bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct determination of acylcarnitines in amniotic fluid by column‐switching liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Cho Sung‐Hee , Lee Jeongae , Lee Won‐Yong , Chung Bong Chul 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA direct, simple, and simultaneous determination of acylcarnitines in amniotic fluid was developed using column‐switching liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The analytes can be assayed within 20 min without any sample preparation process, and we monitored separated acylcarnitines with positive electrospray ionization (ESI)‐MS/MS. The calibration ranges of acylcarnitines were 1 to 100 nmol/L. The linearity of the method was 0.992 to 0.999, and the limits of detection at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were 1 nmol/L. The coefficients of variation were in the range of 5.2 to 13.3% for within‐day variation and 6.7 to 11.9% for day‐to‐day, respectively. We detected acylcarnitines in the amniotic fluid of 22 women in the early stages of their pregnancies in the range of 2.2 to 17.2 nmol/L. The proposed method could be applied to diagnosis, monitoring, and biomedical investigations of inborn errors of the organic acid and fatty acid metabolism of the embryo. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of construction noise on behavior and cortisol levels in a pair of captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Authors: Powell David M. , Carlstead Kathy , Tarou Loraine R. , Brown Janine L. , Monfort Steven L. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractStudies of the effects of ambient noise on animals have found variable results. A study was conducted at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park to determine what effect short‐term demolition work would have on the behavior and cortisol excretion of giant pandas. Behavioral and endocrine differences were examined during the presence and absence of demolition work being conducted on an adjacent exhibit complex. High frequency noise was significantly louder on work days compared to non‐work days. Panda activity budgets differed significantly between work and post‐work periods, although in different ways. The male's use of substrates and locations that might be associated with refuge or shelter changed during the study; the female did not show similar changes. He spent more time in the enclosure adjacent to the work site rather than a more distant enclosure during the demolition period whether work was occurring or not. The behavior of both animals was more often characterized as “restless” during, as opposed to before or after the work period. In general, cortisol excretion increased during the study in both animals but this was likely a seasonal effect in the male. In many cases, significant short‐term increases in cortisol were temporally associated with certain kinds of construction noises or specific physiological events. Variability in cortisol secretion fluctuated during the study for both animals but in differing patterns. These results demonstrate that demolition noise was associated with behavioral and some physiological changes in giant pandas, and these changes were individual‐specific. Zoo Biol 0:1–18, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of expressive vocabulary outcomes in hearing-impaired children with hearing aids: do bilaterally hearing-impaired children catch up?
Authors: Kiese-Himmel C , Reeh M 
Published: May 2006

Objective: To evaluate expressive vocabulary growth in hearing-impaired preschool children wearing hearing aids.Design: Prospective analysis of the outcomes of children included in the 1994 German ‘Goettinger Hoer-Sprachregister’ (GHR) series, using a repeated-measures paradigm in six- to nine-month intervals (t1–t3).Subjects: Twenty-seven children (aged 2.0–4.4 years) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (with averages at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz of >20 to >90 dB in the better ear) from the 1994 GHR series. The children were diagnosed at a mean age of 31.4 months (standard deviation (SD) 10.6 months) and fitted with a binaural hearing aid at a mean age of 32.3 months (SD 10.5 months). Nonverbal intelligence was average (five missing data entries). Standardized, age-appropriate picture naming tests (the ‘Sprachentwicklungstest für 2-jährige Kinder’, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children subtest vocabulary, and the ‘Aktiver Wortschatztest für drei- bis sechsjährige Kinder’) were carried out at three time points and results compared with data from children with normal hearing. The test raw scores were converted to T scores (mean = 50; SD = 10).Results: On average, the children scored far below the normative population at t1 (mean = 28.9; SD = 11.3) and slowly improved as they got older (at t3, mean = 34.1; SD = 16.1; p = 0.010). Children with mild or moderate hearing loss improved most notably (mean difference t1–t3; p = 0.001), except for one child of deaf parents. Two of the five mildly hearing-impaired children and two of the eleven moderately hearing-impaired children caught up with their normal hearing peers with regards to expressive vocabulary. Such expressive vocabulary achievements were not seen in any children with >70 dB hearing loss or in six of the eleven children (55 per cent) with a 40–70 dB hearing loss, despite receiving adequate personal amplification.Conclusion: Testing expressive vocabulary size is a useful clinical tool in assessing linguistic lexical outcome.
Comparison between fluid electron-temperature-gradient driven simulations and Tore Supra experiments on electron heat transport
Authors: LABIT B. , OTTAVIANI M. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract.In recent years, much attention has been devoted to the electron-temperature-gradient (ETG) driven instability as a possible explanation for the high electron thermal conductivity found in most tokamaks. The present contribution assesses whether a specific three-dimensional fluid ETG model can reproduce the conductivity observed in the Tore Supra tokamak [Equipe Tore Supra (presented by R. Aymar) 1989 Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research (Proc. 12th Int. Conf., Nice, 1988, Vol. 1.) Vienna: IAEA, p. 9]. Although the model reproduces fairly well the observed critical gradient, a large discrepancy factor, of the order of 50, is found for the ratio between the experimental and the simulated conductivity. On the basis of this study, one must conclude that the electron heat transport cannot be explained only with a fluid ETG turbulence model.
BIOCHAM: an environment for modeling biological systems and formalizing experimental knowledge
Authors: Calzone Laurence , Fages François , Soliman Sylvain 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Summary: BIOCHAM (the BIOCHemical Abstract Machine) is a software environment for modeling biochemical systems. It is based on two aspects: (1) the analysis and simulation of boolean, kinetic and stochastic models and (2) the formalization of biological properties in temporal logic. BIOCHAM provides tools and languages for describing protein networks with a simple and straightforward syntax, and for integrating biological properties into the model. It then becomes possible to analyze, query, verify and maintain the model with respect to those properties. For kinetic models, BIOCHAM can search for appropriate parameter values in order to reproduce a specific behavior observed in experiments and formalized in temporal logic. Coupled with other methods such as bifurcation diagrams, this search assists the modeler/biologist in the modeling process.
Availability: BIOCHAM (v. 2.5) is a free software available for download, with example models, at
Contact: Sylvain.Soliman@inria.fr
Structural characterization of GntR/HutC family signaling domain
Authors: Gorelik Marina , Lunin Vladimir V. , Skarina Tatiana , Savchenko Alexei 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe crystal structure of Escherichia coli PhnF C‐terminal domain (C‐PhnF) was solved at 1.7 Å resolution by the single wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) method. The PhnF protein belongs to the HutC subfamily of the large GntR transcriptional regulator family. Members of this family share similar N‐terminal DNA‐binding domains, but are divided into four subfamilies according to their heterogenic C‐terminal domains, which are involved in effector binding and oligomerization. The C‐PhnF structure provides for the first time the scaffold of this domain for the HutC subfamily, which covers about 31% of GntR‐like regulators. The structure represents a mixture of α‐helices and β‐strands, with a six‐stranded antiparallel β‐sheet at the core. C‐PhnF monomers form a dimer by establishing interdomain eight‐strand β‐sheets that include core antiparallel and N‐terminal two‐strand parallel β‐sheets from each monomer. C‐PhnF shares strong structural similarity with the chorismate lyase fold, which features a buried active site locked behind two helix‐turn‐helix loops. The structural comparison of the C‐PhnF and UbiC proteins allows us to propose that a similar site in the PhnF structure is adapted for effector binding.
A comparison of the latent class structure of cannabis problems among adult men and women who have used cannabis repeatedly
Authors: Grant Julia D. , Scherrer Jeffrey F. , Neuman Rosalind J. , Todorov Alexandre A. , Price Rumi K. , Bucholz Kathleen K. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTBackground  Little empirical evidence exists to determine if there are alternative classification schemes for cannabis abuse and dependence beyond the definitions provided by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) criteria. Current evidence is not conclusive regarding gender differences for cannabis use, abuse and dependence. It is not known if symptom profiles differ by gender.Methods  Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to assess whether cannabis abuse and dependence symptom patterns suggest a severity spectrum or distinct subtypes and to test whether symptom patterns differ by gender. Data from 3312 men and 2509 women in the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES) who had used cannabis 12 + times life‐time were included in the present analyses. The comparability of the solutions for men and women was examined through likelihood ratio χ2 tests.Results  Based on the Bayesian information criterion and interpretability, a four‐class solution was selected, and the classes were labeled as ‘unaffected/mild hazardous use’, ‘hazardous use/abuse’, ‘abuse/moderate dependence’ and ‘severe abuse/dependence’. The solutions were generally suggestive of a severity spectrum. Compared to men, women were more likely to be in the ‘unaffected/mild hazardous use’ class and less likely to be in the ‘abuse/moderate dependence’ or ‘severe abuse/dependence’ classes. The results were generally similar for men and women. However, men had consistently and substantially higher endorsements of hazardous use than women, women in the ‘abuse/moderate dependence’ class had moderately higher rates for four dependence symptoms, and women in two of the classes were more likely to endorse withdrawal.Conclusion  Our findings generally support the severity dimension for DSM‐IV cannabis abuse and dependence symptomatology for both men and women. While our results indicate that public health messages may have generic and not gender‐specific content, treatment providers should focus more effort on reducing hazardous use in men and alleviating withdrawal in women.
Dermal microdialysis in the dog: in vivo assessment of the effect of cyclosporin A on cutaneous histamine and prostaglandin D2 release
Authors: Brazís Pilar , Barandica Liliana , García Félix , Clough Geraldine F. , Church Martin K. , Puigdemont Anna 
Published: May 2006

AbstractDermal microdialysis, a relatively noninvasive technique, allows investigation of the changes in cellular mediators released during cutaneous allergic responses. This technique was used to evaluate the effect of cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressive drug used for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis, on the cutaneous release of two pro‐inflammatory mediators following intradermal allergen challenge. Four beagle dogs spontaneously sensitized to Ascaris suum were treated for 1 month with oral cyclosporin A. At days 0, 15 and 30 of the treatment, dialysis probes were inserted into the skin of the back, and 20 µL of A. suum antigen was injected intradermally at each site. At timed intervals, dialysate was collected and assayed for histamine and prostaglandin D2 and the wheal area was measured. Mean histamine concentration and wheal area were significantly lower at days 15 and 30 of treatment, compared with day 0. However, prostaglandin D2 concentration was not significantly reduced. The inhibition in histamine release after intradermal challenge, by cyclosporin, confirms its anti‐inflammatory action in the dog. Dermal microdialysis provides a useful tool for investigating canine allergic reactions and their modulation by drugs.
The role of infection time in the differential response of sorghum cultivars to Striga hermonthica infection
Authors: VAN AST A , BASTIAANS L 
Published: May 2006

Summary Striga hermonthica is an important parasitic weed that severely reduces yields of sorghum in sub‐Saharan Africa. Pot experiments with the sensitive sorghum cultivar CK60‐B and the tolerant Tiémarifing were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to investigate the role of infection time on the interaction between sorghum and Striga hermonthica. Timing of Striga inoculation was used to establish delays of one and two weeks in first attachment of the parasite. In 1999, early Striga inoculation resulted in a relatively early first Striga attachment on CK60‐B. Although first infection of Tiémarifing occurred one week later, an identical final number of emerged Striga plants was observed. Plants of CK60‐B were more severely affected and supported a higher total Striga biomass. Only with this cultivar the interaction between host and parasite was significantly affected by delayed infection. Parasite biomass was most sensitive and already significantly reduced following a 1‐week delay in infection time. With a further 1‐week delay, an additional reduction in parasite biomass was accompanied by a strong and significant increase in total and panicle dry weight of the host plant. In 2000, first infection of CK60‐B was relatively late and occurred simultaneously with first infection of Tiémarifing and no significant effect of delayed infection on Striga biomass or host‐plant performance was observed. The results indicate that the influence of delayed infection strongly depends on actual infection time and confirm that earlier observed differences in time of first infection between the two cultivars do contribute to the more tolerant response of Tiémarifing to Striga infection.
Effect of different diagnostic thresholds on dental caries calibration – a 12 month evaluation
Authors: Assaf Andréa Videira , De Castro Meneghim Marcelo , Zanin Luciane , Tengan Cristiana , Pereira Antonio Carlos 
Published: May 2006

Abstract –  Objective:  To analyze the reproducibility of a calibration trial, at different diagnostic thresholds of dental caries, in a 12‐month evaluation.Methods:  A group of dental examiners (n = 11), who had previous experience in epidemiological surveys, participated in the study. An initial training phase (theoretical and clinical) and five calibration exercises (baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) were arranged. World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, including the active initial lesions (IL) were used. Six‐ to 7‐year‐old children took part in the study. They were selected according to past history and dental caries activity. The data were analyzed at WHO and WHO + IL diagnostic thresholds in accordance with tooth and dental surfaces.Results:  Excellent mean intra‐ and inter‐examiner Kappa values were obtained for both diagnostic thresholds, in accordance with tooth and surface, during the calibration phases. However, the most relevant errors were related to the decayed component and to IL diagnosis.Conclusion:  It was possible to use the methodology proposed in this study in epidemiological surveys when examining the mixed dentition, although new strategies to improve training in IL diagnosis and calibration are necessary.
Anti‐inflammatory properties of enamel matrix derivative in human blood
Authors: Myhre A. E. , Lyngstadaas S. P. , Dahle M. K. , Stuestøl J. F. , Foster S. J. , Thiemermann C. , Lilleaasen P. , Wang J. E. , Aasen A. O. 
Published: May 2006

Background and Objective:  Enamel matrix derivative (EMD), extracted from porcine tooth buds, has been shown to promote periodontal healing in patients with severe periodontitis. This involves modulation of the inflammatory response followed by the onset of periodontal regeneration. Based on these observations, we examined the ability of EMD to modulate the release of a pro‐inflammatory cytokine [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α], an anti‐inflammatory cytokine (interleukin‐10) and a chemokine (interleukin‐ 8) in whole human blood challenged by bacterial cell wall components.Material and Methods:  Whole blood from healthy donors was challenged by lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan and incubated with different concentrations of EMD or a cAMP analogue 8‐(4‐chlorophenyl)thio‐cAMP (8‐CPT‐cAMP). TNF‐α, interleukin‐8 and interleukin‐10 were analysed from plasma by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while cAMP levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates were analysed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA).Results:  We found that EMD attenuated the release of TNF‐α and interleukin‐8 in whole blood from healthy donors challenged by lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan, while the release of interleukin‐10 was unchanged. Enamel matrix derivative also produced a four‐fold increase in the cAMP levels of peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates. Like EMD, 8‐CPT‐cAMP attenuated the formation of TNF‐α, but not of interleukin‐10, in blood challenged by lipopolysaccharide.Conclusion:  Enamel matrix derivative limits the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines induced by lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan in human blood, suggesting that it has anti‐inflammatory properties. We propose that this effect of EMD is, at least partly, secondary to an increase in the intracellular levels of cAMP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Power Law Turbulent Velocity Profile in Transitional Rough Pipes
Authors: Afzal Noor , Seena Abu , Bushra Afzal 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Alternate power law velocity profile u+=Aζα in transitional rough pipe fully turbulent flow, has been proposed, in terms of new appropriate inner rough wall variables (ζ=Z+∕ϕ, uϕ=u∕ϕ), and new parameters Rϕ=Rτ∕ϕ termed as the roughness friction Reynolds number, Reϕ=Re∕ϕ termed as the roughness Reynolds number and ϕ termed as roughness scale (along with normal wall coordinate Z=y+ϵr where ϵr is the shift of the origin of boundary layer due to the rough wall, Z+=Zuτ∕ν and u+=u∕uτ). The envelope of the power law shows that the power law constants α and A depend on the parameter Rϕ (i.e., α=α(Rϕ) and A=A(Rϕ)) but explicitly independent of the wall roughness parameter h∕δ (roughness height h in pipe of radius δ). The roughness scale ϕ has been related to the roughness function ΔU+ of Clauser representing the velocity shift caused by wall roughness. The present results of the velocity profile, just slightly above the wall roughness level h, remain valid for all types of wall roughness. The data of Nikuradse for sand-grain roughness, in transitional and fully rough pipes, has been considered, which provides good support to the predictions of an alternate power law velocity profile, based on single parameter Rϕ, the roughness friction Reynolds number.
Identification of Poly(cis-1,4-Isoprene) Degradation Intermediates during Growth of Moderately Thermophilic Actinomycetes on Rubber and Cloning of a FunctionallcpHomologue fromNocardia farcinicaStrain E1
Authors: Ibrahim Ebaid M. A. , Arenskötter Matthias , Luftmann Heinrich , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTThe enrichment and isolation of thermophilic bacteria capable of rubber [poly(cis-1,4-isoprene)] degradation revealed eight different strains exhibiting both currently known strategies used by rubber-degrading mesophilic bacteria. Taxonomic characterization of these isolates by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated closest relationships toActinomadura nitritigenes,Nocardia farcinica, andThermomonospora curvata. While strains related toN. farcinicaexhibited adhesive growth as described for mycolic acid-containing actinomycetes belonging to the genusGordonia, strains related toA. nitritigenesandT. curvataformed translucent halos on natural rubber latex agar as described for several mycelium-forming actinomycetes. For all strains, optimum growth rates were observed at 50°C. The capability of rubber degradation was confirmed by mineralization experiments and by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Intermediates resulting from early degradation steps were purified by preparative GPC, and their analysis by infrared spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of carbonyl carbon atoms. Staining with Schiff's reagent also revealed the presence of aldehyde groups in the intermediates. Bifunctional isoprenoid species terminated with a keto and aldehyde function were found by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analyses. Evidence was obtained that biodegradation of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) is initiated by endocleavage, rather than by exocleavage. A gene (lcp) coding for a protein with high homology to Lcp (latex-clearingprotein) fromStreptomycessp. strain K30 was identified inNocardia farcinicaE1.Streptomyces lividansTK23 expressing this Lcp homologue was able to cleave synthetic poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), confirming its involvement in initial polymer cleavage.
Genomic and Proteomic Analyses of the Agarolytic System Expressed bySaccharophagus degradans2-40
Authors: Ekborg Nathan A. , Taylor Larry E. , Longmire Atkinson G. , Henrissat Bernard , Weiner Ronald M. , Hutcheson Steven W. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTSaccharophagus degradans2-40 (formerlyMicrobulbifer degradans2-40) is a marine gamma-subgroup proteobacterium capable of degrading many complex polysaccharides, such as agar. While several agarolytic systems have been characterized biochemically, the genetics of agarolytic systems have been only partially determined. By use of genomic, proteomic, and genetic approaches, the components of theS. degradans2-40 agarolytic system were identified. Five agarases were identified in theS. degradans2-40 genome. Aga50A and Aga50D include GH50 domains. Aga86C and Aga86E contain GH86 domains, whereas Aga16B carries a GH16 domain. Novel family 6 carbohydrate binding modules (CBM6) were identified in Aga16B and Aga86E. Aga86C has an amino-terminal acylation site, suggesting that it is surface associated. Aga16B, Aga86C, and Aga86E were detected by mass spectrometry in agarolytic fractions obtained from culture filtrates of agar-grown cells. Deletion analysis revealed thataga50Aandaga86Ewere essential for the metabolism of agarose. Aga16B was shown to endolytically degrade agarose to release neoagarotetraose, similarly to a β-agarase I, whereas Aga86E was demonstrated to exolytically degrade agarose to form neoagarobiose. The agarolytic system ofS. degradans2-40 is thus predicted to be composed of a secreted endo-acting GH16-dependent depolymerase, a surface-associated GH50-dependent depolymerase, an exo-acting GH86-dependent agarase, and an α-neoagarobiose hydrolase to release galactose from agarose.