bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of alternative plant mixes for conservation bio-control by native beneficial arthropods in vegetable cropping systems in Queensland Australia
Authors: Qureshi S.A. , Midmore D.J. , Syeda S.S. , Reid D.J. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractCucurbit crops host a range of serious sap-sucking insect pests, including silverleaf whitefly (SLW) and aphids, which potentially represent considerable risk to the Australian horticulture industry. These pests are extremely polyphagous with a wide host range. Chemical control is made difficult due to resistance and pollution, and other side-effects are associated with insecticide use. Consequently, there is much interest in maximising the role of biological control in the management of these sap-sucking insect pests. This study aimed to evaluate companion cropping alongside cucurbit crops in a tropical setting as a means to increase the populations of beneficial insects and spiders so as to control the major sap-sucking insect pests. The population of beneficial and harmful insects, with a focus on SLW and aphids, and other invertebrates were sampled weekly on four different crops which could be used for habitat manipulation: Goodbug Mix (GBM; a proprietary seed mixture including self-sowing annual and perennial herbaceous flower species); lablab (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet); lucerne (Medicago sativa L.); and niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.). Lablab hosted the highest numbers of beneficial insects (larvae and adults of lacewing (Mallada signata (Schneider)), ladybird beetles (Coccinella transversalis Fabricius) and spiders) while GBM hosted the highest numbers of European bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) and spiders. Lucerne and niger showed little promise in hosting beneficial insects, but lucerne hosted significantly more spiders (double the numbers) than niger. Lucerne hosted sig-nificantly more of the harmful insect species of aphids (Aphis gossypii (Glover)) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) and heliothis (Heliothis armigera Hübner). Niger hosted significantly more vegetable weevils (Listroderes difficillis (Germar)) than the other three species. Therefore, lablab and GBM appear to be viable options to grow within cucurbits or as field boundary crops to attract and increase beneficial insects and spiders for the control of sap-sucking insect pests. Use of these bio-control strategies affords the opportunity to minimise pesticide usage and the risks associated with pollution.
Child L2 development: A longitudinal case study on Voice Onset Times in word-initial stops
Authors: SIMON ELLEN 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper reports the results of a longitudinal case study examining the acquisition of the English voice system by a three-year-old native speaker of Dutch. The study aims to examine whether the child develops two different phonetic systems or uses just one system for both languages, and compares the early L2 acquisition process with L1, simultaneous bilingual and late L2 acquisition. The results reveal that the child successfully acquires the English contrast between short-lag and long-lag stops, but gradually changes the Dutch system, which contrasts prevoiced with short-lag stops, into the direction of the English system.
High throughput analysis of proteins associating with a proinvasive MT1‐MMP in human malignant melanoma A375 cells
Authors: Tomari Taizo , Koshikawa Naohiko , Uematsu Takayuki , Shinkawa Takashi , Hoshino Daisuke , Egawa Nagayasu , Isobe Toshiaki , Seiki Motoharu 
Published: March 2009

Membrane‐type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP), a powerful modulator of the pericellular environment, promotes migration, invasion, and proliferation of cells. To perform its potent proteolytic activity in a controlled manner, MT1‐MMP has to be regulated precisely. However, our knowledge about substrates and regulatory proteins is still very limited. In this study we identify a catalog of proteins that directly or indirectly interact with MT1‐MMP. We expressed a FLAG‐tagged MT1‐MMP stably in human malignant melanoma A375 cells. We prepared cell lysate using Brij98 and MT1‐MMP was affinity purified together with associating proteins using an anti‐FLAG antibody. A distinct set of membrane proteins was found to copurify with MT1‐MMP when biotin‐labeled proteins were monitored. The proteins were analyzed with an integrated system composed of nano‐flow liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. We identified 158 proteins including several previously reported to bind MT1‐MMP, although most had not previously been identified. Six of these membrane proteins, including one previously shown to interact with MT1‐MMP, were co‐expressed with MT1‐MMP in HT1080 cells. Five of the latter were found to associate with MT1‐MMP in an immunoprecipitation assay. Immunostaining of cells expressing each of these test proteins revealed that one colocalized with MT1‐MMP at the ruffling membrane and the other at the perinuclear vesicles. In contrast, another protein which did not coprecipitate with MT1‐MMP showed no colocalization. Recombinant MT1‐MMP cleaved two of the tested proteins at least in vitro. Thus, we provide a valuable resource to identify substrates and regulators of MT1‐MMP in tumor cells. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1284–1290)
A frameshift mutation in the coding region of the myostatin gene (MSTN) affects carcass conformation and fatness in Norwegian White Sheep (Ovis aries)
Authors: Boman I. A. , Klemetsdal G. , Blichfeldt T. , Nafstad O. , Våge D. I. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryMutations in the coding region of the myostatin gene (MSTN) are known to cause an increased muscle mass (IMM) phenotype in several mammals, including mice, dogs, cattle and humans. In sheep, a mutation in the 3′‐UTR region introducing a microRNA target site has been reported to cause an IMM‐like phenotype because of downregulation of translation. Here we report a novel single base deletion in the coding region of the myostatin gene causing an IMM phenotype in Norwegian White Sheep, characterized by a high carcass conformation class and low fat class (EUROP classification system). The deletion disrupts the reading frame from amino acid (aa) position 320, ending in a premature stop codon in aa position 359. In our material, these MSTN mutations segregated in a pattern showing that they reside in two different haplotypes. The phenotypic effect of the single base deletion is more profound than that of the 3′‐UTR mutation.
Colonic stem cell data are consistent with the immortal model of stem cell division under non‐random strand segregation
Authors: Walters K. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Colonic stem cells are thought to reside towards the base of crypts of the colon, but their numbers and proliferation mechanisms are not well characterized. A defining property of stem cells is that they are able to divide asymmetrically, but it is not known whether they always divide asymmetrically (immortal model) or whether there are occasional symmetrical divisions (stochastic model). By measuring diversity of methylation patterns in colon crypt samples, a recent study found evidence in favour of the stochastic model, assuming random segregation of stem cell DNA strands during cell division. Here, the effect of preferential segregation of the template strand is considered to be consistent with the ‘immortal strand hypothesis’, and explore the effect on conclusions of previously published results.Materials and methods:  For a sample of crypts, it is shown how, under the immortal model, to calculate mean and variance of the number of unique methylation patterns allowing for non‐random strand segregation and compare them with those observed.Results:  The calculated mean and variance are consistent with an immortal model that incorporates non‐random strand segregation for a range of stem cell numbers and levels of preferential strand segregation.Conclusions:  Allowing for preferential strand segregation considerably alters previously published conclusions relating to stem cell numbers and turnover mechanisms. Evidence in favour of the stochastic model may not be as strong as previously thought.
Over‐expression of a Populus peroxisomal ascorbate peroxidase (PpAPX) gene in tobacco plants enhances stress tolerance
Authors: Li Y‐J. , Hai R‐L. , Du X‐H. , Jiang X‐N. , Lu H. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAscorbate peroxidase (APX) plays an important role in the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide in higher plants. We studied the effect of over‐expressing a Populus peroxisomal ascorbate peroxidase (PpAPX) gene under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter or the rd29 promoter in transgenic tobacco. High levels of PpAPX gene expression were observed in 35S‐PpAPX transgenic plants, with a 50% increase in APX activity. The constitutive expression of PpAPX in the tobacco exhibited no morphological abnormalities, while significantly increased root growth was observed in transgenic plants, when compared to control plants. Several independently transformed lines were propagated and evaluated for resistance to methyl viologen (MV), drought and salt stress. Visual assessment of transgenic and control lines exposed to MV (50 or 100 μmol) confirmed that over‐expression of APX minimized leaf damage. APX activity was nearly 80% higher in the leaves of transgenic plants in response to drought or salt stresses. Moreover, the transgenic tobacco also showed significantly improved drought resistance and salt tolerance at the vegetative stage. RNA blot analysis indicated that the PpAPX transcript level was very low under normal growing conditions in rd29Ap‐PpAPX plants, but clearly increased under drought stress. Our results show that PpAPX does not play a significant role under normal growing conditions, but did ameliorate oxidative injury under abiotic stress. The Ad29 promoter should be used as an inducible promoter in transgenic works.
Prokaryotic extracellular enzymatic activity in relation to biomass production and respiration in the meso‐ and bathypelagic waters of the (sub)tropical Atlantic
Authors: Baltar Federico , Arístegui Javier , Sintes Eva , Van Aken Hendrik M. , Gasol Josep M. , Herndl Gerhard J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryProkaryotic extracellular enzymatic activity, abundance, heterotrophic production and respiration were determined in the meso‐ and bathypelagic (sub)tropical North Atlantic. While prokaryotic heterotrophic production (PHP) decreased from the lower euphotic layer to the bathypelagic waters by two orders of magnitude, prokaryotic abundance and cell‐specific PHP decreased only by one order of magnitude. In contrast to cell‐specific PHP, cell‐specific extracellular enzymatic activity (alpha‐ and beta‐glucosidase, leucine aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase) increased with depth as did cell‐specific respiration rates. Cell‐specific alkaline phosphatase activity increased from the intermediate water masses to the deep waters up to fivefold. Phosphate concentrations, however, varied only by a factor of two between the different water masses, indicating that phosphatase activity is not related to phosphate availability in the deep waters. Generally, cell‐specific extracellular enzymatic activities were inversely related to cell‐specific prokaryotic leucine incorporation. Thus, it is apparent that the utilization of deep ocean organic matter is linked to higher cell‐specific extracellular enzymatic activity and respiration and lower cell‐specific PHP than in surface waters.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Danish patients with HIV infection: the effect of antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Hansen BR , Petersen J , Haugaard SB , Madsbad S , Obel N , Suzuki Y , Andersen O 
Published: March 2009

ObjectivesThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in HIV‐infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a subject of debate. We investigated the prevalence of MS in a cohort of Danish HIV‐infected patients and estimated the effect of the various classes of antiretroviral therapies on the prevalence of MS and its components.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed in which data were obtained from fasting blood tests, anthropometry, an interview questionnaire and whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans. MS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III diagnostic criteria.ResultsFive hundred and sixty‐six patients were included in the study, of whom 27% were diagnosed with MS. In univariate analysis, the duration of treatment with different drug classes was associated with the prevalence of MS. In multivariate analysis, no association was demonstrated between therapeutic duration or modality and the occurrence of MS. Current nonthymidine reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and protease inhibitor (PI) therapies were both associated with increased plasma triglycerides (TG) [odds ratio (OR) 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73–6.74; and OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.19–3.22, respectively].ConclusionsMS is prevalent in HIV‐infected Danes. However, treatment with specific drug classes does not seem to confer an elevated risk for MS, other than the risk conferred by known acute effects on triglycerides.
Primary drug resistance and transmission analysis of HIV‐1 in acute and recent drug‐naïve seroconverters in Singapore
Authors: Lee CC , Sun YJ , Barkham T , Leo YS 
Published: March 2009

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to elucidate primary drug resistance and transmission of HIV‐1 in acute and recent drug‐naïve seroconverters in Singapore.MethodsAcute and recent HIV‐1 seroconverters were enrolled in the study. The HIV‐1 polymerase (pol) gene was sequenced and used for genotypic drug resistance analysis and phylogenetic analysis. HIV‐1 transmission clusters were inferred from phylogenetic clustering analysis.ResultsOf the 60 subjects analysed, 95% were men, and 73.3% were men who have sex with men (MSM). Six HIV‐1 subtypes were identified, including CRF01_AE (46.7%), subtypes B (30%), B′ (15%) and G (1.7%), CRF33_01B (1.7%) and CRF34_01B (5%). Primary genotypic resistance was detected in only one (1.7%) subtype B variant. Thirty‐one patients (51.7%) were phylogenetically clustered, of whom 90% reported having local risk exposure, compared with 59% of the patients who were not phylogenetically clustered [odds ratio (OR) 6.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65–23.95]. MSM (OR 5.63, 95% CI 1.17–27.15), high viral load (OR 4.28, 95% CI 1.37–13.36) and young age (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85–0.99) were independently associated with clustered individuals.ConclusionsIn Singapore, HIV‐1 primary resistance is insignificant; individuals with seroconversion account for about half of onward transmission among recently infected seroconverters. MSM, high viral load and young age are factors that facilitate transmission. Early detection of these individuals is of paramount importance for the prevention of HIV‐1 transmission.
Effects of HIV status and antiretroviral therapy on blood pressure
Authors: Wilson SL , Scullard G , Fidler SJ , Weber JN , Poulter NR 
Published: March 2009

ObjectiveHigh blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and concerns have been raised over its possible association with antiretroviral drugs. The objective of this study was to explore the associations among blood pressure, HIV status and two predefined highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens: treatment with and without nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (NNRTI‐ and non‐NNRTI‐based HAART).MethodA cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 612 adults attending the Sexual Health Outpatient Department at St Mary's NHS Hospital Trust, London.ResultsHIV‐infected patients treated with NNRTIs had a blood pressure that was 4.6/4.2 mmHg higher than those who were HIV positive but treatment naïve. The diastolic difference remained statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounders of this association (2.4 mmHg; P=0.03). There was no difference in blood pressure between those treated with non‐NNRTI‐based regimens and those who were HIV positive but treatment naïve.ConclusionNNRTIs may be associated with an increase in blood pressure. Pending further more robust evidence from randomized clinical trials it would be prudent for clinicians to monitor blood pressure in all HIV‐infected patients, particularly after initiating treatment with NNRTIs, and to commence antihypertensive therapy whenever appropriate.
Subclinical rhythmic electrographic discharge of adults (SREDA) in a case with spinocerebellar degeneration improved clinically by thyrotropin‐releasing hormone
Authors: FUKUTA Mayuko , KIRINO Eiji , INOUE Reiichi , ARAI Heii 
Published: March 2009

AbstractHerein, we report on a patient with spinocerebellar degeneration who exhibited subclinical rhythmic electrographic discharge of adults (SREDA). Thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) improved the clinical symptoms and SREDA was observed only when administration of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone was discontinued and the symptoms worsened. Furthermore, after resuming administration of taltirelin hydrate, a TRH analog, the improvement in motor function was accompanied by a decrease in delirium. It is plausible that taltirelin hydrate improved the distorted cerebral blood flow, which has been reported previously as the mechanism underlying SREDA, as a consequence of the functional improvement in neurotransmitter systems.
Investigation of the short‐ and long‐term effects of donepezil on cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: INOUE Jun , HOSHINO Ryoichi , NOJIMA Hidenori , OKAMOTO Norio 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  Donepezil is effective in maintaining cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, not all patients respond to donepezil. In the present study, we examined the short‐ and long‐term effects of donepezil on cognitive function after 2 years treatment.Methods:  The present retrospective study was performed on 122 AD outpatients who had been taking donepezil for ≥1 year. All subjects underwent periodic examination of cognitive function (Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), Rorschach Cognitive Index (RCI)) and clinical evaluation on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR); first before starting treatment and then at 4‐month intervals after initiation of donepezil. Patients were divided into three groups: (i) MG, the ‘maintained’ group, in which the global CDR score was maintained during treatment; (ii) DeG, the ‘declined’ group, in which the global CDR score increased; and (iii) DrG, the drop out group, who discontinued the treatment. Changes in scores on the MMSE and RCI were compared before treatment and at 4‐month intervals within each group. In addition, over each 4‐month period, MMSE and RCI scores were compared between the three groups. Furthermore, to investigate the condition of effective treatment, the reasons why donepezil treatment was discontinued in the DrG were examined.Results:  The most frequent reason for discontinuation was the appearance of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which were more frequently observed in the DrG. Although depression and/or disinclination were more frequent in the MG, hyperactivity was more frequent in the DeG and DrG. Before treatment, patients in the DrG exhibited significantly lower scores on the MMSE than did patients in the MG and DeG. Upon examination 4 months after starting treatment, patients in the MG showed cognitive improvement on the MMSE and RCI, whereas those in the DeG showed cognitive deterioration on the MMSE.Conclusion:  The results of the present study suggest that when a short‐term beneficial effect of the donepezil on cognitive functions is seen, long‐term effect may also be expected at 2 years. Periodic clinical evaluation and examination of cognitive function is indispensable for effective donepezil treatment.
Bone quality assessment based on cone beam computed tomography imaging
Authors: Hua Yan , Nackaerts Olivia , Duyck Joke , Maes Frederik , Jacobs Reinhilde 
Published: March 2009

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the accuracy of fractal analysis and morphometry for bone quality assessment as measured with dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA).Material and methods: Nineteen mandibular bone samples were used for the creation of artificial bone lesions (n=5) or decalcification (n=12) to simulate osteoporosis; two samples were used as controls. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and DXA scans were made before and after processing the samples. The image data obtained from the CBCT scans were used to calculate the mean fractal dimension (FD), bone area and density (morphometric analysis) of the samples. Bone mineral density (BMD) was obtained from the DXA scans and set as a reference value for bone quality. The correlation between BMD and FD and between BMD and morphometric results were calculated.Results: A significant correlation between FD and BMD (ρ=+0.71 to +0.75; P<0.05) was observed. Bone area and BMD of the specimens (ρ=+0.69 to +0.85; P<0.05) were also significantly related, in contrast to the density analysis, for which no significant correlation to BMD was found.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that fractal analysis and bone area measurement have potential to evaluate bone quality on CBCT images, while density measurement does not seem to be valid.
Tissue engineering of periosteal cell membranes in vitro
Authors: Warnke Patrick H. , Douglas Timothy , Sivananthan Sureshan , Wiltfang Jörg , Springer Ingo , Becker Stephan T. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract:Objectives: The cultivation of bone is a major focus in tissue engineering and oral implantology. Without a periosteal layer, instant or rapid development of a substantial cortical layer is unlikely for engineered bone grafts. The aim of this study was to test the ability of four collagen membranes to support and promote the proliferation of human periosteal cells.Materials and methods: Human periosteum cells were cultured using an osteogenic medium consisting of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with fetal calf serum, penicillin, streptomycin and ascorbic acid at 37°C with 5% CO2. Four collagen membranes served as scaffolds: Bio‐Gide, Chondro‐Gide, Tutodent and Ossix Plus. Cell vitality was assessed by fluorescin diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI) staining, biocompatibility with LDH and BrdU, MTT, WST tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Results: After 24 h, all probes showed viable periosteal cells. All biocompatibility tests revealed that proliferation on all membranes after treatment with eluate from membranes after a 24‐h immersion in a serum‐free cell culture medium was similar to the controls. Periosteal cells formed layers covering the surfaces of all four membranes 7 days after seeding in SEM.Conclusion: It can be concluded from our data that the collagen membranes can be used as scaffolds for the cultivation of periosteum layers with a view to creating cortical bone using tissue‐engineering methods.