bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure of the widespread and common Mediterranean bryophyte Pleurochaete squarrosa (Brid.) Lindb. (Pottiaceae) — evidence from nuclear and plastidic DNA sequence variation and allozymes
Authors: GRUNDMANN MICHAEL , ANSELL STEPHEN W. , RUSSELL STEPHEN J. , KOCH MARCUS A. , VOGEL JOHANNES C. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe Mediterranean Basin as one the world's most biologically diverse regions provides an interesting area for the study of plant evolution and spatial structure in plant populations. The dioecious moss Pleurochaete squarrosa is a widespread and common bryophyte in the Mediterranean Basin. Thirty populations were sampled for a study on molecular diversity and genetic structure, covering most major islands and mainland populations from Europe and Africa. A significant decline in nuclear and chloroplast sequence and allozyme variation within populations from west to east was observed. While DNA sequence data showed patterns of isolation by distance, allozyme markers did not. Instead, their considerable interpopulation genetic differentiation appeared to be unrelated to geographic distance. Similar high values for coefficients of gene diversity (GST) in all data sets provided evidence of geographic isolation and limited gene flow among populations (i) within islands, (ii) within mainland areas, and (iii) between islands and mainland. Notably, populations in continental Spain are strongly genetically isolated from all other investigated areas. Surprisingly, there was no difference in gene diversity and GST between islands and mainland areas. Thus, we conclude that large Mediterranean islands may function as ‘mainland’ for bryophytes. This hypothesis and its implication for conservation biology of cryptogamic plants warrant further investigation. While sexually reproducing populations were found all over the Mediterranean Basin, high levels of multilocus linkage disequilibrium provide evidence of mainly vegetative propagation even in populations where sexual reproduction was observed.
Working at the interface of phylogenetics and population genetics: a biogeographical analysis of Triaenops spp. (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)
Authors: RUSSELL A. L. , RANIVO J. , PALKOVACS E. P. , GOODMAN S. M. , YODER A. D. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractNew applications of genetic data to questions of historical biogeography have revolutionized our understanding of how organisms have come to occupy their present distributions. Phylogenetic methods in combination with divergence time estimation can reveal biogeographical centres of origin, differentiate between hypotheses of vicariance and dispersal, and reveal the directionality of dispersal events. Despite their power, however, phylogenetic methods can sometimes yield patterns that are compatible with multiple, equally well‐supported biogeographical hypotheses. In such cases, additional approaches must be integrated to differentiate among conflicting dispersal hypotheses. Here, we use a synthetic approach that draws upon the analytical strengths of coalescent and population genetic methods to augment phylogenetic analyses in order to assess the biogeographical history of Madagascar's Triaenops bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae). Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequence data for Malagasy and east African Triaenops reveal a pattern that equally supports two competing hypotheses. While the phylogeny cannot determine whether Africa or Madagascar was the centre of origin for the species investigated, it serves as the essential backbone for the application of coalescent and population genetic methods. From the application of these methods, we conclude that a hypothesis of two independent but unidirectional dispersal events from Africa to Madagascar is best supported by the data.
Unusual behaviour of epikarst in the Acqua dei Faggi carbonate aquifer (Southern Italy)
Authors: Petrella Emma , Capuano Paolo , Celico Fulvio 
Published: January 2007

AbstractHydrogeological and geophysical investigations demonstrated the existence of an epikarstic zone in a carbonate aquifer of Southern Italy, about 10 m thick. Nevertheless, the hydrogeological behaviour of the epikarst is different from that schematized by several authors. In the test site, the contrast in permeability at the bottom of the epikarst does not cause retention of percolation and storage of water in a perched temporary aquifer within the uppermost portion of the carbonate medium. Because of the high fracture density and good interconnection of openings within the underlying limestone, the percolation is diffuse also below the epikarstic zone, as well as the groundwater flow. The ‘funnelling’ effect into larger shafts does not play an important role on the hydrogeological behaviour of the aquifer.
Diachronous exhumation of HP–LT metamorphic rocks from south‐western Alps: evidence from fission‐track analysis
Authors: Schwartz S. , Lardeaux J. M. , Tricart P. , Guillot S. , Labrin E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractNew fission‐track ages on zircon and apatite (ZFT and AFT) from the south‐western internal Alps document a diachronous cooling history from east to west, with cooling rates of 15–19 °C Ma−1. In the Monviso unit, the ZFT ages are 19.6 Ma and the AFT ages are 8.6 Ma. In the eastern Queyras, ZFT ages range from 27.0 to 21.7 Ma and AFT ages from 14.2 to 9.4 Ma. In the western Queyras, ZFT ages are between 94.7 and 63.1 Ma and AFT ages are between 22.2 and 22.6 Ma. The Chenaillet ophiolite yields ages of 118.1 Ma on ZFT and 67.9 Ma on AFT. The combination of these new FT data with the available petrological and geochronological data emphasize an earlier exhumation in subduction context before 30 Ma, then in collision associated with westward tilting of the Piedmont zone.
Microbial content of drinking water in Finnish and Russian Karelia – implications for atopy prevalence
Authors: Von Hertzen L. , Laatikainen T. , Pitkänen T. , Vlasoff T. , Mäkelä M. J. , Vartiainen E. , Haahtela T. 
Published: January 2007

Background and aim:  The influence of microbial quality of drinking water from different sources on the occurrence of atopy has been poorly examined. This study was undertaken to clarify the association between the overall microbial content in drinking water and the occurrence of atopy among schoolchildren from two neighbouring areas with profound differences in living conditions and lifestyles.Methods:  Drinking water samples were obtained from kitchens of nine schools in North Karelia, Finland and of nine schools from Pitkäranta, the Republic of Karelia, Russia. The pupils of these schools were participants of the Karelian Allergy Study. Occurrence of atopy, determined by skin prick test positivity (one or more) to 14 common airborne and food allergens, was measured in all 563 children, aged 7–16 years, from these 18 schools. Water samples were analysed using standard methods for drinking water analyses including viable counts for Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, coliform bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria. In addition, total cell counts including both viable and nonviable bacteria, algae and protozoans were assessed using epifluorescence microscope with 4′‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining.Results:  In Finland, 29% of the children were sensitized to birch when compared with 2% of the Russian children (P < 0.0001). Overall, sensitization rates for any of the pollens were 39% and 8% (P < 0.0001), and for any of the allergens 48% and 16%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Because of substantial differences in raw water sources and treatment practices, the total numbers of microbial cells in drinking water were many‐fold higher in Russia than in Finland. A dose–response relationship was found for occurrence of atopy and the DAPI value indicative of microbial cell content in the water (P < 0.0001). Further, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high (>106 cells/ml) and intermediate (105–106 cells/ml) DAPI values were associated with reduced risk of atopy (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.20–0.57 and 0.39, 0.23–0.69, respectively), independently from other factors.Conclusion:  High overall content of micro‐organisms in drinking water may be associated with reduced risk of atopy, independently from other determinants.
Significant association between TNF‐α (TNF) promoter allele (−1031C, −863C, and −857C) and cerebral malaria in Thailand
Authors: Hananantachai H. , Patarapotikul J. , Ohashi J. , Naka I. , Krudsood S. , Looareesuwan S. , Tokunaga K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe examined a possible association of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) promoter −1031T>C (rs1799964), −863C>A (rs1800630), and −857C>T (rs1799724) with severe malaria in 466 adult patients havingPlasmodium falciparummalaria in northwest Thailand. FourTNFpromoter alleles comprising these three SNPs were detected in the studied population. The frequency of theTNF U04allele designated −1031C, −863C, and −857C was found to be significantly greater in patients with cerebral malaria than in patients with mild malaria (12.6%, cerebral malariavs5.6%, mild malaria; odds ratio = 2.5;P= 0.002). The association ofU04with susceptibility to cerebral malaria was not caused by linkage disequilibrium with any specificHLA‐Band‐DRB1alleles.
Retracted: Do patients profit from physostigmine in recovery from desflurane anaesthesia?
Authors: Röhm K. D. , Riechmann J. , Boldt J. , Schöllhorn T. , Piper S. N. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Physostigmine is the drug of choice in the central anticholinergic syndrome, but has also been used in post‐operative mental derangement secondary to sedatives and volatile anaesthetics. The aim of this double‐blind, randomized, prospective study was to determine whether physostigmine alters recovery after desflurane anaesthesia.Methods:  One hundred patients undergoing urologic or surgical procedures were enrolled to receive either NaCl 0.9% (n= 50) or 2 mg of physostigmine (n= 50) at the end of general anaesthesia with propofol, fentanyl, cisatracurium and desflurane. Times to extubation, stating name, birthday and place of residence, and obeying commands such as eye opening and hand squeezing were noted. Haemodynamics, Aldrete and pain scores, the analgesic requirements, and any adverse side‐effects were documented until the 1st post‐operative day.Results:  Demographic, peri‐operative data including duration of anaesthesia, surgery and postanaesthetic care unit (PACU) stay, and consumption of anaesthetics were comparable in both groups. No significant difference between the groups was found for extubation time or other emergence parameters. Patients undergoing anaesthesia >150 min showed after receiving physostigmine significantly (P < 0.05) faster spontaneous breathing (2.6 ± 3.1 vs. placebo 5.0 ± 4.2 min) and extubation time (6.2 ± 3.7 vs. placebo 8.8 ± 5.0 min). Women showed significantly shorter extubation times (5.5 ± 3.4 min) and eye opening (5.5 ± 2.6 min) with physostigmine than placebo (7.7 ± 4.5 and 7.8 ± 4.0 min). The incidence of post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was significantly higher after physostigmine than placebo, whereas shivering occurred more often after placebo.Conclusion:  Physostigmine does not alter desflurane‐based anaesthesia compared with placebo. An option is to use physostigmine in patients with a duration of anaesthesia >150 min who profit in earlier return to spontaneous breathing and shorter extubation time.
In Vitro and In Vivo Temporal Aspects of ACTH Secretion: Stimulatory Actions of Corticotropin‐Releasing Hormone and Vasopressin in Cattle
Authors: Carroll J. A. , McArthur N. H. , Welsh T. H. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the temporal aspects associated with corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) stimulated bovine adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro studies, bovine anterior pituitary glands were enzymatically dispersed to establish primary cultures. On day 5 of culture, cells were challenged for 3 h with medium alone (Control) or various combinations and concentrations of bovine CRH (bCRH) and VP. Both CRH and VP each increased (P < 0.05) ACTH secretion. Maximal increases in ACTH secretion occurred in response to 0.1 μm CRH (5.5‐fold) and 1 μm VP (3.7‐fold), relative to Control cells. The in vivo portion of the study examined possible temporal differences in the activation of the pituitary‐adrenal axis by CRH and VP. Jersey cows were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 8 cows/group): (i) Control (saline); (ii) bCRH (0.3 μg/kg BW); (iii) VP (1 μg/kg BW) and (iv) bCRH (0.3 μg/kg BW) + VP (1 μg/kg BW). Jugular blood samples were collected at 15‐min intervals for 4 h pre‐ and for 6 h post‐treatment; samples were also taken at 1, 5 and 10 min post‐treatment. Plasma concentration of ACTH did not differ among treatment groups for the 4‐h pre‐treatment period. At 1 min post‐treatment, bCRH + VP, VP and bCRH increased ACTH secretion by 22.4‐, 9.6‐ and 2.2‐fold, respectively, relative to Control (32.7 ± 7.2 pg/ml). Maximal plasma concentration of ACTH occurred at 5, 10 and 15 min post‐treatment for the VP (1017.7 ± 219.9 pg/ml), bCRH + VP (1399.8 ± 260.1 pg/ml) and bCRH (324.8 ± 126.2 pg/ml) treatment groups respectively. Both the in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that while VP acutely activates the bovine pituitary‐adrenal axis, CRH‐induced ACTH secretion is slower in onset but of longer duration. The present study also provides insight into the dynamics of ACTH and cortisol (CS) responsiveness to CRH and VP in cattle.
Pharmacokinetics of Intramuscular Ketamine in Young Ostriches Premedicated with Romifidine
Authors: De Lucas J. J. , Rodríguez C. , Marín M. , González F. , Ballesteros C. , San Andrés M. I. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryKetamine is a short‐acting dissociative anaesthetic for chemical restraint and surgical anaesthesia in domestic and non‐domestic animals. The present study was designed to determine the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of ketamine (10 mg/kg) after intramuscular (i.m.) administration to young ostriches premedicated with romifidine. Ketamine was rapidly absorbed after i.m. administration. Maximal ketamine concentration (Cmax) of 2.93 ± 0.61 μg/ml was reached at 12.5 ± 2.50 min and thereafter ketamine concentrations decreased rapidly. The elimination half‐life (t1/2z) obtained was 62.37 ± 17.37 min and mean residence time (MRT) was 77.33 ± 19.12 min. The area under the curve (AUC) was 114.19 ± 15.76 μg·min/ml.
Plasma Antioxidant Capacity in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Heart Diseases
Authors: Hetyey C. S. , Manczur F. , Dudás‐Györki Z. , Reiczigel J. , Ribiczey P. , Vajdovich P. , Vörös K. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe aim of the study was to compare the plasma levels of antioxidants by measuring total antioxidant activity (TAS) and ferric reducing ability of the plasma (FRAP) in healthy dogs and in those that are suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or from mitral endocardiosis (ME). Dogs with echocardiographically diagnosed ME (10 dogs) as well as DCM (23 dogs) were sampled. Of dogs with DCM, eight having DCM with sinus rhythm (SR) were included in the DCM‐SR group and 15 having DCM with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the DCM‐AF group. Total antioxidant levels measured by TAS assay differed neither significantly between the cardiac patients and the control group nor between the heart disease groups. Ferric reducing ability of the plasma in animals with cardiac disease was significantly higher than in the control animals, and the difference was also significant in between the two DCM groups. However, the differences between the antioxidant levels of the DCM and ME groups did not reach significance in none of the antioxidant (TAS and FRAP) tests. Summarizing the results of this study it can be concluded that there is an increased antioxidant reactivity detected by the FRAP, but not by the TAS assay in the blood of dogs with naturally occurring cardiac disorders. The magnitude of this increase seems to be more affected rather by the severity of the cardiac insufficiency and/or by the heart rate or rhythm disorder than by the underlying heart disease itself.
Gadamer and Theology
Authors: EBERHARD PHILIPPE 
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  This article examines the role of theology in Gadamer and what theology can learn from it. Gadamer owes a great deal to theology for his account of understanding, but the few times he reveals his own theology he does not apply to it the insights he gleaned from theology. This article proposes to open more fully the door back to theology Gadamer left ajar.Following a middle‐voiced reading of understanding as standing under, it articulates theology in terms of a middle‐voiced process in and of which we partake when we get involved in it.
Stretch‐induced injury in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures reproduces in vivo post‐traumatic neurodegeneration: role of glutamate receptors and voltage‐dependent calcium channels
Authors: Cater Heather L. , Gitterman Daniel , Davis Susan M. , Benham Christopher D. , Morrison Barclay , Sundstrom Lars E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe relationship between an initial mechanical event causing brain tissue deformation and delayed neurodegeneration in vivo is complex because of the multiplicity of factors involved. We have used a simplified brain surrogate based on rat hippocampal slices grown on deformable silicone membranes to study stretch‐induced traumatic brain injury. Traumatic injury was induced by stretching the culture substrate, and the biological response characterized after 4 days. Morphological abnormalities consistent with traumatic injury in humans were widely observed in injured cultures. Synaptic function was significantly reduced after a severe injury. The N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK‐801 attenuated neuronal damage, prevented loss of microtubule‐associated protein 2 immunoreactivity and attenuated reduction of synaptic function. In contrast, the NMDA receptor antagonists 3‐[(R)‐2‐carboxypiperazin‐4‐yl]‐propyl‐1‐phosphonic acid (CPP) and GYKI53655, were neuroprotective in a moderate but not a severe injury paradigm. Nifedipine, an L‐type voltage‐dependent calcium channel antagonist was protective only after a moderate injury, whereas ω‐conotoxin attenuated damage following severe injury. These results indicate that the mechanism of damage following stretch injury is complex and varies depending on the severity of the insult. In conclusion, the pharmacological, morphological and electrophysiological responses of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to stretch injury were similar to those observed in vivo. Our model provides an alternative to animal testing for understanding the mechanisms of post‐traumatic delayed cell death and could be used as a high‐content screen to discover neuroprotective compounds before advancing to in vivo models.
Oxidative stress activates protein tyrosine kinase and matrix metalloproteinases leading to blood–brain barrier dysfunction
Authors: Haorah James , Ramirez Servio H. , Schall Kathy , Smith Daniel , Pandya Rita , Persidsky Yuri 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe blood–brain barrier (BBB) formed by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) regulates the passage of molecules and leukocytes in and out of the brain. Oxidative stress is a major underlying cause of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders and BBB injury associated with them. Using human BMVEC grown on porous membranes covered with basement membrane (BM) matrix (BBB models), we demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) augmented permeability and monocyte migration across BBB. ROS activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐1, ‐2, and ‐9) and decreased tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP‐1 and ‐2) in a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)‐dependent manner. Increase in MMPs and PTK activities paralleled degradation of BM protein and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of tight junction (TJ) protein. These effects and enhanced permeability/monocyte migration were prevented by inhibitors of MMPs, PTKs, or antioxidant suggesting that oxidative stress caused BBB injury via degradation of BM protein by activated MMPs and by PTK‐mediated TJ protein phosphorylation. These findings point to new therapeutic interventions ameliorating BBB dysfunction in neurological disorders such as stroke or neuroinflammation.
Role of activity‐dependent mechanisms in the control of dopaminergic neuron survival
Authors: Michel Patrick P. , Alvarez‐Fischer Daniel , Guerreiro Serge , Hild Audrey , Hartmann Andreas , Hirsch Etienne C. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractDopaminergic neurons that constitute the nigrostriatal pathway are characterized by singular electrical properties that allow them to discharge in vivo spontaneously in a spectrum of patterns ranging from pacemaker to random and bursting modes. These electrophysiological features allow dopaminergic neurons to optimize the release of dopamine in their terminal fields. However, there is emerging evidence indicating that electrical activity might also participate in the control of dopaminergic neuron survival, not only during development, but also in the adult brain, thus raising the possibility that alterations in ionic currents could contribute actively to the demise of these neurons in Parkinson disease. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which activity‐dependent mechanisms might modulate dopaminergic cell survival.
Enhancing the benefit of continuing professional development: a randomized controlled study of personal development plans for dentists
Authors: Bullock Alison , Firmstone Vickie , Frame John , Bedward Julie 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the implementation and impact of personal development plans (PDPs) for UK dentists. Eighty‐seven UK dentists were divided into two groups, experimental (n = 42; supported by a tutor in developing a PDP) and control (n = 45). Both groups recorded their continuing professional development (CPD) activities over a 6‐month period in 2002 and rated their relation to learning needs, extent of new learning, immediate and longer‐term impact on practice. All in the experimental group were interviewed 1 month after completing a PDP, 6 months later they rated the match of their CPD activities with their PDP, and at 12 months a sub‐sample of 10 were interviewed. The results show that developing a PDP with the aid of a tutor was viewed positively. Participants undertook a median number of 17 educational activities in the 6‐month period (mean of 50 hours). Most frequent activities were reading and courses. Ratings for impact, both immediate and later, were higher among the experimental group who had been supported in the development of a PDP, and this was particularly true for reading. For courses, the impact of the intervention was more clearly in evidence when there was a good match between the PDP and the CPD activities actually undertaken. In conclusion, these data, based on self‐ratings within a controlled study, show that dentists in the experimental group, who were supported to develop a PDP, derived greater benefit from their CPD than the control group.