bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed dispersal by forage harvester and rigid‐tine cultivator in maize
Authors: HEIJTING S , VAN DER WERF W , KROPFF M J 
Published: February 2009

Heijting S, van der Werf W & Kropff MJ (2009). Seed dispersal by forage harvester and rigid‐tine cultivator in maize. Weed Research49, 153–163.SummaryHarvest and tillage operations are a major factor in seed dispersal in agricultural crops. We studied the effect of harvesting and cultivation on seed dispersal in continuous maize. A suite of cultivated plant species were used as model weed species to avoid potential sampling problems. Dispersal on the entire field was assessed by counting emerged seedlings in contiguous quadrats. Species that had seeds on the plant at the time of harvest were spread further in the direction of traffic by harvest and cultivation combined than species whose seeds had been placed on the soil surface, as judged by the 50th, 90th and 95th percentiles of the cumulative dispersal distribution. Harvesting alone did not cause this effect. The use of a cultivator after harvesting significantly increased the distance travelled in the driving direction for three species with ripe seeds during harvest. Dispersal distributions resulting from cultivator operations showed long tails, extending over the whole of the sampled area, and they were quite variable. The headlands accumulated plant debris that had been collected and dragged over the field by the cultivator. This study shows how weed biology and its interaction with machinery can facilitate dispersal of plants at the field scale.
CD‐sens: a biological measure of immunological changes stimulated by ASIT
Authors: Nopp A. , Cardell L. O. , Johansson S. G. O. , Öman H. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in allergic rhinitis and asthma is the only treatment that effects the long‐term development of these diseases. Basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD‐sens, which is a valuable complement to resource‐demanding clinical challenge tests, was used to monitor the initiation of ASIT induced allergen ‘blocking activity’.Methods:  Patients IgE‐sensitized to timothy (n = 14) or birch (n = 19) pollen were started on conventional (8–16 weeks) or ultra rush ASIT, respectively, and followed by measurements of CD‐sens, allergen binding activity (ABA) and serum IgG4‐ and IgE‐antibody concentrations.Results:  CD‐sens decreased during the early phase of ASIT‐treatment. In parallel, ABA increased and correlated significantly with the increasing levels of IgG4 antibody concentrations. High dosages of allergen were more effective while mode of dosing up did not seem to matter. No change was seen in basophil reactivity.Conclusion:  CD‐sens and ABA, in contrast to basophil reactivity, seem to be promising tools to monitor protective immune responses initiated by ASIT.
Ozone exposure and its influence on the worsening of childhood asthma
Authors: Sousa S. I. V. , Alvim‐Ferraz M. C. M. , Martins F. G. , Pereira M. C. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  It is well documented that high levels of many airborne pollutants can adversely affect many systems of the human body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the specific impact of ozone (O3) on the worsening of childhood asthma, comparing children living at regions with high and low O3 concentrations (reference site) without the confounding effects of other pollutants.Methods:  Pollutant concentrations were monitored and data concerning asthma prevalence were collected through a questionnaire. The studied population consisted of 478 children aged 6–13 years old enrolled in four schools of the municipalities where monitoring was performed. Remote sites were identified with very low concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds and high concentrations of O3.Results:  The prevalence of wheeze for lifetime period and in the past year was 15.9% and 6.3%, respectively. Asthmatic children were identified when dyspnoea and wheezing were simultaneously mentioned in the absence of upper respiratory infections; according to that, the lifetime prevalence of asthmatic symptoms at the remote sites was 7.1%. The comparison with other previous studies was difficult because the criteria for analysis are not conveniently established.Conclusion:  The prevalence of childhood asthmatic symptoms was about 4% higher at the high O3 site than at the low O3 site.
Muscle mitochondrial activity increases rapidly after an endotoxin challenge in human volunteers
Authors: FREDRIKSSON K. , FLÄRING U. , GUILLET C. , WERNERMAN J. , ROOYACKERS O. 
Published: February 2009

Background: Mitochondrial derangements in muscle of patients suffering from sepsis have been established in several studies and have been related to muscle dysfunction and organ failure. It is not possible to study the early phase of sepsis in patients; therefore, we used a human endotoxaemia model to study the effect of early sepsis on muscle mitochondria.Methods: Seven healthy male volunteers received a standardised endotoxin challenge. Muscle biopsies were obtained immediately before the challenge, and at 2 and 4 h following the endotoxin challenge. The muscle biopsies were analysed for maximal activities of citrate synthase and complexes I and IV of the respiratory chain. In addition, total and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were analysed. The concentrations of ATP, creatine phosphate and lactate were analysed to assess the cellular energy status. Total and phosphorylated AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK‐P), a key regulator in intracellular energy metabolism, was measured.Results: Activities of citrate synthase and complex I were significantly increased 2 h after the endotoxin challenge. SOD activities were unaffected by the endotoxin challenge. No changes in ATP, creatine phosphate or lactate were observed. Neither total nor AMPK‐P changed.Conclusions: An endotoxin challenge given to healthy volunteers rapidly increases mitochondrial enzyme activity in skeletal muscle. The results of this human model indicate that possibly early during sepsis, mitochondrial activity might be increased in contrast to what has been shown in the later phases of sepsis. It is possible that this early activation leads to exhaustion of the mitochondria and a decreased function later during sepsis.
Intra‐operative colloid administration increases the clearance of a post‐operative fluid load
Authors: BORUP T. , HAHN R. G. , HOLTE K. , RAVN L. , KEHLET H. 
Published: February 2009

Background: It is unknown whether an intra‐operative colloid infusion alters the dynamics of a crystalloid load administered post‐operatively.Methods: Ten patients received 12.5 ml/kg of Ringer's lactate over 30 min 1–3 days before and 4 h after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, during which 10 ml/kg of a colloid solution, hydroxyethylstarch (HES 130/0.4), was infused. The total body clearance of the pre‐ and post‐operative test infusions was taken as the ratio between the urinary excretion and the Hb‐derived dilution of venous plasma over 150 min. The plasma clearance of the infused fluid was calculated using volume kinetics based on the plasma dilution alone. The pre‐operative plasma clearance was compared with the post‐operative plasma clearance and patients served as their own control.Results: The urinary excretion averaged 350 ml for the pre‐operative infusion and 612 ml post‐operatively, which corresponds to 46% and 68% of the pre‐ and post‐operative infusions, respectively. The total body clearance of the crystalloid fluid was 30 ml/min before surgery and 124 ml/min after surgery (P<0.01). The plasma clearance, as obtained from the plasma dilution alone, was 28 and 412 ml/min, respectively. The maximal increase in plasma volume was 410 ml pre‐operatively vs. 220 ml post‐operatively.Conclusions: Infusion of a colloid solution in combination with a crystalloid during laparoscopic cholecystectomy increased the plasma clearance of a post‐operative crystalloid infusion.
Antifibrinolytic agents reduce tissue plasminogen activator‐mediated neuronal toxicity in vitro
Authors: SUN H.‐Y. , SZLAM F. , LEVY J. H. , CSETE M. E. , TANAKA K. A. 
Published: February 2009

Introduction: Serine proteases and their inhibitors play an important role in physiological homeostasis including neuronal activity, hemostasis, and wound healing. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is involved in normal neuronal plasticity and memory formation but can also be neurotoxic. We hypothesized that the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin confers neuronal protection by inhibiting tPA activity.Methods: Using cultured rat dopaminergic neuroblasts (N27 line), tPA‐induced cytotoxicity was quantitated by an MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay and flow cytometry using propidium iodide DNA staining. The anti‐apoptotic effects of aprotinin and other protease inhibitors were also evaluated using these systems.Results: Treatment of cultured neuroblasts with tPA (10–20 μg/ml) caused a dose‐dependent decrease in cell viability (71.3±2.4 at 10 μg/ml down to 52.7±2.5% at 20 μg/m tPA, 24‐h treatment), which was potentiated in the absence of serum in the culture medium (59.5±6.3% at 10 μg/ml down to 47.9±4.7% at 20 μg/ml). Aprotinin was effective in ameliorating cell death when administered 30 min before tPA exposure as shown by increased cell viability (91.8±0.6% at tPA at 20 μg/ml), but this protection was significantly reduced when aprotinin was administered after tPA. The efficacy of aprotinin as a neuroprotectant was equivalent or superior to other direct tPA antagonist peptides Glu‐Gly‐Arg‐chlormethylketone (EGRck) and Phe‐Pro‐Arg‐chlormethylketone (FPRck) in this setting.Conclusion: These data suggest that one of the mechanisms of neuroprotection afforded by aprotinin may be inhibition of tPA‐mediated neurotoxicity.
Gastrointestinal symptoms in intensive care patients
Authors: REINTAM A. , PARM P. , KITUS R. , KERN H. , STARKOPF J. 
Published: February 2009

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are not uniformly assessed in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and respective data in available literature are insufficient. We aimed to describe the prevalence, risk factors and importance of different GI symptoms.Methods: We prospectively studied all patients hospitalized to the General ICU of Tartu University Hospital in 2004–2007.Results: Of 1374 patients, 62 were excluded due to missing data. Seven hundred and seventy‐five (59.1%) patients had at least one GI symptom at least during 1 day of their stay, while 475 (36.2%) suffered from more than one symptom. Absent or abnormal bowel sounds were documented in 542 patients (41.3%), vomiting/regurgitation in 501 (38.2%), high gastric aspirate volume in 298 (22.7%), diarrhoea in 184 (14.0%), bowel distension in 139 (10.6%) and GI bleeding in 97 (7.4%) patients during their ICU stay. Absent or abnormal bowel sounds and GI bleeding were associated with significantly higher mortality. The number of simultaneous GI symptoms was an independent risk factor for ICU mortality. The ICU length of stay and mortality of patients who had two or more GI symptoms simultaneously were significantly higher than in patients with a maximum of one GI symptom.Conclusion:
GI symptoms occur frequently in ICU patients. Absence of bowel sounds and GI bleeding are associated with impaired outcome. Prevalence of GI symptoms at the first day in ICU predicts the mortality of the patients.
The I‐gel®, a single‐use supraglottic airway device with a non‐inflatable cuff and an esophageal vent: an observational study in children
Authors: BEYLACQ L. , BORDES M. , SEMJEN F. , CROS A.‐M. 
Published: February 2009

Background: The I‐gel® is a new single‐use supraglottic airway device with a non‐inflatable cuff. It is composed of a thermoplastic elastomer and a soft gel‐like cuff that adapts to the hypopharyngeal anatomy. Like the LMA‐ProSeal, it has an airway tube and a gastric drain tube. Little is known about its efficiency in pediatric anesthesia.Methods: Fifty children above 30 kg, ASA I–II, undergoing a short‐duration surgery were included in this prospective, observational study. We evaluated ease in inserting the I‐gel®, seal pressure, gastric leak, complications during insertion and removal, ease in inserting the gastric tube and ventilatory parameters during positive pressure ventilation.Results: All devices were inserted at the first attempt. The mean seal pressure was 25 cmH2O. There was no gastric inflation and gastric tube insertion was achieved in all cases. The results appear similar to those in a previous study concerning laryngeal mask airway in terms of leak pressure and complication rates.Conclusion: Because the I‐gel® has a very good insertion success rate and very few complications, it seems to be an efficient and safe device for pediatric airway management.
Scandinavian Clinical practice guidelines for therapeutic hypothermia and post‐resuscitation care after cardiac arrest
Authors: CASTRÉN M. , SILFVAST T. , RUBERTSSON S. , NISKANEN M. , VALSSON F. , WANSCHER M. , SUNDE K. ,   (Task Force on Scandinavian Therapeutic Hypothermia Guidelines, Clinical Practice Committee Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive care Medicine)
Published: February 2009

Background and aim: Sudden cardiac arrest survivors suffer from ischaemic brain injury that may lead to poor neurological outcome and death. The reperfusion injury that occurs is associated with damaging biochemical reactions, which are suppressed by mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH). In several studies MTH has been proven to be safe, with few complications and improved survival, and is recommended by the International Liaison of Committee on Resuscitation. The aim of this paper is to recommend clinical practice guidelines for MTH treatment after cardiac arrest from the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI).Methods: Relevant studies were identified after two consensus meetings of the SSAI Task Force on Therapeutic Hypothermia (SSAITFTH) and via literature search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Medline. Evidence was assessed and consensus opinion was used when high‐grade evidence (Grade of Recommendation, GOR) was unavailable. A management strategy was developed as a consensus from the evidence and the protocols in the participating countries.Results and conclusion: Although proven beneficial only for patients with initial ventricular fibrillation (GOR A), the SSAITFTH also recommend MTH after restored spontaneous circulation, if active treatment is chosen, in patients with initial pulseless electrical activity and asystole (GOR D). Normal ethical considerations, premorbid status, total anoxia time and general condition should decide whether active treatment is required or not. MTH should be part of a standardized treatment protocol, and initiated as early as possible after indication and treatment have been decided (GOR E). There is insufficient evidence to make definitive recommendations among techniques to induce MTH, and we do not know the optimal target temperature, duration of cooling and rewarming time. New studies are needed to address the question as to how MTH affects, for example, prognostic factors.
The relationship between physical performance and self‐perception in children with and without cerebral palsy
Authors: Ziebell Melanie , Imms Christine , Froude Elspeth H. , McCoy Anne , Galea Mary 
Published: February 2009

Aim:  This study examined the relationship between physical performance and perceived self‐competence and global self‐worth in children with and without spastic diplegia. Method:  A matched‐pairs design, including eight children with spastic diplegia and eight typically developing children, was used to compare the children's performance and to examine relationships. Children aged 7 to 11 years were assessed to determine their gross and fine motor abilities and they completed a modified version of the Harter Self‐Perception Profile for Children. Results:  Children with diplegia performed at lower levels in all gross and fine motor assessments compared with children without diplegia. Self‐perception was lower in children with diplegia in fine motor competence (
P
= 0.03) and global self‐worth (
P
= 0.05). Clinically important differences (> 10%) in gross motor and athletic competence were also found. Positive correlations between physical performance assessments and some self‐perception domains were present, although strength and direction of relationships differed for each group in some instances. Conclusion:  This small study found that in addition to having reduced physical skills, children with spastic diplegia may experience a less positive global self‐worth than typically developing children. These findings are in contrast to some previous research. Future research should examine the hypothesised relationship more definitively to determine whether improvement in physical skills results in a higher level of self‐competence and consequently a higher global self‐worth. This might further justify interventions aimed at improving fine and gross motor skills of children with cerebral palsy. Clinicians should be mindful of addressing both physical issues and self‐worth with clients.
Analysis of the mitochondrial genome, transcripts, and electron transport activity in the dinoflagellateAlexandrium catenella(Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae)
Authors: Kamikawa Ryoma , Nishimura Hiroshi , Sako Yoshihiko 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYThe mitochondrial (mt) genomes of dinoflagellates are not completely sequenced due to frequent recombination events resulting in a shortage of information about the dinoflagellate mt genome. To obtain a large amount of information, we characterized 14 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of more than 27 kb of the mt genome of the toxic dinoflagellateAlexandrium catenellaWhedonetKofoid (Balech) using thecobandcox1genes, the only identified functional mt genes ofA. catenellaexcluding rRNA fragments. The mt PCR clones encode multiple copies of cytochromeb(cob) and cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (cox1) bearing several types of 5′ or 3′ sequences, and two rRNA fragments showing sequence similarity with a large subunit (LSU) rRNA D fragment and LSU RNA2 of apicomplexa. Each mt PCR clone showed different gene arrangements and intergenic sequences suggesting multiple contexts in the mt genome ofA. catenellaand frequent homologous recombinations. Reverse transcription PCR analysis suggested some types of the multiple copies ofcobandcox1genes are likely non‐transcriptional. Further,A. catenellamt mRNAs lacked in‐frame termination codons and a canonical initiation codon, excluding an ‘atg’ codon incobmRNA. However, we successfully detected the activity of the electron transport proteins suggesting mt translation requires no canonical initiation and termination codons.
Fine structure and 18S rDNA phylogeny of a marine araphid pennate diatom Plagiostriata goreensis gen. et sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta)
Authors: Sato Shinya , Matsumoto Satoko , Medlin Linda K. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYA marine araphid pennate diatom Plagiostriata goreensis is described from the sand grains of Goree Island, Dakar, Republic of Senegal, based on observations of fine structure of its frustule. The most striking feature of the species is its striation, which is angled at approximately 60° across the robust sternum. The other defining features of the species are its one highly reduced rimoportula and apical pores located at both ends of the valve margin. In the 18S rDNA phylogeny, the species appears as a member of a ‘small‐celled clade’ of araphid pennate diatoms that consist of Nanofrustulum, Opephora and Staurosira. The results of the phylogenetic analyses suggest that the distinct characters of the diatom; namely, oblique striae and apical pores, may have been acquired independently. However, it remains unclear whether the rimoportula of P. goreensis is a reduced state or P. goreensis acquired its morphologically curious rimoportula independently after the loss of an ancient rimoportula at the root of the small‐celled clade.
Review: Seaweed tissue culture as applied to biotechnology: Problems, achievements and prospects
Authors: Baweja Pooja , Sahoo Dinabandhu , García‐Jiménez Pilar , Robaina Rafael R. 
Published: February 2009

SUMMARYAdvances have been made in cell and tissue culture of seaweeds to define a unique branch ofin vitrotechniques; however, they are lagging far behind those of land plants and have limited applications. Explants can be cultivated axenically in enriched or artificial seawater culture media, and regeneration and even callus formation are achieved. In this state of the art technique, seaweed tissue culture may be already useful for certain biotechnological applications, such as clonal propagation of seed material for mariculture. Nevertheless, the absolute control of growth and development as it is exerted in higher plant tissue culture is lacking, and it is required for more complex biotechnological applications in seaweeds. Definitively, we need appropriate cells (competent cells) to induce growth with the most effective chemical regulators in culture medium adjusted towards the addition of carbon sources. Still, free cells and protoplast isolation and regeneration in marine seaweeds constitute the most developed topic in seaweed tissue culture. The regulation of growth and development of seaweed free cell and protoplast cultures may sustain a purposeful use of techniques in the era of genomic applications.
Improvement in the fatigue strength of chromium electroplated AISI 4340 steel by shot peening
Authors: VOORWALD H. J. C. , SILVA M. P. , COSTA M. Y. P. , CIOFFI M. O. H. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTIn landing gear, an important mechanical component for high responsible applications, wear and corrosion control is currently accomplished by chrome plating or hard anodising. However, some problems are associated with these operations. Experimental results have also shown that chrome‐plated specimens have fatigue strength lower than those of uncoated parts, attributed to high residual tensile stress and microcracks density contained into the coating. Under fatigue conditions these microcracks propagate and will cross the interface coating‐substrate and penetrate base metal without impediment. Shot peening is a surface process used to improve fatigue strength of metal components due to compressive residual stresses induced in the surface layers of the material, making the nucleation and propagation of fatigue cracks difficult. This investigation is concerned with analysis of the shot peening influence on the rotating bending fatigue strength of hard chromium electroplated AISI 4340 steel. Specimens were submitted to shot peening treatment with steel and ceramic shots and, in both cases, experimental results show increase in the fatigue life of AISI 4340 steel hard chromium electroplated, up to level of base metal without chromium. Peening using ceramic shot resulted in lower scatter in rotating bending fatigue data than steel shots.
Determination of the mixed‐mode fracture energy of elastomeric structural adhesives: evaluation of debonding buckling in fibre–metal hybrid laminates
Authors: SUÁREZ J. C. , LÓPEZ F. , MIGUEL S. , PINILLA P. , HERREROS M. A. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTFibre–metal hybrid laminates combine layers of metal with laminates made of composites – polymeric matrix reinforced with glass‐fibre woven fabric. Interface behaviour plays a fundamental role in the overall properties of the hybrid material, especially in the failure mode by debonding buckling of the outermost metal layer. A proper measurement of adhesive fracture energy is required so as to avoid this early failure mechanism during bending. Tapered double cantilever beam test and dissimilar mixed‐mode bending test have been used in obtaining mode I and II contributions to the adhesive fracture energy. Data reduction for elastomeric adhesives has been modified in order to account for the variation in compliance during the test due to nonlinear behaviour of the material.