bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gastric insufflation pressure, air leakage and respiratory mechanics in the use of the laryngeal mask airway (LMATM)in children
Authors: Wahlen B.M. , Heinrichs W. , Latorre F. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prelaryngeal position of the laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) in children, and to determine the influence of mask positioning on gastric insufflation and oropharyngeal air leakage.Methods : A total of 100 children, 3–11 years old, scheduled for surgical procedures in the supine position under general anaesthesia were studied. After clinically satisfactory LMA placement, tidal volumes were increased stepwise until air entered the stomach, airway pressure exceeded 30 cmH2O, or air leakage from the mask seal prevented further increases in tidal volume. LMA position in relation to the laryngeal entrance was verified using a flexible bronchoscope.Results : The insertion of the LMA with a clinically satisfactory position was achieved in all patients at the first attempt. Gastric air insufflation occurred in five of 49 patients with malpositioned LMA. No incident of gastric air insufflation was observed in 51 patients with correctly positioned LMA. The minimum inspiratory pressure leading to mask leakage was 17 cmH2O for incorrectly positioned LMA, and 25 cmH2O for correctly positioned LMA. Clinically unrecognized LMA malposition was associated with a significantly increased incidence of either oropharyngeal leakage (r = 0.59; P = 0.0001) or gastric insufflation (r = 0.25; P = 0.01).Conclusions : Clinically undetected LMA malpositioning is a significant risk factor for gastric air insufflation in children between 3 and 11 years, undergoing positive pressure ventilation, especially at inspiratory airway pressures above 17 cmH2O.
Neuromuscular recovery following rocuronium bromide single dose in infants
Authors: Rapp H.‐J. , Altenmueller C.A. , Waschke C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : Rocuronium bromide, a steroid nondepolarizing muscle relaxant, has a rapid onset and an intermediate duration of action in infants, children and adults. However, clinical evidence shows a longer duration of recovery in small infants. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of age on rocuronium recovery during the first year of life.Methods : ASA I–II infants, scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia and intubation were included after ethics committee approval and parents’ written consent. According to age the patients were randomly allocated to receive either 0.45 mg·kg−1 or 0.6 mg·kg−1 rocuronium bromide in three age‐groups: (A) 0–1 month, (B) 2–4 months and (C) 5–12 months. After induction with thiopentone (5–7 mg·kg−1), anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane without opioids. Prior to surgery, caudal block with bupivacaine (0.125%) 1.0 ml·kg−1 and paracetamol 25 mg·kg−1 rectally were given for analgesia. Efficacy variables were intubation conditions 60 s after administration of muscle relaxant (T0) and recovery of neuromuscular blockade measured as T1 at 10, 25, 50 and 75 % of baseline, train‐of‐four (TOF) of 0.7 and Recovery Index (RI). Data were characterized by summary statistics and analysis of variance.Results : A total of 61 infants with a median age range of 67 (2–364) days were included. Intubation conditions were excellent or good in all dose and age groups. T0 in group A was reached in a range of 15–30 s, in others up to 60 s. T1 recovery (T75) after 0.45 mg·kg−1 was 56.4 ± 16 (A), 62.7 ± 32 (B) and 45.8 ± 18 (C) min. Recovery times for of 0.6 mg·kg−1 were 100.8 ± 35 (A), 70.6 ± 19 (B) and 63.4 ± 21 (C) min, respectively. The TOF ratio (0.7) was 62.3 ± 18 (A), 64.1 ± 27 (B) and 43.7 ± 12 (C) min using 0.45 mg·kg−1 compared with 94.8 ± 31 (A), 63.8 ± 14 (B) and 67.5 ± 18 (C) min with 0.6 mg·kg−1. The differences of T75 and TOF 0.7 in A and C were significant (P ≤ 0.05).Conclusions : Recovery of muscle relaxation using rocuronium bromide under isoflurane anesthesia in infants differs widely and shows great differences between age groups as well as dose regimen. A dose of 0.6 mg·kg−1 resulted in a significantly longer duration of action in group A. The reduced dose of 0.45 mg·kg−1 resulted in rapid and good relaxation in all infants without very long lasting effects. Reduced doses of rocuronium should be used in newborns and small infants.
A chloroplast transgenic approach to hyper‐express and purify Human Serum Albumin, a protein highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation
Authors: Fernández‐San Millán Alicia , Mingo‐Castel Angel , Miller Michael , Daniell Henry 
Published: December 2004

SummaryHuman Serum Albumin (HSA) accounts for 60% of the total protein in blood serum and it is the most widely used intravenous protein in a number of human therapies. HSA, however, is currently extracted only from blood because of a lack of commercially feasible recombinant expression systems. HSA is highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation in recombinant systems and is expensive to purify. Expression of HSA in transgenic chloroplasts using Shine‐Dalgarno sequence (SD), which usually facilitates hyper‐expression of transgenes, resulted only in 0.02% HSA in total protein (tp). Modification of HSA regulatory sequences using chloroplast untranslated regions (UTRs) resulted in hyper‐expression of HSA (up to 11.1% tp), compensating for excessive proteolytic degradation. This is the highest expression of a pharmaceutical protein in transgenic plants and 500‐fold greater than previous reports on HSA expression in transgenic leaves. Electron micrographs of immunogold labelled transgenic chloroplasts revealed HSA inclusion bodies, which provided a simple method for purification from other cellular proteins. HSA inclusion bodies could be readily solubilized to obtain a monomeric form using appropriate reagents. The regulatory elements used in this study should serve as a model system for enhancing expression of foreign proteins that are highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation and provide advantages in purification, when inclusion bodies are formed.
Oryzacystatin I expression in transformed tobacco produces a conditional growth phenotype and enhances chilling tolerance
Authors: Van der Vyver Christell , Schneidereit Jörg , Driscoll Simon , Turner Janice , Kunert Karl , Foyer Christine H. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryA recent strategy for pest control in plants has involved transformation with genes encoding cysteine proteinase inhibitors (cystatins). Little is known, however, about the effects of constitutive cystatin expression on whole plant physiology. The present study using oryzacystatin I (OC‐I) expression in transformed tobacco was designed to resolve this issue and also to test the effects on abiotic stress tolerance. All transformed plants expressing OC‐I showed a conditional phenotype. A marked effect on stem elongation was observed in plants grown under low light intensities. After 7 weeks of growth at low light, the plants expressing OC‐I were smaller with fewer expanded leaves and a slightly lower total biomass than empty vector controls or wild type plants. Maximal rates of photosynthesis (Amax) were also decreased, the inhibitory effect being greatest in the plants with highest OC‐I expression. After 12 weeks of growth at low light, however, the plants expressing OC‐I performed better in terms of shoot biomass production, which was nearly double that of the empty vector or wild type controls. All plants showed similar responses to drought, however photosynthesis was better protected against chilling injury in plants constitutively expressing OC‐I. Photosynthetic CO2 assimilation was decreased in all plants following exposure to 5 °C, but the inhibition was significantly less in the OC‐I expressing plants than in controls. The transformed tobacco plants expressing OC‐I therefore show a phenotype–environment interaction with important implications for biotechnological applications.
Enhancement of seed phytosterol levels by expression of an N‐terminal truncated Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase
Authors: Harker Mark , Holmberg Niklas , Clayton John C. , Gibbard Carl L. , Wallace Andrew D. , Rawlins Sally , Hellyer S. Amanda , Lanot Alexandra , Safford Richard 
Published: December 2004

SummaryDietary intake of phytosterols (plant sterols) has been shown to be effective in reducing blood cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Phytosterols are most commonly sourced from vegetable oils, where they are present as minor components. We report here the generation of transgenic tobacco seeds substantially enhanced in phytosterol content by the expression of a modified form of one of the key sterol biosynthetic enzymes, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGR). The constitutive expression of an N‐terminal truncated Hevea brasiliensis HMGR (t‐HMGR), lacking the membrane binding domain, enhanced seed HMGR activities by 11‐fold, leading to increases in total seed sterol of 2.4‐fold. Seed‐specific expression of t‐HMGR enhanced total seed sterol levels by 3.2‐fold, to 1.36% dry weight or 3.25% of oil. 4‐desmethylsterols were increased by 2.2‐fold, whilst certain sterol biosynthetic intermediates, in particular cycloartenol and 24‐ethylidene lophenol, also accumulated. The additional sterol in seed tissue was present in the form of fatty acid esters. Constitutive expression of t‐HMGR increased leaf phytosterol sterol levels by 10‐fold, representing 1.8% dry weight, and the sterol was sequestered, in acyl ester form, as cytoplasmic ‘oil droplets’. These studies establish HMGR as a key enzyme controlling overall flux into the sterol biosynthesis pathway in seed tissue, but the accumulation of certain intermediates suggests additional slow steps in the pathway. The expression of an N‐truncated HMGR activity has generated novel phytosterol‐enriched raw materials that may provide the basis of new sourcing opportunities for this important class of cholesterol‐lowering actives.
Transgenic indica rice resistant to sap‐sucking insects
Authors: Nagadhara D. , Ramesh S. , Pasalu I. C. , Rao Y. Kondala , Krishnaiah N. V. , Sarma N. P. , Bown D. P. , Gatehouse J. A. , Reddy V. D. , Rao K. V. 
Published: December 2004

Summary Agrobacterium‐mediated genetic transformation has been optimized in indica rice susceptible to sap‐sucking insects, viz., brown planthopper (BPH) and green leafhopper (GLH). Snowdrop lectin gene (gna) from Galanthus nivalis, driven by phloem‐specific rice‐sucrose‐synthase promoter, along with herbicide resistance gene (bar) driven by CaMV 35S promoter, was employed for genetic transformation. Embryogenic calli – after co‐cultivation with Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 harbouring Ti plasmid pSB111‐bar‐gna –were selected on the medium containing phosphinothricin. PCR and Southern blot analyses confirmed the stable integration of both the genes into genomes of transgenic (T0) rice plants. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed the expression of gna in the transgenic plants. In the T1 and T2 generations, the gna and bar transgenes showed co‐segregation at a ratio of 3 : 1. Plant progenies expressing gna, in T1 and T2, exhibited substantial resistance against BPH and GLH pests. This is the first report dealing with transgenic indica rice exhibiting high resistance to both insects.
Preferential expression of a plant cystatin at nematode feeding sites confers resistance to Meloidogyne incognita and Globodera pallida
Authors: Lilley Catherine J. , Urwin Peter E. , Johnston Katherine A. , Atkinson Howard J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe expression patterns of three promoters preferentially active in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana have been investigated in transgenic potato plants in response to plant parasitic nematode infection. Promoter regions from the three genes, TUB‐1, ARSK1 and RPL16A were linked to the GUS reporter gene and histochemical staining was used to localize expression in potato roots in response to infection with both the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida and the root‐knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. All three promoters directed GUS expression chiefly in root tissue and were strongly up‐regulated in the galls induced by feeding M. incognita. Less activity was associated with the syncytial feeding cells of the cyst nematode, although the ARSK1 promoter was highly active in the syncytia of G. pallida infecting soil grown plants. Transgenic potato lines that expressed the cystatin OcIΔD86 under the control of the three promoters were evaluated for resistance against Globodera sp. in a field trial and against M. incognita in containment. Resistance to Globodera of 70 ± 4% was achieved with the best line using the ARSK1 promoter with no associated yield penalty. The highest level of partial resistance achieved against M. incognita was 67 ± 9% using the TUB‐1 promoter. In both cases this was comparable to the level of resistance achieved using the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV35S) promoter. The results establish the potential for limiting transgene expression in crop plants whilst maintaining efficacy of the nematode defence.
Missing Data and Small Area Estimation in the UK Labour Force Survey
Authors: Longford Nicholas T. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe apply multivariate shrinkage to estimate local area rates of unemployment and economic inactivity by using UK Labour Force Survey data. The method exploits the similarity of the rates of claiming unemployment benefit and the unemployment rates as defined by the International Labour Organisation. This is done without any distributional assumptions, merely relying on the high correlation of the two rates. The estimation is integrated with a multiple-imputation procedure for missing employment status of subjects in the database (item non-response). The hot deck method that is used in the imputations is adapted to reflect the uncertainty in the model for non-response. The method is motivated as a development (improvement) of the current operational procedure in which the imputed value is a non-stochastic function of the data. An extension of the procedure to subjects who are absent from the database (unit non-response) is proposed.
An Alternative View of the 2001 Census and Future Census Taking
Authors: Redfern Philip 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe 2001 census in the UK asked for a return of people ‘usually living at this address’. But this phrase is fuzzy and may have led to undercount. In addition, analysis of the sex ratios in the 2001 census of England and Wales points to a sex bias in the adjustments for net undercount—too few males in relation to females. The Office for National Statistics's abandonment of the method of demographic analysis for the population of working ages has allowed these biases to creep in. The paper presents a demographic account to check on the plausibility of census results. The need to revise preliminary estimates of the national population over a period of years following census day—as experienced in North America and now in the UK—calls into question the feasibility of a one-number census. Looking to the future, the environment for taking a reliable census by conventional methods is deteriorating. The UK Government's proposals for a population register open up the possibility of a Nordic-style administrative record census in the longer term.
A mandelamide pesticide alters lipid metabolism in Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Griffiths Robert G. , Dancer Jane , O'Neill Elizabeth , Harwood John L. 
Published: December 2004

Summary

Several pesticide classes have been used for control of the notorious plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans. Some of these alter lipids, suggesting that lipid metabolism may be a target site. Here, we investigate the action of a new, active, mandelamide compound, SX 623509 (N‐2′‐(4″‐ethoxy‐3″‐methoxy) phenylethyl‐3, 4‐dichloromandelamide), on lipid metabolism.
Phytophthora infestans cultured in pea‐broth or minimal media was exposed to different concentrations of SX 623509. Lipid metabolism was followed with radiolabelled acetate, choline or ethanolamine. Products were analysed following separation by thin‐layer chromatography and gas–liquid chromatography.
SX 623509 reduced growth and lipid labelling from [14C]acetate in both media. The inhibition in lipid labelling was not caused merely by a reduction in uptake of the radiolabelled precursor. There were changes in labelling patterns, particularly reductions in phosphatidylcholine and triacylglycerol and increases in phosphatidate and diacylglycerol. The effect of SX 623509 on phosphatidylcholine labelling was followed in more detail.
We conclude that the mandelamide pesticide SX 623509 reduces lipid synthesis at concentrations similar to those inhibiting growth. Specific effects on lipid labelling patterns are probably caused by inhibition of cholinephosphotransferase, which may be a future target site for pesticide development.
Self‐sustained oscillations in plant water regulation: Induction of bifurcations and anomalous rhythmicity
Authors: Prytz Gunnar , Futsaether Cecilia M. , Johnsson Anders 
Published: December 2004

Summary

The complex dynamics of the water regulatory system was explored by studying the induction of period doublings (period‐1 to period‐2 to period‐4) and other complicated oscillatory patterns (period‐3 and period‐5) in the transpiration of young oat plants.
A gas exchange system was used to record the transpiration of primary leaves of Avena sativa cv. Seger after exposure to various stimuli.
Period‐1 oscillations were induced from steady‐state transpiration by a light pulse, by increasing the xylem resistance to water flow or by temporarily lowering the root medium temperature. Similarly, period doubling (period‐1 to period‐2) was induced by lowering the root medium temperature temporarily or by increasing the xylem resistance. The more complicated oscillatory patterns (period‐3, period‐4, period‐5) were induced by including different concentrations of KCl or KNO3 in the root medium of root excised, xylem‐compressed plants.
The range of oscillatory curve forms resembles those displayed by mildly chaotic nonlinear systems. The water regulatory system is discussed in relation to these nonlinear systems. Few studies of such complicated dynamics in plant systems exist.
Seasonal cycles in the germination capacity of buried seeds of some Leguminosae (Fabaceae)
Authors: Van Assche Jozef A. , Debucquoy Katrien L. A. , Rommens Wouter A. F. 
Published: December 2004

Summary

The influence of seasonal factors on the germination of impermeable seeds of Fabaceae was studied. Seeds of 14 herbaceous species were buried for up to 2.5 yr and exposed to natural seasons. At regular intervals, seeds were exhumed and germination was tested in four different temperature regimes. Some species had a very low percentage germination regardless of season, others germinated predominantly in the autumn.
Six species showed a marked seasonal cycle with high germination percentages in spring and very low percentages in other seasons. The results of the burial experiment were similar to the pattern of seedling emergence in field conditions.
High percentage germination in spring could be simulated in controlled conditions for Melilotus albus, Medicago lupulina, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense and T. repens. Seeds of T. pratense had a high percentage germination after cold treatment, whereas seeds of the other four species were brought to germination by chilling for 8 wk followed by exposure to daily alternating temperatures (15/6°C or 20/10°C). Without previous chilling, these seeds did not respond to the alternating temperatures.
At least for some legume species, a combination of temperature treatments may act as a signal for seeds and induce water uptake and germination. If the temperature requirements are not fulfilled, seeds remain impermeable and dormant until the next favourable season.
Contribution of hyphae and roots to uranium uptake and translocation by arbuscular mycorrhizal carrot roots under root‐organ culture conditions
Authors: Rufyikiri Gervais , Thiry Yves , Declerck Stéphane 
Published: December 2004

Summary

Here, the respective contributions of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus intraradices and carrot (Daucus carota) roots to the uptake and translocation of uranium (U) were quantified and compared.
The U absorption by the AM fungus and roots was observed by growing mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots in two‐compartment Petri plates. The central compartment allowed growth of roots and extraradical fungal hyphae. The external compartment (EC), which was labelled with 0.1 µm233U, allowed growth of: hyphae only (hyphal compartment, HC), both mycorrhizal roots and hyphae (root hyphal compartment, RHC), or nonmycorrhizal roots (root compartment, RC).
The U concentration was 5.5 and 9.6 times higher for hyphae than for the mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots, respectively, both developing in the EC’s. Translocation of U was similar for the RHC and the HC systems, and was 8 times higher for these two systems than for the RC system.
These results indicate that the U flux rate was higher in fungal hyphae than in roots, while the intraradical hyphae may significantly contribute to the U immobilization by mycorrhizal roots.
Aerenchyma formation
Authors: Evans David E. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAerenchyma – tissue containing enlarged gas spaces – occurs in many plants. It is formed either as part of normal development, or in response to stress (e.g. hypoxia). Two mechanisms of aerenchyma formation have been described; schizogeny, in which development results in the cell separation and lysigeny, in which cells die to create the gas space. While schizogenous aerenchyma provides a fascinating system for study and has been described in detail at a morphological and ultrastructural level, little is known about the molecular genetics of its formation. The ultrastructure and morphology of lysigenous aerenchyma has also been researched in detail, and considerable progress has been made in describing the cell death processes involved, particularly in relation to programmed cell death. Once again, the molecular genetics of the process are not well understood. Aerenchyma is of great importance in crop survival in waterlogging. It is also important in being a major pathway for the release of the global warming gas methane to the atmosphere in flooded soils. Understanding the regulation of its development is therefore a research priority.

Contents

Summary
35

I.
Introduction
36

II.
Schizogenous aerenchyma formation
36

III.
Lysigenous aerenchyma formation
37

IV.
Regulators of lysigenous aerenchyma formation
38

V.
Key questions in lysigenous aerenchyma formation
38

VI.
Sensing hypoxia; early events in aerenchyma formation
39

VII.
Ultrastructural changes associated with lysigenous aerenchyma formation
39

VIII.
Late events in cell death in aerenchyma formation
42

IX.
Comparative evidence for programmed cell death in aerenchyma formation
43

X.
Comparison with other abiotic initiators of cell death in plants
45

XI.
Conclusions and future prospects
46

Acknowledgements
47

References
47