bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of weather on egg characteristics of Isa Brown layers in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: DAUDA Taofik Oyedele , ADETAYO Adewale O. , TIAMIYU Adesina K. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTThe effects of weather indices on the performances and egg characteristics of layers was investigated using average egg data from randomly selected layers at the poultry farm of the Federal College of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2003. The layers used were selected in a randomized complete block design experiment. Data on characteristics of the eggs were obtained from selected eggs, and weather data were obtained from the climatological station of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, Nigeria. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to assess the linear relationships between the q and p sets of data obtained (q being the weather indices and p being the egg characteristics). The results of canonical correlation analysis revealed that hen day production and other egg characteristics are associated with some weather indices. Some level of redundancy was detected in the result.
Skin Biopsy Value and Leukoaraiosis
Authors: RUCHOUX M. M. , BRULIN P. , LETEURTRE E. , MAURAGE C. A. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract: In the field of leukoaraiosis, the identification of CADASIL and its link to Notch 3 mutation has shed light on the pathogenesis of white matter (WM) abnormalities related to small‐vessel disease. Since 1993, its systemic vascular involvement allows skin biopsy diagnosis and research on tissues before postmortem examination. We received 160 skin biopsies from patients presenting subcortical dementia, recurrent strokes, behavioral disturbances or migraines, and suspected CADASIL. Almost all the patients lacked the well‐known vascular risk factors. The ultrastructural study was systematically carried out looking at the vessel walls and the other components found in skin. In a third, we found endothelial changes, destruction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and characteristic granular osmiophilic material (GOM). In these cases, the genetic analysis confirmed the Notch 3 mutation. Curiously, the skin biopsies from the other two thirds presented marked alterations within the vessel walls. Such changes included destruction of VSMCs, lack of GOM, and replacement of these cells by an extracellular matrix. Frequently, we noticed endothelial pathological changes as well as other tissue impairments. By now, we are able to describe eight different groups of lesions according to either the prevalence of a lesion or the asssociation of different lesions.The skin biopsy ultrastructural study seems to be highly informative given that we can observe vessel lesions and association of impairments in various tissues that might, in part, explain the brain vessel involvement and then the leukoaraiosis and probably some clinical symptoms. Moreover, these vessel lesions often belonged to young people (30–50 years old), and many of them seemed to run in families. These new data associated with early onset of clinical symptoms and leukoaraiosis would be extremely valuable in clarifying the wide field of leucoencephalopathy and might provide genetic research with new issues.
A Two-Layer Paraffin Deposition Structure Observed and Used to
Explain the Removal and Aging of Paraffin Deposits in Wells and
Pipelines
Authors: Toma Peter , Ivory John , Korpany Gerard , deRocco Mario , Holloway Larry , Goss Chris , Ibrahim Jamal , Omar Ismail 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Paraffin fouling of pipelines and wells is a dynamic process involving deposition and removal. Deposited wax growth and hardening have been observed in the field. They must be properly evaluated at the design stage in order to develop a suitable and economic flow assurance strategy. Laboratory studies and direct observations on the nature and composition of the deposited wax have been made possible with the aid of a novel, axial wax deposition apparatus. This study resulted in an improved understanding and calculation of wax removal and aging rates. A turbulent burst mechanism was used to explain experimental observations made during this study as well as results recently published by other laboratories and field knowledge of wax removal and the aging/hardening process. Direct observations of the wax deposit nature and composition which were performed on samples removed from the deposited wax, provided essential information on the nature and composition of the deposit resulting from different flow regimes. These observations suggested that two distinct flowing zones (layers) and a wall-attached, thin, solid deposit are part of the flow-related deposition-removal process. A turbulent burst action, which is promoted in the near-wall area by the turbulent flow core zone, was used to explain experimental and field observations suggesting a selective removal of n-paraffin fractions. While the proposed removal mechanism acts selectively depending on the size of nonattached, crystallized wax, the transport of liquid n-alkanes components from the bulk, warmer zone to the near-wall colder region is considered as an overall “n-alkane” transport as accepted and used in calculations so far. The proposed two fluid layer model offers a framework for improving the design and operation (pigging and additive) strategies as well as for revisiting the accepted (safe) ranges of design velocities for waxy crude production and transport limes. This work aims to offer a better tool for estimating the pigging frequency, the optimal flow regime and a better additive testing and application strategy with considerable costs-saving to industry.
Lactose-over-Glucose Preference inBifidobacterium longumNCC2705:glcP, Encoding a Glucose Transporter, Is Subject to Lactose Repression
Authors: Parche Stephan , Beleut Manfred , Rezzonico Enea , Jacobs Doris , Arigoni Fabrizio , Titgemeyer Fritz , Jankovic Ivana 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTAnalysis of culture supernatants obtained fromBifidobacterium longumNCC2705 grown on glucose and lactose revealed that glucose utilization is impaired until depletion of lactose. Thus, unlike many other bacteria,B. longumpreferentially uses lactose rather than glucose as the primary carbon source. Glucose uptake experiments withB. longumcells showed that glucose transport was repressed in the presence of lactose. A comparative analysis of global gene expression profiling using DNA arrays led to the identification of only one gene repressed by lactose, the putative glucose transporter geneglcP. The functionality of GlcP as glucose transporter was demonstrated by heterologous complementation of a glucose transport-deficientEscherichia colistrain. Additionally, GlcP exhibited the highest substrate specificity for glucose. Primer extension and real-time PCR analyses confirmed that expression ofglcPwas mediated by lactose. Hence, our data demonstrate that the presence of lactose in culture medium leads to the repression of glucose transport and transcriptional down-regulation of the glucose transporter geneglcP.This may reflect the highly adapted life-style ofB. longumin the gastrointestinal tract of mammals.
The
dltABCD
Operon of
Bacillus anthracis
Sterne Is Required for Virulence and Resistance to Peptide, Enzymatic, and Cellular Mediators of Innate Immunity
Authors: Fisher Nathan , Shetron-Rama Lynne , Herring-Palmer Amy , Heffernan Brian , Bergman Nicholas , Hanna Philip 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT

In the environment, the gram-positive bacterium
Bacillus anthracis
persists as a metabolically dormant endospore. Upon inoculation into the host the endospores germinate and outgrow into vegetative bacilli able to cause disease. The dramatic morphogenic changes to the bacterium during germination and outgrowth are numerous and include major rearrangement of and modifications to the bacterial surface. Such modifications occur during a time in the
B. anthracis
infectious cycle when the bacterium must guard against a multitude of innate immune mediators. The
dltABCD
locus of
B. anthracis
encodes a cell wall
d
-alanine esterification system that is initiated by transcriptional activation during endospore outgrowth. The level of transcription from the
dltABCD
operon determined
B. anthracis
resistance to cationic antibacterial peptides during vegetative growth and cationic peptide, enzymatic, and cellular mediators of innate immunity during outgrowth. Mutation of
dltABCD
was also attenuating in a mouse model of infection. We propose that the
dltABCD
locus is important for protection of endosporeforming bacteria from environmental assault during outgrowth and that such protection may be critical during the establishment phase of anthrax.
Novel Organic Hydroperoxide-Sensing and Responding Mechanisms for OhrR, a Major Bacterial Sensor and Regulator of Organic Hydroperoxide Stress
Authors: Panmanee Warunya , Vattanaviboon Paiboon , Poole Leslie B. , Mongkolsuk Skorn 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT

Xanthomonas campestris
pv. phaseoli OhrR belongs to a major family of multiple-cysteine-containing bacterial organic hydroperoxide sensors and transcription repressors. Site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent in vivo functional analyses revealed that changing any cysteine residue to serine did not alter the ability of OhrR to bind to the P1
ohrR-ohr
promoter but drastically affected the organic hydroperoxide-sensing and response mechanisms of the protein.
Xanthomonas
OhrR requires two cysteine residues, C22 and C127, to sense and respond to organic hydroperoxides. Analysis of the free thiol groups in wild-type and mutant OhrRs under reducing and oxidizing conditions indicates that C22 is the organic hydroperoxide-sensing residue. Exposure to organic hydroperoxides led to the formation of an unstable OhrR-C22 sulfenic acid intermediate that could be trapped by 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole and detected by UV-visible spectral analysis in an oxidized C127S-C131S mutant OhrR. In wild-type OhrR, the cysteine sulfenic acid intermediate rapidly reacts with the thiol group of C127, forming a disulfide bond. The high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic fragments of alkylated, oxidized OhrR and nonreducing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses confirmed the formation of reversible intersubunit disulfide bonds between C22 and C127. Oxidation of OhrR led to cross-linking of two OhrR monomers, resulting in the inactivation of its repressor function. Evidence presented here provides insight into a new organic hydroperoxide-sensing and response mechanism for OhrRs of the multiple-cysteine family, the primary bacterial transcription regulator of the organic hydroperoxide stress response.
Positive Selection of the Hrp Pilin HrpE of the Plant Pathogen
Xanthomonas
Authors: Weber Ernst , Koebnik Ralf 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT

The plant-pathogenic bacterium
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria possesses a type III secretion (TTS) system which is encoded by the 23-kb
hrp
(
h
ypersensitive
r
esponse and
p
athogenicity) gene cluster. The TTS system is necessary for pathogenicity in susceptible hosts and induction of the hypersensitive response in resistant plants. At the cell surface, the TTS system is associated with an extracellular filamentous structure, the Hrp pilus, which serves as a conduit for the transfer of bacterial proteins into the plant cell cytosol. The major pilus component, the HrpE pilin, is unique to xanthomonads. Previous work showed that HrpE contains two regions: a hypervariable surface-exposed domain, including the N-terminal secretion signal, and a C-terminal polymerization domain. In this study, the evolutionary rate of the
hrpE
gene was analyzed. Twenty-one alleles were cloned, sequenced, and compared with five known
hrpE
alleles. The ratio of synonymous (

K
s

) and nonsynonymous (

K
a

) substitution rates shows that parts of the HrpE N terminus are subjected to positive selection and the C terminus is subjected to purifying selection. The trade-off between positive and purifying selection at the very-N terminus allowed us to ascertain the amphipathic α-helical nature of the TTS signal. This is the first report of a surface structure from a plant-pathogenic bacterium that evolved under the constraint of positive selection and hints to the evolutionary adaptation of this extracellular appendage to avoid recognition by the plant defense surveillance system.
Identification of a Gene Encoding a Functional Reverse Transcriptase within a Highly Variable Locus in the P2-Like Coliphages
Authors: Odegrip Richard , Nilsson Anders S. , Haggård-Ljungquist Elisabeth 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT
The P2-like coliphages are highly similar; the structural genes show at least 96% identity. However, at two loci they have genes believed to be horizontally transferred. We show that the genetic content at the second loci, the TO region, contains six completely different sequences with high AT contents and with different open reading frames. The product of one of them exhibits reverse transcriptase activity and blocks infection of phage T5.
On the difficulty of neurosurgical end of life decisions
Authors: Schaller C , Kessler M 
Published: January 2006

Objective:To analyse the process of end of life decisions in a neurosurgical environment.Methods:All 113 neurosurgical patients, who were subject to so called end of life decisions within a one year period were prospectively enrolled in a computerised data bank. Decision pathways according to patient and physician related parameters were assessed.Results:Leading primary diagnoses of the patients were traumatic brain injury and intracranial haemorrhage. Forty-five patients had undergone an emergency neurosurgical operation prior to end of life decision, N  =  69 were conservatively treated, which included intracranial pressure recording, or they were not offered neurosurgical care because of futile prognosis. N  =  111 died after a median of two (zero to nine) days. Two, in whom the end of life decisions were revised, survived.Cleardecisions to terminate further treatment were made by a senior staff member on call being informed by the senior resident on call (27.4%),difficultdecisions on the basis of extensive round discussions (71.7%), andvery difficultdecision by an interdisciplinary ethical consult (0.9%). Decisions were further substantiated by electrophysiological examinations in N  =  59.Conclusion:End of life decisions are to be considered standard situations for neurosurgeons. These decisions may reach a high rate of “positive” prediction, if substantiated by electrophysiological examinations as well as on the grounds of clinical experience and respect for the assumed will of the patient. The fact that patients may survive following revision of an end of life decision underlines the necessity for repeated reassessment of these decisions. Ethical training for neurosurgeons is to be encouraged.
Cyborgs and moral identity
Authors: Gillett G 
Published: January 2006

Neuroscience and technological medicine in general increasingly faces us with the imminent reality of cyborgs—integrated part human and part machine complexes.If my brain functions in a way that is supported by and exploits intelligent technology both external and implantable, then how should I be treated and what is my moral status—am I a machine or am I a person? I explore a number of scenarios where the balance between human and humanoid machine shifts, and ask questions about the moral status of the individuals concerned. The position taken is very much in accordance with the Aristotelian idea that our moral behaviour is of a piece with our social and personal skills and forms a reactive and reflective component of those skills.
Mental disorder ethics: theory and empirical investigation
Authors: Eastman N , Starling B 
Published: January 2006

Mental disorders and their care present unusual problems within biomedical ethics. The disorders themselves invite an ethical critique, as does society’s attitude to them; researching the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders also presents special ethical issues. The current high profile of mental disorder ethics, emphasised by recent political and legal developments, makes this a field of research that is not only important but also highly topical. For these reasons, the Wellcome Trust’s biomedical ethics programme convened a meeting, “Investigating Ethics and Mental Disorders”, in order to review some current research, and to stimulate topics and methods of future research in the field. The meeting was attended by policy makers, regulators, research funders, and researchers, including social scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, philosophers, criminologists, and others. As well as aiming to inspire a stronger research endeavour, the meeting also sought to stimulate an improved understanding of the methods and interactions that can contribute to “empirical ethics” generally.This paper reports on the meeting by describing contributions from individual speakers and discussion sections of the meeting. At the end we describe and discuss the conclusions of the meeting. As a result, the text is referenced less than would normally be expected in a review. Also, in summarising contributions from named presenters at the meeting it is possible that we have created inaccuracies; however, the definitive version of each paper, as provided directly by the presenter, is available athttp://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc.WTX025116.html.
The Raf Inhibitor BAY 43-9006 (Sorafenib) Induces Caspase-Independent Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells
Authors: Panka David J. , Wang Wei , Atkins Michael B. , Mier James W. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is activated in the majority of melanomas, and its activity is essential for cell survival. In this report, we examined the effects of a novel raf inhibitor BAY 43-9006 on melanoma cell viability and intracellular signaling and found that it induces apoptosis through a caspase-independent mechanism. At concentrations that suppress extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, BAY 43-9006 dephosphorylates Bad on Ser75 and Ser99, activates Bak and Bax, and reduces the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. BAY 43-9006 (sorafenib) down-modulates the levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL in a MAPK-independent manner in A2058 and SKMEL5 melanoma cells but not in the more resistant A375 cells. Of the three lines tested, only A375 cells were rescued from BAY 43-9006–induced apoptosis by knocking down Bad. BAY 43-9006 induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c and SMAC. However, the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk had only a modest protective effect against the drug, suggesting that BAY 43-9006–induced apoptosis is largely caspase independent. BAY 43-9006 but not the MAP/ERK kinase inhibitors PD98059 or U0126 induced the nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in A2058 and SKMEL5 cells, and the introduction of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) for AIF partially protected these cells from BAY 43-9006–induced apoptosis. The AIF siRNA had little effect in A375 cells, in which drug-induced AIF release was negligible. These data indicate that in sensitive cell lines, BAY 43-9006–induced apoptosis is independent of Bad dephosphorylation and caspase activation and largely mediated through the nuclear translocation of AIF. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(3): 1611-9)
Increased Efficacy and Safety in the Treatment of Experimental Liver Cancer with a Novel Adenovirus-Alphavirus Hybrid Vector
Authors: Guan Min , Rodriguez-Madoz Juan R. , Alzuguren Pilar , Gomar Celia , Kramer M. Gabriela , Kochanek Stefan , Prieto Jesus , Smerdou Cristian , Qian Cheng 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
An improved viral vector for cancer gene therapy should be capable of infecting tumors with high efficiency, inducing specific and high-level expression of transgene in the tumor and selectively destroying tumor cells. In the design of such a vector to treat hepatocellular carcinoma, we took advantage of (a) the high infectivity of adenoviruses for hepatic cells, (b) the high level of protein expression and proapoptotic properties that characterize Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon, and (c) tumor selectivity provided by α-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter. We constructed a hybrid viral vector composed of a helper-dependent adenovirus containing an SFV replicon under the transcriptional control of AFP promoter and a transgene driven by SFV subgenomic promoter. Hybrid vectors containing murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12) genes or reporter gene LacZ showed very specific and high-level expression of transgenes in AFP-expressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells, both in vitro and in an in vivo hepatocellular carcinoma animal model. Infected hepatocellular carcinoma cells were selectively eliminated due to the induction of apoptosis by SFV replication. In a rat orthotopic liver tumor model, treatment of established tumors with a hybrid vector carrying mIL-12 gene resulted in strong antitumoral activity without accompanying toxicity. This new type of hybrid vectors may provide a potent and safe tool for cancer gene therapy. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(3): 1620-9)
Low-Dose Metronomic Daily Cyclophosphamide and Weekly Tirapazamine: A Well-Tolerated Combination Regimen with Enhanced Efficacy That Exploits Tumor Hypoxia
Authors: Emmenegger Urban , Morton Gerard C. , Francia Giulio , Shaked Yuval , Franco Marcela , Weinerman Adina , Man Shan , Kerbel Robert S. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
The recent clinical successes of antiangiogenic drug-based therapies have also served to highlight the problem of acquired resistance because, similar to other types of cancer therapy, tumors that initially respond eventually stop doing so. Consequently, strategies designed to delay resistance or treat resistant subpopulations when they arise have assumed considerable importance. This requires a better understanding of the various possible mechanisms for resistance. In this regard, reduced oxygenation is thought to be a key mediator of the antitumor effects of antiangiogenic therapies; accordingly, increased hypoxia tolerance of the tumor cells presents a potential mechanism of resistance. However, hypoxia can also be exploited therapeutically through the use of hypoxic cell cytotoxins, such as tirapazamine. With this in mind, we measured the oxygenation of PC-3 human prostate cancer xenografts subjected to chronic low-dose metronomic (LDM) antiangiogenic chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide given through the drinking water. We found that LDM cyclophosphamide impairs the oxygenation of PC-3 xenografts even during relapse, coinciding with reduced microvessel density. Combination of LDM cyclophosphamide with tirapazamine results in significantly improved tumor control in the PC-3, HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer human xenograft models without having a negative effect on the favorable toxicity profile of LDM cyclophosphamide. These results provide further evidence that reduced vascular dependence/increased hypoxia tolerance may be a basis for eventual resistance of tumors exposed to long-term LDM chemotherapy. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(3): 1664-74)