bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients cured from craniopharyngioma or nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma (NFMA) suffer similarly from increased daytime somnolence despite normal sleep patterns compared to healthy controls
Authors: Van Der Klaauw Agatha A. , Biermasz Nienke R. , Pereira Alberto M. , Van Kralingen Klaas W. , Dekkers Olaf M. , Rabe Klaus F. , Smit Johannes W. A. , Romijn Johannes A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryObjective  Adults patients previously treated for craniopharyngioma have increased general and physical fatigue compared to healthy controls. This could be related to disturbed sleep patterns. The aim of this study was to compare sleepiness and sleep patterns in those patients to healthy controls and to patients treated for nonfunctioning macroadenomas (NFMA) of the pituitary.Design  Case‐control study.Patients and methods  Sleepiness and sleep patterns were assessed in 27 adult patients [14 men, 8 patients diagnosed at childhood age, mean age of 53 years (range 27–80 year)] after long‐term follow‐up and compared to 50 healthy controls and 38 age‐, gender‐ and BMI‐matched patients with NFMA. We used two validated questionnaires for sleep parameters (Epworth sleepiness score and Münchener Chronotype Questionnaire).Results  Sleep patterns (onset, sleep timing, duration and rise time) were not statistically different between the three groups. However, daytime sleepiness scores were increased in patients treated for craniopharyngioma compared to healthy controls, but not different from patients with NFMA. Thirty‐three percent of patients with craniopharyngiomas had ESS scores above 10 compared to 8% of healthy controls (P = 0·005), indicating severe daytime hypersomnolence. Neither type of surgery, previous radiotherapy, or age at diagnosis influenced the sleepiness scores in patients with craniopharyngioma.Conclusion  Patients treated for craniopharyngioma or NFMA have increased daytime somnolence despite normal sleep patterns, compared to healthy subjects. The results indicate that increased daytime somnolence is a general consequence of large tumours, and/or their treatment, in the hypothalamic/pituitary region, rather than a specific feature of craniopharyngiomas per se.
Immunohistochemical localization of nanog and Oct4 in stem cell compartments of human sacrococcygeal teratomas
Authors: Busch C , Oppitz M , Wehrmann M , Schweizer P , Drews U 
Published: April 2008

Aims:  To study the range of differentiation and presence of cells positive for stem cell markers in 20 sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) which were consecutively operated on between 1990 and 2000 in the Department of Paediatric Surgery in Tübingen, Germany.Methods and results:  Preserved paraffin‐embedded material was re‐evaluated. In addition to tissues of various organs, caudal organ structures not described before were identified, such as colon with pancreas originating from colonic crypts, Fallopian tube and vaginal epithelia. The derivation of the latter was confirmed by Müllerian duct specific CA125 and CA19‐9 antibodies. The expression of stem cell markers was studied with antibodies against nanog, Oct4, SSEA‐4, nestin and subtype M3 muscarinic receptors. Cells positive for these markers were encountered in immature end buds and capillary sprouts, and as single cells in neural tissue, gonadal structures, hairs and in the stem cell niches of differentiated epithelia.Conclusions:  Our data indicate that SCTs of the newborn arise from remnants of the epiblast‐like tail bud blastema and demonstrate that they contain cells positive for embryonic stem cell markers and may represent a novel source for human embryonic stem cells.
Prostaglandin E2 and Krüppel‐like transcription factors synergistically induce the expression of decay‐accelerating factor in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Shao Jinyi , Yang Vincent W. , Sheng Hongmiao 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe decay‐accelerating factor (DAF) prevents the intestinal mucosa from bystander killing by complement. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induces the expression of DAF that may protect the tumour environment from complement attack. In the present study, we demonstrate synergistic actions of PGE2 and two Krüppel‐like factors (KLFs), which are zinc finger‐containing transcription factors, in DAF regulation. Overexpression of KLF4 and KLF5 robustly induced transcriptional activity of the DAF promoter. In combination, PGE2 and either KLF4 or KLF5 increased the expression of DAF in a synergistic fashion. Moreover, cyclooxygenase (COX‐1 and COX‐2) enzymes, KLF4/5 and DAF protein were coordinately expressed in normal intestinal mucosa as well as in intestinal neoplasm. In radiation‐injured mouse intestine, COX‐1 was rapidly induced and remained at relatively high levels. While KLF5 was quickly elevated after irradiation, KLF4 exhibited a delayed increase. Interestingly, levels of DAF increased gradually following the induction of COX‐1 and KLFs. Mimicking the circumstances in vivo, coexpression of both COX and KLFs resulted in a synergistic or additive induction of DAF transcription in intestinal epithelial cells. Our data suggest that COX‐derived PGE2 may collaborate with KLF4/5 to regulate the activation of the complement system and exert diverse effects on the intestinal epithelium.
Colour variation in female common lizards: why we should speak of morphs, a reply to Cote et al.
Authors: VERCKEN E. , SINERVO B. , CLOBERT J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFemale common lizards display variation in their ventral colour, ranging from pale yellow to bright orange. In a previous study, we proposed a discrete classification of this variation into three colour classes: yellow, orange and mixed. However, a recent study reported on continuity of reflectance spectra and plastic change in spectrum components in female common lizards, which made the authors question the validity of a discrete classification of colour patterns in this species. Here, we discuss the relevance of discrete, eye‐based colour classification for understanding the ecological processes that shape the social structure of common lizard female populations. First, as the mixed colour class is characterized by heterogeneous distribution of colour, we explain that it cannot be reliably described by localized spectrophotometer measurements. On the contrary, the classification of colour into three discrete classes is consistent with the description of three alternative strategies in female common lizards. Then, although we support the ecological importance of colour plasticity in this species, we refute the hypothesis of a condition‐dependent signal, which is not supported by experimental data. At last, we explain that colour plasticity, and in particular hormone‐mediated plasticity is compatible with genetic inheritance of colour and the evolution of alternative strategies. Indeed, the genetic background and the environment, especially the social environment, are expected to interact adaptively to modulate the expression of colour signals and alternative strategies.
Kell alloimmunization in pregnancy: associated with fetal thrombocytopenia?
Authors: Van Den Akker E. S. A. , Klumper F. J. C. M. , Brand A. , Kanhai H. H. H. , Oepkes D. 
Published: April 2008

Background and Objectives  Kell haemolytic disease in pregnancies has been suggested to be associated with decreased fetal platelet counts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of fetal thrombocytopenia in pregnancies complicated by Kell alloimmunization.Materials and Methods  In this retrospective cohort study, fetal platelet counts were performed in 42 pregnancies with severe Kell alloimmunization prior to the first intrauterine blood transfusion. Platelet counts from 318 first intrauterine transfusions in RhD alloimmunized pregnancies were used as controls.Results  Fetal thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 × 109/l) was found in 4/42 (10%) in the Kell group and in 84/318 (26%) in the RhD group. None of the fetuses in the Kell alloimmunized pregnancies, including 15 with severe hydrops, had a clinically significant thrombocytopenia defined as a platelet count < 50 × 109/l. In the RhD alloimmunized pregnancies, 2/230 (1%) of the non‐hydropic fetuses and 7/30 (23%) of the severely hydropic fetuses had a clinically significant thrombocytopenia.Conclusion  In contrast to fetuses with severe anaemia and hydrops due to RhD alloimmunization, fetuses with severe anaemia due to Kell alloimmunization are generally not at risk for substantial thrombocytopenia.
Rearing method and life‐table data for the cocoa mirid bug Sahlbergella singularis Haglund (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Babin R. , Bisseleua D. H. B. , Dibog L. , Lumaret J. P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe mirid bug Sahlbergella singularis feeds on cocoa pods and shoots, causing considerable crop losses. As laboratory experimentation requires numerous insects, this study aimed at improving available rearing method of S. singularis for Cameroon. Fifty second to fifth nymphal stages were collected at a cocoa farm and reared to the adult stage on cocoa pods in an insectary (T = 24.7 ± 0.9°C, RH = 84.5 ± 6.8%, photoperiod: 12 : 12 L : D). Newly emerged females were confined for 5–6 days on cocoa twigs for sexual maturation and each female paired with a male for 24 h. The pairs were returned to the field and enclosed in mousseline sleeves on attached cocoa pods, for egg laying. After 16 days (expected egg lifetime), the sleeve cages were checked daily to detect newly hatched nymphs. Then, the pods were collected and brought to the insectary, where nymphs continued to emerge and develop into adults. Our method allowed the production of 14.6 ± 6.7 nymphs per female per generation, for 15 consecutive generations. Nymphal survival was calculated to be 68.2% and the mean duration of the nymphal development was measured at 22.7 ± 3.1 days. The rearing performance was evaluated using life‐table calculations. The net reproductive rate (R0) was 6.59; the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.037 per female per day with a population doubling time (Td) of 18.9 days. On average each female contributed 9.70 individuals to the population given a mean generation time (Tc) of 52.1 days. The percentage of reproductive females and the mean number of nymphs per female were significantly different between generations, with 86.8% and 18.1% in generation G7 as compared to 45.8% and 8.4% for generation G5, respectively. As rainfall showed concordant variations during the period of investigation, we discuss the impact of this factor on mirid fecundity.
Comparative assessment of the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematode species at reducing western corn rootworm larvae and root damage in maize
Authors: Toepfer S. , Peters A. , Ehlers R.‐U. , Kuhlmann U. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an invasive maize (Zea mays L.) pest in Europe. Crop yield is significantly impacted by the feeding of all three larval instars on maize roots, making them prime targets for control measures. Therefore, the control efficacy of three entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev), Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, and H. megidis Poinar, Jackson and Klein (Nematoda: Rhabditida), was studied in four field plot experiments in southern Hungary in 2005 and 2006. All EPN species significantly reduced D. v. virgifera independently, whether applied as a row spray with a solid stream into the soil at sowing or onto the soil along maize rows in June. When applied at maize sowing, H. bacteriophora was more effective at reducing D. v. virgifera (81%) than H. megidis (49%) and S. feltiae (36%). When applied in June, H. bacteriophora and H. megidis were more effective at reducing D. v. virgifera (around 70%) than S. feltiae (32%). All tested EPN species significantly reduced damage on maize roots independently, whether they were applied at sowing or in June. Damage, however, was not totally prevented. The use of H. bacteriophora for the development of a biological control product for inundative releases against D. v. virgifera larvae is suggested.
Potential positive effect of the ant species Lasius niger on linyphiid spiders
Authors: Schuch S. , Platner C. , Sanders D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAnts are highly abundant generalist predators and important ecosystem engineers which can strongly affect the composition of animal communities. We manipulated the density of the ant species Lasius niger with baits in a small‐scale field experiment to study the role of intraguild predation, top‐down control and bottom‐up effects of ants in a dry grassland surrounded by agricultural fields. Two different kinds of baits (honey and tuna) were presented near to the nests and at a distance of 2 m from six L. niger colonies in a dry grassland habitat, where L. niger was a highly abundant, omnipresent species. The experiments were performed for 1 month in spring. Additionally, the natural abundance of L. niger varying with the distance to their nests was used to study the effects on spiders and potential prey groups. The activity of L. niger was significantly higher at tuna baits compared with that at honey baits and empty control dishes. We found no effects of higher activity of L. niger on the arthropod community. However, there is evidence for a facilitation effect of ants on Collembola near to their colonies, probably due to habitat modification, which also influenced the density of Linyphiidae. Both groups had up to four times higher denisities next to L. niger colonies than at a distance of 2 m. Furthermore, δ13C values demonstrated that linyphiid spiders and L. niger predominantly feed on Collembola. We conclude that there is no evidence of top‐down effects of L. niger in a grassland in spring, but we found a facilitation of linyphiid spiders and their prey by the ants, which acted as ecosystem engineers.
Potential Biofumigation Effects of Brassica oleracea var. caulorapa on Growth of Fungi
Authors: Fan C. M. , Xiong G. R. , Qi P. , Ji G. H. , He Y. Q. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBiofumigation, as an environment‐friendly alternative to methyl bromide is gaining attention in sustainable agricultural production systems. Based on the biofumigation suppression of growth of three soil‐borne filamentous fungi (Fusarium sp., F. oxysporum and P. aphanidermatum), Brassica oleracea var. caulorapa was selected from eight Brassica and other plant species as a potential material for the purpose. Powdered tissues of plants were confined to individual Petri dishes without physical contact with each of the following 28 fungal isolates from 16 hosts: 13 Fusarium spp., two Verticillium dahliae, two Ceratocystis fimbriata, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Gaeumannomyces graminis, Ceratobasidium cornigerum, Rhizotonia cerealis, Phytophthora parasitica, Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea, two Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Magnaporthe grisea. The level of suppression of growth 7 days after inoculation varied. Based on growth suppression, the 28 isolates were grouped into three clusters by Fuzzy clustering: Cluster I contains F. proliferatum with 20.5% suppression, Cluster II composed of 15 isolates, Fusarium sp., two V. dahliae, two C. fimbriata, B. sorokiniana, C. cornigerum, two R. solani, R. cerealis, S. sclerotiorum, P. parasitica and M. grisea, with 75.2–100% suppression and Cluster III consisted of 12 isolates; five F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. azysporum, F. moniliforme, F. graminearum, F. verticillioides, G. graminis, P. capsici with 40.7–66.2% suppression. Ceratobasidium fimbriata and V. dahliae were more sensitive to biofumigation than S. sclerotiorum and F. culmorum when different amounts of ground powder were used. One gram of powder could suppress the growth of the former two up to 68.6% and 68.7%, but the growth suppression in the latter two by 12.7% and 24.0%, respectively. These results indicated that the amount of plant tissue to be used should be considered depending on target pathogen species. The swollen root of B. oleracea var. botrytis appeared a better material than the leaf for achieving suppression of growth in pathogenic fungi.
Molecular Characterization of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma Associated with Valerian and Sowthistle Plants by PCR–RFLP Analyses
Authors: Khadhair A.‐H. , Hiruki C. , Deyholos M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn Alberta, Canada, valerian grown for medicinal purposes and sowthistle, a common weed, showed typical aster yellows symptoms. Molecular diagnosis was made using a universal primer pair (P1 / P7) designed to amplify the entire 16S rRNA gene and the 16 / 23S intergenic spacer region in a direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. This primer pair amplified the DNA samples from valerian and sowthistle and reference controls (AY‐27, CP, PWB, AY of canola, LWB). They produced the expected PCR products of 1.8 kb, which were diluted and used as templates in a nested PCR. Two primer pairs R16F2n / R2 and P3 / P7 amplified the DNA templates giving PCR products of 1.2 and 0.32 kb, respectively. No PCR product was obtained with either set of primers and DNA isolated from healthy plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to analyse the partial 16S rDNA sequences (1.2 kb) of all phytoplasma DNA samples after restriction with four endonucleases (AluI, HhaI, MseI and RsaI). The restriction patterns of these strains were found to be identical with the RFLP pattern of the AY phytoplasma reference control (AY‐27 strain). Based on the RFLP data, the two strains are members of subgroup A of the AY 16Sr1 group. We report here the first molecular study on the association of AY phytoplasmas with valerian and sowthistle plants.
Comparison of Resistance to Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (Multan/Burewala) in Gossypium hirsutum L. Varieties and Breeding Lines
Authors: Akhtar K. P. , Jamil F. F. , Haq M. A. , Khan I. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTwenty‐four cotton varieties and advance breeding lines were evaluated for their resistance to cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD; Multan/Burewala) under natural field and in glasshouse conditions for two consecutive years. Resistance was based on symptom expression and disease severity index. All the cotton genotypes exposed to the vector whitefly in the field and artificially infected by grafting manifested a high level of resistance against CLCuD (Multan) with the exception of genotype NIAB‐999 that was moderately resistant. All the test varieties/breeding lines were highly susceptible to CLCuD (Burewala) both in the field and the glasshouse. However, substantial differences were noted between genotypes for disease index under field conditions. Graft inoculation studies showed that all genotypes inoculated with CLCuD (Burewala) developed disease within 9–13 days whereas those graft‐inoculated with CLCuD (Multan) developed symptoms from 15 to 22 days after grafting. Severe reduction occurred in plant morphology, fibre and yield parameters of cotton variety NIAB‐111 following inoculation with CLCuD (Burewala) as compared with CLCuD (Multan).
Ultrastructure and dispersal potential of sponge larvae: tufted versus evenly ciliated parenchymellae
Authors: Uriz Maria J. , Turon Xavier , Mariani Simone 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this work we analyse the ultrastructure and behaviour of two representative types of parenchymella sponge larvae: the evenly ciliated larva of Scopalina lophyropoda, and the tufted larva of Cacospongia mollior. We sought to find correlates of the dispersal abilities and distribution patterns of these species. Laboratory experiments were performed under two different conditions of water movement (still water and a slight oscillatory movement), and at different times of the larval life‐span. Larvae of S. lophyropoda were motionless most of the time, maintaining a vertical posture and rotating on their main axis, and they did not respond to directional light. Larvae of C. mollior were active swimmers that responded negatively to light stimuli. In both cases, movement decreased as the larval age increased. Ultrastructurally, C. mollior larvae were more compact, with more reserves and abundant collagen bundles. Desmosome‐like structures were seen connecting the apical parts of the ciliated surface in both species. Two different types of putative light‐sensitive structures were found. Both structural and behavioural characteristics favour a greater dispersal capability for C. mollior and a philopatric dispersal mode for S. lophyropoda. These predictions are in agreement with the observed ecological distribution of the species.
QTL mapping of nutrient components in maize kernels under low nitrogen conditions
Authors: Liu Z. H. , Xie H. L. , Tian G. W. , Chen S. J. , Wang C. L. , Hu Y. M. , Tang J. H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA set of 213 F2:3 families were used to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) on grain yield and the concentrations of three nutrient components in maize (Zea mays L.) kernels. A genetic linkage map was constructed using 189 SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers, spanning a total of 2003 cM, including 11 linkages, and the families were evaluated under high N and low N conditions at two farm locations. The results indicate that low N conditions may induce an increase in starch concentration, but a decrease in protein levels. Twenty‐six quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for four measured traits in the two N treatments at both locations, including eight QTL for grain yield, seven QTL for oil content, six QTL for protein content and five QTL for starch content. The total number of QTL detected for the four measured traits under high N levels was greater than the QTL detected under low N conditions, and several QTL were identified that specifically expressed under different N conditions. These particular QTL could help provide greater understanding of the genetic basis of N‐usage efficiency.
38–48 kDa subunits of buckwheat 13S globulins are controlled by a single locus
Authors: Luthar Z. , Rogl S. , Kump B. , Javornik B. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe inheritance of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) seed storage proteins was investigated by control crosses between accessions containing different SDS‐PAGE protein patterns in the range of 38–48 kDa. Analysis of segregation of individual F1 and F2 seeds obtained by 17 crosses showed segregation of eight electrophoretic bands, from which 12‐banding variants were inferred. Two variants contained one band, nine contained two bands and one variant contained three bands and behaved as a single co‐dominant unit. The segregation of banding variants fits the expected ratios and thus supports the hypothesis of single Mendelian gene inheritance and that alleles are co‐dominant. The results therefore suggest that the genes controlling globulin subunits are tightly linked and inherited as a single locus. The locus was designated Glob‐1 and the twelve segregated protein variants as alleles a‐l. This is the first buckwheat globulin locus identified with multiple alleles, phenotypically expressed as groups of protein bands and thus applicable as a functional marker in buckwheat genomic studies.