bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A km-scale illite alteration zone in sedimentary wall rocks adjacent to a hydrothermal fluorite vein deposit
Authors: Brockamp O. , Clauer N. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIn a study of wall-rock alteration in the 1.4 km long Würmtal adit at the Käfersteige hydrothermal vein deposit (northern Black Forest, Germany) illite was found to be the only clay mineral within the Bunter sandstone and intercalated claystone. Illite occurs mainly as a detrital mineral in the claystone, whereas it is hydrothermally neoformed in the sandstone, either in the pores or as an alteration product of K-feldspar. The extensive occurrence of authigenic illite along the entire 1.4 km long profile confirms that the fluids migrated far into the sandstone.The authigenic illite formed during a first pulse of high-temperature fluids (Th of ~220°C) with a low salinity (~1 wt.% NaCleq). These fluids also dissolved Sr and Rb from detrital illite of the claystones at the vein. A later hydrothermal pulse with a lower temperature (~70–150°C) and higher salinity (21–28 wt.% NaCleq) silicified the sandstone adjacent to the vein and caused partial substitution of OH- by F- in the structure of the detrital and neoformed illite along the profile.Within analytical error, the K-Ar dates for the neoformed illite of the <2 µm fraction are the same along the profile (~150 Ma). During this hydrothermal process, the age of the detrital illite within the claystone was reset from 310 to 190 Ma. The illite-rich <0.2 µm fractions yield ages of ~142 Ma (sandstone) indicating a Jurassic origin. The uniform age data for illite in the sandstone and in the claystone are probably due to extensive migration of hot fluids through the wall rocks.The hydrothermal fluids are attributed to recycled meteoric water and brines that ascended from the basement into the cover rocks during the opening of the North Atlantic and/or the nearby Tethys area.
Polymorphisms in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and lung function in asthma
Authors: Litonjua Augusto A , Tantisira Kelan G , Lake Stephen , Lazarus Ross , Richter Brent G , Gabriel Stacey , Silverman Eric S , Weiss Scott T 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Background
Identifying genetic determinants for lung function is important in providing insight into the pathophysiology of asthma. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 is a transcription factor latent in the cytoplasm; the gene (STAT3) is activated by a wide range of cytokines, and may play a role in lung development and asthma pathogenesis.

Methods
We genotyped six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the STAT3 gene in a cohort of 401 Caucasian adult asthmatics. The associations between each SNP and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), as a percent of predicted, at the baseline exam were tested using multiple linear regression models. Longitudinal analyses involving repeated measures of FEV1 were conducted with mixed linear models. Haplotype analyses were conducted using imputed haplotypes. We completed a second association study by genotyping the same six polymorphisms in a cohort of 652 Caucasian children with asthma.

Results
We found that three polymorphisms were significantly associated with baseline FEV1: homozygotes for the minor alleles of each polymorphism had lower FEV1 than homozygotes for the major alleles. Moreover, these associations persisted when we performed an analysis on repeated measures of FEV1 over 8 weeks. A haplotypic analysis based on the six polymorphisms indicated that two haplotypes were associated with baseline FEV1. Among the childhood asthmatics, one polymorphism was associated with both baseline FEV1 and the repeated measures of FEV1 over 4 years.

Conclusion
Our results indicate that genetic variants in STAT3, independent of asthma treatment, are determinants of FEV1 in both adults and children with asthma, and suggest that STAT3 may participate in inflammatory pathways that have an impact on level of lung function.
Preponderance of the oncogenic V599E and V599K mutations in B-raf kinase domain is enhanced in melanoma cutaneous/subcutaneous metastases
Authors: Deichmann Martin , Thome Marianne , Benner Axel , Kirschner Martin , Hassanzadeh Judith , Kurzen Hjalmar 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Background
Downstream of Ras, the serine/threonine kinase B-raf has been reported to be mutated, among other carcinomas, in a substantial subset of primary melanomas with a preponderance of mutations within the kinase domain including the activating V599E and V599K transitions.

Methods
We here investigated a representative series of 60 resection specimens of cutaneous and subcutaneous melanoma metastases for the presence of mutations within the activation segment (exon 15) of the B-raf kinase domain by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) gel electrophoresis.

Results
Sequencing of cloned PCR-SSCP amplicons resulted in 24 (40%) samples harbouring somatic mutations which is not exceeding the mutation frequency in recently investigated primary melanomas. The activating mutation T1796A was present in 24/60 (40%) resection specimens, followed in frequency by the oncogenic g1795A mutation in 8/60 (13%) cases. As to the B-raf protein sequence, the acidic amino acid transitions V599E and V599K were predicted in 19/60 (32%) and 6/60 (10%) cases, resepectively, but were not associated with enhanced risk for subsequent metastasis in patients' follow up. In comparison to the primary melanomas that we recently investigated, the spectrum of predicted B-raf protein mutations narrowed significantly in the cutaneous/subcutaneous metastases. Unexpectedly, V599 and V599E mutations were absent in cutaneous/subcutaneous metastases derived from acrolentiginous melanomas as preceding primary tumours.

Conclusion
During transition from primary melanomas towards cutaneous/subcutaneous metastases, the spectrum of predicted B-raf mutations narrows significantly. Focusing on the V599E and V599K, these oncogenic mutations are likely to affect melanocyte-specific pathways controlling proliferation and differentiation.
Measles vaccine coverage and factors related to uncompleted vaccination among 18-month-old and 36-month-old children in Kyoto, Japan
Authors: Matsumura Takayo , Nakayama Takeo , Okamoto Shigeru , Ito Hideko 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Background
Due to low vaccine coverage, Japan has not only experienced outbreaks of measles but has also been exporting it overseas. This study aims to survey measles vaccine coverage and the factors uncompleted vaccination among community-living children.

Methods
Subjects were the parents whose children had undergone either an 18-month or a 36-month checkup publicly provided by Kyoto City during November 2001 to January 2002. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted.

Results
The coverage was 73.2% among the 18-month-old children (n = 2707) and 88.9% among the 36-month-old children (n = 2340), respectively. The following characteristics of mothers were related to uncompleted measles vaccination: aged below 30, working, concerned about the adverse events of the vaccine, and had insufficient knowledge. Similarly, the following characteristics among children were related to uncompleted measles vaccination: not the first-born child, interacting with other children in group settings. The coverage was the lowest among the children whose mothers were concerned about the adverse events of the vaccine without proper knowledge of measles and its vaccination.

Conclusion
To increase vaccine coverage among children, parents' awareness about measles and vaccination against it should be promoted, especially for working mothers. Efforts to enhance access to vaccination services and to communicate with parents about changing vaccination schedules are necessary.
Simultaneous measurements of cytoplasmic Ca2+ responses and intracellular pH in neutrophils of localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) patients
Authors: Herrmann Jens Martin , Kantarci Alpdogan , Long Heidi , Bernardo John , Hasturk Hatice , Wray Lewis V , Simons Elizabeth R , Van Dyke Thomas E 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIn view of the reports that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) of patients with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) exhibit hyper-responsiveness to stimulation, it has been suggested that such abnormalities could lead to PMN-mediated tissue damage during inflammation. To determine whether these abnormalities include signal transduction, we compared cytoplasmic calcium concentration (Δ[Ca2+]i) and cytoplasmic pH (ΔpHi) changes, early stimulus responses to chemotactic agents, of LAP versus control (C)-PMN and explored whether these could be modulated by sensitizing cytokines or calcium channel-blocking agents. PMN responses of LAP patients were compared with age- and gender-matched controls. Δ[Ca2+]i and ΔpHi were measured fluorimetrically using 1H-indole-6-carboxylic acid, 2-[4-[bis[2-[(acetyloxy)methoxy]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-[2-[2-[bis[2-[(acetyloxy)methoxy]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-5-methylphenoxy]ethoxy]phenyl]-1 and 2′,7′-bis-(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein as respective probes. Not only was the maximal calcium response to chemoattractants higher in LAP-PMN, but also their subsequent intracellular calcium redistribution was significantly slower. The slower calcium redistribution of LAP-PMN, but not their higher maximal calcium response, was successfully mimicked in C-PMN treated with Nifedipine™ or 1-[b-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-imidazole-HCl, both known to be inhibitors of membrane-associated calcium influx, but this redistribution was not affected when inhibitors of other calcium influx mechanisms, Diltiazem™ or Verapamil™, were used. Taken together, our findings indicate that certain early stimulus responses are aberrant in LAP-PMN, that internal redistribution of cytoplasmic-free calcium is compromised, and, additionally, that a membrane-associated Ca2+ transport defect may be present.
Professional phagocytic granulocytes of the bony fish gilthead seabream display functional adaptation to testicular microenvironment
Authors: Chaves-Pozo Elena , Mulero Victoriano , Meseguer José , Ayala Alfonsa García 
Published: June 2005

AbstractIt has been shown previously that professional phagocytic granulocytes are present in the testis of the gilthead seabream, a seasonal breeding teleost that offers an excellent model for studying the testicular regression process that occurs in seasonal testicular involution and sex change. It is unexpected that testicular granulocytes produce interleukin-1β, a regulator for spermatogonia proliferation in mammals, but are not involved in the elimination of degenerative germ cells. Here, we show that phagocytosis and reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) production were suppressed dramatically in testicular phagocytic granulocytes, compared with their level of activity in the head-kidney, the main hematopoietic organ in fish. Furthermore, testicular-conditioned media modulated migration, phagocytosis, and ROI production of head-kidney phagocytic granulocytes, and the addition of testicular cells impaired their ROI production capacity. Until now, monocytes/macrophages were believed to be the only innate immune cells able to develop into functional subsets, whereas neutrophils only infiltrate the tissues upon infection or inflammation. Our findings demonstrate, however, that fish professional phagocytic granulocytes also display functional adaptation to different microenvironments and strongly suggest a role for these cells in the reorganization of the testis during post-spawning.
Receptors and lytic mediators regulating anti-tumor activity by the leukemic killer T cell line TALL-104
Authors: Brando Clara , Mukhopadhyay Sunil , Kovacs Eniko , Medina Rosa , Patel Pritesh , Catina Tracey L , Campbell Kerry S , Santoli Daniela 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex nonrestricted cytotoxic leukemic T cell line T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL)-104 is being pursued as a therapeutic agent for cancer. However, the receptors and effector mechanisms responsible for its broad tumoricidal function remain undefined. Here, we examined the roles played by natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR), killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, cytolytic granule components, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family members in tumor recognition and lysis by TALL-104 cells. The perforin-granzyme pathway, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and Fas were each involved in the lysis of particular tumor targets by TALL-104. Furthermore, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin treatment induced surface expression of Fas-L and TRAIL. In addition, supernatants from CD3-stimulated TALL-104 cultures exhibited antiproliferative activity, which was blocked 50–90% by anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody (mAb). Although negative for the NCR natural killer (NK)p44, this cell line was found to express NKp46. An anti-NKp46 antibody strongly blocked TALL-104-mediated lysis of certain targets and directly induced cytokine production, granule release, and redirected lysis responses. Anti-NKG2D and anti-2B4 also stimulated redirected cytotoxicity by TALL-104. By contrast, anti-NKG2A mAb did not stain the cells or inhibit killing responses. Alternatively, KIR3DL2 was detected on TALL-104, and expression of its reported ligand, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, on target cells provided protection from cytotoxicity. Thus, NKp46, NKG2D, and 2B4 are activating receptors, and KIR3DL2 is an inhibitory receptor on TALL-104. The data demonstrate the ability of TALL-104 cells to recognize a wide variety of tumors with NK cell receptors and kill them with a broad arsenal of cytolytic effector mechanisms, including cytolytic granules and TNF family ligands.
The aerodynamics of hovering flight inDrosophila
Authors: Fry Steven N. , Sayaman Rosalyn , Dickinson Michael H. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARYUsing 3D infrared high-speed video, we captured the continuous wing and body kinematics of free-flying fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster,during hovering and slow forward flight. We then `replayed' the wing kinematics on a dynamically scaled robotic model to measure the aerodynamic forces produced by the wings. Hovering animals generate a U-shaped wing trajectory, in which large drag forces during a downward plunge at the start of each stroke create peak vertical forces. Quasi-steady mechanisms could account for nearly all of the mean measured force required to hover, although temporal discrepancies between instantaneous measured forces and model predictions indicate that unsteady mechanisms also play a significant role. We analyzed the requirements for hovering from an analysis of the time history of forces and moments in all six degrees of freedom. The wing kinematics necessary to generate sufficient lift are highly constrained by the requirement to balance thrust and pitch torque over the stroke cycle. We also compare the wing motion and aerodynamic forces of free and tethered flies. Tethering causes a strong distortion of the stroke pattern that results in a reduction of translational forces and a prominent nose-down pitch moment. The stereotyped distortion under tethered conditions is most likely due to a disruption of sensory feedback. Finally, we calculated flight power based directly on the measurements of wing motion and aerodynamic forces, which yielded a higher estimate of muscle power during free hovering flight than prior estimates based on time-averaged parameters. This discrepancy is mostly due to a two- to threefold underestimate of the mean profile drag coefficient in prior studies. We also compared our values with the predictions of the same time-averaged models using more accurate kinematic and aerodynamic input parameters based on our high-speed videography measurements. In this case, the time-averaged models tended to overestimate flight costs.
Acoustic characteristics of underwater tail slaps used by Norwegian and Icelandic killer whales (Orcinus orca) to debilitate herring(Clupea harengus)
Authors: Simon Malene , Wahlberg Magnus , Ugarte Fernando , Miller Lee A. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARYNorwegian killer whales debilitate prey by slapping their tails into herring schools. These underwater tail slaps produce a thud-like sound. It is unclear whether this sound is caused by cavitation and/or physical contact between herring and whale tail. Also the forces causing debilitation of the fish are not understood. Here we present an acoustic analysis of underwater tail slaps using a multi-channel wide (150 kHz) band recording system. Underwater tail slaps produced by Norwegian killer whales generated sounds consisting of multiple pulses with source levels of 186±5.4 dB (pp)re.1 μPa at 1 m (±1 s.d., N=4). The –3 dB and 97% energy bandwidths were 36.8±22.5 kHz and 130.5±17.5 kHz(±1 s.d., N=13), respectively, with a centre frequency of 46.1±22.3 kHz. The similarities between the acoustic properties of underwater tail slaps recorded from killer whales in Norway, and thud-like sounds recorded from killer whales in Iceland suggest that Norwegian and Icelandic killer whales use similar hunting techniques. The acoustic characteristics of sounds produced by underwater tail slaps were similar to the ones from other cavitation sound sources described in the literature, both in term of temporal and frequency features as well as in source level. We suggest that multiple factors generated by the tail slaps like particle fluctuations, turbulence, pressure changes and physical impact cause debilitation of herring.
Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) head tissues:physical properties and CT imaging
Authors: Soldevilla Melissa S. , McKenna Megan F. , Wiggins Sean M. , Shadwick Robert E. , Cranford Ted W. , Hildebrand John A. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARYTissue physical properties from a Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) neonate head are reported and compared with computed tomography (CT) X-ray imaging. Physical properties measured include longitudinal sound velocity, density, elastic modulus and hysteresis. Tissues were classified by type as follows: mandibular acoustic fat, mandibular blubber, forehead acoustic fat (melon), forehead blubber, muscle and connective tissue. Results show that each class of tissues has unique,co-varying physical properties. The mandibular acoustic fats had minimal values for sound speed (1350±10.6 m s–1) and mass density (890±23 kg m–3). These values increased through mandibular blubber (1376±13 m s–1,919±13 kg m–3), melon (1382±23 m s–1, 937±17 kg m–3), forehead blubber(1401±7.8 m s–1, 935±25 kg m–3) and muscle (1517±46.8 m s–1,993±58 kg m–3). Connective tissue had the greatest mean sound speed and density (1628±48.7 m s–1,1087±41 kg m–3). The melon formed a low-density,low-sound-speed core, supporting its function as a sound focusing organ. Hounsfield unit (HU) values from CT X-ray imaging are correlated with density and sound speed values, allowing HU values to be used to predict these physical properties. Blubber and connective tissues have a higher elastic modulus than acoustic fats and melon, suggesting more collagen structure in blubber and connective tissues. Blubber tissue elastic modulus is nonlinear with varying stress, becoming more incompressible as stress is increased. These data provide important physical properties required to construct models of the sound generation and reception mechanisms in Ziphius cavirostris heads, as well as models of their interaction with anthropogenic sound.
The anhydrobiotic potential and molecular phylogenetics of species and strains ofPanagrolaimus(Nematoda, Panagrolaimidae)
Authors: Shannon Adam J. , Browne John A. , Boyd Jacqueline , Fitzpatrick David A. , Burnell Ann M. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARYMembers of the genus Panagrolaimus are bacterial-feeding nematodes that occupy a diversity of niches ranging from Antarctic and temperate soils to terrestrial mosses. Some members of this genus are able to survive extreme desiccation by entering into a state of suspended animation known as anhydrobiosis. We have assembled a collection of Panagrolaimusspecies and strains and have investigated their anhydrobiotic phenotypes. Our data show that within the genus Panagrolaimus there is a continuum of strains ranging from those unable to survive exposure to low relative humidity(RH) without prior preconditioning at high RH (slow desiccation strategists),through strains that have limited ability to survive rapid desiccation but whose anhydrobiotic ability improves upon preconditioning, to strains such as P. superbus that can readily survive immediate exposure to severe desiccation (fast desiccation strategists). Using this panel of nematodes we investigated the effect of preincubation at high RH on the accumulation of trehalose and on the nematodes' anhydrobiotic potential. We found that there is a strong correlation between trehalose induction and anhydrobiotic survival in Panagrolaimus. Furthermore, the high trehalose levels observed in fully hydrated P. superbus (10% dry mass) suggest that constitutive expression of trehalose pre-adapts this fast dehydration strategist to combat desiccation. All the strains observed, regardless of survival rates, undertook both coiling and clumping, which has the effect of reducing surface area and slowing the rate of water loss during desiccation. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out to investigate whether the observed anhydrobiotic phenotypes were the result of convergent evolution or represented a single phylogenetic lineage. These analyses, derived from alignments of the rDNA ITS and D3 sequences, indicate that the strongly anhydrobiotic strains of Panagrolaimus form a single phylogenetic lineage, which is separate from the weakly anhydrobiotic strains. The weakly anhydrobiotic strains are also phylogenetically divergent from each other. Our data indicate that Panagrolaimus has the potential to be an excellent model system for the investigation of molecular aspects of nematode anhydrobiosis.
Temperature-dependent protein synthesis capacities in Antarctic and temperate (North Sea) fish (Zoarcidae)
Authors: Storch Daniela , Lannig Gisela , Pörtner Hans O. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARY
For an evaluation of effects of seasonal cold acclimation and evolutionary cold adaptation on protein synthesis capacity, the protein synthesis apparatus was isolated from the gills and white muscle of Antarctic eelpout Pachycara brachycephalum and North Sea eelpout Zoarces viviparus. Both species had been acclimated to 0°C (control) and 5°C (Antarctic) and 5°C and 10°C (North Sea control). The translational capacities of the protein synthesis machineries were determined in an optimised cell-free in vitro system. The results demonstrate that tissues from the polar zoarcid possess cold-adapted protein synthesis machineries, indicated by low activation energies and, especially, high RNA translational capacities at similar RNA:protein ratios when compared to temperate zoarcids at 10°C. When both species were brought to 5°C, the temperate species displayed cold compensated protein synthesis capacities caused by elevated RNA:protein ratios. Warm exposure (from 0 to 5°C) of the Antarctic zoarcid revealed a capacity for thermal acclimation indicated by a reduction in protein synthesis capacities associated with lower RNA:protein ratios.