bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aquaporin and aquaglyceroporin in silkworms, differently expressed in the hindgut and midgut of Bombyx mori
Authors: Kataoka N. , Miyake S. , Azuma M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTwo cDNAs similar to aquaporins (AQPs) from other insect species were identified and characterized from the silkworm larva, Bombyx mori. The first cDNA (AQP‐Bom1) cloned from the anterior silk gland encodes a 25 900 Da protein similar to insect AQPs isolated from several liquid‐feeding insects. The second cDNA (AQP‐Bom2) cloned from the posterior midgut encodes a 27 694 Da protein. Northern blot analysis has revealed that the AQP‐Bom1 mRNA (2.3 kb) is expressed predominantly in the hindgut (colon and rectum), and moderately or minimally in the silk gland, midgut and Malpighian tubules, while the AQP‐Bom2 mRNA (1.3 kb) is mainly expressed in the posterior midgut and Malpighian tubules. Functional analysis in Xenopus oocytes microinjected with the cRNA of these AQPs revealed that the AQP‐Bom1 mRNA encodes a water‐specific aquaporin, likely involved in the water retrieval function of the hindgut, while the AQP‐Bom2 mRNA encodes an aquaglyceroporin, increasing glycerol and urea uptake.
Changing perspectives on the biogeography of the tropical South Pacific: influences of dispersal, vicariance and extinction
Authors: Keppel Gunnar , Lowe Andrew J. , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim  The biogeographical patterns and drivers of diversity on oceanic islands in the tropical South Pacific (TSP) are synthesized. We use published studies to determine present patterns of diversity on TSP islands, the likely sources of the biota on these islands and how the islands were colonized. We also investigate the effect of extinctions.Location  We focus on oceanic islands in the TSP.Methods  We review available literature and published molecular studies.Results  Examples of typical island features (e.g. gigantism, flightlessness, gender dimorphism) are common, as are adaptive radiations. Diversity decreases with increasing isolation from mainland sources and with decreasing size and age of archipelagos, corresponding well with island biogeographical expectations. Molecular studies support New Guinea/Malesia, New Caledonia and Australia as major source areas for the Pacific biota. Numerous studies support dispersal‐based scenarios, either over several 100 km (long‐distance dispersal) or over shorter distances by island‐hopping (stepping stones) and transport by human means (hitch‐hiking). Only one vicariance explanation, the eastward drift of continental fragments (shuttles) that may have contributed biota to Fiji from New Caledonia, is supported by some geological evidence, although there is no evidence for the transport of taxa on shuttle fragments. Another vicariance explanation, the existence of a major continental landmass in the Pacific within the last 100 Myr (Atlantis theory), receives little support and appears unlikely. Extinction of lineages in source areas and persistence in the TSP has probably occurred many times and has resulted in misinterpretation of biogeographical data.Main conclusions  Malesia has long been considered the major source region for the biota of oceanic islands in the TSP because of shared taxa and high species diversity. However, recent molecular studies have produced compelling support for New Caledonia and Australia as alternative important source areas. They also show dispersal events, and not vicariance, to have been the major contributors to the current biota of the TSP. Past extinction events can obscure interpretations of diversity patterns.
Origin and status of the Great Lakes wolf
Authors: KOBLMÜLLER STEPHAN , NORD MARIA , WAYNE ROBERT K. , LEONARD JENNIFER A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAn extensive debate concerning the origin and taxonomic status of wolf‐like canids in the North American Great Lakes region and the consequences for conservation politics regarding these enigmatic predators is ongoing. Using maternally, paternally and biparentally inherited molecular markers, we demonstrate that the Great Lakes wolves are a unique population or ecotype of gray wolves. Furthermore, we show that the Great Lakes wolves experienced high degrees of ancient and recent introgression of coyote and western gray wolf mtDNA and Y‐chromosome haplotypes, and that the recent demographic bottleneck caused by persecution and habitat depletion in the early 1900s is not reflected in the genetic data.
Kinetics of the local cellular response in the gastric lymph of immune and susceptible sheep to infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta
Authors: HALLIDAY A. M. , MORRISON W. I. , SMITH W. D. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryGroups of yearling sheep were trickle infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta for 8 weeks, then the infection cleared with anthelmintic and both these animals and a group of parasite naïve sheep were challenged with 50 000 infective T. circumcincta larvae. The previously infected sheep demonstrated acquired immunity to the parasite, manifested by reduced worm burdens which were evident as early as 2 days after challenge. Cannulation of the common efferent gastric lymph duct allowed the kinetics of their local cell traffic to be monitored, and the phenotype of these lymphocytes was analysed. A blast cell response, consisting of both T and B lymphocytes, was observed in both groups of sheep, however this occurred more rapidly in the previously infected, immune animals. CD4+, CD8+ and CD25+ blast cell output peaked at day 3 in the previously infected animals, whereas CD21+ blast cell output peaked slightly later at day 5. In the control group the peak output of all phenotypes of blast cells occurred more slowly, peaking 10 days after infection.
Host Specificity and Genetic Diversity of Didymella bryoniae from Cucurbitaceae in Brazil
Authors: Santos Gil Rodrigues dos , Ferreira MarisaÁlvares da Silva Velloso , Pessoa‐Filho Marco Aurélio Caldas de Pinho , Ferreira Márcio Elias , Café‐Filho Adalberto Corréa 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThirty‐seven isolates of Didymella bryoniae from three Cucurbitaceae species were collected in Brazil and tested for pathogenicity to watermelon. All isolates were pathogenic but differed in aggressiveness levels. Seven representative isolates were used in cross‐pathogenicity tests against 10 cucurbitaceous hosts. Most isolates were pathogenic to most host species tested, except to Sechium edule. Among the susceptible species, Citrullus and Cucumis species were the most susceptible hosts, while pumpkin and Luffa purgans were the most resistant. Host of origin affected the pattern of aggressiveness on each host. Isolates from watermelon were very aggressive to their original host, but much less aggressive or not pathogenic at all to some Cucurbita. Two previously described random‐amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)‐specific primers indicated that 81% of the isolates could be classified into the so‐called RG I group, while the remaining isolates could not be classified into any of the described RG groups. All 37 isolates were further characterized by RAPD fingerprinting and compared with three US isolates representative of RG I and RG II groups. The Brazilian D. bryoniae isolates could be separated into genetically similar clusters. The majority of the isolates were grouped in cluster DB Ia, which contained only isolates of Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo. Two of the American isolates used as controls clustered with this group at 68% similarity level. The DB Ib cluster included three Brazilian isolates obtained from melon and watermelon and the American representative for RG II, at a lower similarity level (43%). Two isolates from watermelon clustered with one isolate from melon in a separate group (DB II), while one single isolate from pumpkin (DB III) showed the lowest genetic similarity to all other isolates. Didymella bryoniae isolates from Brazil showed, therefore, a level of genetic diversity higher than previously reported for the species. RAPD fingerprinting allowed for geographical distinction of D. bryoniae isolates but no correlation between genetic distance, aggressiveness or origin of the isolate was found.
Distribution and activity of diazotrophs in the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic
Authors: Foster Rachel A. , Subramaniam Ajit , Zehr Jonathan P. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryThe gene abundance and gene expression of six diazotroph populations from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic in June 2007 were examined using nifH gene quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q PCR) methods. Of all the diazotrophs, Trichodesmium spp. was the most abundant with the highest number of gene copies in the Gulf of Guinea. Trichodesmium also had the highest nitrogenase gene transcript abundance overall with the maximum in samples collected at the equator and in waters influenced by the Congo River plume (> 105 cDNA nifH copies l−1). Both cyanobacterial unicellular groups (A and B) were detected, where group A was the second most abundant in surface samples, in particular at the stations along the equator. Transcript abundance for group A, however, was at the detection limit and suggests that it was not actively fixing N2. Trichodesmium and group B nifH gene abundances co‐varied (P < 0.0001). Richelia associated with Hemiaulus hauckii diatoms were detected in 9 of 10 surface samples and the highest abundances (> 104nifH copies l−1) were found north‐west of the Congo River plume. In contrast, the Calothrix symbionts (het‐3) of Chaetoceros had low abundances at the surface, but were present at 3.7 × 104nifH copies l−1 at 40 m depth in the equatorial upwelling. This is the first report of the Calothrix symbiont in the Atlantic Ocean. This is also the first report of nifH gene copy and transcript abundance in an Equatorial upwelling zone. Although the number of gene copies for Richelia associated with Rhizosolenia were the lowest, the transcript abundance were high (9.4 × 101−1.8 × 104 cDNA nifH copies l−1) and similar to that of Trichodesmium. The distribution of the diazotroph groups, especially the three strains of symbiotic cyanobacteria, was different, and appeared largely controlled by riverine inputs and upwelling.
Does the location of screen‐detected cancers differ from that seen in the unscreened population?
Authors: Harmston C. , Hunter J. , Wong L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective  It is important that screening detects cancers regardless of their location within the colon. The aim of this study was to see if the location of cancers detected by the pilot screening programme differs from that of unscreened cancers.Method  The colorectal cancer dataset of University Hospital Coventry was analysed retrospectively. A 7‐year period was used to include all three rounds of the pilot screening. Two groups of patients were selected, those with colorectal cancers detected by the screening programme and those detected outside of screening. The tumour location was compared in the two groups statistically (chi‐squared test).Results  One thousand four hundred‐ninety patients were included, 100 of whom were in the screened population and 1390 were in the unscreened population. There was no significant difference in tumour location between the two groups (P = 0.49).Conclusion  This study showed that screen‐detected cancers do not differ in their location from unscreened cancers and suggests that faecal occult blood testscreening detects cancer irrespective of location within the colon.
Group Milleri Streptococci in perianal infections
Authors: Stelzmueller I. , Aigner F. , Albright J. , Margreiter R. , Fille M. , Swenson B. R. , Dossett L. , Bonatti H. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground  Anal abscesses are commonly associated with fistulas‐in‐ano and are usually polymicrobial in nature, with gram‐negative rods and anaerobes being the most prevalent isolates. Group Milleri Streptococci (GMS) comprise a heterogeneous group of cocci, which are capable of causing severe purulent infection with a high recurrence rate.Method  All anorectal infections caused by GMS, which were identified at our centre during a 4‐year period were retrospectively analysed. The 18 patients with GMS‐positive anorectal abscesses were matched with 36 GMS‐negative anorectal abscesses to identify outcome characteristics of this clinical entity.Results  During the study period, 358 patients underwent surgical treatment for anal infections; GMS were isolated in 46 individuals (13%) including 18 perianal abscesses, 11 pilonidal sinuses, eight fistulae in and nine miscellaneous infections. Seventy‐two per cent of perianal GMS infections were polymicrobial with E. coli and Bacteroides fragilis being the predominant second bacteria. Nine patients (20%) developed recurrent abscesses and fistulae‐in‐ano and underwent additional surgical interventions with resolution at follow‐up. Additional antibiotic treatment was administered in 10 patients with complex anal infections. Matched pair analysis revealed that GMS‐positive perianal abscesses were more commonly polymicrobial, and that the recurrence rate was higher (55.6% GMS‐positive and 22.2% GMS‐negative patients, P = 0.017).Conclusions  Our data confirm the propensity of GMS to form deep and recurrent abscesses with a higher recurrence rate than non‐GMS infections. First‐line treatment includes surgical drainage, and antibiotic treatment may be useful in selected patients.
Illness perceptions and quality of life amongst women with pseudotumor cerebri
Authors: Kesler A. , Kliper E. , Goner‐Shilo D. , Benyamini Y. 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose:  Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure without evidence of a space occupying lesion. The purpose of this study was to assess the subjective perception of PTC and its association with stress, anxiety and global quality of life (QOL).Methods:  Fifty‐eight women diagnosed with PTC completed questionnaires measuring their subjective appraisal of PTC and specific perceptions of the symptoms, causes, consequences, timeline, controllability and their anxiety, perceived stress, and QOL.Results:  Appraisals of the condition were mostly of loss or threat and those were related to greater anxiety, stress and poorer QOL. Negative perceptions of PTC were related to greater anxiety, stress and poorer QOL. Most of the women attributed their condition to their weight, but adjustment for body mass index ruled out weight as accounting for the findings. Women attributed to the condition symptoms likely to be related to PTC as well as others that seem unrelated.Conclusions:  Our findings underscore the importance of assessing women’s subjective perceptions of their condition as a factor related to their levels of anxiety and stress as well as to their QOL. Accurate symptom diagnosis and treatment as well as psychosocial support could assist women who are coping with the burden of this condition and possibly improve their QOL.
Efalizumab for severe refractory atopic eczema: retrospective study on 11 cases
Authors: Ibler K , Dam TN , Gniadecki R , Kragballe K , Jemec GBE , Agner T 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackground  Efalizumab is a recombinant humanized murine monoclonal antibody against CD11a, approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. However, recent reports suggest that it also may be effective in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD).Objective  To evaluate the clinical effect of efalizumab in AD.Methods  A systematic retrospective study of the medical files of patients treated with efalizumab for AD in Danish dermatology departments. Positive outcome was defined as improvement of the disease registered in the patient's file over a period exceeding 6 months.Results  Two of eleven patients had a positive outcome. Nine patients stopped treatment due to progression of AD or lack of effect.Limitations  Retrospective study.Conclusions  Only a minority of patients with severe AD responded to efalizumab treatment in a standard dose.
A preliminary investigation into the effect of coffee on hypolagesia associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
Authors: Dickie Allen , Tabasam Ghazala , Tashani Osama , Marchant Paul , Johnson Mark I. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non‐invasive, inexpensive analgesic technique used to relieve pain. It has been suggested that caffeine, an adenosine antagonist, may interfere with TENS action. This double‐blind controlled pilot study investigated the effect of coffee on response to TENS in healthy human participants experiencing experimentally induced pain. Twelve participants (7 female, age range = 20–41 years) took part in two experiments separated by 24 h. Each experiment lasted 80 min and consisted of 3 × 15 min cycles: pre‐TENS, during TENS predrink and during TENS postdrink [coffee (100 mg caffeine) or decaffeinated coffee randomized across experiments]. During each cycle, thresholds for electrical (EPT), mechanical (MPT) and cold pressor (CPT) pain were recorded. The statistical analysis modelled the responses for the coffee and decaffeinated coffee conditions during TENS (i.e. as a standard crossover) and detected no statistically significant effects between coffee and decaffeinated drinks for the natural logarithm (ln) transformed values of electrical pain threshold [ln EPT Coffee−ln EPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·0147 (0·2159)], mechanical pain threshold [ln MPT Coffee−ln MPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·1296 (0·0816)] and cold pain threshold [ln CPT Coffee−ln CPT Decaffeinated coffee mean (standard error) = 0·0793 (0·1139)]. We conclude that a single cup of coffee (100 mg caffeine) had no detectable effect on TENS outcome. Reasons why coffee did not produce a detectable effect on pain threshold are discussed.
Nanotechnologies and controlled release systems for the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA
Authors: Fattal Elias , Barratt Gillian 
Published: April 2009

Antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA have enormous potential for the treatment of a number of diseases, including cancer. However, several impediments to their widespread use as drugs still have to be overcome: in particular their lack of stability in physiological fluids and their poor penetration into cells. Association with or encapsulation within nano‐ and microsized drug delivery systems could help to solve these problems. In this review, we describe the progress that has been made using delivery systems composed of natural or synthetic polymers in the form of complexes, nanoparticles or microparticles.This article is part of a themed section on Vector Design and Drug Delivery. For a list of all articles in this section see the end of this paper, or visit:http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=200
Gastrointestinal safety and therapeutic efficacy of parenterally administered phosphatidylcholine‐associated indomethacin in rodent model systems
Authors: Lichtenberger LM , Romero JJ , Dial EJ 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Indomethacin is a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is limited in its enteral or parenteral use by side effects of gastroduodenal bleeding and ulceration. We have investigated the ability of phosphatidylcholine associated with indomethacin to form a therapeutically effective drug (INDO‐PC) with reduced gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity for parenteral use.Experimental approach: Rats were treated acutely by intravenous or chronically with subcutaneous injection of vehicle, indomethacin or INDO‐PC using three related protocols. We then evaluated the following properties of these parenterally administered test drugs: (i) GI toxicity (luminal and faecal haemoglobin; intestinal perforations and adhesions; and haematocrit); (ii) bioavailability (plasma indomethacin); and (iii) therapeutic efficacy (analgesia from sensitivity to pressure; anti‐inflammatory from ankle thickness; cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) inhibition from synovial fluid prostaglandin E2concentration) in rats with adjuvant‐induced joint inflammation.Key results: Acute and chronic dosing with INDO‐PC produced less GI bleeding and intestinal injury than indomethacin alone, whereas the bioavailability, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory and COX inhibitory activity of INDO‐PC were comparable to indomethacin.Conclusions and implications: The chemical association of phosphatidylcholine with indomethacin appears to markedly reduce the GI toxicity of the NSAID while providing equivalent therapeutic efficacy in a parenteral INDO‐PC formulation.
AN ALGORITHM TO DETERMINE THE VOLUME OF A BODY FROM IRREGULARLY PLACED SPOT HEIGHTS
Authors: Dowman I. J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe paper describes how a computer can be programmed to form triangles from points, having x, y and z co‐ordinates and selected in an arbitrary manner, to calculate the area of each triangle and to determine the volume of the prism above or below the triangle. The sum of these volumes gives the total volume of a body.
A Phase II, Open‐Label Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Imiquimod in the Treatment of Superficial and Mixed Infantile Hemangioma
Authors: McCuaig Catherine C. , Dubois Josée , Powell Julie , Belleville Claude , David Michèle , Rousseau Élisabeth , Gendron Roxanne , Jafarian Fatemeh , Auger Isabelle 
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Objectives:  To explore the efficacy and safety of imiquimod 5% cream as a treatment for infantile hemangioma.Design:  Phase II, open‐label, noncomparative study of imiquimod applied during 16 weeks, with posttherapy follow‐up 16 weeks later (8 months total).Setting:  Outpatient pediatric tertiary care referral center in Quebec, Canada.Participants:  Healthy infants up to 8.8 months of age with previously untreated, nonulcerated, proliferative superficial or mixed infantile hemangioma, excluding periorbital, or perineal localization, ≥100 cm2 in size.Intervention:  Topical imiquimod applied three to seven times per week for 16 weeks to infantile hemangioma.Main Outcome Measures:  Lesion area, volume, depth (Doppler ultrasound), and color (erythema), serum drug, and interferon‐alpha levels.Results:  Sixteen infants (11 girls, 5 boys) with a mean age at entry of 4.1 months and mean lesion area of 32.89 cm2, and volume of 39.98 cm3 were enrolled. Two participants discontinued treatment early, one for an adverse event (crying upon application), the other because of the lack of compliance. Local skin reactions were consistent with those reported in adults. Two cases had a decrease and three had an increase in lesion parameters; otherwise no meaningful changes in lesion area, volume, or depth were observed. At the 4‐month posttreatment visit, 11 of 14 subjects had improvement in erythema (marginal homogeneity test = 2.668, p = 0.008). Measured serum drug and interferon‐alpha levels were low or undetectable.Conclusions:  Treatment of infants with infantile hemangioma with imiquimod up to seven times per week for 16 weeks was generally well tolerated with low systemic exposure. Improvement was observed in hemangioma coloration, but not lesion size, suggesting effects were limited to the superficial component.