bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of seven sediment toxicity tests and their relationships to stream parameters
Authors: Burton G. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA survey of sediment microbial activity and toxicity to Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia, and Selenastrum capricornutum was conducted on two streams receiving numerous effluents in Ohio—the Little Scioto River and Dick's Creek. Microbial activity assays included alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase, β‐galactosidase, β‐glucosidase. Activity was compared to overlying water chemistry and revealed several statistically significant correlations. No macrofaunal assay toxicity was observed in Dick's Creek. Sediment toxicity was found at two stations in the Little Scioto River, and varied in degree and organism sensitivity with time of sampling. These results support earlier studies suggesting the need for multiple trophic‐level assays in aquatic ecosystem evaluations of toxicant impacts.
Bacterial growth in water
Authors: Adam Ofra , Kott Yehuda 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWater sources often contain various micropollutants that will allow the regrowth of bacteria in the distribution system after treatment of the water.The current methods used to evaluate this regrowth capability are often cumbersome and do not yield adequate answers to the question of these micropollutant levels.In order to evaluate bacterial growth capability in a precise way, four sensitive turbidimeters, measuring turbidity at 12° forward scattering light and attached to a microcomputer, were used to continuously monitor bacterial growth rates in the water being studied. Standard plate counts at 20 and 37° C were simultaneously performed.The results of the plate counts did not show whether the various treatment processes were effective. On the other hand, the growth curves plotted by the programmed turbidimeters showed distinct differences in the various water quality parameters.Thus it was shown that ozone‐treated water enhanced bacterial growth, coagulation followed by filtration was not very effective, while a slow sand filter pilot plant yielded water with very little micropollutants and a very reduced bacterial regrowth capability.This growth recording device can be used in a novel way to evaluate the bacterial regrowth capability of various waters and at various stages during water treatment.
Antibiotic and toxicant susceptibility profiles of clinical and environmental Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
Authors: Seyfried P. L. , Desjardins R. M. , Alarcon A. E. , Kulendran N. , Sidarous M. , Harris E. , Bradbury W. C. , Young M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractKlebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from different clinical and environmental sources were examined for resistance to antibiotics, pentachlorophenol, and heavy metals using intracellular ATP measurements. Resistance to kanamycin, neomycin, gentamicin, and tobramycin was noted for the hospital strain but not for the environmentally derived isolates. On the other hand, strains isolated from pulp and paper mill effluents and receiving waters exhibited a higher degree of pentachlorophenol and heavy metal resistance. Chromosomal restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) digests of three environmental strains produced patterns that were different and readily distinguishable. Plasmids were detectable in these same environmental isolates; two of the three carried a 70 × 106 Da plasmid that is thought to mediate both antibiotic and heavy metal resistance.
Copper toxicity in freshwater sediment and Aeromonas hydrophila cell suspensions measured using an O2 electrode
Authors: Flemming C. A. , Trevors J. T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effect of CuSO4 on O2 consumption in sediment samples and a pure culture of Aeromonas hydrophila were examined using an O2 electrode. Maximum inhibition of O2 consumption in sediment samples was 85% at Cu concentrations ranging from 400 to 500 μg/g sediment. In contrast, O2 consumption by A. hydrophila cell suspensions was inhibited 100% at Cu concentrations of 150 μg/mL in stream water and 250 μg/mL in sediment extract, respectively. Nonbiological (chemical) O2 consumption also occurred in sediment samples during the bioassay. This was demonstrated by respiration insensitive to KCN (metabolic inhibitor) and the observation that chemical O2 consumption occurred in autoclaved sediment samples. Caution should be taken when interpreting O2 consumption data in environmental samples as nonbiological reactions may interfere with the bioassay.
Chemical fate, bioconcentration, and environmental effects testing: Proposed testing and decision criteria
Authors: Walker John D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractChemicals should have a minimum amount of available chemical fate, bioconcentration, and environmental effects data toidentifythose chemicals with potentially problematic environmental partitioning or persistence, or those with potential to bioconcentrate or cause adverse effects. Professional judgment, estimates of a chemical's mode(s) of action or mechanism of action, and its susceptibility to rapid transport or transformation should be utilized to determine the types of chemical fate, bioconcentration, and environmental effects data that should be available. Data‐supported decision criteria should be used to develop additional data tocharacterizethe persistence, bioconcentration, and adverse effects of chemicals that have been identified as potentially problematic. To facilitate an understanding of minimum chemical fate and bioconcentration data that should be available, recommended chemical fate and bioconcentration data from previously published testing schemes or approaches were evaluated. For environmental effects data, the types of organisms recommended for developing aquatic toxicity data in previously published testing schemes or approaches were evaluated. To facilitate an understanding of available testing decision criteria, those criteria that were used (as of December 31, 1988) to propose or require chemical fate, bioconcentration, on aquatic toxicity tests under section 4 of the Toxic Substances Control Act and those criteria recommended in previously reported testing schemes were evaluated. Based on this comprehensive evaluation it was possible to propose (1) a base set of chemical fate and aquatic toxicity tests, (2) organisms for conducting aquatic toxicity tests, and (3) decision logic and testing scheme for developing chemical fate and aquatic toxicity test data.
A bioassessment battery for use in an industrial setting: A new management approach
Authors: Clarke S. M. , Barrick C. W. , Samoiloff M. R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAs part of the process of risk evaluation for workplace health and environmental protection, a battery of biological assays and a management presentation format for the battery have been developed for use at EG & G Rocky Flats, Inc. The battery consists of four acute (two bacterial, one human cell, one nematode) and two genetic (bacterial and nematode) assays. The nematode assay also gives information on chronic toxicity and an overall fitness factor. The battery was shown to be effective in detecting toxicity of eight metals and phenol, substances that are used at this plant and that react through a variety of toxic mechanisms. The presentation format allows management to very quickly determine where the most serious toxicity problems are located and effectively monitor progress in the cleanup of these situations. In addition, the format can be used to monitor effects of procedural changes in development and production.
Rationale for including metabolites in chemical toxicity bioassay
Authors: Liu D. , Maguire R. J. , Dutka B. J. , Pacepavicius G. J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractToxicity and biodegradability are major factors affecting the fate and behavior of an organic contaminant in the environment. In this report, 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (DNT), an important industrial chemical, was used as a model toxicant to demonstrate that toxicity and biodegradability are intimately related in determining a chemical's effect and impact on the total ecosystem. DNT was found to be aerobically stable, but could undergo anaerobic biotransformation with the formation of three metabolites. One of the metabolites, namely 2‐nitroso‐4‐nitrotoluene, was extremely toxic to the six test bacterial isolates, while the other two aminonitro metabolites and the parent compound DNT were much less toxic or nontoxic to the bacterial cultures. It is suggested that the incorporation of some known metabolites into short‐term bioassay procedures could increase the reliability of these tests in the impact assessment of toxic chemicals on the environment. In addition, the difference between toxicity data generated from short‐term bioassay procedures and those from long‐term toxicological studies was also delineated from a biochemical viewpoint.
Intercropping tef and sunflower in semi‐arid areas of Welo, Ethiopia
Authors: Bayu Wondimu , Addisu Molla , Tadesse Besufekad , Admassu Legesse 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe productivity of tef‐sunflower intercropping, with or without fertilizer, was assessed by field trials in northeast Ethiopia. Mixed planting of 10–50% of sunflower with tef had yield advantages of 20–39% and 58–77% at two different sites. The crop proportions giving the greatest yield benefit varied between the sites. The greatest net income benefits were US$515 ha−1 and US$69 ha−1 at the two sites. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Possible role of the bulge region in the pathogenesis of inflammatory scarring alopecia: lichen planopilaris as the prototype
Authors: Mobini Narciss , Tam Sam , Kamino Hideko 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is the prototype of scarring alopecias that mainly target the infundibuloisthmic (bulge) region of hair follicle. Hair follicle stem cells have been shown to reside in the bulge.Methods:  We carried out this study to better define the possible pathogenetic role of the bulge in LPP. Thirty‐five cases of LPP were studied. Multiple serial sections of biopsy specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff‐diastase, and Elastic van Gieson. The following immunostains were applied: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD1a, and Ki‐67. Uninvolved follicles and normal scalp biopsy specimens served as normal controls.Results:  All cases showed a lichenoid lymphocytic infiltrate at the bulge region. The bulb area was spared. CD8+ T cells were increased compared with CD4+ T‐cell population. Langerhans' cells were decreased. Proliferating stem cells, highlighted by Ki‐67, showed a marked decrease in the bulge compared with uninvolved follicles.Conclusion:  Our study supports the finding that in LPP, the inflammatory infiltrate mainly involves the bulge region, where the stem cells reside. Once this area is damaged, the hair loses its potential of regrowth with resulting scarring alopecia. This is in contrast with inflammatory non‐scarring alopecias such as alopecia areata, where the bulb region is targeted, sparing the stem cells.
Clinical usefulness of serum telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA as a novel tumor marker for lung cancer
Authors: Miura Norimasa , Nakamura Hiroshige , Sato Reina , Tsukamoto Tomoe , Harada Tomomi , Takahashi Shunsaku , Adachi Youshin , Shomori Kohei , Sano Akiko , Kishimoto Yosuke , Ito Hisao , Hasegawa Junichi , Shiota Goshi 
Published: October 2006

Using a newly developed assay of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in serum by real‐time RT‐PCR, we previously reported this assay to be superior to other tumor markers for hepatoma. In this study, we aimed to clarify its clinical significance as a biomarker for lung cancer. In 112 patients with lung tumor and 80 individuals without cancer, we measured serum hTERT mRNA and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA levels, using a quantitative one‐step real‐time RT‐PCR assay. We examined its sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer diagnosis, its clinical significance in comparison with other tumor markers, and its correlation with the clinical parameters using multivariate analyses and correlation relative tests. The copy number of serum hTERT mRNA was independently correlated with tumor size, tumor number, presence of metastasis and recurrence, and smoking (all P < 0.05). EGFR mRNA correlated with tumor number and clinical stage (both P < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer diagnosis were 89.0% and 72.7% for hTERT mRNA, and 71.3% and 80.0% for EGFR mRNA, respectively. hTERT mRNA was superior to other tumor markers in lung cancer diagnosis. For both mRNAs, serum levels were significantly correlated with levels in lung cancer tissues (both P < 0.05). The copy number of hTERT mRNA significantly decreased after the surgical treatment. The data suggest that hTERT mRNA, especially when combined with EGFR mRNA, is a novel and excellent biomarker for pulmonary malignancies to diagnose and assess the clinical stage. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 1366–1373)
Diagnostic significance of HLA‐DQ typing in patients with previous coeliac disease diagnosis based on histology alone
Authors: KAPITÁNY A. , TÓTH L. , TUMPEK J. , CSÍP? I. , SIPOS E. , WOOLLEY N. , PARTANEN J. , SZEGEDI G. , OLÁH É. , SIPKA S. , KORPONAY‐SZABÓ I. R. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackgroundCoeliac disease is strongly associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQ2 or DQ8 genotypes. The diagnosis is based on demonstrating crypt‐hyperplastic villous atrophy, endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies and correlation of disease activity with gluten intake.AimTo evaluate the clinical utility of HLA‐DQ typing, when coeliac disease diagnosis had previously been established solely by histology.MethodsHLA‐DQ alleles, endomysial and transglutaminase antibodies were investigated and histology slides reviewed in 70 patients diagnosed 2–25 years earlier by small‐intestinal biopsy but without measuring endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies. Patients without DQ2 or DQ8 or without unequivocal villous atrophy were followed‐up on free diet by using serology and biopsies.ResultsAll 40 endomysial/transglutaminase antibodies positive patients carried DQ2 or DQ8, and 39 of them had severe villous atrophy. Only 56% of patients without endomysial or transglutaminase antibodies positivity had DQ2 or DQ8 (P < 0.001). Seropositivity and relapse developed in 4 of 11 DQ2 positive but in none of 15 DQ2 and DQ8 negative patients on long‐term gluten exposure.ConclusionsCoeliac disease diagnosis based solely on histology is not always reliable. HLA‐DQ typing is important in identifying DQ2 and DQ8 negative subjects who need revision of their diagnosis, but it does not have additive diagnostic value if endomysial positivity is already known.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends improve the understanding of oxygen delivery and the pathophysiology of hypoxaemia*
Authors: Cosgrove J. F. , Fordy K. , Hunter I. , Nesbitt I. D. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryUnderstanding basic pathophysiological principles underpins the practice of many healthcare workers, particularly in a critical care setting. Undergraduate curricula have the potential to separate physiology teaching from clinical contexts, making understanding difficult. We therefore assessed the use of analogous imagery as an aid to understanding. Two groups of first year physiotherapy students were randomly assigned to receive either a control lecture (oxygen delivery and hypoxaemia) or a study lecture (control lecture plus images of a train set delivering rocks: an analogy to oxygen delivery.) Qualitative assessment of the lectures showed a significant (p < 0.001) improvement in understanding by the study group, and increased the proportion of students that found the lecture ‘interesting and stimulating’ (p = 0.01). Quantitative assessment demonstrated a significant increase in the multiple choice questionnaire marks of the study group (p = 0.03). In conclusion, analogous imagery can significantly increase the understanding of this physiological concept.
Gene expression profiling reveals consistent differences between clinical samples of human leukaemias and their model cell lines
Authors: Leupin Nicolas , Kuhn Alexandre , Hügli Barbara , Grob Tobias J. , Jaggi Rolf , Tobler Andreas , Delorenzi Mauro , Fey Martin F. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryMicroarray gene expression profiles of fresh clinical samples of chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase, acute promyelocytic leukaemia and acute monocytic leukaemia were compared with profiles from cell lines representing the corresponding types of leukaemia (K562, NB4, HL60). In a hierarchical clustering analysis, all clinical samples clustered separately from the cell lines, regardless of leukaemic subtype. Gene ontology analysis showed that cell lines chiefly overexpressed genes related to macromolecular metabolism, whereas in clinical samples genes related to the immune response were abundantly expressed. These findings must be taken into consideration when conclusions from cell line‐based studies are extrapolated to patients.
Impaired interferon-γ production in response to live bacteria and Toll-like receptor agonists in patients with ataxia telangiectasia
Authors: Reichenbach J , Schubert R , Feinberg J , Beck O , Rosewich M , Rose M A , Zielen S 
Published: October 2006

SummaryAtaxia telangiectasia (AT) is a pleiotropic autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder with associated immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition, caused by mutational inactivation of the ATM gene. Early death usually results from lymphoreticular malignancy or recurrent, chronic respiratory infections. Immune deficiency of AT patients is heterogeneous and involves both humoral and cellular responses. Reports on the number and integrity of immunocompetent cells in AT are conflicting. In the early phase of infection, the interleukin (IL)-12/interferon (IFN)-γ axis plays a crucial role in first-line defence against pathogens. In a whole blood assay we studied the IL-12/IFN-γ axis in the immune response of AT cells to the Toll-like receptor agonists lipopolysaccharide and heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus, as well as whole live M. bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG). The function of AT antigen-presenting cells was normal in terms of IL-12 production, while IFN-γ production by T and natural killer (NK) cells was severely impaired, even in the presence of adequate co-stimulation by exogenous IL-12.
Neutrophils and monocytes as potentially important sources of proinflammatory cytokines in diabetes
Authors: Hatanaka E , Monteagudo P T , Marrocos M S M , Campa A 
Published: October 2006

SummaryNeutrophils and monocytes play a central role in host defence. The invading leucocytes are capable of synthesizing and releasing a variety of proinflammatory mediators including cytokines. Given the importance of cytokines in the progression of chronic and acute inflammatory processes, we aimed to ascertain whether the release of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1ra of neutrophils and monocytes was modified in diabetes. To this end, we measured the release of cytokines in suspensions of cell culture in basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated conditions. In basal conditions, neutrophils of diabetics release 1·6, 3·2, 1·9 and 1·9-fold higher amounts of IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-1ra, respectively, than do healthy controls. Under our experimental conditions, this effect was more evident for neutrophils than for monocytes. Incremental cytokine production was also found to occur when neutrophils were stimulated with LPS. IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α increased, respectively, by 4·0, 1·7 and 2·8-fold. Although the effect was more marked for neutrophils, monocytes showed a tendency for increased cytokine production. The discovery of this increase in cytokines released by the neutrophils of diabetics contributes towards a clearer understanding of other deficiencies described for neutrophils in diabetes, such as the migration of neutrophils to inflammatory sites, phagocytes, release of lytic proteases, production of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. The excessive production of cytokines may lead to inappropriate activation and tissue injury and even to increased susceptibility to invasive microorganisms. Thus, the increased responsiveness of neutrophils of diabetics demonstrated in this study may be considered part of the scenario of diabetes physiopathology.
Effects of wildfire and permafrost on soil organic matter and soil climate in interior Alaska
Authors: HARDEN JENNIFER W. , MANIES KRISTEN L. , TURETSKY MERRITT R. , NEFF JASON C. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe influence of discontinuous permafrost on ground‐fuel storage, combustion losses, and postfire soil climates was examined after a wildfire near Delta Junction, AK in July 1999. At this site, we sampled soils from a four‐way site comparison of burning (burned and unburned) and permafrost (permafrost and nonpermafrost). Soil organic layers (which comprise ground‐fuel storage) were thicker in permafrost than nonpermafrost soils both in burned and unburned sites. While we expected fire severity to be greater in the drier site (without permafrost), combustion losses were not significantly different between the two burned sites. Overall, permafrost and burning had significant effects on physical soil variables. Most notably, unburned permafrost sites with the thickest organic mats consistently had the coldest temperatures and wettest mineral soil, while soils in the burned nonpermafrost sites were warmer and drier than the other soils. For every centimeter of organic mat thickness, temperature at 5 cm depth was about 0.5°C cooler during summer months. We propose that organic soil layers determine to a large extent the physical and thermal setting for variations in vegetation, decomposition, and carbon balance across these landscapes. In particular, the deep organic layers maintain the legacies of thermal and nutrient cycling governed by fire and revegetation. We further propose that the thermal influence of deep organic soil layers may be an underlying mechanism responsible for large regional patterns of burning and regrowth, detected in fractal analyses of burn frequency and area. Thus, fractal geometry can potentially be used to analyze changes in state of these fire prone systems.
Storage stability of acerola tropical fruit juice obtained by hot fill method
Authors: Freitas Claisa Andréa Silva De , Maia Geraldo Arraes , Sousa Paulo Henrique Machado De , Brasil Isabella Montenegro , Pinheiro Anália Maria 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe present work aimed to evaluate the chemical, physicochemical, sensorial and microbiological changes of non‐sweetened glass‐bottled acerola tropical fruit juice processed by hot fill method stored for 350 days in the same conditions as market (28 ± 2 °C). At the end of the storage period, the juice presented good microbiological stability showing a reduction of the overall acceptance and appearance maintaining, however, the same initial acceptance concerning colour and flavour. The total soluble solid and SO2 were retained throughout the storage. The juice underwent a soft browning and an increase in pH was observed, while total carotenoids, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid suffered a slight decrease.