bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐random distribution of T‐DNA insertions at various levels of the genome hierarchy as revealed by analyzing 13 804 T‐DNA flanking sequences from an enhancer‐trap mutant library
Authors: Zhang Jian , Guo Dong , Chang Yuxiao , You Changjun , Li Xingwang , Dai Xiaoxia , Weng Qijun , Zhang Jianwei , Chen Guoxing , Li Xianghua , Liu Huifang , Han Bin , Zhang Qifa , Wu Changyin 
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe isolated 13 804 T‐DNA flanking sequence tags (FSTs) from a T‐DNA insertion library of rice. A comprehensive analysis of the 13 804 FSTs revealed a number of features demonstrating a highly non‐random distribution of the T‐DNA insertions in the rice genome: T‐DNA insertions were biased towards large chromosomes, not only in the absolute number of insertions but also in the relative density; within chromosomes the insertions occurred more densely in the distal ends, and less densely in the centromeric regions; the distribution of the T‐DNA insertions was highly correlated with that of full‐length cDNAs, but the correlations were highly heterogeneous among the chromosomes; T‐DNA insertions strongly disfavored transposable element (TE)‐related sequences, but favored genic sequences with a strong bias toward the 5′ upstream and 3′ downstream regions of the genes; T‐DNA insertions preferentially occurred among the various classes of functional genes, such that the numbers of insertions were in excess in certain functional categories but were deficient in other categories. The analysis of DNA sequence compositions around the T‐DNA insertion sites also revealed several prominent features, including an elevated bendability from −200 to 200 bp relative to the insertion sites, an inverse relationship between the GC and TA skews, and reversed GC and TA skews in sequences upstream and downstream of the insertion sites, with both GC and TA skews equal to zero at the insertion sites. It was estimated that 365 380 insertions are needed to saturate the genome with P = 0.95, and that the 45 441 FSTs that have been isolated so far by various groups tagged 14 287 of the 42 653 non‐TE related genes.
The mitogen‐activated protein kinases WIPK and SIPK regulate the levels of jasmonic and salicylic acids in wounded tobacco plants
Authors: Seo Shigemi , Katou Shinpei , Seto Hideharu , Gomi Kenji , Ohashi Yuko 
Published: January 2007

SummaryIn tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), wounding causes rapid activation of two mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), wound‐induced protein kinase (WIPK) and salicylic acid (SA)‐induced protein kinase (SIPK), and the subsequent accumulation of jasmonic acid (JA). Our previous studies suggested that activation of WIPK is required for the production of wound‐induced JA. However, the exact role of WIPK remains unresolved. We generated transgenic tobacco plants in which eitherWIPKorSIPKwere silenced using RNA interference to define the roles of WIPK and SIPK in the wound response. In addition, transgenic tobacco plants were generated in which bothWIPKandSIPKwere silenced to examine the possibility that they have redundant roles. Wound‐induced JA production was reduced compared with non‐silenced plants in all of theWIPK‐,SIPK‐ andWIPK/SIPK‐silenced plants. Transgenic plants over‐expressingNtMKP1, a gene encoding tobacco MAPK phosphatase, which inactivates WIPK and SIPK, also exhibited reduced JA production in response to wounding. In bothWIPK/SIPK‐silenced andNtMKP1‐over‐expressing plants, wounding resulted in an abnormal accumulation of both SA and transcripts for SA‐responsive genes. These results suggest that WIPK and SIPK play an important role in JA production in response to wounding, and that they function cooperatively to control SA biosynthesis.
EFFICACY OFSARGASSUM POLYCYSTUM(PHAEOPHYCEAE) SULPHATED POLYSACCHARIDE AGAINST PARACETAMOL‐INDUCED DNA FRAGMENTATION AND MODULATION OF MEMBRANE‐BOUND PHOSPHATASES DURING TOXIC HEPATITIS
Authors: Raghavendran HB , Sathivel A , Yogeeta RSSK , Devaki T 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARYThe aim of the present study was to assess the protective effect ofSargassum polycystum(sulphated polysaccharide) extract against paracetamol‐induced DNA strand breaks and modulation of membrane‐bound phosphatases, protein thiols and inorganic cations during toxic hepatitis.Seaweed extract (200 mg/kg per day for 21 days) was administered to male Wistar rats against paracetamol challenge. Serum and liver tissues were used to assess levels of ATPase, protein thiols and inorganic cations using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The fragmentation of DNA was assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis.Paracetamol induced intracellular stress, accompanied by changes in the structural and functional characteristics of liver cell membranes, which affected DNA integrity, membrane‐bound ATPase and inorganic cations homeostasis. Rats intoxicated with paracetamol (800 mg/kg, i.p.) showed significant impairment in activities of total ATPase, Mg2+‐ATPase, Ca+‐ATPase and Na+/K+‐ATPase, with concomitant changes in the levels of tissue protein thiols and inorganic cations, such as Na+, K+and Ca2+. These changes were prevented in animals pretreated withS. polycystumextract, which indicates thatS. polycystumsupplementation could exert some protective effect against paracetamol‐induced toxic hepatitis in rats.The protective effect of the seaweed extract may be due to the presence of sulphated compounds that have free radical‐scavenging activity.
NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF DAURICINE AGAINST APOPTOSIS INDUCED BY TRANSIENT FOCAL CEREBRAL ISCHAEMIA IN RATS VIA A MITOCHONDRIAL PATHWAY
Authors: Li Yan‐Hong , Gong Pei‐Li 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

Previous experimental studies have shown that dauricine can protect the brain against ischaemic damage, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we examined whether dauricine inhibits neuronal apoptosis in the penumbra in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischaemia.
Male Wistar rats underwent a 90 min temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Dauricine (21, 42 and 84 mg/kg) was administered by intragastric gavage twice a day for 3 days before ischaemia. Rats were killed and brain samples were collected 24 h after ischaemia. Histopathological outcome was evaluated by haematoxylin–eosin staining. Apoptotic changes were evaluated by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end‐labelling (TUNEL) for DNA fragmentation. The mitochondrial pathway was explored using immunohistochemistry for cytochrome c release, caspase 9 and caspase 3 activation, as well as by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction for determination of caspase 9 and caspase 3 mRNA expression.
Cytochrome c release, activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation were detected 24 h after ischaemia. Dauricine (42 and 84 mg/kg) pretreatment improved histopathological recovery, diminished DNA fragmentation and reduced cytochrome c release and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 in the penumbra at 24 h.
These findings suggest that dauricine attenuates apoptosis in the penumbra after transient focal cerebral ischaemia. The infarct‐reducing effects of dauricine may be due, in part, to the inhibition of apoptotic cell death via a mitochondrial pathway in the penumbra.
DIFFERENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CARBACHOL‐INDUCED DESENSITIZATION IN RECEPTOR‐MEDIATED Ca2+ INFLUX AND Ca2+ RELEASE PATHWAYS IN SMOOTH MUSCLE OF GUINEA‐PIG TAENIA CAECI
Authors: Hishinuma Shigeru , Matsumoto Yukio , Sato Ryo , Saito Masaki 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

We have found that development of carbachol (CCh)‐induced desensitization to receptor agonists, but not to receptor by‐passed stimulation, is transiently interrupted by a Ca2+‐dependent resensitization during the early stage in the smooth muscle of guinea‐pig taenia caeci. To further characterize the receptor‐mediated signal transduction pathways involved in this peculiar desensitization process, we examined the desensitization processes during Ca2+ influx‐ and Ca2+ release‐mediated contractions in response to activation of muscarinic receptors or histamine H1 receptors.
Desensitization treatment with 10−4 mol/L CCh for 30 min in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ resulted in desensitization to the muscarinic agonists McN‐A‐343 or AHR‐602, which are known to induce contraction only in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ in taenia caeci. The development of desensitization to these agonists was interrupted by a transient resensitization at 1 min. In contrast, the transient resensitization phase was lost following removal of extracellular Ca2+ during the desensitization treatment with CCh; under these conditions, the desensitization developed gradually without an apparent resensitization phase.
Contractions to 10−4 mol/L CCh and 10−4 mol/L histamine in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ were gradually desensitized without a resensitization phase following the CCh desensitization treatment, irrespective of the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ during CCh treatment, although the onset of the desensitization was delayed under Ca2+‐free conditions.
These results suggest that the receptor‐mediated Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release pathways are differentially desensitized to CCh and that the transient resensitization appears to regulate the desensitization process in response to Ca2+ influx‐mediated contraction. Such differential processes of desensitization in receptor‐mediated bifurcated signalling pathways may determine cellular responsiveness to certain types of stimuli, depending on the different Ca2+ sources required for contraction.
ROLE OF DORSAL HIPPOCAMPAL CANNABINOID RECEPTORS AND NITRIC OXIDE IN ANXIETY LIKE BEHAVIOURS IN RATS USING THE ELEVATED PLUS‐MAZE TEST
Authors: Roohbakhsh Ali , Moghaddam Akbar Hajizadeh , Massoudi Roohollah , Zarrindast Mohammad‐Reza 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

The important role of the cannabinoid system in the modulation of anxiety like behaviours in clinical and experimental studies has been proposed. However, investigations into this effect of cannabinoids has produced contradictory results. It has been reported that different neurotransmitters, such as nitric oxide (NO), are involved in the behavioural effects of cannabinoids. The hippocampus is also an important brain region in the modulation of anxiety in which CB1 receptors are densely expressed. The present study was designed to evaluate the interactions between cannabinoid and NO systems in the CA1 brain region of the rats using the plus‐maze test.
Rats were anaesthetized with ketamine and xylazine and special cannulas were inserted stereotaxically into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. After 1 week recovery, the effects of intra‐CA1 administration of WIN55212‐2 (1, 2.5 and 5 µg/rat), AM251 (2, 10 and 50 ng/rat), l‐arginine (0.01, 0.1 and 1 µg/rat) and NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME; 1, 10 and 100 ng/rat) on percentage open arm time (%OAT) and percentage open arm entries (%OAE) were determined. Moreover, the effects of pretreatment with AM251 (2 ng/rat), l‐arginine (0.01 µg/rat) and l‐NAME (1 ng/rat) on the response induced by intra‐CA1 administration of WIN55212‐2 were also assessed.
The administration of either l‐arginine or l‐NAME into the CA1 region produced significant anxiogenic‐like responses, whereas administration of AM251 induced anxiolytic effects. Intra‐CA1 injection of WIN55212‐2 produced a significant anxiogenic‐like effect that was reversed by AM251 and was also altered by l‐NAME, but not by l‐arginine.
These data imply that cannabinoids may have anxiogenic‐like effects in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in which CB1 receptors and NO may be involved.
The effect of videotaped preoperative information on parental anxiety during anesthesia induction for elective pediatric procedures
Authors: McEWEN ANDREW , MOORTHY CLAIRE , QUANTOCK CHRISTOPHER , ROSE HANNAH , KAVANAGH RICHARD 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBackground:  The purpose of this study was to determine whether audiovisual information, describing the process of undergoing and recovering from anesthesia, could reduce anxiety levels in parents before their child's induction of anesthesia.Methods:  One hundred and eleven parents were recruited into this study. Of these 56 were randomized to a control group and 55 to an intervention group. All parents completed the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) questionnaires on admission to hospital on the day of surgery and then again just before accompanying their child to the anesthetic room. In addition to the normal preoperative preparation, parents randomized into the study group watched a short 8‐min information video after completing the first questionnaire. The video illustrated the events and procedures surrounding a child's admission to hospital for day‐case surgery, including the induction of anesthesia.Results:  The results were analyzed using repeated measures of anova. There was a statistically significant reduction in anxiety and desire for information in the intervention group compared with the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  The reduction in anxiety in the intervention group indicates that preoperative information videos are an effective method of reducing anxiety in parents. Furthermore, the reduction in need for information score in the intervention group indicates that preoperative videos may be a useful tool for providing parents with information.
Continuous positive airway pressure and lung separation during cardiopulmonary bypass to facilitate congenital heart surgery via the right thorax in children
Authors: MITTNACHT ALEXANDER J.C. , JOASHI UMESH , NGUYEN KHANH , CHIN CYNTHIA , SRIVASTAVA SHUBHIKA , HOLLINGER INGRID 
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe describe a fast track anesthesia technique that facilitates congenital heart surgery via right axillary thoracotomy in children. Continuous positive airway pressure on the dependent lung, before and during cardiopulmonary bypass, approximates the heart towards the chest wall incision, and significantly improves the surgeon's access to the heart.
A Social Proximity Explanation of the Reluctance to Assimilate
Authors: Fan C. Simon , Stark Oded 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARYThe pursuit of migration is an extreme example of the severing of ties with, or a distancing from, one's friends and home. The ‘failure’ of migrants to assimilate cannot plausibly be attributed merely to an urge to stay close to their friends, or they might not have migrated to begin with. Non‐assimilation arises from a fear of enhanced relative deprivation if they reduce their distance from the natives as a reference group. Fundamentally, migration is a change of those with whom people associate. But it would be wrong to infer that a change of associates crowds out a change of behavior, given the associates. Through their actions, migrants can elect to associate more with some groups, less with others. However, when actions to keep in check the weight accorded to the rich natives as a reference group are not viable, the very choice of migration destination could be affected in an unexpected way: a country that is not so rich could be preferable to a country that is rich; migrants will protect themselves from an unfavorable comparison by not migrating to where the comparison, when unavoidable, would be highly unfavorable. Relatedly, the variance in the assimilation effort of migrants across host countries could arise from the variance in the income distance with the natives: the richer the natives, the weaker the effort to assimilate, other things held the same.
Fractionalization and Inter‐Group Differences
Authors: Lind Jo Thori 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARYFractionalization has been shown to have a detrimental effect on growth, public goods provision, and redistribution. The conventional measure of fractionalization is the Herfindahl index, which calculates the probability that two persons drawn at random belong to different groups. This measure implicitly assumes that all groups are equally distant. In this paper, I argue that a more appropriate measure of fractionalization should take into account that some groups are more different than others, so we need a measure of groups distance. We should then measure fractionalization as the average distance between every citizen, or equivalently the average distance between groups weighted by group size. I present a simple method to estimate these distances from opinion survey data by regressing stated opinions on indicator variables from group and a set of control variables. The coefficients on the group variables can then be interpreted as measures of distance. Finally, I apply the method to US data and show that we get more reasonable measures of fractionalization.
The Impact of Liberalizing Barriers to Foreign Direct Investment in Services: The Case of Russian Accession to the World Trade Organization
Authors: Jensen Jesper , Rutherford Thomas , Tarr David 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn this paper a computable general equilibrium model of the Russian economy is used to assess the impact of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which encompasses improved market access, Russian tariff reduction, and reduction of barriers against multinational service providers. It is assumed that foreign direct investment in business services is necessary for multinationals to compete well with Russian business services providers, but cross‐border service provision is also present. The model incorporates productivity effects in both goods and services markets endogenously, through a Dixit–Stiglitz framework. It is estimated that Russia will gain about 7.2% of the value of Russian consumption in the medium term from WTO accession and up to 24% in the long run. It is also estimated that the largest gains to Russia will derive from liberalization of barriers against multinational service providers. Piecemeal and systematic sensitivity analysis shows that the results are robust.
Model Comparison for a Complex Ecological System
Authors: Ferguson C. A. , Bowman A. W. , Scott E. M. , Carvalho L. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe ecological consequences of climate change and its interaction with other environmental pressures, such as nutrient pollution, are little understood. For freshwater ecosystems, knowledge of these combined effects is required for water resource management and in particular for successful implementation of the European Community Water Framework Directive 2000, which requires that all surface-waters should be at, or above, ‘good status’ by 2016. Statistical analysis of detailed long-term environmental data sets can be used to explore these combined effects. Loch Leven (Scotland) has been routinely monitored since 1967, providing one of the largest and most extensive of such data sets. Over this period there has been evidence of climate change and a period of eutrophication and recovery at the loch. Transfer functions, additive models and varying-coefficient models are used to explore the complex ecological system at Loch Leven with the aim of obtaining insight into the combined effects of climate change and eutrophication on water quality.
Topography‐driven flow versus buoyancy‐driven flow in the U.S. midcontinent: implications for the residence time of brines
Authors: THORNTON M. M. , WILSON A. M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTopography‐driven flow is normally considered to be the dominant groundwater flow system in uplifted sedimentary basins. In the U.S. midcontinent region east of the Rocky Mountains, the presence of brines derived from dissolution of halite suggests that significant topography‐driven flushing has occurred to remove older brines that presumably formed concurrently with Permian evaporites in the basin. However, the presence of evaporites and brines in the modern basin suggests that buoyancy‐driven flow could limit topography‐driven flushing significantly. Here we used numerical models of variable‐density fluid flow, halite dissolution, solute transport, and heat transport to quantify flow patterns and brine migration. Results indicate the coexistence of large‐scale topography‐ and buoyancy‐driven flow. Buoyancy‐driven flow and low permeability evaporites act to isolate brines, and the residence time of the brines was found to be quite long, at least 50 Myr. The modern distribution of salinity appears to reflect near‐steady‐state conditions. Results suggest that flushing of original evaporatively‐concentrated brines occurred tens of millions of years ago, possibly concurrent with maximum uplift ca. 60 Ma. Simulations also suggest that buoyancy‐driven convection could drive chemical exchange with crystalline basement rocks, which could supply significant Ca2+, Sr2+, and metals to brines.
Genetic diversity and parasite defense in a fragmented urban metapopulation of earthworms
Authors: Field S. G. , Lange M. , Schulenburg H. , Velavan T. P. , Michiels N. K. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractHabitat fragmentation can seriously affect the population biology and persistence of small isolated populations. We evaluated the interplay between the patch size of natural habitats, genetic diversity, immunocompetence and parasite load in an urban metapopulation of the earthwormLumbricus terrestris. Large‐scale genetic analysis of earthworm populations was accomplished using newly established mtDNA markers in combination with single‐strand conformation polymorphism haplotype screening. Our analysis yielded the following: (1) parasite load varied significantly among patches, but small versus large patches did not differ; a similar pattern was found for immunocompetence and genetic diversity; (2) in general, the urban metapopulation showed genetic structuring, which seems to be due to restricted gene flow among small and large patches; (3) the overall genetic variability of the patch has little or no effect on parasite load, as it was not significantly associated with parasite load; (4) small patches do not show molecular patterns associated with a general reduction in genetic diversity. These findings are in accordance with the view that among‐ and within‐patch components of genetic diversity approach equilibrium values at differing rates and suggest that the date of isolation (i.e. patch age) could be too recent for the expected pattern between genetic diversity, immunocompetence and parasite load to become evident. Our study provides initial insights into the population genetics of one of the most economically important soil organisms and, as such, will prove valuable as a primer for future research regarding the human impact on soil environments.
Behavioral responses of sea turtles to lightsticks used in longline fisheries
Authors: Wang J. H. , Boles L. C. , Higgins B. , Lohmann K. J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSea turtles are sometimes inadvertently captured by pelagic longline fisheries. As a consequence, some drown or suffer injuries, and longline bycatch has been identified as one factor contributing to the decline of marine turtle populations. Understanding what stimuli attract turtles to longlines will therefore be useful in efforts to reduce the number of turtles that become hooked or entangled. Lightsticks, which are often placed on longlines to attract tuna (Thunnus sp.) and swordfish Xiphus gladius, may also attract sea turtles. To investigate this possibility, we conducted laboratory experiments with captive‐reared juvenile loggerheads Caretta caretta and wild‐caught post‐hatchling loggerheads to study their responses to these lights. Both age classes oriented toward glowing lightsticks, suggesting that such lights may play a role in attracting turtles into the vicinity of longlines.