bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The CUPDAY Study: prebiotic‐probiotic milk product in 1–3‐year‐old children attending childcare centres
Authors: Binns CW , Lee AH , Harding H , Gracey M , Barclay DV 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a milk product containing probiotics and prebiotics (CUPDAY Milk) on the incidence of diarrhoea in children attending daycare centres.Methods: The study was undertaken in a randomized controlled trial with 496 children aged 1–3 years attending 29 childcare centres in Perth, Australia. The endpoint for the study was the number of days in which children were recorded as having four or more stools. The diarrhoeal rates were analyzed by Poisson regression using ‘intention to treat’ (all children) and ‘reduced’ (children enrolled for more than 10 days) data sets.Results: There was no difference in demographic characteristics between the case and control groups. In the ‘intention to treat’ analysis, a total of 41 745 child‐days were included in the study. The adjusted risk ratio for those consuming the ‘Cupday’ milk drink was 0.82 (95% CI 0.73–0.94) for the intention to treat sample (n = 496) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.70–0.91) for the reduced sample (n = 315). The children consuming the ‘Cupday’ drink had a 20% reduction in the number of days experiencing four or more stools per day.Conclusion: A milk containing probiotics and prebiotics reduced the number of days children attending child care who had four or more stools by 20%.
Blood sampling via umbilical vein catheters decreases cerebral oxygenation and blood volume in preterm infants
Authors: Hüning Britta M. , Horsch Sandra , Roll Claudia 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim: We have shown previously that blood sampling via umbilical artery catheters decreases cerebral oxygenation and cerebral blood volume in preterm infants. To evaluate alternative methods, we assessed the effects of blood sampling via umbilical vein catheters in a cohort of preterm infants.Methods: Twenty neonates (median birth weight 900 g [range 410–1900 g], median gestational age 27 weeks [24–31 weeks]) were studied during routine blood sampling via umbilical vein catheters by near‐infrared spectroscopy. Tissue oxygenation index and changes in concentrations of cerebral oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin were measured and changes in cerebral oxygenation and cerebral blood volume were calculated. Oxygen saturation and heart rate were recorded simultaneously.Results: There was a significant drop of cerebral oxygenation (−2.135 ± 0.532 μmol/L) and cerebral blood volume (−0.037 ± 0.019 mL/100 g tissue) during umbilical vein blood sampling. Although peripheral arterial oxygen saturation remained unchanged, cerebral tissue oxygenation index decreased from 64.8 ± 2.5% to 62.4 ± 2.6% (p < 0.01), accompanied by a slight increase in heart rate (from 140 ± 2.9 to 144 ± 2.9 beats/min, p < 0.01).Conclusions: Umbilical vein blood sampling reduces cerebral oxygenation and cerebral blood volume. The magnitude of the effects is similar to those during umbilical artery blood sampling.
Sodium Stress in the Halophyte Thellungiella halophila and Transcriptional Changes in a thsos1‐RNA Interference Line
Authors: Oh Dong‐Ha , Gong Qingqiu , Ulanov Alex , Zhang Quan , Li Youzhi , Ma Wenying , Yun Dae‐Jin , Bressan Ray A. , Bohnert Hans J. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The plasma membrane Na+/H+‐antiporter salt overly sensitive1 (SOS1) from the halophytic Arabidopsis‐relative Thellungiella halophila (ThSOS1) shows conserved sequence and domain structure with the orthologous genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants. When expression of ThSOS1 was reduced by RNA interference (RNAi), pronounced characteristics of salt‐sensitivity were observed. We were interested in monitoring altered transcriptional responses between Thellungiella wild type and thsos1‐4, a representative RNAi line with particular emphasis on root responses to salt stress at 350 mmol/L NaCl, a concentration that is only moderately stressful for mature wild type plants. Transcript profiling revealed several functional categories of genes that were differently affected in wild‐type and RNAi plants. Down‐regulation of SOS1 resulted in different gene expression even in the absence of stress. The pattern of gene induction in the RNAi plant under salt stress was similar to that of glycophytic Arabidopsis rather than that of wild type Thellungiella. The RNAi plants failed to down‐regulate functions that are normally reduced in wild type Thellungiella upon stress and did not up‐regulate functions that characterize the Thellungiella salt stress response. Metabolite changes observed in wild type Thellungiella after salt stress were less pronounced or absent in RNAi plants. Transcript and metabolite behavior suggested SOS1 functions including but also extending its established function as a sodium transporter. The down‐regulation of ThSOS1 converted the halophyte Thellungiella into a salt‐sensitive plant.
Modulation of Root Signals in Relation to Stomatal Sensitivity to Root‐sourced Abscisic Acid in Drought‐affected Plants
Authors: Ren Huibo , Wei Kaifa , Jia Wensuo , Davies William John , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Stomatal sensitivity to root signals induced by soil drying may vary between environments and plant species. This is likely to be a result of the interactions and modulations among root signals. As a stress signal, abscisic acid (ABA) plays a central role in root to shoot signaling. pH and hydraulic signals may interact with ABA signals and thus, jointly regulate stomatal responses to changed soil water status. pH itself can be modified by several factors, among which the chemical compositions in the xylem stream and the live cells surrounding the vessels play crucial roles. In addition to the xylem pH, more attention should be paid to the direct modulation of leaf apoplastic pH, because many chemical compositions might strongly modify the leaf apoplastic pH while having no significant effect on the xylem pH. The direct modulation of the ABA signal intensity may be more important for the regulation of stomatal responses to soil drying than the ABA signal per se. The ABA signal is also regulated by the ABA catabolism and the supply of precursors to the roots if a sustained root to shoot communication of soil drying operates at the whole plant level. More importantly, ABA catabolism could play crucial roles in the determination of the fate of the ABA signal and thereby control the stomatal behavior of the root‐sourced ABA signal.
Panicle Water Potential, a Physiological Trait to Identify Drought Tolerance in Rice
Authors: Liu Guo‐Lan , Mei Han‐Wei , Yu Xin‐Qiao , Zou Gui‐Hua , Liu Hong‐Yan , Li Ming‐Shou , Chen Liang , Wu Jin‐Hong , Luo Li‐Jun 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Two upland rice varieties (IRAT109, IAPAR9) and one lowland rice variety (Zhenshan 97B) were planted in summer and treated with both normal (full water) and drought stress in the reproductive stage. Panicle water potential (PWP) and leaf water potential (LWP) were measured every 1.0–1.5 h over 24 h on sunny days. Both PWP and LWP of upland varieties started to decrease later, maintained a higher level and recovered more quickly than that of the lowland variety. The results show that PWP can be used as an indicator of plant water status based on the parallel daily changes, and the high correlation between PWP and LWP. Similar correlations were also observed between PWP, LWP and eight traits related to plant growth and grain yield formation. PWP seemed to be more effective for distinguishing the upland rice varieties with different drought‐tolerant ability. Differences in PWP and LWP between upland and lowland rice varieties were also observed at noon even under normal water conditions, implying the incorporation of the drought‐tolerant mechanism to improve the photosynthesis and yield of traditional paddy rice.
Analysis of Gene Expression Profile Induced by Water Stress in Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L. var. IRAT109) Seedlings using Subtractive Expressed Sequence Tags Library
Authors: Wang Haiguang , Zhang Hongliang , Li Zichao 
Published: October 2007

Abstract To identify the water stress induced genes of upland rice cultivar IRAT109, which is resistant to drought, a subtractive cDNA library was developed from polyethylene glycol‐ (PEG) treated and non‐treated seedlings by suppression subtractive hybridization, from which 2 112 recombinant colonies were obtained. Eight hundred clones were selected randomly for sequencing analysis, and 384 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained. They were found to be involved in diverse biological processes, such as metabolism, transcription, signal transduction, protein synthesis and others. Notably a number of known functional genes in drought tolerance, including genes related to biosynthesis of osmoprotectants, defense against active oxygen, removal of toxic compounds, recovery of proteins and reinforcement of cell wall were also found in the study. Several genes related to deleterious responses were upregulated by PEG stress. The differential expression patterns of 11 SSH‐derived ESTs were confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.
Water‐Saving and High‐Yielding Irrigation for Lowland Rice by Controlling Limiting Values of Soil Water Potential
Authors: Yang Jianchang , Liu Kai , Wang Zhiqin , Du Yong , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The present study investigated whether an irrigation system could be established to save water and increase grain yield to enhance water productivity by proper water management at the field level in irrigated lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Using two field‐grown rice cultivars, two irrigation systems; conventional irrigation and water‐saving irrigation, were conducted. In the water‐saving irrigation system, limiting values of soil water potential related to specific growth stages were proposed as irrigation indices. Compared with conventional irrigation where drainage was in mid‐season and flooded at other times, the water‐saving irrigation increased grain yield by 7.4% to 11.3%, reduced irrigation water by 24.5% to 29.2%, and increased water productivity (grain yield per cubic meter of irrigation water) by 43.1% to 50.3%. The water‐saving irrigation significantly increased harvest index, improved milling and appearance qualities, elevated zeatin + zeatin riboside concentrations in root bleedings and enhanced activities of sucrose synthase, adenosine diphosphateglucose pyrophosphorylase, starch synthase and starch branching enzyme in grains. Our results indicate that water‐saving irrigation by controlling limiting values of soil water potential related to specific growth stages can enhance physiological activities of roots and grains, reduce water input, and increase grain yield.
Deficit Irrigation as a Strategy to Save Water: Physiology and Potential Application to Horticulture
Authors: Costa J. Miguel , Ortuño Maria F. , Chaves M. Manuela 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Water is an increasingly scarce resource worldwide and irrigated agriculture remains one of the largest and most inefficient users of this resource. Low water use efficiency (WUE) together with an increased competition for water resources with other sectors (e.g. tourism or industry) are forcing growers to adopt new irrigation and cultivation practices that use water more judiciously. In areas with dry and hot climates, drip irrigation and protected cultivation have improved WUE mainly by reducing runoff and evapotranspiration losses. However, complementary approaches are still needed to increase WUE in irrigated agriculture. Deficit irrigation strategies like regulated deficit irrigation or partial root drying have emerged as potential ways to increase water savings in agriculture by allowing crops to withstand mild water stress with no or only marginal decreases of yield and quality. Grapevine and several fruit tree crops seem to be well adapted to deficit irrigation, but other crops like vegetables tend not to cope so well due to losses in yield and quality. This paper aims at providing an overview of the physiological basis of deficit irrigation strategies and their potential for horticulture by describing the major consequences of their use to vegetative growth, yield and quality of different crops (fruits, vegetables and ornamentals).
Carbon Isotope Discrimination is not Correlated with Transpiration Efficiency in Three Cool‐Season Grain Legumes (Pulses)
Authors: Turner Neil C. , Palta Jairo A. , Shrestha Renuka , Ludwig Christiane , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Turner David W. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract The carbon isotope discrimination (δ13C) of leaves has been shown to be correlated with the transpiration efficiency of leaves in a wide range of species. This has led to δ13C being used in breeding programs to select for improved transpiration efficiency. The correlation between δ13C and transpiration efficiency was determined under well‐watered conditions during the vegetative phase in six genotypes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), six genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and 10 cultivars of narrow‐leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). Biomass (dry matter) accumulation and water use (transpiration) varied among the genotypes in all three species and transpiration efficiency was 40% to 75% higher in the most efficient compared with the least efficient genotypes. However, δ13C and transpiration efficiency were not significantly correlated in any of the species. This suggests that the δ13C technique cannot be used in selection for transpiration efficiency in the three grain legumes (pulses) studied.
Much Improved Water Use Efficiency of Rice under Non‐Flooded Mulching Cultivation
Authors: Xu Guo‐Wei , Zhang Zi‐Chang , Zhang Jian‐Hua , Yang Jian‐Chang 
Published: October 2007

Abstract Water shortage is increasingly limiting the luxury use of water in rice cultivation. In this study, non‐flooded mulching cultivation of rice only consumed a fraction of the water that was needed for traditional flooded cultivation and largely maintained the grain yield. We also investigated the growth and development of rice plants and examined grain yield formation when rice was subjected to non‐flooded mulching cultivation. One indica hybrid rice combination was grown in a field experiment and three cultivation methods, traditional flooding (TF), non‐flooded straw mulching cultivation (SM) and non‐flooded plastic mulching cultivation (PM), were conducted during the whole season. Grain yield showed that there was no significant difference between SM and TF rice, but the grain yield of SM cultivation was significantly higher than that of PM. The tiller numbers were inhibited in the early stage under non‐flooded mulching cultivation, but the situation was reversed at the later period. Both SM and PM rice reduced dry matter accumulation of shoot, but increased root dry weight, enhanced the remobilization of assimilates from stems to grains and increased the harvest index. During the middle and later grain filling period, mulched plants showed a faster decrease in chlorophyll concentrations, photosynthetic rates of flag leaves and root activity than TF rice, indicating that non‐flooded mulching cultivation enhanced plant senescence. In comparison, SM treatment produced higher grain yield and, more dry matter accumulation and panicle numbers than the PM treatment. The overall results suggest that high yield of non‐flooded mulching cultivation of rice can be achieved with much improved irrigational water use efficiency.
Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency of Platycladus Orientalis and Robinia Pseudoacacia Saplings under Steady Soil Water Stress during Different Stages of Their Annual Growth Period
Authors: Wang Ming‐Chun , Wang Jin‐Xin , Shi Qing‐Hua , Zhang Jin‐Song 
Published: October 2007

Abstract A simulated drought experiment was conducted in a rain‐free shed to test the physiological response of Platycladus orientalis and Robinia pseudoacacia saplings to steady soil water stress during different stages. The five soil water treatments were: 100%, 87.84%, 70%, 52.16% and 40% of field capacity. The results showed that the net photosynthetic rate of R. pseudoacacia decreased as soil water potential decreased in the range between −0.041 MPa and –0.292 MPa. The threshold value at which the net photosynthetic rate changed significantly was −0.12 MPa. The relationship between net photosynthetic rate of P. orientalis and soil water potential could be described as a quadratic parabola in the range between −0.041 MPa and −0.648 MPa. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in the net photosynthetic rate of P. orientalis between soil water potentials of −0.061 MPa ∼−0.648 MPa. Average water use efficiency (WUE) increased as soil water potential decreased, but the influence mechanism of soil water stress on leaf WUE and photosynthetic rate for the two species were different evidently.
Immediate versus delayed chemotherapy in patients with asymptomatic incurable metastatic cancer
Authors: CARDEN Craig P , ROSENTHAL Mark A 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim:  To examine the evidence of benefit in initiating immediate chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed asymptomatic metastatic incurable cancer, compared with delaying chemotherapy until symptomatic progression.Methods:  Through an extensive review of published reports, we examined the biological, clinical, psychological and ethical background of the issue and reported on the available clinical trial evidence in a variety of tumor types.Results:  Only a limited number of clinical trials have directly examined the role of immediate versus delayed chemotherapy in patients with incurable asymptomatic metastatic cancer. Small studies in mesothelioma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, myeloma, and low‐grade lymphoma suggest no survival benefit for the immediate initiation of chemotherapy. However, there was no evidence in other tumor types.Conclusion:  The appropriate timing of chemotherapy initiation in an asymptomatic patient with metastatic cancer remains a substantial question in oncology. Many factors are likely to impact on the decision. However, little if any evidence demonstrates a clear advantage in the immediate initiation of chemotherapy in this setting.
Prevalence of distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: ZAINAL Nor , HUI Koh , HANG Ting , BUSTAM Anita 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAim:  Feeling distressed is often a normal reaction to the diagnosis of cancer and cancer treatment. However, if excessive, distress may lead to more disabling conditions such as depression and anxiety. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence and level of distress in patients with cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy and to examine the associated factors related to psychological distress in these patients.Methods:  Adult patients with confirmed cancer who were undergoing out‐patient chemotherapy at the Clinical Oncology Unit, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre were invited to participate in the study. They were assessed on their sociodemographic profiles, clinical history, distress level as measured using the ‘Distress Thermometer’, and problems checklist on practical, family, emotional and physical symptoms. The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) was used by patients to report anxiety and depression.Results:  One hundred and sixty‐eight patients with mean age of 50 years participated in the study. The prevalence of psychological distress determined by the ‘Distress Thermometer’ was 51%. HADS found the prevalence of depression/anxiety to be 32%. There was no significant association between distress and the primary site of cancer, the phase of chemotherapy and the sociodemographic profiles except for age (r = −0.21, P = 0.007). Distress was significantly associated with practical, family and emotional problems. Some of the physical problems such as appearance, breathing, changes in urination, constipation, eating, fatigue, getting around, memory/concentration, nausea, pain and sleep were also significantly associated with distress.Conclusion:  Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experienced high level of distress. This finding should alert oncologists that some patients exhibiting these signs of distress may need referral to the mental health team.
Asteroseismology of red giants: photometric observations of Arcturus by SMEI
Authors: Tarrant N. J. , Chaplin W. J. , Elsworth Y. , Spreckley S. A. , Stevens I. R. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
We present new results on oscillations of the K1.5 III giant Arcturus (α Boo), from analysis of just over 2.5 yr of precise photometric observations made by the Solar Mass Ejection Imager on board the Coriolis satellite. A strong mode of oscillation is uncovered by the analysis, having frequency 3.51 ± 0.03 μHz. By fitting its mode peak, we are able to offer a highly constrained direct estimate of the damping time (τ= 24 ± 1 d). The data also hint at the possible presence of several radial-mode overtones, and maybe some non-radial modes. We are also able to measure the properties of the granulation on the star, with the characteristic time-scale for the granulation estimated to be ∼0.50 ± 0.05 d.
EXPOSURE OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES TO FOOD AND TEMPERATURE ABUSE USING A DIALYSIS TUBING CULTURE METHOD
Authors: PANG HOAN‐JEN , POTENSKI CATHERINE J. , MATTHEWS KARL R. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT Foodborne illnesses are often linked to foods that have been contaminated postprocessing and exposed to temperature abuse conditions prior to consumption. Limitations in methods to recover sufficient numbers of a target bacterium from an (inoculated) intentionally contaminated food can hinder genomic/proteomic analysis, and in conducting in vitro assays using the recovered cells. In this study, a dialysis tubing culture technique was developed to facilitate the recovery of high numbers of Listeria monocytogenes exposed to temperature abuse while in association with chocolate milk and frankfurter slurry. The impact of exposure to foods, followed by temperature abuse, on the virulence of L. monocytogenes was investigated using the Caco‐2 cell infection assay. The expression of groEL, associated with stress, was also determined. L. monocytogenes inoculated into brain–heart infusion (BHI) broth (control), chocolate milk or frankfurter slurry was held at 4C for 24 h to simulate short‐term exposure to each food. The L. monocytogenes‐contaminated food was then exposed to a series of temperature shifts to simulate temperature abuse. The final temperature of the abused BHI and chocolate milk was 30C, and the frankfurter slurry was 22C. The stress response gene, groEL, was only induced in the control cells (suspended in BHI) after they had been exposed to temperature abuse conditions. The expression of groEL was also evident in cells exposed to foods and temperature abuse conditions, suggesting that the foods used in this study were a stressful environment for the cells. This study showed that the exposure of L. monocytogenes to chocolate milk or frankfurter slurry, or temperature abuse has no impact on the virulence of L. monocytogenes as demonstrated using the Caco‐2 cell assay. However, the expression of groEL suggests that the foods evaluated can be stressful environments for L. monocytogenes despite its ability to grow or survive in those foods. The dialysis tubing culture technique developed is a simple and highly cost‐effective method for exposure of bacteria to food and the recovery of a large number of cells suitable for additional analysis.