bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth retardation of fetal rats exposed to nicotinein utero: Possible involvement of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and P‐glycoprotein
Authors: Wang Ting , Chen Man , Yan You‐e , Xiao Feng‐qin , Pan Xiao‐liang , Wang Hui 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTo elucidate the possible metabolic mechanism of intrauterine growth retardation induced by nicotine, this study determines the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on fetal development and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), CYP2E1, and P‐glycoprotein (Pgp) expression in maternal liver and placenta. Pregnant rats were given 1.0 mg/kg nicotine subcutaneously twice a day from gestational day (GD) 8 to GD 15, 18, or 21. In nicotine‐treated groups, fetal developmental parameters including body weight were significantly lower. The activities of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 in maternal liver microsomes in nicotine‐treated groups increased significantly with progressing gestation when compared with the corresponding control, but returned to the level similar to the control in late pregnancy. Nicotine‐treated groups induced pathological changes and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the placenta when compared with the control. The gene expressions ofCYP1A1andCYP2E1in the placenta increased significantly in nicotine‐treated groups on GD 15 and GD 18, but returned to the level similar to the corresponding control on GD 21. In nicotine group, there was a decrease ofmdr1aexpression on GD 15, GD 18, and GD 21, with the most significant decrease on GD 15. In contrast, no significant difference was found inmdr1bmRNA expression between the nicotine‐treated animals and the corresponding control. In comparison with the corresponding control, the placental Pgp protein significantly decreased on GD 15 and GD 18. Our results showed that prenatal nicotine exposure resulted in inhibition of fetal growth significantly. The induction of CYP2E1 and CYP1A1 gene expression by nicotine in the maternal liver and placenta may be involved with the observed increase in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The inhibition of the placental Pgp expression by nicotine may also contribute to an increased susceptibility of the fetus to environmental toxins. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
Effects of arsenate on microcystin content and leakage of Microcystis strain PCC7806 under various phosphate regimes
Authors: Gong Yan , Song Lirong , Wu Xingqiang , Xiao Bangding , Fang Tao , Liu Jiantong 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBoth arsenic pollution and eutrophication are prominent environmental issues when considering the problem of global water pollution. It is important to reveal the effects of arsenic species on cyanobacterial growth and toxin yields to assess ecological risk of arsenic pollution or at least understand naturally occurring blooms. The sensitivity of cyanobacteria to arsenate has often been linked to the structural similarities of arsenate and phosphate. Thus, we approached the effect of arsenate with concentrations from 10−8 to 10−4 M on Microcystis strain PCC7806 under various phosphate regimes. The present study showed that Microcystis strain PCC7806 was arsenate tolerant up to 10−4 M. And such tolerance was without reference to both content of intra‐ and extra‐cellular phosphate. It seems that arsenate involved the regulation of microcystin synthesis and cellular polyphosphate contributed to microcystin production of Microcystis responding to arsenate, since there was a positive linear correlation of the cellular microcystin quota with the exposure concentration of arsenate when the cells were not preconditioned to phosphate starvation. It is presumed that arsenate could help to actively export microcystins from living Microcystis cells when preconditioned to phosphate starvation and incubated with the medium containing 1 μM phosphate. This study firstly provided evidence that microcystin content and/or release of Microcystis might be impacted by arsenate if it exists in harmful algal blooms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
Property-directed incremental invariant generation
Authors: Bradley Aaron R. , Manna Zohar 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
A fundamental method of analyzing a system such as a program or a circuit is invariance analysis, in which one proves that an assertion holds on all reachable states. Typically, the proof is performed via induction; however, an assertion, while invariant, may not be inductive (provable via induction). Invariant generation procedures construct auxiliary inductive assertions for strengthening the assertion to be inductive. We describe a general method of generating invariants that is incremental and property-directed. Rather than generating one large auxiliary inductive assertion, our method generates many simple assertions, each of which is inductive relative to those generated before it. Incremental generation is amenable to parallelization. Our method is also property-directed in that it generates inductive assertions that are relevant for strengthening the given assertion. We describe two instances of our method: a procedure for generating clausal invariants of finite-state systems and a procedure for generating affine inequalities of numerical infinite-state systems. We provide evidence that our method scales to checking safety properties of some large finite-state systems.
Who Was William Ray Rumel?
Authors: Welling David R. , Rich Norman M. , Burris David G. , Boffard Kenneth D. , DeVries William C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis report details the life and contributions of William Ray Rumel, an early cardiovascular surgeon known for his innovations, particularly the “Rumel tourniquet,” and the ability to repair the diseased mitral valve without replacing it.
Effect of coffee drinking on platelets: inhibition of aggregation and phenols incorporation
Authors: Natella F. , Nardini M. , Belelli F. , Pignatelli P. , Di Santo S. , Ghiselli A. , Violi F. , Scaccini C. 
Published: April 2008

Epidemiological studies indicate a J-shaped relationship linking coffee consumption and cardiovascular risk, suggesting that moderate coffee consumption can be beneficial. Platelet aggregation is of critical importance in thrombotic events, and platelets play a major role in the aetiology of several CVD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coffee drinking on platelet aggregationex vivo, using caffeine as control. A crossover study was performed on ten healthy subjects. In two different sessions, subjects drank 200 ml coffee, containing 180 mg caffeine, or a capsule of caffeine (180 mg) with 200 ml water. Platelets were separated from plasma at baseline and 30 and 60 min after coffee drinking. Platelet aggregation was induced with three different agonists: collagen, arachidonic acid and ADP. Coffee drinking inhibited collagen (P < 0·05 from baseline at time 30 min) and arachidonic acid (P < 0·05 from baseline at time 60 min) induced platelet aggregation. Caffeine intake did not affect platelet aggregation induced by the three agonists. Coffee consumption induced a significant increase of platelet phenolic acids (likely present as glucuronate and sulphate derivatives), caffeic acid, the principal phenolic acid in coffee, raising from 0·3 (sem0·1) to 2·4 (sem0·6) ng/mg (P < 0·01). Caffeine was not detectable in platelets. Coffee drinking decreases platelet aggregation, and induces a significant increase in phenolic acid platelet concentration. The antiplatelet effect of coffee is independent from caffeine and could be a result of the interaction of coffee phenolic acids with the intracellular signalling network leading to platelet aggregation.
Molecular analysis of predation on parasitized hosts
Authors: Traugott M. , Symondson W.O.C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPredation on parasitized hosts can significantly affect natural enemy communities, and such intraguild predation may indirectly affect control of herbivore populations. However, the methodological challenges for studying these often complex trophic interactions are formidable. Here, we evaluate a DNA-based approach to track parasitism and predation on parasitized hosts in model herbivore-parasitoid-predator systems. Using singleplex polymerase chain reaction (SP-PCR) to target mtDNA of the parasitoid only, and multiplex PCR (MP-PCR) to additionally target host DNA as an internal amplification control, we found that detection of DNA from the parasitoid, Lysiphlebus testaceipes, in its aphid host, Aphis fabae, was possible as early as 5 min. post parasitism. Up to 24 h post parasitism SP-PCR proved to be more sensitive than MP-PCR in amplifying parasitoid DNA. In the carabid beetles Demetrias atricapillus and Erigone sp. spiders, fed with aphids containing five-day-old parasitoids, parasitoid and aphid DNA were equally detectable in both predator groups. However, when hosts containing two-day-old parasitoids were fed to the predators, detection of parasitoid prey was possible only at 0 h (immediately after consumption) and up to 8 h post consumption in carabids and spiders, respectively. Over longer periods of time, post-feeding prey detection success was significantly higher in spiders than in carabid beetles. MP-PCR, in which parasitoid and aphid DNA were simultaneously amplified, proved to be less sensitive at amplifying prey DNA than SP-PCR. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that PCR-based parasitoid and prey detection offers an exciting approach to further our understanding of host-parasitoid-predator interactions.
Does host plant influence parasitism and parasitoid species composition inLygus rugulipennis? A molecular approach
Authors: Gariepy T.D. , Kuhlmann U. , Gillott C. , Erlandson M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLygusHahn plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) are serious pests of a wide variety of economically important crops in North America. EuropeanPeristenus digoneutisLoan andP. relictusRuthe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are being considered for release in Canada as part of a classical biological control program forLygus. The attractiveness of different host plants to EuropeanPeristenushas not been addressed, but may be an important consideration prior to parasitoid release.Lygus rugulipennisPoppius nymphs were collected in the Northern Temperate Atlantic (NTA) ecoregion on red clover (Trifolium pratenseL.; Fabaceae) and chamomile (Matricaria recutitaL.; Asteraceae), and in the Western European Broadleaf Forest (WEBF) ecoregion on red clover and alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.; Fabaceae). Parasitism levels and parasitoid species were determined using a multiplex PCR assay forP. digoneutis,P. relictus, andP. pallipesCurtis. Mean parasitism levels inL. rugulipenniswere 45–49% in the NTA ecoregion and 25–32% in the WEBF ecoregion. However, in neither ecoregion were parasitism levels and parasitoid species compositions significantly different in nymphs from different host plant species. Furthermore, multiparasitism was low despite the fact thatP. digoneutisandP. relictusshare the same host species.
A molecular approach to identify prey of the southern rock lobster
Authors: Redd K.S. , Jarman S.N. , Frusher S.D. , Johnson C.R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe demonstrate the use of molecular techniques to detect specific prey consumed by the southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii). A quick and non-lethal method was used to collect rock lobster faecal material and a molecular protocol was employed to isolate prey DNA from faecal samples. The isolated DNA was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with PCR primers designed to target specific prey items. Feeding experiments determined that DNA from black-lipped abalone (Haliotis rubra) and sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersiiandHeliocidaris erythrogramma) can be detected in rock lobster faecal samples within seven hours and remains present for up to 60 h after ingestion.
Pseudogenes and DNA-based diet analyses: a cautionary tale from a relatively well sampled predator-prey system
Authors: Dunshea G. , Barros N.B. , Wells R.S. , Gales N.J. , Hindell M.A. , Jarman S.N. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMitochondrial ribosomal DNA is commonly used in DNA-based dietary analyses. In such studies, these sequences are generally assumed to be the only version present in DNA of the organism of interest. However, nuclear pseudogenes that display variable similarity to the mitochondrial versions are common in many taxa. The presence of nuclear pseudogenes that co-amplify with their mitochondrial paralogues can lead to several possible confounding interpretations when applied to estimating animal diet. Here, we investigate the occurrence of nuclear pseudogenes in fecal samples taken from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that were assayed for prey DNA with a universal primer technique. We found pseudogenes in 13 of 15 samples and 1–5 pseudogene haplotypes per sample representing 5–100% of all amplicons produced. The proportion of amplicons that were pseudogenes and the diversity of prey DNA recovered per sample were highly variable and appear to be related to PCR cycling characteristics. This is a well-sampled system where we can reliably identify the putative pseudogenes and separate them from their mitochondrial paralogues using a number of recommended means. In many other cases, it would be virtually impossible to determine whether a putative prey sequence is actually a pseudogene derived from either the predator or prey DNA. The implications of this for DNA-based dietary studies, in general, are discussed.
Auditory neuropathy in a patient exposed to xylene: case report
Authors: Draper T H J , Bamiou D-E 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective:To report the case of an adult patient who developed auditory complaints following xylene exposure, and to review the literature on the effects of solvent exposure on hearing.Case report:The patient presented with a gradual deterioration in his ability to hear in difficult acoustic environments and also to hear complex sounds such as music, over a 40-year period. His symptoms began following exposure to the solvent xylene, and in the absence of any other risk factor. Our audiological investigations revealed normal otoacoustic emissions with absent auditory brainstem responses and absent acoustic reflexes in both ears, consistent with a diagnosis of bilateral auditory neuropathy. Central test results were also abnormal, indicating possible involvement of the central auditory pathway.Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first report of retrocochlear hearing loss following xylene exposure. The test results may provide some insight into the effect of xylene as an isolated agent on the human auditory pathway.
Effect of host populations on the intensity of ticks and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens: how to interpret the results of deer exclosure experiments
Authors: PUGLIESE A. , ROSÀ R. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYDeer are important blood hosts for feedingIxodes ricinusticks but they do not support transmission of many tick-borne pathogens, so acting as dead-end transmission hosts. Mathematical models show their role as tick amplifiers, but also suggest that they dilute pathogen transmission, thus reducing infection prevalence. Empirical evidence for this is conflicting: experimental plots with deer removal (i.e. deer exclosures) show that the effect depends on the size of the exclosure. Here we present simulations of dynamic models that take into account different tick stages, and several host species (e.g. rodents) that may move to and from deer exclosures; models were calibrated with respect toIxodes ricinusticks and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Trentino (northern Italy). Results show that in small exclosures, the density of rodent-feeding ticks may be higher inside than outside, whereas in large exclosures, a reduction of such tick density may be reached. Similarly, TBE prevalence in rodents decreases in large exclosures and may be slightly higher in small exclosures than outside them. The density of infected questing nymphs inside small exclosures can be much higher, in our numerical example almost twice as large as that outside, leading to potential TBE infection risk hotspots.
Extraction of microsporidial DNA from modified trichrome-stained clinical slides and subsequent species identification using PCR sequencing
Authors: CHAN K. S. , KOH T. H. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYMolecular techniques involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing provide a relatively simple and objective means of identifying microsporidia to species level. We modified previously described methods of DNA extraction and PCR conditions for identification of microsporidia from museum slides, clinical specimens and environmental samples and successfully identifiedVittaforma corneaein 11 out of 13 cases of microsporidial infection from used trichrome-stained slides of corneal scrapings from HIV-negative patients with keratoconjunctivitis.
Dynamic model and force control of the redundantly actuated parallel manipulator of a 5-DOF hybrid machine tool
Authors: Wu Jun , Wang Jinsong , Wang Liping , Li Tiemin 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYThis paper deals with the dynamic model and force control of the redundantly actuated parallel manipulator of a 5-DOF hybrid machine tool. The inverse dynamic model is derived by using the Newton–Euler method. The driving force is optimized by the least-square method. Based on the kinematic and dynamic models, the redundant chain is controlled by force mode and other chains by position mode. The redundantly actuated parallel manipulator is incorporated into a 5-DOF hybrid machine tool which also includes a worktable with a translational DOF and a rotational DOF. The experiments wherein the machine moves along a straight-line trajectory and a circular trajectory show that the machine has a good contouring performance.
Survival and remodeling of melanopsin cells during retinal dystrophy
Authors: VUGLER ANTHONY A. , SEMO MA'AYAN , JOSEPH ANNA , JEFFERY GLEN 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe melanopsin positive, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) of the inner retina have been shown to send wide-ranging projections throughout the brain. To investigate the response of this important cell type during retinal dystrophy, we use the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) dystrophic rat, a major model of retinal degeneration. We find that ipRGCs exhibit a distinctive molecular profile that remains unaltered during early stages of outer retinal pathology (15 weeks of age). In particular, these cells express βIII tubulin, α-acetylated tubulin, and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), while remaining negative for other RGC markers such as neurofilaments, calretinin, and parvalbumin. By 14 months of age, melanopsin positive fibers invade ectopic locations in the dystrophic retina and ipRGC axons/dendrites become distorted (a process that may involve vascular remodeling). The morphological abnormalities in melanopsin processes are associated with elevated immunoreactivity for MAP1b and a reduction in α-acetylated tubulin. Quantification of ipRGCs in whole mounts reveals reduced melanopsin cell number with increasing age. Focusing on the retinal periphery, we find a significant decline in melanopsin cell density contrasted by a stability of melanopsin positive processes. In addition to these findings, we describe for the first time, a distinct plexus of melanopsin processes in the far peripheral retina, a structure that is coincident with a short wavelength opsin cone-enriched rim. We conclude that some ipRGCs are lost in RCS dystrophic rats as the disease progresses and that this loss may involve vascular remodeling. However, a significant number of melanopsin positive cells survive into advanced stages of retinal degeneration and show indications of remodeling in response to pathology. Our findings underline the importance of early intervention in human retinal disease in order to preserve integrity of the inner retinal photoreceptive network.
Foveal evoked magneto-encephalography features related to the parvocellular pathway
Authors: YANG CHIA-YEN , HSIEH JEN-CHUEN , CHANG YIN 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to use non-invasive magneto-encephalographic techniques, together with visual stimulus paradigms that can psychophysically separate the M- and P-pathways, to examine the physiological relations of the pathways at the fovea with (1) the magneto-encephalography components M70 and M100 (in latency and amplitude), and (2) the cortical oscillatory activities (alpha, beta, and gamma), respectively. The checkerboard stimuli accompanied with different spatial frequencies (SFs) (0.5 or 4 cycles per degree) were presented (within 2° of the retinal center) to six healthy subjects by using steady-pedestal and pulse paradigms, which could activate distinct populations of M- and P-neurons. SF analyzed brain responses in each paradigm. The results show a consistent trend in M70 and M100 with increased latencies and amplitudes in response to the high SF. Mean while, the beta to gamma activities are apparently enhanced by the stimulus of high SF, especially under pulse paradigm (p = 0.03). In this study, we suggest that M70 can be a good clue to characterize the P-pathway. Moreover, in the frequency analysis, the beta oscillations may serve for more detailed visual information, while the gamma oscillations seem to reflect the signal processing in the P-pathway and with sensitivity to the fovea.
Effects of unoprostone on phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression in endothelin-1-induced retinal and optic nerve damage
Authors: MUNEMASA YASUNARI , KITAOKA YASUSHI , HAYASHI YASUHIRO , TAKEDA HIROYUKI , FUJINO HIROMI , OHTANI-KANEKO RITSUKO , HIRATA KAZUAKI , UENO SATOKI 
Published: April 2008

AbstractEndothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, has been implicated in the development of normal- and high-tension glaucoma. We investigated the effects of unoprostone on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in ET-1-induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve injury. Our morphometric study showed that intravitreal injection of ET-1 led to cell loss in the RGC layer (RGCL) in 28 days. Western blot analysis showed decreased neurofilament (NF) protein in the optic nerve 28 days after ET-1 injection. In this in vivo model, increased phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) was observed in the retina on 1 day and subsequently in the optic nerve from 7 days after ET-1 injection. Simultaneous injection of M1, as a metabolite of unoprostone, showed further increased p-ERK levels compared with ET-1 injection alone. Our morphometric study of flat-mount preparations stained with cresyl violet or retrograde labeling with a neuro-tracer and Western blot analysis of NF showed that inhibition of ERK phosphorylation led to acceleration of ET-1-induced RGC death and optic nerve damage. In addition, M1 significantly attenuated both RGC loss and the decrease in NF protein induced by ET-1. The protective effects of M1 were significantly inhibited by U0126, an ERK inhibitor. These results suggest that unoprostone has neuroprotective effects against ET-1-induced neuronal injury through ERK phosphorylation.