bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
γ‐Tocopherol prevents airway eosinophilia and mucous cell hyperplasia in experimentally induced allergic rhinitis and asthma
Authors: Wagner J. G. , Jiang Q. , Harkema J. R. , Ames B. N. , Illek B. , Roubey R. A. , Peden D. B. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryBackground
Traditional therapies for asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) such as corticosteroids and antihistamines are not without limitations and side effects. The use of complementary and alternative approaches to treat allergic airways disease, including the use of herbal and dietary supplements, is increasing but their efficacy and safety are relatively understudied. Previously, we have demonstrated that γ‐tocopherol (γT), the primary form of dietary vitamin E, is more effective than α‐tocopherol, the primary form found in supplements and tissue, in reducing systemic inflammation induced by non‐immunogenic stimuli.Objective
We used allergic Brown Norway rats to test the hypothesis that a dietary supplement with γT would protect from adverse nasal and pulmonary responses to airway allergen provocation.Methods
Ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized Brown Norway rats were treated orally with γT before intranasal provocation with OVA. Twenty‐four hours after two challenges, histopathological changes in the nose, sinus and pulmonary airways were compared with gene expression and cytokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma.Results
We found that acute dosing for 4 days with γT was sufficient to provide broad protection from inflammatory cell recruitment and epithelial cell alterations induced by allergen challenge. Eosinophil infiltration into airspaces and tissues of the lung, nose, sinus and nasolacrimal duct was blocked in allergic rats treated with γT. Pulmonary production of soluble mediators PGE2, LTB4 and cysteinyl leukotrienes, and nasal expression of IL‐4, ‐5, ‐13 and IFN‐γ were also inhibited by γT. Mucous cell metaplasia, the increase in the number of goblet cells and amounts of intraepithelial mucus storage, was induced by allergen in both pulmonary and nasal airways and decreased by treatment with γT.Conclusions
Acute treatment with γT inhibits important inflammatory pathways that underlie the pathogenesis of both AR and asthma. Supplementation with γT may be a novel complementary therapy for allergic airways disease.
Increasing prevalence and incidence of thyroid disease in Tayside, Scotland: the Thyroid Epidemiology Audit and Research Study (TEARS)
Authors: Leese G. P. , Flynn R. V. , Jung R. T. , MacDonald T. M. , Murphy M. J. , Morris A. D. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryObjective  We aimed to describe the changing incidence of thyroid disease in a population‐based study in Tayside, Scotland (population 390 000) between 1994 and 2001.Design  A retrospective, data‐linkage, population‐based study measuring the incidence and prevalence of thyroid disease.Patients  All patients with newly diagnosed, treated and stable thyroid disease in Tayside were identified by electronic linkage of six datasets, including all regional biochemistry data, hospital admissions, deaths and a thyroid follow‐up register.Results  The overall prevalence of thyroid dysfunction has increased from 2·3% to 3·8% (1994–2001). The prevalence of ever having had hyperthyroidism increased from 0·86% to 1·26% in females and 0·17% to 0·24% in males (P < 0·0001 for both). The standardized incidence of hyperthyroidism increased from 0·68 to 0·87 per 1000 females/year, representing a 6·3% annual increase (P < 0·0001). The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism increased from 3·12% to 5·14% in females and 0·51% to 0·88% in males (P < 0·0001 for both). The standardized incidence of primary hypothyroidism did not change and varied between 3·90 and 4·89 per 1000 females/year over the 8 years. Incidence of hypothyroidism in males increased from 0·65 to 1·01 per 1000 males/year (P = 0·0017). Mean age at diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism declined in females from 1994 to 2001.Conclusions  The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism and previous hyperthyroidism has increased in Tayside, Scotland. This is partly due to an increasing incidence of disease, increased ascertainment and earlier diagnosis of disease. This will result in an increased workload for endocrinologists and general practitioners.
Detailed functional studies on androgen receptor mild mutations demonstrate their association with male infertility
Authors: Zuccarello D. , Ferlin A. , Vinanzi C. , Prana E. , Garolla A. , Callewaert L. , Claessens F. , Brinkmann A. O. , Foresta C. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryContext   Mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene can cause the androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). For complete and severe partial AIS, well‐characterized in vitro functional assays can be used for genotype–phenotype correlation; however, for mild forms of AIS, as associated with male infertility, experimental evidence is scarce or lacking. In particular, optimal in vitro functional tests informative about the genotype–phenotype relation have not been described.Objective   The objective of this study was to investigate the association among genotype and phenotype for AR mutations found in infertile males by conventional functional assays and additional in‐depth studies performed with several gene reporters.Design   To this aim, we selected four AR missense mutations associated with isolated male infertility (L547F and two novel mutations A474V and S650G) or partial AIS (Y571H). After introduction of the specific mutations in AR expression plasmid, we performed classical in vitro studies (Western immunoblotting, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, hormone‐response curves) and transactivation assays with different reporter constructs (MMTV, Sc‐ARU‐TK, TAT‐GRE‐ 2X, Slp‐ARU‐TK and PEM).Results and conclusions   Our results showed that standard functional tests provide sufficient information only for severe AR mutations, whereas for AR mutations found in mild AIS patients with male infertility, only an extensive analysis with different in vitro systems, and in particular with PEM promoter, can give information on the functionality of the AR and therefore on the pathogenicity of the mutations and on genotype–phenotype correlation.
Relation between plasma fibroblast growth factor‐23, serum fetuin‐A levels and coronary artery calcification evaluated by multislice computed tomography in patients with normal kidney function
Authors: Roos Marcel , Lutz Jens , Salmhofer Hermann , Luppa Peter , Knauß Amelie , Braun Siegmund , Martinof Stefan , Schömig Albert , Heemann Uwe , Kastrati Adnan , Hausleiter Jörg 
Published: October 2007

SummaryObjective  To examine the correlation of plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐23 and serum fetuin A levels with the coronary artery calcification score (CACS) in patients with normal kidney function.Background  Vascular calcification is an active process that may be aggravated by hyperphosphataemia and hypercalcaemia. FGF‐23 and human fetuin‐A have been associated with calcifying arteriosclerosis in renal failure. Plasma FGF‐23 was identified as an independent factor negatively associated with peripheral vascular calcification. Fetuin‐A acts as a systemic inhibitor of ectopic calcification in dialysis patients and can be correlated to the survival of these patients. Very few data exists on the role of FGF‐23 and fetuin‐A in coronary calcification of patients without impaired kidney function.Materials and methods  Sixty‐four patients, 21 females and 43 males, were subjected to 64‐slice coronary computed tomography (CT) to evaluate coronary artery calcification (CAC). Plasma intact FGF‐23 was determined by ELISA. Serum fetuin‐A concentration were evaluated nephelometrically.Results  Mean plasma FGF‐23 level was 20·4 ± 9·1 pg/ml and serum fetuin‐A was 0·46 ± 0·09 g/l. There was no correlation between FGF‐23 (P = 0·777) and fetuin‐A (P = 0·767) levels and the CACS. No correlation was found between the presence of noncalcified plaques and coronary artery stenosis (CAS) ≥ 50%, and FGF‐23 (P = 0·313 and P = 0·775) and fetuin‐A levels (P = 0·601 and P = 0·659).Conclusion  Plasma intact FGF‐23 and serum fetuin‐A concentration do not correlate with the CACS, the grade of stenosis or presence of noncalcified plaques of the coronary arteries in patients with normal kidney function.
Water repellency of organic growing media related to hysteretic water retention properties
Authors: Naasz R. , Michel J.‐C. , Charpentier S. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryWith respect to soils, most growing media can exhibit hysteresis during drying/wetting cycles, which greatly affects their hydraulic properties. In the case of organic substrates, hydrophobicity during desiccation could be considered as one of the main factors leading to hysteretic behaviour. The purpose of this study was to estimate the influence of changes in wettability on the water retention properties, θ(ψ), of peat and pine bark during a drying/wetting cycle. Major differences in the hydraulic behaviour of the two organic materials studied were observed. For peat, hysteresis was found in the water retention curve (21%) and also in the contact angle/water potential relationship, (α(ψ), 20%), whereas in pine bark, this phenomenon was less pronounced in the water retention curve (10%) and even more limited in the α(ψ) curve (> 5%). Water retention hysteresis was successfully modelled using a modified van Genuchten‐Durner approach (VGα model), which took into account the local hydrophobicity of each poral domain of the porous media, regardless of the extent of hysteresis. Incorporating the parameters of the VGα water retention model into a α(ψ) equation to characterize overall or average changes in the hydrophobicity of the material during desiccation resulted in values very similar to those of the contact angles calculated with the capillary rise method. These results indicate that water retention properties of these organic substrates are strongly influenced by hydrophobicity.
Sorption and desorption of non‐ionic herbicides onto particulate organic matter from surface soils under different land uses
Authors: Benoit P. , Madrigal I. , Preston C. M. , Chenu C. , Barriuso E. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryIn vegetative filter strips used to intercept pesticides present in run‐off, particulate organic matter derived from the vegetation plays an important function in pesticide sorption processes, because it accumulates at the soil surface and quickly responds to changes in land use. Two herbicides with contrasted properties: isoproturon, moderately hydrophobic (log Kow= 2.5), diflufenican, strongly hydrophobic (log Kow= 4.9), and isopropylaniline, a metabolite of isoproturon, were used to characterize the sorption and desorption properties of POM originating from soils under three different land uses: a cropped plot under conventional wheat/maize rotation, an adjacent 10‐year‐old grassed strip and a nearby 80‐year‐old oak/chestnut forest. Chemical structural composition information obtained from solid‐state 13C CPMAS NMR and estimation of hydrophobicity from contact angle measurements were used to explain the different sorption capacities of POM according to their size and origins. Sorption of isoproturon and diflufenican increased with hydrophobicity of POM, which was greater in the forest soil. Aromaticity of POM was positively correlated to sorption coefficients (Koc). Desorption of the more hydrophobic compounds, diflufenican and isopropylaniline was weak for all POM fractions, regardless of their origin and size. On the other hand, desorption of isoproturon depended on land use and POM characteristics. The sorption capacities of POM were not only controlled by their chemical composition, but also by their size, due to a greater number of sorptive sites related to a greater surface area with decreasing particle‐size.
Distribution and controls on gross N mineralization‐immobilization‐turnover in soil subjected to zero tillage
Authors: Luxhøi J. , Fillery I. R. P. , Murphy D. V. , Bruun S. , Jensen L. S. , Recous S. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe aim of this investigation was to provide quantitative measures of gross nitrogen (N) mineralization‐immobilization‐turnover (MIT) in soil, and of the parameters controlling MIT. This is needed to predict adequately mineral N availability in agricultural land. Respiration, MIT, soil microbial biomass (SMB)‐C, soil organic matter (SOM)‐C and dissolved organic matter (DOM)‐C were determined in soil collected over three depths at three stages in a continuous crop rotation. MIT was strongly correlated to the size and activity of SMB‐C and the size of SOM‐C but was only marginally affected by the stage in the crop rotation. The strength of the correlation of mineralization, immobilization and respiration with SOM‐C increased when analysed by curvilinear regression compared with linear regression because SOM bioavailability varied with depth. It is argued that the limiting step in the decomposition was the breakdown of SOM into DOM. The major pathway for degradation of organic‐N in this soil system appeared to be the MIT route, while only a small amount of N was likely to be assimilated in the organic form (direct route). Our findings suggest that modellers of C and N turnover in zero tillage cropping systems need to incorporate a curvilinear relationship between SOM pool size and MIT into their computer model(s).
Restoration of wet features for breeding waders on lowland grassland
Authors: Eglington Sarah M. , Gill Jennifer A. , Bolton Mark , Smart Mark A. , Sutherland William J. , Watkinson Andrew R. 
Published: October 2007

Summary

Over the last century, the loss of around half of the world's wetlands, principally through drainage and conversion to agriculture, has been one of the main drivers of declines in breeding waders. Across Europe, nature reserves have been effective conservation islands for breeding waders, but management of the wider countryside is needed for more wide‐scale population recovery. This is likely to require the restoration of wet features, but in a manner which is compatible with farming operations.
Here we explore the extent to which three types of wet feature influence the distribution of breeding lapwings Vanellus vanellus and their chicks on grassland. Footdrains are shallow channels used historically for drainage, but which can also be created and managed for water retention and cause little disruption to farming activities. Footdrain floods are areas where water overtops footdrains. Isolated pools are unmanaged areas of surface water resulting from rainfall or high water tables.
We selected 70 fields on nine sites which spanned the range of wet feature type and cover in early April. By May, only around 10% of the water within isolated pools remained, whereas 30–40% water was maintained in footdrains into June.
Fields with high footdrain flood densities attracted significantly higher densities of nesting lapwing and nests were more likely to be within 50 m of footdrain floods. Later in the season, footdrains were the primary remaining water source, and chick field use increased significantly with footdrain density. Chicks were also more likely to forage nearer footdrain floods in areas of wet mud created by receding water levels.
Synthesis and applications. Areas of shallow, small‐scale flooding are of critical importance for breeding waders. Management tools such as footdrains, coupled with appropriate hydrological management, provide a means of retaining water throughout the breeding season. Installation of these features is relatively simple, but maintaining sufficient water levels within the system is critical, especially in the face of increasingly unpredictable water supplies associated with climate change. Such management tools offer a solution that may be both effective at improving breeding wader populations and practicable for commercial grazing marsh management.
Using subsets of species in biodiversity surveys
Authors: Vellend Mark , Lilley Patrick L. , Starzomski Brian M. 
Published: October 2007

Summary

In many biodiversity surveys, a small proportion of species require a disproportionate amount of a researcher's time and effort to detect or identify. If we are interested in predicting species diversity or composition, what are the consequences for statistical power of ignoring difficult species – that is, of surveying only a subset of the full suite of species?
We analysed 10 data sets on a variety of taxa, at different spatial scales, to assess correlations for species richness and species composition between a full data set and subsets of data with different numbers of species deleted at random, or according to the time investment required for inclusion. Power analyses characterized the trade‐off between the number of sites surveyed and the completeness of the survey in each site.
For species richness, the majority of information regarding among‐site patterns was retained even with large numbers of species removed. With only half the full species pool, the lower 95th percentile of correlations between the full vs. randomly generated reduced data sets was >0·75 in all 10 cases. With 10% of the full species pool removed, correlations were 0·95.
Subsets of species were not as good at capturing among‐site patterns of species composition (ordination scores and pairwise site dissimilarities). With half the full species pool, lower 95th percentile correlations between the full and randomly generated reduced data sets were as low as 0·1. Nonetheless, in most cases the lower 95th percentile correlation with half the number of species was >0·7, and removing 10% of species gave correlations >0·8 across all data sets.
For the three data sets in which species were also removed according to the time investment for inclusion, correlations fell within the range of variability observed for random species removals.
Synthesis and applications. In biological surveys, ignoring a relatively small proportion of species (e.g. <10%), and often a much larger proportion, results in very little loss of information on patterns of biodiversity. As such, statistical power in many biodiversity studies may be maximized by eliminating difficult species from a survey in order to increase the number of sites surveyed.
Participation in the 2005 general election by adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Keeley H. , Redley M. , Holland A. J. , Clare I. C. H. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  International and UK legislation confirms and supports the right of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) to vote. It is widely accepted, although not previously empirically confirmed, that citizens with ID are under‐represented at the polls.Method  To document the extent of their under‐representation at the polls, the names and addresses of adults using services for people with ID in one county in the UK, were compared with the marked electoral register following the 2005 general election. Adults using services for people with ID were identified either as un‐registered, as registered to vote but not having voted, or as having voted.Results  Adults with ID living in the county at the time of 2005 general election were substantially under‐represented at the polls. Compared with the general population, proportionally fewer of them were registered to vote, and proportionally fewer of them voted. Compared with adults living in private homes, those in supported accommodation were more likely to be registered to vote, but less likely to use their vote. The most significant predictor of participation was living in a household with at least one other active voter.Conclusions  The importance of the close proximity of an active voter is likely to be different for adults in supported accommodation compared with those living in private households. Further research is required to understand what features of these two very different types of residences are affecting voting opportunities.
Spleen mass as a measure of immune strength in mammals
Authors: CORBIN E. , VICENTE J. , MARTIN‐HERNANDO M. P. , ACEVEDO P. , PÉREZ‐RODRÍGUEZ L. , GORTAZAR C. 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT

In studies of birds and their pathogens, spleen size has frequently been used to make inferences about immune system strength. However, the use of spleen size in mammals is more complicated because, in addition to having an immune function, the mammalian spleen is also a reservoir for red blood cells.
To assess the reliability of mammalian spleen mass as an indicator of immune activity, we quantified the white and red pulp mass by histology of spleens from shot red deer Cervus elaphus. We then analysed the relationships among spleen mass, the amounts of white and red pulp, and the deer's body condition relative to faecal counts of the nematode parasite Elaphostrongylus cervi.
White and red pulp mass were positively correlated so that an increase in spleen mass was a positive function of both components of the spleen. In male deer, which had significantly lower body condition and higher parasite loads than females, parasite counts were negatively correlated with spleen mass, white pulp mass, and red pulp mass.
Our findings suggest that (i) spleen mass in shot red deer is a reliable measure of white and red pulp content; and (ii) when looking at the red deer life history, which is greatly influenced by sex of the deer, splenic mass and white pulp mass could be used as reflections of immune system strength.
Future studies of mammalian spleens can contribute to the understanding of evolved strategies of immune response investment in mammals. However, determination of the white and red pulp spleen components using various sampling methods must be made prior to their application.
A phylogeographic analysis of populations of the wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) throughout its range
Authors: AMATO MARINA L. , BROOKS RONALD J. , FU JINZHONG 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigated the phylogeography of wood turtles, Glyptemys insculpta, in North America using 750 bp of the mitochondrial control region from 117 individuals sampled at 29 localities across the species’ range. A total of 21 haplotypes were identified and little genetic variation was found. The highest pairwise difference was 2%. From nested clade analysis (NCA), one main postglacial dispersal route was inferred along the east coast, with subsequent westward dispersal. NCA further revealed some patterns of restricted gene flow/dispersal. We propose that wood turtles experienced a combined effect of bottleneck during the Pleistocene as well as of selective sweep, which produced the low level of variation observed. Following the Pleistocene, wood turtles would have undergone a rapid northward expansion from a common southern refugium as glaciers retreated. These findings shed light on where to direct conservation priorities, on conservation strategies needed, and on the potential effects of interpopulation transfers for this vulnerable species.