bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Automated High-Throughput Screening Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Johne's Disease Antibodies in Bovine Serum
Authors: Wu John T.Y. , Wong Lester S.Y. , Bowlby Evelyn E. 
Published: October 2006

Amanual Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (IDEXX Inc.) was fully automated using an automation workstation system (AWS). The IDEXX commercial kit is used to screen for exposure to the Johne's disease (JD) bacterium in cattle on a herd basis. Due to the large number of sera involved in this type of surveillance project, there is a need to increase the cost effectiveness and decrease the turn around time. The purpose of the work was to develop an automated ELISA (a-ELISA) for JD antibodies screening and examine the productivity advantages, quality assured performance characteristics, the laboratory information management (LIM) work, and the multitasking provisions under this format. The AWS was assembled using a modular approach design. The high-throughput screening configuration consisted of a Beckman Coulter hybrid Biomek FX liquid-handling system integrated with a Molecular Devices Spectramax microplate reader, a Biotek ELx405 microplate washer, a Kendro Cytomat 6000 hotel, and an Axis PTZ Network camera. The integrated system function was programmed with an IBM computer using the SAMI software. This setup was housed in a Class 2 Biosafety Cabinet. This fully automated system provided flexibility to accommodate the multistep requirements of the immunoassay procedure. Complexity of the working steps was kept to a minimum by using one unique operation program. The complete robotic workstation with its peripheral equipment was simple to operate, robust, and easily maintained. These characteristics enabled the elimination of forced downtime due to human and/or machine failure. A 5 to 10 fold improvement in cost, test capacity, and productivity was achieved. With this system, one diagnostician is able to carry out over 1000 antibody screening tests a day. Based on the automated nature of the test, there is ample walk away time between the ELISA tests, enabling the technologist to multitask–performing other important duties such as sample receiving and preparation, test validation, result interpretation, information dissemination, and other related LIM work. The performance characteristics–such as repeatability, reproducibility, optimal cutoff values, identity score, test sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated. These test validation results were based on data accumulated in an 8-year proficiency testing with the US National Veterinary Services Laboratory. Our laboratory test has received certification from the United States Department of Agriculture to perform serologic testing for JD since 1998. In 2000–2001, this test scope was accredited by the Standard Council of Canada. In 2004, this a-ELISA was validated according to the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
A high-resolution reconstruction of Storglaciären mass balance back to 1780/81 using tree-ring data and circulation indices
Authors: Linderholm Hans W. , Jansson Peter , Chen Deliang 
Published: October 2006

AbstractStorglaciären in northernmost Sweden has the world's longest ongoing continuous mass-balance record, starting in 1946. To extend this mass-balance record, we have reconstructed summer (bS) and winter (bW) mass balances separately back to the mass balance year 1780/81 with annual resolution. We used tree-ring data for bS and a set of circulation indices, based on the sea-level pressure, for bW. Both proxies have correlation coefficients with respective mass balance components of ca. 0.7. The reconstructed net balance (bN) of Storglaciären was well correlated to the observations during 1946–1980 (r = 0.8, p < 0.05). Our reconstruction agrees well with previously obtained results of northern Sweden glacier variability, where the predominantly positive bN years between 1890 and 1910 correspond to the well documented post-Little Ice Age advance of Storglaciären. Furthermore, the results suggest that bS, as a function of summer temperatures, is more important than bW in determining the bN, which is contrary to glaciers in the maritime parts of western Scandinavia. In general, bN has been negative over the last 220 yr, suggesting a predomination of continental conditions over northern Sweden. However, the influence of bW increased in the late twentieth century, indicating a shift to a more oceanic climate regime.
Embolism Formation during Freezing in the Wood ofPicea abies
Authors: Mayr Stefan , Cochard Hervé , Améglio Thierry , Kikuta Silvia B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractFreeze-thaw events can cause embolism in plant xylem. According to classical theory, gas bubbles are formed during freezing and expand during thawing. Conifers have proved to be very resistant to freeze-thaw induced embolism, because bubbles in tracheids are small and redissolve during thawing. In contrast, increasing embolism rates upon consecutive freeze-thaw events were observed that cannot be explained by the classical mechanism. In this study, embolism formation during freeze-thaw events was analyzed via ultrasonic and Cryo-scanning electron microscope techniques. Twigs of Picea abies L. Karst. were subjected to up to 120 freeze-thaw cycles during which ultrasonic acoustic emissions, xylem temperature, and diameter variations were registered. In addition, the extent and cross-sectional pattern of embolism were analyzed with staining experiments and Cryo-scanning electron microscope observations. Embolism increased with the number of freeze-thaw events in twigs previously dehydrated to a water potential of −2.8 MPa. In these twigs, acoustic emissions were registered, while saturated twigs showed low, and totally dehydrated twigs showed no, acoustic activity. Acoustic emissions were detected only during the freezing process. This means that embolism was formed during freezing, which is in contradiction to the classical theory of freeze-thaw induced embolism. The clustered pattern of embolized tracheids in cross sections indicates that air spread from a dysfunctional tracheid to adjacent functional ones. We hypothesize that the low water potential of the growing ice front led to a decrease of the potential in nearby tracheids. This may result in freezing-induced air seeding.
Common Plantain. A Collection of Expressed Sequence Tags from Vascular Tissue and a Simple and Efficient Transformation Method
Authors: Pommerrenig Benjamin , Barth Inga , Niedermeier Matthias , Kopp Sina , Schmid Jürg , Dwyer Rex A. , McNair Racella J. , Klebl Franz , Sauer Norbert 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe vascular tissue of higher plants consists of specialized cells that differ from all other cells with respect to their shape and size, their organellar composition, their extracellular matrix, the type of their plasmodesmata, and their physiological functions. Intact and pure vascular tissue can be isolated easily and rapidly from leaf blades of common plantain (Plantago major), a plant that has been used repeatedly for molecular studies of phloem transport. Here, we present a transcriptome analysis based on 5,900 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 3,247 independent mRNAs from the Plantago vasculature. The vascular specificity of these ESTs was confirmed by the identification of well-known phloem or xylem marker genes. Moreover, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, macroarray, and northern analyses revealed genes and metabolic pathways that had previously not been described to be vascular specific. Moreover, common plantain transformation was established and used to confirm the vascular specificity of a Plantago promoter-β-glucuronidase construct in transgenic Plantago plants. Eventually, the applicability and usefulness of the obtained data were also demonstrated for other plant species. Reporter gene constructs generated with promoters from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homologs of newly identified Plantago vascular ESTs revealed vascular specificity of these genes in Arabidopsis as well. The presented vascular ESTs and the newly developed transformation system represent an important tool for future studies of functional genomics in the common plantain vasculature.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐I and IGF binding protein‐3 remain high after GnRH analogue therapy in girls with central precocious puberty
Authors: Kanety Hannah , Karasik Avraham , Pariente Clara , Kauschansky Arieh 
Published: October 2006

SummaryOBJECTIVE IGF‐I rises in normal adolescence and in central precocious puberty (CPP), secondary to a rise in sex steroids and GH. The aim of this study was to examine changes in serum IGF‐I and its major binding protein IGFBP‐3 after pharmacological arrest of puberty.PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS Ten girls diagnosed for CPP were evaluated before and during the first 3 months of GnRH analogue (GnRHa) therapy aimed at Suppression of the gonadal axis. Serum IGF‐I was measured by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and IGFBP‐3 by both IRMA and Western ligand blotting (WLB).RESULTS Serum IGF‐I was markedly higher in patients with CPP as compared with age matched controls (48.8 ± 6.5 vs 23.1 ± 4.9 nmol/l, P < 0.01). While GnRHa therapy caused serum oestradiol levels to return to pre‐pubertal levels in all 10 patients, serum IGF‐I levels decreased only minimally after 1, 2 or 3 months of therapy (43.2 ± 5.6, 42.3 ± 6.4 and 44.1 ± 7.2 nmol/l respectively). Serum IGFBP‐3 levels as determined using IRMA were also higher in CPP compared with age matched controls (4.70 ± 0.37 vs 3.71 ± 0.42mg/l, P < 0.01). These differences were also evident when measured by WLB. GnRHa therapy caused a small and insignificant decrease in serum IGFBP‐3 levels after 1, 2 or 3 months of therapy (4.57 ± 0.33, 4.48 ± 0.4 and 4.42 ± 0.3 mg/l respectively).CONCLUSIONS The lack of suppression of both IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3, despite therapy which halts puberty and slows growth velocity, suggests that steroids may be involved In the Induction of changes in the GH/IGF‐I axis but not in their subsequent maintenance.
Clinical features of adrenal insufficiency in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Piédrola Gonzalo , Casado Jose L. , López Elena , Moreno Ana , Perez‐Elías Maria J. , García‐Robles Rafael 
Published: October 2006

SummaryOBJECTIVE Adrenal insufficiency (Al) is a well known complication of AIDS. However, the clinical and biochemical features of Al in HIV infected patients have not been extensively studied.DESIGN A restrospective clinical study.PATIENTS We reviewed clinical records of 74 AIDS patients with clinical and/or biochemical indications of Al who underwent Synacthen testing in order to determine adrenocortical function during a 5‐year period.MEASUREMENTS AI was diagnosed when Cortisol levels failed to rise above 496 nmol/l at any time during the test. Cortisol was measured by RIA.RESULTS Sixteen patients (22%) were diagnosed with Al. Most were young males and all of them had a known risk factor, principally I.v. drug users. The main complaint was fatigue. Hyponatraemia or hyperkalaemia were uncommon. All of them were severely immuno‐suppressed, with AIDS‐defining conditions from at least 6 months before the diagnosis of Al, and had been diagnosed with at least one disease that has been reported to produce Al in AIDS patients. Survival was poor. Thirteen of these patients (81%) died within 6 months. Basal cortisol levels were lower than 275 nmol/l in 75% of patients with Al but in only 2% of the group of 58 patients who had normal adrenal responses to Synacthen.CONCLUSIONS Adrenal insufficiency features in AIDS patients with advanced disease, without specific findings and with a history of previous opportunistic diseases. Basal cortisol values at 0830 h lower than 275 nmol/l are highly suggestive of adrenal insufficiency in patients with AIDS.
AtCAT6, a sink‐tissue‐localized transporter for essential amino acids in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hammes Ulrich Z. , Nielsen Erik , Honaas Loren A. , Taylor Christopher G. , Schachtman Daniel P. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryAmino acids represent the major form of reduced nitrogen that is transported in plants. Amino acid transporters in plants often show tissue‐specific expression patterns and are used by plants to transport these metabolites from source to sink during development and under changing environmental conditions. We identified one amino acid transporter, AtCAT6, which is expressed in sink tissues such as lateral root primordia, flowers and seeds. Additionally AtCAT6 was induced during infestation of roots by the plant‐parasitic root‐knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR revealed nematode inducibility throughout the duration of nematode infestation and in nematode‐induced feeding sites. Promoter analyses confirmed expression in endogenous sink tissues and nematode‐induced feeding sites. In Xenopus oocytes, AtCAT6 mediated electrogenic transport of proteinogenic as well as non‐proteinogenic amino acids with moderate affinity. AtCAT6 transported large, neutral and cationic amino acids in preference to other amino acids. Knockout mutants of this transporter failed to grow on medium containing l‐glutamine as the sole nitrogen source. Our data suggest that AtCAT6 plays a role in supplying amino acids to sink tissues of plants and nematode‐induced feeding structures.
Effect of syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane treatment on gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Hoegh AM , Tannetta D , Sargent I , Borup R , Nielsen FC , Redman C , Sørensen S , Hviid TVF 
Published: October 2006

Objective  Syncytiotrophoblast membrane fragments (STBM) exist in the peripheral circulation in pregnant women and it has been shown that the level of circulating STBM is significantly increased with pre‐eclampsia compared with uncomplicated pregnancies. STBM could be one of the factors which directly causes the endothelial cell dysfunction of pre‐eclampsia. This study investigates the effect of STBM on endothelial cell gene expression.Design  Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in the presence and absence of STBM. At specified time points, total RNA was purified from the cultures and analysed on microarrays.Setting  A laboratory investigation using placentas obtained from a hospital delivery ward.Sample  Placentas from nine healthy women were obtained. STBM vesicles were isolated from the placentas and umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures were established from the umbilical cords.Methods  Gene expression was screened by Affymetrix GeneChips and confirmed with real‐time polymerase chain reaction or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Main outcome measures  Fold changes in gene expression levels between treated and control cultures were calculated from the microarray results.Results  Overall, the results do not show any great changes in gene expression in endothelial cells after STBM treatment (28 genes changed two‐fold or more out of approximately 10 000 genes examined by microarray). In general, the changes observed are consistent with inhibition of proliferation of endothelial cells by exposure to STBM. The unfolded protein response in particular may be involved.Conclusions  STBM may influence endothelial cell function during pregnancy but STBM alone cannot account for the entire range of endothelial dysfunctions observed in pre‐eclampsia.
A long‐term study of women with normal colposcopy after referral with low‐grade cytological abnormalities
Authors: Smith MCG , Keech SEJ , Perryman K , Soutter WP 
Published: October 2006

Background  About 50 000 women are referred annually to colposcopy in England because of a low‐grade smear. About 35% of these women have no colposcopic abnormality but are followed up in the colposcopy clinic because of uncertainty about the risk of significant pathology.Objective  This study determined the 5‐year rate of disease when initial colposcopy was normal and smear was non‐dyskaryotic.Design  Retrospective study.Setting  Colposcopy clinic of an inner city postgraduate teaching hospital.Population  Two thousand one hundred and fifty seven women referred between January 1990 and December 2001 with mild dyskaryosis (Low Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion [LSIL]) or borderline nuclear changes (Abnormal Squamous Changes of Uncertain Significance [ASCUS]).Methods  Information was obtained from the colposcopy clinic database and Open‐Exeter. Time plots of the disease‐free rates were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and statistical comparisons were performed using Cox regression.Main outcome measures  Cumulative rates of cytological and histological abnormalities.Results  High‐grade or invasive disease was diagnosed histologically in 12.8% of 805 women referred with borderline nuclear changes and in 35.8% of 1352 referred with mild dyskaryosis. Among 620 women with normal colposcopy and a negative or borderline repeat smear, high‐grade disease was found after 5 years of follow up in 1.3% of women originally referred with a borderline smear and in 8.5% referred because of mild dyskaryosis.Conclusion  Women referred to colposcopy with borderline nuclear changes or mild dyskaryosis whose colposcopy findings are normal and whose repeat smear in the clinic is non‐dyskaryotic may be discharged for routine 3‐yearly screening in the community because the risk of high‐grade disease in the next 5 years is small.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Polyprotein Modulates Its Own Translation
Authors: Anderson Emma C. , Lever Andrew M. L. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT
The full-length viral RNA of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) functions both as the mRNA for the viral structural proteins Gag and Gag/Pol and as the genomic RNA packaged within viral particles. The packaging signal which Gag recognizes to initiate genome encapsidation is in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the HIV-1 RNA, which is also the location of translation initiation complex formation. Hence, it is likely that there is competition between the translation and packaging processes. We studied the ability of Gag to regulate translation of its own mRNA. Gag had a bimodal effect on translation from the HIV-1 5′ UTR, stimulating translation at low concentrations and inhibiting translation at high concentrations in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition was dependent upon the ability of Gag to bind the packaging signal through its nucleocapsid domain. The stimulatory activity was shown to depend on the matrix domain of Gag. These results suggest that Gag controls the equilibrium between translation and packaging, ensuring production of enough molecules of Gag to make viral particles before encapsidating its genome.
Transcriptional regulation of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 gene in T cells by cannabinoids
Authors: Börner Christine , Höllt Volker , Sebald Walter , Kraus Jürgen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEffects of cannabinoids (CBs) are mediated by two types of receptors, CB1 and CB2. In this report, we investigated whether CBs regulate gene expression of their cognate receptors in T cells and studied underlying mechanisms in CD4+ Jurkat T cells. Transcription of the CB1 gene was strongly induced in response to Δ9-tetrahydroannabinol (THC), whereas the CB2 gene was not regulated. The induction of CB1 gene expression is mediated by CB2 receptors only, as demonstrated by using the CB1 and CB2 agonists R(+)-methanandamide and JWH 015, respectively, and combinations of THC plus CB1- and CB2-specific antagonists. After activation of CB2 receptors, the transcription factor STAT5 is phosphorylated. STAT5 then transactivates IL-4. Induction of IL-4 mRNA as well as IL-4 protein release from the cells are necessary for the following induction of the CB1 gene. This was demonstrated by using decoy oligonucleotides against STAT5, which blocked IL-4 and CB1 mRNA induction, and by using the IL-4 receptor antagonist IL-4 [R121D, Y124D], which blocked the up-regulation of CB1 gene transcription. Transactivation of the CB1 gene in response to IL-4 is then mediated by the transcription factor STAT6, as shown by using decoy oligonucleotides against STAT6. An increase in CB1-mediated phosphorylation of MAPK in cells prestimulated with CB2-specific agonists suggests up-regulation of functional CB1 receptor proteins. In summary, up-regulation of CB1 in T lymphocytes in response to CBs themselves may facilitate or enhance the various immunomodulatory effects related to CBs.
Ammonia volatilization, nitrogen in soil, and growth of barley after application of peat manure and pig slurry
Authors: MATTILA P. K. 
Published: October 2006

Peat is added to manure, because its low pH and capacity to adsorb ammonia (NH3) give it potential to reduce nitrogen (N) loss. Peat manure was prepared by mixing pig slurry with moderately humified Sphagnum peat. Less than 1% of applied ammoniacal N was volatilized as NH3 from peat manure and pig slurry within 8 h of surface application on clay loam soil according to JTI method. Incorporated manures showed even smaller N loss. The low volatilization was due to the adsorption of manure ammoniacal N by peat, and the infiltration of slurry into harrowed, moist clay soil. In another experiment, peat manure was applied on polypropylene fabric without soil contact. Within the first 3 days there was only 9% reduction in the ammoniacal N of peat manure, but the major part of it was lost during several weeks of dry and warm weather. Peat manure did not cause any major improvements on the growth and N uptake of spring barley in spring and early summer as compared with slurry. Moisture deficit limited the availability of ammoniacal N of manures. As compared with surface application, incorporation of manures increased nitrification of ammonium in the soil, and dry matter mass (1973%) and N uptake of barley. Supplementing manures with inorganic NPK fertilizer increased both dry matter mass (4098%) and N concentration of barley stand.;
Beitrag über einige Umesterungsreaktionen des Oxalsäurediäthylesters
Authors: Klosa Josef 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEs werden einige Umesterungsreaktionen des Oxalsäurediäthylesters und die Herstellung der Ester der Phenyl‐cyan‐brenztraubensäure und der p‐Nitro‐phenyl‐cyanbrenztraubensäure beschrieben.
Die Chemie der Belladonna‐flavonoide A und B und ihr Wert für die Qualitätsbeurteilung von Belladonnaextrakten. 4. Mitt. über „Extractum Belladonnae”︁
Authors: List P. H. , Hanafi S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractFrische Tollkirschenblätter enthalten 2 bisher noch unbekannte Flavonoltriglykoside, die wir als Quercetein‐3‐rhamnoglucosido‐7‐galaktosid und Kämpferol‐3‐rhamnogalaktosido‐7‐glucosid identifizierten. Die in handelsüblichen Belladonna‐Drogen und ‐Extrakten zahlreichen weiteren Flavonoide sind Abbauprodukte der beiden Triglykoside. Durch Beobachtung der fortschreitenden Hydrolyse ließ sich die Extraktbereitung schonender gestalten.
Über die Helch‐Reaktion des Pilocarpins
Authors: Auterhoff H. , Pankow H.‐J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractEs wird gezeigt, daß die Farbreaktion nach Helch von denjenigen Basen gegeben wird die sehr gut in Wasser und in Benzol löslich und gegen Chromperoxid relativ stabil sind. Um diese Hypothese zu überprüfen, wurde Pilocarpin in das in Benzol schwer lösliche Pilocarpdiol verwandelt, das die Reaktion nicht mehr gab; Acetylierung verlieh dem Pilocarpdiol wieder Lipophilie und damit die positive Reaktivität in der Helch‐Reaktion.
Aufbau des Ferredoxins, des Wirkstoffes der Assimilations vorgänge
Authors: Bayer E. , Parr W. , Kazmaier B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractDas Eisen des Ferredoxins kann mittels α,α′‐Dipyridyl abgespalten werden. Aus dem so gewonnenen Apoferredoxin und Eisen(II)‐salz ist eine Resynthese von Ferredoxin möglich. Das Molekulargewicht von Ferredoxin beträgt 7000. Das Auftreten des Schwefelwasserstoffes wird auf eine β‐Eliminierung aus den Cysteinylresten des Peptides zurückgeführt und nicht auf die Anwesenheit von anorganischem Sulfid. Nach Vergleich mit Modellsubstanzen wird das Eisen durch die Merkaptogruppen und den Stickstoff der Cysteinylreste gebunden.