bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the impact of natural enemies on Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) populations on commercial Brassica farms
Authors: Furlong Michael J. , Shi Zu‐hua , Liu Shu‐Sheng , Zalucki Myron P. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract  1 Accurate assessment of the impact of natural enemies on pest populations is fundamental to the design of robust integrated pest management programmes. In most situations, diseases, predators and parasitoids act contemporaneously on insect pest populations and the impact of individual natural enemies, or specific groups of natural enemies, is difficult to interpret. These problems are exacerbated in agro‐ecosystems that are frequently disrupted by the application of insecticides.2 A combination of life‐table and natural enemy exclusion techniques was utilized to develop a method for the assessment of the impact of endemic natural enemies on Plutella xylostella populations on commercial Brassica farms.3 At two of the experimental sites, natural enemies had no impact on P. xylostella survival, at two other sites, natural enemy impact was low but, at a fifth site, natural enemies drastically reduced the P. xylostella population.4 The calculation of marginal death rates and associated k‐values allowed the comparison of mortality factors between experimental sites, and indicated that larval disappearance was consistently the most important mortality factor, followed by egg disappearance, larval parasitism and pupal parasitism. The appropriateness of the methods and assumptions made to calculate the marginal death rates are discussed.5 The technique represents a robust and easily repeatable method for the analysis of the activity of natural enemies of P. xylostella, which could be adapted for the study of other phytophagous pests.
Host plant preference and performance of the vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus
Authors: Van Tol R. W. H. M. , Van Dijk N. , Sabelis M. W. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract  1 The relationship between reproductive performance and preference for potential host plants of the vine weevil is investigated, as shown in tests on contact (or feeding) preference, presented herein, and tests on olfactory preference, published elsewhere.2 Assessment of reproductive performance shows that the host‐plant range of the adult vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus in Europe is limited to one gymnosperm genus (Taxus sp.) and a broad range of angiosperm plants in two subclasses of the Dicotyledonae, namely Dilleniidae and Rosidae. The successful reproduction on very distantly related plant taxa suggests that the original weevil‐ and plant‐habitat has mediated the current host‐plant range of the vine weevil.3 Contact‐preference tests with equally suitable hosts, such as Aronia, Fragaria, Euonymus and Taxus, and one less suitable host, Humulus, indicate a mismatch between contact preference and performance and, as far as olfactory preferences are known, these match neither the contact preferences nor the performance. This mismatch may arise because (i) host plant species offered do not occur in weevil habitat in Europe (e.g. Aronia and the cultivated Fragaria come from North America) and (ii) predation (or disease) risks differ among host plants, thereby altering effective reproductive performance.4 With respect to performance on novel hosts (Thuja, Prunus) and bad hosts (Rhododendron), some between‐individual variation is found within a single population, suggesting that local populations harbour (possibly genetic) variation for adaptation to new hosts. How this variation is maintained in the face of strong selection pressures on local populations of flightless and thelytokous weevils, is an important question for understanding the broad host plant range in the vine weevil.
Molecular strain identification of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex in archival tissue samples
Authors: Zink A R , Nerlich A G 
Published: October 2004

Aims:To investigate the use of different molecular analyses that can identify distinct strains of human pathogenic mycobacteria in formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded archival tissue samples to see whether it is possible to differentiate between the members of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (M tuberculosis,M bovis,M africanum,M microti, orM canettii)and/or substrains in a high number of samples. This would be of interest for identifying individual infection traits and superinfection by different mycobacterial strains.Methods:Forty nine archival tissue samples with clinically and/or histologically suspected tuberculosis infection were subjected to molecular DNA analysis.Results:The molecular analysis revealed the presence ofM tuberculosiscomplex DNA in 20 samples, whereas acid fast bacilli could be detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining in only eight samples. All IS6110 positive samples were further characterised by spoligotyping and seven cases providedM tuberculosisspecific signatures, whereasM bovisspecific signatures were obtained in four cases. The analysis of mtp40, oxyR, and pncA partial gene sequences confirmed the presence ofM tuberculosisin six cases andM bovisin one case. The amplification and sequencing of four further genetic regions (katG, gyrA, TbD1, RD9) characterised six “modern”M tuberculosisstrains belonging to genetic groups 2 or 3.Conclusion:This study provides clear evidence that archival paraffin wax embedded material can be used for further studies on the strain identification ofM tuberculosiscomplex strains and can therefore unequivocally be used for the study of the epidemiology and evolution of tuberculosis pathogens.
ALCAM/CD166 is overexpressed in colorectal carcinoma and correlates with shortened patient survival
Authors: Weichert W , Knösel T , Bellach J , Dietel M , Kristiansen G 
Published: October 2004

Background:Activated leucocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) has been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumour progression of malignant melanoma and prostate cancer.Aims:To clarify the expression patterns of ALCAM in colon cancer and to correlate these with clinicopathological parameters, including patient survival.Methods:One hundred and eleven colorectal carcinomas were immunostained for ALCAM (clone MOG/07) using a standard detection system. Cytoplasmic and membranous immunoreactivity were scored semiquantitatively. Fisher’s exact test, χ2test for trends, Kaplan–Meier analysis, and Cox’s regression were applied.Results:In colorectal cancer, 58.6% and 30.6% of cases showed strong cytoplasmic and membranous expression of ALCAM, respectively. No significant correlation with patient age, tumour grade, stage, or nodal status was apparent. In survival analyses, membranous ALCAM expression correlated significantly (Cox’s regression, p  =  0.028; relative risk, 2.3) with shortened patient survival.Conclusions:ALCAM is frequently upregulated in colorectal cancer and is a new independent prognostic marker, underscoring the importance of ALCAM in tumour progression in this disease.
Lymphocytic gastritis-like T cell lymphoma: molecular evidence of an unusual recurrence
Authors: Nga M E , Tan S H , Teh M , Koay E S C , Chong S M , Putti T C , Salto-Tellez M 
Published: October 2004

This report describes a patient with a gastric biopsy specimen showing histomorphological and immunohistochemical appearances indistinguishable from those usually present in lymphocytic gastritis, a rare condition of unknown aetiology with a distinctive phenotype. The patient had a history of a biopsy confirmed T cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma at two anatomical sites (bladder and stomach), which was subsequently treated. Molecular analysis of the T cell receptor (TCR) γ chain gene rearrangements showed a distinct monoclonal T cell population in the bladder and gastric biopsies. The same analysis in the lymphocytic gastritis-like biopsy sample showed a monoclonal population with identical base pair size to that identified in the other specimens. This report highlights the importance of TCR gene rearrangement analysis in the diagnosis of unusual gastric inflammation, and the use of capillary electrophoresis based polymerase chain reaction in the follow up of lymphoproliferative disorders.
Histopathological assessment of lymph nodes in colorectal carcinoma: does triple levelling detect significantly more metastases?: Figure 1
Authors: Verrill C , Carr N J , Wilkinson-Smith E , Seel E H 
Published: October 2004

Aims:Standard practice is to take one section from every lymph node found in colorectal carcinoma resection specimens, to look for metastatic carcinoma. This study evaluates whether assessing three sections separated by 100 μm detects significantly more metastases in nodes than the conventional single section.Methods:A retrospective study of 100 colorectal carcinoma resection specimens. All blocks containing lymph nodes had two extra histological sections cut (separated by 100 μm) and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The original slide was called level 1, and the extra two sections levels 2 and 3.Results:Twenty Dukes’s A (equivalent to WHO-UICC stage grouping I, pTNM stage pT1/2N0), 43 Dukes’s B (equivalent to WHO-UICC stage grouping II, pTNM stage pT3/4N0), and 37 Dukes’s C (equivalent to WHO-UICC stage grouping III, pTNM stage at least pN1) cases were examined (total 1453 nodes). Twelve extra metastases (in 11 patients) were discovered in nodes at levels 2 and 3, which were negative in level 1. Ten cases were Dukes’s C and, in one patient, this led to upstaging from N1 to N2 (pTNM classification system). One case was Dukes’s B and the discovery of a single metastasis on level 2 upstaged it to Dukes’s C.Conclusions:Triple levelling detected more tumour deposits than the conventional single section. In two patients, the staging classification of the lesion was changed, with potentially important implications for prognosis and management.
Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2–mediated endothelial cell activation by Axl tyrosine kinase receptor
Authors: Gallicchio Margherita , Mitola Stefania , Valdembri Donatella , Fantozzi Roberto , Varnum Brian , Avanzi Gian Carlo , Bussolino Federico 
Published: October 2004

AbstractGAS6, the product of a growth arrest specific (GAS) gene, is the ligand of the tyrosine kinase receptor Axl. GAS6 and Axl are both expressed in endothelial cells, where they are involved in many processes such as leukocyte transmigration through capillaries and neointima formation in injured vessels. Here, we show that Axl stimulation by GAS6 results in inhibition of the ligand-dependent activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 and the consequent activation of an angiogenic program in vascular endothelial cells. GAS6 inhibits chemotaxis of endothelial cells stimulated by VEGF-A isoforms, but not that triggered by fibroblast growth factor-2 or hepatocyte growth factor. Furthermore, it inhibits endothelial cell morphogenesis on Matrigel and VEGF-A–dependent vascularization of chick chorion allantoid membrane. GAS6 activates the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 (SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2), which is instrumental in the negative feedback exerted by Axl on VEGF-A activities. A dominant-negative SHP-2 mutant, in which Cys 459 is substituted by Ser, reverted the effect of GAS6 on stimulation of VEGF receptor 2 and endothelial chemotaxis triggered by VEGF-A. These studies provide the first demonstration of a cross talk between Axl and VEGF receptor 2 and add new information on the regulation of VEGF-A activities during tissue vascularization.
Peroxynitrite-mediated inactivation of heme oxygenases
Authors: Kinobe Robert , Ji Yanbin , Nakatsu Kanji 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) are generated by nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase, respectively. Like NO, CO has been accepted as an important cellular signaling molecule in biological systems. An up-regulation in both gene and protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) under oxidative/nitrosative stress has been well documented, and the protective role of HO-1 and HO-2 against oxidative damage is proposed. However, data on the direct effect of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) on HO function is incomplete. Using gas chromatography to quantify carbon monoxide (CO) formation from heme oxidation, we investigated the effects of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) on the in vitro catalytic activity of rat spleen (HO-1) and brain (HO-2) microsomal heme oxygenases.

Results
Exposure to ONOO- led to concentration-dependent but reversible decreases in the activity of microsomal rat spleen and brain HO activity. Spleen HO activity was 100-fold more sensitive to ONOO--dependent inactivation compared to that of the brain, with IC50 values of 0.015 ± 0.005 mM and 1.25 ± 0.25 mM respectively. Inhibition of both rat spleen and brain microsomal HO activity was also observed with tetra-nitromethane, a tyrosine nitrating agent, as well as two NO donors, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and diethylamine NONOate (DEA-NONOate). However, no additive effect was found following the application of NO donors and ONOO- together.

Conclusion
These results indicate that ONOO- may regulate HO-1 and HO-2 activities by mechanisms that involve different interactions with these proteins. It is suggested that while nitration of tyrosine residues and oxidation of sulfhydryl groups may be involved, consideration should be given to other facets of ONOO- chemistry. This inhibition of HO activity offers a mechanism for cross talk between the nitric oxide synthase and HO systems.
Readmission and overstay after day case nasal surgery
Authors: Singh Gurminder , McCormack David , Roberts David R 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
A readmission is classified as a patient necessitating readmission to hospital due to a post-operative complication following discharge. An overstay however, is classified as a patient having to stay longer than the planned duration in hospital (not having been discharged in the interim) due to a post-operative complication. This study aims to investigate patient-related factors that predispose to readmission or overstay and thus make recommendations to decrease the likelihood of readmission or overstay.

Method
In this retrospective study 312 'day-case nasal procedures', were selected from a total cohort of 4274 ENT patients over a 17-month period. This sub-group was investigated for a range of demographic factors including, age, gender and ethnicity with regards to their relationship to readmission rates and overstay frequency and duration.

Results
The rates were 2.88% and 9.62% for readmission and overstay respectively. The total number of days spent in hospital as a result of readmission was 27. Epistaxis was the leading cause for readmission/overstay (28.9%) followed by high levels of post-operative pain preventing them from being discharged (23.7%). All procedures in this study had readmission rates that were below those recommended in the guidelines set by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Women overstayed significantly longer (t = 1.65, p < 0.05) than men.

Conclusions
Suitable candidates for day-case ENT surgery highlighted by this study include healthy individuals between the ages of 20 and 60. Operating in the morning would increase the immediate post-operative recovery time, which may reduce the numbers of patients who complain of high levels of pain at the time of discharge. Procedures such as septorhinoplasty being performed routinely in the ambulatory setting require additional research into more effective methods of pain control. Standards need to be improved so that the causes of overstay and readmission are clearly identifiable in patient records.
Population Pharmacokinetics III: Design, Analysis, and Application of Population Pharmacokinetic Studies
Authors: Ette Ene I , Williams Paul J , Lane James R 
Published: October 2004

OBJECTIVE To present a framework within which population pharmacokinetic (PPK) studies should be designed and analyzed and discuss the application of developed PPK models. METHODS Information on PPK was retrieved from a MEDLINE search (1979–December 2003) of the literature and a bibliographic evaluation of review articles and books. This information is used in conjunction with experience to explain the design and analysis of PPK studies. Also, examples are included to demonstrate the usefulness of PPK. SYNTHESIS A great deal of thought must be given to the design and analysis of PPK studies (ie, development of PPK models). Models are of 2 primary types—descriptive and predictive—and the process applied to these models is necessarily different. An approach that ensures model applicability is presented. CONCLUSIONS PPK models have great utility, and the applications are many. They are very different from single-subject pharmacokinetic models and therefore require different approaches to model estimation.
Aggregate States and Energetic Disorder in Highly Ordered Nanostructures ofpara‐Sexiphenyl Grown by Hot Wall Epitaxy
Authors: Kadashchuk A. , Andreev A. , Sitter H. , Sariciftci N. S. , Skryshevski Y. , Piryatinski Y. , Blonsky I. , Meissner D. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe report on photoluminescence (PL) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) in highly ordered nanostructures ofpara‐sexiphenyl (PSP) grown by hot wall epitaxy (HWE). A low‐energy broad band is observed in the PL spectra that can be attributed to the emission from molecular aggregates. While the intrinsic exciton emission in steady‐state PL dominates at low temperatures, the emission from aggregates increases with elevating temperature and its magnitude depends sensitively on film preparation conditions. Time‐resolved PL measurements showed that the aggregate emission decays with a life‐time of ≈ 4 ns, which is approximately an order of magnitude larger than the lifetime of singlet excitons. TSL data suggests the presence of an energetically disordered distribution of localized states for charge carriers in PSP films, which results from an intrinsic disorder in this material. A low‐temperature TSL peak with the maximum at around 30 K evidences for a weak energy disorder in PSP films, and has been interpreted in terms of a hopping model of TSL in disordered organic materials.
Obtaining Characteristic 4f–4f Luminescence from Rare Earth Organic Chelates
Authors: Thompson J. , Blyth R. I. R. , Gigli G. , Cingolani R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe report a study of a series of heavy rare earth tris‐8‐hydroxyquinolines (REQ3s), using UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. We show that the heavy REQ3s are all chemically similar to each other and to aluminium tris‐8‐hydroxyquinoline, at least in terms of the ligand behavior. Characteristic rare earth 4f–4f luminescence is only observed for ErQ3 and YbQ3 due to the relatively low energy of the ligand triplet state. We show that a triplet transfer mechanism cannot be responsible for the observed Yb 4f–4f luminescence observed in YbQ3. Instead, an internal chemiluminescent process is shown to be energetically favorable. The thin film PL spectra of all the heavy REQ3s are dominated by triplet emission, except for that of ErQ3, for which transfer to the Er3+ ion represents an efficient alternative. The PL spectra of powder samples, which would be expected to consist of approximately equal amounts of both isomers, are dominated by singlet emission. This is in contrast to the results from the thin films, and suggests that the isomer which predominates in the thin films has a much higher intersystem crossing rate than the other isomer.
Macroporous Zeolitic Membrane Bioreactors
Authors: Wang Y. , Caruso F. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractA simple and effective method is described for the fabrication of robust zeolitic membranes with three‐dimensional (3D) interconnected macroporous structures. The membranes were prepared by electrostatically seeding mesoporous silica sphere (MSS) self‐assembled films with silicalite‐1 nanoparticles, followed by hydrothermal treatment. The membrane thickness, which is determined by the MSS film thickness, can be easily adjusted from tens to hundreds of micrometers by varying the concentration of the MSS dispersion and the solution volume. Biomacromolecule‐functionalized macroporous zeolitic membrane bioreactors were subsequently prepared via the layer‐by‐layer (LbL) electrostatic assembly of polyelectrolytes and enzyme (catalase) on the 3D macroporous membranes. The enzyme‐modified membranes with interconnected macroporous structures display enzyme loading amounts and activities that are one order of magnitude higher than corresponding 3D zeolite films with closed macropores, and approximately three orders of magnitude higher than their non‐porous planar film counterparts assembled on silica substrates. The enzyme loadings and activities were found to be approximately linearly dependent on the thicknesses of the membranes. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme exhibits enhanced reaction stability in comparison with enzyme in bulk solution. These membranes are potentially useful for separations as they could be used to simultaneously perform reaction and separation steps.
Semiconducting and Piezoelectric Oxide Nanostructures Induced by Polar Surfaces
Authors: Wang Z. L. , Kong X. Y. , Ding Y. , Gao P. , Hughes W. L. , Yang R. , Zhang Y. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractZinc oxide, an important semiconducting and piezoelectric material, has three key characteristics. First, it is a semiconductor, with a direct bandgap of 3.37 eV and a large excitation binding energy (60 meV), and exhibits near‐UV emission and transparent conductivity. Secondly, due to its non‐centrosymmetric symmetry, it is piezoelectric, which is a key phenomenon in building electro‐mechanical coupled sensors and transducers. Finally, ZnO is bio‐safe and bio‐compatible, and can be used for biomedical applications without coating. With these unique advantages, ZnO is one of the most important nanomaterials for integration with microsystems and biotechnology. Structurally, due to the three types of fastest growth directions—<0001>, <01$ \bar 1 $0>, and <2$ \bar 1 $$ \bar 1 $0>—as well as the ±(0001) polar surfaces, a diverse group of ZnO nanostructures have been grown in our laboratory. These include nanocombs, nanosaws, nanosprings, nanorings, nanobows, and nanopropellers. This article reviews our recent progress in the synthesis and characterization of polar‐surface‐induced ZnO nanostructures, their growth mechanisms, and possible applications as sensors, transducers, and resonators. It is suggested that ZnO could be the next most important nanomaterial after carbon nanotubes.