bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity: Geographical Distribution and Toxin Profiles ofMicrocystisStrains (Cyanobacteria) in China
Authors: Wu Zhong‐Xing , Gan Nan‐Qin , Song Li‐Rong 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTwenty strains ofMicrocystisKütz were isolated from different freshwater bodies in China to analyze the diversity, geographical distribution and toxin profiles. Based on whole‐cell polymerase chain reaction ofcpcBA‐IGS nucleotide sequence, the derived neighbor‐joining (NJ) and maximum parsimony (MP) trees indicate that these strains ofMicrocystiscan be divided into four clusters. The strains from south, middle and north region of China formed distinct lineages, suggesting high diversity and a geographical distribution from south to north locations. Moreover, the results being indicating high variable genotypes of the strains of theMicrocystisstrains from the same lake show that there is high diversity ofMicrocystiswithin a water bloom population. Comparing the results of the present study with those reported for compared with 43 strains ofMicrocystisfrom other locations, also reveals Chinese strains have high similarity with those from regions in the North Hemispherical. This suggests that theMicrocystisstrains in the world might have a geographical distribution. Analysis of 30 strains using the primers MCF/TER and TOX2P/TOX2M showed that there was no correlation between the gene ofcpcBA‐IGS and the presence ofmcy.Toxic strains were founded to be predominant in different water bodies throughout China.
Purification and Characterization of a New Heme‐Binding Protein (HBP59) from the Mutant Strain DJ35 of Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Bian Shao‐Min , Wang Huang‐Ping , Zhou Hui‐Na , Zhao Ying , Zhao Jian‐Feng , Huang Ju‐Fu 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA new protein, an approximately 59‐kDa monomer containing iron atoms, was first isolated from the mutant strain DJ35 of Azotobacter vinelandii Lipmann. After analysis by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, the protein was identified as the product of a predicted gene. Thus, the protein was tentatively called HBP59. Its absorption spectra (ABS) in the reduced state exhibited three peaks at 421, 517, and 556 nm and the maximal peak was shifted from 421 to 413 nm after exposure of HBP59 to air. The Soret circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of HBP59 in the reduced state displayed four positive peaks at 364, 382, 406, and 418 nm and two negative peaks at 398 and 433 nm; the Δε (CD extinction coefficient) values of these peaks were found to be 0.92, 0.58, 0.87, 0.72, −0.65 and −1.12 L/mol per cm, respectively. Titration with heme showed that the protein has 0.1 heme molecules/protein molecule. After HBP59 had fully interacted with heme, its maximal ABS value and Soret CD intensity were increased by approximately 10‐fold compared with values before interaction. Therefore, it seems that one molecule of HBP59 can be interacted with only one heme. These results indicate that HBP59 contains heme with low spin and may be involved in heme utilization or adhesion.
Genetic Mapping of Laminaria japonica and L. longissima Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers in a “Two‐Way Pseudo‐Testcross” Strategy
Authors: Li Yuhui , Yang Yingxia , Liu Jidong , Wang Xiuliang , Gao Tianxiang , Duan Delin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWith a “two‐way pseudo‐testcross” mapping strategy, we applied the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to construct two moderate density genetic linkage maps for Laminaria. The linkage maps were generated from the 60 progenies of the F1 cross family (Laminaria longissima Aresch. ×L. japonica Miyabe) with twenty pairs of primer combinations. Of the 333 polymorphic loci scored in 60 progenies, 173 segregated in a 1:1 ratio, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in a single parent, and the other 58 loci existing in both parents followed a 3:1 Mendelian segregation ratio. Among the loci with 1:1 segregating ratios, 79 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups (648.6 cM) of the paternal map, and 72 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups (601.9 cM) of the maternal map. The average density of loci was approximately 1 per 8 cM. To investigate the homologies between two parental maps, we used 58 loci segregated 3:1 for further analysis, and deduced one homologous linkage group. The linkage data developed in these maps will be useful for detecting loci‐controlling commercially important traits for Laminaria.
Assessment of Genetic Stability Among In Vitro Plants of Arachis retusa Using RAPD and AFLP Markers for Germplasm Preservation
Authors: Gagliardi Rachel Fatima , Hanai Luiz Ricardo , Pacheco Georgia , Oliveira Carlos Alberto , Carneiro Leonardo Alves , Montenegro Valls José Francisco , Mansur Elisabeth , Vieira Maria Lucia Carneiro 
Published: March 2007

Abstract Arachis retusa Krapov. et W. C. Gregory et Valls is endemic in the West‐central region of Brazil, occurring in areas endangered by human actions. The establishment of in vitro preservation methods for wild species of Arachis is an alternative to seed banks for germplasm storage, multiplication and distribution. The risk of genetic changes induced by tissue culture and the monitoring of the genetic stability of the biological material before, during and after storage must be considered in the context of conservation. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting were used to evaluate the genetic stability of in vitro plants originated from cotyledons and embryo axes of A. retusa. Cotyledons originated shoots through direct organogenesis and embryo axes displayed multishoot formation induced by 110 mmol/L and 8.8 mmol/L BAP, respectively. Ninety genomic regions (loci) generated from RAPD and 372 from AFLP analyses were evaluated. All amplified fragments detected by both techniques in plants derived from the two explant types were monomorphic. The results indicate that the recovered shoots are genetically stable at the assessed genomic regions.
Changes of 5′ Terminal Nucleotides of PCR Primers Causing Variable T‐A Cloning Efficiency
Authors: Liu Mei‐Qin , Shen Xin , Yin Wei‐Lun , Lu Cun‐Fu 
Published: March 2007

AbstractT‐A cloning takes advantage of the unpaired adenosyl residue added to the 3′ terminus of amplified DNAs by Taq and other thermostable DNA polymerase and uses a linearized plasmid vector with a protruding 3′ thymidylate residue at each of its 3′ termini to clone polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐derived DNA fragments. It is a simple, reliable, and efficient ligation‐dependent cloning method for PCR products, but the drawback of variable cloning efficiency occurs during application. In the present work, the relationship between variable T‐A cloning efficiency and the different 5′ end nucleotide base of primers used in PCR amplification was studied. The results showed that different cloning efficiency was obtained with different primer pairs containing A, T, C and G at the 5′ terminus respectively. The data shows that when the 5′ end base of primer pair was adenosyl, more white colonies could be obtained in cloning the corresponding PCR product in comparison with other bases. And the least white colonies were formed when using the primer pair with 5′ cytidylate end. The gluanylate end primers resulted in almost the same cloning efficiency in the white colonies amount as the thymidylate end primer did, and this efficiency was much lower than that of adenosyl end primers. This presumably is a consequence of variability in 3′dA addition to PCR products mediated by Taq polymerase. Our results offer instructions for primer design for researchers who choose T‐A cloning to clone PCR products.
Fluctuation of Vegetative Storage Proteins in the Seedlings of Swietenia macrophylla, Analogous to the Seasonal Changes of Those in the Shoot of the Adult Tree
Authors: Han Ya‐Qin , Yan Xing‐Fu , Zhang Hua , Hu Zheng‐Hai , Hao Bing‐Zhong , Tian Wei‐Min 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn order to identify appropriate plant materials for studying the gene expression and biological function of vegetative storage proteins (VSPs) in woody plants, the VSPs in the seedlings of Swietenia macrophylla King were investigated by using light microscopy, sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and Western‐blotting. The seed of S. macrophylla was rich in storage proteins that accumulated in the vacuoles of cotyledon parenchyma cells in appearance of compact spherical grains. The growth and development of S. macrophylla seedlings were characterized by an obvious growth rhythm. The storage proteins in seeds disappeared during seedling growth while VSPs appeared in the stem 2 weeks after seedling leaves matured. Thereafter, the VSPs in the seedling stem almost exhausted during new shoot growth, and when the leaves of new shoot just matured, both the stem beneath the new shoot of seedlings and the stem of new shoot started to accumulate VSPs. Nitrogen application dramatically increased the level of VSPs, but had little influence on the dynamics of VSP consumption and accumulation in seedling stem. Together with these data, the fluctuation of VSPs in seedlings was very similar to that in the branches of the adult trees. In addition, seedlings are easy to be treated due to their small size. Our results suggested that S. macrophylla seedlings were suitable for investigating the biological roles of VSPs and the mechanism of nitrogen storage in trees.
Movement discrimination after intra-articular local anaesthetic of the ankle joint
Authors: Down Stuart , Waddington Gordon , Adams Roger , Thomson Malcolm 
Published: March 2007

Background:The effect on clinical safety of dampening articular mechanoreceptor feedback at the ankle is unknown. Injection of the ankle joint for pain control may result in such dampening. Athletes receiving intra-articular local anaesthetic may therefore be at increased risk of sustaining ankle injuries, which are a common reason for missed sporting participation.Objective:To determine the effect of intra-articular local anaesthetic on movement discrimination at the ankle joint.Design:Prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.Setting:Australian Institute of Sport Medical Centre, Canberra, Australia.Patients:Twenty two healthy subjects (44 ankles) aged 18–26 were recruited for the three visits of the study.Interventions:Subjects were tested for their initial movement discrimination scores using the active movement extent discrimination apparatus (AMEDA). They then received ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections of local anaesthetic (2% lignocaine hydrochloride) or normal saline, on two separate later occasions, before further AMEDA assessment.Main outcome measures:Change in movement discrimination scores after intra-articular injection of local anaesthetic or saline.Results:Movement discrimination scores were not significantly different from control ankles after injection of either local anaesthetic or saline into the ankle joint.Conclusions:The intra-articular injection of neither 2 ml lignocaine nor an equivalent amount of normal saline resulted in significant effects on movement discrimination at the ankle joint. These results suggest that injections of local anaesthetic into the ankle joint are unlikely to significantly affect proprioception and thereby increase injury risk.
Comparison of nine theoretical models for estimating the mechanical power output in cycling
Authors: González-Haro Carlos , Galilea Ballarini P A , Soria M , Drobnic F , Escanero J F 
Published: March 2007

Objective:To assess which of the equations used to estimate mechanical power output for a wide aerobic range of exercise intensities gives the closest value to that measured with the SRM training system.Methods:Thirty four triathletes and endurance cyclists of both sexes (mean (SD) age 24 (5) years, height 176.3 (6.6) cm, weight 69.4 (7.6) kg and Vo2max61.5 (5.9) ml/kg/min) performed three incremental tests, one in the laboratory and two in the velodrome. The mean mechanical power output measured with the SRM training system in the velodrome tests corresponding to each stage of the tests was compared with the values theoretically estimated using the nine most referenced equations in literature (Whitt (Ergonomics1971;14:419–24); Di Pramperoet al(J Appl Physiol1979;47:201–6); Whitt and Wilson (Bicycling science. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1982); Kyle (Racing with the sun. Philadelphia: Society of Automotive Engineers, 1991:43–50); Menard (First International Congress on Science and Cycling Skills, Malaga, 1992); Oldset al(J Appl Physiol1995;78:1596–611;J Appl Physiol1993;75:730–7); Broker (USOC Sport Science and Technology Report1–24, 1994); Candauet al(Med Sci Sports Exerc1999;31:1441–7)). This comparison was made using the mean squared error of prediction, the systematic error and the random error.Results:The equations of Candauet al, Di Pramperoet al, Oldset al(J Appl Physiol1993;75:730–7) and Whitt gave a moderate mean squared error of prediction (12.7%, 21.6%, 13.2% and 16.5%, respectively) and a low random error (0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively).Conclusions:The equations of Candauet aland Di Pramperoet algive the best estimate of mechanical power output when compared with measurements obtained with the SRM training system.
Modulation of β‐Cell Ouabain‐Sensitive  86Rb+ Influx(Na+/k+ Pump) by D‐Glucose, Glibenclamideor Diazoxide
Authors: Elmi Adrian , Idahl Lars-ÅKe , Sehlin Janove 
Published: March 2007

The activity of the β‐cell Na+/k+ pump was studied
by using ouabain‐sensitive (lmM ouabain)  86Rb+
influx in β‐cell‐rich islets of Umeå‐ob/ob mice as an
indicator of the pump function. The present results
show that the stimulatory effect of glucose on
ouabain‐sensitive  86Rb+ influx reached its approximate
maximum at 5mM glucose. Pre‐treatment of
the islets with 20mM glucose for 60 min strongly
reduced the glucose‐induced stimulation of the Na+/k+ pump. Pre‐treatment (60 or 180 min) of islets at
0mM glucose, on the other hand, did not affect the
magnitude of the glucose‐induced stimulation of  86Rb+ influx dunng the subsequent 5‐min incubation.
Glibenclamide stimulated the ouabain‐sensitive
86Rb+ uptake in the same manner as glucose.
The stimulatory effect, showed its apparent maximum
at 0.5μM. Pre‐treatment (60 min) of islets with
1μM glibenclamide did not reduce the subsequent
stimulation of the ouabain‐sensitive  86Rb+ influx.
The stimulatory effect of glibenclamide and D‐glucose
were not .additive, suggesting that they
may have the same mechanism of action. No direct
effect of glibenclamide (0.01‐1μM) was observed
on the Na+/k+ ATPase activity in homogenates of
islets. Diazoxide (0.4mM) inhibited the Na+/k+
pump. This effect was sustained even after 60 min of
pre‐treatment of islets with 0.4mM diazoxide. The
stimulatory effect of glibenclamide and D‐glucose
were abolished by diazoxide. It is concluded
that nutrient as well as non‐nutrient insulin secretagogues activate the Na+/k+ pump, probably
as part of the membrane repolarisation process.
High Insulin Requirements and Poor Metabolic Control do not Modify the Expression, Regulation and PKC Mediated Activation of the p21ras Pathway in PBMC from Type II Diabetic Patients
Authors: Rapoport M. J. , Levi O. , Weiss M. , Buchs A. , Ramot Y. , Aharoni D. , Mor A. , Elberg G. , Katz Y. , Weissgarten J. 
Published: March 2007

Aims To asses whether clinically severe insulin
resistance and poor metabolic control in patients with
type II diabetes are associated with aberrant
expression or function of the p21ras pathway.Methods We examined the expression and function
of the p21ras pathway in resting and activated PBMC
from 10 insulin treated patients with type II diabetes
characterized by high insulin requirements and poor
metabolic control (IR group) and 10 age and sex
matched well controlled patients treated by diet
alone or oral hypoglycemic medications (WC group).Results Levels of p21ras and its regulatory
elements: p21rasGAP and hSOS1, were comparable
in the two groups. The induced activities of p21ras
and its associated down‐stream regulatory enzyme
MAP‐kinase following TPA stimulation were also
comparable in the IR and WC patients.Conclusions Taken together, these data indicate that
clinically significant severe insulin resistance does
not modify the expression, regulation and activation
of p21ras pathway in PBMC of patients with type II
diabetes.
Effect of Imiquimod on Cytokine Induction in FirstTrimester Trophoblasts
Authors: Manlove-Simmons Jerry M. , Zaher Fadi M. , Tomai Mark , Gonik Bernie , Svinarich David M. 
Published: March 2007

Objectives: Imiquimod (IQ) is used clinically for the topical treatment of external genital warts. IQ
is an immune response modifier and induces the expression of interferon‐α and other cytokines in
human Peripheral Blood Monocytes (PBMC). Trophoblasts have been previously shown to express
inflammatory cytokines upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The objective of this
study was to evaluate the ability of IQ to induce transcription of cytokines in trophoblasts.Methods: A transformed human first trimester trophoblast cell line, HTR‐8/SVneo, was cultured
in DMEM containing IQ at concentrations of 0 to 5.0 μg/ml. 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐
diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) viability assays were conducted to control for any druginduced
cell death. Total RNA was isolated from trophoblasts at 0,8 and 24 hours of culture and
Reverse Transcription‐Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR) was conducted using specific amplimers
for the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐8. RT‐PCR of
β‐actin was performed to control for equal RNA loading.Results: RT‐PCR was unable detect an increase in either IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 or IL‐8 mRNA in
first trimester trophoblasts cultured in the presence of 0 to 5.0 μg/mL of IQ for up to 24 hours.
RT‐PCR confirmed equal RNA loading and MTT viability assays did not show loss of cell viability
at concentrations of IQ up to 5.0 μg/ml.Conclusions: IQ, at the concentrations tested, did not induce the transcriptional expression of
inflammatory cytokines in human first trimester trophoblasts. These data suggest that IQ would not
induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines in placental trophoblasts. Infect. Dis. Obstet.
Gynecol. 8:105–111, 2000.
Antifungal Activity of Local Anesthetics AgainstCandida Species
Authors: Pina-Vaz Cidália , Rodrigues Acácio Gonçalves , Sansonetty Filipe , Martinez-De-Oliveira J. , Fonseca António F. , Mårdh Per-Anders 
Published: March 2007

Objective: To evaluate the activity of benzydamine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine, three drugs with
local anesthetic activity, against Candida albicans and non‐albicans strains and to clarify their
mechanism of activity.Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 20 Candida strains
(18 clinical isolates and two American Type Culture Collection strains). The fungistatic activity
was studied with the fluorescent probe FUN‐1 and observation under epifluorescence microscopy
and flow cytometry. The fungicidal activity of the three drugs was assayed by viability counts.
Membrane alterations induced in the yeast cells were evaluated by staining with propidium iodide,
by quantitation of intracellular k+ leakage and by transmission electron microscopy of intact yeast
cells and prepared spheroplasts.Results: The MIC ranged from 12.5–50.0 μg/mL, 5.0–40.0 mg/mL, and 2.5–10.0 mg/mL for
benzydamine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine, respectively. The inhibitory activity of these concentrations
could be detected with the fluorescent probe FUN‐1 after incubation for 60 minutes. A very
fast fungicidal activity was shown by 0.2, 50, and 30 mg/mL of benzydamine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine,
respectively.Conclusions: At lower concentrations, the tested drugs have a fungistatic activity, due to yeast
metabolic impairment, while at higher concentrations they are fungicidal, due to direct damage to
the cytoplasmic membrane. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 8:124–137, 2000.
Is Antenatal Group B Streptococcal Carriage aPredictor of Adverse Obstetric Outcome?
Authors: Garland Suzanne M. , Kelly Nigel , Ugoni Antony M. 
Published: March 2007

Objectives: While early‐onset neonatal GBS sepsis is positively associated with premature birth and
prolonged rupture of membranes, there is debate in the literature as to whether maternal GBS
colonization is a predictor of adverse obstetric outcome. This is a critical issue to resolve for
appropriate management (expectant vs. interventional management) of the patient presenting with premature rupture of membranes, who has no overt signs of sepsis, but who is colonized with GBS.Methods: Since 1981 it has been hospital policy to screen all public patients antenatally for genital
carriage of GBS by collection of a low vaginal swab at 28–32 weeks. All patients colonized with GBS antenatally are given penicillin as intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Review of all GBScolonized
antenatal patients for a 12‐month period (580 of 4,495 patients) and a randomized (every fourth consecutive antenatal patient) number of noncolonized patients (958) was made. Lower vaginal GBS colonization and other risk factors for preterm delivery were assessed using univariate and multivariate generalized linear modeling.Results: In the study group, the maternal GBS colonization rate was 12.9%. When cofounding
variables were controlled in a multivariate analysis, the association between antepartum GBS colonization and preterm labor and preterm rupture of membranes was not significant.Conclusion: Maternal antenatal carriage of GBS does not predict preterm labor. Therefore it is appropriate that expectant management occur for a GBS‐colonized woman who ruptures her membranes, is not in labor, and has no evidence of sepsis. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 8:138–142, 2000.
Use of Methergine for the Prevention ofPostoperative Endometritis in Non‐Elective CesareanSection Patients
Authors: Dweck Murray F. , Lynch Catherine M. , Spellacy William N. 
Published: March 2007

Objective: Methergine increases constriction of uterine musculature which may facilitate sloughing
of endometrial debris, close uterine vessels, and prevent post‐cesarean endometritis. The objective
of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of methergine in preventing endometritis in patients
undergoing non‐elective cesarean section delivery.Methods: Eighty patients undergoing non‐elective cesarean section were enrolled in a prospective
randomized clinical trial of methergine (41) versus no methergine (39) administration during the
postpartum period. The hospital records were abstracted after discharge to compare the postpartum
course.Results: There were no significant demographic differences between the two groups. The women
receiving methergine had a significant reduction in the rate of postoperative endometritis (10% vs.
36%, P < 0.005). In addition, the mean postoperative hemoglobin was significantly higher in the
methergine treated group (P < 0.001).Conclusions: The use of methergine postpartum in women undergoing non‐elective cesarean
sections significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative endometritis and blood loss. Infect. Dis.
Obstet. Gynecol. 8:151–154; 2000.