bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative Effects of Melatonin against Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Oxidative Stress on Boar Sperm Characteristics and Subsequent In Vitro Embryo Development
Authors: Jang HY , Kim YH , Kim BW , Park IC , Cheong HT , Kim JT , Park CK , Kong HS , Lee HK , Yang BK 
Published: May 2009

ContentsMelatonin, the major secretory product of the pineal gland, scavenges a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in vivo and in vitro, indicating that melatonin is a potent function as an antioxidant. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on sperm characteristics (motility, viability, survival rate, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and mitochondria activity) and also to examine the developmental rates to the blastocysts stage of porcine oocytes fertilized in vitro with semen treated with or without melatonin (100 nm) in the presence or absence of H2O2 (250 μm). The sperm were treated with melatonin in the presence or absence of H2O2 for 3, 6, 9 and 12 h at 37°C and then analysed for the sperm characteristics. The porcine embryos were produced by in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVM/IVF) using semen treated with or without melatonin (100 nm) in the presence or absence of H2O2 (250 μm) for 6 h. The semen characteristics, including motility, viability, survival rate, membrane integrity and mitochondria activity, were higher in the groups that were treated with melatonin in comparison to other groups, irrespective of incubation periods. Malondialdehyde levels in control, melatonin and melatonin + H2O2 groups were lower than H2O2 only group. A positive correlation was shown among motility, viability, survival rate and membrane integrity, but a negative correlation was observed between LPO and the other evaluation methods. The developmental rates to blastocysts of IVM/IVF porcine oocytes fertilized by semen treated with melatonin were significantly increased compared with any other groups, with the cell number of blastocysts shown to have a similar trend to the developmental rates. These results demonstrate that melatonin can improve the semen characteristics during in vitro storage and support the developmental ability of IVM/IVF embryos in pigs.
Single‐operator double‐balloon endoscopy (DBE) is as effective as dual‐operator DBE
Authors: Araki Akihiro , Tsuchiya Kiichiro , Okada Eriko , Suzuki Shinji , Oshima Shigeru , Yoshioka Sanae , Yoshioka Atsushi , Kanai Takanori , Watanabe Mamoru 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground and Study Aims:  Double‐balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new device that allows diagnosis and treatment throughout the entire small intestine. Although the originally described method requires two operators, we have recently developed a method to perform DBE by a single operator. We here assessed the clinical usefulness of this one‐person method in comparison to the conventional two‐person DBE.Patients and Methods:  One hundred sixty‐two patients (102 men and 60 women, mean age 59 years) underwent 303 DBE procedures. Total observation time, completion rate of total intestinal and colonic observation, lesion‐discovery rate, and complication rate were retrospectively compared between the one‐person method and the conventional two‐person method of DBE. The one‐person method consists of the Grip and Pinch technique and Keep (or Hold) and Slide technique.Results:  The total observation times were 95.5 ± 35.1 min and 96.7 ± 47.5 min by one‐person and two‐person antegrade DBE, respectively, and 103 ± 29.8 min and 111 ± 30.1 min by one‐person and two‐person retrograde DBE, respectively. The completion rate for examination of the entire small intestine was 74.2% in one‐person DBE and 76.5% in two‐person DBE, respectively. The lesion‐discovery rate was 69.0% in one‐person DBE and 65.5% in two‐person DBE, respectively. No significant differences between two methods were found in all measures. Also, no difference was observed in complication rate of the two methods.Conclusions:  The single‐operator method for DBE was as efficient as the dual‐operator DBE without any higher risk of complications and, therefore, could replace the conventional dual‐operator method in the future.
Prevalence and time trend of intestinal metaplasia in Hong Kong
Authors: Yee Yuk Kei , Wong Ka Wah , Hui Chee Kin , Chan Chi Kuen , Chan Annie O O , Lam Shiu Kam , Fung Fiona M Y , Hung Ivan , Wong Benjamin C Y 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground and Methods:  Upper endoscopy records from 1998 to 2003 were reviewed. The demographic data, endoscopic diagnosis, results of rapid urease test and the absence or presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in histology were reviewed, to evaluate the prevalence of IM and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection over time in Hong Kong.Results:  Among 1805 endoscopies performed, 1751 had both rapid urease test and histology available. A significant drop in the prevalence of duodenal ulcers from 17.9% in 1998 to 9.8% in 2003 was found (P = 0.015). Prevalence of IM was 13.9%, 5.9% and 9.4% in Hp positive, Hp negative and overall respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of IM increased with age, and the patterns were similar amongst subjects in 1998–2000 and those in 2001–2003. There was progressive decrease in Hp prevalence from 58% in 1998 to 40% in 2001 (P = 0.014), but no further decrease was seen in 2002–3. There was no corresponding decrease in IM prevalence. Instead IM prevalence in 2002–2003 was significantly higher than the prevalence in previous few years (P = 0.04).Conclusion:  The prevalence of IM did not change in the period from 1998 to 2003 despite a drop in the prevalence of Hp infection since 1994.
Epidemiology of esophageal cancer: Orient to Occident. Effects of chronology, geography and ethnicity
Authors: Hongo Michio , Nagasaki Yutaka , Shoji Tomotaka 
Published: May 2009

AbstractEsophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has been rapidly increasing in Western countries during the past half century, especially in white men. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) used to be the dominant type of esophageal malignancy both in Western and Asian countries. The rapid increase of EAC in Western countries has occurred in parallel with an increased prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its major determinant, obesity. Such an increase in EAC has not yet been observed in Asia, despite a recent increase in prevalence of GERD. In this mini‐review, we analyze possible factors influencing such east–west (‘Orient to Occident’) differences, particularly possible roles of ethnicity and environmental factors, such as Helicobacter pylori infection and nutritional factors, and how these might interact with socioeconomic differences. Development of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma appears to be strongly affected by ethnic factors, with populations resident at the west end of the Eurasian continent, such as Anglo‐Celtics, being more prone to both conditions. On the other hand, ethnic groups from the eastern and southern ends of Eurasia, such as Chinese, Koreans and Japanese, and Africans might be more prone to developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Future trends will also be discussed.
The future of IPM: whither or wither?
Authors: Zalucki Myron P , Adamson David , Furlong Michael J 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe acronym IPM (integrated pest management) has been around for over 50 years and now not only supposedly guides research and extension in pest management but also markets pesticides, is claimed to be undertaken by many growers, and even resonates with public perceptions and politicians. Whether or not IPM programs are sustainable in the longer term under the conflicting stresses and strains of the modern agricultural environment is debatable. We analyse three case studies of IPM development in Australia: citrus IPM in central Queensland, Brassica IPM in southeast Queensland and Helicoverpa management in cotton in eastern Australia. Many management practices for these pests have changed over time. In the more stable citrus system classical biological control along with changed practices (reduced pesticide use) have effectively controlled imported scale insect pests. In Brassicas and cotton, IPM is predominantly of the sample and spray variety where, increasingly, less broad‐spectrum insecticides are used and, in cotton, Helicoverpa management includes the deployment of transgenic plants. We question whether or not IPM principles are always consistent with market forces and whether or not the approach is universally applicable for all pest insects when implemented at the small (field or farm) scale. Farmers will adopt cost‐effective approaches that minimise their financial risks. For Australia as a whole over the last 30 years insecticide input costs per hectare have increased faster than the price index, reflecting more costly insecticides, changes to the combinations of crops grown and an increase in the overall area of crops cultivated together with possible concomitant changes in pest abundance. Any pest crisis will ensure rapid changes in practice and adoption of technologies, in order to mitigate the short‐term financial stresses caused. However, regression to former practices tends to follow (e.g. in Brassica crops). In most cases, we cannot objectively test if changed management practices are responsible for changes in pest abundance, as is often claimed, or if the latter is simply a consequence of the weather and/or related large‐scale landscape features (e.g. area of host plants). We argue that for many systems the future of pest management practice will require a change to landscape or area‐wide approaches. We suspect, given how entrenched the acronym has become, whatever the nature of the approach it will be called IPM.
A new genus of trans‐Tasman midge: Anzacladius gen. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae)
Authors: Cranston Peter S 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBased on larvae, pupae and adults of Australian and New Zealand Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae) midges, a genus new to science, Anzacladius, is described. Two species, A. numbat Cranston sp. n. and A. kangaroo Cranston sp. n., are described from temperate Australia (both western and south‐eastern). A. kiwi Cranston sp. n. is described from both North and South Islands, New Zealand: association of the pharate pupa with its putative larva used sequence similarity of the CO1 (cytochrome oxidase 1) gene. Pupal exuviae, the major stage for species recognition, show the genus occurs in running waters, especially in Australian acidic and sandy‐bedded creeks, and Anzacladius species are found also in perched lakes of Queensland's Cooloolla region and Fraser Island. Previous morphological phylogenetic studies (under the code ‘SO3’) indicate a relationship to austral genera Botryocladius Cranston & Edward, Naonella Boothroyd and Echinocladius Cranston.
Serum levels of Midkine in children and adolescents without malignant disease
Authors: Lucas Susanne , Henze Günter , Schnabel Dirk , Barthlen Winfried , Sakuma Sadatoshi , Kurtz Andreas , Driever Pablo Hernáiz 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground:  Midkine (MK), a heparin‐binding growth factor, is a secreted protein and can be detected in a patient's sera.Method:  MK was studied in the sera of 215 children and adolescents without malignant disease using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in order to determine the distribution of concentrations in a control population for pediatric oncology patients. Tested subjects either underwent surgical procedures or suffered from endocrinological diseases.Results:  Elevated MK levels were found in patients with short stature, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cleft lip and palate. These patients were subsequently excluded from the “non‐cancer” group. MK serum levels did neither correlate with sex, age, weight or height nor showed a normal distribution (n= 152, range: 0.0–5.58 ng/ml, median: 0.0 ng/ml, mean: 0.26 ng/ml, SD: ±0.61).Conclusion:  MK serum values in children and adolescents are widely spread and not normally distributed. The present results indicate that the MK expression is influenced by many factors apart from cancer, which have not yet been identified.
Life history in a model system: opening the black box with Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Metcalf C. Jessica E. , Mitchell‐Olds Thomas 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA broad research programme in Arabidopsis thaliana has provided estimates of selection on specific alleles in specific contexts, and identified geographic patterns of alleles in genes linked to timing of flowering. A closely related field has successfully captured many key axes of the evolution of timing of flowering in other monocarpic species through statistical and demographic modelling of large empirical databases. There has as yet been no synthesis between these two fields. Here we examine ways in which the two fields inform each other, and how this synergy will shape our knowledge of life‐history evolution as a whole.
Complex nitrogen cycling in the sponge Geodia barretti
Authors: Hoffmann Friederike , Radax Regina , Woebken Dagmar , Holtappels Moritz , Lavik Gaute , Rapp Hans Tore , Schläppy Marie‐Lise , Schleper Christa , Kuypers Marcel M. M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryMarine sponges constitute major parts of coral reefs and deep‐water communities. They often harbour high amounts of phylogenetically and physiologically diverse microbes, which are so far poorly characterized. Many of these sponges regulate their internal oxygen concentration by modulating their ventilation behaviour providing a suitable habitat for both aerobic and anaerobic microbes. In the present study, both aerobic (nitrification) and anaerobic (denitrification, anammox) microbial processes of the nitrogen cycle were quantified in the sponge Geodia barretti and possible involved microbes were identified by molecular techniques. Nitrification rates of 566 nmol N cm−3 sponge day−1 were obtained when monitoring the production of nitrite and nitrate. In support of this finding, ammonia‐oxidizing Archaea (crenarchaeotes) were found by amplification of the amoA gene, and nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria of the genus Nitrospira were detected based on rRNA gene analyses. Incubation experiments with stable isotopes (15NO3‐ and 15NH4+) revealed denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) rates of 92 nmol N cm−3 sponge day−1 and 3 nmol N cm−3 sponge day−1 respectively. Accordingly, sequences closely related to ‘Candidatus Scalindua sorokinii’ and ‘Candidatus Scalindua brodae’ were detected in 16S rRNA gene libraries. The amplification of the nirS gene revealed the presence of denitrifiers, likely belonging to the Betaproteobacteria. This is the first proof of anammox and denitrification in the same animal host, and the first proof of anammox and denitrification in sponges. The close and complex interactions of aerobic, anaerobic, autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial processes are fuelled by metabolic waste products of the sponge host, and enable efficient utilization and recirculation of nutrients within the sponge–microbe system. Since denitrification and anammox remove inorganic nitrogen from the environment, sponges may function as so far unrecognized nitrogen sinks in the ocean. In certain marine environments with high sponge cover, sponge‐mediated nitrogen mineralization processes might even be more important than sediment processes.
The genome of Polaromonas naphthalenivorans strain CJ2, isolated from coal tar‐contaminated sediment, reveals physiological and metabolic versatility and evolution through extensive horizontal gene transfer
Authors: Yagi Jane M. , Sims David , Brettin Thomas , Bruce David , Madsen Eugene L. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe analysed the genome of the aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading, facultatively chemolithotrophic betaproteobacterium, Polaromonas naphthalenivorans strain CJ2. Recent work has increasingly shown that Polaromonas species are prevalent in a variety of pristine oligotrophic environments, as well as polluted habitats. Besides a circular chromosome of 4.4 Mb, strain CJ2 carries eight plasmids ranging from 353 to 6.4 kb in size. Overall, the genome is predicted to encode 4929 proteins. Comparisons of DNA sequences at the individual gene, gene cluster and whole‐genome scales revealed strong trends in shared heredity between strain CJ2 and other members of the Comamonadaceae and Burkholderiaceae. blastp analyses of protein coding sequences across strain CJ2's genome showed that genetic commonalities with other betaproteobacteria diminished significantly in strain CJ2's plasmids compared with the chromosome, especially for the smallest ones. Broad trends in nucleotide characteristics (GC content, GC skew, Karlin signature difference) showed at least six anomalous regions in the chromosome, indicating alteration of genome architecture via horizontal gene transfer. Detailed analysis of one of these anomalous regions (96 kb in size, containing the nag‐like naphthalene catabolic operon) indicates that the fragment's insertion site was within a putative MiaB‐like tRNA‐modifying enzyme coding sequence. The mosaic nature of strain CJ2's genome was further emphasized by the presence of 309 mobile genetic elements scattered throughout the genome, including 131 predicted transposase genes, 178 phage‐related genes, and representatives of 12 families of insertion elements. A total of three different terminal oxidase genes were found (putative cytochrome aa3‐type oxidase, cytochrome cbb3‐type oxidase and cytochrome bd‐type quinol oxidase), suggesting adaptation by strain CJ2 to variable aerobic and microaerobic conditions. Sequence‐suggested abilities of strain CJ2 to carry out nitrogen fixation and grow on the aromatic compounds, biphenyl and benzoate, were experimentally verified. These new phenotypes and genotypes set the stage for gaining additional insights into the physiology and biochemistry contributing to strain CJ2's fitness in its native habitat, contaminated sediment.
Effectiveness monitoring of fish passage facilities: historical trends, geographic patterns and future directions
Authors: Roscoe David W , Hinch Scott G 
Published: May 2009

AbstractFishways and other passage facilities frequently prevent or delay the passage of fishes, highlighting the need for effectiveness monitoring. We reviewed the scientific literature from 1960 to 2008 reporting on effectiveness monitoring of fish passage facilities to assess what taxa and life‐stages have been studied, the questions that are asked during evaluation, and how these varied over time or by geographic region. We identified 96 peer‐reviewed articles of which 68% focused on passage by adult fishes. Salmoniformes was the most studied order (58% of studies). The focus of fishway evaluations did not change over the years, but varied significantly by geographic region. Studies from the tropics had a broader taxonomic scope than studies from temperate locations. Exogenous mechanisms of passage failure, such as environmental, structural and behavioural factors, were studied in 90% of studies from North America but only ∼50% of studies from Europe, South America and Australia. Endogenous (i.e. physiological) mechanisms affecting passage success were not often assessed anywhere, though they were a powerful means of evaluating mechanisms of failure. Few studies monitored migration after fish had left a facility. To improve effectiveness monitoring of passage facilities, we suggest that both endogenous and exogenous mechanisms need to be studied in an integrated fashion to understand passage failure and to inform design or operational changes that could improve passage efficiency. In addition post‐departure monitoring is required to more completely assess the fitness consequences of passage.
Age‐related changes in the control of episodic retrieval: an ERP study of recognition memory in children and adults
Authors: Czernochowski Daniela , Mecklinger Axel , Johansson Mikael 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe examined developmental aspects of the ability to monitor the temporal context of an item’s previous occurrence while event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. In a continuous recognition task, children between 10 and 12 years and young adults watched a stream of pictures repeated with a lag of 10–15 intervening items and indicated recurrences. In a second run, these already familiar pictures were repeated as non‐targets along with new pictures, while subjects were instructed to indicate only recurrences within the run. Young adults were able to maintain high performance levels in both tasks, whereas children had longer response times and committed a large number of false alarms to non‐targets. ERPs in both age groups showed similar parietal old/new effects for target repetitions within runs. In addition, adults’ ERPs showed similar old/new effects at frontal electrodes for repetitions and non‐targets, presumably reflecting assessments of familiarity, whereas for children repeated relative to first presentations were associated with more negative‐going waveforms at anterior frontal recording sites. Together, these results suggest a continuing maturation of the brain networks assessing novelty or familiarity. Recollection as indexed by parietal old/new effects appeared similar between young adults and children, but the development of controlled episodic retrieval, resulting in recollection of non‐target information, appears to continue well into adolescence.
Neuronal changes in psoriasis exacerbation
Authors: El‐Nour H , Santos A , Nordin M , Jonsson P , Svensson M , Nordlind K , Berg M 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground The nervous system contributes to inflammatory skin diseases.Objective The aim of this investigation was to study the neuronal contribution to psoriasis at the remission and exacerbation phases.Methods We examined the expression of the neuronal markers protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), growth‐associated protein‐43 (GAP‐43) and substance P, in addition to its receptor (R), neurokinin‐1R (NK‐1R) in psoriatic skin from seven female patients at remission and exacerbation, using immunohistochemistry.Results The number of epidermal PGP 9.5 immunoreactive nerve fibres in the involved skin during exacerbation was decreased (P < 0.01) compared to involved skin at remission and non‐involved skin at the exacerbation phase. GAP‐43‐positive nerve fibres were decreased (P < 0.05) in the involved skin in contrast to non‐involved skin, during exacerbation. Substance P expression was seen on both immunoreactive nerve fibres and cells with a down‐regulation (P < 0.01) in the number of positive nerve fibres in the involved skin compared to non‐involved skin, at the exacerbation phase. The number of substance P‐positive cells was slightly lower in the involved skin at exacerbation than at remission. The number of NK‐1R immunoreactive cells was increased (P < 0.01) in the involved skin in contrast to non‐involved skin, at the exacerbation phase.Conclusion Our findings suggest a crosstalk between the nervous system and inflammation during psoriasis exacerbation in the form of an altered expression of nerve fibres, substance P and its NK‐1R.