bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental warming and burn severity alter soil CO2 flux and soil functional groups in a recently burned boreal forest
Authors: Bergner Belle , Johnstone Jill , Treseder Kathleen K. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractGlobal warming is projected to be greatest in northern regions, where forest fires are also increasing in frequency. Thus, interactions between fire and temperature on soil respiration at high latitudes should be considered in determining feedbacks to climate. We tested the hypothesis that experimental warming will augment soil CO2 flux in a recently burned boreal forest by promoting microbial and root growth, but that this increase will be less apparent in more severely burned areas. We used open‐top chambers to raise temperatures 0.4–0.9°C across two levels of burn severity in a fire scar in Alaskan black spruce forest. After 3 consecutive years of warming, soil respiration was measured through a portable gas exchange system. Abundance of active microbes was determined by using Biolog EcoPlates™ for bacteria and ergosterol analysis for fungi. Elevated temperatures increased soil CO2 flux by 20% and reduced root biomass, but had no effect on bacterial or fungal abundance or soil organic matter (SOM) content. Soil respiration, fungal abundance, SOM, and root biomass decreased with increasing burn severity. There were no significant interactions between temperature and burn severity with respect to any measurement. Higher soil respiration rates in the warmed plots may be because of higher metabolic activity of microbes or roots. All together, we found that postfire soils are a greater source of CO2 to the atmosphere under elevated temperatures even in severely burned areas, suggesting that global warming may produce a positive feedback to atmospheric CO2, even in young boreal ecosystems.
A comparison of drying operations on the rheological properties of whey protein thickening ingredients
Authors: Resch Jeffrey J. , Daubert Christopher R. , Allen Foegeding E. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAn existing procedure for the alteration of whey proteins into a cold‐set thickening agent was modified by developing a spray‐drying operation to replace the prohibitively expensive freeze‐drying step. The original and the modified derivatization procedures were used with a commercial whey protein concentrate (WPC). The freeze‐dried and spray‐dried derivatized WPC powders, along with polysaccharide thickeners, were reconstituted in water and evaluated by using a range of rheological studies. The effects of temperature, concentration, and shear on viscosity as well as the mechanical spectra were assessed to characterize the ability of the powders to function in food systems. Rheological characterization revealed the modified derivatization procedure yielded an ingredient having the same cold‐set thickening and gelling ability as the original derivatized powder. The modified whey proteins were also able to achieve, at higher usage levels, textural properties similar to several polysaccharide thickeners. Use of a spray‐drying technique created a more economical process for the production of a whey protein ingredient that was suitable for contributing viscosity and texture to a wide range of food systems.
The effect of successive uses of oak barrels on the extraction of oak‐related volatile compounds from wine
Authors: Gómez‐Plaza Encarna , Pérez‐Prieto Luis J. , Fernández‐Fernández Jose I. , López‐Roca Jose M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryChanges in the concentration of furfuryl compounds, guaiacol and 4‐methylguaiacol, cis‐ and trans‐oak lactone, and vanillin were studied during the maturation of wines in oak barrels of different origins (French oak and American oak). The rate at which these volatile compounds accumulated in the wines followed a curve that fits to mathematical models. The changes in concentration were usually consistent with diffusion kinetics. When the barrels are new, the concentration gradient between the wood surface and the wine is high, so diffusion occurs quickly, especially in the case of lactones, the extraction rate of which could be fitted to a power curve. After some time of maturation, the concentration gradient is not so large and furthermore, the wood surface may be exhausted of some compounds so the rate of extraction decreases. During the second fill, the rate of accumulation of these compounds in the wine was almost linear, especially during the first 6 months of storage, and the quantities measured in wine were much lower. The concentration of some compounds, increased during the final 3 months (between days 180 and 270), exhibiting a quadratic curve when plotted. Furfuryl aldehydes behaved differently as they are extracted very rapidly from the first millimetres of wood surface and transformed into furfuryl alcohol, a compound with no organoleptic significance.
Decreased expression of CD28 coincides with the down‐modulation of CD3ζ and augmentation of caspase‐3 activity in T cells from hepatocellular carcinoma‐bearing patients and hepatitis C virus‐infected patients
Authors: MAKI AKIRA , MATSUDA MASANORI , ASAKAWA MASAMI , KONO HIROSHI , FUJII HIDEKI , MATSUMOTO YOSHIRO 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic inflammation and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This immunosuppressive state may be one reason why HCV‐infected patients often have multicentric cancers. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the cellular immune function in HCC‐bearing and HCV‐infected patients.Methods:  The expression of cluster of differentiation (CD)3ζ, CD28 and caspase‐3 activity of peripheral blood T lymphocytes (PBL) from HCC‐bearing patients, HCV‐infected patients and normal subjects was measured by flow cytometric methods. Furthermore, intrahepatic T lymphocytes (IHL) and tumor‐infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) from HCC patients were used.Results:  Decreased expressions of CD3ζ, CD28 and the augmentation of caspase‐3 activity were recognized in PBL from HCC and HCV patients. These phenomena were more dominant in TIL and IHL than in PBL in HCC patients. Furthermore, the down‐modulation of CD3ζ and increased caspase‐3 activity occurred in CD28 down‐modulated T cells.Conclusion:  These results demonstrate impairment of the cellular immune system in HCC and HCV patients from the viewpoints of the down‐modulation of CD3ζ and CD28 on T cells and T‐cell apoptosis. In addition, the results imply that the down‐modulation of CD3ζ and T‐cell apoptosis take place in activated T cells.
Complete disappearance of pulmonary metastases in a case of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with docetaxel‐based systemic chemotherapy
Authors: ISHIKAWA TORU , ICHIDA TAKAFUMI , YOKOYAMA JUNJI , MATSUDA YASUNOBU , WATANABE TOSHIAKI , ASAKURA HITOSHI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA case of the complete shrinkage of pulmonary metastases from multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) after administration of docetaxel, cisplatin and enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil is reported. A 54‐year‐old Japanese man was diagnosed with recurrent multiple HCC associated with pulmonary metastases and compensated liver cirrhosis. Docetaxel, cisplatin and enteric‐coated tegafur/uracil were given to this patient. After 2 months of treatment, there was a decrease in tumor markers and a shrinkage of the pulmonary metastases. Image analyses such as chest X‐rays and chest computed tomography scans showed a disappearance of the pulmonary metastases, although the multiple HCC did not disappear completely. This was evaluated as a complete remission of metastatic lesions or a partial remission of primary lesions according to the World Health Organization criteria. No recurrence of pulmonary metastasis was seen for 10 months. This combination therapy was well‐tolerated for lung cancer and could represent an effective treatment for pulmonary metastases from HCC.
Is screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm bad for your health and well‐being?
Authors: Spencer Carole A. , Norman Paul E. , Jamrozik Konrad , Tuohy Raywin , Lawrence‐Brown Michael 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The purpose of the present paper was to investigate whether screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) causes health‐related quality of life to change in men or their partners.Methods:  A cross‐sectional case−control comparison was undertaken of men aged 65−83 years living in Perth, Western Australia, using questionnaires incorporating three validated instruments (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form−36, EuroQol EQ‐5D and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) as well as several independent questions about quality of life. The 2009 men who attended for ultrasound scans of the abdominal aorta completed a short prescreening questionnaire about their perception of their general health. Four hundred and ninety‐eight men (157 with an AAA and 341 with a normal aorta) were sent two questionnaires for completion 12 months after screening, one for themselves and one for their partner, each being about the quality of life of the respondent.Results:  Men with an AAA were more limited in performing physical activities than those with a normal aorta (t‐test of means P = 0.04). After screening, men with an AAA were significantly less likely to have current pain or discomfort than those with a normal aorta (multivariate odds ratio: 0.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3−0.9) and reported fewer visits to their doctor. The mean level of self‐perceived general health increased for all men from before to after screening (from 63.4 to 65.4).Conclusions:  Apart from physical functioning, screening was not associated with decreases in health and well‐being. A high proportion of men rated their health over the year after screening as being either the same or improved, regardless of whether or not they were found to have an AAA.
Stressor‐related impairment of synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices from α‐synuclein knockout mice
Authors: Martín Eduardo D. , González‐García Carmen , Milán Miguel , Fariñas Isabel , Ceña Valentín 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe role of alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) has recently received considerable attention because it seems to play a role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Missense mutations in the α‐Syn gene were found in autosomal dominant PD and α‐Syn was shown to be a major constituent of protein aggregates in sporadic PD and other synucleinopathies. Under normal conditions, α‐Syn protein is found exclusively in synaptic terminals. However, the potential participation of alpha‐synuclein in maintaining and regulating synaptic efficacy is unknown. We have investigated the excitatory synaptic modulation of alpha‐synuclein in CA1 pyramidal neurons, using the in vitro hippocampal slice technique. The 4‐aminopyridine‐induced increase of both spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) frequency and amplitude was significantly higher in α‐Syn wild‐type than knockout mice, whereas basal spontaneous EPSC frequency and amplitude was similar in both animals. As the spontaneous synaptic activity was abolished by tetrodotoxin, which indicates that it was a result of action potential‐mediated transmitter release from presynaptic terminals, spontaneous EPSC changes observed in α‐Syn knockout mice suggest that these animals present a modification of synaptic transmission with a presynaptic origin. Presynaptic depression of evoked EPSCs by hypoxia or adenosine was significantly larger in α‐Syn knockout than in wild‐type mice, further supporting the hypothesis of regulation of synaptic transmission by α‐Syn. Together, these observations indicate that the loss of α‐Syn reduces synaptic efficacy when the probability of transmitter release is modified. We conclude that α‐Syn might have important actions on the maintenance of the functional integrity of synaptic transmission and its regulation in hippocampus.
The neuregulin receptor, ErbB4, is not required for normal development and adult maintenance of the substantia nigra pars compacta
Authors: Thuret Sandrine , Alavian Kambiz N. , Gassmann Martin , Lloyd C. Kent , Smits Simone M. , Smidt Marten P. , Klein Rüdiger , H. Dyck Richard , Simon Horst H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractDegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra is associated with one of the most prominent human neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease. It is therefore of high interest to identify molecules with trophic effects on this neuronal population. We show here that the neuregulin receptor ErbB4 is differentially expressed in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, found in the substantia nigra and in a subregion of the ventral tegmentum but not in the retrorubral field. Early developmental onset and continued expression of ErbB4 into the adult and the presence of two high affinity ligands, neuregulin‐1 and betacellulin, in the basal ganglia, suggested that these molecules might participate in the differentiation and/or maintenance of the nigrostriatal system. In order to address this hypothesis, we used a loxP flanked ErbB4 allele in combination with a nestin‐Cre transgene and generated brain‐specific ErbB4 null mice. These mutant animals survived into adulthood. The distribution of dopaminergic cell bodies in the midbrain, the expression of numerous genes specific to mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, and the axonal projection to the basal ganglia all appeared normal. Finally, an assessment of their motor function revealed no behavioral deficits. The apparent lack of any mutant phenotype suggests the presence of a strong compensatory mechanism.
Phosphorylation of proteins involved in activity‐dependent forms of synaptic plasticity is altered in hippocampal slices maintained in vitro
Authors: Ho Oanh H. , Delgado Jary Y. , O'Dell Thomas J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe acute hippocampal slice preparation has been widely used to study the cellular mechanisms underlying activity‐dependent forms of synaptic plasticity such as long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD). Although protein phosphorylation has a key role in LTP and LTD, little is known about how protein phosphorylation might be altered in hippocampal slices maintained in vitro. To begin to address this issue, we examined the effects of slicing and in vitro maintenance on phosphorylation of six proteins involved in LTP and/or LTD. We found that AMPA receptor (AMPAR) glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) subunits are persistently dephosphorylated in slices maintained in vitro for up to 8 h. α calcium/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (αCamKII) was also strongly dephosphorylated during the first 3 h in vitro but thereafter recovered to near control levels. In contrast, phosphorylation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase ERK2, the ERK kinase MEK, proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2), and Src family kinases was significantly, but transiently, increased. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that the induction of LTD by low‐frequency synaptic stimulation was sensitive to time in vitro. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of proteins involved in N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐dependent forms of synaptic plasticity is altered in hippocampal slices and suggest that some of these changes can significantly influence the induction of LTD.
Initiation of Protein Synthesis by a Labeled Derivative of theLactobacillus caseiDN-114 001 Strain during Transit from the Stomach to the Cecum in Mice Harboring Human Microbiota
Authors: Oozeer R. , Mater D. D. G. , Goupil-Feuillerat N. , Corthier G. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTAlthough studies on the survival of bacteria in the digestive tract have been reported in the literature, little data are available on the physiological adaptation of probiotics to the digestive environment. In previous work, a transcriptional fusion system (i.e., luciferase genes under the control of a deregulated promoter) was used to demonstrate that a derivative of theLactobacillus caseiDN-114 001 strain, ingested in a fermented milk and thus exhibiting initially a very weak metabolic activity, synthesized proteins de novo after its transit in the digestive tract of mice harboring human microbiota (known as human-microbiota-associated mice). With the same genetic system and animal model, we here investigate for the first time the ability ofL. caseito reinitiate synthesis in the different digestive tract compartments. In this study, most ingestedL. caseicells transited from the stomach to the duodenum-jejunum within 1 h postingestion. No luciferase activity was observed in these digestive tract compartments after the first hour. At later times, the bulk of bacteria had transited to the ileum and the cecum. Luciferase synthesis was detected between 1.5 and 2.0 h postingestion at the ileal level and from 1.5 h to at least 6.0 h postingestion in the cecum, where the activity remained at a maximum level. These results demonstrate that ingestedL. casei(derivative of the DN-114 001 strain) administered via a fermented milk has already reinitiated protein synthesis when it reaches the ileal and cecal compartments.
Identification of a Novel Dioxygenase Involved in Metabolism ofo-Xylene, Toluene, and Ethylbenzene byRhodococcussp. Strain DK17
Authors: Kim Dockyu , Chae Jong-Chan , Zylstra Gerben J. , Kim Young-Soo , Kim Seong-Ki , Nam Myung Hee , Kim Young Min , Kim Eungbin 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTRhodococcussp. strain DK17 is able to grow ono-xylene, benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene. DK17 harbors at least two megaplasmids, and the genes encoding the initial steps in alkylbenzene metabolism are present on the 330-kb pDK2. The genes encoding alkylbenzene degradation were cloned in a cosmid clone and sequenced completely to reveal 35 open reading frames (ORFs). Among the ORFs, we identified two nearly exact copies (one base difference) of genes encoding large and small subunits of an iron sulfur protein terminal oxygenase that are 6 kb apart from each other. Immediately downstream of one copy of the dioxygenase genes (akbA1aandakbA2a) is a gene encoding a dioxygenase ferredoxin component (akbA3), and downstream of the other copy (akbA1bandakbA2b) are genes putatively encoding ameta-cleavage pathway. RT-PCR experiments show that the two copies of the dioxygenase genes are operonic with the downstream putative catabolic genes and that both operons are induced byo-xylene. When expressed inEscherichia coli, AkbA1a-AkbA2a-AkbA3 transformedo-xylene into 2,3- and 3,4-dimethylphenol. These were apparently derived from an unstableo-xylenecis-3,4-dihydrodiol, which readily dehydrates. This indicates a single point of attack of the dioxygenase on the aromatic ring. In contrast, attack of AkbA1a-AkbA2a-AkbA3 on ethylbenzene resulted in the formation of two differentcis-dihydrodiols resulting from an oxidation at the 2,3 and the 3,4 positions on the aromatic ring, respectively.
Genogroup I and II Noroviruses Detected in Stool Samples by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Using Highly Degenerate Universal Primers
Authors: Richards Gary P. , Watson Michael A. , Fankhauser Rebecca L. , Monroe Stephan S. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT
Genogroup I noroviruses from five genetic clusters and genogroup II noroviruses from eight genetic clusters were detected in stool extracts using degenerate primers and single-tube, real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) with SYBR Green detection. Two degenerate primer sets, designated MON 431-433 and MON 432-434, were designed from consensus sequences from the major clusters of norovirus based on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region of the norovirus genome. Viruses were extracted from stool samples within 20 min using a viral RNA extraction kit. Real-time RT-PCR for noroviruses generated semiquantitative results by means of the cycle threshold data and dilution endpoint standard curves. Presumptive product verification was achieved by evaluation of first-derivative melt graphs. Multiple clusters of noroviruses were identified simultaneously in a multiplex fashion by virtue of slight differences in melting temperature. The detection of 13 different genetic clusters suggests that the MON primers may serve as universal primers for most, if not all, of the noroviruses in a multiplex assay. Our technique provides a framework for broad application of real-time RT-PCR in clinical, environmental, and food testing laboratories for a wide range of noroviruses.
Use of 16S rRNA Gene-Targeted Group-Specific Primers for Real-Time PCR Analysis of Predominant Bacteria in Human Feces
Authors: Matsuki Takahiro , Watanabe Koichi , Fujimoto Junji , Takada Toshihiko , Tanaka Ryuichiro 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

16S rRNA gene-targeted group-specific primers were designed and validated for specific detection and quantification of the
Clostridium leptum
subgroup and the
Atopobium
cluster. To monitor the predominant bacteria in human feces by real-time PCR, we used these specific primers together with four sets of group-specific primers for the
Clostridium coccoides
group, the
Bacteroides fragilis
group,
Bifidobacterium
, and
Prevotella
developed in a previous study (T. Matsuki, K. Watanabe, J. Fujimoto, Y. Miyamoto, T. Takada, K. Matsumoto, H. Oyaizu, and R. Tanaka, Appl. Environ. Microbiol.
68:
5445-5451, 2002). Examination of DNA extracted from the feces of 46 healthy adults showed that the
C. coccoides
group was present in the greatest numbers (log
10
10.3 ± 0.3 cells per g [wet weight] [average ± standard deviation]), followed by the
C. leptum
subgroup (log
10
9.9 ± 0.7 cells per g [wet weight]), the
B. fragilis
group (log
10
9.9 ± 0.3 cells per g [wet weight]),
Bifidobacterium
(log
10
9.4 ± 0.7 cells per g [wet weight]), and the
Atopobium
cluster (log
10
9.3 ± 0.7 cells per g [wet weight]). These five bacterial groups were detected in all 46 volunteers.
Prevotella
was found in only 46% of the subjects at a level of log
10
9.7 ± 0.8 cells per g (wet weight). Examination of changes in the population and the composition of the intestinal flora for six healthy adults over an 8-month period revealed that the composition of the flora of each volunteer remained stable throughout the test period.
Novel Physiological Features of
Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans
and
Thermoterrabacterium ferrireducens
Authors: Henstra Anne M. , Stams Alfons J. M. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans
is able to grow by conversion of CO to H
2
and CO
2
. Besides CO, only pyruvate was described as serving as an energy source. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity,
C. hydrogenoformans
is closely related to
Thermoterrabacterium ferrireducens. T. ferrireducens
is like
C. hydrogenoformans
a gram-positive, thermophilic, strict anaerobic bacterium. However, it is capable of using various electron donors and acceptors for growth. Growth of
C. hydrogenoformans
with multiple electron donors and acceptors was tested.
C. hydrogenoformans
oxidized formate, lactate, glycerol, CO, and H
2
with 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate as an electron acceptor. Sulfite, thiosulfate, sulfur, nitrate, and fumarate were reduced with lactate as an electron donor.
T. ferrireducens
oxidized CO with 9,10-anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate as an electron acceptor but did not produce H
2
from CO. In contrast to what was published before,
T. ferrireducens
was able to grow on lactate with sulfite, sulfur, and nitrate as electron acceptors.