bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil greenhouse gas fluxes and global warming potential in four high‐yielding maize systems
Authors: ADVIENTO‐BORBE M. A. A. , HADDIX M. L. , BINDER D. L. , WALTERS D. T. , DOBERMANN A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCrop intensification is often thought to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but studies in which crop management is optimized to exploit crop yield potential are rare. We conducted a field study in eastern Nebraska, USA to quantify GHG emissions, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and the net global warming potential (GWP) in four irrigated systems: continuous maize with recommended best management practices (CC‐rec) or intensive management (CC‐int) and maize–soybean rotation with recommended (CS‐rec) or intensive management (CS‐int). Grain yields of maize and soybean were generally within 80–100% of the estimated site yield potential. Large soil surface carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were mostly associated with rapid crop growth, high temperature and high soil water content. Within each crop rotation, soil CO2 efflux under intensive management was not consistently higher than with recommended management. Owing to differences in residue inputs, SOC increased in the two continuous maize systems, but decreased in CS‐rec or remained unchanged in CS‐int. N2O emission peaks were mainly associated with high temperature and high soil water content resulting from rainfall or irrigation events, but less clearly related to soil NO3‐N levels. N2O fluxes in intensively managed systems were only occasionally greater than those measured in the CC‐rec and CS‐rec systems. Fertilizer‐induced N2O emissions ranged from 1.9% to 3.5% in 2003, from 0.8% to 1.5% in 2004 and from 0.4% to 0.5% in 2005, with no consistent differences among the four systems. All four cropping systems where net sources of GHG. However, due to increased soil C sequestration continuous maize systems had lower GWP than maize–soybean systems and intensive management did not cause a significant increase in GWP. Converting maize grain to ethanol in the two continuous maize systems resulted in a net reduction in life cycle GHG emissions of maize ethanol relative to petrol‐based gasoline by 33–38%. Our study provided evidence that net GHG emissions from agricultural systems can be kept low when management is optimized toward better exploitation of the yield potential. Major components for this included (i) choosing the right combination of adopted varieties, planting date and plant population to maximize crop biomass productivity, (ii) tactical water and nitrogen (N) management decisions that contributed to high N use efficiency and avoided extreme N2O emissions, and (iii) a deep tillage and residue management approach that favored the build‐up of soil organic matter from large amounts of crop residues returned.
Matrix metalloproteinase‐2, ‐9 and ‐13 are involved in fibronectin degradation of rat lung granulomatous fibrosis caused byAngiostrongylus cantonensis
Authors: Hsu Cheng‐Chin , Lai Shih‐Chan 
Published: August 2007

SummaryPulmonary granuloma formation and fibrosis were experimentally induced in Sprague–Dawley strain rats byAngiostrongylus cantonensis. Increased protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, ‐9, ‐13 and the imbalance between these enzymes and metalloproteinase inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP‐1 and ‐2), occur during granulomatous fibrosis. Activation of proteolytic enzymes (MMP‐2, ‐9 and ‐13) and fibronectin degradation occur simultaneously. Furthermore, the present study demonstrated that fibronectin avidly binds MMP‐2, ‐9 or ‐13. Immunohistochemical observations also showed the localization of MMP‐13, TIMP‐1 and ‐2 within the infiltrating leucocytes. These results suggest that MMP‐2, ‐9 and ‐13 may participate in the fibronectin degradation ofA. cantonensis‐induced granulomatous fibrosis.
The rice nuclear gene, VIRESCENT 2, is essential for chloroplast development and encodes a novel type of guanylate kinase targeted to plastids and mitochondria
Authors: Sugimoto Hiroki , Kusumi Kensuke , Noguchi Ko , Yano Masahiro , Yoshimura Atsushi , Iba Koh 
Published: August 2007

SummaryGuanylate kinase (GK) is a critical enzyme in guanine nucleotide metabolism pathways, catalyzing the phosphorylation of (d)GMP to (d)GDP. Here we show that a novel gene, VIRESCENT 2 (V2), encodes a new type of GK (designated pt/mtGK) that is localized in plastids and mitochondria. We initially identified the V2 gene by positional cloning of the rice v2 mutant. The v2 mutant is temperature‐sensitive and develops chlorotic leaves at restrictive temperatures. The v2 mutation causes inhibition of chloroplast differentiation; in particular, it disrupts the chloroplast translation machinery during early leaf development [Sugimoto et al. (2004)Plant Cell Physiol. 45, 985]. In the bacterial and animal species studied to date, GK is localized in the cytoplasm and participates in maintenance of the guanine nucleotide pools required for many fundamental cellular processes. Phenotypic analysis of rice seedlings with RNAi knockdown of cytosolic GK (designated cGK) showed that cGK is indispensable for the growth and development of plants, but not for chloroplast development. Thus, rice has two types of GK, as does Arabidopsis, suggesting that higher plants have two types of GK. Our results suggest that, of the two types of GK, only pt/mtGK is essential for chloroplast differentiation.
Characterization of Arabidopsis ABCG11/WBC11, an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter that is required for cuticular lipid secretion†
Authors: Bird David , Beisson Fred , Brigham Alexandra , Shin John , Greer Stephen , Jetter Reinhard , Kunst Ljerka , Wu Xuemin , Yephremov Alexander , Samuels Lacey 
Published: August 2007

SummaryABCG11/WBC11, an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter from Arabidopsis thaliana, is a key component of the export pathway for cuticular lipids. Arabidopsis wbc11 T‐DNA insertional knock‐out mutants exhibited lipidic inclusions inside epidermal cells similar to the previously characterized wax transporter mutant cer5, with a similar strong reduction in the alkanes of surface waxes. Moreover, the wbc11 knock‐out mutants also showed defects not present in cer5, including post‐genital organ fusions, stunted growth and a reduction in cutin load on the plant surface. A mutant line previously isolated in a forward genetics screen, called permeable leaves 1 (pel1), was identified as an allele of ABCG11/WBC11. The double knock‐out wbc11 cer5 exhibited the same morphological and biochemical phenotypes as the wbc11 knock‐out. A YFP‐WBC11 fusion protein rescued a T‐DNA knock‐out mutant and was localized to the plasma membrane. These results show that WBC11 functions in secretion of surface waxes, possibly by interacting with CER5. However, unlike ABCG12/CER5, ABCG11/WBC11 is important to the normal process of cutin formation.
Transcription factor AtMYB103 is required for anther development by regulating tapetum development, callose dissolution and exine formation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Zai‐Bao , Zhu Jun , Gao Ju‐Fang , Wang Chen , Li Hui , Li Hong , Zhang Hui‐Qi , Zhang Sen , Wang Dong‐Mi , Wang Quan‐Xi , Huang Hai , Xia Hui‐Jun , Yang Zhong‐Nan 
Published: August 2007

SummaryDownregulation of the transcription factor AtMYB103 using transgenic technology results in early tapetal degeneration and pollen aberration during anther development in Arabidopsis thaliana. This paper describes the functional analysis of the AtMYB103 gene in three knock‐out mutants. Two male sterile mutants, ms188‐1 and ms188‐2, were generated by ethyl‐methane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis. A map‐based cloning approach was used, and ms188 was mapped to a 95.8‐kb region on chromosome 5 containing an AtMYB103 transcription factor. Sequence analysis revealed that ms188‐1 had a pre‐mature stop codon in the AtMYB103 coding region, whereas ms188‐2 had a CCT→CTT base‐pair change in the first exon of AtMYB103, which resulted in the replacement of a proline by a leucine residue in the R2R3 domain. The third mutant, an AtMYB103 transposon‐tagging line, also showed a male sterile phenotype. Allelism tests indicated that MS188 and AtMYB103 belong to the same locus. Cytological observation revealed defective tapetum development and altered callose dissolution in ms188 plants. Additionally, most of the microspores in mature anthers were degraded and surviving microspores lacked exine. AtMYB103 encoded an R2R3 MYB protein that is predominantly located in the nucleus. Real‐time RT‐PCR analysis indicated that the callase‐related gene A6 was regulated by AtMYB103. Expression of the exine formation gene MS2 was not detected in mutant anthers. These results implicate that AtMYB103 plays an important role in tapetum development, callose dissolution and exine formation in A. thaliana anthers.
Plasma concentration of rabeprazole after 8‐week administration in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients and intragastric pH elevation
Authors: Yamano Hiro‐o , Matsushita Hiro‐o , Yanagiwara Seiko 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The plasma concentration of rabeprazole in patients treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has not been reported, although the concentration in healthy volunteers has been reported previously. Here, CYP2C19 genotype effects of rabeprazole on the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) and the pH elevation were studied in GERD patients.Methods:  Rabeprazole 10 mg/day was administrated for 8 weeks. AUC of rabeprazole in 18 Helicobacter pylori‐negative GERD subjects (five CYP2C19 homozygous extensive metabolizers [homEM], eight heterozygous extensive metabolizers [hetEM] and five poor metabolizers [PM]) were determined after the final medication. Intragastric pH was recorded for 24 h at baseline and after the final medication.Results:  The AUC in the PM group (957 ng·h/mL) was significantly higher than those of homEM (375 ng·h/mL) and hetEM (542 ng·h/mL) groups. Median 24‐h pH curves, median 24‐h pH values and 24‐h and nocturnal pH > 4 and pH > 3 holding times did not significantly differ among these groups. Disappearance of erosive lesions was observed after the treatment in all subjects with grade A, B or C at baseline irrespective of CYP2C19 genotypes.Conclusion:  The AUC of rabeprazole depended on the CYP2C19 genotypes in Japanese GERD patients; however, the intragastric pH elevation was independent of CYP2C19 genotypes, which is consistent with the CYP2C19 genotype‐independent healing efficacy of erosive lesions by rabeprazole. The present low AUC values indicated that abnormal accumulative effects on AUC did not occur during the period of the 8‐week administration of rabeprazole.
Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic diseases: Epidemiological study in Japanese university students
Authors: Shiotani Akiko , Miyanishi Teruo , Kamada Tomoari , Haruma Ken 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  A negative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic diseases has not been consistent. The aim of this study was to examine the association between allergic diseases and H. pylori infection in Japan.Methods:  Newly enrolled university students completed health survey questionnaires regarding general health and the presence of allergic diseases. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by the presence of serum H. pylori IgG and the presence of allergic manifestations was confirmed by interview.Results:  A total of 1953 students had a routine health survey; H. pylori status was determined in 777 including 369 with allergic diseases and 408 controls. The reported frequency of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, bronchial asthma and mixed diseases was 29.0%, 11.1%, 2.0%, 0.9% and 5.0%, respectively. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed less frequently in the allergic group compared with controls (11.4% vs 17.6%, P = 0.015). Helicobacter pylori infection was less frequent in men with allergic diseases (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27–0.89).Conclusion:  Allergic diseases are frequent in young Japanese adults and are negatively associated with H. pylori infection especially in men.
Epidemiological features of biliary atresia in Taiwan, a national study 1996–2003
Authors: Tiao Mao‐Meng , Tsai Shang‐Shyue , Kuo Hsin‐Wei , Chen Chao‐Long , Yang Chun‐Yuh 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The incidence of biliary atresia (BA) varies among different countries. It is supposed to be higher in Asian countries than in Western countries; however, the incidence of BA in Taiwan has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the incidence of BA in Taiwan.Methods:  National Health Insurance (NHI) was implemented in Taiwan in 1995, and covers most of the population (>99%). We use the NHI database to investigate the epidemiological features of BA and compare Taiwan's annual BA incidence with that of other countries.Results:  We identified 327 new BA cases during the period from 1996 to 2003. The overall incidence of BA was 1.46 cases per 10 000 live births (0.89–1.90 per 10 000). The estimation was 1.32–1.65 per 10 000 after adjustment for the misdiagnosis rate. The peak incidence occurred in 2002 (1.90 per 10 000), accompanying Taiwan's dengue fever epidemic in 2002. The 5‐year overall survival rate during 1999–2003 was higher than that during 1996–1998 (74.8% vs 61.1%, P = 0.014).Conclusion:  Taiwan has the second‐highest incidence of BA reported in world literature. Viral infection outbreaks remain a potential candidate as a cause of BA. The management of BA has been improving, with a better 5‐year overall survival rate.
Value of repeat endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration for suspected pancreatic cancer
Authors: Eloubeidi Mohamad A , Varadarajulu Shyam , Desai Shilpa , Wilcox C Mel 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is a safe and accurate technique for diagnosing pancreatic cancer. The value of repeat EUS‐FNA in patients with high clinical suspicion for pancreatic cancer after an inconclusive index study is unknown. Our aims were to determine the yield and success of repeat EUS‐FNA and the reasons for failure of initial EUS‐FNA.Methods:  This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a tertiary University based referral center for pancreatico‐biliary disorders. All patients who underwent more then one EUS‐FNA for evaluation of suspected pancreatic cancer over a five and a half year period were included in this analysis.Results:  Of the 547 procedures performed on 517 patients, 24 (4.6%) patients underwent 51 repeat EUS‐FNA procedures. Initial EUS‐FNA was atypical/suspicious in 10 (41.6%), benign in 10 (41.6%), malignant in two (8.3%), and failed/indeterminate in two (8.3%) patients. Eight of 10 (80%) patients with atypical/suspicious findings at initial EUS‐FNA were diagnosed with malignancy on repeat EUS‐FNA. Of the 10 patients with benign findings at initial EUS‐FNA, repeat study diagnosed two (20%) with malignancy and the rest were confirmed benign on long‐term follow up (average 530 days, SD 369 days). Of the two patients with indeterminate findings at initial EUS‐FNA, repeat study diagnosed one patient with malignant disease and the other with benign disease that was confirmed by long‐term follow up. Of the two patients diagnosed with neoplastic disease at initial EUS‐FNA, repeat EUS‐FNA with immunostains downgraded both to chronic pancreatitis. Repeat EUS‐FNA facilitated determination of the true status of disease in 20 of 24 patients (accuracy 84%). Suspected reasons for failed initial EUS‐FNA were: coexisting pancreatitis (n = 10; 42%), technical difficulty due to scope positioning in uncinate lesion/sedation failure (n = 4; 16.7%), difficult cytology (partly cystic, extensive necrosis, well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma) (n = 4; 16.7%), presence of ascites or collaterals (n = 3; 12.5%), pathologist's interobserver variation (n = 2; 8.33%), and unknown reason in one patient.Conclusion:  Repeat EUS‐FNA is warranted in patients with high clinical suspicion for pancreatic cancer despite indeterminate or negative findings at initial EUS‐FNA.
Serum YKL‐40 as a marker of disease activity and stricture formation in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Erzin Yusuf , Uzun Hafize , Karatas Adem , Celik Aykut Ferhat 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  YKL‐40 is secreted by macrophages and neutrophils and is a growth factor for vascular endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Elevated serum levels of YKL‐40 have been reported in patients with various inflammatory conditions and ongoing fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum concentrations of YKL‐40 and disease activity, acute phase reactants, and the presence of strictures in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).Methods:  We studied the serum concentrations of YKL‐40 in 41 patients with CD, in which 12 had an endoscopically‐ or radiologically‐proven stricture formation. Forty‐six age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers served as controls and a multivariate regression analysis was performed to find out the independent predictors of intestinal strictures and clinical activity.Results:  The serum YKL‐40 concentrations in the patients were significantly higher than that in the healthy controls (105.69 ± 88.08 ng/mL [range 20.23–333.57]vs 44.92 ± 24.89 ng/mL [range 18.31–113.43], P = 0.000) and patients with a stricture formation had significantly higher YKL‐40 levels than those without strictures (167.50 ± 119.30 ng/mL [range 23.62–333.57]vs 80.12 ± 56.38 ng/mL [range 20.23–259.19], P = 0.003). Significant correlations were noted between YKL‐40 levels and clinical activity (r = 0.681; P = 0.000) and the presence of intestinal strictures (r = 0.457; P = 0.003). The multivariate regression analysis found the serum YKL‐40 levels to be an independent predictor of intestinal strictures (P = 0.001) and clinical activity (P = 0.001).Conclusion:  Patients with CD, particularly those with a stricture formation, have significantly higher levels of YKL‐40. YKL‐40 seems to be a useful marker of disease activity as well as stricture formation in patients with CD.
Water quality characteristics of two reservoir lakes in eastern Connecticut, USA
Authors: Nadim Farhad , Hoag George E. , Ogden Fred L. , Warner Glenn S. , Bagtzoglou Amvrossios C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe Mansfield Hollow Lake (MHL) and Willimantic Reservoir (WR) are two reservoirs located in eastern Connecticut in the north‐eastern USA. The MHL was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1952, being primarily fed by the Fenton, Mount Hope and Natchaug Rivers. The WR lies downstream from the Mansfield Hollow Dam. The physical and chemical characteristics of MHL, WR, and the three streams discharging into them were intensively evaluated during four sampling quarters in 2001 and 2002. This study focused on possible sources of eutrophication, and occurrence of trace amounts of selected priority pollutants, in the sediments and waters of MHL and WR. Analytical results for total dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus and chlorophyll‐a indicated that, in terms of eutrophication status, the waterbodies can be classified as mesotrophic. Comparison of the analytical results in this study to historical limnological data reported for lakes in southern New England and eastern Connecticut indicates that the median levels of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved inorganic carbon, calcium, magnesium, and iron measured in this study were higher than previously reported median values.
The relevance of species‐based indicators as a tool for evaluating the structure of exploited fish assemblages: a comparative study of two tropical lakes in Mali, West Africa
Authors: Kantoussan Justin , Ecoutin Jean Marc , Simier Monique , Fontenelle Guy , Thiaw Omar Thiom , Laë Raymond 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA comparative study of the fish communities in two lake ecosystems in Mali (Lakes Manantali and Selingue) was based on monitoring small‐scale fishery landings for a 13‐month period. The main difference between the two lakes is the fishing pressure, being higher in Lake Selingue and lower in Lake Manantali. The effects of fishing on the structure of the fish communities in the two lakes were analysed with the use of diversity indices, rank species abundance (RSA) and abundance–biomass comparative curve (ABC) methods. The diversity differed significantly between the lakes, being higher for Lake Selingue. Analysis of the community structure, using RSA curves, indicated a more regular distribution of the weights between fish species for Lake Selingue than for Lake Manantali. The two lakes exhibited different exploited fish community structures. For Lake Selingue, the fishery was based on smaller‐sized species, compared to that for Lake Manantali. The indicators based on the species composition of exploited fish communities, in terms of abundance and life‐history traits, seemed to be more relevant in this study. Indicators such as diversity indices and RSA curves depend strongly on the exploitation strategy, being unreliable for evaluating exploited fish communities from catch data.
Baseline assessment of metals and hydrocarbons in the sediments of Lake Mulwala, Australia
Authors: Baldwin D. S. , Howitt J. A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAn assessment of hydrocarbon and metal/metalloids (arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc) contamination in sediments from Lake Mulwala, Australia, was undertaken. The objectives of the study were: (i) to determine the extent of contamination in the lake sediments, compared to Australian and international sediment quality guidelines, and (ii) to attempt to identify the contaminant sources to the lake. With the exception of a few samples containing elevated levels of arsenic and/or mercury, the levels of all contaminants in the sediment samples taken from the lake were below the ‘lower trigger’ of the Australian Sediment Quality Guidelines that would warrant further investigation. High molecular weight hydrocarbons (up to 700 mg kg−1) were found in most sediment samples. Non‐metric statistical analysis indicated that the contaminant distribution was different in different parts of the lake, with the lowest concentrations generally found at the influent to the lake. No definitive source(s) of contamination could be identified for either metalloids or hydrocarbons.