bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of L‐ascorbic acid supplementation on testicular oxidative stress and endocrine disorders in mature male rats exposed to intensive swimming exercise
Authors: SAMANTA PRABHAT KUMAR , MANNA INDRANIL , JANA KULADIP 
Published: May 2006

In order to investigate the ameliorative potential of L‐ascorbic acid on intensive swimming exercise induced testicular oxidative stress, 18 Wistar male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127.5 ± 5.3 g) were randomly divided into the following groups: (i) control group (CG,n = 6); (ii) experimental group (EG,n = 6); and (iii) supplemented group (SG,n = 6). An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming per day, five days per week was followed for 6 weeks in EG and SG with no exercise in CG. In SG, L‐ascorbic acid was supplied orally at a dose of 25‐mg/kg of bodyweight each day for 6 weeks. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was noted in paired testicular weights, epididymal sperm count, testicular Δ5, 3β‐hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, 17β‐hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, plasma levels of testosterone luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, the numbers of preleptotine spermatocytes, midpachytene spermatocytes and stage 7 spermatids of stage VII seminiferous epithelium cycle in EG when compared with CG. A significant elevation (P < 0.05) in plasma corticosterone and testicular content of malondialdehyde along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in glutathione, ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione‐peroxidase, and glutathione‐S‐transferase were noted in testes of EG compared with CG. No significant change was noted in final bodyweight or numbers of spermatogonia‐A among the groups. Furthermore, L‐ascorbic acid supplementation restored the above parameters to the control level.Conclusion: It can be concluded that intensive swimming exercise induced oxidative stress causes dysfunctions in the male reproductive system, which can be protected by L‐ascorbic acid. (Reprod Med Biol 2006;5: 145–153)
Polygonum hydropiper crude root extract mimics estrogenic properties in females: Evidence of uterine protein profiles studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: HAZARIKA AJIT , SARMA HIRENDRA N. 
Published: May 2006

Polygonum hydropiper is a widely grown weed in the north‐eastern states of India. In the present study, estrogenic effects of the crude root extract (CRE) of Polygonum hydropiper on uterine protein was tested in ovary‐intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female albino rats. The methanolic crude extract of Polygonum hydropiper was given to adult ovary‐intact and OVX female albino rat in a dose of 1000 mg/kg bodyweight per day. Oral administration of the CRE was carried out for a period of 12 days from the onset of proestrus and for a similar period of time for the OVX female. To study the estrogenic effect, OVX females were subcutaneously injected with 0.1 µg of estradiol‐17β (E2). E2 was injected at the interval of 24 h for a total period of 72 h. The uterine protein of ovary‐intact and OVX females was studied by single dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed similar protein bands in OVX females treated with E2 and CRE. In addition, treatment with CRE stimulated expression of more proteins in the uterus. The results showed that CRE of Polygonum hydropiper mimics the effect of estradiol‐17β in the uterine protein profiles of adult female albino rats. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 155–160)
Emergence agitation in preschool children: double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia
Authors: BORTONE LUCIANO , INGELMO PABLO , GROSSI SILVIA , GRATTAGLIANO COSIMO , BRICCHI CRISTINA , BARANTANI DANIELE , SANI EMANUELE , MERGONI MARIO 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackground:  This randomized, double‐blind controlled trial was conducted to determine whether the association of sevoflurane for induction and isoflurane for anesthesia maintenance resulted in a lower incidence of postoperative agitation compared with sevoflurane as single agent.Methods:  After Institute Ethics Committee's approval and parental written informed consent, 128 unpremedicated children (1–6 years), ASA I‐II, scheduled for elective subumbilical surgery were enrolled. After induction with 8% sevoflurane, patients were randomly allocated to receive sevoflurane or isoflurane 1–1.5 MAC as maintenance agent. The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of postoperative agitation defined as a screaming and crying child and/or a child that required physical restraint during emergence.Results:  Eighteen children were excluded because they received sedatives, analgesia or anesthesia or because of ineffective regional analgesia before randomization. Fifty‐four patients receiving sevoflurane and 56 receiving isoflurane completed the study. Twenty‐eight children (95% CI 38–66%) in the sevoflurane group presented with postoperative agitation compared with 18 (95% CI 20–46%) patients receiving isoflurane (P = 0.028). Fifteen minutes after awakening, 11/54 children receiving sevoflurane were agitated compared with 4/56 receiving isoflurane (P = 0.03). Thereafter, there was a gradual reduction in the incidence of postoperative agitation over time.Conclusions:  The association of sevoflurane for induction and isoflurane for maintenance produced significant less postoperative agitation in preschool children receiving regional anesthesia during subumbilical surgery compared with sevoflurane for induction and maintenance.
Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration to treat controlled‐release carbamazepine overdose in a pediatric patient
Authors: YILDIZ TULAY SAHIN , TOPRAK DEMET GEDIKBASI , ARISOY EMIN SAMI , SOLAK MINE , MD KAMIL TOKER 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCarbamazepine (CBZ) intoxication is an important issue in acute poisoning practice. Highly protein‐bound, CBZ is not removed efficiently through conventional hemodialysis. We describe the use of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in a 2‐year‐old boy who developed general tonic clonic seizure and respiratory depression due to controlled‐release formula of CBZ overdose (peak drug level of >20 μg·ml−1, therapeutic range: 5–10 μg·ml−1). Serum CBZ concentrations fell to 0.25 μg·ml−1 at the end of hemodiafiltration. The patient recovered rapidly and was discharged from hospital 4 days from the time of ingestion with no complications or neurologic impairment.
Development of a population‐based threshold model of conidial germination for analysing the effects of physiological manipulation on the stress tolerance and infectivity of insect pathogenic fungi
Authors: Andersen M. , Magan N. , Mead A. , Chandler D. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryEntomopathogenic fungi are being used as biocontrol agents of insect pests, but their efficacy can be poor in environments where water availability is reduced. In this study, the potential to improve biocontrol by physiologically manipulating fungal inoculum was investigated. Cultures of Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium muscarium, Lecanicillium longisporum, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were manipulated by growing them under conditions of water stress, which produced conidia with increased concentrations of erythritol. The time‐course of germination of conidia at different water activities (water activity, aw) was described using a generalized linear model, and in most cases reducing the water activity of the germination medium delayed the onset of germination without affecting the distribution of germination times. The germination of M. anisopliae, L. muscarium, L. longisporum and P. fumosoroseus was accelerated over a range of aw levels as a result of physiological manipulation. However, the relationship between the effect of physiological manipulation on germination and the osmolyte content of conidia varied according to fungal species. There was a linear relationship between germination rate, expressed as the reciprocal of germination time, and aw of the germination medium, but there was no significant effect of fungal species or physiological manipulation on the aw threshold for germination. In bioassays with M. anisopliae, physiologically manipulated conidia germinated more rapidly on the surface of an insect host, the melon cotton aphid Aphis gossypii, and fungal virulence was increased even when relative humidity was reduced after an initial high period. It is concluded that physiological manipulation may lead to improvements in biocontrol in the field, but choice of fungal species/isolate will be critical. In addition, the population‐based threshold model used in this study, which considered germination in terms of physiological time, also called hydrotime, could have general application in mycology and environmental microbiology.
In vitro and ex vivo evaluation of second‐generation histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Hahnen Eric , Eyüpoglu Ilker Y. , Brichta Lars , Haastert Kirsten , Tränkle Christian , Siebzehnrübl Florian A. , Riessland Markus , Hölker Irmgard , Claus Peter , Romstöck Johann , Buslei Rolf , Wirth Brunhilde , Blümcke Ingmar 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAmong a panel of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors investigated, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) evolved as a potent and non‐toxic candidate drug for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an α‐motoneurone disorder caused by insufficient survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels. SAHA increased SMN levels at low micromolar concentrations in several neuroectodermal tissues, including rat hippocampal brain slices and motoneurone‐rich cell fractions, and its therapeutic capacity was confirmed using a novel human brain slice culture assay. SAHA activated survival motor neuron gene 2 (SMN2), the target gene for SMA therapy, and inhibited HDACs at submicromolar doses, providing evidence that SAHA is more efficient than the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid, which is under clinical investigation for SMA treatment. In contrast to SAHA, the compounds m‐Carboxycinnamic acid bis‐Hydroxamide, suberoyl bishydroxamic acid and M344 displayed unfavourable toxicity profiles, whereas MS‐275 failed to increase SMN levels. Clinical trials have revealed that SAHA, which is under investigation for cancer treatment, has a good oral bioavailability and is well tolerated, allowing in vivo concentrations shown to increase SMN levels to be achieved. Because SAHA crosses the blood–brain barrier, oral administration may allow deceleration of progressive α‐motoneurone degeneration by epigenetic SMN2 gene activation.
Development of microsatellite markers in the noxious red tide‐causing algae Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae)
Authors: NAGAI S. , YAMAGUCHI S. , LIAN C. L. , MATSUYAMA Y. , ITAKURA S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellites from the noxious red tide‐causing algae, Heterosigma akashiwo. These loci provide a class of highly variable genetic markers as the number of alleles ranged from three to 12 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.286 to 0.926 and from 0.314 to 0.888, respectively. We consider these loci potentially useful for detailing the genetic structure and gene flow among H. akashiwo populations.
Novel microsatellite DNA markers for the threatened African endemic tree species, Milicia excelsa (Moraceae), and cross‐species amplification in Milicia regia
Authors: OUINSAVI CHRISTINE , SOKPON NESTOR , BOUSQUET JEAN , NEWTON CRAIG H. , KHASA DAMASE P. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractEleven microsatellite primer pairs were developed for the tropical African tree Milicia excelsa. Genomic DNA was enriched for dinucleotide (TCn and TGn) and tretranucleotide (GATAn), and 188 random clones were sequenced from both orientations. We designed and tested 44 oligonucleotide primer pairs, which were evaluated using genomic DNA from 30 M. excelsa mature trees collected from a natural population in Benin. Eleven of the 44 markers showed good amplification and were polymorphic. The number of putative alleles for polymorphic primer pairs varied from three to seven, with expected and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.10 to 0.64 and from 0.10 to 0.80, respectively. All 11 loci amplified the related species Milicia regia, indicating that these primers will be useful for population and ecology genetic studies in other species of the genus Milicia.
Nabobs Revisited: A Cultural History of British Imperialism and the Indian Question in Late‐Eighteenth‐Century Britain
Authors: Nechtman Tillman W. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractStudies of the late eighteenth‐century British empire in India have long used the figure of the nabob to personify political debates collectively known as “the India question.” These nabobs, employees of the East India Company, were (and continue to be) represented as rapacious villains. This article will revisit the history of nabobs to offer a cultural history of British imperialism in late eighteenth‐century India. It will argue that nabobs were representative figures in the political debates surrounding imperialism in South Asia because they were hybrid figures who made Britain’s empire more real to domestic British observers. It will argue that the nabobs’ hybrid identity hinged on the collection of material artifacts they brought back to Britain from India. Nabobs stood at the boundary between nation and empire, and they suggested the frontier was permeable. They exposed the degree to which the projects of building a nation and an empire were mutually constitutive.
Complex Effects of Prescribed Fire on Restoring the Soil Water Content in a High‐Elevation Riparian Meadow, Arizona
Authors: Mullen Regina M. , Springer Abraham E. , Kolb Thomas E. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract One of the largest and rarest Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) communities in the United States occurs at Hart Prairie, Arizona. Low recruitment of the willow over the past several decades has been linked to inadequate soil water content for seed germination and seedling establishment. We tested a hypothesis that a prescribed burn would reduce biomass of and evapotranspiration by herbaceous plants, thereby increasing soil water content. Three treatments (unburned control, early‐growing season burned, late‐growing season burned) were applied in year 2001 to replicated plots in fern‐ and grass‐dominated herbaceous communities. Soil water content (0–30 cm) was measured weekly in plots during the 2001, 2002, and 2003 growing seasons. Both early‐ and late‐season burning reduced herbaceous biomass in the fern‐dominated community in 2002 and 2003 and reduced biomass in the grass‐dominated community in 2002 but not in 2003. Soil water content increased for approximately four weeks in 2001 following the early‐season burn, but the early‐season and late‐season burns reduced soil water content in both communities over much of the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. Thus, early‐season burning may benefit willow seed germination by increasing soil water content immediately following burning but be detrimental to germination in the second and third growing seasons after burning because of drier soil. Large temporal variation in the effect of prescribed burning on soil water content will complicate the use of fire as a restoration tool to manage soil water available for threatened plants such as Bebb willow and for recharge of groundwater.
Investigation of the variables that impact upon the knowledge of cardiac risk factors
Authors: Liew Hui , Taylor David McD , Tjipto Alwie , Bailey Michael 
Published: May 2006

AbstractObjective:  Awareness of cardiac disease risk factors is required before they can be modified. The present study aimed to investigate risk factor knowledge and the variables that impact upon this knowledge.Methods:  We undertook an analytical, cross‐sectional survey of 226 patients attending an ED. Patients were asked to recall as many cardiac risk factors as possible and to rate the risk of nine given risk factors. Data relating to sources of risk factor information were collected. Uni‐ and multivariate (multiple linear regression) analyses determined variables that impacted upon the risk factor knowledge score.Results:  Mean patient age was 60.2 ± 15 years, 55.3% (95% confidence interval 48.6–61.9) were male and 19.9% (95% confidence interval 15.0–25.8) had known cardiac disease. The mean risk factor knowledge score of 2.5 ± 1.5 out of a possible 12 (median 3) was indicative of poor knowledge. Smoking, poor diet and stress/worry/tension were the most common factors reported. Variables impacting significantly on the knowledge score were English as a first language (P < 0.001), age (negative correlation, P < 0.001) and the receipt of information relating to cardiac health (P < 0.001). The patients’ general practitioner and the media were the most important sources of information.Conclusions:  Patients’ knowledge of cardiac risk factors is generally poor and education strategies are indicated. At the individual level, the general practitioner is likely to remain as an important influence on knowledge. However, complementary media education programs are indicated at the community level. Patient subgroups at ‘high risk’ through poor knowledge should be specifically targeted.
Refuge from the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda: A report from a Médecins Sans Frontières team leader
Authors: Caruso Ngaire 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIn 2005 the author worked for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, or Doctors without Borders) in northern Uganda. This short report shares some background information on MSF, the situation in northern Uganda as a consequence of the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the work of the MSF project and the personal experience of being there.
Genetic diversity at the hinge region of the unique immunoglobulin heavy gamma (IGHG) gene in leporids (Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus and Lepus)
Authors: Esteves P. J. , Carmo C. , Godinho R. , Van Der Loo W. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryUnlike other species, European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) possesses only one immunoglobulin gamma class. Allelic diversity at the Ig (immunoglobulin) gamma constant region encoded by the unique IGHG (immunoglobulin heavy gamma) gene is moreover much reduced. In the European rabbit, the genetic variation at IGGH hinge region is limited to a single nucleotide substitution, which causes a Met–Thr interchange at amino acid position 9 (IMGT hinge numbering). We have analysed the diversity at this region more in‐depth by, (1) analysing the allelic variation in 11 breeds of domestic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus), and (2) sequencing the gamma hinge exon in wild specimens of six species of rabbit (Oryctolagus and Sylvilagus) and hares (Lepus), including the two Oryctolagus subspecies (O. cuniculus cuniculus and O. cuniculus algirus). It appeared that among leporid species, amino acid changes occur exclusively at positions 8 and 9. However, while position 8 is occupied by either Pro or Ser residues, four different residues can occur at position 9 (Met, Thr, Pro and Leu). This variation concerns sites of potential O‐glycosylation and/or proteolytic cleavage, suggesting that the underlying genetic diversity could be the outcome of selection. Preservation of the gamma hinge polymorphism in domestic stocks could therefore be important. We report here a polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism protocol that has allowed the monitoring of the heterozygosity levels at the gamma hinge in 11 breeds of domestic European rabbit.
A Suction Bailer for Sampling Very Thin Saturated Zones
Authors: Hubbell Joel M. , Osiensky James L. , Nicholl Michael J. , Sisson James B. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractA suction bailer is developed for the express purpose of sampling very thin perched water bodies (on the order of 1 cm thick) that may also be ephemeral. This device incorporates a semi‐permeable membrane on the bottom of the bailer that allows water entry, while simultaneously blocking air. This design allows unattended sample collection, which is monitored with a simple pressure transducer. Three prototypes were constructed and tested; one is based on a commercial suction lysimeter, while the other two are fabricated from stainless steel. All three prototypes were shown to be capable of sampling thin layers of water on the order of 1 cm thick and operating unattended for extended periods to capture intermittent events. Sample sizes of 100–1,000 mL are possible depending on fluid availability. The design does not place any constraints on the depth of emplacement.
Application of Six Sigma Methods for Improving the Analytical Data Management Process in the Environmental Industry
Authors: French Christopher M. , Duplancic Neno 
Published: May 2006

AbstractHoneywell applied the rigorous and well‐documented Six Sigma quality‐improvement approach to the complex, highly heterogeneous, and mission‐critical process of remedial site environmental data management to achieve a sea change in terms of data quality, environmental risk reduction, and overall process cost reduction. The primary focus was to apply both qualitative and quantitative Six Sigma methods to improve electronic management of analytical laboratory data generated for environmental remediation and long‐term monitoring programs. The process includes electronic data delivery, data QA/QC checking, data verification, data validation, database administration, regulatory agency reporting and linkage to spatial information, and real‐time geographical information systems. Results of the analysis identified that automated, centralized web‐based software tools delivered through Software as a Service (SaaS) model are optimal to improve the process resulting in cost reductions, while simultaneously improving data quality and long‐term data usability and perseverance. A pilot project was completed that quantified cycle time and cost improvements of 50% and 65%, respectively.
Stable isotope analyses document intraguild predation in wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) and underline beneficial effects of alternative prey and microhabitat structure on intraguild prey survival
Authors: Rickers Silke , Langel Reinhard , Scheu Stefan 
Published: May 2006

Intraguild predation (IGP) is common among generalist predators and an important issue in food web theory, because IGP may destabilise communities by increasing extinction of species. Also, IGP may interfere with the effectiveness of generalist predators as biological control agents. In general, occurrence of IGP in laboratory or field studies is inferred from abundance data or direct observations only. We investigated if tracing stable isotopes allows distinction between different types of predation and confirmation of IGP. Wolf spiders were chosen as model organisms for generalist predators; IGP of third instarA. cuneataon second instarP. palustriswas investigated in a laboratory experiment. The availability of alternative prey and the complexity of the microhabitat were manipulated, since both factors are thought to facilitate coexistence of predators.Stable isotope analysis documented predation ofA. cuneataonP. palustrisand predation on alternative prey by both juveniles. Both the presence of alternative prey and the availability of shelter reduced mortality of juvenileP. palustrisduring the first week. During the second week mortality increased in complex structure without alternative prey presumably due to enhanced activity and cannibalism among starvingP. palustris. Thus, microhabitat complexity and prey abundance may foster coexistence of wolf spiders in the field.In conclusion, stable isotope analysis was proven a powerful tool to investigate animal behaviour without direct observation. The method allowed disentangling predator feeding behaviour when more than one type of prey was present.