bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes of nitrogen and phosphorus loads to European seas
Authors: Grizzetti Bruna , Bouraoui Fayçal , Aloe Alberto 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDuring the last decades human activity has altered the natural cycle of nitrogen and phosphorus on a global scale, producing significant emissions to waters. In Europe, the amount of nutrients discharged from rivers to coastal waters as well as the effects of mitigation measures in place are known only partially, with no consistent temporal and spatial cover. In this study, we quantify the loads and concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged in the European seas over the period 1985–2005, and we discuss their impact on coastal ecosystems. To support our analysis, a catchment database covering the whole of Europe was developed together with data layers of nutrients diffuse and point sources, and the statistical model green was used to estimate the annual loads of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged in all European seas. The results of this study show that during the last 20 years, Europe has discharged 4.1–4.8 Tg yr−1 of nitrogen and 0.2–0.3 Tg yr−1 of phosphorus to its coastal waters. We show that beside the North Sea and part of the Baltic Sea, annual nutrient exports have not changed significantly, in spite of the implementation of measures to reduce nutrient sources, and that the N : P ratio has increased steadily, especially in the North, Mediterranean and Atlantic seas. The response of river basins to changes in inputs was not linear, but influenced by climatic variations and nutrients previously accumulated in soils and aquifers. An analysis of the effects of European environmental policies shows that measures to reduce phosphorus were more successful that those tackling nitrogen and that policies aimed at point sources were more effective or more effectively implemented than those controlling pollution from diffuse sources. The increase of the N : P ratio could fuel eutrophication in N‐limited coastal ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and the ecosystem's resilience to future additional anthropogenic stress, such as climate change.
Using a Montessori method to increase eating ability for institutionalised residents with dementia: a crossover design
Authors: Lin Li‐Chan , Huang Ya‐Ju , Watson Roger , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Lee Yue‐Chune 
Published: October 2011

Aims.  To investigate the efficacy of applying a Montessori intervention to improve the eating ability and nutritional status of residents with dementia in long‐term care facilities.Background.  An early intervention for eating difficulties in patients with dementia can give them a better chance of maintaining independence and reduce the risk of malnutrition.Methods.  An experimental crossover design was employed. Twenty‐nine residents were chosen from two dementia special care units in metropolitan Taipei. To avoid contamination between participants in units using both Montessori and control interventions, two dementia special care units were randomly assigned into Montessori intervention (I1) and routine activities (I2) sequence groups. A two‐period crossover design was used, with 15 residents assigned to Montessori intervention sequence I (I1, I2) and 14 residents assigned to Montessori intervention sequence II (I2, I1). On each intervention day, residents were given their assigned intervention. Montessori intervention was provided in 30‐min sessions once every day, three days per week, for eight weeks. There was a two‐week washout period between each intervention.Results.  There was a significant reduction in the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia score for the Montessori intervention period but not for the routine activities period, while the mean differences for the Eating Behavior Scale score, self‐feeding frequency and self‐feeding time were significantly higher than those of the routine activities period. Except for the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment score post‐test being significantly less than the pre‐test for the routine activities period, no significant differences for any other variables were found for the routine activities period.Conclusion.  This study confirms the efficacy of a Montessori intervention protocol on eating ability of residents with dementia. Adopting Montessori intervention protocols to maintain residents’ self‐feeding ability in clinical practice is recommended.Relevance to clinical practice.  Montessori‐based activities could provide caregivers with an evidence‐based nursing strategy to deal with eating difficulties of people with dementia.
Joint consequences of dispersal and niche overlap on local diversity and resource use
Authors: Gilbert Benjamin 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Several ecological theories predict that species coexist by exploiting different resource niches, and therefore, more diverse communities should have greater resource uptake. Supporting evidence, however, is equivocal. Species with similar competitive abilities are predicted to coexist with little niche differentiation, suggesting that communities containing more functionally redundant species may be more diverse but with little impact on resource use. Likewise, high rates of seed dispersal often increase diversity, but the effect of this diversity on resource uptake is unknown.2. I incorporate resource competition into a metacommunity model where communities differ in regional diversity and also in the dispersal and niche overlap (functional redundancy) of their constituent species. In this model, each species within the metacommunity is the optimal competitor in one or more patches, and the patches are linked by dispersal.3. The model predicts that niche overlap and dispersal have similar and synergistic effects on local diversity, but opposite effects on resource use. Increasing niche overlap and dispersal causes an increase in local diversity to a critical point, after which local diversity crashes. However, increasing dispersal invariably decreases resource use, whereas increasing niche overlap increases resource use. Increasing the regional species pool causes the only consistently positive relationship between local diversity and function but becomes saturated at a local species richness of 2–3 species.4. Synthesis. The distinct mechanisms that drive diversity in local communities can have different and even opposing effects on resource use. Understanding how dispersal and niche overlap structure diversity is critical to predicting the relationship between diversity and resource use. Distinguishing between these mechanisms should be a priority when attempting to understand the causes and consequences of diversity.
Sequential quantitative X‐ray elemental imaging of frozen‐hydrated and freeze‐dried biological bulk samples in the SEM
Authors: MARSHALL ALAN T. , GOODYEAR MELINDA J. , CREWTHER SHEILA G. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryPlaned frozen‐hydrated (FH) bulk biological samples of chicken retina were analysed by X‐ray elemental imaging in a scanning electron microscope and reanalysed after freeze‐drying in the microscope column. Sequential elemental imaging of the same bulk sample in this way provides improved information on element distributions. There was no evidence of element redistribution during the freeze‐drying process. Quantitative elemental images were obtained and interpreted to deduce relative and absolute element concentrations in different regions of the retina. Water concentrations were determined from the difference in oxygen concentrations at 15 kV and 5 kV in FH and freeze‐dried (FD) samples, respectively. Two accelerating voltages were used to maintain similar X‐ray excitation volumes. Water concentrations were also estimated by relating measured oxygen concentration in FH samples to the concentration of oxygen in solutions of a generalized protein in water and by comparing concentrations of phosphorous or sulphur in the FH and FD states.
Trophozoite stage infected erythrocyte contents analysis by use of spectral imaging LED microscope
Authors: ZOUEU J.T. , ZAN S.G.T. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThis paper describes an application of both multispectral imaging system and multivariate analysis for the discrimination between healthy and prior malaria‐infected human erythrocytes contents. The multispectral microscope is based on LEDs illumination sources ranging from 375 nm to 940 nm and running with three geometries. Principal component and hierarchical clustering analysis have been applied effectively to differentiate the cells constituents. The trophozoite stage of plasmodium falciparum and its food vacuole, as well as ‘haem’ derivatives have been mapped. Our results reveal the potential of this technique, for malaria drug‐target study, and earlier marker‐free blood smear diagnosis.
Phylogeography and bindin evolution in Arbacia, a sea urchin genus with an unusual distribution
Authors: LESSIOS H. A. , LOCKHART S. , COLLIN R. , SOTIL G. , SANCHEZ‐JEREZ P. , ZIGLER K. S. , PEREZ A. F. , GARRIDO M. J. , GEYER L. B. , BERNARDI G. , VACQUIER V. D. , HAROUN R. , KESSING B. D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAmong shallow water sea urchin genera, Arbacia is the only genus that contains species found in both high and low latitudes. In order to determine the geographical origin of the genus and its history of speciation events, we constructed phylogenies based on cytochrome oxidase I and sperm bindin from all its species. Both the mitochondrial and the nuclear gene genealogies show that Arbacia originated in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere and gave rise to three species in the eastern Pacific, which were then isolated from the Atlantic by the Isthmus of Panama. The mid‐Atlantic barrier separated two additional species. The bindin data suggest that selection against hybridization is not important in the evolution of this molecule in this genus. Metz et al. in a previous publication found no evidence of selection on bindin of Arbacia and suggested that this might be due to allopatry between species, which obviated the need for species recognition. This suggestion formed the basis of the conclusion, widely spread in the literature, that the source of selection on sea urchin bindin (where it does occur) was reinforcement. However, the range of Arbacia spatuligera overlaps with that of two other species of Arbacia, and our data show that it is hybridizing with one of them. We found that even in the species that overlap geographically, there are no deviations from selective neutrality in the evolution of bindin.
Enzymes involved in the anaerobic degradation of meta‐substituted halobenzoates
Authors: Kuntze Kevin , Kiefer Patrick , Baumann Sven , Seifert Jana , von Bergen Martin , Vorholt Julia A. , Boll Matthias 
Published: October 2011

SummaryOrganohalides are environmentally relevant compounds that can be degraded by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The denitrifying Thauera chlorobenzoica is capable of degrading halobenzoates as sole carbon and energy source under anaerobic conditions. LC‐MS/MS‐based coenzyme A (CoA) thioester analysis revealed that 3‐chloro‐ or 3‐bromobenzoate were preferentially metabolized via non‐halogenated CoA‐ester intermediates of the benzoyl‐CoA degradation pathway. In contrast, 3‐fluorobenzoate, which does not support growth, was converted to dearomatized fluorinated CoA ester dead‐end products. Extracts from cells grown on 3‐chloro‐/3‐bromobenzoate catalysed the Ti(III)‐citrate‐ and ATP‐dependent reductive dehalogenation of 3‐chloro/3‐bromobenzoyl‐CoA to benzoyl‐CoA, whereas 3‐fluorobenzoyl‐CoA was converted to a fluorinated cyclic dienoyl‐CoA compound. The reductive dehalogenation reactions were identified as previously unknown activities of ATP‐dependent class I benzoyl‐CoA reductases (BCR) present in all facultatively anaerobic, aromatic compound degrading bacteria. A two‐step dearomatization/H‐halide elimination mechanism is proposed. A halobenzoate‐specific carboxylic acid CoA ligase was characterized in T. chlorobenzoica; however, no such enzyme is present in Thauera aromatica, which cannot grow on halobenzoates. In conclusion, it appears that the presence of a halobenzoate‐specific carboxylic acid CoA ligase rather than a specific reductive dehalogenase governs whether an aromatic compound degrading anaerobe is capable of metabolizing halobenzoates.
Involvement of mast cells in inflammation induced by Trichomonas vaginalis via crosstalk with vaginal epithelial cells
Authors: HAN I. H. , PARK S. J. , AHN M. H. , RYU J. S. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryVaginal epithelial cells (VECs) are thought to function as immune‐responsive cells in trichomoniasis, and mast cells have been detected in vaginal smears and the vaginal wall in trichomoniasis. It therefore seemed possible that the VEC‐trichomonad reaction might affect the activity of mast cells present in the lamina propria of the vaginal mucosa. In this study, we tested whether culture supernatants of VEC incubated with Trichomonas vaginalis (TCM) could stimulate mast cells. When VECs (MS74) were incubated with live trichomonads, IL‐8, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 expressions increased in the TCM, and mast cells (HMC‐1) and human neutrophils migrated more actively towards the TCM. Also, when the TCM was added to mast cells, β‐hexosaminidase and cytokines (IL‐8 and TNF‐α) expressions were increased. Moreover, the culture supernatant of mast cells incubated with TCM (M‐TCM) had more increased chemotactic activity for neutrophils than that of TCM. We conclude that inflammatory mediators made by VECs in response to activation by T. vaginalis activate and attract mast cells and then stimulate them to induce neutrophil migration. Our results indicate, for the first time, that VECs play a role in the infiltration of mast cells and neutrophils early in T. vaginalis infection.
Impact of high‐dose inotropic donor support on early myocardial necrosis and outcomes in cardiac transplantation
Authors: Nixon Jennifer L. , Kfoury Abdallah G. , Brunisholz Kim , Horne Benjamin D. , Myrick Craig , Miller Dylan V. , Budge Deborah , Bader Feras , Everitt Melanie , Saidi Abdulfattah , Stehlik Josef , Schmidt Tracy C. , Alharethi Rami 
Published: October 2011

Nixon JL, Kfoury AG, Brunisholz K, Horne BD, Myrick C, Miller DV, Budge D, Bader F, Everitt M, Saidi A, Stehlik J, Schmidt TC, Alharethi R. Impact of high‐dose inotropic donor support on early myocardial necrosis and outcomes in cardiac transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01504.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Cardiac donors routinely require vasoactive agents for circulatory stability after brain death. Nevertheless, inotropes have been associated with direct cardiac toxicity. Our study evaluated whether the use of high‐dose inotropic support in potential donors was associated with increased early myocardial necrosis (MN) and worse clinical outcomes after cardiac transplantation.Methods:  The UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program (UCTP) and Intermountain Donor Services databases were queried for records between 1996 and 2009. The high‐dose donor inotropic support (HDIS) group was defined as patients on dopamine >10 μg/kg/min. The incidence of early MN, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, length of ventilator support, and mortality was evaluated.Results:  Two hundred and forty‐four recipients undergoing transplant met study criteria. The average donor age was 27 yr. The incidence of MN in the HDIS (n = 29) and non‐HDIS (n = 204) groups was 14.8% and 6.7%, respectively, OR 2.67. Total ischemic time, ventilator support time, ICU stay, and actuarial survival were similar between both groups.Conclusion:  The use of high‐dose inotropic support to maintain donor stability appears to have a higher trend for early post‐transplant MN without an impact on clinical outcomes. With the current growing shortage of organ donors, it appears reasonable to use donors on high‐dose inotropic support.
Staged abdominal closure after small bowel or multivisceral transplantation
Authors: Sheth J. , Sharif K. , Lloyd C. , Gupte G. , Kelly D. , de Ville de Goyet J. , Millar A. J. , Mirza D. F. , Chardot C. 
Published: October 2011

Sheth J, Sharif K, Lloyd C, Gupte G, Kelly D, de Ville de Goyet J, Millar AJ, Mirza DF, Chardot C. Staged abdominal closure after small bowel or multivisceral transplantation.  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 36–40. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Following paediatric SBMT, size discrepancy between the recipient’s abdomen and the graft may lead to ACS, graft dysfunction, and death. We report our experience with SAC in these patients. Between 04/1993 and 03/2009, 57 children underwent 62 SBMTs. When abdominal wall tension seemed excessive for safe PAC, SAC was performed, using a Silastic® sheet and a vacuum occlusive dressing. Transplantations with SAC (23 combined liver and small bowel [CLB]) were compared with those with PAC [14 ISB and 25 CLB]. Indications for transplantation, preoperative status (after stratification for ISB/CLB transplants), age at transplantation, donor‐to‐recipient weight ratio, reduction in bowel and/or liver, and incidence of wound complications were not different in both groups. Post‐operative intubation, stay in intensive care unit, and hospital stay were prolonged after SAC. Two deaths were related to ACS after PAC, none after SAC. Since 2000, one‐yr patient survival is 73% after ISB transplantation and 57% vs. 75% after CLB transplantation with PAC vs. SAC, respectively (NS). SAC safely reduces severe ACS after paediatric SBMT and can be combined with graft reduction for transplantation of small recipients.
Yellow fever vaccination in organ transplanted patients: is it safe? A multicenter study
Authors: Azevedo L.S. , Lasmar E.P. , Contieri F.L.C. , Boin I. , Percegona L. , Saber L.T.S. , Selistre L.S. , Netto M.V.P. , Moreira M.C.V. , Carvalho R.M. , Bruno R.M. , Ferreira T.C.A. , David‐Neto E. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackgroundYellow fever (YF) may be very serious, with mortality reaching 50%. Live attenuated virus YF vaccine (YFV) is effective, but may present, although rare, life‐threatening side effects and is contraindicated in immunocompromised patients. However, some transplant patients may inadvertently receive the vaccine.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to all associated doctors to the Brazilian Organ Transplantation Association through its website, calling for reports of organ transplanted patients who have been vaccinated against YF.ResultsTwelve doctors reported 19 cases. None had important side effects. Only one had slight reaction at the site of YFV injection. Eleven patients were male. Organs received were 14 kidneys, 3 hearts, and 2 livers. Twelve patients received organs from deceased donors. Mean age at YFV was 45.6 ± 13.6 years old (range 11–69); creatinine: 1.46 ± 0.62 mg/dL (range 0.8–3.4); post‐transplant time: 65 ± 83.9 months (range 3–340); and time from YFV at the time of survey: 45 ± 51 months (range 3–241). Immunosuppression varied widely with different drug combinations: azathioprine (7 patients), cyclosporine (8), deflazacort (1), mycophenolate (10), prednisone (11), sirolimus (3), and tacrolimus (4).ConclusionsYFV showed no important side effects in this cohort of solid organ transplanted patients. However, owing to the small number of studied patients, it is not possible to extend these findings to the rest of the transplanted population, assuring safety. Therefore, these data are not strong enough to safely recommend YFV in organ transplanted recipients, as severe, even life‐threatening side effects may occur.
Effect of fluvoxamine on the pharmokinetics of zolpidem: A two‐treatment period study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Vlase Laurian , Popa Adina , Neag Maria , Muntean Dana , Achim Marcela , Leucuţa Sorin Emilian 
Published: October 2011

Summary1. Our objective was to evaluate a possible pharmacokinetic interaction between zolpidem and fluvoxamine in healthy volunteers.2. The study consisted of two periods: Period 1 (reference), when each volunteer received a single dose of 5 mg zolpidem; and Period 2 (test), when each volunteer received a single dose of 5 mg zolpidem and 100 mg fluvoxamine. Between the two periods, the subjects were treated for 6 days with a single daily dose of 100 mg fluvoxamine.3. Pharmacokinetic parameters of zolpidem given in each treatment period were calculated using non‐compartmental analysis and the data from two periods were compared to determine statistically significant differences.4. In the two periods of treatments, the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 56.4 ± 25.6 ng/mL (zolpidem alone) and 67.3 ± 25.8 ng/mL (zolpidem after pretreatment with fluvoxamine). The tmax, times taken to reach Cmax, were 0.83 ± 0.44 and 1.26 ± 0.74 h, respectively, and the total areas under the curve (AUC0–∞) were 200.9 ± 116.8 and 512.0 ± 354.6 ng h/mL, respectively. The half‐life of zolpidem was 2.24 ± 0.81 h when given alone and 4.99 ± 2.92 h after pretreatment with fluvoxamine.5. Fluvoxamine interacts with zolpidem in healthy volunteers and increases its exposure by approximately 150%. The experimental data showed the pharmacokinetic interaction between zolpidem and fluvoxamine, and suggest that the observed interaction might be clinically significant, but its relevance has to be confirmed.
Grazing on toxic cyanobacterial blooms by tadpoles of edible frog Rana grylio
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Song Lirong , Zhang Pengcheng , He Jiawan , Liu Yongding , Matsuura Hiroshi , Watanabe Makoto M. 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYTadpoles of Rana grylio were raised as edible frogs in fishponds of Guanqiao in Wuhan City, Hubei, China, during cyanobacterial blooms from June to October. The dominant cyanobacterial species was Microcystis, which was found to be lethally toxic by intraperitoneal (i.p.) mouse bioassay. Little is known about the effect of tadpoles on toxic cyanobacterial blooms. To evaluate the potential of the tadpoles to graze on cyanobacterial blooms, the tadpoles were fed on Microcystis collected from the field in the laboratory. The Microcystis cells decreased from 1.19 × 107 cells mL−1 to 3.23 × 106 cells mL−1, with a sharp reduction of 73% of the initial Microcystis population observed in the first 24 h after introduction of the tadpoles. The ponds containing tadpoles had a markedly lower density of Microcystis than those lacking tadpoles. Tadpoles exposed to either cultured Microcystis aeruginosa (NIES–90, 2.768 µg microcystins mg–1 dw–1) cells or lysed M. aeruginosa cells grew well, however, indicating that they were unaffected by Microcystis toxins. We found a significant increase in tadpole body weight after feeding on either field Microcystis or cultured M. aeruginosa. The mean increase in individual body weight was 20 mg day−1 when fed on Microcystis from the pond, and 7 mg day−1 when fed on M. aeruginosa from culture. Our study strongly suggested that there is a direct trophic relationship between R. grylio tadpoles and toxic Microcystis blooms and they possess the potential to graze on toxic Microcystis. The results imply that R. grylio tadpoles may play an important ecological role in reducing toxic cyanobacterial blooms caused by Microcystis.