bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Centrosome overduplication and mitotic instability in PKD2 transgenic lines
Authors: Burtey Stéphane , Riera Marta , Ribe Émilie , Pennenkamp Petra , Rance Roselyne , Luciani Judith , Dworniczak Bernd , Mattei Marie Geneviève , Fontés Michel 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPolycystin‐2 (PC‐2), a protein encoded by PKD2 and involved in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), is a non‐selective cationic channel recently implicated in the function of primary cilia. We recently constructed a new animal model in the form of a transgenic mouse with a BAC‐containing human PKD2 inserted in its genome. Two transgenic mouse lines overexpressing human PKD2 showed mitotic instability. Fibroblasts from these transgenic mouse lines have abnormal chromosomal numbers. These lines also have supernumerary centrosomes. PC‐2 overexpression is associated with mitotic instability and centrosome overduplication. PC‐2 therefore seems to play a role in centrosome duplication, and this hypothesis is being evaluated in other models.
Adenoviral‐mediated interleukin‐18 expression in mesenchymal stem cells effectively suppresses the growth of glioma in rats
Authors: Xu Gang , Jiang Xiao‐Dan , Xu Ying , Zhang Jing , Huang Fan‐Heng , Chen Zhen‐Zhou , Zhou De‐Xiang , Shang Jiang‐Hua , Zou Yu‐Xi , Cai Ying‐Qian , Kou Sheng‐Bin , Chen Yi‐Zhao , Xu Ru‐Xiang , Zeng Yan‐Jun 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGlioma is the most common primary intracranial malignant tumor. Despite advances in surgical techniques and adjuvant radio‐ and chemotherapies, the prognosis for patients with glioma remains poor. We have explored the effects of using genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat malignant glioma in rats. Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from Sprague–Dawley rats can directly suppress the growth of C6 cells in vitro. MSCs transplanted intratumorally can also significantly inhibit the growth of glioma and prolong survival in C6 glioma‐bearing models. MSCs producing Interleukin‐18 infected by adenoviral vector inhibited glioma growth and prolonged the survival of glioma‐bearing rats. Transplantation of IL‐18 secreting MSCs was associated with enhanced T cell infiltration and long‐term anti‐tumor immunity. Thus, IL‐18 may be an effective adoptive immunotherapy for malignant glioma. When used in conjunction with MSCs as targeting vehicles in vivo, IL‐18 may offer a promising new treatment option for malignant glioma.
Global perceived health and ten‐year cardiovascular mortality in elderly primary care patients with possible heart failure
Authors: Johansson Peter , Broström Anders , Dahlström Ulf , Alehagen Urban 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIntroduction:Although multi‐item health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments provide prognostic information, they are rarely used in routine clinical practice.Aim:To examine whether a single question about global perceived health (GPH) was a prognostic indicator of cardiovascular (CV) mortality over 10 years of follow‐up in elderly patients with possible heart failure (HF) in primary care.Method:GPH was measured using the first question on the Short‐Form‐36 concerning current health status. Of the 510 patients who underwent baseline evaluation, 448 patients were included.Results:Cox proportional regression hazard analysis controlled for age, sex, NYHA class, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, left ventricular ejection fraction and B‐type natriuretic peptide plasma concentrations, showed that patients with GPH rated as “poor” or “good” were at four (HR 4.1 CI 95% 1.8–9.4) and three times (HR 3.4 CI 95% 1.4–7.8) the risk of CV mortality, respectively.Conclusion:GPH is an independent predictor of CV mortality in elderly patients with possible HF. As a complement to clinical factors when evaluating severity of HF, GPH could be an important tool for identifying patients at risk of adverse CV events and in need of improved treatment.
Milk fermented byLactobacillus gasseriSBT2055 influences adipocyte size via inhibition of dietary fat absorption in Zucker rats
Authors: Hamad Essam M. , Sato Masao , Uzu Kazunori , Yoshida Takeshi , Higashi Seiichiro , Kawakami Hiroshi , Kadooka Yukio , Matsuyama Hiroaki , El-Gawad Ibrahim A. Abd , Imaizumi Katsumi 
Published: August 2008

We have demonstrated previously that a diet containing skimmed milk (SM) fermented byLactobacillus gasseriSBT2055 (LGSP) reduces adipocyte size in Sprague–Dawley rats. Two experiments were conducted to extend these observations in order to elucidate the mechanism involved. In experiment 1, lean and obese Zucker rats were fed a diet containing SM or LGSP for 4 weeks. The LGSP diet, compared with the SM diet, resulted in lowering of the mesenteric adipose tissue weight (23 %;P < 0·05), adipocyte sizes (28 %;P < 0·001) and serum leptin concentration (36 %;P < 0·05) in lean rats. Obese Zucker rats did not display such dietary effects. Only the number of smaller adipocytes was increased (P < 0·05) by the LGSP diet in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese rats. The LGSP diet significantly reduced the serum and hepatic cholesterol in rats. In addition, the LGSP diet led to an increased excretion of faecal fatty acids and total neutral faecal sterols in both rat strains. In experiment 2, Sprague–Dawley rats with permanent cannulation of the thoracic duct were fed either the SM or LGSP diets and their lymph was collected. The LGSP diet lowered the maximum transport rate of TAG and phospholipids. These results indicate that fermented milk regulates adipose tissue growth through inhibition at the stage of dietary fat absorption in lean Zucker rats.
The race to prevent the extinction of South Asian vultures
Authors: Pain Deborah J. , Bowden Christopher G. R. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Cuthbert Richard , Das Devojit , Gilbert Martin , Jakati Ram D. , Jhala Yadvendradev , Khan Aleem A. , Naidoo Vinny , Lindsay Oaks J. , Parry-Jones Jemima , Prakash Vibhu , Rahmani Asad , Ranade Sachin P. , Sagar Baral Hem , Ram Senacha Kalu , Saravanan S. , Shah Nita , Swan Gerry , Swarup Devendra , Taggart Mark A. , Watson Richard T. , Virani Munir Z. , Wolter Kerri , Green Rhys E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGyps vulture populations across the Indian subcontinent collapsed in the 1990s and continue to decline. Repeated population surveys showed that the rate of decline was so rapid that elevated mortality of adult birds must be a key demographic mechanism. Post mortem examination showed that the majority of dead vultures had visceral gout, due to kidney damage. The realisation that diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug potentially nephrotoxic to birds, had become a widely used veterinary medicine led to the identification of diclofenac poisoning as the cause of the decline. Surveys of diclofenac contamination of domestic ungulate carcasses, combined with vulture population modelling, show that the level of contamination is sufficient for it to be the sole cause of the decline. Testing on vultures of meloxicam, an alternative NSAID for livestock treatment, showed that it did not harm them at concentrations likely to be encountered by wild birds and would be a safe replacement for diclofenac. The manufacture of diclofenac for veterinary use has been banned, but its sale has not. Consequently, it may be some years before diclofenac is removed from the vultures' food supply. In the meantime, captive populations of three vulture species have been established to provide sources of birds for future reintroduction programmes.
Fluctuating asymmetry as a putative marker of human-induced stress in avian conservation
Authors: Lens Luc , Eggermont Hilde 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAs anthropogenic stress increasingly affects the viability of natural populations of animals and plants, conservation ecologists are challenged to identify vulnerable populations before their demographic and/or genetic properties become irreversibly affected. Since traditional biomarkers of anthropogenic stress are often cumbersome to measure, and populations may thus go extinct before appropriate data can be obtained, there is a growing interest in individual-based markers that do not require repeated captures, are relatively easy to measure, and allow mitigating action one step ahead. One such marker, left-right asymmetry in bilateral symmetrical traits (“fluctuating asymmetry”, FA) has become an established bioassay of the quality and health of individuals and populations in evolutionary-ecological studies. However, the lack of a theoretical framework that predicts under which ecological conditions relationships between FA, stress and fitness can be expected, continues to hamper the use of FA in applied conservation. Here, we briefly review the concept, measurement and analysis of FA, and appraise its expediency in a selection of 21 avian studies covering environmental or genetic stress commonly encountered in conservation biology. The majority of studies met the basic statistical requirements of FA analysis, and two-thirds reported significant, positive relationships with environmental or genetic stress, although with substantial variation among traits, stresses, ages and sexes. In most cases, the observed heterogeneity in relationships with FA could be explained by taking into account both methodological and conceptual issues. Effect sizes ranged from very small (0.02) to very large (0.76), with a weighted average of 0.30, indicating that on average 9% of variance in the variable of interest was explained by FA. Given the intrinsic difficulties associated with FA analysis, conservation ecologists are advised to combine information from FA with that of other individual-based biomarkers, such as the study of growth-bar dimensions on developing feathers.
A picture is worth a thousand words: the application of camera trapping to the study of birds
Authors: O'Brien Timothy G. , Kinnaird Margaret F. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis study reviews the use of remotely triggered still cameras, known as camera traps, in bird research and suggests new methods useful for analyzing camera trap data. Camera trapping may be most appropriate for large, ground-dwelling birds, such as cracids and pheasants. Recent applications include documentation of occurrence of rare species and new species records, nest predation studies and behavioural studies including nest defence, frugivory, seed dispersal, and activity budgets. If bird postures are analyzed, it may be possible to develop behavioural time budgets. If birds are marked or individually identifiable, abundance may be estimated through capture-recapture methods typically used for mammals. We discourage use of relative abundance indices based on trapping effort because of the difficulty of standardizing surveys over time and space. Using the Great Argus Pheasant Argus argusianus, a cryptic, terrestrial, forest bird as an example, we illustrate applications of occupancy analysis to estimate proportion of occupied habitat and finite mixture models to estimate abundance when individual identification is not possible. These analyses are useful because they incorporate detection probabilities < 1 and covariates that affect the sample site or the observation process. Results are from camera trap surveys in the 3,568 km2 Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Indonesia. We confirmed that Great Argus Pheasants prefer primary forest below 500 m. We also find a decline in occupancy (6–8% yr−1). Point estimates of abundance peak in 2000, followed by a sharp decline. We discuss the effects of rarity, detection probability and sampling effort on accuracy and precision of estimates.
Increasing the value of bird-habitat studies in tropical forests: choice of approach and habitat measures
Authors: Lee David C. , Marsden Stuart J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAn important component of many conservation studies is the assessment of bird-habitat relationships, but limited resources often lead to constraints on study design, quality and quantity of bird data, and restrict the number and types of habitat variables gathered. The aim of this study was to identify habitat features that were both relatively easy and quick to collect and powerful in identifying bird-habitat relationships. We also discuss some issues with our study and alternative approaches that may help in future bird-habitat studies in tropical forests. Twenty-four habitat measures representing geographical (e.g. altitude, topography, X and Y coordinates), vegetation structure (e.g. tree sizes), and tree floristics (abundance of 28 indicator tree species) features were collected in association with bird presence/absence data from point transects within a 1,500 ha Philippine lowland forest. We used hierarchical partitioning of regression analyses to assess which of these geographical and structural variables along with four floristics axes derived from DECORANA were the most important variables for explaining the occurrence of individual bird species and guilds. The ten most powerful variables for a range of bird species included seven geographical and three floristic variables, while the ten least important were all structural variables. There were differences in importance of individual variables across guilds, with, for example, floristics very important in canopy frugivores, and geographical variables more important for upperstorey gleaning insectivores. We stress the importance of geographical variables in linking birds to habitat at this local scale, but also suggest that efforts are made to collect some floristics data, perhaps a subset of species that represent resources for birds (e.g. Ficus spp.), people's use of the forest (e.g. dipterocarps), and indicators of forest type. While the habitat variables and approach in this study adequately identified bird-habitat relationships for most species, we suggest improvements and alternative methods that may improve results in other studies.
Contribution of research to conservation action for the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Morocco
Authors: Bowden Christopher G. R. , Smith Ken W. , El Bekkay Mohammed , Oubrou Widade , Aghnaj Ali , Jimenez-Armesto Maria 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe Northern Bald Ibis or Waldrapp Geronticus eremita is a species of arid semi-deserts and steppes, which was formerly widely distributed as a breeding bird across North Africa, the Middle East and the European Alps. Just over 100 breeding pairs now remain in the wild at two sites in Morocco whilst two further wild pairs remain in Syria. There is also a population in Turkey, which is maintained for part of the year in captivity, and a large captive population in zoos. The species is classified by IUCN as ‘Critically Endangered’, the highest threat category. The wild population has grown during the past decade, which represents the first evidence of population growth in the species' recorded history. Conservation action in Morocco has contributed to this recovery. A large part of the contribution of research to conservation action has been to establish and document the value of simple site and species protection. Quantitative assessments of the importance of sites for breeding, roosting and foraging have helped to prevent disturbance and the loss of sites to mass-tourism development. Wardening by members of the local community have reduced disturbance by local people and others and increased the perceived value of the birds. Monitoring has suggested additional ways to improve the breeding status of the species, including the provision of drinking water and removal and deterrence of predators and competitors. These actions have been evaluated by subsequent testing. Steppe and two-year fallows were shown to be the key feeding habitats, and maintaining such non-intensive land uses in future may present major management challenges. The recovery in the Souss-Massa region remains precarious because the population is concentrated in a few places where adverse changes are possible. However, it could provide opportunities for natural extension of the range to formerly occupied sites further north in Morocco.
Key conservation issues for migratory land- and waterbird species on the world's major flyways
Authors: Kirby Jeff S. , Stattersfield Alison J. , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Evans Michael I. , Grimmett Richard F. A. , Jones Victoria R. , O'Sullivan John , Tucker Graham M. , Newton Ian 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAn estimated 19% of the world's 9,856 extant bird species are migratory, including some 1,600 species of land- and waterbirds. In 2008, 11% of migratory land- and waterbirds were classed by BirdLife International as threatened or near-threatened on the IUCN Red List. Red List indices show that these migrants have become more threatened since 1988, with 33 species deteriorating and just six improving in status. There is also increasing evidence of regional declines. Population trend data show that more Nearctic–Neotropical migrants have declined than increased in North America since the 1980s, and more Palearctic–Afrotropical migrants breeding in Europe declined than increased during 1970–2000. Reviews of the status of migratory raptors show unfavourable conservation status for 51% of species in the African–Eurasian region (in 2005), and 33% of species in Central, South and East Asia (in 2007). Land-use change owing to agriculture is the most frequently cited threat affecting nearly 80% of all threatened and near-threatened species. However, while agricultural intensification on the breeding grounds is often proposed as the major driver of declines in Palearctic–Afrotropical migrants, some species appear to be limited by the quantity and quality of available habitat in non-breeding areas, notably the drylands of tropical Africa. Forest fragmentation in breeding areas has contributed to the declines of Nearctic–Neotropical migrants with deforestation in non-breeding areas another possible factor. Infrastructure development including wind turbines, cables, towers and masts can also be a threat. Over-harvesting and persecution remain serious threats, particularly at key migration locations. Climate change is affecting birds already, is expected to exacerbate all these pressures, and may also increase competition between migratory and non-migratory species. The conservation of migratory birds thus requires a multitude of approaches. Many migratory birds require effective management of their critical sites, and Important Bird Areas (IBAs) provide an important foundation for such action; however to function effectively in conserving migratory species, IBAs need to be protected and the coherence of the network requires regular review. Since many migratory species (c. 55%) are widely dispersed across their breeding or non-breeding ranges, it is essential to address the human-induced changes at the wider landscape scale, a very considerable challenge. Efforts to conserve migratory birds in one part of the range are less effective if unaddressed threats are reducing these species' populations and habitats elsewhere. International collaboration and coordinated action along migration flyways as a whole are thus key elements in any strategy for the conservation of migratory birds.
H3+: the initiator of interstellar chemistry
Authors: Larsson Mats 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSecond only to H2, protonated molecular hydrogen, H3+, is the most abundantly produced interstellar molecule. Owing to its high reactivity and acidity, it plays the pivotal role in initiating interstellar chemical reactions, something which also reduces its steady-state concentration. Interstellar H3+ is not only destroyed in chemical reactions but also in dissociative recombination with electrons. The rate constant and mechanism of recombination have long been controversial, but great advances have been made during recent years, with the important consequence that the cosmic ray ionization rate in diffuse clouds is now believed to be higher by an order of magnitude than previously assumed.
PK/DB: database for pharmacokinetic properties and predictive in silico ADME models
Authors: Moda Tiago L. , Torres Leonardo G. , Carrara Alexandre E. , Andricopulo Adriano D. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Summary: The study of pharmacokinetic properties (PK) is of great importance in drug discovery and development. In the present work, PK/DB (a new freely available database for PK) was designed with the aim of creating robust databases for pharmacokinetic studies and in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) prediction. Comprehensive, web-based and easy to access, PK/DB manages 1203 compounds which represent 2973 pharmacokinetic measurements, including five models for in silico ADME prediction (human intestinal absorption, human oral bioavailability, plasma protein binding, blood–brain barrier and water solubility).
Availability: http://www.pkdb.ifsc.usp.br
Contact: aandrico@if.sc.usp.br
ZOOM! Zillions of oligos mapped
Authors: Lin Hao , Zhang Zefeng , Zhang Michael Q. , Ma Bin , Li Ming 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Motivation: The next generation sequencing technologies are generating billions of short reads daily. Resequencing and personalized medicine need much faster software to map these deep sequencing reads to a reference genome, to identify SNPs or rare transcripts.
Results: We present a framework for how full sensitivity mapping can be done in the most efficient way, via spaced seeds. Using the framework, we have developed software called ZOOM, which is able to map the Illumina/Solexa reads of 15× coverage of a human genome to the reference human genome in one CPU-day, allowing two mismatches, at full sensitivity.
Availability: ZOOM is freely available to non-commercial users at http://www.bioinfor.com/zoom
Contact: bma@csd.uwo.ca, mli@uwaterloo.ca
Hyperthermophilic Aquifex aeolicus initiates primer synthesis on a limited set of trinucleotides comprised of cytosines and guanines
Authors: Larson Marilynn A. , Bressani Rafael , Sayood Khalid , Corn Jacob E. , Berger James M. , Griep Mark A. , Hinrichs Steven H. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The placement of the extreme thermophile Aquifex aeolicus in the bacterial phylogenetic tree has evoked much controversy. We investigated whether adaptations for growth at high temperatures would alter a key functional component of the replication machinery, specifically DnaG primase. Although the structure of bacterial primases is conserved, the trinucleotide initiation specificity for A. aeolicus was hypothesized to differ from other microbes as an adaptation to a geothermal milieu. To determine the full range of A. aeolicus primase activity, two oligonucleotides were designed that comprised all potential trinucleotide initiation sequences. One of the screening templates supported primer synthesis and the lengths of the resulting primers were used to predict possible initiation trinucleotides. Use of trinucleotide-specific templates demonstrated that the preferred initiation trinucleotide sequence for A. aeolicus primase was 5′-d(CCC)-3′. Two other sequences, 5′-d(GCC)-3′ and d(CGC)-3′, were also capable of supporting initiation, but to a much lesser degree. None of these trinucleotides were known to be recognition sequences used by other microbial primases. These results suggest that the initiation specificity of A. aeolicus primase may represent an adaptation to a thermophilic environment.