bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optically stimulated luminescence dating as a tool for calculating sedimentation rates in Chinese loess: comparisons with grain‐size records
Authors: STEVENS THOMAS , LU HUAYU 
Published: October 2008

AbstractUnderstanding loess sedimentation rates is crucial for constraining past atmospheric dust dynamics, regional climatic change and local depositional environments. However, the derivation of loess sedimentation rates is complicated by the lack of available methods for independent calculation; this limits interpretation of the environmental changes revealed by the loess record. In particular, while the Quaternary/Neogene Chinese loess and Red Clay sequences have the potential to provide detailed records of past sedimentation and climate change, there is great uncertainty concerning: (i) the influences on sediment grain‐size and accumulation; and (ii) their relationship through time and across the depositional region. This uncertainty has led to the widespread use of assumptions concerning the relationship between sedimentation rate and grain‐size in order to derive age models and climate reconstructions. To address this uncertainty, detailed independent age models, based on optically stimulated luminescence dating, undertaken at 10 to 40 cm intervals at five sections across the Loess Plateau in China, have been used to calculate sedimentation rates and make comparisons with grain‐size changes over the late Pleistocene and Holocene. The results demonstrate that sedimentation rates are site specific, extremely variable over millennial timescales and that this variation is often not reflected in grain‐size changes. In the central part of the Loess Plateau, the relationship between grain‐size and sedimentation rate appears most complex, suggesting an interplay between local conditions at source and sink and a changing emplacement mechanism. This observation further undermines the common use of loess sedimentation age models that rely on a derived relationship between grain‐size and sedimentation rate from a type section. The results also highlight the difficulty in assigning specific environmental causes to sedimentation rate changes and, to a lesser extent, grain‐size shifts.
Synsedimentary brecciation in the Eifelian (Middle Devonian) Baltic Basin: sudden catastrophe or diagenetic collapse?
Authors: Tänavsuu‐Milkeviciene Kati , Plink‐Björklund Piret , Kirsimäe Kalle 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe Eifelian sedimentary record in the epeiric Baltic Basin contains an extensive brecciated interval known as the Narva Breccia. During recent decades, the origin of this breccia has been attributed to (1) palaeoseismicity, (2) extraterrestrial impact event or (3) diagenetic collapse. Our studies show the presence of two different breccia types that form 11 stratigraphic horizons and contain several laterally and stratigraphically unrelated breccias. The occurrence of Type‐1 and Type‐2 breccias, together with carbonate sabkha and carbonate inter‐ to supratidal tidal flat deposits on the basin margins, indicates synsedimentary brecciation formed in a sabkha environment. Type‐2 breccia could also originate from wave‐cycling loading.
Thermochronological evidence for Mesozoic–Tertiary tectonic evolution in the eastern Sardinia
Authors: Zattin M. , Massari F. , Dieni I. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractApatite fission‐track analyses on samples from eastern Sardinia document a complex tectonic history, whose reconstruction is problematic because of the reactivation of faults and structures at different times from Jurassic to Miocene. The oldest ages (150–154 Ma) have been detected on the southern margin of the Gulf of Orosei and are related to the extensional tectonics that characterize the European passive margin during Early and Middle Jurassic times. Thermal modelling of these data allows reconstruction of the burial history of the Mesozoic basin and estimation of a sedimentary thickness of 2000 m. Part of these sediments was eroded during the following uplift, documented by mid‐Cretaceous fission‐track ages. A further exhumation episode of Eocene age has been revealed by fission‐track data on granite samples, and has been inferred to be related to the Alpine orogenic phase. This tectonic episode caused the exhumation of crustal blocks bound by faults that were finally reactivated during the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene.
The high‐resolution gravimetric geoid of North Iberia: NIBGEO
Authors: Corchete V. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe gravimetric geoid computed in the northern part of Iberia, is presented in this paper. This computation has been performed considering two study windows fitted to the areas with higher density of gravity data, to reduce the computation errors associated to the scarcity of gravity data, as much as possible. The bad influence of a bathymetry with poorer resolution than the topography is also reduced considering the smallest marine area possible. Moreover, the computation of this gravimetric model is based on the most recent geopotential model: EIGEN‐GL04C (obtained in 2006). The method used in the computation of the new gravimetric geoid has been the Stokes integral in convolution form. The terrain correction has been applied to the gridded gravity anomalies, to obtain the corresponding reduced anomalies. Also the indirect effect has been taken into account. Thus, a new geoid model has been calculated and it is provided as a data grid in the Geodetic Reference System of 1980, distributed for the northern part of Iberia from 40 to 44 degrees of latitude and −10 to 4 degrees of longitude, on a 161 × 561 regular grid with a mesh size of 1.5′ × 1.5′. This new geoid and the previous geoid Iberian Gravimetric Geoid 2005, are compared with the geoid undulations measured for eight points of the European Vertical Reference Network (EUVN) on Iberia. The new geoid shows an improvement in precision and reliability, fitting the geoidal heights of these EUVN points with more accuracy than the previous geoid. Moreover, this new geoid has a smaller standard deviation (12.6 cm) than that obtained by any previous geoid developed for the Iberian area up to date. This geoid obtained for the northern part of Iberia will complement the previously obtained geoid for South Spain and the Gibraltar Strait area; both geoids jointly will give a complete picture of the geoid for Spain and the Gibraltar Strait area. This new model will be useful for orthometric height determination by GPS over this study area, because it will allow orthometric height determination in the mountains and remote areas, in which levelling has many logistic problems. This new model contributes to our knowledge of the geoid, but the surrounding areas must be better known to constrain the lithospheric and mantle models.
OsGSR1 is involved in crosstalk between gibberellins and brassinosteroids in rice
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Zhen , Xu Yunyuan , Joo Se‐Hwan , Kim Seong‐Ki , Xue Zhen , Xu Zhihong , Wang Zhiyong , Chong Kang 
Published: October 2008

SummaryGibberellins (GAs) and brassinosteroids (BRs), two growth‐promoting phytohormones, regulate many common physiological processes. Their interactions at the molecular level remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that OsGSR1, a member of the GAST (GA‐stimulated transcript) gene family, is induced by GA and repressed by BR. RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic rice plants with reduced OsGSR1 expression show phenotypes similar to plants deficient in BR, including short primary roots, erect leaves and reduced fertility. The OsGSR1 RNAi transgenic rice shows a reduced level of endogenous BR, and the dwarf phenotype could be rescued by the application of brassinolide. The yeast two‐hybrid assay revealed that OsGSR1 interacts with DIM/DWF1, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion from 24‐methylenecholesterol to campesterol in BR biosynthesis. These results suggest that OsGSR1 activates BR synthesis by directly regulating a BR biosynthetic enzyme at the post‐translational level. Furthermore, OsGSR1 RNAi plants show a reduced sensitivity to GA treatment, an increased expression of the GA biosynthetic gene OsGA20ox2, which is feedback inhibited by GA signaling, and an elevated level of endogenous GA: together, these suggest that OsGSR1 is a positive regulator of GA signaling. These results demonstrate that OsGSR1 plays important roles in both BR and GA pathways, and also mediates an interaction between the two signaling pathways.
The essential gene EMB1611 maintains shoot apical meristem function during Arabidopsis development
Authors: Leasure Colin D. , Fiume Elisa , Fletcher Jennifer C. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains hundreds of genes essential for seed development. Because null mutations in these genes cause embryo lethality, their specific molecular and developmental functions are largely unknown. Here, we identify a role for EMB1611/MEE22, an essential gene in Arabidopsis, in shoot apical meristem maintenance. EMB1611 encodes a large, novel protein with N‐terminal coiled‐coil regions and two putative transmembrane domains. We show that the partial loss‐of‐function emb1611‐2 mutation causes a range of pleiotropic developmental phenotypes, most dramatically a progressive loss of shoot apical meristem function that causes premature meristem termination. emb1611‐2 plants display disorganization of the shoot meristem cell layers early in development, and an associated stem cell fate change to an organogenic identity. Genetic and molecular analysis indicates that EMB1611 is required for maintenance of the CLV‐WUS stem cell regulatory pathway in the shoot meristem, but also has WUS‐independent activity. In addition, emb1611‐2 plants have reduced shoot and root growth, and their rosette leaves form trichomes with extra branches, a defect we associate with an increase in endoreduplication. Our data indicate that EMB1611 functions to maintain cells, particularly those in the shoot meristem, roots and developing rosette leaves, in a proliferative or uncommitted state.
The major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule HLA‐E at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity
Authors: Sullivan L. C. , Clements C. S. , Rossjohn J. , Brooks A. G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe non‐classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐E is the least polymorphic of all the MHC class I molecules and acts as a ligand for receptors of both the innate and the adaptive immune systems. The recognition of self‐peptides complexed to HLA‐E by the CD94‐NKG2A receptor expressed by natural killer (NK) cells represents a crucial checkpoint for immune surveillance by NK cells. However, HLA‐E can also be recognised by the T‐cell receptor expressed by αβ CD8 T cells and therefore can play a role in the adaptive immune response to invading pathogens. The recent resolution of HLA‐E in complex with both innate and adaptive ligands has provided insight into the dual role of this molecule in immunity.
Impact of cytokine gene polymorphisms on graft‐vs‐host disease
Authors: Markey K. A. , MacDonald K. P. A. , Hill G. R. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the only available curative therapy for hematological malignancy. It does, however, result in significant morbidity and mortality, predominantly as a consequence of infections, leukemic relapse and graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD). While differences in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules between donor and host make a crucial contribution to the alloreactivity driving the donor–antihost response, the cytokine milieu consisting of molecules that both promote and regulate the alloresponse after transplantation is also critical. As such, genetic studies correlating donor and/or host cytokine polymorphisms with disease outcomes have provided useful insight into disease pathogenesis, often confirming effects that have been dissected in animal models of the disease. It is now clear that the polymorphic expression of key cytokines (particularly tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10) has a demonstrable effect on disease outcome and overall transplant‐related mortality. Consideration of the role of genetic polymorphisms in GVHD severity and procedural mortality associated with SCT will lead to improvements in patient outcome such that the addition of non‐HLA genetic typing of potential donors will allow optimization of donor selection for a given recipient. This review provides a discussion of the current state of the literature regarding polymorphic expression of the key GVHD cytokines and their capacity to predict clinical disease outcome.
Evidence for cattle major histocompatibility complex (BoLA) class II DQA1 gene heterozygote advantage against clinical mastitis caused by Streptococci and Escherichia species
Authors: Takeshima S. , Matsumoto Y. , Chen J. , Yoshida T. , Mukoyama H. , Aida Y. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMastitis is an inflammatory response of the mammary gland to irritation, injury, or infectious agents and is a major problem in the dairy industry. We genotyped bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA)‐DRB3 and BoLA‐DQA1 genes in 120 Holstein cattle with clinical mastitis and 85 randomly selected Holstein cattle in Japan by polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐based typing. The mastitis cattle were divided into four groups according to the bacterial species that caused the mastitis (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci, Escherichia, and coagulase‐negative staphylococci). The BoLA‐DRB3 and BoLA‐DQA1 heterozygosity of each group was compared with that of the control cattle, while the expected heterozygosities based on Hardy–Weinberg proportions and the observed heterozygosities for each locus were compared for each group. The Escherichia‐induced and Streptococci‐induced mastitis groups showed significant differences between their expected and observed heterozygosities with regard to their BoLA‐DQA1 genes. No differences were observed for any group with regard to the BoLA‐DRB3 genes. We then found that two BoLA‐DQA1 alleles promoted susceptibility to Streptococci‐induced mastitis, namely BoLA‐DQA1*0101 and BoLA‐DQA1*10012 and that the homozygous BoLA‐DQA1*0101/0101 and BoLA‐DQA1*10011/10011 genotypes promoted susceptibility to mastitis caused by Streptococci and Escherichia, respectively. This is the first report showing that heterozygosity of the BoLA‐DQA1 gene is associated with resistance to mastitis progression.
Alleles and intron polymorphism of KIR3DL1 shown by combination of allele group‐specific primers and sequencing
Authors: Sun J. Y. , Oki A. , Senitzer D. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAllelic polymorphism of killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) genes may affect receptor expression as well as function. We used a combination of allele group‐specific primers and DNA sequencing techniques to verify our KIR genotyping primers in polymerase chain reaction and identified three KIR3DL1 alleles. By sequencing some introns of 3DL1 in 18 genomic DNA samples, we found that a 4‐bp insert in intron 1 of 3DL1*002 exists in multiple alleles, but that a 2‐bp deletion in intron 7 is unique to 3DL1*01501 and that a 19‐bp insert in intron 1 seems specific to the CEPH family 1416. Our data suggest that extensive KIR gene polymorphisms are ubiquitous as well as quite complex.
HLA‐A polymorphisms in four ethnic groups from Guinea‐Bissau (West Africa) inferred from sequence‐based typing
Authors: Spínola C. , Bruges‐Armas J. , Brehm A. , Spínola H. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A locus polymorphisms were examined at high‐resolution level, using sequence‐based typing, in the four most representative Guinea‐Bissau (Northwest Africa) ethnic groups: Balanta, Bijagós, Fula and Papel. Despite the Fula group having significant differences when compared with the other three ethnic groups, all four groups most likely received a genetic input from non sub‐Saharans. The Bijagós and Papel groups showed similarities to neighboring populations from Mali and Senegal. The Balanta, despite their oral tradition of an East Africa origin, show affinities to Cameroon populations, highly influenced by Bantu migrations. These results are congruent with historical sources and other genetic studies that support the finding that the Guinea‐Bissau genetic pool was influenced by several migrations from North Africa, Sahara and East Africa.
Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhization on the Accumulation of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives in Date Palm Seedlings Challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis
Authors: Jaiti Fatima , Kassami Mouna , Meddich Abdelillah , El Hadrami Ismail 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe effect of root colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the content of phenolic compounds was determined in date palm seedlings challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa), the pathogen causing the bayoud disease. The examination of phenolic compounds revealed no qualitative difference between arbuscular mycorrhized plants and non‐mycorrhized ones. However, after Foa infection, the accumulation of non‐constitutive hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, such as the sinapic derivative I2, known to play a crucial role in resistance of date palm to Foa was more pronounced in mycorrhized seedlings. No accumulation of these compounds was detected in mycorrhized seedlings not challenged with Foa. The potential immunization of date palm seedlings with mycorrhizal fungi is discussed.
CHANGES IN PLATELET SIZE AND SPLEEN VOLUME IN RESPONSE TO SELECTIVE AND NON‐SELECTIVE β‐ADRENOCEPTOR BLOCKADE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Bakovic Darija , Pivac Nediljko , Eterovic Davor , Palada Ivan , Valic Zoran , Paukovic‐Sekulic Branka , Dujic Zeljko 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY

The spleen contains approximately one‐third of all the body's platelets. These platelets are relatively larger and haemostatically more active than platelets in the systemic circulation and can be released into the systemic circulation by stimulation of α‐adrenoceptors or inhibition of β‐adrenoceptors. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of selective (bisoprol) and non‐selective (carvedilol) beta‐blockers agents on mean platelet volume (MPV) and spleen size in hypertensive patients at rest and after exercise.
Blood pressure, heart rate, platelet count, MPV and spleen volume were measured in 18 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, as well as in nine healthy control subjects, subjected to treadmill exercise test at their first visit and, for the hypertensive group, after 15 and 30 days of treatment with the selective β1‐adrenoceptor antagonist bisoprolol 5 mg/day (n = 9) or the non‐selective α1‐, β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptor antagonist carvedilol 25 mg/day (n = 9).
Increases in resting MPV values with concomitant decreases in spleen volume were found after 15 and 30 days treatment with either bisoprolol or carvedilol. The pronounced decrease in splenic volume after exercise and the increased MPV and platelet counts seen at first visit were halved after 15 and 30 days of treatment with either drug.
We conclude that in hypertensive patients treated with either selective or non‐selective beta‐blockers, the spleen contracts and MPV increases, which may increase the risk of atherothrombosis.
CONTROL OF MUSCLE RYANODINE RECEPTOR CALCIUM RELEASE CHANNELS BY PROTEINS IN THE SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM LUMEN
Authors: Beard Nicole A , Wei Lan , Dulhunty Angela F 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY

Many biological processes that are governed by intracellular calcium signals rely on intracellular stores, which provide a reliable, controlled release of calcium into the cytoplasm. Calcium release through the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the main ion channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (the calcium store in muscle) is the key determinant of muscle force.
Calsequestrin, the main calcium buffer in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, provides a pool of calcium for release through the RyR and acts as a luminal calcium sensor for the channel via its interactions with triadin and junctin. Until recently, how calsequestrin communicated the store Ca2+ load to the RyR remained unknown.
Calsequestrin 1 (skeletal calsequestrin) has been shown to both inhibit and activate the skeletal RyR1, dependent on whether it's bound to the RyR1 directly or indirectly via anchoring proteins.
The phosphorylation status of calsequestrin 1 is deemed important: it influences the Ca2+ binding capacity of calsequestrin, the way in which calsequestrin 1 regulates the RyR1 and how calsequestrin 1 interacts with the key anchoring protein junctin.
In skeletal muscle, junctin plays a more critical role than triadin in the mechanism that controls Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
The close relationship between altered expression and dysfunction of calsequestrin in several skeletal and cardiac disorders highlights the critical role that calsequestrin plays in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis and regulation of muscle contraction.
STORE‐OPERATED Ca2+ CHANNELS AND MICRODOMAINS OF Ca2+ IN LIVER CELLS
Authors: Barritt Greg J , Litjens Tom L , Castro Joel , Aromataris Edoardo , Rychkov Grigori Y 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY

Oscillatory increases in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) play essential roles in the hormonal regulation of liver cells. Increases in [Ca2+]cyt require Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane.
Store‐operated Ca2+ channels (SOCs), activated by a decrease in Ca2+ in the ER lumen, are responsible for maintaining adequate ER Ca2+. Experiments using patch‐clamp recording and the fluorescent Ca2+ reporter fura‐2 indicate there is only one type of SOC in rat liver cells. These SOCs have a high selectivity for Ca2+ and properties essentially indistinguishable from those of Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels.
Although Orai1, a CRAC channel pore protein, and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), a CRAC channel Ca2+ sensor, are components of liver cell SOCs, the mechanism of activation of SOCs, and in particular the role of subregions of the ER, are not well understood.
Recent experiments have used the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) non‐selective cation channel, ectopically expressed in liver cells, and a choleretic bile acid to deplete Ca2+ from different ER subregions. The results of these studies have provided evidence that only a small component of the ER is required for STIM1 redistribution and the activation of SOCs.
It is concluded that different Ca2+ microdomains in the ER and cytoplasmic space are important in both the activation of SOCs and in the signalling actions of Ca2+ in liver cells. Future experiments will investigate the nature of these microdomains further.