bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of levosimendan in experimental acute coxsackievirus myocarditis
Authors: Latva‐Hirvelä J. , Kytö V. , Saraste A. , Vuorinen T. , Levijoki J. , Saukko P. 
Published: September 2009

See Editorial on page 839.AbstractBackground Acute heart failure is a potentially fatal manifestation of viral myocarditis. Development of myocardial damage in myocarditis involves cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Levosimendan is a novel calcium sensitizing inotropic agent with anti‐apoptotic properties. We studied the feasibility of inotropic treatment with levosimendan and its effects on apoptosis in experimental acute heart failure caused by coxsackievirus myocarditis.Materials and methods Adolescent BALB/c mice were infected with myocarditic Woodruff variant of coxsackievirus B3 (2 × 104plaque‐forming units). Mice were randomized into those receiving levosimendan 0·33 mg kg−1(total dose 1 mg kg−1 day−1) (n = 20) or vehicle (n = 19) given orally by gauge three times a day for 7 days after infection. Left ventricular function was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and the mice were euthanized on day 7. Histopathology, amount of virus in the heart (virus titration assay) and cardiomyocyte apoptosis (TUNEL assay) were studied. Uninfected untreated control mice were also studied.Results Infection resulted in histopathologically severe myocarditis and significant impairment of left ventricular function. Levosimendan treatment significantly improved ventricular function (fractional shortening 0·32 ± 0·04 vs. 0·23 ± 0·05,P = 0·005; contractility 0·60 ± 0·12 vs. 0·39 ± 0·14,P = 0·007 and myocardial performance index 0·36 ± 0·06 vs. 0·62 ± 0·15,P < 0·0001) compared with vehicle. Levosimendan also reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis (0·26 ± 0·08% vs. 0·44 ± 0·15% in vehicle,P = 0·008), but did not have an effect on areas of myocardial necrosis or inflammation, or the amount of virus in the heart. Levosimendan treatment did not affect mortality (total mortality 63%).Conclusions Levosimendan improves ventricular function and inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis; therefore, it is suggested as a potentially feasible therapy in acute heart failure caused by viral myocarditis.
A view of extraterrestrial soils
Authors: Certini G. , Scalenghe R. , Amundson R. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe nature of soils on celestial bodies other than Earth is a growing area of research in planetary geology. However, disagreement over the significance of these deposits arises, in part, through the lack of a unified concept and definition of soil in the literature. The pragmatic definition ‘medium for plant growth’ is taken by some to imply the necessity of biota for soil to exist, and has been commonly adopted in the planetary science community. In contrast, a more complex and informative definition is based on scientific theory: soil is the (bio)geochemically/physically altered material at the surface of a planetary body that encompasses surficial extraterrestrial telluric deposits. This definition is based on the premise that soil is a body that retains information about its environmental history and that it does not need the presence of life to form. Four decades of missions have gathered geochemical information regarding the surface of planets and bodies within the Solar System, and information is quickly increasing. Reviewing the current knowledge on properties of extraterrestrial regoliths, we conclude that the surficial deposits of Venus, Mars and our moon should be considered to be soils in a pedological sense, and that Mercury and some large asteroids are covered in mantles that are soil candidates. A key environmental distinction between Earth and other Solar System bodies is the presence of life, and because of this dissimilarity in soil‐forming processes, it is reasonable to distinguish these (presently) abiotic soils as Astrosols. Attempts to provide detailed classifications of extraterrestrial soils are premature, given our poor current knowledge of the Universe, but they highlight the fact that Earth possesses almost‐abiotic environments that lend themselves to providing more understanding about telluric bodies of the Solar System.
“He found himself in the neighbourhood of the asteroids 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, and 330. He began, therefore, by visiting them, in order to add to his knowledge.”
(Excerpt from the The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint‐Exupéry)
Climate dependence of heterotrophic soil respiration from a soil‐translocation experiment along a 3000 m tropical forest altitudinal gradient
Authors: Zimmermann M. , Meir P. , Bird M. I. , Malhi Y. , Ccahuana A. J. Q. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryTropical ecosystems play a key role in the global carbon cycle, but their response to global warming is not well understood. Altitudinal gradients offer the unique possibility of undertaking in situ experimental studies of the influence of alterations in climate on the carbon (C) cycle. In a soil‐translocation experiment we took replicate soil cores at 3030 m, 1500 m, 1000 m and 200 m above sea level along an altitudinal gradient in tropical forest in Peru, and exchanged (i.e. translocated) them among these sites to observe the influence of altered climatic conditions on the decomposition of soil organic matter under natural field conditions. Soil respiration rates of the translocated soil cores and adjacent undisturbed soils were measured twice a month from April 2007 to October 2007. The temperature sensitivity of heterotrophic respiration in each core was examined using a Lloyd & Taylor function and a simple modified third‐order polynomial fit. Calculated Q10 values decreased with decreasing altitude using both mathematical functions (2.53–1.24 according to the Lloyd & Taylor function, and 2.56–0.63 using the polynomial fit). Soil organic C‐stocks increased markedly and linearly with altitude, but surprisingly the average total soil respiration rate did not vary significantly with altitude along the transect (3.98–4.31 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1). This implies an increase with elevation of absolute C allocation to below‐ground allocation.
Nitrogen aboveground turnover and soil stocks to 8 m depth in primary and selectively logged forest in southern Amazonia
Authors: FELDPAUSCH TED R. , COUTO EDUARDO G. , RODRIGUES LUIZ CARLOS , PAULETTO DANIELA , JOHNSON MARK S. , FAHEY TIMOTHY J. , LEHMANN JOHANNES , RIHA SUSAN J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractExtensive areas of Amazonia undergo selective logging, modifying forest structure and nutrient cycles. Anthropogenic‐accelerated rates of nitrogen (N) turnover could increase N loss and affect regeneration, carbon sequestration and timber production. We quantified leaf area reduction, canopy opening and downed biomass and resultant N flux from reduced impact logging (RIL) activities. We compared canopy reduction, surface soil moisture and nitrate to 8 m depth between logged gaps and intact primary forest to determine if logging activities increase subsoil nitrate. To test long‐term logging effects, we evaluated surface N stocks along a 12‐year postlogging chronosequence. At the harvest rate of 2.6 trees ha−1, total N additions in logging gaps, including leaves and wood from felled crowns (24.8 kg N ha−1) and other killed trees (41.9 kg N ha−1), accounted for over 80% of the total N addition to aboveground necromass from all logging activities (81.9 kg N ha−1). Despite this N turnover by logging, belowground nitrate storage to 8 m depth did not differ between logging gaps and primary forest at the low harvest rate and disturbance intensity of this study. Soil water depletion also did not differ between gaps and primary forest over 1 year, indicating the impact on belowground inorganic N was low. Compared with primary forest, nitrate concentrations to 8 m depth in logging gaps were only significantly higher at 60–100 cm, suggesting some N redistribution beyond the bulk of the fine roots in logging gaps. Extrapolated to the Amazon Basin scale, we provide a conservative estimate that logging damage and bole export under RIL would turn over 0.14 ± 0.07 to 0.23 ± 0.12 Tg N yr−1based on 1999–2002 selective logging rates. Greater damage during conventional selective logging would cause higher N turnover throughout the Amazon Basin than our results based on RIL.
Partitioning pattern of carbon flux in a Kobresia grassland on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau revealed by field 13C pulse‐labeling
Authors: WU YIBO , TAN HONGCHAO , DENG YONGCUI , WU JING , XU XINGLIANG , WANG YANFEN , TANG YANHONG , HIGASHI TERUO , CUI XIAOYONG 
Published: September 2009

AbstractCharacterizing the carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for understanding and predicting carbon dynamics in ecosystems. We used in situ13C pulse labeling to track photosynthetic carbon fluxes from shoot to roots and to soil in a Kobresia humilis meadow on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. We found that about 36.7% of labeled carbon was translocated out from the shoots within the first 24 h after photosynthetic uptake. This is equivalent to 66.1% of total 13C moving out from the shoot during the 32‐day chase period, indicating a rapid and large translocation of newly fixed carbon to belowground parts in these alpine plants. 58.7% of the assimilated 13C was transferred belowground. At the end of the chase phase, 30.9% was retained in living roots, 3.4% in dead roots, 17.2% lost as belowground respiration and 7.3% remained in the soil. In the four carbon pools (i.e., shoots, living roots, dead roots, and soil pools), living roots consistently had the highest proportion of 13C in the plant–soil system during the 32 days. Based on the 13C partitioning pattern and biomass production, we estimate a total of 4930 kg C ha−1 was allocated belowground during the vegetation growth season in this alpine meadow. Of this, roots accumulated 2868 kg C ha−1 and soils accumulated 613 kg C ha−1. This study suggests that carbon storage in belowground carbon pools plays the most important role in carbon cycles in the alpine meadow.
Negative feedback in the cold: ice retreat produces new carbon sinks in Antarctica
Authors: PECK L. S. , BARNES D. K. A. , COOK A. J. , FLEMING A. H. , CLARKE A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractFeedbacks on climate change so far identified are predominantly positive, enhancing the rate of change. Loss of sea‐ice, increase in desert areas, water vapour increase, loss of tropical rain forest and the restriction of significant areas of marine productivity to higher latitude (thus smaller geographical zones) all lead to an enhancement of the rate of change. The other major feedback identified, changes in cloud radiation, will produce either a positive feedback, if high level clouds are produced, or a negative feedback if low level clouds are produced. Few significant negative feedbacks have been identified, let alone quantified. Here, we show that the loss of ice shelves and retreat of coastal glaciers around the Antarctic Peninsula in the last 50 years has exposed at least 2.4 × 104 km2 of new open water. We estimate that these new areas of open water have allowed new phytoplankton blooms containing a total standing stock of ∼5.0 × 105 tonnes of carbon to be produced. New marine zooplankton and seabed communities have also been produced, which we estimate contain ∼4.1 × 105 tonnes of carbon. This previously unquantified carbon sink acts as a negative feedback to climate change. New annual productivity, as opposed to standing stock, amounts to 3.5 × 106 tonnes yr−1 of carbon, of which 6.9 × 105 tonnes yr−1 deposits to the seabed. By comparison the total aboveground biomasses of lowland American tropical rainforest is 160–435 tonnes ha−1. Around 50% of this is carbon. On this basis the carbon held in new biomass described here is roughly equivalent to 6000–17 000 ha of tropical rainforest. As ice loss increases in polar regions this feedback will become stronger, and eventually, over thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, over 50 Mtonnes of new carbon could be fixed annually in new coastal phytoplankton blooms and over 10 Mtonnes yr−1 locked in biological standing stock around Antarctica.
PDEs1‐5 activity and expression in tissues of cirrhotic rats reveal a role for aortic PDE3 in NO desensitization
Authors: Tahseldar‐Roumieh Rima , Keravis Thérèse , Maarouf Suha , Justiniano Hélène , Sabra Ramzi , Lugnier Claire 
Published: September 2009

SummaryLiver cirrhosis is associated with increased nitric oxide (NO) production in the vasculature. We have previously demonstrated that aorta from rats with liver cirrhosis have a reduced relaxant response to NO donors that is corrected by DMPPO, a PDE5‐specific inhibitor. Vasodilator responses to DMPPO itself were also reduced in rings from cirrhotic rats. These results supported previous suggestions that upregulation of PDE5 in liver cirrhosis might contribute to renal sodium retention, and consequently modulate vascular reactivity in the context of increased NO production (Tahseldar‐Roumieh et al. in Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 290, H481–H488, 2006). Here, we investigated the possible alteration in activity and expression of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE1–PDE5 in kidney and vascular tissues in rats 4 weeks after bile duct ligation. The kidney of rats with cirrhosis had increased activity of PDE1 and PDE4 but not PDE5, and increased expression of PDE1A. Unexpectedly and interestingly, there was no change in cirrhotic aorta PDE5, but an increase in PDE3 and PDE4 activity associated with increased expression of PDE3A and PDE3B. Cilostamide, a specific PDE3 inhibitor, corrected the decreased response to an NO donor in isolated aorta from cirrhotic rats, suggesting that the difference in response to NO donors was due to differences in PDE3‐induced hydrolysis of cGMP or to cGMP‐induced inhibition of PDE3, rather than to differences in PDE5 contribution. In conclusion, these changes in PDE isozymes could greatly contribute to NO desensitization and to the regulation of vascular and renal function in liver cirrhosis.
Gamma–delta T cell subsets are differentially associated with granuloma development and organization in a bovine model of mycobacterial disease
Authors: Plattner Brandon L. , Doyle Robert T. , Hostetter Jesse M. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe characteristic lesion in bovine tuberculosis is well‐organized respiratory granulomas. This is typically associated with a strong T‐helper 1 biased cell‐mediated immune response and eventual containment of the infection. In bovine paratuberculosis, the classic lesion is unorganized granulomatous intestinal inflammation. Clinical paratuberculosis is associated with a T‐helper 2 biased humoral immune response and eventual death because of inability of the host to contain the infection. Recent reports have suggested that gamma–delta (γδ) T cells play a significant role in granuloma development and/or maintenance during initial stages of infection and may influence the subsequent adaptive immune response. The objective of this study was to use an in vivo bovine model to evaluate γδ T cells during the early host immune response to mycobacterial infection. We used immunofluorescent staining, hyperspectral microscopy, and computerized assisted morphometry to evaluate staining and distribution of γδ T cells during development of organized and unorganized granulomas. Our data suggest that bovine γδ T cell subsets are differentially recruited to early infection sites, and may be instrumental during the initial antimycobacterial host immune response as well as for granuloma organization.
Efficacy of Artabotrys odoratissimus oil as a plant based antimicrobial against storage fungi and aflatoxin B1 secretion
Authors: Srivastava Bhawana , Singh Priyanka , Srivastava Anjil Kumar , Shukla Ravindra , Dubey Nawal Kishore 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe essential oil of Artabotrys odoratissimus R.Br. was evaluated for antifungal activity against some storage fungi causing contamination of food stuffs. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the oil was found to be 750 μL L−1 against Aspergillus flavus Link. It was found superior over different prevalent synthetic fungicides which inhibited the growth of A. flavus between 1000–5000 μL L−1. The oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against fourteen different storage fungi. Aspergillus fumigatus was inhibited at 1000 μL L−1 whereas Cladosporium cladosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium oryzae, Macrophomina phaseolina, Microsporum gypseum, Mucor racemosus, Penicillium italicum, Pythium debaryanum, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Trichoderma viride at 500 μL L−1. Aspergillus niger was found to be inhibited only 84.9% at 1000 μL L−1. In addition, the oil showed significant efficacy in arresting aflatoxin B1 secretion by the toxigenic strain (Navjot 4NSt) of A. flavus at 750 μL L−1. The efficacy of A. odoratissimus oil as aflatoxin suppressor is being reported for the first time.
Influence of emulsion composition on lubrication capacity and texture perception
Authors: Bellamy Mélanie , Godinot Nicolas , Mischler Stefano , Martin Nathalie , Hartmann Christoph 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe role of fat content and type of surfactant for oral friction processes and texture perception of oil‐in‐water emulsions was assessed. Emulsions at 22% and 33% fat content containing either sodium caseinate or a sucrose ester as emulsifier were compared with viscosity‐adapted aqueous solutions of dextran using both sensory evaluation and friction coefficient measurements on a tongue‐palate contact model. The impact of saliva on the emulsion droplet size distribution was studied using tribology, differential interference contrast microscopy and light diffraction measurements. Emulsions at 33% and the corresponding iso‐viscous aqueous solutions were discriminated in the sensory experiment whereas emulsions at 22% were not. Friction was significantly different for emulsions at 33% and the corresponding iso‐viscous aqueous solutions. The difference was not significant for emulsions with 22% fat level when compared with the iso‐viscous aqueous solutions. Saliva significantly decreased the friction coefficient of emulsions depending on the surfactant and amount of fat used.
Physicochemical and morphological characterisation of açai (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) powder produced with different carrier agents
Authors: Tonon Renata V. , Brabet Catherine , Pallet Dominique , Brat Pierre , Hubinger Míriam D. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryPhysicochemical and morphological properties of açai powder produced with different carrier agents were evaluated in this work. Powders were produced by spray drying, using maltodextrin 10DE, maltodextrin 20DE, gum arabic and tapioca starch as carrier agents. Powder characterisation included analysis of moisture content, water activity, solubility, hygroscopicity, particle size distribution, morphology, total polyphenolics and antioxidant activity. Results showed that the samples produced with maltodextrin 20DE and gum arabic presented the smallest size and highest hygroscopicity. The powder produced with tapioca starch exhibited the lowest hygroscopity and solubility, and the highest mean diameter. With regard to morphology, all particles exhibited spherical and shrivelled surfaces, except those produced with tapioca starch, which exhibited rounded and smooth surfaces. Powders produced with maltodextrins and gum arabic showed high polyphenolic retention and antioxidant activity preservation after storage at 40 °C for 15 days, while for the particles produced with tapioca starch, this protective effect was less pronounced.
The effects of ice storage on inosine monophosphate, inosine, hypoxanthine, and biogenic amine formation in European catfish (Silurus glanis) fillets
Authors: Özogul Fatih , Kamari Nihal , Küley Esmeray , Özogul Yesim 
Published: September 2009

SummaryEuropean catfish fillets in ice were evaluated by measuring nucleotide components and biogenic amine contents and these then compared with sensory and microbiological assessment during the 21 days of iced storage. Analyses were carried out using two different rapid HPLC methods for nucleotid degradation products and biogenic amine contents in European catfish fillets. Sensory evaluation showed that storage life of European catfish found to be 14–18 days. Initial inosine monophosphate (IMP) level was 12.6 μmol g­1 and then decreased during the rest of storage period. Inosine (INO) level increased rapidly until 7 days of storage. Hypoxanthine (Hx) level increased almost linearly with storage time. The most accumulated biogenic amines were putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, and serotonin in all the European catfish fillets during the storage, although the formation of biogenic amines levels was fluctuated. Histamine was only detectable at 4 and 7 days of storage as low as 1 mg 100 g­1 fish. Total viable count in European catfish increased rapidly with storage time and reached ≤109 cfu g­1 when the fillets were not acceptable for consumption.
Effects of irradiation and storage on the physico‐chemical and sensory properties of hamburgers enriched with lycopene
Authors: Selgas Ma. Dolores , García Ma. Luisa , Calvo Marta M. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryIn order to increase their safety and shelf‐life, raw hamburgers containing 30, 45 and 60 g kg−1 dry tomato peel (DTP) as a source of lycopene were manufactured, vacuum‐packed and irradiated with 2 or 4 kGy. The effects of this treatment on microbial load, lycopene concentration, physico‐chemical and sensory properties were studied during 17 days of refrigerated storage. After irradiation with 4 kGy and 17 days of storage, microbial levels fell, four logarithmic cycles and the lycopene concentration fell to 15% of the initial value. Even with this decrease, hamburgers containing 6% DTP had a final lycopene concentration of 7.14 mg per 100 g of hamburger, an amount very close to the recommended daily intake for a healthy diet. DTP masks the brownish colour characteristic of irradiated meat, and 6% DTP gives to the hamburger similar redness (a* parameter), independently of the dose of radiation applied. Sensory characteristics were influenced by irradiation, but the higher lycopene concentration (6 g kg−1) masked these changes sufficiently to assure an acceptable colour and odour in the final product after the storage period.
Selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked tuna, swordfish and Atlantic salmon fillets
Authors: Visciano Pierina , Perugini Monia , Manera Maurizio , Amorena Michele 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in commercial smoked fillets of tuna, swordfish and Atlantic salmon was studied. In Europe, the smoking technique is widely used in fish processing and these species are the most representative of the taste of consumers for smoked products. Samples were purchased on the Italian market and analysed by HPLC. Mean concentrations (ng g−1) of acenaphthene (4.4, 6.2, 11.2), phenanthrene (11.5, 18.5, 8.9), anthracene (2.4, 5.2, 1.8), fluoranthene (17.0, 9.4, 4.7), benzo(k)fluoranthene (0.3, 0.1, 0.2) and benzo(a)pyrene (1.3, 0.1, 0.4) were found in Atlantic salmon, tuna and swordfish respectively. Benzo(b)fluoranthene (1.2 ng g−1) was detected only in Atlantic salmon whereas dibenz(a,h)anthracene was never detected in this species, but only in tuna (0.5 ng g−1) and swordfish (1.1 ng g−1). Atlantic salmon contained the highest level of benzo(a)pyrene (2.8 ng g−1) which is below the European regulatory level of 5 ng g−1.