bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transgenic Animal Models of B‐ and T‐Cell Autoreactivity
Authors: Radic Marko Z 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Transgenic animals can be made to express self‐reactive antigen receptors by constructing heritable genetic modifications of their germline. The development of transgenic technology has been used to learn about the pathogenic role and regulation of autoreactive B and T lymphocytes. Examples highlighted here include T‐cell receptors that contribute to T‐cell‐mediated diabetes mellitus and B‐cell receptors against facultative or obligate self antigens that are regulated by B‐cell anergy or clonal deletion. An unexpected finding was the discovery of receptor editing in B cells expressing site‐directed, transgenic
antideoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) B‐cell receptors. In these B cells, the products of further immunoglobulin gene rearrangements displace the autoreactive antigen receptor. Notably, the same anti‐DNA receptor can participate in an autoimmune response, if the immunoglobulin transgene is backcrossed on an autoimmune genetic background. Because the analysis of transgenic antigen receptors has led to many exciting discoveries it is likely that transgenic animals will remain front and centre of immunology research for years to come.
Flooding‐Stress in Plants
Authors: Sachs Martin M 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Flooding is a stress that crop plants frequently encounter and results in huge economic losses. Studies on the effects of flooding at the molecular level may lead to improvements that will result in flood‐tolerant crop plants.

Key concepts
Flooding leads to a deprivation of oxygen in plants. Many plants respond to oxygen deprivation with adaptations that allow short‐term survival. Some plants show excellent tolerance to anoxia.
Apoptosis: Morphological Criteria and Other Assays
Authors: Gobe Glenda , Harmon Brian 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Apoptosis is a morphologically and biochemically distinct mode of cell death that uses the cell's own energy and genetic control for death to occur. It is central to many physiological processes such as morphogenesis, homeostasis and differentiation. In disease, apoptosis is responsible for loss of functioning tissue as well as negating and over‐riding cell proliferation in disorders such as neoplasias and cancers.
History of Neuroscience
Authors: Glickstein Mitchell 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis review traces the history of neuroscience from its origins to recent times. Early physicians recognized that the brain controls sensation and movement, learning and thought, and that communication between the brain and the body is by way of the spinal cord. A fundamental principle of nervous system structure is the neuron doctrine, the idea that brain and spinal cord are made up of individual elements called neurons, which may touch one another but do not fuse. Communication among neurons and activation of muscles is accomplished in most cases by release of a chemical transmitter substance. Understanding of the nature of electrical signalling in the nervous system culminated in the discovery of the ionic basis of the action potential. Early observations of the effect of brain injury on speech and language, sensation and movement revealed that different parts of the brain and spinal cord are specialized for different functions. The development of techniques for single‐cell recording in animals and computer‐based imaging in humans showed that there are multiple cortical areas dedicated to further processing of the sensory message, and control of movement.
Macroecology
Authors: Hawkins Bradford A , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre Felizola 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Macroecology is ecology at large spatial scales, focusing on identifying the ecological and evolutionary forces that influence patterns in body size, geographic range size, abundance, diversity and related macroevolutionary trends. The field has traditionally focused on across‐species comparisons, but recent work has begun to analyse macroecological patterns from a geographical perspective. This change makes the links between ecological traits and diversity patterns more explicit and provides a unified approach for understanding a range of large‐scale ecological patterns. Newly developed analytical methods also make it possible to partition geographical patterns into components comprising the species‐level adaptive responses of assemblages to environmental gradients and phylogenetic patterns arising from species turnover. Macroecology is founded on the principle that the study of geographic‐scale species assemblages can conceptually link a number of different biological disciplines.
Parasites and Pathogens: Avoidance
Authors: Thieltges David W , Poulin Robert 
Published: December 2008

AbstractParasites and pathogens are usually harmful, and thus hosts have developed numerous pre‐contact measures to avoid infection in the first place. These avoidance measures range from camouflage to a variety of behavioural measures such as movement and fly‐repelling behaviour, habitat choice and migration, selective foraging, group forming and mate choice. In case avoidance fails, a second line of post‐contact defences (e.g. immune system) comes into place which is treated elsewhere and thus only briefly discussed.
Post‐fertilization Reproductive Strategies
Authors: van Dijk René E , Székely Tamás 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Animals have diverse strategies that improve the success of their offspring after mating (i.e. post‐fertilization reproductive strategies); the most common ones are parental care and offspring provisioning. The type, mode and duration of parental care exhibited by males and females depend on social and nonsocial environment, and on genetic and phylogenetic constraints. We overview five rapidly developing areas of parental care research, and conclude that sexual conflict between parents, social interactions and environmental conditions play important roles in determining post‐fertilization reproductive strategies.
Eye Disorders: Hereditary
Authors: Kaplan Josseline , Rozet Jean‐Michel 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Hereditary visual deficiencies can result from isolated or associated alterations of any structure of the eye. The identification of the molecular bases of ophthalmologic disorders has revived interest in several conditions forgotten since their original description. Besides, the deciphering of the molecular bases of these conditions has confirmed preexisting hypothesis on their pathophysiology, but for others, the discovery of the disease gene has added further complexity to the disease process. Two contradictory concepts were particularly highlighted. Several phenotypes described as different clinical entities were brought together by the identification of mutations in the same gene, and conversely, some conditions clinically assigned the same name were proved to be genetically and physiopathologically heterogeneous. In both situations, when established, genotype–phenotype correlations made genetic studies easier and allowed having a better knowledge of the prognosis in infants. Finally, progress during the last 20 years, allow today the development of specific therapeutic approaches.
Asthma: Genetics
Authors: Willis‐Owen Saffron AG 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the small airways of the lung. It is strongly influenced by genetic factors. Specific genes have been shown to predispose to the disease by a variety of mechanisms. High‐throughput approaches towards disease gene identification are now being applied, and have already led to important insights into disease aetiology.
Human Gene Nomenclature
Authors: Bruford Elspeth A 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) was founded in 1977 to provide a single worldwide authority to assign standardized human gene symbols, and remains one of the essential components of human gene and genome management. The HGNC has two overriding goals: providing a unique nomenclature for every human gene, and ensuring that this information is freely available, widely disseminated and universally recognized. Effective communication between the scientific community, healthcare professionals and the general public is key to our understanding of the wealth of information encoded in the human genome. It is important for future progress in this field that each of these groups refer to the same gene by the same unique name and symbol, in discussions and in publications, and the HGNC aims to facilitate this by assigning such names and symbols to every human gene.

Key concepts
standardization of gene nomenclature; utility of standardized gene names; gene names in genome databases; gene naming guidelines; gene naming across species; gene families.
Sustainable Use of Populations and Overexploitation
Authors: Heino Mikko , Enberg Katja 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Sustainable use refers to exploiting a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. Sustainability is an internationally accepted minimal goal in managing biological resources. However, many populations are managed under more stringent goals, for example obtaining maximum sustainable biological or economic yield. Overexploitation refers to exploitation that is more intensive than such specific goals. While overexploitation is not sensible from societal point of view, in practice overexploitation often occurs because of the conflicting interests between individual exploiters and the public, and because individual exploiters often are maximizing short rather than long‐term benefits. When sustainable exploitation is attempted, significant practical challenges remain in determining particular exploitation levels that would guarantee chosen management goals. Good intentions may be ruined if uncertainty is not properly accounted for, and overexploitation may also result from lack of precaution.
Cytotoxicity of Aberrant Proteins
Authors: Ashok Aarthi , Hegde Ramanujan S 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

A wide range of diseases are caused by the generation of aberrant proteins that for one reason or another are not functionally equivalent to the normal version. Here, we consider the basic cellular principles that govern the generation of aberrant proteins, their normal metabolism and in the case of disease, their adverse effects on cellular function.

Key concepts

The organization of proteins inside cells is highly regulated at many levels.

Proteins that are not folded correctly or not trafficked to their intended destination are aberrant and have the potential to cause cellular dysfunction.

Numerous quality control systems constantly detect and degrade aberrant proteins.

Failure to either recognize or promptly degrade aberrant proteins can lead to their accumulation, and in some cases, their aggregation.

Misfolded or mislocalized proteins can interact inappropriately with other cellular factors to cause toxicity.

Most diseases of protein misfolding probably have multiple mechanisms that operate simultaneously to cause pathology.
Macrophages in Lipid and Immune Homeostasis
Authors: Neyen Claudine D , Gordon Siamon 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMany components of the immune system play diverse roles in lipid metabolism and vice versa. Macrophage immune functions, including pathogen clearance and apoptotic cell removal, are regulated by lipids but also generate effectors that impact on lipid homeostasis. Oxidized lipids, byproducts of the oxidative burst, activate nuclear receptors, which not only orchestrate lipid homeostasis but also cross‐regulate NFκB‐driven immune responses. Activation of macrophages leads to cytokine production and induction of the acute phase response, accompanied by systemic lipid changes. Lipoproteins and their components, as well as lipid transport molecules, are emerging as novel actors in innate immune defence.
Ecosystem Engineers
Authors: Gutiérrez Jorge L , Jones Clive G 
Published: December 2008

Abstract

Ecosystem engineers
, or more precisely
physical ecosystem engineers
, are organisms that change the abiotic environment by physically altering structure. As a consequence they often, but not invariably, have effects on other biota and their interactions, and on ecosystem processes. The physical ecosystem engineering concept interconnects a number of important ecological and evolutionary concepts and is particularly relevant to environmental management.
Photon Activation Analysis
Authors: Segebade Christian , Berger Achim 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn photon activation analysis (PAA), nuclides of the analyte elements in the material sample under study are converted to radioactive nuclides through exposure to high‐energy photons. Characteristic radiation upon disintegration of these radionuclides (preferably γ quanta) is then measured with appropriate spectrometers. PAA is not an “absolute” method; hence, the samples under investigation have to be irradiated together with a comparative material sample (calibration material) with well‐known chemical composition. After spectroscopic measurement of both samples, the quantitative evaluation is performed by comparison of the two resulting element spectra, basically following the same procedure as in most instrumental methods, e.g. ICP, AAS, etc. The particular advantages of this method are freedom from blank values; reduced danger of contamination; and, since frequent investigations can be carried out “nondestructively”, easy handling of materials that are difficult to treat chemically, e.g. certain refractory metals, dusts, ashes, etc. Another advantage is the option to study very small samples (a few milligrams) as well as very large ones (up to kilogram amounts). Basically, there are no limitations concerning the nature of material studied but matrices like lead or other heavy elements raise the limit of detection considerably, and separation techniques have to be used.
TLX1 (HOX11) Immortalization of Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived and Primary Murine Hematopoietic Progenitors
Authors: Hawley Robert G. , Hawley Teresa S. , Cantor Alan B. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe ability to generate genetically engineered cell lines is of great experimental value. They provide a renewable source of material that may be suitable for biochemical analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, structure‐function studies, gene function assignment, and transcription factor target gene identification. This unit describes protocols for TLX1 (HOX11)‐mediated immortalization of murine hematopoietic progenitors derived from in vitro differentiated murine embryonic stem cells, or from primary mouse fetal liver or bone marrow. A wide variety of hematopoietic cell types have been immortalized using these procedures including erythroid, megakaryocytic, monocytic, myelocytic, and multipotential cell types. These lines are typically cytokine dependent for their survival and growth. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 7:1F.7.1‐1F.7.19. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Control of Charge Transport in Iridium(III) Complex‐Cored Carbazole Dendrimers by Generation and Structural Modification
Authors: Gambino Salvatore , Stevenson Stuart G. , Knights Kevin A. , Burn Paul L. , Samuel Ifor D. W. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHere, the charge transporting properties of a family of highly phosphorescent iridium(III) complex‐cored carbazole dendrimers designed to have improved charge transport by incorporating carbazole units into the dendrons are studied. Firstly, the effect of the dendrimer generation and the role of dendron for materials with one dendron per ligand of the core are considered. It is shown, in contrast to previously reported light‐emitting dendrimers, that in this case the carbazolyl‐based dendrons have an active role in charge transport. Next, the effect on the charge transport of attaching two dendrons per ligand to the dendrimer core is explored. In this latter case, for the so called “double dendron” material a highly non‐dispersive charge transport behavior is observed, together with a time‐of‐flight mobility of the order of 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. Furthermore the lowest energetic disorder parameter (σ) ever reported for a solution‐processed conjugated organic material is found, σ <  20 meV.
Balancing Intermolecular and Molecule–Substrate Interactions in Supramolecular Assemblies
Authors: de Oteyza Dimas G. , Silanes Iñaki , Ruiz‐Osés Miguel , Barrena Esther , Doyle Bryan P. , Arnau Andrés , Dosch Helmut , Wakayama Yutaka , Ortega J. Enrique 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSelf‐assembly of functional supra‐molecular nanostructures is among the most promising strategies for further development of organic electronics. However, a poor control of the interactions driving the assembling phenomena still hampers the tailored growth of designed structures. Here exploration of how non‐covalent molecule‐substrate interactions can be modified on a molecular level is described. For that, mixtures of DIP and F16CuPc, two molecules with donor and acceptor character, respectively are investigated. A detailed study of their structural and electronic properties is performed. In reference to the associated single‐component layers, the growth of binary layers results in films with strongly enhanced intermolecular interactions and consequently reduced molecule‐substrate interactions. This new insight into the interplay among the aforementioned interactions provides a novel strategy to balance the critical interactions in the assembly processes by the appropriate choice of molecular species in binary supra‐molecular assemblies, and thereby control the self‐assembly of functional organic nanostructures.
Hearing loss among Ohio farm youth: A comparison to a national sample
Authors: Renick Katherine M. , Crawford J. Mac , Wilkins J.R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundHearing loss is prevalent among adults in the farming community, with some evidence it begins in childhood. Our objective was to compare hearing thresholds of Ohio farm youth to published data on national norms.MethodsBaseline data were collected on youth (n = 212) in 1994–1996 with follow‐up (n = 132) in 2003–2004 including pure‐tone air conduction thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz.ResultsWhen compared to nationally‐representative data, study youth had a higher prevalence of hearing loss. The high‐frequency range was most affected, particularly at 6 kHz where nearly 50% of the farm youth exhibited some degree of hearing loss at baseline testing. The prevalence of noise‐induced threshold shifts, characterized by an audiometric notch, was nearly twice that of the national sample.ConclusionsThese data suggest that hearing loss, which is common among adult farmers, may be problematic for farm youth as well. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:233–239, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of Orexin A and Its Receptor 1 in the Vestibular Glands of the Cattle Genital Tract
Authors: Pavone Luigi Michele , Tafuri Simona , Avallone Luigi , Staiano Norma , Vittoria Alfredo 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe hypothalamic peptide orexin A (oxA) binds specifically the G‐protein–coupled orexin receptor 1 (ox1R). It is involved in many physiological functions including the regulation of food intake, sleep–wake cycle, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and sexual behavior. The localization of oxA in adrenal glands, stomach, bowel, pancreas, and testis has recently been assessed. Here, we provide the first evidence for the expression of oxA and ox1R in the vestibular glands of mammalian genital tract. Anat Rec, 2009. copy; 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phenotypic Plasticity and Function of the Hard Palate in Growing Rabbits
Authors: Menegaz Rachel A. , Sublett Samantha V. , Figueroa Said D. , Hoffman Timothy J. , Ravosa Matthew J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMorphological variation related to differential loading is well known for many craniomandibular elements. Yet, the function of the hard palate, and in particular the manner in which cortical and trabecular bone of the palate respond to masticatory loads, remains more ambiguous. Here, experimental data are presented that address the naturalistic influence of biomechanical loading on the postweaning development and structure of the hard palate. A rabbit model was used to test the hypothesis that variation in the morphology of the hard palate is linked to variation in masticatory stresses. Rabbit siblings were divided as weanlings into soft and hard/tough dietary treatment groups of 10 subjects each and were raised for 15 weeks until subadulthood. MicroCT analyses indicate that rabbits subjected to elevated masticatory loading developed hard palates with significantly greater bone area, greater cortical bone thickness along the oral lamina, and thicker anterior palates. Such diet‐induced levels of palatal plasticity are comparable to those for other masticatory elements, which likely reflect osteogenic responses for maintaining the functional integrity of the palate vis‐à‐vis elevated stresses during unilateral mastication. These data support a role for mechanical loading in the determination of palatal morphology, especially its internal structure, in living and fossil mammals such as the hominin Paranthropus. Furthermore, these findings have potential implications for the evolution of the mammalian secondary hard palate as well as for clinical considerations of human oral pathologies. Anat Rec 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of Axonal Growth into Collagen Nerve Guides Containing VEGF‐Transfected Stem Cells in Matrigel
Authors: Kempton Laurence B. , Gonzalez Mark H. , Leven Robert M. , Hughes W. Frank , Beddow Sara , Santhiraj Yaveen , Archibald Simon J. , El Hassan Bassem , Shott Susan , Kerns James M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe early events associated with axonal growth into 10‐mm nerve gaps were studied histologically in the rat sciatic nerve model to determine if the outgrowth of blood vessels, Schwann cells, and axons could be enhanced. In the first two experimental groups, collagen nerve guides were filled with either saline or Matrigel. Marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were added to Matrigel in two other groups, one of which contained cells transfected with VEGF (MSC/VEGF). After 21 days, the injury site was exposed, fixed, sectioned, and volume fractions of the conduit contents were determined by point counting. The bioresorbable collagen conduits appropriately guided the axons and vessels in a longitudinal direction. The volume fraction of axons was significantly greater in the group with saline when compared with all three groups with Matrigel. This measure had a significant positive correlation with actual counts of myelinated axons. The blood vessel volume fraction in the Matrigel group decreased compared with the saline group, but was restored in the MSC/VEGF group. All Matrigel groups had comparable cellularity and showed a distribution of residual Matrigel in acellular zones. The saline group, by contrast, sustained a network of delicate fibroblastic processes that compartmentalized the nerve and its natural matrix as it became infiltrated by axons as minifascicles. In conclusion, the reduction of axonal outgrowth in the Matrigel groups, when compared with the saline group, suggests that Matrigel may impede the early regenerative process even when enriched by the addition of MSCs or VEGF‐transfected cells. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.