bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bosentan in Eisenmenger syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kourouklis S. , Christopoulos A. , Liagkas K. , Paradellis G. , Kyriakides Z. S. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  Bosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, has been used for symptomatic improvement of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and specific types of secondary (e.g. scleroderma and human immunodeficiency virus infection) PAH, but its efficacy in patients with congenital heart disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is still under evaluation. In this study two patients are presented, one with common atrioventricular canal and pulmonary hypertension and the other with recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism; both improved significantly after bosentan administration.Materials and methods  The first patient was a 38‐year‐old female with trisomy 21, common atrioventricular canal and pulmonary hypertension (Eisenmenger syndrome). The second patient was a 57‐year‐old male, who was on anticoagulant therapy owing to an episode of pulmonary embolism that had been diagnosed 3 years earlier. Recurrent pulmonary thromboembolism was considered the most probable diagnosis. Chest spiral computed tomography examination excluded pulmonary endarterectomy as a therapeutic approach. At admission, the two patients were on New York Heart Association class IV, diagnosed by progressive rest dyspnea. Bosentan was administered to patients 1 and 2 for 6 and 9 months, respectively (62·5 mg b.i.d. for 4 weeks, then 125 mg b.i.d.).Results  Bosentan therapy resulted in significant clinical improvement in both patients. No hepatic dysfunction nor any other side‐effect was observed.Conclusions  Bosentan could be an effective therapy for pulmonary hypertension owing to congenital heart disease and chronic thromboembolic disease.
Bosentan therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Bonderman D. , Nowotny R. , Skoro‐Sajer N. , Adlbrecht C. , Lang I. M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractHereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a disorder of arteriovenous malformations and telangiectases. In rare cases affected individuals may develop typical pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Vasodilator therapy has not been recommended because of a potential increase in arteriovenous shunt volume.This report is on two patients with severe HHT‐associated PAH who were treated with bosentan, an oral endothelin ETA/ETB receptor antagonist. After 1 year, symptomatic and functional improvements were confirmed by haemodynamic evaluation demonstrating a significant decrease of mean pulmonary artery pressures and an increase in cardiac index, without evidence for an increase in effective shunt volume.
Clinical outcomes of bosentan in pulmonary arterial hypertension do not correlate with levels of TIMPs
Authors: Giannelli G. , Iannone F. , Marinosci F. , Lapadula G. , Antonaci S. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP), are involved in tissue inflammation and fibrotic processes. Treatment with bosentan has been shown to improve the clinical outcome of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with and without association with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and also to modulate the serum levels of matrix metalloproteases‐9. We measured TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 in the serum of patients with SSc with and without PAH treated with long‐term bosentan compared with healthy donors (HD).Materials and methods Serum samples from HD (n = 16) and patients with SSc (n = 35), including patients with SSc without PAH (n = 23) and patients with PAH (n = 12), were analyzed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for total TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2.Results Both mean TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 levels were significantly increased in patients with SSc compared with HD, but no differences were observed between patients with SSc with and without PAH. In the eight bosentan‐treated patients, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 levels did not change during 1 year of treatment, while bosentan increased the 6‐min walking distance by 136 meters after 1 year, as well as clinical outcomes.Conclusions Increased levels of TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 in patients with SSc compared with HD suggest that the inhibition of proteolysis allows the accumulation of ECM proteins. As bosentan does not stimulate TIMPs, it appears to favour proteolytic imbalance and to increase the turnover of ECM proteins.
Dual ETA/ETBvs. selective ETAendothelin receptor antagonism in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Opitz C. F. , Ewert R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSince the identification of endothelin as a key mediator in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the pharmacologic control of the activated endothelin system with endothelin receptor antagonists (ETRA) has been a major therapeutic achievement for the treatment of patients with PAH. To date, dual ETA/ETBand selective ETAreceptor antagonists have clinically been evaluated. To answer the question of whether selective or dual ETRA is preferable in patients with PAH, experimental and clinical data with relevance to the pulmonary circulation are reviewed in this article.Whereas experimental and clinical data provide unambiguous evidence that ETAreceptors mediate the detrimental effects of ET‐1, such as vasoconstriction and cell proliferation, the elucidation of the role of ETBreceptors has been more complex. It has been shown that there is a subpopulation of ETBreceptors on smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts mediating vasoconstriction and proliferation. On the contrary, there is clear evidence that endothelial ETBreceptors continue to mediate vasodilation, vasoprotection and ET‐1 clearance despite the pathology associated with pulmonary hypertension. More difficult to assess is the net effect of these mechanisms in patients to be treated with ETRA. When considering the available data from controlled clinical trials, nonselectivity does not appear to carry a relevant clinical benefit for the treatment of patients with PAH when compared with selective ETAreceptor antagonism.
Successful treatment of portopulmonary hypertension with bosentan: case report
Authors: Stähler G. , Von Hunnius P. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is found in 2–20% of cirrhosis patients who have portal hypertension (portopulmonary hypertension, PPHT). Endothelin (ET), a potent vasoconstrictor, is likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. We describe the long‐term successful use of the dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonist bosentan in a 43‐year‐old male with alcohol‐related cirrhosis (Child‐Pugh A), right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction, respectively, and moderate PAH. Elevated pulmonary arterial pressure was substantially reduced and exercise capacity increased. Improvement was maintained over 2 years, and bosentan treatment continues in this patient. Our report is in line with a series of current reports in PPHT that support the use of bosentan in this subset of PAH patients.
Bosentan for severe pulmonary arterial hypertension related to systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Ahmadi‐Simab K. , Hellmich B. , Gross W. L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  The oral dual endothelin (ET) antagonist bosentan has been established as a cornerstone in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). ET is believed to be a key pathogenic mediator in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc), causing fibrotic, hypertrophic and inflammatory processes. PAH is one of the resulting deleterious effects in approximately 15% of SSc patients.Material and methods  This was an open‐label prospective observational study of 8 patients aged 34−73 years with symptomatic, severe PAH related to SSc (WHO class III or IV) and mostly, lung fibrosis. PAH diagnosis was ascertained with echocardiography or right heart catheterization. Patients were treated on top of diuretics and anticoagulants with bosentan 62·5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 125 mg twice daily.Results  The mean 6‐minute walk distance (data available in 7 patients) increased from 71·9 (± 54·7) m at baseline to 191·9 (± 104·6) m after 3 months (P = 0·012) and to 202·6 (± 108·1) m after 6 months (P = 0·011), respectively. Six of 8 patients improved in the 6‐minute walk test, and these 6 patients also improved in World Health Organization functional class. Two patients did not sufficiently respond to bosentan therapy; one of them died. The tolerability of bosentan was good, and there were no discontinuations. Elevations of hepatic aminotransferases above 3 times the upper limit of normal were not recorded.Conclusion  Bosentan treatment was well tolerated in this cohort of SSc patients with interstitial lung disease and was effective for treatment of severe PAH in the majority of patients.
THE MOISTURE REGIMES OF SIX SOIL SERIES OF THE CENTRAL LOWLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Authors: DUNCAN N. A. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryIn a study of the moisture regimes of some of the most commonly occurring soils of the Central Lowlands of Scotland, three field techniques are compared. Soil tensiometers were used to measure matric suction and results are presented for a brown forest soil, a gteyed brown forest soil and a surface water gley soil. Borehole water levels are given for the surface water gley soils (and gleyed brown forest soil) for the two years under study. A close relationship between matric suction and borehole levels was established but this was not maintained once a soil moisture deficit occurred. Piezometer data was recorded and is shown to give little useful information due to the low hydraulic conductivity of the subsoils.
Reduction of ecosystem productivity and respiration during the European summer 2003 climate anomaly: a joint flux tower, remote sensing and modelling analysis
Authors: REICHSTEIN M. , CIAIS P. , PAPALE D. , VALENTINI R. , RUNNING S. , VIOVY N. , CRAMER W. , GRANIER A. , OGÉE J. , ALLARD V. , AUBINET M. , BERNHOFER Chr. , BUCHMANN N. , CARRARA A. , GRÜNWALD T. , HEIMANN M. , HEINESCH B. , KNOHL A. , KUTSCH W. , LOUSTAU D. , MANCA G. , MATTEUCCI G. , MIGLIETTA F. , OURCIVAL J.M. , PILEGAARD K. , PUMPANEN J. , RAMBAL S. , SCHAPHOFF S. , SEUFERT G. , SOUSSANA J.‐F. , SANZ M.‐J. , VESALA T. , ZHAO M. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe European CARBOEUROPE/FLUXNET monitoring sites, spatial remote sensing observations via the EOS‐MODIS sensor and ecosystem modelling provide independent and complementary views on the effect of the 2003 heatwave on the European biosphere's productivity and carbon balance. In our analysis, these data streams consistently demonstrate a strong negative anomaly of the primary productivity during the summer of 2003. FLUXNET eddy‐covariance data indicate that the drop in productivity was not primarily caused by high temperatures (‘heat stress’) but rather by limitation of water (drought stress) and that, contrary to the classical expectation about a heat wave, not only gross primary productivity but also ecosystem respiration declined by up to more than to 80 gC m−2 month−1. Anomalies of carbon and water fluxes were strongly correlated. While there are large between‐site differences in water‐use efficiency (WUE, 1–6 kg C kg−1 H2O) here defined as gross carbon uptake divided by evapotranspiration (WUE=GPP/ET), the year‐to‐year changes in WUE were small (<1 g kg−1) and quite similar for most sites (i.e. WUE decreased during the year of the heatwave). Remote sensing data from MODIS and AVHRR both indicate a strong negative anomaly of the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation in summer 2003, at more than five standard deviations of the previous years. The spatial differentiation of this anomaly follows climatic and land‐use patterns: Largest anomalies occur in the centre of the meteorological anomaly (central Western Europe) and in areas dominated by crops or grassland. A preliminary model intercomparison along a gradient from data‐oriented models to process‐oriented models indicates that all approaches are similarly describing the spatial pattern of ecosystem sensitivity to the climatic 2003 event with major exceptions in the Alps and parts of Eastern Europe, but differed with respect to their interannual variability.
Effects of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on aphid oviposition preference and birch bud exudate phenolics
Authors: PELTONEN PETRI A. , JULKUNEN‐TIITTO RIITTA , VAPAAVUORI ELINA , HOLOPAINEN JARMO K. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe effect of atmospheric change on birch aphid (Euceraphis betulae Koch) oviposition preference was examined and plant characteristics that are possibly responsible for the observed effects were investigated. It was hypothesized that the increasing concentrations of CO2 and O3 affect singly or in combination the oviposition of birch aphids via changes in host plant characteristics. Two genotypes of field‐growing silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) trees (clones 4 and 80), which were exposed to doubled ambient concentration of CO2 and O3, singly and in combination, in a 3‐year open‐top chamber experiment, were used in an aphid oviposition preference test. It was found that elevated CO2, irrespective of ozone concentration, increased the number of aphid eggs laid on clone 4, but not in clone 80. Several flavonoid aglycones were identified from the exudate coating of birch buds. Although elevated CO2 and O3 affected these phenolic compounds in clone 4, the effects did not correlate with the observed changes in aphid oviposition. It is suggested that neither bud length, which was not affected by the treatments, nor surface exudate phenolics mediate birch aphid oviposition preference.
Soil respiration in six temperate forests in China
Authors: WANG CHUANKUAN , YANG JINYAN , ZHANG QUANZHI 
Published: August 2006

AbstractScaling soil respiration (RS), the major CO2 source to the atmosphere from terrestrial ecosystems, from chamber‐based measurements to ecosystems requires studies on variations and correlations of RS from various biomes and across geographic regions. However, few studies on RS are available for Chinese temperate forest despite the importance of this forest in the national and global carbon budgets. In this study, we conducted 18‐month RS measurements during 2004–2005 in six temperate forest types, representing the typical secondary forest ecosystems across various site conditions in northeastern China: Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica Fisch.), aspen‐birch (Populous davidiana Dode and Betula platyphylla Suk.), mixed deciduous (no dominant tree species), hardwood (dominated by Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr.) forests, Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.) and Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) plantations. Our specific objectives were to: (1) explore relationships of RS against soil temperature and water content for the six forest ecosystems, (2) quantify annual soil surface CO2 flux and its relations to belowground carbon storage, (3) examine seasonal variations in RS and related environmental factors, and (4) quantify among‐ and within‐ecosystem variations in RS. The RS was positively correlated to soil temperature in all forest types, and was significantly influenced by the interactions of soil temperature and water content in the pine, larch, and mixed deciduous forests. The sensitivity of RS to soil temperature at 10 cm depth (Q10) ranged from 2.61 in the oak forest to 3.75 in the aspen‐birch forests. The Q10 tended to increase with soil water content until reaching a threshold, and then decline. The annual RS for the larch, pine, hardwood, oak, mixed deciduous, and aspen‐birch forests averaged 403, 514, 781, 785, 786, and 813 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. The annual RS of the broadleaved forests was 72% greater than that of the coniferous forests. The annual RS was positively correlated to soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration at O horizon (R2=0.868) and total biomass of roots <0.5 cm in diameter (R2=0.748). The coefficient of variation (CV) of RS among forest types averaged 25% across the 18‐month measurements. The CV of RS within plots varied from 20% to 27%, significantly (P<0.001) greater than those among plots (9–15%), indicating the importance of the fine‐scaled heterogeneity in RS. This study emphasized that variations in soil respiration and potential sampling bias should be appropriately tackled for accurate soil CO2 flux estimates.
Expression of immune responsive genes in cell lines from two different Anopheline species
Authors: Luna C. , Hoa N. T. , Lin H. , Zhang L. , Nguyen H. L. A. , Kanzok S. M. , Zheng L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractMalaria infection results in increased expression of immune responsive genes, including those encoding antimicrobial peptides such as Gambicin (Gam1) and Cecropin A (Cec1). Understanding how these genes are regulated will provide insights how the mosquito immune system is activated by Plasmodium. We previously have shown that Cec1 was primarily regulated by the Imd‐Relish (REL2) pathway in the Anopheles gambiae Sua1B cell line. We show here that expression of Defensin A (Def1) and Gam1 was reduced after RNA interference against components of the Imd‐REL2 pathway in An. gambiae cell lines. Interestingly, promoter reporters of these antimicrobial peptides were expressed at very low level in the cell line MSQ43 from Anopheles stephensi. Surprisingly, over‐expression of either NF‐κB transcription factor REL1 or REL2 alone is sufficient to induce the expression of Cec1, Gam1 and Def1. These results suggest that expression of these antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in vivo may be regulated by both the Toll and Imd pathways. We also show here for the first time that Tep4, a gene encoding a thioester containing protein, is regulated by REL2. Taken together, these results suggest that there are significant overlaps of genes regulated by the Toll‐Rel1 and Imd‐Rel2 pathways. Further, the different expression patterns in two different Anopheline cell lines provide a platform to identify other key positive and negative regulators of the antimicrobial peptide genes.
Molecular, biochemical and histochemical characterization of two acetylcholinesterase cDNAs from the German cockroach Blattella germanica
Authors: Kim J. I. , Jung C. S. , Koh Y. H. , Lee S. H. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractFull length cDNAs encoding two acetylcholinesterases (AChEs; Bgace1 and Bgace2) were cloned and characterized from the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. Sequence analyses showed that both genes possess all the typical features of ace, and that Bgace1 is orthologous to the insect ace1 whereas Bgace2 is to the insect ace2. Transcript level of Bgace1 was significantly higher (c. 10 fold) than that of Bgace2 in all 11 tissues examined, suggesting that Bgace1 likely encodes a predominant AChE. Multiple AChE bands were identified by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectricfocusing from various tissue preparations, among which ganglia produced distinct two major and two minor AChE bands, indicative of the presence of at least two active AChEs. B. germanica AChEs appeared to be mainly localized in the central nervous system as demonstrated by histochemical activity staining, together with quantitative analysis of Bgace transcripts. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of the 1st thoracic ganglion confirmed that Bgace1 is predominantly transcribed and further showed that its transcript is found in almost entire region of inter or motor neurones including the cell bodies and axonal/dendritic branches. Bgace2 transcript is found only in the subset of neurones, particularly in the cell body. In addition, certain neurones were observed to express Bgace1 only.
Intact mariner‐like element in tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Ren X. , Park Y. , Miller T. A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAn intact mariner‐like element was isolated from the genome of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens. This is the first report of an intact mariner element after the initial identification of Mos1 from Drosophila mauritiana. The full‐length Hvmar1 has 30 bp inverted terminal repeats and a complete 1065 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding the transposase with a ‘D,D(34)D’ motif in the catalytic domain. Polymerase chain reaction results show that at least one insertion of the Hvmar1 element is conserved in this Heliothis strain. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Hvmar1 belongs to the irritans subfamily.
A review of causal factors and control measures for bloat in farmed salmonids with a suggested mechanism for the development of the condition
Authors: Anderson C D 
Published: August 2006

AbstractA mechanism for the development of bloat in salmonids is proposed and explained in terms of the physiology of digestion and osmoregulation in fish. Understanding the causal factors for bloat enables control measures to be identified. In farmed salmonids, the chyme produced during the digestion of nutrient‐rich pelleted foods that rapidly disintegrate in the stomach will be a potent activator of a negative feedback mechanism (enterogastric control), which slows stomach emptying to protect the small intestine from nutrient overload. In saline environments salmonids continuously drink sea water to replace fluid lost across the gills. Fluid loss is increased during periods of stress caused by factors such as low oxygen levels, elevated temperature or high salinity. When ingestion of nutrient‐rich food results in prolonged activation of enterogastric control, slowed stomach emptying leads to decreased absorption of water, thirst and increased drinking. This further exacerbates stomach distention. The proposed mechanism for the development of bloat is supported by on‐farm experience where measures to control bloat include reducing food intake, altering the composition of the diet and using appropriate strategies to reduce stress.