bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proteomic and biochemical evidence links the callose synthase in Nicotiana alata pollen tubes to the product of the NaGSL1 gene
Authors: Brownfield Lynette , Ford Kris , Doblin Monika Susanne , Newbigin Ed , Read Steve , Bacic Antony 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe NaGSL1 gene has been proposed to encode the callose synthase (CalS) enzyme from Nicotiana alata pollen tubes based on its similarity to fungal 1,3‐β‐glucan synthases and its high expression in pollen and pollen tubes. We have used a biochemical approach to link the NaGSL1 protein with CalS enzymic activity. The CalS enzyme from N. alata pollen tubes was enriched over 100‐fold using membrane fractionation and product entrapment. A 220 kDa polypeptide, the correct molecular weight to be NaGSL1, was specifically detected by anti‐GSL antibodies, was specifically enriched with CalS activity, and was the most abundant polypeptide in the CalS‐enriched fraction. This polypeptide was positively identified as NaGSL1 using both MALDI‐TOF MS and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis of tryptic peptides. Other low‐abundance polypeptides in the CalS‐enriched fractions were identified by MALDI‐TOF MS as deriving from a 103 kDa plasma membrane H+‐ATPase and a 60 kDa β‐subunit of mitochondrial ATPase, both of which were deduced to be contaminants in the product‐entrapped material. These analyses thus suggest that NaGSL1 is required for CalS activity, although other smaller (<30 kDa) or low‐abundance proteins could also be involved.
REVIEW ON CPP: Measuring reward with the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm: update of the last decade
Authors: Tzschentke Thomas M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTConditioned place preference (CPP) continues to be one of the most popular models to study the motivational effects of drugs and non‐drug treatments in experimental animals. This is obvious from a steady year‐to‐year increase in the number of publications reporting the use this model. Since the compilation of the preceding review in 1998, more than 1000 new studies using place conditioning have been published, and the aim of the present review is to provide an overview of these recent publications. There are a number of trends and developments that are obvious in the literature of the last decade. First, as more and more knockout and transgenic animals become available, place conditioning is increasingly used to assess the motivational effects of drugs or non‐drug rewards in genetically modified animals. Second, there is a still small but growing literature on the use of place conditioning to study the motivational aspects of pain, a field of pre‐clinical research that has so far received little attention, because of the lack of appropriate animal models. Third, place conditioning continues to be widely used to study tolerance and sensitization to the rewarding effects of drugs induced by pre‐treatment regimens. Fourth, extinction/reinstatement procedures in place conditioning are becoming increasingly popular. This interesting approach is thought to model certain aspects of relapse to addictive behavior and has previously almost exclusively been studied in drug self‐administration paradigms. It has now also become established in the place conditioning literature and provides an additional and technically easy approach to this important phenomenon. The enormous number of studies to be covered in this review prevented in‐depth discussion of many methodological, pharmacological or neurobiological aspects; to a large extent, the presentation of data had to be limited to a short and condensed summary of the most relevant findings.
Enhancing employee capacity to prioritize health insurance benefits
Authors: Danis Marion , Goold Susan Dorr , Parise Carol , Ginsburg Marjorie 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective  To demonstrate that employees can gain understanding of the financial constraints involved in designing health insurance benefits.Background  While employees who receive their health insurance through the workplace have much at stake as the cost of health insurance rises, they are not necessarily prepared to constructively participate in prioritizing their health insurance benefits in order to limit cost.Design  Structured group exercises.Setting and participants  Employees of 41 public and private organizations in Northern California.Intervention  Administration of the CHAT (Choosing Healthplans All Together) exercise in which participants engage in deliberation to design health insurance benefits under financial constraints.Main outcome measures  Change in priorities and attitudes about the need to exercise insurance cost constraints.Results  Participants (N = 744) became significantly more cognizant of the need to limit insurance benefits for the sake of affordability and capable of prioritizing benefit options. Those agreeing that it is reasonable to limit health insurance coverage given the cost increased from 47% to 72%.Conclusion  It is both possible and valuable to involve employees in priority setting regarding health insurance benefits through the use of structured decision tools.
Response of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Tillering to Sub‐ambient Levels of Ultraviolet‐B Radiation
Authors: Mohammed A. R. , Rounds E. W. , Tarpley L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe negative impact of enhanced ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation has been demonstrated for rice, but few studies have examined the effects of low UV‐B radiation on rice growth and physiology. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of low UV‐B radiation on rice physiology with special emphasis on tiller initiation and development in two popular US rice cultivars, ‘Cocodrie’ and ‘Clearfield 161 (CL161)’. Plants received no natural UV‐B radiation because of the UV‐absorption characteristics of the greenhouse glass, hence UV‐B was artificially supplied by supplemental UV‐B lighting. Plants were grown in soil collected from research plots, and were exposed to UV‐B radiation of 0, 4 (sub‐ambient) or 8 kJ m−2 day−1 (ambient) for 29 days in one experiment and 87 days in a second experiment. ‘Cocodrie’ had no differential response among 0, 4 and 8 kJ m−2 day−1 UV‐B treatments for all the parameters measured except for plant height, which showed 5% decrease at ambient UV‐B conditions. For ‘CL161’ sub‐ambient UV‐B radiation exposure decreased vegetative tiller production (25%) and total panicle dry weight (15%). The decrease in tiller production was not due to a decrease in carbohydrate content or increase in auxin content under the low UV‐B radiation.
The Influence Of Salinity On Verticillium dahliae In Stem Cuttings Of Five Olive Cultivars
Authors: Levin A. G. , Lavee S. , Tsror (Lahkim) L. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract Verticillium dahliae represents one of the main limiting factors in olive production in the Mediterranean countries. Increasing shortage of fresh water and land, increase the pressure on using alternative sources of marginal or saline water, and land previously cropped with V. dahliae host plants. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of salinity on V. dahliae expression in olive stem cuttings. V. dahliae‐inoculated cuttings of cvs. Picual, Frantoio, Mansanillo and Barnea, showed higher senescence symptoms than their non‐inoculated controls. Colonization levels obtained in cv. Picual were significantly higher than in cv. Frantoio. Manzanillo was the most sensitive cultivar to salinity alone, with significant senescence symptoms in 4 and 6 dS/m NaCl treatments. When cv. Manzanillo was exposed to both salinity and V. dahliae, significantly higher senescence symptoms were obtained as compared with each of them separately. Senescence symptoms of cv. Picual exposed to V. dahliae, whether or not in combination with saline solutions, were significantly higher than those when cuttings were exposed to a saline solution alone. In cv. Frantoio, which is more resistant to salinity than the other cultivars, significantly high senescence symptoms were observed only in combination of V. dahliae and high saline concentration (8 dS/m). The fungal colonization index in cv. Manzanillo in high salinity (8 dS/m) was significantly higher than in the treatment without salt. In cv. Barnea, colonization index in 8 dS/m salinity was significantly higher than in the 4 dS/m concentration or control (fresh water). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the interaction between V. dahliae and saline irrigation in various cultivars. Thus, stem cuttings could serve as an effective screening method in breeding olive clones for V. dahliae resistance, salt tolerance and their interaction.
Dermatophytoses in cats and humans in central Italy: epidemiological aspects
Authors: Iorio R. , Cafarchia C. , Capelli G. , Fasciocco D. , Otranto D. , Giangaspero A. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryTwo hundred hair/skin samples were collected from 2002 to 2004 from two groups of cats (privately owned and stray cats from a shelter) and 165 samples were obtained during the same period from persons in whom dermatophyte infection was highly suspected. The epidemiological data were statistically evaluated. Thirteen of the 100 privately owned cats (13%) and 100% of the stray cats were positive; of the 165 human samples examined 109 (66%) were positive for dermatophytes. Microsporum canis was the most common dermatophyte isolated in both cat groups while Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common in humans. Interestingly, a geophylic dermatophyte species (Microsporum gypseum) was found to be present and associated with clinical signs. Living in the countryside proved to be a risk factor for dermatophytoses in privately owned cats while in humans the main risk factor for M. canis was contact with animals followed by young age. None of the variables considered was associated with positivity for T. mentagrophytes while positivity for other fungi was correlated with life in the countryside.
Differential stripping: introduction of a method to show the penetration of topically applied antifungal substances into the hair follicles
Authors: Ossadnik M. , Czaika V. , Teichmann A. , Sterry W. , Tietz H.‐J. , Lademann J. , Koch S. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryInvestigations concerning the penetration of topically applied drugs are the subject of a multiplicity of research, as the exact knowledge of these mechanisms is the prerequisite for the optimization of such substances. As the hair follicles represent a good long‐term reservoir for topically applied substances, it can be assumed that they also represent a reservoir for microorganisms residing on and in the skin. Therefore, the hair follicles must be seen as one main site of action for antimicrobial substances and a simple non‐invasive in vivo method for the determination of penetration of antimicrobial substances into the hair follicles. The aim of the present study was to show that differential stripping, by removing the hair follicle content selectively, represents a suitable method to demonstrate the penetration of antifungal substances into the hair follicles. The follicular casts, removed from skin areas of human volunteers, which were partially pre‐treated with brilliant green (well‐known antifungal properties), were applied on agar plates inoculated with Candida albicans. The results showed inhibited growth of C. albicans, if the follicular casts were removed from skin areas pre‐treated with brilliant green. This indicates clear evidence that brilliant green had penetrated into the hair follicles. Therefore, differential stripping represents a suitable method to determine the penetration of antifungal substances into the hair follicles, which is of clinical importance for the optimization of topical antifungal therapeutics.
Molecular study of archival fungal strains isolated from cases of lacaziosis (Jorge Lobo's disease)
Authors: Vilela Raquel , Martins Jose Eduardo Costa , Pereira Cristiane N. , Melo Natalina , Mendoza Leonel 
Published: July 2007

Summary Lacazia loboi, the aetiological agent of lacaziosis (Jorge Lobo's disease), is an uncultivated anomalous fungal microbe closely related to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, both restricted Latin American Pathogens. Early reports suggesting that L. loboi had been isolated in pure culture from cases of lacaziosis, only added more confusion to the already confusing aetiology of this disease. These strains were later identified as unusual contaminants and some of them as P. brasiliensis. Recent phylogenetic analysis grouped L. loboi as the sister taxon to P. brasiliensis, thus it was postulated that the original P. brasiliensis strains recovered from cases of lacaziosis, could be the aetiological agent of the disease. Using molecular methodologies, we investigated the archival P. brasiliensis isolate No. 525 from a case of lacaziosis, as well as other archival isolates, identified earlier as common contaminants, all recovered from similar cases of the disease. Phylogenetic analysis, using the 18S small subunit rDNA sequences of these isolates showed that strain No. 525 was a typical P. brasiliensis isolate and the other studied strains were indeed contaminants. This study unequivocally indicates that the aetiological agent of lacaziosis is yet to be cultured.
Potent anti‐microbial activity of traditional Chinese medicine herbs against Candida species
Authors: Seneviratne C. Jayampath , Wong Ricky W. K. , Samaranayake Lakshman P. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryAnti‐candidial activities of eight traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herbs were evaluated against six different Candida species. TCM preparations were screened for antifungal activity using a standard agar diffusion assay. Following identification of potential candidate herbs, their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined using the standardised NCCLS M‐27A broth microdilution assay. Among TCM herbs, Rhizoma Coptidis had potent antifungal activity against Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis, but not against Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis and Candida parapsolosis. The MIC values of the Rhizoma Coptidis against C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis were 50, 50 and 100 μg ml−1 respectively. We report here, for the first time, the potent antifungal activity of Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex phellodendri Chinesis on three different non‐albicans Candida species, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis and hence their possible use as therapeutic agents.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis complicating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Agarwal Ritesh , Srinivas Rajagopala , Jindal Surinder K. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a well recognised entity which complicates the course of 1–2% of patients with asthma and 2–15% of cystic fibrosis. Also, current criteria generally require the presence of asthma or cystic fibrosis for recognition of ABPA. The occurrence of ABPA in conditions other than cystic fibrosis or bronchial asthma is rare. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have mucus hypersecretion and impaired mucociliary clearance but are not reported to develop ABPA. Herein, we report a 50‐year‐old male who presented with an exacerbation of COPD due to co‐existent ABPA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such an association. We also speculate on mechanisms of causality and impact of ABPA on disease progression in COPD.
Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis successfully diagnosed, treated, and followed by ultrathin bronchoscope
Authors: Nakamura Yutaro , Shirai Masahiro , Hayakawa Hiroshi , Nakano Yasukatsu , Fujita Kaoru , Suda Takafumi , Chida Kingo 
Published: July 2007

SummaryWe present a case of chronic necrotising pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) successfully diagnosed, treated and followed by ultrathin bronchoscope. A 68‐year‐old man was admitted to the hospital because of a cough and low‐grade fever. A chest computerized tomography (CT) showed cavitary infiltrates in the superior segment of the left upper lobe. Bronchoscopic examination was performed using a 2.8‐mm ultrathin bronchoscope, which could be inserted into the cavity lesion under direct vision. Biopsy specimens from a whitish intracavity lesion showed septate‐branching hyphae and cultures of the cavital washing grew Aspergillus fumigatus. Using the ultrathin bronchoscope, we instilled amphotericin B into the cavity before oral itraconazole therapy. The patient showed clinical improvement with resolution of the cavitary infiltrates on CT findings. The whitish intracavity lesion had prominently disappeared after 18 months of therapy. An ultrathin bronchoscope is useful for treating and assessing cavity lesions as well as establishing a diagnosis for CNPA patients.
Pimecrolimus induced tinea incognito masquerading as intertriginous psoriasis
Authors: Rallis Efstathios , Koumantaki‐Mathioudaki Elma 
Published: July 2007

SummaryA 58‐year‐old, obese, male, army officer was presented with tinea incognito of the groin masking intertriginous psoriasis. According to his history, he had pruritic, symmetrical erythematous eruption of the groin of 2‐month duration that he treated himself by using topical pimecrolimus 1%. This medication had been prescribed for his 8‐year son’s atopic dermatitis by the paediatrician. Direct examination with potassium hydroxide preparation showed fungal hyphae and Trichophyton rubrum was isolated in culture. This is the second case of topical pimecrolimus induced tinea incognito. We also review the cutaneous disorders that tinea incognito may mimic.
A model of corrosion fatigue crack growth in ship and offshore steels
Authors: JAKUBOWSKI M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTA model describing corrosion fatigue crack growth rate da/dNhas been proposed. The crack growth rate is assumed to be proportional to current flowing through the electrolyte within the crack during a loading cycle. The Shoji formula for the crack tip strain ratehas been assumed in the model. The obtained formula for the corrosion fatigue crack growth rate is formally similar to the author's empirical formulae established previously. The different effects of ΔKand the fatigue loading frequencyfon da/dN,in region I as compared to region II of the corrosion fatigue crack growth rate characteristics can be described by a change of one parameter only: the crack tip repassivation rate exponent.
Characterization of fatigue crack initiation and growth in hybrid aluminium–graphite fibre composite laminates using image analysis
Authors: BRADSHAW ROGER D. , GUTIERREZ SARAH E. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTHybrid aluminum–graphite‐epoxy fibre–metal laminates have been tested in open hole tension–tension fatigue at several stress levels. Crack initiation and growth in the outer aluminum layers was monitored by periodic digital imaging of the specimen surface. Image analysis was used to determine the crack length throughout the experiment. Crack growth results were consistent between specimens for each test configuration. A relationship between the crack growth results and stress level was developed using linear elastic fracture mechanics; this successfully characterized the data. The effect of shot peening and alternate hole finishing techniques were considered for fatigue behaviour improvement.
Predicting the J integral fracture toughness of Al 6061 using the small punch test
Authors: BUDZAKOSKA E. , CARR D. G. , STATHERS P. A. , LI H. , HARRISON R. P. , HELLIER A. K. , YEUNG W. Y. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe 6000 series aluminium alloys (Al–Mg–Si systems) are commonly used as medium‐strength structural materials; in particular, the 6061 (Al–1Mg–0.6Si) alloy is widely utilized as a general‐purpose structural material due to its excellent formability and corrosion‐resisting capabilities. The objective of this study was to obtain a correlation between the small punch (SP) test estimated equivalent fracture strain (ɛqf) and fracture toughness (J1C) property for 6061 aluminium, and determine its viability as a non‐destructive fracture toughness test technique for remaining life assessment of in‐service components. Samples of 6061‐T6 aluminium were cut from bulk plate, in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, for the as‐received condition as well as subjected to three different over‐ageing heat‐treatment schedules. A strong linear correlation between valid J1C and SP estimated biaxial fracture strain ɛqf is presented for aluminium 6061 at room temperature.
Lack of feedback inhibition on rat basolateral amygdala following stress or withdrawal from sedative‐hypnotic drugs
Authors: Isoardi Nora A. , Bertotto Maria E. , Martijena Irene D. , Molina Victor A. , Carrer Hugo F. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrevious research has demonstrated that suppression of inhibition in projection neurons of the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA) represents an essential mechanism underlying the emergence of negative emotional responses, including exaggerated fear and anxiety. The present work evaluates inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in pyramidal projection neurons of the BLA in rats subjected to either diazepam or ethanol withdrawal or uncontrollable stress. These are experimental paradigms conducive to a negative emotional state. In slices containing the BLA, IPSPs were studied using whole‐cell patch clamp. In control animals, a small IPSP was evoked by sub‐threshold stimulation of the external capsule. When an action potential (AP) was evoked by supra‐threshold stimuli, IPSPs were considerably larger; these IPSPs were sensitive to blockade of GABAAreceptors by picrotoxin. However, IPSPs were clearly reduced in diazepam‐ or ethanol‐withdrawn and in stressed rats. Firing of an AP by a depolarizing pulse applied through the patch pipette consistently evoked an inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) in the pyramidal neurons of control animals from all three experimental models; these IPSCs were mediated by GABAAreceptor activation and were blocked after suppression of glutamatergic transmission. In contrast, no IPSCs were observed in slices from diazepam‐ or ethanol‐withdrawn or stressed animals, although the depolarizing pulse regularly evoked an AP in pyramidal neurons. It is concluded that, in withdrawn or stressed rats, GABAergic disinhibition occurs due to attenuation or suppression of feedback inhibition.
The Road is Long: Thirty Years of Equality Legislation in Britain
Authors: Dickens Linda 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis article critically reflects upon the development of British employment equality law, tracking a positive yet hesitant, uneven and incomplete trajectory from anti‐discrimination towards equality, and from piecemeal and patchwork coverage towards inclusiveness, integration and intersectionality. It argues that the opportunities provided by the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights and the proposed Single Equality Act should be taken to address remaining weaknesses in the legislative equality package and the limitations in enforcement approaches which the article highlights.
Contested Resources: Unions, Employers, and the Adoption of New Work Practices in US and UK Telecommunications
Authors: Ramirez Matias , Guy Frederick , Beale David 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe pattern of adoption of high‐performance work practices has been explained in terms of strategic contingency and in terms of union presence. We compare the post‐deregulation/privatization changes in work practice at AT&T, Bell Atlantic and British Telecom. On the basis of these cases, we argue that the choice of new work practices should be understood as a consequence not only of the company's resources or changes in its environment, nor of a simple union presence, but also as a consequence of the practices' effects on union power, the nature of the union's engagement, and the union's strategic choices.