bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐dependent Grey Mould Susceptibility and Tissue‐specific Defence Gene Activation of Grapevine Berry Skins after Infection by Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Kretschmer M. , Kassemeyer H.‐H. , Hahn M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe correlation between the degree of maturity of grapevine berries and their susceptibility to infection by the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea was studied. Artificial inoculation with B. cinerea conidia of detached berries from cultivars Riesling and Pinot noir revealed an increasing susceptibility during the last weeks of berry ripening. Wound inoculation resulted in increased lesion formation when compared with inoculation of non‐wounded berry skins. Lesion development after non‐wounding inoculation was stimulated by the addition of nutrients. Riesling berries were more readily infected than Pinot noir berries, indicating that the Riesling berry skin is more easily colonized by the grey mould fungus. Analysis of defence gene activation in the berry skin tissue revealed increased transcript levels of phenylalanine ammonium lyase and stilbene synthase after inoculation with B. cinerea conidia, while mRNA abundance of osmotin was similar in inoculated and non‐inoculated tissue. Our data indicate that properties of the grape berry skin, including its ability for infection‐induced defence gene activation, are important for the outcome of grey mould infections.
Direct‐PCR Detection and Epidemiology of Ramularia collo‐cygni Associated with Barley Necrotic Leaf Spots
Authors: Frei P. , Gindro K. , Richter H. , Schürch S. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Ramularia collo‐cygni (Sutton & Waller) is involved in a disease complex of barley characterized by the formation of necrotic spots on leaves. Isolation of this fungus is difficult, which complicates the study of its epidemiology and the aetiology of the disease complex. A new assay based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect the presence of R. collo‐cygni (Rcc) without previous isolation of the fungus nor prior purification of DNA. Primers RC3 and RC5 were designed to amplify a 348 bp fragment of the internal transcribed spacer region of this pathogen. These primers were highly specific to Rcc, as no cross‐reactions were observed with other barley pathogens or saprobes commonly found on this crop. Amplification was possible from crude extracts (direct‐PCR), circumventing the need for a DNA purification. Detection of 1 fg of target DNA was achieved with a single PCR. This specific and sensitive assay was used to study the epidemiology of Rcc on winter and spring barley at two locations in Switzerland. Rcc was present on winter barley from snow melting until harvest and colonized gradually all leaf layers. It was also found on volunteers, which could, together with weeds, offer a survival possibility to the pathogen between two barley crops. The fungus was detected on spring barley only after it sporulated on winter barley, indicating that Rcc probably spreads from winter to spring barley. The hypothesis of Rcc being a seed‐borne pathogen can be tested more easily with this fast and reliable molecular tool, which may also find applications in barley breeding programmes and fungicide trials.
New Pythium Taxa Causing Root Rot on Mediterranean Quercus Species in South‐west Spain and Portugal
Authors: Romero M. A. , Sánchez J. E. , Jiménez J. J. , Belbahri L. , Trapero A. , Lefort F. , Sánchez M. E. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Pythium spiculum, a recently described new taxon, has been frequently isolated from declining Quercus rotundifolia and Q. suber roots and rhizosphere since 2003 in southern Iberia. In soils of declining Quercus forests this species was found as frequently as Phytophthora cinnamomi which, until now, was the only oomycete described as a Quercus root rot pathogen in the region. Inoculation tests conducted on young Q. rotundifolia plants showed that Py. spiculum is an aggressive root pathogen, although producing severities of symptoms significantly lower than those of P. cinnamomi. This new pathogen could play a role as decline factor in southern Iberia. Another new species, Py. sterilum, was also found to be pathogenic to Quercus roots but there are presently only few records of this organism isolated from rhizosphere of declining oaks in central Spain. More than an active decline factor, this species should be considered as a potential risk for Quercus forests.
Clinical outcome of orthotopic neobladder replacement in patients with a solitary functioning kidney
Authors: Furukawa Junya , Miyake Hideaki , Hara Isao , Takenaka Atsushi , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  To evaluate the outcome of orthotopic neobladder creation in patients with a solitary functioning renal unit at the time of surgery.Methods:  This study included a total of 18 patients (15 men and three women) with a solitary functioning kidney who underwent radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer followed by orthotopic neobladder replacement. Of these, an ileal, ileocolic or sigmoid colon neobladder was constructed in 11, three or four patients, respectively. Clinical data from these patients were retrospectively reviewed to clarify the significance of neobladder creation in patients with a solitary functioning kidney.Results:  During the observation period of this series (mean, 44.2 months; range, 15–95 months), there were nine early complications in six patients (wound infection, ileus, urine leakage and pulmonary embolism in four, three, one and one, respectively) and 10 late complications in nine patients (severe metabolic acidosis, vesicourethral anastomotic stricture, ureterointestinal anastomotic stricture and neobladder calculi in six, two, one and one, respectively). Severe metabolic acidosis occurred in six (five ileal neobladders and one ileocolic neobladder); however, there were no significant differences in preoperative renal function and serum electrolytes as well as postoperative voiding function between patients with and without severe metabolic acidosis. These six patients required administration of sodium bicarbonate, and their metabolic status was normalized thereafter. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in renal function and serum electrolytes between these two groups throughout the observation period, and none of the patients demonstrated renal deterioration.Conclusions:  These findings suggest, despite the analysis including a small number of patients with a short follow‐up period, orthotopic neobladder replacement could provide comparatively satisfactory results in patients with a solitary functioning kidney; hence, a solitary kidney should not be regarded as a contraindicated factor for neobladder creation after radical cystectomy.
Children with cardiomyopathy: complications after noncardiac procedures with general anesthesia
Authors: KIPPS ALAINA K. , RAMAMOORTHY CHANDRA , ROSENTHAL DAVID N. , WILLIAMS GLYN D. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryBackground:  Children with cardiomyopathy (CM) often undergo procedures that require general anesthesia (GA) but little is known about anesthesia‐related adverse events or postprocedural outcomes.Methods:  After approval, all children with CM who underwent nonopen heart surgical procedures and/or diagnostic imaging under GA at a tertiary children’s hospital during January 2002 to May 2005 were identified from a clinical database. Based on their preprocedure fractional shortening (FS) on echocardiogram, systemic ventricular dysfunction was categorized as mild (FS 23–28%), moderate (FS 16–22%), or severe (FS < 16%) and those with normal (FS > 28%) were excluded from review.Results:  Twenty‐six patients underwent 34 procedures under GA, of whom 13 (38%) had mild or moderate ventricular dysfunction and 21 (62%) had severe dysfunction. Common procedures included pacer/defibrillator placement (43%) and imaging studies (18%). Eighteen complications were noted in 12 patients. Fifteen (83%) complications occurred in patients with severe ventricular dysfunction. One patient with severe ventricular dysfunction died (3% mortality). Hypotension requiring inotropic support was the most frequent complication (61%). Children with severe ventricular dysfunction often required hospital support pre‐ and postprocedure with 67% requiring intensive care. Hospital stay was longer for patients with severe ventricular dysfunction compared with children with mild or moderate ventricular dysfunction (P = 0.006).Conclusions:  The 30‐day mortality rate was low but complications were common, especially in patients with severe ventricular dysfunction. For these patients, we recommend early consideration of perioperative intensive care support to optimize cardiovascular therapy and monitoring.
N‐terminal probrain natriuretic peptide level inversely correlates with cardiac index after arterial switch operation in neonates
Authors: BREUER TAMÁS , SÁPI ERZSÉBET , SKOUMAL RÉKA , TÓTH MIKLÓS , ALA‐KOPSALA MINNA , VUOLTEENAHO OLLI , LEPPÄLUOTO JUHANI , RUSKOAHO HEIKKI , SZATMÁRI ANDRÁS , SZÉKELY ANDREA 
Published: May 2007

SummaryBackground:  Natriuretic peptide levels are associated with cardiac output and ventricular function. We hypothesized that concomitant measurement of the peptide fragments and the hemodynamic parameters could elucidate the associations of these parameters after pediatric cardiac surgery.Methods:  After approval of the institutional review board and parents’ informed consent, we investigated the clinical data of eight neonates undergoing correction of transposition of the great arteries. We measured the level of N‐terminal fragments of prohormones of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (NT‐proANP, NT‐proBNP) preoperatively, postoperatively and 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after arrival in the intensive care unit. The hemodynamic status was assessed by transpulmonary thermodilution at the same time points. Creatinine and other laboratory values were analyzed in the first 48 h postoperatively.Results:  NT‐proBNP levels were inversely correlated with cardiac index (CI, r = −0.47, P = 0.030), stroke volume index (r = −0.65, P = 0.005), and global end‐diastolic volume index (GEDI; r = −0.63, P = 0.011). There was strong inverse correlation between the change of NT‐proBNP levels and the change of CI between two consecutive measurements during the postoperative period (r = −0.79, P = 0.001). The NT‐proBNP level 12 h after surgery was strongly correlated with the creatinine level of the postoperative 24th hour (r = 0.81, P = 0.014).Conclusions:  NT‐proBNP correlated with the hemodynamic parameters and with the severity of renal dysfunction. Therefore, NT‐proBNP is a reliable indicator of the circulatory state and the severity of a low output syndrome after arterial switch operation in neonates.
Comparison of self‐administered vaginal misoprostol versus placebo for cervical ripening prior to operative hysteroscopy using a sequential trial design*
Authors: Oppegaard KS , Nesheim B‐I , Istre O , Qvigstad E 
Published: May 2007

Objective  To compare the impact of 1000‐microgram self‐administered vaginal misoprostol versus self‐administered vaginal placebo at home on preoperative cervical ripening in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women prior to outpatient resectoscopy.Design  Randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled sequential trial.Setting  Norwegian university teaching hospital.Sample  Premenopausal and postmenopausal women referred to outpatient resectoscopy.Methods  The women were randomised to either 1000 micrograms of self‐administered vaginal misoprostol or self‐administered vaginal placebo the evening before outpatient resectoscopy.Main outcome measures  Preoperative cervical dilatation, acceptability and complications.Results  (a) Intraoperative findings and distribution of cervical dilatation in the two treatment groups. Values are given as median (range) or n (%). (b) Acceptability in the two treatment groups. Values are given as completely acceptable, n (%); fairly acceptable, n (%); fairly unacceptable, n (%) and completely unacceptable, n (%). (c) Pain in the two treatment groups. Pain was measured with a visual analogue scale score, scale ranges from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Values are given as median (range). (d) Occurrence of adverse effects in the two treatment groups. Values are given as n (%). (e) Complications, given as n (%).
Change in heart rate variability in relation to a significant ST‐event associates with newborn metabolic acidosis
Authors: Siira S , Ojala T , Ekholm E , Vahlberg T , Blad S , Rosén KG 
Published: May 2007

Objective  To find whether low‐to‐high frequency (LF/HF) ratio of fetal heart rate (FHR) variability changes in relation to a significant ST‐event during delivery, and if the change is predictive of metabolic acidosis of the newborn.Design  A case–control study.Setting  Data from a multicentre project.Subjects  Acidotic and control fetuses with abnormal cardiotocography together with a ST‐event in fetal electrocardiogram (ECG).Methods  We studied intrapartum FHR variability with spectral analysis from 34 fetuses with a significant ST‐event in the fetal ECG. LF/HF ratio of FHR variability was measured within a period of 1 hour before and 1 hour after a significant ST‐event. Sensitivity and specificity of the change in LF/HF ratio of FHR variability in prediction of metabolic acidosis (pH ≤ 7.05 and base deficit value > 12.0 mmol/l) of the newborn were described by means of the receiver operating characteristic curve.Main outcome measures  Change in LF/HF ratio of FHR in relation to a significant ST‐event.Results  We found that a relative change in LF/HF ratio greater than 30% in relation to a significant ST‐event predicted cord arterial metabolic acidosis with a sensitivity of 89% (95% CI 68–100%) and specificity of 80% (95% CI 64–96%).Conclusions  Relative changes in LF/HF ratio of FHR variability in relation to a significant ST‐event are more pronounced in fetuses born with metabolic acidosis.
Air Pollution and Daily Emergency Department Visits for Headache in Montreal, Canada
Authors: Szyszkowicz Mieczyslaw 
Published: May 2007

Background.— Many studies have indicated that weather can trigger headache. Here we propose a new methodological approach to assess the relationship between weather, ambient air pollution, and emergency department (ED) visits for this condition.Objective.— To examine the associations between ED visits for headache and selected meteorological and air pollution factors.Design and Methods.— A hierarchical clusters design was used to study 10,497 ED visits for headache (ICD‐9: 784) that occurred at a Montreal hospital between 1997 and 2002. The generalized linear mixed models technique was applied to create Poisson models for the clustered counts of visits for headache.Results.— Statistically significant positive associations were observed between the number of ED visits for headache and the atmospheric pressure for all and for female visits for 1‐day and 2‐day lagged exposures. The percentage increase in daily ED female visits was 4.1% (95% CI: 2.0, 6.2), 3.4% (95% CI: 1.4, 5.6), and 2.2% (95% CI: 1.4, 5.6) for current day, 1‐day and 2‐day lagged exposure to SO2, respectively, for an increase of an interquartile range (IQR) of 2.4 ppb. The percentage increase was also statistically significant for current day and 1‐day lagged exposure to NO2 and CO for all and for female visits.Conclusions.— Presented findings provide support for the hypothesis that ED visits for headache are correlated to weather conditions and ambient air pollution – to atmospheric pressure and exposure to SO2, NO2, CO, and PM2.5. An increase in levels of these factors is associated with an increase in the number of ED visits for headache.
PLASTID DIVISION IN MALLOMONAS (SYNUROPHYCEAE, HETEROKONTA)1
Authors: Weatherill Kimalee , Lambiris Irene , Pickett‐Heaps Jeremy D. , Deane James A. , Beech Peter L. 
Published: May 2007

Laser scanning confocal microscopy and TEM were used to study the morphology of secondary plastids in algae of the genus Mallomonas (Synurophyceae). At interphase, Mallomonas splendens (G. S. West) Playfair, M. rasilis Dürrschm., M. striata Asmund, and M. adamas K. Harris et W. H. Bradley contained a single H‐shaped plastid consisting of two large lobes connected by a narrow isthmus. Labeling of DNA revealed a necklace‐like arrangement of plastid nucleoids at the periphery of the M. splendens plastid and a less‐patterned array in M. rasilis. The TEM of M. splendens and M. rasilis showed an electron‐dense belt surrounding the plastid isthmus in interphase cells; this putative plastid‐dividing ring (PD ring) was adpressed to the inner pair of the four plastid membranes, suggesting that it is homologous to the PD ring of green and red plastids. The PD ring did not contain actin (indicated by lack of staining with phalloidin) and displayed filaments or tubules of 5–10 nm in diameter that may be homologous to the tubules described in red algal PD rings. Confocal microscopy of chl autofluorescence from M. splendens showed that the plastid isthmus was severed as mitosis began, giving rise to two single‐lobed daughter plastids, which, as mitosis and cell division progressed, separated from one another and then each constricted to form the H‐shaped plastids of daughter cells. Similar plastid division cycles were observed in M. rasilis and M. adamas; however, the plastid isthmus of M. striata was retained throughout most of cell division and was eventually severed by the cell cleavage furrow.
Handling Weather Related Risks Through the Financial Markets: Considerations of Credit Risk, Basis Risk, and Hedging
Authors: Golden Linda L. , Wang Mulong , Yang Chuanhou 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe profits of many businesses are strongly affected by weather related events, and insurance against weather related risks (acts of God) has been a traditional domain for transfer of (certain) of these risks. Recent innovations in the capital market have now provided financial instruments to transfer and hedge some of these risks. Unlike insurance solutions, however, using these financial derivative instruments creates a situation in which the return to the purchaser of the instrument is no longer perfectly correlated with the loss experienced. Such a mismatch creates new risks which must be examined and evaluated as part of ascertaining cost effective risk management plans. Two newly engendered risks, basis risk (the risk created by the fact that the return from the financial derivative is a function of weather at a prespecified geographical location which may not be identical to the location of the firm) and credit risk (the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract may not perform), are analyzed in this article. Using custom tailored derivatives from the over the counter market can decrease basis risk, but increases credit risk. Using standardized exchange traded derivatives decreases credit risk but increases basis risk. Here also the effectiveness of using hedging methods involving forwards and futures having linear payoffs (linear hedging) and methods using derivatives having nonlinear payoffs such as those involving options (nonlinear hedging) for the purpose of hedging basis risk are examined jointly with credit risk.
The Incentive Effects of Increasing Per‐Claim Deductible Contracts in Automobile Insurance
Authors: Li Chu‐Shiu , Liu Chwen‐Chi , Yeh Jia‐Hsing 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA new rating system of automobile insurance for vehicle damage in Taiwan was launched in 1996, introducing a deductible that increases with the number of claims. In this article, we provide a theoretical rationale for the existence of an increasing per‐claim deductible system and show that the new system is most likely an optimal choice for those insured who tend to have lower claims probability when incentives are present. Using a unique dynamic data set, we are able to conduct a natural experiment to examine the incentive effects (both positive and negative) by looking at the change in claim tendency before and after switching between two deductible plans: an increasing per‐claim deductible and a zero deductible. Our results provide direct evidence of the effects of deductible structures on claim behavior.
Confirmation of a BRAF mutation‐associated gene expression signature in melanoma
Authors: Johansson Peter , Pavey Sandra , Hayward Nicholas 
Published: May 2007

SummaryMutations in the BRAF oncogene occur in the majority of melanomas, leading to the activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and the transcription of downstream effectors. As BRAF and its effectors could be good melanoma therapy targets, defining the repertoire of genes that are differentially regulated because of BRAF mutational activation is an important objective. Towards this goal, we and others have attempted to determine whether a BRAF mutation‐associated gene expression profile exists. Results have been mixed, with some groups reporting a BRAF‐signature and another group not. Here we resolve this issue and confirm that while gene‐by‐gene correlations fail to reveal a specific gene(s) whose expression correlates with BRAF status, a BRAF signature can be distinguished by analysis of global expression patterns. Specifically, we have here applied support vector machine (SVM) analysis to Affymetrix microarray data from a panel of 63 melanoma cell lines. SVMs found a BRAF signature in training samples and predicted BRAF mutation status with high accuracy (AUC = 0.840) in the remaining samples. We verified this is a generalized BRAF signature by repeating the analysis in three published microarray datasets, and again found that SVMs predicted BRAF mutation well (Philadelphia: AUC = 0.788; Zurich: AUC = 0.688; Mannheim: AUC = 0.686). An ensemble of 300 SVMs trained on our data also predicted BRAF mutation status in two of the three published datasets (Philadelphia AUC = 0.778; Zurich AUC = 0.719; Mannheim AUC = 0.564). Taken together, these data support the existence of a BRAF mutation‐specific expression signature.
Melanoma invasion – current knowledge and future directions
Authors: Gaggioli Cedric , Sahai Erik 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe acquisition of invasive behaviour is the key transition in the progression of benign melanocyte hyperplasia to life threatening melanoma. Understanding this transition and the mechanisms of invasion are the key to understanding why malignant melanoma is such a devastating disease and will aid treatment strategies. Underlying the invasive behaviour is increased cell motility caused by changes in cytoskeletal organization and altered contacts with the extra‐cellular matrix (ECM). In addition, changes in the interactions of melanoma cells with keratinocytes and fibroblasts enable them to survive and proliferate outside their normal epidermal location. Proteomic and genomic initiatives are greatly increasing our knowledge of which gene products are deregulated in invasive and metastatic melanoma; however, the next challenge is to understand how these genes promote the invasion of melanoma cells. In recent years new models have been developed that more closely recapitulate the conditions of melanoma invasion in vivo. It is hoped that these models will give us a better understanding of how the genes implicated in melanoma progression affect the motility of melanoma cells and their interactions with the ECM, stromal cells and blood vessels. This review will summarise our current understanding of melanoma invasion and focus on the new model systems that can be used to study melanoma.