bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Control of Penicillium expansum by plant volatile compounds
Authors: Neri F. , Mari M. , Brigati S. 
Published: December 2005

Nine plant volatiles were tested for their activity in vitro and in vivo against Penicillium expansum, the cause of blue mould of pear. In vitro spore germination and mycelial growth assay showed a consistent fungicidal activity by trans‐2‐hexenal, carvacrol, trans‐cinnamaldehyde and citral, while hexanal (‐)‐ carvone, p‐anisaldehyde, eugenol and 2‐nonanone exhibited a progressively lower inhibition. trans‐2‐Hexenal was the best inhibitor of conidial germination [MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) = 24·6 µL L−1; ED50 = 10·2 µL L−1], while carvacrol was the best inhibitor of mycelial growth (MIC = 24·6 µL L−1; ED50 = 9 µL L−1). The four most active compounds in in vitro studies were tested in vivo as fumigants against blue mould on pear cv. Conference. Best control was achieved by trans‐2‐hexenal vapour treatments (12·5 µL L−1) when applied over a 24‐h period, beginning 24 h after inoculation. In contrast, carvacrol (12·5–200 µL L−1), and trans‐cinnamaldehyde (50–400 µL L−1) were ineffective and citral (200 µL L−1) showed only slight effect.
Development of a cliff‐top dune indicated by particle size and geochemical characteristics: Rubjerg Knude, Denmark
Authors: SAYE SAMANTHA E. , PYE KENNETH , CLEMMENSEN LARS B. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractParticle size and geochemical data have been used to investigate the development of a large cliff‐top dune at Rubjerg Knude, located on the western coast of Jutland, Denmark. Textural parameters and geochemical ratios provided useful indicators of the dune sediment provenance and mode of evolution of the dune. The dune sediments themselves showed no significant spatial particle size trends and reflect a number of processes, including grainfall, wind‐ripple migration and avalanching (grainflow), which formed a high proportion of the deposits on both the stoss and lee sides of the present dune. Fine grainfall sediments, which have accumulated to form a sandplain in the lee of the dune, show fining and improved sorting with distance, and extend more than 2 km downwind of the dune crest. Comparison of the textural and geochemical data from Rubjerg Knude and other locations on the Jutland coast indicates that, although there is a contribution of sand to the dune from local marine sources, the main source of sand to the cliff‐top dune and sand plain sediments has been provided by the wind erosion of the underlying cliffs, which are composed of Weichselian age sandy glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits. Optically stimulated luminescence dating indicated an apparent age for the sand at the base of 274 ± 14 years. If this date is reliable, it suggests that accumulation of the aeolian sand in this area began within approximately the last 300 years. Map and photographic evidence indicate that the modern high dune only began to form after 1885, apparently associated with an acceleration in the rate of coastal cliff retreat.
Facies distribution of the Lower Cambrian cryptic microbial and epibenthic archaeocyathan‐microbial communities, western Anti‐Atlas, Morocco
Authors: JAVIER ÁLVARO J. , CLAUSEN SÉBASTIEN , ALBANI ABDERRAZZAK EL , CHELLAI EL HASSANE 
Published: December 2005

AbstractMarine microbial communities recorded in the Moroccan Anti‐Atlas were unaffected across the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian transition. A stromatolite‐dominated consortium was replaced at the beginning of the Atdabanian (ca 20 Myr after the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian boundary) by shelly metazoan and thromboid consortia, which contain the oldest biostratigraphically significant fossils of the Moroccan Cambrian. The associated collapse of microbial mat (stromatolitic) growth appears to coincide with a change from pre‐Atdabanian shallow‐water restricted conditions into Atdabanian deeper, open‐sea conditions. It is postulated that this environmental change led to an episode of improved water circulation over carbonate platform interiors, promoting shelly metazoan immigration into the region. The Tiout/Amouslek lithostratigraphic contact in the early Atdabanian marks the end of an episodically unstable seafloor as suggested by the abundance of slumping and sliding structures, and synsedimentary microfaults and cracks recorded in the underlying Tiout Member. Concurrent with the transition is the occurrence of a network of cryptic fissures and cavities that provided habitats for a coelobiontic chemosynthetic–heterotrophic microbial community composed of stromatolitic crusts, Renalcis–Epiphyton–Girvanella intergrowths, and Kundatia thalli. In the overlying Amouslek Formation, archaeocyathan–thromboid reefs were constrained by substrate stability, water depth and subsidence rate. Four reef geometries are distinguished: (i) patch reefs surrounded by shales, (ii) bioherms in which flank beds intercalate laterally with carbonate and shale inter‐reef sediments, (iii) biostromes or low‐relief structures formed as a result of lateral accretion of patch reefs, and (iv) kalyptrate complexes that nucleated because of a marked tendency for aggregation, and in which patch reefs and bioherms occur stacked together bounded by clay–marl–silt seams.
The BON/CPN gene family represses cell death and promotes cell growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Shuhua , Yang Huijun , Grisafi Paula , Sanchatjate Siraprapha , Fink Gerald R. , Sun Qi , Hua Jian 
Published: December 2005

SummaryCopines are calcium‐dependent membrane‐binding proteins that are highly conserved among protozoa, plants, nematodes and mammals. Although they are implicated in membrane trafficking and signal transduction, the functions of these proteins are not well understood. The Arabidopsis copine gene BON1/CPN1 was previously shown to negatively regulate a disease resistance (R) gene SNC1. Here we report that in Arabidopsis, as in other organisms, there is a family of copine genes, BON1, 2 and 3. Using double and triple mutant combinations we show that these three copine genes have overlapping functions essential for the viability of plants. The loss of function of BON1 combined with that of BON2 or BON3 leads to extensive cell death phenotypes resembling the hypersensitive response (HR) in defense responses. The resulting lethality can be suppressed by mutations in PAD4 or EDS1 which are required for R gene signaling and cell death control. Accession‐dependent phenotypes of the mutant combinations suggest that the BON/CPN genes may together repress several R genes other than SNC1. Moreover, the mutant combinations exhibit developmental defects when R‐gene‐mediated defense responses are largely suppressed in pad4 and eds1 mutants. Thus, the copine family in Arabidopsis may have effects in promoting growth and development in addition to repressing cell death, and these two processes might be intricately intertwined.
Choosing between public and private or between hospital and primary care: responsiveness, patient‐centredness and prescribing patterns in outpatient consultations in Bangkok
Authors: Pongsupap Yongyuth , Lerberghe Wim Van 
Published: December 2005

SummaryObjective  To document differences in provider behaviour between private and public providers in hospital outpatient departments, health centres and clinics in Bangkok, Thailand.Method  Analysis of the characteristics of 211 taped consultations with simulated patients.Results  Private hospitals and clinics were significantly more responsive. Private clinics but not private hospitals were also significantly more patient‐centred. All doctors, but particularly those in private hospitals, prescribed unnecessary and potentially harmful technical investigations and drugs. The direct cost to the patient varied between 1.5 (in public health centres) and 12 (in private hospitals) times the minimum daily wage. The combined cost – to the patient and to the state – in public hospitals and health centres exceeded the cost of consultations in private clinics.Conclusion  Market incentives favour responsiveness and a patient‐centred approach, but not more appropriate therapeutic decisions. Excessive use of pharmaceuticals is observed among public as well as private providers, but is most pronounced in private hospitals. If patients in Bangkok want to maximize responsiveness and degree of patient‐centred care and yet minimize costs and iatrogenesis, they would benefit from avoiding hospitals, both public and private, and, to a lesser extent, specialists. Choosing to use primary facilities, health centres and clinics, particularly when consultations are carried out by general practitioners (GPs), is more beneficial than choosing between public and private providers.
Collection of hyperconcentrated platelets with Trima Accel
Authors: Ringwald J. , Duerler T. , Frankow O. , Zimmermann R. , Zingsem J. , Strasser E. , Antoon M. , Eckstein R. 
Published: December 2005

Background and Objectives  Lowering the plasma content in single‐donor platelet (PLT) concentrates well below 30% implies the need to collect platelets at very high concentrations. Trima Accel (TA) is validated for collection below 4000 × 103 PLTs/µl. We evaluated its performance at 5000 × 103 PLTs/µl.Materials and Methods  Twenty blood donors underwent apheresis with TA twice collecting either a hyperconcentrated or a standard single‐donor platelet concentrate with a target platelet concentration of 5000 or 1200 × 103 PLTs/µl, respectively. We analysed the collection efficiency, the collection rate and the quality of the collected by‐plasma.Results  We collected 20 hyperconcentrated and 20 standard units containing 2·56 ± 0·5 and 3·39 ± 0·4 × 1011 PLTs at a concentration of 4518 ± 978 and 1374 ± 166 × 103 PLTs/µl in 45 ± 8 and 39 ± 6 min resulting in a collection efficiency of 47·5 ± 10·0 and 70·7 ± 7·9% and a collection rate of 5·9 ± 1·4 and 8·8 ± 1·5 × 109 PLTs/min, respectively (all results expressed as mean ± standard deviation). The collected by‐plasma showed a very high grade of cell purity and a satisfactory recovery of the clotting factors.Conclusion  Although TA is a suitable device for PLT collection at very high concentrations, improvements are desirable to further increase the productivity above its currently validated upper collect concentration limit.
An International Standard for specifying the minimum potency of anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents: evaluation of a candidate preparation in an international collaborative study
Authors: Thorpe S. J. , Fox B. , Heath A. B. , Scott M. , de Haas M. , Kochman S. , Padilla A. 
Published: December 2005

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to evaluate a lyophilized monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti‐D preparation for use as an International Standard to specify a recommended minimum acceptable potency of anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents.Materials and Methods  The candidate International Standard (99/836) for specifying the minimum potency of anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents was evaluated against a wide range of commercial anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents in an international collaborative study involving 20 laboratories in 13 countries. Laboratories titrated reconstituted 99/836, in parallel with as many commercial anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents as were available to them, in tube tests according to specified haemagglutination methodology for low‐protein (e.g. monoclonal IgM) and high‐protein (e.g. polyclonal) reagents. The ratios of the mean end‐point titres of the reagents to that of 99/836 within each laboratory were calculated.Results  The ratios of the mean titres of the low‐protein reagents to the mean titre of 99/836 within a laboratory fell between 0·25 and 2 for 43 of the 45 low‐protein anti‐D reagents tested (i.e. the potencies of the low‐protein reagents compared with 99/836 were between a 1 : 4 dilution of 99/836 to twice as potent as 99/836). The ratios of the mean titres of the high‐protein reagents to the mean titre of 99/836 within a laboratory fell within 0·125 and 1 for eight out of the 10 high protein reagents tested.Conclusions  By international consensus, a 1 : 3 dilution of reconstituted 99/836 was deemed appropriate to define a recommended minimum acceptable potency of low‐protein anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents. A 1 : 8 dilution of reconstituted 99/836 was deemed appropriate to define a recommended minimum acceptable potency of high‐protein anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents. On the basis of the results presented here, 99/836 was established by the World Health Organization as the 1st International Standard for specifying the minimum potency of anti‐D blood‐grouping reagents, in tube tests.
Pathogen inactivation ofLeishmania donovani infantumin plasma and platelet concentrates using riboflavin and ultraviolet light
Authors: Cardo L. J. , Rentas F. J. , Ketchum L. , Salata J. , Harman R. , Melvin W. , Weina P. J. , Mendez J. , Reddy H. , Goodrich R. 
Published: December 2005

Background and Objectives Leishmaniais transmitted by the bite of the phlebotomine sandfly or by transfusion of infected blood products. Leishmaniasis currently poses a significant problem in several parts of the world, and is an emerging problem in others. The Mirasol PRT technology is based on the use of riboflavin and ultraviolet light to generate chemical reactions in the nucleic acids of pathogens, which prevents replication and leads to inactivation. The intent of this study was to examine the ability of the Mirasol PRT System to kill theLeishmaniaparasite in human plasma and platelet concentrates.Materials and Methods In visceral Leishmaniasis, amastigotes are present in the blood and in the reticuloendothelial system within monocytes. For each unit of plasma or platelets treated, isolated mononuclear cells obtained from 100 ml of normal donor whole blood were incubated with 1·0 × 108Leishmania donovani infantumpromastigotes to produce amastigote‐laden macrophages. The infected macrophages were added to 250 ml of human plasma or to 250 ml of platelet concentrates. Infected units were cultured pretreatment in 10‐fold serial dilutions to determine the limits of detection. Thirty millilitres of 500 µmriboflavin was added to each unit, which was then illuminated with 5·9 J/cm2of ultraviolet light (6·24 J/ml). After treatment and after 2 months of frozen storage, plasma units were cultured in 10‐fold serial dilutions. Platelets were cultured on the day of treatment and on day 5 of storage post‐illumination.Results A 5 log reduction ofLeishmaniawas demonstrated in five of six units of plasma, and a 7 log reduction ofLeishmaniawas demonstrated in one plasma unit. A 5 log reduction ofLeishmaniawas demonstrated in five of six units of platelets, and a 6 log reduction ofLeishmaniawas demonstrated in one unit.Conclusions There is no donor screen forLeishmaniaand other pathogens constantly emerging in our blood supply. The Mirasol PRT System for Platelets and Plasma is an effective means of killingLeishmaniaand other emerging pathogens in these blood products.
Foraging Ontogeny is not Linked to Delayed Maturation in Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)
Authors: Stone Anita I 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe acquisition of complex foraging behaviors by young is a proposed cause of a prolonged juvenile phase in many vertebrates, including primates. I compared the foraging behaviors of infant, juvenile and adult squirrel monkeys to determine if significant age‐related differences in foraging behavior and efficiency were present. Infants and juveniles differed from each other in patterns of prey and fruit foraging, but few differences existed between juveniles and adults. Despite differing in the use of foraging substrates, young juveniles (8–12 mo) were as efficient as older juveniles (1–4 yr) and adults at capturing and processing large prey. Young juveniles (<1 yr) were limited in their ability to consume husked palm fruits due to an inability to peel them to obtain pulp. By 1 yr of age, however, foraging behaviors of adults and juveniles were nearly indistinguishable. The absence of meaningful differences between adults and juvenile foraging is not consistent with the hypothesis that the need to develop foraging skills accounts for the pattern of extended juvenility in squirrel monkeys.
Individual Male Calling Pattern and Male Mating Success in the European Treefrog (Hyla arborea): Is there Evidence for Directional or Stabilizing Selection on Male Calling Behaviour?
Authors: Friedl Thomas W.P. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn anurans, call properties are commonly classified based on within‐male variability as being either static or dynamic. Numerous playback experiments in the laboratory have indicated that female preferences based on dynamic call properties are usually strongly directional, while female preferences based on static call properties are often stabilizing or weakly directional. However, there are only few studies demonstrating that female preferences for high values of dynamic call properties indeed exert directional selection on male calling behaviour in natural populations. Moreover, field studies investigating whether female preferences for values of static call properties around the mean of the population lead to currently operating stabilizing selection on male calling patterns in natural populations are completely lacking. Here I investigate for two consecutive breeding seasons male calling patterns and male mating success in a population of individually marked European treefrogs (Hyla arborea), a hylid frog with prolonged breeding season and a lek mating system. Individual male calling pattern as analysed in terms of seven temporal and spectral call properties did not differ between males that survived from one breeding season to the next and those not surviving. None of the seven call properties investigated differed significantly between mated and unmated males, indicating that there is no strong directional selection on male calling behaviour in the study population. However, in one study season males that produced calls with a number of pulses around the mean of the population were significantly more likely to obtain matings than males that produced calls with a number of pulses at the low or high end of the distribution. Thus, this study provides preliminary evidence for the operation of stabilizing selection on a static call property (i.e. the number of pulses per call) in a natural population of an anuran amphibian.
Factors affecting health‐related quality of life among patients with lower urinary tract symptoms
Authors: QUEK KIA FATT 
Published: December 2005

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the association of factors such as pain, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), anxiety, depression and psychiatric morbidity on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with LUTS.Methods: A total of 227 patients with LUTS were recruited into the study. The patients were assessed on pain, LUTS, anxiety, depression, psychiatric morbidity and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) using standardized questionnaires.Results: The study showed that after adjustment, age, pain, anxiety, depression, psychiatric morbidity and LUTS contributed 31%, 13%, 45%, 16% and 48% respectively to the variability of the physical, mental, social, global and overall HRQoL.Conclusion: Age, pain, psychiatric morbidity, anxiety and depression are associated with HRQoL among patients with LUTS.
Clinical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy according to tumor size
Authors: HARA ISAO , KAWABATA GAKU , HARA SHOJI , YAMADA YUJI , TANAKA KAZUSHI , FUJISAWA MASATO 
Published: December 2005

Objectives: In order to evaluate the indication and usefulness of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, clinical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for patients with adrenal tumors were examined. Whether tumor size affects surgical outcome was analysed, along with the long‐term clinical outcome for these patients.Patients and methods: A total of 63 patients with adrenal tumor underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy in our institute between 1999 and 2003. A laparoscopic transperitoneal approach was used in all cases. Underlying pathologies comprised Cushing syndrome (n = 12), pheochromocytoma (n = 13), primary aldosteronism (n = 21), non‐functioning adenoma (n = 12) and others (n = 5).Results: No open conversion was performed. Mean operative duration was 239 min, and mean estimated blood loss was 134 mL. Tumor diameter was significantly smaller for primary aldosteronism than for Cushing syndrome, which in turn was significantly smaller than for adrenocorticotropic hormone‐independent macronodular hyperplasia (AIMAH). No significant differences in surgical outcome and postoperative recovery were noted between large (≥5 cm) and small (<5 cm) tumors. Long‐term clinical outcome was better for patients with pheochromocytoma or primary aldosteronism than for patients with Cushing syndrome.Conclusions: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign tumor offers excellent surgical outcomes and convalescence. This is true for both small and large tumors.
Bulbocavernosus muscle flap in the repair of complicated vesicovaginal fistula
Authors: XU ZHISHUN , FU QIANG 
Published: December 2005

Aim: To investigate the transposition of the bulbocavernosus muscle flap for repairing complicated vesicovaginal fistulas.Methods: Vesicovaginal fistulas were repaired via combined abdominal and perineal approaches. Through an abdominal approach, the fistula and surrounding scar tissue were excised thoroughly. A perineal incision was made between the orifices of the urethra and the vagina, dissecting until the fistula. The vaginal defect was closed through either the abdominal or the perineal approach depending upon its position. Through the abdominal approach, the bladder defect was closed in two layers with the suture lines vertical to each other. The bulbocavernosus muscle was freed through an incision between the labium majus pudendi and the labium minus pudenda, without damaging the pudendal vascular supply. The bulbocavernosus muscle flap was tunneled beneath the labium minus pudendi, and was sutured in place on the bladder wall over the fistula repair site.Results: Nine patients with complicated vesicovaginal fistulas were treated using this technique. After surgery, no symptoms of vagina leakage, urinary incontinence, or urethral stricture were reported by any of the patients, and they reported normal sexual function.Conclusions: Transposition of the bulbocavernosus muscle flap is an excellent technique with low morbidity and high success rate for repairing complicated vesicovaginal fistulas.