bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tissue and cellular localization of individual β‐glycosidases using a substrate‐specific sugar reducing assay
Authors: Sánchez‐Pérez Raquel , Jørgensen Kirsten , Motawia Mohammed S. , Dicenta Federico , Møller Birger L. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryTraditional methods to localize β‐glycosidase activity in tissue sections have been based on incubation with the general substrate 6‐bromo‐2‐naphthyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside. When hydrolysed in the presence of salt zinc compounds, 6‐bromo‐2‐naphthyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside affords the formation of an insoluble coloured product. This technique does not distinguish between different β‐glycosidases present in the tissue. To be able to monitor the occurrence of individual β‐glycosidases in different tissues and cell types, we have developed a versatile histochemical method that can be used for localization of any β‐glycosidase that upon incubation with its specific substrate releases a reducing sugar. Experimentally, the method is based on hydrolysis of the specific substrate followed by oxidation of the sugar released by a tetrazolium salt (2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride) that forms a red insoluble product when reduced. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by tissue and cellular localization of two β‐glucosidases, amygdalin hydrolase and prunasin hydrolase, in different tissues and cell types of almond. In those cases where the analysed tissue had a high content of reducing sugars, this resulted in strong staining of the background. This interfering staining of the background was avoided by prior incubation with sodium borohydride. The specificity of the devised method was demonstrated in a parallel localization study using a specific antibody towards prunasin hydrolase.
FATTY ACID DESATURASE4 of Arabidopsis encodes a protein distinct from characterized fatty acid desaturases
Authors: Gao Jinpeng , Ajjawi Imad , Manoli Arthur , Sawin Andrew , Xu Changcheng , Froehlich John E. , Last Robert L. , Benning Christoph 
Published: August 2009

SummaryPolar membrane glycerolipids occur in a mixture of molecular species defined by a polar head group and characteristic acyl groups esterified to a glycerol backbone. A molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol specific to chloroplasts of plants carries a Δ3‐trans hexadecenoic acid in the sn‐2 position of its core glyceryl moiety. The fad4‐1 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana missing this particular phosphatidylglycerol molecular species lacks the necessary fatty acid desaturase, or a component thereof. The overwhelming majority of acyl groups associated with membrane lipids in plants contains double bonds with a cis configuration. However, FAD4 is unusual because it is involved in the formation of a trans double bond introduced close to the carboxyl group of palmitic acid, which is specifically esterified to the sn‐2 glyceryl carbon of phosphatidylglycerol. As a first step towards the analysis of this unusual desaturase reaction, the FAD4 gene was identified by mapping of the FAD4 locus and coexpression analysis with known lipid genes. FAD4 encodes a predicted integral membrane protein that appears to be unrelated to classic membrane bound fatty acid desaturases based on overall sequence conservation. However, the FAD4 protein contains two histidine motifs resembling those of metalloproteins such as fatty acid desaturases. FAD4 is targeted to the plastid. Overexpression of the cDNA in transgenic Arabidopsis led to increased accumulation of the Δ3‐trans hexadecanoyl group in phosphatidylglycerol relative to wild type. Taken together these results are consistent with the hypothesis that FAD4 is the founding member of a novel class of fatty acid desaturases.
Automated pre‐ejection period variation predicts fluid responsiveness in low tidal volume ventilated pigs
Authors: VISTISEN S. T. , KOEFOED‐NIELSEN J. , LARSSON A. 
Published: August 2009

Introduction: The respiratory variation in the pre‐ejection period (ΔPEP) has been used to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. Recently, we automated this parameter and indexed it to tidal volume (PEPV) and showed that it was a reliable predictor for post‐cardiac surgery, mainly paced, patients ventilated with low tidal volumes. The aims of the present animal study were to investigate PEPV's ability to predict fluid responsiveness under different fluid loading conditions and natural heart rates during low tidal volume ventilation (6 ml/kg) and to compare the performance of PEPV with other markers of fluid responsiveness.Methods: Eight prone, anesthetized piglets (23–27 kg) ventilated with tidal volumes of 6 ml/kg were subjected to a sequence of 25% hypovolemia, normovolemia, and 25% and 50% hypervolemia. PEPV, ΔPEP, pulse pressure variation (PPV), central venous pressure (CVP), and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) were measured before each volume expansion.Results: Sensitivity was 89% and specificity was 93% for PEPV, 78% and 93% for ΔPEP, 89% and 100% for PPV, 78% and 93% for CVP, and 89% and 87% for PAOP.Conclusion: PEPV predicts fluid responsiveness in low tidal volume ventilated piglets.
Late sensory function after intraoperative capsaicin wound instillation
Authors: AASVANG E. K. , HANSEN J. B. , KEHLET H. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Intense capsaicin‐induced C‐fiber stimulation results in reversible lysis of the nerve soma, thereby making capsaicin wound instillation of potential interest for the treatment of post‐operative pain. Clinical histological and short‐term sensory studies suggest that the C‐fiber function is partly re‐established after skin injection of capsaicin. However, no study has evaluated the long‐term effects of wound instillation of purified capsaicin on sensory functions.Methods: Patients included in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized study of the analgesic effect of capsaicin after groin hernia repair were examined by quantitative sensory testing before, 1 week and 2 years post‐operatively. The primary endpoint was occurrence of hyperalgesia/allodynia. The secondary endpoints were acute and late sensory changes between the two patient groups. Patients were blinded to the allocated treatment.Results: Twenty (100%) capsaicin and 16 (76%) placebo‐treated patients were seen at the year follow‐up. Hyperalgesia was seen in five capsaicin‐ vs. one placebo‐treated patient (P=0.2). The mechanical detection threshold was significantly increased on the operated side in the capsaicin vs. placebo group at the 1‐week follow‐up (P<0.05), but was not different at the year follow‐up (P=0.3). There were no other significant differences in sensory function on the operated side between groups at the pre‐operative, 1‐week or year post‐operative follow‐up (P>0.05). The sensory function on the contralateral side was comparable between groups throughout the study (P>0.1).Conclusion: This small‐volume study calls for further long‐term safety studies of wound capsaicin instillation.
Visualization of alveolar recruitment in a porcine model of unilateral lung lavage using 3He‐MRI
Authors: RUDOLPH A. , MARKSTALLER K. , GAST K. K. , DAVID M. , SCHREIBER W. G. , EBERLE B. 
Published: August 2009

Background: In the acute respiratory distress syndrome potentially recruitable lung volume is currently discussed. 3He‐magnetic resonance imaging (3He‐MRI) offers the possibility to visualize alveolar recruitment directly.Methods: With the approval of the state animal care committee, unilateral lung damage was induced in seven anesthetized pigs by saline lavage of the right lungs. The left lung served as an intraindividual control (healthy lung). Unilateral lung damage was confirmed by conventional proton MRI and spiral‐CT scanning. The total aerated lung volume was determined both at a positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 0 and 10 mbar from three‐dimensionally reconstructed 3He images, both for healthy and damaged lungs. The fractional increase of aerated volume in damaged and healthy lungs, followed by a PEEP increase from 0 to 10 mbar, was compared.Results: Aerated gas space was visualized with a high spatial resolution in the three‐dimensionally reconstructed 3He‐MR images, and aeration defects in the lavaged lung matched the regional distribution of atelectasis in proton MRI. After recruitment and PEEP increase, the aerated volume increased significantly both in healthy lungs from 415 ml [270–445] (median [min–max]) to 481 ml [347–523] and in lavaged lungs from 264 ml [71–424] to 424 ml [129–520]. The fractional increase in lavaged lungs was significantly larger than that in healthy lungs (healthy: 17% [11–38] vs. lavage: 42% [14–90] (P=0.031).Conclusion: The 3He‐MRI signal might offer an experimental approach to discriminate atelectatic vs. poor aerated lung areas in a lung damage animal model. Our results confirm the presence of potential recruitable lung volume by either alveolar collapse or alveolar flooding, in accordance with previous reports by computed tomography.
Levosimendan cardioprotection in acutely β‐1 adrenergic receptor blocked open chest pigs
Authors: METZSCH C. , LINNÉR R. , STEEN S. , LIAO Q. , ALGOTSSON L. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Levosimendan and volatile anesthetics have myocardial pre‐conditioning effects. β‐1 adrenergic receptor antagonists may inhibit the protective effect of volatile anesthetics. No information exists as to whether this also applies to the pre‐conditioning effect of levosimendan. We therefore investigated whether levosimendan added to metoprolol would demonstrate a cardioprotective effect.Methods: Three groups of anesthetized open chest pigs underwent 30 min of myocardial ischemia and 90 min of reperfusion by temporary occlusion of the largest side branch from the circumflex artery or the left anterior descending artery. One group (CTRL) served as a control, in another group (BETA), a metoprolol‐loading dose was intravenously injected 30 min before ischemia, and in a third group (BETA+L), a levosimendan infusion was added to metoprolol. Myocardial tissue concentrations of glucose, glycerol, and lactate/pyruvate ratio as the primary end‐points were investigated with microdialysis in ischemic and non‐ischemic tissues.Results: At the end of the ischemic period, statistically significant differences were only found between CTRL and BETA+L in the ischemic myocardium, with a lower lactate/pyruvate ratio, lower glycerol, and higher glucose concentrations in BETA+L as compared with CTRL. There were no differences in non‐ischemic myocardium. From 10 to 90 min of reperfusion, no more differences were found between groups.Conclusion: The cardioprotective effect of levosimendan on ischemic metabolism with a reduction in the myocardial lactate/pyruvate ratio, less glycerol accumulation, and better preserved glucose concentration does not seem to be prevented by β‐1 adrenergic receptor antagonism with metoprolol.
Improved outcome after trauma care in university‐level intensive care units
Authors: ALA‐KOKKO T. I. , OHTONEN P. , KOSKENKARI J. , LAURILA J. J. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Centralized trauma care has been shown to be associated with improved patient outcome. We compared the outcomes of trauma patients in relation to the size of the intensive care unit (ICU) using a large Finnish database.Methods: A national prospectively collected ICU data registry was used for analysis. All adult trauma admissions excluding isolated head trauma and burns registered from July 1999 to December 2006 were analyzed. Data from 22 ICUs were available. The non‐university‐affiliated units were categorized according to the number of beds and referral population as small, mid size and large. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II)‐ and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA)‐adjusted mortalities were compared between the units.Results: There were 2067 trauma admissions that fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 38% were treated in the university hospitals, 26% in large non‐teaching ICUs, 20% in mid size ICUs and 15% in small ICUs. The crude hospital mortality was 5.6%, being 4.7% in university ICU and 6.6% in mid size ICU. In two subgroup analyses of severely ill trauma patients with APACHE II points >25 or SOFA score >8 points, respectively, hospital mortality was significantly lower in university ICUs.Conclusions: University‐level hospitals were associated with better outcomes with critically ill trauma patients. These results can be used in planning future organization of trauma patient care in Finland.
Effect of P6 acustimulation on post‐operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: FREY U. H. , FUNK M. , LÖHLEIN C. , PETERS J. 
Published: August 2009

Background
Non‐pharmacologic techniques such as electrical acustimulation may mitigate post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acustimulation on attenuating PONV. Moreover, we tested whether a pre‐ or a post‐induction application of acustimulation results in differences in PONV reduction.Methods
In this prospective, double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial, we studied 200 patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy during propofol (induction) fentanyl/isoflurane/atracurium (maintenance) anaesthesia. In the acustimulation group (n=101), subdivided into groups with pre‐induction (n=57) and post‐induction (n=44) acustimulation, an active ReliefBand® device was placed at the P6 acupoint. In the sham group (n=99), also subdivided into pre‐induction (n=55) or post‐induction (n=44) groups, an inactive device was applied instead. The ReliefBand® remained in place for 24 h after surgery. Nausea and vomiting/retching were recorded at 2, 6, and 24 h post‐operatively.Results
The incidence of early nausea (up to 2 h) was significantly lower in the acustimulation than in the sham group (29% vs. 42%; P=0.043). No significant effect could be detected for retching/vomiting. Moreover, acustimulation showed no effect on PONV after 6 and 24 h. Risk factor analysis (female gender, non‐smoker, history of PONV/motion sickness, and post‐operative morphine usage) revealed a relative reduction in risk of 40% for nausea (P=0.021) and 55% for retching/vomiting (P=0.048) in patients with three or four risk factors present. The timing of (pre‐ vs. post‐induction) acustimulation had no significant effect on PONV reduction.Conclusion
Acustimulation at the P6 acupoint reduces early nausea, but not vomiting, after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, irrespective of its pre‐ or post‐induction application.
The GlideScope Ranger® video laryngoscope can be useful in airway management of entrapped patients
Authors: NAKSTAD A. R. , SANDBERG M. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Airway management of entrapped patients is challenging and alternatives to endotracheal intubation with a Macintosh laryngoscope must be considered. In this study, the GlideScope Ranger® video laryngoscope has been evaluated as an alternative to standard laryngoscopy.Methods: Eight anaesthesiologists from a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service intubated the trachea of a Laerdal SimMan® manikin using the studied laryngoscopes in two scenarios: (A) unrestricted access to the manikin in an ambulance and (B) no access from the head end, simulating an entrapped patient. The time used to secure the airway and the scored level of difficulty were the main variables.Results: In scenario A, all anaesthesiologists managed to secure the airway using both techniques within the 60‐s time limit. In scenario B, all secured the airway when using the video laryngoscope, while 50% succeeded with endotracheal intubation using the Macintosh laryngoscope. The difference in the success rate was statististically significant (P=0.025). There were no significant differences in the time spent on endotracheal intubation in the two scenarios or between the devices. All stated that the availability of a video laryngsoscope would make drug‐facilitated intubation a realistic alternative when access to patients is limited. The lack of visual control when using the Macintosh laryngoscope excludes this technique in real‐life settings.Conclusion: This study suggests that the Glidescope Ranger® may be merited in situations requiring endotracheal intubation by an experienced intubator in patient entrapment. Further studies are required to clarify whether performance in patients mimics that in a manikin.
Role of leaf glandular trichomes of melon plants in deterrence of Aphis gossypii Glover
Authors: Sarria Emilio , Palomares‐Rius Francisco J. , López‐Sesé Ana I. , Heredia Antonio , Gómez‐Guillamón Maria L. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractExternal characteristics of the leaf epidermis and their effects on behaviour of Aphis gossypii Glover were evaluated in two Cucumis melo L. genotypes, ‘Bola de Oro’ (aphid susceptible) and TGR‐1551 (aphid resistant) in order to explore their role in the early rejection of TGR‐1551 by this aphid. No differential effects of epicuticular waxes on aphid behaviour were observed. The type, distribution and number of trichomes on melon leaves were also studied. Pubescence in melon, measured as the number of non‐glandular trichomes per cm2, was not sufficient to prevent aphid settling. However, there was a high density of type I glandular trichomes on leaves of the aphid‐resistant genotype. According to microscopic observations and stain testing, these trichomes store and secrete phenols and flavonoids. Free‐choice tests were conducted to determine the effect of these glandular trichomes on A. gossypii preference, revealing that aphids reject leaf disks of TGR‐1551 from the onset of the experiment. Additional experiments after removal of leaf type I glandular trichome exudates showed that A. gossypii preferred washed TGR‐1551 leaf disks over unwashed disks, while this effect was not observed in experiments using washed and unwashed ‘Bola de Oro’ leaf disks. These results suggest that a high density of glandular trichomes and chemicals secreted by them deter A. gossypii and disturb aphid settling on TGR‐1551.
Loss of flower bud vigour in the Mediterranean shrub, Cistus albidus L. at advanced developmental stages
Authors: Oñate M. , Munné‐Bosch S. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTo better understand aging in perennials, age‐related changes in the physiology of leaves and flower buds of the Mediterranean shrub, Cistus albidus L. were evaluated. Two groups of different ages (5 and 10 years old), both at advanced developmental stages but of similar size, were compared. Total plant biomass, biomass produced per apical meristem and levels of cytokinins, abscisic acid and jasmonic acid in leaves and flower buds, as well as flower production, were measured. No differences in plant size, vegetative growth rates and levels of phytohormones in leaves were observed between 5‐ and 10‐year‐old plants. However, they showed significant differences in flower bud development; the older plants having reduced vigour, with 29.6% of flowers reaching anthesis compared to 52.5% in the younger plants. Furthermore, endogenous concentrations of zeatin and abscisic acid in flower buds at stage I (start of flower organ formation) were 61% and 41%, respectively, smaller in 10‐ than in 5‐year‐old plants. At stage II (with all flower organs formed), zeatin and abscisic acid concentrations decreased by ca. 90% and 80%, respectively, but differences between age groups were still evident (60% and 29% for zeatin and abscisic acid, respectively). Jasmonic acid levels in flower buds decreased by 80% from stage I to II, but did not differ between age groups. Despite reductions in flower bud vigour, total number of flowers per individual was not significantly different between age groups, so that an age‐related loss in reproductive vigour at the organ level did not lead to a decrease in flower production at the whole plant level.
Gross Anatomy of the Intestine in the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Authors: Pérez W. , Lima M. , Clauss M. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryWe describe the macroscopic anatomy of the intestine of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). The small intestine was divided into duodenum, jejunum and ileum as usual. The caecum was attached to the ileum by a long ileocaecal fold, and to the proximal ansa of the ascending colon by a caecocolic fold. The ascending colon was the most developed portion of the gross intestine and had the most complex arrangement with three ansae: the proximal ansa, the spiral ansa and the distal ansa. The proximal ansa completely encircled the caecum, describing a 360° gyrus, and represented the widest portion of the intestine. The spiral ansa was formed by three and a half centripetal gyri, a central flexure and three centrifugal gyri. The last centrifugal gyrus left the spiral and described nine flexures of different form and direction over the left side of the mesentery. The two portions that formed each of these flexures ran parallel to each other. The last part of this gyrus ran parallel to the jejunum. When compared with domestic cattle, giraffe had a comparatively short small intestine and a comparatively long large intestine, with a resulting small ratio of small:large intestine. Reasons are presented why this should be considered a peculiarity of cattle‐like ruminants rather than a different representative of a browser–grazer dichotomy in general.
Towards Development of Eco‐Agriculture of Rainwater‐Harvesting for Supplemental Irrigation in the Semi‐Arid Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhao X. N. , Wu P. T. , Feng H. , Wang Y. K. , Shao H. B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe semi‐arid Loess Plateau is a central zone of Chinese rain‐fed farming. Drought and soil erosion are the two major obstacles to restrict economic development in this semi‐arid Loess Plateau. The traditional conservation agriculture and runoff agriculture have been developed for several decades, which have reduced water and soil loss and improved rainwater utilization efficiency to a certain extent. However, its regulative role in rainwater is very much limited, and problems of agriculture production, such as severe seasonal drought and water shortage, low agriculture productivity, fragile ecological environment, and low yield‐invest ratio, are still going on. Supplemental irrigation of harvested rainwater is an important form of rainfall regulation and utilization on the basis of sophisticated technologies and theories of conservation agriculture and runoff agriculture, which not only promotes fulfilling rainfall harvesting in spatial location like the conservation agriculture and runoff agriculture measure but also gets at true rainfall harvesting in time distribution by principle of superposition and also decreases invalid evaporation for rainfall runoff. Agriculture productivity will be highly increased by using rainwater harvesting for supplemental irrigation. It not only brings about the integration of ecological reconstruction with economic development, but also provides a new approach to the agriculture sustainable development and overcomes two of the biggest obstacles (drought and soil erosion). It is suggested that this technology will become a strategic measure and comprehensive development model in semi‐arid Loess Plateau of China.