bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mission Impossible and Wittgenstein's Standard Metre
Authors: Dolev Yuval 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn this paper, I argue that context sensitivity is crucial for a proper exegesis of Wittgenstein's remark that one can say of the standard metre rod neither that it is one metre long nor that it is not one metre long. I discuss cases in which we can meaningfully assert that the rod in question is one metre long and explain why these cases do not conflict with Wittgenstein's insight. I analyse Pollock's recent defence of Wittgenstein's remark, as well as Kripke's objections to it, and show that, while their commentaries are helpful, blindness to context renders them unsatisfactory.
Superior virological response to boosted protease inhibitor‐based highly active antiretroviral therapy in an observational treatment programme
Authors: Wood E , Hogg RS , Yip B , Moore D , Harrigan PR , Montaner JSG 
Published: March 2007

BackgroundThe use of boosted protease inhibitor (PI)‐based antiretroviral therapy has become increasingly recommended in international HIV treatment consensus guidelines based on the results of randomized clinical trials. However, the impact of this new treatment strategy has not yet been evaluated in community‐treated cohorts.MethodsWe evaluated baseline characteristics and plasma HIV RNA responses to unboosted and boosted PI‐based highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among antiretroviral‐naïve HIV‐infected patients in British Columbia, Canada who initiated HAART between August 1997 and September 2003 and who were followed until September 2004. We evaluated time to HIV‐1 RNA suppression (<500 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL) and HIV‐1 RNA rebound (≥500 copies/mL), while stratifying patients into those that received boosted and unboosted PI‐based HAART as the initial regimen, using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsDuring the study period, 682 patients initiated therapy with unboosted PI and 320 individuals initiated HAART with a boosted PI. Those who initiated therapy with a boosted PI were more likely to have a CD4 cell count <200 cells/μL and to have a plasma HIV RNA>100 000 copies/mL, and to have AIDS at baseline (all P<0.001). However, when we examined virological response rates, those who initiated HAART with a boosted PI achieved more rapid virological suppression [relative hazard 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.51, P=0.010].ConclusionsPatients prescribed boosted PIs achieved superior virological response rates despite baseline factors that have been associated with inferior virological responses to HAART. Despite the inherent limitations of observational studies which require this study be interpreted with caution, these findings support the use of boosted PIs for initial HAART therapy.
Predictors of CD4 count change over 8 months of follow up in HIV‐1‐infected patients with a CD4 count≥300 cells/μL who were assigned to 7.5 MIU interleukin‐2
Authors:   The ESPRIT Research Group
Published: March 2007

BackgroundESPRIT is a randomized trial comparing the clinical impact of interleukin (IL)‐2 plus antiretrovirals vs antiretrovirals alone. Identification of factors that influence the relationship between IL‐2 and CD4 count recovery will enable better personalization of treatment with IL‐2 in HIV‐1‐positive individuals. The IL‐2 induction phase consists of three dosing cycles over 6–8 months (7.5 MIU twice a day, for 5 days every 8 weeks).MethodsWe included patients initiating IL‐2 at the 7.5 MIU dose with an 8‐month CD4 count, measured at least 30 days after their last cycle. We identified baseline predictors of CD4 count changes over 8 months using linear regression.ResultsOf 2090 patients assigned IL‐2, 1673 (80%) were included in the analysis. The median (interquartile range) baseline CD4 count was 461 (370, 587) cells/μL with a median increase of 233 (90, 411) cells/μL at month 8. After adjustments, significant predictors of CD4 count change included CD4 nadir (29.8 cells/μL greater increase per 100 cells/μL higher; P<0.0001), last CD4 count before baseline (mean 36.0 cells/μL greater increase per 100 cells/μL higher; P<0.0001), time from antiretroviral start to baseline (8.3 cells/μL smaller increase per year longer; P=0.001), age (11.7 cells/μL smaller increase per 5 years older; P=0.005) and race (79.7 cells/μL greater increase for black patients vs white patients; P=0.003). A linear relationship existed between total IL‐2 dose in the first cycle and CD4 count change (73.1 cells/μL greater increase per 15 MIU higher; P<0.0001).ConclusionsPrior nadir and current CD4 counts, age and IL‐2 dose are major determinants of CD4 increases induced by with intermittent administration of IL‐2 in HIV‐1‐positive individuals on antiretrovirals. The clinical function of these induced CD4 cells is under study.
Short telomeres in short‐lived males: what are the molecular and evolutionary causes?
Authors: Jemielity Stephanie , Kimura Masayuki , Parker Karen M. , Parker Joel D. , Cao Xiaojian , Aviv Abraham , Keller Laurent 
Published: March 2007

SummaryTelomere length regulation is an important aspect of cell maintenance in eukaryotes, since shortened telomeres can lead to a number of defects, including impaired cell division. Although telomere length is correlated with lifespan in some bird species, its possible role in aging and lifespan determination is still poorly understood. Here we investigate telomere dynamics (changes in telomere length and attrition rate) and telomerase activity in the ant Lasius niger, a species in which different groups of individuals have evolved extraordinarily different lifespans. We found that somatic tissues of the short‐lived males had dramatically shorter telomeres than those of the much longer‐lived queens and workers. These differences were established early during larval development, most likely through faster telomere shortening in males compared with females. Workers did not, however, have shorter telomeres than the longer‐lived queens. We discuss various molecular mechanisms that are likely to cause the observed sex‐specific telomere dynamics in ants, including cell division, oxidative stress and telomerase activity. In addition, we discuss the evolutionary causes of such patterns in ants and in other species.
Urinary excretion of purine derivatives and plasma allantoin level in sheep and goats during fasting
Authors: FUJIHARA Tsutomu , SHEM Martin N. , MATSUI Tohru 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThe relationship between blood plasma level and urinary excretion of allantoin (AN) was examined in sheep and goats during fasting to investigate the possible use of purine derivatives (PD) in urine and/or plasma for estimating the microbial protein production in the rumen, and the further digestion in the lower guts of ruminants. Urinary AN excretion decreased markedly during fasting (0.13 mmol/kgW0.75 per day), although urinary levels of other PD, hypoxanthine + xanthine and uric acid did not differ irrespective of the feeding condition, that is, feeding, fasting and refeeding in both species. The AN concentration in blood plasma also decreased drastically in the starvation period, and was suddenly increased on refeeding in sheep and goats, and these phenomena were very similar to those of urinary AN excretion. Therefore, there was a high positive correlation between plasma AN level and urinary AN excretion, and the coefficient of correlation was statistically significant (P < 0.01). These results clearly indicate that changes in urinary AN reflect change in plasma AN, which is induced by the catabolism of purine base in the body.
Validation and application of real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays for representative rumen bacteria
Authors: KOIKE Satoshi , YABUKI Hiroyoshi , KOBAYASHI Yasuo 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTReal‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for 11 representative rumen bacterial species were validated. The sensitivity was tested by using the serially diluted target 16S rDNA from respective bacterial species. The recovery of the target DNA and the assay reproducibility were determined using DNA from rumen fluid spiked with different quantities of the target. Minimum detection levels for the target were 10–100 copies in pure culture. The recovery of the added target ranged from 82.4 to 116.6%. The intra‐ and inter‐assay variations of each assay were <9.4 and <12.6%, respectively. Therefore, the real‐time PCR assays evaluated in the present study are considered to be sufficiently reliable for monitoring all 11 bacterial species in the rumen. The assays were then applied to the monitoring of the bacterial species attached to ruminally incubated rice straw. Among the monitored fibrolytic species, Fibrobacter succinogenes was found to be the most dominant, accounting for 2.61% of total bacteria after 24 h incubation. Selenomonas ruminantium and Streptococcus bovis, non‐fibrolytics, were detected on the rice straw at 8.96% and 1.16% of total bacteria, respectively. Such high levels of non‐fibrolytics on the plant fiber suggest a synergistic relationship between fibrolytics and non‐fibrolytics.
Effects of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) hay feeding on dry matter intake and milk production of Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) fed rice straw ad libitum
Authors: HAYASHI Yoshiaki , DEVKOTA Naba Raj , KUMAGAI Hajime 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTTo identify the effects of field pea hay (FPH) as a supplement of rice straw (RS) on feed intake and milk production of mid‐late lactation buffaloes in Tarai, Nepal, nine multiparous Murrah were fed a concentrate at 0.6% of their bodyweight (BW) on a concentrate dry matter (DM) basis daily while having ad libitum access to RS. The buffaloes were divided into three groups, and the experiment with three levels of FPH feeding was conducted at the following rate of BW: 0% (T1), 0.5% (T2) and 1.0% (T3) on an FPH DM basis. The DM intake (DMI) was higher in T2 and T3 than in T1. As the amount of FPH was raised, the BW change, crude protein intake (CPI) and total digestible nutrient intake (TDNI) was increased. Although the yield of milk and milk composition did not differ among the treatments, the 7% fat corrected milk yield (FCMY) tended to increase as FPH feeding amount was raised. Although there were no significant differences in FCMY/DMI and FCMY/TDNI among the treatments, FCMY/CPI decreased with FPH feeding. Supplementary FPH increased DMI, CPI and TDNI that might have raised BW, and tended to improve FCMY in mid‐late lactating buffaloes as a result of an increase in TDNI.
Physiological responses of transported goats treated with ascorbic acid during the hot‐dry season
Authors: MINKA Ndazo Salka , AYO Joseph Olusegun 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to determine the physiological responses of transported Red Sokoto goats (RSG) treated with ascorbic acid (AA). Ten RSG treated orally with ascorbic acid served as experimental subjects, while seven goats treated with sterile water served as the control. The goats were transported for 8 h. The ambient temperature and relative humidity during the study period fluctuated between 21 and 38°C and 51 and 91%, respectively, which indicated that the season was thermally stressful and did not favor transportation of goats. The rectal temperature obtained in the control goats was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the value in the experimental goats after transportation. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in eosinophil counts and an increase (P < 0.01) in neutrophil counts and neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio recorded in the control goats after transportation, which suggested that the control goats were physically and emotionally stressed. The control goats lost 11.9% of their initial liveweight, while the experimental goats lost only 1.04% after transportation. Multiple stresses, including extreme meteorological factors, acted upon the transported goats and impaired their homeostatic mechanism. In conclusion, AA administration in goats reduced the adverse effects of road transportation stress.
Effect of regular walking exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin response to i.v. glucose infusion in growing beef steers
Authors: AOKI Yasuhiro , YAMADA Tomoya , NAKANISHI Naoto 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present paper was to investigate the effect of regular walking exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin response to i.v. glucose infusion in growing beef steers. Four crossbred beef steers walked on a treadmill during a 6 week exercise period (1.2 km/h, 1 h/day and 5 days/week). The changes in plasma glucose and insulin levels following glucose infusion were analyzed immediately prior to (bodyweight: 260.4 ± 24.2 kg) and after (295.7 ± 30.1 kg) the exercise period. The basal levels of plasma glucose (86.4 vs. 82.0 mg/dL, P = 0.040) and insulin (24.5 vs. 14.3 μU/mL, P = 0.016) were significantly lower after the exercise period. Further, the increase in the levels of plasma glucose (420.4 vs. 280.8 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and insulin (94.5 vs. 73.1 μU/mL, P = 0.028) following the glucose infusion decreased after the exercise period. The area under the curve of plasma glucose (108.8 vs. 62.9 mg/dL per min, P < 0.001) and insulin (53.6 vs. 29.7 μU/mL per min, P = 0.018) indicated more rapid clearance of exogenous glucose and less insulin secretion for glucose clearance after the exercise period. These results suggest that regular exercise improves glucose tolerance, with lower insulin response to glucose infusion in growing steers, as observed in rodents and humans.
Molecular cloning of Pit‐1 cDNA and genomic DNA of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos)
Authors: KANSAKU Norio , OHKUBO Takeshi , GUÉMENÉ Daniel , KÜHNLEIN Urs , ZADWORNY David 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThe expression of unique isoform of pituitary transcription factor (Pit‐1) is reported in the chicken and turkey. However, it is not well known whether this isoform is expressed in the other avian species. In the present study, complementary DNA (cDNA) and genomic DNA, of Pit‐1 of domesticated duck, were cloned and sequenced. Duck Pit‐1α was found to have 93.3, and 92.4% sequence identity at the cDNA level to Pit‐1α of chicken and turkey, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence had 96.7% similarity with a comparable region of Pit‐1α of both chicken and turkey. Based on the cDNA sequence, the genomic structure of the gene was characterized. The duck Pit‐1 gene consisted of seven exons and six introns. Sequence analysis of the duck Pit‐1 gene allowed for the design of a forward primer for amplification of Pit‐1γ, which is synthesized from an alternative transcription initiation site in galliforms. Reverse transcription of total RNA followed by polymerase chain reaction successively amplified a 984 bp product of Pit‐1γ cDNA, which encoded a peptide of 326 amino acids. These results suggest that the expression of Pit‐1 isoform originates from a different site of transcription initiation, which is not unique to galliforms but is observed in other avian species including anseriforms.
Effects of intramuscular fat deposition on the beef traits of Japanese Black steers (Wagyu)
Authors: UEDA Yasuko , WATANABE Akira , HIGUCHI Mikito , SHINGU Hiroyuki , KUSHIBIKI Shiro , SHINODA Mitsuru 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTEffects of intramuscular fat deposition on the chemical composition, tenderness, and free amino acids (FAA) concentration of beef were studied using various classified carcasses of 21 Japanese Black (Wagyu) steers. The Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) No., judged on the market in 1998, and fat content, ranged from 2 to 10 and 4.8 to 39.0% in the M. longissimus thoracis, respectively. Moisture content was negatively correlated with the fat content (r =−0.98, P < 0.01). In contrast, protein content was relatively constant up to approximately 23% fat, corresponding to BMS No.4, and decreased as the fat content increased. Cooking loss was also constant up to approximately 28% fat, corresponding to BMS No.4, and markedly decreased with fat content increase. The beef in these cases were, however, classified into BMS No. around 9 and 11, respectively, according to the BMS model in 1988. A negative correlation was found between the shear‐force value and the fat content (r =−0.83, P < 0.05). Most FAA concentrations on the wet weight of meat were correlated negatively with the fat content, except glutamine, and this negative relationship was still observed when the concentrations were recalculated on the basis of protein. These results indicate that higher marbling Wagyu beef (above approx. 23% fat) would have an extremely lower content of protein, which would partly explain the lower cooking loss and FAA with fat increase. In addition, some other reasons not relating to protein content (e.g. high fat content preventing the breakdown of protein to FAA) seem to explain the negative correlation between fat and FAA.
Regulation of Light Energy Utilization and Distribution of Photosynthesis in Five Subtropical Woody Plants
Authors: Liu Nan , Peng Chang‐Lian , Lin Zhi‐Fang , Lin Gui‐Zhu , Pan Xiao‐Ping 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe adaptations and responses of photosynthesis to long‐ and short‐term growth light gradient treatments were investigated in five subtropical forest plants, namely Pinus massoniana Lamb., Schima superba Gardn. et Champ., Castanopsis fissa (Champ. ex Benth.) Rehd. et Wils., Acmena acuminatissima (BI.) Merr et Perry, and Cryptocarya concinna Hance. With diurnal changes in sunlight and air temperature, the de‐epoxidation state and lutein content in the five woody plants under three light intensities first increased and then decreased during the day. However, maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm; where Fm is the maximum fluorescence yield and Fv is variable fluorescence) and the photochemical quantum yields of photosystem (PS) II (ΦPSII) of the species examined changed in the opposite manner, with those in plants grown under 100% natural light changing the most. After long‐term treatment (21 months), anti‐oxidant capacity (1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·)‐scavenging capacity) and utilization of excitation energy showed differences in modulation by different light intensities. It was shown that A. acuminatissima and C. concinna, as dominant species in the late succession stage of a subtropical forest in Dinghu mountain, South China, were better able to adapt to different light environments. However, P. massoniana, the pioneer species of this forest, exhibited less adaptation to low light intensity and was definitely eliminated by the forest succession process.
Photosynthetic and Respiratory Acclimation to Experimental Warming for Four Species in a Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem
Authors: Zhou Xuhui , Liu Xiaozhong , Wallace Linda L. , Luo Yiqi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractGlobal temperature has been increased by 0.6 °C over the past century and is predicted to increase by 1.4‐5.8 °C by the end of this century. It is unclear what impacts global warming will have on tallgrass species. In the present study, we examined leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and leaf respiration rate in darkness (Rd) of Aster ericoides (L.) Nesom, Ambrosia psilostachya DC., Helianthus mollis Lam., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in response to experimental warming in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem of the Great Plains, USA, in the autumn (fall) of 2000 and through 2001. Warming has been implemented with infrared heaters since 21 November 1999. The Pn increased significantly in spring, decreased in early fall, and did not change in summer and late fall in the four species under warming compared with control. The Rd of the four species increased significantly until mid‐summer and then did not change under warming. Measured temperature‐response curves of Pn showed that warming increased the optimum temperature of Pn (Topt) by 2.32 and 4.59 °C for H. mollis and S. nutans, respectively, in August, whereas there were no changes in May and September, and A. ericoides and A. psilostachya also showed no changes in any of the 3 months. However, Pn at optimum temperature (Popt) showed downregulation in September and no regulation in May and August for all four species. The temperature‐response curves of Rd illustrate that the temperature sensitivity of Rd, Q10, was lower in the warmed plots compared with the control plots, except for A. ericoides in August, whereas there were no changes in May and September for all four species. The results of the present study indicate that photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation varies with species and among seasons, occurring in the mid‐growing season and not in the early and late growing seasons.
Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Relationships in a Tunisian Fig (Ficus carica) Germplasm Collection by Random Amplified Microsatellite Polymorphisms
Authors: Chatti Khaled , Saddoud Olfa , Salhi‐Hannachi Amel , Mars Messaoud , Marrakchi Mohamed , Trifi Mokhtar 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe random amplified mirosatellite polymorphism method was performed in a set of Tunisian fig landraces using eighteen primer combinations. A total of sixty three random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMPO) markers were scored and used either to assess the genetic diversity in these cultivars or to detect cases of mislabeling. Opportunely, data proved that the designed procedure constitutes an attractive and fast method with low costs and prevents radio exposure. As a result, we have identified the primer combinations that are the most efficient to detect genetic polymorphism in this crop. Therefore, the derived unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram illustrates the genetic divergence among the landraces studied and exhibits a typically continuous variation. Moreover, no evident correlation between the sexes of trees was observed. In addition, using these markers, discrimination between landraces has been achieved. Thus, random amplified mirosatellite polymorphism is proved to be powerful for characterizing the local fig germplasm.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Sphingosine‐1‐Phosphate Lyase Homolog from Higher Plants
Authors: Niu Yan , Chen Kunling , Wang Jizhou , Liu Xin , Qin Huanju , Zhang Aimin , Wang Daowen 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSphingosine‐1‐phosphate lyase (SPL) is involved in degrading the conserved sphingolipid signaling molecule sph‐ingosine‐1‐phosphate. However, molecular studies on plant SPL have not been reported to date. Here, we present bioinformatic, molecular and functional analyses of putative SPL proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (designated as AtSPL and OsSPL, respectively). Amino acid sequence comparison revealed that plant SPL contained the pyridoxal‐dependent decarboxylase domain and the conserved residue that may be involved in substrate catalysis. When expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, AtSPL and OsSPL corrected the hypersensitive phenotype of the yeast dpl1 deletion strain, which is deficient in endogenous SPL activity, to exogenous supplied sphingolipid long chain bases (LCBs), suggesting that plant SPL protein is functional in vivo in degrading phosphorylated LCBs. In Arabidopsis, AtSPL transcripts were detected in roots, stems, leaves, flowers and siliques. In pAtSPL‐AtSPL::GUS transgenic lines, the AtSPL::GUS fusion protein was found in a variety of vegetative and reproductive tissues. AtSPL expression level was dynamically regulated during leaf development and senescence, and was steadily and significantly increased in Arabidopsis seedlings treated with the cell death‐inducing fungal toxin fumonisin B1. The potential function of SPL in Arabidopsis is discussed.