bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytology of benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma in peritoneal washings
Authors: Assaly M. , Bongiovanni M. , Kumar N. , Egger J.‐F. , Pelte M.‐F. , Genevay M. , Finci V. , Tschanz E. , Pache J.‐C. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  To describe the cytological aspect of peritoneal washings in benign multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma (BMPM).Methods:  Three peritoneal washing specimens stained by standard cytological and histological procedures and analysed by light microscopy.Results:  The specimens showed an abundance of monomorphous mesothelial cells devoid of atypia or mitoses. The mesothelial cells were calretinin positive. They also showed numerous squamous metaplastic cells arranged in flat sheets or isolated cells. The background contained some inflammatory cells.Conclusion:  The combination of cytology of the peritoneal washing, histology (cell block and surgical specimen) and clinical history allow differentiation of BMPM from other cystic lesions (cystic lymphangioma and malignant mesothelioma).
The development of the referral outcome diagram and an analysis of laboratory cancer detection rates in the English NHS cervical screening programme – is there an optimum level of detection of CIN 1 and CIN 2 lesions?
Authors: Blanks R. G. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  To use routine annual data from the English cervical screening laboratories (KC61 returns) to evaluate individual laboratory return characteristics with particular reference to factors associated with sensitivity and specificity.Methods:  A graphical technique has been developed using data on referral to colposcopy and histological outcomes called a referral outcome (ROUT) diagram. The average grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detected (the mean CIN score, MCS) is plotted against the odds of a false‐positive referral. Further analysis has been conducted to examine the relationship between the MCS and screen‐detected invasive cancer rate.Results:  There are large variations in ROUT diagram positions of individual laboratories and the diagram can be used to identify laboratories for further investigation. These variations are strongly influenced by substantial differences in the rate of low‐grade referrals and the MCS (and positive predictive value) are inversely related to the referral rate for low‐grade cytology (P < 0.001). There is a strong association between high MCS values and increased screen‐detected cancer rates (P < 0.001) particularly above an MCS of 2.2. The data can be re‐formulated in terms of CIN 2 and CIN 3 only where it can be shown that the invasive cancer rate rapidly increases if the numbers of CIN 2 lesions detected drops below 50% of the number of CIN 3 lesions. Given the complexity of cervical screening this may best be viewed as a hypothesis generating observation, best tested by interventional studies.Conclusions:  The ROUT diagram represents a new and potentially interesting way of presenting annual return data. The national programme in England needs to balance the prevention of cancer against too many unnecessary referrals to colposcopy and the ROUT diagram, and associated data given in this paper may help toward this. Further research is required including examining the role of referral policy and threshold criteria in influencing low‐grade referrals and the relationship between MCS and cancer detection rate.
Rapid pre‐screening of cervical smears as a method of internal quality control in a cervical screening programme
Authors: Do Nascimento Tavares S. B. , De Sousa N. L. A. , Manrique E. J. C. , De Albuquerque Z. B. P. , Zeferino L. C. , Amaral R. G. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  To evaluate the performance of rapid pre‐screening (RPS) as a method of internal quality control in the cytopathological examination of cervical smears for cervical cancer screening.Methods:  The sample consisted of 6135 cervical smears submitted to RPS and routine screening (RS) methods. The smears classified as negative in RPS and RS were considered final diagnoses, and were not, therefore, submitted to any additional review. The smears identified as suspect or unsatisfactory according to RPS were analysed separately by two different cytologists irrespective of the diagnosis reached in RS. Smears considered abnormal or unsatisfactory at RS were also reviewed. When both cytologists issued concordant diagnoses, this was considered the final diagnosis. Discordant results were analysed by a third cytologist and a consensus meeting was held to define the final diagnosis.Results:  Taking abnormalities detected by RS as the denominator, RPS had a sensitivity of 63.0% for the detection of all abnormal smears and 96.7% for high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). When compared with the final diagnosis, sensitivity of RPS for all abnormal smears was 74.9% and for HSIL 95.0%. Of the 529 abnormal smears confirmed in the final diagnosis, 2.15% were detected only by the RPS.Conclusion:  RPS is an effective alternative method of internal quality control with high sensitivity for the detection of more severe lesions. It also permits monitoring of the laboratory rate of false‐negative results, and allows constant evaluation of the performance both of the pre‐screening and RS cytologists.
Viruses in wetland ecosystems
Authors: JACKSON EVELYN F. , JACKSON COLIN R. 
Published: May 2008

Summary1. We review studies of viruses in natural and constructed wetlands, focusing on the importance of surfaces as viral habitat, and differences in viral ecology between wetlands and other aquatic ecosystems.2. Viruses in natural wetlands are predominantly associated with sediment, macrophytes and other submerged surfaces. In constructed wetlands, these surfaces are critical to the removal of viral pathogens and indicator organisms from wastewater.3. Interactions between viruses and other ecosystem components have rarely been examined in wetlands, and the role of viruses in regulating wetland microbial communities is unclear. Environmental factors such as temperature and flooding regime are important abiotic controllers of viral abundances in wetlands but few studies have examined how abiotic or biotic factors affect community structure. Even basic information on wetland viral diversity is lacking.4. Future research should include broad surveys of different types of wetlands, an emphasis on differences between microhabitats, and an increased use of molecular approaches to examine wetland viral diversity and its relationship to microbial community structure. Such studies should consider wetlands as part of the broader landscape, and emphasize interactions between wetlands and adjacent terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Viriobenthos in freshwater and marine sediments: a review
Authors: DANOVARO ROBERTO , CORINALDESI CINZIA , FILIPPINI MANUELA , FISCHER ULRIKE R. , GESSNER MARK O. , JACQUET STÉPHAN , MAGAGNINI MIRKO , VELIMIROV BRANKO 
Published: May 2008

Summary1. Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet, and sediments provide a highly suitable environment for them. This review presents the first comparative synthesis of information on the fresh water and marine viriobenthos and explores differences and similarities to the better known virioplankton. We present methods for studying life cycles of the viriobenthos, data on viral distribution and diversity, interactions with host microbes, and information on the role of viruses in benthic food webs and biogeochemical cycles.2. Most approaches developed for the virioplankton are also applicable to viriobenthos, although methods for analysing benthic viruses may differ in important details.3. Benthic viruses are very abundant in both marine and freshwater sediments, where 107–1010 can occur in 1 g of dry sediment. Although information on viral production (VP) and decay rates in freshwater sediments is very limited, the data suggest that VP and decay could also be high. These data highlight the potential ecological importance of benthic viruses, suggesting that they could play a key role in prokaryotic mortality and in biogeochemical cycles.4. There is clear indirect evidence for the importance of viriobenthos in marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, large numbers of visibly infected cells have not been observed, suggesting limited effects on prokaryote population and community dynamics. The apparent paradox between high viral abundance and low impact is currently unresolved, while several aspects of viral life cycles in sediments (e.g. chronic infection) are almost completely unknown.5. Studies on viriobenthic diversity and community structure are at a pioneering stage. First results from a few studies using pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and especially from metagenomic analyses indicate, however, that viriobenthic assemblages are both highly diverse and distinct from the virioplankton.6. Estimates of global viral abundance in the top 1 m of fresh water and marine sediments are 0.5 and 28.7 × 1028 viruses respectively. Similar rough estimates of production are 0.6 and 34.4 × 1028 viruses day−1, suggesting an average turnover time of 20 h.
Assessing streamflow characteristics as limiting factors on benthic invertebrate assemblages in streams across the western United States
Authors: KONRAD C. P. , BRASHER A. M. D. , MAY J. T. 
Published: May 2008

Summary1. Human use of land and water resources modifies many streamflow characteristics, which can have significant ecological consequences. Streamflow and invertebrate data collected at 111 sites in the western U.S.A. were analysed to identify streamflow characteristics (magnitude, frequency, duration, timing and variation) that are probably to limit characteristics of benthic invertebrate assemblages (abundance, richness, diversity and evenness, functional feeding groups and individual taxa) and, thus, would be important for freshwater conservation and restoration. Our analysis investigated multiple metrics for each biological and hydrological characteristic, but focuses on 14 invertebrate metrics and 13 streamflow metrics representing the key associations between streamflow and invertebrates.2. Streamflow is only one of many environmental and biotic factors that influence the characteristics of invertebrate assemblages. Although the central tendency of invertebrate assemblage characteristics may not respond to any one factor across a large region like the western U.S.A., we postulate that streamflow may limit some invertebrates. To assess streamflow characteristics as limiting factors on invertebrate assemblages, we developed a nonparametric screening procedure to identify upper (ceilings) or lower (floors) limits on invertebrate metrics associated with streamflow metrics. Ceilings and floors for selected metrics were then quantified using quantile regression.3. Invertebrate assemblages had limits associated with all streamflow characteristics that we analysed. Metrics of streamflow variation at daily to inter‐annual scales were among the most common characteristics associated with limits on invertebrate assemblages. Baseflow recession, daily variation and monthly variation, in streamflow were associated with the largest number of invertebrate metrics. Since changes in streamflow variation are often a consequence of hydrologic alteration, they may serve as useful indicators of ecologically significant changes in streamflow and as benchmarks for managing streamflow for ecological objectives.4. Relative abundance of Plecoptera, richness of non‐insect taxa and relative abundance of intolerant taxa were associated with multiple streamflow metrics. Metrics of sensitive taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera), and intolerant taxa generally had ceilings associated with flow metrics while metrics of tolerant taxa, non‐insects, dominance and chironomids generally had floors. Broader characteristics of invertebrate assemblages such as abundance and richness had fewer limits, but these limits were nonetheless associated with a broad range of streamflow characteristics.
Characterization of the shallow aquifers by high‐resolution seismic data
Authors: Giustiniani M. , Accaino F. , Picotti S. , Tinivella U. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWe present the results obtained by processing high‐resolution seismic data acquired along the spring line located in the Friuli‐Venezia Giulia plain (NE of Italy), in order to characterize an important multilayered aquifer. This system is made of an unconfined layer and, at increasing depths, of several confined aquifers of variable thickness and hydraulic permeability, mainly consisting of sand and gravel material. The main targets of this study are two shallow aquifers located at about 30 m and 200 m depth respectively. The seismic method is not frequently used for this type of study but in this case, it was considered a good tool due to the depth of the targets. The detailed velocity model we obtained reveals lateral velocity variations with a maximum value of 600 m/s. The higher velocities could be associated to layers that are confined aquifers; in fact, sand and gravel are characterized by higher seismic velocity compared to clay layers. Pre‐stack depth migration using this velocity model gives a clear picture of the multilayered aquifer, highlighting lateral changes of seismic amplitude along the main reflectors. Finally, vertical variations of Poisson's ratio, computed by amplitude versus offset analysis, provide useful information about the petrophysical properties, such as the fluid content of the subsoil and lithologic changes.
Precise arrival time detection of polarized seismic waves using the spectral matrix
Authors: Moriya Hirokazu 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTI present a statistical method for detecting the arrival times of polarized seismic waves on three‐component seismic observations in the time and frequency domains. In this method, the polarization, which is a representation of the 3D particle motion of seismic waves, is evaluated on the basis of a spectral matrix in the time and frequency domains and the statistical parameters are defined by using the eigenvalues of the spectral matrix for detecting the arrival times of linearly and elliptically polarized waves, where the idea of a statistical test of hypothesis is introduced. An evaluation of a synthetic signal revealed that the method can detect the arrival times of linearly and elliptically polarized waves within 10 sampling points at signal‐to‐noise ratios of −7 dB. Application of the method to an earthquake suggested that it can be used to detect the arrival times of both linearly and elliptically polarized waves, which are difficult to identify manually.
Control of IL‐4 expression in T helper 1 and 2 cells
Authors: Gilmour Jane , Lavender Paul 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe mechanism of differentiation of naïve T cells to a variety of effector lineages, but particularly to T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the past two decades. Studies have revealed that the expression of cytokines, receptors, signalling molecules, transcription factors, DNA methylating enzymes and histone‐modifying enzymes is altered during the process and has been shown to play a co‐ordinated role to facilitate expression of the cytokines interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), IL‐5 and IL‐13 in Th2 cells, or interferon‐γ in Th1 cells. Regulation of IL‐4 expression has been of particular interest for two main reasons: first because IL‐4 acts as a growth factor for Th2 cells, and second because of its role in the induction of immunoglobulin class switching to immunoglobulin E, which plays a critical role in mediating allergic responses. Study of the pathways that promote this tissue‐restricted expression of IL‐4 may highlight potential areas for therapeutic intervention.
Small changes in lymphocyte development and activation in mice through tissue‐specific alteration of heparan sulphate
Authors: Garner Omai B. , Yamaguchi Yu , Esko Jeffrey D. , Videm Vibeke 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWe have examined the role of heparan sulphate in lymphocyte development and activation in mice by conditionally deleting the genes encoding the heparan sulphate biosynthetic enzymes N‐deacetylase/N‐sulphotransferase‐1 and ‐2 (Ndst1 and Ndst2) and glucuronic acid/N‐acetylglucosamine co‐polymerase‐1 (Ext1) in T cells and B cells, respectively. Ndst1 and Ndst2 are the only Ndst isoforms in T cells. In T‐cell Ndst‐deficient mice there were normal ratios of CD4+/CD8+ cells in the blood, spleen and thymus, indicating no dramatic effect on development. However, Ndst‐deficient T cells were hyperresponsive to low‐level activation, suggesting that cell surface heparan sulphate plays a role in T‐cell proliferation. The hyperresponsive state correlated with a decrease in cell surface heparan sulphate that occurs in response to activation in wild‐type cells. There was a slight change in the number of developing B cells in B‐cell Ext1‐deficient mice, but the alteration did not cause a change in antibody production. These findings demonstrate that cell surface heparan sulphate may not play a crucial role in lymphocyte development, but can modulate the sensitivity of T cells to activation.
Serine proteases identified from a Costelytra zealandica (White) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) midgut EST library and their expression through insect development
Authors: Marshall S. D. G. , Gatehouse L. N. , Becher S. A. , Christeller J. T. , Gatehouse H. S. , Hurst M. R. H. , Boucias D. G. , Jackson T. A. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract Costelytra zealandica larvae are pests of New Zealand pastures causing damage by feeding on the roots of grasses and clovers. The major larval protein digestive enzymes are serine proteases (SPs), which are targets for disruption in pest control. An expressed sequence tag (EST) library from healthy, third instar larval midgut tissue was constructed and analysed to determine the composition and regulation of proteases in the C. zealandica larval midgut. Gene mining identified three trypsin‐like and 11 chymotrypsin‐like SPs spread among four major subgroups. Representative SPs were examined by quantitative PCR and enzyme activity assayed across developmental stages. The serine protease genes examined were expressed throughout feeding stages and downregulated in nonfeeding stages. The study will improve targeting of protease inhibitors and bacterial disruptors of SP synthesis.
Cloning and RNAi‐mediated functional characterization of MaLac2 of the pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus
Authors: Niu B.‐L. , Shen W.‐F. , Liu Y. , Weng H.‐B. , He L.‐H. , Mu J.‐J. , Wu Z.‐L. , Jiang P. , Tao Y.‐Z. , Meng Z.‐Q. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractLaccase, a member of a group of proteins collectively known as multicopper oxidases, is hypothesized to play an important role in insect cuticle sclerotization by oxidizing catechols in the cuticle to their corresponding quinones, which then catalyze protein cross‐linking reactions. Laccase 2 has been proved as the gene required for beetle cuticle tanning through RNA interference (RNAi) experiments on red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. The pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptero: Cerambycidae) is the insect serving as a major vector of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is the causative agent for pine wilt disease. The cDNA of MaLac2 was cloned from the insect in this study. The conceptual amino‐acid sequence deduced was much conserved with other known insect laccases, particularly with the enzyme of Tribolium castaneum. Injection in hemolymph of pine sawyer larva of dsRNA targeting the laccase 2 mRNA leads to important alterations of the tanning, hardening and sclerotization of the pupal and adult cuticles. Defaults appear in a dose‐dependent manner and high loads of dsRNA are lethal. The decrease of the endogenous laccase 2 mRNA affects the procuticle which is thinner and without the characteristic piling up of successive layers. The observations reinforce the role of laccase 2 as an essential phenoloxidase for making cuticle.
Comparative study on antioxidative activity of yellow stripe trevally protein hydrolysate produced from Alcalase and Flavourzyme
Authors: Klompong Vilailak , Benjakul Soottawat , Kantachote Duangporn , Hayes Kirby Dale , Shahidi Fereidoon 
Published: May 2008

SummaryAntioxidative activities of protein hydrolysates from yellow stripe trevally (Selaroides leptolepis) prepared using Alcalase 2.4 L (HA) and Flavourzyme 500 L (HF) with the degree of hydrolysis of 15% by pH‐stat method were determined. Both protein hydrolysates exhibited the antioxidative activity in a concentration dependent manner. HF generally showed the greater antioxidative activity than HA (P < 0.05) as indicated by the higher 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and metal chelating activity. Antioxidative activity of both hydrolysates was stable when heated at 90 °C for 10 and 30 min and subjected to a wide pH range (2–12). Nevertheless, metal chelating activity decreased in very alkaline and acidic pH ranges. HA and HF at 200 ppm retarded the formation of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in lecithin liposome system. HF possessed the stronger antioxidative activity than HA (P < 0.05). However, α‐tocopherol at 200 ppm showed the higher antioxidative activity in the system.
Quantification of Roundup Ready™ soybean in Brazilian soy‐derived foods by real‐time PCR
Authors: Brod Fábio Cristiano Angonesi , Arisi Ana Carolina Maisonnave 
Published: May 2008

SummaryA significant increase in the growth of genetically modified organisms has been observed in recent years. As a result of the market introduction of these genetically modified (GM) crops in foods, legislation worldwide was prepared to deal with the question of the use and labelling requirements on GM crops and their derivatives. The aim of this work was to detect and to quantify GM soybean in soy‐derived food products sold commercially in Florianópolis, Brazil, by polymerase chain reaction‐based analysis. In total sixty‐two samples of texturized soy protein and powdered soymilk were analysed and forty samples have been shown to contain Roundup Ready (RR) soy. Quantitative analysis revealed that only two out of these forty samples presented RR soybean content above 1%. These findings confirm the presence of RR soybean in Brazilian soy‐derived food products and that the amount of samples with % RR content above 1% decreases when compared with previously published data.
Antioxidant activity of Bahraini date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit of various cultivars
Authors: Allaith Abdul Ameer A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryFruits of sixteen cultivars of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) commonly grown in Bahrain were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, total phenolics and ascorbic acid contents at different ripening stages using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The highest total antioxidant activity was found at biser (unripe) stage, with a mean FRAP value of 5.71 ± 4.31 mmol/100 g fresh weight (FW), followed by rutab (soft and ripped) with FRAP values of 1.2 mmol per 100 g FW and tamer (dried fruit) 0.94 ± 0.21 mmol per 100 g FW. Total antioxidant activities of locally collected and imported tamer were similar. There was about twelve and six fold difference between cultivars possessing the highest and lowest antioxidant values at biser and rutab stages, respectively. A sharp decrease in antioxidant activity was found to be associated with the fruit ripening. The average of phenolics at biser and rutab stage were 196.8 ± 72.1 and 116.7 ± 44.1 mg per 100 g fresh weight, whereas the average of ascorbic acid was 6.6 ± 2.4 and 3.3 ± 1.3 mg per 100 g fresh weight, respectively. Significant correlation was found between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (r = 0.595) and ascorbic acid (r = 0.385) at biser stage, but not at rutab stage. It was concluded that the phenolics were the major contributor for the antioxidant activity.