bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altitudinal variations in flower and bulbil production of an alpine perennial, Polygonum viviparum L. (Polygonaceae)
Authors: Fan D.‐M. , Yang Y.‐P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTwo opposite views exist regarding sexual versus asexual reproductive performance of Polygonum viviparum. One suggests that increasing altitude favors flower production, while the other suggests that increasing altitude increases bulbil production. In this study, we present an investigation of the reproductive performance of 13 populations of P. viviparum on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). Our results show that, with increasing altitude, the height of inflorescence and total number of flowers and bulbils decrease significantly, but there is no significant effect on bulbil and flower number. In addition, there is a weak correlation between the proportion of flowers per population and altitude in our study sites due to the exception population 12, which is in a disturbed habitat. We conclude that more resources might be allocated to flowers in populations at higher altitudes, indicating the importance of sexual reproduction over asexual reproduction in alpine plants of QTP.
EFFECTS OF ANTI‐HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS ON PRODUCTION OF SOLUBLE FMS‐LIKE TYROSINE KINASE 1 AND SOLUBLE ENDOGLIN FROM HUMAN NORMAL AND PRE‐ECLAMPTIC PLACENTAS IN VITRO
Authors: Xu B , Thornton C , Tooher J , Ogle R , Lim S , Makris A , Hennessy A 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY

Increases in soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‐1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) contribute to the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia. Soluble Flt‐1 binds to circulating free vascular endothelial growth factor and placenta growth factor and this is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Soluble endoglin, a transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β coreceptor, was reported to synergize with sFlt‐1 to amplify endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting TGF‐β1‐mediated vasorelaxation.
The aim of the present study was to examine whether the antihypertensive drugs clonidine (0.08–1.3 µg/mL), diazoxide (25–300 µg/mL), frusemide (60–1000 µg/mL) and hydralazine (6.3–100 µg/mL) have any effect on placental production of sFlt‐1 and sEng in placentas from normal and pre‐eclamptic pregnancies.
Explants were taken from non‐laboured term placentas of normal pregnancy (n = 5) and women with pre‐eclampsia (n = 5). Villous explants were cultured with increasing doses of antihypertensive drugs. Placental sFlt‐1 and sEng production was examined using ELISA.
Baseline sFlt‐1 production was higher in placentas from women with pre‐eclampsia than from normal pregnancy (4.5 ± 1.4 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 ng/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.001), as was sEng production (9.0 ± 2.3 vs 4.1 ± 0.6 ng/mg of total protein, respectively; P < 0.001). With the exception of frusemide, none of the antihypertensive drugs tested had any effect on sFlt‐1 and sEng production from placental explants of normal pregnancy and women with pre‐eclampsia. Increasing frusemide concentrations were correlated with increased sEng production in normal pregnancy (P < 0.005).
In conclusion, placental sFlt‐1 and sEng production was higher in pre‐eclampsia and antihypertensive drugs had no effect on placental production of sFlt‐1 and sEng in vitro.
REDUCED LUNG WATER TRANSPORT RATE ASSOCIATED WITH DOWNREGULATION OF AQUAPORIN‐1 AND AQUAPORIN‐5 IN AGED MICE
Authors: Zhang Ying‐Wei , Bi Lin‐Tao , Hou Song‐Ping , Zhao Xue‐Liang , Song Yuan‐Lin , Ma Tong‐Hui 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY

The purpose of the present study was to examine lung water transport properties and the expression and regulation of the alveolar endothelial water channel aquaporin (AQP)‐1 and the epithelial water channel AQP‐5 in aged mouse lung using gene expression analysis and water permeability measurements.
In aged (20–24‐month‐old) mice, AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 mRNA expression decreased by 55.5 and 50.3%, respectively, compared with that in young (8–10‐week‐old) mice (P < 0.01). In addition, AQP‐1 and AQP‐5 protein expression decreased in aged mice by 36.9 and 44.6%, respectively, compared with that in young mice (P < 0.01).
The osmotically driven water transport rate between the airspace and capillary compartments was reduced by 31.7% in aged mice compared with young mice (2.8 ± 0.3 vs 4.1 ± 0.3 mg/s, respectively; P < 0.01). The hydrostatically driven lung water accumulation rate in response to a 10 cmH2O increase in pulmonary artery pressure was also reduced in aged mice by 21.9% compared with young mice (0.32 ± 0.06 vs 0.41 ± 0.04 mg/s, respectively; P < 0.01).
There was a 62.7% decrease in serum glucocorticoids in aged mice compared with young mice (67.6 ± 26.8 vs 181.3 ± 44.4 nmol/L, respectively; P < 0.01). In vivo administration of dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days to aged mice increased lung AQP‐1 mRNA and protein expression by 2.1 ± 0.1 fold (P < 0.01) and 1.8 ± 0.2 fold (P < 0.01), respectively. Accordingly, osmotically and hydrostatically driven water transport rates increased by 35.6% (P < 0.01) and 31.2% (P < 0.01), respectively.
The present study provides the first evidence of altered lung water transport associated with downregulation of AQPs in aged lung. Blood glucocorticoid hormone levels are important to maintain normal AQP‐1 expression in the lung microvascular endothelium. Corticosteroid‐induced AQP‐1 upregulation may contribute to the role of corticosteroids in accelerating oedema clearance in aged lung.
SIMULTANEOUS ACTION OF THE FLAVONOID QUERCETIN ON CYTOCHROME P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, N‐ACETYLTRANSFERASE AND XANTHINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS
Authors: Chen Yao , Xiao Peng , Ou‐Yang Dong‐Sheng , Fan Lan , Guo Dong , Wang Yi‐Nan , Han Yang , Tu Jiang‐Hua , Zhou Gan , Huang Yuan‐Fei , Zhou Hong‐Hao 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARY

Quercetin, one of the most abundant natural flavonoids, has been reported to modulate the activity of several drug‐metabolising enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, N‐acetyltransferase (NAT2) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in healthy volunteers using caffeine as a probe drug.
Twelve unrelated, healthy volunteers were recruited to the study. There were two phases to the study; in the first phase, each subject was given a single oral dose of caffeine (one 100 mg capsule) with 150 mL water; in the second phase, each subject was give a 500 mg quercetin capsule once daily for 13 continuous days and was coadministered a 100 mg caffeine capsule on the 13th day. Urinary caffeine metabolite ratios were used as indicators of the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO. The pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its metabolites were determined by HPLC.
In the quercetin‐treated group, CYP1A2 activity was decreased by 10.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–29.8%; P = 0.039), whereas increases were observed in CYP2A6 (by 25.3%; 95% CI, 6.2–34.5%; P = 0.002), NAT2 (by 88.7%; 95% CI, 7.1–160.2%; P = 0.010) and XO activity (by 15.0%; 95% CI, 1.6–21.6%; P = 0.007). Plasma Cmax and the AUC(0–24 h) of 1,7‐dimethylxanthine were decreased by 17.2% (95% CI, 6.4–28.0%; P = 0.024) and 16.2% (95% CI, 3.9–28.5%; P = 0.032), respectively. The urinary excretion of 1,7‐dimethylxanthine and 1‐methylxanthine was significantly decreased by 32.4% (95% CI, 2.5–62.1%; P = 0.036) and 156.1% (95% CI, 53.3–258.9%; P = 0.004), respectively. The urinary excretion of 1,7‐dimethylurate and 1‐methylurate was increased by 82.9% (95% CI, 56.0–165.4%; P = 0.030) and 97.8% (95% CI, 12.1–183.5%; P = 0.029), respectively. No changes were observed in the urinary excretion of caffeine and 5‐acetylamino‐6‐formylamino‐3‐methyluracil between the two study phases.
The results of the present study indicate that quercetin inhibits CYP1A2 function, but enhances CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO activity. Simultaneously, some pharmacokinetic parameters relating to 1,7‐dimethylxanthine were affected by quercetin. Thus, we conclude that quercetin affects CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO activity in vivo.
Production of the antifungal compound pyrrolnitrin is quorum sensing‐regulated in members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex
Authors: Schmidt Silvia , Blom Judith F. , Pernthaler Jakob , Berg Gabriele , Baldwin Adam , Mahenthiralingam Eshwar , Eberl Leo 
Published: February 2009

SummaryMembers of the genus Burkholderia are known for their ability to suppress soil‐borne fungal pathogens by the production of various antibiotic compounds. In this study we investigated the role of N‐acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)‐dependent quorum sensing (QS) in the expression of antifungal traits. Using a quorum quenching approach, that is, by heterologous expression of the Bacillus sp. AiiA lactonase, we show that expression of antifungal activities is AHL‐dependent in the large majority of the investigated strains belonging to various Burkholderia species. We demonstrate that in certain strains of Burkholderia ambifaria, Burkholderia pyrrocinia and Burkholderia lata, one of the QS‐regulated antifungal agents is pyrrolnitrin (prn), a common broad‐spectrum antibiotic that is also produced by some Pseudomonas and Serratia species. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of AHL‐dependent prn production in better detail, we inactivated the AHL synthase cepI as well as cepR, which encodes the cognate AHL receptor protein, in B. lata 383. Both QS mutants no longer produced prn as assessed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis and as a consequence were unable to inhibit growth of Rhizoctonia solani. Using fusions of the lacZ gene to the promoter of the prnABCD operon, which directs the synthesis of prn, we demonstrate that expression of prn is positively regulated by CepR at the level of transcription.
Morphology and function of reproductive organs in Neodasys chaetonotoideus (Gastrotricha: Neodasys) with a phylogenetic assessment of the reproductive system in Gastrotricha
Authors: Kieneke Alexander , Ahlrichs Wilko H. , Arbizu Pedro Martínez 
Published: February 2009

The reproductive system of the important basal gastrotrich Neodasys chaetonotoideus is described and reconstructed on the basis of light microscopy, serial ultrathin sections (ultrastructure) and scanning electron microscopy. Starting frontally, the hermaphroditic reproductive system consists of paired and tube shaped lateral testes that do not possess elongated seminal ducts but most likely open directly via paired ventral pores. The unpaired, medio‐dorsal ovary region contains early oogenic stages that mature caudally towards the uterus region, where the most mature egg is positioned laterally to the midgut. The ovary region is not covered with an epithelial lining whereas the uterus region possesses a distinct epithelial wall. Between ovary and uterus region, we have detected a conspicuous section of the female gonad, the vitellogenic oviduct that consists of a thick epithelial wall which forms cellular protuberances into the developing oocytes passing the oviduct. We interpret this as a special, hitherto undescribed mode of vitellogenesis in Gastrotricha. Further caudally, the uterus continues with the fronto‐caudal organ, a complex of two substructures that are apparently homologous to the frontal organ and the caudal organ of many species of the Gastrotricha Macrodasyida. Neodasys chaetonotoideus obviously engages in spermatophore formation and transfer. In this study we develop a morpho‐functional scenario for the gonads and accessory organs in terms of spermatophore production, exchange and oviposition.We compare our newly obtained data with already published results on the reproductive organs of several species of Gastrotricha by means of a species‐character matrix and provide a computer aided evaluation by a parsimonious character optimization. A reconstruction of the reproductive system of the stem species of Gastrotricha on the basis of three recent phylogenetic analyses is presented. These reconstructions give support for a Neodasys‐like reproductive system in the ground pattern of Gastrotricha with slight morphological differences and direct transfer of spermatozoa rather than spermatophore transfer. The evolution of selected characters is traced thus revealing some incidents of convergent evolution as well as the evolutionary replacement of the ancestral frontal organ by the derived frontal sac in at least two separated lineages.
Cancer ablation with regional templates applied to prostatectomy specimens from men who were eligible for focal therapy
Authors: Ward John F. , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Pisters Louis , Babaian R. Joseph , Troncoso Patricia 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo assess the totality of prostate cancer eradication in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens from men with a unilaterally positive prostate biopsy, and who would currently qualify for subtotal prostate ablation with controlled thermal energy such as cryoablation or high‐intensity focused ultrasound.MATERIALS AND METHODSTherapies for prostate cancer hold the promise of individualized treatment that selectively ablates the tumour while minimizing treatment‐associated morbidity, but as prostate cancer is multifocal there are concerns about untreated residual disease. RP specimens (180) from men with a unilaterally positive prostate biopsy were examined to characterize the location, volume and grade of each tumour focus. Two treatment templates (hemiprostate and ‘hockey‐stick’) were applied to every prostate cross‐section. The nature of the in‐field and out‐of‐field tumours was assessed and described for each treatment template.RESULTSA single focus of cancer was the only tumour in 31 (17%) of the patients (contralateral cancer was present in 149, 83%, of specimens despite a unilateral positive biopsy). Hemiprostate and hockey‐stick treatment templates covered all tumour foci in 17% and 47% of men, respectively. Most out‐of‐field cancers were clinically insignificant tumours not identified by prostate biopsy (low‐volume, 0.5 mL; and low grade, Gleason score ≤6). Regional ablation would have successfully treated all clinically significant prostate tumours in 64% and 81% of patients using the hemiprostate or hockey‐stick template, respectively. The hockey‐stick template encompassed all dominant tumours (largest volume).CONCLUSIONSRegionally targeted prostate ablation is capable of eradicating all dominant tumours and the vast majority of clinically significant tumours in men with unilateral disease by biopsy. The study of focally ablative therapy should proceed under the auspices of an approved protocol.
Short‐ and long‐term effects of silodosin, a selective α1A‐adrenoceptor antagonist, on ejaculatory function in rats
Authors: Yono Makoto , Yamamoto Yasuhiro , Imanishi Aya , Fukagawa Atsushi , Latifpour Jamshid , Yoshida Masaki 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the short‐ and long‐term effects of silodosin, a selective α1A‐adrenoceptor antagonist, on spontaneous seminal emission by isolated rats and on the properties of α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat seminal vesicle, as silodosin produces a relatively high incidence rate of abnormal ejaculation and chronic administration of receptor antagonists causes an up‐regulation in the targeted receptor.MATERIALS AND METHODSRats were treated with two doses (0.1 and 3 mg/kg/day) of silodosin orally for 3 or 30 days. Spontaneous seminal emission was studied during the 3‐day observation period before completing treatment. The expression levels of α1A, α1B and α1D‐adrenoceptor mRNAs in the rat seminal vesicle and prostate were quantified by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction using SYBR Green I.RESULTSThe administration of two doses of silodosin for 3 or 30 days caused a significant dose‐dependent reduction in the number of ejaculatory plugs and in their dry weight. However, in rats receiving the low dose of silodosin the inhibitory effect of the drug on spontaneous seminal emission diminished significantly with chronic usage over time. Although short‐term administration of silodosin did not affect expression levels of any α1‐adrenoceptor subtype mRNAs in the rat seminal vesicle and prostate, long‐term administration of silodosin caused a significant up‐regulation in the mRNA expression of α1A‐adrenoceptor in a tissue‐dependent manner.CONCLUSIONSilodosin‐induced up‐regulation of α1A‐adrenoceptor mRNA in the rat seminal vesicle might indicate potential differences in the inhibitory effect of this drug on ejaculatory function with chronic usage over time.
Biodegradable urethral stents seeded with autologous urethral epithelial cells in the treatment of post‐traumatic urethral stricture: a feasibility study in a rabbit model
Authors: Fu Wei‐Jun , Zhang Xu , Zhang Bing‐Hong , Zhang Peng , Hong Bao‐Fa , Gao Jiang‐Ping , Meng Bo , Kun Hu , Cui Fu‐Zhai 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the adhesion and growth of rabbit urethral epithelial cells (UECs) on a biodegradable unbraided mesh urethral stent, and to assess the feasibility and effect of the cell‐seeded urethral stent for treating post‐traumatic urethral stricture (PTUS) in a rabbit model.MATERIALS AND METHODSRabbit UECs were collected by biopsy from adult rabbit urethra and seeded onto the outer layer of a mesh biodegradable urethral stent. The growth of UECs in cell‐scaffolds was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemical and fluorescence staining. In all, 32 male New Zealand rabbits were used, with either PTUS or uninjured, as a control group. Cell‐seeded stents were implanted into the rabbits strictured urethra. The histological and immunohistochemical findings were assessed after death at 1, 2, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. The reconstruction and function were evaluated by urethroscopy and retrograde urethrography.RESULTSThe cultured UECs adhered to the stent and grew well. Immunohistochemistry showed that the cells were stained positively for cytokeratin. At 4 weeks, vs 2 weeks, the thickness of the papillary projections of the epithelium decreased and inflammatory cell infiltration diminished. At 24 weeks the injured urethra was completely covered by integrated regeneration of three to five layers of urothelium. There was no evidence of voiding difficulty, stricture recurrence or other complications.CONCLUSIONSThe unbraided mesh biodegradable urethral stent with autologous UECs seemed to be feasible for treating PTUS in the rabbit urethra, and provides a hopeful avenue for clinical application allowing reconstruction of PTUS.
Comparison of rates and risk factors for developing chronic renal insufficiency, proteinuria and metabolic acidosis after radical or partial nephrectomy
Authors: Malcolm John B. , Bagrodia Aditya , Derweesh Ithaar H. , Mehrazin Reza , DiBlasio Christopher J. , Wake Robert W. , Wan Jim Y. , Patterson Anthony L. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of and risk factors for developing chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), proteinuria and metabolic acidosis (MA) in patients treated with radical nephrectomy (RN) or nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS).PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed 749 patients (mean age 57.7 years; mean follow‐up 6.4 years) who had RN or NSS for renal tumours between July 1987 and June 2006 at our institution. The demographics and outcomes were analysed and recorded. The primary outcome variable was the development of an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, with secondary outcomes being the development of a serum creatinine level of ≥2.0 mg/dL, MA (serum bicarbonate <22 mmol/L), and proteinuria (≥1+ on dipstick testing). Multivariate logistic regression (MV) was used to identify risk factors for developing an eGFR of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, a creatinine level of ≥2.0 mg/dL and MA.RESULTSOf the 749 patients, 499 had RN and 250 NSS; there were no significant demographic differences between the groups. After surgery a significantly greater proportion of the RN than the NSS group had a low eGFR (44.7% vs 16.0%, P < 0.001), MA (12.8% vs 7.2%, P = 0.02), proteinuria (22.2% vs 13.2%, P = 0.003) and elevated creatinine (14.2% vs 8.4%, P = 0.022). MV showed that diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 8.96, P = 0.002), RN (5.32, P < 0.001), hypertension (4.55, P = 0.003), a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (3.51, P = 0.017), age ≥60 years (2.91, P = 0.015) and smoking (2.44, P = 0.014) were risk factors for developing a low eGFR; and that age ≥60 years (2.00, P = 0.019), diabetes mellitus (10, P < 0.001), hypertension (7.41, P = 0.002), smoking (5.29, P < 0.001) and RN (3.08, P < 0.001) were risk factors for developing an elevated creatinine level; and that being male (2.50, P = 0.019), age ≥60 years (3.13, P = 0.002), a BMI ≥30 (3.52, P < 0.001), RN (9.82, P < 0.001), preoperative eGFR <60 (9.71, P < 0.001) and elevated creatinine (5.9, P = 0.008) were risk factors for developing MA.CONCLUSIONSPatients undergoing RN had significantly greater CRI, MA and proteinuria rates than a well‐matched group undergoing NSS. In addition to RN, age ≥60 years, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking were associated with progression to CRI after surgery.
The relationship between total and free serum testosterone and the risk of prostate cancer and tumour aggressiveness
Authors: Morote Juan , Ramirez Cristobal , Gómez Esther , Planas Jacques , Raventós Carles X. , De Torres Inés M. , Catalán Roberto 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVETo analyse the relationship between the levels of total and free serum testosterone and the risk of prostate cancer and tumour aggressiveness.PATIENTS AND METHODSTotal and free serum testosterone were determined in 478 patients consecutively assessed by transrectal ultrasonography‐guided prostate biopsy because of an abnormal digital rectal examination and/or serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of >4.0 ng/mL. Tumour aggressiveness was assessed according to serum PSA level, biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage in the subset of 216 patients with cancer (45.2%). We also compared prostate cancer risk and tumour aggressiveness in 80 hypogonadal patients (16.7%) and 398 eugonadal patients (83.3%).RESULTSThe median total serum testosterone level in patients without and with prostate cancer was 466.0 and 466.5 ng/dL, respectively (P > 0.05); the median levels of free serum testosterone were 9.9 and 10.0 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05). The cancer detection rate in hypogonadal patients was 41.3% (33/80) and 46.0% in eugonadal patients (183/398) (P > 0.05). The median level of total testosterone was 433 ng/dL in patients with low‐risk prostate cancer, 467 ng/dL in those with intermediate‐risk tumours and 468 ng/dL in those with high‐risk tumours (P > 0.05); the median levels of free testosterone were 9.4, 9.8 and 10.3 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONSProstate cancer risk and tumour aggressiveness are not related to serum levels of total and free testosterone, but hypogonadal patients do not have a greater risk of prostate cancer and tumour aggressiveness.
A comparison of simultaneous autoregressive and generalized least squares models for dealing with spatial autocorrelation
Authors: Beguería S. , Pueyo Y. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTAim  In their recent paper, Kissling & Carl (2008) recommended the spatial error simultaneous autoregressive model (SARerr) over ordinary least squares (OLS) for modelling species distribution. We compared these models with the generalized least squares model (GLS) and a variant of SAR (SARvario). GLS and SARvario are superior to standard implementations of SAR because the spatial covariance structure is described by a semivariogram model.Innovation  We used the complete datasets employed by Kissling & Carl (2008), with strong spatial autocorrelation, and two datasets in which the spatial structure was degraded by sample reduction and grid coarsening. GLS performed consistently better than OLS, SARerr and SARvario in all datasets, especially in terms of goodness of fit. SARvario was marginally better than SARerr in the degraded datasets.Main conclusions  GLS was more reliable than SAR‐based models, so its use is recommended when dealing with spatially autocorrelated data.