bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early diagnosis of exfoliation syndrome in the offspring of affected patients
Authors: Oliveira Cristiano , Schlötzer‐Schrehardt Ursula , Vieira Geraldo , Liebmann Jeffrey , Ritch Robert 
Published: May 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine whether conjunctival biopsy in the offspring of patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) can provide early diagnosis of the disease.Methods:  Patients with XFS with or without glaucoma were invited to ask their sons and daughters over the age of 40 years to participate in the study. After a complete eye examination, those without clinically evident XFS underwent conjunctival biopsy. The specimens were examined by transmission electron microscopy.Results:  A total of 17 sons and daughters (seven men, 10 women) of 17 patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 50.3 ± 8 years. Twelve specimens were negative and five presented precursor material evidence of typical exfoliation material.Conclusion:  Evidence of early deposition of exfoliation material can be found in the conjunctiva of the middle‐aged offspring of patients with XFS, substantiating the existence of a hereditary predisposition to this disease.
Porokeratosis of Mibelli induced by topical corticosteroid
Authors: Yazkan Figen , Turk Bengu Gerceker , Dereli Tugrul , Kazandi Ali Can 
Published: May 2006

Background:  Porokeratosis of Mibelli is a chronic disorder characterised by slightly atrophic plaques surrounded by keratotic border.Methods and Results:  A 45‐year‐old man treated with clobetazole propionate ointment for psoriasis over 15 years developed characteristic lesions of porokeratosis Mibelli on the elbows. Histopathological examination revealed the cornoid lamellae located on the edges of the specimen and psoriasiform acanthosis and a spongiotic pustule formation in the center of the specimen; thus, it was suggested as ‘psoriasis encircled by porokeratosis’.Conclusions:  Development of porokeratosis may be explained by the local immunosuppressive effect of the prolonged application of the topical steroid.
Listeria-like Motion of Oil Droplets
Authors: Toyota Taro , Tsuha Hirotatsu , Yamada Koji , Takakura Katsuto , Ikegami Takashi , Sugawara Tadashi 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Self-propelling movement of oil droplets associated with formation of giant vesicles on/in the surface of an oil droplet at the site opposite that of the direction of motion was observed. Fluorescence microscopic study using a synthesized fluorescent indicator confirmed that formation of the vesicular molecule occurred through the coupling reaction between a reactive lipophile and a micellar amphiphile in an aqueous dispersion.
Leptin Predicts BMD and Bone Resorption in Older Women but Not Older Men: The Rancho Bernardo Study
Authors: Weiss Lauren A , Barrett-Connor Elizabeth , von Mühlen Denise , Clark Patricia 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
We studied the relation of leptin to bone, bone loss, and bone turnover in community-dwelling men and women. Leptin predicted higher BMD and lower bone turnover only in women. Leptin was not associated with 4-year bone loss in either sex.
Introduction: Leptin, the protein product of the obesity (OB) gene produced in fat tissue, was originally thought to be involved only in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Recent evidence suggests that leptin may play a role in the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases. Studies of the association between leptin and bone have been numerous yet inconclusive. Only one previous longitudinal study has been reported, which showed no association of leptin with BMD after adjusting for body size.
Materials and Methods: We report the association of serum leptin with BMD at the hip, spine, and midshaft radius in community-dwelling men (n = 498) and nonestrogen-using postmenopausal women (n = 411) 45–92 years of age. Serum leptin was measured in blood obtained between 1984 and 1987. Between 1988 and 1991, BMD was measured at the midshaft radius by single photon absorptiometry and at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine by DXA; at the same visit, height, weight, and body fat (by bioelectrical impedance analysis) were measured, and bone resorption was assessed in a subset of men (n = 286) and women (n = 241) using urine N-telopeptide (NTX). Four years later, axial BMD was remeasured in 536 participants. Sex-specific associations of leptin with BMD, NTX, and bone loss were tested using regression analysis.
Results: In unadjusted analyses, leptin was associated with BMD at the femoral neck, total hip, lumbar spine, and midshaft radius in both sexes (p &lt; 0.01). In multiple regression analyses, adjusted for age, BMI, and other bone-related factors, only women showed a graded stepwise positive association between serum leptin and BMD at all sites and a negative stepwise association with NTX (all p for trend &lt; 0.01). Baseline leptin levels did not predict 4-year bone loss in either sex.
Conclusions: A favorable dose-dependent leptin–BMD association unexplained by obesity was observed only in women. The reason for the sex difference is unknown.
Mikroakustische Sensoren – von chemischen zu elektrischen Signalen (Microwave Acoustic Sensors – from Chemical to Electrical Signals)
Authors: Fischerauer Gerhard 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Massensensitive Chemosensoren reagieren mit Frequenzänderungen auf die selektive Sorption von Molekülen. Hier wird das Systemverhalten solcher Sensoren im diffusionsbestimmten Regime analysiert. Es wird ein modellbasiertes Verfahren zur Prädiktion der stationären Sensorantwort und damit zur Verkürzung der effektiven Antwortzeit abgeleitet.
Associations between Surficial Sediments and Groundfish Distributions in the Gulf of Maine–Georges Bank Region
Authors: Methratta Elizabeth T. , Link Jason S. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The delineation of essential fish habitat is an important element of contemporary fisheries management. Although local-scale species–habitat relationships have been established for some managed species, we lack an understanding of these associations at the synoptic spatial scales on which fish populations and their associated fisheries operate. Interest in habitat delineations has been elevated further by an increased awareness of ongoing habitat degradation caused by mobile fishing gears and by the advancement of spatial management tools. Here we examine the associations between surficial sediment grain size and groundfish distributions in the Gulf of Maine–Georges Bank region. The mean abundances for 58 demersal fish species were determined for a spatial cell grid (185.2 km2 per cell), which was subsequently joined to a spatially referenced sediment database in a geographical information systems environment. Multivariate statistical methods were then used to examine how fish distribution and abundance varied with substrate grain size. Of the 58 species examined, 12 were consistently associated with particular substrate types. Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, longhorn sculpin Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus, sea raven Hemitripterus americanus, and winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus were consistently abundant in large-grained substrate types, whereas white hake Urophycis tenuis, goosefish Lophius americanus, red hake U. chuss, silver hake Merluccius bilinearis, witch flounder Glyptocephalus cynoglossus, and American plaice Hippoglossoides platessoides were consistently abundant in fine-grained substrates. Little skate Leucoraja erinacea was most abundant in sediments of intermediate grain size. Although broadly distributed, spring dogfish Squalus acanthias consistently distinguished assemblages in fine-grained sediments. Given that we were able to detect even weak associations and that these relationships were consistent with local-scale studies, we recommend using these relationships to further refine essential fish habitat and that they be given more weight in this and similar temperate ecosystems.
Selective Isolation of Mammalian Genes by TAR Cloning
Authors: Kouprina Natalay , Larionov Vladimir 
Published: May 2006

AbstractTransformation‐associated recombination (TAR) cloning provides a unique tool for selective isolation of desired chromosome segments and full‐size genes from complex genomes in the form of a circular yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) up to 250 kb in size. The method has a broad application for structural and functional genomics, long‐range haplotyping, mutational analysis of gene families, characterization of chromosomal rearrangements, and evolutionary studies. This unit describes a procedure for gene isolation by TAR as well as a method for conversion of YAC‐TAR isolates into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) form.
Modeling the partial nitrification in sequencing batch reactor for biomass adapted to high ammonia concentrations
Authors: Pambrun V. , Paul E. , Spérandio M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPartial nitrification has proven to be an economic way for treatment of industrial N‐rich effluent, reducing oxygen and external COD requirements during nitrification/denitrification process. One of the key issues of this system is the intermediate nitrite accumulation stability. This work presents a control strategy and a modeling tool for maintaining nitrite build‐up. Partial nitrification process has been carried out in a sequencing batch reactor at 30°C, maintaining strong changing ammonia concentration in the reactor (sequencing feed). Stable nitrite accumulation has been obtained with the help of an on‐line oxygen uptake rate (OUR)‐based control system, with removal rate of 2 kg NH‐N · m−3/day and 90%–95% of conversion of ammonium into nitrite. A mathematical model, identified through the occurring biological reactions, is proposed to optimize the process (preventing nitrate production). Most of the kinetic parameters have been estimated from specific respirometric tests on biomass and validated on pilot‐scale experiments of one‐cycle duration. Comparison of dynamic data at different pH confirms that NH3 and NO should be considered as the true substrate of nitritation and nitratation, respectively. The proposed model represents major features: the inhibition of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria by its substrate (NH3) and product (HNO2), the inhibition of nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria by free ammonia (NH3), the INFluence of pH. It appears that the model correctly describes the short‐term dynamics of nitrogenous compounds in SBR, when both ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers are present and active in the reactor. The model proposed represents a useful tool for process design and optimization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous lower and upper critical solution temperature‐type co‐nonsolvency behaviour exhibited in water–dioxane mixtures by linear copolymers and hydrogels containing N‐isopropylacrylamide and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide
Authors: Pagonis Konstantinos , Bokias Georgios 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe co‐nonsolvency behaviour in water–dioxane mixtures of linear copolymers and hydrogels consisting of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAM) was studied as a function of solvent composition and temperature. The composition of the copolymers, P(NIPAM‐co‐DMAMx), in DMAM units, x, varies from x = 0 up to x = 100%. It is shown that the copolymers combine the lower critical solution temperature (LCST)‐type co‐nonsolvency behaviour of poly‐NIPAM with the upper critical solution temperature (UCST)‐type co‐nonsolvency behaviour of poly‐DMAM. Depending on x, both the LCST‐ and UCST‐type co‐nonsolvency behaviour may be simultaneously observed in water‐rich and dioxane‐rich solvent mixtures, respectively. Due to this complex phase separation behaviour, the variation of the reduced viscosity of the linear copolymers, as well as the swelling–deswelling behaviour of the respective hydrogels, are shown to be temperature‐ and solvent‐sensitive. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of exercise training on cardiac performance, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure: A meta‐analysis
Authors: van Tol Benno A.F. , Huijsmans Rosalie J. , Kroon Dineke W. , Schothorst Maaike , Kwakkel Gert 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundDespite major advances in pharmacological treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF), a number of patients still suffer from dyspnoea, fatigue, diminished exercise capacity and poor quality of life. It is in this context that exercise training is being intensively evaluated for any additional benefit in the treatment of CHF.AimsTo determine the effect of exercise training in patients with CHF on cardiac performance, exercise capacity and health‐related quality of life. A meta‐analysis was performed to obtain this goal.Methods and resultsAfter including 35 randomised controlled trials, the methodological quality of each study was assessed, summary effect sizes (SESs) and the concomitant 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for each outcome. Quantitative analysis showed statistically significant SESs, at rest, for diastolic blood pressure and end‐diastolic volume. During maximal exercise, significant SESs were found for systolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold and 6‐min walking test. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire improved by an average of 9.7 points.ConclusionsExercise training has clinically important effects on exercise capacity and HRQL, and may have small positive effects on cardiac performance during exercise.
EXTENDING A RESULT OF RYAN ON WEAKLY COMPACT OPERATORS
Authors: Saitô Kazuyuki , Wright J. D. Maitland 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAn elegant result of Ryan gives a characterization of weakly compact operators from a Banach space $A$ into $c_{0}(X)$, the space of null sequences in a Banach space $X$. It would be a useful tool if the analogue of Ryan’s result were valid when $c_{0}(X)$ is replaced by $c(X)$, the space of convergent sequences in $X$. This seems plausible and has been assumed to be true by some authors. Unfortunately, it is false in general; Ylinen has produced a counterexample. But when $A$ is a $C^*$-algebra, or, more generally, when the dual of $A$ is weakly sequentially complete, we show that the desired extension of Ryan’s result does hold. The latter result turns out to be ‘best possible’.
A partial genome scan to map quantitative trait loci for carcass composition, as assessed by X-ray computer tomography, and meat quality traits in Scottish Blackface Sheep
Authors: Karamichou E. , Richardson R.I. , Nute G.R. , McLean K.A. , Bishop S.C. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractQuantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for traits related to carcass and meat quality in Scottish Blackface sheep. The population studied was a double backcross between lines of sheep divergently selected for carcass lean content (LEAN and FAT lines), comprising nine half-sib families. Carcass composition (600 lambs) was assessed non-destructively using computerized tomography (CT) scanning and meat quality measurements (initial and final pH of m. semimembranosus, colour, shear force value, carcass weight, lamb flavour, juiciness, tenderness and overall liking) were taken on 300 male lambs. Lambs and their sires were genotyped across candidate regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 14, 18, 20 and 21. QTL analyses were performed using regression interval mapping techniques. In total, nine genome-wise significant and 11 chromosome-wise and suggestive QTL were detected in seven out of eight chromosomes. Genome-wise significant QTL were mapped for lamb flavour (OAR 1); for muscle densities (OAR 2 and OAR 3); for colour a*(redness) (OAR 3); for bone density (OAR 1); for slaughter live weight (OAR 1 and OAR 2) and for the weights of cold and hot carcass (OAR 5). The QTL with the strongest statistical evidence affected the lamb flavour of meat and was on OAR 1, in a region homologous with a porcine SSC 13 QTL identified for pork flavour. This QTL segregated in four of the nine families. This study provides new information on QTL affecting meat quality and carcass composition traits in sheep, which may lead to novel opportunities for genetically improving these traits.
Causes of differences in urinary excretion of purine derivatives in buffaloes and cattle
Authors: Kim Thanh Vo Thi , Ørskov E. R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIn experiment 1, three male calves of Vietnamese cattle and three maleVietnamese swamp buffalo calves were weaned after receiving colostrum and reared by bottle feeding of milk. During the 1st month the animal did not have access to solid food. Urine was collected to determine differences in endogenous excretion of purine between the two types of animal. After that they were given access to equal amount of solid food for 2 months to stimulate rumen development, urine was again collected to determine the differences in purine excretion. In experiment 2, the same animals were given milk mixed with purines in three treatments (0, 1·7 and 3·4 g/day). The same animals were used in experiment 3 for intravenous allantoin infusion, to test the effect of purines themselves introduced into the plasma.The results showed that in period 1 of experiment 1 there was no significant difference in purine excretion between the two types of animal. The excretion being 0·65 mmol/kg M 0·75 for cattle and 0·69 mmol/kg M 0·75for buffaloes calves, respectively. For period 2, after rumen development there were significant differences between two types of animal. The excretion from buffaloes (0·26 mmol/kg M0·75) being less than half that of cattle (0·69 mmol/kg M 0·75).In experiment 2 the regression of purine excretion mmol/day (y) was y=0·6279x+9·1496 for cattle calves and y=0·2618x+5·8594 for buffalo calves where x was the purine given.In experiment 3, from each mmol of allantoin infusion, the recovery was about 0·70 in cattle but only half (0·32) in buffaloes ( P<0·01).It is clearly shown that the difference in purine derivative excretion occur only after rumen development It is suggested that glomerular filtration rate may be lower in buffaloes than cattle leaving more time in the blood thus more time for recycling to the rumen and metabolized by bacteria or the permeability from the blood to the rumen is greater in buffaloes than cattle.
Reproduction of wild Mongolian gerbils bred in the laboratory with respect to generation and season 1. Morphological changes and fertility lifespan
Authors: Stuermer I. W. , Tittmann C. , Schilling C. , Blottner S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA new strain of wild Meriones unguiculatus (strain Ugoe:MU95, named WILD) with high genetic variability was recently established in Germany. A previous study showed that offspring (F-1) of WILD founders (F-0) showed reduced spermatogenesis and testosterone compared to domesticated gerbils (LAB) maintained under similar conditions. We investigated F-0 and subsequent generations in respect to sexual maturation, duration of fertility and gonadal weights of different seasons. Body and reproductive organ weights showed negligible seasonal fluctuations in both strains. Testis and epididymis weights in WILD covered a wide range, which indicates a high reproductive variability. Reproductive organ weights increased in F-3. Less variable and high reproductive organ weights (testis >900 mg, epididymis >200 mg) in almost all LAB illustrate their readiness to reproduce, even in small individuals. Prominent testis (T+) was found in 71% of adult males (F-1, F-2) reflecting the natural portion of T+(63%) found in wild gerbils investigated in Mongolia in 1995 and 2002. Testicular descent was accelerated and pronounced in WILD F-3 (T+, 88%) and LAB (T+, 91%). Time between mating and the first litter was significantly longer in wild F-0 than in their offspring or LAB. The average age in wild F-0 when the last litter was born was 27 months. Breeding went on for 2 to 32 months and was mostly terminated by the death of the females. Relative testis and epididymis weights correspond in young adults and in old males up to 6 years, the total life span of male wild Mongolian gerbils. In summary, the results suggest that laboratory conditions improve the reproductive fitness of wild gerbils.
The effect of dietary protein supply on the performance and risk of post-weaning enteric disorders in newly weaned pigs
Authors: Wellock I. J. , Fortomaris P. D. , Houdijk J. G. M. , Kyriazakis I. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe effect of dietary protein supply, as manipulated by both crude protein content and/or substitution of existing ingredients, mainly soya (SOYA), with the more digestible dried skimmed milk powder (DSMP), and the consequences of removing in-food antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) on the performance and risk of post-weaning enteric disorders (PWED) in newly weaned pigs was investigated. Pigs weaned at 28·7±3·45 days of age (no. =49) were individually housed in an environmentally controlled room and assigned to one of seven dietary treatments; a 3×2 factorial combination of dietary protein content (130, 180 and 230 g crude protein (CP) per kg) and main protein source (DSMP and SOYA), plus an additional control containing 230 g CP per kg, DSMP and in-food AGPs (ZnO, CuSO4and avilamycin). Individual food intake, faecal score (FS), cleanliness score (CS) and health score (HS) were taken daily, and live weight and faecal samples were taken on days 0, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14. All animals were slaughtered on day 14 to examine variables describing aspects of gastro-intestinal health. Increasing CP content and the removal of AGPs both led to a significant increase in faecal fluidity and contamination although there was no effect on HS. There was no effect of DSMP inclusion on FS, CS or HS. Increasing CP content led to an increase (P<0·05) in the number of coliforms in faecal and proximal colon (PC) samples taken at slaughter and a decrease (P<0·01) in the lactobacilli to coliform ratio (L:C) in the PC. Increasing CP content had no effect on average daily food intake (ADFI) but led to improvements in average daily gain (ADG) (P<0·001) and food conversion ratio (FCR) (P<0·001) over the whole trial period. The inclusion of DSMP had no effect on performance during the 1st week, but animals on the DSMP diets had improved ADG (P<0·05) and FCR (P<0·01) compared with those on the SOYA diets in the 2nd week. The inclusion of AGPs increased ADFI (P<0·05) and ADG (P<0·05) but had no effect on FCR over the whole trial period. The results indicate that in the absence of AGPs both growth performance and the risk of PWED increased as protein supply was increased. The increased risk of PWED was associated with an increased fluidity of faeces, a reduction in the L:C ratio and an increase in intestinal pH. Consequently, it is important to balance the trade-off between maximizing performance and minimising the risk of PWED through manipulating protein supply, particularly in an environment where AGPs are no longer permitted.