bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measured and simulated availability and leaching of nitrogen associated with frequent use of catch crops
Authors: Aronsson H. , Torstensson G. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Results are presented from three years (1992‐1995) of a field leaching experiment on a sandy soil in south‐west Sweden. Plots of spring cereals, either with or without an undersown perennial ryegrass catch crop, were compared for nitrogen leaching and nitrogen status in soil. Both treatments were ploughed in spring, and other tillage regimes were also identical. Measurements of nitrogen leaching from drains, nitrogen uptake in crops and mineral nitrogen in the soil were made. Two coupled, simulation models, which describe water flow and nitrogen transformations and transport in soil, were used to interpret data and to calculate the nitrogen budget and nitrogen mineralization in the soil.Nitrogen leaching was 40 50% less in the catch crop treatment compared with the control during years when the establishment of the catch crop succeeded. In the third year of the experiment nitrogen leaching was actually greater in the catch crop treatment (7 kg N/ha). This increase was caused by a poorly established catch crop coinciding with enhanced mineralization of previous catch crop residues. There was no simulated change in soil organic nitrogen in either of the treatments. Simulations showed increased nitrogen mineralization during April‐July after incorporation of plant material in spring, especially in the catch crop treatment. However, the increased nitrogen mineralization probably occurred too late for the released nitrogen to be fully available to the main crop.
Phosphorus budgets for two contrasting grassland farming systems in the UK
Authors: Haygarth P. M. , Chapman P. J. , Jarvis S. C. , Smith R. V. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Phosphorus budgets have been compiled for two contrasting grassland farming systems in the UK; intensive dairy farming and extensive hill sheep production. Balance sheets of inputs, recycling of P through the soil–plant–animal pathway and outputs are presented to determine the potential rate of P accumulation in the two systems. A typical 57 ha intensive dairy farm with 129 lactating cows imports 2.48t P via fertilizer, bedding and concentrates, plus a small amount from the atmosphere, of which 0.98t are exported in milk, calves and transfer from soil to the aquatic environment. Therefore 1.5t of P are retained within the farm each year, which equates to an accumulation rate of 26 kg/ha in the plant‐soil system. This surplus occurs despite a fertilizer input of only 16 kg/ha. However, a large proportion of P, equivalent to 27 kg/ha, is imported in feed concentrates.For the typical 841 ha hill sheep farm supporting 694 Blackface ewes, P inputs and outputs are 0.66 and 0.42 t/yr, respectively. Therefore, approximately 0.24t P are retained within the farm, which is equivalent to an accumulation rate of 0.28 kg/ha per yr. In comparison to the small annual inputs and outputs of P on the hill farm, much P, 2.48t, is recycled through the plant‐soil and plant‐animal‐soil pathways on the hill sheep farm. For both farming systems there is a net input of P, although the rate of accumulation is ten times greater for the dairy farm where the annual retention of P represents 60% of the total P inputs, compared with 36% on the hill sheep farm.
In vitro function and phagocytosis of galactosylated platelet concentrates after long‐term refrigeration
Authors: Babic Aleksandar M. , Josefsson Emma C. , Bergmeier Wolfgang , Wagner Denisa D. , Kaufman Richard M. , Silberstein Leslie E. , Stossel Thomas P. , Hartwig John H. , Hoffmeister Karin M. 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND: Short‐term refrigeration of platelets (PLTs) in the absence of plasma results in their rapid clearance after transfusion. Blocking β‐N‐acetylglucosamine (β‐GlcNAc) residues of glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) with galactose prevents binding of refrigerated human and mouse PLTs to macrophages and prolongs the circulation times of refrigerated mouse PLTs. PLT‐associated galactosyltransferase efficiently galactosylates chilled PLTs in the presence of its substrate UDP‐galactose is added to PLT‐rich plasma.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To characterize the hemostatic function of refrigerated and galactosylated human PLTs processed in the blood bank, PLT aggregation was studied in vitro under static and flow conditions and expression of integrin β3 (CD61), CD62P (P‐selectin), GPIbα (CD42b), annexin V binding, and integrin αIIβ3 activation with flow cytometry. Affinity of macrophages for galactosylated refrigerated PLTs was evaluated with THP‐1 cells, which recognize and phagocytize refrigerated PLTs.RESULTS: PLTs refrigerated and galactosylated for 14 days 1) maintained their ability to aggregate when exposed to agonists in a standard aggregometry assay, 2) showed less pronounced changes in surface expression of GPIbα compared with room temperature (RT)‐stored PLTs, 3) increased P‐selectin expression, and 4) were poorly phagocytized by differentiated THP‐1 cells in vitro. In addition, it is shown that refrigeration of PLTs does not affect their adhesive properties under in vitro flow conditions.CONCLUSION: It is shown that refrigerated human PLTs retain in vitro function better than RT PLTs during storage and demonstrate that galactosylation prevents recognition of stored refrigerated PLTs by macrophages in vitro.
Prospective, Multicenter Study of Thrombectomy in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: The X‐Tract AMI Registry
Authors: YOUNG JOHN J. , COX DAVID A. , STUCKEY THOMAS , BABB JOSEPH , TURCO MARK , LANSKY ALEXANDRA J. , MEHRAN ROXANA , STONE GREGG W. 
Published: February 2007

Background: Thrombus and soft, friable atheromatous plaque are present in the majority of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and may result in distal embolization and no reflow during primary angioplasty. Thrombectomy prior to intervention may decrease thromboembolic complications and improve outcomes.
Methods: The X‐TRACT AMI registry was a prospective, multicenter study evaluating the safety and feasibility of the X‐Sizer thrombectomy system prior to primary angioplasty in native coronary arteries and saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) in patients presenting within 24 hours AMI onset.
Results: A total of 216 patients (220 target lesions) with AMI were enrolled at 28 U.S. sites, with approximately 90% of lesions in native coronary arteries and 10% in SVGs. Preprocedural TIMI 0/1 flow was present in 56% of patients, with thrombus in 76%. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 86% of patients, and bare metal stents were implanted in 94% (mean stent length 26 mm). TIMI‐3 flow was present in 27% of patients at baseline, in 81% after thrombectomy, and in 92% following PCI. Normal myocardial blush grade 3 was present in 6% of patients at baseline, and in 52% postprocedure. At 30 and 360 days, 93.1% and 80.8% of patients were free from major cardiovascular events.
Conclusion: In this broad multicenter experience, use of the X‐Sizer device prior to stent implantation in thrombus containing native coronary arteries and diseased SVGs was feasible and associated with high rates of normalized postprocedural epicardial blood flow and myocardial blush, warranting further study as an adjunct during primary angioplasty.
Explaining Japan's Tortured Course to Surveillance Satellites
Authors: Oros Andrew L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOn December 25, 1998 the Japanese government reinterpreted a long‐standing policy prohibiting the use of outer space for military purposes by announcing its intention to develop a network of domestically produced and deployed “information‐gathering” satellites to be utilized primarily by theJapan Defense Agency(JDA) and other national security institutions. This decision is important in its own right—for one, Japan is a major player in the space technology arena—but also because of the precedent it sets for other areas of technology and military policy in Japan today. As many observers have noted, Japan appears to be undergoing a broad reexamination both of its view of the appropriate level of interaction between government bureaucracy and industry and of its military security strategy in the first decade of the twenty‐first century. The case of surveillance satellites links these two areas together, offering broader lessons for the course of Japanese policy in numerous areas in the future.
Does crop insurance influence agrochemical uses under current Chinese situations? A case study in the Manasi watershed, Xinjiang
Authors: Zhong Funing , Ning Manxiu , Xing Li 
Published: February 2007

AbstractGovernment subsidy to crop insurance has been advocated as a policy alternative to support growth of agricultural production and farmers' income in China since the country joined the WTO. However, cautions have been raised as the crop insurance program may impact the environment negatively. This study tries to explore farmers' behaviors with regard to agrochemical use with household data applied to a simultaneous equation system consisting of disaggregated input models. It is found that decisions on fertilizer, pesticides, and agro‐film applications do have different impacts on crop insurance participation, and are influenced by the latter in different ways. It is also implied that encouraging farmers' participation in crop insurance under current low‐premium and low‐indemnity terms does not have a significantly negative impact on the environment.
Neutrophil elastase is involved in the initial destruction of human periodontal ligament
Authors: Ujiie Y. , Oida S. , Gomi K. , Arai T. , Fukae M. 
Published: February 2007

Background and Objective:  It has been reported that noncollagenous proteins may provide mechanical strength to the periodontal ligament. Several proteolytic activities, including that of neutrophil elastase, are reported to increase significantly in periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of neutrophil elastase in the initial destruction of periodontal ligament at early stages of periodontal disease.Material and Methods:  The detection and identification of proteinases in chronic periodontitis and healthy periodontal ligament were examined by zymographic and zymo‐Western analysis. The morphological changes of periodontal ligament, digested with or without authentic proteinases, were observed using scanning electron microscopy.Results:  Increases in neutrophil elastase, plasminogen, and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 were detected in periodontal ligament from chronic periodontitis, compared with healthy periodontal ligament. Among these proteinases, only neutrophil elastase digested the intact noncollagenous proteins of periodontium. When human healthy periodontal ligament was directly digested by neutrophil elastase in an in vitro system, the morphological features were quite similar to that of the periodontal ligament in chronic periodontitis . In healthy periodontal ligament, the collagen fibrils are covered with noncollagenous proteins containing 110 kDa acidic glycoprotein, which was degraded initially by the neutrophil elastase.Conclusion:  It was concluded that neutrophil elastase is involved in the degradation of noncollagenous protein‐covered collagen fibrils in the early destructive stages of periodontal disease.
Daily Profiles of N‐Acetyltransferase Measured at a Single Time in Rat Pineal Glands, Retinas, and Harderian Glands
Authors: White Beatrix H. , Mosher Karen , Binkley Sue 
Published: February 2007

Serotonin N‐acetyltransferase activity (NAT) exhibited a daily cycle in light:dark (LD) 14:10 when it was measured in pineal glands taken from rats killed at a sequence of time points. The ratio of peak subjective night NAT to minimum subjective day NAT was 10.9/0.3 nmol per pineal gland per hour. When the rats were placed in constant dark the rhythm persisted (8.2/0.02). When the rats were placed in constant light the rhythm persisted with markedly attenuated amplitude (0.6/0.02).We also measured NAT profiles in rat pineal glands, Harderian glands, and retinas with alternative methods. We kept rats on six LD 14:10 light‐dark cycles with lights‐out beginning at midnight, 2 AM, 4 AM, 6 AM, 8 AM, or 10 AM and killing all the rats at one time point, 10 AM. We examined the NAT time profiles 4, 8, and 11 days following placement of the rats in the phase‐shifted cycles. In addition, we measured the NAT profile in LD 2:22 and LD 22:2 by keeping the rats on twelve cycles for 11 days and killing all the rats at one time.Pineal NAT exhibited a rhythm in all the cycles: peak‐dark/nadir‐light values (nmol product per gland per hour) were 15.6/0.1 in LD 14:10, controls killed at successive time points. The ratios for the profiles obtained using the one time point procedure were 16.7/0.1 in LD 14:10 8.5/0.2 in LD 22.2, and 12.9/0.2 in LD 2.22. Increasing the photoperiod reduced the time to the NAT peak.In LD 14:10, Harderian NAT was 31–39 nmol per gland per hour but the peak/ nadir radio was only 1.2; retinal NAT was low (0.2–0.7 nmol per retina per hour) and had only a 3.5‐fold peak/nadir ratio.
The Effect of Pinealectomy on Plasma Levels of Gonadotrophins and Growth Hormone in the Pigeon (Columba livid)
Authors: Rintamäki Hannu , Hissa Raimo , Balthazart Jacques , Scanes Colin G. 
Published: February 2007

The effects of pinealectomy on plasma follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and growth hormone (GH) concentrations were studied for a period of 9 weeks in pigeons reared under naturally increasing day length. After pinealectomy, plasma LH and GH concentrations decreased in both sexes when compared with sham‐operated birds. In pinealectomized female pigeons, the plasma level of FSH was elevated, while in male birds the effect on FSH was negligible. A trend toward increased weight of testis, ovary, and oviduct was also seen after pinealectomy, but the increase was not statistically significant.The present results suggest that pinealectomy is able to modify the secretion of gonadotrophins and GH in the pigeon and indicate a stimulatory role for the pineal gland in LH and GH secretion and, in female pigeons, an inhibitory role in FSH secretion.
Evidence for Modulation of Melatonin Secretion in Men With Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Prostate: Relationship With the Pituitary Hormones
Authors: Bartsch Christian , Bartsch Hella , Flüchter Stephan‐Heribert , Attanasio Andrea , Gupta Derek 
Published: February 2007

The serum levels of the pineal hormone melatonin were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 4‐h intervals throughout a 24‐h period in elderly men with different types of prostate tumors: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 13), incidental carcinoma (PCi, n = 5), and nonmetastasizing carcinoma (PC, n = 9), as well as in young men (YM, n = 10). Simultaneously, the pituitary hormones prolactin, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone were measured by RIA. All subjects were untreated and free of serious complaints, and they stayed in the same environment. The data were analyzed by the population mean‐cosinor method, and linear correlation coefficients between the five hormones were calculated for each group.Melatonin showed significant circadian rhythms in young men and patients with BPH and PCi but not in patients with PC. Twenty‐four‐hour mean concentration (mesor) and amplitude were significantly increased in patients with PCi as compared to patients with PC. Prolactin showed significant circadian rhythms in young men and in patients with BPH, whereas patients with PCi and PC appeared to have ultradian variations. Growth hormone did not show significant rhythms in any of the groups; the mesors were elevated in all tumor groups as compared to young men. Gonadotropin mesors were elevated in all tumor patients as compared to young men; rhythms were not detected. Carcinoma patients showed different interhormonal correlations than all other groups.These results indicate that modulation of melatonin secretion, accompanied by changes in the pituitary hormone levels, may be related to development and growth of prostate cancer.
Antigonadal Actions of Olfactory and Light Deprivation. I. Effects of Blindness Combined With Olfactory Bulb Deafferentation, Transection of Vomeronasal Nerves, or Bulbectomy
Authors: Sánchez‐Barceló E. J. , Mediavilla M. D. , Sánchez‐Criado J. E. , Cos S. , Cortines M. D. G. 
Published: February 2007

Olfactory bulbectomy is known to potentiate the antigonadal effects of light deprivation. However, the physiological interpretation of the effects of bulbar ablation is complex, since it simultaneously implies sequelae like: a) the loss of olfactory sensitivity (anosmia), b) the suppression of the accessory olfactory system (AOS), and c) the suppression of nonsensorial functions of the bulbs. To study the participation of these three mechanisms in the effects of bulbectomy + light deprivation, we compared, in 28‐day‐old male rats, the effects of olfactory bulb deafferentation (peripheral anosmia) with those induced by either olfactory bulbectomy or blocking the AOS, alone or associated with blindness.As compared to the intact or blinded animals, both blinded deafferented (EA) and blinded bulbectomized (EB) rats showed various reductions in weights of body, testes, accessory sexual glands, and prostates; serum testosterone levels were also depressed. Testes of EA rats showed various degrees of alterations in spermatogenesis. The only difference between EA and EB groups was in the pituitary weight, significantly lower in EA rats.Vomeronasal nerve transection by itself had no effect on the parameters examined, and when combined with blindness it did not result in further inhibition of reproductive function. These results indicate that the potentiation by bulbectomy of the antigonadal effects of light deprivation is anosmia‐dependent and not due to a loss of nonolfactory functions of the bulbs. Our experimental model of peripheral anosmia makes it possible to study light‐olfaction interactions without the interference of the brain lesions inherent in bulbectomy.
Antigonadal Actions of Olfactory and Light Deprivation. II. Effects of Pinealectomy or Melatonin Injections in Olfactory Bulb Deafferented or Bulbectomized Male Rats
Authors: Mediavilla M. D. , Sánchez‐Barceló E. J. , Sánchez‐Criado J. E. , Cos S. , Cortines M. D. G. 
Published: February 2007

Since olfactory bulb deafferentation (peripheral anosmia) potentiates the antigonadal effects of light deprivation, we studied a) the pineal involvement in this action and b) whether peripheral anosmia might increase the response to melatonin injections.Four‐week‐old male rats were used in two experimental series. The first included rats in which blindness + peripheral anosmia was associated with either pinealectomy or sham pinealectomy. In the second series, intact, olfactory bulb deafferented and bulbectomized rats received daily injections of either melatonin (50 μg) or the vehicle alone. In both experiments animals were killed at 10 weeks of age.The reduction in the weight of accessory sexual glands and prostates, as well as in the serum testosterone levels, induced by blindness + peripheral anosmia was fully prevented by pinealectomy, whereas body and pituitary weight reduction induced by the dual sensory deprivation were only partially prevented. Melatonin produced no effects in intact animals whereas in rats with either peripheral anosmia or bulbectomy it reduced the weight of body, accessory sexual glands, and prostates. Serum testosterone levels were not modified in any case with melatonin treatment. From these results we concluded that the antigonadal effects of blindness + peripheral anosmia are pineal‐dependent, that peripheral anosmia sensitizes the neuroendocrine reproductive axis to the antigonadal effects of exogenous melatonin, and that the reduction in the weight of testosterone‐dependent organs induced by melatonin in bulbectomized or deafferented animals, together with the normal serum testosterone levels observed, suggests peripheral actions of melatonin of possible antiandrogenic nature.
Changes in the Daily Rhythm of Serum Testosterone Levels Following Superior Cervical Sympathetic Ganglionectomy in the Cold‐Exposed Rat: The Role of the Pineal
Authors: Peschke Elmar , Peschke Dorothee , Peil Jürgen , Rúzsaá Csilla , Mess Béla 
Published: February 2007

The effect superior cervical sympathetic ganglionectomy (Gx) exerted on the daily rhythm of serum testosterone levels was investigated in cold‐exposed rats. Rhythmic changes in pineal and pituitary weights were also measured.1. Exposure to cold (10°C for 72 h) resulted in a signficant decrease of serum testosterone level and in an increase of the pineal weight.2. In neutral ambient temperature (24°C) Gx, 30 d after operation, led to a moderate, statistically insignificant increase of serum testosterone levels and to decreased pineal weights (statistically significant).3. The reactions provoked by cold exposure were counteracted by Gx. Testosterone levels, as well as the pineal weight, showed no remarkable change in the Gx, cold‐exposed animals.4. These results confirm our assumption that experimental manipulations of the pineal gland can provoke significant changes in the neuroendocrine system only under special loading circumstances, e. g., cold exposure. Sympathetic denervation of the pineal gland counteracts the cold‐induced decrease of testosterone levels by counteracting the pineal antigonadotropic activity.5. The empirical regression curves of the investigated parameters indicate that Gx or cold exposure provide a shift in the upper and lower limits of the daily rhythm. Partly inverted rhythms were also observed.6. The presented results are discussed in relation to the parallel changes previously described in serum thyroxin, cholesterol, thyrotropin (TSH), and pituitary TSH levels. Thyroidal‐gonadal interactions, as well as cold exposure as a stress‐generating factor, have been considered in the possible explanation of the data herein reported.
Circannual Oscillations of Thyroxine and Cholesterol Levels After Pinealectomy and Ganglionectomy Related to the Weight Changes of the Pineal, Pituitary, and Thyroid Glands
Authors: Peschke E. , Peschke D. , Peil J. , Mess B. 
Published: February 2007

Circannual rhythms of thyroxine (T4) and cholesterol blood levels, as well as of pineal, pituitary and thyroid weights were compared in intact, pinealectomized (Px), and ganglionectomized (Gx) rats. Special emphasis was put on the similarities and differences between the effect of Px and of Gx exerted on the neuroendocrine regulation of thyroid function.Animals were kept under changing lighting schedules simulating the natural seasonal conditions (December, L:D 8:16; June, L:D 16:8; March and September, L:D 12:12). Animals were killed 90 d after surgical interventions in the above‐mentioned 4 months. In each season, animals were killed at four time points of the daily rhythm, and the means of the four data of a single day were used for further analysis evaluating Circannual changes.All the investigated five parameters showed a monophasic Circannual rhythm. The lowest T4 blood level was measured in summer; in contrast, cholesterol level and organ weights had a maximum in the same season of the year.The annual mean value of T4 level was diminished, while cholesterol level and pituitary and thyroid weights were increased in Px and Gx animals. Pineal weight showed a decrease in the Gx animals. Both Px and Gx failed to influence the Circannual rhythms of the measured parameters. However, a significant T4‐decreasing effect of Px and Gx was observed in the second half of the year, whereas a cholesterol‐level‐increasing effect, as well as thyroid hypertrophy, was registered in the first half of the year. These results suggest a prothyroid function of the pineal gland.