bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alpine dandelions originated in the native and introduced range differ in their responses to environmental constraints
Authors: Quiroz Constanza L. , Choler Philippe , Baptist Florence , González‐Teuber Marcia , Molina‐Montenegro Marco A. , Cavieres Lohengrin A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFew studies have compared the response of native and invasive populations under stressful conditions. Furthermore, there is little consensus as to whether a plastic response is related to invasiveness in stressful environments. Exotic species have recently been reported in the high Andes of central Chile, where individuals have to cope with drought and poor soils, in addition to extreme temperatures. We explored if the exotic species Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) has plastic responses to soil moisture and nutrient availability, and whether two sets of alpine populations derived from native and introduced populations can converge to similar plastic responses to environmental constraints. Using a common garden approach, we compared plants grown from seeds collected in alpine populations of its native range (Alps, France) and in alpine populations of its introduced range (Andes, Chile) under a drought experiment, a potassium gradient, and a nitrogen gradient. Plasticity was only found as a response to drought. Moreover, different responses were found between both origins. Andean individuals are drought‐resistant, while individuals from the Alps were drought‐sensitive. According to the nutrient experiments, Andean dandelions behave as a nitrogen demanding‐potassium avoiding species, whereas individuals from the Alps did not show any particular dependency or repulsion tendency to either of these two nutrients. Results suggest that differences in life history traits of both derived sets of populations may have an important role in determining the response of dandelions under the evaluated conditions. However, the relative importance of genetic adaptation in these responses is still unclear. Although T. officinale is a cosmopolite weed, this is the first study that compares individuals coming from its native and invaded range under stressful conditions.
Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Morphology of Carbon Nanofibers Produced from a Botanical Hydrocarbon
Authors: Ghosh Pradip , Soga Tetsuo , Ghosh Kaushik , Jimbo Takashi , Katoh Ryoji , Sumiyama Kenji , Ando Yoshinori 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Carbon nanofibers (CNF) with diameters of 20–130 nm with different morphologies were obtained from a botanical hydrocarbon: Turpentine oil, using ferrocene as catalyst source and sulfur as a promoter by simple spray pyrolysis method at 1,000 °C. The influence of sulfur concentration on the morphology of the carbon nanofibers was investigated. SEM, TEM, Raman, TGA/DTA, and BET surface area were employed to characterize the as-prepared samples. TEM analysis confirms that as-prepared CNFs have a very sharp tip, bamboo shape, open end, hemispherical cap, pipe like morphology, and metal particle trapped inside the wide hollow core. It is observed that sulfur plays an important role to promote or inhibit the CNF growth. Addition of sulfur to the solution of ferrocene and turpentine oil mixture was found to be very effective in promoting the growth of CNF. Without addition of sulfur, carbonaceous product was very less and mainly soot was formed. At high concentration of sulfur inhibit the growth of CNFs. Hence the yield of CNFs was optimized for a given sulfur concentration.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of the Essential Oils of Two Saltcedar Species from Tunisia
Authors: Saïdana Dhouha , Mahjoub Samia , Boussaada Olfa , Chriaa Jihane , Mahjoub Mohamed Ali , Chéraif Imed , Daami Majda , Mighri Zine , Helal Ahmed Noureddine 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe chemical composition of the volatile constituents from the flowering parts of Suaeda fructicosa and Limonium echioides were analysed by GC‐FID and GC‐MS. Sixty‐five compounds were identified in L. echioides aerial parts. 48 out of 65 were found common to the aerial part of S. fructicosa. Palmitic acid was found as a predominant compound in both tested halophytic oils. Furthermore, the essential oil was tested against six bacteria and four fungi at different concentrations. Both oils, tested at 0.5 and 0.8 mg ml−1, inhibited the visible growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, but no antibacterial effect was detected against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Additionally, both halophytic oils failed to show antifungal activity against all the test fungi when applied at 80, 200 and 500 μg/disc.
Characterization and Immobilization of Marine Algal 11‐Lipoxygenase from Ulva fasciata
Authors: Tsai Cheng Jung , Li Wu Feng , Pan Bonnie Sun 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe lipoxygenase (LOX) of the marine green alga Ulva fasciata was purified and immobilized in order to improve the stability and reusability. The algal LOX was partially purified by fractionation with 35–55% saturation of ammonium sulfate and MacroPrep high Q anion exchange chromatography. The LOX was purified ten times using linoleic acid (C18:2) or arachidonic acid (C20:4) as substrate, the Michaelis constant (Km) of LOX was 117.6, 31.3 μM, and maximum velocity (Vmax) was 12.8, 23.3 μmol hydroperoxy fatty acid/min‐mg protein, respectively. The algal LOX showed the highest activity towards C18:4 followed by C20:4, C18:2 and methyl ester of C18:4. LOX activity increased up to 10.5 times with increased concentration of Triton X‐100 in the extraction medium reaching an optimum at 0.05%. Calcium chloride, glutathione and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride were found effective protectants to LOX during purification. Hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HpETE) formed from arachidonic acid catalyzed by this purified algal LOX was reduced and identified as 11‐hydroxy‐5,8,12,14‐eicosatetraenoic acid (11‐HETE) by NP‐HPLC and GC–MS. This algal 11‐LOX was immobilized in alginate beads. The stability was sevenfold greater than that of the unbound lipoxygenase at 4 °C in 0.05 M Tris–HCl buffer (pH 7.5). This is the first report on immobilization of a marine algal lipoxygenase with a view to its potential role in seafood flavor formation.
The Use of a Eutectic Mixture of Olive Pomace Oil Fatty Amides to Easily Prepare Sulfated Amides Applied as Lime Soap Dispersants
Authors: Rais Faicel , Baati Rochdi , Damak Nesrin , Kamoun Amel , Chaabouni Moncef 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSulfated diethanolamides of fatty acids are known to be effective lime soap dispersing agents. However, their preparation from fatty acids via fatty amides requires the use of organic solvents due to the high viscosity of both fatty amides and sulfated fatty amides. This study shows that the preparation of sulfated fatty amides is relatively easy when using olive pomace oil as the raw material. The latter, is converted into sulfated fatty amides by performing the following steps: saponification, hydrolysis, esterification, amidation, and sulfation. In the final step, the mixture obtained has sufficient fluidity, due to its high linoleic acid amide content, to obviate the use of organic solvents, as usually suggested in the literature. Characterization of the product was carried out by chemical analyses, FTIR, 13C NMR, GC, and HPLC. It was shown that the yield of the amidation reaction is about 80%, and that of the sulfation reaction can exceed 100% against the pure amide (more than one sulfate group could be linked to one amide molecule). On the other hand, the Borghetty test showed that the product is an effective dispersant with a lime soap dispersing power equal to five.
Exercise‐induced biphasic increase in circulating NT‐proBNP levels in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Conraads Viviane M.A. , De Maeyer Cathérine , Beckers Paul , Possemiers Nadine , Martin Manuella , Van Hoof Viviane , Vrints Christiaan J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:Exercise increases natriuretic peptide levels in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, but the effect is considered minor. We assessed acute and short‐term release (<24 h) of NT‐proBNP in CHF patients after a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and 2 different submaximal training sessions.Methods and results102 CHF patients either performed CPET (Group 1), a 1 h endurance (Group 2) or a combined endurance–resistance training session (Group 3). NT‐proBNP concentration was determined before, at exercise cessation and after 18–22 h (Protocol A). In 20 patients, samples were obtained before, at exercise cessation, after 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 min, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 22 h (Protocol B).Protocol A:At peak exercise, a 15%, 11% and 17% relative increase (p<0.001 vs baseline, all 3 groups) was seen, with a return to baseline after 18–22 h. The increase correlated with indicators of more advanced heart failure.Protocol B:A biphasic pattern was derived with a first peak within 1 h of exercise termination and a second peak (39%, 31% and 33% higher than baseline; p<0.05, all 3 groups) after 4–12 h.Conclusions:The observed biphasic release of B‐type natriuretic peptides supports standardization of sampling, taking recent exercise into account.
Timing and cause of water level fluctuations in Kluane Lake, Yukon Territory, over the past 5000 years
Authors: Brahney Janice , Clague John J. , Menounos Brian , Edwards Thomas, W.D. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe reconstructed late Holocene fluctuations of Kluane Lake in Yukon Territory from variations in bulk physical properties and carbon and nitrogen elemental and isotopic abundances in nine sediment cores. Fluctuations of Kluane Lake in the past were controlled by changes in climate and glaciers, which affected inflow of Slims and Duke rivers, the two largest sources of water flowing into the lake. Kluane Lake fluctuated within a narrow range, at levels about 25 m below the present datum, from about 5000 to 1300 cal yr BP. Low lake levels during this interval are probably due to southerly drainage of Kluane Lake to the Pacific Ocean, opposite the present northerly drainage to Bering Sea. Slims River, which today is the largest contributor of water to Kluane Lake, only rarely flowed into the lake during the period 5000 to 1300 cal yr BP. The lake rose 7–12 m between 1300 and 900 cal yr BP, reached its present level around AD 1650, and within a few decades had risen an additional 12 m. Shortly thereafter, the lake established a northern outlet and fell to near its present level.
Indicators of zinc status at the population level: a review of the evidence
Authors: Gibson Rosalind S. , Hess Sonja Y. , Hotz Christine , Brown Kenneth H. 
Published: July 2008

The role of zinc deficiency as an important cause of morbidity and impaired linear growth has prompted the need to identify indicators of population zinc status. Three indicators have been recommended – prevalence of zinc intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR), percentage with low serum zinc concentrations, and percentage of children aged < 5 years who are stunted. This review outlines steps to estimate the prevalence of inadequate intakes, and confirm their validity based on the EARs set by International Zinc Nutrition Collaborative Group. Next, the appropriateness of serum zinc as a biochemical marker for population zinc status is confirmed by a summary of: (a) the response of serum zinc concentrations to zinc intakes; (b) usefulness of serum zinc concentrations to predict functional responses to zinc interventions; (c) relationship between initial serum zinc and change in serum zinc in response to interventions. Height- or length-for-age was chosen as the best functional outcome after considering the responses of growth, infectious diseases (diarrhoea, pneumonia), and developmental outcomes in zinc supplementation trials and correlation studies. The potential of other zinc biomarkers such as zinc concentrations in hair, cells, zinc-metalloenzymes, and zinc-binding proteins, such as metallothionein, is also discussed. Molecular techniques employing reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction to measure mRNA in metallothionein and ZIP1 transporter hold promise, as do kinetic markers such as exchangeable zinc pools (EZP) and plasma zinc turnover rates. More research is needed to establish the validity, specificity, sensitivity, and feasibility of these new biomarkers, especially in community-settings.
Update on the assessment of magnesium status
Authors: Arnaud Maurice J. 
Published: July 2008

Magnesium (Mg) is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and the most abundant intracellular divalent cation, with essential roles in many physiological functions. Consequently, the assessment of Mg status is important for the study of diseases associated with chronic deficiency. In spite of intense research activities there is still no simple, rapid, and accurate laboratory test to determine total body Mg status in humans. However, serum Mg < 0·75 mmol/l is a useful measurement for severe deficiency, and for values between 0·75 and 0·85 mmol/l a loading test can identify deficient subjects. The loading test seems to be the gold standard for Mg status, but is unsuitable in patients with disturbed kidney and intestinal functions when administered orally. There is also a need to reach a consensus on a standardized protocol in order to compare results obtained in different clinical units. Other cellular Mg measurements, such as total or ionized Mg, frequently disagree and more research and systematic evaluations are needed. Muscle Mg appears to be a good marker, but biopsies limit its usefulness, as is the case with bone Mg, the most important but heterogeneous Mg compartment. The development of new and non invasive techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may provide valuable tools for routinely analysing ionized Mg in tissues. With the development of molecular genetics techniques, the recent discovery of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin channels offers new possibilities for the sensitive and rapid evaluation of Mg status in humans.
Comparison of multi-criteria decision models to approach the trade-off between environmental sustainability and economical viability – a case of nitrogen balance in dairy farming systems in Reunion Island
Authors: ALARY V. , GOUSSEFF M. , NIDUMOLU U. B. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYIn the context of market liberalization and in order to avoid trade distortions, European farmers risk experiencing a restriction of subsidies for market products. Moreover, policy makers cannot underestimate the public concerns about the non-productive functions of agriculture, such as environmental management. The current study illustrates different ways of modelling the trade-offs between environmental sustainability and economic viability for dairy farming systems in Reunion Island. Nitrogen (N) balance at the farm level is the result of complex interactions between pasture and animal management and between bio-technical and socio-economic management. Therefore, different multi-criteria models were tested using a common dynamic bio-economical model that integrated the different sub-systems of the farm and their interactions. Nitrogen excess mitigation in Reunion Island dairy farming systems was used as an illustration of a non-productive objective taken into account in the decision process modelling.The simulations highlighted the necessity to adapt the nitrogen mitigation objective to the technical level of local territories in order to adopt environmentally friendly practices, without jeopardizing the local dairy sector. Moreover, the models generated a different set of solutions that varied according to how non-production functions are integrated in farmers' decision-making processes. This constitutes a relevant basis for discussions between farmers and decision makers.
Mapping of the conserved antigenic domains shared between potato apyrase and parasite ATP diphosphohydrolases: potential application in human parasitic diseases
Authors: FARIA-PINTO P. , REZENDE-SOARES F. A. , MOLICA A. M. , MONTESANO M. A. , MARQUES M. J. , ROCHA M. O. C. , GOMES J. A. S. , ENK M. J. , CORREA-OLIVEIRA R. , COELHO P. M. Z. , NETO S. M. , FRANCO O. L. , VASCONCELOS E. G. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYEvolutionary and closer structural relationships are demonstrated by phylogenetic analysis, peptide prediction and molecular modelling betweenSolanum tuberosumapyrase,Schistosoma mansoniSmATPase 2 andLeishmania braziliensisNDPase. Specific protein domains are suggested to be potentially involved in the immune response, and also seem to be conserved during host and parasite co-evolution. Significant IgG antibody reactivity was observed in sera from patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) and schistosomiasis using potato apyrase as antigen in ELISA.S. mansoniadult worm or egg,L. braziliensispromastigote (Lb) andTrypanosoma cruziepimastigote (EPI) have ATP diphosphohydrolases, and antigenic preparations of them were evaluated. In ACL patients, IgG seropositivity was about 43% and 90% for Lb and potato apyrase, respectively, while IgM was lower (<19%) for both. In schistosomiasis patients IgM (>40%) or IgG (100%) seropositivity for both soluble egg (SEA) and adult worm (SWAP) antigens was higher than that found for potato apyrase (IgM=10%; IgG=39%). In Chagas disease, IgG seropositivity for EPI and potato apyrase was 97% and 17%, respectively, while the IgM was low (3%) for both antigens. The study of the conserved domains from both parasite proteins and potato apyrase could lead to the development of new drug targets or molecular markers.
Lipid content and fatty acid composition of the monogeneanNeobenedenia girellaeand comparison between the parasite and host fish species
Authors: SATO S. , HIRAYAMA T. , HIRAZAWA N. 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYNeobenedenia girellae, a capsalid monogenean, is a destructive fish parasite. We studied the lipid content and fatty acid composition ofN. girellaeand the skin and cutaneous mucus of a host fish, the amberjackSeriola dumerili(Carangidae). The lipid content of adultN. girellaewas less than one-fourth that of both the skin and cutaneous mucus of its host. AdultN. girellae,S. dumeriliskin and mucus had a relatively high weight-percentage of C16:0, C18:1(n-9), C18:0 and C22:6(n-3) fatty acids. WhenS. dumeriliwere fed a diet supplemented with [13C] fatty acids, [13C] fatty acids were detected inS. dumeriliskin and adultN. girellaeonS. dumerili, but no [13C] fatty acids were detected in theS. dumerilicutaneous mucus. In addition, the epidermis ofS. dumerili, attached withN. girellae, was markedly thin. These results suggest thatN. girellaefeeds primarily on host epithelial cells. We then infected 2 host fishes,S. dumeriliand the spotted halibutVerasper variegatus(Pleuronectidae; a host less susceptible toN. girellaeinfection), and compared the fatty acid composition ofN. girellaewith that of the skin and cutaneous mucus of the hosts. The fatty acid profiles from all samples were qualitatively and quantitatively similar. Thus, the fatty acid composition of the host may not contribute to the difference in susceptibility betweenS. dumeriliandV. variegatus. These results may serve to develop new strategies for the control ofN. girellaeinfections.
Assessing the impact of health technology assessment in the Netherlands
Authors: Oortwijn Wija J. , Hanney Stephen R. , Ligtvoet Andreas , Hoorens Stijn , Wooding Steven , Grant Jonathan , Buxton Martin J. , Bouter Lex M. 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:Investments in health research should lead to improvements in health and health care. This is also the remit of the main HTA program in the Netherlands. The aims of this study were to assess whether the results of this program have led to such improvements and to analyze how best to assess the impact from health research.Methods:We assessed the impact of individual HTA projects by adapting the “payback framework” developed in the United Kingdom. We conducted dossier reviews and sent a survey to principal investigators of forty-three projects awarded between 2000 and 2003. We then provided an overview of documented output and outcome that was assessed by ten HTA experts using a scoring method. Finally, we conducted five case studies using information from additional dossier review and semistructured key informant interviews.Results:The findings confirm that the payback framework is a useful approach to assess the impact of HTA projects. We identified over 101 peer reviewed papers, more than twenty-five PhDs, citations of research in guidelines (six projects), and implementation of new treatment strategies (eleven projects). The case studies provided greater depth and understanding about the levels of impact that arise and why and how they have been achieved.Conclusions:It is generally too early to determine whether the HTA program led to actual changes in healthcare policy and practice. However, the results can be used as a baseline measurement for future evaluation and can help funding organizations or HTA agencies consider how to assess impact, possibly routinely. This, in turn, could help inform research strategies and justify expenditure for health research.
Policies of screening for colorectal cancer in European countries
Authors: Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea Iñaki , Asua José , Latorre Kepa 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:The aim of this study was to analyze the current status of population screening for colon/rectum cancer in Europe to compare the different strategies, the coverage, the existence of pilot experiences, regional coverages, and the risk factors considered in each strategy.Methods:A comprehensive, systematic search was performed in the literature for documents addressing population screening for colon/rectum cancer in Europe. An ad hoc questionnaire was prepared including questions considered relevant. The questionnaire was reviewed by experts in the area. To identify key informants, colleague members of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA), participants in the EUnetHTA project, or representatives of the ministries of health of the different European countries were contacted. The information provided by key informants was checked with information directly obtained from the ministries of health, gray literature, and research documents.Results:An 88 percent response rate was obtained. In countries for which no questionnaire data were collected, information was directly retrieved from the Web sites of the corresponding ministries. Four countries were found to perform population screenings: Austria, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. However, they used different strategies. Five countries had begun regional or local strategies: Denmark, Finland, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, and two additional countries (the Netherlands and Norway) reported ongoing research studies intended to determine the best strategy to implement a population-based screening program. Differences were found in age range, procedure chosen, and follow-up period.Conclusions:Even though the European Council recommended a wider implementation of population screening for colon/rectum cancer, our results suggest that this recommendation continues to be valid. The differences found in screening strategies (in terms of age range, procedures, risk factors considered, and follow-up periods) are not warranted by the results obtained in research studies or regional-national cancer registries.