bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The genetic response to Snowball Earth: role of HSP90 in the Cambrian explosion
Authors: BAKER M. E. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThe events that shaped the Cambrian explosion from 545 to 530 Ma, when multicellular animals suddenly appeared in the fossil record, are not fully understood. It is likely that the evolution of new transcription factors and other signal transduction proteins that regulated developmental networks was important in the emergence of diverse animal phyla seen in the Cambrian. I propose that one or both extensive glaciations that ended about 670 and 635 Ma were important in the evolution of signal transduction proteins in small animals in the Neoproterozoic/Proterozoic. These glaciations have been called Snowball Earth. One consequence of these glaciations is that they increased the expression of genetic diversity in animals due to the effect of extreme climatic stress on heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90). Climatic stress diverted HSP90 from chaperoning the folding and proper intracellular localization of many signal transduction proteins that regulate development in animals. As a result, pre‐existing mutant signal transduction proteins and developmental pathways were expressed in animals. Selectively advantageous mutations were fixed in stem group animals and later were a source for the expansion of animal phyla during the Cambrian.
Microbial nitrate respiration of lactate at in situ conditions in ground water from a granitic aquifer situated 450 m underground
Authors: NIELSEN M. E. , FISK M. R. , ISTOK J. D. , PEDERSEN K. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThere is widespread interest in developing methods to investigate in situ microbial activity in subsurface environments. Novel experiments based on single borehole push–pull methods were conducted to measure in situ microbial activity at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL). Microbial nitrate reduction and lactate consumption were measured at in situ conditions at a depth of 450 m in the HRL tunnel. A circulation system was used to circulate ground water from the aquifer through pressure‐maintaining flow cells containing coupons for biofilm growth. The system allows microbial investigations at in situ pressure, temperature and chemistry. Four experiments were conducted in which a combination of a conservative tracer, nitrate and lactate was injected into the circulation system. Rate of nitrate utilization was 5 µm h−1 without lactate and 13 µm h−1 with lactate. Lactate consumption increased from 30 to 50 µm h−1 with the addition of an exogenous electron acceptor (nitrate). Attached and unattached cells were enumerated using epifluorescence microscopy to calculate cell‐specific rates of activity. The biofilm had an average cell density of 1 × 106 cells cm−2 and there was an average of 6 × 105 unattached cells mL−1 in circulation. Cell‐specific rates of lactate consumption were higher than previously reported using radiotracer methods in similar environments. The differences highlight the importance of conducting microbial investigations at in situ conditions. The results demonstrate that an indigenous community of microbes survives at a depth of 450 m in the Fennoscandian shield aquifer with the potential to oxidize simple organic molecules such as lactate.
Alcohol Use, Comorbidity, and Mortality
Authors: Moore Alison A. , Giuli Lisa , Gould Robert , Hu Peifeng , Zhou Kefei , Reuben David , Greendale Gail , Karlamangla Arun 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVES:To examine the combined influence of alcohol use and comorbidity on 20‐year mortality in older adults (average age 66 at the time of the baseline survey).DESIGN:Longitudinal analysis of a national probability sample–based cohort study.SETTING:Data sources were the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANES I), 1971–1974, and the NHANES Epidemiologic Followup Survey, 1992.PARTICIPANTS:Four thousand six hundred ninety‐one adults aged 60 and older who provided data on alcohol use.MEASUREMENTS:The prevalence of at‐risk drinking in older adults in the United States and the 20‐year all‐cause mortality risk associated with it. At‐risk drinking status was determined from amount of alcohol consumed and comorbidities, using a previously validated method.RESULTS:The prevalence of at‐risk drinking in the United States between 1971 and 1974 in older adults was 10% (18% of men, 5% of women). The majority of at‐risk drinkers were identified as such because of their use of alcohol in amounts deemed risky in the presence of relevant comorbidities (69%) (e.g., drinking 2–3 drinks per day and having gout or anxiety or taking a medication for pain). In men, at‐risk drinking was associated with higher mortality rates than not‐at‐risk drinking (hazard ratio=1.20, 95% confidence interval=1.01–1.41); abstinence was not associated with greater mortality. In women, neither abstinence nor at‐risk drinking was associated with greater mortality rates.CONCLUSION:In this first, large population‐based study of older adults examining the mortality risks of alcohol use and comorbidity, at‐risk drinking was associated with greater mortality rates in men. These findings suggest that a lower threshold of alcohol use should be recommended for older adults with specific comorbidities to reduce mortality risks.
Expression Profile and Clonality of T‐Cell Receptor Beta Variable Genes in Normal Human Endometrium
Authors: Dokouhaki Pouneh , Moghadam Rosa , Akbariasbagh Firoozeh , Zarnani Amirhassan , Novin Marefat Ghaffari , Razavi Alireza , Jeddi‐Tehrani Mahmood 
Published: March 2006

ProblemIn spite of their key immunological role, αβ+ T cells residing in endometrium have not been extensively explored. We analyzed here expression profile of TCRBV genes in normal human endometrium compared with peripheral blood.MethodsSamples were taken from normal reproductive women. RT‐PCR using BV‐gene specific primers was performed on blood and endometrial samples. After blotting, hybridization with radiolabelled probe and autoradiography, relative expression of each TCRBV family was determined. Clonal expansions of the over‐expressed genes were assessed by CDR3 length polymorphism.ResultsOnly one gene (TCRBV7) was expressed significantly and two other genes marginally more in the endometrium compared with blood. All three TCRBV genes examined showed a rather restricted pattern in the endometrium in contrast to polyclonal patterns in the blood.ConclusionOur results stress the similarities between T cells residing in different mucosal tissues and provide a basis for future investigations about endometrial T cells and their antigen specificities in gynecological problems.
Gene organization and polymorphism of the swine major histocompatibility complex
Authors: ANDO Asako , CHARDON Patrick 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThe recent availability of the full‐length sequence of one haplotype of the swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) complex, the swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and significant progress in the studies on gene expression and polymorphisms led to major advances in deciphering its role in resistance to diseases in animals. The present status of the genomic organization and polymorphism of the SLA complex is presented in this Review. Additionally, a comparative analysis with mammalian MHC has also been provided. The sequenced SLA‐H01 haplotype harbors 152 loci including genuine SLA genes, non‐MHC genes and pseudogenes. Although the numbers of expressed SLA genes could vary across haplotypes, three SLA class Ia, three SLA class Ib, four SLA class IIa and four SLA class IIb genes are currently expressed. Except for the class I genes, which have no clear orthologs, the gene organization of the loci was highly conserved between humans and pigs. Moreover, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex lies on a single chromosomal segment, whereas a centromere at the class II and III junction splits the SLA complex into two segments, without disturbing gene organization or impeding functionality. Over 400 SLA class I and II allele sequences available in databases have been recently clustered and assigned to a specific SLA locus according to a newly defined nomenclature system.
Breeding objectives for the Boran breed in Kenya: Model development and application to pasture‐based production systems
Authors: REWE Thomas O. , INDETIE Douglas , OJANGO Julie M. K. , KAHI Alexander K. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTBio‐economic profit models were developed and applied to evaluate biological and economic variables that characterize production systems utilizing the Boran breed. Production systems were described according to their sale age (24 months short‐fed or 36 months long‐fed), levels of input (low, medium or high) and final goal (beef or dual purpose) representing practical circumstances that exist in the various beef cattle farms in Kenya. The input variables were classified into production and economic variables. The outputs from the profit models included revenue, costs and feed intake of cows, heifers and steers in the different production systems. These models can be used to simulate changes in production and marketing circumstances. The biological relationships and assumptions in the model are general and flexible and can therefore be applied to a wide range of beef cattle production circumstances by changing the input variables. In addition, by modifying the herd dynamics and management variables this model may be applied in Kenya or other countries to production systems that utilize indigenous cattle genetic resources or their crosses with Bos taurus breeds.
Microflora in traditional starter cultures for fermented milk, hurunge, from Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: SHUANGQUAN  , BURENTEGUSI  , YU Bai , MIYAMOTO Taku 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTMicroflora were investigated in traditional starter cultures for fermented milk, hurunge, which are used for fermented dairy products by nomadic families in the Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region, China. The acid‐forming bacteria and yeast counts ranged from 1.8 × 105 to 5.3 × 108 c.f.u./g and from 6.1 × 105 to 3.2 × 106 c.f.u./g, respectively. Sixty‐six strains of lactic acid bacteria and 30 strains of yeasts were isolated and identified from three hurunge samples collected from the nomadic families. Lactococcus raffinolactis was the most predominant lactococci isolated from these samples. The other lactococci were Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris. Two major lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei, were identified. In addition, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus acetotolerans, which grew in 11% acetic acid culture medium, and Lactobacillus homohiochii, which grew in the culture medium containing 16% ethanol, were also identified. The isolated yeast strains were identified as Candida kefyr, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis, Candida krusei and Candida valida.
An improved understanding of canal hydraulics and flood risk from breach failures
Authors: Dun R. W. A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBritish Waterways (BW) is the largest navigation authority in the UK, managing a network of 3200 km of inland waterway. Central to this function is the management of a complex water supply system, where water is transferred for resource management, to maintain navigation and for sale to third parties. The navigations also provide land drainage, with 30% of the English and Welsh catchments draining, into the network. Understanding the hydraulic mechanisms present is essential to manage the risks to infrastructure, land, property and personnel. This paper describes studies that have reduced the uncertainty of the hydraulic appraisals of canals. A programme of primary research included site surveys, hydraulic trials and modelling. Hydraulic roughnesses for a range of canal channel types were derived and the impact of structures was quantified. The paper then applies these findings to investigate a recent canal breach. Importantly, in terms of the hydraulic appraisal, pound water levels and flows were automatically monitored throughout the event. The breach was modelled via an innovative dual weir approach. The modelled water level drawdown compared very closely with that measured. In conclusion, this paper illustrates the major steps forward that BW has made in developing the understanding of canal hydraulics and breach failures. This paper is of interest to consultants, researchers and other workers who study canal hydraulics and flood risk throughout the UK and overseas.
Comparison of engineering costs of raw freshwater, reclaimed water and seawater for toilet flushing in Hong Kong
Authors: Tang S. L. , Yue Derek P. T. , Li X. Z. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractHong Kong is one of the very few coastal cities in the world that use ‘dual water supply systems’. Dual water supply involves two distribution systems: a freshwater system for potable use and a seawater system for toilet flushing. This study looks into the feasibility, from an engineering cost point of view, of extending seawater supply into districts where potable water is still being used for toilet flushing, including South District of Hong Kong Island, Sai Kung, Northern New Territories and Northwest New Territories. Besides seawater, raw (untreated) freshwater and reclaimed water (treated effluent from local sewage treatment works) are also considered to be used for toilet flushing for these districts. Six cases are developed for comparison by using the lowest net present value of cost criterion. The result shows that using seawater for toilet flushing in these districts has the best engineering economy.
Microbiological risk assessment and management of shallow groundwater sources in Lichinga, Mozambique
Authors: Godfrey S. , Timo F. , Smith M. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe principal water target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is to ensure environmental sustainability by halving the proportion of people without access to safe water by 2015. Although great strides have been made in meeting this challenge since the year 2000, the safety of many of these water supplies remains unknown. Acknowledging the weaknesses of current water quality and hydrogeological means of assuring microbial safety, this paper has the objective of developing improved methods for the assessment and management of microbiological water safety based on a ‘risk’ paradigm. This paper provides evidence for the risk assessment of both conventional aquifer pathways and localised (short circuiting) pathways to 25 wells of three well technology types in Mozambique between 2002 and 2005.* Findings from the research outline improve methods of risk assessment and management by demonstrating that (1) the predominant source of contamination was from animal faeces rather than from latrines/septic tanks, (2) short circuiting is a significant risk to shallow groundwater in developing countries, (3) the use of alternative indicator organisms (e.g. enterococci) may improve risk understanding and (4) the World Health Organisation Water Safety Plans are recommended as an appropriate method of risk management.
Empirical research in bioethical journals. A quantitative analysis
Authors: Borry P , Schotsmans P , Dierickx K 
Published: March 2006

Objectives:The objective of this research is to analyse the evolution and nature of published empirical research in the fields of medical ethics and bioethics.Design:Retrospective quantitative study of nine peer reviewed journals in the field of bioethics and medical ethics (Bioethics,Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics,Hastings Center Report,Journal of Clinical Ethics,Journal of Medical Ethics,Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal,Nursing Ethics,Christian Bioethics, andTheoretical Medicine and Bioethics).Results:In total, 4029 articles published between 1990 and 2003 were retrieved from the journals studied. Over this period, 435 (10.8%) studies used an empirical design. The highest percentage of empirical research articles appeared inNursing Ethics(n=145, 39.5%), followed by theJournal of Medical Ethics(n=128, 16.8%) and theJournal of Clinical Ethics(n=93, 15.4%). These three journals account for 84.1% of all empirical research in bioethics published in this period. The results of the χ2test for two independent samples for the entire dataset indicate that the period 1997–2003 presented a higher number of empirical studies (n=309) than did the period 1990–1996 (n=126). This increase is statistically significant (χ2=49.0264, p<.0001). Most empirical studies employed a quantitative paradigm (64.6%, n=281). The main topic of research was prolongation of life and euthanasia (n=68).Conclusions:We conclude that the proportion of empirical research in the nine journals increased steadily from 5.4% in 1990 to 15.4% in 2003. It is likely that the importance of empirical methods in medical ethics and bioethics will continue to increase.
Nurses’ views on their involvement in euthanasia: a qualitative study in Flanders (Belgium)
Authors: Dierckx de Casterlé B , Verpoort C , De Bal N , Gastmans C 
Published: March 2006

Background:Although nurses worldwide are confronted with euthanasia requests from patients, the views of palliative care nurses on their involvement in euthanasia remain unclear.Objectives:In depth exploration of the views of palliative care nurses on their involvement in the entire care process surrounding euthanasia.Design:A qualitative Grounded Theory strategy was used.Setting and participants:In anticipation of new Belgian legislation on euthanasia, we conducted semistructured interviews with 12 nurses working in a palliative care setting in the province of Vlaams-Brabant (Belgium).Results:Palliative care nurses believed unanimously that they have an important role in the process of caring for a patient who requests euthanasia, a role that is not limited to assisting the physician when he is administering life terminating drugs. Nurses’ involvement starts when the patient requests euthanasia and ends with supporting the patient’s relatives and healthcare colleagues after the potential life terminating act. Nurses stressed the importance of having an open mind and of using palliative techniques, also offering a contextual understanding of the patient’s request in the decision making process. Concerning the actual act of performing euthanasia, palliative care nurses saw their role primarily as assisting the patient, the patient’s family, and the physician by being present, even if they could not reconcile themselves with actually performing euthanasia.Conclusions:Based on their professional nursing expertise and unique relationship with the patient, nurses participating as full members of the interdisciplinary expert team are in a key position to provide valuable care to patients requesting euthanasia.
A natural stem cell therapy? How novel findings and biotechnology clarify the ethics of stem cell research
Authors: Patel P 
Published: March 2006

The natural replacement of damaged cells by stem cells occurs actively and often in adult tissues, especially rapidly dividing cells such as blood cells. An exciting case in Boston, however, posits a kind of natural stem cell therapy provided to a mother by her fetus—long after the fetus is born. Because there is a profound lack of medical intervention, this therapy seems natural enough and is unlikely to be morally suspect. Nevertheless, we feel morally uncertain when we consider giving this type of therapy to patients who would not naturally receive it. Much has been written about the ethics of stem cell research and therapy; this paper will focus on how recent advances in biotechnology and biological understandings of development narrow the debate. Here, the author briefly reviews current stem cell research practices, revisits the natural stem cell therapy case for moral evaluation, and ultimately demonstrates the importance of permissible stem cell research and therapy, even absent an agreement about the definition of when embryonic life begins.Although one promising technology, blighted ovum utilisation, uses fertilised but developmentally bankrupt eggs, it is argued that utilisation of unfertilised eggs to derive totipotent stem cells obviates the moral debate over when life begins. There are two existing technologies that fulfil this criterion: somatic cell nuclear transfer and parthenogenic stem cell derivation. Although these technologies are far from therapeutic, concerns over the morality of embryonic stem cell derivation should not hinder their advancement.
The impact of regional culture on intensive care end of life decision making: an Israeli perspective from the ETHICUS study
Authors: Ganz F D , Benbenishty J , Hersch M , Fischer A , Gurman G , Sprung C L 
Published: March 2006

Background:Decisions of patients, families, and health care providers about medical care at the end of life depend on many factors, including the societal culture. A pan-European study was conducted to determine the frequency and types of end of life practices in European intensive care units (ICUs), including those in Israel. Several results of the Israeli subsample were different to those of the overall sample.Objective:The objective of this article was to explore these differences and provide a possible explanation based on the impact of culture on end of life decision making.Method:All adult patients admitted consecutively to three Israeli ICUs (n = 2778) who died or underwent any limitation of life saving interventions between 1 January 1999 and 30 June 2000 were studied prospectively (n = 363). These patients were compared with a similar sample taken from the larger study (ethics in European intensive care units: ETHICUS) carried out in 37 European ICUs. Patients were followed until discharge, death, or 2 months from the decision to limit therapy. End of life decisions were prospectively organised into one of five mutually exclusive categories: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), brain death, withholding treatment, withdrawing treatment, and active shortening of the dying process (SDP). The data also included patient characteristics (gender, age, ICU admission diagnosis, chronic disorders, date of hospital admission, date and time of decision to limit therapy, date of hospital discharge, date and time of death in hospital), specific therapies limited, and the method of SDP.Results:The majority of patients (n = 252, 69%) had treatment withheld, none underwent SDP, 62 received CPR (17%), 31 had brain death (9%), and 18 underwent withdrawal of treatment (5%). The primary reason given for limiting treatment was that the patient was unresponsive to therapy (n = 187). End of life discussions were held with 132 families (36%), the vast majority of which revolved around withholding treatment (91% of the discussions) and the remainder concerned withdrawing treatment (n = 11, 9%).There was a statistically significant association (χ2= 830.93, df=12, p < 0.0001) between the type of end of life decision and region—that is, the northern region of Europe, the central region, the southern region, and Israel.Conclusions:Regional culture plays an important part in end of life decision making. Differences relating to end of life decision making exist between regions and these differences can often be attributed to cultural factors. Such cultures not only affect patients and their families but also the health care workers who make and carry out such decisions.