bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of signalling molecules on actin glutathionylation and protein carbonylation induced by cadmium in haemocytes of musselMytilus galloprovincialis(Lmk)
Authors: Dailianis Stefanos , Patetsini Efterpi , Kaloyianni Martha 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThis study investigated the role of Na+/H+ exchanger(NHE) and signalling molecules, such as cAMP, PKC, PI 3-kinase, and immune defence enzymes, NADPH oxidase and nitric oxide synthase, in the induction of protein glutathionylation and carbonylation in cadmium-treated haemocytes of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Glutathionylation was detected by western blot analysis and showed actin as its main target. A significant increase of both actin glutathionylation and protein carbonylation, were observed in haemocytes exposed to micromolar concentration of cadmium chloride(5 μmol l–1). Cadmium seems to cause actin polymerization that may lead to its increased glutathionylation, probably to protect it from cadmium-induced oxidative stress. It is therefore possible that polymerization of actin plays a signalling role in the induction of both glutathionylation and carbonylation processes. NHE seems to play a regulatory role in the induction of oxidative damage and actin glutathionylation, since its inhibition by 2 μmol l–1 cariporide, significantly diminished cadmium effects in each case. Similarly, attenuation of cadmium effects were observed in cells pre-treated with either 11 μmol l–1 GF-109203X, a potent inhibitor of PKC, 50 nmol l–1 wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI 3-kinase, 0.01 mmol l–1 forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, 10 μmol l–1 DPI, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, or 10 μmol l–1 L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, suggesting a possible role of PKC, PI 3-kinase and cAMP, as well as NADPH oxidase and nitric oxide synthase in the enhancement of cadmium effects on both actin glutathionylation and protein carbonylation.
Built for speed: musculoskeletal structure and sprinting ability
Authors: Lee Sabrina S. M. , Piazza Stephen J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY
The musculoskeletal structure of the foot and ankle has the potential to influence human sprinting performance in complex ways. A large Achilles'tendon moment arm improves the mechanical advantage of the triceps surae but also produces larger shortening velocity during rapid plantarflexion, which detracts from the force-generating capacity of the plantarflexors. The lever arm of the ground reaction force that resists the muscular plantarflexor moment during propulsive push-off is constrained in part by the skeletal structure of the foot. In this study, we measured the plantarflexion moment arms of the Achilles' tendon, lateral gastrocnemius fascicle lengths and pennation angles, and anthropometric characteristics of the foot and lower leg in collegiate sprinters and height-matched non-sprinters. The Achilles' tendon moment arms of the sprinters were 25% smaller on average in sprinters than in non-sprinters (P&lt;0.001) whereas the sprinters' fascicles were 11%longer on average (P=0.024). The ratio of fascicle length to moment arm was 50% larger in sprinters (P&lt;0.001). Sprinters were found to have longer toes (P=0.032) and shorter lower legs (P=0.026)than non sprinters. A simple computer simulation of the sprint push-off demonstrated that shorter plantarflexor moment arms and longer toes, like those measured in sprinters, permit greater generation of forward impulse. Simulated propulsion was enhanced in both cases by increasing the `gear ratio'of the foot, thus maintaining plantarflexor fibre length and reducing peak fibre shortening velocity. Longer toes especially prolonged the time of contact, giving greater time for forward acceleration by propulsive ground reaction force.
Different photoreceptor organs are used for photoperiodism in the larval and adult stages of the carabid beetle, Leptocarabus kumagaii
Authors: Shintani Yoshinori , Shiga Sakiko , Numata Hideharu 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARY
The role of the two distinct retinal photoreceptor organs in photoreception for photoperiodism was examined in the carabid beetle, Leptocarabus kumagaii, by surgical removal. This beetle shows long-day and short-day photoperiodic responses in the larval and adult stages, respectively. Larval diapause in the final instar is induced under short-day conditions whereas pupation occurs without diapause under long-day conditions. Adult reproductive diapause is terminated under short-day conditions but maintained under long-day conditions. The stemmata of the larvae and compound eyes of the adults were removed and the responses of the animals to photoperiod were compared to those of intact beetles. When all the stemmata were removed,larvae pupated without entering diapause under both long-day and short-day conditions, indicating that the larvae lacking stemmata were incapable of photoreception for photoperiodism. As in other holometabolous insects, the stemmata migrated into the brain during metamorphosis and remained rudimentarily in the optic lobe of the adult brain. However, these stemmata-derived organs were found to be no longer necessary for photoperiodism, because adults lacking the stemmata-derived organs responded to photoperiod normally. By contrast, removal of the compound eyes in adults resulted in the termination of reproductive diapause under both long-day and short-day conditions, indicating that photoreception for photoperiodism in the adult stage is performed by the compound eyes. Therefore, the site of photoperiodic photoreception in L. kumagaii appear to change from the stemmata to the compound eyes during metamorphosis.
Waiting Time to Lymph Node Biopsy is Dependent on Referral Method: Don't Write, Phone!
Authors: Pannick SAJ , Clark CL Ingham 
Published: October 2009

INTRODUCTION Patients with lymphadenopathy are commonly referred to general surgeons for diagnostic lymph node biopsy. We were concerned at potential long waits for this service in our hospital and thus wanted to compare the efficiency of written and telephone referral with a view to identifying the optimum care pathway for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty patients were included in a 2-year retrospective review (excluding referrals associated with breast lumps which were managed separately). Hospital Episode Statistics data were used to analyse notes for the source and method of referral, waiting time to biopsy, clinic attendance and diagnosis. RESULTS Of referrals, 33% were from haematology and 28% from general practice. Overall, 47% of patients were referred by letter; of these, 64% were seen in clinic before biopsy. Personal referral between clinicians, by direct discussion, e-mail or fax led to a mean wait of 4 days, compared to 51 days when patients were referred by letter. Clinic attendance had no significant bearing on diagnostic accuracy or complication rate. Neoplasia accounted for 43% of diagnoses and infection (including four cases of tuberculosis) for 10%. Of biopsies, 33% showed benign changes, 8% were unrecorded and 5% were incorrect. CONCLUSIONS In this study, 43% of biopsies revealed malignancy and we advise that lymph node biopsy requests should be managed on a fast-track pathway, expedited by direct personal request. Following this study, we have implemented a fast-track pathway for such patients.
A Clinicopathological Review of 324 Appendices Removed for Acute Appendicitis in Durban, South Africa: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Chamisa I 
Published: October 2009

INTRODUCTION Acute appendicitis remains a common surgical condition and the importance of specific elements in the clinical diagnosis remain controversial. A variety of neoplastic and inflammatory conditions mimic acute appendicitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the presenting pattern of acute appendicitis and to review the pathological diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of 324 patients who had appendicectomy for acute appendicitis at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital (Natal, South Africa) during the period January 2002 to December 2004. Patient demographics, clinical features, white cell count, operative findings, outcome and histology results were recorded on a special patient proforma. RESULTS A total of 371 patients underwent appendicectomy during this period and 324 (M:F, 3.6:1) were available for analysis. The majority of our patients were in the second decade (43.1%) with only 29.3% presenting within 24 h of onset of symptoms. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (100%), vomiting (57.4%) and anorexia (49.0%). Generalised and localised abdominal tenderness were present in 62.0% and 19.4% of patients, respectively. Pyrexia was noted in 41.0%. Localised and generalised peritonitis were present in 26.4% and 14.0%, respectively. The most common incisions were lower midline laparotomy (47.2%) and gridiron (37.3%). The negative appendicectomy rate was 17.0%. Acute appendiceal inflammation and gangrenous appendicitis was present in 36.1% and 9.6%, respectively. The perforation rate was 34.0% and there was a direct correlation with delayed presentation. There were no patients with carcinoid tumour or adenocarcinoma. Parasites and other associated conditions were seen in 8.6% of cases. Postoperative complications included: wound sepsis (25.3%), prolonged ileus (6.2%), peritonitis (4.6%) and chest infection (3.4%). Four patients died (1.2%) all from the perforated group. CONCLUSIONS Our patients present late with advanced disease and complications. All surgeons should bear in mind the possibility of parasitic infestations mimicking acute appendicitis and the presence of significant unusual histological findings in our setting justifies routine histopathological examination of appendices.
Low Plasma Albumin Linked to Fluid Overload in Postoperative Epidural Patients
Authors: Malhotra Karan , Axisa Benedict 
Published: October 2009

INTRODUCTION Hypotension is commonly associated with epidural use in postoperative patients and is usually treated with fluid or vasopressor therapy. The former can result in fluid overload, associated with significant morbidity. This study aimed to identify factors increasing the likelihood of fluid overload in elective patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective audit of fluid therapy in elective, postoperative, epidural patients was carried out over a 6-week period in a teaching hospital in England. Demographic, biochemical, and fluid balance data were collected and analysed to determine which factors had the strongest correlation with fluid overload. Fluid overload was calculated as the percentage of net fluid input relative to pre-operative body weight (%FO). RESULTS Thirty-two patients were included in this study. An overload of 10% of the patients' pre-operative body weight was considered significant. The mean fluid overload incurred by patients in this study was 8.17 l (range, 2.89–14.62 l); %FO was 11.32% (range, 3.67–26.10%). The strongest independently correlating factor to fluid overload was initial, postoperative plasma albumin. Patients with a plasma albumin less than 27 g/l developed significant overload: mean overload 9.75 l (range, 2.89–14.62 l), %FO 15.12% (range, 4.81–26.10%), whilst those with an albumin level greater than 27 g/l did not: mean overload 6.77 l (range, 3.34–11.48 l), %FO 7.96% (range, 3.67–13.93%); P = 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS Patients receiving epidurals with initial, postoperative, plasma albumin levels below 27 g/l are at increased risk of significant fluid overload. Earlier instigation of vasopressor therapy in this subgroup of patients may help prevent this.
Cryptic Species of Parasitoids Attacking the Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Asia: Binodoxys communis and Binodoxys koreanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae)
Authors: Desneux Nicolas , Starý Petr , Delebecque Camille J , Gariepy Tara D , Barta Ruth J , Hoelmer Kim A , Heimpel George E 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Collections of parasitoids attacking the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in South Korea yielded specimens that were originally identified as Binodoxys communis (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). We report here on laboratory studies indicating that this population is actually a previously unknown species of Binodoxys. Four classes of comparisons were made between the Korean population and a Chinese population that also had been identified as B. communis. The comparisons included 1) mating trials coupled with behavioral observations and spermathecal examinations, 2) assessment of nucleotide divergence at two mitochondrial and two nuclear gene loci, 3) patterns of host use, and 4) reassessment of morphological characters. These studies revealed premating reproductive isolation of the two populations and minor nucleotide differences in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences and nuclear internal transcriber spacer 1 sequences, providing strong indications that they are different species. Subtle morphological differences also were discovered that confirmed that the Chinese population corresponds to B. communis, whereas the Korean population does not. We propose the name Binodoxys koreanus StarÝ, sp. n. for the Korean population. The two species exhibited similar host ranges in the laboratory, the most notable exception being that B. koreanus, sp. n. is better able to develop in a population of Aphis craccivora Koch that harbors the bacterial endosymbiont Hamiltonella defensa Moran, which seems to strongly interfere with the development of B. communis. We discuss the implications of our results for biological control introductions against the soybean aphid in North America.
Molecular and Morphological Analysis ofDendroctonus pseudotsugae(Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) : An Assessment of the Taxonomic Status of Subspecies
Authors: Ruiz Enrico A , Víctor Javier , Hayes Jane L , Zújñiga Gerardo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins infests Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, throughout the distribution of that tree species from British Columbia to northern Mexico. The subspecies Dendroctonus pseudotsugae barragani Furniss was described from the mountains of Chihuahua, Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico, whereas the nominal subspecies, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae pseudotsugae Hopkins, occurs north of Mexico. The description of D. p. barragani was based on the only known Mexican population at that time. More recently, new populations of this beetle have been discovered at 13 additional localities in Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon, Mexico. To test whether these additional populations support the existence of two subspecies, we performed a taxonomic reassessment combining molecular markers (cytochrome oxidase I), morphological characters used in the original description, and newly described morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis of 89 haplotypes confirms that the Mexican populations are distinct from the sampled populations in the United States and Canada. Morphological analysis indicates that intraspecific variation is greater than previously considered within Mexican populations. However, at least seven characters on the head, pronotum, and elytra (including three previously undescribed characters of frons sculpture) consistently discriminate among Canada—U.S. and Mexico populations. The extension of the known distribution of this beetle in Mexico and verification of its subspecific status will aid in the management and conservation of Pseudotsuga in Mexico.
Review of North American Species of the GenusOnychiurus(Collembola: Onychiuridae), with a Description of Four New Species from Caves
Authors: Pomorski Romuald J , Furgoł Michał , Christiansen Kenneth 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe history of the genus Onychiurus is discussed. Four new Onychiurus species are described from North American caves: steinmanni and nathanieli from Colorado, reluctoides from Indiana, and furcisetosus from Virginia. Onychiurus reluctus Christiansen, 1961 is redescribed. A key for all of the known North American species is provided.
Life History and Laboratory Rearing of Corimelaena incognita (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae), with Descriptions of Immature Stages
Authors: Bundy C Scott , McPherson J E 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The life history of Corimelaena incognita (McAtee & Malloch) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae) was studied in southern New Mexico from August 2005 through November 2007, and the immature stages were described. The bug also was reared from egg to adult under controlled laboratory conditions. Adults of this bivoltine species overwintered in leaf litter, emerged in early February, and began feeding on dried fruits of Leucophyllum frutescens (Berlandier) from the previous year, the only host plant observed for this bug; they and their offspring, collectively, fed on the current year's fruit throughout the season until early December. Eggs were found from early April through late September and laid singly, usually glued beneath the bracts of developing fruits. Nymphs were found from late April through late November. This species was reared in the laboratory on fruits of L. frutescens at 25 ± 0.01°C under a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. The incubation period averaged 8.33 d. The five stadia averaged 7.27, 4.10, 4.51, 4.90, and 8.54 d, respectively. Instars can be distinguished by differences in morphological features including, among others, body size and punctation.
Developmental Stages and Castes of Two Sympatric Subterranean Termites Macrotermes gilvus and Macrotermes carbonarius (Blattodea: Termitidae)
Authors: Neoh Kok-Boon , Lee Chow-Yang 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The developmental stages and castes of two sympatric subterranean termites, Macro-termes gilvus (Hagen) and Macrotermes carbonarius (Hagen) (Blattodea: Termitidae) were studied and biometric descriptors of each caste were developed for the identification of both species. Biometric descriptors revealed five well-defined groups of larval castes. After sex determination, three larval instars were detected in the development of minor and major worker castes. The first larval instars consist of both males and females which are homogenous in size. Size sexual dimorphism, in which females are smaller than males, occurs in the second larval instars, third larval instars, and worker castes. Minor and major soldiers are female sterile castes. Pictorial evidence of the fourth larval instar of M. carbonarius is presented herein; the individuals closely resemble minor workers but are poorly pigmented and have a distended abdomen, future presoldier-like mandibles, and a meso- and metanotum. In reproductive caste development, nymphs (derived from the first larval instars) undergo five moults from first to fifth instars before becoming winged termites.
Business Case for Intelligent Well Deployment in a Subsea Development Project - A Case Study
Authors: Ageh E. A. , Uzoh O. J. , Bracewell B. , Abulu M. , Reinders J. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
A business case to determine the economic value of deploying subsea intelligent well completions in a subsea development project deepwater West Africa has been developed.
Deployment of smart well technology in the base case development of the case field provides an opportunity to develop 20% incremental reserves that would otherwise be uneconomical to develop without the ability to use a multi-zone completion solution. This results in a 50% gain (risked gain) in NPV for the project. The method is based on an analysis of possible completion failure scenarios, the probability of occurrence of these scenarios and the reliability of the downhole intelligent completion equipment. The cost analysis carried out, weighed the benefit of smart wells against conventional and stacking (commingling of zones) completion types. CAPEX was risked using Decision Tree analysis with data input from a wide range of data bases including fields in the Nigerian DeepWater blocks.
Optimizing Hydrocarbon Volume Analysis in Heterogeneous Reservoirs in the Niger Delta
Authors: Martey Amarquaye , Otevwemerhuere Joseph 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
An intelligent Petrophysical evaluation is essential to optimize development and production in difficult environments in the Niger Delta because of the challenges in reserve estimation and development strategy. The areas are typically characterized by unconsolidated and laminated sandstones and fluvio-marine or lagoonal shales, where accurate estimation of hydrocarbon saturation and consequently volumes has continued to be a challenge in the evaluation of these shaly sand sequences. Most shaly-sand formations have poorly developed sand packages containing laminations of fine grained rock which cause resistivity values to vary in vertical and horizontal directions (Rv & Rh) masking the resistivity contrast when using conventional induction resistivity measurement. The use of a tri-axial multi-array induction tool overcomes the limitation of a standard induction measurement to account for properties of thin beds and complex dipping formations.
The challenge of interpreting low resistivity contrast sands lies on determining the actual resistivity of coarse grained components and addressing the volumes of fine grained components in the formation which in the past have been a very cumbersome process. However, the application of advanced interpretation workflows to determine the fractional volume of fine grained rock alongside resistivity of coarse grained rock using matrix corrected porosity, vertical and horizontal resistivity measurements enables a quick and easy approach towards estimation of hydrocarbon volumes.
This paper presents an integrated approach for accurate hydrocarbon volumes estimation using triaxial induction measurements of horizontal and vertical resistivity, formation dips and azimuth,, elemental yields from the nuclear spectroscopy tool to quantify mineral volumes with traditional environmentally corrected neutron-density measurements and validation with fluid samples. Comparison of results with conventional approach show over 50% increase in net pay which points to the implication that a good percentage of wells drilled in the past and analyzed using conventional methods either bypassed or under-estimated hydrocarbon reserves.
Olympic Athlete Selection
Authors: Hizen Yoichi , Okui Ryo 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Olympic athlete selection procedures are different among countries and events, and famous athletes are often reported to have lost their selection races. This paper analyzes what kind of procedure is more likely to select high-ability athletes while preventing low-ability athletes from being selected by chance. Our game-theoretic model shows that the answer depends on how sharply high-ability athletes' race results fluctuate relative to those of low-ability athletes. Athletes' strategic choice of participation in races turns out to be crucial in addressing this question, and there are cases in which having only one race is desirable, even if the selection can involve multiple races.