bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Traits of British alien and native urban plants
Authors: Thompson Ken , McCarthy Michael A. 
Published: April 2008

Summary

As urbanization accelerates, interest is growing in the traits of urban plants. We classified 822 UK vascular plants on the basis of their occurrence along an urban–rural gradient in 26 710 samples of vegetation from 2508 UK 1‐km grid squares, including a wide range of rural habitats and Sheffield and Birmingham, two of the UK's largest cities.
Both alien and native species were classified with respect to mean proportion of urban land cover in the 1‐km grid squares in which the species occurs (urbanity), and absolute frequency in highly urban grid squares (urban frequency). Bayesian regression models were then developed for both measures, with a wide range of plant traits as explanatory variables.
Results for aliens and natives and for both urban measures were remarkably similar: the single, coherent picture of ‘successful urban species’ that emerges from our analysis is of robust plants of relatively fertile, dry, unshaded, base‐rich habitats. Only seed mass behaved very differently for natives and aliens; seed mass was related positively to success of urban natives, and negatively to success of urban aliens. Neither clonality, seed dispersal nor seed persistence in the soil were strongly linked to success in urban habitats.
Synthesis. Cities can provide opportunities for surprisingly rich floras, but the traits of species that can persist in cities are quite narrowly circumscribed. More generally, it is clear that analysis of traits reveals important patterns in floristic data that would be far from obvious from a purely floristic analysis.
High D‐dimer levels increase the likelihood of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Tick L. W. , Nijkeuter M. , Kramer M. H. H. , Hovens M. M. C. , Büller H. R. , Leebeek F. W. G. , Huisman M. V. ,   on behalf of the Christopher Study Investigators
Published: April 2008

Abstract.Objective.  To determine the utility of high quantitative D‐dimer levels in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.Methods.  D‐dimer testing was performed in consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. We included patients with suspected pulmonary embolism with a high risk for venous thromboembolism, i.e. hospitalized patients, patients older than 80 years, with malignancy or previous surgery. Presence of pulmonary embolism was based on a diagnostic management strategy using a clinical decision rule (CDR), D‐dimer testing and computed tomography.Results.  A total of 1515 patients were included with an overall pulmonary embolism prevalence of 21%. The pulmonary embolism prevalence was strongly associated with the height of the D‐dimer level, and increased fourfold with D‐dimer levels greater than 4000 ng mL−1 compared to levels between 500 and 1000 ng mL−1. Patients with D‐dimer levels higher than 2000 ng mL−1 and an unlikely CDR had a pulmonary embolism prevalence of 36%. This prevalence is comparable to the pulmonary embolism likely CDR group. When D‐dimer levels were above 4000 ng mL−1, the observed pulmonary embolism prevalence was very high, independent of CDR score.Conclusion.  Strongly elevated D‐dimer levels substantially increase the likelihood of pulmonary embolism. Whether this should translate into more intensive diagnostic and therapeutic measures in patients with high D‐dimer levels irrespective of CDR remains to be studied.
Localization and nucleotide specificity of Blastocystis succinyl‐CoA synthetase
Authors: Hamblin Karleigh , Standley Daron M. , Rogers Matthew B. , Stechmann Alexandra , Roger Andrew J. , Maytum Robin , Van Der Giezen Mark 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe anaerobic lifestyle of the intestinal parasite Blastocystis raises questions about the biochemistry and function of its mitochondria‐like organelles. We have characterized the Blastocystis succinyl‐CoA synthetase (SCS), a tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme that conserves energy by substrate‐level phosphorylation. We show that SCS localizes to the enigmatic Blastocystis organelles, indicating that these organelles might play a similar role in energy metabolism as classic mitochondria. Although analysis of residues inside the nucleotide‐binding site suggests that Blastocystis SCS is GTP‐specific, we demonstrate that it is ATP‐specific. Homology modelling, followed by flexible docking and molecular dynamics simulations, indicates that while both ATP and GTP fit into the Blastocystis SCS active site, GTP is destabilized by electrostatic dipole interactions with Lys 42 and Lys 110, the side‐chains of which lie outside the nucleotide‐binding cavity. It has been proposed that residues in direct contact with the substrate determine nucleotide specificity in SCS. However, our results indicate that, in Blastocystis, an electrostatic gatekeeper controls which ligands can enter the binding site.
PbSR is synthesized in macrogametocytes and involved in formation of the malaria crystalloids
Authors: Carter Victoria , Shimizu Shoichi , Arai Meiji , Dessens Johannes T. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryCrystalloids are transient organelles that form in developing malaria ookinetes and disappear after ookinete‐to‐oocyst transition. Their origins and functions remain poorly understood. The Plasmodium berghei scavenger receptor‐like protein PbSR is essential for mosquito‐to‐host transmission of the parasite: PbSR knockout parasites produce normal numbers of oocysts that fail to form sporozoites, pointing to a role for PbSR in the oocyst during sporogony. Here, using fluorescent protein tagging and targeted gene disruption, we show that PbSR is synthesized in macrogametocytes, gets targeted to the crystalloids of developing ookinetes and is involved in crystalloid formation. While oocyst sporulation rates of PbSR knockout parasites are highly reduced in parasite‐infected mosquitoes, sporulation rates in vitro are not adversely affected, supporting the view that mosquito factors could be involved in the PbSR loss‐of‐function phenotype. These findings are the first to identify a parasite protein involved with the crystalloid organelle, and suggest a novel protein‐trafficking mechanism to deliver PbSR to the oocysts.
Identification of a novel α(1→6) mannopyranosyltransferase MptB from Corynebacterium glutamicum by deletion of a conserved gene, NCgl1505, affords a lipomannan‐ and lipoarabinomannan‐deficient mutant
Authors: Mishra Arun K. , Alderwick Luke J. , Rittmann Doris , Wang Cindy , Bhatt Apoorva , Jacobs Jr William R. , Takayama Kuni , Eggeling Lothar , Besra Gurdyal S. 
Published: April 2008

Summary Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Corynebacterium glutamicum share a similar cell wall structure and orthologous enzymes involved in cell wall assembly. Herein, we have studied C. glutamicum NCgl1505, the orthologue of putative glycosyltransferases Rv1459c from M. tuberculosis and MSMEG3120 from Mycobacterium smegmatis. Deletion of NCgl1505 resulted in the absence of lipomannan (Cg‐LM‐A), lipoarabinomannan (Cg‐LAM) and a multi‐mannosylated polymer (Cg‐LM‐B) based on a 1,2‐di‐O‐C16/C18:1‐(α‐D‐glucopyranosyluronic acid)‐(1→3)‐glycerol (GlcAGroAc2) anchor, while syntheses of triacylated‐phosphatidyl‐myo‐inositol dimannoside (Ac1PIM2) and Man1GlcAGroAc2 were still abundant in whole cells. Cell‐free incubation of C. glutamicum membranes with GDP‐[14C]Man established that C. glutamicum synthesized a novel α(1→6)‐linked linear form of Cg‐LM‐A and Cg‐LM‐B from Ac1PIM2 and Man1GlcAGroAc2 respectively. Furthermore, deletion of NCgl1505 also led to the absence of in vitro synthesized linear Cg‐LM‐A and Cg‐LM‐B, demonstrating that NCgl1505 was involved in core α(1→6) mannan biosynthesis of Cg‐LM‐A and Cg‐LM‐B, extending Ac1PI[14C]M2 and [14C]Man1GlcAGroAc2 primers respectively. Use of the acceptor α‐D‐Manp‐(1→6)‐α‐D‐Manp‐O‐C8 in an in vitro cell‐free assay confirmed NCgl1505 as an α(1→6) mannopyranosyltransferase, now termed MptB. While Rv1459c and MSMEG3120 demonstrated similar in vitroα(1→6) mannopyranosyltransferase activity, deletion of the Rv1459c homologue in M. smegmatis did not result in loss of mycobacterial LM/LAM, indicating a functional redundancy for this enzyme in mycobacteria.
Disruption of a Plasmodium falciparum cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase gene causes aberrant gametogenesis
Authors: Taylor Cathy J. , McRobert Louisa , Baker David A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryPhosphodiesterase (PDE) and guanylyl cyclase (GC) enzymes are key components of the cGMP signalling pathway and are encoded in the genome of Plasmodium falciparum. Here we investigate the role of specific GC and PDE isoforms in gamete formation – a process that is essential for malaria transmission and occurs in the Anopheles mosquito midgut following feeding on an infected individual. Details of the intracellular signalling events controlling development of the male and female gametes from their precursors (gametocytes) remain sparse in P. falciparum. Previous work involving the addition of pharmacological agents to gametocytes implicated cGMP in exflagellation – the emergence of highly motile, flagellated male gametes from the host red blood cell. In this study we show that decreased GC activity in parasites having undergone disruption of the PfGCβ gene had no significant effect on gametogenesis. By contrast, decreased cGMP‐PDE activity during gametocyte development owing to disruption of the PfPDEδ gene, led to a severely reduced ability to undergo gametogenesis. This suggests that the concentration of cGMP must be maintained below a threshold in the developing gametocyte to allow subsequent differentiation to proceed normally. The data indicate that PfPDEδ plays a crucial role in regulating cGMP levels during sexual development.
Within prisons, is there an association between the quantity of prenatal care and infant birthweight?
Authors: Howard David L. , Strobino Donna , Sherman Susan , Crum Rosa 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThere is still controversy surrounding the effectiveness of prenatal care in reducing low birthweight. In addition, very few studies have assessed the relationship between prenatal care and infant birthweight among pregnant women within the prison system. We sought to ascertain whether there is an association between the quantity of prenatal care and infant birthweight among pregnant women within such a setting. We examined the prison medical records of 147 infants born to women delivering at term (37–41 weeks of gestation) between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004 who were incarcerated during pregnancy in Texas state prisons. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between the number of prison prenatal care visits and infant birthweight while adjusting for potential confounders (age, gravidity, maternal education, maternal race, history of substance use, history of alcohol use, history of tobacco use and the presence of any chronic disease). We also adjusted for the interaction between the gestational age at admission to prison and the number of prison prenatal care visits.There was a statistically significant 120.5 g increase in adjusted mean birthweight with each additional prison prenatal care visit (P = 0.001) among study infants whose mothers entered prison during the first trimester. This trend was not observed among women who came in after the first trimester. There appears to be a positive association between the amount of prison prenatal care and infant birthweight among incarcerated pregnant women delivering at term, but this association appears to be limited to women entering prison during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Monitoring of inflammation during challenge tests in children
Authors: Wahn U. , Niggemann B. , Kleinau I. , Beyer K. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryFrom our data we conclude, that the determinations of ECP and EPX do not add any useful information as monitoring parameters for bronchial allergen challenge tests. In contrast, eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein may deserve further study as potentially useful monitoring parameters for oral food challenges in patients with food related atopic eczema.
Comparative Effect of Nitrogen Sources on Maize under Saline and Non‐saline Conditions
Authors: Irshad M. , Eneji A. E. , Yasuda H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to compare the relationship between biomass yield and nutrient uptake in salt‐stressed maize (Zea mays L.) following nitrogen (N) nutrition in a greenhouse. Three forms of N were applied, each at the rate of 100 kg ha−1: urea‐N, nitrate‐N, 1/2 urea‐N + 1/2 nitrate‐N (mixed‐N) and no N application (control). Maize was grown as a test crop for 6 weeks. All N sources greatly stimulated crop growth and nutrient uptake compared with the control. The biomass (shoot and root) of maize was significantly greater in mixed‐N treatment than in single sources in saline soil whereas it varied in the order of urea‐N > mixed‐N > nitrate‐N > control in non‐saline soil. Under both soil conditions, the concentration of Ca, Mg and Na in shoot was highest in nitrate‐N treatments while that of K was highest in the control. Shoot nitrogen concentration was not significantly different among N sources under non‐saline treatment, whereas under saline conditions, the concentration varied markedly in the order of nitrate‐N > urea‐N > mixed‐N > control. The mineral concentrations in the shoot increased under salt treated soil when compared with non‐saline soil. The ratios of Na/K, Na/Ca and Na/Mg were also higher under salt stress due to higher accumulation of Na ion in the shoot. Among N‐fertilizer sources, Na/Ca and Na/Mg ratios were highest in control whereas Na/K ratio was the highest in nitrate‐N treatment. The lowest cation ratios were noted in mixed‐N‐treated plants under both soils. Regression analysis showed that maize biomass was related to N concentration by the following equations: Y = −4.54 + 0.97N for the non‐saline soil and Y = 0.89 + 0.25N for the saline soil. Nitrogen use efficiency for non‐saline soil exceeded that of saline soil by 15 %.
The use of glucan as immunostimulant in the treatment of a severe case of chromoblastomycosis
Authors: E Silva Azevedo Conceição de Maria Pedrozo , Marques Sirley Garcia , Resende Maria Aparecida , Gonçalves Azizedite Guedes , De Castro Lima Santos Daniel Vagner , Da Silva Raimunda Ribeiro , De Sousa Maria da Glória Teixeira , De Almeida Sandro Rogerio 
Published: April 2008

SummaryWe report the case of an alternative treatment for a patient with a severe form of chromoblastomycosis that responded poorly to the traditional antifungal therapy. We hereby show, in this study, the improvement of lesions after treatment with itraconazole associated with an intramuscular administration of glucan. We observed that the regression of lesions was associated with an improvement of the cellular immune response. This favourable response that we observed suggests that the therapeutic regimen we used might be an option for the treatment of patients with a severe form of chromoblastomycosis.
Responses of human sling and clasp fibers to cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin through CCK receptors
Authors: Liu Jun‐Feng , Gao Li‐Ping , Wen Shi‐Wang , Lu Hui‐Lai , Zhang Jian , Sun Jian , Zhang Shao‐Wei , Wang Qi‐Zhang 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin exert their influences via CCK receptors. This research was conducted to look at the responses of the sling and clasp fibers forming the human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to CCK and gastrin, and the role of CCK receptors in the responses.Methods:  Muscle strips of sling and clasp fibers from the LES were obtained from patients undergoing subtotal esophagectomy. Isometric tension responses of the strips to CCK‐8 and gastrin‐17 were studied, and the maximum effect (Emax) for each agonist was derived. CCK‐A receptor antagonist, CR1409 and CCK‐B antagonist, CR2945 were applied to sling and clasp fibers and their pKB values were calculated.Results:  Sling fibers produced significant contractions following exposure to CCK‐8 and gastrin‐17, while clasp fibers had less responses to the two agents. CR1409 and CR2945 inhibited responses of sling to CCK‐8 in a concentration‐dependent fashion. The inhibition effects of the two antagonists on clasp fibers were not measurable because there was a mild contraction of the fiber in response to CCK‐8.Conclusion:  The contractions generated by sling fibers following exposure to CCK and gastrin are greater than that produced by clasp fibers. CCK‐A receptors are more important for the generation of contractions by the sling fibers, whereas both CCK‐A and CCK‐B receptors are involved in the functional regulation of the clasp fibers.[Corrections added after online publication 28 April 2008: in the Background and Aims section of the preceding abstract, all instances of ‘CKK’ were corrected to ‘CCK’. In the final sentence of the abstract ‘CCKA’was corrected to ‘CCK‐A’. In the article title ‘(CKK)’ was corrected to ‘(CCK)’.]
Active bacterial community structure along vertical redox gradients in Baltic Sea sediment
Authors: Edlund Anna , Hårdeman Fredrik , Jansson Janet K. , Sjöling Sara 
Published: April 2008

SummaryCommunity structures of active bacterial populations were investigated along a vertical redox profile in coastal Baltic Sea sediments by terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and clone library analysis. According to correspondence analysis of T‐RFLP results and sequencing of cloned 16S rRNA genes, the microbial community structures at three redox depths (179, −64 and −337 mV) differed significantly. The bacterial communities in the community DNA differed from those in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐labelled DNA, indicating that the growing members of the community that incorporated BrdU were not necessarily the most dominant members. The structures of the actively growing bacterial communities were most strongly correlated to organic carbon followed by total nitrogen and redox potentials. Bacterial identification by sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from clones of BrdU‐labelled DNA and DNA from reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that bacterial taxa involved in nitrogen and sulfur cycling were metabolically active along the redox profiles. Several sequences had low similarities to previously detected sequences, indicating that novel lineages of bacteria are present in Baltic Sea sediments. Also, a high number of different 16S rRNA gene sequences representing different phyla were detected at all sampling depths.
Dual interventional approach of endoscopic reboring in completely stenosed rectal anastomosis using radiology guidance: a novel technique
Authors: Reddy R. A. K. , Venkatasubramaniam A. K. , Khursheed A. , Latimer J. , Tabaqchali M. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective  Rectal stricture/stenosis is a well‐recognized complication following anterior resection. Completely stenosed rectal anastomoses have been conventionally treated conservatively with permanent stoma. The surgical alternatives are either a redo low resection with its accompanying hazards or formation of a permanent colostomy. We describe a simple method of treating anastomotic stenoses using a novel technique in patients with a defunctioned bowel.Method  Three patients with complete stenosis of a rectal anastomosis following anterior resection underwent this novel technique with informed consent. A stenosis with no identifiable lumen was diagnosed at the time of examination under anaesthetic (EUA) or by contrast enema. Using a novel technique of combined endoscopic and radiology guidance, the anastomotic stenosis was rebored and subsequently dilated to restore bowel continuity.Results  There were no complications observed following this procedure. Two of the three patients needed repeat endoscopic dilatation. All patients had restoration of the lumen in the anastomosis and subsequently underwent closure of ileostomy and made an uneventful recovery.Conclusion  Combined endoscopic dilatation under radiological guidance is a novel technique and appears to be a simple, safe, effective and inexpensive method for treating rectal anastomotic stenoses.
Efficacy of transarterial embolization as definitive treatment in lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Koh D. C. , Luchtefeld M. A. , Kim D. G. , Knox M. F. , Fedeson B. C. , VanErp J. S. , Mustert B. R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTransarterial catheter embolization (TAE) is integral in the management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (BLGIT). The efficacy of superselective embolization has reduced the need for emergent surgical resection as a treatment modality.Objective  To determine the outcomes of TAE in the management of BLGIT in terms of efficacy rates, recurrent bleeding rates and long term results without the need for surgical intervention.Method  Patients who underwent TAE for BLGIT between September 2000 and May 2006 were analysed. Data were extracted from the records for analysis.Results  Sixty‐eight patients with a mean age of 76 years and equal gender distribution were analysed. Sixty‐nine per cent presented with haematochezia, 40% with malena. Sixty‐three patients had a prior RBC scan performed, all of which were positive. Colonoscopy was attempted in 18 patients of which four managed to localize the bleeding site. Embolization was performed in these patients using mainly polyvinyl alcohol particles and/or microcoils. The morbidity rate was 21%, comprising mainly fever and nonspecific abdominal pain with only four ischaemic complications and one report of colonic infarction. Early recurrent bleeding occurred in six patients. Three were treated with repeat embolization and two required surgery. There were no mortalities. After a mean follow‐up of 12 months, 12 (17.6%) patients developed further episodes of BLGIT, necessitating further intervention.Conclusion  Transarterial catheter embolization is effective and safe in the acute management of BLGIT and reduces the need for further definitive surgery in a majority of patients.
Rectocele repair by anterolateral rectopexy: long‐term functional outcome
Authors: Oom D. M. J. , Gosselink M. P. , Van Wijk J. J. , Van Dijl V. R. M. , Schouten W. R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIntroduction  Rectoceles are frequently associated with feelings of pelvic discomfort and symptoms of obstructed defaecation (OD). Repair by a transvaginal or transanal approach might result in de novo dyspareunia in up to approximately 40% of the cases. This study was designed to investigate whether anterolateral rectopexy provides an adequate rectocele repair without dyspareunia as a side effect.Method  A consecutive series of 33 women (median age 55 years; range: 37–73) with a symptomatic rectocele (depth > 3 cm) underwent anterolateral rectopexy. Before the operation, all patients underwent evacuation proctography (EP), which was repeated 6 months after the repair in all but three patients. A standardized questionnaire concerning pelvic discomfort, OD and dyspareunia was used to assess the long‐term effect of rectocele repair. The response rate was 91%.Results  Six months after the procedure, EP revealed a recurrent or persistent rectocele in six patients (20%). However, in four of these six patients, the depth of the rectocele was < 3 cm. The median duration of follow‐up was 74 months (range: 2–96). Among the patients with an adequate repair, signs of OD persisted in 55%. None of the patients encountered de novo dyspareunia after the procedure.Conclusion  Anterolateral rectopexy provides an effective tool for anatomical correction of rectoceles and does not result in dyspareunia as a side effect. However, despite adequate repair, OD persist in the majority of patients.
Fast fashion lessons
Authors: Sull Donald , Turconi Stefano 
Published: April 2008

You think your industry is tough? Imagine customer preferences that can shift literally overnight, product lifecycles measured in weeks, and the value of your product plummeting if you miss the latest trend. Welcome to the world of fast fashion. Donald Sull and Stefano Turconi examine how Zara, a leader in the industry, has pioneered an approach to navigate the volatility of fast fashion, offering lessons for any company facing rapidly changing markets.