bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collinsia sparsiflora in serpentine and nonserpentine habitats: using F2 hybrids to detect the potential role of selection in ecotypic differentiation
Authors: Wright Jessica W. , Stanton Maureen L. 
Published: November 2006

Summary
Here we document phenotypic differences between serpentine and nonserpentine ecotypes of Collinsia sparsiflora, as well as patterns of selection in these contrasting soil habitats.
We transplanted the two parental ecotypes and experimental F2 hybrids into six field sites, and collected morphological, phenological and fitness data on emergent plants. To focus on edaphically mediated selection, rather than on pollinator‐mediated selection, we used pollinator‐exclusion cages.
Transplanted parentals of the two ecotypes showed genetic differentiation for floral traits, but not for phenological traits or cotyledon size. For the F2 hybrids growing on serpentine soils, there was significant directional selection on cotyledon size, flower size and flower shape. However, the pattern of selection did not differ significantly between serpentine and nonserpentine sites.
Overall, we did not see evidence for divergent selection on the two soil types. We conclude that differences in floral traits between the ecotypes do not reflect adaptation to physical conditions associated with soil type, and that there are unmeasured traits that must be contributing to ecotypic differentiation.
Blockade of Cue‐induced Brain Activation of Abstinent Alcoholics by a Single Administration of Amisulpride as Measured With fMRI
Authors: Hermann Derik , Smolka Michael N. , Wrase Jana , Klein Sabine , Nikitopoulos Jörg , Georgi Alexander , Braus Dieter F. , Flor Herta , Mann Karl , Heinz Andreas 
Published: November 2006

Background: Once alcohol dependence is established, alcohol‐associated cues may induce dopamine release in the reward system, which is accompanied by alcohol craving and may lead to relapse. In cocaine addicts, dopamine release in the thalamus was positively correlated with cocaine craving. We tested the effects of the atypical dopamine D2/3 blocker amisulpride on cue‐induced brain activation in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm.Methods: Alcohol‐associated and neutral pictures were presented in a block design to 10 male abstinent alcoholics (1–3 weeks after detoxification) and 10 healthy men during fMRI. The fMRI scans were acquired before and 2 hours after the oral application of 400 mg amisulpride. Before and after each scan, alcohol craving was measured with visual analogue scales.Results: Before the application of amisulpride, alcohol versus control cues elicited a higher blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) signal in the left frontal and orbitofrontal lobe, left cingulate gyrus, bilateral parietal lobe, and bilateral hippocampus in alcoholics compared with healthy controls. After amisulpride, alcoholics showed a reduced activation in the right thalamus compared with the first scan. Alcoholics no longer showed significant differences in their cue‐elicited BOLD response after amisulpride medication compared with medication‐free controls. Self‐reported craving was not affected by amisulpride medication.Conclusions: Amisulpride medication was associated with reduced cue‐induced activation of the thalamus, a brain region closely connected with frontostriatal circuits that regulate behavior and may influence relapse risk.
Results of the PETHEMA ALL‐96 trial in elderly patients with Philadelphia chromosome‐negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Sancho Juan‐Manuel , Ribera Josep‐Maria , Xicoy Blanca , Morgades Mireia , Oriol Albert , Tormo Mar , Potro Eloy del , Debén Guillermo , Abella Eugenia , Bethencourt Concepción , Ortín Xavier , Brunet Salut , Ortega‐Rivas Fernando , Novo Andrés , López Ramón , Hernández‐Rivas Jesús‐María , Sanz Miguel‐Angel , Feliu Evarist ,   on behalf of the PETHEMA Group, Barcelona, Spain
Published: November 2006

Abstract Background and aim: Only 20–30% of elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are enrolled in clinical trials because of co‐morbid disorders or poor performance status. We present the results of treatment of Philadelphia chromosome‐negative (Ph−) ALL patients over 55 yr treated in the PETHEMA ALL‐96 trial. Patients and methods: From 1996 to 2006, 33 patients 55 yr with Ph− ALL were included. Induction therapy was vincristine, daunorubicin, prednisone, asparaginase, and cyclophosphamide over 5 weeks. Central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis involved triple intrathecal (IT) therapy, 14 doses over the first year. Consolidation‐1 included mercaptopurine, methotrexate, teniposide and cytarabine, followed by one consolidation‐2 cycle similar to the induction cycle. Maintenance consisted of mercaptopurine and methotrexate up to 2 yr in complete remission (CR) with monthly reinduction cycles (vincristine, prednisone and asparaginase) during the first year. Results: Median (range) age was 65 yr (56–77). Phenotype (30 patients): early‐pre‐B 7, common/pre‐B 18, T 5. Cytogenetics (28 patients): normal 12, complex 10, t(4;11) 2 and other 4. CR was achieved in 19/33 (57.6%) patients, early death occurred in 12 (36.4%) and 2 (6%) were resistant. Overall survival and disease‐free survival probabilities (2 yr, 95% CI) were 39% (21%–57%) and 46% (22%–70%), respectively (median follow up of 24 months). Removal of asparaginase and cyclophosphamide from the induction decreased induction death (OR 0.119, CI 95% 0.022–0.637, P = 0.013) and increased survival (20% vs. 52%, P = 0.05). Conclusions: The prognosis of elderly Ph− ALL patients is poor. In this study, less intensive induction decreased toxic death, allowing delivery of planned consolidation therapy and increased survival probability.
Tumor necrosis factor promoter gene polymorphism associated with increased susceptibility to non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas
Authors: Bel Hadj Jrad Besma , Chatti Amel , Laatiri Adnene , Ahmed Slim Ben , Romdhane Abdelaziz , Ajimi Salem , Chouchane Lotfi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine involved in the severity of different immune‐regulated diseases including autoimmune, infectious, and malignant diseases. Chronic immune system stimulation could be a potential etiologic factor in these diseases. Given the determining role of TNF acting early in the immune response, we investigated the effect of an inherited genetic polymorphism at TNF promoter (−308A/G) on a predisposition to non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The genotype distribution was determined in 194 patients with NHL and 160 age‐ and sex‐matched population‐based controls. The comparison of the −308TNF genotypes between the NHL patients and the controls showed a significant excess of A/A genotype that is previously associated with higher TNF production. Indeed, the A/A genotype is present in 7.7% of the cases, but in only 2.5% of the controls. This genotype is associated with a significant increased risk of NHL (odds ratio = 3.63, P = 0.028). These results indicate that the genetic polymorphism which could lead to an increased TNF production or a neighboring gene within the MHC region may influence the susceptibility to NHL in Tunisian population. Other epidemiologic studies carried out in both the Tunisian population and elsewhere are needed to confirm this finding.
Fall about laughing: A case of laughter syncope
Authors: Bragg Matthew J 
Published: November 2006

AbstractLaughter syncope is an unusual but recognized form of situational syncope likely to have a similar pathophysiological origin to tussive syncope. There are few case reports of this syndrome in the literature. Patients, as in this case, might present initially to the ED, and laughter should be considered among the numerous differentials for syncope.
State of play: Clearing the thoracolumbar spine in blunt trauma victims
Authors: Howes Marten C , Pearce Andrew P 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIntroduction:  The present article reviews the clinical and imaging clearance of the thoracic and lumbar spines of blunt trauma victims and the evolution of these strategies with the use of new imaging technologies.Methods:  A comprehensive literature search was performed, and articles identified were critically appraisedResults:  Twenty papers were identified, 12 directly comparing computed tomography screening with plain X‐rays. Evidence‐based protocols are presented. The evolution of imaging strategies in response to new technology is described.Conclusions:  Thoracolumbar spine screening is best done using reformatted images acquired when scanning the chest and abdomen of high‐risk multi‐trauma patients. If computed tomography is not clinically indicated for investigation of other injuries then plain films are the first line investigation.
Development and implementation of an education and credentialing programme to provide safe paediatric procedural sedation in emergency departments
Authors: Babl Franz , Priestley Stephen , Krieser David , Miller Joanne , Tully Melissa , Spicer Maureen , McGowan Vicki , Dilla Natashia 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective: In the conduct of paediatric procedural sedation (PPS) within the ED the combination of powerful drugs, variable competency levels and high staff turnover carry the potential for sedation‐associated adverse events. Yet, currently, there is no set programme for education and accreditation of ED staff in PPS. We set out to develop such a programme.Methods: We outline the development process of a comprehensive multidisciplinary PPS programme and present its key educational elements (sedation manual, lecture, treatment order form and checklist, parent information handout) and credentialing through multiple‐choice questions and competency assessments. We describe issues associated with the implementation of the programme at a metropolitan mixed ED and the ED of a major tertiary paediatric centre.Results: Since its inception a total of 294 emergency staff have either completed or have partially completed the programme. Staff feedback showed that the majority of staff scored the elements of the programme as very good to excellent, and felt that their sedation skills had improved and their practice was safer. The development and implementation of the PPS programme raised many issues and posed a number of challenges. We describe the strategies we used to overcome such challenges and barriers.Conclusion: We present the development and implementation of a comprehensive PPS programme for emergency staff. As a result of the multicentre development process involving a community and a tertiary paediatric ED the programme will likely have broad applicability in different types of ED caring for children.
Avian influenza: A pandemic waiting in the wings?
Authors: Hampson Alan W 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRecent widespread outbreaks of avian influenza and, associated with these a growing number of human infections with a high mortality rate, have raised concerns that this might be the prelude to a severe pandemic of human influenza. As a background to these concerns the present article reviews influenza as a human disease, its origins and the involvement of other species, properties of the influenza viruses and the current status of influenza prevention and control.
Iron plaque enhances phosphorus uptake by rice (Oryza sativa) growing under varying phosphorus and iron concentrations
Authors: Liang Y. , Zhu Y.‐G. , Xia Y. , Li Z. , Ma Y. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBoth solution culture and pot experiments were performed to investigate (a) the effects of external Fe (II) concentrations and forms on the formation of iron plaque on the roots of rice (Oryza sativa) and subsequent P adsorption on iron plaque and shoot P concentrations and (b) the effects of soil moisture regimes on the formation of iron plaque and P adsorption on root surfaces and P accumulation in shoots. The results showed that iron plaque was significantly increased with increasing Fe2+ concentrations in the solution culture. The amounts of P adsorbed on the iron plaque were increased significantly with external Fe2+ concentrations. Although shoot P concentration was not significantly affected by Fe2+ treatment after incubation for 2 days, it was significantly increased in the Fe‐treated plants compared with Fe‐deprived ones after incubation for 4 days. Soil culture experiment showed that the formation of iron plaque on root surfaces was promoted by exogenous iron, with greater amount of iron plaque being formed by addition of ferric hydroxide than of ferric oxide. Phosphorus adsorption on iron plaque also increased with the addition of iron oxides, and increasing soil P increased the amounts of P associated with the iron plaque and shoot P concentration. The amounts of iron plaque were almost sixfold higher under flooding condition than under field capacity condition. Plants pretreated under flooding condition generally had higher shoot P concentrations when they were transplanted to solutions with varying P levels, and this was most pronounced in the treatment with highest solution P concentration. The results suggest that iron plaque acts as a nutrient reservoir for phosphorus in the rhizosphere and helps enhance P acquisition by rice.
Suitability of new anode materials in mammography: Dose and subject contrast considerations using Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Delis H. , Spyrou G. , Costaridou L. , Tzanakos G. , Panayiotakis G. 
Published: November 2006

Mammography is the technique with the highest sensitivity and specificity, for the early detection of nonpalpable lesions associated with breast cancer. As screening mammography refers to asymptomatic women, the task of optimization between the image quality and the radiation dose is critical. A way toward optimization could be the introduction of new anode materials. A method for producing the x‐ray spectra of different anode/filter combinations is proposed. The performance of several mammographic spectra, produced by both existing and theoretical anode materials, is evaluated, with respect to their dose and subject contrast characteristics, using a Monte Carlo simulation.The mammographic performance is evaluated utilizing a properly designed mathematical phantom with embedded inhomogeneities, irradiated with different spectra, based on combinations of conventional and new (Ru, Ag) anode materials, with several filters (Mo, Rh, Ru, Ag, Nb, Al). An earlier developed and validated Monte Carlo model, for deriving both image and dose characteristics in mammography, was utilized and overall performance results were derived in terms of subject contrast to dose ratio and squared subject contrast to dose ratio. Results demonstrate that soft spectra, mainly produced from Mo, Rh, and Ru anodes and filtered with ‐edge filters, provide increased subject contrast for inhomogeneities of both small size, simulating microcalcifications and low density, simulating masses. The harder spectra (W and Ag anode) come short in the discrimination task but demonstrate improved performance when considering the dose delivered to the breast tissue. As far as the overall performance is concerned, new theoretical spectra demonstrate a noticeable good performance that is similar, and in some cases better compared to commonly used systems, stressing the possibility of introducing new materials in mammographic practice as a possible contribution to its optimization task. In the overall optimization task in terms of subject contrast to dose ratio, tube voltage was found to have a minor effect, while with respect to the filter material, a lesion specific performance was noticed, with Al filtered spectra showing improved characteristics in case of the inhomogeneities simulating microcalcifications, while softer ‐edge filtered spectra are more suitable for the discrimination of inhomogeneities simulating masses.
Real-Time Quantitative PCR (QPCR) and Reverse Transcription-QPCR for Detection and Enumeration of Total Yeasts in Wine
Authors: Hierro Núria , Esteve-Zarzoso Braulio , González Ángel , Mas Albert , Guillamón Jose M. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Real-time PCR, or quantitative PCR (QPCR), has been developed to rapidly detect and quantify the total number of yeasts in wine without culturing. Universal yeast primers were designed from the variable D1/D2 domains of the 26S rRNA gene. These primers showed good specificity with all the wine yeasts tested, and they did not amplify the most representative wine species of acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Numerous standard curves were constructed with different strains and species grown in yeast extract-peptone-dextrose medium or incubated in wine. The small standard errors with these replicas proved that the assay is reproducible and highly robust. This technique was validated with artificially contaminated and natural wine samples. We also performed a reverse transcription-QPCR (RT-QPCR) assay from rRNA for total viable yeast quantification. This technique had a low detection limit and was more accurate than QPCR because the dead cells were not quantified. As far as we know, this is the first time that RT-QPCR has been performed to quantify viable yeasts from rRNA. RT-QPCR is a rapid and accurate technique for enumerating yeasts during industrial wine fermentation and controlling the risk of wine spoilage.
Capsular Polysaccharide Phase Variation in
Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Hilton Tamara , Rosche Tom , Froelich Brett , Smith Benjamin , Oliver James 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Commonly found in raw oysters,
Vibrio vulnificus
poses a serious health threat to immunocompromised individuals and those with serum iron overload, with a fatality rate of approximately 50%. An essential virulence factor is its capsular polysaccharide (CPS), which is responsible for a significant increase in virulence compared to nonencapsulated strains. However, this bacterium is known to vary the amount of CPS expressed on the cell surface, converting from an opaque (Op) colony phenotype to a translucent (Tr) colony phenotype. In this study, the consistency of CPS conversion was determined for four strains of
V. vulnificus
. Environmental conditions including variations in aeration, temperature, incubation time, oxidative stress, and media (heart infusion or modified maintenance medium agar) were investigated to determine their influence on CPS conversion. All conditions, with the exception of variations in media and oxidative stress, significantly affected the conversion of the population, with high ranges of CPS expression found even within cells from a single colony. The global quorum-sensing regulators RpoS and AI-2 were also examined. While RpoS was found to significantly mediate phenotypic conversion, quorum sensing was not. Finally, 12 strains that comprise the recently found clinical (C) and environmental (E) genotypes of
V. vulnificus
were examined to determine their rates of population conversion. C-genotype strains, which are most often associated with infection, had a significantly lower rate of population conversion from Op to Tr phenotypes than did E-genotype strains (ca. 38% versus ca. 14%, respectively). Biofilm capabilities of these strains, however, were not correlated with increased population conversion.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Buggy Creek Virus: Evidence for Multiple Clades in the Western Great Plains, United States of America
Authors: Pfeffer Martin , Foster Jerome E. , Edwards Eric A. , Brown Mary Bomberger , Komar Nicholas , Brown Charles R. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

We present the first detailed phylogenetic analysis of Buggy Creek virus (BCRV), a poorly known alphavirus with transmission cycles involving a cimicid swallow bug (
Oeciacus vicarius
) vector and cliff swallows (
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
) and house sparrows (
Passer domesticus
) as the principal avian hosts. Nucleotide sequences of a 2,075-bp viral envelope glycoprotein-coding region, covering the entire PE2 gene, were determined for 33 BCRV isolates taken from swallow bugs at cliff swallow colonies in Nebraska and Colorado in the summer of 2001 and were compared with the corresponding region of BCRV isolates collected from Oklahoma in the 1980s. We also analyzed isolates of the closely related Fort Morgan virus (FMV) collected from Colorado in the 1970s. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that BCRV falls into the western equine encephalomyelitis complex of alphaviruses, in agreement with antigenic results and a previous alphavirus phylogeny based on the E1 coding region. We found four distinct BCRV/FMV clades, one each unique to Nebraska, Colorado, and Oklahoma and one containing isolates from both Nebraska and Colorado. BCRV isolates within the two clades from Nebraska showed 5.7 to 6.2% nucleotide divergence and 0.7 to 1.9% amino acid divergence, and within these clades, we found multiple subclades. Nebraska subclades tended to be confined to one or a few cliff swallow colonies that were close to each other in space, although in some cases, near-identical isolates were detected at sites up to 123 km apart. Viral gene flow occurs when cliff swallows move (bugs) between colony sites, and the genetic structure of BCRV may reflect the limited dispersal abilities of its insect vector.
Inactivation of Adhesion and Invasion of Food-Borne
Listeria monocytogenes
by Bacteriocin-Producing
Bifidobacterium
Strains of Human Origin
Authors: Moroni Olivier , Kheadr Ehab , Boutin Yvan , Lacroix Christophe , Fliss Ismaïl 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Three bacteriocin-producing bifidobacterial isolates from newborns were identified as
Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum
(two strains) and
B. thermophilum
(one strain). This study was undertaken to evaluate the ability of these strains to compete with food-borne
Listeria monocytogenes
for adhesion and invasion sites on Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. The bifidobacteria adhered at levels ranging from 4% to 10% of the CFU added, but none of the bifidobacteria were able to invade cells. The abilities of
Listeria
to adhere to and to invade cells varied widely depending on the strain tested. Three groups of
Listeria
were identified based on invasiveness: weakly invasive, moderately invasive, and highly invasive strains. One strain from each group was tested in competition with bifidobacteria.
B. thermacidophilum
RBL70 was the most effective in blocking invasion of
Listeria
, and the decreases in invasion ranged from 38% to 90%. For all three bifidobacterial strains, contact between the cell monolayer and the bifidobacteria for 1 h before exposure to
Listeria
increased the degree of inhibition. Finally, visualization of competition for adhesion sites on cells by fluorescent in situ hybridization suggested that the two bacteria tended to adhere in close proximity.
Occurrence and Antibiotic Sensitivity of
Listeria monocytogenes
Strains Isolated from Oysters, Fish, and Estuarine Water
Authors: Rodas-Suárez O. R. , Flores-Pedroche J. F. , Betancourt-Rule J. M. , Quiñones-Ramírez E. I. , Vázquez-Salinas C. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the presence of
Listeria
spp. in oyster, fish, and seawater samples and tested isolates for antibiotic sensitivity.
Listeria monocytogenes
was found in 4.5% of fish samples and 8.3% of seawater samples and was not recovered from oysters. Multiresistant environmental strains were found, representing a potential threat to human health.