bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wild bee pollinators provide the majority of crop visitation across land‐use gradients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, USA
Authors: Winfree Rachael , Williams Neal M. , Gaines Hannah , Ascher John S. , Kremen Claire 
Published: November 2007

Summary

Concern about a global decline in wild pollinators has increased interest in how pollinators are affected by human land use, and how this, in turn, affects crop pollination.
We measured wild bee visitation to four summer vegetable crops, and investigated associations between flower visitation rates and land‐use intensity at local and landscape scales. We studied 29 farms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, USA. Over 2 years we recorded >7400 bee visits to crop flowers and identified 54 species of wild bees visiting crops.
Wild bees were the dominant flower visitors at three of the four crops studied; domesticated honeybees, Apis mellifera L., provided the remainder of visits.
Ordination of the two best studied crops showed that the wild bee species visiting tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., were distinct from those visiting watermelon, Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai.
Crop visitation by wild bees was not associated with organic farming, nor with natural habitat cover at either local or landscape scale.
Synthesis and applications. The extent of crop visitation by wild bees observed in this study is among the highest recorded. In contrast to previous studies of crop visitation by wild bees, we did not find negative effects of conventional farming or natural habitat loss. In our study system, organic and conventional farms differ little in field size, crop diversity and weedy flower diversity, unlike some systems where organic farms have smaller fields with greater crop and weed diversity. Such variables may be more important than organic vs. conventional farming practices. Second, small patches of natural habitat are dispersed throughout our entire study system, and this habitat heterogeneity may support high bee abundance even in landscapes with a low proportion of natural habitat overall. Our findings suggest that agri‐environment schemes and similar programmes that work through local habitat restoration should target farms in intensively agricultural (homogeneous) landscapes to gain maximum conservation benefits.
Testing the accuracy of synthetic stellar libraries
Authors: Martins Lucimara P. , Coelho Paula 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
One of the main ingredients of stellar population synthesis models is a library of stellar spectra. Both empirical and theoretical libraries are used for this purpose, and the question about which one is preferable is still debated in the literature. Empirical and theoretical libraries are being improved significantly over the years, and many libraries have become available lately. However, it is not clear in the literature what are the advantages of using each of these new libraries, and how far behind models are compared to observations. Here we compare in detail some of the major theoretical libraries available in the literature with observations, aiming at detecting weaknesses and strengths from the stellar population modelling point of view. Our test is twofold: we compared model predictions and observations for broad-band colours and for high-resolution spectral features. Concerning the broad-band colours, we measured the stellar colour given by three recent sets of model atmospheres and flux distributions, and compared them with a recent UBVRIJHK calibration which is mostly based on empirical data. We found that the models can reproduce with reasonable accuracy the stellar colours for a fair interval in effective temperatures and gravities. The exceptions are (1) the U−B colour, where the models are typically redder than the observations, and (2) the very cool stars in general (V−K≳ 3). Castelli & Kurucz is the set of models that best reproduce the bluest colours (U−B, B−V) while Gustafsson et al. and Brott & Hauschildt more accurately predict the visual colours. The three sets of models perform in a similar way for the infrared colours. Concerning the high-resolution spectral features, we measured 35 spectral indices defined in the literature on three high-resolution synthetic libraries, and compared them with the observed measurements given by three empirical libraries. The measured indices cover the wavelength range from ∼3500 to ∼8700 Å. We found that the direct comparison between models and observations is not a simple task, given the uncertainties in parameter determinations of empirical libraries. Taking that aside, we found that in general the three libraries present similar behaviours and systematic deviations. For stars with Teff≤ 7000 K, the library by Coelho et al.is the one with best average performance. We detect that lists of atomic and molecular line opacities still need improvement, specially in the blue region of the spectrum, and for the cool stars (Teff≲ 4500 K).
Recognition profiles of microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi polar tube protein 1 with human immunoglobulin M antibodies
Authors: FURUYA K. , OMURA M. , KUDO S. , SUGIURA W. , AZUMA H. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY Microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi has a unique organelle called a polar tube (PT), the extrusion of which is absolutely required to invade a host cell. We recently detected anti‐E. cuniculi PT immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies in sera from many healthy individuals. The present one‐dimensional (1‐D) immunoblot analysis predominantly detected a band at 52 kDa in all of the examined human sera with anti‐PT IgM. The use of mouse monoclonal antibody confirmed that the 52‐kDa band detected in 1‐D immunoblots was an antigen derived from the PT, which represents a glycoprotein nature. In addition, from changes in the immunoreactivity of the 52‐kDa band before and after treatment with NaOH, we determined that the 24 human serum samples with anti‐PT IgM activities could be roughly grouped into three types: (i) sera containing antibodies against only a saccharic determinant (n = 3); (ii) sera containing antibodies against only a proteinic determinant (n = 11); and (iii) sera showing dual recognition of saccharic and proteinic determinants (n = 10). Further two‐dimensional (2‐D) immunoblot analysis followed by proteomic analysis confirmed that human sera with anti‐PT IgM reacted with E. cuniculi polar tube protein 1 (PTP1). Such circulating IgM antibodies may be important in the first line of defence against E. cuniculi infection.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE PHARMACOKINETICS, OXIDATIVE METABOLISM AND ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY OF OXYCODONE IN THE SPRAGUE‐DAWLEY RAT
Authors: Chan Samuel , Edwards Stephen R , Wyse Bruce D , Smith Maree T 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYThe pharmacokinetics and oxidative metabolism of oxycodone were investigated following intravenous and oral administration in male and female Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats.High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)–electrospray ionization (ESI)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS‐MS) was used to quantify plasma concentrations of oxycodone and its oxidative metabolites noroxycodone and oxymorphone following administration of single bolus intravenous (5 mg/kg) and oral (10 mg/kg) doses of oxycodone.The mean (±SEM) clearance of intravenous oxycodone was significantly higher in male than female SD rats (4.9 ± 0.3vs3.1 ± 0.3 L/h per kg, respectively;P < 0.01). Mean areas under the plasma concentration versus time curves (AUC) for oxycodone were significantly higher in female than male SD rats following intravenous (~1.6‐fold;P < 0.01) and oral (~sevenfold;P < 0.005) administration.The oral bioavailability of oxycodone was low (at 1.2 and 5.0%, respectively) in male and female SD rats, a finding consistent with high first‐pass metabolism. Noroxycodone : oxycodone AUC ratios were significantly higher in male than female SD rats after intravenous (~2.4‐fold;P < 0.005) and oral (~12‐fold;P < 0.005) administration.Circulating oxymorphone concentrations remained very low following both routes of administration. Noroxycodone : oxymorphone AUC ratios were greater in male than female SD rats after intravenous (~13‐ and fivefold, respectively) and oral (~90‐ and sixfold, respectively) administration.Sex differences were apparent in the pharmacokinetics, oxidative metabolism and oral bioavailability of oxycodone. Systemic exposure to oxycodone was greater in female compared with male SD rats, whereas systemic exposure to metabolically derived noroxycodone was higher in male than female SD rats.Oral administration of oxycodone to the SD rat is a poor model of the human for the study of the pharmacodynamic effects of oxycodone.
2,3,4′,5‐TETRAHYDROXYSTILBENE‐2‐O‐β‐d‐GLUCOSIDE SUPPRESSES MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE EXPRESSION AND INFLAMMATION IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC RATS
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Chun‐Hua , Li Feng , Zhu Wei‐Zhong 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY

In coronary artery disease, the typical atheromatous plaque consists of a lipid core containing various inflammatory cells and a fibrous cap composed mostly of extracellular matrix. Both matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inflammation are involved in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaques and plaque instability.
2,3,4¢,5‐Tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐b‐d‐glucoside (TSG) reduces the blood lipid content and prevents the atherosclerotic process, but the mechanism of action of TSG is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to test whether TSG can suppress MMP activation and inflammation in atherosclerotic rats.
Sixty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. Atherosclerosis was induced by feeding rats a hyperlipidaemic diet; TSG (120, 60 or 30 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage. After 12 weeks of treatment, rats were killed (ethyl carbamate 1200 mg/kg) and serum lipids, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐a were measured. Haematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining was used to examine histopathological changes in the aorta. The mRNA and protein expression of MMPs were assayed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Simvastatin (2 mg/kg per day) was administered as a positive control, whereas the vehicle (0.9% NaCl) group served as the untreated control.
In the present study, TSG significantly and dose‐dependently attenuated the hyperlipidaemic diet‐induced alterations in serum lipid profile and increases in CRP, IL‐6 and TNF‐a levels. In addition, TSG normalized the structure of the aortic wall and suppressed the expression of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 at both the mRNA and protein level in the rat aortic wall.
In summary, TSG suppresses the expression of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 and inhibits inflammation in the diet‐induced atherosclerotic rats.
EFFECTS OF SULPHITE SUPPLEMENTATION ON VASCULAR RESPONSIVENESS IN SULPHITE OXIDASE‐DEFICIENT RATS
Authors: Nacitarhan Cahit , Kucukatay Vural , Sadan Gulay , Ozturk Oktay Hasan , Agar Aysel 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of dietary sulphite supplementation on vascular responsiveness in sulphite oxidase (SO)‐deficient rats.
Male albino rats were divided into four groups, namely control (n = 8), sulphite‐treated (n = 8), SO‐deficient (n = 8) and sulphite‐treated SO‐deficient (n = 8) groups. Sulphite oxidase deficiency was induced by administration of a low‐molybdenum diet with concurrent addition of 200 p.p.m. tungsten in the form of sodium tungstate in the drinking water for 9 weeks. Sulphite, in the form of sodium metabisulphite (Na2O5S2; 25 mg/kg) was given in the drinking water to sulphite‐treated and sulphite‐treated SO‐deficient groups for the last 6 weeks. The vascular responsiveness of isolated aortic rings to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and histamine was investigated in organ baths.
The responsiveness of aortic rings to SNP and histamine did not differ significantly between groups. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in ACh‐induced relaxation in aortic rings from the sulphite‐treated SO‐deficient group compared with the control group (pD2 6.2 ± 0.3 and 7.5 ± 0.1, respectively; P < 0.05). Incubation of aortic rings in the presence of either l‐arginine or superoxide dismutase significantly improved the ACh‐induced vasorelaxation in sulphite‐treated SO‐deficient group (pD2 7.2 ± 0.3 and 7.4 ± 0.3, respectively).
The findings of the present study suggest that the increased production of reactive oxygen species and the resultant increment in l‐arginine/nitric oxideconsumption may play a role in the reduced endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation in sulphite‐treated SO‐deficient rats.
EFFECTS OF LIVER FIBROSIS ON VERAPAMIL PHARMACOKINETICS IN RATS
Authors: Chen Man , Xu Dan , Hu Xiao‐Ling , Wang Hui 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY

Liver fibrosis is the compensatory state of cirrhosis. In the long asymptomatic period, it is imperative to select a proper dosing regimen for drugs that are applicable to hepatic fibrosis owing to altered pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. The present study was designed to observe the changes in verapamil pharmacokinetics in rats with early liver fibrosis with respect to alterations in cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp).
A rat liver fibrosis model was successfully established using several inducers, including a high‐fat diet, alcohol and carbon tetrachloride. After rats received a single intravenous or oral dose of verapamil (5 mg/kg), the plasma concentrations of verapamil were determined at scheduled time‐points using HPLC. The activity of hepatic and small intestinal microsomal erythromycin N‐demethylase (a marker for CYP3A) and the expression of small intestinal cyp3a and multidrug resistance (mdr) mRNA were compared between normal rats and rats with liver fibrosis.
The results showed that when verapamil was administered intravenously, the area under the curve (AUC), elimination half‐life () and mean residence time (MRT) increased significantly, whereas clearance (Cl) decreased, in rats with liver fibrosis compared with normal rats. After oral administration of verapamil, the AUC, and maximum concentration (Cmax) increased, Cl decreased and the absorption half‐life () and time to peak concentration (Tmax) were unchanged compared with normal rats. The oral bioavailability of verapamil was 32.9% in normal rats and 34.4% in rats with liver fibrosis. Furthermore, decreased CYP3A activity in the liver was accompanied by upregulated cyp3a9/18 and unchanged mdr mRNA in the small intestine compared with normal rats. Expression of cyp3a9/18 and mdr mRNA in the intestine was significantly inhibited by verapamil.
The results suggest that the lowered Cl and increased AUC of verapamil after intravenous and oral administration in rats with liver fibrosis were due to downregulation of CYP3A in the liver. The absorption rate of verapamil in rats with liver fibrosis was unchanged because mdr was unchanged and cyp3a was inhibited in the intestine by verapamil itself. There was no notable difference in oral bioavailability between normal rats and rats with liver fibrosis.
EFFECT OF PERIPHERAL SYMPATHETIC NERVE DYSFUNCTION ON SALT SENSITIVITY OF ARTERIAL PRESSURE
Authors: Osborn John W , Collister John P , Guzman Pilar 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY

Dysregulation of peripheral sympathetic pathways contributes to some forms of salt‐dependent hypertension. However, at the present time it is not known whether salt‐induced activation of sympathetic nerves or loss of normal sympathoinhibitory responses to salt‐induced volume expansion contributes to neurogenic salt‐dependent hypertension. The present study was performed to the test the hypothesis that loss of peripheral sympathetic nerve function results in salt‐dependent hypertension.
The effect of three pharmacological interventions of sympathetic nerve function on the long‐term salt‐sensitivity of mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured: (i) blockade of ganglionic transmission with hexamethonium (HEX; n = 5); (ii) destruction of sympathetic nerve terminals with guanethidine (GUAN; n = 7); and (iii) a‐adrenoceptor blockade with two specific antagonists, namely prazosin (PRAZ; n = 7) and terazosin (TERAZ; n = 8).
Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured 24 h/day by radiotelemetry in conscious rats during 5 days of normal and 7 days of high (HNa) dietary sodium intake. Despite marked increases in both sodium and water intake during 7 days of the HNa diet, no statistically significant changes in MAP were observed in HEX, GUAN, PRAZ or TERAZ groups.
We conclude that loss of peripheral sympathetic neural pathways alone does not cause salt‐dependent hypertension in the rat.
Positron emission tomography in interstitial lung disease
Authors: NUSAIR Samir , RUBINSTEIN Rina , FREEDMAN Nanette M. , AMIR Gail , BOGOT Naama R. , IZHAR Uzi , BREUER Raphael 
Published: November 2007

Background and objectives:  A high rate of glycolysis may reflect the inflammatory activity of interstitial lung disease (ILD). This prospective study investigated whether PET can distinguish IPF, a primarily fibrotic process, from other entities of ILD that have a marked inflammatory component.Methods:  Twenty‐one patients referred for surgical lung biopsy because of diffuse ILD underwent PET at the time of the lung biopsy. PET transmission scans were obtained after injecting 18FDG intravenously. Regions of interest (ROI) were drawn on the lung images, and the standardized uptake value (SUV) was calculated for these ROI.Results:  Of the 21 patients studied, 14 had IPF, four had non‐specific interstitial pneumonia, and the remaining three patients each had respiratory bronchiolitis‐ILD, sarcoidosis and Langerhan's cell histiocytosis. There was no statistically significant difference in the SUV between IPF patients and non‐IPF patients (P = 0.26), although patients with IPF tended to have higher SUV. Radiographic changes tended to be more prominent in the lung bases in patients with IPF compared with non‐IPF patients; however, the median ratio of SUV measured in the upper fields to the whole lungs in IPF patients was not significantly different compared with the median ratio in non‐IPF patients (P = 0.31).Conclusion:  PET does not allow differentiation of IPF from a non‐IPF diffuse interstitial pulmonary process.
High CD95 expression of BAL lymphocytes predicts chronic course in patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: OZDEMIR Ozlem Kumbasar , CELIK Gokhan , DALVA Klara , ULGER Fusun , ELHAN Atilla , BEKSAC Meral 
Published: November 2007

Background and objectives:  The prognosis of sarcoidosis is highly variable, with spontaneous remission in some patients. Apoptosis may be associated with spontaneous resolution of the granulomata. CD95 (Fas), an apoptotic molecule, and CD29 and CD45RO (T‐cell memory markers) are expressed at higher levels on T lymphocytes from sarcoid patients compared with normal subjects. However, the prognostic significance of CD95, CD29 and CD45RO expression in sarcoidosis is not clear. It was hypothesized that expression of CD95 would correlate with spontaneous remission.Methods:  CD29, CD45, CD45RO and CD95 expression of BAL fluid and peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes was studied with flow cytometry in 50 patients with sarcoidosis. Results of the 15 chronic patients and 21 patients who remitted spontaneously were compared.Results:  BAL CD95 (59 vs 8, P = 0.002), and PB CD95 (48 vs 18, P = 0.004) and PB CD45RO (50 vs 41, P = 0.003) expression was significantly higher in patients with chronic disease compared with those with spontaneous remission. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for these markers were: BAL CD95 (cut‐off: 42.5%) 73.3%, 85.7%, 78.6%, 81.8% and 80.6%; PB CD95 (cut‐off: 25%) 86.7%, 66.7%, 65%, 87.5% and 75%; and PB CD45RO (cut‐off: 44.5%) 80%, 61.9%, 60%, 81.3% and 69.4%, respectively.Conclusion:  Levels of BAL and PB CD95 and PB CD45RO were unexpectedly elevated in patients with chronic disease and may be useful in predicting prognosis in patients with sarcoidosis. Further studies with more patients are necessary to confirm the prognostic role and cut‐off value for these markers.
Pneumothorax‐associated pleural eosinophilia is tumour necrosis factor‐alpha‐dependent and attenuated by steroids
Authors: KALOMENIDIS Ioannis , MOSCHOS Charalampos , KOLLINTZA Androniki , SIGALA Ioanna , STATHOPOULOS Georgios T. , PAPIRIS Spyros A. , LIGHT Richard W. , ROUSSOS Charis 
Published: November 2007

Background and objectives:  The pathogenesis and the optimal treatment of eosinophilic pleural effusions are unknown. We aimed to examine whether pneumothorax‐associated pleural eosinophilia in mice is dependent on tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐alpha, and whether it is affected by systemic administration of corticosteroids.Methods:  Mice were injected intrapleurally with 0.4 mL air to create pneumothoraces. Animals were sacrificed 24 or 48 h later, and pleural lavage (PL) was performed. In the first experiment, comparisons were made between wild‐type and TNF‐α knockout mice with pneumothorax. In the second experiment, wild‐type mice were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of dexamethasone (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg), 5 min before and 24 h after the induction of pneumothorax.Results:  After induction of a pneumothorax, TNF‐α knockout mice had significantly fewer total number of cells (P = 0.004), mononuclear cells (P = 0.01), neutrophils (P = 0.017) and eosinophils (P = 0.002) in their PL compared with wild‐type animals. TNF‐α was detected in the PL of most of the control mice but not in TNF‐α knockouts. Dexamethasone induced a significant, dose‐dependent reduction of PL total cells (P < 0.001), eosinophils (P < 0.001), mononuclear cells (P = 0.007) and lymphocytes (P = 0.04) at 48 h, and significantly reduced the number of PL total cells (P = 0.045) and eosinophils (P = 0.005) at 24 h. Furthermore, dexamethasone prevented eosinophil infiltration of lung and pleural tissue.Conclusion:  Pneumothorax‐associated pleural eosinophilia in mice is TNF‐α‐dependent and is significantly attenuated by corticosteroid treatment. In addition, both TNF‐α deficiency and dexamethasone treatment were associated with a significant reduction of other types of inflammatory cells in PL.
Airway responses to salbutamol after exposure to chemical warfare
Authors: BOSKABADY Mohammad H. , ATTARAN Dawood , SHAFFEI Mohammad N. 
Published: November 2007

Background and objectives:  Increased airway responsiveness to β‐agonists is noted in asthmatics and smokers. The lung may be exposed to chemical warfare agents such as mustard gas and pulmonary complications of exposure range from no effect to severe bronchial stenosis. There is little understanding of airway hyperresponsiveness to β‐agonist drugs in chemical war victims and this study examined airway responsiveness to salbutamol in victims of chemical warfare.Methods:  The threshold concentrations of inhaled salbutamol required for a 20% change in FEV1 as PC20, or a 35% change in specific airway conductance (sGaw) as PC35 were measured in 22 persons exposed to chemical warfare and 15 normal control subjects.Results:  In 11 of the 22 subjects PC20 salbutamol could be measured and in 15 of the 22 subjects PC35 salbutamol could be measured. This group of patients was the responder group (PC20 = 10.79 and PC35 = 8.55 mg/L) and in them the concentration of salbutamol needed for a response was significantly lower than that required in normal controls (PC20 = 237.68 and PC35 = 88.72 mg/L, P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between FEV1 and PC20 salbutamol (r = 0.815, P < 0.001).Conclusions:  These results showed increased airway responsiveness to salbutamol in most subjects exposed to chemical warfare; this was correlated with airway calibre.