bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micro-scale observations of the structure of aerobic microbial granules used for the treatment of nutrient-rich industrial wastewater
Authors: Lemaire Romain , Webb Richard I , Yuan Zhiguo 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The structure and function of aerobic microbial granules from a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor treating nutrient-rich abattoir wastewater were investigated. These wastewater-fed granules were examined using a wide range of micro-scale techniques including light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy and oxygen and pH microsensors, in conjunction with a range of measurements in the bulk liquid phase. Interesting structural features were observed in these granules that have not been reported in synthetic-fed granules. The complex nature of abattoir wastewater was suggested to be responsible for accelerating the breaking process of large mature granules due to a rapid clogging of the granules pores and channels and for the very diverse microbial community observed displaying specific spatial distribution throughout the granules. More importantly, the dissolution at lower pH of mineral complexes associated to the granule matrix of extracellular polymeric substances might have caused the structural damages observed on the granules even though some pH buffer capacity was observed inside these granules. Ciliate protozoa were found to be very abundant on the surface of these wastewater-fed granules, which could potentially assist with reducing the high levels of suspended solids usually present in the aerobic granular sludge effluent. All these observations provide support to future studies on aerobic granular sludge treating real wastewater especially with regard to the granule structure and the mechanisms involved in their formation.
Apoptotic gene expression in neuropathic pain
Authors: Siniscalco Dario , Giordano Catia , Fuccio Carlo , Luongo Livio , Migliozzi Annalucia , Rossi Francesco , Maione Sabatino 
Published: January 2008

AbstractPain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system is defined as neuropathic pain. It results from direct injury to nerves in the peripheral or central nervous system and is associated with several clinical symptoms. Neuropathic pain treatment is extremely difficult, as it is a very complex disease, involving several molecular pathways. Excitatory or inhibitory pathways controlling neuropathic pain development show altered gene expression, caused by peripheral nerve injury.This study used several experimental pain models to demonstrate the occurrence of programmed cell death in the centers controlling pain induction and maintenance, such as spinal cord and pre-frontal cortex. We combined behavioural, molecular and morphological approaches to assess the involvement of bcl-2 gene family and caspases in neuropathic pain. Chronic constriction injury (CCI) and spared nerve injury (SNI) of rodent sciatic nerve induced the appearance of pain-like behaviours, such as hyperalgesia and allodynia. An early (2-3 days post-CCI) apoptosis appeared in the spinal cord neurons as the pro-apoptotic bax gene increased (320±19%). The incidence of apoptosis appeared to be limited to the first few days following nerve injury. Subsequently, increased expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 family genes may inhibit further neuron loss. SNI triggered apoptotic pathway and caspases activation in pre-frontal cortex 7, 14, and 21 days post-injury. Among the time-points analyzed, RT-PCR analysis showed increased expression of the bax/bcl-2 ratio (40±2%), bid (16±2%), caspase-1 (84±3%), caspase-8 (53±6%), caspase-9 (25±6%), caspase-12 (58±2%), TNF (32±2%) genes in the cortex by 7 days post-injury. Western blot analysis showed increased active Caspase-3 protein levels in the cortex at 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-surgery. This study shows that apoptotic genes could be an useful pharmacological target in neuropathic pain controlling.
Neuroprotective effects of prior limb use in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐treated rats: possible role of GDNF
Authors: Cohen Ann D. , Tillerson Jennifer L. , Smith Amanda D. , Schallert Timothy , Zigmond Michael J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractUnilateral administration of 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) causes a loss of dopamine (DA) in the ipsilateral striatum and contralateral motor deficits. However, if a cast is placed on the ipsilateral limb during the first 7 days following 6‐OHDA infusion, forcing the animal to use its contralateral limb, both the behavioral and neurochemical deficits are reduced. Here, we examine the effect of forced reliance on a forelimb during the 7 days prior to ipsilateral infusion of 6‐OHDA on the deficits characteristic of this lesion model. Casted animals displayed no behavioral asymmetries as measured 14–28 days postlesion and a marked attenuation in the loss of striatal DA and its metabolites at 30 days. In addition, animals receiving a unilateral cast alone had an increase in glial cell‐line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein in the striatum corresponding to the overused limb. GDNF increased within 1 day after the onset of casting, peaked at 3 days, and returned to baseline within 7 days. These results suggest that preinjury forced limb‐use can prevent the behavioral and neurochemical deficits to the subsequent administration of 6‐OHDA and that this may be due in part to neuroprotective effects of GDNF.
Pivotal roles of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone and the melanocortin 4 receptor in leptin stimulation of prolactin secretion in rats
Authors: Watanobe Hajime , Schiöth Helgi B. , Izumi Junkichi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLeptin, the obese gene product, was reported to stimulate prolactin (PRL) secretion, but the neuroendocrine mechanism underlying this hormonal response is largely unknown. Thus, in this study we examined the involvement of several important PRL regulators in the leptin‐induced PRL secretion in male rats. Compared with the values in normally fed rats, food deprivation for 3 days significantly decreased both PRL and leptin levels in the plasma. These changes were reverted to normal by a 3‐day constant infusion of 75 μg/kg/day of leptin to the fasted rats, while 225 μg/kg/day of leptin further elevated both PRL and leptin levels. These four groups of animals were used for the following experiments. Results of dopamine and serotonin turnover studies in the brain and the pituitary indicated that neither of these biogenic amines plays a primary role in mediating leptin's effects on PRL. Repeated intracerebroventricular injections over 72 h of neutralizing antibodies against vasoactive intestinal peptide, PRL‐releasing peptide, or β‐endorphin, did not significantly suppress the leptin actions. However, both the blockade of the melanocortin (MC) 4 receptor (R) and the immunoquenching of brain α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) completely abolished the leptin‐induced PRL release, and the stimulation of the MC4‐R, but not the MC3‐R, significantly elevated PRL levels in the fasted rats. These results suggest that α‐MSH, a cleaved peptide from pro‐opiomelanocortin of which synthesis is stimulated by leptin, may be the pivotal neuropeptide in the brain mediating the leptin's stimulatory influence on PRL secretion. It was also suggested that the MC4‐R may be the primary subtype of the MC‐Rs mediating this action of α‐MSH.
The effect of acculturation on depressive moods: Immigrant boys and girls during their transition from late adolescence to early adulthood
Authors: Turjeman Hagit , Mesch Gustavo , Fishman Gideon 
Published: January 2008

Using data (N = 773) from a longitudinal study of former Soviet Union immigrants to Israel, this study aimed to identify the psychosocial correlates of depressive mood among immigrant adolescents and differences by age and gender. OLS regression results suggest acculturative and social factors as useful variables in predicting depression. Adolescents with a high probability of assimilating (simultaneous strengthening of Israeli identity and weakening of Russian identity) proved more likely to report low levels of depression. Consistent with the literature, girls were more depressed than boys and age was positively related to depressive moods. As expected, different factors explain the psychological well‐being of adolescents of different age groups and sex: in boys, depression was found mainly related to acculturation difficulties; in girls it was related more to their social support. As for age, more independent variables were statistically significant in accounting for depression in the older than in the younger group, which suggests that depression is age‐related. The study results should be understood in connection with socialization processes to sex roles and the impact immigration has on this process.
Complications of Alcoholism in the Social Sphere*
Authors: GLATT M. M. 
Published: February 2008

RésuméUne plus grande emphase que précédemment dans l'instruction d‘étudiant en médecine sur la constatation que l'alcoolisme mine habituellement le bonheur familial, l'efficacité au travail et la capacité de se confier aux autres, plus communément et longtemps avant de détruire les systèmes alimentaires et nerveux et longtemps avant que l'alcoolique n'ait atteint le “fin fond” devrait contribuer considérablement aux buts d'un diagnostic préliminaire.ZusammenfassungGrösserer Nachdruck als bisher bei der Schulung von Medizin‐studenten betreffend Befunde gelegt wurde, dass Alkoholismus gewöhnlich ein harmonisches Familienleben, die Leistungsfähigkeit bei der Arbeit sowie auch die Aufrechterhaltung guter Beziehungen zu anderen unterminiert und zwar häufiger und lange ehe er das Verdauungs‐ und Nervensystem zerstört und lange ehe dieser Zustand sein letztes Stadium. erreicht hat, sollte wesentlich dazu beitragen, eina Frühdiagnose zu erzielen.
Marriage Counseling with Alcoholics and Their Spouses—I. A Critique of the Methodology of a Follow‐up Study
Authors: BURTON GENEVIEVE , KAPLAN HOWARD M. , HUDD EMILY H. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWe have described the project on which this follow‐up is based. We have indicated some of the problems we have had to overcome in implementing a single follow‐up for the several distinct phases of 10 years of counseling alcoholics and their non‐alcoholic spouses. We have described the procedures, results and problems of our follow‐up attempts. In critically evaluating the problems we met and the ways in which we have coped with them, we have also indicated directions others might take to minimize such difficulties.
IgM myeloma: a rare entity characterized by a CD20−CD56−CD117− immunophenotype and the t(11;14)
Authors: Feyler Sylvia , O’Connor Sheila J. M. , Rawstron Andy C. , Subash Chezhian , Ross Fiona M. , Pratt Guy , Drayson Mark T. , Ashcroft John , Cook Gordon , Owen Roger G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryIgM myeloma is a very rare and poorly defined entity. In a detailed assessment of 10 cases, it was demonstrated that 70% had an aberrant phenotype based on the expression of CD19, CD45, CD27 and Cyclin D1 but all cases lacked CD56 and CD117. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated deletion 13 in 50% while 5/8 cases assessed had a t(11;14). Despite the high incidence of the t(11;14), CD20 was only expressed in one of nine cases. We conclude that IgM myeloma is a distinctive subset characterized by a CD20−CD56−CD117− phenotype and the t(11;14).
Inactivity is a risk factor for low bone mineral density among haemophilic children
Authors: Tlacuilo‐Parra Alberto , Morales‐Zambrano Ramses , Tostado‐Rabago Nadia , Esparza‐Flores Maria Amparo , Lopez‐Guido Beatriz , Orozco‐Alcala Javier 
Published: February 2008

SummaryReduced bone mineral density (BMD) in childhood is a risk factor for osteoporosis in later life. This case–control study determined the prevalence of low BMD, calcium intake and physical activity in 62 haemophilic children and 62 sex‐, race‐ and age‐matched healthy boys as controls. Lumbar spine (L2‐L4) BMD was determined by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry; BMD was considered to be low when Z‐score ≥2. Physical activity was assessed using a validated questionnaire and calcium intake with a standardized quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Twenty‐four patients (38%) had low BMD, whereas this was found in only 10 (16%) controls [odds ratio (OR) 2·86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·17–7·41; P = 0·014]. Lumbar BMD was significantly lower in the haemophilia patients than the controls (−1·6 ± 1·0 vs. −0·9 ± 0·9 respectively; P = 0·0004). Sedentary and low‐grade exercise predominated in haemophilia (77%) versus control (50%) (OR 3·2, 95% CI 1·36–7·79; P = 0·003). There were no differences between groups with regard to calcium intake. Our results suggest that low‐physical activity is a risk factor for reduced lumbar bone mass in the haemophilic group. This factor must be monitored to avoid a significant reduction in BMD that might contribute to further skeletal fragility.
Common risk factors for both arterial and venous thrombosis
Authors: Lowe Gordon D. O. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryArterial and venous thromboses have traditionally been viewed as distinct conditions, with differences in risk factors, pathology and treatment. However, recent epidemiological studies have suggested associations between venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism (myocardial infarction and stroke) and atherosclerosis. While several biological mechanisms might contribute to these associations, common risk factors for both arterial and venous thrombosis probably play the major role. This article summarizes the evidence for shared risk factors (clinical, biochemical and haematological) that supports this conclusion. At a practical level, it is suggested that following routine treatment of venous thromboembolism with a course of anticoagulant drugs, patients should be routinely assessed not only for risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism but also for risk of arterial thromboembolism. Appropriate lifestyle advice and medication (including aspirin) should then be considered.
Copper distribution and acid‐base mobilization in vineyard soils and sediments from Galicia (NW Spain)
Authors: Fernández‐Calviño D. , Pateiro‐Moure M. , López‐Periago E. , Arias‐Estévez M. , Nóvoa‐Muñoz J. C. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryIn northern Spain and elsewhere in the world, many vineyards are located on steep slopes and are susceptible to accelerated soil erosion. Contaminants, notably Cu, originating from repeated application of copper‐based fungicides to the vines to prevent mildew, are transported and stored in the sediments deposited close to valley bottoms. In this study, the contents and distribution of Cu in 17 soil samples and 21 sediment samples collected from vineyard stands were determined. In addition, the effect of pH on Cu release from vineyard soils and sediments was quantified. The total Cu content (CuT) in the soils varied between 96 and 583 mg kg−1, and was between 1.2 and 5.6 times greater in sediment samples. The mean concentration of potentially bioavailable Cu (CuEDTA) in the sediments was 199 mg kg−1 (46% of CuT), and was 80 mg kg−1 (36% of CuT) in the soils. Copper bound to soil organic matter (CuOM) was the dominant fraction in the soils (on average, 53% of the CuT), while in sediment samples CuOM values varied between 37 and 712 mg kg−1 and were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than in the soils. Copper associated with non‐crystalline inorganic components (CuIA) was the second most important fraction in the sediments, in which it was 3.4 times greater than in the soils. Release of Cu due to changes in the pH followed a U‐shaped pattern in soils and sediments. The release of Cu increased when the pH decreased below 5.5 due to the increased solubility of the metal at this pH. When the pH increased above 7.5, Cu and organic matter were released simultaneously.
Soil organic carbon in density fractions of tropical soils under forest – pasture – secondary forest land use changes
Authors: Paul S. , Veldkamp E. , FLESSA H. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryOur knowledge of effects of land use changes and soil types on the storage and stability of different soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions in the tropics is limited. We analysed the effect of land use (natural forest, pasture, secondary forest) on SOC storage (depth 0–0.1 m) in density fractions of soils developed on marine Tertiary sediments and on volcanic ashes in the humid tropics of northwest Ecuador. The origin of organic carbon stored in free light (< 1.6 g cm−3) fractions, and in two light fractions (LF) occluded within aggregates of different stability, was determined by means of δ13C natural abundance. Light occluded organic matter was isolated in a first step after aggregate disruption by shaking aggregates with glass pearls (occluded I LF) and in a subsequent step by manual destruction of the most stable microaggregates that survived the first step (occluded II LF). SOC storage in LFs was greater in volcanic ash soils (7.6 ± 0.6 Mg C ha−1) than in sedimentary soils (4.3 ± 0.3 Mg C ha−1). The contribution of the LFs to SOC storage was greater in natural forest (19.2 ± 1.2%) and secondary forest (16.6 ± 1.0%) than in pasture soils (12.8 ± 1.0%), independent of soil parent material. The amount of SOC stored in the occluded I LF material increased with increasing silt + clay content (sedimentary soils, r = 0.73; volcanic ash soils, r = 0.58) and aggregation (sedimentary soils, r = 0.52; volcanic ash soils, r = 0.45). SOC associated with occluded I LF, had the smallest proportion of new, pasture‐derived carbon, indicating the stabilizing effect of aggregation. Fast turnover of the occluded II LF material, which was separated from highly stable microaggregates, strongly suggested that this fraction is important in the initial process of aggregate formation. No pasture‐derived carbon could be detected in any density fractions of volcanic ash soils under secondary forest, indicating fast turnover of these fractions in tropical volcanic ash soils.
Temporal patterns in the stability, persistence and condition of stream macroinvertebrate communities: relationships with catchment land‐use and regional climate
Authors: COLLIER KEVIN J. 
Published: January 2008

Summary1. A spatially‐extensive data set of stream macroinvertebrate communities from 49 northern New Zealand sites sampled over a 10‐year period was analysed to assess relationships between the environment (catchment land‐cover, landscape position and regional‐scale weather patterns), and (i) community persistence and stability based on the constancy of species occurrence (presence–absence) and abundance (per cent composition), respectively and (ii) the temporal variability of various community condition metrics.2. No significant relationship was evident between community stability or persistence within sites and a gradient of increasing land‐use stress (LUS) based on types of upstream land‐cover, with interannual mean similarities at all sites falling within the standard deviations recorded at long‐term reference sites. In contrast, condition metrics were inversely related to LUS. Land‐use appeared to be a key factor influencing community composition among sites whereas climate influenced stability and persistence within sites.3. Three response trajectories of community variability to increasing LUS were distinguished based on the coefficient of variation of mean interannual similarities, such that (i) persistence and stability appeared to be more variable at developed sites with low LUS and at sites with high stress relative to the variability experienced naturally, but similar to the natural range at intermediate levels of stress (‘sinusoidal response’); (ii) variability in Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera metrics increased at low‐to‐moderate stress and then accelerated rapidly at highly developed sites (‘stepped‐exponential response’) and (iii) variability in a pollution tolerance metric increased rapidly and then maintained a similar level of variability along the remaining stress gradient (‘plateau response’).4. The results of this study have implications for biomonitoring approaches that assume high temporal persistence and stability of communities to define site impairment. Misclassifications caused by interannual variability could lead to misinterpretation of site condition, if conclusions are based on single annual surveys. Temporal variability in stability and persistence may help distinguish low levels of impairment where a predominantly healthy fauna experiences increased environmental fluctuations.
Negative regulation by SHPS‐1 of Toll‐like receptor‐dependent proinflammatory cytokine production in macrophages
Authors: Miyake Atsuko , Murata Yoji , Okazawa Hideki , Ikeda Hiroshi , Niwayama Yuriko , Ohnishi Hiroshi , Hirata Yukio , Matozaki Takashi 
Published: January 2008

SHPS‐1 is a transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in macrophages. The possible role of SHPS‐1 in regulation of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐dependent production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages has remained unknown, however. We now show that expression either of a mutant version of mouse SHPS‐1 (SHPS‐1–4F) in which the four tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the cytoplasmic region are replaced by phenylalanine or of a chimeric protein comprising the extracellular and transmembrane regions of human CD8 fused to the cytoplasmic region of SHPS‐1–4F (CD8–4F) markedly promoted the production of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid [poly(I : C)] in RAW264.7 macrophages. In contrast, expression of a mutant form of SHPS‐1 that lacks most of the cytoplasmic region did not promote such responses. Expression of SHPS‐1–4F promoted the LPS‐ or poly(I : C)‐induced activation of NF‐κB. LPS and poly(I : C) each induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS‐1 through a Src family kinase and the association of SHPS‐1 with SHP‐1 and SHP‐2. These results suggest that LPS or poly(I : C) induces tyrosine phosphorylation of SHPS‐1 and the association of SHPS‐1 with SHP‐1 and SHP‐2 in a manner dependent on a Src family kinase. SHPS‐1 then negatively regulates TLR4‐ or TLR3‐dependent cytokine production through inhibition of NF‐κB‐dependent signaling.
Carbon balance assessment of a Belgian winter wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: MOUREAUX CHRISTINE , DEBACQ ALAIN , HOYAUX JULIEN , SULEAU MARIE , TOURNEUR DENIS , VANCUTSEM FRANÇOISE , BODSON BERNARD , AUBINET MARC 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe carbon balance of a winter wheat crop in Lonzée, Belgium, was assessed from measurements carried out at different spatial and temporal scales between November 2004 and August 2005. From eddy covariance measurements, the net ecosystem exchange was found to be −0.63 kg C m−2 and resulted from the difference between gross primary productivity (GPP) (−1.58 kg C m−2) and total ecosystem respiration (TER) (0.95 kg C m−2). The impact of the u* threshold value on these fluxes was assessed and found to be very small. GPP assessment was partially validated by comparison with an estimation scaled up from leaf scale assimilation measurements. Soil respiration (SR), extrapolated from chamber measurements, was 0.52 kg C m−2. Net primary productivity, assessed from crop sampling, was −0.83 kg C m−2. By combining these fluxes, the autotrophic and heterotrophic components of respiration were deduced. Autotrophic respiration dominated both TER and SR. The evolution of these fluxes was analysed in relation to wheat development.