bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the uses of aspirin, statins and ACEIs/ARBs in a diabetes outpatient population in southern Thailand
Authors: Pongwecharak J. , Maila‐ead C. , Sakulthap J. , Sripanitkulchai N. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractObjective  To evaluate the uses of aspirin, statins and angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) in a diabetes population in southern Thailand.Methods  A review of outpatient medical records at the diabetic clinics of the regional hospital (n = 304) and a community hospital (n = 313), and a review of pharmacy computerized diabetes prescribing data (n = 398) of the teaching hospital. All were in the province of Songkhla, southern Thailand.Results  A total of 1015 diabetes patients, mean age (SD) 60.1 (12.1) years, were identified, with type 2 diabetes being most prevalent (93%). Females constituted 69%. Hypertension was a co‐morbidity in almost half. Mean time (SD) since diagnosis was 5.8 (4.7) years. Where lipid profiles were available, less than one‐third achieved the target LDL‐C of <2.6 mmol L−1. Almost all patients (96%) were candidates for treatment with a statin according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendation, whereas only 6.6 and 38.5% were actually taking one in the regional and the teaching hospital, respectively. Over 90% should have been taking primary prophylactic aspirin, whereas only 5.7–29% were actually prescribed one. A few had existing cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease, and all were taking aspirin. There was no documented proteinuria status; however, 30–50% were on a ACEI/ARB, most likely as part of an antihypertensive regimen.Conclusions  Aspirin as a primary prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease in diabetes is remarkably underused. Screening for albuminuria was apparently lacking. Statin therapy also presented a major deficiency. ACEI/ARB was probably prescribed for hypertension rather than in relation to proteinuria.
Automatic TEM image alignment by trifocal geometry
Authors: BRANDT S. S. , ZIESE U. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryHere we propose a novel method for automatic, markerless, feature‐based alignment of TEM images suitable for electron tomography. The proposed method, termed trifocal alignment, is more accurate than the previous markerless methods. The key components developed are: (1) a reliable multi‐resolution algorithm for matching feature points between images; (2) a robust, maximum‐likelihood‐based estimator for determining the geometry of three views – the trifocal constraint – required for validating the correctness of the matches; and (3) a robust, large‐scale optimization framework to compute the alignment parameters from hundreds of thousands of feature point measurements from a few hundred images. The ability to utilize such a large number of measurements successfully compensates for point localization errors. The method was experimentally confirmed with electron tomography tilt series of biological and material sciences samples, consisting of from 40 to 150 images. The results show that, with this feature‐based alignment approach, a level of accuracy comparable with fiducial marker alignment can be achieved.
A fusion tag enabling optical marking and tracking of proteins and cells by FRET‐acceptor photobleaching
Authors: KUPPIG S. , NITSCHKE R. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCombined time‐lapse imaging with optical marking of fluorescent proteins (FPs) is a widely used method in studies of the dynamic behaviour of proteins, organelles and cell populations. Most of the approaches have specific limitations as they do not permit simultaneous observation of marked and non‐marked molecules, require co‐expression of two FP‐tagged proteins or rely on oligomerizing FPs. Here we provide a strategy to overcome such limitations with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer‐competent tandem fusion tag composed of two FPs. We combine optical marking by acceptor photobleaching with spectral imaging to discriminate between marked and non‐marked molecules. Such ‘bleach‐labelling’ may be employed in a broad range of studies for robust real‐time tracking of proteins, organelles and cells.
Inhomogeneous plastic flow investigated by X‐ray absorption microtomography of an aluminium alloy containing marker particles
Authors: HALDRUP K. , NIELSEN S. F. , BECKMANN F. , WERT J. A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBy combining a synchrotron X‐ray source and the microtomography technique, the displacement gradient tensor components can be measured directly throughout the volume of a metal sample containing highly absorbing marker particles to detect material flow. The present article describes application of these techniques to compression of a rectangular Al–W specimen with a central hole. The results show that the externally imposed axial displacement gradient is accommodated mainly in two 45° shear bands passing through the hole. A simple deformation analysis provides insight into shear band formation.
The inner ear ultrastructure from the paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) using transmission electron microscopy
Authors: LOVELL J. M. , FINDLAY M. M. , HARPER G. M. , MOATE R. M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe structure of the hair cells on each sensory macula from the inner ear of the paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, revealing the nucleated cell bodies and peripheral nerve fibres of the saccule utricle and lagena. Examination of the structures within the cell body revealed comparable features with those found in the inner ear hair cells from bony fish species, although in P. spathula the afferent cell body is almost twice the size. This is the first time that the inner ear hair cells from an Acipenseriform fish have been studied using transmission microscopy, thus providing benchmark anatomical information in relation to the cellular morphology of the afferent receptors from a ‘healthy’P. spathula ear. Structural information is of assistance in the study of aquatic animal hearing for environmental monitoring purposes, as morphological data can be used to confirm if evidence of raised hearing thresholds from animals exposed to intense anthropogenic noise or other destructive agents (determined using electrophysiological or behavioural techniques) are a direct result of damage to the ultrastructure of the inner ear.
Focused ion beam milling of vitreous water: prospects for an alternative to cryo‐ultramicrotomy of frozen‐hydrated biological samples
Authors: MARKO M. , HSIEH C. , MOBERLYCHAN W. , MANNELLA C. A. , FRANK J. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe feasibility of using a focused ion beam (FIB) for the purpose of thinning vitreously frozen biological specimens for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was explored. A concern was whether heat transfer beyond the direct ion interaction layer might devitrify the ice. To test this possibility, we milled vitreously frozen water on a standard TEM grid with a 30‐keV Ga+ beam, and cryo‐transferred the grid to a TEM for examination. Following FIB milling of the vitreous ice from a thickness of approximately 1200 nm to 200–150 nm, changes characteristic of heat‐induced devitrification were not observed by TEM, in either images or diffraction patterns. Although numerous technical challenges remain, it is anticipated that ‘cryo‐FIB thinning’ of bulk frozen‐hydratred material will be capable of producing specimens for TEM cryo‐tomography with much greater efficiency than cryo‐ultramicrotomy, and without the specimen distortions and handling difficulties of the latter.
Total internal reflection fluorescence imaging using an upconverting cover slip for multicolour evanescent excitation
Authors: MORGAN C. G. , MITCHELL A. C. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryTotal internal reflection fluorescence microscopy is well known as a means of studying surface‐bound structures in cell biology. It is usually measured either by coupling a light source to the sample using a prism or with a special objective where light passing through the periphery of the lens illuminates the contact region beyond the critical angle. In this study we present a new and simple approach to total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy where the sample is mounted on a cover slip prepared from a high‐index upconverting glass‐ceramic. Excitation of the cover slip with a low‐cost near‐infrared laser diode generates intense narrow‐band visible emission within the cover slip, some of which is totally internally reflected. This emission gives rise to an evanescent wave at the interface and hence can excite surface‐bound fluorescent species. Depending on the excitation conditions the cover slip can generate violet, green and red emission and hence can excite a wide range of fluorescent labels. Fluorescence emission from the sample can be detected in spectral regions where the direct emission from the cover slip is very weak. The advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed in comparison with conventional total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy measurements and prospects for novel total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy geometries are considered.
Multi‐photon excitation microscopy in intact animals
Authors: ROTHSTEIN EMILY C. , NAUMAN MICHAEL , CHESNICK SCOTT , BALABAN ROBERT S. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryTwo‐photon excitation fluorescence microscopy and backscattered‐second harmonic generation microscopy permit the investigation of the subcellular events within living animals but numerous aspects of these experiments need to be optimized to overcome the traditional microscope geometry, motion and optical coupling to the subject. This report describes a stable system for supporting a living instrumented mouse or rabbit during endogenous reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and exogenous dye two‐photon excitation fluorescence microscopy measurements, and backscattered‐second harmonic generation microscopy measurements. The system was a modified inverted LSM510 microscope (Carl Zeiss, Inc., Thornwood, NY, U.S.A.) with a rotating periscope that converted the inverted scope to an upright format, with the objective located approximately, 15 cm from the centre of the microscope base, allowing easy placement of an instrumented animal. An Olympus 20× water immersion objective was optically coupled to the tissue, without a cover glass, via a saline bath or custom hydrated transparent gel. The instrumented animals were held on a specially designed holder that poised the animal under the objective as well as permitted different ventilation schemes to minimize motion. Using this approach, quality images were routinely collected in living animals from both the peripheral and body cavity organs. The remaining most significant issue for physiological studies using this approach is motion on the micrometre scale. Several strategies for motion compensation are described and discussed.
Specific cleavage of ribosomal RNA and mRNA during victorin‐induced apoptotic cell death in oat
Authors: Hoat Trinh X. , Nakayashiki Hitoshi , Tosa Yukio , Mayama Shigeyuki 
Published: May 2006

SummaryHere we report that rRNA and mRNA are specifically degraded in oat (Avena sativa L.) cells during apoptotic cell death induced by victorin, a host‐selective toxin produced by Cochliobolus victoriae. Northern analysis indicated that rRNA species from the cytosol, mitochondria and chloroplasts were all degraded via specific degradation intermediates during victorin‐induced apoptotic cell death but, in contrast, they were randomly digested in necrotic cell death induced by 30 mm CuSO4 and heat shock. This indicates that specific rRNA cleavage could be controlled by an intrinsic program. We also observed specific cleavage of mRNA of housekeeping genes such as actin and ubiquitin during victorin‐induced cell death. Interestingly, no victorin‐induced mRNA degradation was detected with stress‐responding genes such as PR‐1, PR‐10 and GPx throughout the experimental period. The RNA degradation mostly, but not always, occurred in parallel with DNA laddering, but pharmacological studies indicated that these processes are regulated by different signaling pathways with some overlapping upstream signals.
Functional and signaling mechanism analysis of rice CRYPTOCHROME 1
Authors: Zhang Yan‐Chun , Gong Song‐Fu , Li Qing‐Hua , Sang Yi , Yang Hong‐Quan 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCryptochromes (CRY) are blue‐light photoreceptors that mediate various light responses, such as inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, enhancement of cotyledon expansion, anthocyanin accumulation and stomatal opening in Arabidopsis. The signaling mechanism of Arabidopsis CRY is mediated through direct interaction with COP1, a negative regulator of photomorphogenesis. CRY has now been characterized in tomato, pea, moss and fern, but its function in monocots is largely unknown. Here we report the function and basic signaling mechanism of rice cryptochrome 1 (OsCRY1). Overexpresion of OsCRY1b resulted in a blue light‐dependent short hypcotyl phenotype in Arabidopsis, and a short coleoptile, leaf sheath and leaf blade phenotype in rice (Oryza sativa). On fusion with β‐glucuronidase (GUS), the C‐terminal domain of either OsCRY1a (OsCCT1a) or OsCRY1b (OsCCT1b) mediated a constitutive photomorphogenic (COP) phenotype in both Arabidopsis and rice, whereas OsCCT1b mutants corresponding to missense mutations in previously described Arabidopsis cry1 alleles failed to confer a COP phenotype. Yeast two‐hybrid and subcellular co‐localization studies demonstrated that OsCRY1b interacted physically with rice COP1 (OsCOP1). From these results, we conclude that OsCRY1 is implicated in blue‐light inhibition of coleoptile and leaf elongation during early seedling development in rice, and that the signaling mechanism of OsCRY1 involves direct interaction with OsCOP1.
Nt‐RhoGDI2 regulates Rac/Rop signaling and polar cell growth in tobacco pollen tubes
Authors: Klahre Ulrich , Becker Claude , Schmitt Arno C. , Kost Benedikt 
Published: May 2006

SummaryRac/Rop‐type Rho‐family small GTPases accumulate at the plasma membrane in the tip of pollen tubes and control the polar growth of these cells. Nt‐RhoGDI2, a homolog of guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) regulating Rho signaling in animals and yeast, is co‐expressed with the Rac/Rop GTPase Nt‐Rac5 specifically in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) pollen tubes. The two proteins interact with each other in yeast two‐hybrid assays, preferentially when Nt‐Rac5 is prenylated. Transient over‐expression of Nt‐Rac5 and Nt‐RhoGDI2 depolarized or inhibited tobacco pollen tube growth, respectively. Interestingly, pollen tubes over‐expressing both proteins grew normally, demonstrating that the two proteins functionally interact in vivo. Nt‐RhoGDI2 was localized to the pollen tube cytoplasm and effectively transferred co‐over‐expressed YFP–Nt‐Rac5 fusion proteins from the plasma membrane to this compartment. A single amino acid exchange (R69A), which abolished binding to Nt‐RhoGDI2, caused Nt‐Rac5 to be mis‐localized to the flanks of pollen tubes and strongly compromised its ability to depolarize pollen tube growth upon over‐expression. Based on these observations, we propose that Nt‐RhoGDI2‐mediated recycling of Nt‐Rac5 from the flanks of the tip to the apex has an essential function in the maintenance of polarized Rac/Rop signaling and cell expansion in pollen tubes. Similar mechanisms may generally play a role in the polarized accumulation of Rho GTPases in specific membrane domains, an important process whose regulation has not been well characterized in any cell type to date.
Improvement of seed yields under boron‐limiting conditions through overexpression of BOR1, a boron transporter for xylem loading, in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Miwa Kyoko , Takano Junpei , Fujiwara Toru 
Published: May 2006

SummarySoil fertilization is a common practice in modern agriculture, undertaken to prevent nutrient deficiency in crops. However, fertilization is costly and causes environmental pollution. The cultivation of plants that tolerate low nutrient supplies may circumvent this problem. Here, we report the generation of Arabidopsis thaliana plants that tolerate boron (B)‐deficient conditions due to the overexpression of BOR1, an efflux B transporter that is required for efficient xylem loading of B. In several independently generated transgenic plants expressing BOR1 or BOR1–GFP under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S RNA promoter, root‐to‐shoot translocation of B was enhanced and shoot growth was greater under B‐limiting conditions compared with wild‐type plants. In addition, the transgenic plants showed increased translocation of B, especially to the shoot apex, and set seed normally under B‐limiting conditions, under which wild‐type plants failed to set seed. This study therefore reports plants that show improved seed yields compared with wild‐type under nutrient‐deficient conditions as a result of increased production of an essential mineral nutrient transporter.
Performance of Timothy‐based Grass/Legume Mixtures in Cold Winter Region
Authors: Kunelius H. T. , Dürr G. H. , McRae K. B. , Fillmore S. A. E. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThis study sought to identify grass/legume mixtures that increase the yield and persistence of forage stands with improved nutritive quality in cold‐winter regions, compared with the standard mixture of timothy (Phleum pratense L.)/red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)/alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.). Timothy was mixed with either perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) or Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). The legumes in mixtures were red clover, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Averaged over three production years, the majority of mixtures had greater dry matter (DM) yields than the standard (8.35 t ha−1). Timothy, grown alone and in three mixtures, outyielded the standard by 19–30 %. Yield reductions in mixtures over the 3‐year period were greatest with red clover, and least with bluegrass. Mixtures with alfalfa were highest in nitrogen (28.4 g kg−1), while grasses grown alone (24.6 g kg−1) and the standard mixture (25.1 g kg−1) were the lowest in N. Mixtures with red clover or alfalfa had the least neutral detergent fibre (NDF), averaging 418 and 429 g kg−1 respectively. Mixtures including white clover were initially low in NDF at 347 g kg−1 in year 1 but increased to 550 g kg−1 in year 3 as white clover composition declined in the sward.
Influence of Soil Temperature on Seedling Emergence and Early Growth of Peanut Cultivars in Field Conditions
Authors: Prasad P. V. V. , Boote K. J. , Thomas J. M. G. , Allen L. H. , Gorbet D. W. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPeanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) sown in early spring often has poor seed germination and seedling development. The influence of soil temperature on seedling emergence and early growth of six peanut cultivars (Florida MDR98, Southern Runner, Georgia Green, SunOleic 97R, Florunner and C‐99R) was studied in natural field soil profiles in temperature‐gradient greenhouses. We evaluated the influence of a range of soil temperatures by sowing at eight dates between January 2001 and May 2002 in Gainesville, Florida. On each sowing date, two additional temperature treatments (ambient and ambient +4.5 °C air temperature) were evaluated by sowing on either end of each greenhouse and applying differential heating. In total, 16 different soil temperature treatments were evaluated. Each treatment was replicated four times in four different greenhouses. Mean soil temperature from sowing to final emergence in different treatments ranged from 15 to 32 °C. Sowing date, temperature treatment and cultivar had significant effect on seedling emergence and development (V2 stage). For all cultivars, the lowest germination was observed at the earliest sowing date (coolest soil temperature). Among cultivars, Florida MDR98 was the most sensitive to reduced (cool) temperature with the lowest germination and smallest seedling size at 21 days after sowing, followed by Southern Runner. Georgia Green was the most cold‐tolerant with the highest germination, followed by SunOleic 97R. There were no significant differences among cultivars for base temperature, which averaged 11.7 and 9.8 °C for rate of emergence and rate of development to V2 stage respectively. These results imply that cultivar choice and/or genetic improvement of peanut for cold tolerance during emergence and seedling development in regions where cooler soil temperatures persist and/or regions where early sowing is desirable.
Evaluation of Genotype × Environment Interactions in Chinese Spring Wheat by the AMMI Model, Correlation and Path Analysis
Authors: Li W. , Yan Z.‐H. , Wei Y.‐M. , Lan X.‐J. , Zheng Y.‐L. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAn understanding of the characteristics of crop varieties and advanced lines could help improve their cultivation and to further enhance their potential. The objectives of this study were to estimate the genotype (G), environment (E) and genotype × environment (GE) interactions on the grain yield of Chinese spring wheat genotypes in 2000 and 2001 by the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model, and to evaluate the relationships between yield and its components by correlation and path analysis. Grain yield varied from 3.9 to 5.2 t ha−1, among which SW8188 had the highest yield performance, followed by 58769‐6 and Chuannong 16. Three interaction principal components (IPC) accounted for a total of 79.99 % and 72.96 % of the interactions with 41.05 % and 52.08 % for the corresponding degrees of freedom in 2000 and 2001, respectively. When IPC3 was significant, the stability coefficient Di was more useful in the evaluation of the stability of each genotype. The estimates of Di in the 2 years indicated that the Di values varied between genotypes and years. The Di values ranged from 1.804 to 14.665 and 2.497 to 12.481 in 2000 and 2001 respectively. The suitable locations (environments) for all genotypes were characterized. These results would be useful for improving the Chinese spring wheat cultivation and improvement.
Genetic variation in wheat cadmium accumulation on soils with different cadmium concentrations
Authors: Stolt P. , Asp H. , Hultin S. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractCadmium (Cd) accumulation in wheat genotypes of spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and spring durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) was studied in field trials every third week throughout the growing season. The study was carried out in Sweden on three different soils and during two growing seasons. The results showed that the genetic variation in shoot and grain Cd accumulation remained consistent, regardless of soil type or growing season. In addition, it was possible to select the genotype that accumulated most Cd already at the beginning of the growing season, since this genotype also accumulated most Cd in the vegetative tissues of the shoot. These results indicate that it is possible to identify genotypes that accumulate most Cd in the grain at an early plant development stage. High Cd concentrations in the shoot were also observed to give high Cd concentrations in the grain. This indicates that the regulatory mechanism for grain Cd accumulation is not located in the shoot, but in the root or as a feature of root Cd uptake. The soil material and the soil solution at all three sites were analysed for strongly bound Cd (as extracted with 2 m HNO3), more easily plant‐available Cd (as extracted with ammonium lactate), pH, organic matter, clay content and conductivity. None of these parameters was clearly correlated to the Cd concentration in the grain.