bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of reefal Oxfordian episodes and climatic implications in the eastern Paris Basin (France)
Authors: Carpentier Cédric , Martin‐Garin Bertrand , Lathuilière Bernard , Ferry Serge 
Published: April 2006

AbstractOxfordian reefal episodes of Lorraine and Burgundy have a long time been considered as contemporaneous. Biostratigraphic data and sequential evolutions peculiar to each region indicate their structural autonomy during Oxfordian times. A north‐south‐oriented well‐logging transect shows that, during the Middle Oxfordian, a shallow reefal platform developed in Lorraine while thin deeper deposits occurred in Burgundy. In spite of their different ages, reefal episodes of Middle Oxfordian in Lorraine and Upper Oxfordian in Burgundy exhibit a broadly similar vertical evolution of coral communities. During the Late Oxfordian, the contemporaneous occurrence of a diversified assemblage in the Burgundy region, a colder coral assemblage characterized by eurytopic genera and the decrease in seawater isotopic temperatures in Lorraine can be explained by a shift in trophic conditions, a climatic change related to structural rearrangements in this strategic place and a modification of oceanic circulations between the arctic and the Tethyan regions.
Generation and characterization of a single‐gene mouse–human chimeric antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen
Authors: Bose Biplab , Khanna Navin , Acharya Subrat K , Sinha Subrata 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:  Antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is used for passive immunotherapy in certain cases of hepatitis B infection. The authors have earlier reported a high‐affinity mouse monoclonal (5S) against HBsAg. However, this mouse antibody cannot be used for therapeutic purposes because it may elicit antimouse immune responses. Chimerization by replacing mouse constant domains with human ones can reduce the immunogenicity of this antibody.Methods:  A single‐chain variable fragment (scFv), derived from the mouse monoclonal 5S, was fused with the fragment crystallisable (Fc) fragment of human IgG1. The scFv region is expected to bind to the antigen, whereas the Fc fragment can provide the effector functions required for virus neutralization. This chimeric molecule was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in serum‐free medium. It was purified by affinity chromatography and characterized by in vitro binding studies.Results:  Purification and characterization indicated that this chimeric scFv‐Fc fusion protein is secreted as a disulfide‐linked, glycosylated, homodimeric molecule. The yield of the purified chimeric antibody was approximately 4.6 mg/L. In vitro analyses confirmed that this chimeric molecule retained the high affinity and specificity of the original mouse monoclonal.Conclusion:  Because it is a single‐gene product, this chimeric scFv‐Fc has the advantage of stable expression. Being chimeric and bivalent, it is expected to be less immunogenic and therefore suitable for further in vivo studies on virus neutralization.
Potential of adipocytokines in predicting peripancreatic necrosis and severity in acute pancreatitis: Pilot study
Authors: Schäffler Andreas , Landfried Karin , Völk Markus , Fürst Alois , Büchler Christa , Schölmerich Jürgen , Herfarth Hans 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Severe acute pancreatitis is characterized by lipase‐induced peripancreatic fat cell necrosis. Because adipocytes secret several highly active molecules, the aim of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that adipocytokines could serve as potential markers predicting peripancreatic necrosis and severity in acute pancreatitis.Methods:  A total of 23 patients (11 females, 12 males) with acute pancreatitis were included and a computed tomography (CT) examination was available in 20 patients. Balthazar score, Schröder score, pancreatic necrosis score, Ranson score and APACHE II score were calculated, correlated with biochemical parameters and analyzed using receiver‐operator characteristics (ROC) analysis. Adipocytokine serum levels were measured daily by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) over 10 days after admission.Results:  Resistin and leptin were significantly elevated in patients with severe pancreatitis and were correlated with a radiological scoring system for extrapancreatic necrosis. Whereas resistin correlated positively with clinical scoring systems, time until discharge and the need for interventions, leptin was correlated positively with C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels. Resistin levels measured on the day of admittance had a positive predictive value of 93.3% (cut‐off: >6.95 ng/mL) in predicting a Schröder score >3.Conclusion:  Resistin, and to a lesser extent leptin, but not adiponectin levels are novel potential markers for extrapancreatic necrosis and severity of acute pancreatitis and should therefore be tested in larger cohorts of patients.
Helicobacter pylori, chronic atrophic gastritis, inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2, macrocytosis and multiple upper aerodigestive tract cancers and the risk for gastric cancer in alcoholic Japanese men
Authors: Yokoyama Akira , Yokoyama Tetsuji , Omori Tai , Matsushita Sachio , Mizukami Takeshi , Takahashi Hisao , Higuchi Susumu , Maruyama Katsuya , Ishii Hiromasa , Hibi Toshifumi 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:  Gastric carcinoma occurs at a high rate in alcoholic Japanese men. Inactive heterozygous aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2*1/2*2) and macrocytosis (mean corpuscular volume [MCV] ≥ 106 fl) enhance the risk for esophageal carcinoma, which frequently occurs with gastric carcinoma in this population. Whether alcoholism affects Helicobacter pylori‐induced chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is unknown.Methods:  This study of Japanese alcoholic men with (n = 45) and without (n = 281) gastric carcinoma included assessment of H. pylori IgG antibody, serum pepsinogen‐confirmed CAG, MCV, and ALDH2 genotype.Results:  The gastric carcinoma cases had a significantly higher age‐adjusted prevalence of H. pylori‐positivity (78%vs 57%), CAG (78%vs 42%), ALDH2*1/2*2 (36%vs 14%), MCV ≥106 fl (38%vs 20%), and concurrent esophageal/oropharyngolaryngeal carcinoma (18%vs 5%) than controls. Among gastric cancer‐free controls, the prevalence of CAG was higher than generally reported in Japan, regardless of H. pylori status (H. pylori‐positive, 56%vs 35–36% for Japanese general population; H. pylori‐negative, 8%vs 1–3%). Alcoholism may accelerate the progression of CAG. Each of these factors increased the risk of gastric carcinoma (ORs = 3.7 for H. pylori‐positive, 2.7 for non‐severe CAG, 8.7 for severe CAG, 3.5 for ALDH2*1/2*2, 2.5 for MCV ≥106 fl, and 3.7 for concurrent carcinoma). A multivariate analysis showed that CAG and ALDH2*1/2*2 were independently related to the risk of gastric carcinoma. Combinations of CAG and ALDH2*1/2*2 showed greater risks of gastric carcinoma (ORs = 4.0 for non‐severe CAG alone, 17.6 for severe CAG alone, 9.7 for ALDH2*1/2*2 alone, 17.1 for non‐severe CAG plus ALDH2*1/2*2, and 39.2 for severe CAG plus ALDH2*1/2*2).Conclusions:  Combining blood tests for H. pylori, CAG, MCV and ALDH2 genotype could offer a new means of predicting risk of gastric carcinoma in Japanese alcoholic men.
Intravenous self‐administration of nicotine is altered by lesions of the posterior, but not anterior, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus
Authors: Alderson Helen L. , Latimer Mary P. , Winn Philip 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe reinforcing properties of nicotine involve actions at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located on dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) is involved in the regulation of these DA neurons, and those of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The PPTg can be subdivided into anterior (aPPTg) and posterior (pPPTg) regions on the basis of its innervation of midbrain DA neurons – the pPPTg innervates both VTA and SNc while the aPPTg innervates SNc. As the reinforcing actions of nicotine depend on its actions in the VTA more than SNc, it was hypothesized that excitotoxic lesions of pPPTg would alter nicotine reinforcement, measured by intravenous self‐administration, while lesions of aPPTg would not. Rats were given ibotenate lesions of pPPTg or aPPTg, followed by intravenous catheterization. Intravenous self‐administration (IVSA) of nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/inf) was carried out until a stable response baseline was reached. A dose–response function for nicotine was then established. There was no significant effect of aPPTg lesions on nicotine IVSA, while IVSA was significantly elevated following pPPTg lesions, compared with both sham lesioned controls and aPPTg excitotoxin lesioned rats. This was found across all doses, including saline, of the dose–response function. The differential effect of aPPTg lesions and pPPTg lesions suggests that disruption of regulatory innervation from pPPTg results in altered regulation of VTA DA neurons. The resulting change in nicotine self‐administration behaviour was hypothesized to reflect either a reduction in intrinsic nicotine reward value, or enhancement of associative incentive salience.
Consequences of unilateral nigrostriatal denervation on the thalamostriatal pathway in rats
Authors: Aymerich M. S. , Barroso‐Chinea P. , Pérez‐Manso M. , Muñoz‐Patiño A. M. , Moreno‐Igoa M. , González‐Hernández T. , Lanciego J. L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe position of the caudal intralaminar nuclei within basal ganglia circuitry has largely been neglected in most studies dealing with basal ganglia function. During the past few years, there has been a growing body of evidence suggesting that the thalamic parafascicular nucleus in rodents (PF) exerts a multifaceted modulation of basal ganglia nuclei, at different levels. Our aim was to study the activity of the thalamostriatal pathway in rats with unilateral dopaminergic depletion. The experimental approach comprised first unilateral delivery of 6‐OHDA in the medial forebrain bundle. Thirty days post‐lesioning, animals showing a clear asymmetry were then subjected to bilateral injection of Fluoro‐Gold (FG) within the striatum. Subsequently, expression of the mRNA encoding the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (vGLUT2) was detected within thalamostriatal‐projecting neurons (FG‐labeled) by in situ hybridization and the results were confirmed by laser‐guided capture microdissection microscopy followed by real‐time PCR. The data showed that there was a marked neuronal loss restricted to PF neurons projecting to the dopamine‐depleted striatum. Moreover, PF neurons innervating the dopamine‐depleted striatum were intensely hyperactive. These neurons showed a marked increase on the expression of vGLUT2 mRNA as well as for the mRNA encoding the subunit I of cytochrome oxidase as compared with those neurons projecting to the striatum with normal dopamine content. Thus, the selective neurodegeneration of PF neurons innervating the striatum together with the increased activity of the thalamostriatal pathway coexist after nigrostriatal denervation.
Critical study of hair growth analysis with computer‐assisted methods
Authors: Van Neste D , Trüeb RM 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  Computer‐assisted image analysis has been proposed for human hair growth studies.Methods  The performances of Trichoscan, a commercially available automated system combining epiluminiscence microscopy with digital image analysis, developed for office‐based hair growth measurements, have been evaluated comparatively on the same skin sites using standardized photographic equipment and calibrated processing for contrast‐enhanced phototrichogram (CE‐PTG) analysis. This reference method has been validated with scalp biopsies and histological examination of serial sectioning.Results  Besides edge effects, hair fibres escaped the Trichoscan analysis for various reasons including, but not limited to, thickness, pigmentation, closeness and crossing.Conclusion  Most of these problems have been identified in the late 1980s and remain largely unsolved by the processing software that was evaluated in 2004. Therefore claims promoting the Trichoscan method for accurate hair measurements in clinical trials on scalp and body hair are not supported by the present investigation. The speed at which the analysis is performed is outweighed by the errors in signal detection. Therefore we suggest that improvements must be clearly documented before Trichoscan is established for quantified diagnostic purposes and detailed hair cycle monitoring during hair trials.
Challenges ahead for food science
Authors: JURIAANSE A C 
Published: April 2006

Over the last decades, market forces have pushed many food companies into a process of continuous cost cutting and rationalization. The only way to escape this ‘spiral of death’ is to innovate.  This presents new challenges to food technologists: they have to connect the right functional benefits to the emotional benefits to support brand strengths. To achieve the desired speed to market, companies should build skills to utilize the latest technology and learn to work in an open innovation environment.
Bioactive peptides and lactic fermentations
Authors: FITZGERALD RICHARD J , MURRAY BRIAN A 
Published: April 2006

Milk proteins contain regions within their primary structures that encrypt for many latent biological activities. The beneficial health effects associated with some fermented dairy products may, in part, be attributed to the release of bioactive peptide sequences during the fermentation process. Peptides displaying opioid, mineral binding, cytomodulatory and hypotensive activities, for example, have been identified in cheese and yogurt. Much effort has to date concentrated on the release of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides due to their potential to act as hypotensive agents. Peptide fractions obtained by hydrophobic interaction chromatography of different cheese varieties (Blue, Camembert, Edam, Emmental, Gouda and Havarti) were reported to give systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreases in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) ranging from 7.1 to 29.3 mm mercury (Hg). Skim milks fermented with various strains of Lactobacillus helveticus, and in one case also with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have been reported to display SBP decreases in mildly hypertensive human volunteers ranging from 4.6 to 14.1 mmHg. These human hypotensive effects have, in part, been attributed to the release of potent casein‐derived tripeptide inhibitors of ACE during fermentation. In general, the likelihood of any bioactive peptide released during fermentation mediating a physiological response is dependent on the ability of that peptide to reach an appropriate target site. Therefore, peptides may need to be resistant to further degradation by gastrointestinal and serum proteinases/peptidases following oral ingestion in order to display a functional food effect.
Overexpression of Neuropeptide Y in the Central Nucleus of the Amygdala Decreases Ethanol Self‐administration in “Anxious” Rats
Authors: Primeaux Stefany D. , Wilson Steven P. , Bray George A. , York David A. , Wilson Marlene A. 
Published: April 2006

Background: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been implicated in a variety of behaviors including those associated with anxiety and ethanol administration. The current experiment investigated the predictive role of anxiety‐like behaviors in ethanol self‐administration and the relationship of NPY in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) with anxiety and ethanol self‐administration.Methods: Rats were divided into anxious and nonanxious groups based on behavior in the elevated plus maze. Following elevated plus maze testing, rats were allowed to consume increasing concentrations of ethanol (2, 4, and 6%) in a 2‐bottle choice procedure over a period of 31 days. anxious rats showed an increased preference for 4% ethanol and 6% ethanol compared with non‐anxious rats. Following 20‐day access to 6% ethanol, rats underwent gene transfer surgery with replication‐defective recombinant herpes simplex 1 vectors encoding prepro‐NPY, an antisense NPY RNA, or LacZ (control) into the CeA.Results: In anxious rats, bilateral injections into the CeA with the NPY‐antisense vector increased 6% ethanol preference, while the vector encoding NPY decreased 6% ethanol preference. Herpes simplex viral‐mediated alterations in CeA NPY expression did not alter ethanol preference in nonanxious rats.Conclusions: These results suggest that virally mediated alterations in NPY levels in the CeA differentially affect ethanol consumption in rats with low and high basal levels of anxiety.
Stress and Alcohol Consumption in Heavily Drinking Men: 2 Years of Daily Data Using Interactive Voice Response
Authors: Helzer John E. , Badger Gary J. , Searles John S. , Rose Gail L. , Mongeon Joan A. 
Published: April 2006

Background: The relationship between stress and alcohol consumption has been shown in recent research to be more complex than originally thought. Cross‐sectional and short‐term longitudinal studies may not provide adequate data to address subtle but important relationships that impact consumption frequency and/or quantity.Methods: Participants were 33 males recruited from local bars who reported their alcohol consumption, stress, and other related variables every day for 2 years. Reports were provided by automated telephone to a computer‐based interactive voice response (IVR) system. By closely monitoring call completion, we were able to collect over 95% of the daily calls.Results: Using hierarchical linear modeling, daily stress was found to be associated with daily alcohol consumption, but in the opposite direction than would be predicted by a “drinking to cope” hypothesis. That is, same‐day stress was found to be inversely related to consumption levels. Prior day's stress was not significantly associated with subsequent day's consumption; however, prior day's consumption was predictive of subsequent stress for up to 2 days. Similar analyses using week, rather than day, as the unit of measure paralleled these findings.Conclusions: This study highlights the utility of using long‐term daily process data to address important research and clinical questions in the alcohol field.
Acceptance of genetically modified food: comparing consumer perspectives in the United States and South Korea
Authors: Nayga Rodolfo M. , Fisher Mary Gillett , Onyango Benjamin 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis study examines public perceptions of biotechnology, specifically the consumer approval of genetically modified food products, from plant as well as from animal origin, based on data collected from national surveys conducted in both the United States and South Korea. South Korean consumers reported better understanding of food production, science, and technology relative to U.S. consumers. South Korean consumers also recalled having heard more about genetic modification than did U.S. consumers. Findings also suggest that consumers in the United States and South Korea who possessed an accurate knowledge of the applications and outcomes of genetic modification technology were more likely to approve of its use for the creation of foods than those who had inaccurate or no knowledge of the technology. Results also indicate that consumers who considered labeling of genetically modified foods to be necessary are less likely to approve of the genetic modification of foods than those who did not. Consumers in both countries are less approving of genetic modification of animals than the genetic modification of plants. However, U.S. consumers are more approving of using genetic modification technology to create animal‐derived foods than are South Korean consumers.
Effects of sedimented helium on the X-ray properties of galaxy clusters
Authors: Ettori S. , Fabian A. C. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
In this Letter, we consider the role played by the sedimentation of helium nuclei on the emissivity and metallicity distribution of the X-ray emitting plasma in the cores of relaxed galaxy clusters. We model the gas density and temperature profiles of nearby cooling core clusters to estimate the gravitational acceleration acting on the helium, and show that its sedimentation time-scale is too long with respect to the present age of these objects to play a significant role. However, we argue that these time-scales definitely must have been lower in the past to allow the helium to settle in the cluster cooling cores and raise its abundance to values higher than the solar one. A direct consequence of this speculation is that the helium, by increasing the total X-ray emissivity, reduces the measured metal abundance in the inner (r ≲ 20 kpc) cluster regions.
Increased soil nitrogen associated with dinitrogen‐fixing, terricolous lichens of the genus Peltigera in northern Minnesota
Authors: Knowles Rebecca D. , Pastor John , Biesboer David D. 
Published: April 2006

Dinitrogen (N2)‐fixing lichens (cyanolichens) have long been recognized as a source of exogenous N in various ecosystems, yet the effects of nitrogen inputs from these lichens have been little studied. Cyanolichens of the genus Peltigera Willd. are often the dominant members of the earth‐dwelling (terricolous) cyanolichen community. They occur in diverse habitats around the globe, but no studies of their influence on soil N have been reported.We conducted field and laboratory investigations with the primary objective of determining whether soil N availability is increased near healthy thalli of terricolous dinitrogen‐fixing lichens. We measured available soil N in situ with ion‐exchange resin bags, potentially mineralizable N with laboratory incubations, total soil N, and soil temperature. Measurements were taken along transects that extended away from thalli of Peltigera, perpendicular to and parallel to topographic contours. Studies were conducted in ten types of forest across northern Minnesota, including two contrasting sites that represent extremes of habitat for Peltigera.Soil N availability, potentially mineralizable N, and soil %N increased significantly with proximity to healthy thalli of Peltigera (P‐values<0.05). Moreover, potential N mineralization was highly correlated with soil %N (R2=0.765). Our results suggest a potential zone of influence that extends 1.5 m from thalli of Peltigera. The data indicate that soil temperature is not a primary factor in these associations.