition of CrKL phosphorylation and apoptosis, whereas dasatinib led to significant inhibition of CrKL phosphorylation. Kinase domain mutations were not detectable in either IM or dasatinib-resistant primitive CML cells. These data confirm that dasatinib is more effective than IM within the CML stem cell compartment; however, the most primitive quiescent CML cells appear to be inherently resistant to both drugs.
Efficient inhibition of HIV-1 replication in human immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells by purified anti–HIV-1 IgG without induction of maturation
Authors: Holl Vincent , Peressin Maryse , Schmidt Sylvie , Decoville Thomas , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Aubertin Anne-Marie , Moog Christiane 
Published: February 2006

AbstractDuring mucosal HIV transmission, immature dendritic cells (DCs) present in the mucosa are among the first cellular targets of the virus. Previous studies have analyzed the inhibition of HIV-1 transfer from human mature DCs to T lymphocytes by neutralizing IgG, but so far no in vitro data regarding the capacity of antibodies to inhibit HIV-1 infection of immature DCs have been reported. Here, we found an increased HIV-inhibitory activity of monoclonal IgG and purified polyclonal IgG when immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (iMDDCs) were used as target cells instead of autologous blood lymphocytes. We showed that FcγRII is involved in the mechanism for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of iMDDCs by IgG, whereas no induction of maturation was detected at concentrations of IgG that result in a 90% reduction of HIV replication. After induction of FcγRI expression on iMDDCs by IFN-γ, an augmentation of the HIV-inhibitory activity of IgG, related to the expression of FcγRI, was observed. Taken together, our results demonstrate the participation of FcγRs in HIV-1 inhibition by IgG when iMDDCs are the targets. We propose that IgG is able to efficiently inhibit HIV-1 replication in iMDDCs and should be one of the components to be induced by vaccination.
Proteasome activity restricts lentiviral gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells and is down-regulated by cytokines that enhance transduction
Authors: Santoni de Sio Francesca Romana , Cascio Paolo , Zingale Anna , Gasparini Mauro , Naldini Luigi 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe therapeutic potential of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy can be fully exploited only by reaching efficient gene transfer into HSCs without compromising their biologic properties. Although HSCs can be transduced by HIV-derived lentiviral vectors (LVs) in short ex vivo culture, they display low permissivity to the vector, requiring cytokine stimulation to reach high-frequency transduction. Using stringent assays of competitive xenograft repopulation, we show that early-acting cytokines synergistically enhanced human HSC gene transfer by LVs without impairing engraftment and repopulation capacity. Using S-phase suicide assays, we show that transduction enhancement by cytokines was not dependent on cell cycle progression and that LVs can transduce quiescent HSCs. Pharmacologic inhibition of the proteasome during transduction dramatically enhanced HSC gene transfer, allowing the reach of very high levels of vector integration in their progeny in vivo. Thus, LVs are effectively restricted at a postentry step by the activity of this proteolytic complex. Unexpectedly, cytokine stimulation rapidly and substantially down-regulated proteasome activity in hematopoietic progenitors, highlighting one mechanism by which cytokines may enhance permissiveness to LV gene transfer. These findings demonstrate that antiviral responses ultimately mediated by proteasomes strongly limit the efficiency of HSC transduction by LVs and establish improved conditions for HSC-based gene therapy.
ICAM-2 mediates neutrophil transmigration in vivo: evidence for stimulus specificity and a role in PECAM-1–independent transmigration
Authors: Huang Miao-Tzu , Larbi Karen Y. , Scheiermann Christoph , Woodfin Abigail , Gerwin Nicole , Haskard Dorian O. , Nourshargh Sussan 
Published: February 2006

AbstractICAM-2 has been implicated in leukocyte transmigration in vitro, but there is little in vivo evidence to support this. To address this, neutrophil migration was investigated in ICAM-2–deficient mice (KO) and in wild-type (WT) mice treated with an anti–ICAM-2 blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) (3C4). In a peritonitis model, IL-1β–induced accumulation of neutrophils was significantly reduced in mice treated with 3C4 (51% inhibition) and in KO mice (41% inhibition). In contrast, TNF-α– or thioglycolate-induced responses were not suppressed in KO mice. Analysis of IL-1β–induced leukocyte responses in cremasteric venules of KO animals by intravital microscopy indicated a defect in transmigration (44% inhibition) but not rolling or adhesion. As found before, TNF-α–induced leukocyte transmigration was unaltered in the KO mice. WT mice treated with the anti–ICAM-2 mAb also exhibited a selective reduction in leukocyte transmigration in response to IL-1β while an anti–ICAM-1 mAb inhibited both leukocyte adhesion and transmigration. Interestingly, mAb 3C4 significantly suppressed IL-1β–induced neutrophil transmigration in PE-CAM-1 KO animals in the peritonitis model but not in the cremaster muscle. The findings provide direct evidence for the involvement of ICAM-2 in neutrophil transmigration in vivo, though this role appears to be stimulus specific. Furthermore, ICAM-2 appears capable of mediating PECAM-1–independent leukocyte transmigration.
Epigenetics and airways disease
Authors: Adcock Ian M , Ford Paul , Ito Kazuhiro , Barnes P J 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Epigenetics is the term used to describe heritable changes in gene expression that are not coded in the DNA sequence itself but by post-translational modifications in DNA and histone proteins. These modifications include histone acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation and phosphorylation. Epigenetic regulation is not only critical for generating diversity of cell types during mammalian development, but it is also important for maintaining the stability and integrity of the expression profiles of different cell types. Until recently, the study of human disease has focused on genetic mechanisms rather than on non-coding events. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that disruption of epigenetic processes can lead to several major pathologies, including cancer, syndromes involving chromosomal instabilities, and mental retardation. Furthermore, the expression and activity of enzymes that regulate these epigenetic modifications have been reported to be abnormal in the airways of patients with respiratory disease. The development of new diagnostic tools might reveal other diseases that are caused by epigenetic alterations. These changes, despite being heritable and stably maintained, are also potentially reversible and there is scope for the development of 'epigenetic therapies' for disease.
Effects of CPAP on right ventricular myocardial performance index in obstructive sleep apnea patients without hypertension
Authors: Dursunoglu Nese , Dursunoglu Dursun , Özkurt Sibel , Gür Sükrü , Özalp Güllü , Evyapan Fatma 
Published: February 2006

Abstract

Objectives
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) might cause right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to determine the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on right ventricular myocardial performance index (MPI) in OSA patients without hypertension.

Methods
49 subjects without hypertension, diabetes mellitus, any cardiac and pulmonary disease had overnight polysomnography and echocardiography. In 18 moderate-severe OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15) patients, right ventricular free wall diameter (RVFWD) was measured by M-mode, and right ventricular MPI was calculated as (isovolumic contraction time+ isovolumic relaxation time) / pulmonary ejection time using Doppler at baseline and after 6 months CPAP therapy.

Results
Mean age was 46.5 ± 4.9 year. Patients had high body mass index (BMI: 30.6 ± 4,0 kg/m2), but there was no change in either BMI or blood pressures after 6 months. Right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters were in normal limits at baseline, and did not change after CPAP usage. Baseline RVFWD (7.1 ± 2.1 mm) significantly decreased after CPAP therapy (6.2 ± 1.7 mm, p < 0.001). 15 of patients (83%) had right ventricular diastolic dysfunction at baseline, and it was completely improved in 11 of them (73%) by CPAP usage. Right ventricular global dysfunction was shown in 11 patients (61%) with a high MPI (62.2 ± 9.3%) at baseline; and MPI was significantly decreased after CPAP therapy (47.3 ± 8.4%, p < 0.0001), and it was completely corrected in 4 of them (36%).

Conclusion
CPAP therapy significantly decreases RVFWD and improves right ventricular diastolic and global functions (MPI) in OSA patients without hypertension.
Integrated analysis of gene expression by association rules discovery
Authors: Carmona-Saez Pedro , Chagoyen Monica , Rodriguez Andres , Trelles Oswaldo , Carazo Jose M , Pascual-Montano Alberto 
Published: February 2006

Abstract

Background
Microarray technology is generating huge amounts of data about the expression level of thousands of genes, or even whole genomes, across different experimental conditions. To extract biological knowledge, and to fully understand such datasets, it is essential to include external biological information about genes and gene products to the analysis of expression data. However, most of the current approaches to analyze microarray datasets are mainly focused on the analysis of experimental data, and external biological information is incorporated as a posterior process.

Results
In this study we present a method for the integrative analysis of microarray data based on the Association Rules Discovery data mining technique. The approach integrates gene annotations and expression data to discover intrinsic associations among both data sources based on co-occurrence patterns. We applied the proposed methodology to the analysis of gene expression datasets in which genes were annotated with metabolic pathways, transcriptional regulators and Gene Ontology categories. Automatically extracted associations revealed significant relationships among these gene attributes and expression patterns, where many of them are clearly supported by recently reported work.

Conclusion
The integration of external biological information and gene expression data can provide insights about the biological processes associated to gene expression programs. In this paper we show that the proposed methodology is able to integrate multiple gene annotations and expression data in the same analytic framework and extract meaningful associations among heterogeneous sources of data. An implementation of the method is included in the Enge ne software package.