bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and spatial distribution of methanogens and methanogenic biosignatures in hypersaline microbial mats of Baja California
Authors: ORPHAN V. J. , JAHNKE L. L. , EMBAYE T. , TURK K. A. , PERNTHALER A. , SUMMONS R. E. , DES MARAIS D. J. 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTWell‐developed hypersaline cyanobacterial mats from Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, sustain active methanogenesis in the presence of high rates of sulfate reduction. Very little is known about the diversity and distribution of the microorganisms responsible for methane production in these unique ecosystems. Applying a combination of 16S rRNA and metabolic gene surveys, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and lipid biomarker analysis, we characterized the diversity and spatial relationships of methanogens and other archaea in the mat incubation experiments stimulated with methanogenic substrates. The phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic diversity established within mat microcosms was compared with the archaeal diversity and lipid biomarker profiles associated with different depth horizons in the in situ mat. Both archaeal 16S rRNA and methyl coenzyme M reductase gene (mcrA) analysis revealed an enrichment of diverse methanogens belonging to the Methanosarcinales in response to trimethylamine addition. Corresponding with DNA‐based detection methods, an increase in lipid biomarkers commonly synthesized by methanogenic archaea was observed, including archaeol and sn‐2‐hydroxyarchaeol polar lipids, and the free, irregular acyclic isoprenoids, 2,6,10,15,19‐pentamethylicosene (PMI) and 2,6,11,15‐tetramethylhexadecane (crocetane). Hydrogen enrichment of a novel putative archaeal polar C30 isoprenoid, a dehydrosqualane, was also documented. Both DNA and lipid biomarker evidence indicate a shift in the dominant methanogenic genera corresponding with depth in the mat. Specifically, incubations of surface layers near the photic zone predominantly supported Methanolobus spp. and PMI, while Methanococcoides and hydroxyarchaeol were preferentially recovered from microcosms of unconsolidated sediments underlying the mat. Together, this work supports the existence of small but robust methylotrophic methanogen assemblages that are vertically stratified within the benthic hypersaline mat and can be distinguished by both their DNA signatures and unique isoprenoid biomarkers.
Vascular α1D‐adrenoceptors are overexpressed in aorta of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse: role of increased angiotensin II
Authors: Villalobos‐Molina R. , Vázquez‐Cuevas F. G. , López‐Guerrero J. J. , Figueroa‐García M. C. , Gallardo‐Ortiz I. A. , Ibarra M. , Rodríguez‐Sosa M. , Gonzalez F. J. , Elizondo G. 
Published: June 2008

Summary1The hypothesis that α1D‐adrenoceptors may mediate the pro‐hypertensive actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) was tested in isolated aorta (α1D‐adrenoceptor bearing tissue) of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor null mouse (AhR−/−), which shows increased levels of Ang II, cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension.2The effect of captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) on both blood pressure and aortic α1D‐adrenoceptor expression and function in mice were determined.3Basal blood pressure was higher in AhR−/−mice, while captopril therapy decreased it to wild‐type (WT) values.4Aortas of adult WT and AhR−/−mice were stimulated by phenylephrine or noradrenaline to induce contraction; the maximal effect was higher in AhR−/−mice, without a significant change in pEC50.5PA2values for the selective α1D‐adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (8‐[2‐[4‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐piperazynil]ethyl]‐8‐azaspiro [4.5]decane‐7,9‐dione) were 9.19 and 8.94 for WT and AhR−/−, respectively; while Schild slopes were not different from 1.6PCR experiments showedc.77% increase in AhR−/−α1D‐adrenoceptors cDNA compared with WT mice; while western blot analysis demonstratedc.88% increase in α1D‐adrenoceptor protein in AhR−/−mice.7Captopril therapy decreased α1D‐adrenoceptor‐induced contraction and protein in AhR−/−mice to WT levels.8These data support the hypothesis that under conditions where Ang II is elevated, vascular α1D‐adrenoceptors are increased, and further suggest that both Ang II and vascular α1D‐adrenoceptors could be related in the onset of hypertension.
α1D‐Adrenoceptors mediate nerve and agonist‐evoked contractions in mouse vas deferens: evidence obtained from knockout technology
Authors: Bexis S. , Cleary L. , McGrath J. C. , Tanoue A. , Tsujimoto G. , Docherty J. R. 
Published: June 2008

Summary1It has been demonstrated that nerve‐evoked contractions of the rat vas deferens involve α1D‐adrenoceptors. Definitive evidence for a similar α1D‐adrenoceptor‐mediated response in mouse vas deferens has been more difficult to obtain. In this study, we have used α1D‐adrenoceptor knockout (α1D‐KO) mice to aid in the pharmacological characterization.2Mouse whole vas deferens was stimulated with a single pulse every 5 min. Once a stable response had been obtained, vehicle or antagonist was administered cumulatively at 5‐min intervals and a response to stimulation obtained 5 min later. Cumulative concentration‐response curves were also obtained for noradrenaline.3In vas deferens from α1D‐KO mice, the contractile response to low concentrations of noradrenaline and the contractile response to a single stimulus were significantly reduced as compared to wild type (WT).4The α1D‐adrenoceptor selective antagonist, BMY 7378, produced a concentration‐dependent inhibition of single pulse‐evoked contractions of vas deferens from WT and α1D‐KO mice. BMY 7378 was significantly less potent in inhibiting stimulation‐evoked contractions in vas deferens from α1D‐KO mice.5It is concluded that α1D‐adrenoceptors mediate a component of nerve‐ and agonist‐evoked contractions of the vas deferens of WT mice.
Body fat related to daily physical activity and insulin concentrations in non‐diabetic children
Authors: Dencker Magnus , Thorsson Ola , Karlsson Magnus K. , Lindén Christian , Eiberg Stig , Wollmer Per , Andersen Lars Bo , Ahrén Bo 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThis study explored the associations between body fat versus daily physical activity and insulin concentrations in non‐diabetic young children in a cross‐sectional study of 172 children (93 boys and 79 girls) aged 8–11 years. Blood samples were analysed for serum insulin and daily physical activity was measured by accelerometers. Time spent performing vigorous activity was estimated from accelerometer data by using established cut‐off points. Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to quantify abdominal fat mass (AFM) and total body fat (TBF), also calculated as percentage of body weight (BF%). Body fat distribution was calculated as AFM/TBF. Body fat distribution was independently linked to both insulin concentrations and physical activity. In contrast, TBF, AFM, and BF% were linked to physical activity only and not to insulin concentrations. In conclusion in this population of non‐diabetic children, body fat distribution was independently associated with increased concentrations of insulin and deceased amount of vigorous activity per day. Also, AFM, TBF, and BF% were independently related to minutes of vigorous activity per day.
Influence of emotional facial expressions on binocular rivalry
Authors: Bannerman Rachel L. , Milders Maarten , De Gelder Beatrice , Sahraie Arash 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThree experiments investigated whether emotional information influences perceptual dominance during binocular rivalry. In Experiment 1, rival emotional and neutral faces in the background were coupled with grating stimuli in the foreground. Results showed that gratings paired with emotional faces dominated over those paired with neutral faces. In Experiment 2, emotional and neutral faces were presented dichoptically, without being paired with other stimuli. Dominance of emotional faces was observed. Fusion and low‐level image differences were ruled out by examining dominance periods of upright and inverted emotional and neutral faces presented as face‐house pairs (Experiment 3). Here, face stimuli dominated over house stimuli only for upright face conditions. In addition, upright emotional faces were perceived for significantly longer durations than upright neutral faces. The results provide further support for the influence of emotional meaning on binocular rivalry.
Brief intermittent light stimulation disrupts saccadic oculomotor control
Authors: Alvarez Tara L. , Beck Kevin D. , Ciuffreda Kenneth J. , Chua Florence B. , Daftari Anuj , DeMarco Robert M. , Bergen Michael T. , Servatius Richard J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPurpose:  This study sought to determine the effect of very brief, single and multiple pulses of light on spatial and temporal aspects of saccadic eye movements.Methods:  Twelve visually normal, young adult subjects participated in the experiments. Horizontal eye position was monitored as subjects attempted to track target step displacements in the presence of either single or multiple brief flashes of light in the visual field.Results:  Three primary findings were observed: (1) increased saccadic latency, (2) increased time for target acquisition and (3) increased initial saccadic error.Conclusion:  The present findings suggest the influence of attentional processes and/or visual masking effects on saccadic eye movement control.
Does the niqab (veil) wearer satisfy the minimal visual field for driving?
Authors: Pearce E. Ian , Walsh Glyn , Dutton Gordon N. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractVisual field testing of subjects wearing a niqab was carried out using the approved (Esterman) test on a Humphrey perimeter to determine if visually normal subjects met the European driving standard. Measurement of aperture dimensions of the niqab when worn was recorded. When wearing the niqab, all subjects achieved a visual field adequate to satisfy UK/European driving standards. A measurement of the limiting aperture size was obtained and a self‐test method for niqab wearers was determined.
Comparison of rebound and applanation tonometry in the management of patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Authors: Rehnman Jeannette B. , Martin Lene 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAim:  To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) values obtained with the iCare rebound tonometer (RBT) with values obtained with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and to evaluate the impact of possible differences on management decisions.Methods:  The IOP was measured with the iCare RBT and GAT in 45 consecutive patients in a nurse‐led glaucoma unit. The outcome measures were the IOP difference between the methods and the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) for IOP measurements. In all subjects where the IOP readings differed by >3 mmHg between the RBT and GAT, two ophthalmologists were independently asked to recommend treatment and/or follow‐up intervals, based on the patients’ clinical data and the IOP values.Results:  The RBT overestimated the IOP compared with GAT in 67% of the cases (30/45). In 78% (35/45) the IOP difference was within ±3 mmHg. When an extreme value of 15 mmHg difference was excluded, the 95% LoA was ±4.31 mmHg. In five of the 10 patients with an IOP difference of > ± 3 mmHg the difference would have led to change in therapy; in three more patients the follow‐up interval would have been changed. In the remaining two patients the difference in IOP would not have led to any change in management.Conclusions:  The mean difference between RBT and GAT was small (1.5 ± 3 mmHg) compared with the published repeatability of GAT values. Yet, the difference was found to have clinical implications in 18% (8/45) of the patients.
Compatibility of two new silicone hydrogel contact lenses with three soft contact lens multipurpose solutions*
Authors: Santodomingo‐Rubido Jacinto , Barrado‐Navascués Eva , Rubido‐Crespo María‐José , Sugimoto Keiji , Sawano Tadashi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPurpose:  The purpose of this study is to assess corneal staining and subjective symptom ratings with six different silicone hydrogel contact lens/multipurpose solution combinations, including the recently launched Menicon PremiO silicone hydrogel contact lens, after the first night of soaking the lenses in solution.Methods:  This study is a prospective, single‐centre, subject‐masked, contralateral, crossover, daily wear clinical trial in which subjects were randomly fitted in the morning with a different lens/solution combination in each eye, asked to wear the lenses for the whole day (at least 12 h), soak each of the lenses overnight in one of the test solutions and insert the lenses on the following morning. Subjects were asked to come on that morning for assessment of corneal staining and subjective ratings. All subjects repeated this procedure on another two occasions in order to collect the results of the six different lens/solution combinations: Menicon PremiO/MeniCare Soft; Menicon PremiO/Complete 10; Menicon PremiO/OptiFree Express; Acuvue Oasys/MeniCare Soft; Acuvue Oasys/Complete 10; Acuvue Oasys/OptiFree Express.Results:  Menicon PremiO lenses were associated with a lower level of corneal staining overall, and in the nasal and temporal locations, compared with Acuvue Oasys lenses (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in corneal staining between solutions (p > 0.05). An overall rate of solution‐induced corneal staining per eye of 12% was found. Symptoms were very similar among the six different lens/solution combinations (p > 0.05).Discussion:  The lower level of corneal staining found with Menicon PremiO lenses compared with Acuvue Oasys lenses might be attributed to material, surface and design differences between lens types. The overall rate of solution‐induced corneal staining and symptomatology found between the different lens/solutions combinations is consistent with previous studies.
How good are we at advising appropriate patients with glaucoma to inform the DVLA? A closed audit loop
Authors: Puvanachandra N. , Kang C. Y. , Kirwan J. F. , Jeffrey M. N. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To establish how good we are as clinicians at advising glaucoma patients with bilateral visual field defects of their legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). By using a sticker placed in the patients’ notes to highlight driving status and visual fields, we sought to improve our success in providing and documenting this advice.Methods:  We interviewed and examined the notes of two groups of 100 consecutive glaucoma patients before and after the introduction of a ‘driver sticker’ placed into patients’ notes at the time of visual field testing. We examined the documentation of driving status, and the provision and documentation of advice regarding the DVLA.Results:  In the first audit, we found only 9% of patients had driving status documented. Only 20% of drivers with bilateral field defects were advised to inform the DVLA with 11.4% documentation of this advice. After the introduction of the sticker, we succeeded in improving the documentation of driving status to 99%. We advised and documented the advice to inform the DVLA in 97% of drivers with bilateral field defects.Conclusions:  We found that as a unit we were poor at documenting driving status and advising glaucoma patients with bilateral field defects to inform the DVLA. By the simple measure of introducing a sticker into patients’ notes, we were able to highlight this critical group and improve our provision and documentation of appropriate advice regarding informing the DVLA.
The effect of retinal defocus on golf putting
Authors: Bulson Ryan C. , Ciuffreda Kenneth J. , Hung George K. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of type and magnitude of retinal defocus on golf putting accuracy, and on the related eye, head, and putter movements. Eye, head, and putter movements were assessed objectively along with putting accuracy in 16 young adult, visually normal inexperienced golfers during a fixed 9‐foot golf putt. Convex spherical (+0.50 D, +1.00 D, +1.50 D, +2.00 D, +10.00 D) and cylindrical (+1.00 D × 90, +2.00 D × 90) lenses were added binocularly to create various types and magnitudes of retinal defocus. Putting accuracy was significantly reduced only under the highest spherical blur lens condition (+10.00 D). No significant differences were found between any other lens conditions for eye, head or putter movements. Small amounts of spherical and astigmatic retinal defocus had a minimal impact on overall golf putting performance, except for putting accuracy under the highest blur condition. This is consistent with the findings of related studies. For a fixed putting distance, factors other than quality of the retinal image, such as blur adaptation and motor learning, appeared to be sufficient to maintain a high level of motor performance.
Axes of astigmatism in fellow eyes show mirror rather than direct symmetry
Authors: Guggenheim Jeremy A. , Zayats Tetyana , Prashar Ankush , To Chi Ho 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPurpose:  Most astigmats have a similar level of astigmatism in each eye. However, there is controversy over whether the astigmatic axes in fellow eyes typically show direct or mirror symmetry. We carried out a statistical analysis designed to address this issue.Methods:  The median absolute difference in the astigmatic axes of fellow eyes was calculated for a sample of 50 995 astigmats (subjects with at least 0.25 D of astigmatism in each eye). This was done, firstly, for a ‘direct symmetry model’ in which the difference in axis was calculated as |AxisR – AxisL| and secondly, for a ‘mirror symmetry model’ in which the difference in axis was calculated as |AxisR – (180 – AxisL)|.Results:  Under the direct symmetry model, the median absolute difference in the axis of astigmatism between fellow eyes was 20 degrees. Under the mirror symmetry model, the median absolute difference in the axis of astigmatism between fellow eyes was significantly lower, at 10 degrees (p < 10e–100). Comparable results were found when the analysis was restricted to subjects with: lower levels of astigmatism (≤1.00 D), higher levels of astigmatism (>1.00 D), against‐the‐rule astigmatism, with‐the‐rule astigmatism or oblique astigmatism (all p < 10e–100).Conclusion:  Our results show that mirror, rather than direct, symmetry is the norm.
Spontaneous blinking in healthy persons: an optoelectronic study of eyelid motion
Authors: Sforza Chiarella , Rango Mario , Galante Domenico , Bresolin Nereo , Ferrario Virgilio F. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To develop a method for the non‐invasive detection and quantification of eyelid movements during spontaneous blinking.Methods:  Spontaneous eyelid movements were monitored using an optoelectronic motion analyzer with passive markers in a younger group aged 20–30 years (13 men, 12 women) and in an older group over 50 years (10 men and nine women). Blink rate, eyelid displacement as a percentage of maximum excursion, and maximum eyelid velocity in closing and opening were calculated.Results:  Spontaneous blink rate was significantly larger in women than in men (19 vs 11 blinks per minute); older women blinked more frequently than younger women. On average, young men closed the eyes completely (or almost completely) 44% of times, whereas the eyelid closure of young and older women was more frequently between 51 and 75% of the maximum excursion. Older men rarely closed completely and showed a similar frequency of blinks with up to 25%, 50% and 75% of maximum excursion. During eyelid closure and opening, the maximum velocity reduced with age: older subjects moved their eyelids approximately 80–70% slower than younger subjects. In all subjects, closing was performed 40–47% faster than opening; women moved faster than men. Eyelid displacement was greater in young than in older subjects.Conclusions:  The method used in this study allowed the non‐invasive detection of eyelid movements during spontaneous blinking, providing a set of descriptive and kinematic data. The method could also be used to assess blink characteristics in patients with movement disorders, without invasive or time‐consuming procedures.
The Pattern Glare Test: a review and determination of normative values
Authors: Evans B. J. W. , Stevenson S. J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPattern glare is characterised by symptoms of visual perceptual distortions and visual stress on viewing striped patterns. People with migraine or Meares–Irlen syndrome (visual stress) are especially prone to pattern glare. The literature on pattern glare is reviewed, and the goal of this study was to develop clinical norms for the Wilkins and Evans Pattern Glare Test. This comprises three test plates of square wave patterns of spatial frequency 0.5, 3 and 12 cycles per degree (cpd). Patients are shown the 0.5 cpd grating and the number of distortions that are reported in response to a list of questions is recorded. This is repeated for the other patterns. People who are prone to pattern glare experience visual perceptual distortions on viewing the 3 cpd grating, and pattern glare can be quantified as either the sum of distortions reported with the 3 cpd pattern or as the difference between the number of distortions with the 3 and 12 cpd gratings, the ‘3–12 cpd difference’. In study 1, 100 patients consulting an optometrist performed the Pattern Glare Test and the 95th percentile of responses was calculated as the limit of the normal range. The normal range for the number of distortions was found to be <4 on the 3 cpd grating and <2 for the 3–12 cpd difference. Pattern glare was similar in both genders but decreased with age. In study 2, 30 additional participants were given the test in the reverse of the usual testing order and were compared with a sub‐group from study 1, matched for age and gender. Participants experienced more distortions with the 12 cpd grating if it was presented after the 3 cpd grating. However, the order did not influence the two key measures of pattern glare. In study 3, 30 further participants who reported a medical diagnosis of migraine were compared with a sub‐group of the participants in study 1 who did not report migraine or frequent headaches, matched for age and gender. The migraine group reported more symptoms on viewing all gratings, particularly the 3 cpd grating. The only variable to be significantly different between the groups was the 3–12 cpd difference. In conclusion, people have an abnormal degree of pattern glare if they have a Pattern Glare Test score of >3 on the 3 cpd grating or a score of >1 on the 3–12 cpd difference. The literature suggests that these people are likely to have visual stress in everyday life and may therefore benefit from interventions designed to alleviate visual stress, such as precision tinted lenses.