bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sowing density and harvest time affect fibre content in hemp (Cannabis sativa) through their effects on stem weight
Authors: Westerhuis W. , Amaducci S. , Struik P.C. , Zatta A. , Van Dam J.E.G. , Stomph T.J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSowing density and harvest time are considered important crop management factors influencing fibre quantity and quality in hemp (Cannabis sativa). We investigated whether the effects of these factors are essentially different or that both factors affect stem weight and thereby total and long‐fibre content. The effects of all combinations of three sowing densities and three harvest times were studied for six different stem parts. Almost 500 samples consisting of stem parts from 50 plants and with a length of 50 cm were tested. Fibres were extracted by a controlled warm‐water retting procedure, followed by breaking and scutching. The initial sample weight was fractionated into retting losses, wood, tow and long fibre. In both Italy and the Netherlands, crops were successfully established with different stem densities (99–283 m−2), plant heights (146–211 cm) and stem diameters (4.5–8.4 mm) at harvest. Stem dry matter yields (6.8–11.7 Mg ha−1) increased with a delay in harvest time but were not affected by sowing density. Retting loss percentages were lower in lower stem parts and decreased with later harvest because maturation was associated with increasing amounts of fibre and wood. Within a certain stem part, however, the absolute retting losses were constant with harvest time. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the amount of fibre in a hemp stem is almost completely determined by the weight and the position of that stem part. When the plant grows, the increase in dry matter is split up into fibres and wood in a fixed way. This total fibre/wood ratio was highest in the middle part of the stem and lower towards both bottom and top. Sowing density and harvest time effects were indirect through stem weight. The long‐fibre weight per stem increased with the total fibre weight and hence with stem weight. Stem weight increased with harvest time; as harvest time did not affect plant density, the highest long‐fibre yields were obtained at the last harvest time. The long fibre/total fibre ratio was lowest in the bottom 5 cm of the stems but similar for all other parts. Sowing density and harvest time effects again were indirect. Fibre percentages in retted hemp decreased with increasing stem weights towards a level that is presumably a variety characteristic. The dry matter increase between harvests, however, is much more important with respect to total and long‐fibre yield.
Zinc Deficiency Anemia and Effects of Zinc Therapy in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Fukushima Tatsuo , Horike Hideyuki , Fujiki Shigeatsu , Kitada Shingo , Sasaki Tamaki , Kashihara Naoki 
Published: April 2009

AbstractQuantitative adjuvant zinc therapy using polaprezinc was performed to examine the correlation between zinc concentration and anemia in maintenance hemodialysis patients to propose appropriate treatment. Anemia and serum zinc concentration were measured in 117 patients with chronic renal failure receiving outpatient maintenance hemodialysis at Tsuyama Chuo Kinen Hospital. Two bags of polaprezinc (containing zinc 34 mg/day) were administered to 58 patients with lower than normal zinc levels (Zn < 80 mg/dl) as adjuvant zinc therapy to assess anemia improvement. Zinc concentration and all anemia parameters showed significant positive correlation, indicating that anemia improves in patients with high serum zinc levels. Regarding the effects of adjuvant zinc therapy for improving anemia, hemoglobin levels were found to increase significantly to the highest value at 3 weeks. During treatment, the dosage of erythropoietin was reduced significantly from baseline at all assessment points. No zinc poisoning from therapy was seen, but two patients had diarrhea (1.9%). Zinc‐treated patients required iron therapy due to the development of iron deficiency. Most maintenance hemodialysis patients suffer from zinc deficiency anemia, and zinc‐based polaprezinc has been confirmed to be an effective and safe adjuvant zinc treatment. Most patients diagnosed as refractory anemia with no response to erythropoietin also suffer from zinc deficiency anemia, many of whom are expected to benefit from zinc therapy to improve their anemia. Possible zinc deficiency anemia should be considered in the treatment of refractory anemia with no response to erythropoietin.
Efficacy of High‐Throughput Leukocytapheresis for Rheumatoid Arthritis With a Reduced Response to Infliximab
Authors: Sakai Yukinao , Sakai Saori , Otsuka Tomoyuki , Ohno Dai , Murasawa Tsuneo , Munakata Kazuo , Mizuno Kyoichi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractInfliximab (INF), a tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitor, is an effective drug for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, some patients receive no clinical benefit, or the agents gradually lose their effect. Five sessions of high‐throughput leukocytapheresis (LCAP) were given at a frequency of once a week using a Cellsorba CS‐180S to four patients with a reduced response to INF. The clinical response to LCAP was evaluated using the 28‐joint disease activity score with C‐reactive protein (DAS28‐CRP) and with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐ESR). DAS28‐CRP decreased significantly from 5.8 ± 0.6 before LCAP to 3.9 ± 0.7 (P = 0.0182) at 1–2 weeks after completion of five sessions of LCAP, and DAS28‐ESR decreased significantly from 6.4 ± 0.6 to 4.6 ± 0.5 (P = 0.0267). Moreover, all patients had a moderate response according to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria. The effect of LCAP continued for at least 6 months after its completion in all patients, with no changes in any of their concomitant drugs, and the effect was maintained for at least 1 year in three of the four patients. These results indicate that LCAP is a useful treatment for RA patients with a reduced response to INF.
Ionized Alkaline Water: New Strategy for Management of Metabolic Acidosis in Experimental Animals
Authors: Abol‐Enein Hassan , Gheith Osama A , Barakat Nashwa , Nour Eman , Sharaf Abd‐Elhameed 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMetabolic acidosis can occur as a result of either the accumulation of endogenous acids or loss of bicarbonate from the gastrointestinal tract or the kidney, which represent common causes of metabolic acidosis. The appropriate treatment of acute metabolic acidosis has been very controversial. Ionized alkaline water was not evaluated in such groups of patients in spite of its safety and reported benefits. So, we aimed to assess its efficacy in the management of metabolic acidosis in animal models. Two models of metabolic acidosis were created in dogs and rats. The first model of renal failure was induced by ligation of both ureters; and the second model was induced by urinary diversion to gut (gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss model). Both models were subjected to ionized alkaline water (orally and by hemodialysis). Dogs with renal failure were assigned to two groups according to the type of dialysate utilized during hemodialysis sessions, the first was utilizing alkaline water and the second was utilizing conventional water. Another two groups of animals with urinary diversion were arranged to receive oral alkaline water and tap water. In renal failure animal models, acid‐base parameters improved significantly after hemodialysis with ionized alkaline water compared with the conventional water treated with reverse osmosis (RO). Similar results were observed in urinary diversion models as there was significant improvement of both the partial pressure of carbon dioxide and serum bicarbonate (P = 0.007 and 0.001 respectively) after utilizing alkaline water orally. Alkaline ionized water can be considered as a major safe strategy in the management of metabolic acidosis secondary to renal failure or dialysis or urinary diversion. Human studies are indicated in the near future to confirm this issue in humans.
Hormonal control of diabetes type 2 after surgery: Clinical and experimental evaluation
Authors: Frezza EE 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 now afflicts over 170 million people worldwide, a number expected to surpass 220 million by 2010. DM and its associated complications is a significant burden to public health care funding.In 2007, $US174 billion was spent in the United States, according to the American Diabetic Society. The morbidly obese have high serum leptin and insulin levels and low ghrelin levels, which have been associated with altered satiety. Exercise, medical therapy and dieting usually do not result in long‐term weight loss or euglycemia. Bariatric surgery yields euglycemia for many patients, but its mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. Our preliminary studies showed resolution of DM after both gastric bypass (GBP) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG), more so than after gastric banding. GBP significantly reduces ghrelin levels in the morbidly obese, perhaps as a result of exhausting ghrelin production in the stomach. A reduction in serum ghrelin levels would be expected after SG, which extirpates the ghrelin‐producing cells by removing the fundus. This question has not, to our knowledge, been fully explored with regard to the relationship between ghrelin and other hormones.
Current trends of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in Japan
Authors: Etoh T , Shiraishi N , Kitano S 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLaparoscopic gastrectomy with lymph node dissection, such as laparoscopy‐assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG), is widely accepted for the treatment of early gastric cancer with a risk of lymph node metastasis. In Japan, a nationwide survey conducted by the Japan Society of Endoscopic Surgery has shown that the number of laparoscopic gastrectomies is gradually increasing. So far, the following advantages of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer have been well documented: favorable clinical course after operation, pulmonary function and immune response. A retrospective multicenter study in Japan has shown that the short‐term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy are beneficial and that the long‐term outcomes are the same as those for open surgery. Recently, the Gastric Cancer Surgical Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group conducted a multi‐institutional, phase II trial (JCOG0703) to evaluate the safety of LADG for clinical stage I gastric cancer. In the future, laparoscopic surgeons will need to design and implement education and training systems for standard laparoscopic procedures, evaluate clinical outcomes through multicenter randomized controlled trials and clarify the oncological aspects of laparoscopic surgery in basic studies.
Capillary electrophoresis for the detection of bilirubin in rat serum
Authors: Crivellente Federica , Bocchini Nicola , Vandin Luca , Cristofori Patrizia 
Published: April 2009

Background: The rat is used often to assess the toxicity of new chemical entities in preclinical drug development. Bilirubin concentration in rat serum is routinely determined by colorimetric methods, but false positive results due to hemolyzed serum or direct interferences by test compounds may occur. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an automated method that requires small sample volume and facilitates the direct detection of bilirubin.Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a CE method for detecting bilirubin and albumin‐bound bilirubin in rat serum and to measure potential interference by hemolysis and specific test compounds.Methods: Serum samples from male Sprague Dawley rats (n=20) were used in the study. Results obtained on a Beckman P/ACE MDQ CE instrument equipped with a UV‐detector were compared with those obtained using a colorimetric method on a Hitachi 912 analyzer. Bilirubin standards were used to evaluate the detection and stability of bilirubin in rat serum, and vials with ultrafiltration membranes were used to separate albumin‐bound bilirubin. Intraday and interday coefficients of variation (CV), linearity, and the effects of added hemoglobin and a test compound on CE results were determined.Results: The CE method was capable of detecting bilirubin and albumin‐bound bilirubin in rat serum samples with reproducible results and good accuracy. CVs were <3% and linearity of the CE assay was high (R2=0.9951). Abnormally high bilirubin peaks due to the presence of hemoglobin or the test compound were easily distinguished by means of CE.Conclusion: CE is a good alternative to the colorimetric methods currently used for the determination of bilirubin in rat serum.
Evaluation of serum haptoglobin and C‐reactive protein in dogs with mammary tumors
Authors: Planellas Marta , Bassols Anna , Siracusa Carlo , Saco Yolanda , Giménez Mercè , Pato Raquel , Pastor Josep 
Published: April 2009

Background:In veterinary medicine, there is increasing interest in measuring acute phase proteins as a tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of neoplastic diseases. Although mammary neoplasms are the most common type of cancer in dogs, acute phase proteins have not been extensively evaluated in dogs with mammary tumors.Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate serum haptoglobin (Hp) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in the dogs with mammary tumors and assess their potential association with malignancy.Methods:A retrospective study of dogs with mammary tumors was performed. Serum concentrations of CRP and Hp were determined in healthy control dogs (n=20) and dogs with mammary tumors before surgery (n=41). Mammary tumors were grouped as carcinomas (n=24), fibrosarcoma (n=1), malignant mixed tumors (n=7), benign mixed tumors (n=6), and adenomas (n=3). CRP and Hp concentrations were compared in dogs with different tumor types and were also compared based on tumor size, lymph node infiltration, skin ulceration, fixation to underlying tissue, and time between tumor identification and removal.Results:Hp concentration was significantly (P<.043) higher in dogs with mammary tumors (median 2.03 g/L, range 0.09–2.94 g/L) compared with controls (1.38 g/L, range 0.08–3.00 g/L), but the range of values overlapped considerably. CRP concentration was higher in dogs with carcinomas (4.70 mg/L, range 0.63–128.96 mg/L) vs controls (2.11 mg/L, range 0.25–6.57 mg/L) (P=.0008) and in dogs with ulcerated skin (14.8 mg/L, range 5.7–128.9 mg/L,n=3) compared with those without ulceration (2.4 mg/L, range 0.11–30.3 mg/L,n=38) (P=.048).Conclusions:Serum Hp and CRP do not appear to have value in diagnosing or predicting malignancy of mammary tumors in dogs. Higher CRP concentrations in dogs with mammary carcinoma suggest a role for inflammation in this tumor type.
Analysis and cytologic characterization of hemocytes from freshwater mussels (Quadrula sp.)
Authors: Burkhard Mary Jo , Leavell Sarah , Weiss Rachael B. , Kuehnl Kody , Valentine Hope , Thomas Watters G. , Wolfe Barbara A. 
Published: April 2009

Background: Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered taxa in North America and minimally invasive techniques to evaluate their health are needed.Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a standardized approach for identifying and enumerating the cellular components of freshwater mussel hemolymph.Methods: Hemocyte clumping, total hemocyte count, and hemocyte morphology were compared in untreated hemolymph or hemolymph treated with formalin, sodium citrate, sodium heparin, EDTA, water, or l‐cysteine. Morphology was then used to categorize hemocytes and perform a 100‐cell differential.Results: Treatment with formalin or >25 mg/mL l‐cysteine reduced hemocyte clumping, although only formalin significantly increased the total hemocyte count. However, formalin also induced crenation that impaired hemocyte identification. Both EDTA and sodium citrate‐induced hemocyte degranulation while sodium citrate and >40 mg/mL l‐cysteine‐induced cell lysis. Hemocytes could be categorized into 2 groups of granulocytes (eosinophilic or basophilic) and 2 groups of agranulocytes (large or small) for performing a cytologic differential. The differential was not significantly altered by anticoagulant treatments providing cell morphology was adequate for obtaining a differential. Eosinophilic granulocytes predominated (59%) with fewer large agranulocytes (27%) and basophilic granulocytes (13%). Small agranulocytes comprised 2% of the total population.Conclusions: No single treatment provided an optimal method to evaluate freshwater mussel hemolymph. Maximal hemocyte counts were obtained following formalin treatment. l‐cysteine reduced clumping and maintained hemocyte morphology for performing a cytologic differential. These techniques provide a standardized approach for the hematologic evaluation of freshwater mussels.
Sex and limb differences in hip and knee kinematics and kinetics during anticipated and unanticipated jump landings: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injury
Authors: Brown T N , Palmieri-Smith R M , McLean S G 
Published: April 2009

Objectives:In this study, the effects of temporal changes in unanticipated (UN) prelanding stimuli on lower limb biomechanics and the impact of sex and limb dominance on these variables during single-leg landings were determined. It was hypothesised that reductions in the time of prelanding UN stimuli, female sex, and the non-dominant limb would significantly increase high-risk landing biomechanics during UN jump landings.Methods:26 (13 men and 13 women) had initial contact (IC) and peak stance (0–50%) phase (PS) lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics quantified during anticipated (AN) and UN single-leg (left and right) landings. Postlanding jump direction was governed via one of two randomly ordered light stimuli, presented either before initiation of the jump (AN), or 600 ms (UN1), 500 ms (UN2) or 400 ms (UN3) immediately before ground contact.Results:Statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in IC hip posture and PS hip and knee internal rotation moments occurred in UN compared with AN landings. Differences were not observed, however, among UN conditions for any biomechanical comparisons. Significant (p<0.05) differences in specific IC and PS hip and knee postures and loads occurred between sexes and limbs. Neither of these factors, however, influenced movement condition effects.Conclusion:UN landings induce modifications in landing biomechanics that may increase anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in both men and women. These modifications, however, do not appear overly sensitive to the timing of the UN stimulus, at least within a temporal range affording a successful movement response. Expanding UN training to include even shorter stimulus-response times may promote the additional central control adaptations necessary to manoeuvre safely within the random sports setting.
Video analysis of trunk and knee motion during non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes: lateral trunk and knee abduction motion are combined components of the injury mechanism
Authors: Hewett T E , Torg J S , Boden B P 
Published: April 2009

Background:The combined positioning of the trunk and knee in the coronal and sagittal planes during non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has not been previously reported.Hypothesis:During ACL injury female athletes demonstrate greater lateral trunk and knee abduction angles than ACL-injured male athletes and uninjured female athletes.Design:Cross-section control-cohort design.Methods:Analyses of still captures from 23 coronal (10 female and 7 male ACL-injured players and 6 female controls) or 28 sagittal plane videos performing similar landing and cutting tasks. Significance was set at p⩽0.05.Results:Lateral trunk and knee abduction angles were higher in female compared to male athletes during ACL injury (p⩽0.05) and trended toward being greater than female controls (p = 0.16, 0.13, respectively). Female ACL-injured athletes showed less forward trunk lean than female controls (mean (SD) initial contact (IC): 1.6 (9.3)° vs 14.0 (7.3)°, p⩽0.01).Conclusion:Female athletes landed with greater lateral trunk motion and knee abduction during ACL injury than did male athletes or control females during similar landing and cutting tasks.Clinical relevance:Lateral trunk and knee abduction motion are important components of the ACL injury mechanism in female athletes as observed from video evidence of ACL injury.
Cold-season patterns of reserve and soluble carbohydrates in sugar maple and ice-damaged trees of two age classes following drought
Authors: Wong B. L. , Baggett K. L. , Rye A. H. 
Published: April 2009

This study examines the effects of summer drought on the composition and profiles of cold-season reserve and soluble carbohydrates in sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees (50–100 years old or ∼200 years old) in which the crowns were nondamaged or damaged by the 1998 ice storm. The overall cold season reserve carbohydrate profiles in twig wood tissue of drought-stressed (DS) trees and non-drought-stressed (NDS) trees were generally similar, although differences were observed in the amount of reserve carbohydrates in DS and NDS trees. The cold-season level of starch stored in DS trees in early autumn in the wood tissue was about one-third to one-fifth that in NDS trees. The cold season sugar content in the DS trees was significantly greater than can be attributed to degradation of stored starch, only. The level of sucrose in DS trees remained high throughout the winter until termination of dormancy and dehardening. The concentrations of winter glucose and fructose in DS trees attained peak levels at the time of dormancy termination and declined during dehardening. The profiles of glucose and fructose in DS and damaged DS trees were generally different from that of sucrose throughout the leafless phase. In contrast, profiles of glucose and fructose in NDS trees closely paralleled that of sucrose. Elevated levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose in DS sugar maple trees during the cold season may function as osmoregulators for freeze protection. Low sugar level or lack of increase in sugar level following dehardening in DS trees may suggest limited change in cellular constituents in adapting to low temperatures.
Experimental crosses within EuropeanSilene latifolia(Caryophyllaceae): intraspecific differentiation, distance effects, and sex ratio
Authors: Hathaway Louise , Andersson Stefan , Prentice Honor C. 
Published: April 2009

The dioecious weed Silene latifolia Poiret is thought to have spread northwards through Europe from separate southern source populations and shows a pronounced east–west pattern of differentiation in seed morphology. We used crossing experiments to investigate whether patterns of interfertility in S. latifolia are consistent with a scenario of ongoing speciation (reflected by outbreeding depression in crosses between the seed races), a scenario involving local inbreeding (reflected by heterosis in interpopulations crosses), or a combination of both scenarios. The experiments involved three western and three eastern populations, which were crossed reciprocally in all possible inter- and intra-population combinations. Inter-race cross-progenies did not have lower fitness than those from intra-racial crosses, and the results are not consistent with a scenario of incipient speciation. A pattern of overall heterosis was found in three variables, indicating the expression of inbreeding depression in progeny from intrapopulation crosses. For two fitness variables, negative relationships between interpopulation distance and heterosis, together with signs of outbreeding depression in the longest-distance crosses, suggest that there may be significant levels of genetic differentiation between geographically distant populations. The sex ratio was female-biased in most progenies, especially in those from the longest-distance crosses.