bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary functional magnetic resonance imaging study of prefrontal‐amygdalar activation changes in adolescents with bipolar depression treated with lamotrigine
Authors: Chang Kiki D , Wagner Christopher , Garrett Amy , Howe Meghan , Reiss Allan 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  Hypotheses regarding mood dysregulation in bipolar disorder (BD) have centered on limbic overactivity with relative prefrontal underactivity during mood episodes. Therefore, we hypothesized that adolescents with bipolar depression successfully treated with lamotrigine would show decreases in amygdalar activation, and increases in prefrontal activation.Methods:  Eight adolescents with BD underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at baseline and after eight weeks of lamotrigine treatment. Blocks of negatively and neutrally valenced emotional pictures were presented during scanning, and subjects were asked to rate how each picture made them feel. Activation in bilateral amygdalae and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) for negative minus neutral pictures was correlated with Children’s Depression Rating Scale (CDRS) scores.Results:  Mean (SD) CDRS scores decreased significantly, from 53.0 (10.6) at baseline to 26.3 (5.3) at Week 8. This clinical improvement was correlated with decreased right amygdalar activation (r = 0.91, p = 0.002). At Week 8, but not baseline, CDRS score was positively correlated with bilateral amygdalar activation (r = 0.85, p = 0.007). DLPFC activation was not correlated with change in CDRS score.Conclusions:  These preliminary results indicate that adolescents with BD treated with lamotrigine demonstrated less amygdalar activation when viewing negative stimuli as depressive symptoms improved. Larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Genetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits and their relationships to liveweight and wool production in hogget Merino rams
Authors: Greeff J.C. , Safari E. , Fogarty N.M. , Hopkins D.L. , Brien F.D. , Atkins K.D. , Mortimer S.I. , Van Der Werf J.H.J. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryGenetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits of about 18‐month‐old Merino rams (n = 5870), the progeny of 543 sires from three research resource flocks, were estimated. The estimates of heritability for hot carcass weight (HCW) and the various fat and muscle dimension measurements were moderate and ranged from 0.20 to 0.37. The brightness of meat (colour L*, 0.18 ± 0.03 standard error) and meat pH (0.22 ± 0.03) also had moderate estimates of heritability, although meat relative redness (colour a*, 0.10 ± 0.03) and relative yellowness (colour b*, 0.10 ± 0.03) were lower. Heritability estimates for live weights were moderate and ranged from 0.29 to 0.41 with significant permanent maternal environmental effects (0.13 to 0.10). The heritability estimates for the hogget wool traits were moderate to high and ranged from 0.27 to 0.60. The ultrasound measurements of fat depth (FATUS) and eye muscle depth (EMDUS) on live animals were highly genetically correlated with the corresponding carcass measurements (0.69 ± 0.09 FATC and 0.77 ± 0.07 EMD). Carcass tissue depth (FATGR) had moderate to low genetic correlations with carcass muscle measurements [0.18 ± 0.10 EMD and 0.05 ± 0.10 eye muscle area (EMA)], while those with FATC were negative. The genetic correlation between EMD and eye muscle width (EMW) was 0.41 ± 0.08, while EMA was highly correlated with EMD (0.89 ± 0.0) and EMW (0.78 ± 0.04). The genetic correlations for muscle colour with muscle measurements were moderately negative, while those with fat measurements were close to zero. Meat pH was positively correlated with muscle measurements (0.14 to 0.17) and negatively correlated with fat measurements (−0.06 to −0.18). EMDUS also showed a similar pattern of correlations to EMD with meat quality indicator traits, although FATUS had positive correlations with these traits which were generally smaller than their standard error. The genetic correlations among the meat colour traits were high and positive while those with meat pH were high and negative, which were all in the favourable direction. Generally, phenotypic correlations were similar or slightly lower than the corresponding genetic correlations. There were generally small to moderate negative genetic correlations between clean fleece weight (CFW) and carcass fat traits while those with muscle traits were close to zero. As the Merino is already a relatively lean breed, this implies that particular attention should be given to this relationship in Merino breeding programmes to prevent the reduction of fat reserves as a correlated response to selection for increased fleece weight. The ultrasound scan traits generally showed a similar pattern to the corresponding carcass fat and muscle traits. There was a small unfavourable genetic correlation between CFW and meat pH (0.19 ± 0.07).
Molecular Genotyping of Macrophomina phaseolina Isolates: Comparison of Microsatellite Primed PCR and Repetitive Element Sequence‐based PCR
Authors: Purkayastha S. , Kaur B. , Arora P. , Bisyer I. , Dilbaghi N. , Chaudhury A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSeventy isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina recovered from different host plants were assessed for DNA polymorphism using two molecular techniques: microsatellite primed polymerase chain reaction (MSP‐PCR) under both touchdown (T) and non‐touchdown (NT) PCR conditions and primers corresponding to disperse repetitive sequence‐based polymerase chain reaction (rep‐PCR). Fingerprints obtained by rep‐PCR were compared with those of MSP‐PCR. Even though these methods yielded intraspecific polymorphisms, yet different levels of discrimination could be obtained. A partial correlation was apparent between the molecular techniques used. Some of the genetic groups/genotypes were supported by both the molecular markers employed in the study, thus confirming their relationship. Thirty nine MSP (T), 55 MSP (NT) and 53 rep‐PCR genotypes were identified with discrimination indices of 0.962, 0.993 and 0.99, respectively. Our results have shown that rep‐PCR is a rapid, inexpensive technique that is highly reproducible and almost as discriminatory as MSP‐PCR for genotyping M. phaseolina isolates and is highly suitable for understanding disease epidemiology at molecular level. Suggesting, thereby, that it is a robust technique employed for genotypical and phylogenetic studies for determining taxonomical diversity and phylogenetic structure of the economically important fungal pathogen of cluster bean. The data presented here will help researchers to design effective strategies for deployment of resistant germplasm in cluster bean (Cymopsis tetragonoloba) growing regions in the country and worldwide.
Assessing the Movement of Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus in Susceptible and Tolerant Cucumber Germplasms Using Serological and Nucleic Acid‐based Methods
Authors: Abou‐Jawdah Y. , Eid S. G. , Atamian H. S. , Havey M. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) is an emerging virus causing significant yield losses in cucurbits. Simple but reliable detection and quantification methods are important tools for disease management. In susceptible germplasm, CYSDV was detected 5 days postinoculation (dpi) by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or by tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA), and 8–9 dpi by dot blot immunoassay (DBIA) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For CYSDV quantification, real‐time RT‐PCR was the most sensitive method and gave the best linear range of detection, over four orders of magnitude as compared to approximately two orders of magnitude for DBIA and nucleic acid hybridization. DBIA was more sensitive than ELISA and equally sensitive to nucleic acid hybridization with a non‐radioactively labelled cDNA probe. Time course studies at 3, 5, 8 and 14 dpi using TBIA revealed that tolerance to CYSDV in three tolerant cucumber germplasms was not correlated with restricted or delayed virus movement.
Detection and Molecular Characterization of Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) in Jordan
Authors: Al‐Musa A. , Anfoka G. , Misbeh S. , Abhary M. , Ahmad F. H. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) was detected for the first time in Jordan using degenerated oligonucleotide primers. Two isolates of the virus, SLCV‐E and SLCV‐R, were detected using specific oligonucleotide primers in symptomatic Cucurbita pepo. SLCV was also found to occur naturally in Malva parviflora, which showed severe leaf curling, yellowing and stunting of the whole plants. The full‐length genomes of Squash leaf curl virus‐Malva (SLCV‐Malva) isolate were amplified using the bacteriophage Φ DNA polymerase enzyme. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that SLCV‐Malva shared high nucleotide identity (98% and 97%) with SLCV‐EG and SLCV‐E from Egypt and USA, respectively. A survey using dot‐blot hybridization indicated that squash leaf curl disease occurred in all surveyed areas. The highest disease incidence (95%) was recorded in Dir Alla area, whereas disease incidence did not exceed 69% in squash samples collected from North Ghor.
The Potential Use of a Silicon Source as a Component of an Ecological Management of Coffee Plants
Authors: Martinati J. C. , Harakava R. , Guzzo S. D. , Tsai S. M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCoffee is one of the most important agricultural export commodities in the world and it represents the main export from some developing countries. Therefore, the development of new methods of coffee management that improves production without causing any damage to the environment is an attractive alternative for producers. Much effort has been invested towards understanding the mode of action of compounds that can induce resistance against several pathogens without injuring the environment. Many researches have considered silicon efficient in avoiding plant pathogen penetration and development. Our aim was to verify the effect of potassium silicate and calcium/magnesium silicate in the development of coffee seedlings (Coffea arabica cv. Mundo Novo) as well as to evaluate the incidence of coffee leaf rust development under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was a completely randomized design with 12 treatments with 10 plants per treatment. The treatments were 0, 0.25, 1.25, 2.5, 4 and 5 μm of Si for each source of silicon incorporated into the soil. The seedlings were inoculated with a urediniospores suspension of Hemileia vastatrix (2 mg/ml) at the seventh month after planting (six pair of leaves). Evaluations were performed by counting the number of lesions per leaf. The statistical analysis showed that the number of lesions reduced by up to 66% at the highest silicon dose when compared to the number of lesions in control plants. Infected plants were found to have a linear decrease of lesions with the increase of silicate concentration. The lowest number of lesions per leaf area was observed in plants that received 5 μm of Si from potassium silicate. This result indicates the use of silicon as an alternative for an ecological management system for coffee disease protection.
New predictive equations for spirometric reference values and comparison with Morris equation in a Korean population
Authors: LEE Chang‐Hoon , LEE Ju‐Young , JANG Eun‐Jung , PARK Keun‐Yong , HAN Hyun‐Woo 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  The clinical importance of the differences between actual and predicted spirometric indices in non‐Western populations is poorly defined. This study evaluated the differences between the spirometric values derived from Morris equation, traditionally used in South Korea, and the actual values, in the classification and detection of patients with respiratory diseases, and developed new predictive equations for the calculation of reference spirometric values for healthy Koreans.Methods:  Data derived from a subset of the population who completed the initial baseline survey of the Korean Health and Genome Study were used to develop new predictive equations for spirometric reference values, using multiple linear regression. The effects of the new equations relative to those of Morris on the detection and classification of patients with respiratory diseases were then evaluated.Results:  In total, 9999 people completed the baseline survey; a subgroup of 1314 met the study inclusion criteria and were used to develop the new predictive equations. Morris equation are 53.8% less accurate in detecting people with restrictive disorders and 15.8% less accurate in estimating the severity of COPD than the newly derived equations, although the differences between values derived from the traditional equations and values from the new equations were as small as 3.3–7.6%.Conclusions:  The use of spirometric reference values that underestimate the actual parameters, despite the small differences, may have a significant influence on the detection of patients with restrictive disorders and the staging of COPD.
Clinically occult subpleural fibrosis and acute interstitial pneumonia a precursor to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
Authors: ARAYA Jun , KAWABATA Yoshinori , JINHO Park , UCHIYAMA Takashi , OGATA Hideo , SUGITA Yutaka 
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  The clinical features and acute component of the pathological findings in patients with acute exacerbation of IPF are similar to those of acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). A growing body of research suggests that acute exacerbation of subclinical IPF is similar to AIP. This study tested the hypothesis that subpleural fibrosis (resembling localized usual interstitial pneumonia) in patients with diffuse alveolar damage can mimic patients with AIP alone.Methods:  The clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics of patients with AIP with or without subpleural fibrosis, as identified at post‐mortem examination, were assessed.Results:  Fourteen patients with AIP met the inclusion criteria. These comprised nine men and five women ranging in age from 65 to 90 years. The mean duration from onset of symptoms to admission was 12.3 days, and from admission to death was 50.5 days. All patients presented with severe respiratory failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on CXR. CT scans revealed bilateral ground glass opacity (100.0%), air space consolidation (69.2%) and no honeycombing. In seven patients (50.0%) histological examination showed subpleural fibrosis. There were no differences in the clinicopathological or CT scan findings between patients with AIP only compared with those with AIP and subpleural fibrosis.Conclusions:  Subpleural fibrosis resembling localized usual interstitial pneumonia is often present in patients diagnosed as having AIP. These patients were not distinguishable from those with AIP only, based on the clinicopathological and radiological findings.
Sources for sedimentary bacteriohopanepolyols as revealed by 16S rDNA stratigraphy
Authors: Coolen Marco J. L. , Talbot Helen M. , Abbas Ben A. , Ward Christopher , Schouten Stefan , Volkman John K. , Damsté Jaap S. Sinninghe 
Published: April 2008

SummaryBacteriohopanoids are widespread lipid biomarkers in the sedimentary record. Many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are potential sources of these lipids which sometimes complicates the use of these biomarkers as proxies for ecological and environmental changes. Therefore, we applied preserved 16S ribosomal RNA genes to identify likely Holocene biological sources of bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) in the sulfidic sediments of the permanently stratified postglacial Ace Lake, Antarctica. A suite of intact BHPs were identified, which revealed a variety of structural forms whose composition differed through the sediment core reflecting changes in bacterial populations induced by large changes in lake salinity. Stable isotopic compositions of the hopanols formed from periodic acid‐cleaved BHPs, showed that some were substantially depleted in 13C, indicative of their methanotrophic origin. Using sensitive molecular tools, we found that Type I and II methanotrophic bacteria (respectively Methylomonas and Methylocystis) were unique to the oldest lacustrine sediments (> 9400 years BP), but quantification of fossil DNA revealed that the Type I methanotrophs, including methanotrophs related to methanotrophic gill symbionts of deep‐sea cold‐seep mussels, were the main precursors of the 35‐amino BHPs (i.e. aminopentol, ‐tetrol and ‐triols). After isolation of the lake ∼3000 years ago, one Type I methanotroph of the ‘methanotrophic gill symbionts cluster’ remained the most obvious source of aminotetrol and ‐triol. We, furthermore, identified a Synechococcus phylotype related to pelagic freshwater strains in the oldest lacustrine sediments as a putative source of 2‐methylbacteriohopanetetrol (2‐Me BHT). This combined application of advanced geochemical and paleogenomical tools further refined our knowledge about Holocene biogeochemical processes in Ace Lake.
Changes in the photosynthetic reaction centre II in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum result in non‐photochemical fluorescence quenching
Authors: Eisenstadt Doron , Ohad Itzhak , Keren Nir , Kaplan Aaron 
Published: April 2008

SummaryDiatoms are an important group of primary producers in the aquatic environment. They are able to acclimate to fast changes in the light intensity by various mechanisms including a rise in non‐photochemical fluorescence quenching (NPQ). The latter has been attributed to the xanthophyll cycle (XC) following activation of diadinoxanthin de‐epoxidase by the acidification of the thylakoid lumen. To examine whether fluorescence quenching in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum depends on the ΔpH generated by the photosynthetic electron transport, we arrested the latter by 3‐(3′,4′‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU). This treatment hardly affected the NPQ or XC, even when methylviologen was present. Dissipation of the ΔpH by 2,4‐dinitrophenol inhibited the XC but did not alter NPQ. Similar results, i.e. inhibition of the XC but normal fluorescence quenching, were observed when the experiments were performed at 3°C. Measurements of thermoluminescence showed that excess light treatment caused a marked decline in the signals obtained as a result of recombination of QB‐ with the S3 state of the Mn cluster; this was also observed in cells treated with DCMU (recombination of QA‐ with S2). Light treatment also diminished the QA‐ re‐oxidation signals. The data suggest that changes in PSII core centre itself due to exposure to excess light conditions play an important part in the acclimation of P. tricornutum to the changing light conditions.
Transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early rectal cancer: time for a trial?
Authors: Suppiah A. , Maslekar S. , Alabi A. , Hartley J. E. , Monson J. R. T. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective  The optimal aim of oncological surgery is to balance cancer outcomes with preservation of function and quality of life. Radical resection (RR) offers the best curative procedure in colorectal cancer but at significant morbidity. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) offers an alternative with less morbidity and better function. Its role remains unclear and needs to be established in the light of new emerging trends in rectal cancer. This review aims to evaluate the use of TEM and its limitations.Method  PubMed and MEDLINE search was performed.Results  Strongest level of evidence (Level II) favoured TEM over RR and laparoscopic resection in term of mortality and morbidity. There was no difference in recurrence at follow‐up of 41 and 56 months but neither study was adequately powered to detect a difference in recurrence/survival. Three retrospective case comparisons (Level III) also favoured TEM over RR but were subject to selection bias. Twenty eight published case series (Level IV) reported varying results due to different cancer stages, study population, full excision, adjuvant therapy and treatment indication. The oncological outcomes in TEM are similar to RR in highly selected cases but with far less mortality (near 0%), morbidity, blood loss, hospital stay and genitourinary/gastrointestinal dysfunction. TEM alone (+/− adjuvant therapy) appears sufficient for ‘favourable’ T1 tumours. ‘Unfavourable’ T1 or T2 tumours require adjuvant treatment. TEM should only be used for palliation in T3+ cancers. Seven functional studies reported significant transient dysfunction following TEM with full clinical recovery within a year. TEM is cost‐effective providing sufficient cases are performed.Conclusion  Significant heterogeneity limits conclusions from current literature. A trial is required. Alternate end‐points to local recurrence may be required in assessing the optimal surgical approach, which balances disease control with quality of life, and probability of noncancer related death.
What controls liana success in Neotropical forests?
Authors: Van Der Heijden Geertje M. F. , Phillips Oliver L. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTAim  We seek to determine the factors which control the success of lianas across macroecological gradients. Lianas have a strong impact on the growth, mortality and biomass of tropical trees, and are reported to be increasing in dominance, so understanding their behaviour is important from the perspectives of both ecological and global change.Location  Lowland and montane Neotropical forests.Methods  Using 65 standardized samples of lianas (≥ 2.5 cm diameter) from across the Neotropics, we attempted to account for characteristics of both the environment and the forest in explaining macroecological variation in liana success in Neotropical forests, using regression analyses and structural equation modelling.Results  We found that both liana density and basal area were unrelated to mean annual precipitation, dry season length or soil variables, except for a weak effect of mean annual precipitation on liana basal area. Structural characteristics of the forest explained more of the variation in liana density and basal area than the physical environment. More disturbed forests generally tended to have a higher liana density. Liana basal area, however, was highest in undisturbed forests.Main conclusions  The availability of host trees and their characteristics may be more important than the direct effects of the physical environment in controlling the success of lianas in Neotropical forests. Changes to the tropical climate in the coming century may not strongly affect lianas directly, but could have very substantial indirect effects via changes in tree community structure and dynamics.