bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Between‐gel reproducibility of the human cerebrospinal fluid proteome
Authors: Terry Doris E. , Desiderio Dominic M. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThis manuscript describes the between‐gel reproducibility of the two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of the human lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome. This reproducibility study is a necessary component for our long‐term research program that uses comparative proteomics to analyze lumbar CSF samples in a study of human idiopathic low back pain. A Protein‐Plus Dodeca Cell electrophoresis apparatus and PDQuest software were used to measure the level of between‐gel reproducibility of the CSF proteome. One pooled CSF sample was used to evaluate the level of within‐sample, between‐gel reproducibility, and a set of seven different CSF samples (CSF‐1 to 7) was used to test the level of within‐group and between‐group variability. Differentially expressed proteins (six CSF samples versus the designated control, CSF‐3) were characterized with mass spectrometry. The number of spots found in the pooled CSF sample was 490 ± 30 (n = 10 gels); the percentage of protein spots found in those 10 gels was 92 ± 6%, with a coefficient of variation of 6%; and a positive coefficient of correlation (r = 0.82) was found. In order to test the proof‐of‐principle, that set of seven CSF samples served as a test of our ability to perform reproducibility comparative proteomics, and to detect differentially expressed proteins within that set of test samples. One sample (CSF‐3) served as the control for the other six to locate the differentially expressed proteins. A comparison of fifteen differentially expressed proteins found in that set of test CSF samples correlated with pathology. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight and electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry were used to characterize thirteen of those fifteen differentially expressed proteins. These results (reproducibility, protein characterization, set of test samples, and proof‐of‐principle) suggest that the analysis of human CSF two‐dimensional gels can achieve a high level of within‐sample and between‐sample reproducibility, and that PDQuest software can measure the relative protein abundance in the human CSF proteome.
A proposal for systems science
Authors: Warfield John N. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractSystems science is not entirely characterized by a unique conception. Since it seems still to be in a formative stage, a proposal that looks to its future may be appropriate. Because systems science is commonly perceived to be very broad in its scope and far reaching in its implications for practitioners, it is not unreasonable to suppose that systems science can be seen as filling multiple scientific roles. In order to fulfill this common perspective, systems science ought to be able to appear in at least five roles: as a science of description—in which the original role of science, to describe the physical world and portray interactions among a few of its components, is enlarged to enable description of problematic situations, whatever the nature of these situations; as a science of generic design—in which those aspects of system design often left to intuition are no longer the prisoner of intuitive thought only, but rather become identifiable beneficiaries of methods that do not rely on specific disciplines, but rather stem from neutral sources that are clearly essential for the development of any science, thus serving a broad universe of design situations; as a science of complexity—in which systems science is extendible to the far reaches of human competence, enlarging the domain of demonstrable results in the service of humanity, relying on high discursivity and careful quality control; as a science of action—in which clear patterns of behavior essential to resolve problematic situations are identified, and the linguistic and infrastructure needs for carrying out such actions are clearly specified; as a science that is open to imports from other disciplines and incorporates means of identifying and integrating essential components of those disciplines, when clearly required in a problematic situation. It is proposed that systems science will fill all of these roles, being perceived by means of a hierarchical inclusion structure in which general concepts are applied to well‐specified purposes, reserving importation of methods from the specific disciplines to its applications arena. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Participatory democracy: drawing on C. West Churchman's thinking when making public policy
Authors: McIntyre Janet J. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe purpose of the paper is to not to restate or comment on the work of C. West Churchman, but to celebrate his contribution by means of an example of the practical, praxis potential of his work. The celebration is of an ongoing ‘work in progress’ project to address governance challenges by means of applying theory to practice and ‘learning by doing’. Churchman believed in the need for open systems and multiple viewpoints, in order to achieve better social inquiry outcomes. Participatory democracy is based on active, creative participation in policy making, not merely on voting.This case study discusses being a ‘facilitator of facilitators’ who together are in the process of developing an integrated model for governance that is defined and owned by an Indigenous public housing association comprising groups of extended families (on 18 town camps) in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.The paper applies Churchman's thinking to participatory approaches to designing creative, systemic public policy. Flinders University and the Indigenous local‐level governance organization (a housing association) in Alice Springs are involved in addressing complex development challenges by working together in a community of practice that has been funded in part by a faculty grant and in part by the Centre of Remote Health, based at Flinders University and Northern Territory University. This systemic approach is based on iterative learning across disciplinary, cultural and organizational boundaries to strive for ‘good’ development and management outcomes. Dialectical thinking techniques are applied by members of a staff action group, called the TUT group, meaning both ‘a tutorial group’ in English and ‘working together’ in Arrernte. The praxis techniques applied include: ‘sweeping in’, ‘unfolding’, being mindful of values (‘religious, aesthetic, moral and political’, the so‐called ‘enemies within’) and their implications for the way we define and address problems. This group forms the community of practice. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized three‐dimensional flow due to a stretching sheet
Authors: Ariel P.D. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe three‐dimensional steady, laminar flow due to stretching of a sheet is considered. The governing equations of motion admit a similarity solution. By drawing an analogy with the flow due to a rotating disk it is demonstrated that the resulting boundary value problem admits a solution in terms of series of exponentially decaying functions. The solution is highly efficient and very accurate, as it eliminates the need of replacing numerical infinity in the range of integration by a finite value. Two perturbation solutions are also developed when the primary flow corresponds to the two‐dimensional case and the axisymmetric case. In each case the expansion is obtained up to the second degree term of the perturbation parameter. Finally, an approximate solution is derived, which is very simple and highly accurate.
Evaluation of induced responses, insect population growth, and host‐plant fitness may change the outcome of tests of the preference‐performance hypothesis: a case study
Authors: Gonzáles Wilfredo L. , Gianoli Ernesto 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe preference‐performance hypothesis predicts that insect preference should correspond to host suitability for offspring development. We studied the pattern of within‐plant preference in the aphid Sipha flava and its consequences for offspring performance on the host‐plant Sorghum halepense, regarding the role of induced responses of plants to aphid feeding. The consequences of within‐plant preference on aphid population growth and host‐plant traits were also evaluated. Our results showed that winged and wingless aphids preferred to settle on mature rather than young leaves. In contrast, aphid individual growth rate was higher on young leaves when compared with mature leaves, suggesting that the outcome of this test rejected the preference‐performance hypothesis. However, the inclusion of the factor ‘previous aphid infestation’ changed the outcome from a maladaptive choice to a neutral one. Thus, individual growth rates of S. flava increased when aphids developed on leaves that had been previously infested. Interestingly, aphid growth rate on previously infested leaves did not differ between young and mature leaves. On the other hand, aphid population reproductive rate was higher and the percentage of winged aphids lower when infestation occurred on mature rather than young leaves. Aphid infestation reduced plant and shoot biomass, and increased leaf mortality. These negative effects on plant traits related to plant fitness were greater when aphid infestation occurred on young leaves. Likewise, whereas infestation on mature leaves did not cause a significant reduction in the number of flowering plants compared with control plants, aphid infestation on young leaves did reduce the number of plants at the flowering stage. Consequently, if both the reproductive rate of aphids in the mid‐term, and host‐plant fitness are taken into account, the results indicate that aphid preference for mature leaves may be an adaptive choice, thus supporting the preference‐performance hypothesis.
Importance of rhizodeposition in the coupling of plant and microbial productivity
Authors: Paterson Eric 
Published: November 2003

SummaryPlant roots influence the biological, chemical and physical properties of rhizosphere soil. These effects are a consequence of their growth, their activity and the exudation of organic compounds from them. In natural ecosystems, the linkages between inputs of carbon from plants and microbial activity driven by these inputs are central to our understanding of nutrient cycling in soil and the productivity of these systems. This coupling of plant and microbial productivity is also of increasing importance in agriculture, where the shift towards low‐input systems increases the dependence of plant production on nutrient cycling, as opposed to fertilizers. This review considers the processes by which plants can influence the cycling of nutrients in soil, and in particular the importance of organic inputs from roots in driving microbially mediated transformations of N. This coupling of plant inputs to the functioning of the microbial community is beneficial for acquisition of N by plants, particularly in low‐input systems. This occurs through stimulation of microbes that produce exoenzymes that degrade organic matter, and by promoting cycling of N immobilized in the microbial biomass via predation by protozoa. Also, plants increase the cycling of N by changes in exudation in response to nitrogen supply around roots, and in response to browsing by herbivores. Plants can release compounds in exudates that directly affect the expression of genes in microbes, and this may be an important way of controlling their function to the benefit of the plant.
Measurements of the soil microbial community for estimating the success of restoration
Authors: Harris J. A. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryLand degradation is of concern in many countries. In order for timely and effective interventions to be made to reverse this degradation it is necessary to have objective measurements of ecosystem status. By measuring characteristics of the soil microbial community we can assess the status of the microbial ecosystem and in that sense the quality of the soil, and the potential for, and progress of, restoration after degradation.Recent research has shown quantitatively how by measuring the soil microbial community we can assess degradation and the effects of management designed to reverse it. The size, composition and activity of the soil microbial community convincingly distinguish between systems, and between the impact of management strategies upon them. Measurements of these characteristics of the microbial community provide invaluable information for restoring degraded land and are ready for routine use. Specifically, profiles of phospholipid fatty acid contents, and substrate induced respiratory responses to different carbon substrates, will yield significant data upon which management decisions may be based.
Impact of ectomycorrhizas on the concentration and biodegradation of simple organic acids in a forest soil
Authors: Van Hees P. A. W. , Godbold D. L. , Jentschke G. , Jones D. L. 
Published: November 2003

SummarySimple organic acids seem to be important in many soil processes including nutrient uptake in the rhizosphere and long‐term pedogenic processes such as podzolization. The factors regulating the concentrations of these acids in soil, however, remain poorly understood. We have investigated one set of factors, namely the impact of ectomycorrhizal (Paxillus involutus) and non‐mycorrhizal Picea abies seedlings and humic acid on the concentration and dynamics of organic acids in soil solution. We did so over 10 months in laboratory columns containing soil from the E horizon of a sandy forest soil. Several organic acids were identified in the solution extracted from the root zone including oxalic, citric, malonic, succinic, acetic, formic and lactic acids at concentrations ranging from <0.1 to 2.3 µm. Both plants and ectomycorrhizas had significant effects on the concentration of organic acids in soil solution. In contrast, omitting P from the irrigation water appeared to have little effect on the concentrations. The microbial mineralization kinetics of oxalate conformed well to a single Michaelis–Menten equation. Further, the soil with the mycorrhizas had a significantly faster mineralization of oxalic acid over a wide concentration range than did the soil without ectomycorrhizas and without plants. We conclude that the oxalate flux through the soil with both trees and mycorrhizas is much faster than is evident from measurements of solution concentration at steady state. Humic acid had little effect on the concentrations of organic acids or dynamics in the soil solution. Oxalic acid concentrations in the soil solution were correlated with hyphal length, rate of microbial mineralization, soil respiration, and shoot to root weight ratio. We conclude that both mycorrhizas and plants have a large impact on organic acid cycling in forest soils.
Plant community composition affects the biomass, activity and diversity of microorganisms in limestone grassland soil
Authors: Johnson D. , Booth R. E. , Whiteley A. S. , Bailey M. J. , Read D. J. , Grime J. P. , Leake J. R. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryThe diversity and functional type of plants can affect the microbial biomass in the soil, its respiratory activity and the diversity of its bacterial population. We have studied these effects in microcosms of reconstituted limestone grassland containing (i) a 12‐species mixture of graminoids and forbs, (ii) a monoculture of the sedge Carex flacca, (iii) a monoculture of the grass Festuca ovina, and (iv) similar soil without plants. Microbial biomass was significantly greater in soil under monocultures of F. ovina than in the other microcosms. Basal respiration was largest in the F. ovina and mixed‐species treatments where values were more than double those in the C. flacca and bare soil microcosms. The basal respiration was strongly linearly related to plant productivity (r = 0.89). Analysis of the active bacterial population by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA revealed its diversity to be significantly greater in the C. flacca and bare soil treatments than in the F. ovina or mixed‐species microcosms. This suggests that the functional type of plants has a strong influence on the composition of the bacterial community. We hypothesize that the discriminating functional attribute leading to a reduction of bacterial diversity in these microcosms was the presence in the F. ovina and mixed‐plant communities of an active arbuscular–mycorrhizal mycelium that is absent from bare soil and monocultures of C. flacca.
Transdermal delivery of erythromycin lactobionate—implications for the therapy of gastroparesis
Authors: Brand R. M. , Lof J. , Quigley E. M. M. 
Published: November 2003

Background:The treatment of many diseases may be complicated by abnormalities in gastric emptying. Gastric motor dysfunction may lead to unpredictable food and medication delivery to the small intestine, their site of absorption. Prokinetic agents improve gastric motility, but orally administered drugs are unreliably absorbed, thereby limiting their effectiveness. A method of delivering prokinetic agents which bypasses the gastrointestinal tract could lead to more effective treatment.Methods:Skin samples from rat, hairless mouse and man were placed in an in vitro diffusion chamber. The epidermal side of the skin was exposed to erythromycin lactobionate and passage of the drug across the skin sample monitored and quantitated by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection.Results:Erythromycin passed across all skin types tested. Steady‐state flux across hairless mouse skin was greater than for rat, full thickness human skin and human epidermis. In the first 3 h following introduction of erythromycin lactobionate, 1.85 mg/cm2 crossed human epidermis. Given that a dose of 50 mg may exert prokinetic effects in vivo in man, increasing the patch size to ≈28 cm2 should provide therapeutic levels of drug within 3 h.Conclusions:Erythromycin lactobionate, when administered transdermally, can be delivered at levels sufficient to treat gastroparesis. This technique warrants in vivo investigation.
H2‐receptor antagonists and antacids have an aggravating effect on Helicobacter pylori gastritis in duodenal ulcer patients
Authors: MEINING A. , BOSSECKERT H. , CASPARY W. F. , NAUERT C. , STOLTE M. 
Published: November 2003

Background: Antacids, such as aluminium–magnesium hydroxide (AlMg(OH)3), or H2‐receptor antagonists, such as ranitidine, are common drugs used for treating peptic ulcer disease and acid‐related symptoms. Methods: In a prospective double‐blind controlled study, 174 patients were randomized to a 4‐week course of treatment with either AlMg(OH)3 (acid‐binding capacity: 280 mval/day) or ranitidine 300 mg for active Helicobacter pylori‐associated duodenal ulcers (as determined by histology and the urease test). Before and after treatment, two biopsy specimens each were obtained from the antrum and corpus, and the grade and activity of gastritis, as well as H. pylori density, were determined using a score ranging from 0 = none to 4 = severe. Results: Pre‐ and post‐treatment histology were available for 138 patients (AlMg(OH)3: 67, ranitidine: 71). Treatment with AlMg(OH)3 significantly increased the activity of corpus gastritis (Wilcoxon signed‐rank: P = 0.0014), while ranitidine treatment significantly increased both the grade and activity of corpus gastritis (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0001 respectively). In the antrum, both regimens provoked a significant increase in the frequency of intestinal metaplasia, but this may be a consequence of sampling error. Conclusions: Ranitidine and AlMg(OH)3 have an aggravating effect on H. pylori gastritis in duodenal ulcer patients. This should be considered a side‐effect of the respective drugs and is more pronounced with ranitidine.
Effects of an isotonic oral rehydration solution, enriched with glutamine, on fluid and sodium absorption in patients with short‐bowel syndrome
Authors: BEAUGERIE L. , CARBONNEL F. , HECKETSWEILER B. , DÉCHELOTTE P. , GENDRE J.‐P. , COSNES J. 
Published: November 2003

Aim: To compare the effects of a standard oral rehydration solution with a polymeric glucose isotonic solution enriched with glutamine on water and sodium absorption in the short bowel. Methods: Six patients with high jejunostomy were tested in a random order on 2 consecutive days with the standard solution (20 g/L glucose, 94 mmol/L sodium, 292 mOsm/kg osmolality) and a solution containing maltodextrins (18 g/L Glucidex 12; hydrolysis of 18 g of Glucidex 12 yields 20 g glucose) enriched with 14.6 g/L of glutamine (94 mmol/L sodium, 282 mOsm/kg osmolality). Solutions were administered via a naso‐gastric tube at a rate of 2 mL/min. Jejunal effluent for each solution was collected during an 8‐h period, after a 14‐h equilibrium period. Results: The net 8‐h fluid absorption was not significantly different between the standard solution and the solution with glutamine (333 ± 195 and 213 ± 251 mL, respectively (mean ± S.E.M.)). Net sodium absorption was higher for the standard solution than for the solution with glutamine (15 ± 15 vs. 2 ± 20 mmol, P < 0.05). The rate of glucose absorption was not different between the solutions. Conclusion: The replacement of glucose by maltodextrins and the addition of glutamine to the standard oral rehydration solution, without changing its sodium content or osmolality, results in a reduction of sodium absorption in the short‐bowel syndrome.
The utility of the 13C‐galactose breath test as a measure of liver function
Authors: Saadeh S. , Behrens P. W. , Parsi M. A. , Carey W. D. , Connor J. T. , Grealis M. , Barnes D. S. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryBackground : The 13C‐galactose breath test has been reported to be an accurate, non‐invasive method for the assessment of liver function.Aims : To determine the optimal doses of labelled and unlabelled carrier galactose necessary to perform the 13C‐galactose breath test, to assess the utility of the 13C‐galactose breath test in distinguishing between normal subjects and those with liver cirrhosis and to determine whether the 13C‐galactose breath test can stratify patients with cirrhosis based on their Child–Pugh score.Methods : Twenty‐three control subjects and 30 patients with liver cirrhosis received fixed doses of unlabelled carrier galactose and labelled 13C‐galactose. Breath samples were collected just before and at 30‐min intervals up to 4 h after the ingestion of unlabelled carrier galactose and labelled 13C‐galactose. Each sample was analysed for its 13CO2 content.Results : Doses of 25 g/m2 of unlabelled carrier galactose and 100 mg of 13C‐galactose had the greatest sensitivity (93%; 95% confidence interval, 76–99%) and specificity (87%; 95% confidence interval, 65–97%) for distinguishing between normal subjects and cirrhotics when the test was performed 2 h after ingestion. The 13C‐galactose breath test was also able to distinguish between class A and class B or C cirrhotics.Conclusion : The 13C‐galactose breath test is a useful non‐invasive tool for distinguishing between healthy subjects and patients with liver cirrhosis and between cirrhotics with well‐compensated liver disease and those with decompensated liver disease.