bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Challenges to ensuring food security through rice.
Authors: Nguyen N. V. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Rice is the major staple food of the world's population. In 2003, more than 3 billion people depended on rice for food energy and protein. Global rice production has more than doubled since 1965. The production increase was largely the result of rising yields and of the expansion in rice-harvested area. From 1965 to 2005, the world's average rice yield increased by 97%, while the global rice area harvested increased by 23%. Global paddy production reached about 618 million tonnes in 2005, a level sufficient to meet total rice needs and permit a reconstitution of world rice reserves for the first time after five years of draw-downs. The world population is still growing steadily and the world's rice demand is projected to increase by 25% to 771 million tonnes of milled rice in 2030. The development and adoption of high-yielding varieties and hybrid rice varieties were key instruments behind the substantial yield increase witnessed in the last 40 years in all regions, except in sub-Saharan Africa, where yields have remained more or less unchanged. The development of irrigation and the intensive application of agro-chemical inputs, especially chemical fertilizers, were other major factors contributing to the rapid yield increase of the last 40 years. However, the rate of increases in productivity has steadily declined since 1990, while agricultural water resources have been diminishing in Asia, North Africa and Europe. Results of the pilot tests since 2000 have demonstrated the potential contribution of integrated crop management systems for rice production (Rice-ICM systems) for ensuring food security in the medium term. Yield increases of up to 4 tonnes/ha were obtained from existing varieties with the adoption of Rice-ICM systems in Asia and South America. Also, experience drawn from the limited area planted to hybrid rice outside China and from the newly developed NERICA (New Rice for Africa) rice for sub-Saharan Africa shows the potential benefits that the dissemination of these rice varieties might bring in enhancing food security in the medium term. In the longer term, the development and transfer of Rice-ICM systems that not only increase yield but also increase the utilization efficiency of applied purchased inputs will be essential for ensuring food security and environment sustainability. It is expected that the mapping of the rice genome in 2002 will lead to a successful development of new generations of rice varieties that will further contribute to raising the productivity of rice production systems in the longer term.
Effect of ocean conditions on the cross‐shelf distribution of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and capelin (Mallotus villosus)
Authors: HOLLOWED ANNE BABCOCK , WILSON CHRISTOPHER D. , STABENO PHYLLIS J. , SALO SIGRID A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAcoustic trawl surveys were conducted in 2000 and 2001 in two troughs located off the eastern coast of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska as part of a multiyear, multidisciplinary experiment to examine the influence of environmental conditions on the spatial distribution of adult and juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) and capelin (Mallotus villosus). Continuous underway sea surface temperature samples and water column profiles collected in 2000 and 2001 showed the presence of a sharp shelf‐break front in Chiniak Trough and a mid‐trough front in Barnabas Trough. At distances <22 km from shore, the water column was well mixed, whereas a well‐defined mixed layer was present beyond approximately 22 km from shore. Satellite drifter tracks in Barnabas Trough entered along the upstream edge of the trough and appeared to follow the frontal boundary across the middle portion of the trough. A storm in 2001 weakened stratification and cooled surface water temperature by 1.6–2.1°C. Wind mixing associated with the storm event mixed subsurface chlorophyll a to the surface and enhanced nutrients in the surface waters. The storm event revealed spatial partitioning of summer production in Barnabas Trough, with production concentrated in regions inside the mid‐trough front. In contrast, post‐storm summer production was distributed throughout Chiniak Trough. The spatial distribution of walleye pollock and capelin differed and appeared to be related to differences in habitat characteristics. Acoustic survey data identified four acoustic sign types: age‐1 pollock, adult pollock, capelin, capelin–age‐0 pollock mix. The spatial distribution of these four sign types appears to be influenced by the oceanographic and topographic features of the two troughs. Adult pollock were broadly distributed throughout Chiniak Trough, whereas adult pollock were aggregated on the coastal side of the frontal system in Barnabas Trough. In 2000, capelin occurred with age‐0 pollock. In Chiniak Trough, capelin were most abundant along steep topographic gradients at the edges of the trough and in a deep region near Cape Chiniak, whereas the capelin–age‐0 mix (2000) or capelin (2001) concentrations were observed in slope water intrusions over the outer shelf in Barnabas Trough. Results suggest that habitat selection of walleye pollock and capelin are controlled by different processes. Capelin distributions appear to be limited by oceanographic conditions while other factors appear to be more important for pollock.
Autistic enterocolitis; is it a histopathological entity?
Authors: MacDonald T T , Domizio P 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To review the literature on the histopathological diagnosis of the condition termed ‘autistic enterocolitis’.Methods and results:  We have reviewed all published works where mucosal biopsy specimens from autistic children have been examined histopathologically. Abstracts were excluded. Our review of the published works, nearly all from a single centre, identifies major inconsistencies between studies, lack of appropriate controls and misinterpretation of normal findings as pathology. Ileal lymphoid hyperplasia may be more prevalent in children with regressive autism but is also seen in children with food allergies and severe constipation, the latter being an extremely common finding in autistic children.Conclusion:  The histopathological diagnosis of autistic enterocolitis should be treated with caution until a proper study with appropriate methodology and controls is undertaken.
Phenotypes of invasion in sporadic colorectal carcinomas related to aberrations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC ) gene
Authors: Prall F , Weirich V , Ostwald C 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To determine whether the dissociation of tumour cells from neoplastic glands in colorectal carcinomas is caused by disruption of the wnt‐signalling pathway and whether the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein is implicated in this.Methods and results:  In a series of 99 clinically sporadic colorectal carcinomas, APC exon 15 mutations, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and promoter methylation were found in 49, 20 and 23 cases, respectively. Singly, these APC aberrations were not associated with the degree of tumour cell dissociation, but dissociation was higher for the cases with combined APC mutation and LOH. Immunohistochemical β‐catenin translocation to the nucleus correlated with APC aberrations. Tumour growth pattern (expansive/infiltrative/diffuse) and tumour stroma (desmoplastic common‐type versus keloid‐like) showed a statistically significant association with tumour cell dissociation and with β‐catenin translocation. Of other molecular alterations tested (p53 mutation; LOH at 17p13, 18q, 9p21; CpG island methylator phenotype), only the highly microsatellite unstable status (n = 11) was negatively associated.Conclusions:  In colorectal carcinomas, wnt dysregulation relates to APC aberrations, but wnt dysregulation and APC aberrations are not strictly required for tumour cell dissociation, and additional and/or alternative factors must play a role. Of these, outside‐in signalling by cancer cell–matrix interactions, as partially mirrored in histomorphological features, could be important.
Does the Trans‐mexican Volcanic Belt represent a natural biogeographical unit? An analysis of the distributional patterns of Coleoptera
Authors: Corona Angélica Ma. , Toledo Víctor H. , Morrone Juan J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAim We analysed the geographical distribution of beetle species of the families Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Dryophthoridae, Melolonthidae, Passalidae and Staphylinidae from the Trans‐mexican Volcanic Belt (TVB) through a track analysis and a parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE), in order to test its naturalness and determine its affinities.Location The area analysed corresponds to the TVB, which is a biogeographical province of the Mexican Transition Zone.Methods The panbiogeographical analysis was based on the comparison of the individual tracks of 299 species of Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Dryophthoridae, Melolonthidae, Passalidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera). The TVB was divided into 1o × 1ogrid cells and we also included in the analysis the remaining Mexican biogeographical provinces. Parsimony analysis of endemicity with progressive character elimination (PAE‐PCE) was applied to classify areas by their shared taxa according to the most parsimonious cladograms. The nested sets of areas were represented as generalized tracks.Results Three generalized tracks were obtained: (1) grid cells 9C, 9D, 10D, 10E, Sierra Madre Oriental, Chiapas, Mexican Gulf and the Sierra Madre del Sur; (2) grid cells 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C, 5C, 6C, 7C, Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre del Sur, Balsas Basin and the Mexican Pacific Coast, and (3) grid cells 8D, 9C, 9D, 10D, 10E, Yucatán Peninsula, Chiapas, Sierra Madre Oriental and the Mexican Gulf.Main conclusions We conclude that the TVB does not represent a natural biogeographical unit because it shows different relationships with other biogeographical provinces, being clearly transitional between the Nearctic and Neotropical provinces. Some parts of the TVB are related to Neotropical provinces (Chiapas, Mexican Gulf and Mexican Pacific Coast) and others to the remaining provinces of the Mexican Transition Zone (Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre del Sur, Sierra Madre Occidental and Balsas Basin).
Draco, a flawless dwarf galaxy
Authors: Ségall M. , Ibata R. A. , Irwin M. J. , Martin N. F. , Chapman S. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph), with its apparent immense mass-to-light ratio and compact size, holds many clues to the nature of the enigmatic dark matter. Here we present deep photometric studies of this dwarf galaxy, undertaken with the MegaCam Camera at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope, the Wide Field Camera at the Isaac Newton Telescope and the Wide Field and Planetary Camera onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The new photometric data cover the entirety of the galaxy, and reach i′= 24.5 at 50 per cent completeness, significantly deeper than previous panoramic studies, allowing searches for tidal disturbances of much lower surface brightness than has been possible before. With these improved statistics, we find no evidence for asymmetric disturbances or tidal tails that possess more than 3 per cent of the stars found within the centre of the galaxy. We find that the central stellar density, as probed by the HST data, rises into the central 0.5 arcmin. Uncertainties in the position of the centroid of the galaxy do not allow us to determine whether the apparent flattening of the profile interior to 0.5 arcmin is reliable or not. Draco is therefore a flawless dwarf galaxy, featureless and apparently unaffected by Galactic tides.
A gain‐of‐function allele of TPC1 activates oxylipin biogenesis after leaf wounding in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bonaventure Gustavo , Gfeller Aurélie , Proebsting William M. , Hörtensteiner Stefan , Chételat Aurore , Martinoia Enrico , Farmer Edward E. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryJasmonates, potent lipid mediators of defense gene expression in plants, are rapidly synthesized in response to wounding. These lipid mediators also stimulate their own production via a positive feedback circuit, which depends on both JA synthesis and JA signaling. To date, molecular components regulating the activation of jasmonate biogenesis and its feedback loop have been poorly characterized. We employed a genetic screen capable of detecting the misregulated activity of 13‐lipoxygenase, which operates at the entry point of the jasmonate biosynthesis pathway. Leaf extracts from the Arabidopsis fou2 (fatty acid oxygenation upregulated 2) mutant displayed an increased capacity to catalyze the synthesis of lipoxygenase (LOX) metabolites. Quantitative oxylipin analysis identified less than twofold increased jasmonate levels in healthy fou2 leaves compared to wild‐type; however, wounded fou2 leaves strongly increased jasmonate biogenesis compared to wounded wild‐type. Furthermore, the plants displayed enhanced resistance to the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Higher than wild‐type LOX activity and enhanced resistance in the fou2 mutant depend fully on a functional jasmonate response pathway. The fou2 mutant carries a missense mutation in the putative voltage sensor of the Two Pore Channel 1 gene (TPC1), which encodes a Ca2+‐permeant non‐selective cation channel. Patch‐clamp analysis of fou2 vacuolar membranes showed faster time‐dependent conductivity and activation of the mutated channel at lower membrane potentials than wild‐type. The results indicate that cation fluxes exert strong control over the positive feedback loop whereby JA stimulates its own synthesis.
Analgesic and antiemetic effect of ketorolac vs. betamethasone or dexamethasone after ambulatory surgery
Authors: Thagaard K. S. , Jensen H. H. , Raeder J. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Glucocorticoids are known to provide slower onset and more prolonged duration of analgesic effect than ketorolac. In the present study, we wanted to evaluate the effect over time from a single dose of either intravenous (i.v.) dexamethasone or an intramuscular (i.m.) depot formulation of betamethasone compared with i.v. ketorolac.Materials and methods:  One hundred and seventy‐nine patients admitted for mixed ambulatory surgery were included in the study. After induction of general i.v. anaesthesia, the patients were randomized to receive double‐blindly either dexamethasone 4 mg i.v. (Group D) or betamethasone depot formulation 12 mg i.m. (Group B) or ketorolac 30 mg i.v. (Group K). Fentanyl was used for rescue analgesic medication in the post‐operative care unit (PACU) and codeine with paracetamol after discharge, for a study period of 3 days.Results:  There was significantly less post‐operative pain in the ketorolac group during the stay in the unit (88% with minor or less pain in Group K vs. 74% and 67% in Groups D and B, respectively, P < 0.05), significantly less need for rescue medication (P < 0.05) and significantly less nausea or vomiting (12% in Group K vs. 30% in the other groups pooled, P < 0.05). The ketorolac patients were significantly faster for ready discharge, median 165 min vs. 192 min and 203 min in Groups D and B, respectively (P < 0.01). There were no differences between the groups in perceived pain, nausea, vomiting or rescue analgesic consumption in the 4‐ to 72‐h period.Conclusion:  Dexamethasone 4 mg or bethamethasone 12 mg did not provide prolonged post‐operative analgesic effect compared with ketorolac 30 mg, which was superior for analgesia and antiemesis in the PACU.
Myocardial metabolic monitoring with the microdialysis technique during and after open heart surgery
Authors: Pöling J. , Rees W. , Klaus S. , Bahlmann L. , Hübner N. , Mantovani V. , Warnecke H. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Post‐operative ischemia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is well described but effective intervention requires immediate diagnosis. One possible way of increasing efficacy of peri‐operative myocardial monitoring is using the microdialysis technique.Methods:  In 30 patients undergoing routine CABG, a microdialysis catheter was inserted in the left heart in an area of abnormal ventricular contraction. A second catheter was placed in normal tissue of the right ventricle. Microdialysis measurements were performed at time intervals before, during and 24 h after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and retrospectively compared with standard clinical monitoring and clinical course.Results:  During CPB, both ventricles showed signs of poor tissue oxygenation. Glycerol was significantly higher in the left myocardium (146 ± 67 vs. 72 ± 36 μmol/l) and the glucose/lactate ratio (GLR), as a marker of nutritional disorder of the right ventricle (41 ± 15% vs. 67 ± 17%, P < 0.05), had significantly better values at this time point. Myocardial lactate concentrations were significantly higher in the dyskinetic segments (2.82 ± 0.81 vs. 1.5 ± 0.81 μM). During this period, no abnormal clinical standard monitoring results were observed. Post‐operative significantly increased lactate/pyruvate ratios of three patients were clinically associated with peri‐operative myocardial infarction (108 ± 67 vs. 38 ± 9, P < 0.05). The lactate/pyruvate ratio started rising before any other standard monitoring tools showed abnormal values.Conclusions:  Peri‐operative microdialytic measurements of parameters related to ischemia can be safely performed in a clinical setting, resulting in faster and more reliable detection of ongoing or new ischemia.
CHANGES IN THEIN VITROPHARMACODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF METOPROLOL IN ATRIA ISOLATED FROM SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Di Verniero Carla , Höcht Christian , Opezzo Javier A W , Taira Carlos A 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARYThe present study addressed possible changes in the dissociation constant of metoprolol and its inverse agonist activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition, a possible correlation between cardiac hypertrophy and the inverse agonist activity of metoprolol was explored.In order to determine the dissociation constant (expressed as the pKb) of metoprolol, a cumulative concentration–response curve to noradrenaline was constructed in the absence or presence of metoprolol (0.1, 1 or 10 µmol/L). In a second experiment, a cumulative concentration–response curve to metoprolol was constructed to determine its inverse agonist activity.The ventricular weight of SHR was significantly greater compared with Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats. A rightward shift of the concentration–response curve to noradrenaline was observed in SHR compared with WKY rats. The pKbof metoprolol was smaller in SHR compared with WKY rats (6.35 ± 0.14vs6.99 ± 0.12, respectively;P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the maximal response (Emax) of the concentration–time effect of metoprolol in WKY rats and SHR (−29.1 ± 7.1vs−28.2 ± 8.5%, respectively;n = 6 for both). However, the concentration of metoprolol eliciting a half‐maximal effect (expressed as the pEC50) was significantly smaller in SHR compared with WKY rats (4.82 ± 0.07vs5.29 ± 0.13, respectively;n = 6;P < 0.05). Although a significant correlation (r = –0.876) between the ventricular weight/bodyweight (VW/BW) ratio and the pEC50of the chronotropic effect of metoprolol was found, no relationship (r = –0.257) was found between the VW/BW ratio and Emax.In summary, the present study provides the first evidence of a change in thein vitropharmacodynamic properties of metoprolol in SHR. The sympathetic overactivity present in SHR not only reduces the positive chronotropic effect of noradrenaline, but also diminishes the constant dissociation of metoprolol from atrial β1‐adrenoceptors and its inverse agonist activity. A significant correlation between the VW/BW ratio and the inverse agonist potency of metoprolol was found, suggesting a possible link between cardiac hypertrophy and the reduction of the inverse agonist activity of metoprolol.
ANGIOTENSIN II INCREASES TISSUE‐SPECIFIC INHIBITOR OF METALLOPROTEINASE‐2 EXPRESSION IN RAT AORTIC SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS IN VIVO: EVIDENCE OF A PRESSURE‐INDEPENDENT EFFECT
Authors: Castoldi G , Di Gioia CRT , Travaglini C , Busca G , Redaelli S , Bombardi C , Stella A 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

Angiotensin (Ang) II plays a major role in vascular remodelling. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) are involved in the tissue remodelling processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether AngII modulates TIMP‐2 expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in vivo.
Angiotensin II (200 ng/kg per min, s.c.) or AngII + losartan (10 mg/kg per day, s.c.) or normal saline was administered continuously by osmotic minipumps to Sprague‐Dawley rats for 1 week. In addition, the effect of endogenous AngII on TIMP‐2 expression was evaluated in renovascular hypertensive rats (two kidney, one clip (2K1C) and one kidney, one clip (1K1C) models). Control rats (sham 2K1C and sham 1K1C rats) underwent sham‐clipping of the left renal artery. At the end of the treatment, plasma renin activity was measured by radioimmunoassay, aortic TIMP‐2 mRNA expression was evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and/or northern blotting and protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured twice a week by the tail‐cuff method.
Exogenous AngII administration produced the expected increase in SBP (P = 0.02) compared with the control saline‐treated group. The increase in SBP was abolished in AngII + losartan‐treated rats. Administration of AngII caused a significant increase in TIMP‐2 expression (P = 0.01) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells that was abolished in AngII + losartan‐treated rats. In renovascular hypertensive rats, SBP was higher (P < 0.0001) in 2K1C and 1K1C rats compared with the corresponding sham‐operated rats. Plasma renin activity was higher (P < 0.01) in 2K1C rats compared with the other groups. The expression of TIMP‐2 was significantly (P < 0.05) increased only in 2K1C rats.
Our in vivo data demonstrate that exogenous and endogenous AngII increases TIMP‐2 expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. This effect is not dependent on the AngII‐induced increase in blood pressure and is mediated by angiotensin AT1 receptors.
POTENTIAL FOR ENDOTHELIN‐1‐MEDIATED IMPAIRMENT OF CONTRACTILE ACTIVITY IN HYPERTENSION
Authors: Kolka Cathryn M , Rattigan Stephen , Richards Stephen M , Clark Michael G 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

The present study examined the potential for reduced exercise capacity observed in hypertensive patients as a result of elevated levels of endothelin (ET)‐1. We have previously reported that ET‐1 exerts low‐dose stimulatory or high‐dose inhibitory effects on the metabolism of the rat isolated perfused hindlimb from its vasoconstrictor activity.
Herein, we determined whether there are similar effects on tension development by the rat isolated constant‐flow hindlimb during ET‐1‐mediated vasoconstriction.
The dose‐dependent vasoconstrictor effects of ET‐1 on metabolism in contracting muscle were the same as those observed previously in resting muscle. Highest concentrations of ET‐1 gave rise to a transient stimulation followed by a marked inhibition of tension development, consistent with a decrease in aerobic capacity of the muscle. The vasoconstriction due to the higher doses of ET‐1 was not dilated by electrical stimulation.
In conclusion, the biphasic nature of the actions of ET‐1 suggests that although lower concentrations of ET‐1 do not affect exercise capacity, higher concentrations that may occur in hypertension are inhibitory to metabolism and aerobic capacity of muscle. The inhibitory effects of ET‐1 appear to result from enhanced functional shunting.