bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile, outdoor continuous‐flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometer system for automated high‐frequency 13C‐ and 18O‐CO2 analysis for Keeling plot applications
Authors: Schnyder Hans , Schäufele Rudi , Wenzel Richard 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA continuous‐flow isotope‐ratio mass spectrometer (CF‐IRMS, custom‐made GasBenchII and DeltaplusAdvantage, ThermoFinnigan) was installed on a grassland site and interfaced with a closed‐path infrared gas analyser (IRGA). The CF‐IRMS and IRGA were housed in an air‐conditioned travel van. Air was sampled at 1.5 m above the 0.07‐m tall grassland canopy, drawn through a 17‐m long PTFE tube at a rate of 0.25 L s−1, and fed to the IRGA and CF‐IRMS in series. The IRMS was interfaced with the IRGA via a stainless steel capillary inserted 0.5 m into the sample air outlet tube of the IRGA (forming an open split), a gas‐tight pump, and a sample loop attached to the eight‐port Valco valve of the continuous‐flow interface. Air was pumped through the 0.25‐mL sample loop at 10 mL s−1 (a flushing frequency of 40 Hz). Air samples were analysed at intervals of approx. 2.8 min. Whole system precision was tested in the field using air mixed from pure CO2 and CO2‐free air by means of mass flow controllers. The standard deviation of repeated single measurements was 0.21–0.07‰ for δ13C and 0.34–0.14‰ for δ18O of CO2 in air with mixing ratios ranging between 200–800 μmol mol−1. The CO2 peak area measured by the IRMS was proportional to the CO2 mixing ratio (r2 = 1.00), allowing estimation of sample air CO2 mixing ratio from IRMS data. A 1‐day long measurement cycle of CO2, δ13C and δ18O of air sampled above the grassland canopy was used to test the system for Keeling plot applications. δ18O exhibited a clear diurnal cycle (4‰ range), but short‐term (1‐h interval) variability was small (average SD 0.38‰). Yet, the correlation between δ18O and CO2 mixing ratio was relatively weak, and this was true for both the whole data set and 1‐h subsets. Conversely, the δ13C of all 541 samples measured during the 25.2‐h interval fitted well the Keeling regression (r2 = 0.99), yielding an intercept of −27.40‰ (±0.07‰ SE). Useful Keeling regressions (r2 > 0.9, average r2 = 0.96) also resulted from data collected over 1‐h intervals of the 12‐h long twilight and dark period. These indicated that 13C content of ecosystem respiration was approx. constant near −27.6‰. The precision of the present system is similar to that of current techniques used in ecosystem studies which employ flask sampling and a laboratory‐based CF‐IRMS. Sampling (and measurement) frequency is greatly increased relative to systems based on flask sampling, and sampling time (0.025 s per sample) is decreased. These features increase the probability for sampling the entire CO2 range which occurs in a given time window. The system obviates sample storage problems, greatly minimises handling needs, and allows extended campaigns of high frequency sampling and analysis with minimal attendance. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of membranous ventricular septal aneurysms and their association with absence of atrioventricular valve ‘offsetting’
Authors: Espinoza J. , Kalache K. , Gonçalves L. F. , Lee W. , Chaiworapongsa T. , Schoen M. L. , Devers P. , Treadwell M. , Mazor M. , Romero R. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractCongenital aneurysm of the membranous portion of the ventricular septum in association with absence of atrioventricular valve ‘offsetting’ was diagnosed in two fetuses at 29 and 34 weeks. In the first case the fetus had a normal karyotype and no other structural heart defects, whereas in the second case there was a partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5 and an absent pulmonary valve syndrome. The association of absence of ‘offsetting’ with aneurysms of the membranous ventricular septum may represent spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defects initially extended to the inlet. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
pDUAL, a multipurpose, multicopy vector capable of chromosomal integration in fission yeast
Authors: Matsuyama Akihisa , Shirai Atsuko , Yashiroda Yoko , Kamata Ayako , Horinouchi Sueharu , Yoshida Minoru 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA novel series of plasmid vectors named pDUAL have been developed. These vectors enable one to introduce not only multicopies of genes with episomal maintenance but also a single copy with chromosomal integration into the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The multicopy plasmids can be easily converted to fragments for chromosomal integration by digestion of the plasmids with a certain restriction endonuclease before transformation of the yeast cells. The resultant fragments, lacking the autonomously replicating sequence, are designed for targeting into the chromosomal leu1 locus by homologous recombination. Whether the transformants are the results of episomal maintenance of the plasmid or homologous gene targeting can be readily checked by their requirement for uracil or leucine, or by the PCR diagnostic analysis. Furthermore, we propose the use of pDUAL derivatives for PCR‐based chromosomal tagging of a gene to introduce several tags into 5′‐terminus of a gene, employing a set of primers. Using these all‐in‐one vectors, a suitable mode of expression of a cloned gene can be selected for individual analysis without any complicated subcloning processes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Candida famata (Debaryomyces hansenii) DNA sequences containing genes involved in riboflavin synthesis
Authors: Voronovsky Andriy Y. , Abbas Charles A. , Dmytruk Kostyantyn V. , Ishchuk Olena P. , Kshanovska Barbara V. , Sybirna Kateryna A. , Gaillardin Claude , Sibirny Andriy A. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractPreviously cloned Candida famata (Debaryomyces hansenii) strain VKM Y‐9 genomic DNA fragments containing genes RIB1 (codes for GTP cyclohydrolase II), RIB2 (encodes specific reductase), RIB5 (codes for dimethylribityllumazine synthase), RIB6 (encodes dihydroxybutanone phosphate synthase) and RIB7 (codes for riboflavin synthase) were sequenced. The derived amino acid sequences of C. famata RIB genes showed extensive homology to the corresponding sequences of riboflavin synthesis enzymes of other yeast species. The highest identity was observed to homologues of D. hansenii CBS767, as C. famata is the anamorph of this hemiascomycetous yeast. The D. hansenii CBS767 RIB3 gene encoding specific deaminase was cloned. This gene successfully complemented riboflavin auxotrophy of the rib3 mutant of flavinogenic yeast, Pichia guilliermondii. Putative iron‐responsive elements (potential sites for binding of the transcription factors Fep1p or Aft1p and Aft2p) were found in the upstream regions of some C. famata and D. hansenii RIB genes. The sequences of C. famata RIB genes have been submitted to the EMBL data library under Accession Nos AJ810169–AJ810173. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of transplantation using kidneys from controlled (Maastricht category 3) non‐heart‐beating donors
Authors: Sudhindran S , Pettigrew GJ , Drain A , Shrotri M , Watson CJE , Jamieson NV , Bradley JA 
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Background:  Many renal transplant centres are reluctant to use kidneys from non‐heart‐beating (NHB) donors because of the high incidence of primary non‐function and delayed graft function reported in the literature. Here, we report our favourable experience of using kidneys from Maastricht category 3 donors (controlled NHB donors).Materials and methods:  From January 1996 to June 2002, 42 renal transplants using kidneys from 25 controlled NHB donors were undertaken at our centre. The rates of primary non‐function, delayed graft function (DGF), rejection and long‐term graft and patient survival were compared with those of 84 recipients of grafts from heart‐beating (HB donors) transplanted contemporaneously.Results:  Primary non‐function did not occur in recipients of grafts from NHB donors but was seen in two grafts from HB donors. DGF occurred in 21 of 42 (50%) kidneys from NHB donors and 14 of 84 (17%) kidneys from HBD donars (p < 0.001). The acute rejection rates in the two groups were similar (33% for grafts from NHB donors vs. 40% from HB donors). By 1 month after transplantation, there was no significant difference in serum creatinine concentration between the two groups. Over a median follow‐up period of 32 months (range 2–75 months), the actuarial graft survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 yr after transplantation were 84, 80 and 74% for recipients of kidneys from NHB donors, compared with 89, 85 and 80% for kidneys from HB donors.Conclusion:  Controlled NHB donors are a valuable and under‐used source of kidneys for renal transplantation. The outcome for recipients of kidney allografts from category 3 NHB donors is similar to that seen in recipients of grafts from conventional HB cadaveric donors.
Influence of hypercholesterolemia on patient and graft survival in recipients of kidney transplants
Authors: Booth Jennifer C , Joseph John T , Jindal Rahul M 
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Aim:  The aim of this retrospective, single centre study, was to study the effect of pre‐ and post‐transplant serum total cholesterol (TC) on patient and graft survival. We also sought to see whether patients who had very high TC (>8 mmol/L) had a higher incidence of graft failure and patient mortality compared with those whose cholesterol was only moderately elevated.Methods:  Records of 935 cadaver kidney transplants between 1984 and 1998 were examined. Patients were placed into three groups based on TC level: <5.5 mmol/L (group 1), 5.5–8 mmol/L (group 2) and >8 mmol/L (group 3). The mean TC value from the first five post‐transplant years was taken to seek a correlation between TC and post‐transplant events.Results:  The mean graft follow‐up was 66.9 ± 50.1 months, ranging from 0.1 to 191 months, while mean patient follow‐up was 83.8 ± 50.1 months, ranging from 0.5 to 191.6 months. Pre‐transplant TC was available in 201 patients (21.5%), and post‐transplant data was available (for first 5 yr) in 655 patients (70%). During the study period, 220 patients (23.5%) had died, 285 (30.5%) of the grafts had failed during the follow‐up, while 129 (13.8%) of the patients died with a functioning graft. We found significantly longer survival of patients having a pre‐transplant TC below 5.5 mmol/L vs. patients whose pre‐transplant TC was above 5.6 mmol/L (p = 0.02). We also compared patients who had very high pre‐transplant TC (>8 mmol/L) level with those whose TC was moderately elevated (5.5–8 mmol/L) and found that there was no higher incidence of graft failure (p = 0.77) nor patient mortality (p = 0.83). No difference could be found in graft survival based on pre‐transplant TC. We also did not find a detrimental influence of post‐transplant TC on the patient or graft survival. Diabetes mellitus (p = 0.006) and age over 50 yr (p = 0.007) affected patient survival, while low cyclosporine levels (p = 0.02) and acute rejection episodes (p = 0.009) affected graft survival. The mode of dialysis and time on dialysis prior to transplantation did not affect patient and graft survival.Conclusions:  We found significantly greater survival of patients having a pre‐transplant TC below 5.5 mmol/L. No difference could be found in graft survival based on pre‐transplant TC. Post‐transplant TC did not adversely affect patient or graft survival.
Neuropsychologic side‐effects of tacrolimus in pediatric renal transplantation
Authors: Kemper Markus J , Spartà Giuseppina , Laube Guido F , Miozzari Marco , Neuhaus Thomas J 
Published: November 2004

Calcineurin inhibition with tacrolimus has been used after renal transplantation (RTPL) as rescue therapy for insufficient immunological control or if cyclosporin A (CSA) toxicity occurred. Neurologic side‐effects occur but are rare in children, usually presenting as tremor; however, serious complications, e.g. the posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome are also documented. Twenty children (10 girls) were switched to tacrolimus: 11 (55%) for immunological reasons (n = 9: steroid‐resistant rejection; n = 2: recurrent rejections) and nine for CSA side‐effects. Tacrolimus was started at a median of 8 wk (range 10 d to 8.7 yr) after RTPL and was continued for a median of 2.5 yr (range 5 wk to 4.6 yr). Renal function significantly improved over a period of 12 months following conversion to tacrolimus (glomerular filtration rate 56 ± 19 vs. 66 ± 16 mL/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.03; n = 13). Fifteen of 20 (75%) patients tolerated tacrolimus well.The most frequent side‐effects were neuropsychological and behavioral symptoms in three children, ranging from anorexia nervosa‐like symptoms with weight loss, amenorrhea, depression and school problems to severe insomnia and to aggressive and anxious behavior in one child. Only the latter child was exposed to toxic tacrolimus blood levels. All side‐effects were fully reversible after discontinuation of tacrolimus. In conclusion, tacrolimus had a beneficial effect on renal function and was well tolerated in the majority of pediatric patients. However, neuropsychologic and behavioral side‐effects are important and maybe underrecognized in children.
Presence of Gal‐α1,3Gal epitope on xenogeneic lines: implications for cellular gene therapy based on the encapsulation technology
Authors: Déglon Nicole , Aubert Vincent , Spertini François , Winkel Laurence , Aebischer Patrick 
Published: November 2004

Déglon N, Aubert V, Spertini F, Winkel L, Aebischer P. Presence of Gal‐α1,3Gal epitope on xenogeneic lines: implications for cellular gene therapy based on the encapsulation technology. Xenotransplantation 2003; 10: 204–213. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2003Exposure to human serum induces the lysis of xenogeneic cells through natural antibodies and complement activation. The carbohydrate Galactose‐α1,3‐Galactose (Gal‐α1,3‐Gal) epitope, has been shown to be the principal antigenic determinant on target cells. This reaction is, therefore, particularly important for xenogeneic cell‐based therapy. As a first step toward the evaluation of the impact of this phenomenon for encapsulated xenogeneic cells, we have evaluated the presence of the Gal‐α1,3Gal epitope on two cell lines currently being used for the systemic delivery of protein in the periphery or the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the second part of the study, we have tested and compared human serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the presence of xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNAs) and their potential impact on the survival of xenogeneic cells. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis indicated that baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells expressed low levels of the α‐Gal epitope, whereas mouse myoblast C2C12 cells were extensively stained with the specific IB4‐lectin. There was a direct correlation between serum killing and the level of Gal‐α1,3‐Gal epitope expression on these cells. Importantly, we showed that CSF did not lyse BHK and C2C12 cells as determined by cytotoxic crossmatch assays. The reaction was specific as the addition of soluble Gal‐α1,3‐Gal sugar to human serum effectively reduced cell killing, and the overproduction of α‐1,3‐galactosyltransferase in BHK cells significantly increased inactivation by human serum. To interfere with this antibody–antigen reaction and develop cell lines particularly suitable for cell‐based therapy, we either selected C2C12 clones expressing low levels of Gal‐α1,3‐Gal or high levels of α‐1,2‐fucosyltransferase. These cells were found to be resistant to complement‐mediated cytolysis. These strategies may, therefore, protect encapsulated xenogeneic cells transplanted in the periphery or the central nervous system even in an unlikely event of a blood–brain barrier breakage and the post‐transplantation development of an antibody response.
Xenogeneic skin graft rejection in M‐CSF/macrophage deficient osteopetrotic mice
Authors: Zhao Yong , Xiong Wanfen , Yang Tianyu , Prall Amy , Baxter B. T. , Langnas Alan N. 
Published: November 2004

Zhao Y, Xiong W, Yang T, Prall A, Baxter BT, Langnas AN. Xenogeneic skin graft rejection in M‐CSF/macrophage deficient osteopetrotic mice. Xenotransplantation 2003; 10: 232–239. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2003Background: The cellular infiltrate in xenografts suggests that macrophages may be involved in xenograft rejection. However, the precise role of macrophages in xenograft rejection has not yet been fully addressed.Methods: Xenogeneic rat skin grafts were transplanted to macrophage colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF)/macrophage‐deficient osteopetrotic ([OP]–/–) and wild‐type control mice. Skin graft survival and antidonor rat humoral responses were quantified.Results: Xenogeneic rat skin grafts survived 13 days in wild‐type control mice, survival of rat skin grafts was significantly prolonged to 24 days in [OP]–/– mice (P<0.01). Similar results were observed in sensitized [OP]–/– and control mouse recipients, showing markedly prolonged rat skin graft survival in [OP]–/– mice. Levels of T‐cell‐dependent antirat antibodies [immunoglobulin G (IgG)2a and IgG3] in sera of [OP]–/– mice were significantly lower than that of control mice 2 weeks post‐rat skin grafting. The proliferative responses to xenogeneic rats not to allogeneic mouse stimulation of T cells from [OP]–/– mice were significantly lower than that of wild‐type mice. However, neutrilization of M‐CSF by anti‐M‐CSF monoclonal antibody (mAb) or the addition of M‐CSF to the in vitro culture systems of wild‐type or [OP]–/– mouse T‐responder cells, respectively, did not significantly change proliferative responses and cytolytic function against xenogeneic rat targets of wild‐type or [OP]–/– mouse T‐responder cells.Conclusions: The in vitro data indicate that M‐CSF does not directly regulate cellular immune responses to xenoantigens. The present studies indicate that macrophages may play an important role in immune rejection of xenografts. The precise role of macrophages in xenograft rejection should be further investigated.
Hypodermin A, a new inhibitor of human complement for the prevention of xenogeneic hyperacute rejection
Authors: Malassagne B. , Regimbeau J. M. , Taboit F. , Troalen F. , Chéreau C. , Moiré N. , Attal J. , Batteux F. , Conti F. , Calmus Y. , Houssin D. , Boulard C. , Houdebine L. M. , Weill B. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract: Background: Hyperacute rejection (HAR) of discordant xenografts in the pig‐to‐human combination can be prevented using tranplants expressing transgenic molecules that inhibit human complement. Hypodermin A (HA), a serine esterase that degrades C3, was tested in the guinea‐pig‐to‐rat and in the pig‐to‐human combinations. Methods: Hypodermin A was tested in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of HAR in the guinea‐pig‐to‐rat combination. Hamster ovary cells (CHO) and a line of porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC11) were transfected with HA complementary DNA (cDNA). Results: The pattern of degradation of rat and human C3 by HA was different (multiple bands lower than 40 kDa) from the physiologic pattern observed after spontaneous degradation of rat C3 or physiologic activation of human C3. The CH50 activity in serum was significantly lower in rats treated with 3.2 mg HA/kg than in untreated rats (45 ± 16 U/ml vs. 700 ± 63 U/ml, P < 0.05). Sera from rats injected with 3.2 mg/kg of HA were less effective in lysing guinea‐pig endothelial cells (12 ± 7%) than normal rat sera (79 ± 3%; P < 0.001). Ex vivo, guinea‐pig hearts perfused by rat serum supplemented with HA survived longer than those perfused by non‐treated serum (210 ± 34 and 154 ± 71 min, respectively; P < 0.05). In vivo, guinea‐pig hearts transplanted into HA treated rats survived longer than in non‐treated rats (27 ± 5 min vs. 13 ± 4 min; P < 0.001). In the presence of human serum, smaller amounts of C6 and C5b‐9 were deposited onto HA‐transfected CHO cells than onto control cells. The mHA‐PAEC11 cells were significantly more resistant to lysis by human C than control PAEC11 cells. Conclusions: These data suggest that transgenic HA could be used to prevent hyperacute xenogeneic rejection.
Craniofacial computed tomography scanning: technology, applications and future trends
Authors: Vannier MW 
Published: November 2004

Structured Abstract
Author –
Vannier MWObjectives – Craniofacial imaging in three dimensions depends on computed tomography (CT) and related technologies. This paper explains the state‐of‐the‐art for medical and dedicated craniofacial cone‐beam CT scanners.Method – Current medical CT scanners are surveyed, especially the recently announced 16 simultaneous slice models with subsecond source–detector rotation times and spiral/helical third generation geometry. The medical scanner technology is contrasted with dedicated low‐cost craniofacial cone‐beam CT scanners to delineate the relevant technologies and clarify the differences.Results – CT scanners performance in any task is determined by their detectors and reconstruction algorithm primarily and to a lesser extent by the X‐ray source, dose utilization, computational and display electronics, and software for post‐processing. Each of these components differs between medical and low‐cost cone‐beam scanners, and the differences are tabulated and explained.Conclusion – Low‐cost craniofacial CT scanners are significantly different from general purpose medical CT scanners, with compromises in technical performance. Despite their limitations, these instruments are remarkably useful for their intended application domain and should improve as computers continue to increase their performance.