bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Response to mannitol in asymptomatic subjects with airway hyper‐responsiveness to methacholine
Authors: Porsbjerg C. , Rasmussen L. , Thomsen S. F. , Brannan J. D. , Anderson S. D. , Backer V. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryBackground
Bronchial provocation using methacholine, a cholinergic agonist, causes airway narrowing directly by contraction of bronchial smooth muscle. While methacholine has a high sensitivity for identifying airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR), it does not have a high specificity to diagnose asthma and false‐positive responses may be observed in non‐asthmatics. Mannitol is an osmotic stimulus that acts indirectly to cause airway narrowing by release of endogenous bronchoconstricting mediators.Objectives
We tested the hypothesis that subjects with asymptomatic AHR to methacholine would not have AHR to mannitol.Methods
Sixteen subjects with a methacholine PD20 <8 μmol were challenged with mannitol. A positive response to mannitol was defined as a 15% decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after <635 mg (PD15). Expired nitric oxide (eNO) and blood eosinophils were also measured.Results
The GM PD20 for methacholine was 2.25 μmol [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.19–5.29], the mean eNO was 14.7 p.p.b. (CI: 10.1–19.4) and the eosinophil count was 0.20 × 10−9/L (CI: 0.14–0.27 × 10−9/L). Only one subject (a smoker, 10 pack‐years, FEV1 76% pred, non‐allergic rhinitis, normal eNO and eosinophil count) also had a mild positive response to mannitol (PD15: 451 mg).Conclusions
The response to mannitol was within the normal range in asymptomatic subjects with AHR to methacholine. Further evidence on the responsiveness to mannitol compared with methacholine in a random population sample is required to elucidate whether mannitol is a more specific test for diagnosing asthma.
Mediator release assays based on human or murine immunoglobulin E in allergen standardization
Authors: Kaul S. , Lüttkopf D. , Kastner B. , Vogel L. , Höltz G. , Vieths S. , Hoffmann A. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryBackground
The biological potency of allergens can be measured by provoking mediator release from effector cells. As established immunochemical methods in allergen standardization only determine inhibition potency or major allergen content, routine tests for biological potency may enhance standardization and batch control of allergen products.Objective
The general performance and application potential of biological in vitro assays in batch control and standardization of allergens and as a tool for verifying activity and stability of allergen standards were analysed.Methods
Allergen extracts of five clinically relevant allergens from three to five different manufacturers were investigated. A CAP‐IgE‐inhibition assay was compared with mediator release assay (MRA)s based on murine or human basophils. Rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL) cells were passively sensitized with pooled murine allergen‐specific IgE‐containing sera. Humanized RBL cells and human‐stripped basophils were sensitized with pooled patient's sera, which were also used for the CAP‐IgE‐inhibition assay. Allergen specificity of the sera was determined by immunoblotting.Results
A good batch‐to‐batch consistency was found with each assay among all manufacturers and allergens tested. Between different manufacturers, the products showed differences in activity and the various assays indicated an almost identical ranking. However, the biological assays revealed qualitative differences of biological activity or composition of allergen preparations undetectable by IgE‐inhibition assay.Conclusions
MRAs provide refined information on allergen activity, either confirming the results of IgE‐inhibition assay, or indicating differences requiring further investigation, and represent a highly sensitive novel tool in allergen standardization. By using permanently cultivated cell lines, repeated venepuncture to obtain human basophils is avoided. As in the RBL assay, the coefficient of variation for the release values were below 15% and for the ED50 below 25%, the assay is suitable to determine differences that are relevant for batch control purposes.
An improved method for the diagnostic approach of α+‐thalassaemia
Authors: REPAPINOU Z. , KARABABA PH. , BOUSSIOU M. , KAFARAKIS V. , PAPADAKI H. A. , MAVROUDIS D. , ELIOPOULOS G. D. , LOUTRADI‐ANAGNOSTOU A. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryAn improved method for the diagnostic approach of α+‐thalassaemia is described. The method is based on five common parameters: absence of iron deficiency, mild morphological abnormalities of erythrocytes, normal or slightly reduced erythrocytic indices MCV and MCH, normal chromatographic findings, and presence of haemoglobin H inclusions in erythrocytes with methyl‐violet stain after, but not before, incubation with oxidant agent. We studied by DNA analysis, 58 subjects fulfilling the above mentioned diagnostic criteria and we found that 50 of them (86.2%) had a α‐globin gene defect. In the remaining eight subjects (13.8%) no α‐gene defect could be documented with the techniques used in the DNA analysis, which detect the six well‐known α+‐thalassaemic defects in the Greek population. We conclude that the improved method, we described has a high sensitivity and accuracy in the screening of α+‐thalassaemia.
Phenotypic variation in male and worker encapsulation response in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Authors: BAER BORIS , SCHMID‐HEMPEL PAUL 
Published: November 2006

Abstract 1. Life‐history traits such as immunity are often characterised by the presence of large phenotypic variation, but it often remains unclear how and why this variation is maintained by selection.2. Here an annual social insect, the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, was used to study variation in encapsulation response of males and workers. Bumblebees are a suitable system to study offspring immunity because they are host to a broad variety of different parasites. Bumblebee males, in particular, have a long lifespan compared with other social insect males and their immunity should therefore be an important element for colony reproductive success.3. Encapsulation response, which was used here as a measurement for the generalised immune defence capacity of an individual, was found to be a highly variable trait. High levels of worker response correlated with low levels of colony parasitism rates.4. Encapsulation response was found to be (a) lower in males compared with sister workers, and (b) lower in late‐produced cohorts compared with early ones.5. In colonies with delayed sexual reproduction, males had a lower encapsulation response. Thus, investments into immunity seemed reduced in later male cohorts and those eclosing later in the season, perhaps because males had a shorter expected remaining time to acquire matings. The results presented add further evidence that immune defence is a key variable defining colony fitness in social insects.
Dynamic matching of forager size to resources in the continuously polymorphic leaf‐cutter ant,Atta colombica(Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Authors: CLARK E. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract1. Ergonomic optimisation theory proposes that by increasing variation in worker morphology, social insect colonies may increase their dietary breadth; however, little is known about how this relationship operates at the colony level. This study examines the colony‐level pattern of forager size allocation to resource sites in a natural setting.2. Using a biologically relevant measure of toughness, it is shown that leaf‐cutter ant colonies exploit a variety of plant resources that vary significantly in toughness at any given time.3. Forager size is shown to be matched to the toughness of plant material, with larger ants harvesting tougher material.4. Furthermore, outbound foragers travelling to a harvest site are matched in size to the toughness of plant material contained within the site and are not a random selection of available foragers. The match between forager size and plant toughness may reduce the number of wasted trips and ill‐matched foragers.5. The observed colony‐level pattern of forager allocation could be the result of learning by individual foragers, or the result of information shared at the colony level.
Infestation of commercial bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) field colonies by small hive beetles (Aethina tumida)
Authors: SPIEWOK SEBASTIAN , NEUMANN PETER 
Published: November 2006

Abstract 1. The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, is a parasite of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies native to sub‐Saharan Africa and has become an invasive species. In North America the beetle is now sympatric with bumblebees, Bombus, not occurring in its native range. Laboratory studies have shown that small hive beetles can reproduce in bumblebee colonies but it was not known whether infestations occur in the field.2. For the first time, infestation of bumblebee colonies by small hive beetles was investigated in the field. Commercial Bombus impatiens colonies (n= 10) were installed in proximity to infested apiaries. Within 8 weeks, all colonies that were alive in the 5‐week observation period (n= 9) became naturally infested with adult small hive beetles and successful small hive beetle reproduction occurred in five colonies.3. In four‐square choice tests, the beetles were attracted to both adult bumblebee workers and pollen from bumblebee nests, suggesting that these odours may serve as cues for host finding.4. The data indicate that bumblebee colonies may serve as alternative hosts for small hive beetles in the field. To foster the conservation of these essential native pollinators, investigations on the actual impact of small hive beetles on wild bumblebee populations are suggested.
Mechanisms of resistance of freshwater macrophytes to herbivory by invasive juvenile common carp
Authors: MILLER STEPHANIE A. , PROVENZA FREDERICK D. 
Published: November 2006

Summary1. Herbivory on freshwater macrophytes has been assumed to be insignificant and rare. More recent evidence suggests herbivory is common and the impact of invasive invertebrate herbivores can be substantial. However, little is known about consumption of macrophytes by fish.2. We performed a series of feeding assays, based on the consumption by common carp (Cyprinus carpio), to determine if any mechanisms of resistance, structural or chemical, were present in five species of macrophytes (Stuckenia pectinata, Typha latifolia, Scirpus validus, Chara aspera and Ceratophyllum demersum).3. Carp consumed more fresh whole plant tissue of C. aspera than any other macrophyte, suggesting a lack of structural or chemical deterrents. Typha latifolia, S. validus and C. demersum were consumed least as whole plants, but consumption increased when they were offered in pellet form suggesting structural defence. Crude chemical extracts from S. pectinata significantly reduced consumption of pellets by carp. Thus, plant chemistry and structure both deterred feeding by carp.4. Experiments that focus on theory are common but their application to managing landscapes is substantially lacking. Our results provide a basis for recommending plants to be used in restoring larval habitat refugia with the aim of increasing the probability for long‐term recovery of an endangered species. Thus, this paper is an example of how experiments that tie theory to application are important for practical applications and for continued testing of theory.5. We suggest that macrophyte–herbivore interactions play an integral part in aquatic food webs and may be as important in freshwater communities as in marine and terrestrial systems.
Using biological metrics to score and evaluate sites: a nearest‐neighbour reference condition approach
Authors: BATES PRINS SAMANTHA C. , SMITH ERIC P. 
Published: November 2006

Summary1. Reference (i.e. least or minimally impaired) sites can provide important information about the expected range of biological metrics and can be used to establish impairment or non‐impairment of a test site. A problem with using reference data is that biological metrics are affected by natural conditions. We present an approach that uses local information to adjust for natural conditions and a method for statistically evaluating condition at a test site using biological metrics.2. Our method consists of four steps: selection of a distance measure to find neighbours of a test site, selecting natural variables to measure the distance, selection of the number of neighbours and calculating a scored metric.3. We use a simulated example to illustrate when the nearest‐neighbour approach improves classification of sites as reference or not reference.4. Using a set of data from the Mid‐Atlantic Highlands, we show that the nearest‐neighbour method improved on the ability of a regression approach to correctly classify test sites known to be from a non‐reference group without affecting the ability to correctly classify test sites known to be from the reference group.
The corrosion of nickel–titanium rotary endodontic instruments in sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Nóvoa X. R. , Martin‐Biedma B. , Varela‐Patiño P. , Collazo A. , Macías‐Luaces A. , Cantatore G. , Pérez M. C. , Magán‐Muñoz F. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAim  To evaluate the corrosion resistance of nickel–titanium (NiTi) endodontic rotary instruments immersed in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution.Methodology  The corrosion performance of NiTi instruments (S1 25 mm, ProTaper Dentsplay Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) was evaluated using commercial 5.25% NaOCl solution (pH = 12.3), and the same solution partially neutralized adding H2SO4 to reach pH = 10.1. Electrochemical measurements were carried out using a potentiostat equipped with a five‐channel zero resistance ammeter (ZRA) for galvanic current measurements. The instruments were sectioned into three parts (cutting part, noncutting part and shank) and degreased with acetone and rinsing with demineralized water prior to being immersed in NaOCl solution for testing. Each set of the three parts constituted one ‘virtual’ instrument through the ZRA, giving access to the galvanic currents that circulate between the three parts. Nine instruments were employed to check the reproducibility of the electrochemical measurements.Results  The corrosion potential (Ecorr) of the NiTi alloy reached the passive domain in approximately 20 s of immersion in the solution having a pH 10.1. After this initial period the potential remained steady, indicating that stable passivation was achieved. However, at pH 12.3 no stationary state was achieved even after 6000 s of immersion time. Thus, the alloy was not stable in this medium from a corrosion point of view.Conclusions  The corrosion resistance of NiTi alloy was enhanced by lowering the pH of NaOCl solution to 10.1, which allows the system to reach the stability domain of the passivating species TiO2 and NiO2.
Elevated expression of Cu, Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD mRNA in inflamed dental pulp tissue
Authors: Bödör C. , Matolcsy A. , Bernáth M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAim  To determine the mRNA expression levels of copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn‐SOD) and manganese SOD (Mn‐SOD) in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp tissue.Methodology  Sixteen patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (eight females and eight males) were selected for study. Normal healthy pulps were removed from extracted mandibular third molar teeth from 10 systemically healthy individuals (six females and four males). QRT‐PCR analysis of Cu, Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD mRNA expression was carried out in 16 cases of irreversible pulpitis and in 10 cases of systemically healthy donors. The Shapiro–Wilk's test was used to test the normality of data, whereas the Mann–Whitney U‐test was used to evaluate the significance of the differences between groups. Differences in the expression levels were considered to be statistically significant for P‐values <0.05.Results  A significant increase (P < 0.05) occurred in both Cu, Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD mRNA expression in cases of irreversible pulpitis. The increase in Mn‐SOD level was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the change observed for Cu, Zn‐SOD.Conclusions  The development of pulpitis is associated with elevated transcription of both Cu, Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD; pulp tissue inflammation generated higher Mn‐SOD transcription compared with Cu, Zn‐SOD.
Molecular genetic studies of natives on Easter Island: evidence of an early European and Amerindian contribution to the Polynesian gene pool
Authors: Lie B. A. , Dupuy B. M. , Spurkland A. , Fernández‐Viña M. A. , Hagelberg E. , Thorsby E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMost archaeological and linguistic evidence suggest a Polynesian origin of the population of Easter Island (Rapanui), and this view has been supported by the identification of Polynesian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms in prehistoric skeletal remains. However, some evidence of an early South American contact also exists (the sweet potato, bottle gourd etc.), but genetic studies have so far failed to show an early Amerindian contribution to the gene pool on Easter Island. To address this issue, we analyzed mtDNA and Y chromosome markers and performed high‐resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping of DNA harvested from previously collected sera of 48 reputedly nonadmixed native Easter Islanders. All individuals carried mtDNA types and HLA alleles previously found in Polynesia, and most men carried Y chromosome markers of Polynesian origin, providing further evidence of a Polynesian origin of the population of Easter Island. A few individuals carried HLA alleles and/or Y chromosome markers of European origin. More interestingly, some individuals carried the HLA alleles A*0212 and B*3905, which are of typical Amerindian origin. The genealogy of some of the individuals carrying these non‐Polynesian HLA alleles and their haplotypic backgrounds suggest an introduction into Easter Island in the early 1800s, or earlier. Thus, there may have been an early European and Amerindian contribution to the Polynesian gene pool of Easter Island.
Molecular and cytogenetic paternity testing of a male offspring of a hinny
Authors: Zhao C.J. , Qin Y.H. , Lee X.H. , Wu Ch. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryAn alleged male foal of a female mule, whose sire and grandparents were unknown, was identified for its pedigree. Parentage testing was conducted by comparing polymorphism of 12 microsatellite DNA sites and mitochondrial D‐loop sequences of the male foal and the female mule. Both the sequence analysis of species‐specific DNA fragments and a cytogenetic analysis were performed to identify the species of the foal and its parents. The results showed that the alleged female mule is actually a hinny, and the male foal, which possesses 62 chromosomes, qualifies as an offspring of the female hinny and a jack donkey.
Effect of selection for growth on normal and reduced protein diets on weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and body composition in mice
Authors: Nielsen V.H. , Korsgaard I.R. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryMice selected for weight gain from 3 to 9 weeks of age on a normal (N) protein diet containing 19.3% protein and a reduced (R) protein diet with 5.1% protein were reared on both diets in generations 7 and 9. The lines NH, NC, NL, RH, RC and RL (H, high; C, control; L, low) were tested for weight gain on diet N and R and for feed intake and feed efficiency on diet N in generation 7. In generation 9, the lines were tested for body composition traits (fat, protein and water percentage) at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age on both diets. A significant (p < 0.0001) genotype × environment interaction for growth rate was observed in generation 7. Weight gain at both the protein levels was best improved by selection at the protein level itself. Furthermore, the ranking of the lines on diet N was similar for weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. In generation 9 at 9 weeks of age, the ranking of the lines for fat percentage was equal to the ranking for weight gain in generation 7 on both test‐diets. The association between weight gain and protein or water percentage was less pronounced, particularly on diet R. These results suggest that the largest genetic improvement in growth rate is obtained when the protein content of the feed is the same in selection and production. However, when selection is carried out in one environment while the animals have to perform under conditions with varying nutrient protein contents, selection in an inferior environment may be advantageous.
Factor analysis of body measurements in Arabian horses
Authors: Sadek M.H. , Al‐Aboud A.Z. , Ashmawy A.A. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryData of 13 body measurements have been analysed from 166 Arabian horses, 123 mares and 43 stallions, ranging from 49 to 298 months of age, belonging to Alzahraa stud, Cairo, Egypt. General linear model was used to study age and gender effects on these measures. Gender was a significant source of variation for most studied traits, but not for neck girth, cannon bone circumference of fore and hind legs, and pastern girth of fore and hind legs. Age significantly affected pastern girths of fore and hind legs and cannon bone circumference of fore legs, while there was no significant effect on the other measurements. Pearson correlations, adjusted for age effect, between measurements were estimated and ranged from 0.02 to 0.84 for mares and from −0.05 to 0.90 for stallions. Factor analysis with promax rotation for each gender was carried out to derive fewer independent common factors. Three factors were extracted which accounted for 66% and 67% of the total variance in mares and stallions respectively. The first, second and third factors in mares tended to describe body thickness, leg thickness and general size respectively; whereas in stallions they tended to differentiate among general size, leg thickness and body thickness respectively. The three extracted factors for each gender determine the main sources of shared variability that control body conformation in Arabian horses. These factors could be considered in selection programmes to acquire highly coordinated bodies in pure Arabian horses with fewer measurements.
Single nucleotide polymorphism identification, linkage and radiation hybrid mapping of the porcine pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide type I receptor gene to chromosome 18
Authors: Kollers S. , Mote B. , Rothschild M.F. , Plastow G. , Rocha D. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryPituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with diverse biological actions. Type I PACAP receptors (PACAPR) are specific for PACAP, whereas type II and III PACAPRs are less restricted. To localize and analyse the variation of this gene, a 559‐bp long intronic fragment of the porcine PACAPR gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced in samples from five different pig breeds. One single nucleotide polymorphism was identified and its allele frequency was determined in all five breeds. Linkage analysis in a Berkshire × Yorkshire reference family placed the PACAPR gene on chromosome 18, between SW787 and S0062 (SW787– 8.1 cM –PACAPR– 3.0 cM –S0062). Radiation hybrid mapping confirmed that the PACAPR gene was linked to SW1682 on chromosome 18 (28.8 cR3000; LOD = 10.4).
Optimizing interpolation of shoot density data from aPosidonia oceanicaseagrass bed
Authors: Scardi Michele , Chessa Lorenzo A. , Fresi Eugenio , Pais Antonio , Serra Simone 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA case study on the optimization ofPosidonia oceanicadensity interpolation, using a data set from a large meadow at Porto Conte Bay (NW Sardinia, Italy), is presented. Ordinary point kriging, cokriging and a weighted average based on inverse square distance were used to interpolate density data measured in 36 sampling stations. The results obtained from different methods were then compared by means of a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation procedure. The scale at which interpolation was carried out was defined on the basis of the Hausdorff dimension of the variogram. Optimizing spatial scale and data points search strategy allowed obtaining more accurate density estimates independently of the interpolation method.