bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissolved organic matter release by an axenic culture of Emiliania huxleyi
Authors: Suratman Suhaimi , Weston Keith , Jickells Tim , Chance Rosie , Bell Tom 
Published: July 2008

Measurements of the release of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and carbon (DOC) were carried out on an axenic batch culture of the coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi. This unicellular marine alga was cultured using a media with nitrate as the sole N source and the changes of DOM concentrations measured over 14 days. Results showed that there was a significant release of DON, i.e.7.6 µM N day−1 during mid-exponential growth phase (days 5–7). The highest release of DOC was also recorded in the same growth phase and accounted for 24.0 μM C day−1.
Organic amendment effects on tuber yield, plant N uptake and soil mineral N under organic potato production
Authors: Lynch Derek H. , Zheng Zhiming , Zebarth Bernie J. , Martin Ralph C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe market for certified organic potatoes in Canada is growing rapidly, but the productivity and dynamics of soil N under commercial organic potato systems remain largely unknown. This study examined, at two sites in Atlantic Canada (Winslow, PEI, and Brookside, NS), the impacts of organic amendments on Shepody potato yield, quality and soil mineral nitrogen dynamics under organic management. Treatments included a commercial hog manure–sawdust compost (CP) and pelletized poultry manure (NW) applied at 300 and 600 kg total N ha−1, plus an un-amended control (CT). Wireworm damage reduced plant stands at Brookside in 2003 and those results are not presented. Relatively high tuber yields (~30 Mg ha−1) and crop N uptake (112 kg N ha−1) were achieved for un-amended soil in those site-years (Winslow 2003 and 2004) when soil moisture was non-limiting. Compost resulted in higher total yields than CT in one of three site-years. Apparent recovery of N from CP was negligible; therefore CP yield benefits were attributed to factors other than N availability. At Winslow, NW300, but not NW600, significantly increased total and marketable yields by an average of 5.8 and 7.0 Mg ha−1. Plant available N averaged 39 and 33% for NW300 and NW600, respectively. Soil (0–30 cm) NO3−-N at harvest was low (&lt;25 kg N ha−1) for CT and CP, but increased substantially both in season and at harvest (61–141 kg N ha−1) when NW was applied. Most leaching losses of NO3−-N occur between seasons and excessive levels of residual soil NO3-N at harvest, as obtained for NW600, must be avoided. Given current premiums for certified organic potatoes, improving yields through application of amendments supplying moderate rates of N or organic matter appears warranted.
The methyl-CpG-binding protein MeCP2 and neurological disease
Authors: Bird Adrian 
Published: July 2008

The methyl-CpG-binding protein MeCP2 was discovered over 15 years ago as part of a search for proteins that selectively bind methylated DNA. It is a nuclear protein that is largely chromatin-bound and has a strong preference for binding to methylated DNA sequences in vivo. Evidence from model systems shows that MeCP2 can recruit the Sin3a co-repressor complex to promoters leading to transcriptional repression, therefore suggesting that MeCP2 can interpret the DNA methylation signal to bring about gene silencing. Mutations in the human MECP2 gene cause the autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome. MeCP2 is most highly expressed in neurons, and mice lacking this protein show symptoms that strikingly parallel those of Rett patients. Surprisingly, these symptoms are efficiently reversed by delayed activation of a ‘stopped’ Mecp2 gene, raising hopes that human Rett syndrome may also be reversible. Future studies of MeCP2 promise to shed light upon brain function, neurological disease and the biology of DNA methylation.
Translating Principles of Speech Science to Clinical Practice: Current and Future Trends in Craniofacial Disorders
Authors: Zajac David J. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The purpose of this opinion article is to review the impact of the principles and technology of speech science on clinical practice in the area of craniofacial disorders. Current practice relative to (a) speech aerodynamic assessment, (b) computer-assisted single-word speech intelligibility testing, and (c) behavioral management of hypernasal resonance are reviewed. Future directions and/or refinement of each area are also identified. It is suggested that both challenging and rewarding times are in store for clinical researchers in craniofacial disorders.
Oxidizability of Atherogenic Low-Density Lipoprotein Subspecies in Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Impact of Long-Term Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis
Authors: Lepage Sylvie , Nigon Fabienne , Bonnefont-Rousselot Dominique , Assogba Ubald , Goulinet Sylvie , Chancharme Laurent , Delattre Jacques , Bruckert Eric , Chapman M. John 
Published: July 2008

Background: Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. LDL-apheresis, which involves direct removal of plasma LDL from circulating blood, is an efficient treatment of homozygous familial hypercholes terolemia (FH). Methods: We evaluated impact of long-term LDL apheresis treatment on the atherogenicity of the major LDL subclasses (light, LDL1, and LDL2, density [d] 1.018-1.030 g/mL; inter mediate, LDL3, d 1.030-1.040 g/mL, and dense LDL, LDL4 and LDL5, d 1.040-1.065 g/mL) separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation in severe FH patients. Therefore, we compared the oxidative resistance as well as the chemical and physical properties of each LDL subpopulation in the FH group with those in the corresponding LDL subfractions from normocholesterolemic control subjects. Results: Both intermediate and dense LDL subfractions were significantly more resistant to copper-mediated oxidation in FH patients treated regularly by LDL-apheresis than their counterpart controls. The lag phases for LDL3, LDL4, and LDL5: 63.9 ± 1 1.6, 55.8 ± 1.2, and 47.2 ± 6.5 min. in FH patients were significantly longer than those of the corresponding subfractions in normocholesterolemic controls (P < .01 for LDL3 and LDL5, P < .005 for LDL4). This protective effect was reflected in the delayed formation of biologically active lipid oxidation products such as oxysterols, lipid hydroperoxides, dienes, and dienals in the intermediate and dense LDL subfractions of FH patients. These findings may result from lower "seed" contents of lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) detected as dienes in plasma LDL from apheresis-treated FH patients; indeed, baseline LOOH/diene contents in all 5 LDL subclasses from FH patients were significantly lower than those of the corresponding subclasses in normolipidemic subjects (P < .0005). On the other hand, the enhanced oxidative resistance of both intermediate (LDL3) and dense (LDL4 and LDL5) LDL subpopulations in FH patients could not be accounted for by any consistent modification in chemical composition or in lipophilic antioxidant content, although minor differences were observed between patients and controls in unsaturated fatty acid profile. In contrast, sphingomyelin content was enriched in FH LDL subclasses, potentially resulting in reduced penetration of the hydrophilic surface layer of LDL by oxygen radicals. Conclusion: We conclude that low concentrations of preformed lipid hydroperoxides and dienes, together with surface sphingomyelin enrichment, can account for the enhanced oxi dative resistance of intermediate (LDL3) and atherogenic dense LDL (LDL4, LDL5) induced by long-term LDL apheresis in severe FH patients.
Efficacy of Pretreatment With the Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker UP269-6 and Losartan in the Dog: Effect on Hemodynamics and Ischemia-Reperfusion
Authors: O'Brien Darryl W. , Xu Yi , Menon Vijayan , Jugdutt Bodh I. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Whether pretreatment with the novel oral angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT,R) antagonist UP269-6 (UP) can produce more effective AT,R blockade than losartan (LN) for cardioprotection during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in the dog has not been deter mined. Methods and Materials: We compared the effect of UP (n = 5) and LN (n = 5) on serial in vivo hemodynamics, AngII pressor responses, and left ventricular (LV) volumes and function (echocardiograms) during escalation to optimal oral dosage over 7 days (day 0 to day 6), and acute IR (15 minutes ischemia, 30 minutes reperfusion) and ex vivo AT,R protein (Western immunoblots) with additional sham (n = 5) and IR (n = 5) controls on day 6. Compared with LN, UP produced greater vasodepression and decrease in diastolic volume during dose escalation and greater inhibition of the AngII pressor response over the range of escalating concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 μg/kg) on day 6. Acute IR after UP pretreatment resulted in less increase in LV filling pressure and LV diastolic and systolic volumes and greater ejection fraction, although UP and LN had similar effects on AT,R protein. Conclusion: Pretreatment with UP269-6 over 7 days produces more effective pharmacologi cal AT,R blockade and cardioprotection after acute IR than LN in the dog.
Characterization of Cardioprotection Mediated by AT2 Receptor Antagonism After Ischemia-Reperfusion in Isolated Working Rat Hearts
Authors: Ford William R. , Clanachan Alexander S. , Jugdutt Bodh I. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Whether cardioprotection induced by the angiotensin II (AngII) type 2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist PD123,319 (PD) after ischemia-reperfusion (IR) is influenced by the concentration of PD, presence of AngII, timing of exposure, or inhibition of proton produc tion from glucose metabolism is not known.Methods and Results: We examined these factors in isolated working rat hearts subjected to IR injury, no treatment (control), or treatment with N6-cyclohexyl adenosine (CHA, 0.5 μmol/L), an adenosine A1receptor agonist that induces cardioprotection by decreasing pro tons ("positive" control). Compared with control, 1 μmol/L PD present throughout IR im proved recovery of left ventricular work (73 ± 5 vs. 40 ± 8%) to the level with CHA (82 ± 5%), but 0.1 μmol/L PD did not (58 ± 6 vs. 40 ± 8%). AngII (1 nmol/L) did not effect postischemic recovery associated with 1 μmol/L PD (73 ± 7%) but improved that associated with 0.1 μmol/L PD (86 ± 3%). PD (1 μmol/L), present solely during reperfusion, enhanced postischemic left ventricular recovery to 72 ± 5%. Also, PD (1 μmol/L) did not affect glycolytic rates or proton production in nonischemic or IR hearts.Conclusion: PD-induced cardioprotection is 1) PD concentration-dependent, 2) AngII- sensitive, 3) mediated during reperfusion, and 4) independent of proton production, suggest ing that reduction in IR injury and indirect AT1R stimulation might be involved.
The Actions of Ibutilide and Class Ic Drugs on the Slow Sodium Channel: New Insights Regarding Individual Pharmacologic Effects Elucidated Through Combination Therapies
Authors: Reiffel James A. , Blitzer Mark 
Published: July 2008

Background: Ibutilide (I) has been reported to block Ik and to delay inactivation of the slow Na+ current (S-Na). There is debate about the clinical importance of the latter. Class Ic drugs block the fast Na+ channel, but their effect on S-Na is uncertain. If Ic treatment before infusion lessened the QT increase with I, this result would suggest both an Ic effect on S-Na and significant S-Na actions of I. Methods: We infused I, 2 mg over 30 minutes, to 6 patients pretreated with propafenone (n = 5) or flecainide (n = 1) (group 1) and compared their increase with the QT increase seen with I alone in a combined group of 85 patients from our lab and the multicenter I database (group 2). Results: The QTc increased in group 2, 65 ms, from 413 to 478 ms. This effect was attenuated by 47% in group 1 patients to 34 ms (P < .01). There appeared to be a dose-response relationship between Ic dose and its effects on QTc prolongation. The lowest dose of propafe none had minimal effect on the increase in QTc with I (72 ms), while higher doses of propafenone and high doses of flecainide attenuated the increase to 13 to 39 ms. Nonetheless, ibutilide efficacy was not changed, possibly suggesting differing importance of K+ channel and slow sodium-channel effects in atrial versus ventricular tissues, and having implications for means to reduce some antiarrhythmic drug proarrhythmia without reducing efficacy. Conclusions: (1) Pretreatment with Ic agents can reduce the increase in QTc seen with I; (2) I's effect in humans appears to be at least partly mediated through the delay of S-Na inactivation; and (3) Ic agents probably inhibit S-Na.
Hyaluronidase Can Be Used to Reduce Interstitial Edema in the Presence of Heparin
Authors: Johnsson Cecilia , Hällgren Roger , Tufveson Gunnar 
Published: July 2008

Background: Treatment with the hyaluronan-degrading enzyme, hyaluronidase, reduces re jection-induced interstitial edema of transplanted organs. Hyaluronidase has also been dem onstrated to reduce tissue necrosis after experimentally induced myocardial infarction, but its clinical use has been limited by an observed interaction between heparin and hyaluronan. In the present work, we investigated whether it is also possible to retain the effect of the enzyme in heparinized animals. Methods: Day 5 after heterotopic heart transplantation, recipient rats received a 2-hour intravenous infusion of hyaluronidase, either of ovine or of bovine origin. Concomitantly, the animals received intravenous heparin, either as 2 bolus doses or as a constant infusion. Results: Both hyaluronidase preparations effective reduced the hyaluronan content as well as the water content of the rejecting cardiac grafts. The concomitant use of heparin did not hamper the positive results, neither when heparin was administered intermittently nor when it was given continuously. Conclusions: Our results in the transplantation model clearly demonstrate that hyaluronidase can be successfully used in heparinized individuals, provided that sufficient doses of the enzyme are given.
A Hodge decomposition interpretation for the coefficients of the chromatic polynomial
Authors: Hanlon Phil 
Published: July 2008

Let

G
G

be a simple graph with

n
n

nodes. The coloring complex of

G
G

, as defined by Steingrimsson, has

r
r

-faces consisting of all ordered set partitions,

(

B
1

,
…
,

B

r
+
2

)

(B_1, \ldots ,B_{r+2})

in which at least one

B
i

B_i

contains an edge of

G
G

. Jonsson proved that the homology

H

∗

(
G
)

H_{*}(G)

of the coloring complex is concentrated in the top degree. In addition, Jonsson showed that the dimension of the top homology is one less than the number of acyclic orientations of

G
G

.

In this paper, we show that the Eulerian idempotents give a decomposition of the top homology of

G
G

into

n
−
1

n-1

components

H

n
−
3

(
j
)

(
G
)

H_{n-3}^{(j)}(G)

. We go on to prove that the dimensions of the Hodge pieces of the homology are equal to the absolute values of the coefficients of the chromatic polynomial of

G
G

. Specifically, if we write

χ
G

(
λ
)
=
(

∑

j
=
1

n
−
1

c
j

(
−
1

)

n
−
j

λ
j

)
+

λ
n

\chi _G(\lambda ) = (\sum _{j=1}^{n-1} c_j (-1)^{n-j} \lambda ^j) + \lambda ^n

, then

d
i
m
(

H

n
−
3

(
j
)

(
G
)
)
=

c
j

dim(H_{n-3}^{(j)}(G)) = c_j

.
On a desingularization of the moduli space of noncommutative tori
Authors: Nikolaev Igor 
Published: July 2008

It is shown that the moduli space of the noncommutative tori

A

θ

{\mathbb A}_{\theta }

admits a natural desingularization by the group

E
x
t

(

A

θ

,

A

θ

)

Ext~ ({\mathbb A}_{\theta },{\mathbb A}_{\theta })

. Namely, we prove that the moduli space of pairs

(

A

θ

,
E
x
t

(

A

θ

,

A

θ

)
)

({\mathbb A}_{\theta }, Ext~ ({\mathbb A}_{\theta },{\mathbb A}_{\theta }))

is homeomorphic to a punctured two-dimensional sphere. The proof is based on a correspondence (a covariant functor) between the complex and noncommutative tori.
Cloning and molecular characterization of outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene from Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Singh J.P.N. , Verma Rishendra 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThe ompA gene, 981 bp in size and identified in the Mycobacterium bovis genome, was cloned and sequenced. Predicted amino acid sequences showed a protein of molecular weight 33.5 kDa with an isoelectric point of 7.28 and an OmpA conserved domain at the carboxy terminal with signal sequence at the N‐terminal. Homology search showed complete homology with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis ompA gene with varying degree of homology with omp genes of other bacteria, so it was predicted that it may act like porin. The ompA gene of M. bovis was expressed in the pProEX HTb expression vector. Recombinant protein OmpA, was purified by using a nickel affinity column. The expressed recombinant OmpA (32 kDa) was confirmed by western blot with Ni‐NTA horseradish peroxidase (HRP) conjugate and with specific antiserum raised in rabbits. The effect of low pH (pH 6.0, 5.5 and 5) on the transcription of the ompA gene in M. bovis using real‐time PCR showed that there was an increase in transcription of ompA in M. bovis cultured at low pH (maximum at pH 5.5).
Activated Stat3 expression in gestational trophoblastic disease: correlation with clinicopathological parameters and apoptotic indices
Authors: Chan H Y , Siu M K Y , Zhang H J , Wong E S Y , Ngan H Y S , Chan K Y K , Cheung A N Y 
Published: July 2008

Aims:  To assess the expression profile of the activated form of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and correlate the findings with clinicopathological parameters.Methods and results:  By immunohistochemistry, both cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of p‐Stat3‐Ser727 was demonstrated in 88 trophoblastic tissues, including placentas and GTD. Nuclear immunoreactivity of p‐Stat3‐Ser727 was significantly higher in hydatidiform mole (HM) (P < 0.001) and choriocarcinoma (P = 0.009) when compared with normal placentas. Placental site trophoblastic tumours (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumours (ETT) also demonstrated higher nuclear p‐Stat3‐Ser727 expression than their normal trophoblast counterparts. Higher p‐Stat3‐Ser727 expression was confirmed in choriocarcinoma cell lines, JEG‐3 and JAR, than in a normal trophoblast cell line, with both nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions demonstrated by immunoblotting. Spontaneously regressed HM showed significantly increased nuclear and cytoplasmic p‐Stat3‐Ser727 immunoreactivity over those that developed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) (P = 0.013, P = 0.039). There was a significant positive and inverse correlation between nuclear p‐Stat3‐Ser727 immunoreactivity and apoptotic indices [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labelling and M30 CytoDeath antibody] (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, Spearman’s ρ test) and Bcl‐2 expression (P = 0.034), respectively.Conclusions:  p‐Stat3‐Ser727 plays a role in the pathogenesis of GTD, probably through the regulation of apoptosis. p‐Stat3‐Ser727 immunoreactivity is a potential marker in predicting GTN in HM.
TNF/IL‐1/NIK/NF‐κB transduction pathway: a comparative study in normal and pathological human prostate (benign hyperplasia and carcinoma)
Authors: Nuñez C , Cansino J R , Bethencourt F , Pérez‐Utrilla M , Fraile B , Martínez‐Onsurbe P , Olmedilla G , Paniagua R , Royuela M 
Published: July 2008

Aims:  Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α induces death or cell proliferation by activation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, also activated by interleukin (IL)‐1α. The aim was to investigate upstream and downstream components of NIK transduction pathway in normal (NP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostatic carcinoma (PC).Methods and results:  Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were performed. In NP, the cytoplasm of epithelial cells was intensely immunoreactive to IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase (IRAK), TNF receptor‐associated factor (TRAF)‐6, NF‐κB inducing kinase (NIK), Iκκα/β, IκBα and p‐IκB; weakly to NF‐κB‐p50; and negative to NF‐κB‐p65. BPH samples were intensely immunoreactive to IRAK, TRAF‐6, NIK, Iκκα/β, IκBα, p‐IκB; weakly to NF‐κB‐p50 and NF‐κB‐p65. Whereas low‐grade PIN showed intermediate results between NP and BPH, results in high‐grade PIN were similar to those found in PC (low Gleason). In PC, immunoreactivity was intense for IRAK, TRAF‐6, NIK, Iκκα/β (increasing with Gleason), IκBα, p‐IκB (decreasing with Gleason); weak for NF‐κB‐p50 and NF‐κB‐p65 (decreasing with Gleason). Nuclear NF‐κB was observed in PC.Conclusions:  NF‐κB enhances cell proliferation, but also ATF‐2 or Elk‐1. Since IL‐1 and TNF‐α are related to inflammation and their immunoexpression increases in PC, inhibition of these cytokines might be a possible target for PC treatment, because they decrease the activity of all transduction pathway members that activate transcription factors such as NF‐κB, Elk‐1 or ATF‐2.
Entropy concentration and the empirical coding game
Authors: Grünwald Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe give a characterization of maximum entropy/minimum relative entropy inference by providing two ‘strong entropy concentration’ theorems. These theorems unify and generalize Jaynes’‘concentration phenomenon’ and Van Campenhout and Cover's ‘conditional limit theorem’. The theorems characterize exactly in what sense a prior distribution Q conditioned on a given constraint and the distribution  minimizing D(P ‖ Q) over all P satisfying the constraint are ‘close’ to each other. We then apply our theorems to establish the relationship between entropy concentration and a game‐theoretic characterization of maximum entropy inference of Topsøe and others.
Identification and characterization of a novel intraepithelial lymphoid tissue in the gills of Atlantic salmon
Authors: Haugarvoll Erlend , Bjerkås Inge , Nowak Barbara F. , Hordvik Ivar , Koppang Erling O. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn addition to being the respiratory organ in fish, the gills form a barrier against the external milieu. Innate and adaptive immune system components have been detected in the gills, but lymphoid cell accumulations similar to that seen in the mammalian mucosa have not been described. The present investigations revealed cell accumulations on the caudal edge of interbranchial septum at the base of the gill filaments in the Atlantic salmon. Cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining and identification of a basal membrane and desmosome cell junctions by electron microscopy showed that the cell accumulation was located intraepithelially. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ cells were detected by immunohistochemistry, and laser capture micro‐dissection and subsequent RT‐PCR analysis revealed expression of T‐cell receptor transcripts in the investigated tissue, suggesting the presence of T cells. The intraepithelial tissue reported here may be a suitable location for immune surveillance of gill infections, as well as a target site for new vaccine approaches and investigations of epithelial immunity. This is the first description of a lymphocyte cell aggregation within a teleostian gill epithelium network, illustrating a phylogenetically early form of leukocyte accumulations in a respiratory organ.