bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological Traits above the Flag Leaf Node as Indicators of Drought Susceptibility Index in Durum Wheat
Authors: Villegas D. , García del Moral L. F. , Rharrabti Y. , Martos V. , Royo C. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSelection criteria for drought tolerance would be helpful tools for wheat breeding programmes. To assess the usefulness of some morphological traits above the flag leaf node as indicators of yield and the susceptibility index (SI) of Fischer and Maurer, 10 durum wheat genotypes were used in experiments conducted under two water regimes at two latitudes in Spain during 3 years. Morphological traits were measured at anthesis, and yield, yield components and quality traits were evaluated at ripening. Principal components analysis showed associations between morphological traits and yield, yield components and quality, most of them caused by differences between environments. Peduncle weight, spike weight and length and awn length were significantly related to SI within environments. Spike and peduncle weight were the traits more related to yield and SI in all the experiments together and in the rainfed sites, while in the irrigated sites spike length was better. The spike weight and length were negatively associated with SI, while peduncle weight was positively associated to SI. Genotype means across all experiments were associated with SI values. These morphological traits could be selection criteria in breeding programmes to obtain varieties with good yield stability. The genetic variability found suggests opportunity for selection.
Evaluation of ‘quick and dirty’ DNA extraction methods for marker‐assisted selection in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Collard B. C. Y. , Das A. , Virk P. S. , Mackill D. J. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSix simple methods for extracting DNA from rice seedlings were evaluated for marker‐assisted selection (MAS). The assessment of each method was based on PCR amplification of SSR markers, DNA yield and purity, time and cost. Based on these criteria, two methods were selected as being superior to other methods. The best two methods included the standard method developed at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which utilizes a sodium dodecyl sulfate extraction buffer followed by chloroform/isoamyl alcohol extraction and a previously published method using sodium hydroxide and Tris. These two methods produced nearly identical PCR amplification results. The sodium hydroxide method is considerably simpler, quicker and cheaper than the standard IRRI method, and may be particularly useful for many applications of MAS or high‐resolution mapping. This method was also adapted into an effective high throughput method utilizing 96‐well plates emphasizing its versatility.
ESSENTIAL OIL OF CROTON NEPETAEFOLIUS AND ITS MAIN CONSTITUENT, 1,8‐CINEOLE, BLOCK EXCITABILITY OF RAT SCIATIC NERVE IN VITRO
Authors: Lima‐Accioly PM , Lavor‐Porto PR , Cavalcante FS , Magalhães PJC , Lahlou S , Morais SM , Leal‐Cardoso JH 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARY

The effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) and its major constituent, 1,8‐cineole, on the compound action potential (CAP) of nerve were investigated.
Experiments were performed in sciatic nerves dissected from Wistar rats, mounted in a moist chamber and stimulated at a frequency of 0.2 Hz, with electric pulses of 100 µs duration at 20–40 V. Evoked CAP were displayed on an oscilloscope and recorded on a computer. The CAP control parameters were as follows: peak‐to‐peak amplitude 8.1 ± 0.6 mV (n = 15); conduction velocity 83.3 ± 4.2 m/s (n = 15); chronaxie 58.0 ± 6.8 msec (n = 6); and rheobase 2.8 ± 0.1 V (n = 6).
Lower concentrations of EOCN (100 and 300 µg/mL) and 1,8‐cineole (153 and 307 µg/mL; i.e. 1 and 2 mmol/L, respectively) had no significant effects on CAP control parameters throughout the entire recording period. However, at the end of 180 min exposure of the nerve to the drug, peak‐to‐peak amplitude was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced to 27.4 ± 6.7 and 1.7 ± 0.8% of control values by 500 and 1000 µg/mL EOCN, respectively (n = 6), and to 76.5 ± 4.4, 70.0 ± 3.9 and 14.8 ± 4.1% of control values by 614, 920 and 1227 µg/mL (i.e. 4, 6 and 8 mmol/L) 1,8‐cineole, respectively (n = 6). Regarding conduction velocity, at the end of the 180 min exposure period, this parameter was significantly reduced to 85.8 ± 7.3 and 48.7 ± 12.3% (n = 6) of control values by 500 and 1000 µg/mL EOCN, respectively, and to 86.4 ± 4.5 and 76.1 ± 5.2% (n = 6) by 920 and 1227 µg/mL 1,8‐cineole, respectively. Chronaxie and rheobase were significantly increased by the higher concentrations of both EOCN and 1,8‐cineole.
It is concluded that EOCN and its main constituent 1,8‐cineole block nerve excitability in a concentration‐dependent manner, an effect that was totally reversible with 1,8‐cineole but not with EOCN. This suggests that other constituents of EOCN, in addition to 1,8‐cineole, may contribute to the mediation of this effect of EOCN.
DIFFERENTIAL ROLES OF RYANODINE‐ AND THAPSIGARGIN‐SENSITIVE INTRACELLULAR Ca2+ STORES IN EXCITATION–CONTRACTION COUPLING IN SMOOTH MUSCLE OF GUINEA‐PIG TAENIA CAECI
Authors: Hishinuma Shigeru , Saito Masaki 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARY

To explore roles of intracellular Ca2+ stores in excitation–contraction coupling in smooth muscle, we examined the effects of ryanodine, a fixer of ryanodine receptor–Ca2+ channels to an open state, and thapsigargin, a selective inhibitor of the Ca2+ pump in the intracellular stores, on smooth muscle contraction in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+ in guinea‐pig taenia caeci.
In Ca2+‐free solution, contractions induced by 0.1 mmol/L carbachol and 0.1 mmol/L histamine were reduced to approximately 65% of control by either 1 µmol/L thapsigargin or 10 µmol/L ryanodine. In contrast, caffeine‐induced contraction was reduced to approximately 40% of control by ryanodine, but was not affected by thapsigargin.
In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, thapsigargin slowly induced a large and sustained contraction. In contrast, ryanodine did not induce an apparent contraction, but increased the sensitivity of contractile responses to receptor agonists (carbachol, AHR‐602 and histamine) or depolarizing high K+ with no changes in the maximal contraction.
These results suggest that there are pharmacological and physiological differences between ryanodine‐ and thapsigargin‐sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores in excitation–contraction coupling in smooth muscle, which may be responsible for their differential effects on the Ca2+‐influx pathway.
ATTENUATION OF VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AND FIBROSIS IN RATS BY PITAVASTATIN: POTENTIAL ROLE OF THE RhoA–EXTRACELLULAR SIGNAL‐REGULATED KINASE–SERUM RESPONSE FACTOR SIGNALLING PATHWAY
Authors: Saka Masako , Obata Koji , Ichihara Sahoko , Cheng Xian Wu , Kimata Hirotaka , Noda Akiko , Izawa Hideo , Nagata Kohzo , Yokota Mitsuhiro 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARY

Inhibitors of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (statins) manifest pleiotropic effects that may contribute to their therapeutic efficacy. However, the mechanism of the beneficial action of statins on cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis remains unclear. We have now investigated this action of pitavastatin in Dahl salt‐sensitive (DS) rats.
The DS rats progressively develop marked hypertension when fed a diet containing 8% NaCl from 7 weeks of age. These animals exhibited pronounced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, as well as upregulation of fetal‐type cardiac gene expression at 12 weeks of age, compared with DS rats fed a diet containing 0.3% NaCl. The abundance of mRNAs for collagen types I and III, angiotensin‐converting enzyme, transforming growth factor‐β1 and connective tissue growth factor was also increased in the heart of rats on the high‐salt diet.
Treatment of rats on the high‐salt diet with a non‐antihypertensive dose of pitavastatin (0.3 or 1 mg/kg per day) from 7 to 12 weeks of age attenuated the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, as well as inhibiting the upregulation of cardiac gene expression. Pitavastatin also blocked the translocation of RhoA to the membrane fraction of the left ventricle and RhoA activation, as well as the phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinases extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐1 and ERK‐2 and an increase in the DNA binding activity of serum response factor (SRF) in the heart induced by the high‐salt diet.
These findings suggest that the effects of pitavastatin on load‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are independent of its cholesterol‐lowering action and may be mediated, at least in part, through inhibition of RhoA–ERK–SRF signalling.
REGULATION OF HEPATIC CHOLESTEROL METABOLISM IN CETP+/–/LDLr+/– MICE BY CHOLESTEROL FEEDING AND BY DRUGS (CHOLESTYRAMINE AND LOVASTATIN) THAT LOWER PLASMA CHOLESTEROL
Authors: Harada Lila M , Carrilho Alexandre JF , Oliveira Helena CF , Nakandakare Edna R , Quintão Eder CR 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARY

The hepatic mechanisms involved in the simultaneous regulation of plasma cholesterol concentration and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity were investigated by sharply modifying the hepatic rates of cholesterol synthesis. This was accomplished by cholestyramine, lovastatin and cholesterol feeding in human CETP transgenic mice cross‐bred with low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)‐knockout mice, generating CETP+/–/LDLr+/– mice, which present a plasma lipoprotein profile resembling that of humans.
Analyses of pooled data showed that the plasma CETP activity correlated positively with plasma total cholesterol concentration, hepatic CETP mRNA and the liver microsomal cholesterol content; a negative correlation was found between plasma CETP activity and the liver 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase and LDLr mRNA levels. These coordinated events represent an efficient control system that stabilizes the cell cholesterol content.
Nonetheless, not all cholesterol metabolism regulatory systems seem to fit into a coherent pattern of responses, suggesting that other unknown cellular mechanisms play roles depending on the type of pharmacological intervention.
For example, microsomal cholesterol content was not affected by cholestyramine, but was increased on cholesterol feeding (as predicted), and, surprisingly, on lovastatin treatment. Furthermore, although both plasma cholesterol‐lowering drugs increased CYP7A1 mRNA and had no effect on CYP27 mRNA, other metabolic components were differentially modified. Cholestyramine and lovastatin, respectively, did not modify and increased both HMG‐CoA and sterol responsive element binding protein 1c mRNA, did not modify and lowered liver X receptor α mRNA, lowered and increased ATP binding cassette A1 mRNA and lowered and did not modify scavenger receptor B1 mRNA.
That is, different to unabsorbed cholestyramine, lovastatin, as an absorbed plasma cholesterol‐lowering drug, may have modified the activity of other unknown genes that play roles in the interaction of CETP with the metabolism of hepatic cholesterol.
RENAL DENERVATION ATTENUATES LONG‐TERM HYPERTENSIVE EFFECTS OF ANGIOTENSIN II IN THE RAT
Authors: Hendel Michael D , Collister John P 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARY

It is well accepted that some of the long‐term effects of angiotensin (Ang) II are mediated via the central nervous system. Some of these actions that are mediated by the circumventricular organs and the baroreceptor reflex are thought to then alter sympathetic nervous system activity. In particular, there is some debate as to the role of renal nerves in the chronic effects of AngII. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of the renal nerves in a long‐term model of progressive AngII‐induced hypertension.
Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to either bilateral renal denervation (RDX; n = 7) or sham surgery (SHAM; n = 8). Rats were instrumented with radiotelemetric transducers and venous catheters for the measurement of blood pressure and AngII infusion, respectively. A 4.0% NaCl diet and distilled water were provided ad libitum. The first 3 days served as the control period (7 mL/day, 0.9% NaCl, i.v.). This was followed by an infusion of AngII for 16 days (10 ng/kg per min, i.v.) and a 3 day recovery period identical to control.
Baseline arterial pressure between RDX and SHAM rats did not differ. Following AngII treatment, the arterial pressure of SHAM rats increased more rapidly than that of RDX rats. By Day 10 of treatment, the mean arterial pressure was significantly different between groups, having increased to 166 ± 4 mmHg in SHAM rats and 135 ± 11 mmHg in RDX rats. This trend continued for the remainder of AngII treatment.
The present results indicate that the renal nerves are necessary for the full expression of AngII‐induced hypertension.
DIFFERENTIAL CONTROL OF CARDIAC AND SYMPATHETIC VASOMOTOR ACTIVITY FROM THE DORSOMEDIAL HYPOTHALAMUS
Authors: Horiuchi J , McDowall LM , Dampney RAL 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARY

The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) plays a crucial role in mediating the cardiovascular responses to different stressors, including acute psychological stress and cold stress. Activation of neurons in the DMH evokes increases in arterial pressure and in the activity of sympathetic nerves innervating the heart, blood vessels and brown adipose tissue. The descending pathways from the DMH to the spinal sympathetic outflow include synapses with neurons in medullary nuclei and possibly other brain stem regions.
Recent studies from our and other laboratories have indicated that neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) and in the region of the raphe pallidus (RP) in the medulla are important components of the descending pathways that mediate the cardiovascular response to activation of the DMH. Neurons in the RP primarily mediate the sympathetic cardiac components of the DMH‐evoked response, whereas the RVLM neurons primarily mediate the sympathetic vasomotor component.
Activation of DMH neurons not only increases heart rate and sympathetic vasomotor activity, but also resets the baroreceptor reflex such that it remains effective, without any decrease in sensitivity, over a higher operating range of arterial pressure.
Activation of 5‐hydroxytryptamine 5‐HT1A receptors in the medulla oblongata leads to a selective suppression of cardiac and sympathetic vasomotor components of the DMH‐evoked response, but does not affect sympathetic reflex responses evoked from baroreceptors or chemoreceptors. Thus, central 5‐HT1A receptors modulate cardiovascular responses evoked from the DMH in a highly potent but selective fashion.
Influences of edaphic factors on the distribution and abundance of a rare palm (Cyrtostachys renda) in a peat swamp forest in eastern Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: WIDYATMOKO DIDIK , BURGMAN MARK A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractTropical plant community ecology is often assumed to be driven largely by stochastic disturbance, replacement and demographic processes despite a general lack of information about the physical environment. Tropical soils are more diverse, at regional, intermediate and local scales than usually is recognized. This study was conducted to test hypotheses about the importance of edaphic parameters in determining the abundance and distribution of the rare lipstick palm Cyrtostachys renda Blume and its co‐occurrence with other plants. Eight of 11 tropical tree species were positively associated with C. renda. For Gluta renghas, Shorea parvifolia, Eleiodoxa conferta, Pandanus terrestris and Korthalsia flagellaris, the association with the palm was strong. The palms E. conferta and K. flagellaris appeared to have similar ecological and habitat requirements. The lipstick palm is adapted to specific edaphic conditions related to soil quality and drainage. It prefers fine sand, well‐drained soil and low mineral content, reflected in associations between these variables and stem density, clump density, clump size, frequency, basal area and canopy circle area. High levels of soil Ca+ +, Mg+ + and K+ are associated with sites where the palm is absent. The C/N ratio of soils appears to influence palm densities and sizes. All known populations occur in habitats with C/N‐values less than 19, with the largest populations in areas with C/N‐values of 13. Our findings suggest that edaphic variables are important determinants of the abundance and distribution of this tropical peat swamp forest species.
Adjunct continuous intravenous ketamine infusion for postoperative pain relief following posterior spinal instrumentation for correction of scoliosis: a case report
Authors: TSUI BAN C.H. , WAGNER ALESE , MAHOOD JAMES , MOREAU MARC 
Published: December 2006

SummaryProviding effective analgesia is challenging for correction of idiopathic scoliosis, as nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and epidural anesthesia are controversial and large‐dose opioids can cause significant side effects. Perioperative adjuvant low‐dose ketamine has been shown to provide good supplementary analgesia as well as to potentially spare opioid consumption. Ketamine may also improve early ease of mobility without addition of any noticeable adverse effects. This case describes the combined use of a continuous low‐dose ketamine infusion and patient–controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine for postoperative analgesia in an adolescent girl undergoing posterior spinal instrumentation and correction of scoliosis. The patient had excellent postoperative analgesia and was able to participate in early rehabilitation. The opioid‐sparing effect of ketamine was not demonstrated in this case. Further study of continuous low‐dose ketamine infusions in this patient population would be beneficial to provide more evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of ketamine and of its opioid‐sparing potential.
Hemodynamic and respiratory changes following dexmedetomidine administration during general anesthesia: sevoflurane vs desflurane
Authors: DEUTSCH ERIC , TOBIAS JOSEPH D. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground:  The current study evaluates the hemodynamic and respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) when administered to children anesthetized with sevoflurane (SEVO) or desflurane (DES).Methods:  After tracheal intubation and spontaneous ventilation, DEX (0.5 μg·kg−1) was administered over 5 min. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (sBP), diastolic blood pressure (dBP), and endtidal carbon dioxide (PECO2) were monitored and recorded prior to DEX (time 0) and again at 5, 10, and 15 min after DEX.Results:  The cohort included 80 children (1–12 years of age) anesthetized with SEVO (n = 40) or DES (n = 40). The lowest HR from time 0 to time 15 was less in patients anesthetized with SEVO compared with DES (104 ± 16 b·min−1 in the SEVO/DEX group vs 120 ± 17 b·min−1 in the DES/DEX group, < 0.01). Although both sBP and dBP decreased following the administration of DEX to patients anesthetized with either SEVO or DES, there was no difference in sBP or dBP between the two groups. Likewise, no evidence was found for changes in the PECO2 during the study period.Conclusions:  The administration of DEX (0.5 μg·kg−1) results in a lower HR in patients anesthetized with SEVO compared with DES. No evidence was found for differences in sBP, dBP, or PECO2 during spontaneous ventilation with 1 MAC of SEVO vs DES.
When to add supplemental rectal paracetamol for postoperative analgesia with caudal bupivacaine in children? A prospective, double‐blind, randomized study
Authors: MERCAN ARZU , MURAT SAYIN M. , SAYDAM SIBEL , OZMERT SENGUL , TIRYAKI TUGRUL 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether a supplemental dose of rectal paracetamol at the third or fourth hour would enhance the quality of analgesia provided by caudal epidural blockade in children.Methods:  Two hundred and two ASA I patients aged 1–12 years undergoing inguinal surgery were randomized into three groups in the postanesthesia care unit by drawing lots. Patients in the control group did not receive any analgesic until they had a pain score of 5 or higher, patients in the group P3 received rectal paracetamol (20–25 mg·kg−1) at the third hour, and patients in the group P4 received the same dose of rectal paracetamol at the fourth hour after caudal epidural injection. Pain was assessed by VAS (Visual Analog Scale) and supplementary rescue analgesic need was recorded.Results:  There was no difference between the demographic data or the duration and variety of surgery among the groups. A significantly lower number of patients required rescue analgesia at the sixth postoperative hour in group P3 and also lower pain scores were again obtained in group P3 at the sixth and eighth postoperative hours.Conclusions:  Supplemental rectal paracetamol at the third hour of caudal blockade enhances the quality of postoperative analgesia better than its addition at the fourth hour in children undergoing inguinal surgery.
Unplanned anesthesia‐related admissions to pediatric intensive care – a 6‐year audit
Authors: KUROWSKI IRINA , SIMS CRAIG 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground:  Unplanned admissions to the intensive care unit may result from unexpected events related to anesthesia, and are recommended by some healthcare organizations as a clinical indicator. The rate of anesthesia‐related unplanned admissions in adults ranges between 0.04% and 0.45% of procedures. However, there is a paucity of data relating to the rate in children.Methods:  Admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) occurring within 24 h of anesthesia were identified through retrospective chart review. Only those admissions from a complication of anesthesia were included and not those from communication errors or surgical problems. The aim was to determine the rate of unplanned admissions, as well as the causes and management of this group of unplanned admissions.Results:  Seventy‐six children requiring admission to the PICU were identified from 55196 procedures during the 6‐year study period. The rate of unplanned admission was 0.14% of procedures. A total of 47% of these admissions were related to airway problems and 68% of children requiring admission were aged less than 5 years. Most children required only observation after their admission.Conclusions:  We found the unplanned admission rate to the PICU in our hospital population to be similar to that reported for adults, and is a relatively rare event in pediatric anesthesia. Most admissions were for children aged less than 5 years and were as a result of airway problems. Most cases were deemed potentially predictable.
Entropion correction in dogs and cats using a combination Hotz–Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection: results in 311 eyes
Authors: Read Robert A. , Broun Hugh C. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA novel surgical combination technique for the correction of lateral lower lid entropion in dogs and cats is described, involving a combination of Hotz–Celsus and lateral eyelid wedge resection procedures. The technique was used to treat 311 eyes with lower lid entropion: 269 canine (109 bilateral, 51 unilateral) and 42 feline (16 bilateral, 10 unilateral). The most common canine breeds were the Shar Pei, Rottweiler, Bull Mastiff and Labrador Retriever. Domestic cats made up the majority of feline cases. The overall success rate for a single surgical procedure to correct lower lid entropion with this technique was 94.2% per eye.