bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plethysmography and impulse oscillometry assessment of tiotropium and ipratropium bromide; a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study in healthy subjects
Authors: Singh D. , Tal‐Singer R. , Faiferman I. , Lasenby S. , Henderson A. , Wessels D. , Goosen A. , Dallow N. , Vessey R. , Goldman M. 
Published: February 2006

AimsSpirometry, plethysmography and impulse oscillometry (IOS) measure different aspects of lung function. These methods have not been compared for their ability to assess long‐ and short‐acting anticholinergic agents. We therefore performed a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, four‐way cross‐over study in 30 healthy subjects.MethodsSingle doses of tiotropium bromide (Tio) 54 and 18 mcg, ipratropium bromide (IB) 40 mcg and placebo were administered. Specific conductance (sGaw), total lung capacity (TLC), inspiratory capacity (IC) and residual volume (RV) were measured using plethysmography, while IOS measured resistance (R5–25) and reactance (RF and X5). Pulmonary function was measured for 26 h post dose.ResultsTio caused significant improvements in sGaw, forced expiratory voume in 1 s (FEV1), maximum mid‐expiratory flow (MMEF) and R5–R25 at time points up to 26 h, with no clear differences between doses. IB improved the same parameters, but only up to 8 h. The weighted mean change (0–24 h) caused by Tio 54 mcg compared with placebo for FEV1 was 240 ml (95% confidence interval 180, 300), while for sGaw the ratio of geometric means (Tio compared with placebo) was 1.35 (1.28, 1.41). Neither drug caused consistent statistically significant changes in RF, forced vital capacity, TLC or IC over 26 h. RV was significantly improved from 8 to 24 h by Tio 54 mcg only.ConclusionsIn addition to spirometry, IOS resistance measurements and sGaw can distinguish between the effects of long‐ and shortacting anticholinergic effects in healthy subjects.
High glucose levels enhance platelet activation: involvement of multiple mechanisms
Authors: Sudic Dzana , Razmara Masoud , Forslund Mikael , Ji Qiushang , Hjemdahl Paul , Li Nailin 
Published: February 2006

SummaryDiabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycaemia are associated with platelet activation. The present study was designed to investigate how high glucose levels influence platelet function. Fasting human blood was incubated with different concentrations of d‐glucose (5, 15 and 30 mmol/l) and other sugars without or with in vitro stimuli. Platelet activation was monitored by whole blood flow cytometry. High glucose levels enhanced adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐ and thrombin receptor‐activating peptide (TRAP)‐induced platelet P‐selectin expression, and TRAP‐induced platelet fibrinogen binding. Similar effects were seen with 30 mmol/l l‐glucose, sucrose and galactose. Hyperglycaemia also increased TRAP‐induced platelet‐leucocyte aggregation. Protein kinase C (PKC) blockade did not counteract the enhancement of platelet P‐selectin expression, but abolished the enhancement of TRAP‐induced platelet fibrinogen binding by hyperglycaemia. Superoxide anion scavenging by superoxide dismutase (SOD) attenuated the hyperglycaemic enhancement of platelet P‐selectin expression, but did not counteract the enhancement of TRAP‐induced platelet fibrinogen binding. Hyperglycaemia did not alter platelet intracellular calcium responses to agonist stimulation. Blockade of cyclo‐oxygenase (COX), phosphotidylinositol‐3 (PI3) kinase, or nitric oxide synthase, or the addition of insulin did not influence the effect of hyperglycaemia. In conclusion, high glucose levels enhanced platelet reactivity to agonist stimulation through elevated osmolality. This occurred via superoxide anion production, which enhanced platelet P‐selectin expression (secretion), and PKC signalling, which enhanced TRAP‐induced fibrinogen binding (aggregablity).
Promoter hypermethylation of the retinoic acid receptor β2 gene is frequent in acute myeloid leukaemia and associated with the presence of CBFβ–MYH11 fusion transcripts
Authors: Rethmeier Anita , Aggerholm Anni , Olesen Lene Hyldahl , Juhl‐Christensen Caroline , Nyvold Charlotte Guldborg , Guldberg Per , Hokland Peter 
Published: February 2006

SummarySilencing of the putative tumour suppressor gene retinoic acid receptorβ2 (RARβ2) caused by aberrant promoter hypermethylation has been identified in several solid tumours. In order to evaluate the extent of RARβ2 hypermethylation and transcription in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at diagnosis, 320 patients were investigated by bisulphite‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and mRNA transcription levels were analysed in 61 of these by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results were compared with demographic‐ and molecular data from the patients. While RARβ2 was unmethylated in 10/10 bone marrow and 7/7 blood samples from healthy individuals, the gene was hypermethylated in 43% of the AML patients. The RARβ2 degree of promoter methylation differed between and within individuals, and the mRNA transcription levels of the gene varied inter‐individually by a factor of 4000. A significant inverse correlation between promoter hypermethylation and gene expression could be established (t‐test, P = 0·019). Comparison of methylation data with a series of other molecular alterations in the same patient materials revealed a correlation between hypermethylation of the RARβ2 promoter and the presence of CBF‐MYH11 fusion transcripts (P < 0·01). Our data suggest that RARβ2 promoter methylation is frequent in AML and may co‐operate with the expression of CBF‐MYH11 fusion transcripts in leukaemogenesis.
2D data modelling by electrical resistivity tomography for complex subsurface geology
Authors: Cardarelli E. , Fischanger F. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTA new tool for two‐dimensional apparent‐resistivity data modelling and inversion is presented. The study is developed according to the idea that the best way to deal with ill‐posedness of geoelectrical inverse problems lies in constructing algorithms which allow a flexible control of the physical and mathematical elements involved in the resolution.The forward problem is solved through a finite‐difference algorithm, whose main features are a versatile user‐defined discretization of the domain and a new approach to the solution of the inverse Fourier transform.The inversion procedure is based on an iterative smoothness‐constrained least‐squares algorithm. As mentioned, the code is constructed to ensure flexibility in resolution. This is first achieved by starting the inversion from an arbitrarily defined model. In our approach, a Jacobian matrix is calculated at each iteration, using a generalization of Cohn's network sensitivity theorem. Another versatile feature is the issue of introducing a priori information about the solution. Regions of the domain can be constrained to vary between two limits (the lower and upper bounds) by using inequality constraints. A second possibility is to include the starting model in the objective function used to determine an improved estimate of the unknown parameters and to constrain the solution to the above model. Furthermore, the possibility either of defining a discretization of the domain that exactly fits the underground structures or of refining the mesh of the grid certainly leads to more accurate solutions. Control on the mathematical elements in the inversion algorithm is also allowed. The smoothness matrix can be modified in order to penalize roughness in any one direction. An empirical way of assigning the regularization parameter (damping) is defined, but the user can also decide to assign it manually at each iteration.An appropriate tool was constructed with the purpose of handling the inversion results, for example to correct reconstructed models and to check the effects of such changes on the calculated apparent resistivity.Tests on synthetic and real data, in particular in handling indeterminate cases, show that the flexible approach is a good way to build a detailed picture of the prospected area.
Second‐order interpolation of later‐arrival traveltimes
Authors: Vanelle Claudia , Dettmer Jan , Gajewski Dirk 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThe performance of a 3D prestack migration of the Kirchhoff type can be significantly enhanced if the computation of the required stacking surface is replaced by an efficient and accurate method for the interpolation of diffraction traveltimes. Thus, input traveltimes need only be computed and stored on coarse grids, leading to considerable savings in CPU time and computer storage. However, interpolation methods based on a local approximation of the traveltime functions fail in the presence of triplications of the wavefront or later arrivals. This paper suggests a strategy to overcome this problem by employing the coefficients of a hyperbolic traveltime expansion to locate triplications and correct for the resulting errors in the interpolated traveltime tables of first and later arrivals.
Influenza A Viruses Upregulate Neutrophil Toll‐Like Receptor 2 Expression and Function
Authors: Lee R. M. , White M. R. , Hartshorn K. L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNeutrophils are involved in the initial host response to influenza A virus (IAV) infection and exhibit both activation and depressed function after exposure to the virus. We demonstrate that IAV causes rapid upregulation of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression on neutrophils. The neutrophil agonists, formyl‐methylpleucyl‐alanine (fMLP), C5a and lipopolysaccharide did not alter neutrophil TLR2 expression, whereas PMA and the microbial TLR2 ligands, peptidoglycan (PGN) and zymosan, reduced it. To determine the functional significance of IAV‐induced increase in TLR2 expression, IAV‐treated neutrophils were exposed to PGN, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and zymosan. Pretreatment with IAV resulted in significantly increased uptake of S. aureus and zymosan and accelerated neutrophil apoptosis when combined with S. aureus. IAV‐treated cells generated significantly more H2O2 in response to PGN. These results indicate that IAV increases neutrophil surface expression of TLR2 and modulates functional responses to ligands that bind TLR2. These findings may clarify IAV‐induced perturbation of neutrophil functions in vivo.
Hydrogen Peroxide Increases Interleukin‐12 p40/p70 Molecular Ratio and Induces Th2‐Predominant Responses in Mice
Authors: Obata F. , Hoshino A. , Toyama A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractTo investigate the influence of oxidative stress on the immune response, mice were injected with H2O2, and peritoneal macrophages were isolated and stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). H2O2 significantly augmented both interleukin (IL)‐12p40 and IL‐12p70 production and increased the p40/p70 molecular ratio. This was confirmed by mRNA analysis, which showed that H2O2 increased LPS‐induced mRNA expression of both IL‐12p40 and IL‐12p35 subunits with an increased p40/p35 ratio. Analysis of anti‐ovalbumin (OVA) antibodies revealed that H2O2 injection significantly increased the production of type 2 helper T cell (Th2)‐associated antibody classes [immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG1] but not a Th1‐associated antibody class (IgG2a). To confirm the Th2‐predominant immune response, we analyzed the profile of cytokine production by spleen T cells of OVA‐immunized and H2O2‐injected mice. H2O2 significantly increased the production of IL‐4 but not that of interferon‐γ. Together, these results suggest that H2O2‐induced overproduction of IL‐12p40 promotes the Th2‐predominant response through increased production of IL‐12p40‐homodimers, which could serve as an antagonist of the Th1‐inducing cytokine IL‐12p70.
The Direct Pathway of Human T‐Cell Allorecognition is not Tolerized by Stimulation with Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Irradiated with High‐Dose Ultraviolet Ba
Authors: Wallgren A. C. , Alder J. , Andersson B. , Karlsson‐Parra A. , Bäcker A. E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractTransfusions of high‐dose (≥10,000 Joule/m2) ultraviolet‐B (UVB)‐irradiated allogeneic leukocytes in rodent models have been shown to induce immunologic tolerance that is mediated by allospecific regulatory CD4+ T cells. Whether these regulatory T cells recognize alloantigens through the direct or indirect pathway of allorecognition is controversial. Here, we demonstrate that the proliferative response obtained in standard primary mixed leukocyte reactions (MLRs) with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) reflected a CD4+ T‐cell‐dependent direct pathway of allorecognition and that high‐dose UVB irradiation of PBMCs totally inhibited their capacity to induce a proliferative alloresponse. Re‐stimulation with γ‐irradiated PBMCs from the same allogeneic donor (secondary MLR) elicited a proliferative and Th1‐deviated response that was similar to the response induced in unprimed PBMCs. Finally, high‐dose UVB was found to induce a rapid and massive apoptosis of irradiated PBMCs. Collectively, these data indicate that leukocytes irradiated with high‐dose UVB are unable to prime for unresponsiveness or immune deviation in T cells directly recognizing allogeneic major histocompatibility complex molecules. Because it is well‐established that antigens within transfused apoptotic cells are captured by resident tolerogenic spleen dendritic cells, we propose that tolerance induced by transfusions of high‐dose UVB‐irradiated leukocytes primarily involve T cells indirectly recognizing alloantigens.
Cerebral cortical effects of desflurane in sheep: comparison with isoflurane, sevoflurane and enflurane
Authors: Voss L. J. , Ludbrook G. , Grant C. , Sleigh J. W. , Barnard J. P. M. 
Published: February 2006

Background:  Different volatile anesthetic agents have differing propensities for inducing seizures. A measure of the predilection to develop seizures is the presence of interictal spike discharges (spikes) on the electrocorticogram (ECoG). In this study, we investigated the propensity of desflurane to induce cortical spikes and made a direct objective comparison with enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane. The ECoG effects of desflurane have not been previously reported.Methods:  After establishment of invasive monitoring and a parasagittal array of eight electrodes to record the ECoG; eight adult merino sheep were given a series of short inhalational anesthetics (using desflurane, enflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane); each titrated to ECoG burst suppression. Anesthetic effect was estimated by the effects on the approximate entropy of the ECoG. The effect of anesthetic on the spike‐rate in the ECoG was analyzed using a non‐linear mixed‐effect method with a sigmoid Emax model.Results:  A similar ‘depth of anesthesia’ was achieved for each agent, as estimated by the approximate entropy. The mean (SD) values of Emax for the spike‐rate vs. approximate entropy relationship were desflurane 0.5 (0.9), enflurane 17.2 (4.0), isoflurane 0.7 (1.2), and sevoflurane 5.3 (1.2) spikes/min. The spike rate caused by desflurane was similar to isoflurane and significantly lower than that of enflurane (P < 0.001), and sevoflurane (P = 0.009).Conclusion:  Desflurane induces minimal cerebral cortical spike activity when administered to burst suppression, consistent with its low propensity for inducing seizures in non‐epileptic brains. The agents can be ranked by their relative ability to cause spike activity: enflurane >> sevoflurane > isoflurane = desflurane.
Group Structure and Stability in Social Aggregations of White's Skink,Egernia whitii
Authors: Chapple David G. , Scott Keogh J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMost lizards display relatively simple social systems, but more complex and stable social aggregations appear to be common in one lineage of Australian skinks, the Egernia Group. Previous studies on this lineage have focused on species inhabiting crevices in large and disjunct rocky outcrops. Here, we describe the social organization of White's skink,Egernia whitii, a burrowing species that inhabits rocky habitats in southeastern Australia. We examined social group size, composition and stability over two field seasons using a capture‐mark‐recapture study, behavioral observations and genetic analyses. Twenty‐four social groups, each comprising two to six individuals, were present at our study site, with 75% of lizards belonging to a social grouping. A higher proportion of adults than juveniles were part of a group, while more adult females belonged to a group than adult males. Groups generally comprised a single adult pair or an adult pair with juveniles. However, groups comprising one male with multiple females and multiple individuals of both sexes also were present. Groups were highly stable throughout the study, although individual group members were observed singly on half of all observations. Paternity analysis using four microsatellite loci revealed that juveniles within groups were closely related to adults in the group, with 38% living in groups with both parents and 71% in groups with at least one parent. Our data demonstrate the presence of complex sociality in a burrowingEgerniaspecies and, together with previous studies, suggest that stable social organization is widespread across different habitats and phylogenetic groupings within the Egernia Group.
Is Difference in Body Weight, Antler Length, Age or Dominance Rank related to the Number of Fights between Fallow Deer (Dama dama)?
Authors: Jennings Dómhnall J. , Gammell Martin P. , Carlin Caitríona M. , Hayden Thomas J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCompetitive interactions between mature male fallow deer were investigated to determine whether antler length, body weight, age or dominance rank were related to the number of fights between individuals. Four different hypotheses were tested; the first predicted that body weight and antler length indicate individual quality and, therefore, as the difference between competitors in body weight and antler length increases, there should be a corresponding decrease in fight rate. The second and third hypotheses predicted that, as difference in dominance rank increased there would be a decrease in fight rate between males either, as a risk reduction measure or because of inhibitory control by dominant males. A fourth hypothesis predicted that, where dominance rank does not mediate fight rate, that similarity between contestants based on age might be important. If this is the case, then as the difference in age between competitors increased there should be a decrease in fight rate. Our results show that when dominance rank is controlled for, there was no relation between body weight, antler length or age with fight rate. There was a negative relation between dominance rank difference and fight rate, a result that supports both the risk reduction and inhibitory hypotheses. There was an increasing tendency to fight with closely ranked males as cohorts reached peak reproductive age; males aged 5 yr fought with other 5‐yr‐old males based on rank difference and males aged 6 yr fought with other males aged six and across all age groups based on rank difference. This trend was not observed in 4 or 7‐yr‐old males. Our results suggest that males in prime breeding condition limit potential costs of fighting (such as time and energy) by only interacting with other males of similar rank.
Components of Pink Snow Mould Resistance in Winter Wheat are Expressed Prior to Cold Hardening and in Detached Leaves
Authors: Ergon Å. , Tronsmo A. M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractResistance to pink snow mould, caused by Microdochium nivale, was investigated in four resistant winter wheat lines from the USDA World Cereal Collection (CI9342, CI14106, PI173440 and PI181268) and three Nordic wheat lines (Bjørke, Rida and V1004). Pink snow mould resistance was tested in non‐hardened and cold‐hardened plants incubated under artificial snow cover and in detached leaf segments mounted on water agar and incubated at either 3°C in darkness or at room temperature with light during the day. The wheat lines CI9342, CI14106 and PI181268 were more resistant than the Nordic lines, both before and after cold hardening. Thus, although cold hardening strongly increases the level of snow mould resistance in all the wheat lines, some resistance mechanisms are also present prior to cold hardening in some of the resistant lines. CI9342, CI14106 and PI181268 also had a higher level of resistance than the other lines in the detached leaf assay, indicating that these lines have some resistance mechanisms acting in the leaves. The resistance of PI173440 was expressed only in intact hardened plants and not in non‐hardened plants or in detached leaves. This indicates that this line relies on cold hardening‐related changes in the crown for its resistance. In the detached leaf assay the rate of lesion development varied greatly between leaves of different order. The highest correlation with the whole plant test was obtained when using secondary leaves and incubation at 3°C in the dark.
Relationship between Ripening and the Development of Banana Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum musae (Berck. and Curt.) Arx
Authors: Chillet M. , Hubert O. , de Lapeyre de Bellaire L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWound anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae is the main disease affecting the quality of export bananas from the French Antilles. Little is known about the effects of ethylene on the development of wound anthracnose and quiescent anthracnose. The results of our experiments with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), an ethylene receptor site inhibitor, clearly revealed that ethylene was not directly involved in triggering rot development. Quiescent anthracnose symptoms were found to appear only after bananas began ripening. In contrast, wound anthracnose developed just as quickly in ‘green 1‐MCP‐treated bananas’ as in ‘yellow ripening bananas’. In cases of wound anthracnose, contrary to quiescent anthracnose, rot development was not dependent on the extent of peel ripeness.
Plasmodiophora brassicae‐induced Cell Death and Medium Alkalization in Clubroot‐resistant Cultured Roots of Brassica rapa
Authors: Takahashi H. , Ishikawa T. , Kaido M. , Takita K. , Hayakawa T. , Okazaki K. , Itoh K. , Mitsui T. , Hori H. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract Plasmodiophora brassicae causes clubroot in the turnip, Brassica rapa L. We used organ cultures of adventitious roots from B. rapa seedlings to investigate the initial response of resistant and susceptible cultivars to P. brassicae infection. Primary plasmodia of P. brassicae were observed in root hairs of both susceptible and resistant cultured roots. On the other hand, secondary plasmodia were able to proliferate only in the susceptible root culture but not in the resistant one. Root cultures from the susceptible cultivar all developed clubroot 4 weeks after treatment with 104, 105 or 106 spores/ml, but roots from the resistant cultivar did not develop clubroot under the same conditions. Cell death, as measured by Evans blue and TTC dye methods, was observed in cultured roots from the resistant cultivar but did not occur in roots from the susceptible cultivar after exposure to P. brassicae spores. Cell death was inhibited almost completely by EGTA and verapamil but not by the calmodulin antagonist W7. These results suggest the involvement of Ca2+ in P. brassicae‐induced cell death. Alkalization of the root culture medium of the resistant cultivar was observed 2 days after treatment with P. brassicae spores but was not observed in root culture medium from the susceptible strain. We conclude that our root culture system must be a useful tool for further studies of the molecular mechanism of clubroot resistance.