bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Cloning of PbSTKL1 Gene from Plasmodiophora brassicae Expressed during Clubroot Development
Authors: Ando S. , Yamada T. , Asano T. , Kamachi S. , Tsushima S. , Hagio T. , Tabei Y. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractInfection of crucifers by the obligate plant pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron. results in the formation of clubroot disease in these plants. Plasmodiophora brassicae gene expression during disease development was studied by differential display analysis of total RNA extracted from the roots of Chinese cabbage inoculated with the pathogen. In a series of experiments, 30 differentially expressed bands of cDNA were detected, and the expression of clone no. 17 was confirmed in clubbed roots. Southern blot analysis showed that this clone was a single‐copy gene in the P. brassicae genome. Putative amino acid sequence analysis of the full‐length cDNA of clone no. 17 (4.6 kb, designated PbSTKL1) revealed a serine/threonine kinase‐like domain at the C‐terminal region and a coiled‐coil structure in the middle region of the putative protein. PbSTKL1 expression increased strongly beginning 30 days after inoculation and was coincident with resting spore formation.
TAURINE ATTENUATES HYPERTENSION AND RENAL DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY CYCLOSPORINE A IN RATS
Authors: Hagar Hanan H , El Etter Eman , Arafa Maha 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYCyclosporine A (CsA) is the first‐line immunosuppressant used for the management of solid organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. Nephrotoxicity is the major limitation of CsA use. Recent evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in mediating CsA‐induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity. Taurine, the major intracellular free β‐amino acid, is known to be an endogenous anti‐oxidant and membrane‐stabilizing agent. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of taurine on CsA‐induced oxidative stress, hypertension and renal dysfunction.Animals were assigned into four groups of seven rats each as follows: (i) control group, receiving vehicle (olive oil; 1 mL/kg, s.c.); (ii) CsA group, given CsA (25 mg/kg per day, s.c.) for 21 days; (iii) taurine group, supplemented with taurine (1% in the drinking water); and (iv) taurine + CsA group, treated with taurine 3 days before and concurrently during CsA injections for 21 days.Cyclosporine A administration elevated blood pressure, reduced serum nitric oxide (NO) levels and deteriorated renal function, as assessed by increased serum creatinine levels and proteinuria and reduced urine flow rate and creatinine clearance compared with vehicle‐treated rats. Cyclosporine A induced oxidative stress, as indicated by increased renal tissue concentrations of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and reduced concentrations of renal glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Conversely, no change was noted in renal catalase activity. Moreover, the kidneys of CsA‐treated rats showed interstitial inflammation and renal tubular atrophy.Taurine markedly reduced elevated blood pressure, attenuated renal dysfunction and the reduction in serum NO levels and counteracted the deleterious effects of CsA on oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, taurine ameliorated CsA‐induced morphological changes.These data clearly indicate the protective potential of taurine against CsA‐induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity and suggest a significant contribution of its anti‐oxidant property to this beneficial effect.
EFFECTS OF CASTRATION ON CANNABINOID CB1RECEPTOR EXPRESSION AND ON THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF CANNABINOID IN THE PAROTID GLAND
Authors: Busch Lucila , Sterin‐Borda Leonor , Borda Enri 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYIn the present study, we examined whether cannabinoid receptor expression and the effects of receptor stimulation vary as a function of gonadal status in a peripheral tissue, namely the male rat parotid gland. Four groups of male rats were studied: gonadal intact, castrated, castrated testosterone (1 mg/100 g bodyweight) treated and gonadal intact testosterone treated.The results showed that the density of CB1receptors decreased after castration and that receptor density was restored to control values after testosterone treatment. This decrement was associated with a decrease of anandamide (10‐10to 10‐5 mol/L)‐induced cAMP accumulation and amylase release without changes in the anandamide‐induced inhibition of Na+/K+‐ATPase activity.Castration did not modify either the subtype of cannabinoid receptor involved in the actions of anandamide or drug affinity for the receptor.The mechanism underlying anandamide‐induced cAMP accumulation, amylase release and inhibition of Na+/K+‐ATPase activity, namely through the activation of adenylyl cyclase, was the same in control and castrated rats.Basal cAMP accumulation, amylase release and Na+/K+‐ATPase activity were not altered by castration.Castration had no effect on the concentration of total protein.It can be concluded that CB1cannabinoid receptor expression is regulated by testosterone in male rat parotid gland and this has functional implications for cAMP accumulation and amylase release.
ROLE OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT IN LUNG DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Hooper Stuart B , Wallace Megan J 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARY

Mechanical forces, exerted on lung tissue via alterations in lung expansion are a major determinant of fetal lung development, having a potent effect on the rate of cellular proliferation, the differentiated state of alveolar epithelial cells and the three‐dimensional tissue structure. As a result, much research is currently focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved.
Although it is likely that mechanical forces exert similar influences on lung development after birth, the types of forces applied to the air‐filled lung are very different and more complex. For example, lung aeration causes surface tension to form, which greatly increases lung recoil, leading to a reduction in interstitial tissue and pleural pressures, as well as lung expansion.
Because of the loss of the distending influence of lung liquid, the chest wall assumes the role of maintaining resting lung volumes after birth by acting as an external brace that opposes lung recoil. As a result, the distribution of force throughout lung tissue changes markedly.
Little is known of how changing the mechanical environment of the lung influences its development after birth, but this has important implications for understanding the impact of assisted ventilation on patients, particularly very preterm infants, who are often ventilated using high positive pressures.
Although the application of positive internal distending pressures may, in part, duplicate the fetal environment, the effect of gas versus liquid is unknown and high positive airway pressures are known to adversely affect cardiopulmonary physiology. Understanding the role of mechanical forces in regulating lung development as well as pulmonary physiology in the fetus and newborn is central to improving the care and management of infants suffering respiratory failure.
THE CHARACTER OF VIRTUE: ANSWERING THE SITUATIONIST CHALLENGE TO VIRTUE ETHICS
Authors: Fleming Diana 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNeo‐Aristotelian virtue ethics makes essential reference to the notion of a stable, robust character‐trait. It also claims to be constrained by at least a minimal degree of psychological realism. Recent developments in empirical psychology have drawn into question the evidence for the existence of such robust traits, arguing that it rests on what has been called a ‘fundamental attribution error’. Virtue ethics has thus seemingly been made vulnerable to criticisms that it is essentially dependent on an erroneous, folk‐psychological, notion of character and, so, must either abandon their characteristic notion of virtue or forego any pretensions to psychological realism.I develop a two‐pronged response to this objection. First, I argue that there is reason to question much of the empirical evidence and that such evidence as does exist can easily be accommodated by virtue ethics. Next, I argue that even if we allow that neo‐Aristotelian virtue ethical theories does sometimes presuppose a stronger conception of character‐traits than is warranted by the evidence, this does not significantly undermine the virtue ethicist's project.
Model Choice in Time Series Studies of Air Pollution and Mortality
Authors: Peng Roger D. , Dominici Francesca , Louis Thomas A. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryMulticity time series studies of particulate matter and mortality and morbidity have provided evidence that daily variation in air pollution levels is associated with daily variation in mortality counts. These findings served as key epidemiological evidence for the recent review of the US national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter. As a result, methodological issues concerning time series analysis of the relationship between air pollution and health have attracted the attention of the scientific community and critics have raised concerns about the adequacy of current model formulations. Time series data on pollution and mortality are generally analysed by using log-linear, Poisson regression models for overdispersed counts with the daily number of deaths as outcome, the (possibly lagged) daily level of pollution as a linear predictor and smooth functions of weather variables and calendar time used to adjust for time-varying confounders. Investigators around the world have used different approaches to adjust for confounding, making it difficult to compare results across studies. To date, the statistical properties of these different approaches have not been comprehensively compared. To address these issues, we quantify and characterize model uncertainty and model choice in adjusting for seasonal and long-term trends in time series models of air pollution and mortality. First, we conduct a simulation study to compare and describe the properties of statistical methods that are commonly used for confounding adjustment. We generate data under several confounding scenarios and systematically compare the performance of the various methods with respect to the mean-squared error of the estimated air pollution coefficient. We find that the bias in the estimates generally decreases with more aggressive smoothing and that model selection methods which optimize prediction may not be suitable for obtaining an estimate with small bias. Second, we apply and compare the modelling approaches with the National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study database which comprises daily time series of several pollutants, weather variables and mortality counts covering the period 1987–2000 for the largest 100 cities in the USA. When applying these approaches to adjusting for seasonal and long-term trends we find that the Study's estimates for the national average effect of PM10 at lag 1 on mortality vary over approximately a twofold range, with 95% posterior intervals always excluding zero risk.
Pathways Between Education and Health: A Causal Modelling Approach
Authors: Chandola Tarani , Clarke Paul , Morris J. N. , Blane David 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe association of poor education and poor health has been consistently observed in many studies and in various countries. Thus far, studies examining the mechanisms underlying this association have looked at only a limited set of potential pathways. This study simultaneously examines six distinctive pathways, which have been hypothesized to link education and health and found support from previous studies. A causal analysis of education and health was performed using structural equation models. Data were used from six phases of the National Child Development Study, which is based on following up an initial sample of 17416 children who were born in 1958. The association between education and health appears to be explained by a combination of mechanisms: adolescent health and adult health behaviours for men and women, adult social class among men and parental social class among women. We conclude that improvements in population educational attainment may not automatically lead to improvements in population health, and that health policies for improving health and reducing health inequalities need to target specific causal pathways.
Selective Aldosterone Blockade Suppresses Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Heart Failure
Authors: SHROFF SUNIL C. , RYU KYUNGMOO , MARTOVITZ NICHOLE L. , HOIT BRIAN D. , STAMBLER BRUCE S. 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: Renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system activation may be involved in the pathogenesis of atrial arrhythmias in congestive heart failure (CHF). The effects of aldosterone blockade on atrial tachyarrhythmias have not been evaluated. This study's aim was to determine whether selective aldosterone blockade suppresses atrial tachyarrhythmia inducibility and modifies atrial electrical and/or structural remodeling in a canine model of rapid ventricular pacing (RVP)‐induced CHF. Methods and Results: Dogs were assigned randomly to treatment with oral placebo or eplerenone (50 mg/day) and divided into four groups: two sham‐operated (no RVP) and two RVP groups. After 5 weeks of no RVP or RVP at 230 beats/min along with concurrent placebo or eplerenone treatment, dogs underwent electrophysiologic and echocardiographic studies. Sustained atrial tachyarrhythmia inducibility (>10‐minute duration), atrial effective refractory periods (ERPs), systolic and diastolic function, and left atrial and left ventricular (LV) chamber sizes were assessed. Placebo‐treated RVP dogs developed CHF with LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, left atrial and LV enlargement, increased atrial ERPs, and inducible sustained atrial tachyarrhythmias. Eplerenone treatment in RVP dogs significantly suppressed sustained atrial tachyarrhythmia inducibility, nonuniformly prolonged atrial ERPs and attenuated LV diastolic dysfunction without modifying left atrial or LV dilation or ejection fractions in CHF. Isoproterenol (2–4 μg/min) reversed eplerenone's atrial antiarrhythmic and ERP prolonging effects in CHF. Eplerenone did not alter atrial ERPs in sham (no RVP) dogs without CHF. Conclusions: Eplerenone suppresses inducibility of sustained atrial tachyarrhythmias, selectively prolongs atrial ERPs, and attenuates LV diastolic remodeling in RVP‐induced CHF. Aldosterone blockade may be a promising new approach for atrial tachyarrhythmia prevention in CHF.
SCN5A Mutation Associated with Cardiac Conduction Defect and Atrial Arrhythmias
Authors: LAITINEN‐FORSBLOM PÄIVI J. , MÄKYNEN PEKKA , MÄKYNEN HEIKKI , YLI‐MÄYRY SINIKKA , VIRTANEN VESA , KONTULA KIMMO , AALTO‐SETÄLÄ KATRIINA 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: We aimed at identifying the molecular defect underlying the clinical phenotype of a Finnish family with a cardiac conduction defect and atrial arrhythmias. Methods and Results: A large Finnish family was clinically evaluated (ECG, 24‐hour ambulatory ECG, echocardiography). We performed linkage analysis with markers flanking the SCN5A gene and subsequently sequenced the SCN5A gene. Five family members had atrial arrhythmias and intracardiac conduction defects, and due to bradycardia needed a pacemaker when adolescents. No heart failure or sudden cardiac death was observed. Left ventricle dilatation was seen in one individual and three individuals had a slightly enlarged right ventricle. Premature death due to stroke occurred in one subject during the study, and two other members had suffered from stroke at young age. Linkage analysis favored the role of the SCN5A gene in disease pathogenesis, and direct sequencing disclosed D1275N mutation. This alteration was present not only in all six affected individuals, but also in two young individuals lacking clinical symptoms. Conclusions: Cardiac conduction defect and atrial arrhythmias in a large Finnish family appear to result from the SCN5A D1275N mutation. Although no sudden cardiac death was recorded in the family, at least three affected members had encountered brain infarction at the age of 30 or younger.
Ophthalmological findings in a sample of Swedish children aged 4–15 years
Authors: Grönlund Marita Andersson , Andersson Susann , Aring Eva , Hård Anna‐Lena , Hellström Ann 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.Aims: To characterize ophthalmological findings in a sample of Swedish children aged 4–15 years.Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional comprehensive ophthalmological investigation was performed on a sample of 143 children (67 girls, 76 boys) aged 4–15 years.Results: Visual acuity (VA) in the better eye ≥1.0 (≤0.0 logMAR) was found in 79% of subjects. None of the children had VA in the better eye <0.5 (>0.3 logMAR). Amblyopia was found in 0.7% of subjects. A total of 68% of the children had no refractive errors. Hyperopia (≥2.0 dioptres [D] in spherical equivalent [SE]) was found in 9% and myopia (≥0.5 D SE) in 6% of children. Astigmatism (≥0.75 D) was recorded in 22% and anisometropia (≥1.0 D SE) in 3%. A total of 8% were optically corrected. Strabismus was recorded in 3.5%. Signs of visuoperceptual problems were reported in 3% of the children.Conclusion: This sample of Swedish children may serve as a comparison group regarding ophthalmological findings in children aged 4–15 years.
Middle cerebral artery occlusion in Macaca fascicularis: acute and chronic stroke evolution
Authors: D'Arceuil Helen E. , Duggan Michael , He Julian , Pryor Johnny , de Crespigny Alex 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground
An intravascular stroke model designed for magnetic resonance imaging was developed in Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis) to characterize serial stroke lesion evolution. This model produces a range of stroke lesion sizes which closely mimics human stroke evolution. This paper describes the care of animals undergoing this stroke procedure, the range of outcomes we experienced and the cause of mortality in this model.Methods  Anesthesia was induced with atropine and ketamine and maintained with isoflurane or propofol. Non‐invasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiration rate, temperature and end tidal CO2 were monitored continuously. The stroke was created by occluding a distal branch of the middle cerebral artery. During catheter placement animals were heparinized and vasospasm was minimized using verapamil.Results  Anesthetic induction and maintenance were smooth. Animals with small strokes showed very rapid recovery, were able to ambulate and self‐feed within 2 hours of recovery. Animals with strokes of ≥4% of the hemispheric volume required lengthy observation during recovery and parenteral nutrition. Large strokes resulted in significant brain edema, herniation and brainstem compression.Conclusions  Intracerebral hemorrhage and or subarachnoid hemorrhage coupled with a stroke of any size was acutely fatal. In the absence of an effective acute stroke therapy, the spectrum of outcomes seen in our primate model is very similar to that observed in human stroke patients.
Molecular diversity of HLA‐A*19 group of alleles in south Indian population
Authors: Vettriselvi V. , Vijayalakshmi K. , Suganya S. , Krishnan M. , Paul S. F. D. , Jayanth V. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryTo determine the genetic diversity of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*19 group of alleles in the south Indian Tamil population, we studied 100 random healthy unrelated individuals. The frequency of HLA‐A*19 was 37% with A*33 (45.9%), A*32 (29.7%), A*31 (16.2%), A*30 (5.4%), A*29 (2.7%) and A*74 (0%). The frequency distribution of the HLA‐A*19 alleles was distinct and revealed marked similarities and variations with other populations
Thyroid autoantibody production is influenced by exon 1 and promoter CTLA‐4 polymorphisms in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Zaletel K. , Krhin B. , Gaberšček S. , Hojker S. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryStrong genetic susceptibility to thyroid autoantibody (TAb) diathesis has been shown and one of the major genes involved is probably CTLA‐4 gene. Our recent study of patients with Graves’ disease has demonstrated that exon 1 CTLA‐4 gene polymorphism influences higher TAb production. Here, we evaluated the influence of exon 1 and promoter CTLA‐4 polymorphisms on TAb production in 109 newly diagnosed patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Serum TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were measured. 49 A/G and −318 C/T polymorphisms were detected using polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Patients with AG and GG genotype had significantly higher TPOAb median values compared to patients with AA genotype (P < 0.003). Similarly, TgAb median value was significantly higher in AG patients and in the entire G‐allele carrying group (P < 0.02). Compared to both T‐allele carrying genotypes, CC genotype presented with significantly higher TPOAb median value (P < 0.02), whereas TgAb median values did not differ significantly between various genotypes. In conclusion, our results indicate that G allele influences higher TPOAb and TgAb production, whereas C allele affects especially TPOAb production in patients with HT. Therefore, our findings provide further evidence that CTLA‐4 is a major TAb susceptibility gene.
Simulation of oil spills near environmentally sensitive areas in Egyptian coastal waters
Authors: Nasr Peter , Smith Edward 
Published: February 2006

AbstractOil spills in Egyptian coastal waters have a direct impact on the national economy because of the potential environmental damage, and the corresponding negative effect on tourism. Computer simulations of oil spills were performed for four environmentally sensitive areas along Egyptian coasts using an existing oil spill model that incorporates the important variables and processes affecting oil transport in seawater. The expected slick trajectory and variation of oil properties with time were calculated for a proposed spill scenario at each site. Water current maps, the most critical model input parameter with respect to spill trajectory, were developed for each location. The simulations demonstrated that the most important oil property affecting spill response decisions and operations is the emulsion viscosity, in that it indicates when, where, and how responders can intervene for cleanup.
Consciousness, Theories of
Authors: Kriegel Uriah 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPhenomenal consciousness is the property mental states, events, and processes have when, and only when, there is something it is like for their subject to undergo them, or be in them. What it is like to have a conscious experience is customarily referred to as the experience's phenomenal character. Theories of consciousness attempt to account for this phenomenal character. This article surveys the currently prominent theories, paying special attention to the various attempts to explain a state's phenomenal character in terms of its representational content.
An Ocean Refractometer: Resolving Millimeter-Scale Turbulent Density Fluctuations via the Refractive Index
Authors: Alford Matthew H. , Gerdt David W. , Adkins Charles M. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
A fiberoptic sensor has been constructed to measure oceanic density fluctuations via their refractive index signature. The resolution (Δz = 1 mm, Δt = 0.2 ms) and precision (Δn &lt; 10−8, Δρ = 3.4 × 10−5 kg m−3) of the device are far better than other methods and are sufficient to resolve the entire turbulent spectrum. Spectra show the salinity Batchelor rolloff at levels undetectable via conductivity measurements. However, the low-wavenumber portion of the spectrum occupied by the turbulent inertial subrange (≈1 m–1 cm scales) is marred by noise resulting from fiber motion in response to turbulent velocity fluctuations. The technique is described, and the first ocean measurements are reported.