bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early generation selection for high yielding cowpea genotypes in additive series intercropping systems with sorghum
Authors: Padi F.K. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDefining appropriate selection strategies for developing cowpea varieties adapted to additive series intercropping systems is an important requirement for cowpea breeders and producers in sub‐Saharan Africa. One hundred and forty‐three F2:3 cowpea families and their subsequent 99 F3:4 families derived from a cross between a sole bred cultivar, Apagbaala, and a traditional variety, SARC‐L02, were evaluated under additive series intercropping with sorghum. Intercropping imposed a strong selection pressure for days to flowering such that 31% of F2:3 families that flowered after 50 days produced too few grains to permit their subsequent evaluation in the F3:4 generation. Narrow‐sense heritabilities estimated by parent–offspring regression were high for 100 seed weight and days to flowering, moderate for biomass, low for grain yield and insignificant for branches/plant and pods/plant. Retrospective selection at 40% intensity based on F3 grain yield recovered 5 of the 10 top yielding families in the F4. No significant difference was observed between mean grain yield of selected and rejected families (at the 40% selection intensity) as estimated by a t‐test. Sole and intercrop yields produced by six advanced breeding lines included as controls showed poor correlation, and suggests selecting cultivars under the target cropping system will produce better selection response.
Testing Alternative Ground Water Models Using Cross‐Validation and Other Methods
Authors: Foglia L. , Mehl S.W. , Hill M.C. , Perona P. , Burlando P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMany methods can be used to test alternative ground water models. Of concern in this work are methods able to (1) rank alternative models (also called model discrimination) and (2) identify observations important to parameter estimates and predictions (equivalent to the purpose served by some types of sensitivity analysis). Some of the measures investigated are computationally efficient; others are computationally demanding. The latter are generally needed to account for model nonlinearity. The efficient model discrimination methods investigated include the information criteria: the corrected Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and generalized cross‐validation. The efficient sensitivity analysis measures used are dimensionless scaled sensitivity (DSS), composite scaled sensitivity, and parameter correlation coefficient (PCC); the other statistics are DFBETAS, Cook’s D, and observation‐prediction statistic. Acronyms are explained in the introduction. Cross‐validation (CV) is a computationally intensive nonlinear method that is used for both model discrimination and sensitivity analysis. The methods are tested using up to five alternative parsimoniously constructed models of the ground water system of the Maggia Valley in southern Switzerland. The alternative models differ in their representation of hydraulic conductivity. A new method for graphically representing CV and sensitivity analysis results for complex models is presented and used to evaluate the utility of the efficient statistics. The results indicate that for model selection, the information criteria produce similar results at much smaller computational cost than CV. For identifying important observations, the only obviously inferior linear measure is DSS; the poor performance was expected because DSS does not include the effects of parameter correlation and PCC reveals large parameter correlations.
Direct measurements of reaeration rates using noble gas tracers in the River Lagan, Northern Ireland
Authors: Reid Sally E. , Mackinnon Pauline A. , Elliot Trevor 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDissolved oxygen (DO) in river systems is often depleted by polluting substances, sometimes rendering the water unfit for habitats and human use. The natural mass transfer of oxygen from the atmosphere can help to alleviate this. The reaeration coefficient, K2, which describes the rate of oxygen absorption, is an important parameter in water‐quality modelling. Owing to difficulties in the direct measurement of K2, values for use in water quality models are typically derived using predictive equations, but these are notoriously inaccurate. This paper presents a field method for the direct measurement of K2 by two alternative analysis methods and includes the results of eight tests conducted on a reach of the River Lagan, in Northern Ireland. The method is based on a long‐established protocol but replaces a now‐unacceptable radioactive tracer (85Kr) with stable noble gases. K2(20) values between 3 and 80/day are reported for the test reach.
The effect of antiepileptic drugs on vitamin B12 metabolism
Authors: ASLAN K. , BOZDEMIR H. , UNSAL C. , GÜVENC B. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe effects of antiepileptic drugs (AED) on the serum concentration of vitamin B12, folic acid and homocysteine (HMC), and erythrocyte folic acid levels were determined in 45 epileptic patients (30 women, 15 men; mean age 31.7 years) and 23 healthy volunteers (control group; 18 women, five men; mean age 33.4 years). All patients were either on carbamazepine (CMZ), oxcarbazepine (OXZ), or valporate (VP) monotherapy. Serum vitamin B12 levels were low in 17.8% of patients and 8.7% of the controls (P = 0.299). Serum homocysteine levels were high in 17.8% of the patients (P = 0.008). Fifty percent of the patients who had hyperhomocysteinemia, and 75% of the patients who had low serum vitamin B12 level were on CMZ monotherapy. Peripheral blood smears showed hypersegmented neutrophils and macrocytosis in 13.3%, hypochromia and microcytosis in 26.7%, acanthocytes in 2.2%, and thrombocytosis in 2.2% of all patients. The control group had normal peripheral blood smears, except in four cases that showed hypocromia and microcytosis. Long‐term administration of AED may cause elevation of homocysteine and development of subnormal serum vitamin B12 levels. Peripheral blood smear abnormalities were frequently seen in patients receiving antiepileptic treatment (P = 0.022), particularly in patients on CMZ monotherapy (P = 0.281). However, homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid levels and peripheral blood smear findings did not correlate with the drugs used (P = 0.665, 0.336, 0.249 for CMZ, OXZ, VP, respectively).
Effect of hydroxyurea on extramedullary haematopoiesis in thalassaemia intermedia: case reports and literature review
Authors: MEO A. , CASSINERIO E. , CASTELLI R. , BIGNAMINI D. , PEREGO L. , CAPPELLINI M. D. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryExtramedullary haematopoiesis (EH) is the production of blood cell precursors outside the bone marrow that occurs in various disorders, such as thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, hereditary spherocytosis, polycythaemia vera, myelofibrosis and other haematological diseases. In chronic anaemia, it is a physiological response to increased erythropoietin. In some other conditions, such as myeloid metaplasia, polycythaemia vera or chronic myeloid leukaemia, EH is due to a clonal disorder of haematopoiesis that enables progenitor cells to escape from the marrow and lodge in other organs. EH usually involves the liver, spleen and lymph nodes or it can be paravertebral, intrathoracic, pelvic. It is often asymptomatic but can sometimes lead to symptomatic tumour‐like masses. Treatment options are still controversial and limited, including hypertransfusion regimen, surgical treatment, radiotherapy and hydroxyurea (HU). We describe intrathoracic and symptomatic pelvic EH masses in a 48‐year‐old woman and intrathoracic bilateral masses causing respiratory insufficiency with pleural effusion in a 42‐year‐old male, both affected by thalassaemia intermedia. Both patients showed a clinical improvement with hydroxyurea therapy and occasional blood transfusions.
Early decline of hemoglobin can predict progression of hemolytic anemia during pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Hiramatsu Naoki , Kurashige Nao , Oze Tsugiko , Takehara Tetsuo , Tamura Shinji , Kasahara Akinori , Oshita Masahide , Katayama Kazuhiro , Yoshihara Harumasa , Imai Yasuharu , Kato Michio , Kawata Sumio , Tsubouchi Hirohito , Kumada Hiromitsu , Okanoue Takeshi , Kakumu Shinichi , Hayashi Norio 
Published: August 2007

Aim:  Ribavirin, used to treat chronic hepatitis C, can induce hemolytic anemia, forcing the discontinuance of treatment. To establish a predictive measure to help circumvent this, we evaluated the relationship of hemoglobin (Hb) decline with the discontinuance of treatment during the progression of ribavirin‐induced anemia.Methods:  One hundred and sixteen patients (71% male) with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C were treated with pegylated interferon (PegIFN) α‐2b and ribavirin. The mean age was 50.6 years and 55% were IFN naïve. A decline of Hb concentration by 2 g/dL at two weeks from the start of the treatment (“2 by 2” standard) was adopted as the predictive factor for the progression of anemia.Results:  By applying the “2 by 2” standard, with ΔHb ≥ 2 g/dL (34%, n = 39), treatment was discontinued in 12 cases (31%), three of which (8%) because of severe anemia. ForΔHb < 2 g/dL (64%, n = 76), treatment was discontinued in 11 (14%) cases; none due to severe anemia. Ten percent (4/39) of patients showed the minimum Hb ≤ 8.5 g/dL in the ΔHb ≥ 2 g/dL group, with none in the ΔHb < 2 g/dL group (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the patients with minimum Hb ≤ 8.5 g/dL were found only in the “2 by 2” standard‐positive and low CL/F (<15) group (4/29, 14%).Conclusion:  Monitoring the Hb decline using the “2 by 2” standard can identify patients who are prone to developing severe anemia. Further prospective studies are needed using ribavirin reduction based on the “2 by 2” standard.
Hepatocyte growth factor promotes remodeling of murine liver fibrosis, accelerating recruitment of bone marrow‐derived cells into the liver
Authors: Asano Yasukane , Iimuro Yuji , Son Gakuhei , Hirano Tadamichi , Fujimoto Jiro 
Published: August 2007

Aim:  Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) ameliorates liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in animal models, while the participation of bone marrow‐derived cells (BMC) in the repair process of injured organs has recently been reported. In this study we investigated the roles of HGF and BMC in a remodeling process of liver fibrosis.Methods:  C57BL/6 J mice were treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 10 weeks. At week six, the mice underwent whole body irradiation and transplantation with bone marrow cells from syngenic LacZ‐transgenic mice. After the transplantation, gene transfer of HGF into skeletal muscles was performed once a week for four weeks. In the control group, sterile saline was injected.Results:  HGF gene transfer ameliorated the CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis, accelerating recruitment of LacZ‐expressing cells into the liver. This phenomenon was accompanied byincreased gelatinase activity in the liver. A large number of the LacZ‐positive cells expressed markers of vascular endothelial cells, while some of them had a marker of macrophages. Expression of stromal cell‐derived factor (SDF)‐1 in the liver was upregulated around the central veins, especially in the HGF gene‐transferred animals, recruiting chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor (CXCR) 4‐positive cells in this area.Conclusion:  Transplanted BMC participate in the HGF‐induced remodeling process of liver fibrosis. The roles of HGF in this process include the recruitment of BMC, possibly through increased expression of SDF‐1 in part, as well as anti‐apoptotic, mitogenic and antifibrotic activities on liver cells.
Candidate genes responsible for human hepatocellular carcinoma identified from differentially expressed genes in hepatocarcinogenesis of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinesis)
Authors: Li Yuan , Wan Dafang , Wei Wei , Su Jianjia , Cao Ji , Qiu Xiaokun , Ou Chao , Ban Kecheng , Yang Chun , Yue Huifen 
Published: August 2007

Aim:  To explore gene expression profiles during hepatocarcinogenesis of the tree shrew, and to find the genes responsible for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:  Tree shrews were used as an animal model for HCC induction employing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) alone or AFB1 plus hepatitis B virus (HBV) as etiological factors. Gene expression profiles from the tissues of HCC, HCC‐surrounding liver tissues (para‐HCC) and the corresponding biopsies taken from the same animals before HCC had developed (pre‐HCC) were analyzed by cDNA microarray assay to identify differentially expressed genes. Two genes, CuZn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and glutathione S‐transferase A1 (GSTA1), were further investigated by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were done on tree shrew and human HCC samples.Results:  Results from the cDNA microarray analysis indicated that the gene expression profiles of HCC between AFB1and AFB1 + HBV treatment groups were markedly different. A total of 11 genes, including SOD1 and GSTA1, were found changing in expression levels in all detected samples from both groups. Results from RT–PCR and IHC assays indicated that mRNA and protein levels of SOD1 and GSTA1 were markedly downregulated in both tree shrew and human HCC, and downregulation of SOD1 and GSTA1 proteins in human HCC samples was closely correlated with the histopathological grading (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  The differentially expressed genes found in all HCC cases induced by different etiological factors among different species should be considered as good candidate genes responsible for HCC. Downregulation of SOD1 and GSTA1 might play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.
Optimization of Aircraft Fuselage Assembly Process Using Digital
Manufacturing
Authors: Butterfield J. , Crosby S. , Curran R. , Price M. , Armstrong C. G. , Raghunathan S. , McAleenan D. , Gibson C. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The work demonstrates the benefits of using digital methods for the development and optimization of large assembly manufacturing networks. Although an aircraft assembly has been used for this work, the methods and advantages of digital manufacturing techniques, which are demonstrated here, are equally applicable to any large assembly process, such as those used in the automotive, railway, and shipbuilding industries. The introduction of manufacturability into the design arena using advanced computer aided methods means that manufacturing engineers can operate more directly in assembly planning and concurrent engineering design. Network analyses carried out on the final assembly operations for a regional jet fuselage section using a methodical, step by step approach, shows that the process efficiency for workers carrying out fitting operations can be more than doubled when compared to existing shop floor performance figures. The more efficient use of operator time results in a simulated 19% improvement in financial efficiency, as the actual working hours required for assembly are reduced to below budgeted levels. The simulation predicts that these results can be achieved with one final assembly station. With two stations currently in use for the fuselage section, this means that a significant financial saving is possible in tooling expenditure.
Comparison of β-Lactam and Macrolide Combination Therapy versus Fluoroquinolone Monotherapy in Hospitalized Veterans Affairs Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Lodise Thomas P. , Kwa Andrea , Cosler Leon , Gupta Reetu , Smith Raymond P. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTData comparing the treatment outcomes of the two most frequently recommended empirical antibiotic regimens for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)—combination therapy with an extended-spectrum β-lactam and a macrolide (BL+M) or fluoroquinolone (F) monotherapy—for patients with severe CAP are sparse. The purpose of this study was to compare empirical BL+M combination therapy with F monotherapy for Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with severe CAP. This retrospective study included patients with CAP who received empirical therapy with BL+M or F between October 1999 and May 2003 in the Upstate New York VA Network. Outcome measures were 14-day mortality, 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Severe CAP was defined as a class V pneumonia severity index (PSI). During the study period, 261 patients received BL+M and 254 received F. Disease severity was similar for the two treatment groups at admission, and the presence of tachycardia was the only difference noted. For PSI class V patients, there were lower 14-day and 30-day mortality rates with BL+M than with F (14-day rates, 8.2% versus 26.8% [P= 0.02]; 30-day rates, 18.4% versus 36.6% [P= 0.05]). No differences in mortality between treatment groups were noted for the lower PSI classes. The overall median LOS was significantly longer for the BL+M combination group than for the F monotherapy group (6.0 days versus 5.0 days, respectively [P= 0.01]), but no difference in LOS was noted among PSI class V patients. Our study showed that improved outcomes may be realized with BL+M in cases of severe CAP. A randomized clinical study is warranted based on these results.
Quinuclidine Derivatives as Potential Antiparasitics
Authors: Cammerer Simon B. , Jimenez Carmen , Jones Simon , Gros Ludovic , Lorente Silvia Orenes , Rodrigues Carlos , Rodrigues Juliany C. F. , Caldera Aura , Ruiz Perez Luis Miguel , da Souza Wanderley , Kaiser Marcel , Brun Reto , Urbina Julio A. , Gonzalez Pacanowska Dolores , Gilbert Ian H. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTThere is an urgent need for the development of new drugs for the treatment of tropical parasitic diseases such as Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis. One potential drug target in the organisms that cause these diseases is sterol biosynthesis. This paper describes the design and synthesis of quinuclidine derivatives as potential inhibitors of a key enzyme in sterol biosynthesis, squalene synthase (SQS). A number of compounds that were inhibitors of the recombinantLeishmania majorSQS at submicromolar concentrations were discovered. Some of these compounds were also selective for the parasite enzyme rather than the homologous human enzyme. The compounds inhibited the growth of and sterol biosynthesis inLeishmaniaparasites. In addition, we identified other quinuclidine derivatives that inhibit the growth ofTrypanosoma brucei(the causative organism of human African trypanosomiasis) andPlasmodium falciparum(a causative agent of malaria), but through an unknown mode(s) of action.
Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus
Authors: Yang Cheng-Wei , Yang Yung-Ning , Liang Po-Huang , Chen Chi-Min , Chen Wei-Liang , Chang Hwan-You , Chao Yu-Sheng , Lee Shiow-Ju 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

We used swine testicle (ST) cells infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and an indirect immunofluorescent assay with antibodies against TGEV spike and nucleocapsid proteins to screen small-molecule compounds that inhibit TGEV replication. Analogues of initial hits were collected and subjected to a 3CL protease (3CL
pro
) inhibition assay with recombinant 3CL
pro
and a fluorogenic peptide substrate. A series of benzothiazolium compounds were found to have inhibitory activity against TGEV 3CL
pro
and to exert anti-TGEV activities in terms of viral protein and RNA replication in TGEV-infected ST cells, with consequent protection of TGEV-infected ST cells from cytopathic effect by blocking the activation of caspase-3.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Novel Fluoroquinolones Alone and in Combination with Clarithromycin against Clinically Isolated
Mycobacterium avium
Complex Strains in Japan
Authors: Kohno Yoshihisa , Ohno Hideaki , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Higashiyama Yasuhito , Yanagihara Katsunori , Hirakata Yoichi , Fukushima Kiyoyasu , Kohno Shigeru 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

The recommended treatments for
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC) infectious disease are combination regimens of clarithromycin (CLR) or azithromycin with ethambutol and rifamycin. However, these chemotherapy regimens are sometimes unsuccessful. Recently developed antimicrobial agents, such as newer fluoroquinolones (FQs) containing C-8 methoxy quinolone (moxifloxacin [MXF] and gatifloxacin [GAT]), are expected to be novel antimycobacterial agents. Here, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial activities of three FQs (MXF, GAT, and levofloxacin) and CLR against clinically isolated MAC strains. Subsequently, the in vitro and in vivo synergic activities of FQ-CLR combinations against MAC strains were investigated. CLR and the individual FQs alone showed promising activity against MAC strains in vitro, and the bacterial counts in organs (lungs, liver, and spleen) of MAC-infected mice treated with single agents were significantly reduced compared to control mice. CLR showed the best anti-MAC effect in vivo. When the three FQs were individually combined with CLR in vitro, mild antagonism was observed for 53 to 57% of the tested isolates. Moreover, mice were infected with MAC strains showing mild antagonism for FQ-CLR combinations in vitro, and the anti-MAC effects of the FQ-CLR combinations were evaluated by counting the viable bacteria in their organs and by histopathological examination after 28 days of treatment. Several FQ-CLR combinations exhibited bacterial counts in organs significantly higher than those in mice treated with CLR alone. Our results indicate that the activity of CLR is occasionally attenuated by combination with an FQ both in vitro and in vivo and that this effect seems to be MAC strain dependent. Careful combination chemotherapy using these agents against MAC infectious disease may be required.
Polymyxin B Induces Lysis of Marine Pseudoalteromonads
Authors: Krupovič Mart , Daugelavičius Rimantas , Bamford Dennis H. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

Polymyxin B (PMB) is a cationic antibiotic that interacts with the envelopes of gram-negative bacterial cells. The therapeutic use of PMB was abandoned for a long time due to its undesirable side effects; however, the spread of resistance to currently used antibiotics has forced the reevaluation of PMB for clinical use. Previous studies have used enteric bacteria to examine the mode of PMB action, resulting in a somewhat limited understanding of this process. This study examined the effects of PMB on marine pseudoalteromonads and demonstrates that the frequently accepted view that “what is true for
Escherichia coli
is true for all bacteria” does not hold true. We show here that in contrast to the growth inhibition observed for enteric bacteria, PMB induces lysis of pseudoalteromonads, which is not prevented by high concentrations of divalent cations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a high membrane voltage is required for the interaction of PMB with the cytoplasmic membranes of pseudoalteromonads, further elucidating the mechanisms by which PMB interacts with the cell envelopes of those gram-negative bacteria.