bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Buffered Saline Solution on Nasal Mucociliary Clearance and Nasal Airway Patency
Authors: Keojampa Bounmany K. , Nguyen Mai Hoang , Ryan Matthew W. 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of buffered hypertonic and buffered normal saline nasal spray on mucociliary clearance and nasal airway patency. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Double‐blind trial with subjects acting as their own controls. Tertiary care academic medical center.RESULTSBuffered hypertonic saline and buffered normal saline both improved saccharine clearance times (P < 0.0001 for buffered hypertonic and P = 0.002 for buffered normal saline). Buffered hypertonic saline improved saccharine clearance times more than buffered normal saline (39.6% vs 24.1%, P = 0.007). Neither buffered hypertonic nor buffered normal saline significantly affected nasal airway patency.CONCLUSIONSBoth buffered hypertonic and buffered normal saline nasal spray significantly improved saccharine clearance times without affecting nasal airway patency. Buffered hypertonic saline affected saccharine clearance times to a greater degree than buffered normal saline.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEBuffered hypertonic and buffered normal saline sprays both improve mucociliary clearance and should therefore be beneficial in conditions such as rhinitis and sinusitis, which are associated with disruption of mucociliary clearance. However, these sprays do not appear to affect the nasal airway. Patients may therefore benefit from other treatments for “nasal congestion.” EBM rating: B‐2.
Selective Acquisition of Individual Cell Types in the Vestibular Periphery for Molecular Biology Studies
Authors: Cristobal Ricardo , Wackymy P. Ashley , Cioffi Joseph A. , Erbe Christy B. , Popper Paul 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVESTo develop a method for characterizing the transcriptome of individual cell types in the inner ear sensory epithelia.STUDY DESIGNWe employed the technique of laser capture microdissection to obtain enriched populations of hair cells and supporting cells. The respective mRNAs were extracted, reverse transcribed, and amplified using PCR.RESULTSWe were able to isolate RNAs with good integrity from enriched cell populations obtained with laser capture microscopy and amplify specific mRNA targets.CONCLUSIONSWe can now investigate the molecular differences between the different cell types in the inner ear sensory epithelia as identified by morphological criteria.SIGNIFICANCEAnalysis of gene expression profiles in the inner ear cell types has been hampered by the small size of this tissue and by the compact histoarchitecture of the sensory epithelia; however, the present technique offers new possibilities for the analysis of transcriptomes in the vestibular periphery using available high‐throughput gene expression analysis methods.
Regeneration of sweet potato transgenic plants withoryzacystatin-I(OCI) gene
Authors: Sheng-Jun Jiang , Qing-Chang Liu , Hong Zhai , Li-Sha Wu , Yu-Ping Wang 
Published: October 2004

AbstractRegeneration of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatascv. Lizixiang) transgenic plants withoryzacystatin-I(OCI) gene was achieved using anAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method.A. tumefaciensstrain LBA4404, harbouring a binary vector pBinh withneomycin phosphotransferase IIandOCIgenes, was used. After 3 days of subculture, Lizixiang embryogenic suspension cultures were co-cultivated with LBA4404 (OD600nm=0.5) for 4 days. Next, the infected suspension cultures were first cultured for 5 days in MS medium with 2 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 300 mg/l carbencillin (Carb) but without kanamycin (Kan) and then transferred to MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 50 mg/l Kan and 300 mg/l Carb for the selection culture. Four weeks after selection, 200 Kan-resistant cell aggregates (∼1 mm in size) from the embryogenic suspension cultures were transferred to MS solid medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 50 mg/l Kan and 300 mg/l Carb, and eight embryogenic calluses were obtained. After transferring to MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l ABA, 50 mg/l Kan and 100 mg/l Carb, these embryogenic calluses formed 13 plantlets via somatic embryogenesis. PCR and PCR–Southern blot analysis indicated that seven of the 13 plantlets were transgenic.
Heterogeneity in the response of pigs and mice to specific CpG oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Guang-Fu Li , Hong-Fei Zhu , Guo-Qing Shao , Jian-Zhong Zhu , Yan-Qing Ma , Zhao-Song Zhang 
Published: October 2004

AbstractDifferences in immunostimulation activity of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) between pigs and mice were studied. In accordance with current research data, three kinds of CpG ODN – 2006, D19 and 1826, which were identified as optimally active in humans, pigs and mice, respectively – and control ODN D48, a non CpG-containing ODN, were selected and synthesized. Results indicated that CpG ODN D19 strongly stimulated the proliferation of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and the amount of γ-interferon in the supernatant of activated cells increased, exceeding that of all other ODNs tested, while mouse splenocytes did not respond. CpG ODN 1826 strongly stimulated the proliferation of mouse splenocytes, but porcine PBMCs remained unresponsive. CpG ODN 2006 effectively stimulated proliferation of both porcine PBMCs and mouse splenocytes. Therefore some specific CpG ODNs, D19 and 1826, selectively stimulated animal species, while CpG ODN 2006 possessed a common stimulation effect. In addition, CpG ODN D19 predominantly induced the response of type 1 T-helper cellsin vivo.
Identification of spatial specifically expressed genes in rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings using cDNA microarray
Authors: Liang-Xian Sun , Hai-Tao Dong , Xiao-Feng Zhuang , Feng Zhang , De-Bao Li 
Published: October 2004

AbstractMembranous cDNA microarrays containing 2200 unique rice transcripts were designed for screening the characteristics of spatially expressed genes in post-germination rice seedlings. By comparing the profiles obtained, 31 genes were identified as expressed specifically in the plumule, 36 in the mesocotyl and 73 in the radicle. Several genes, such aspolyubiquitin,UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase,sucrose synthaseandphosphoglycerate kinase, which encode components of the carbohydrate or protein metabolic reaction cascades, were expressed specifically in the mesocotyl, indicating that degradation reactions of the endospermous reserve starch and proteins occur mainly in the mesocotyl during the post-germination stage. A number of genes involved in defence mechanisms or in the processes of replication, transcription and translation were identified as expressed specifically in the plumule or radicle. Among plumule specifically expressed genes,translation initiation factor 5a,40s ribosomal protein s28andribosomal protein 136are considered to have a critical role in protein biosynthesis; whileallergenic protein, β-D-glucan exohydrolaseandactin 11are genes with defending functions. Among the catalogue of radicle specifically expressed genes,EF-1a,Tat binding protein,replication protein A2,histone h3.2,ribosomal protein s29aand40s ribosomal protein s19are genes that function in the process of replication, transcription or translation; whereasglycine-rich protein,wound-induced basic protein,Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitorandlipid transfer protein-2are genes involved in defence responses. Results of this experiment have provided insight into post-germination molecular physiology at the genomic level of gene expression.
Responses to Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation in Biological Systems
Authors: Feinendegen Ludwig E. , Pollycove Myron , Sondhaus Charles A. 
Published: October 2004

Biological tissues operate through cells that act together within signaling networks. These assure coordinated cell function in the face of constant exposure to an array of potentially toxic agents, externally from the environment and endogenously from metabolism. Living tissues are indeed complex adaptive systems. To examine tissue effects specific for low-dose radiation, (1) absorbed dose in tissue is replaced by the sum of the energies deposited by each track event, or hit, in a cell-equivalent tissue micromass (1 ng) in all micromasses exposed, that is, by the mean energy delivered by all microdose hits in the exposed micromasses, with cell dose expressing the total energy per micromass from multiple microdoses; and (2) tissue effects are related to cell damage and protective cellular responses per average microdose hit from a given radiation quality for all such hits in the exposed micromasses. The probability of immediate DNA damage per low-linear-energy-transfer (LET) average microdose hit is extremely small, increasing over a certain dose range in proportion to the number of hits. Delayed temporary adaptive protection (AP) involves (a) induced detoxification of reactive oxygen species, (b) enhanced rate of DNA repair, (c) induced removal of damaged cells by apoptosis followed by normal cell replacement and by cell differentiation, and (d) stimulated immune response, all with corresponding changes in gene expression. These AP categories may last from less than a day to weeks and be tested by cell responses against renewed irradiation. They operate physiologically against nonradiogenic, largely endogenous DNA damage, which occurs abundantly and continually. Background radiation damage caused by rare microdose hits per micromass is many orders of magnitude less frequent. Except for apoptosis, AP increasingly fails above about 200 mGy of low-LET radiation, corresponding to about 200 microdose hits per exposed micromass. This ratio appears to exceed approximately 1 per day for protracted exposure. The balance between damage and protection favors protection at low cell doses and damage at high cell doses. Bystander effects from high-dosed cells to nonirradiated neighboring cells appear to include both damage and protection. Regarding oncogenesis, a model based on the aforementioned dual response pattern at low doses and dose rates is consistant with the nonlinear reponse data and contradicts the linear no-threshold dose-risk hypothesis for radiation-induced cancer. Indeed, a dose-cancer risk function should include both linear and nonlinear terms.
Modelling the advection and diffusion of eggs and larvae of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) in the north‐east Arctic
Authors: Ådlandsvik Bjørn , Gundersen Agnes C. , Nedreaas Kjell H. , Stene Anne , Albert Ole T. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractSince the late 1980s there has been considerable uncertainty in recruitment levels of the north‐east Arctic stock of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). The abundance of several year classes, originally considered very low at 0–3 yr age, appeared higher than expected at the age of 6+. This may be due to poor targeting of recruitment surveys of the younger year classes. The present work considers the transport and dispersion of eggs and larvae of Greenland halibut by numerical modelling in order to predict the locations of the initial recruitment grounds. Current fields from a 3D baroclinic hydrodynamic model are fed into a Lagrangian particle‐tracking model developed for the Barents Sea area. The particles are released into the current at the spawning field along the shelf slope from Lofoten to Bear Island (69–75°N). Vertically, the particles can follow a predefined depth‐by‐age curve or be kept at a fixed depth. This model system is used for different years to examine changes in the drift pattern. The results indicate that spawning location, transport depth and inflowing activity to the Barents Sea are important factors influencing the distribution of juveniles.
Methylprednisolone intravenously 1 day after surgery has sustained analgesic and opioid‐sparing effects
Authors: Romundstad L. , Breivik H. , Niemi G. , Helle A. , Stubhaug A. 
Published: October 2004

Background:  In previous studies on glucocorticoids for postoperative pain, the test drug has been given perioperatively, usually before measurement of baseline pain. In order to evaluate the time course and magnitude of the analgesic effect of a glucocorticoid in well‐established postoperative pain, we compared methylprednisolone with ketorolac and placebo, after assessment of baseline pain on the first postoperative day.Methods:  This was a double‐blind, single dose, randomized, parallel comparison of intravenous (i.v.) methylprednisolone 125 mg, ketorolac 30 mg as an active control, and placebo in 75 patients with moderate to severe pain 1 day after orthopaedic surgery. Outcome variables were pain intensity (0–100 VAS), pain relief (0–4 PAR) and rescue opioid consumption.Results:  Methylprednisolone was not significantly different from ketorolac and gave significantly lower pain intensity from 1 h (0–6 h, P < 0.02), and more pain relief 2–6 h after test drugs (P < 0.05) compared with placebo. After 24 h, pain intensity was lower in both active drug groups compared with placebo (methylprednisolone, P < 0.0001; ketorolac, P < 0.007). Number needed to treat (NNT) calculated from patients having more than at least 50% of maximum obtainable total pain relief during the first 6 h (>50%maxTOTPAR6 h ) was 3.6 for methylprednisolone and 3.1 for ketorolac. Number needed to treat calculated from the percentage reporting at least 50% pain relief for at least 4 h (>50%PAR4 h) was 2.8 for both groups. Opioid consumption was significantly reduced for 72 h after methylprednisolone compared with ketorolac (P < 0.02) and placebo (P < 0.003).Conclusion:  Methylprednisolone 125 mg i.v. 1 day after surgery gave similar early reduction of pain as i.v. ketorolac 30 mg. Less pain than placebo 24 h after methylprednisolone, and lower opioid consumption for 72 h compared with ketorolac and placebo indicate sustained analgesic effects of methylprednisolone.
The impact of global climate change on tropical forest biodiversity in Amazonia
Authors: Miles Lera , Grainger Alan , Phillips Oliver 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAim  To model long‐term trends in plant species distributions in response to predicted changes in global climate.Location  Amazonia.Methods  The impacts of expected global climate change on the potential and realized distributions of a representative sample of 69 individual Angiosperm species in Amazonia were simulated from 1990 to 2095. The climate trend followed the HADCM2GSa1 scenario, which assumes an annual 1% increase of atmospheric CO2 content with effects mitigated by sulphate forcing. Potential distributions of species in one‐degree grid cells were modelled using a suitability index and rectilinear envelope based on bioclimate variables. Realized distributions were additionally limited by spatial contiguity with, and proximity to, known record sites. A size‐structured population model was simulated for each cell in the realized distributions to allow for lags in response to climate change, but dispersal was not included.Results  In the resulting simulations, 43% of all species became non‐viable by 2095 because their potential distributions had changed drastically, but there was little change in the realized distributions of most species, owing to delays in population responses. Widely distributed species with high tolerance to environmental variation exhibited the least response to climate change, and species with narrow ranges and short generation times the greatest. Climate changed most in north‐east Amazonia while the best remaining conditions for lowland moist forest species were in western Amazonia.Main conclusions  To maintain the greatest resilience of Amazonian biodiversity to climate change as modelled by HADCM2GSa1, highest priority should be given to strengthening and extending protected areas in western Amazonia that encompass lowland and montane forests.
Patterns of diversity, altitudinal range and body size among freshwater fishes in the Yangtze River basin, China
Authors: Fu Cuizhang , Wu Jihua , Wang Xinyi , Lei Guangchun , Chen Jiakuan 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAim To document patterns in diversity, altitudinal range and body size of freshwater fishes along an elevational gradient in the Yangtze River basin.Location The Yangtze River basin, China.Methods We used published data to compile the distribution, altitudinal range and body size of freshwater fishes. Correlation, regression, clustering and graphical analyses were used to explore patterns in diversity, altitudinal range and body size of freshwater fishes in 100‐m elevation zones from 0 to 5200 m.Results Species richness patterns across the elevational gradient for total, non‐endemic and endemic fishes were different. The ratio of endemics to total richness peaked at mid elevation. Land area on a 500‐m interval scale explained a significant amount of the variation in species richness. Species density displayed two peaks at mid‐elevation zones. The cluster analysis revealed five distinct assemblages across the elevation gradient. The relationship between elevational range size and the midpoint of the elevational range revealed a triangular distribution. The frequency distribution of log maximum standard length data displayed an atypical right‐skewed pattern. Intermediate body sizes occurred across the greatest range of elevation while small and large body sizes possessed only small elevational amplitudes. The size‐elevation relationship between the two major families revealed a very strong pattern of body size constraint among the Cobitidae with no corresponding elevational constraint and a lot of body size and elevational diversification among the Cyprinidae.Main conclusion The data failed to support either Rapoport's rule or Bergmann's rule.
A mélange of curves – further dialogue about species–area relationships
Authors: Scheiner Samuel M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTScheiner (2003) presented a classification of species–area curves into six types based on the pattern of sampling and how the data are combined to form the curves. Gray et al. (2004) contended that five of those types should be termed ‘species‐accumulation curves’, reserving ‘species–area curve’ for those based on island‐type data. Their proposition contradicts 70 years of usage and confounds curves that are area‐explicit with those that are area‐undefined. In exploring these issues, I highlight additional aspects of species–area and species‐accumulation curves, including the assumption of nesting in Type IV (island) curves, how to convert area‐unspecified curves into area curves, and the effects of the grain of the analysis on the properties of the curve. Further exploration, theoretical development, and dialogue are needed before we will understand all the biology that species–area curves summarize.
Extinction and endemism in the New Zealand avifauna
Authors: Duncan Richard P. , Blackburn Tim M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTAim Species belonging to higher taxa endemic to islands are more likely to go extinct following human arrival. This selectivity may occur because more highly endemic island species possess features that make them uniquely vulnerable to impacts associated with human arrival, specifically: (1) restricted distribution (2) reduced predator escape response, including loss of flight, and (3) life history traits, such as large body mass, associated with greater susceptibility to hunting or habitat loss. This study aims to identify which of these features can explain the selective extinction of more highly endemic bird species in New Zealand.Location North and South Island, New Zealand.Methods Bird species breeding in New Zealand prior to human arrival were classified according to whether they became extinct or not during two periods of human settlement, prehistoric (post‐Maori but pre‐European arrival) and historic (post‐European arrival). We modelled the relationships between extinction probability, level of endemism and life history traits in both periods.Results The prehistoric extinction–endemism relationship can be explained entirely by the selective extinction of large‐bodied species, whereas the historic extinction–endemism relationship appears due to increased susceptibility to introduced predators resulting from the loss of predator escape responses, including loss of flight.Conclusions These features may explain extinction–endemism relationships more generally, given that human hunting and predator introductions are major impacts associated with human arrival on islands.
In Vitro Testing of Antimicrobial Activity of Bone Cement
Authors: Alt Volker , Bechert Thorsten , Steinrücke Peter , Wagener Michael , Seidel Peter , Dingeldein Elvira , Domann Eugen , Schnettler Reinhard 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to establish a reliable and cost-effective microplate proliferation assay for in vitro antimicrobial testing of bone cement samples. Cement samples devoid of antimicrobial agents, loaded with 2% gentamicin or with different concentrations of high-porosity silver, were incubated in a 96-well microplate with several staphylococcal,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andEnterococcus faeciumisolates exhibiting different susceptibilities to gentamicin. After being rinsed, the samples were brought into a soy medium in which adherent cells on the cement surface either were killed by the antimicrobial surface or started to release clonal counterparts. The medium was monitored in real time by recording a time proliferation curve for each well. Microplate testing revealed no antibacterial effect of plain bone cement. The antibacterial activity of gentamicin-loaded bone cement was shown by the microplate test to depend on the gentamicin susceptibilities of the strains. The effect of high-porosity silver was dose dependent. Bactericidal activity against all tested strains was found for bone cement loaded with 1% high-porosity silver. The accuracy of this new proliferation assay was shown by the high correlation between the types of proliferation curves and antibiotic susceptibility. In contrast to routine agar diffusion testing, it assesses the dynamic response of microorganisms to antimicrobial agents in biomaterials and allows high-throughput screening and detection of antimicrobial properties of poorly water-soluble compounds like silver.