bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from hollows of living trees in the city of Alfenas, MG, Brazil
Authors: Reimão Juliana Quero , Drummond Elislene Dias , Terceti Mateus de Souza , Lyon Juliana Pereira , Franco Marília Caixeta , De Siqueira Antônio Martins 
Published: May 2007

Summary Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast, aetiological agent of cryptococcosis, commonly associated with pigeon droppings and plant materials. The species has also been associated with tree hollows. The aim of the present work was to verify the presence of the yeast in hollows of living trees and identify the isolates obtained in varieties and serotypes. Three samples were collected from 18 trees of five different species totalling 54 samples. Wood samples were collected by scraping the surface of the trunks and the inner face of the hollows. Samples were inoculated on to agar Niger medium for fungal isolation. The serotypes were determined by PCR using specific primers. Among the 54 samples evaluated, two were positive for the presence of C. n. var. neoformans (serotype A and MATα). The trees belonged to Caesalpinia peltophoroides and Anadenanthera peregrina species. The results of this study suggest that decayed wood obtained from hollows of C. peltophoroides and A. peregrina can be used as natural habitat for C. n. var. neoformans.
Capacitation of Frozen Thawed Buffalo Bull (Bubalus bubalis) Spermatozoa with Higher Heparin Concentrations
Authors: Mehmood A , Anwar M , Saqlan Naqvi SM 
Published: May 2007

ContentsThe present study was conducted to examine the effect of high heparin concentration on capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa with a short incubation time. Frozen thawed spermatozoa from three buffalo bulls were pooled and treated with either 50, 100 or 200 μg/ml heparin for 30 min. Capacitation was evaluated by acrosome reaction of spermatozoa and in vitro fertilization rate (per cent cleavage rate, per cent cleavage index). Acrosome reaction was induced in heparin treated spermatozoa with calcium ionophore A23187 and staining was carried out with Coomassie G‐250 to evaluate the response as compared with control (0 heparin + calcium ionophore). Significantly higher percentage of acrosome reaction (AR) spermatozoa was noted after heparin treatment (36.8–48.2%) as compared with control (8.1% ; p < 0.05) but differences among the three heparin concentrations were non‐significant. However, a significantly higher in vitro fertilization rate was recorded in spermatozoa capacitated by 50 and 100 μg/ml heparin (80.4 and 75.9% cleavage rate, respectively) as compared with 200 μg/ml heparin (47.2% cleavage rate; p < 0.001). It is concluded that buffalo spermatozoa capacitated with 50–100 μg/ml heparin had significantly higher ability to improve in vitro fertilization rate in buffalo.
Attenuation of ureteral obstruction‐induced renal injury by polyenylphosphatidylcholine
Authors: Akin Melih , Demirbilek Savas , AY Selma , Gurunluoglu Kubilay , Turkmen Emine , Tas Erkan , Aksoy Rauf Tugrul , Baykarabulut Aysun , Edali Mehmet Naci 
Published: May 2007

Background:  The cytoprotective, antioxidant and antifibrotic effects of polyenylphosphatidylcholine (lecithin, PPC) have been demonstrated both experimentally and clinically. The present study investigated whether PPC treatment has any beneficial effect on renal injury in unilateral partial ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats.Methods:  Forty Wistar–Albino rats were split into three groups (sham‐operated controls, untreated and treated rats). Rats of the untreated and treated groups (n = 15) underwent UUO with two‐thirds of the left ureter embedded in the psoas muscle. In group 3, PPC was given orally at a dose of 100 mg/day for 30 days. At the end of the 30th day of the experimental period, obstructed kidneys and blood samples were harvested. To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of PPC treatment in UUO kidneys, oxidant and antioxidant enzyme levels, lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin‐1, interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor alpha), transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGFβ‐1), alpha smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF‐κβ) expression, leukocyte infiltration (ED1, ED2, CD4 and CD8 immunohistochemistry), and tubulointerstitial damage in the obstructed kidneys were studied.Results:  Oxidative stress, neutrophil infiltration, release of cytotoxic mediators, TGFβ‐1 levels, tubulointerstitial damage, alpha‐SMA and NF‐KB expressions in kidney tissue were significantly increased in the UUO rats. PPC treatment attenuated oxidative stress, leukocyte infiltration, cytotoxic mediator, and TGFβ‐1 levels and also decreased expressions of α‐SMA and NF‐κβ. It was associated with decreased tubulointerstitial damage, compared with UUO alone.Conclusions:  These results indicate that PPC treatment protects against UUO‐induced renal injury in rats possibly through its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antifibrotic actions.
Radical cystectomy with preservation of sexual function and fertility in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: New technique
Authors: Salem Hosni Khairy 
Published: May 2007

Objectives:  Radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for patients with invasive bladder carcinoma. Preservation of sexual function and fertility are important for surgery acceptance in young patients with this disease, and part of the prostate is generally preserved for this reason; however, this may compromise the radical nature of the surgery. Herein a novel technique of radical cystectomy with preservation of the vas deferens only is described aimed at preservation of sexual function and better cancer control.Methods:  Between March 2002 and February 2004, four potent male patients with muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder underwent nerve‐sparing radical cystectomy with urinary diversion. The bladder, prostate with prostatic urethra, regional lymph nodes and seminal vesicles were removed while the vas deferens was preserved until its terminal end and anastomosed (in the perineum) to the bulbar urethra (end to side). The diversion was ureterocolic in three patients and ileal conduit in one patient. The median age of the patients was 45.0 years (range 35–55). The mean follow‐up was 35.5 months (range 23–46 months).Results:  There was no mortality. All patients were free of the disease (no local or distant recurrence) at the last follow‐up. All patients reported adequate sexual function with normal erections and satisfactory intercourse similar to that reported before surgery. Two patients maintained antegrade ejaculation allowing procreation in one case.Conclusion:  This technique allows preservation of sexual function in nearly all cases with better oncological outcome than any other techniques of radical cystectomy aimed at preservation of sexual function.
How long do patients with erectile dysfunction continue to use sildenafil citrate? Dropout rate from treatment course as outcome in real life
Authors: Sato Yoshikazu , Tanda Hitoshi , Kato Shuji , Onishi Shigeki , Nitta Toshikazu , Koroku Mikio 
Published: May 2007

Objectives:  To study the dropout rate for use of sildenafil after initial prescription and during successful treatment to clarify their risk factors.Methods:  A total of 1036 patients with erectile dysfunction who were treated with sildenafil were analyzed. The dropout rate during successful treatment and its risk factors were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model, respectively.Results:  Thirty‐one percent (n = 322) of the patients dropped out after the initial prescription. The cumulative dropout rate during successful treatment at 3 years after starting usage was 48%. A lower International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) score before treatment was a significant risk factor for dropout during a successful treatment course (P < 0.029 by the Cox proportional hazards model).Conclusions:  Approximately 30% and 50% of the patients dropped out of treatment after the first prescription and at 3‐year follow‐up, respectively. Adequate initial instruction and long‐term follow‐up are required even for patients with successful treatment.
Long‐term results of three different minimally invasive therapies for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: Comparison at a single institute
Authors: Ohigashi Takashi , Nakamura Kaoru , Nakashima Jun , Baba Shiro , Murai Masaru 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  We analyzed the efficacy and durability of three different minimally invasive therapies (MIT) for lower urinary symptoms performed at a single institution based on a 5‐year prospective cohort study.Methods:  The pre‐ and postoperative evaluation was made in 103 patients with the following three MIT options: (i) transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT, n = 34); (ii) transurethral needle ablation (TUNA, n = 29); and (iii) transrectal high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU, n = 40).Results:  All three treatments significantly improved the symptom scores up to 2 years after treatment. However, no statistical difference was observed in the efficacy between MIT. The percentage of men requiring the secondary treatment also showed no statistical differences. Cox's proportional hazards multivariate regression model revealed the baseline peak flow rate (Qmax) and total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) but the types of MIT are independent significant factors for determining the long‐term clinical results of MIT.Conclusion:  Our data showed no statistical differences in either the efficacy or in the durability between the three MIT. The baseline Qmax and total IPSS are the significant factors for determining the long‐term results of MIT.
Nicotine gates long‐term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region via the activation of α2* nicotinic ACh receptors
Authors: Nakauchi Sakura , Brennan Robert J. , Boulter Jim , Sumikawa Katumi 
Published: May 2007

AbstractHippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells receive two major excitatory synaptic inputs via the Schaffer collateral (SC) and temporoammonic (TA) pathways. Nicotine promotes induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the SC path; however, it is not known whether the modulatory effect of nicotine on LTP induction is pathway‐specific. Here we show that nicotine suppresses LTP induction in the TA path. Interestingly, these opposing effects of nicotine were absent or greatly reduced in α2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)‐knockout (KO) mice, suggesting that an α2‐containing nAChR subtype mediates these effects. Optical imaging with a voltage‐sensitive dye revealed significantly stronger membrane depolarization in the presence of nicotine in the SC path, facilitating spread of excitatory neural activity along both the somatodendritic and the CA1 proximodistal axes. These effects of nicotine were also absent in α2 nAChR‐KO mice, suggesting that the enhanced optical signal is related to the nicotine‐induced facilitation of LTP induction. In contrast, in the TA path nicotine terminated depolarization more quickly and increased the delayed hyperpolarization in the termination zone of the TA path input. These inhibitory effects of nicotine were absent in α2 nAChR‐KO mice and, thus, most probably underlie the nicotine‐induced suppression of LTP induction. Our results suggest that nicotine influences the local balance between excitation and inhibition, gates LTP, and directs information flow through the hippocampal circuits via the activation of α2* nAChRs. These effects of nicotine may represent the cellular basis of nicotine‐mediated cognitive enhancement.
Regional and phenotype heterogeneity of cellular prion proteins in the human brain
Authors: Kuczius Thorsten , Koch Richard , Keyvani Kathy , Karch Helge , Grassi Jacques , Groschup Martin H. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTransmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are neurological disorders that include genetic, infectious and sporadic forms of human Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). The pathogenic agent is the prion protein that is composed of an abnormal isoform (PrPSc) of a host‐encoded protein (PrPC). Analysis of the relative amounts of PrPSc glycoforms has been used to discriminate between various agents involved in TSE. The distribution and efficiency of conversion to PrPSc can be influenced by differences in the expression of PrPC. However, little attention has been given so far to the banding patterns of PrPC. Using four different antibodies recognizing amino‐ and carboxyl‐terminal PrP sequences we analysed the glycoforms of PrPC in seven regions of the human brain using brains obtained from six subjects. For determination of the staining intensities, signals were quantified by densitometry and reproducible patterns were accomplished by many repeated immunoblot analyses. When amino‐terminal binding antibodies were used for detection, PrPC in the frontal neocortex, nucleus lentiformis, thalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum displayed a glycotype with high staining of the diglycosylated isoforms. This was different from patterns in the pons and medulla oblongata, which showed a high intensity of the nonglycosylated isoform, and PrPC proteins, approximately 27 kDa in size, exhibited high staining using the carboxyl‐terminal binding antibodies. This intense staining followed from an overlay of full‐length and truncated PrPC isoforms. Furthermore, we found marked differences in the expression of PrPC. Variations in the processing of PrPC may lead to interregional differences in the glycoform composition of PrPSc in human brains.
Resolving the biodiversity paradox
Authors: Clark James S. , Dietze Mike , Chakraborty Sukhendu , Agarwal Pankaj K. , Ibanez Ines , LaDeau Shannon , Wolosin Mike 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe paradox of biodiversity involves three elements, (i) mathematical models predict that species must differ in specific ways in order to coexist as stable ecological communities, (ii) such differences are difficult to identify, yet (iii) there is widespread evidence of stability in natural communities. Debate has centred on two views. The first explanation involves tradeoffs along a small number of axes, including ‘colonization‐competition’, resource competition (light, water, nitrogen for plants, including the ‘successional niche’), and life history (e.g. high‐light growth vs. low‐light survival and few large vs. many small seeds). The second view is neutrality, which assumes that species differences do not contribute to dynamics. Clark et al. (2004) presented a third explanation, that coexistence is inherently high dimensional, but still depends on species differences. We demonstrate that neither traditional low‐dimensional tradeoffs nor neutrality can resolve the biodiversity paradox, in part by showing that they do not properly interpret stochasticity in statistical and in theoretical models. Unless sample sizes are small, traditional data modelling assures that species will appear different in a few dimensions, but those differences will rarely predict coexistence when parameter estimates are plugged into theoretical models. Contrary to standard interpretations, neutral models do not imply functional equivalence, but rather subsume species differences in stochastic terms. New hierarchical modelling techniques for inference reveal high‐dimensional differences among species that can be quantified with random individual and temporal effects (RITES), i.e. process‐level variation that results from many causes. We show that this variation is large, and that it stands in for species differences along unobserved dimensions that do contribute to diversity. High dimensional coexistence contrasts with the classical notions of tradeoffs along a few axes, which are often not found in data, and with ‘neutral models’, which mask, rather than eliminate, tradeoffs in stochastic terms. This mechanism can explain coexistence of species that would not occur with simple, low‐dimensional tradeoff scenarios.
Insularity and the determinants of lizard population density
Authors: Buckley Lauren B. , Jetz Walter 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe relative effects of resource availability and partitioning on animal population density are unresolved yet central to ecology and conservation. Species‐depauperate islands offer an intriguing test case. Across 643 lizard populations from around the world, local abundances are one order of magnitude higher on islands than on mainlands, even when controlled for resource availability. On mainlands, predator and competitor richness only weakly correlate with lizard densities. On islands, sharp reductions in predator and competitor richness are the dominant drivers of lizard abundance. Our results demonstrate the dramatic effect insularity has on the interplay between biotic and abiotic control of animal abundances and the heightened sensitivity of island communities to species’ losses and gains.
Comparative genomics provides evidence for the 3‐hydroxypropionate autotrophic pathway in filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria and in hot spring microbial mats
Authors: Klatt Christian G. , Bryant Donald A. , Ward David M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryStable carbon isotope signatures of diagnostic lipid biomarkers have suggested that Roseiflexus spp., the dominant filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria inhabiting microbial mats of alkaline siliceous hot springs, may be capable of fixing bicarbonate via the 3‐hydroxypropionate pathway, which has been characterized in their distant relative, Chloroflexus aurantiacus. The genomes of three filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic Chloroflexi isolates (Roseiflexus sp. RS‐1, Roseiflexus castenholzii and Chloroflexus aggregans), but not that of a non‐photosynthetic Chloroflexi isolate (Herpetosiphon aurantiacus), were found to contain open reading frames that show a high degree of sequence similarity to genes encoding enzymes in the C. aurantiacus pathway. Metagenomic DNA sequences from the microbial mats of alkaline siliceous hot springs also contain homologues of these genes that are highly similar to genes in both Roseiflexus spp. and Chloroflexus spp. Thus, Roseiflexus spp. appear to have the genetic capacity for carbon dioxide reduction via the 3‐hydroxypropionate pathway. This may contribute to heavier carbon isotopic signatures of the cell components of native Roseiflexus populations in mats compared with the signatures of cyanobacterial cell components, as a similar isotopic signature would be expected if Roseiflexus spp. were participating in photoheterotrophic uptake of cyanobacterial photosynthate produced by the reductive pentose phosphate cycle.
Combination of reversible male sterility and doubled haploid production by targeted inactivation of cytoplasmic glutamine synthetase in developing anthers and pollen
Authors: Ribarits Alexandra , Mamun A. N. K. , Li Shipeng , Resch Tatiana , Fiers Martijn , Heberle‐Bors Erwin , Liu Chun‐Ming , Touraev Alisher 
Published: May 2007

SummaryReversible male sterility and doubled haploid plant production are two valuable technologies in F1‐hybrid breeding. F1‐hybrids combine uniformity with high yield and improved agronomic traits, and provide self‐acting intellectual property protection. We have developed an F1‐hybrid seed technology based on the metabolic engineering of glutamine in developing tobacco anthers and pollen. Cytosolic glutamine synthetase (GS1) was inactivated in tobacco by introducing mutated tobacco GS genes fused to the tapetum‐specific TA29 and microspore‐specific NTM19 promoters. Pollen in primary transformants aborted close to the first pollen mitosis, resulting in male sterility. A non‐segregating population of homozygous doubled haploid male‐sterile plants was generated through microspore embryogenesis. Fertility restoration was achieved by spraying plants with glutamine, or by pollination with pollen matured in vitro in glutamine‐containing medium. The combination of reversible male sterility with doubled haploid production results in an innovative environmentally friendly breeding technology. Tapetum‐mediated sporophytic male sterility is of use in foliage crops, whereas microspore‐specific gametophytic male sterility can be applied to any field crop. Both types of sterility preclude the release of transgenic pollen into the environment.
Maternal Emotion Socialization in Maltreating and Non‐maltreating Families: Implications for Children's Emotion Regulation
Authors: Shipman Kimberly L. , Schneider Renee , Fitzgerald Monica M. , Sims Chandler , Swisher Lisa , Edwards Anna 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis study investigated the socialization of children's emotion regulation in physically maltreating and non‐maltreating mother–child dyads (N = 80 dyads). Mother–child dyads participated in the parent–child emotion interaction task (Shipman & Zeman, 1999) in which they talked about emotionally‐arousing situations. The PCEIT was coded for maternal validation and invalidation in response to children's emotion. Mothers were also interviewed about their approach to emotion socialization using the meta‐emotion interview‐parent version (Katz & Gottman, 1999). The meta‐emotion interview‐parent version was coded for maternal emotion coaching. Mothers also completed measures that assessed their child abuse potential and abuse‐related behaviors as well as children's emotion regulation. Findings indicated that maltreated children demonstrated fewer adaptive emotion regulation skills and more emotion dysregulation than non‐maltreated children. In addition, maltreating mothers engaged in less validation and emotion coaching and more invalidation in response to children's emotion than non‐maltreating mothers. Finally, maternal emotion socialization behaviors mediated the relation between maltreatment status and children's adaptive emotion regulation skills.
Lysophospholipids regulate excitability and exocytosis in cultured bovine chromaffin cells
Authors: Pan Chien‐Yuan , Wu Adonis Z. , Chen Yit‐Tsong 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBioactive lysophospholipids (LPLs) are released by blood cells and can modulate many cellular activities such as angiogenesis and cell survival. In this study, the effects of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on excitability and exocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells were investigated using the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp. Voltage‐gated Ca2+current was inhibited by S1P and LPA pre‐treatment in a concentration‐dependent manner with IC50s of 0.46 and 0.79 μmol/L, respectively. Inhibition was mostly reversible upon washout and prevented by suramin, an inhibitor of G‐protein signaling. Na+current was inhibited by S1P, but not by LPA. However, recovery of Na+channels from inactivation was slowed by both LPLs. The outward K+current was also significantly reduced by both LPLs. Chromaffin cells fired repetitive action potentials in response to minimal injections of depolarizing current. Repetitive activity was dramatically reduced by LPLs. Consistent with the reduction in Ca2+current, exocytosis elicited by a train of depolarizations and the ensuing endocytosis were both inhibited by LPL pre‐treatments. These data demonstrate the interaction between immune and endocrine systems mediated by the inhibitory effects of LPLs on the excitability of adrenal chromaffin cells.