bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic administration of interleukin‐2 inhibits inflammatory neutrophil migration: role of nitric oxide
Authors: Moreno Susana E , Alves‐Filho José C , Bertozi Giuliana , Alfaya Tais M , Thèze Jacques , Ferreira Sergio H , Vargaftig Bernardo Boris 
Published: July 2006

Interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) has proinflammatory properties that limit its therapeutic use. Its side effects are mainly explained by the induction of a vascular leakage syndrome. Cytokines, as TNF‐α and IL‐1β, and nitric oxide (NO) generated by IL‐2‐activated leukocytes play a role in this defect.
As the systemic release of these mediators inhibits neutrophil migration to a specific inflammatory site, we investigated now whether IL‐2 administrated systemically inhibits the neutrophil recruitment to the inflamed peritoneum. The involvement of NO in the process was also addressed.
Using peritoneal neutrophils, we show that the intravenous treatment of the mice with IL‐2 inhibits the neutrophil migration induced by carrageenin, LPS or fMLP. In confirmation, IL‐2‐treated mice showed a significant reduction in leukocyte rolling and adhesion in mesenteric microcirculation evaluated after carrageenin, LPS and fMLP injections. Aminoguanidine prevented the inhibitory effect of IL‐2 on carrageenin‐induced neutrophil migration, rolling and adhesion. In contrast, IL‐2 failed to reduce the lung leukocyte infiltration induced by LPS. Therefore, IL‐2 inhibition of neutrophil migration is organ specific.
Our results indicate that IL‐2 administered systemically inhibits neutrophil recruitment to some inflammatory sites through a mechanism dependent on NO. The results also reinforce the needs to determine the mechanism by which patients treated with IL‐2 show increased risks of infection.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 1060–1066. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706835
Anti‐inflammatory effects of PJ34, a poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor, in transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice
Authors: Haddad M , Rhinn H , Bloquel C , Coqueran B , Szabó C , Plotkine M , Scherman D , Margaill I 
Published: July 2006

Background and purpose:Activation of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) is deleterious during cerebral ischemia. We assessed the influence of PARP activation induced by cerebral ischemia on the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators including the cytokines, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and the adhesion molecules, E‐selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1).Experimental approach:Ischemia was induced by intravascular occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery for 1 h in male Swiss mice anaesthetized with ketamine and xylazine. The PARP inhibitor PJ34 (1.25–25 mg kg−1) was administered intraperitoneally 15 min before and 4 hours after, the onset of ischemia. Animals were killed 6 h or 24 h after ischemia and cerebral tissue removed for analysis.Key results:Ischemia increased TNF‐α protein in cerebral tissue at 6 and 24 h after ischemia. All doses of PJ34 blocked the increase in TNF‐α at 6 h and 25 mg kg−1 PJ34 had a sustained effect for up to 24 h. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction showed that PJ34 (25 mg kg−1) reduced the increase in TNF‐α mRNA by 70% at 6 h. PJ34 also prevented the increase in mRNAs encoding IL‐6 (−41%), E‐selectin (−81%) and ICAM‐1 (−54%). PJ34 (25 mg kg−1) reduced the infarct volume (−26%) and improved neurological deficit, 24 h after ischemia.Conclusions and Implications:PJ34 inhibited the increase in the mRNAs of four inflammatory mediators, caused by cerebral ischemia. The contribution of this effect of PJ34 to neuroprotection remains to be clarified.British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 23–30. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706837
The Properties of Isolated Main Galaxies in Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 3 (SDSS DR3)
Authors: Deng Xinfa , Ma Xinsheng , Luo Chenghong , Zhang Qun , Liao Qing-Hua , He Ji-zhou 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe have constructed a Main galaxy subsample of 67777 galaxies with redshifts in the range 0.08 ≤ z ≤ 0.12 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 3. Using cluster analysis, two isolated Main galaxy samples were extracted from this subsample. The two isolated Main galaxy samples identified at different radii have the same properties. Additionally, we find fewer early-type galaxies in isolated Main galaxy samples than in a close double galaxy sample.
An Atomic and Molecular Study of the Interstellar Medium Around the Supernova Remnant RCW 103
Authors: Paron Sergio A. , Reynoso Estela M. , Purcell Cormac , Dubner Gloria M. , Green Anne 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe report on the detection of HCO+ and 12CO emission in the rotational transition J = 1–0 in the vicinity of the shock front at the southern border of the supernova remnant RCW 103, where previous infrared observations suggest an interaction with a molecular cloud. The observations were carried out with the Australian Millimeter Radiotelescope at Mopra. We observed a depletion of HCO+ behind the supernova shock front. In addition, we studied the interstellar medium over an extended region towards RCW 103 based on archival λ 21 cm Hı line observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Parkes Telescope. No atomic gas was observed in emission in coincidence with the molecular feature. This absence was interpreted in terms of self-absorption processes.
An Advanced, Three-Dimensional Plotting Library for Astronomy
Authors: Barnes David G. , Fluke Christopher J. , Bourke Paul D. , Parry Owen T. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe present a new, three-dimensional (3D) plotting library with advanced features, and support for standard and enhanced display devices. The library — s2plot — is written in c and can be used by c, c++, and fortran programs on GNU/Linux and Apple/OSX systems. s2plot draws objects in a 3D (x,y,z) Cartesian space and the user interactively controls how this space is rendered at run time. With a pgplot-inspired interface, s2plot provides astronomers with elegant techniques for displaying and exploring 3D data sets directly from their program code, and the potential to use stereoscopic and dome display devices. The s2plot architecture supports dynamic geometry and can be used to plot time-evolving data sets, such as might be produced by simulation codes. In this paper, we introduce s2plot to the astronomical community, describe its potential applications, and present some example uses of the library.
Forty Years of Progress in Long-Baseline Optical Interferometry: 2005 Robert Ellery Lecture
Authors: Davis John 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe development of long-baseline optical interferometry in Australia from the Narrabri Stellar Intensity Interferometer (NSII) to the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) and the resulting technical and scientific achievements are described. Three examples of results from the SUSI programme, for a single star, a double-lined spectroscopic binary, and a Cepheid variable, are presented to illustrate the advances made in the past four decades. The leading role that Australia has played in the development of the field worldwide is discussed from a personal viewpoint. Long-baseline optical interferometry has promised much, has been slow to deliver, and has been restricted to black-belt interferometrists, but it has now matured to the point where it is becoming an observational technique for astronomers in general.
An experimental and numerical study on flow and transport in a field soil using zero‐tension lysimeters and suction plates
Authors: Kasteel R. , Pütz T. , Vereecken H. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryZero‐tension lysimeters are widely applied to study the fate of chemicals in the subsurface environment. However, conditions in lysimeters differ from the field situation, because local saturation is required at the lower boundary to collect leachate. The objective was to characterize the influence of the lower boundary on the flow and transport behaviour of bromide observed in six 1.2‐m‐long lysimeters and in the field by 30 suction plates installed at 1.2‐m depth, which were operated with a time‐variable suction equal to the ambient soil water potential. A bromide pulse was applied at the bare surface of a silty soil in autumn 1997 and monitored for 2.5 years. The mean leachate flux was 0.98 mm day−1 for the lysimeters versus 0.66 mm day−1 for the suction plates. The lysimeters had a slightly slower effective mean pore‐water velocity, expressed as transport distance per unit of leaching depth, and exhibited more solute spreading than the suction plates. Numerical simulations revealed that the amount of water collected with the suction plates was sensitive to the hydraulic conductivity of the plates. The spatial variability in hydraulic properties in the model explained the observed variability in cumulative leachate, at least qualitatively. The arrival time and spreading of the breakthrough curves (BTCs) were well described by the simulations in the lysimeters, but were underestimated in the suction plates. Preferential flow through macropores, which is not an effective carrier for bromide, might be the reason for this discrepancy. Molecular diffusion contributed significantly to solute spreading and enhanced lateral mixing. Both the experiments and the simulations revealed that the dispersivity derived from BTCs is significantly influenced by the observation method and experimental conditions.
Seasonal variation in the temperature response of leaf respiration in Quercus rubra: foliage respiration and leaf properties
Authors: XU C.‐Y. , GRIFFIN K. L. 
Published: July 2006

Summary

Leaf respiratory temperature responses and general leaf properties of Quercus rubra were measured throughout the 2003 growing season in a deciduous forest in the north‐eastern USA. Measurements were made in the upper and lower portions of the canopy at two sites with different soil water availability. Correlations among respiration and various leaf properties were examined.
At a set temperature (10 and 20 °C), area‐based leaf respiration rates were higher in both the early and late growing season than in the mid‐growing season (0·50 vs 0·33 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1 at 10 °C, on average). Upper‐canopy leaves generally had higher respiration rates than lower‐canopy leaves (0·53 vs 0·30 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1 at 10 °C, on average). At the drier site a more significant seasonal pattern in respiration was observed, while at the more mesic site a stronger canopy‐position effect was detected. E0, a model variable related to the overall energy of activation of respiration, varied only slightly (52 ± 5 kJ mol−1 K−1), and was not influenced by season, site or canopy position.
Leaf properties (specific leaf area, nitrogen, soluble sugars) also varied with season, site and canopy position. Leaf N and reducing monose were positively correlated with leaf respiration rates. After isolating single factors (season, site, canopy position), reducing monose could partially explain the seasonality in respiration (32−79%), and leaf N (Narea) was well correlated with the canopy‐position effect.
Our results suggest that the temporal and spatial heterogeneities of respiration need to be considered in ecosystem models, but significant simplifications may be made in Q. rubra by assuming a constant temperature coefficient (E0, 52·5 kJ mol−1 in this study) or predicting the base respiration rate (R0) from well understood leaf properties.
The dependence of respiration on photosynthetic substrate supply and temperature: integrating leaf, soil and ecosystem measurements
Authors: HARTLEY IAIN P. , ARMSTRONG ANNA F. , MURTHY RAMESH , BARRON‐GAFFORD GREG , INESON PHIL , ATKIN OWEN K. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractInteractions between photosynthetic substrate supply and temperature in determining the rate of three respiration components (leaf, belowground and ecosystem respiration) were investigated within three environmentally controlled, Populus deltoides forest bays at Biosphere 2, Arizona. Over 2 months, the atmospheric CO2 concentration and air temperature were manipulated to test the following hypotheses: (1) the responses of the three respiration components to changes in the rate of photosynthesis would differ both in speed and magnitude; (2) the temperature sensitivity of leaf and belowground respiration would increase in response to a rise in substrate availability; and, (3) at the ecosystem level, the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis would be conserved despite week‐to‐week changes in temperature. All three respiration rates responded to the CO2 concentration‐induced changes in photosynthesis. However, the proportional change in the rate of leaf respiration was more than twice that of belowground respiration and, when photosynthesis was reduced, was also more rapid. The results suggest that aboveground respiration plays a key role in the overall response of ecosystem respiration to short‐term changes in canopy photosynthesis. The short‐term temperature sensitivity of leaf respiration, measured within a single night, was found to be affected more by developmental conditions than photosynthetic substrate availability, as the Q10 was lower in leaves that developed at high CO2, irrespective of substrate availability. However, the temperature sensitivity of belowground respiration, calculated between periods of differing air temperature, appeared to be positively correlated with photosynthetic substrate availability. At the ecosystem level, respiration and photosynthesis were positively correlated but the relationship was affected by temperature; for a given rate of daytime photosynthesis, the rate of respiration the following night was greater at 25 than 20°C. This result suggests that net ecosystem exchange did not acclimate to temperature changes lasting up to 3 weeks. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the three respiration terms differ in their dependence on photosynthesis and that, short‐ and medium‐term changes in temperature may affect net carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems.
Testosterone replacement therapy in male hypogonadism is not associated with increase of endothelin‐1 levels
Authors: Kumanov Philip , Tomova Analia , Kirilov Georgi 
Published: July 2006

SummaryDifferences in endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) blood plasma levels were established between healthy men and women. Little is known about vascular effects of testosterone and the interactions between sex hormones and endothelin. In order to study the relationship between ET‐1 and testosterone in more detail, we have investigated 33 male patients with various forms of hypogonadism (13 with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and 20 with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism). Fourteen age‐matched healthy males served as controls. The basal ET‐1 levels in patients with hypogonadism (0.96 ± 0.12 fmol/mL) (mean ± SEM) were significantly higher in comparison with the controls (0.44 ± 0.04 fmol/mL), p < 0.01. Fifteen individuals of these patients were studied during the therapy with testosterone depot 250 mg i.m. The ET‐1 levels decreased in this group from 0.99 ± 0.22 to 0.78 ± 0.14 fmol/mL at the third and to 0.76 ± 0.25 fmol/mL at the sixth month of the medication, respectively. The differences were not significant compared with the initial levels, but the concentrations at the sixth month of the treatment were not statistically different in comparison with the ET‐1 levels of the controls. There was no significant difference in lipid data between patients before and during testosterone medication, except for the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, which decreased at the third month of the treatment. Our results show that plasma ET‐1 levels in males with hypogonadism are elevated with a tendency to decrease after testosterone administration. The optimum testosterone is not associated with enhanced cardiovascular risk as far as ET‐1 plasma levels and lipids are concerned.
Behavioural trade‐offs between growth and mortality explain evolution of submaximal growth rates
Authors: BIRO PETER A. , ABRAHAMS MARK V. , POST JOHN R. , PARKINSON ERIC A. 
Published: July 2006

Summary

The importance of body size and growth rate in ecological interactions is widely recognized, and both are frequently used as surrogates for fitness. However, if there are significant costs associated with rapid growth rates then its fitness benefits may be questioned.
In replicated whole‐lake experiments, we show that a domestic strain of rainbow trout (artificially selected for maximum intrinsic growth rate) use productive but risky habitats more than wild trout. Consequently, domestic trout grow faster in all situations, experience greater survival in the absence of predators, but have lower survival in the presence of predators. Therefore, rapid growth rates are selected against due to increased foraging effort (or conversely, lower antipredator behaviour) that increases vulnerability to predators. In other words, there is a behaviourally mediated trade‐off between growth and mortality rates.
Whereas rapid growth is beneficial in many ecological interactions, our results show the mortality costs of achieving it are large in the presence of predators, which can help explain the absence of an average phenotype with maximized growth rates in nature.
The potential impact of tourism development on habitat availability and productivity of Malaysian plovers Charadrius peronii
Authors: YASUÉ M. , DEARDEN P. 
Published: July 2006

Summary

Increased human pressure on coastal habitats has contributed to the global population decline in waders. Although coastal development can be particularly rapid and poorly regulated in tropical countries, very little research has been conducted to assess the extent of these impacts in the tropics.
We examined the potential effects of human disturbance and tourism‐related habitat changes on Malaysian plovers breeding on sandy tropical beaches.
In 2004 and 2005, we monitored 54 and 79 pairs of Malaysian plovers in the Gulf of Thailand, and used logistic habitat models to identify factors influencing habitat selection and breeding success. These models included variables affected by anthropogenic changes such as human disturbance and vegetation structure, as well as other natural factors such as prey availability and predator densities. We also assessed causes of nest failure and conducted 372 h of behavioural observations to identify mechanisms that relate important habitat variables to plover productivity.
Plovers selected wide beaches with low levels of human disturbance that had a low percentage cover of tall trees backing the beach. The likelihood of hatching clutches and fledging chicks was greater in territories with low levels of human disturbance, low conspecific density and high percentage cover of 0·5–5 m tall vegetation backing the beach.
Nest monitoring and behavioural observations suggested that heightened vulnerability to tidal inundation, trampling, heat stress, predators and territorial conflicts may have contributed to the results from the habitat models.
We conclude that tourism development on Thai beaches affects both habitat availability and productivity of Malaysian plovers by enhancing beach erosion rates, converting medium vegetation into tall monocultures and intensifying human disturbance. These direct effects of habitat loss may be exacerbated by density‐dependent reductions in productivity.
Synthesis and application. This study demonstrates the value of combining three approaches: habitat modelling, nest monitoring and behavioural observations, for identifying impacts of anthropogenic changes on breeding birds and assigning ultimate causes. In understudied regions where there are pressing threats to wildlife, this approach may focus research efforts so that the necessary data can be obtained rapidly in order to assess and predict human impacts.
Impacts of restoration treatments on alien plant invasion in Pinus ponderosa forests, Montana, USA
Authors: DODSON ERICH K. , FIEDLER CARL E. 
Published: July 2006

Summary

Invasion by alien plant species represents a challenge to land managers throughout the world as they attempt to restore frequent fire‐adapted ecosystems following decades of fire exclusion. In ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa forests of western North America, the response of alien species to restoration treatments has not been well documented, particularly for alien species capable of altering environmental conditions (transformers). Understanding alien species dynamics is critical for developing treatments that accomplish restoration goals while minimizing alien invasion.
We used a replicated, randomized block experiment to compare the effects of an untreated control and thin‐only, burn‐only and thin‐burn treatments on alien and transformer understorey species at multiple spatial scales (1 m2, 100 m2 and 1000 m2). Data were collected pre‐treatment and for multiple post‐treatment years. We compared richness and cover of alien species and transformer species among treatments, and identified environmental variables correlated with transformer species cover. Indicator species analysis was used to identify transformer species associated with specific treatments.
Alien and transformer species richness and cover were significantly higher in the thin‐burn than in all other treatments at all spatial scales. Thin‐only and burn‐only treatments showed greater alien and transformer species responses than the control at the larger 100‐m2 and 1000‐m2 scales.
Increased transformer cover was strongly correlated with increased tree crown scorch height and removal of overstorey trees.
The thin‐burn treatment had four transformer species as indicators, the thin‐only had one, while the burn‐only and control had none.
Synthesis and applications. The results show that alien species, including transformers, respond to restoration treatments, especially the combined thin‐burn treatment. Therefore monitoring for alien species invasion is an essential component of a restoration programme. Abundance of transformer species increased with increasing disturbance intensity, suggesting that less intense single‐disturbance treatments (burn‐only, thin‐only) or incremental treatments may be preferred in some applications. Where more intense treatments are required to meet management objectives, specific strategies, such as seeding of native species, limiting grazing before and after treatment and harvesting over a protective winter snowpack, may be necessary to limit alien invasion.
Using daily ration models and stable isotope analysis to predict biomass depletion by herbivores
Authors: INGER RICHARD , RUXTON GRAEME D. , NEWTON JASON , COLHOUN KENDREW , MACKIE KERRY , ROBINSON JAMES A. , BEARHOP STUART 
Published: July 2006

Summary

Food availability is one of the major factors governing the distribution of animals. Because animal numbers can in turn regulate the availability of food, the relationship between the two can be described in terms of resource depletion, which can be difficult to quantify.
We present a novel method utilizing multisource stable isotope mixing models and a daily ration approach to predict the depletion of seagrass (Zostera spp.) by grazing light‐bellied Brent geese Branta bernicla hrota at Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland.
The model successfully predicted the depletion of Zostera spp. over the whole Lough compared with empirically derived estimates of biomass. Further, the model was able to predict biomass depletion over 2 years with different population sizes.
The predicted quantities of Zostera consumed were not in agreement with previous studies, being considerably higher, but this may be explained in terms of the lower energetic value of Zostera at Strangford Lough compared with other sites.
When reparameterized with energetic values from previous studies, the model predictions for Zostera consumption were comparable with estimates derived by standard techniques.
Synthesis and applications. This approach offers a novel, efficient and widely applicable method to investigate the relationship between consumers and their food sources. It may have application in deriving site carrying capacities and in quantifying agricultural damage by consumers.