bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historical biogeography of some river basins in central Mexico evidenced by their goodeine freshwater fishes: a preliminary hypothesis using secondary Brooks parsimony analysis
Authors: Domínguez‐Domínguez Omar , Doadrio Ignacio , Pérez‐Ponce de León Gerardo 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAims  Our aim was to uncover and describe patterns of historical biogeography of the main river basins in central Mexico, based on a secondary Brooks parsimony analysis (BPA) of goodeine fishes, and to understand the processes that determine them with respect to the molecular clock of the goodeines and the geological events that have taken place in the region since the Miocene.Location  The region covered in this study includes central Mexico, mostly the so‐called Mesa Central of Mexico, an area argued to be a transitional zone comprising several major river drainages from their headwaters at high elevations along the Transmexican Volcanic Belt to the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.Methods  Based on a previous phylogenetic hypothesis regarding the Goodeidae, we built a data matrix using additive binary coding. First, we conducted a primary BPA to provide general explanations of the historical biogeography of Central Mexico. As ambiguity was found, a secondary BPA was conducted, and some areas were duplicated in order to explain the reticulated history of the area. Area cladograms were obtained by running a parsimony analysis. Instances of vicariance and non‐vicariance processes were described with reference to the cladogram obtained from secondary BPA.Results  The study area was divided into 18 discrete regions. Primary BPA produced nine equally parsimonious cladograms with 129 steps, and a consistency index (CI) of 0.574. A strict consensus cladogram shows low resolution among some areas, but other area relationships are consistent. For secondary BPA, five of the 18 regions were duplicated (LEA, COT, AYU, CUT, PAN); one was triplicated (BAL); and one was quadruplicated (AME), suggesting that the pattern of distribution of species in these areas reflects multiple independent events. These areas correspond with the regions exhibiting the highest levels of diversification and the most complex geological history, and those for which river piracy events or basin connections have been proposed. The secondary BPA produced a single most parsimonious cladogram with 118 steps, and a CI of 0.858. This cladogram shows that none of the duplicated areas are nested together, reinforcing the idea of a reticulated history of the areas and not a single vicariant event.Main conclusions  Although our results are preliminary and we cannot establish this as a general pattern, as the BPA is based on a single‐taxon cladogram, resolution obtained in the secondary BPA provides some insights regarding the historical biogeography of this group of fishes in river basins of central Mexico. Secondary BPA indicates that the historical biogeography of central Mexico, as shown by their goodeine freshwater fishes, is complex and is a result of a series of vicariant and non‐vicariant events such as post‐dispersal speciation and post‐speciation dispersal.
Low larval vector survival explains unstable malaria in the western Kenya highlands
Authors: Koenraadt C. J. M. , Paaijmans K. P. , Schneider P. , Githeko A. K. , Takken W. 
Published: July 2006

SummarySeveral highland areas in eastern Africa have recently suffered from serious malaria epidemics. Some models predict that, in the short term, these areas will experience more epidemics as a result of global warming. However, the various processes underlying these changes are poorly understood. We therefore investigated malaria prevalence, malaria vector densities and malaria vector survival in a highland area in western Kenya, ranging from approximately 1550–1650 m altitude. Although only five adult malaria vectors were collected during 180 light traps and 180 resting collections over a 23‐month study period, malaria was prevalent among school children (average parasite prevalence: 10%). During an extensive survey of potential larval habitats, we identified only seven habitats containingAnopheles gambiaeGiles s.l. larvae. Their limited number and low larval densities suggested that their contribution to the adult vector population was small. Experiments on adult and larval survival showed that at this altitude, adult mosquitoes survived inside local houses, but that larval development was severely retarded: only 2 of 500A. gambiaes.l. larvae developed to the pupal stage, whereas all other larvae died prior to pupation. At present, high vector densities are unlikely because of unfavourable abiotic conditions in the area. However, temporary favourable conditions, such as during El Niño years, may increase larval vector survival and may lead to malaria epidemics.
Does Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization influence morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit patient? Experience from an outbreak caused by contaminated oral swabs
Authors: Berdal J.‐E. , Smith‐Erichsen N. , Bjørnholt J. V. , Blomfeldt A. , Bukholm G. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Contaminated oral swabs caused a nationwide monoclonal Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak involving 27 Norwegian hospitals. The aim of the study was to study the consequences on mortality and morbidity of the introduction of this P. aeruginosa strain to intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Methods:  Forty‐four out of 96 patients admitted to the general ICU of Akershus University Hospital during the outbreak, ventilated for more than 24 h and with at least one microbiological sample, were included and followed until death or hospital discharge. All isolated P. aeruginosa strains were genotyped. Demographic data, admission diagnosis, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, comorbidities, and antibiotics used in the first week were recorded.Results:  The outbreak strain was found in 18 patients (41%) of whom seven became infected. Median time to the first positive culture was 4 days. These 18 patients spent a significantly longer time on mechanical ventilation (P =0.03) and had a significantly higher hospital mortality, 55.5% vs. 19.2% (P =0.03), than non‐colonized patients. The number of patients with severe underlying disease was significantly higher (P =0.01) and the decline in SOFA score was significantly slower in the pseudomonas group (P =0.02). Irrespective of colonization status, patients with severe underlying disease had a significantly higher mortality (58%) than those without (16%) (P =0.009).Conclusion:  Use of contaminated oral swabs led to a high rate of early airways colonization. Patients with severe underlying disease were more likely to become colonized, but whether colonization has any influence on hospital mortality requires further study.
Efficacy of melatonin on offspring liver maturation in pinealectomized pregnant rats subjected to experimental epilepsy
Authors: Ateş Utku , Baka Meral , Uyanikgil Yiǧit , Turgut Mehmet , Yavaşoǧlu Altuǧ , Yurtseven Mine 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  In clinical practice, maternal epilepsy is a disabling disease for newborn infants, but current data concerning the effect of epileptic phenomena in pregnant mothers on newborns are still limited. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of pinealectomy (Px) and melatonin treatments on the morphological changes in the liver tissue of newborn rats following experimental epilepsy during pregnancy.Methods:  Female Swiss Albino rats were divided into five groups: intact control group; saline control group; epilepsy group; epilepsy plus Px group; and melatonin‐treated epilepsy plus Px group. At one month after Px, an acute grand mal epileptic seizure was induced by penicillin‐G during their pregnancy in all animals except the control groups. On the neonatal first day, newborn rats were perfused with intracardiac fixative solution, and then livers were removed and processed for toluidine blue, periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) reactivity.Results:  Normal migration and hepatic maturation were determined in the postnatal rat liver in the control groups, while the morphological structure of the liver in the epilepsy and epilepsy plus Px groups corresponded to the early embryonic period. In the melatonin‐treated epilepsy plus Px group, the number of TUNEL positive cells decreased significantly compared to both epilepsy and epilepsy plus Px groups; however, there was no statistically significant difference from the control groups as a result of melatonin activity.Conclusions:  Some histological findings consistent with chronic fetal distress in newborns of mother rats with epilepsy and Px were observed. Melatonin could be a candidate protective drug for the development of liver tissue in pregnant patients with epilepsy.
11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 expression in colon from patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Z̆bánková S̆árka , Bryndová Jana , Leden Pavel , Kment Milan , S̆vec Alexander , Pácha Jir̆í 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) is an enzyme responsible for the interconversion of active 11β‐hydroxysteroids (cortisol) into biologically inactive 11‐oxosteroids (cortisone). The isoform 11βHSD1 operates predominantly as a reductase converting cortisone to cortisol, whereas 11βHSD2 catalyzes oxidation of cortisol to cortisone. This mechanism of peripheral metabolism of glucocorticoids has been suggested to be involved in increasing the availability of anti‐ inflammatory glucocorticoids as a response to inflammatory stimuli. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the impact of inflammatory bowel disease on the expression of colonic 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2.Methods:  Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR was used to assess messenger RNA for 11βHSD1 and 11βHSD2 in bioptic samples taken from patients with ulcerative colitis and in healthy controls, and in colon of rats with colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Rat colonic fragments were used for assessment of local metabolism of glucocorticoids.Results:  In both human and rat specimens colitis up‐regulated the expression of colonic 11βHSD1 mRNA and down‐regulated 11βHSD2 mRNA. A similar pattern was observed at the level of local metabolism of corticosterone. Oxidation of corticosterone to 11‐dehydrocorticosterone was decreased and reduction of 11‐dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone was increased in colonic tissue of rats with DSS‐colitis.Conclusions:  Colonic inflammation induces local glucocorticoid activation via 11βHSD1 and impairs glucocorticoid inactivation via 11βHSD2. The observed changes indicate a role for local metabolism of glucocorticoids in the control of colonic inflammation.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Usefulness of immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Fontana Maria Grazia , Rossi Elisa , Bassotti Gabrio , Aquilano Maria Costanza , Cadei Morris , Grigolato Piergiovanni , Villanacci Vincenzo 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) constitute a group of primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, known for their diversity in clinical behavior and the difficulties in determining malignancy and prognosis. This retrospective study evaluated a series of GIST by means of immunohistochemical techniques, flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Methods:  Nine patients with GIST were analyzed for tumor size, mitotic count and CD117, CD34, MIB‐1 with immunohistochemistry. In addition, the GIST were tested with FISH for chromosomes 8 and 17 and DNA index was evaluated by flow cytometry.Results:  The findings confirmed the usefulness of CD117 and CD34 in diagnosing GIST and the prognostic role of MIB‐1, but do not support a correlation between aneuploidy in flow cytometry and poor outcome. The FISH results suggest close follow‐up for patients with benign GIST with a numerical alteration of chromosome 8. The technique could select patients with tumors at high‐risk with aneusomy of chromosome 17.Conclusion:  This study shows the possible application of FISH to the evaluation of patients with GIST, in addition to analysis of morphological features.
Open label trial of clarithromycin therapy in Japanese patients with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Inoue Satoko , Nakase Hiroshi , Matsuura Minoru , Ueno Satoru , Uza Norimitsu , Kitamura Hiroshi , Mikami Sakae , Tamaki Hiroyuki , Kasahara Katsuhiro , Chiba Tsutomu 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease is unclear, but many studies suggest that luminal bacteria play an important role in chronic intestinal inflammation in patients with this condition. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic with immunomodulatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of clarithromycin therapy in Japanese patients with Crohn’s disease.Methods:  Fourteen patients with active Crohn’s disease (12 with ileocolonic, one with colonic, one with small bowel type) were treated with oral clarithromycin 200 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. Patients who showed a clinical response within 4 weeks continued the therapy for up to 24 weeks. Four patients also received azathioprine. Clinical activity was assessed with the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) at entry and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after starting clarithromycin.Results:  The mean CDAI score at entry was 343.5. Within 4 weeks, eight (57.1%) of the 14 patients showed clinical improvement, and five (35.7%) of the eight patients achieved remission. All of those eight patients continued clarithromycin therapy after 4 weeks, and six (42.9%) were in clinical remission at 12 weeks. Of the 14 total patients, four (28.6%) continued clarithromycin for more than 24 weeks, and have remained in remission. Patients who received azathioprine concomitantly had a better response to clarithromycin therapy. No severe side‐effects were observed during the study period.Conclusions:  This open label study showed encouraging results of clarithromycin therapy in Japanese patients with active Crohn’s disease.
Molecular analysis of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria community in intermittent aeration sequencing batch reactors used for animal wastewater treatment
Authors: Otawa Kenichi , Asano Ryoki , Ohba Yasuhiko , Sasaki Takako , Kawamura Eisuke , Koyama Futoshi , Nakamura Sakujiro , Nakai Yutaka 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBacterial communities and betaproteobacterial ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) communities were evaluated seasonally in an intermittent‐aeration sequencing batch process (SBR, plant A) and in 12 other livestock wastewater treatment plants (WWTP): eight SBRs and four conventional activated‐sludge systems. Microbial communities were analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing‐gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and the construction of clone libraries for 16S rRNA and ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) genes. In plant A, the dominant bacteria were as‐yet‐uncultured bacteria of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, and the DGGE profiles showed that the bacterial communities were stable during a given treatment cycle, but changed seasonally. In betaproteobacterial AOB communities, two AOB phylotypes (members of the Nitrosomonas ureae–oligotropha–marina cluster) were dominant during the seasons in plant A. Although the dominant AOB phylotypes differed among the 13 WWTPs, dominance by one or two AOB phylotypes was commonly observed in all plants. Sequencing of the DGGE bands indicated that amoA sequences belonging to the Nitrosomonas europaea–eutropha cluster were dominant in 11 plants, where the ammonia‐nitrogen concentration was high in the raw wastewater, whereas those belonging to the Nitrosomonas ureae–oligotropha–marina cluster were dominant in two plants where the concentration was relatively low. Even though we detected many minor amoA sequences by means of five clone libraries for the A to D plants, no libraries comprised both amoA sequences belonging to the two clusters, indicating that the dominant AOBs were defined by cluster level in each plant.
Pressure affects transcription profiles of Methanocaldococcus jannaschii despite the absence of barophilic growth under gas‐transfer limitation
Authors: Boonyaratanakornkit Boonchai , Córdova Jesús , Park Chan Beum , Clark Douglas S. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBarophilic growth of the hyperthermophilic methanarchaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii occurred when gas‐substrate availability did not limit growth. In contrast, when growth was limited by gas transfer, no enhancement of growth was evident and a stress response was exhibited at both high and low pressure. A pressure‐induced transcriptional response was evident, regardless of whether growth was enhanced by pressure. Potential high‐pressure adaptation of a barophilic organism can thus occur at the transcriptional level, even though the cells are stressed by low substrate availability and do not exhibit accelerated growth.
Long‐term results of surgically treated traumatic rectourethral fistulas
Authors: Barisic G. I. , Krivokapic Z. V. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjective  Rectourethral fistulas are uncommon, usually iatrogenic injuries that are demanding to treat. We present the challenging problems involving the treatment of rectourethral fistulas caused by war wounds.Materials and methods  In the period 1991–1996, during the war in Croatia and Bosnia, six patients with rectourethral fistulas caused by war injuries were operated in our institution by the same surgeon. All patients were young males with a mean age of 24.6 years. In all patients, double diversion (diversion colostomy and cystostomy) was performed at the time of the injury in military hospitals. In three patients, multiple unsuccessful operations were performed in other institutions to close rectourethral fistula. We found urethrocystography and proctoscopy as the most reliable diagnostic studies and performed them in all patients. In first three patients, we performed transanal repair with anterior rectal wall advancement flap. Because it failed in all three patients, we performed York–Mason trans‐sphincteric approach and anterior rectal wall advancement flap after which rectourethral fistula closed in all patients. Because of the satisfactory results, we performed the same procedure in other three patients.Results  In all patients rectourethral fistula healed 2 months after the operation. Closure of diverting colostomy was performed after urethrocystography and proctoscopy proved that the rectourethral fistula has healed. There were no operative deaths and no major complications. Urethral stenosis developed in one patient and was successfully managed by dilatation.Conclusion  We believe that York–Mason trans‐sphincteric approach offers straightforward access through healthy tissues and good fistula visualization. Anterior rectal wall advancement flap can easily be performed and offer good chances for definitive closure of the rectourethral fistula.
STEINDL ON IMPERFECT COMPETITION: THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL CHANGE
Authors: Bloch Harry 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTJosef Steindl offers an innovative dynamic analysis of competition in Maturity and Stagnation in American Capitalism, with a key role for technical change. However, in his later writings he suggests that he had not gone far enough and that his account was not ‘sufficiently dynamic’, noting particularly his neglect of fundamental issues in technological development. Here, we critically examine the nature of technical change in Steindl’s analysis, pointing to ambiguities and contradictions that arise. Standard characterizations of the nature of technical change are then introduced and used to further integrate technical change into Steindl’s analysis of competition.
The long march of history: Farm wages, population, and economic growth, England 1209–18691
Authors: CLARK GREGORY 
Published: July 2006

SUMMARYThe article forms three series for English farm workers from 1209–1869: nominal day wages, the implied marginal product of a day of farm labour, and the purchasing power of a day’s wage in terms of farm workers’ consumption. These series suggest that labour productivity in English agriculture was already high in the middle ages. Furthermore, they fit well with one method of estimating medieval population that suggests a peak English population c.1300 of nearly 6 million. Lastly, they imply that both agricultural technology and the general efficiency of the economy were static from 1250 till 1600. Economic changes were in these years entirely a product of demographic shifts. From 1600 to 1800, technological advance in agriculture provided an alternative source of dynamism in the English economy.
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid modulates p53‐mediated apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease mutant neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Ramalho Rita M. , Borralho Pedro M. , Castro Rui E. , Solá Susana , Steer Clifford J. , Rodrigues Cecília M. P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractEarly onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is linked to autosomal dominant mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 and 2 (PS1 and PS2) genes. These are critical mediators of total amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) production, inducing cell death through uncertain mechanisms. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) modulates exogenous Aβ‐induced apoptosis by interfering with E2F‐1/p53/Bax. Here, we used mouse neuroblastoma cells that express either wild‐type APP, APP with the Swedish mutation (APPswe), or double‐mutated human APP and PS1 (APPswe/ΔE9), all exhibiting increased Aβ production and aggregation. Cell viability was decreased in APPswe and APPswe/ΔE9 but was partially reversed by z‐VAD.fmk. Nuclear fragmentation and caspase 2, 6 and 8 activation were also readily detected. TUDCA reduced nuclear fragmentation as well as caspase 2 and 6, but not caspase 8 activities. p53 activity, and Bcl‐2 and Bax changes, were also modulated by TUDCA. Overexpression of p53, but not mutant p53, in wild‐type and mutant neuroblastoma cells was sufficient to induce apoptosis, which, in turn, was reduced by TUDCA. In addition, inhibition of the phosphatidylinositide 3′‐OH kinase pathway reduced TUDCA protection against p53‐induced apoptosis. In conclusion, FAD mutations are associated with the activation of classical apoptotic pathways. TUDCA reduces p53‐induced apoptosis and modulates expression of Bcl‐2 family.
Loss of the cellular prion protein affects the Ca2+ homeostasis in hippocampal CA1 neurons
Authors: Fuhrmann Martin , Bittner Tobias , Mitteregger Gerda , Haider Nicole , Moosmang Sven , Kretzschmar Hans , Herms Jochen 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPrevious neurophysiological studies on prion protein deficient (Prnp–/–) mice have revealed a significant reduction of slow afterhyperpolarization currents (sIAHP) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. Here we aim to determine whether loss of PrPC. directly affects the potassium channels underlying sIAHP or if sIAHP is indirectly disturbed by altered intracellular Ca2+ fluxes. Patch‐clamp measurements and confocal Ca2+ imaging in acute hippocampal slice preparations of Prnp–/– mice compared to littermate control mice revealed a reduced Ca2+ rise in CA1 neurons lacking PrPC following a depolarization protocol known to induce sIAHP. Moreover, we observed a reduced Ca2+ influx via l‐type voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs). No differences were observed in the protein expression of the pore forming α1 subunit of VGCCs Prnp–/– mice. Surprisingly, the β2 subunit, critically involved in the transport of the α1 subunit to the plasma membrane, was found to be up‐regulated in knock out hippocampal tissue. On mRNA level however, no differences could be detected for the α1C, D and β2–4 subunits. In conclusion our data support the notion that lack of PrPC. does not directly affect the potassium channels underlying sIAHP, but modulates these channels due to its effect on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration via a reduced Ca2+ influx through l‐type VGCCs.