bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among horses in Tunisia
Authors: Boughattas Sonia , Bergaoui Ramzi , Essid Rym , Aoun Karim , Bouratbine Aida
Published: November 2011

Background

The present study was conducted to investigate the serological survey ofToxoplasmaantibodies in local.horses from three major regions: a neighbourhood of a city in the North (Sidi Thabet), a neighbourhood of a city on the coast (Monastir) and a neighbourhood of a city in the middle (Battan) of Tunisia (North of Africa).

Methods

A total of 158 serum samples were obtained from clinically healthy horses which consisted of 111 (32 female, 79 male) 2-10 years old and 47 (11 female, 36 male) older than 10 years. All of the horses were tested for antibodies toT. gondiiusing the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT).

Results

According to MAT results, antibodies toT. gondiiwere found in 28 (17.7%) of 158 sera with the titers of 1:20 in 20 horses, 1:40 in 1 horse, 1:80 in 2 horses, 1:160 in 2 horses, 1:320 in 1 horse and ≥1:640 in 2 horses. Anti-T. gondiiantibodies were found in 18 (16.2%) of 111 horses (2-10 years old) and 10 (21.2%) of 47 horses (older than 10 years old). Six (13.9%) out of 43 female had anti-toxoplasma antibodies and 22 (19.1%) from 115 males remained positive.

Conclusion

Statistically significant differences in age groups and genders were observed between the seropositive and seronegative horses using the Chi square X(2) test. Other statistical correlation was also reported concerning horse breed.
Effects of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 specific siRNA on the proliferation and apoptosis of colon cancer cells
Authors: He Song-Bing , Yuan Yin , Wang Lei , Yu Min-Jing , Zhu Yi-Bei , Zhu Xing-Guo
Published: November 2011

Background

To investigate the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and β-catenin in colon cancer and evaluate the role of CDK8 in the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle progression of colon cancer cells, especially in HCT116 cell line.

Methods

Colon cancer cell line HCT116 was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting on CDK8. After CDK8-siRNA transfection, mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK8 and β-catenin were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay in HCT116 cells. Cell proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide Methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry analysis (FACS). CDK8 and β-catenin protein levels were also examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in colon cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues.

Results

After CDK8 specific siRNA transfection, mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK8 and β-catenin in HCT116 cells were noticeably decreased (P < 0.05). CDK8 specific siRNA transfection inhibited HCT116 cells' proliferation and facilitated their apoptosis significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, the proportion of HCT116 cells in the G0/G1 phase was remarkably increased after CDK8-siRNA transfection (P < 0.05). The expression levels of CDK8 and β-catenin in adjacent normal tissues were lower than in tumor tissues (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of CDK8 was correlated with the expression of β-catenin in both tumor and adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

CDK8 and β-catenin were expressed in colon cancer at a high frequency. CDK8 specific siRNA transfection down-regulated the expression of CDK8 in colon cancer cells, which was also associated with a decrease in the expression of β-catenin Moreover, CDK8 specific siRNA inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer cells, promoted their apoptosis and arrested these cells in the G0/G1 phase. Interference of CDK8 might be an effective strategy through β-catenin regulation of colon cancer.
Estimation of stature from the foot and its segments in a sub‐adult female population of North India
Authors: Krishan Kewal , Kanchan Tanuj , Passi Neelam
Published: November 2011

Background

Establishing personal identity is one of the main concerns in forensic investigations. Estimation of stature forms a basic domain of the investigation process in unknown and co‐mingled human remains in forensic anthropology case work. The objective of the present study was to set up standards for estimation of stature from the foot and its segments in a sub‐adult female population.

Methods

The sample for the study constituted 149 young females from the Northern part of India. The participants were aged between 13 and 18 years. Besides stature, seven anthropometric measurements that included length of the foot from each toe (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively), foot breadth at ball (BBAL) and foot breadth at heel (BHEL) were measured on both feet in each participant using standard methods and techniques.

Results

The results indicated that statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between left and right feet occur in both the foot breadth measurements (BBAL and BHEL). Foot length measurements (T1 to T5 lengths) did not show any statistically significant bilateral asymmetry. The correlation between stature and all the foot measurements was found to be positive and statistically significant (p‐value < 0.001). Linear regression models and multiple regression models were derived for estimation of stature from the measurements of the foot. The present study indicates that anthropometric measurements of foot and its segments are valuable in the estimation of stature. Foot length measurements estimate stature with greater accuracy when compared to foot breadth measurements.

Conclusions

The present study concluded that foot measurements have a strong relationship with stature in the sub‐adult female population of North India. Hence, the stature of an individual can be successfully estimated from the foot and its segments using different regression models derived in the study. The regression models derived in the study may be applied successfully for the estimation of stature in sub‐adult females, whenever foot remains are brought for forensic examination. Stepwise multiple regression models tend to estimate stature more accurately than linear regression models in female sub‐adults.
Prediction of a novel RNA binding domain in crocodilepox Zimbabwe Gene 157
Authors: Little Nicole S , Quon Taylor , Upton Chris
Published: November 2011

Background

Although the crocodilepox virus (CRV) is currently unclassified, phylogenetic analyses suggest that its closest known relatives are molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) and the avipox viruses. The CRV genome is approximately 190 kb and contains a large number of unique genes in addition to the set of conserved Chordopoxvirus genes found in all such viruses. Upon sequencing the viral genome, others noted that this virus was also unusual because of the lack of a series of common immuno-suppressive genes. However, the genome contains multiple genes of unknown function that are likely to function in reducing the anti-viral response of the host.

Results

By using sensitive database searches for similarity, we observed that gene 157 of CRV-strain Zimbabwe (CRV-ZWE) encodes a protein with a domain that is predicted to bind dsRNA. Domain characterization supported this prediction, therefore, we tested the ability of the Robetta protein structure prediction server to model the amino acid sequence of this protein on a well-characterized RNA binding domain. The model generated by Robetta suggests that CRV-ZWE-157 does indeed contain an RNA binding domain; the model could be overlaid on the template protein structure with high confidence.

Conclusion

We hypothesize that CRV-ZWE-157 encodes a novel poxvirus RNA binding protein and suggest that as a non-core gene it may play a role in host-range determination or function to dampen host anti-viral responses. Potential targets for this CRV protein include the host interferon response and miRNA pathways.
A survey of black hole attacks in wireless mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Tseng Fan-Hsun , Chou Li-Der , Chao Han-Chieh
Published: November 2011

The black hole attack is one of the well-known security threats in wireless mobile ad hoc networks. The intruders utilize the loophole to carry out their malicious behaviors because the route discovery process is necessary and inevitable. Many researchers have conducted different detection techniques to propose different types of detection schemes. In this paper, we survey the existing solutions and discuss the state-of-the-art routing methods. We not only classify these proposals into single black hole attack and collaborative black hole attack but also analyze the categories of these solutions and provide a comparison table. We expect to furnish more researchers with a detailed work in anticipation.
Trustworthy Group Making Algorithm in Distributed Systems
Authors: Aikebaier Ailixier , Enokido Tomoya , Takizawa Makoto
Published: November 2011

Information systems are being shifted to scalable architectures like Cloud and peer-to-peer (P2P) models. In this paper, we consider the P2P model as a fully distributed, scalable system different from centralized coordinated systems in Cloud and Grid systems. A P2P system is composed of peer processes (peers). Here, applications are realized by activities of peers and cooperations among multiple peers. In P2P systems, since there is no centralized coordination, each peer has to obtain information about other peers by itself. In the group cooperation, each group member peer has to be trustworthy so that malicious behavior of a member peer cannot effect overall outcome of the whole group. Here, it is important to consider the trustworthiness of each group member as a base of an agreement procedure in the distributed environment. The goal of a group and the way to archive the goal are decided by the group members. During the agreement procedure, opinions of member peers have to be collected in a group. Malicious and unexpected behaviors of member peers can negatively effect the output of a group. Hence, it is significant to discuss how to compose a group only by including more trustworthy peers. In this paper, by taking advantage of the trustworthiness concept of each peer, we propose a novel approach to composing a trustworthy group in the distributed agreement protocols.
HLA-DRB1 shared epitope genotyping using the revised classification and its association with circulating autoantibodies, acute phase reactants, cytokines and clinical indices of disease activity in a cohort of South African rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Meyer Pieter WA , Hodkinson Bridget , Ally Mahmood , Musenge Eustasius , Wadee Ahmed A , Fickl Heidi , Tikly Mohammed , Anderson Ronald
Published: November 2011

Introduction

The revised shared epitope (SE) concept in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is based on the presence (S) or absence (X) of the SE RAA amino acid motif at positions 72 to 74 of the third hypervariable region of the various human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 alleles. The purpose of this study was to investigate SE subtypes on the basis of the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for the classification of RA in a cohort of South African RA patients (n = 143) and their association with clinical and circulating biomarkers of disease activity (autoantibodies, acute phase reactants and cytokines).

Methods

Genomic DNA was analysed using high-resolution recombinant sequence-specific oligonucleotide PCR typing of the HLA-DRB1 allele. Subtypes of the SE were classified according to the amino acids at positions 72 to 74 for the RAA sequence, and further sub-divided according to the amino acids at positions 70 and 71, which either contribute to (S2, S3P), or negate (S1, S3D) RA susceptibility. Disease activity was assessed on the basis of (1) Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein (CRP), (2) rheumatoid factor (RF), (3) CRP and (4) serum amyloid A by nephelometry, anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (aCCP) by an immunofluorometric procedure, and cytokines by multiplex bead array technology.

Results

Of the 143 RA patients, 81 (57%) were homozygous (SS) and 50 (35%) were heterozygous (SX) for the SE alleles with significant overexpression of S2 and S3P (respective odds ratios (ORs) 5.3 and 5.8; P < 0.0001), and 12 (8%) were classified as no SE allele (XX). Both the SS and SX groups showed a strong association with aCCP positivity (OR = 10.2 and P = 0.0010, OR = 9.2 and P = 0.0028, respectively) relative to the XX group. Clinical scores and concentrations of the other biomarkers of disease activity (RF, CRP and T helper cell type 1 (Th1), Th2, macrophage and fibroblast cytokines) were also generally higher in the SS group than in the SX and XX groups.

Conclusions

RA susceptibility alleles investigated according to revised criteria for the classification of RA were significantly increased in South African RA patients and strongly associated with aCCP in particular as well as with circulating cytokines and disease severity.
Impaired function of Fanconi anemia type C-deficient macrophages
Authors: Liu Ying , Ballman Kimberly , Li Deqiang , Khan Shehnaz , Derr-Yellin Ethel , Shou Weinian , Haneline Laura S
Published: November 2011

FA is a genetic disorder characterized by BM failure, developmental defects, and cancer predisposition. Previous studies suggest that FA patients exhibit alterations in immunologic function. However, it is unclear whether the defects are immune cell-autonomous or secondary to leukopenia from evolving BM failure. Given the central role that macrophages have in the innate immune response, inflammation resolution, and antigen presentation for acquired immunity, we examined whether macrophages from Fancc−/− mice exhibit impaired function. Peritoneal inflammation induced by LPS or sodium periodate resulted in reduced monocyte/macrophage recruitment in Fancc−/− mice compared with WT controls. Fancc−/− mice also had decreased inflammatory monocytes mobilized into the peripheral blood after LPS treatment compared with controls. Furthermore, Fancc−/− peritoneal macrophages displayed cell-autonomous defects in function, including impaired adhesion to FN or endothelial cells, reduced chemoattractant-mediated migration, and decreased phagocytosis. Moreover, dysregulated F-actin rearrangement was detected in Fancc−/− macrophages after adhesion to FN, which was consistent with an observed reduction in RhoA-GTP levels. Importantly, these data suggest that impaired cytoskeletal rearrangements in Fancc−/− macrophages may be the common mechanism responsible for cell-autonomous defects detected in vitro, as well as altered monocyte/macrophage trafficking in vivo.
Adjuvant Capecitabine, Docetaxel, Cyclophosphamide, and Epirubicin for Early Breast Cancer: Final Analysis of the Randomized FinXX Trial
Authors: Joensuu Heikki , Kellokumpu-Lehtinen Pirkko-Liisa , Huovinen Riikka , Jukkola-Vuorinen Arja , Tanner Minna , Kokko Riitta , Ahlgren Johan , Auvinen Päivi , Paija Outi , Helle Leena , Villman Kenneth , Nyandoto Paul , Nilsson Greger , Pajunen Marjo , Asola Raija , Poikonen Paula , Leinonen Mika , Kataja Vesa , Bono Petri , Lindman Henrik
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Capecitabine is an active agent in the treatment of breast cancer. It is not known whether integration of capecitabine into an adjuvant regimen that contains a taxane, an anthracycline, and cyclophosphamide improves outcome in early breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

Women with axillary node–positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive either three cycles of docetaxel and capecitabine (TX) followed by three cycles of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and capecitabine (CEX; n = 753) or three cycles of docetaxel (T) followed by three cycles of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil (CEF; n = 747). The primary end point was recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

During a median follow-up time of 59 months, 214 RFS events occurred (local or distant recurrences or deaths; TX/CEX, n = 96; T/CEF, n = 118). RFS was not significantly different between the groups (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.04; P = .087; 5-year RFS, 86.6% for TX/CEX v 84.1% for T/CEF). Fifty-six patients assigned to TX/CEX died during the follow-up compared with 75 of patients assigned to T/CEF (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.04; P = .080). In exploratory analyses, TX/CEX improved breast cancer–specific survival (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.95; P = .027) and RFS in women with triple-negative disease and in women who had more than three metastatic axillary lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis. We detected little severe late toxicity.

Conclusion

Integration of capecitabine into a regimen that contains docetaxel, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide did not improve RFS significantly compared with a similar regimen without capecitabine.
Mediator and Moderator Role of Loneliness in the Relationship Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Baker Özgür Erdur , Bugay Asli
Published: November 2011

The goal of this study was to examine the mediator and moderator roles of loneliness in the relationship between peer victimisation and depressive symptoms. The participants of the study were 144 adolescents (66 girls, 78 boys) ranging in age from 11 to 15 years. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the relations of peer victimisation to depressive symptoms through the mediating role of loneliness, as well as examining the joint and independent effects of loneliness and victimisation on depressive symptoms. The results of the analysis indicated that loneliness fully mediates the relationship between victimisation and depressive symptoms but loneliness and victimisation independently contribute to depressive symptoms. Results are discussed in light of the related literature.
Individual Correlates of Bullying Behaviour in Turkish Middle Schools
Authors: Özer Arif , Totan Tarik , Atik Gökhan
Published: November 2011

This study investigated the relationship between bullying involvement (bully, victim, bully/victim, and not involved) and gender, academic achievement, self-efficacies (academic, social, and emotional self-efficacies). Data were collected by administering the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (Olweus, 1996), the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (Murris, 2001), and a demographic information form to 721 middle school students (50.3% female, 49.7% male). The associations between bullying involvement and the independent variables were evaluated using a multiple correspondence analysis. Results showed that females tended to be not involved or victims, whereas males tended to be bullies or both bullies and victims. There were moderate associations between all self-efficacies, academic achievement, and bullying involvement. In particular, high self-efficacies and high academic achievement were related to being not involved in bullying, while low self-efficacies and low academic achievement were associated with either being a victim or both bully and victim.
Framing Goals to Influence Personal Savings: The Role of Specificity and Construal Level
Authors: Ülkümen Gülden , Cheema Amar
Published: November 2011

In four studies, the authors show that consumers’ savings can be increased or decreased merely by changing the way consumers think about their saving goals. Consumers can (1) either specify or not specify an exact amount to save (goal specificity) and (2) focus on either how to save or why to save (construal level). The results illustrate that specific goals help consumers save more when the saving goal is construed at a high level but that nonspecific goals help consumers save more when the saving goal is construed at a low level. The same pattern of results occurs with anticipated saving success and actual savings. Mediation analyses reveal that for high-level construers, specific (vs. nonspecific) goals lead to success because they are perceived as more important. However, specific (vs. nonspecific) goals are also perceived as more difficult, which is more discouraging for low-level construers.
Dynamic Marketing Budgeting for Platform Firms: Theory, Evidence, and Application
Authors: Sridhar Shrihari , Mantrala Murali K. , Naik Prasad A. , Thorson Esther
Published: November 2011

Few studies address the marketing budgeting problems of platform firms operating in two-sided markets with cross-market network effects, such that demand from one customer group in the platform influences the demand from the other customer group. Yet such firms (e.g., newspapers whose customers are both subscribers and advertisers) are prevalent in the marketplace and invest significantly in marketing. To enable such firms to make effective marketing decisions, the authors delineate the desired features of a platform firm's marketing response model, specify a new response model, and validate it using market data from a local newspaper. The results show that the firm faces reinforcing cross-market effects, its demand from both groups depends on marketing investments, and the model exhibits good forecasting capability. The authors use the estimated response model to determine optimal marketing investments over a finite planning horizon and find that the firm should significantly increase its newsroom and sales force investments. With this model-based recommendation, the firm's management increased its newsroom budget by 18%. Further normative analysis sheds light on how cross-market and carryover effects alter classical one-sided marketing budgeting rules.
The Psychology of Decisions to Abandon Waits for Service
Authors: Janakiraman Narayan , Meyer Robert J. , Hoch Stephen J.
Published: November 2011

This research investigates the process that underlies consumer decisions to abandon waits for service. The work centers on a hypothesis that stay-or-renege decisions reflect a process that blends two opposing psychic forces: escalating displeasure with waiting versus an escalating commitment to a wait that has been initiated. The consequence is a predicted tendency that abandonments are most likely near the midpoint of waits, which is suboptimal for many waiting time distributions. This study tests the hypothesis using data from three laboratory experiments in which participants play a time-management game that involves waiting for downloads from different computer servers, as well as field data about hang-ups in an emergency call center in India. The data lend support to the proposed competing hazards model and show that the trade-off between desires to abandon and persist is moderated by contextual factors, such as the initial number of alternative queues and the amount of distracting activity engaged in during a wait.
Effects of 3-year GH replacement therapy on bone mineral density in younger and elderly adults with adult-onset GH deficiency
Authors: Elbornsson Mariam , Götherström Galina , Franco Celina , Bengtsson Bengt-Åke , Johannsson Gudmundur , Svensson Johan
Published: November 2011

Objective

Little is known of the effects of long-term GH replacement on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly GH-deficient (GHD) adults.

Design/patients/methods

In this prospective, single-center, open-label study, the effects of 3-year GH replacement were determined in 45 GHD patients >65 years and in 45 younger control GHD patients with a mean age of 39.5 (s.e.m.1.1) years. All patients had adult-onset disease and both groups were comparable in terms of number of anterior pituitary hormonal deficiencies, gender, body mass index, and waist:hip ratio.

Results

The mean maintenance dose of GH was 0.24 (0.02) mg/day in the elderly patients and 0.33 (0.02) mg/day in the younger GHD patients (P<0.01). The 3 years of GH replacement induced a marginal effect on total body BMC and BMD, whereas femur neck and lumbar (L2–L4) spine BMC and BMD increased in both the elderly and the younger patients. The treatment response in femur neck BMC was less marked in the elderly patients (P<0.05 vs younger group). However, this difference disappeared after correction for the lower dose of GH in the elderly patients using an analysis of covariance. There were no between-group differences in responsiveness in BMC or BMD at other skeletal locations.

Conclusions

This study shows that GH replacement increases lumbar (L2–L4) spine and femur neck BMD and BMC in younger as well as elderly GHD patients. This supports the notion that long-term GH replacement is also useful in elderly GHD patients.
Mammalian foetal ovarian development: consequences for health and disease
Authors: Sarraj Mai A , Drummond Ann E
Published: November 2011

The development of a normal ovary during foetal life is essential for the production and ovulation of a high-quality oocyte in adult life. Early in embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells (PGCs) migrate to and colonise the genital ridges. Once the PGCs reach the bipotential gonad, the absence of the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY) gene and the presence of female-specific genes ensure that the indifferent gonad takes the female pathway and an ovary forms. PGCs enter into meiosis, transform into oogonia and ultimately give rise to oocytes that are later surrounded by granulosa cells to form primordial follicles. Various genes and signals are implicated in germ and somatic cell development, leading to successful follicle formation and normal ovarian development. This review focuses on the differentiation events, cellular processes and molecular mechanisms essential for foetal ovarian development in the mice and humans. A better understanding of these early cellular and morphological events will facilitate further study into the regulation of oocyte development, manifestation of ovarian disease and basis of female infertility.
Active immunization against the proregions of GDF9 or BMP15 alters ovulation rate and litter size in mice
Authors: McIntosh C Joy , Lawrence Steve , Smith Peter , Juengel Jennifer L , McNatty Kenneth P
Published: November 2011

The transforming growth factor β (TGFB) superfamily proteins bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), are essential for mammalian fertility. Recent in vitro evidence suggests that the proregions of mouse BMP15 and GDF9 interact with their mature proteins after secretion. In this study, we have actively immunized mice against these proregions to test the potential in vivo roles on fertility. Mice were immunized with either N- or C-terminus proregion peptides of BMP15 or GDF9, or a full-length GDF9 proregion protein, each conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). For each immunization group, ovaries were collected from ten mice for histology after immunization, while a further 20 mice were allowed to breed and litter sizes were counted. To link the ovulation and fertility data of these two experimental end points, mice were joined during the time period identified by histology as being the ovulatory period resulting in to the corpora lutea (CL) counted. Antibody titers in sera increased throughout the study period, with no cross-reactivity observed between BMP15 and GDF9 sera and antigens. Compared with KLH controls, mice immunized with the N-terminus BMP15 proregion peptide had ovaries with fewer CL (P<0.05) and produced smaller litters (P<0.05). In contrast, mice immunized with the full-length GDF9 proregion not only had more CL (P<0.01) but also had significantly smaller litter sizes (P<0.01). None of the treatments affected the number of antral follicles per ovary. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the proregions of BMP15 and GDF9, after secretion by the oocyte, have physiologically important roles in regulating ovulation rate and litter size in mice.
The Safety of Pediatric Acupuncture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Adams Denise , Cheng Florence , Jou Hsing , Aung Steven , Yasui Yutaka , Vohra Sunita
Published: November 2011

CONTEXT:

Acupuncture is increasingly used in children; however, the safety of pediatric acupuncture has yet to be reported from systematic review.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify adverse events (AEs) associated with needle acupuncture in children.

METHODS:

Eighteen databases were searched, from inception to September 2010, irrespective of language. Inclusion criteria were that the study (1) was original peer-reviewed research, (2) included children from birth to 17 years, inclusively, (3) involved needle acupuncture, and (4) included assessment of AEs in a child. Safety data were extracted from all included studies.

RESULTS:

Of 9537 references identified, 450 were assessed for inclusion. Twenty-eight reports were included, and searches of reference lists identified 9 additional reports (total: 37). A total of 279 AEs were identified, 146 from randomized controlled trials, 95 from cohort studies, and 38 from case reports/series. Of the AEs, 25 were serious (12 cases of thumb deformity, 5 infections, and 1 case each of cardiac rupture, pneumothorax, nerve impairment, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, hemoptysis, reversible coma, and overnight hospitalization), 1 was moderate (infection), and 253 were mild. The mild AEs included pain, bruising, bleeding, and worsening of symptoms. We calculated a mild AE incidence per patient of 168 in 1422 patients (11.8% [95% confidence interval: 10.1–13.5]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Of the AEs associated with pediatric needle acupuncture, a majority of them were mild in severity. Many of the serious AEs might have been caused by substandard practice. Our results support those from adult studies, which have found that acupuncture is safe when performed by appropriately trained practitioners.
Effect of soil hydrophysical properties on convective precipitation
Authors: Breuer Hajnalka , Ács Ferenc , Rajkai Kálmán , Horváth Ákos
Published: November 2011

A talaj hidrofizikai paraméterértékeinek a szimulált csapadékmennyiségre és annak területi eloszlására gyakorolt hatását vizsgáltuk. Vizsgálatunkban két különböző talajadatbázisból – az USDA és a HUNSODA – adott hidraulikus talajparaméter-értékre kapott csapadékeloszlást vetettük össze. Elemeztük továbbá a szimulált csapadékmezőnek a szabadföldi vízkapacitás és a hervadáspont parametrizálására, valamint a talajnedvesség rácson belüli területi eloszlására való érzékenységét. A szimulációkat 8 napra végeztük a Noah felszínmodellel csatolt MM5 időjárás előrejelző rendszerrel. A szimulált csapadékeloszlást mért csapadékmennyiségekkel hasonlítottuk össze. A szimulált és a mért csapadékadatok interpolált értékei 18×18 km-es rácsra vonatkoznak.
A különböző adatbázisokból becsült talajparaméter-értékek különbözősége nem eredményezett rendezett mintázatbeli különbségeket a konvektív csapadék területi eloszlásában. A teljes modellterületre lehulló csapadékmennyiség jelentéktelen mértékben tért el a különböző szimulációk során A csapadékrendszerek vonulásának szimulációiban a különbségeket sokszor a szimulált csapadéksávok kb. 50 km-es eltolódásai okozzák. Ez lokálisan akár ±30 mm·nap–1 csapadékkülönbséget jelent. A talajadatbázisok különbözőségéből eredő talajparaméter-érték különbségek akár 25%-os különbséget is adnak a csapadék ETS verifikációs indexében. A Spearman korreláció alapján a szimulált csapadékmezők különbsége pedig a p = 0,02 szinten szignifikáns. A Θw
parametrizálása szintén fontosnak bizonyult. Ekkor az ETS kb. 20%-kal változott meg, a mért és a modellezett csapadék pedig a p = 0,11 szinten különbözött szignifikánsan. A konvektív csapadék a Θf
paraméter értékére volt a legkevésbé érzékeny.
Study on interactions between potassium and boron in spring rape
Authors: Kádár Imre , Csathó Péter
Published: November 2011

Mészlepedékes csernozjom vályogtalajon, az MTA TAKI Nagyhörcsök Kísérleti Telepén vizsgáltuk a kálium és a bór elemek közötti kölcsönhatásokat 1990-ben, a kísérlet 3. évében tavaszi repce jelzőnövénnyel. Az alaptrágyázás hektáronként 100–100 kg N és P2O5 volt. A K-szinteket 0, 1000 és 2000 kg·ha-1 K2O feltöltő adaggal, a B-szinteket 0, 20, 40 és 60 kg·ha-1 B-adaggal állítottuk be 1987 őszén, lucerna elővetemény után. A műtrágyákat pétisó, szuperfoszfát, 60%-os KCl és 11%-os Na2B4O7×10H2O bórax formában alkalmaztuk. Főparcellaként a 3 K-szint, alapparcellaként a 4 B-szint szolgált 12 kezeléssel és 3 ismétlésben, 36 parcellával, osztott parcellás (split-plot) elrendezésben.
A termőhely szántott rétege 5% körüli CaCO3-ot, 3% humuszt, 20–22% agyagot tartalmazott. A talaj eredetileg N, Ca, Mg, Mn és B elemekkel kielégítően, káliummal közepesen, P és Zn elemekkel viszonylag gyengén ellátottnak minősül. A talajvíz 13–15 m mélyen helyezkedik el, a termőhely aszályérzékeny. A tavaszi repce 130 napos tenyészideje alatt 244 mm csapadékot kapott, az 1 m-es talajréteg további 126 mm-re becsült hasznosítható vízkészlettel rendelkezett a repce vetésekor. A 370 mm összes vízkészlet fedezhette a jó–közepes termés vízigényét. Az éréskori, augusztusi szárazság azonban a magképződést akadályozta. A főbb megállapítások:
– A K- és B-kezelések nem befolyásolták a repce fejlődését, illetve termését. Aratás idejére kereken 7,6, 1,9 és 1,0 t·ha-1 szár, becő és mag képződött. A tőrózsás korú hajtás N-, P-, K-, Ca-, Mg-, Mn-, B- és Cu-koncentrációi az irodalmi optimum tartományban vagy annak közelében voltak a kezeletlen talajon.
– A bóraxszal végzett B-trágyázás nyomán a tavaszi repce vegetatív szerveinek B-tartalma átlagosan megkétszereződött a kísérlet 3. évében. A K-trágyázás emelte a repce vegetatív szerveinek K-tartalmát, valamint mérsékelte a Ca, Mg és B elemek koncentrációját a fellépő ionantagonizmus nyomán. Különösen a K–Mg antagonizmus volt kifejezett. A K/Mg hányadosa a K-kontroll talajon mért 8-ról kereken 14-re nőtt a gyökérben, 10-ről 17-re a hajtásban, 16-ról 28-ra a szárban.
– Az aratáskori összes föld feletti 10,6 t·ha-1 biomassza 245 kg K, 236 kg N, 121 kg Ca, 35 kg Na, 26 kg P és 19 kg Mg elemet akkumulált. Adataink felhasználhatók a tavaszi repce elemigényének becslésekor a szaktanácsadásban.
Correlations between the dissolution fractions of chromium, lead and zinc and soil microbiological and biochemical parameters on a sandy soil from the Nyírség region of Hungary treated with lignite
Authors: Szécsy Orsolya , Uzinger Nikolett , Villányi Ilona , Szili-Kovács Tibor , Anton Attila
Published: November 2011

Jelen tanulmányban a Magyarországon jellemzően előforduló nehézfém-szennyezők közé tartozó króm, ólom és cink hatását vizsgáltuk egyes talajmikrobiológiai és -biokémiai mutatókra, valamint összefüggést kerestünk e fémek különböző kivonószerekkel oldható frakciói és a vizsgált biológiai paraméterek között. A kísérletben az egyre elterjedtebben alkalmazott lignitet használtuk stabilizálószerként. A 8 hetes inkubációs modellkísérletet 2006-ban nyírlugosi savanyú homoktalajjal, DISITOBI kísérlettervező és értékelő modellel állítottuk be, mely lehetővé tette a változók lineáris, kvadratikus és párkölcsönhatásainak vizsgálatát. A nehézfémeket és a lignitet 5 különböző dózisban juttattuk az edényekbe. Mértük a Cr, az Pb és a Zn „összes” királyvízzel, illetve desztillált vízzel, acetát-pufferrel, Lakanen-Erviö-féle kivonószerrel oldható fémtartalmat. A talajmikrobiótában bekövetkező változásokat az invertáz enzimaktivitás, az FDA (fluoreszcein-diacetát) hidrolitikus aktivitás (fluoreszcein-diacetát), a mikrobiális biomassza-C (CFE), valamint az „összes” foszfolipid-zsírsav tartalom (PLFA analízis) meghatározásával becsültük. A DISITOBI modellen kívül a változókat főkomponens-analízissel és lineáris korreláció vizsgálattal is értékeltük (StatSoft Statistica 9-es verzió). A vizsgált kivonószerekkel kioldható fémtartalom és az alkalmazott talajmikrobiológiai és -biokémiai mutatók között ugyan tudtuk igazolni a korrelációt, de jelen kivonószerekkel ez egy esetben sem volt szoros. A főkomponens-analízis, illetve a korreláció vizsgálat alapján megállapítható, hogy nem találtunk összefüggést a királyvizes, a desztillált vizes, az acetát-pufferes, a Lakanen-Erviö-féle kivonószerekkel oldható Cr-, Pb- és Zn-tartalmak, illetve a talajmikrobiológiai és -biokémiai mutatók változása között. E szerint ezek a kivonószerek nem jelezték a talajmikrobióta számára hozzáférhető frakciót. A króm talajmikrobiótára gyakorolt egyértelműen negatív hatását közepes és laza korrelációban is tapasztaltuk, kivonószertől függetlenül. Részben igazolható volt az ólom negatív hatása, ez azonban eltérő a vizsgált talajmikrobiológiai és -biokémiai mutatók szerint. A cink esetében szinte egyáltalán nem tudtunk negatív hatást kimutatni. Ennek oka feltételezhetően az, hogy a Zn (mint esszenciális elem) jelentős pozitív szerepet játszik a talajmikrobióta működésében.
Worlds of Brothers
Authors: Harland-Jacobs Jessica
Published: November 2011

To this point the history of fraternalism has, by in large, been investigated from the perspective of the nation state. Such an approach, while appropriate in many cases, is in others quite inadequate, especially given the fact that many fraternities are conceptualized and operate as global institutions. Their members are rooted in particular localities, to be sure, but they consciously identify themselves with organizations that transcend local and national boundaries. The challenge is, therefore, to explore fraternalism using multiple scales and units of analysis. This article surveys and assesses reigning approaches to the history of fraternalism by examining current scholarship, institutional developments, public history and popular culture. Then, drawing on examples from various fraternal organizations, it demonstrates that applying macro historical methodologies pays great dividends for our understanding of fraternalism as a historical phenomenon.
The Natural History, Immature Stages, and Shelter Building Behavior ofDion carmenta(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) in Eastern Ecuador
Authors: Greeney Harold F , Warren Andrew D
Published: November 2011

We describe the immature stages and shelter building behavior of the skipper butterfly Dion carmenta (Hewitson) from eastern Ecuador. Adults infrequently are encountered and feed on a variety of flowers, generally at forest edges and clearings. Chusquea c.f. scandens Kunth (Poaceae: Bambusoidea) is the larval food plant. Young larvae have black heads with white, unadorned bodies, changing little as they grow, with the exception of developing a reddish tinge to thoracic segments. Larvae of all stadia construct and dwell in shelters built on the food plant and forcibly eject frass with the aid of an anal comb. Pupation occurs on the food plant in a final structure formed by joining together multiple leaves with silk. Development, from oviposition to eclosion, lasts 128–147 d.
Ecology, Natural History, and Larval Descriptions of Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) from a Cloud Forest in the Eastern Andes of Ecuador
Authors: Rab Green Suzanne B , Gentry Grant L , Greeney Harold F , Dyer Lee A
Published: November 2011

Adults and larvae in the subfamily Arctiinae (family Erebidae), along with their host plants and the parasitic wasps and flies that attack them, are important components of most terrestrial food webs, but basic taxonomic and life-history knowledge for the arctiines of the Neotropics is still poorly known. This is true for most groups of Lepidoptera in hyperdiverse countries such as Ecuador. To examine host affiliations and natural enemies in diverse ecosystems, we collected 6,243 arctiine caterpillars (representing 821 larval morphospecies) at elevations ranging from 400 to 3,500 m as part of a larger ecological and taxonomic survey of trophic associations centered at the Yanayacu Biological Station in Napo province, eastern Ecuador. Here, we provide a brief review of the systematics of Neotropical Arctiinae, provide basic information on host affiliations and parasitism rates of arctiines reared from Napo province in Ecuador and describe the immature stages of 16 species encountered in the region.
Gas Diffusion Rates through Cocoon Walls of Two Bee Species (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Rozen Jerome G , Rozen James R , Hall H Glenn
Published: November 2011

A concurrent study of the nesting biology of the solitary bee Osmia (Helicosmia) chalybea Smith (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Osmiini) and its cleptoparasite Stelis (Stelis) ater Mitchell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Anthidiini) proposes that their larval cocoons allow gas exchange between ambient air and internal cocoon air and provide a water-vapor barrier, thus enabling the immature bees to avoid desiccation and simultaneously protecting them from invading parasites and predators. The anterior pole of the cocoon of each species has a nipple-like feature that, although structurally different in each case, seems to allow gas exchange while filtering out predators and parasites. The purpose of the current study was to test whether the anterior ends of the two cocoons allow gas exchange whereas the posterior ends are indeed essentially air- and water-vaportight. Results clearly support the assumption that cocoons of both species function as predicted and raise the interesting speculation that cocoons of other bee taxa may serve the same functions.
Diapause Induction inGratiana boliviana(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent of Tropical Soda Apple in Florida
Authors: Diaz Rodrigo , Overholt William A , Hahn Dan , Samayoa Ana C
Published: November 2011

The South American leaf-feeding beetle Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has been released since 2003 in the southeastern United States to control the invasive weed tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). Successful establishment of a biological control agent in temperate and subtropical regions depends on several life-history adaptations, including winter diapause. The timing of diapause allows the syncronization of insect herbivores with the phenology of plants, and field observations in Florida suggested that G. boliviana overwinters as an adult in diapause. The objectives of this study were to describe the diapause of G. boliviana and determine the effect of temperature and photoperiod on diapause induction. Compared with nondiapause adults, diapausing adults were yellow rather than green, had hypertrophied fat bodies, contained little food in the digestive tract, showed negligible ovarian development, and minimal movement of the hind wings when the beetles were placed on their dorsal sides. Although all nondiapause females laid eggs during a 30-d period, only five of 76 diapausing females laid eggs and this occurred only during the first 15 d of the treatment period. Consistent with morphological indicators of diapause, the respiration rate was 2.3 times lower and fat content was 2–3 times greater in diapausing adults compared with nondiapause adults. In a laboratory study, the critical daylength for diapause induction was found to be 12 h:28 min.
Experimental test of phytoplankton competition for nutrients and light in poorly mixed water columns
Authors: Mellard Jarad P. , Yoshiyama Kohei , Klausmeier Christopher A. , Litchman Elena
Published: November 2011

A recent theory of the vertical distribution of phytoplankton considers how interacting niche construction processes such as resource depletion, behavior, and population dynamics contribute to spatial heterogeneity in the aquatic environment. In poorly mixed water columns with opposing resource gradients of nutrients and light, theory predicts that a species should aggregate at a single depth. This depth of aggregation, or biomass maximum, should change through time due to depletion of available resources. In addition, the depth of the aggregation should be deeper under low amounts of nutrient loading and shallower under higher amounts of nutrient loading. Theory predicts total biomass to exhibit a saturating relationship with nutrient supply. A surface biomass maximum limited by light and a deep biomass maximum limited by nutrients or co‐limited by nutrients and light is also predicted by theory. To test this theory, we used a motile phytoplankton species (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) growing in cylindrical plankton towers. In our experiment, the resource environment was strongly modified by the movement, self‐shading, nutrient uptake, and growth of the phytoplankton. Supporting predictions, we routinely observed a single biomass maximum at the surface throughout the course of the experiment and at equilibrium under higher nutrient loading. However, at equilibrium, low nutrient loading led to a non‐distinct biomass maximum with the population distributed over most of the water column instead of the distinct subsurface peak predicted by theory. Also supporting predictions, total biomass across water columns was positively related to nutrient supply but saturating at high nutrient supply conditions. Further supporting predictions, we also found evidence of light limitation for a surface biomass maximum and nutrient limitation for the deep biomass when no surface maximum was present. In addition, the light level leaving the bottom of the water column declined through time as the phytoplankton grew and was negatively related to nutrient loading. Nutrients were strongly depleted where biomass was present by the end of the experiment. This experimental study shows that the vertical distribution of phytoplankton may be driven by intraspecific resource competition in space.
First Horizontal Well Drilled with Underbalance (Nitrified Stable Foam), Downhole Deployment Valve & Extended Range EM-MWD Technologies in Middle East Region - Case Study and Lesson Learned
Authors: Hussain Sajjad , Saleem Saad , Sabir Shahid Majeed , Asrar Muhammad
Published: November 2011

The name "Sui" has become synonymous with natural gas in Pakistan. Located at a distance of about 650 kilometers (km) from Karachi in Balochistan Province, Sui is Pakistan Petroleum Limited’s (PPL) flagship gas field. The gas field was discovered in the late 1952 and the commercial exploitation of the field began in 1955.

Two major reservoirs of this field are Sui Main Limestone (SML) & Sui Upper Limestone (SUL); both have become highly depleted over the time. Conventional drilling technologies in these formations result in complete loss of drilling fluid, stuck pipe & severe formation damage.

Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) planned drilling Sui93(M) as a horizontal well in Sui Main Limestone (SML) Formation. Drilling a horizontal well with conventional drilling technology in a depleted formation having 500 psi pore pressure at a depth of ~1400 m (TVD) was a real challenge. Underbalanced Drilling Technology (with DDV & ER-EM-MWD tools) was selected as an alternative drilling method. The main objectives of Underbalance Drilling Operation were to drill to target depth while eliminating fluid losses with associated problems and improve drilling performance.

A multidisciplinary team of Drilling Operations experts planned and executed this challenging project. Considering the reservoir pressure of formation, stable foam was selected as drilling fluid for UBD operations. Extended Range Electromagnetic MWD tool was used for directional control along with APWD (Annular Pressure while drilling) sensor for real time Bottom Hole Pressure monitoring. Open hole section (~600 meter) was drilled successfully in Sui Main Limestone (SML) Formation.

Integrated efforts of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and associated service companies of various disciplines during planning and operation phases of the well led to this successful project.

This paper highlights key factors in the underbalanced drilling design phase, operational challenges faced during execution and results of the first well drilled in Middle East region using above mentioned integrated group of technologies. These applications have opened new ventures and opportunities for depleted field developments in the region and particularly in Sui Field of Pakistan.