bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Laryngeal Mask Airway for Cleft Palate Surgery in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial on Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Kundra Pankaj , Supraja N. , Agrawal K. , Ravishankar M.
Published: July 2009

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of a flexible laryngeal mask airway in children undergoing palatoplasty.

Design:

Prospective, randomized, single-center study.

Setting:

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research.

Patients:

Sixty-six children (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2) scheduled to undergo palatoplasty were assigned randomly to an endotracheal intubation group (RAE group, n  =  33) and a flexible laryngeal mask airway group (FLMA group, n  =  33).

Main Outcome Measures:

Peak airway pressure, inspired and expired tidal volume, end-tidal carbon dioxide, lung compliance, and airway resistance were continuously measured after placement of the assigned airway. The percentage leak around the airway was quantified as the leak fraction. Parametric data between groups were analyzed using an unpaired Student's t test and within groups using a one-way analysis of variance. Nonparametric variables were analyzed using the Fisher exact test.

Results:

In two children, the flexible laryngeal mask airway was displaced from its original position; whereas, one endotrachial tube advanced endobronchially. The leak fraction was significantly higher in the RAE group when compared with that in FLMA group (13.34% ± 13.74% versus 5.96% ± 3.78%, p < .05) until the throat pack was applied. Peak airway pressure and resistance were significantly higher in the RAE group compared with the FLMA group at all time intervals, p < .05. During emergence, frequency of coughing, desaturation, and laryngospasm were increased in the RAE group.

Conclusion:

A flexible laryngeal airway mask is suitable for maintaining the airway and helps in smooth emergence in children undergoing palatoplasty.
Methodology for Speech Assessment in the Scandcleft Project—An International Randomized Clinical Trial on Palatal Surgery: Experiences from a Pilot Study
Authors: Lohmander A. , Willadsen E. , Persson C. , Henningsson G. , Bowden M. , Hutters B.
Published: July 2009

Objective:

To present the methodology for speech assessment in the Scandcleft project and discuss issues from a pilot study.

Design:

Description of methodology and blinded test for speech assessment. Speech samples and instructions for data collection and analysis for comparisons of speech outcomes across five included languages were developed and tested.

Participants and Materials:

Randomly selected video recordings of 10 5-year-old children from each language (n  =  50) were included in the project. Speech material consisted of test consonants in single words, connected speech, and syllable chains with nasal consonants. Five experienced speech and language pathologists participated as observers.

Main Outcome Measures:

Narrow phonetic transcription of test consonants translated into cleft speech characteristics, ordinal scale rating of resonance, and perceived velopharyngeal closure (VPC). A velopharyngeal composite score (VPC-sum) was extrapolated from raw data. Intra-agreement comparisons were performed.

Results:

Range for intra-agreement for consonant analysis was 53% to 89%, for hypernasality on high vowels in single words the range was 20% to 80%, and the agreement between the VPC-sum and the overall rating of VPC was 78%.

Conclusions:

Pooling data of speakers of different languages in the same trial and comparing speech outcome across trials seems possible if the assessment of speech concerns consonants and is confined to speech units that are phonetically similar across languages. Agreed conventions and rules are important. A composite variable for perceptual assessment of velopharyngeal function during speech seems usable; whereas, the method for hypernasality evaluation requires further testing.
Enamel Defects in Maxillary Central Incisors of Infants with Unilateral Cleft Lip
Authors: Gomes Alessandra Cristina , Neves Lucimara Teixeira das , Gomide Marcia Ribeiro
Published: July 2009

Objective:

To evaluate the presence of enamel alterations in deciduous maxillary central incisors of infants with unilateral cleft lip and alveolar ridge, with or without cleft palate, and to compare the occurrence and location of these alterations between the central incisor adjacent to the cleft and the contralateral incisor.

Design:

Intraoral clinical examination was performed after tooth cleaning and drying by a single examiner with the aid of a dental mirror, dental probe, and artificial light, with the child positioned on a dental chair. The defects were recorded in a standardized manner according to the criteria of the Modified Developmental Defects of Enamel Index.

Setting:

Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC) at Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.

Patients:

One hundred one infants were evaluated. All were white, of both genders, aged 12 to 36 months and had at least two thirds of the crowns of maxillary incisors erupted.

Results:

Demarcated opacity was the most common defect at both cleft and noncleft sides, followed by diffuse opacity. The occurrence of hypoplasia at the cleft side was 11.8%. Most defects affected less than one third of the crown.

Conclusion:

The occurrence of enamel defects in deciduous maxillary central incisors of patients with unilateral cleft lip was 42.6%, mainly affecting the cleft side as to both number and severity.
Dental Development in Children with Growth Hormone Insensitivity Syndrome: Demirjian Analysis of Serial Panoramic Radiographs
Authors: Campbell Richard , Weinshel Randy , Backeljauw Philippe , Wilson Stephen , Bean Judy , Shao Mingyuan
Published: July 2009

Objective:

This study evaluates the effects of 8 years of insulinlike growth factor-I therapy on tooth development in patients with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome.

Methods:

Forty-nine panoramic radiographs were evaluated from eight patients (six boys, two girls). Seven teeth in the mandibular left region were graded according to the Demirjian system. Radiographs were taken at the start of insulinlike growth factor-I therapy and were continued at approximately yearly intervals for 8 years.

Results:

Three of six boys and one of two girls who began treatment with insulinlike growth factor-I at earlier ages experienced an increase in the rate of tooth development. One of six boys who began treatment with insulinlike growth factor-I at a later age had a slower rate of dental development. The patients had more rapid tooth maturation during the beginning of treatment. By the end of treatment, all patients had normal dental maturity for their age.

Conclusions:

Treatment of growth hormone insensitivity syndrome with insulinlike growth factor-I appears to lead to an increase in dental maturation, particularly in younger patients. After 8 years all patients had achieved normal dental development.
Gastroesophageal Reflux in Severe Cases of Robin Sequence Treated with Nasopharyngeal Intubation
Authors: Marques Ilza Lazarini , Monteiro Luiz Carlos Silveira , de Souza Luiz , Bettiol Heloísa , Sassaki Catarina Hissako , de Assumpção Costa Renise
Published: July 2009

Objective:

To study the prevalence of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux in infants with Robin sequence who had severe respiratory obstruction treated with nasopharyngeal intubation and to evaluate the efficacy of nonsurgical treatment.

Design:

Longitudinal prospective study.

Setting:

Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Patients:

Twenty infants with severe isolated Robin sequence treated with nasopharyngeal intubation.

Interventions:

We performed 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring on each child at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Respiratory and feeding status were evaluated. We considered abnormal gastroesophageal reflux as reflux index values above the 95th percentile of the Vandenplas reference for normal children.

Results:

The prevalence of reflux index above the 95th percentile at the first exam was 6/20, a value significantly higher than the reference (5/103, p < .01). At the second and third exams, reflux index values were decreased. Ninety percent of the infants showed improvement of respiratory difficulty and developed oral feeding capacity.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux is higher in infants with severe cases of Robin sequence than in normal infants. Nonsurgical procedures improved respiratory and feeding difficulties of most of these infants.
Tests of Taxonomic and Biogeographic Predictivity: Resistance to Disease and Insect Pests in Wild Relatives of Cultivated Potato
Authors: Spooner David M. , Jansky Shelley H. , Simon Reinhard
Published: July 2009

A major justification for taxonomic and biogeographic research is its assumed ability to predict the presence of traits in a group for which the trait has been observed in only a representative subset of the group. Such predictors are regularly used by breeders interested in choosing potential sources of disease and pest resistant germplasm for cultivar improvement, by genebank managers to organize the collection, and by germplasm collectors planning to gather maximum diversity. The present study tests taxonomic and biogeographic associations with 10,738 disease and pest evaluations, derived from the literature and genebank records, of 32 pest and diseases in five classes of organisms (bacteria, fungi, insects, nematodes, and virus). The data show that ratings for only Colorado potato beetle [Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)] and one pathogen (Potato M Carlavirus) are reliably predicted both by host taxonomy and climatic variables. While it is logical to initially take both taxonomy and geographic origin into account while screening genebank materials for pest and disease resistances, such associations will hold for only for a small subset of resistance traits. Based on these results, a more effective strategy than taxonomic and biogeographic prediction is probably careful screening of core collections.
Combining Ability, Genetic Distances, and Heterosis among Elite CIMMYT and IITA Tropical Maize Inbred Lines
Authors: Dhliwayo Thanda , Pixley Kevin , Menkir Abebe , Warburton Marilyn
Published: July 2009

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs are increasingly using molecular tools to enhance the efficiency and speed of developing productive cultivars. As a preliminary step toward using each other's germplasm, 20 elite inbred lines, 10 each from CIMMYT and IITA, were crossed according to a modified North Carolina Design II and were genotyped using 62 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The design used six sets of 25 hybrids, including all combinations among groups of five lines each from CIMMYT and IITA's respective heterotic groups A and B. The 150 single‐cross hybrids were evaluated in six environments in Zimbabwe and Nigeria during 2003 and 2004, with average grain yield ranging from 5.3 to 11.9 Mg ha−1 Combining ability analysis indicated that CML444 and CML312 can contribute to the breeding program of IITA, and that TZMI702 should be useful to CIMMYT. The SSR markers identified 209 alleles with an average 3.4 alleles locus−1 and revealed moderate genetic distances among the parent lines. Genetic distances were not significantly associated with hybrid performance, specific combining ability effects, or midparent heterosis for grain yield, but they effectively grouped the lines according to known pedigree relationships and approximately according to heterotic patterns used by CIMMYT and IITA. Although SSR‐determined genetic distances were not useful to predict hybrid grain yield, they could be helpful for preliminary classification and use of exotic or poorly characterized germplasm.
Genetic Assessment of a Mini‐Core Subset Developed from the USDA Rice Genebank
Authors: Agrama H. A. , Yan WenGui , Lee Fleet , Fjellstrom Robert , Chen Ming‐Hsuan , Jia Melissa , McClung Anna
Published: July 2009

Development of core collections is an effective tool to extensively characterize large germplasm collections, and the use of a mini‐core subsampling strategy further increases the effectiveness of genetic diversity analysis at detailed phenotype and molecular levels. We report the formation of a mini‐core subset containing 217 entries derived from 1794 core entries representing the genetic diversity found in more than 18,000 accessions of the USDA‐ARS rice (Oryza sativaL.) germplasm collection. The mini‐core was developed with PowerCore software on the basis of 26 phenotypic traits and 70 molecular markers. The 217 entries in the mini‐core had a similar distribution over 15 geographical regions, with 1794 entries in the original core collection. The resultant mini‐core had 6.3% of mean difference (MD%), 16.5% of variance difference (VD%), 102.7% of variable rate (VR%), and 97.5% of coincidence rate (CR%) with the core collection, which brought about full coverage of 26 traits. All 962 alleles identified by the 70 markers in the core collection were captured in the mini‐core, which maximized allelic richness up to 100% and resulted in an average genetic diversity (Nei index) of 0.76, ranging from 0.37 to 0.97 among the markers. In conclusion, the mini‐core presented in this study is a highly suitable and representative subset of the USDA rice core collection as well as the entire USDA‐ARS rice germplasm holdings.
Genetic Diversity among U.S. Sunflower Inbreds and Hybrids: Assessing Probability of Ancestry and Potential for Use in Plant Variety Protection
Authors: Smith J. Stephen C. , Hoeft Eric , Cole Glenn , Lu Henry , Jones Elizabeth S. , Wall Steven J. , Berry Donald A.
Published: July 2009

We report on the ability of microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) to discriminate sunflower (Helianthus spp.) inbred lines and hybrids that are well adapted and widely used in the United States. Associations of inbreds were consistent with known pedigrees; groupings were often consistent with designations as either female or male parents. All of the hybrids were uniquely identified; most grouped according to source company. Pedigree analysis of 15 hybrids of known parentage correctly identified the two parental inbreds for each hybrid. The pedigree algorithm was robust in the face of missing and misscored data, especially when data from at least 75 SSRs were used. The SSR profiles could be used to facilitate evaluations of distinctness that are required to obtain plant variety protection through the improved management of reference collections, and they could also be used to help determine essentially derived variety status in plant variety protection in sunflower.
Anthracnose Disease and Annual Bluegrass Putting Green Performance Affected by Mowing Practices and Lightweight Rolling
Authors: Inguagiato John C. , Murphy James A. , Clarke Bruce B.
Published: July 2009

Anthracnose (Colletotrichum cereale Manns sensu lato Crouch, Clarke & Hillman) has been a devastating disease on annual bluegrass (ABG) [Poa annua L. f. reptans (Hausskn.) T. Koyama] putting green turf over the past 15 yr. The objectives of this 2‐yr field trial on ABG were to evaluate the impact of mowing height (2.8, 3.2, and 3.6 mm), mowing frequency (seven and 14 times wk−1), lightweight rolling (none and every other day), and possible interactions of those factors on anthracnose severity and golf ball roll distance (BRD). Mowing height had the greatest effect on anthracnose. Mowing at 2.8 mm increased disease severity 3 to 21% compared with mowing at 3.6 mm, while 3.2 mm was intermediate to higher and lower heights. Mowing frequency had little effect on anthracnose, although mowing 14 times wk−1 occasionally reduced disease severity 1 to 14% compared with seven times wk−1 Rolling every other day also occasionally reduced disease severity 5 to 6% under moderate disease pressure. Mowing at 2.8 mm generally provided the greatest BRD. However, similar or greater BRDs were achieved at 3.2 and 3.6 mm, using combinations of increased mowing frequency and/or rolling compared with mowing at 2.8 mm seven times wk−1 without rolling. Thus, anthracnose severity on ABG greens can be reduced by raising the mowing height as little as 0.4 mm, and BRD (≥2.9–3.2 m) can be maintained by increasing mowing frequency and/or rolling without increasing disease severity.
Ergot Alkaloid Concentrations in Tall Fescue Hay during Production and Storage
Authors: Roberts C. A. , Kallenbach R. L. , Hill N. S. , Rottinghaus G. E. , Evans T. J.
Published: July 2009

Common tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum(Schreb.) Darbysh. =Schedonorus arundinaceus(Schreb.) Dumort.] is infected with a fungus that produces ergot alkaloids, a class of compounds associated with fescue toxicosis. The objective of this research was to monitor the change in concentrations of ergot alkaloids from time of clipping through storage of tall fescue hay. A 2‐yr field study was conducted in Mt. Vernon, MO, in which tall fescue was baled at high moisture (204–219 g H2O kg−1dry matter [DM]) and low moisture (102–112 g H2O kg−1DM) then stored for 18 mo. Hay samples were collected over the 540‐d period from clipping through storage and analyzed for ergovaline and total ergot alkaloid concentration. Data were analyzed using standard ANOVA procedures and break‐point regression. In both years, ergovaline concentrations decreased sharply within the first month after harvest and gradually over the remaining 17 mo. In three of the four cases, most of the ergovaline disappearance occurred within 3 d after clipping. The final ergovaline concentration remained above 250 μg kg−1DM, which is still considered toxic to livestock. In the first year, ergot alkaloid concentration followed a pattern similar to ergovaline concentration. In the second year, however, the decrease in total ergot alkaloid was gradual throughout the entire 18 mo. A general recommendation to producers would be to delay feeding toxic tall fescue hay until at least 1 mo after clipping.
Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight and Kernel Damage in a Winter Wheat Recombinant Inbred Line Population
Authors: Bonin Carolyn M. , Kolb Frederic L.
Published: July 2009

Fusarium head blight (FHB), primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [teleomorph: Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch], is a devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), causing low yields and poor quality kernels that may be contaminated by the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). The objective of this study was to examine kernel damage resistance and to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with FHB resistance in wheat. A population of 269 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between IL94‐1653 × Patton was evaluated for FHB resistance in greenhouse and field trials at Urbana, IL. The RIL population exhibited a broad and continuous distribution for all FHB resistance measurements. The correlation of disease severity with kernel damage was 0.78 in the greenhouse trial and 0.58 in the field trial. Grain DON concentration appeared to be environmentally affected, and correlated the most consistently with the ISK index, an index combining incidence, severity, and kernel damage measurements. Four severity QTL were identified on chromosomes 2B, 3B, 4B, and 6B, each explaining about 4 to 6% of the phenotypic variation. The same severity QTL were not detected in both the field and greenhouse trials. Three kernel damage QTL were identified on chromosomes 2B, 4B, and 6B, with the 4B QTL explaining 7 and 12.3% of the phenotypic variation for kernel damage in the greenhouse and field trials, respectively. This is the second report of a kernel damage QTL in this region of chromosome 4B, indicating that this QTL may contribute to reducing Fusarium‐damaged kernels percentage.
Genetic Diversity and Relationships among 177 Public Sunflower Inbred Lines Assessed by TRAP Markers
Authors: Yue Bing , Cai Xiwen , Vick Brady A. , Hu Jinguo
Published: July 2009

This study investigated the genetic diversity and relationships among the 177 public sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) inbred lines developed and released by USDA‐ARS from the 1970s to 2005 using the target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) marker technique. Twelve primer combinations generated a total of 230 polymorphic markers that could discriminate each of these lines, suggesting that TRAP is a powerful marker technique for fingerprinting sunflower inbred lines. The pairwise genetic similarity coefficients (simple matching) based on the TRAP markers ranged from 0.30 to 0.97 with a mean of 0.58, indicating that there is substantial genetic variability in this public collection. The average similarity coefficient of 41 confection inbred lines was significantly higher than that of 136 oilseed inbred lines. Cluster analysis grouped the 177 lines into two classes, oilseed (O) class and confection (C) class with only two exceptions. The O and C classes were further categorized into two groups: fertility maintainer (OB and CB) and fertility restorer groups (OR and CR). Moreover, inbred lines in the OB, OR, CR, and CB groups were placed into four, three, two, and two clusters, respectively. These results are useful to sunflower breeders and would promote the utilization of these public inbred lines.
Weed Biomass and Species Composition as Affected by an Integrated Crop–Livestock System
Authors: Tracy Benjamin F. , Davis Adam S.
Published: July 2009

Crop and livestock production are rarely integrated together in modern farming systems. Reintegrating crops with livestock production has been shown to produce many agronomic and environmental benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate how an integrated crop–livestock system would influence weed biomass and weed species composition compared with a conventional, continuous corn (Zea mays L.) cropping system. The experimental farming system used in this study was established on a 90‐ha site near Pana, IL, in 2002. The integrated system included two phases: (i) a corn and oat (Avena sativa L.) cash crop rotation, grown in summer, and (ii) post‐harvest grazing of corn stover with annual cover crops. Over a 4‐yr period (2004–2007), weed biomass was approximately 4.5 times higher in the conventional system (8.4 g m−2) compared with the integrated system (1.8 g m−2). Weed species composition was affected by the integrated system and showed a temporal disjunction between the time of year and weed life history. Surprisingly, cattle grazing on cropland had little effect on weed biomass or species composition. The primary drivers that suppress weed biomass and change species composition appear to be use of crop rotation and annual cover crops within the integrated system. Wider adoption of integrated crop–livestock systems, such as the one used in this study, should reduce reliance on herbicides compared with more conventional cropping systems.
Soil Organic Matter Changes in Turfgrass Systems Affect Binding and Biodegradation of Simazine
Authors: Hixson Adam C. , Shi Wei , Weber Jerome B. , Yelverton Fred H. , Rufty Thomas W.
Published: July 2009

Concern about pesticide losses from maintained turfgrass areas led us to examine the fate of the triazine herbicide simazine in turfgrass systems and, specifically, interactions between simazine binding to soil organic matter and biodegradation. Soil samples were removed from turfgrass systems of different ages, placed in microcosms, conditioned as sterile or nonsterile, and exposed to14C‐simazine. At seven sampling intervals, the soil was extracted and14C was separated into three pools; bound, extractable, and CO2With sterilized surface soil (0–5 cm), 52, 70, and 71% of applied14C‐simazine was bound to soil from the 4‐, 21‐, and 99‐yr‐old turfgrass systems, respectively, after 16 wk. With nonsterile conditions, biodegradation became dominant, as 60 to 80% of the14C was recovered in the CO2fraction and binding was held at ∼20%. Among all soils evaluated, bound14C and14CO2production was lower in subsurface soil (5–15 cm) from the 4‐ and 21‐yr‐old turfgrass systems.14C‐simazine disappearance time (DT50) values under nonsterile conditions ranged from 0.9 to 5.8 wk. Results indicate that turfgrass systems have a relatively low amount of simazine available for leaching as the systems age due to a large capacity for biodegradation and binding to organic matter.
Recurrent Restricted Phenotypic Selection for Improving Stand Establishment of Bahiagrass
Authors: Anderson William F. , Gates Roger N. , Hanna Wayne W. , Blount Ann R. , Mislevy Paul , Evers Gerald
Published: July 2009

Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) is an important perennial forage grass for the southeastern United States, being well adapted to conditions such as sandy or poorly drained soils, drought, and heavy continuous grazing. Current bahiagrass cultivars germinate over an extended period of time and the slow emergence produces incomplete stands, allowing weeds to compete and delaying grazing or first cutting for hay. A recurrent restricted phenotypic selection (RRPS) program began in 1996 and continued for four cycles for improving the emergence and establishment rates within Tifton 9 bahiagrass (‘Pensacola’ type). The resulting cycle‐4 (C4) rapid‐emergence ‘TifQuik’ was then increased and tested for seedling emergence, vigor, and establishment. TifQuik had a fourfold improvement of emergence compared to Tifton 9 after 1 wk in greenhouse trials. Emergence rates after 1 and 2 wk were significantly greater for TifQuik compared to Tifton 9 in replicated field trials. Plant heights after 3 wk from planting were 0.12 m for TifQuik versus 0.08 m for Tifton 9. The first‐harvest dry‐matter yield of TifQuik was 3128 kg ha−1 compared with 1539 kg ha−1 for Tifton 9 and the total establishment year dry‐matter yields were 9230 kg ha−1 and 7466 kg ha−1 for TifQuik and Tifton 9, respectively. TifQuik had greater first‐clipping yields than Tifton 9 at Ona, FL, in 2005. The accelerated emergence and establishment of TifQuik will be useful in sod‐based rotation systems with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).
Genetic Variability in Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Spring Barley
Authors: Anbessa Yadeta , Juskiw Patricia , Good Allen , Nyachiro Joseph , Helm James
Published: July 2009

Increasing costs of N fertilizers and the negative impact of excessive N on the environment have made improvement in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) a desirable goal in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding. Seventeen replicated trials, each consisting of 15 to 20 genotypes, were performed across different environments in Alberta, Canada from 1998 to 2007 to determine genetic variability in NUE. Further, 25 genotypes were grown at six environments in 2007 for analysis of the pattern of genotypic variation for NUE. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype and environment on NUE. The majority of the phenotypic variation in NUE was accounted for by genotypic variance and heritability estimates for this trait ranged from 0.5 to 0.86. Genotypes H97097001001, H96014002, ‘Vivar’, and ‘Xena’, were superior in NUE, yielding 47 to 48 kg kg−1 N as compared to about 35 kg kg−1 N yield for the relatively inefficient genotypes. There was no clear distinction between two‐rowed and six‐rowed types in NUE, but rather significant differences were observed among genotypes within each spike‐type group. Reduction in N fertilizer requirements in barley while maintaining yield may be achieved through breeding by targeting increased yield potential in association with higher NUE.
Diversity in Seed Production Characteristics within the USDA‐ARS Limnanthes alba Germplasm Collection
Authors: Jenderek Maria M. , Hannan Richard M.
Published: July 2009

Meadowfoam (L. alba) seeds are a source of long‐chain fatty acids which are stable under diverse conditions. The fatty‐acid composition makes this seed oil valuable for use in cosmetics, lubricants, rubber additives, and plastics. While a few meadowfoam cultivars have been developed, high‐yielding germplasm is required for further crop improvement. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential seed production and associated morphological and phenological characteristics of 24 L. alba germplasm accessions maintained by the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. The average seed yield varied from 39.3 to 221.3 g plot−1 and was significantly different among years in this evaluation. The average number of seeds floret−1 under pollination by naturally occurring insects was similar to the number of seeds developed without presence of pollinators. The number of days from sowing to first 10 and 50% bloom, as well as to the first and last seed maturity, varied significantly among years and accessions. Seed yield was positively correlated with 100‐seed weight, the interval between first 10 and 50% bloom, and longest seed‐bearing stem. The number of seeds floret−1 was not significantly correlated with seed yield. Significant interaction between accessions and years was observed for number of seeds floret−1 developed without insect pollinators, the interval between first 10 and 50% bloom, longest seed‐bearing stem, number of days from sowing to first and last harvest, and harvest spread. Some germplasm accessions evaluated in this study had a higher seed yield than yields reported in the literature and exhibited advantageous characteristics applicable in meadowfoam improvement.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Purple Kernel Streak in White Food Corn
Authors: Lee E. A. , Young J. A. , Azizi F. , Jay S. , Schaafsma A. W.
Published: July 2009

Purple kernel streaking (PKS) in white food corn (Zea mays L.) is characterized by the accumulation of purple‐pigmented streaks (anthocyanins) in an otherwise colorless pericarp. This paper is the first published report documenting PKS, the prevalence of the trait in commercial white food corn germplasm, and the genetics underlying it. Entries from the Early White Food Corn Performance Trials were grown in Ontario over a three‐year period and rated for incidence of PKS and days to flower. All commercial hybrids entered were genetically predisposed to PKS with severity varying across years and entries, and not consistently related to hybrid maturity. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was used to identify the genomic regions influencing PKS expression in an F2:3 population derived from the cross of two white food corn inbred lines, SD79 and SD80. PKS exhibited significant genotype × year interaction. QTLs were identified for each year explaining 64 and 46% of the phenotypic variation, with only one single‐effect and one two‐way interaction common across the two years. Linkage of the main single‐effect QTL with the y1 gene, coupled with the G×E effects, may explain the prevalence of PKS in commercial white food corn hybrids.
Enumerating Types of Boolean Functions
Authors: Urquhart Alasdair
Published: July 2009

Abstract.

The problem of enumerating the types of Boolean functions under the group of variable permutations and complementations was first stated by Jevons in the 1870s, but not solved in a satisfactory way until the work of Pólya in 1940. This paper explains the details of Pólya's solution, and also the history of the problem from the 1870s to the 1970s.
Why the Poor Get Fat: Weight Gain and Economic Insecurity
Authors: Smith Trenton G. , Stoddard Christiana , Barnes Michael G
Published: July 2009

Something about being poor makes people fat. Though there are many possible explanations for the income-body weight gradient, we investigate a promising but little-studied hypothesis: that changes in body weight canat least in partbe explained as an optimal response to economic insecurity. We use data on working-age men from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) to identify the effects of various measures of economic insecurity on weight gain. We find in particular that over the 12-year period between 1988 and 2000, the average man gained about 21 pounds. A one percentage point (0.01) increase in the probability of becoming unemployed causes weight gain over this period to increase by about 0.6 pounds, and each realized 50% drop in annual income results in an increase of about 5 pounds. The mechanism also appears to work in reverse, with health insurance and intrafamily transfers protecting against weight gain.
Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of ketamine and norketamine after constant rate infusion of a subanesthetic dose of racemic ketamine or S-ketamine in Shetland ponies
Authors: Larenza M. Paula , Peterbauer Christoph , Landoni M. Fabiana , Levionnois Olivier L. , Schatzmann Urs , Spadavecchia Claudia , Thormann Wolfgang
Published: July 2009

Objective—To evaluate pharmacokinetics of ketamine and norketamine enantiomers after constant rate infusion (CRI) of a subanesthetic dose of racemic ketamine or S-ketamine in ponies.

Animals—Five 6-year-old Shetland pony geldings that weighed between 101 and 152 kg.

Procedures—In a crossover study, each pony received a CRI of racemic ketamine (loading dose, 0.6 mg/kg; CRI, 0.02 mg/kg/min) and S-ketamine (loading dose, 0.3 mg/kg; CRI, 0.01 mg/kg/min), with a 1-month interval between treatments. Arterial blood samples were collected before and at 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes during drug administration and at 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after discontinuing the CRI. Plasma ketamine and norketamine enantiomers were quantified by use of capillary electrophoresis. Individual R-ketamine and S-ketamine concentration-versus-time curves were analyzed by use of a monocompartmental model. Plasma disposition curves for R-norketamine and S-norketamine were described by estimating the area under the concentration-versus-time curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), and time until Cmax.

Results—Plasma concentrations of S-ketamine decreased and biodegradation products increased more rapidly after S-ketamine CRI, compared with results after racemic ketamine CRI. The R-norketamine was eliminated faster than was the S-norketamine. Significant differences between treatments were found for the AUC of S-ketamine and within the racemic ketamine CRI for the AUC and Cmax of norketamine isomers.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—CRI of S-ketamine may be preferable over CRI of racemic ketamine in standing equids because the S-enantiomer was eliminated faster when infused alone instead of as part of a racemic mixture.
Evaluation of a commercial ultrasonographic hemodynamic recording system for the measurement of cardiac output in dogs
Authors: Scansen Brian A. , Bonagura John D. , Schober Karsten E. , Muir William W.
Published: July 2009

Objective—To evaluate the accuracy of a commercial ultrasonographic cardiac output (CO) monitoring system (UCOMS) in anesthetized Beagles as assessed by comparison with thermodilution CO (TDCO).

Animals—8 healthy anesthetized Beagles.

Procedures—Simultaneous UCOMS and TDCO measurements of CO were obtained during 4 hemodynamic states: baseline anesthesia (0.5% to 1.5% isoflurane), a higher depth of anesthesia (2% to 3.5% isoflurane) to yield a ≥ 15% reduction in systolic arterial blood pressure, IV infusion of colloidal solution to a mean right atrial pressure of ≥ 15 mm Hg, and IV infusion of dobutamine at 5 μg/kg/min. Measurements were obtained at 2 probe positions: the subxiphoid region and the right thoracic inlet. Correlation and agreement of results between methods were determined via linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots.

Results—A significant positive correlation was detected between UCOMS andTDCO measurements obtained at the subxiphoid (R = 0.86) and thoracic inlet (R = 0.83) positions. Bland-Altman plots revealed minimal bias between methods (bias ± SD, −0.03 ± 0.73 L/min and −0.20 ± 0.80 L/min for subxiphoid and thoracic inlet measurements, respectively). However, the percentage error associated with UCOMS measurements made at the 2 positions was > 45%.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—When compared with the results of TDCO, CO measured with the UCOMS exceeded commonly accepted limits of error in healthy dogs. The UCOMS was, however, able to track changes in CO across hemodynamic states. Additional research is needed to assess the usefulness of the UCOMS for monitoring CO in critically ill dogs.
Partial characterization of feline myeloperoxidase and investigation of its potential role as an autoantigen in hyperthyroid cats
Authors: Pressler Barrak M. , Robarge Mark E. , Anderson Kathleen I.
Published: July 2009

Objective—To partially characterize the cDNA, amino acid sequence, and tertiary structure of feline myeloperoxidase, describe its cellular location in mature granulocytes, and determine whether hyperthyroid cats have anti-myeloperoxidase antibody.

Sample Population—Bone marrow RNA and whole blood from cats of various sources and feline serum samples submitted for measurement of total thyroxine concentration from September 2006 to July 2007.

Procedures—Feline myeloperoxidase cDNA was amplified from bone marrow RNA; presumptive splice sites were determined by comparison with human sequences. Intracellular localization of myeloperoxidase in granulocytes was determined by use of immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and molecular weight and partial tertiary structure were determined by use of immunoblotting of granulocyte lysates. Anti-human myeloperoxidase (hMPO) antibody was detected via ELISA.

Results—A 2,493-bp sequence encompassing the 2,160-bp cDNA with presumably the same number and size of exons as hMPO was generated. Translation predicted 85% homology with hMPO. Feline myeloperoxidase was localized to neutrophil primary granules, and immunoblotting revealed heavy and light bands with molecular weights similar to those of hMPO. The prevalence of anti-hMPO antibody did not differ between nonhyperthyroid and hyperthyroid cats or among hyperthyroid cats subclassified by treatment modality.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Moderate homology existed between feline myeloperoxidase and hMPO cDNA and protein. Although findings suggested a similar tertiary structure and function for the 2 proteins, they also suggested that inability to detect a high prevalence of anti-hMPO antibody in hyperthyroid cats may be attributable to antigenic differences between the human and feline proteins rather than a lack of autoantibody.
Prevalence of Mycoplasma suis (Eperythrozoon suis) infection in swine and swine-farm workers in Shanghai, China
Authors: Yuan Cong L. , Liang Ai B. , Yao Cong B. , Yang Zhi B. , Zhu Jian G. , Cui Li , Yu Fei , Zhu Ning Y. , Yang Xiao W. , Hua Xiu G.
Published: July 2009

Objective—To determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma suis infection in swine, swine-farm workers, and swine veterinarians in Shanghai, China.

Sample Population—172 swine and 65 workers and veterinarians from 19 commercial swine farms.

Procedures—Blood samples were collected from all study subjects. Blood samples were examined for the presence of M suis by means of compound and scanning electron microscopy. A species-specific PCR assay was developed for detection of M suis DNA extracted from blood samples. Relationships between infection status of swine and sex, age, geographic location, and clinical signs of disease were evaluated by use of a C2 test. The phylogenetic relationship between partial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences from swine and human isolates of M suis was determined.

Results—86% (148/172) of swine and 49% (32/65) of humans had positive PCR assay results for M suis infection. Swine infection status was not associated with any variable, with the exception of pyrexia and subcutaneous bleeding. The partial 16S rRNA sequences from human and swine isolates of M suis were 98% homologous and in the same phylogenetic cluster as a previously identified swine isolate of M suis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A large proportion of swine and humans in close contact with those swine were infected with M suis in Shanghai, China. The close phylogenetic relationship between swine and human isolates of M suis suggested possible interspecies transmission; however, additional research is required to better assess that possibility.
Serum elimination profiles of methyllycaconitine and deltaline in cattle following oral administration of larkspur (Delphinium barbeyi)
Authors: Green Benedict T. , Welch Kevin D. , Gardner Dale R. , Stegelmeier Bryan L. , Davis T. Zane , Cook Daniel , Lee Stephen T. , Pfister James A. , Panter Kip E.
Published: July 2009

Objective—To describe the simple elimination kinetics of methyllycaconitine (MLA) and deltaline and evaluate the heart rate response in cattle following oral administration of larkspur.

Animals—5 healthy Angus steers that were habituated to metabolism crates.

Procedures—Tall larkspur (Delphinium barbeyi) in the early flowering stage was collected, dried, and ground. Each steer received a single dose of larkspur that was equivalent to 10.4 mg of MLA/kg and 11.0 mg of deltaline/kg via oral administration. Steers were housed in metabolism crates during a 96-hour period following larkspur administration; heart rate was monitored continuously, and blood samples were collected periodically for analysis of serum MLA and deltaline concentrations as well as assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters.

Results—No overt clinical signs of poisoning developed in any steer during the experiment. Mean ± SE heart rate reached a maximum of 79.0 ± 5.0 beats/min at 17 hours after larkspur administration. Serum MLA concentration was correlated directly with heart rate. Mean times to maximal serum concentration of MLA and deltaline were 8.8 ± 1.2 hours and 5.0 ± 0.6 hours, respectively. Mean elimination half-life values for MLA and deltaline were 20.5 ± 4.1 hours and 8.2 ± 0.6 hours, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Following larkspur administration in 5 healthy steers, maximum serum concentrations of MLA and deltaline were detected within 10 hours, and changes in serum MLA concentration and heart rate were correlated. Results indicated that cattle that have consumed larkspur will eliminate 99% of MLA and deltaline from serum within 144 hours.
Eosinophilic esophagitis in a dog
Authors: Mazzei Michael J. , Bissett Sally A. , Murphy K. Marcia , Hunter Stuart , Neel Jennifer A.
Published: July 2009

Case Description—A 4-year-old spayed female mixed-breed dog with a history of allergic skin disease was examined because of regurgitation, coughing, and dysphagia that began 15 days after abdominal surgery for correction of gastric dilatation and volvulus.

Clinical Findings—Severe diffuse esophagitis, esophageal dysmotility, and a benign esophageal stricture at the level of the base of the heart were identified via contrast videofluoroscopy and esophagoscopy. Severe diffuse eosinophilic ulcerative esophagitis was confirmed by histologic examination of esophageal biopsy specimens and cytologic evaluation of specimens obtained by use of a cytology brush. Esophageal eosinophils were evident (14% to 50% of the inflammatory cell population and > 25 eosinophils/hpf).

Treatment and Outcome—No clinical or endoscopic improvement was evident after treatment with antireflux medications, including a proton-pump inhibitor, following an initial esophageal bougienage procedure. An excellent response characterized by resolution of dysphagia and regurgitation with marked improvement of the esophageal mucosa was evident following intralesional and systemic administration of glucocorticoids, 2 additional esophageal bougienage procedures, and feeding of an elimination diet.

Clinical Relevance—To our knowledge, the information reported here is the first description of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) in a dog. Many similarities exist between the condition in the dog reported here and EE in humans. This clinical report highlights the need to consider EE as a differential diagnosis for esophagitis and esophageal strictures in dogs. When appropriate, esophageal biopsy or cytologic specimens should be obtained and examined to investigate the possibility of EE.
Conspiracy Beliefs about HIV/AIDS among HIV-Positive African-American Patients in Rural Alabama
Authors: Zekeri Andrew A. , Habtemariam Tsegaye , Tameru Berhanu , Ngawa David , Robnett Vinaida
Published: July 2009

This is apparently the first survey examining endorsement of HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs and their relations to educational attainment among 205 HIV-positive African-American patients receiving care at an AIDS Outreach Organization in Alabama. 31% somewhat or strongly believed that, “AIDS is a form of genocide against African Americans,” 29% strongly agreed that “AIDS was created by the government to control the black population,” 56.1% agreed that the government is withholding a cure for AIDS, and 69.8% agreed that the government is withholding information about the disease from the public. 52% agreed that “HIV is a manmade virus,” and 43.1% that “AIDS was produced in the government's laboratory.” Respondents with high school or college education were less likely to endorse conspiracy beliefs. Being open and sensitive to questions about conspiracy beliefs plus understanding the historical roots and social context from which such questions arise in African-American communities is needed to counter such beliefs.
Comment on Zekeri (2007)
Authors: Bridges F. Stephen , Kunselman Julie C.
Published: July 2009

Zekeri's comments (2007) on Bridges and Kunselman's work (2005) were not sufficiently grounded in sociological theory, the calculation of the “rates of potential years of life lost” (PYLL) was modified but unreported, and the use of PYLL, despite limitations as a measure of premature mortality “was not justified.” The theoretical framework, however, consisted of “environmental” and “social group” statements which gave a specific means for grounding “premature mortality” in sociological theory, and findings were consistent with Lester's social deviancy theory of suicide (1989). How the “rates of PYLL” were calculated, i.e., by the Canadian government is misinterpreted, although Allard, et al. (2004) provided justification for the use of age-standardized rates of PYLL in their 2005 study.
Mathematics Beliefs and Achievement of a National Sample of Native American Students: Results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2003 United States Assessment
Authors: House J. Daniel
Published: July 2009

Recent mathematics assessment findings indicate that Native American students tend to score below students of the ethnic majority. Findings suggest that students' beliefs about mathematics are significantly related to achievement outcomes. This study examined relations between self-beliefs and mathematics achievement for a national sample of 130 Grade 8 Native American students from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2003 United States sample of ( M age =14.2 yr., SD = 0.5). Multiple regression indicated several significant relations of mathematics beliefs with achievement and accounted for 26.7% of the variance in test scores. Students who earned high test scores tended to hold more positive beliefs about their ability to learn mathematics quickly, while students who earned low scores expressed negative beliefs about their ability to learn new mathematics topics.
The Moderating Role of Personal Relevance on Differential Priming of Anxiety and Sadness on Perceived Travel Risk: A Replication
Authors: Chiou Wen-Bin , Chang Ming-Hsu , Chen Chien-Lung
Published: July 2009

Raghunathan and Pham conducted a pioneer study in 1999 on the motivational influences of anxiety and sadness on decision making and indicated that anxiety would motivate individuals to be risk averse, whereas sadness would motivate individuals to be risk taking. A replication study was employed in the domain of perceived travel risk. Compared to participants in a neutral mood, anxious participants showed higher perceived travel risk than sad participants. Moreover, the differential effect of anxiety and sadness on perceived travel risk was only pronounced under the high personal relevance condition, in which participants made personal decisions and expected that they would be affected by the outcomes. In general, the results extend the notion proposed by Raghunathan and Pham suggesting that travelers' implicit goals primed by anxiety or sadness used for mood-repair purposes appear to be moderated by personal relevance.