bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecological aspects of hydrothermal vent animals in captivity at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Miyake Hiroshi , Kitada Mitsugu , Tsuchida Shinji , Okuyama Yoko , Nakamura Ko‐ichi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHydrothermal vent animals were kept and displayed at atmospheric pressure with an artificial hydrothermal vent system in Enoshima Aquarium, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. The artificial hydrothermal vent system was composed of a main rearing tank, a heating tank, a hot water outlet with added Na2S as the source of H2S, and added CO2for chemosynthetic bacteria and pH regulation. When the need arises, a dissolved oxygen control unit and submersible heaters can be attached. We are now rearing hydrothermal vent crabs (Austinograea yunohana), hydrothermal vent galatheid crabs (Shinkaia crosnieri), vestimentiferan tubeworms (Lamellibrachia satsuma), hydrothermal vent shrimp (Opaepelespp.), hydrothermal vent barnacles (Ashinkailepas seepiophiliaandNeoverrucasp.), and tonguefish (Symphurussp.). In the artificial hydrothermal vent tank, shrimp and crabs have been observed to cluster close to the artificial hydrothermal vent. In particular, large (adult) crabs needed a heat source to live in the aquarium over a long term. Additionally, some species (A. yunohana,S. crosnieri,Opaepelesp. andSymphurussp.) have spawned and hatched in captivity. It is likely higher water temperatures are needed for egg and larval development compared with temperatures for adult requirements.
Adaptation to metal toxicity: a comparison of hydrothermal vent and coastal shrimps
Authors: Gonzalez‐Rey Maria , Serafim Angela , Company Rui , Bebianno Maria João 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRainbow vent field is one of the most metal‐contaminated hydrothermal sites on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge near the Azores region. Two hydrothermal shrimp species dominate the fauna at the Rainbow site along with the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus. Although the levels of essential and non‐essential metals in these shrimps have been studied, the biological consequences of a metal‐rich environment are still largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of metal‐binding proteins – metallothioneins (MT) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes – superoxide dismutase, catalase, total glutathione peroxidase and selenium‐dependent glutathione peroxidase in two hydrothermal vent shrimps (Mirocaris fortunata and Rimicaris exoculata) collected from the Rainbow site and to compare them with two coastal shrimps (Palaemon elegans and Palaemonetes varians) from a south Portugal lagoon (Ria Formosa) to evaluate their different adaptation strategies towards metals in their environment. Results show significant differences in MT levels and antioxidant enzymatic activities between vent and coastal shrimps and also between shrimp species collected from the same site. This suggests that biochemical responses in both vent and coastal shrimps are affected not only by the environmental characteristics but also by inter‐specific differences. Nevertheless, these responses apparently confer successful adaptation for survival in a metal‐extreme environment.
Life‐history traits of the symbiotic scale‐worm Branchipolynoe seepensis and its relationships with host mussels of the genus Bathymodiolus from hydrothermal vents
Authors: Britayev Temir A. , Martin Daniel , Krylova Elena M. , Von Cosel Rudo , Aksiuk Tatiana S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAssociations between scale‐worms and giant mussels are common constituents of hydrothermal vent and cold seep ecosystems, but very little is known about their nature and ecology. Here, we analyze the ecological characteristics of the associations between Branchipolynoe seepensis, an obligate symbiotic polychaete, and their host mytilid mussels Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis and B. azoricus inhabiting hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. Infested mussels generally harbored a single symbiont (<4% had two to six worms). Infestation rate varied from 7.2% to 76.5%, increasing with mussel size, and was significantly lower for B. puteoserpentis. Symbiont density at Lucky Strike ranged between 1071 and 1191 individuals m−2. Female symbiont size was always positively correlated with host size, while only males and juveniles from small mussels showed the same trend. This suggested a relatively long‐lasting host/symbiont association for females and short‐lasting association with successive reproductive migrations for adult males. The sex ratio of symbionts was always biased in favor of females. Males were smaller and more slender than females and had one mode in their size distributions, whereas females typically had three or more modes, suggestive of a longer life span in females. Between 59.1% and 72.2% of mussels had damaged soft tissues with substantially higher incidence of trauma in infested ones, suggesting that symbionts may cause trauma. The symbionts also induce tunnel‐like structures among the ctenidia, indicating fidelity to a particular location inside the host. Based on our data, together with the fact that infested mussels became relatively wider than non‐infested ones, this association is considered parasitic (likely kleptoparasitic). Our data, together with those from previous studies, allowed us to define the main life‐history traits of B. seepensis: (i) the relationship with their host is parasitic, (ii) the association begins at the smallest mytilid size classes, (iii) there is sexual dimorphism in body size, (iv) sex ratio deviates from 1:1 in favor of females, (v) fertilization occurs through temporal pairing and pseudocopulation, (vi) sperm are stored by females, (vii) eggs are large (likely lecithotrophic or with direct development), (viii) females have a longer life span than males, (ix) adult males may be semalparous, undertaking reproductive migrations followed by a short period of pairing and then death, and (x) females have a semi‐continuous iteroparous reproductive cycle.
Bronchial washing yield before and after forceps biopsy in patients with endoscopically visible lung cancers
Authors: LEE Hee Seok , KWON Sung Youn , KIM Deog Kyeom , YOON Ho Il , LEE Sang‐Min , LEE Jae Ho , LEE Choon‐Taek , CHUNG Hee Sun , HAN Sung Koo , SHIM Young‐Soo , YIM Jae Joon 
Published: February 2007

Background and objective:  The need for routine use of bronchial washing in addition to forceps biopsy has been debated in the diagnosis of endoscopically visible lung tumours. Moreover, the optimal sequence for obtaining bronchial washing and forceps biopsy specimens from endoscopically visible tumours through a flexible bronchoscope has not been well established.Methods:  A multicentre 13‐month prospective randomized study was performed. Two hundred and thirty consecutive patients with endoscopically visible tumours were randomly assigned into a bronchial washing before forceps biopsy (pre‐biopsy) group and a bronchial washing after forceps biopsy (post‐biopsy) group. Bronchial washing and forceps biopsy were performed according to the assigned sequence.Results:  Two hundred and seven patients with a definite cytological or histological diagnosis of lung cancer were included in the analyses. One hundred and three were in the pre‐biopsy group and 104 were in the post‐biopsy group. The diagnostic yield of bronchial washing was 57.3% (59/103) in the pre‐biopsy group and 55.8% (58/104) in the post‐biopsy group (P = 0.88). In addition, bronchial washing provided the diagnosis in six patients without definite diagnosis from forceps biopsy, and its addition to forceps biopsy significantly increased the overall diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy from 93.7% to 96.6% (P = 0.03).Conclusion:  The sequence for performing bronchial washing before or after forceps biopsy did not affect the diagnostic yield of bronchial washing in patients with endoscopically visible lung cancers. However, bronchial washing led to a significant increase in the overall diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in patients with lung cancers.
Increased surfactant protein‐D and foamy macrophages in smoking‐induced mouse emphysema
Authors: HIRAMA Noriyuki , SHIBATA Yoko , OTAKE Kazuhisa , MACHIYA Jun‐ichi , WADA Toshihiro , INOUE Sumito , ABE Shuichi , TAKABATAKE Noriaki , SATA Makoto , KUBOTA Isao 
Published: February 2007

Background and objective:  The molecular mechanisms underlying COPD remain undetermined. The lungs of surfactant protein‐D (SP‐D) deficient mice show emphysema and an excessive number of foamy macrophages. This study aims to elucidate roles of SP‐D and foamy macrophages in smoking‐induced mouse emphysema.Methods:  Twenty B6C3F1 mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (2 cigarettes/day/mouse for 6 months). The mice were killed, and formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded lung sections were carried out on seven mice, BAL was carried out on six mice, and seven mice were used to make lung homogenates. In in vitro studies, A549 cells were transduced with the SP‐D expression plasmid and treated with cigarette smoke extract to evaluate cell viability.Results:  Emphysema was induced in the mice by chronic cigarette smoke exposure. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and ‐12 was observed, and foamy alveolar macrophages accumulated in the smoke‐exposed lungs. Immunostaining of BAL cells revealed the major source of matrix metalloproteinase‐12 to be foamy alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, SP‐D was elevated in emphysema lungs. Expression of transcription factors, Fra‐1, junB and C/EBPβ (which induce SP‐D) were significantly elevated in emphysema lungs. The in vitro expression of SP‐D gene in A549 cells prolonged cell survival following exposure to cigarette smoke condensate.Conclusions:  The accumulation of foamy alveolar macrophages may play a key role in the development of smoking‐induced emphysema. Increased SP‐D may play a protective role in the development of smoking‐induced emphysema, in part by preventing alveolar cell death.
Assessment of impairment in health‐related quality of life in patients with difficult asthma: Psychometric performance of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire
Authors: ABURUZ Salah , GAMBLE Jacqui , HEANEY Liam G. 
Published: February 2007

Objective and background:  To understand the effects of asthma and its treatment and to draw accurate conclusions with respect to different management programmes, including clinical trials. In more severe asthmatics, it is imperative that the health‐related quality of life (HRQL) be measured accurately and validly. This study had a twofold objective: (i) to examine the psychometric characteristics of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) in patients with difficult asthma, and (ii) to explore to what extent suffering from asthma affects the HRQL in patients with difficult asthma.Methods:  Eighty‐six adult patients with difficult asthma (33 men) participated in the study.Results:  The internal consistency reliability (α) ranged from 0.80 (environment subscale) to 0.96 (overall score), and the 2‐ to 4‐week reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients) ranged from 0.82 (environment subscale) to 0.92 (overall score).The AQLQ correlated significantly with an asthma disease severity scale, the EQ‐5D, and the visual analogue scale indicator of global quality of life (P < 0.0001). No relationship was found between the AQLQ score and FEV1%.Conclusions:  The results suggest that the AQLQ may be a useful outcome measure for clinical trials in severe asthmatics. The results of this study showed that the HRQL in patients with difficult asthma is substantially impaired. The dominant feature of this group is high symptom scores, with environmental exposure scoring lowest. Mean AQLQ values for this group compared with published means from other less severe asthmatics suggest that patients with difficult asthma experience clinically significant, poorer health‐related quality of life. This study presents the poorest health‐related quality of life reported in patients with asthma.
Analysis of pleural effusions in acute pulmonary embolism: Radiological and pleural fluid data from 230 patients
Authors: PORCEL José M. , MADROÑERO Ana B. , PARDINA Marina , VIVES Manuel , ESQUERDA Aureli , LIGHT Richard W. 
Published: February 2007

Background and objective:  The aims of this study were to describe the frequency and radiographical characteristics of pleural effusions in a large population of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and characterize the pleural fluid biochemistry in those patients who underwent diagnostic thoracentesis.Methods:  This was a retrospective observational single‐centre study. A total of 230 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of PE over a 9‐years period were enrolled. Spiral CT pulmonary angiography (52%) and high‐probability ventilation and perfusion scans (42%) were used as the main reference methods.Results:  Pleural effusions were observed in 32% and 47% of patients by CXR and CT, respectively. Typically, pleural effusions were small (90% occupied less than one third of the hemithorax) and unilateral (85%), but occasionally they reached more than a half of the hemithorax. On CT, 21% of pleural effusions showed loculation. In patients with loculated pleural fluid the diagnosis of PE had been delayed for a mean of 12.2 days after symptoms developed. The presence of pleural fluid was not related to infarction. Twenty‐six of 93 (28%) patients with effusions on imaging underwent thoracentesis. All the fluids met Light’s criteria for exudate, 58% contained erythrocyte counts >10 000/µL and 46% showed neutrophilic predominance.Conclusions:  Small pleural effusions, mostly unsuitable for diagnostic thoracentesis, were present in about one third of patients with PE. All the pleural effusions due to PE were exudates. If PE diagnosis was delayed the pleural effusion tended to become loculated.
Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and antimicrobial resistance patterns of community‐acquired pneumonia in 1702 hospitalized children in Singapore
Authors: CHIANG Wen C. , TEOH Oon H. , CHONG Chia Y. , GOH Anne , TANG Jenny P.L. , CHAY Oh M. 
Published: February 2007

Objective and background:  Childhood community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The features of childhood CAP vary between countries. The aim of this study was to delineate the clinical characteristics, complications, spectrum of pathogens and patterns of antimicrobial resistance associated with hospitalized cases of childhood CAP in Singapore.Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted of patients discharged from Singapore’s only children’s hospital over a 3‐year period with a principal diagnosis of CAP.Results:  A total of 1702 children, with a median age of 4.2 years (range: 1 month−16.3 years) were enrolled. A pathogen was identifiable in 38.4% of cases, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae in 20.3%, typical respiratory bacteria in 10.3% (64.6%Streptococcus pneumoniae; 21.7% non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae), viruses in 5.5% and mixed bacterial/viral infections in 2%. The majority of M. pneumoniae infections were in school‐aged children (>5 years). Severity of infection was greater in CAP caused by typical bacteria, as reflected by length of hospital stay, CRP level, white cell and absolute neutrophil counts. Mortality from typical bacterial infections (8.9%) exceeded that from M. pneumoniae (0.3%) and viral pneumonias (0%) (P < 0.001). Aminopenicillins were often prescribed empirically for suspected S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae infections; however, resistance to these agents was frequently documented among S. pneumoniae (58.5%) and H. influenzae isolates (51%).Conclusion:  In Singaporean children hospitalized with CAP, M. pneumoniae is the most commonly identified causative organism, followed by common respiratory viruses, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae. Streptococcus pneumoniae and H. influenzae are associated with greater severity of infection than other organisms, and have high levels of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics.
NRAMP1 and TNF‐α polymorphisms and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Thais
Authors: VEJBAESYA Sasijit , CHIERAKUL Nitipatana , LUANGTRAKOOL Panpimon , SERMDUANGPRATEEP Chutima 
Published: February 2007

Objective and background:  Polymorphisms in the natural resistance‐associated macrophage protein gene 1 (NRAMP1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α gene have been found to be associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in different populations. However, the results are inconsistent. This study aimed to determine whether NRAMP1 and TNF‐α variants are associated with tuberculosis in Thais.Methods:  Polymorphisms of NRAMP1 at INT4, D543N and the 3′ untranslated region, and of TNF‐α at +488, −238, and −308, were examined in 149 tuberculosis patients and 147 healthy controls. PCR using sequence‐specific oligonucleotides and sequence‐specific priming were used to genotype the NRAMP1 and TNF polymorphisms, respectively.Results:  There were no significant differences in the distribution of the genotype frequencies for the NRAMP1 and TNF‐α polymorphisms between the patients and controls.Conclusions:  The NRAMP1 and TNF‐α genes are not associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Thais.
Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on respiratory status and quality of life in newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer
Authors: MOHAN Anant , MOHAN Charu , PATHAK Ashutosh K. , PANDEY Ravinder M. , GULERIA Randeep 
Published: February 2007

Objective and background:  A significant proportion of patients with lung cancer have associated COPD, which is considered an independent risk factor and cause of morbidity and mortality. However, the effect of COPD on respiratory status and quality of life in lung cancer has not been evaluated.Methods:  Newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer were assessed at diagnosis before starting treatment, for detailed respiratory status, spirometry and World Health Organization‐Bref Quality of Life questionnaire in Hindi (WHOQOL‐Bref Hindi).Results:  One hundred and sixty patients were studied. Spirometry was abnormal in 92.7% patients, 42% had COPD, and the majority (88.6%) had advanced disease (stage III and IV). Patients scored poorly in all QOL domains, with social domain faring worst. Karnofsky Performance status (KPS) correlated significantly with all QOL domains. No significant differences were found in clinical profile, KPS, or QOL scores between patients with and without COPD. Chest pain and dyspnoea severity (assessed by Medical Research Council) grading and visual analogue scale correlated with physical QOL domain.Conclusion:  Patients with lung cancer have a poor QOL that is affected by the severity of respiratory profile and KPS. The presence of COPD does not significantly affect QOL in lung cancer patients.
Total lung capacity: Single breath methane dilution versus plethysmography in normals
Authors: PESOLA Gene R. , MAGARI Robert T. , DARTEY‐HAYFORD Samuel , COELHO‐D’COSTA Vinette , CHINCHILLI Vernon M. 
Published: February 2007

Objective and background:  Methane is an inert tracer gas used to obtain TLC estimates during single breath diffusion capacity (DLCO) measurements. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of methane dilution TLC in normal subjects undergoing single breath diffusion capacity measurements using plethysmography as the gold standard comparison method.Methods:  Fifty non‐smoking adults underwent lung function testing. Total lung volume was obtained by both plethysmography and methane dilution during a single breath DLCO measurement. Deming regression and the concordance correlation coefficient, r(ccc), were used to determine agreement between methods for TLC. Bias was the mean difference between methods and limits of agreement were the mean difference between methods ± 1.96 (SD). All values are mean ± SD unless otherwise stated.Results:  Plethysmography and methane dilution TLC values were not significantly different. The r(ccc) was 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–0.92). Deming regression revealed a slope of 0.93 (P = 0.17, Ho: β = 1.0; 95% CI 0.84–1.03) and a y‐intercept of 0.20 (P = 0.39, Ho: α = 0; 95% CI −0.27–0.70). The bias was 0.11 L favouring plethysmography. Limits of agreement varied as 0.11 ± 0.92 L.Conclusions:  There is statistical agreement between methods suggesting the average TLC by methane could substitute for plethysmography in normals at the population level. At the individual level, a normal methane dilution value indicates a normal TLC whereas values below the normal range should be validated using plethysmography.
Enriched environment promotes adult neural progenitor cell mobilization in mouse demyelination models
Authors: Magalon Karine , Cantarella Cristina , Monti Gilberte , Cayre Myriam , Durbec Pascale 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSince the discovery of adult neural stem cells, mobilization of endogenous stem cells from the subventricular zone (SVZ) emerges as a promising strategy to promote brain repair. Here, we examined the effect of environment enrichment on SVZ cell mobilization in demyelinating pathologies. We showed that enriched housing conditions reduced functional impairment in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a rodent model of multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, both in a focal demyelination model (lysolecithine injection) and in the inflammatory EAE model, SVZ mitotic activity and the number of SVZ‐derived cells in demyelinated areas were significantly increased by environment enrichment. Enriched housing conditions also promoted the oligodendrocyte fate of SVZ‐recruited cells in the EAE lesions. Altogether our results show that environment enrichment provides beneficial conditions to promote the mobilization of neural progenitors into demyelinating lesions and to favour functional recovery.
GAT‐1 acts to limit a tonic GABAA current in rat CA3 pyramidal neurons at birth
Authors: Sipilä Sampsa T. , Voipio Juha , Kaila Kai 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTonic activation of GABAA receptors takes place before the development of functional synapses in cortical structures. We studied whether inefficient GABA uptake might explain the presence of a tonic GABAA‐mediated current (IGABA‐A) in early postnatal hippocampal pyramidal neurons. The data show, however, that the tonic IGABA‐A is enhanced by the specific blocker of GABA transporter‐1 (GAT‐1), NO‐711 (1‐[2‐[[(Diphenylmethyleneimino]oxy]ethyl]‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydro‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride), at birth in rat CA3 pyramidal neurons. NO‐711 also prolonged the duration of GABA transients during endogenous hippocampal network events (known as giant depolarizing potentials) at postnatal day 0. The endogenous tonic IGABA‐A was seen and it was enhanced by NO‐711 in the presence of tetrodotoxin, which itself had only a minor effect on the holding current under control conditions. This indicates that the source of interstitial GABA is largely independent of action‐potential activity. The tonic IGABA‐A in neonatal CA3 pyramidal neurons was increased by zolpidem, indicating that at least a proportion of the underlying GABAA receptors contain γ2 and α1–α3 subunits. The present data point to a significant role for GAT‐1 in the control of the excitability of immature hippocampal neurons and networks.