bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persisting concentrating and second gas effects on oxygenation during N2O anaesthesia
Authors: Peyton P. J. , Stuart‐Andrews C. , Deo K. , Strahan F. , Robinson G. J. B. , Thompson B. R. , Pierce R.
Published: February 2006

Theoretical modelling predicts that the concentrating effect of nitrous oxide (N2O) uptake on alveolar oxygenation is a persisting phenomenon at typical levels of ventilation – perfusion (V/Q) inhomogeneity under anaesthesia. We sought clinical confirmation of this in 20 anaesthetised patients. Arterial oxygen pressure (Pao2) was measured after a minimum of 30 min of relaxant general anaesthesia with an inspired oxygen (FIo2) of 30%. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups. The intervention group had N2O introduced following baseline blood gas measurements, and the control group continued breathing an identical FIo2 in nitrogen (N2). The primary outcome variable was change in Pao2. Mean (SD) in Pao2 was increased by 1.80 (1.80) kPa after receiving a mean of 47.5 min of N2O compared with baseline conditions breathing O2/N2 (p = 0.01). This change was significantly greater (p = 0.03) than that in the control group: + 0.09 (1.37) kPa, p = 0.83 and confirms the presence of significant persisting concentrating and second gas effects.
Late orogenic intramontane basin development: the Granada basin, Betics (southern Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez‐Fernández J. , Sanz de Galdeano C.
Published: March 2006

The quantitative study of subsidence in the Granada basin, using decompaction and backstripping techniques, and contemporaneous relief development in the surrounding areas, especially in the Sierra Nevada, provides a good case example of the development of an intramontane basin. In the Granada basin, according to the interpretation of the seismic profiles and results of the backstripping analysis, subsidence and sedimentation rates were at a maximum in the late Tortonian and decreased progressively; meanwhile, the neighbouring areas were uplifted forming important relief. Chronostratigraphical revisions of the marine sediments show that the marine incursion that deposited sediments in the Granada basin lasted only 1.3 Ma, between 8.5 and 7.2 Ma. The gradual retreat of the sea in the Granada basin is not attributable to global eustatic fluctuations, but rather to uplift in the Sierra Nevada and its adjacent areas. From latest Tortonian to early Messinian times, the region became continental and the Granada basin acquired its present physiography and was differentiated as such. From the late Tortonian onwards, NNW–SSE compression combined with ENE–WSW extension affected the cordillera. In the Granada basin, extension controlled fault movements. There are two well‐defined fault sets: the first trends 70°N–90°E, with low angle faults (less than 30°) dipping towards the north and south, defining the subsiding areas which have approximately E–W direction; whereas the second set has a NW–SE direction, and cuts and displaces the previous ones, defining the main subsiding areas in the eastern part of the basin. The reinterpretation of seismic profiles reveals that the subsiding axes within the Granada basin persisted from the Tortonian to the present because of continued displacements of the main faults.
The effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on the amount and depth distribution of plant water uptake in a California annual grassland
Authors: MOORE LISA A. , FIELD CHRISTOPHER B.
Published: March 2006

Soil moisture profiles can affect species composition and ecosystem processes, but the effects of increased concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]) on the vertical distribution of plant water uptake have not been studied. Because plant species composition affects soil moisture profiles, and is likely to shift under elevated [CO2], it is also important to test whether the indirect effects of [CO2] on soil water content may depend on species composition. We examined the effects of elevated [CO2] and species composition on soil moisture profiles in an annual grassland of California. We grew monocultures and a mixture of Avena barbata and Hemizonia congesta– the dominant species of two phenological groups – in microcosms exposed to ambient (∼370 μmol mol−1) and elevated (∼700 μmol mol−1) [CO2]. Both species increased intrinsic and yield‐based water use efficiency under elevated [CO2], but soil moisture increased only in communities with A. barbata, the dominant early‐season annual grass. In A. barbata monocultures, the [CO2] treatment did not affect the depth distribution of soil water loss. In contrast to communities with A. barbata, monocultures of H. congesta, a late‐season annual forb, did not conserve water under elevated [CO2], reflecting the increased growth of these plants. In late spring, elevated [CO2] also increased the efficiency of deep roots in H. congesta monocultures. Under ambient [CO2], roots below 60 cm accounted for 22% of total root biomass and were associated with 9% of total water loss, whereas in elevated [CO2], 16% of total belowground biomass was associated with 34% of total water loss. Both soil moisture and isotope data showed that H. congesta monocultures grown under elevated [CO2] began extracting water from deep soils 2 weeks earlier than plants in ambient [CO2].
Drought effect on isoprene production and consumption in Biosphere 2 tropical rainforest
Authors: PEGORARO EMILIANO , REY ANA , ABRELL LEIF , VAN HAREN JOOST , LIN GUANGHUI
Published: March 2006

Isoprene is the most abundant of the hydrocarbon compounds emitted from vegetation and plays a major role in tropospheric chemistry. Models predict that future climate change scenarios may lead to an increase in global isoprene emissions as a consequence of higher temperatures and extended drought periods. Tropical rainforests are responsible for more than 80% of global isoprene emissions, so it is important to obtain experimental data on isoprene production and consumption in these ecosystems under control of environmental variables. We explored isoprene emission and consumption in the tropical rainforest model ecosystem of Biosphere 2 laboratory during a mild water stress, and the relationship with light and temperature. Gross isoprene production (GIP) was not significantly affected by mild water stress in this experiment because the isoprene emitters were mainly distributed among the large, canopy layer trees with deep roots in the lower soil profile where water content decreased much less than the top 30 cm. However, as found in previous leaf level and whole canopy studies, the ecosystem gross primary production was reduced by (32%) during drought, and as a consequence the percentage of fixed C lost as isoprene tended to increase during drought, from ca. 1% in wet conditions to ca. 2% when soil water content reached its minimum. GIP correlated very well with both light and temperature. Notably, soil isoprene uptake decreased dramatically during the drought, leading to a large increase in daytime net isoprene fluxes.
Sealing capacity of a photochromatic flowable composite as protective base in nonvital dental bleaching
Authors: Llena C. , Amengual J. , Forner L.
Published: February 2006

Aim  To evaluate microleakage of a flowable composite used as a protective isolating base, applied with different adhesive systems.

Methodology  Seventy root‐filled teeth were divided into seven groups. A flowable composite base (Tetric Flow Chroma) was used with three adhesive techniques (Syntac, Excite, Excite DCS; in the three cases with and without acid etching) and in a control group without dentine conditioning or adhesive placement. A 30% hydrogen peroxide solution was applied for 24 h in the pulp chambers, followed by the placement of a dye (silver nitrate) for 4 h. Each tooth was sectioned longitudinally, and examined under 4× magnification to assess the tooth/restoration dye leakage following a four‐degree scale. Percentage of dye penetration was registered. Statistical analysis was made through the Tukey and Mann–Whitney U‐tests.

Results  Maximum leakage (100% of specimens) was recorded in the control group without an adhesive system. In the groups subjected to acid etching, the percentage of leakage corresponded to Excite DSC (10%), followed by Syntac (20%) and Excite (30%). In the groups in which only an adhesive system was used, 50% of the teeth demonstrated dye leakage. Statistically significant differences in terms of leakage were observed between the control group and the experimental groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the experimental groups, but comparing the leakage percentages obtained between the groups in which the teeth were subjected to prior acid etching, and those in which no etching was carried out, observed differences were significant (P = 0.04).

Conclusions  There were no significant differences between the adhesive systems in terms of leakage. Acid etching significantly reduced leakage.
Comparative study on the shaping ability and cleaning efficiency of rotary Mtwo instruments. Part 2. Cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability in severely curved root canals of extracted teeth
Authors: Schäfer E. , Erler M. , Dammaschke T.
Published: February 2006

Aim  To compare the cleaning effectiveness and shaping ability of Mtwo, K3, and RaCe nickel–titanium rotary instruments during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted human teeth.

Methodology  A total of 60 root canals of mandibular and maxillary molars with curvatures ranging between 25° and 35° were divided into three groups of 20 canals. Based on radiographs taken prior to instrumentation with the initial instrument inserted into the canal, the groups were balanced with respect to the angle and the radius of canal curvature. Canals were prepared using a low‐torque control motor. Using pre‐ and post‐instrumentation radiographs, straightening of the canal curvatures was determined with a computer image analysis program. The amount of debris and smear layer was quantified on the basis of a numerical evaluation scale. The data established for scoring the debris and the smear layer was separately recorded and analysed statistically using the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results  During preparation no instrument separated. Completely clean root canals were never observed. For debris removal Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results (P < 0.001) than K3 and RaCe instruments. The results for remaining smear layer were similar and not significantly different (P > 0.05). Mtwo instruments maintained the original canal curvature significantly better (P < 0.05) than the other instruments. Instrumentation with Mtwo files was significantly faster than with K3 or RaCe instruments (P < 0.05).

Conclusions  Under the conditions of this study, Mtwo instruments resulted in good cleaning and maintained the original curvature significantly better than K3 or RaCe files.
A comparative study of selected properties of ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate and two Portland cements
Authors: Danesh G. , Dammaschke T. , Gerth H. U. V. , Zandbiglari T. , Schäfer E.
Published: February 2006

Aim  To compare solubility, microhardness and radiopacity of ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with two Portland cements (PC: CEM I and CEM II).

Methodology  Solubility: for standardized samples (n = 12/group) ring moulds were filled with the cements. These samples were immersed in double‐distilled water for 1 min, 10 min, 1 h, 24 h, 72 h, and 28 days. Mean loss of weight was determined. Microhardness: five samples of each cement were produced. All samples were loaded with a diamond indenter point with a weight of 100 g for 30 s. Radiopacity: five samples per cement were produced. These samples were tested according to the ISO standards to compare their radiodensity to that of an aluminium step wedge (1–9 mm). Differences between the three materials with respect to their solubility, microhardness and radiopacity were analysed using anova and Student–Newman–Keuls.

Results  After 28 days MTA was of low solubility (0.78%) compared with CEM I (31.38%) and CEM II (33.33%). At exposure times >1 min the two PCs were significantly more soluble than MTA (P < 0.05). The microhardness for MTA was significantly higher (39.99 HV; P < 0.001) compared with the two PC (CEM I: 16.32 HV; CEM II: 13.51 HV). MTA was significantly more radiopaque (5.34 mm Al) than CEM I (3.32 mm Al) and CEM II (2.52 mm Al) (P < 0.05), whereas CEM I was significantly more radiopaque than CEM II (P < 0.05).

Conclusions  Mineral trioxide aggregate displayed superior material properties than both Portland cements.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase activation of cultured human dental pulp cells by low‐power gallium‐aluminium‐arsenic laser irradiation
Authors: Miyata H. , Genma T. , Ohshima M. , Yamaguchi Y. , Hayashi M. , Takeichi O. , Ogiso B. , Otsuka K.
Published: February 2006

Aim  To examine whether low‐power laser irradiation (LPLI) promotes cellular proliferation of human dental pulp‐derived fibroblast‐like cells (dental pulp cells).

Methodology  Dental pulp cells were obtained by primary culture of human dental pulp tissues from extracted third molar teeth. The phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) family after LPLI of these cells was investigated by Western blotting. By using a specific MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD098059), the specific effect of LPLI on the MAPK pathway was also investigated by Western blotting as described above. The incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the cells after LPLI was determined, and statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon signed‐ranks test.

Results  Extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 was phosphorylated between 5 and 30 min after LPLI. Moreover, PD098059 inhibited LPLI‐mediated ERK1/2 activation. LPLI did not affect p38 MAPK or c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. But LPLI did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation into these cells.

Conclusions  These results indicated that LPLI activated MAPK/ERK, a signal for proliferation, differentiation and survival, but did not activate the stress signals p38 MAPK and JNK in human dental pulp cells.
Risk factors for psychopathology in children with intellectual disability: a prospective longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Wallander J. L. , Dekker M. C. , Koot H. M.
Published: February 2006

Background  This study examined risk factors for the development of psychopathology in children with intellectual disability (ID) in the developmental, biological, family and social‐ecological domains.

Methods  A population sample of 968 children, aged 6–18, enrolled in special schools in the Netherlands for educable and trainable ID were assessed at Time 1. A random 58% were re‐contacted about 1 year later, resulting in a sample of 474 at Time 2.

Results  Psychopathology was highly consistent over 1 year. Risk factors jointly accounted for significant, but small, portions of the variance in development of psychopathology. Child physical symptoms, family dysfunction and previous parental mental health treatment reported at Time 1 were uniquely associated with new psychopathology at Time 2.

Conclusions  Prevention and early intervention research to find ways to reduce the incidence of psychopathology, possibly targeting family functioning, appear important.
Psychiatric symptoms and problem behaviours in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Hemmings C. P. , Gravestock S. , Pickard M. , Bouras N.
Published: February 2006

Background  Previous studies have suggested different patterns of associations between psychiatric symptoms and problem behaviours in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aim of this study was to investigate which problem behaviours are associated with specific psychiatric symptoms and the relative strength of these specific associations.

Method  A cross sectional survey using the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Checklist and the Disability Assessment Schedule was carried out in a sample of 214 adults with ID.

Results  Self‐injurious and, to a lesser extent, aggressive problem behaviours were most associated with affective type symptoms. Screaming and destructive behaviours tended to be more associated with autism‐related social impairment rather than conventional psychiatric symptoms.

Conclusions  This study gives further evidence of associations between psychiatric symptoms and specific problem behaviours in people with ID. It may be particularly useful to consider the diagnosis of affective disorders if a person with ID shows self‐injurious or aggressive behaviours.
The impact of intellectual functioning on symptoms and service use in schizophrenia
Authors: Chaplin R. , Barley M. , Cooper S. J. , Kusel Y. , McKendrick J. , Stephenson D. , Obuaya T. , Stockton‐Henderson J. , O'Brien L. S. , Burns T.
Published: February 2006

Background  This study aims to evaluate differences in the clinical profiles and use of psychiatric services by people with schizophrenia with and without borderline intellectual functioning. Both groups in this study were receiving standard community psychiatric care.

Methods  A naturalistic sample of 372 people with schizophrenia completed the National Adult Reading Test. Data were collected prospectively over 18 months on psychiatric symptoms and service use. Three hundred and thirteen had normal intellectual functioning (mean age 43, range 20–76 years) and 59 had borderline or lower intellectual functioning (mean age 45, range 21–81 years). This was defined by a National Adult Reading Test error score of more than 40.

Results  People with borderline or lower intellectual functioning had a lower quality of life, more severe psychotic symptoms, reduced functioning and fewer antidepressant prescriptions. There were no significant differences in service use including hospital admission.

Conclusions  People with schizophrenia and borderline or lower intellectual functioning are a more disabled group within general adult psychiatric services who should be the focus of initiatives for improved service delivery.
Assessment of the integral membrane protein topology in living cells
Authors: Zamyatnin Andrey A. , Solovyev Andrey G. , Bozhkov Peter V. , Valkonen Jari P.T. , Morozov Sergey Yu. , Savenkov Eugene I.
Published: February 2006

The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) phenomenon has been successfully applied for in vivo protein–protein interaction studies and protein tagging analysis. Here we report a novel BiFC‐based technique for investigation of integral membrane protein topology in living plant cells. This technique relies on the formation of a fluorescent complex between a non‐fluorescent fragment of the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) targeted into a specific cellular compartment and a counterpart fragment attached to the integral membrane protein N‐ or C‐terminus or inserted into the internal loop(s). We employed this technique for topological studies of beet yellows virus‐encoded p6 membrane‐embedded movement protein, a protein with known topology, and the potato mop‐top virus‐encoded integral membrane TGBp2 protein with predicted topology. The results confirm that p6 is a type III integral transmembrane protein. Using a novel method, the central hydrophilic region of TGBp2 was localized into the ER lumen, whereas the N‐ and C‐termini localized to the cytosol. We conclude that the BiFC‐based reporter system for membrane protein topology analysis is a relatively fast and efficient method that can be used for high‐throughput analysis of proteins integrated into the endoplasmic reticulum in living plant cells.
Early determination of the reproductive number for vector‐borne diseases: the case of dengue in Brazil
Authors: Favier C. , Degallier N. , Rosa‐Freitas M. G. , Boulanger J. P. , Costa Lima J. R. , Luitgards‐Moura J. F. , Menkès C. E. , Mondet B. , Oliveira C. , Weimann E. T. S. , Tsouris P.
Published: March 2006

Objective To evaluate a new method of deriving the reproductive number for vector‐borne diseases from the early epidemic curves for vector‐borne diseases with incubations in the vectors and in the hosts.

Method We applied the model to several dengue epidemics in different climatic regions of Brazil: Brasilia, Belém, Fortaleza, Boa Vista.

Results The new method leads to higher estimates of the reproductive number than previous models.

Conclusion At present,Aedes aegyptidensities, the meeting of more compatible strains of viruses and mosquitoes, may lead to re‐emergence of urban yellow fever epidemics.
Treatment of Leprosy: science or politics?
Authors: Naafs Bernard
Published: March 2006

Objective  To review the history of the treatment of leprosy and leprosy reactions after World War II.

Methods  Treatments based on experience and clinical evidence are compared with those advised by the WHO in their quest to eliminate leprosy by the year 2000, later extended to 2005.

Results  Leprosy is not eliminated. Analyses of data on reaction treatment suggest that the treatment regimens for leprosy reactions as advised by the WHO may lead to more impairment among leprosy patients than the ‘old’ established regimes.

Conclusion  WHO policies to eliminate leprosy may have jeopardized the proper treatment of leprosy for years to come.
Factors predicting uptake of voluntary counselling and testing in a real‐life setting in a mother‐and‐child center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Pignatelli Salvatore , Simpore Jacques , Pietra Virginio , Ouedraogo Laurent , Conombo Ghislaine , Saleri Nuccia , Pizzocolo Cecilia , Iaco Giuseppina De , Tall Francois , Ouiminga Adama , Carosi Giampiero , Castelli Francesco
Published: March 2006

Objective  To identify factors predicting uptake of voluntary HIV counselling and testing in pregnant women.

Methods  All pregnant women receiving ante‐natal group health education at St Camille Medical Center, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso from 1 May 2002 to 30 April 2004 were offered voluntary HIV counselling and testing. If they consented, the women were pre‐test counselled, tested by two rapid tests giving immediate results and post‐test counselled.

Results  Less than one‐fifth of pregnant women [1216/6639 (18.3%, CI 17.4–19.3%)] accepted voluntary HIV counselling and testing, mainly at the first ante‐natal visit (83.4%) and at early gestational age (73.4% before week 24). The HIV seroprevalence rate was 10.6% (8.8–12.5%). The uptake rate was independently associated with age, the number of previous pregnancies and the number of previous miscarriages.

Conclusions  Our two‐step approach of group education followed by voluntary HIV counselling and testing yielded a low uptake rate in this setting. However, the drop‐out rate after enrolling in the programme was nearly zero. The timing of programme uptake would permit implementation of earlier prophylactic courses. Effective scaling‐up of voluntary HIV counselling and testing outside the clinical trial requires a mass sensibilization campaign pointing out the programme's benefits and addressing the stigma of HIV. The independent value of age and previous obstetrical episodes show how important social factors are in influencing the voluntary HIV counselling and testing uptake rate.
Serotype distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of invasive and nasopharyngeal isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae among children in rural Mozambique
Authors: Vallès Xavier , Flannery Brendan , Roca Anna , Mandomando Inacio , Sigaúque Betuel , Sanz Sergi , Schuchat Anne , Levine Myron , Soriano‐Gabarró Montserrat , Alonso Pedro
Published: March 2006

Objective  To describe and compare serotype distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of invasive and nasopharyngeal isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from children in rural Mozambique.

Methods  From August 2002 to July 2003, we prospectively obtained invasive pneumococcal isolates from children <15 years of age admitted to the paediatric ward of Manhiça District Hospital. During a cross‐sectional study of children <5 years of age with mild illnesses, attending the outpatient department of the hospital in March and April 2003, we collected nasopharyngeal isolates. Serotypes and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using standardized methods.

Results  The two most common pneumococcal serotypes among invasive isolates were types 1 (40% of 88 isolates serotyped) and 5 (10%), but these types were rare among nasopharyngeal isolates. Compared with invasive isolates, nasopharyngeal isolates were more likely to be serotypes in the licensed seven‐valent conjugate vaccine (49%vs. 20%, P < 0.01), to have intermediate‐level penicillin resistance (52%vs. 14%, P < 0.01) and to be non‐susceptible to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (61%vs. 45%, P < 0.01). Recent receipt of antibiotics or sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine were associated with carriage of antibiotic non‐susceptible isolates.

Conclusions  These data indicate that a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine containing serotypes 1 and 5 could substantially reduce pneumococcal invasive disease among young children in rural Mozambique. Carriage surveys can overestimate potential coverage of the seven‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in settings where serotypes 1 and 5 predominate.
Community incidences of respiratory infections in an actively followed cohort of children <1 year of age in Manhiça, a rural area of southern Mozambique
Authors: Roca A. , Quintó L. , Saúte F. , Thompson R. , Aponte J. J. , Alonso P. L.
Published: March 2006

Objective  To estimate the community incidence‐rates of respiratory infections among infants in Manhiça, southern Mozambique, and to determine risk factors associated with these infections.

Methods  A cohort of children <1 year of age were visited at home every week until they turned one. During the visits, field workers recorded signs/symptoms of respiratory infections and tested the children for malaria parasites when they had fever.

Results  Between 1 July 1998 and 30 June 1999, 1044 children contributed with 23 726 weeks at risk. Children met the criteria for acute respiratory infection in 19.2% of the visits, for lower respiratory infection in 0.9% and for severe lower respiratory infection in 0.2%. The crude incidence rate measured for acute respiratory infections was 23.0, that for lower respiratory infection was 0.9 and that for severe lower respiratory infection was 0.2 per 100‐person‐week‐at‐risk. The risk of acute and lower respiratory infection was inversely related to age. Females were at significantly lower risk for all three conditions than males. A trend of increased risk of severe lower respiratory infection was noted among children born during the rainy season (adjusted rate ratio = 1.95, P = 0.122 in only 47 episodes). Malaria was strongly associated with an increased risk of all three respiratory infections [rate ratio of 2.35, 10.90 and 13.82 (P < 0.001) in the adjusted analysis, respectively]. Thirty‐five children died during the follow‐up period; 20% of them from lower respiratory infection.

Conclusions  Respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among infants in rural Mozambique. Our study provides a better understanding of the associated determinants.
Short communication: Trypanosoma cruzi lineage I in endomyocardial biopsy from a north‐eastern Brazilian patient at end‐stage chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Teixeira Marta M. G. , da Silva Flávia Maia , Marcili Arlei , Umezawa Eufrosina S , Shikanai‐Yasuda Maria A , Cunha‐Neto Edécio , Kalil Jorge , Stolf Noedir , Stolf Anna Maria S
Published: March 2006

Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is genetically classified into two major evolutionary lineages, T. cruzi I and T. cruzi II. In Southern American Cone countries it is T cruzi II which causes most cases of severe chronic Chagas disease. Contrary to this, we isolated T. cruzi I nested in endomyocardial biopsies of a chronic chagasic patient with end‐stage heart failure. Our finding should alert clinicians to the possibility of severe Chagas disease in all regions where T. cruzi circulates, regardless of its lineage.
Demography of Abutilon theoprasti and Setaria faberi in three crop rotation systems
Authors: HEGGENSTALLER A H , LIEBMAN M
Published: March 2006

Field experiments were conducted to characterize the demography of Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria faberi in a conventionally managed 2‐year (maize/soya bean) rotation, and in 3‐year (maize/soya bean/triticale + red clover) and 4‐year (maize/soya bean/triticale + lucerne/lucerne) rotations managed with 72% and 79% lower herbicide inputs respectively. Rates of weed seedling recruitment, seedling survival and adult plant fecundity were determined for populations in each phase of each rotation and used to calculate annual rates of weed population change, Δ. In both years of the study, Δ for A. theophrasti populations declined or remained stable in all three rotation systems. Despite greater rates of seedling survival and fecundity in maize and soya bean in the 3‐ and 4‐year rotations, increases in Δ for A. theophrasti populations were prevented in these systems because of low fecundity in triticale and low seedling survival and fecundity in lucerne. For Setaria faberi populations, Δ remained stable in the 2‐year rotation, increased in the 3‐year rotation in both years, and increased in the 4‐year rotation in 1 year. The results of this study indicate that when herbicide use is reduced, rotations that include triticale and lucerne can facilitate the suppression of A. theophrasti. Rotations that include lucerne can contribute to restraining S. faberi population growth, given adequate levels of seedling mortality in this crop.
Environmental maternal effects on seed morphology and germination inSinapis arvensis(Cruciferae)
Authors: LUZURIAGA A L , ESCUDERO A , PÉREZ‐GARCÍA F
Published: March 2006

Pioneer plants are adapted to grow in unpredictable environments. These plants have evolved several traits related to seed morphology and germination to cope with this unpredictability. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of plant identity and maternal environment on seed mass and germination ofSinapis arvensis. This study was undertaken withS. arvensisplants grown in four experimentally manipulated resource availability scenarios: (i) nitrogen addition, (ii) water addition, (iii) nitrogen and water simultaneously added, and (iv) control. Plants grew under field conditions in an emerging plant community. Germination response was mainly affected by maternal plant identity. This reflects not only genotype quality but also phenotypic plasticity, which allows adaptation to habitat conditions. Seed coat colour together with mean seed mass per plant explained significant fractions of the variability in germination rate. Changes in the germination response because of maternal environmental effects were also detected. Germination rate decreased in seeds from nitrogen‐enriched conditions; this may be due to the induction of dormancy caused by high concentration of nitrogen in the seeds. Addition of water to maternal environment caused a decrease in total germination percentage and germination rate of seeds. Thus, our results provide evidence for maternal environmental effects on germination under field conditions. Furthermore, changes in germination timing, as detected in our study, may determine plant development and fitness in unpredictable conditions.
Top 20 environmental weeds for classical biological control in Europe: a review of opportunities, regulations and other barriers to adoption
Authors: SHEPPARD AW , SHAW RH , SFORZA R
Published: March 2006

Classical biological control remains the only tool available for permanent ecological and economic management of invasive alien species that flourish through absence of their co‐evolved natural enemies. As such, this approach is recognized as a key tool for alien species management by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) and the European Strategy on Invasive Alien Species (ESIAS). Successful classical biological control programmes abound around the world, despite disproportionate attention being given to occasional and predictable non‐target impacts. Despite more than 130 case histories in Europe against insect pests, no exotic classical biological control agent has been released in the EU against an alien invasive weed. This dearth has occurred in the face of increasing numbers of exotic invasive plants being imported and taking over National Parks, forests and amenity areas in this region, as well as a global increase in the use of classical biological control around the world. This paper reviews potential European weed targets for classical biological control from ecological and socioeconomic perspectives using the criteria of historical biological control success, taxonomic isolation from European native flora, likely availability of biological control agents, invasiveness outside Europe and value to primary industry and horticulture (potential for conflicts of interest). We also review why classical biological control of European exotic plants remains untested, considering problems of funding and public perception. Finally, we consider the regulatory framework that surrounds such biological control activities within constituent countries of the EU to suggest how this approach may be adopted in the future for managing invasive exotic weeds in Europe.
Dispersal of Avena fatua and Avena sterilis patches by natural dissemination, soil tillage and combine harvesters
Authors: BARROSO J , NAVARRETE L , SÁNCHEZ DEL ARCO M J , FERNANDEZ‐QUINTANILLA C , LUTMAN P J W , PERRY N H , HULL R I
Published: March 2006

The dispersal of Avena spp. (A. fatua and A. sterilis) by natural dissemination and by agricultural operations was studied in four experiments conducted in Spain and Britain. Natural dispersal was very limited, with a maximum dispersal distance of 1.5 m. Dispersal was higher in the geographic direction that was downwind than in any of the other three geographic directions. Although plant movement was very small under no‐tillage, an annual patch displacement of 2–3 m in the tillage direction was observed under conventional soil tillage. Ploughing downhill resulted in much larger dispersal distances than ploughing uphill. In the crops studied, combine harvesters dispersed few Avena spp. seeds, because of the fact that the plants had shed most of their seeds (>90%) before harvest. The percentage of seeds available to be dispersed by the combine was dependent on the harvest time. Although combine harvesting may not contribute much to short‐distance dispersal, it may play an important role in long‐distance dispersal. In our studies, isolated plants were located up to 30 m from the original sources. This small proportion may have a significant effect on the distribution of the weed within a field, acting as foci for new patches.
Modelling interactions between herbicide dose and multiple weed species interference in crop–weed competition
Authors: KIM D S , MARSHALL E J P , CASELEY J C , BRAIN P
Published: March 2006

The effects of a range of herbicide doses on crop–multiple weed competition were investigated. Competitivity of Galium aparine was approximately six times greater than that of Matricaria perforata with no herbicide treatment. Competitivities of both weeds decreased with increasing herbicide dose, being well described by the standard dose–response curve with the competitivity of M. perforata being more sensitive than that of G. aparine to a herbicide mixture, metsulfuron‐methyl and fluroxypyr. A combined model was then developed by incorporating the standard dose–response curve into the multivariate rectangular hyperbola competition model to describe the effects of multiple infestation of G. aparine and M. perforata and the herbicide mixture on crop yield. The model developed in this study was used to predict crop yield and to estimate the herbicide dose required to restrict crop yield loss caused by weeds to an acceptable level. At the acceptable yield loss of 5% and the weed combination of 120 M. perforata plants m−2 and 20 G. aparine plants m−2, the model recommends a mixture of 1.2 g a.i. ha−1 of metsulfuron‐methyl and 120 g a.i. ha−1 of fluroxypyr.
Outpatient pediatric renal transplant biopsy – Is it safe?
Authors: Sweeney Clodagh , Geary Denis F. , Hebert Diane , Robinson Lisa , Langlois Valerie
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  The safe observation time following pediatric renal transplant biopsy is unknown. To predict the safety of day‐care pediatric renal transplant biopsy, we retrospectively evaluated the timing, incidence and severity of post‐biopsy complications in children observed overnight. Biopsies were performed under real time ultrasound guidance using an 18‐gauge Bard Biopty needle. Coagulation screen and platelet counts were measured preprocedure. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured preprocedure, at 6 h and at 1‐day post‐procedure. Twenty‐eight of 45 children transplanted between January 2002 and May 2004 underwent 65 biopsies. There was gross hematuria following 8 (12%) biopsies; 2/8 occurred after 6 h. Hb fell by >15 g/L in six cases (9%) – three had Hb drop within 6 h post‐procedure and three had a steady decline over 24 h. No patient required blood transfusion. Oral analgesia post‐procedure was required in seven cases (11%). One of these had gross hematuria. No patient required surgical intervention or transfusion. Three complications were recorded >6 h post‐biopsy but none required intervention. Daycare renal transplant biopsy appears to be safe in selected patients.
Capsule endoscopy as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of graft‐vs.‐host disease
Authors: Silbermintz Ari , Sahdev Indira , Moy Libia , Vlachos Adrianna , Lipton Jeffrey , Levine Jeremiah
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Capsule endoscopy is a relatively new technology that has allowed gastroenterologists to visualize the mucosa of the small intestine. This technology is playing an expanding role in both adult and pediatric gastroenterology. In this report, we present an 8‐yr‐old child following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation who developed large volume bloody diarrhea requiring multiple packed red blood cell transfusions that was resistant to aggressive therapy for GVHD. The capsule endoscopy performed on this patient provided significant information not provided by upper endoscopy and colonoscopy that allowed for successful treatment changes. This case demonstrates that capsule endoscopy is a diagnostic tool that may play an important role in the assessment of patients, including children, with possible GVHD.
Value of soluble adhesion molecules and plasma coagulation markers in assessing transplant coronary artery disease in pediatric heart transplant recipients
Authors: Hilgendorff Anne , Kraemer Ulrike , Afsharian Mehdi , Bauer Juergen , Tillmanns Harald , Kemkes‐Matthes Bettina , Kreuder Jochen , Hoelschermann Hans
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Background:  With an increasing number of heart transplantations (HTx) performed in children and an extended long‐term survival of these patients, the importance of transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD) rises in this group of transplant recipients. Reliable serum markers for diagnosis or non‐invasive monitoring of this disease in pediatric transplant recipients are still missing. We studied the systemic expression of adhesion molecules as well as plasma coagulation markers and the occurrence of TCAD and/or rejection in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Methods and Results:  The systemic plasma levels of soluble forms of sVCAM‐1 and sICAM‐1, d‐dimer, tissue factor (TF), prothombin fragments F1+2, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) were assessed in serial venous blood samples (2–4 per patient) in 50 pediatric transplant recipients children and 63 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐transplanted controls. TCAD and rejection were diagnosed angiographically or by combined histological, echocardiographic, or clinical signs, respectively. Plasma levels of sICAM‐1 and sVCAM‐1, d‐dimers and prothrombin fragment F1+2 but not TF and TFPI were significantly increased in children following HTx compared with non‐transplanted controls (p<0.001). Among the transplanted patients, sICAM‐1 levels were significantly higher in patients with angiographically detectable TCAD than in patients without evidence of TCAD (p<0.005). Plasma sICAM‐1 levels above a cutoff value of 1500 ng/mL (95.5 percentile of control values) were indicative of the presence of TCAD (odds ratio 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.34–5.56, p = 0.022; Fisher's exact test). Only d‐dimers were found to be significantly elevated in children with signs of myocardial rejection compared with those without rejection.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that plasma sICAM‐1 and d‐dimer levels may be potentially useful to non‐invasively assess TCAD and rejection, respectively, in pediatric heart transplant recipients.
Transition of cognitively delayed adolescent organ transplant recipients to adult care
Authors: Kaufman Miriam
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Transition from pediatric to adult health care is a complicated process that goes far beyond transfer of care. The young person who is intellectually impaired or who must struggle to master daily living skills faces more challenges in this process than other adolescents. Physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and other health care providers must work with adolescents, their parents, and teachers to assess abilities and transition needs. Communication skills, capacity for decision making, adherence, vocational and educational issues, sexuality, and relationships should be addressed. Interventions may include the creation of an individualized transition plan, skills training, family counseling, a lengthened transition process, involvement in a support group, health promotion, and teaching of self‐care skills. The summary for the adult provider should include information about how best to communicate with the young person and an assessment of capacity to make decisions and self‐management skills.
Immunotherapy with virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes after organ transplantation
Authors: Lucas Kenneth G. , Sun Qi
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Adoptive immunotherapy with antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes can favorably impact the outcome of serious herpesvirus infections in organ transplant recipients. Current challenges in this field include the determination of which patients are at highest risk, and the development of protocols that permit more rapid expansion of virus specific effector cells.
Effects of lactational cyclosporine A use on rat pups
Authors: Türkmen Mehmet Atilla , Kavukçu Salih , Sarıoǧlu Sülen , Soylu Alper , Akhunlar Hülya , Yılmaz Osman , Güven Hülya
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  We aimed to evaluate the structural and functional changes in the thymus and kidneys of rat pups whose mothers were given cyclosporine A (CsA) during lactational period. Six adult nursing Wistar rats and their 30 pups were studied. Rat pups were divided into four groups as follows: 21‐day treated group and 21‐day placebo group, each including 10 breastfeeding pups sacrificed on the 21st day, whose mothers were given CsA or placebo, respectively (infancy groups) and, 60‐day treated group and 60‐day placebo group, each including five breastfeeding pups sacrificed on the 60th day, whose mothers were given CsA or placebo, respectively (puberty groups). While CsA levels of mother rats were very high, CsA levels of 21‐day treated group pups were zero. There were no renal histomorphometric differences between study and control pups in both age groups. Renal function parameters showed significant differences between study and control pups in the infancy group: the 21‐day treated group pups had significantly lower urine volume, proteinuria, FENa and urinary NAG/creatinine ratio. GFR was also lower in the 21‐day treated group, but the difference was not significant, and serum creatinine levels were also not different. Renal function differences were not present among the pubertal pups. Thymic corticomedullary ratio of the 21‐day treated group was significantly higher than the 21‐day placebo group, while there was no difference between the 60‐day treated group and 60‐day placebo group. There were no significant changes in the number and distribution of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ thymocytes between study and control pups in both age groups. In conclusion, breastfeeding by CsA‐treated mother rats induced structural alterations in the thymus and functional changes in the kidneys of the rat pups during infancy. Disturbances in the kidneys and thymus mostly improved after CsA exposure was over.
Chromatin‐mediated regulation of flowering time in Arabidopsis
Authors: Noh Bosl , Noh Yoo‐Sun
Published: March 2006

Both the transcriptional activation and repression of the major floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) are under the control of numerous chromatin modifiers. Some of these modifiers are involved in histone modification or chromatin remodeling that is generally linked to the transcriptional activation. Other modifiers are required for the formation of repressive FLC chromatin, which involves histone deacetylation and methylation processes. Epigenetic memory of vernalization is also recorded as a histone modification in FLC chromatin. Many proteins that resemble known chromatin modifiers have been proven to regulate gene expressions in the photoperiodic flowering pathway. Therefore, chromatin modification might also act as a mechanism for plants to recollect the experience of exposure to inductive photoperiods.
Toward unraveling the structure of Brassica rapa genome
Authors: Lim Yong Pyo , Plaha Prikshit , Choi Su Ryun , Uhm Taesik , Hong Chang Pyo , Bang Jae Wook , Hur Yoon Kang
Published: March 2006

Genomic research in any organism encompasses understanding structure of the target genome and genes, their function, and evolution. Brassica rapa, which is phylogenetically related to Arabidopsis thaliana, is an important species with respect to its uses as vegetable, oil, and fodder. The availability of suitable genetic and genomic resources is a prerequisite to undertake genomic research in B. rapa. We have developed reference mapping populations of Chinese cabbage (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis) comprising 78 doubled haploid lines and over 250 recombinant inbred lines. Two Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) libraries, generated by restriction enzymes HindIII (KBrH) and BamHI (KBrB), comprise 56 592 and 50 688 clones, respectively. We have also constructed 22 cDNA libraries from different plant tissues consisting of 104 914 clones with an average length of 575 bp. Initial BAC‐end sequence analysis of 1473 clones of the KBrH library led us to understand the structure of B. rapa genome with respect to extent of genic sequences and their annotation, and relative abundance of different types of repetitive DNAs. Full‐length sequence analysis of BAC clones revealed extensive triplication of B. rapa DNA segments coupled with variable gene losses within the segments. The formulation of the ‘Multinational Brassica Genome Project’ has laid the foundation to sequence the complete genome of B. rapa ssp. pekinensis by the international Brassica research community. It has been proposed to undertake BAC‐to‐BAC sequencing of genetically mapped seed BACs. In recent years, development of bioinformatics tools in Brassica has given a boost to structural genomics research in Brassica species. The research undertaken with the availability of various genomic resources in the public domain has added to our understanding of the structure of B. rapa.