bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Critical Stage for Disease Development and Biocontrol of Alternaria Blight of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Authors: Meena P. D. , Meena R. L. , Chattopadhyay C. , Kumar A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFungicides mancozeb and carbendazim caused 100% reduction in mycelial growth of Alternaria brassicae over control in vitro while 1% (w/v) aqueous bulb extract of Allium sativum and leaf extract of Acacia nilotica caused significant reductions. In dual culture, GR isolate of Trichoderma viride performed the best among the test isolates of Trichoderma, causing 81%, 82% reduction in mycelial growth of A. brassicae over control. Performance of isolates SI‐2, P and SI‐1 of T. viride were at par (P < 0.01) with that of GR isolate. Spraying of A. brassicae at different ages of the mustard host plant identified 75 days after sowing (d.a.s.) as the most critical age of the mustard plant for development of Alternaria blight severity on the crop with 45 d.a.s. being the next most important one. Mancozeb was the best among all the treatments, resulting in the lowest disease severity on leaves of mustard at both Sewar and Ludhavai as also the lowest A‐value (area under disease progress curve). Performance of bulb extract of A. sativum in checking the disease severity on leaves and pods was at par (P < 0.05) with mancozeb. The GR isolate of T. viride was at par with mancozeb in checking blight severity on mustard leaves at Sewar while performance of the bioagent was significantly (P < 0.05) inferior to the chemical fungicide at Ludhavai. Performance of the bioagent isolate GR of T. viride in checking the disease severity on pods was at par (P < 0.05) with mancozeb at both Sewar and Ludhavai, the treatment recording the lowest A‐value on pods. While application of bulb extract of A. sativum resulted in highest seed yield at Sewar in 2001–2002, the bioagent isolate GR of T. viride did so at Ludhavai, both the treatments being at par (P < 0.05) with mancozeb and significantly higher than control. Application of bulb extract of A. sativum at 45 and 75 d.a.s. resulted in lowest blight severity on leaves and pods as also in highest seed yield among the different single and combination of treatments. Although disease severity in the treatment was at par (P < 0.05) with that in mancozeb, application of the plant extract at the two stages of crop growth resulted in significantly higher seed yield compared with the two applications of the chemical fungicide. However, application of the treatments singly only at 75 d.a.s., GR isolate of T. viride at 45 and 75 d.a.s., A. sativum 45 d.a.s. + T. viride 75 d.a.s., and T. viride 45 d.a.s. + A. sativum 75 d.a.s. resulted in seed yield at par (P < 0.05) with application of bulb extract of A. sativum at 45 and 75 d.a.s.
Detection and Identification of Aster Yellows (16SrI) Phytoplasma in Peach Trees in Jordan by RFLP Analysis of PCR‐Amplified Products (16S rDNAs)
Authors: Anfoka G. H. , Fattash I. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAster yellows phytoplasma were detected, for the first time, in peach trees in Al‐Jubiha and Homret Al‐Sahen area. Leaves of infected trees showed yellow or reddish, irregular water‐soaked blotches. Discoloured areas become dry and brittle and the dead tissues dropped out. Under severe infections, leaves fall down and fruits dropped prematurely. Phytoplasmas were detected from all symptomatic peach trees by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal phytoplasmas primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2/R2. No amplification products were obtained from templates of asymptomatic peaches. PCR products (1.2 kb) used for restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) after digestion with endonuclease AluI, HpaII, KpnI and RsaI produced the same restriction profiles for all samples, and they were identical with those of American aster yellows (16SrI) phytoplasma strain. This paper is the first report on aster yellows phytoplasma affecting peach trees in Jordan.
Field Studies of Cross Protection with Cassava Mosaic Geminiviruses in Uganda
Authors: Owor B. , Legg J. P. , Okao‐Okuja G. , Obonyo R. , Kyamanywa S. , Ogenga‐Latigo M. W. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe effect of cassava mosaic virus disease (CMD) was compared on plants grown from cuttings that were initially virus‐free at planting and those infected with a mild strain of East African cassava mosaic virus‐Uganda (EACMV‐UG). All initially healthy plants developed CMD symptoms within 5 months of planting (MAP) at both trial sites in Uganda, although spread was more rapid at Kamuli than at Serere. Significantly (P < 0.001) higher symptom severity scores were recorded in initially healthy plants, which had average scores of 3.6 and 3.5 at Kamuli and Serere, respectively, compared with 2.8 for mildly diseased plants at each location. Severity scores of 4 and 5 were more frequent in initially healthy plants, accounting for 77 and 39% of the total infections recorded in comparison with 47 and 11% in mildly diseased plants at Kamuli and Serere, respectively. Mildly diseased plants were significantly taller than initially healthy plants 8 and 12 MAP at both locations. However, the converse was true 4 MAP although differences were significant at Serere but not at Kamuli. Mildly diseased plants yielded significantly more tuberous roots than initially healthy plants at Kamuli but not at Serere. Average total weights of tuberous roots per plant were 2.48 and 1.63 kg for mildly diseased and initially healthy plants at Kamuli and 4.46 and 4.61 kg at Serere, respectively. These results may help to explain the increased prevalence in recent years of mildly diseased plants of local CMD‐susceptible cultivars in eastern Uganda, from where these varieties virtually disappeared following the severe CMD epidemic in the 1990s. The results also provide the first field evidence of a cross protective effect of mild strains of a cassava mosaic geminivirus.
High incidence of defective high‐shear platelet function among platelet donors
Authors: Harrison Paul , Segal Helen , Furtado Charlene , Verjee Salim , Sukhu Kampta , Murphy Michael F. 
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND: Because single‐donor plateletpheresis concentrates now account for a large percentage of PLT concentrates, the PLT quality of individual donations is increasingly important. There has been little previous work on PLT function in blood donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of defective PLT function among 100 healthy UK PLT donors on 3 consecutive donation days. Citrated blood samples were taken before plateletpheresis. High‐shear PLT function testing was performed by a PLT function analyzer (PFA‐100, Dade Behring), within both collagen‐ADP (CADP) and collagen‐epinephrine (CEPI) cartridges.RESULTS: Sixteen percent of PLT donors (mainly over the 3 donating days) had prolonged CEPI closure times (CTs) only, indicative of an aspirin‐like pattern; 9 percent had a severe defect with prolonged CEPI CTs between 200 and 300 seconds, and 4 percent had maximal CEPI CTs of greater than 300 seconds. The majority of prolonged CEPI CTs appeared transient in nature.CONCLUSION: PLT dysfunction as detected by the PFA‐100 is surprisingly common within a voluntary PLT donor population. The majority of CEPI defects appeared transient in nature and are indicative of surreptitious intake of cyclooxygenase inhibitors (e.g., aspirin). Identification of defective PLT function within donors would provide a simple means to eradicate defective PLTs from being clinically utilized.
Supernatant from stored red blood cell primes inflammatory cells: influence of prestorage white cell reduction
Authors: Sparrow R.L. , Patton K.A. 
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND: The contribution of RBC transfusion to adverse patient outcomes is controversial. There is conflicting clinical data and limited biologic data that provide an underpinning biologic rationale for any adverse impacts from RBC transfusion. This study used in‐vitro measures of PMN stimulation to determine the ability of supernatant from RBCs to stimulate allogeneic WBCs and to determine the influence of residual donor WBCs and storage time on the proinflammatory potential of RBCs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three types of RBCs were assessed: standard non‐WBC‐reduced RBCs (S‐RBCs), buffy coat‐poor RBCs (BCP‐RBCs), and prestorage WBC‐filtered RBC (LF‐RBCs). Supernatant was collected weekly up to Day 42 of storage. PMN priming by supernatant from RBCs was determined by three methods: induction of CD11b expression on PMNs, induction of IL‐8 release from PMNs, and the chemotactic effect of supernatant on PMNs.RESULTS: Supernatant from S‐RBCs induced the expression of CD11b on PMNs, primed PMNs to release IL‐8, and was chemotactic for PMNs. The magnitude of this PMN‐priming progressively amplified with storage time. In contrast, supernatant from BCP‐RBCs or LF‐RBCs did not significantly prime PMNs. The PMN‐priming effect of supernatant from RBCs correlated more closely with the level of MNCs in the RBCs than PMN content.CONCLUSION: Supernatant from stored S‐RBCs prime unstimulated allogeneic PMNs in vitro. Prestorage buffy‐coat WBC reduction was as effective as WBC depletion in abrogating this proinflammatory response elicited by supernatants from RBCs. The clinical consequences, if any, of these findings for transfusion recipients are unknown.
Evolution of theOalleles of the human ABO blood group gene
Authors: Roubinet Francis , Despiau Stéphanie , Calafell Francesc , Jin Fen , Bertanpetit Jaume , Saitou Naruya , Blancher Antoine 
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND:To date, at least 40 different allelesOhave been characterized on the basis of exon 6 and exon 7 sequences but not always for intron 6.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Among 415 individuals, from four continents (Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia), studied for exon 6 and exon 7 sequences, we selected 46 individuals (of respective phenotypes O [39], AB [3], B [3], or A [1]) for sequencing 1800‐bp amplicons spanning exon 6, intron 6, and exon 7. The amplicons were characterized either by direct sequencing or after cloning when required.RESULTS:We defined 14 new intron 6Oallele sequences,including four recombinant alleles. Based on sequence comparison, a phylogenetic network was constructed. It confirmed recombinant allele origins and that mostOalleles are derived by point mutations from the two worldwide distributed allelesO01andO02.CONCLUSION:AlleleOphylogenetic analysis suggests that the most frequent silencing mutation (deletion of a G in exon 6) appeared once in human evolution in the ancientO02allele lineage and that alleleO01resulted from an interallele exchange betweenO02andA101. Assuming constancy of evolutionary rate, diversification of the representative alleles of the three humanABOlineages (A101,B101,andO02) was estimated at 4.5 to 6 million years ago.
The donor notification process from the donor's perspective
Authors: Kleinman Steven , Wang Baoguang , Wu Ying , Glynn Simone A. , Williams Alan , Nass Catharie , Ownby Helen , Busch Michael P. ,   Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND: Despite large numbers of blood donors being notified of abnormal infectious disease screening results, there has been little scientific study of the effects of this process.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: With a 28‐item questionnaire, an anonymous mail survey was conducted of 4141 blood donors notified of 15 distinct categories of abnormal infectious disease screening and confirmatory test results.RESULTS: The survey had a 42 percent response rate, and 10 percent of the respondents did not recall being notified of their results. Of the 1556 respondents who recalled being notified, 27 percent contacted the blood center for further information, 60 percent discussed their results with a health care provider, and 73 percent of permanently or indefinitely deferred donors correctly understood their deferral status. Confusion and emotional upset were reported in 81 and 75 percent of notified donors, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The notification process appears to achieve most of its aims in the majority of donors. Nevertheless, some donors did not understand that they were ineligible for future donation, and many donors were confused and upset. These data indicate that the adverse impact of notifying donors about abnormal test results needs to be considered when new blood donor screening tests and confirmatory algorithms are being licensed and implemented. Further studies of the effectiveness of newer revised donor notification materials are needed.
Evaluation of the sensitivity of red blood cell markers to detect photodynamic membrane damage
Authors: Wagner Stephen J. , Skripchenko Andrey , Thompson‐Montgomery Dedeene , Awatefe Helen 
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic dyes have been used to investigate pathogen reduction methods in RBC suspen‐sions, but treatment with sensitizers and light can produce unwanted membrane damage during routine blood bank storage. This study compares the relative sensitivity of three assays for detecting RBC membrane damage.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBCs were treated with dimethylmethylene blue and red light‐emitting diode light under four conditions differing in photodynamic stringency and subsequently stored under refrigerated conditions for up to 42 days. Hemolysis, potassium release, and the apoptosis marker annexin V binding were assayed immediately after phototreatment and following storage.RESULTS: In terms of increasing sensitivity for detecting photodynamic RBC membrane damage was enhanced ion leakage >> hemolysis > annexin V binding.CONCLUSION: Although very stringent photodynamic treatment conditions generate annexin V‐positive RBCs, the assay will not detect more subtle membrane damage that is readily detected by other well‐established methods. In addition, many RBCs destined for photo‐induced hemolysis later in storage are annexin V‐negative throughout the storage period, suggesting that the two measures are not directly related.
Performance of time‐series methods in forecasting the demand for red blood cell transfusion
Authors: Pereira Arturo 
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND: Planning the future blood collection efforts must be based on adequate forecasts of transfusion demand. In this study, univariate time‐series methods were investigated for their performance in forecasting the monthly demand for RBCs at one tertiary‐care, university hospital.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three time‐series methods were investigated: autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), the Holt‐Winters family of exponential smoothing models, and one neural‐network‐based method. The time series consisted of the monthly demand for RBCs from January 1988 to December 2002 and was divided into two segments: the older one was used to fit or train the models, and the younger to test for the accuracy of predictions. Performance was compared across forecasting methods by calculating goodness‐of‐fit statistics, the percentage of months in which forecast‐based supply would have met the RBC demand (coverage rate), and the outdate rate.RESULTS: The RBC transfusion series was best fitted by a seasonal ARIMA(0,1,1)(0,1,1)12 model. Over 1‐year time horizons, forecasts generated by ARIMA or exponential smoothing laid within the ± 10 percent interval of the real RBC demand in 79 percent of months (62% in the case of neural networks). The coverage rate for the three methods was 89, 91, and 86 percent, respectively. Over 2‐year time horizons, exponential smoothing largely outperformed the other methods. Predictions by exponential smoothing laid within the ± 10 percent interval of real values in 75 percent of the 24 forecasted months, and the coverage rate was 87 percent.CONCLUSION: Over 1‐year time horizons, predictions of RBC demand generated by ARIMA or exponential smoothing are accurate enough to be of help in the planning of blood collection efforts. For longer time horizons, exponential smoothing outperforms the other forecasting methods.
Recommendations for optimized settings of the Amicus Crescendo cell separator for the collection of CD34+ progenitor cells
Authors: Hartwig Dirk , Dorn Isabel , Kirchner Holger , Schlenke Peter 
Published: April 2004

BACKGROUND: CD34+ PBPCs for autologous transplantation purposes are collected by leukapheresis procedures on automated cell separators. In this study, the influence of different parameters on collection efficiency (CE) of the Amicus Crescendo cell separator (Baxter) was investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 146 PBPC collections with Amicus cell separators were performed in 56 patients with either settings recommended by the manufacturer or modified settings to identify variables that have a significant and important impact on CE.RESULTS: By use of a standard setting with a cycle volume of 1400 mL, CE significantly decreases when patients’ preapheresis peripheral blood WBC counts are between 25,000 and 35,000 per µL. CE can be improved if cycle volume is reduced to 1000 mL. If WBC concentrations exceed 55,000 per µL before apheresis, CE also significantly decreases despite of reduced cycle volume. Additionally, high flow rates greater than 60 mL per minute significantly reduce CE.CONCLUSION: Parameters influencing the outcome of CD34+ PBPC collections were identified, such as patients’ WBC count, cycle volume, and whole blood flow rate. An optimized adjustment of these variables will further increase the CE of the device.
Potential role of APRIL as autocrine growth factor for megakaryocytopoiesis
Authors: Bonci Désirée , Hahne Michael , Felli Nadia , Peschle Cesare , De Maria Ruggero 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a new tumor necrosis factor family member implicated in tumor cell proliferation. We investigated the role of APRIL in megakaryocytopoiesis, a developmental hematopoietic process responsible for progenitor cell differentiation to megakaryoblasts and megakaryocytes, leading to platelet formation. APRIL is not expressed in CD34+ progenitor cells from healthy donors, but it is massively up-regulated during the proliferative phase of megakaryocytic cell differentiation. Exogenous APRIL expression in primary cells increases megakaryocytic cell growth, suggesting that APRIL acts as a proliferative factor in megakaryocytopoiesis. More importantly, neutralization of endogenous APRIL was able to dramatically reduce megakaryocyte expansion and platelet production. Thus, our data provide evidence that APRIL acts as a growth factor for terminal megakaryocytopoiesis and may promote physiologic platelet production.
Well-being and instrumental activities of daily living after stroke
Authors: Sveen Unni , Thommessen Bente , Bautz-Holter Erik , Wyller Torgeir Bruun , Laake Knut 
Published: April 2004

Objective: To explore the relationship between subjective well-being and competence in instrumental activities of daily living after stroke. Design: Cross-sectional with evaluation at six months post stroke. Subjects: Eighty-two patients admitted to an acute stroke unit, of whom 64 were seen at six months. The mean age was 77.5 years, 55% were females and 55% were living alone. Main outcome measures: The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20 version), a well-being scale, was factor analysed and yielded three dimensions, named ‘coping’, ‘anxiety’ and ‘satisfaction’ that served as main outcomes. Results: Explanatory variables were the four subscales of the Nottingham IADL scale, the Ullevaal Aphasia Screening test, urinary continence and demographics. Structural equation modelling showed that the GHQ dimension ‘satisfaction’ related significantly to the Nottingham subscale ‘leisure activities’ (β = -0.38, p= 0.01), whereas ‘coping’ was indirectly associated with ‘leisure activities’ by its correlation with ‘satisfaction’ (R= 0.26, p= 0.01). None of the outcomes were statistically associated with aphasia, continence or the background variables. Conclusion: ‘Leisure activities’ demonstrated the strongest association to subjective well-being as expressed by the ‘satisfaction’ dimension. In stroke rehabilitation leisure activities should be addressed when assessing function and planning intervention.
The Trunk Impairment Scale: a new tool to measure motor impairment of the trunk after stroke
Authors: Verheyden G , Nieuwboer A , Mertin J , Preger R , Kiekens C , De Weerdt W 
Published: April 2004

Objective: To examine the clinimetric characteristics of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). This newly developed scale evaluates motor impairment of the trunk after stroke. The TIS scores, on a range from 0 to 23, static and dynamic sitting balance as well as trunk co-ordination. It also aims to score the quality of trunk movement and to be a guide for treatment. Design: Two physiotherapists observed each patient simultaneously, but scored independently. Each patient was re-examined by one of the therapists. Subjects: Twenty-eight patients in a rehabilitation setting. Results: Kappa and weighted kappa values for item per item reliability ranged for all but two, from 0.62 to 1. All percentages of agreement exceeded 81%. Intraclass correlations (ICC) for the summed scores of the different subscales were between 0.85 and 0.99. Test–retest and interobserver reliability for the TIS total score (ICC) was 0.96 and 0.99, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement for the test–retest and interexaminer measurement error were -2.90, 3.68 and -1.84, 1.84, respectively. Cronbach alpha coefficients for internal consistency ranged from 0.65 to 0.89. Content validity was defined. Spearman rank correlations with the Barthel Index (r5=0.86) and the Trunk Control Test (r5=0.83) was used to examine construct and concurrent validity, respectively. Conclusions: Analysis of different clinimetric parameters support the use of the TIS in both clinical use and future stroke research. Guidelines for treatment and level of quality of trunk activity can be derived from the assessment.
Enantioselective Henry Reaction Catalyzed by Optically Active Ketoiminatocobalt Complexes
Authors: Kogami Youichi , Nakajima Takahiro , Ashizawa Tomoko , Kezuka Satoko , Ikeno Taketo , Yamada Tohru 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
In the presence of a catalytic amount of optically active ketoiminatocobalt complexes, the enantioselective Henry reaction proceeded to afford β-nitro alcohols in good-to-high yields with high enantioselectivities.
Improving Cyclability of 5 V Cathodes by Electrochemical Surface Modification
Authors: Eftekhari Ali 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
A simple electrochemical procedure is proposed for surface modification of cathode materials. A metal oxide-retaining layer deposited electrochemically on the electroactive material avoids its direct contact with the electrolyte. For 5 V cathodes, which are extremely oxidant at charged state, this action significantly enhances the cyclability. In addition, the own stability of the metal oxide-retaining layer deposited on the cathode surface has a significant effect on the cyclability, which can be enhanced by inducing a mechanical force during the electrodeposition process.
Formation and Characterization of Highly Strained Dibenzopentakisdehydro[14]annulene and Theoretical Study on Its Aromaticity
Authors: Hisaki Ichiro , Eda Takeshi , Sonoda Motohiro , Tobe Yoshito 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
Highly reactive dibenzopentakisdehydro[14]annulene was generated and its tropicity was discussed based on the experimental and theoretical NMR spectra.
Novel Synthesis and Bridgehead Functionalization of Permethylbicyclo[2.2.2]octasilane
Authors: Setaka Wataru , Hamada Natsuki , Kira Mitsuo 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
Selective bridgehead chlorination of permethylbicyclo[2.2.2]octasilane 1 giving the corresponding 1-chloro- (2a) and 1,4-dichlorobicyclooctanes 3a was achieved using BCl3 in chloroform. 1-Chlorobicyclooctane 2a resists the reactions with various nucleophiles such as phenyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride but reacts with KC8 affording the corresponding silylpotassium 2b in quantitative yield.