bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and spatial mortality patterns of holm oak seedlings in a reforested soil infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi
Authors: Rodríguez‐Molina M. C. , Blanco‐Santos A. , Palo‐Núñez E. J. , Torres‐Vila L. M. , Torres‐Álvarez E. , Suárez‐de‐la‐Cámara M. A. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe viability of 1‐year‐old holm oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings in a soil naturally infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi was studied during 2 consecutive years in a plot located in south‐western Spain. In both years, total mortality during autumn and winter was not noticeable (<2.1%). In spring, mortality levels were higher (8.3–4.6%), especially the first year. A steep increase in total mortality occurred in summer, both in the first (11.4%) and second (24.2%) year, but mortality attributable to P. cinnamomi was 1.9 and 7.6%, respectively. Thus, 2 years after planting, total cumulative mortality was 43.4%, and that attributable to P. cinnamomi 9.6% (i.e. 22.1% of total mortality). Fungus‐derived mortality followed a spatially aggregated pattern in the reforestation plot, suggesting a clustered distribution of the inoculum in the soil. Furthermore, mortality by P. cinnamomi was also associated with nearness of infected adult trees in the plot. Results obtained are discussed in the framework of seasonal water deficit, P. cinnamomi damage, weed competition and sanitation techniques to be used in declined holm oak stands in Spain.
Anatomical and cellular responses of Pinus monticola stem tissues to invasion by Cronartium ribicola
Authors: Hudgins J. W. , McDonald G. I. , Zambino P. J. , Klopfenstein N. B. , Franceschi V. R. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWhite pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) causes extensive damage to white pines and their associated ecosystems across North America. The anatomical and cellular characteristics of C. ribicola colonization in Pinus monticola branch and stem tissues were studied as a basis for understanding host tree reactions that may be related to resistance. Samples examined showed typical fusiform swelling and some had produced aecia. The reaction of phloem and xylem tissues was compared with non‐infected tissue using light and electron microscopy. Cortical parenchyma and phloem polyphenolic parenchyma cells underwent mitotic division, cell swelling, and ca sixfold greater accumulation of phenolic compounds in colonized vs. control stems. In the cortex and secondary phloem, haustoria were common in parenchymatous cells, and hyphae were abundant in the intercellular spaces, but cell death was rare, unless aecia had ruptured the stem cortex. Hyphae were also common in xylem rays, tracheids and between tracheids. Disease‐induced changes in the cambial zone included development of cambium‐derived xylem traumatic resin ducts. Results demonstrate that diverse host defence responses were activated in the bark of apparently susceptible trees, but lack of mechanical damage by C. ribicola to the phenol‐containing host cells and the resin duct system allowed extensive colonization and development of aecia despite elicitation of these stem defences. Interactions between P. monticola and C. ribicola are discussed and compared with other conifer–fungus pathosystems.
The effect of partial unilateral ureteral obstruction release and allopurinol on the renal malondialdehyde and glutathione levels
Authors: SINIK ZAFER , TURAN TAHIR , DEMIR SULEYMAN , YILMAZ UMIT , SERT SELAHATTIN , AYBEK ZAFER 
Published: November 2005

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether relief of partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) with or without antioxidant drug affect renal tissue malonedialdehyde (MDA) and glutathion (GSH) levels.Materials and methods: A total of 25 rats were used in this PUUO study. Partial unilateral ureteral obstruction was created by the burial of the upper one‐third of the left ureter in the psoas muscle. The rats were sacrificed on 28th day following PUUO. Relief of the obstruction was performed twenty minutes before sacrifice by cutting the proximal ureter in reperfusion group. 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal allopurinol was administered 20 minutes before relief of obstruction in the antioxidant group. Renal tissue MDA and GSH levels were measured in both kidneys.Results: At the end of the study 5, 7 and 7 rats could only be interpreted in sham, reperfusion and antioxidant groups, respectively. While the mean left and right renal MDA and GSH levels were statistically different from each other in reperfusion group (P < 0.001), there were no significant differences in the sham (P > 0.05) and antioxidant (P > 0.05) group. Both the mean sham group left and right renal tissue MDA or GSH levels were significantly different from reperfusion group, but only the mean sham group left renal tissue MDA and right renal tissue GSH levels were not statistically different from antioxidant group (P < 0.05). The mean left or right renal MDA and GSH tissue levels of the antioxidant group were statistically different from reperfusion group (P < 0.05) except for the right renal tissue GSH level (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Partial unilateral ureteral obstruction leads to oxidative injury by relief of obstruction in both kidneys. The antioxidant allopurinol has a beneficial effect on renal MDA and GSH levels in both kidneys.
Extensive biopsy using a combined transperineal and transrectal approach to improve prostate cancer detection
Authors: WATANABE MASAMI , HAYASHI TOSHIHIDE , TSUSHIMA TOMOYASU , IRIE SHIN , KANESHIGE TETSUZO , KUMON HIROMI 
Published: November 2005

Purpose: Previous studies have indicated that 6‐core transrectal prostate biopsy misses a considerable number of cancers. We performed an extensive biopsy protocol of 12‐core sampling using both transperineal and transrectal approaches to determine the impact on the cancer detection rate.Materials and methods: We prospectively evaluated 402 men who underwent 6‐core transperineal and 6‐core transrectal biopsies simultaneously due to abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or elevated prostate‐speciﬁc antigen (PSA) levels of 4.0 ng/mL or greater. Using the transperineal approach we obtained four cores from the bilateral peripheral zone targeting the lateral and parasagittal areas and two cores from the bilateral transition zone. The following transrectal biopsy was performed traditionally. We compared cancer detection rate between the extended 12‐core procedure and conventional 6‐core transperineal and transrectal groups in terms of total PSA and DRE ﬁndings.Results: Using the extensive combined method, prostate cancer was detected in 195 cases (48.5%) and the detection rate signiﬁcantly increased 7.2% and 8.5% compared to the transperineal and transrectal groups, respectively. According to PSA levels and DRE ﬁndings, the cancer detection rate by the combined method was signiﬁcantly improved in patients with PSA levels of 4–10 ng/mL and negative DRE: 10.3% and 11.6% compared to the transperineal and transrectal groups, respectively.Conclusions: The extensive 12‐core method signiﬁcantly improved the overall cancer detection rate and was especially efﬁcient for men with PSA levels of 4–10 ng/mL accompanied by a negative DRE ﬁnding.
Impact of radical perineal prostatectomy on urinary continence and quality of life: A longitudinal study of Japanese patients
Authors: MATSUBARA AKIO , YASUMOTO HIROAKI , MUTAGUCHI KAZUAKI , MITA KOJI , TEISHIMA JUN , SEKI MITSUHIRO , KAJIWARA MITSURU , KATO MASAO , SHIGETA MASANOBU , USUI TSUGURU 
Published: November 2005

Aim: We used self‐completed questionnaires to obtain a longitudinal assessment of urinary continence and urinary, bowel, and sexual domain‐related quality of life (QOL) in Japanese patients undergoing radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP).Methods: A total of 41 Japanese patients with a median age of 69 years who underwent RPP between February 2002 and February 2004 were included in the study. We measured QOL by the University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA‐PCI) and assessed urinary continence on the basis of three different deﬁnitions of continence. The International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS) was also included to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).Results: When urinary continence was deﬁned as none, one, or two protective pads per day, 100%, 73%, 94%, 97%, or 100% of the patients were continent before, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after, RPP, respectively. When it was deﬁned as total control or occasional dribbling, the corresponding values were 97%, 70%, 84%, 94%, and 97%. Urinary function returned to the preoperative baseline level by 6 months postoperatively and scores for urinary bother had signiﬁcantly surpassed the baseline by 12 months (P = 0.043). The I‐PSS was signiﬁcantly improved (P = 0.014), with a mean 4.7‐unit decrease. Sexual function worsened signiﬁcantly after surgery, and its recovery was less favorable. No signiﬁcant change was observed in scores for bowel function or bowel bother.Conclusions: The majority of patients who undergo RPP rapidly regain urinary continence and QOL within 3–6 months. RPP has a favorable impact on LUTS.
Prostate gland volume is a strong predictor of biopsy results in men 70 years or older with prostate‐speciﬁc antigen levels of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL
Authors: KOBAYASHI TAKASHI , MITSUMORI KENJI , KAWAHARA TAKASHI , NISHIZAWA KOJI , OGURA KEIJI , IDE YOSHIHIRO 
Published: November 2005

Purpose: The incidence of prostate cancer, benign prostatic enlargement and serum level of prostate‐speciﬁc antigen (PSA) increase with patient age. Intermediate elevation of PSA in elderly populations is apt to be considered insigniﬁcant. We evaluated the impact of PSA and prostate volume on the presence of non‐palpable prostate cancer in elderly men with an intermediate level of PSA.Materials and methods: Clinical records of 154 men 70 years or older, with non‐cancerous digital rectal examination ﬁndings and with serum PSA levels of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL, who underwent initial 6‐ to 10‐core transrectal prostate biopsy, were reviewed for prostate volume, number of biopsy cores, PSA and associated parameters. Stepwise logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) models were used to determine the impacts of the parameters on the biopsy results.Results: Overall cancer detection rate was 40/154 or 26.0%. Prostate‐speciﬁc antigen showed no signiﬁcant association with the presence of prostate cancer (P = 0.59, Mann–Whitney U‐test), while prostate volume did (P < 0.0001). On stepwise logistic regression analysis, prostate volume (P = 0.024, 95% CI 1.008–1.116) and biopsy core density (P = 0.017, 95% CI 4.76–7.12 × 106) were independently associated with a cancer diagnosis, whereas PSA density was not an independent factor for a positive biopsy result. The area under the ROC curve for prostate volume was signiﬁcantly superior to that of PSA (0.802 vs. 0.529; P = 0.012).Conclusions: In men 70 years or older with gray zone PSA, prostate cancer patients are equally distributed over any PSA range. Although PSA has less impact on cancer presence than mere prostate volume, prostate cancer would be detected in a substantial proportion of older patients with PSA levels of 2.0–10.0 ng/mL.
A molecular switch for translational control in taste memory consolidation
Authors: Belelovsky K. , Elkobi A. , Kaphzan H. , Nairn A. C. , Rosenblum K. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIn a variety of species memory consolidation following different learning paradigms has been shown to be dependent on protein synthesis. However, it is not known whether modulation of protein synthesis is a critical component of the consolidation process, nor is the identity of any protein(s) subject to translational regulation, known. We report here that phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor‐2 (eEF2), an indicator for translational elongation attenuation, is correlated with input that produces taste memory consolidation in the relevant cortex of rat. The temporal pattern of eEF2 phosphorylation is similar to extra‐cellular regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) activation and S6K1 phosphorylation, which are known to stimulate translation initiation. In addition, increased eEF2 phosphorylation and increased αCaMKII expression is detected in a synaptoneurosomal fraction made from taste cortex following memory consolidation. These results suggest that increased initiation rate together with decreased elongation rate, during memory consolidation, shift the rate‐limiting step of protein synthesis, to produce a local switch‐like effect in the expression of neuronal proteins.
Retinal abnormalities in human albinism translate into a reduction of grey matter in the occipital cortex
Authors: von dem Hagen Elisabeth A. H. , Houston Gavin C. , Hoffmann Michael B. , Jeffery Glen , Morland Antony B. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAlbinism is a genetic condition associated with abnormalities of the visual system. Defects in melanin production cause underdevelopment of the fovea, reduced retinal cell numbers and abnormal routing of ganglion cell nerve fibres at the optic chiasm. We examined 19 subjects with albinism and 26 control subjects to determine whether retinal abnormalities affect the structure of the visual cortex. Whole‐brain, high‐resolution anatomical magnetic resonance imaging volumes from each subject were obtained on a 1.5‐T scanner and segmented into grey and white matter. A voxel‐wise statistical comparison of grey and white matter volumes in the occipital lobes between the two groups was performed using voxel‐based morphometry. Our analysis revealed a regionally specific decrease in grey matter volume at the occipital poles in albinism. The location of the decrease in grey matter corresponds to the cortical representation of the central visual field. This reduction is likely to be a direct result of decreased ganglion cell numbers in central retina in albinism.
Reciprocal connections between olfactory structures and the cortex of the rostral superior temporal sulcus in the Macaca fascicularis monkey
Authors: Mohedano‐Moriano A. , Martinez‐Marcos A. , Muñoz M. , Arroyo‐Jimenez M. M. , Marcos P. , Artacho‐Pérula E. , Blaizot X. , Insausti R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractConvergence of sensory modalities in the nonhuman primate cerebral cortex is still poorly understood. We present an anatomical tracing study in which polysensory association cortex located at the fundus and upper bank of the rostral superior temporal sulcus presents reciprocal connections with primary olfactory structures. At the same time, projections from this polysensory area reach multiple primary olfactory centres. Retrograde (Fast Blue) and anterograde (biotinylated dextran–amine and 3H‐amino acids) tracers were injected into primary olfactory structures and rostral superior temporal sulcus. Retrograde tracers restricted to the anterior olfactory nucleus resulted in labelled neurons in the rostral portion of the upper bank and fundus of superior temporal sulcus. Injections of biotinylated dextran–amine at the fundus and upper bank of the superior temporal sulcus confirmed this projection by labelling axons in the dorsal and lateral portions of the anterior olfactory nucleus, as well as piriform, periamygdaloid and entorhinal cortices. Retrograde tracer injections at the rostral superior temporal sulcus resulted in neuronal labelling in the anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform, periamygdaloid and entorhinal cortices, thus providing confirmation of the reciprocity between primary olfactory structures and the cortex at the rostral superior temporal sulcus. The reciprocal connections between the rostral part of superior temporal sulcus and primary olfactory structures represent a convergence for olfactory and other sensory modalities at the cortex of the rostral temporal lobe.
Modulation of calcium currents in mouse ventral horn neurons by extracellular pH
Authors: Carlin Kevin P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractNeuronal activity has been shown to modulate the pH of the extracellular environment. Since neuronal circuits in the ventral horn of the spinal cord are highly active during patterned movements, and voltage‐gated calcium channels play an important role in the production of spinal motoneuron output, the effects of changes in extracellular pH (pHe) on calcium currents in ventral horn neurons of the mouse spinal cord were examined. It is demonstrated that these channels are sensitive to modulation by pHe. The amplitude of the current mediated by these channels increased as the pHe was elevated. The elevated pHe also led to a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of both activation and inactivation. The opposite effects were seen for a decrease in pHe. It was also noted that a decrease in pHe was associated with a faster inactivation of the current. It is concluded that voltage‐gated calcium currents in ventral horn neurons are modulated by changes in pHe, and that this modulation may play a physiologically important role in determining motoneuronal excitability during behaviors such as locomotion.
Conventional functional classification schemes underestimate the relationship with ecosystem functioning
Authors: Wright Justin P. , Naeem Shahid , Hector Andy , Lehman Clarence , Reich Peter B. , Schmid Bernhard , Tilman David 
Published: November 2005

AbstractStudies linking the functional diversity of a biota to ecosystem functioning typically employa prioriclassifications of species into hypothetically complementary groups. However, multiple alternate classifications exist in which the number of functional groups, the number of species per functional group, and the grouping of species differ from thea priorischeme. Without assessing the relative precision, or ability of ana priorischeme to accurately predict ecosystem functioning relative to its many alternatives, the validity and utility of analyses based on a singlea prioriclassification scheme remains unclear. We examine the precision ofa prioriclassifications used in 10 experimental grassland systems in Europe and the United States that have found evidence for a significant role of functional plant diversity in governing ecosystem function. The predictive precision of thea prioriclassifications employed in these studies was seldom significantly higher than the precision of random classifications.Post‐hocclassification schemes that performed well in predicting ecosystem function resembled each other more with regard to species composition than average classifications, but there was still considerable variability in the manner in which these classification schemes grouped species. These results suggest that we need a more nuanced understanding of how the diversity of functional traits of species in an assemblage affects ecosystem functioning.
Genetic variability in a population of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi causes variation in plant growth
Authors: Koch Alexander M. , Croll Daniel , Sanders Ian R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractDifferent species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) alter plant growth and affect plant coexistence and diversity. Effects of within‐AMF species or within‐population variation on plant growth have received less attention. High genetic variation exists within AMF populations. However, it is unknown whether genetic variation contributes to differences in plant growth. In our study, a population of AMF was cultivated under identical conditions for several generations prior to the experiments thus avoiding environmental maternal effects. We show that genetically different Glomus intraradices isolates from one AMF population significantly alter plant growth in an axenic system and in greenhouse experiments. Isolates increased or reduced plant growth meaning that plants potentially receive benefits or are subject to costs by forming associations with different individuals in the AMF population. This shows that genetic variability in AMF populations could affect host‐plant fitness and should be considered in future research to understand these important soil organisms.
Utilization of capsaicin and vanillylamine as growth substrates by Capsicum (hot pepper)‐associated bacteria
Authors: Flagan Suvi F. , Leadbetter Jared R. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryCapsaicin contributes to the organoleptic attributes of hot peppers. Here, we show that capsaicin is utilized as a growth nutrient by certain bacteria. Enrichment cultures utilizing capsaicin were successfully initiated using Capsicum‐derived plant material or leaves of tomato (a related Solanaceae) as inocula. No other sources of inoculum examined yielded positive enrichments. Of 25 isolates obtained from enrichments: all utilized 8‐methylnonanoic acid; nine were found capable of degrading capsaicin as sole carbon and energy source; 11 were found capable of utilizing vanillylamine; but only two strains could use either of these latter two compounds as sole nitrogen source. Phylogenetic analysis of capsaicin degraders revealed them to be strains of Variovorax and Ralstonia, whereas the vanillylamine degraders were strains of Pseudomonas and Variovorax. Neither of the two strains isolated from one enrichment culture originally inoculated with dried pepper fruit was capable of using capsaicin as sole carbon and nitrogen source. However, good growth was achieved under such conditions when the two isolates, a strain of Variovorax paradoxusThat degraded capsaicin when provided with ammonium, and a vanillylamine degrading strain of Pseudomonas putida, were cultured together. A cross‐feeding of capsaicin‐derived carbon and nitrogen between members of pepper‐associated consortia is proposed.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish and clinical samples during two large epidemics of diarrhoea in southern Chile
Authors: Fuenzalida Loreto , Hernández Cristina , Toro Jessica , Rioseco M. Luisa , Romero Jaime , Espejo Romilio T. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryLarge epidemics of diarrhoea associated with seafood consumption and Vibrio parahaemolyticus occurred during the austral summers of 2004 and 2005 in the environs of Puerto Montt, Chile (41°29′S 72°24′W). There are no reports of V. parahaemolyticus infections before 2004 in this region, their absence being explained by the low ocean temperatures which seldom reach 16°C. We analysed V. parahaemolyticus obtained from shellfish and clinical samples during epidemics. Isolates were examined using conventional protocols and an improved method for restriction enzyme analysis using total bacterial DNA which permits direct genome restriction enzyme analysis by conventional gel electrophoresis (DGREA) with a similar discrimination index as restriction fragment length polymorphism‐pulsed field gel electrophoresis (RFLP‐PFGE). Analysis of clinical samples showed that the epidemics were caused by the V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6 pandemic clonal group. On the other hand, analysis of shellfish samples during both epidemics showed that 53% contained V. parahaemolyticus (3–93 g−1). Detailed analysis of 50 positive shellfish samples showed that only three contained detectable levels of the pandemic clone. Most V. parahaemolyticus isolates obtained from shellfish corresponded to non‐pandemic clones differentiated into 14 groups by DGREA. In summary, the causative agent during epidemics was only a minor component of a small but diverse population of V. parahaemolyticus in shellfish.