bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Braided rivers within an arid alluvial plain (example from the Lower Triassic, western German Basin): recognition criteria and expression of stratigraphic cycles
Authors: BOURQUIN S. , GUILLOCHEAU F. , PÉRON S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBased on a detailed sedimentological analysis of Lower Triassic continental deposits in the western Germanic sag Basin (i.e. the eastern part of the present‐day Paris Basin: the ‘Conglomérat basal’, ‘Grès vosgien’ and ‘Conglomérat principal’ Formations), three main depositional environments were identified: (i) braided rivers in an arid alluvial plain with some preserved aeolian dunes and very few floodplain deposits; (ii) marginal erg (i.e. braided rivers, aeolian dunes and aeolian sand‐sheets); and (iii) playa lake (an ephemeral lake environment with fluvial and aeolian sediments). Most of the time, aeolian deposits in arid environments that are dominated by fluvial systems are poorly preserved and particular attention should be paid to any sedimentological marker of aridity, such as wind‐worn pebbles (ventifacts), sand‐drift surfaces and aeolian sand‐sheets. In such arid continental environments, stratigraphic surfaces of allocyclic origin correspond to bounding surfaces of regional extension. Elementary stratigraphic cycles, i.e. the genetic units, have been identified for the three main continental environments: the fluvial type, fluvial–aeolian type and fluvial/playa lake type. At the time scale of tens to hundreds of thousands of years, these high‐frequency cycles of climatic origin are controlled either by the groundwater level in the basin or by the fluvial siliciclastic sediment input supplied from the highland. Lower Triassic deposits from the Germanic Basin are preserved mostly in endoreic basins. The central part of the basin is arid but the rivers are supplied with water by precipitation falling on the remnants of the Hercynian (Variscan)–Appalachian Mountains. Consequently, a detailed study of alluvial plain facies provides indications of local climatic conditions in the place of deposition, whereas fluvial systems only reflect climatic conditions of the upstream erosional catchments.
Making effective use of existing data for case‐by‐case risk assessments of genetically engineered crops
Authors: Romeis J. , Lawo N. C. , Raybould A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMany crops in developing countries suffer devastating attacks from insect pests. Expression of insecticidal proteins in genetically engineered (GE) crops is a potentially powerful means of controlling such pests. Potentially harmful effects of these crops on non‐target organisms (NTOs) is of major concern as many of those provide important ecological functions such as pest regulation. Consequently, the likelihood of adverse effects of insect‐resistant GE crops on NTOs is assessed case‐by‐case as part of environmental risk assessments that inform regulatory decision‐making. While risk assessments should be rigorous, it is vital that regulatory barriers do not unnecessarily restrict or prevent the application of genetic engineering to important crops in those countries. Efficient regulatory decision‐making should make effective use of published information on the biology and ecology of the crop in the country where approval is sought, along with regulatory data produced for GE insect‐resistant crops that have received regulatory approvals elsewhere. Just as the risks are assessed for each GE crop individually, the amount of new regulatory data required for a GE crop should vary between crops depending on the amount of existing data and the severity of the perceived risks: new data should be collected only if existing data do not corroborate identified risk hypotheses with sufficient certainty. In this paper, we illustrate how such an approach could work using risks to NTOs from insect‐resistant GE pigeonpea in India as an example.
Opioid receptor antagonist promotes angiogenesis in bile duct ligated rats
Authors: Faramarzi Negar , Abbasi Ata , Tavangar Seyed M , Mazouchi Marjan , Dehpour Ahmad R 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Angiogenesis, formation of new capillaries from existing vasculature, plays a pivotal role in different pathological states such as many chronic inflammatory diseases including the chronic liver diseases. There is increasing evidence demonstrating accumulation of endogenous opioids and their role in the pathophysiology and manifestations of cholestasis, the main feature of a number of chronic progressive liver diseases. Hence, we investigated the significance of endogenous opioids in angiogenesis in an experimental model of cholestasis.Methods:  Cholestasis was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by bile duct ligation and resection. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist (20 mg/kg/day) was administered to cholestatic animals for 22 ± 1 days. The serial sections from liver tissue were stained with von Willebrand Factor antibody and micro‐vessel density was assessed by calculating mean micro‐vessel number in three hot spots high power microscopic fields.Results:  Naltrexone treatment in bile duct ligated rats led to a marked increase in the micro‐vessel number (6.34 ± 0.21 vs 5.61 ± 0.22) (P < 0.05), which had already increased during cholestasis.Conclusion:  In order to clarify the impacts of opioid system blockade in cirrhosis, our findings demonstrate the promoting role of opioid antagonist in angiogenesis in a rat model of cholestasis.
Endoscopic treatment as first‐line therapy for pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion
Authors: Pai C Ganesh , Suvarna Deepak , Bhat Ganesh 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground:  Ascites and pleural effusion are well recognized complications of pancreatic diseases. Drug therapy of these is limited by high cost, prolonged hospitalization and failure rates; surgery is invasive and is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.Objective:  To analyze the data on patients with pancreatic ascites and/or pleural effusion treated endoscopically over a ten‐year period.Methods:  Patients with symptomatic ascites/pleural effusion for at least 3 weeks with a fluid amylase level of > 1000 S units/dl and underlying pancreatic disease were included. The interventions were a 5 mm sized pancreatic sphincterotomy and placement of a 7 Fr pancreatic stent. Somatostatin/octreotide and parenteral nutrition were not used after endoscopic therapy.Results:  Of the 28 patients included (22 men), 17 (60.7%) had chronic pancreatitis. The causes were tropical pancreatitis (13, 46.4%), alcohol abuse (10, 35.7%), idiopathic acute pancreatitis (4, 14.3%) and resective surgery for gastric cancer (1, 3.6%). Ascites alone was seen in 15, pleural effusion alone in 6 and both in 7 patients. Ten patients (35.7%) had 14 pseudocysts. Endotherapy was successful in 27 (96.4%). Twenty‐six (92.8%) patients had complete resolution of ascites/effusion over a median 5 weeks. The stents were removed 3–6 weeks later without any recurrence over the next 6–36 (median = 17) months. Complications (7, 25%) included severe pain in 2 (7.1%) and fever in 5 (17.8%) of which 3 (10.7%) had infection of residual fluid collections. No patient died.Conclusion:  Endoscopic therapy offers an excellent therapeutic alternative in patients with pancreatic ascites and pleural effusion.
cDNA cloning of a lectin‐like gene preferentially expressed in freshwater from the macroalga Ulva limnetica (Ulvales, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Ichihara Kensuke , Arai Shogo , Shimada Satoshi 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe macroalgal species Ulva limnetica Ichihara et Shimada was investigated to understand the molecular mechanism of its tolerance or adaptation to freshwater. We detected a 19 kDa protein by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which accumulated in greater amounts in freshwater conditions compared with marine conditions. The band was excised and the partial amino acid sequence was determined by Edoman degradation. Based on the sequences, we isolated the corresponding cDNA by the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The constructed, full‐length cDNA was 1272 bp in length, consisting of 198 bp 5′‐non‐coding region, an open reading frame of 840 bp (279 amino acids), 233 bp 3′‐non‐coding region and poly (A) tail. The protein encoded by the cDNA showed 30% identity and 45% similarity to lectin isolated from Ulva pertusa Kjellman, and we named this gene ULL (encoding Ulva limnetica lectin‐like protein). Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression level of the ULL in the freshwater‐cultured sample was higher than in the seawater‐cultured sample.
On the utility of DNA barcoding for species differentiation among brown macroalgae (Phaeophyceae) including a novel extraction protocol
Authors: McDevit Daniel C. , Saunders Gary W. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe generation of a species‐rich DNA barcode database in combination with rapid and affordable sequencing techniques will dramatically change specimen identification in ecological, biogeographical and taxonomic applications. Though cytochrome c oxidase 1 has been shown to be a useful tool for differentiating some groups of marine algae, its wide application in the Phaeophyceae has yet to be studied. The presence of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibiting compounds in members of the Fucales, Laminariales and Tilopteridales, that are often co‐extracted with DNA, has hampered the rapid processing associated with barcode projects. Polyphenolics and polysaccharides are present in concentrations such that DNA extraction methods typically include extensive series of washes, organelle extractions and/or cesium columns. In this paper we examine the utility of cytochrome c oxidase 1 for barcoding the Phaeophyceae and present a method for extracting PCR friendly DNA from brown macroalgae in about 2 h, dramatically reducing the time required from previous methods, some of which take days. This method is easily adapted to a 96 well, high‐throughput format and may have applications in other organisms where the presence of similar PCR inhibiting compounds hinders molecular analyses. We extracted DNA from 106 isolates representing 29 species from 20 genera in nine families from five orders of Phaeophyceae. We were able to amplify the barcode marker (cytochrome c oxidase 1) from all samples and a nuclear marker (internal transcribed spacer region) from 54 selected samples. Cytochrome c oxidase 1 was able to differentiate clearly among species, showing within species divergence of 0.00–0.46%, with the exception of one previously studied genus, and between species divergences of greater than 3%.
Research note: High efficiency transformation of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with a promoter from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis
Authors: Miyagawa Arisa , Okami Takuma , Kira Nozomu , Yamaguchi Haruo , Ohnishi Kouhei , Adachi Masao 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA high efficiency transformation system was established for the pennate diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin using a plasmid containing fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein (fcp) promoter/terminator and nitrate reductase (NR) promoter/terminator that are derived from the pennate diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis. The plasmid that contains the zeocin resistance gene (ble) with the fcp promoter and enhanced green fluorescent protein gene (egfp) with the NR promoter was introduced into P. tricornutum using microparticle bombardment. Transformants (650 ± 58 per 108 cells) were obtained. The yield of transformants was between 1.5 and 130 times higher than previously reported P. tricornutum transformation systems. Four to seven copies of the ble gene were integrated into genomic DNA of the transformants. This high efficiency transformation system of P. tricornutum is expected to provide a powerful tool for high‐throughput analysis of gene function using homologous recombination or RNAi.
Research note: Identity of the Qingdao algal bloom
Authors: Leliaert Frederik , Zhang Xiaowen , Ye Naihao , Malta Erik‐jan , Engelen Aschwin H. , Mineur Frédéric , Verbruggen Heroen , De Clerck Olivier 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn early July 2008, news agencies worldwide reported on a vast algal bloom that was threatening the upcoming Olympic sailing events in Qingdao, China. The identity of the culpable alga, however, remained undiscussed. We have identified the alga that caused the bloom by means of morphological and molecular data, including sequence data of the plastid encoded large subunit ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL) and the nuclear encoded rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The bloom‐forming alga falls within the morphological limits of the green seaweed Ulva prolifera O.F. Müller (‘Enteromorpha prolifera (O.F. Müller) J. Agardh’) but our phylogenetic analyses show that it forms a clade with representatives of the Ulva linza‐procera‐prolifera (LPP) complex. The Chinese rbcL sequences are identical to those of specimens collected from Japan, New Zealand, Finland and Portugal, suggesting that the taxon is widely distributed. rDNA ITS sequences showed a close affinity with Japanese isolates of the species complex. The Qingdao bloom is a typical illustration of a green tide, which occurs increasingly along several coasts worldwide.
Exendin‐4 regulates glucokinase expression by CaMKK/CaMKIV pathway in pancreatic β‐cell line
Authors: Murao K. , Li J. , Imachi H. , Muraoka T. , Masugata H. , Zhang G. X. , Kobayashi R. , Ishida T. , Tokumitsu H. 
Published: May 2009

Aim: Glucokinase (GK) in pancreatic β cells is thought to be involved in insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. This study investigates whether the long‐acting agonist of the glucagon‐like peptide 1, namely exendin‐4, mediates stimulatory effects on GK gene expression through the Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)‐dependent protein kinase (CaMK) cascade.Methods: GK expression was examined by real‐time PCR, western blot analysis and reporter gene assay in rat insulin‐secreting INS‐1 cells incubated with exendin‐4. CaMKIV activity was assessed by detection of activation loop phosphorylation (Thr196) of CaMKIV. We investigated the effect of the constitutively active form (CaMKIVc) of CaMKIV on GK promoter activity.Results: Increased expression level of GK protein was noted in response to rising concentrations of exendin‐4 with maximum induction at 10 nM. Real‐time PCR analysis showed a significant increase in the amount of GK mRNA in response to rising concentrations of exendin‐4. Exendin‐4 also stimulated GK promoter activity but failed to do so in the presence of STO‐609, a CaMKK inhibitor. This result is consistent with the observations that the upregulation of CaMKIV phosphorylation (at Thr196) peaked after 15 min of exposure to exendin‐4 and that CaMKIVc enhanced or upregulated GK promoter activity in INS‐1 cells. Furthermore, STO‐609 significantly suppressed the exendin‐4 – upregulated the expression of the GK protein.Conclusion: Activation of the CaMKK/CaMKIV cascade might be required for exendin‐4‐induced GK gene transcription, indicating that exendin‐4 plays an important role in insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells.
The impact of self‐management of lower urinary tract symptoms on frequency‐volume chart measures
Authors: Yap Tet L. , Brown Christian , Cromwell David A. , Van Der Meulen Jan , Emberton Mark 
Published: May 2009

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of a self‐management programme (SMP) on actual voiding behaviour using frequency‐volume chart (FVC) data.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 140 men with uncomplicated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were recruited and randomised to either attend a SMP in addition to standard care, or standard care alone. The SMP group received three small group sessions that addressed behaviour and gave training in problem‐solving strategies. Patients were assessed in urological clinics at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months, completing the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and 3‐day FVCs after assessment. Differences in voiding behaviour between the SMP and control groups were calculated analysed by intention‐to‐treat.RESULTSOf the 140 patients, 104 completed the FVC data at baseline; at 3, 6 and 12 months charts were received from 99, 95 and 70, respectively. Baseline FVC variables were equivalent between the randomized groups. At 3 months the mean voided volume had increased in the SMP group and differed from the control group by a mean (95% confidence interval, CI) of 57 (33–83) mL. The total number of voids and episodes of nocturia were also lower in the SMP group, with a mean (95% CI) decrease of 2.6 (−3.6 to −1.5) and 0.7 (−1.1 to −0.3) episodes, respectively. These changes were maintained at 6 and 12 months.CONCLUSIONA SMP in addition to standard care significantly improved the urinary symptoms of frequency and nocturia according to FVC monitoring. The exact mechanism of action and the specific interventions which affect this require further investigation.
The obesity epidemic: implications for recruitment and retention of defence force personnel
Authors: McLaughlin R. , Wittert G. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe primary purpose of fitness and body composition standards in the military has always been to select individuals best suited to the physical demands of military service. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, and may have adverse consequences for the military: a worsening prevalence of obesity in young civilian adults could hinder the recruitment and maintenance of military manpower. This review explores the impact of obesity on suitability for employment in defence force careers and any potential impact on long‐term occupational health. Studies containing data on obesity and the military were identified from an electronic database. Thirty‐eight papers were identified and 17 were included in this review. There is a limited body of evidence available to ascertain whether or not obese individuals are suitable for employment in the military. There are a number of key issues that need to be addressed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn. These include the future health of obese personnel recruited into the military and subsequent implications for health services, costs to the organization and military readiness, and the ability of an obese person to be an active member of the military workforce. Future research should be targeted towards these areas in order to determine the implications of obesity for recruitment and retention of defence force personnel.
Child Behavior Checklist Juvenile Bipolar Disorder (CBCL‐JBD) and CBCL Posttraumatic Stress Problems (CBCL‐PTSP) scales are measures of a single dysregulatory syndrome
Authors: Ayer Lynsay , Althoff Robert , Ivanova Masha , Rettew David , Waxler Ellen , Sulman Julie , Hudziak James 
Published: May 2009

Background:  The Child Behavior Checklist Juvenile Bipolar Disorder (CBCL‐JBD) profile and Posttraumatic Stress Problems (CBCL‐PTSP) scale have been used to assess juvenile bipolar disorder (JBD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respectively. However, their validity is questionable according to previous research. Both measures are associated with severe psychopathology often encompassing multiple DSM‐IV diagnoses. Further, children who score highly on one of these scales often have elevated scores on the other, independent of PTSD or JBD diagnoses. We hypothesized that the two scales may be indicators of a single syndrome related to dysregulated mood, attention, and behavior. We aimed to describe and identify the overlap between the CBCL‐JBD profile and CBCL‐PTSP scales.Method:  Two thousand and twenty‐nine (2029) children from a nationally representative sample (1073 boys, 956 girls; mean age = 11.98; age range = 6–18) were rated on emotional and behavior problems by their parents using the CBCL. Comparative model testing via structural equation modeling was conducted to determine whether the CBCL‐JBD profile and CBCL‐PTSP scale are best described as measuring separate versus unitary constructs. Associations with suicidality and competency scores were also examined.Results:  The CBCL‐JBD and CBCL‐PTSP demonstrated a high degree of overlap (r = .89) at the latent variable level. The best fitting, most parsimonious model was one in which the CBCL‐JBD and CBCL‐PTSP items identified a single latent construct, which was associated with higher parental endorsement of child suicidal behavior, and lower functioning.Conclusions:  The CBCL‐JBD profile and CBCL‐PTSP scale overlap to a remarkable degree, and may be best described as measures of a single syndrome. This syndrome appears to be related to severe psychopathology, but may not conform to traditional DSM‐IV classification. These results contribute to the ongoing debate about the utility of the CBCL‐JBD and CBCL‐PTSP profiles, and offer promising methods of empirically based measurement of disordered self‐regulation in youth.
The role of weight for age and disease stage in poor psychomotor outcome of HIV‐infected children in Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: ABUBAKAR AMINA , HOLDING PENNY , NEWTON CHARLES R J C , VAN BAAR ANNELOES , VAN DE VIJVER FONS J R 
Published: May 2009

Aim  We aimed to investigate the contribution of disease stage and weight for age to the variability in psychomotor outcome observed among children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.Method  This cross‐sectional study involved 48 Kenyan children (20 females, 28 males) aged 6 to 35 months (mean 19.9mo SD 8.9) exposed prenatally to HIV. Two subgroups of HIV‐exposed children were seen: those who were HIV‐infected and those who were uninfected. The reference population was composed of 319 children (159 females, 160 males) aged 6–35 months, (mean age = 19 months, SD=8.43) randomly selected from the community. Disease stage varied from stage 1 to stage 3, reflecting progression from primary HIV infection to advanced HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. A locally developed and validated measure, the Kilifi Developmental Inventory, was used to assess psychomotor development.Result  Using age‐corrected psychomotor scores, a significant main effect of HIV status was observed (F(2,38.01)=7.89, p<0.001). Children in the HIV‐infected group had lower mean psychomotor scores than the HIV‐exposed children and the reference group. In the HIV‐infected group, disease stage was a negative predictor and weight for age a positive predictor of psychomotor outcome.Interpretation  Weight for age and disease stage provide viable, easily measurable benchmarks to specify when frequent developmental monitoring and psychomotor rehabilitation are required. Nutritional intervention and other measures aimed at slowing disease progression may delay the onset and severity of psychomotor impairment in the paediatric HIV population in Africa.