bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum digoxin concentration and outcomes in women with heart failure: A bi‐directional effect and a possible effect modification by ejection fraction
Authors: Ahmed Ali , Aban Inmaculada B. , Weaver Michael T. , Aronow Wilbert S. , Fleg Jerome L. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackground:The association between serum digoxin concentration (SDC) and outcomes in women with heart failure (HF) has not been well studied.Aims:To test the hypothesis that the effect of digoxin on outcomes in women with HF is bi‐directional and dependent on SDC, as in men, and is modified by ejection fraction (EF).Methods:We studied 1366 female participants of the Digitalis Investigation Group trial in whom data on SDC (ng/ml) were available. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and Bonferroni‐adjusted 97.5% confidence intervals (CI) for various outcomes at a median follow up of 41 months, in all women and stratified by EF 35%.Results:Compared with placebo (26.9%), 40.3% with SDC≥1.2 (AOR=1.80; CI=1.14–2.86; p=0.004) and 26.6% with SDC 0.5–1.1 (AOR=1.05; CI=0.73–1.51; p=0.762) died. Respective rates for HF‐hospitalizations were: placebo (32.8%), SDC≥1.2 (38.0%) and SDC 0.5–1.1 (25.5%). For women with EF<35% (N=677), SDC 0.5–1.1 lowered odds for HF‐hospitalizations (AOR=0.63; CI=0.39–1.00; p=0.026) without increasing odds for death (AOR=0.77; CI=0.47–1.26; p=0.233). In women with EF≥35% (N=689), SDC 0.5–1.1 had a borderline association with death (AOR=1.58; CI=0.92–2.72; p=0.058) but not with HF‐hospitalization (AOR=0.95; CI=0.54–1.66; p=0.826).Conclusions:As in men, in women with HF, digoxin has a bi‐directional effect based on SDC, and the beneficial effects were significant only among women with EF<35%.
Profile of neurocognitive impairments associated with female in-patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: FOWLER L. , BLACKWELL A. , JAFFA A. , PALMER R. , ROBBINS T. W. , SAHAKIAN B. J. , DOWSON J. H. 
Published: December 2005

Background. Although many studies have reported impairments of neurocognitive performance in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), these have involved a wide range of assessment methods and some findings are inconsistent.Method. Twenty-five female in-patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of AN, identified from three units specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, volunteered for the study. Twenty-five non-clinical control subjects were recruited, matched for age, gender and estimated IQ. Subjects were assessed with a range of computer-administered neurocognitive tasks from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), which has been validated in many studies of neuropsychiatric disorders.Results. The patient group showed significant but moderate impairments (i.e. less than one standard deviation below the mean performance of the control group) on tests of spatial recognition memory, a planning task and rapid visual information processing, while a subgroup of patients (n=14) showed greater degrees of impairments on at least one of these tests. The degrees of impairments did not correlate with body mass index (BMI). No impairments were observed on tests of spatial span, pattern recognition memory, spatial working memory, matching-to-sample, paired associates learning and set-shifting.Conclusions. The findings, in relation to a mean BMI of 15·3, are compatible with, in general, subtle impairments in neurocognition in AN. However, in those patients with relatively severe degrees of impairments, these may have adverse effects on complex tasks of social and occupational functioning. Further research is needed on the nature of relevant causal mechanisms, including the effects of potentially confounding variables.
An EELS‐based study of the effects of pyrolysis on natural carbonaceous materials used for activated charcoal preparation
Authors: Jeanne‐Rose V. , Golabkan V. , Mansot J. L. , Largitte L. , Césaire T. , Ouensanga A. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryElectron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS) has been used to characterize the electronic structure of charcoal phases at the nanoscale, thus demonstrating that the technique can be applied to environmental science. Activated charcoal is extensively used to remove pollutants from liquid and gaseous sewage. It is mainly obtained by activation of coke or charcoal produced from ligneous precursors. The present study concerns the use of by‐products of local Caribbean agriculture, such as sugar cane bagasse, fruit stones and seeds, for use as activated charcoal precursors. Charcoal phases are prepared by high‐temperature pyrolysis of lignocellulosic raw materials under a nitrogen gas flow. With the aim of optimizing the pyrolysis temperature and duration and oxygen content, the concentration of carbon sp2 hybridized chemical bonds and structural ordering have been followed by EELS for different treatment temperatures. To quantify the carbon sp2 content, near edge structure (NES) at the carbon K edge has been measured to determine the strength of π → π* and 1s → π* transitions. Three precursors of plant origin, shells of Terminalia catappa and Acrocomia karukerana and seeds of Psidium guajava, with the pyrolysis temperatures between 600 and 900 °C, were investigated. The fraction of carbon sp2 bonding is found to increase when the temperature rises from 600 °C to the range 700–750 °C and becomes stable at higher temperatures. For temperatures in excess of 700 °C, structural ordering probably occurs and well‐defined 1s → σ* NES is present, whose intensity increases with increasing preparation temperature. For the highest temperature of around 900 °C, the structure of the final product is less well organized than graphitized carbon but a few per cent of a highly ordered phase is found.
Intracellular calcium modulates the nuclear translocation of calsenilin
Authors: Zaidi Nikhat F. , Thomson Emma E. , Choi Eun‐Kyoung , Buxbaum Joseph D. , Wasco Wilma 
Published: December 2005

AbstractCalsenilin, which was originally identified as a presenilin interacting protein, has since been shown to be involved in the processing of presenilin(s), the modulation of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) levels and apoptosis. Subsequent to its original identification, calsenilin was shown to act as a downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (and termed DREAM), as well as to interact with and modulate A‐type potassium channels (and termed KChIP3). Calsenilin is primarily a cytoplasmic protein that must translocate to the nucleus to perform its function as a transcriptional repressor. This study was designed to determine the cellular events that modulate the translocation of calsenilin from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The nuclear translocation of calsenilin was found to be enhanced following serum deprivation. A similar effect was observed when cells were treated with pharmacological agents that directly manipulate the levels of intracellular calcium (caffeine and the calcium ionophore A23187), suggesting that the increased levels of calsenilin in the nucleus are mediated by changes in intracellular calcium. A calsenilin mutant that was incapable of binding calcium retained the ability to translocate to the nucleus. Taken together, these findings indicate that the level of intracellular calcium can modulate the nuclear translocation of calsenilin and that this process does not involve the direct binding of calcium to calsenilin.
Induction of motor neuron apoptosis by free 3‐nitro‐l‐tyrosine
Authors: Peluffo Hugo , Shacka John J. , Ricart Karina , Bisig C. Gaston , Martìnez‐Palma Laura , Pritsch Otto , Kamaid Andrès , Eiserich Jason P. , Crow John P. , Barbeito Luis , Estèvez Alvaro G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPeroxynitrite‐dependent tyrosine nitration has been postulated to be involved in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Evidence supporting this supposition includes the appearance of both free and protein‐linked 3‐nitro‐l‐tyrosine (nitrotyrosine) in both sporadic and familial ALS, as well as of increased free nitrotyrosine levels in the spinal cord of transgenic mice expressing ALS‐linked superoxide dismutase mutants at symptom onset. Here we demonstrate that incubation with clinically relevant concentrations of nitrotyrosine induced apoptosis in motor neurons cultured with trophic factors. Nitrotyrosine was bound to proteins, but it was not incorporated into α‐tubulin, as previously demonstrated for other cell types. Neither inhibition of nitric oxide production nor scavenging of superoxide and peroxynitrite prevented increases in cell nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity or motor neuron death, suggesting that these effects are not due to the endogenous formation of reactive nitrogen species. In contrast, some populations of astrocytes incorporated nitrotyrosine into α‐tubulin, but free nitrotyrosine had no effect on the viability and phenotype of astrocytes in culture, as evaluated by glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity, cell growth and morphology. Co‐culture of motor neurons on astrocyte monolayers delayed, but did not prevent, nitrotyrosine‐induced motor neuron death. These results suggest that free nitrotyrosine may play a role in the induction of motor neuron apoptosis in ALS.
Ammonia in estuaries and effects on fish
Authors: Eddy F. B. 
Published: December 2005

This review aims to explore the biological responses of fish in estuaries to increased levels of environmental ammonia. Results from laboratory and field studies on responses of fish to varying salinity and their responses increased ammonia will be evaluated, although studies which examine responses to ammonia, in relation to varying salinity, pH and temperature together are rare. In a survey of British estuaries the continuous measurement of total ammonia showed values that ranged from background levels increasing up to c. 10 mg N l−1 although higher values have been noted sporadically. In outer estuaries pH values tended to stabilize towards sea water values (e.g. c. pH 8). Upper reaches of estuaries are influenced by the quality of their fresh waters sources which can show a wide range of pH and water quality values depending on geological, climatic and pollution conditions. In general the ammonia toxicity (96 h LC50) to marine species (e.g. 0·09–3·35 mg l−1 NH3) appears to be roughly similar to freshwater species (e.g. 0·068–2·0 mg l−1 NH3). Ammonia toxicity is related to differences between species and pH rather than to the comparatively minor influences of salinity and temperature. In the marine environment the toxicity of ionized ammonia should be considered. The water quality standard for freshwater salmonids of 21 μg l−1 NH3–N was considered to be protective for most marine fish and estuarine fish although the influence of cyclical changes in pH, salinity and temperature were not considered. During ammonia exposures, whether chronic or episodic, estuarine fish may be most at risk as larvae or juveniles, at elevated temperatures, if salinity is near the seawater value and if the pH value of the water is decreased. They are also likely to be at risk from ammonia intoxication in waters of low salinity, high pH and high ammonia levels. These conditions are likely to promote ammonia transfer from the environment into the fish, both as ionized and unionized ammonia, as well as promoting ammonia retention by the fish. Fish are more likely to be prone to ammonia toxicity if they are not feeding, are stressed and if they are active and swimming. Episodic or cycling exposures should also be considered in relation to the rate at which the animal is able to accumulate and excrete ammonia and the physiological processes involved in the transfer of ammonia.In the complex environment of an estuary, evaluation of ammonia as a pollutant will involve field and laboratory experiments to determine the responses of fish to ammonia as salinity and temperature vary over a period of time. It will also be necessary to evaluate the responses of a variety of species including estuarine residents and migrants.
HLA‐DRB1 polymorphism is associated with Kell immunisation
Authors: Chiaroni Jacques , Dettori Isabelle , Ferrera Virginie , Legrand Dominique , Touinssi Mhammed , Mercier Pierre , de Micco Philippe , Reviron Denis 
Published: November 2005

SummaryK immunisation is observed in some polytransfused patients and pregnant women but does not occur in all cases of K incompatibility. This study analysed the role of genetic background in this selective response to K antigen by investigating HLA‐DRB1 alleles associated with K immunisation in a southern European population. HLA‐DRB1 genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific oligonucleotide/sequence‐specific primer procedures in 54 K immunised patients and 200 healthy controls. The frequency of HLA‐DRB1*11 was significantly higher in K immunised patients than healthy controls: 31 of 54 (57%) vs. 56 of 200 (28%) (Pc < 0·001). In the remaining K immunised HLA‐DRB1*11‐negative patients, the frequency of HLA‐DRB1*13 was increased: 14 of 23 (61%) vs. 49 of 144 in healthy controls (34%) (P < 0·02). The combined frequency of the two HLA‐DRB1 alleles (HLA‐DRB1*11 and HLA‐DRB1*13) was 83% in K immunised patients when compared with 52% in healthy controls (Pc < 0·001). K and k differ by a single amino acid T193 (M). The DRB1*11 and DRB1*13 alleles share a HLA‐DRB1 gene sequence containing S in position 13, D in 70 and A in 74, and coding for the P4 pocket within the HLA‐DR binding groove. This feature of the HLA‐DRB1 gene could be involved in the K peptide presentation through a polymorphism ligand specific for the T193 (M) of K. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high frequency of HLA‐DRB1*11 or HLA‐DRB1*13 alleles in K immunised patients, which could be due to specific K peptide presentation by HLA‐DR molecules.
Different signalling pathways involving a Gα protein, cAMP and a MAP kinase control germination of Botrytis cinerea conidia
Authors: Doehlemann Gunther , Berndt Patrick , Hahn Matthias 
Published: December 2005

SummaryConidial germination of the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea was found to be induced by different chemical and physical signals, namely the amount and quality of nutrients as well as the hydrophobicity and rigidity of the surface. A B. cinereaΔbcg3 mutant disrupted in the Gα3 subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein was specifically defective in germination induced by carbon sources. A similar germination defect of an adenylate cyclase mutant, and the complementing effect of cAMP addition to conidia of these mutants confirmed the involvement of cAMP. In contrast, a Δbmp1 MAP kinase mutant was delayed in carbon source‐induced germination, but completely unable to germinate on hydrophobic surfaces. Based on these data, it is proposed that the germination response of B. cinerea conidia is controlled by three signalling pathways: Germination induction by rich media is weakly dependent on BMP1; induction by carbon sources requires BCG3, cAMP and BMP1; and induction by contact to hydrophobic surfaces is absolutely dependent on BMP1. Other defects of the Δbcg3 mutant, such as low conidiation, excessive formation of sclerotia and delayed host infection, were also restored by cAMP. Microscopical studies of germling growth and differentiation on host cuticles revealed that the delayed infection of the Δbcg3 mutant was due to a surface sensing defect leading to a reduced penetration. Thus, in addition to their role in germination, Gα3, cAMP as well as BMP1 are required also for proper host surface recognition and penetration ability of germinated conidia.
Impact of nitrate supply in C and N assimilation in the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth (Scrophulariaceae) and its host Sorghum bicolor L.
Authors: SIMIER P. , CONSTANT S. , DEGRANDE D. , MOREAU C. , ROBINS R. J. , FER A. , THALOUARN P. 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTThe threshold of tolerance for nitrate of the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth and the host plant Sorghum bicolor L. was determined by estimating the impact of increasing nitrate loads on plant growth and various parameters of C and N assimilation. Nitrate supply improved chlorophyll (Chl) content and photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry of infected S. bicolor that, in comparison to S. hermonthica, displayed a low imbalance between C and N assimilation when nitrate was supplied up to 1500 mg N per plant. Indeed, nitrate supplies increased strongly the leaf N:C ratio of the parasite. The higher nitrate load induced strong accumulation of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium, and consequently the death of S. hermonthica. Nevertheless, lower nitrate loads (up to 500 mg N per S. bicolor in this study) promoted leaf expansion, PSII photochemistry and N metabolism of S. hermonthica mature (M) plants, as attested by the significant rise in soluble protein and free amino‐acid contents. Following these N supplies, the nitrate tolerance of S. hermonthica was correlated with an increase in PSII activity and a high incorporation of N excess into asparagine. This confirmed the central role of asparagine in the N metabolism of S. hermonthica, although this detoxification pathway was insufficient to limit ammonium accumulation under higher nitrate loads.
Tomato seed germination: regulation of different response modes by phytochrome B2 and phytochrome A
Authors: APPENROTH KLAUS‐J. , LENK GABRIELE , GOLDAU LYDIA , SHARMA RAMESHWAR 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT Lycopersicon esculentum seeds germinate after rehydration in complete darkness. This response was inhibited by a far‐red light (FR) pulse, and the inhibition was reversed by a red light (R) pulse. Comparison of germination in phytochrome‐deficient mutants (phyA, phyB1, phyB2, phyAB1, phyB1B2 and phyAB1B2) showed that phytochrome B2 (PhyB2) mediates both responses. The germination was inhibited by strong continuous R (38 µmol m−2 s−1), whereas weak R (28 nmol m−2 s−1) stimulated seed germination. Hourly applied R pulses of the same photon fluence partially replaced the effect of strong continuous R. This response was called ‘antagonistic’ because it counteracts the low fluence response (LFR) induced by a single R pulse. This antagonistic response might be an adaptation to a situation where the seeds sit on the soil surface in full sunlight (adverse for germination), while weak R might reflect that situation under a layer of soil. Unexpectedly, the effects of continuous R or repeated R pulses were mediated by phytochrome A (PhyA). We therefore suggest that low levels of PhyA in its FR‐absorbing form (Pfr) cause inhibition of seed germination produced either by extended R irradiation (by degradation of PhyA‐Pfr) or by extended FR irradiation [keeping a low Pfr/R‐absorbing form (Pr) ratio].
Human Primary Adenotonsillar Naïve Phenotype CD45RA+ CD4+ T Lymphocytes Undergo Apoptosis Upon Stimulation With a High Concentration of CD3 Antibody
Authors: Pajusto M. , Tarkkanen J. , Mattila P. S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractYoung children need to develop immune tolerance to harmless foreign antigens such as digested nutrients and various inhaled airborne antigens. Because of its anatomical location, pharyngeal adenotonsillar tissue is a potential site for the establishment of this immune tolerance. To characterize possible mechanisms of peripheral immune tolerance, we studied human primary adenotonsillar naïve phenotype CD45RA+ CD4+ T cells, which represent cells that have not previously encountered foreign antigens. It was found that these CD45RA+ CD4+ T cells expressed higher levels of the activation marker CD69 as compared with peripheral blood CD45RA+ CD4+ T cells. Upon stimulation with a high concentration of CD3 antibody, which mimics the encounter of a high antigen dose, adenotonsillar CD45RA+ CD4+ T lymphocytes, but not peripheral blood CD45RA+ CD4+ T cells, underwent apoptosis. After 6 h stimulation with a high concentration of CD3 antibody, over 25% of the cells were apoptotic. Interfering with the Fas–FasL interaction with recombinant Fas or an antibody against Fas‐ligand partially inhibited apoptosis. Our study results suggest that high concentrations of antigens, such as various nutrients and airborne antigens, may induce peripheral immune tolerance by selectively deleting naïve phenotype CD45RA+ CD4+ T cells via T‐cell receptor‐triggered apoptosis in human adenotonsillar tissue.
Early maternal investment in mice: no evidence for compatible-genes sexual selection despite hybrid vigor
Authors: Rülicke T. , Guncz N. , Wedekind C. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Confronting a recently mated female with a strange male can induce a pregnancy block (‘Bruce effect’). The physiology of this effect is well studied, but its functional significance is still not fully understood. The ‘anticipated infanticide hypothesis’ suggests that the pregnancy block serves to avoid the cost of embryogenesis and giving birth to offspring that are likely to be killed by a new territory holder. Some ‘compatible-genes sexual selection hypotheses’ suggest that the likelihood of a pregnancy block is also dependent on the female's perception of the stud's and the stimulus male's genetic quality. We used two inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) to test all possible combinations of female strain, stud strain, and stimulus strain under experimental conditions (Ntotal = 241 mated females). As predicted from previous studies, we found increased rates of pregnancy blocks if stud and stimulus strains differed, and we found evidence for hybrid vigour in offspring of between-strain mating. Despite the observed heterosis, pregnancies of within-strain matings were not more likely to be blocked than pregnancies of between-strain matings. A power analysis revealed that if we missed an existing effect (type-II error), the effect must be very small. If a female gave birth, the number and weight of newborns were not significantly influenced by the stimulus males. In conclusion, we found no support for the ‘compatible-genes sexual selection hypotheses’.
Dietary structured lipids for post‐weaning piglets: fat digestibility, nitrogen retention and fatty acid profiles of tissues
Authors: Straarup E. M. , Danielsen V. , Høy C.‐E. , Jakobsen K. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryIn four groups of post‐weaning piglets the effects of triacylglycerol structure and fatty acid profiles of four dietary fats on apparent faecal nutrient digestibility, nitrogen retention and fatty acid profiles of platelet and erythrocyte membranes, liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle were examined. Dietary fats included as 10% (w/w) of the diets were two structured fats of rapeseed oil interesterified with tridecanoin (R1) or coconut oil (R2), respectively, one mixture of rapeseed oil and coconut oil (R3) and rapeseed oil as control (R4). Faeces and urine from piglets weaned at 28 days of age were collected quantitatively during three periods each of 5 days, in which the piglets were kept in metabolism cages for measurement of apparent faecal nutrient and energy digestibility and nitrogen retention. Apparent faecal fat digestibilities were significantly improved in groups fed interesterified fats or the physical mixtures (R1, R2 and R3) compared with rapeseed oil (R4). Apparent faecal nitrogen digestibility and retention were similar in all four groups in the three periods, but increased with time. Apparent faecal fat digestibilities were significantly improved from the first to the third week in the groups R1 and R2. Fatty acid profiles in platelet and erythrocyte membranes and in tissues reflected the fatty acid profile of the dietary fat, except for medium‐chain fatty acids, which were only found in low proportions, indicating that 10:0 was mainly used as an energy source.