bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linking the concept of scale to studies of biological diversity: evolving approaches and tools
Authors: Beever Erik A. , Swihart Robert K. , Bestelmeyer Brandon T. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTAlthough the concepts of scale and biological diversity independently have received rapidly increasing attention in the scientific literature since the 1980s, the rate at which the two concepts have been investigated jointly has grown much more slowly. We find that scale considerations have been incorporated explicitly into six broad areas of investigation related to biological diversity: (1) heterogeneity within and among ecosystems, (2) disturbance ecology, (3) conservation and restoration, (4) invasion biology, (5) importance of temporal scale for understanding processes, and (6) species responses to environmental heterogeneity. In addition to placing the papers of this Special Feature within the context of brief summaries of the expanding literature on these six topics, we provide an overview of tools useful for integrating scale considerations into studies of biological diversity. Such tools include hierarchical and structural‐equation modelling, kriging, variable‐width buffers,k‐fold cross‐validation, and cascading graph diagrams, among others. Finally, we address some of the major challenges and research frontiers that remain, and conclude with a look to the future.
Practical sources of error in measuring pulmonary artery occlusion pressure: a study in participants of a special intensivist training program of The Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI)
Authors: Parviainen I. , Jakob S. M. , Suistomaa M. , Takala J. 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Physiological data obtained with the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) are susceptible to errors in measurement and interpretation. Little attention has been paid to the relevance of errors in hemodynamic measurements performed in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to assess the errors related to the technical aspects (zeroing and reference level) and actual measurement (curve interpretation) of the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP).Methods:  Forty‐seven participants in a special ICU training program and 22 ICU nurses were tested without pre‐announcement. All participants had previously been exposed to the clinical use of the method. The first task was to set up a pressure measurement system for PAC (zeroing and reference level) and the second to measure the PAOP.Results:  The median difference from the reference mid‐axillary zero level was − 3 cm (−8 to + 9 cm) for physicians and −1 cm (−5 to + 1 cm) for nurses. The median difference from the reference PAOP was 0 mmHg (−3 to 5 mmHg) for physicians and 1 mmHg (−1 to 15 mmHg) for nurses. When PAOP values were adjusted for the differences from the reference transducer level, the median differences from the reference PAOP values were 2 mmHg (−6 to 9 mmHg) for physicians and 2 mmHg (−6 to 16 mmHg) for nurses.Conclusions:  Measurement of the PAOP is susceptible to substantial error as a result of practical mistakes. Comparison of results between ICUs or practitioners is therefore not possible.
Silene tatarica microsatellites are frequently located in repetitive DNA
Authors: Tero N. , Neumeier H. , Gudavalli R. , Schlötterer C. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The genomic distribution of microsatellites can be explained by DNA slippage, slippage like processes and base substitutions. Nevertheless, microsatellites are also frequently associated with repetitive DNA, raising the question of the relative contributions of these processes to microsatellite genesis. We show that in Silene tatarica about 50% of the microsatellites isolated by an enrichment cloning protocol are associated with repetitive DNA. Based on the flanking sequences, we distinguished seven different classes of repetitive DNA. PCR primers designed for the flanking sequences of an individual clone amplified a heterogeneous family of repetitive DNA. Despite considerable variation in the flanking sequence (π = 0.108), the microsatellite repeats did not show any evidence for decay. Rather, we observed the emergence of a new repeat type that probably arose by mutation and was spread by replication slippage. In fact, a complete repeat type switch could be observed among the analysed clones. We propose that the analysis of microsatellite sequences embedded in repetitive DNA provides a hitherto largely unexplored tool to study microsatellite evolution.
Successful treatment of Trichosporon mucoides infection with lipid complex amphotericin B and 5‐fluorocytosine
Authors: Kendirli Tanil , Ciftçi Ergin , İnce Erdal , Öncel Selim , Dalgiç Nazan , Güriz Haluk , Unal Emel , Dogru Ulker 
Published: April 2006

SummaryInfections in immunocompromised children can stem from bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa, but most importantly, from the host's endogenous bacterial flora. Disseminated infection caused by Trichosporon species is one of the emerging mycoses in neutropenic patients, particularly when they are treated for haematological malignancy with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive chemotherapy. We report a 15‐year‐old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, whose Trichosporon mucoides infection was successfully treated with lipid complex amphotericin B plus 5‐fluorocytosine.
Onychomycosis in a diabetic patient due to Trichophyton gallinae
Authors: Poblete‐Gutiérrez Pamela , Abuzahra Faris , Becker Francoise , Krause Heinrich , Merk Hans F. , Frank Jorge 
Published: April 2006

SummaryA 67‐year‐old female suffering from diabetes mellitus type I revealed brownish‐yellow discolouration, subungual hyperkeratosis, and onychodystrophy of several finger nails. Upon culturing of nail specimens, Trichophyton gallinae could be repeatedly identified on Sabouraud glucose agar. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a human infection caused by this species in Germany. T. gallinae is a zoophilic dermatophyte that primarily infects higher animals, but can also be transmitted to humans sporadically. Herein, clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological aspects of this zoophilic dermatophyte are briefly reviewed.
Ecological and evolutionary principles in immunology
Authors: Wodarz Dominik 
Published: April 2006

AbstractExperimental immunology has given rise to detailed insights into how immune cells react to infectious agents and fight pathogens. At the same time, however, the interplay between infectious agents and immune responses can be viewed as an ecological systemin vivo. This is characterized by complex interactions between species of immune cells and populations of pathogens. This review discusses how an understanding of the immune system can be aided by the application of ecological and evolutionary principles: competition, predation, and the evolution of virusesin vivo. These concepts can shed light onto important immunological concepts such as the correlates of efficient virus control, immunodominance, the relationship between viral evolution and the development of pathology, as well as the ability of the immune system to control immunosuppressive infections.
Vascularization of rat pituitary autografts
Authors: Lombardero Matilde , Quintanar‐Stephano Andres , Vidal Sergio , Horvath Eva , Kovacs Kalman , Lloyd Ricardo V. , Scheithauer Bernd W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPituitary autotransplantation eliminates direct vascular contact between the hypothalamus and the adenohypophysis, and enables us to study the role of the hypothalamus in regulating adenohypophysial endocrine activity. The aim of this study was to investigate vascularization of the pituitary autografts. Three‐month‐old male Wistar rats were hypophysectomized, and their adenohypophyses were autotransplanted under the renal capsule. The animals were killed 3 weeks after autotransplantation. The grafts were removed and studied by using histology, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. In the central portion of the grafts, organizing necrosis was apparent. The peripheral portion of the graft contained all adenohypophysial cell types, with a predominance of lactotrophs. Vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia‐inducible factor were expressed in the graft mainly in the perinecrotic areas. Several capillaries inside the grafts were lined by continuous unfenestrated epithelium, while others were lined by fenestrated endothelium, suggesting that neovascularization is the result of two processes: ingrowths of capillaries from the renal capsule to the graft, and neoformation of capillaries from pre‐existing adenohypophysial vessels. In conclusion, hypoxia seems to be an important factor in the vascularization of pituitary autografts. Mediated via hypoxia‐inducible factor, hypoxia stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, which plays a crucial role in angiogenesis.
Total number of neurons in the habenular nuclei of the rat epithalamus: a stereological study
Authors: Zhang Rong , Oorschot Dorothy E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe total number of neurons in the medial and lateral habenular nuclei of the rat epithalamus was estimated using modern stereological counting methods and systematic random sampling techniques. Six to eight young adult male rats, and a complete set of serial 40‐µm glycolmethacrylate sections for each rat, were used to quantify neuronal numbers. After a random start, a systematic subset (e.g. every third) of the serial sections was used to estimate the total volume of each nucleus using Cavalieri's method. The same set of sampled sections was used to estimate the number of neurons in a known subvolume (i.e. the numerical density Nv) by the optical disector method. Multiplication of the total volume by Nv yielded the total number of neurons. It was found that the right medial habenular nucleus consisted, on average, of 18 000 neurons (with a coefficient of variation of 0.18), while the right lateral habenular nucleus had 13 000 neurons on average (0.14). These total neuronal numbers provide important data for the transfer of information through these nuclei and for species comparisons.
A new model for the morphology of the arrector pili muscle in the follicular unit based on three‐dimensional reconstruction
Authors: Song Wu‐Chul , Hwang Weon‐Jung , Shin Chuog , Koh Ki‐Seok 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn the classic model of the arrector pili (AP) muscle, each hair follicle is independently associated with a single AP muscle. Recently, new models have been proposed based on interpretations of serial histological cross‐sectional images. The purpose of this study was to confirm the morphology of the AP muscle in relation to the follicular unit (FU) using quantitative three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of serially sectioned images. Skin samples were obtained from the parietal region of the scalp, and processed using routine histological procedures. The serially sectioned slides were stained with Masson's trichrome. All the hairs and hair follicles of the FU exhibited some degree of slanting, with the single AP muscle slanted in the same direction. The distal portion of the AP muscle was divided into branches, as in a bronchial tree. There was branching in the single AP muscle present in the FU, and it was inserted into all the hair follicles of the FU either tightly or loosely. We suggest that the classic anatomy of the AP muscle must be modified with this new model, now confirmed by computer‐based 3D reconstruction.
Transforming growth factor β1 and ethanol affect transcription and translation of genes and proteins for cell adhesion molecules in B104 neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Miller Michael W. , Mooney Sandra M. , Middleton Frank A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTransforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and ethanol retard the migration of young, post‐mitotic neurons to the developing cerebral cortex. The coordination of this migration depends upon cell adhesion proteins (CAPs). We examined the effects of TGFβ1 and ethanol on genes related to both TGF and CAPs. Rat B104 neuroblastoma cells were treated with TGFβ1 (0 or 10 ng/mL) and ethanol (0 or 400 mg/dL) for 6–48 h. Total RNA was purified from each sample and analyzed using the Rat U34A GeneChip (Affymetrix). Candidate genes were those up‐ or down‐regulated by either TGFβ1 or ethanol. Twenty transcripts of CAPs were identified as being expressed by B104 cells and as being affected by treatment with TGFβ1 or ethanol. The expression was verified for five representative genes (neural cell adhesion molecule, L1, and integrins α1, α7, and β1) using assays with real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reactions. Each of these genes showed time‐dependent changes. The changes were reflected in increases in protein expression that appeared within 24 or 48 h. Thus, the effects of TGFβ1 and ethanol on CAPs parallel changes described in vivo and likely underlie changes associated with ethanol‐induced alterations in neuronal migration.
Radioiodine therapy in hyperthyroid disease: poorer outcome in patients with high 24 hours radioiodine uptake
Authors: Kristoffersen Ulrik Sloth , Hesse Birger , Rasmussen Åse Krogh , Kjær Andreas 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPurpose:  To evaluate the importance of 24 h radioiodine uptake (24 h RIU) for the outcome of radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism.Methods:  Retrospective analysis of 72 patients who underwent radioiodine treatment for toxic goiter at our outpatient clinic [29 diffuse goiters (DG), 30 toxic multinodular goiters (TMG) and 13 toxic adenomas (TA)]. Thyroid status was determined by TSH, fT3 and fT4 levels, and outcome was rendered successful when hyperthyroidism was absent. Relation between low 24 h RIU (below median) or high 24 h RIU (above or equal to median) and outcome was evaluated.Results:  Of patients with DG and low 24 h RIU, 15% remained hyperthyroid, as opposed to 56% of patients with DG and high 24 h RIU (P<0·05). Of patients with TMG and low 24 h RIU, none remained hyperthyroid, as opposed to 44% of patients with TMG and high 24 h RIU (P<0·01). Of patients with TA and low 24 h RIU, none remained hyperthyroid, as opposed to 43% of patients with TA and high 24 h RIU (NS, P = 0·19).Conclusion:  In patients with hyperthyroid disease treated with radioiodine the outcome is poorer for patients with high 24 h RIU compared with low 24 h RIU measured prior to treatment when the radioiodine dose is calculated on the basis of 24 h RIU.
Enhancing a sequence of facial images by combining multiple undersampled and compressed images
Authors: Scarmana Gabriel , Fryer John G. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe enhancement of a sequence of low‐resolution images of a human face into a single higher resolution composite poses a real problem in the fields of forensics and security. This is due to the substantial variations in appearance that faces undergo with changing illumination, orientation, scale, facial expressions and occlusions. In addition, faces often appear small in surveillance imagery because of the wide fields of view that are typically used and the relatively large distance between the cameras and the scene. A device‐independent algorithm for the estimation of an enhanced resolution image from multiple low‐resolution and non‐coplanar compressed images having arbitrary motion is proposed in this paper. The basic algorithm has previously been described but its application to enhancing images of objects, in this case a human face, with a range of scales and orientations is the extension detailed here.The task of obtaining a super‐resolved image from a dynamic, undersampled and degraded image sequence can take advantage of the additional spatio‐temporal data available in the image sequence. In particular, camera and scene motion lead to frames containing similar, but not identical information. While the images may look similar to the human eye, the grey‐scale values of the individual pixels are sufficiently different to allow reconstruction of a super‐resolved image with wider bandwidth than that of any of the individual low‐resolution frames. The arbitrarily distorted images must be warped, firstly, to a common orientation so that a rigorous least squares area‐based matching technique can then compute the registration parameters needed for their accurate combination. The warping is an iterative process relying on manual intervention. Once all the low‐resolution images are brought into registration and comply with pre‐established image correlation criteria, they are combined using the algorithm to recover the desired high‐resolution composite. In addition to improving the spatial resolution of the undersampled sequence, the method may also attenuate compression artefacts.
Zonisamide Prophylaxis in Refractory Pediatric Headache
Authors: Pakalnis Ann , Kring Donna 
Published: April 2006

Introduction.—Currently, no medications are approved for pediatric headache prophylaxis in the United States. Zonisamide is an antiepileptic drug with preliminary studies suggesting some efficacy in the adult headache population.Methods.—A retrospective chart review was conducted on refractory headache patients in our multidisciplinary Headache Clinic who were treated with zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, for headache prophylaxis. Records were reviewed for pertinent data including patient history, diagnosis, prior treatment regimens, and zonisamide response, along with headache frequency.Results.—Twelve patients were identified (8 girls); mean age was 13.5 years. Eight of the 12 patients had a positive response to zonisamide with greater than 50% reduction in headaches from pretreatment values.Conclusion.—Zonisamide had some efficacy in headache reduction. It was well tolerated with only minor side effects. Further prospective studies with zonisamide are warranted in refractory pediatric headache patients.
Effects of Market and Regulatory Changes on Livestock Manure Management in Southern Alberta
Authors: Smith Elwin G. , Card Gordon , Young Douglas L. 
Published: April 2006

A spatial model of intensive livestock production for a region in southern Alberta was used to evaluate the impact of economic factors and regulation on regional returns and optimal manure management. Under current conditions, profit maximizing application of manure met nitrogen requirements but phosphorus application was about three times the crop requirements. Higher commercial nitrogen prices did not significantly alter the optimal manure application, but reduced regional returns. With a phosphorus limit regulation, it was less costly to compost about half of the beef cattle manure to remove it from the region than to truck manure long distances to meet the regulation. A $0.91/t reduction in the costs of composting, or a subsidy to reduce costs, was required to meet the phosphorus regulation. The net costs of the subsidy were slightly less than that ofphosphorus regulation. Future research needs to explore the economic market and limitations of composting for manure management before any composting policy is initiated. Nous avons utilisé un modèle spatial de la production animale intensive dans une région du sud de l'Alberta pour évaluer l'impact de la réglementation et de facteurs économiques sur les rendements économiques régionaux et la gestion optimale du fumier. Dans les conditions actuelles, l'épandage de fumier effectué en vue de maximiser les profits a respecté les exigences en azote, tandis que la quantité de phosphore était trois fois supérieure aux besoins des cultures. Le prix élevé de l'azote commercial n'a pas modifié de manière significative l'épandage optimal de fumier, mais a diminué les rendements économiques dans la région. En raison de la réglementation sur le taux d'application limite du phosphore, il a été moins coûteux de composter environ la moitié du fumier de bovins pour l'éliminer de la région que de le transporter par camion sur de longues distances. Pour respecter la réglementation sur le phosphore, il faudrait diminuer le coût du compostage de 0,91 $/tonne ou offrir une subvention équivalente pour diminuer les coûts. Les coûts nets de la subvention étaient légèrement inférieurs à ceux de la réglementation sur le phosphore. Des recherches ultérieures devront être effectuées pour explorer le marchééconomique et les limites du compostage dans le cadre de la gestion du fumier avant d'élaborer toute politique sur le compostage.
Measuring Tissue-Based Biomarkers by Immunochromatography Coupled with Reverse-Phase Lysate Microarray
Authors: Romeo Martin J. , Wunderlich John , Ngo Lien , Rosenberg Steven A. , Steinberg Seth M. , Berman David M. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Purpose: There is a need for new technologies to study tissue-based biomarkers. The current gold standard, immunohistochemistry, is compromised by variability in tissue processing and observer bias. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, and reverse-phase lysate microarrays (RPM) are promising alternative technologies but have not yet been validated, or correlated, on the same patient-derived tissues. Furthermore, RPM is currently limited by time-consuming microdissection and low amounts of evaluable protein lysates.
Experimental Design: Metastatic melanoma was surgically excised from 30 patients and macroscopically dissected from surrounding stroma. Each specimen was processed by formalin-fixation (immunohistochemistry), cytospin (immunocytochemistry), or disaggreagation and enrichment (RT-PCR and RPM). The latter protocol uses immunochromatography to remove hematopoetic-derived cells, thus enriching for melanoma cells. Each sample was measured for the expression of gp100 or MART-1 normalized to actin.
Results: Immunochromatography coupled with RPM (I-RPM) is reproducible (r ≥ 0.70) and, for gp100, correlates strongly with immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry (r = 0.78 and 0.76, respectively) and moderately with transcript levels, measured by RT-PCR (r = 0.61). In contrast, for MART-1, I-RPM correlates strongly with transcript level (r = 0.78) but only moderately strong correlations are noted with immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry (r = 0.64 and 0.59, respectively). In general, transcript levels show only moderately strong correlations with immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry (r = 0.41-0.64).
Conclusion: I-RPM is a promising technology for quantitative grading of tissue biomarkers; however, antigen-dependent correlations are noted.
Alterations in the T-Cell Receptor Variable β Gene–Restricted Profile of CD8+ T Lymphocytes in the Peripheral Circulation of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Albers Andreas E. , Visus Carmen , Tsukishiro Takashi , Ferris Robert L. , Gooding William , Whiteside Theresa L. , De Leo Albert B. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPurpose: Apoptosis of activated CD8+ T cells is often seen in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We investigated whether T-cell receptor (TCR) variable β chain (Vβ)–restricted T cells were more sensitive to apoptosis than non–TCR Vβ-restricted T cells.Experimental Design: Flow cytometry analysis with anti-TCR Vβ antibodies was used to define expansions and contractions of Vβ-restricted T cells in patients with SCCHN relative to normal donors. This staining was combined with Annexin V binding to indicate early T-cell apoptosis.Results: The TCR Vβ profiles of CD3+ T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PBMCs of patients with SCCHN were altered relative to controls, with one to five expansions and numerous contractions of TCR Vβ-restricted T cells detected. These types of alterations were significantly greater in CD8+ than CD4+ T cells. Enhanced Annexin V binding to CD8+ T cells was evident in PBMCs obtained from all patients, with 3 of 13 showing preferential targeting for apoptosis of TCR Vβ-restricted T cells.Conclusions: TCR Vβ profiles of CD8+ T cells were altered in patients with SCCHN relative to normal controls. This may reflect increased apoptosis of expanded or contracted CD8+ T cells, which define the TCR Vβ profile of antigen-responsive T-cell populations in patients with cancer.