bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure, relatedness and helping behaviour in the yellow mongoose in a farmland and a natural habitat
Authors: Vidya T. N. C. , Balmforth Z. , Le Roux A. , Cherry M. I. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata is a facultatively social species and provides an opportunity to study the evolution of social behaviour. We examined genetic structure, relatedness and helping behaviour in the yellow mongoose in natural habitat in the Kalahari Desert, where the species lives in small family groups of up to four individuals and shows no cooperative breeding; and in farmland in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where they live in larger groups of up to 13 individuals, engage in numerous social interactions and show cooperative breeding. The farmland population showed significant inbreeding, and lower genetic variability than the desert population, but there was no evidence of a recent population bottleneck. The genetic relatedness between individuals within social groups and that between future potential helpers and pups were higher in the farmland population than in the desert population. However, based on a limited sample, helping effort (in the farmland population) was not preferentially directed towards kin. Thus, the origin of helping in the farmland population is consistent with kin selection, but in the absence of kin discrimination, future research should investigate whether long‐term breeding opportunities or group augmentation contribute to maintaining cooperative breeding in this population.
Socio‐genetic structure and mating system of a wild boar population
Authors: Poteaux C. , Baubet E. , Kaminski G. , Brandt S. , Dobson F. S. , Baudoin C. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractWild boars Sus scrofa have a social organization based on female groups that can include several generations of adults and offspring, and are thus likely matrilineal. However, little is known about the degree of relatedness between animals living in such groups or occupying the same core area of spatial activity. Also, polygynous male mating combined with matrilineal female groups can have strong influences on the genetic structure of populations. We used microsatellite genotyping combined with behavioral data to investigate the fine‐scale population genetic structure and the mating system of wild boars in a multi‐year study at Châteauvillain‐Arc‐en‐Barrois (France). According to spatial genetic autocorrelation, females in spatial proximity were significantly inter‐related. However, we found that numerous males contributed to the next generation, even within the same social group. Based on our genetic data and behavioral observations, wild boars in this population appear to have a low level of polygyny associated with matrilineal female groups, and infrequent multiple paternity. Mortality due to hunting may facilitate the breakup of what historically has been a more predominantly polygynous mating system, and likely accelerates the turnover of adults within the matrilineal groups.
Contribution of the region Glu181 to Val200 of the extracellular loop of the human P2X1 receptor to agonist binding and gating revealed using cysteine scanning mutagenesis1
Authors: Roberts Jonathan A. , Valente Marie , Allsopp Rebecca C. , Watt David , Evans Richard J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAt the majority of mutants in the region Glu181‐Val200 incorporating a conserved AsnPheThrΦΦxLys motif cysteine substitution had no effect on sensitivity to ATP, partial agonists, or methanethiosulfonate (MTS) compounds. For the F185C mutant the efficacy of partial agonists was reduced by ∼ 90% but there was no effect on ATP potency or the actions of MTS reagents. At T186C, F188C and K190C mutants ATP potency and partial agonists responses were reduced. The ATP sensitivity of the K190C mutant was rescued towards WT levels by positively charged (2‐aminoethyl)methanethiosulfonate hydrobromide and reduced by negatively charged sodium (2‐sulfonatoethyl) methanethiosulfonate. Both MTS reagents decreased ATP potency at the T186C mutant, and abolished responses at the F195C mutant. 32P‐2‐azido ATP binding to the mutants T186C and K190C was sensitive to MTS reagents consistent with an effect on binding, however binding at F195C was unaffected indicating an effect on gating. The accessibility of the introduced cysteines was probed with (2‐aminoethyl)methanethiosulfonate hydrobromide‐biotin, this showed that the region Thr186‐Ser192 is likely to form a beta sheet and that accessibility is blocked by ATP. Taken together these results suggest that Thr186, Phe188 and Lys190 are involved in ATP binding to the receptor and Phe185 and Phe195 contribute to agonist evoked conformational changes.
Regulation of dendritic spine morphology by SPIN90, a novel Shank binding partner
Authors: Kim Seon‐Myung , Choi Kyu Yeong , Cho In Ha , Rhy Jin Hee , Kim Sung Hyun , Park Chul‐Seung , Kim Eunjoon , Song Woo Keun 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDendritic spines are highly specialized actin‐rich structures on which the majority of excitatory synapses are formed in the mammalian CNS. SPIN90 is an actin‐binding protein known to be highly enriched in postsynaptic densities (PSDs), though little is known about its function there. Here, we show that SPIN90 is a novel binding partner for Shank proteins in the PSD. SPIN90 and Shank co‐immunoprecipitate from brain lysates and co‐localize in postsynaptic dendrites and act synergistically to mediate spine maturation and spine head enlargement. At the same time, SPIN90 causes accumulation of Shank and PSD‐95 within dendritic spines. In addition, we found that the protein composition of PSDs in SPIN90 knockout mice is altered as is the actin cytoskeleton of cultured hippocampal SPIN90 knockout neurons. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that SPIN90 is a Shank1b binding partner and a key contributor to the regulation of dendritic spine morphogenesis and brain function.
Niche position, but not niche breadth, differs in two coexisting amphibians having contrasting trends in Europe
Authors: Rannap Riinu , Lõhmus Asko , Briggs Lars 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAim  We explored general habitat‐related explanations (niche breadth and niche position) to the contrasting status of two amphibian species that have largely overlapping ranges and habitats – the rare and declining crested newt (Triturus cristatus), and the more common smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris). These closely related and ecologically similar species provide an excellent opportunity to study those methodologically challenging hypotheses, and this is the first such study on amphibians.Location  Denmark.Methods  We derived multivariate habitat models from 27 characteristics of 210 ponds and their surroundings, and their occupation by newts. In addition to the model performance, niche breadths were compared using the mean beta diversity of amphibian communities in the presence of each newt species.Results  For each newt species, the habitat models comprised three variables and correctly classified 74% of observations. Diverse invertebrate fauna (prey base) and shorter distances to other ponds inhabited by conspecifics were positive for both species, while the surrounding habitat (notably dry grasslands with forests) was important for the crested newt and the sediment type of the pond for the smooth newt only. Beta diversity of the amphibian communities of occupied ponds did not differ between the two newt species. Hence, in an area of frequent coexistence, habitat requirements of the species differed in key variables, not in the extent of specialization.Main conclusions  Our study supported the niche position rather than the niche‐breadth hypothesis of rarity. We suggest that the rarity and/or continuing decline of the crested newt is related to the degradation of (semi)natural terrestrial habitats around suitable water bodies in Europe. Consequently, special restoration of such habitats has a high potential for the recovery of this rare species, while general pond management appeared more beneficial for the common smooth newt.
Genistein aglycone reverses glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis and increases bone breaking strength in rats: a comparative study with alendronate
Authors: Bitto A , Burnett BP , Polito F , Levy RM , Marini H , Stefano V Di , Irrera N , Armbruster MA , Minutoli L , Altavilla D , Squadrito F 
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  Glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis (GIO) is the leading cause of secondary osteoporosis. Clinical evidence suggests a role for genistein aglycone in the treatment of post‐menopausal osteopenia although proof of efficacy in comparison with currently available treatments is still lacking. To clarify this issue, we investigated the effects of genistein on bone compared with alendronate in experimental GIO.Experimental approach:  A total of 28 female Sprague‐Dawley rats were used. GIO was induced by daily injections of methylprednisolone (MP; 30 mg·kg−1 s.c.) for 60 days. Sham GIO animals (Sham‐MP) were injected daily with the MP vehicle. At the end of the osteoporosis development period, MP rats were randomized to receive: vehicle (n= 7), genistein aglycone (5 mg·kg−1 s.c.; n= 7) or alendronate (0.03 mg·kg−1 s.c.; n= 7). Treatment lasted 60 days. Sham‐MP animals were treated with vehicle for an additional 60 days. At the beginning and at the end of treatments, animals were examined for bone mineral density and bone mineral content. Bone‐alkaline phosphatase and carboxy‐terminal collagen cross links were determined; femurs were removed and tested for breaking strength and histology.Key results:  Genistein aglycone showed a greater increase in bone mineral density, bone mineral content and in breaking strength than alendronate and significantly increased bone‐alkaline phosphatase (bone formation marker), reduced carboxy‐terminal collagen cross links (bone resorption marker), compared with alendronate. Both treatments improved bone histology and the histological score.Conclusion and implications:  The results strongly suggest that the genistein aglycone might be an alternative therapy for the management of secondary osteoporosis.
Endothelial Ca2+‐activated K+channels in normal and impaired EDHF–dilator responses – relevance to cardiovascular pathologies and drug discovery
Authors: Grgic Ivica , Kaistha Brajesh P , Hoyer Joachim , Köhler Ralf 
Published: March 2009

The arterial endothelium critically contributes to blood pressure control by releasing vasodilating autacoids such as nitric oxide, prostacyclin and a third factor or pathway termed ‘endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor’ (EDHF). The nature of EDHF and EDHF‐signalling pathways is not fully understood yet. However, endothelial hyperpolarization mediated by the Ca2+‐activated K+channels (KCa) has been suggested to play a critical role in initializing EDHF–dilator responses in conduit and resistance‐sized arteries of many species including humans. Endothelial KCacurrents are mediated by the two KCasubtypes, intermediate‐conductance KCa(KCa3.1) (also known as, a.k.a. IKCa) and small‐conductance KCatype 3 (KCa2.3) (a.k.a. SKCa). In this review, we summarize current knowledge about endothelial KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 channels, their molecular and pharmacological properties and their specific roles in endothelial function and, particularly, in the EDHF–dilator response. In addition we focus on recent experimental evidences derived from KCa3.1‐ and/or KCa2.3‐deficient mice that exhibit severe defects in EDHF signalling and elevated blood pressures, thus highlighting the importance of the KCa3.1/KCa2.3‐EDHF–dilator system for blood pressure control. Moreover, we outline differential and overlapping roles of KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 for EDHF signalling as well as for nitric oxide synthesis and discuss recent evidence for a heterogeneous (sub) cellular distribution of KCa3.1 (at endothelial projections towards the smooth muscle) and KCa2.3 (at inter‐endothelial borders and caveolae), which may explain their distinct roles for endothelial function. Finally, we summarize the interrelations of altered KCa3.1/KCa2.3 and EDHF system impairments with cardiovascular disease states such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis and discuss the therapeutic potential of KCa3.1/KCa2.3 openers as novel types of blood pressure‐lowering drugs.British Journal of Pharmacology(2009)157,509–526; doi:10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2009.00132.x; published online 19 March 2009This article is part of a themed section on Endothelium in Pharmacology. For a list of all articles in this section see the end of this paper, or visit:http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009
Women's knowledge about human papillomavirus and their acceptance of HPV vaccine
Authors: DURSUN Polat , ALTUNTAS Baris , KUSCU Esra , AYHAN Ali 
Published: March 2009

Objective: Recently, prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines were approved in the USA and Europe to protect against HPV‐related disease. However, there is ongoing debate about the acceptance of the HPV vaccine as a part of routine vaccine scheme. The aim of this study is to determine the baseline knowledge Turkish women have about HPV and prophylactic HPV vaccines.Method:  The study included 1434 women from four different cities of Turkey who completed a 22‐item questionnaire that assessed their knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, and their acceptance of HPV vaccine for themselves and their children.Results:  The median age was 35.8 ± 10.8 years (range: 17–80 years). In all, 12% of the participants had a past history of an abnormal Pap test. Among the participants, 77% believed that sex education should be provided at school, 45% had heard of HPV and 55% had no knowledge about HPV. It was known by 43% of the women that HPV might cause genital lesions. Of the parents, 40% knew HPV is related to cervical cancer, while 34% had no opinion about the subject. Of the parents interviewed, 70% reported they would accept HPV vaccination for themselves, 64% for their daughters and 59% for their sons.Conclusion:  Although less than half of the women had knowledge about HPV, the majority of the women sampled reported that they would accept vaccination for themselves and their children. Health‐care providers must focus not only on the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, but must also provide information and education about HPV to women.
In vivo effect of hyperbaric oxygen on wound angiogenesis and epithelialization
Authors: Sander Anna L. , Henrich Dirk , Muth Claus M. , Marzi Ingo , Barker John H. , Frank Johannes M. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTHyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is increasingly being used in different areas of medical practice. While demonstrated to be effective in several settings, its mechanism of action is not well understood. In the present study, we determined the effects of HBO on wound epithelialization and neovascularization in an in vivo hairless mouse ear “impaired” wound model. To impair wound healing, macrophages were depleted by pretreatment with iota‐carrageenan. Wound epithelialization and neovascularization were measured using intravital microscopy and computerized planimetry. Metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured on days 2 and 7 using immunohistochemistry. In nonimpaired healing wounds, the rate of epithelialization and neovascularization was significantly accelerated in the groups treated with HBO. Time to wound closure was significantly delayed in impaired compared with nonimpaired healing wounds and HBO treatment completely reversed this delay. Neither HBO treatment nor macrophage depletion caused significant alterations in MMP‐2 expression in wounds. In contrast, TNF‐α, MMP‐9, and TIMP‐1 were significantly up‐regulated in the impaired healing group receiving HBO treatment. These results show that HBO therapy effectively reversed the negative effect exerted by macrophage reduction on wound epithelialization and neovascularization. This beneficial effect could be due to stimulation of TNF‐α production and, to a lesser degree due to release of metalloproteinases.
Substance P accelerates intestinal tissue regeneration after γ‐irradiation–induced damage
Authors: Kang Mi‐Hyun , Kim Do‐Yeon , Yi Jae Youn , Son Youngsook 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTRadiation therapy causes varying degrees of damage to biological systems. Many groups are investigating the mechanism underlying radiation‐induced cellular damage but there are limited therapeutic solutions for affected patients. Recent studies show that substance P (SP) participates in cell proliferation. In the present study, we characterized the mechanism underlying SP‐induced cellular signaling in radiation‐induced damage of the intestine. Exposure of Caco‐2 cells to SP increases cell proliferation and Erk phosphorylation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. The proliferation of cells exposed to γ‐irradiation is also stimulated by exposure to SP, a phenomenon that may result from inhibition of apoptosis because SP activates Akt and inhibits the cleavage of caspase‐3. The effect of SP on cell proliferation and protection was confirmed by investigations in mice. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining shows that cell proliferation in radiation‐damaged mouse intestine increases significantly upon exposure to SP. Furthermore, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐fluorescein nick end labeling assay reveals fewer cells stained in SP‐treated mice compared with untreated controls. These findings show the potential for SP‐induced acceleration of intestinal wound healing and reveal that the mechanism underlying this process involves activation of Erk and Akt and inhibition of caspase‐3 cleavage.
Negative‐pressure wound therapy using gauze or open‐cell polyurethane foam: Similar early effects on pressure transduction and tissue contraction in an experimental porcine wound model
Authors: Malmsjö Malin , Ingemansson Richard , Martin Robin , Huddleston Elizabeth 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTNegative‐pressure wound therapy (NPWT), also known as topical negative‐pressure therapy, is widely used to manage wounds and accelerate healing. NPWT has so far been delivered mainly via open‐cell polyurethane foam, but increasing interest has been directed toward delivering NPWT via gauze. In the present study, the early effects of NPWT on pressure transduction and wound contraction were examined in wounds filled with either polyurethane foam or gauze. An experimental setup of a porcine wound model was used, in which the animals were anesthetized for 12–14 hours. Negative pressures between −50 and −175 mmHg were applied in −25 mmHg increments. Wound bed pressure was measured using a saline filled catheter sutured to the bottom of the wound. The contraction of the wound edges was also determined. The recordings were performed upon reaching steady state, which typically occurred within 1 minute. For both fillers, wound bed negative pressure increased linearly with delivered vacuum with little deviation from set pressure (correlation coefficient 0.99 in both cases). Similar tissue contraction was observed when using foam and gauze. The most prominent contraction was observed in the range of 0 to −50 mmHg with greater vacuum only producing minor further movement of the wound edge. In conclusion, the present experimental study shows that gauze and foam are equally effective at delivering negative pressure and creating mechanical deformation of the wound.
Biomechanical behavior of scar tissue and uninjured skin in a porcine model
Authors: Corr David T. , Gallant‐Behm Corrie L. , Shrive Nigel G. , Hart David A. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTA new method to test axial and transverse tensile properties of skin was developed to improve our understanding of skin mechanical behavior, and how it changes following injury and formation of a scar. Skin tissue was evaluated at 70 days following full‐thickness wounding in juvenile female pigs (N=14). Samples were taken in the axial (cranial–caudal) and transverse (dorsal–ventral) directions, for both scar tissue and uninjured skin, and were evaluated mechanically in vitro using a protocol of stress relaxation followed by tensile failure. Uninjured skin was more compliant, with a larger toe‐in region, and faster load relaxation, in the axial direction than the transverse. Such directional differences were not present in high‐load responses, such as linear stiffness or failure properties. When compared with uninjured skin, scars displayed a similar linear stiffness, with considerably reduced failure properties, and reduced low‐load compliance. Scars showed no directional differences in low‐load behavior, viscous response, or failure properties. These findings suggest morphological changes that may occur with injury that are consistent with the viscoelastic and directional changes observed experimentally. This improved understanding of how injury affects skin biomechanical function provides valuable information necessary for the design of successful grafting procedures and tissue‐engineered skin replacements.
Wound shape geometry measurements correlate to eventual wound healing
Authors: Cardinal Matthew , Eisenbud David E. , Armstrong David G. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTWound geometry measurements have long been associated with wound‐healing outcomes but there is little published evidence to support this. We studied serial wound tracings of 338 venous leg ulcers (VLUs) that had been followed during a controlled, prospective, randomized pivotal trial of two topical wound treatments, to determine whether the relationship between wound surface area and wound perimeter planimetry measurements, as well as the qualitative assessment of wound shape, could be correlated to wound‐healing outcomes. VLUs that transitioned to a more convex wound shape, and maintained a linear relationship between their wound margin size and wound surface area size, had faster healing rates and were more likely to completely heal by 12 weeks (odds ratio=4.84, p=0.001). VLUs that initially presented with isolated areas of epithelium within the wound margins, large concavities, or were segmented into multiple ulcers typically had a poorer linear correlation between their margins and their surface area. Only 18 out of 134 (13%) VLUs with a linear r2<0.80 eventually reached full wound closure, vs. 43% (102 of 270) of the remaining wounds with an r2≥0.80 (Fisher's exact p<0.001). We believe our results show that the proportional relationship between one‐dimensional perimeter and area measurements accurately correlates to the healing progress of the wound. Wounds that do not correlate to this linear relationship (concave geometries or multiple islands of healing) may be physiologically different than wounds that have good linear correlation, which we concluded through the analysis of wound acetate tracings.