bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do weaver ants affect arthropod diversity and the natural‐enemy‐to‐pest ratio in horticultural systems?
Authors: Peng R. , Christian K. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractHigh biodiversity is an important component of sustainable agricultural systems, and previous studies have found that increases in the diversity of the natural enemies of pests are associated with decreases in pest populations. Weaver ants are well known for their highly territorial and aggressive behaviour and for their control efficiency of many insect pests in tropical crop trees. Because of this, the ants have been used as a key component in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes for tropical crop trees. In implementing the IPM programmes, we received a number of enquiries related to whether weaver ants have negative effects on arthropod diversity and other natural enemies in orchard systems due to their aggressive behaviour. To answer these questions, we regularly sampled canopy arthropods in cashew and mango orchards in the Northern Territory of Australia in 1996, 2002 and 2003. We sampled, using a vacuum sampler, orchards with and without weaver ants. Cashew and mango plots with abundant weaver ants had similar or higher canopy arthropod and natural enemy diversity and similar ratios of natural enemies to insect pests, compared with plot where the weaver ant was absent. The study also showed that the application of insecticides reduced arthropod diversity and the ratio of natural enemies to insect pests in a mango orchard. However, insecticide spray did not affect natural enemy diversity and abundance, which may be related to a high immigration rate of natural enemies in small plots surrounded by areas that were not sprayed.
A targeted method for standardized assessment of adverse drug events in surgical patients
Authors: de Boer Monica , Kiewiet Jordy J. S. , Boeker Eveline B. , Ramrattan Maya A. , Dijkgraaf Marcel G. W. , Lie‐A‐Huen Loraine , Boermeester Marja A. ,   SUREPILL Study Group
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectivesThis study demonstrates the development, reliability and outcome of a targeted method for standardized assessment of adverse drug events (ADEs) in surgical patients.MethodsInitial practice evaluation of this ADE assessment method was carried out in a prospective single centre cohort study. In total, 262 electively admitted surgical patients were included. The surgical trigger tool was applied to patients’ medical records by two independent reviewers, and subsequent assessment of causality, severity and preventability of ADEs was carried out by two independent expert panels consisting of a consultant surgeon and a clinical pharmacologist. The surgical trigger tool and causality assessment method were each tested on reliability in a separate group of 50 randomly selected patients using Fleiss and Cohen's kappa statistics and percentages of agreement. Comparison of this method with an existing trigger tool method for ADEs was performed.ResultsOur surgical trigger tool contains 51 triggers. The inter‐ and intra‐rater calculations showed substantial to almost perfect levels of agreement (kappa range 0.71–0.83), with a 97.8–98.5% percentage of agreement. Fair to substantial levels of agreement were calculated for causality, severity and preventability (kappa range 0.38–0.79). The percentages of inter‐ and intra‐rater agreement were 68.9 and 70.5% for causality, 67.0 and 82.0% for severity, and both 98.4% for preventability, respectively. Compared with the existing trigger tool method for ADEs, we found an additional 363 triggers, 18 ADEs (an extra 20%) and 3 preventable ADEs in our surgical cohort.ConclusionsThis targeted trigger tool for standardized assessment of ADEs in surgical patients shows excellent agreement between reviewers. The assessment of medication‐related harm had acceptable agreement. Compared with an existing ADE trigger tool method, the present method found almost 20% extra ADEs. This method can be a useful alternative to existing trigger tool methods, in particular to assess medication safety in surgical patients.
Vitamin D intake and dietary sources in a representative sample of Spanish adults
Authors: González‐Rodríguez L. G. , Estaire P. , Peñas‐Ruiz C. , Ortega R. M. ,   UCM Research Group VALORNUT (920030)
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D plays an essential role in bone mineralisation and its deficiency is associated with several chronic diseases. Some studies have reported a deficient status of vitamin D in Spanish and European population. The present study aimed to assess vitamin D intake, dietary sources of this nutrient and its adequacy with respect to the dietary reference intakes (DRI) in a representative sample of Spanish adults.MethodsFour hundred and eighteen adults (aged 18–60 years) from 15 Spanish provinces were studied. They constituted a representative sample of the Spanish adult population. Energy and nutrient intake were determined using a 24‐h dietary recall questionnaire for two consecutive days. Vitamin D intake was compared with the DRI for this vitamin.ResultsMean (SD) vitamin D intake was 3.5 (4.0) μg day–1 (69.5% of the DRI). Of the participants studied, 81.6% had vitamin D intakes below the DRI and 68.7% had intakes below 67% of the DRI. Of the vitamin D, 91.4% came from food sources and 8.6% came from dietary supplements. The main food sources of vitamin D were fish, eggs, dairy products, cereals, oils and meat. In addition, those subjects who met the DRI for vitamin D had a higher consumption of fish, vegetables and fruits and a lower consumption of meats than those subjects who did not meet the DRI.ConclusionsVitamin D intake was inadequate in the sample of the adult Spanish population. Therefore, an increase in the consumption of oily fish, as well as fortified dairy products and cereals, might help to improve vitamin D intake.
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) attend typically to faces and objects presented within their picture communication systems
Authors: Gillespie‐Smith K. , Riby D. M. , Hancock P. J. B. , Doherty‐Sneddon G. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may require interventions for communication difficulties. One type of intervention is picture communication symbols which are proposed to improve comprehension of linguistic input for children with ASD. However, atypical attention to faces and objects is widely reported across the autism spectrum for several types of stimuli.MethodIn this study we used eye‐tracking methodology to explore fixation duration and time taken to fixate on the object and face areas within picture communication symbols. Twenty‐one children with ASD were compared with typically developing matched groups.ResultsChildren with ASD were shown to have similar fixation patterns on face and object areas compared with typically developing matched groups.ConclusionsIt is proposed that children with ASD attend to the images in a manner that does not differentiate them from typically developing individuals. Therefore children with and without autism have the same opportunity to encode the available information. We discuss what this may imply for interventions using picture symbols.
Application of Fourier transform‐second‐harmonic generation imaging to the rat cervix
Authors: LAU T.Y. , SANGHA H.K. , CHIEN E.K. , MCFARLIN B.L. , WAGONER JOHNSON A.J. , TOUSSAINT K.C. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryWe present the application of Fourier transform‐second‐harmonic generation (FT‐SHG) imaging to evaluate the arrangement of collagen fibers in five nonpregnant rat cervices. Tissue slices from the mid‐cervix and near the external orifice of the cervix were analyzed in both two‐dimensions (2D) and three‐dimensions (3D). We validate that the cervical microstructure can be quantitatively assessed in three dimensions using FT‐SHG imaging and observe collagen fibers oriented both in and out‐of‐plane in the outermost and the innermost layers, which cannot be observed using 2D FT‐SHG analysis alone. This approach has the potential to be a clinically applicable method for measuring progressive changes in collagen organization during cervical remodeling in humans.
Comparison of 2 Retrieval Devices for Heartworm Removal in 52 Dogs with Heavy Worm Burden
Authors: Yoon W.K. , Choi R. , Lee S.G. , Hyun C. 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundFor treating dogs with heavy heartworm infection, mechanical removal using various retrieval devices is useful. However, the efficacy and safety of retrieval devices have rarely been studied.HypothesisCatheter‐based heartworm removal using 2 retrieval devices (basket and tripod grasping forceps) is efficient and safe for treating dogs with heavy worm burden.AnimalsFifty‐two client‐owned dogs with heavy (Class III and IV) worm burden.MethodsA retrospective study was performed on 52 dogs, using a catheter‐based heartworm removal approach using 2 types of retrieval devices (ie, the basket and the tripod grasping forceps). The efficacy and complications associated with the 2 devices were assessed.ResultsThe basket device was used on 22 of the study group dogs, and the tripod grasping forceps was used on 30 of the dogs. The postoperative survival rate was 95.5% for the basket device and 80% for the tripod grasping forceps, but the difference was not statistically significant. The worm number captured per attempt was 3.5 ± 1.7 using the basket device and 1.9 ± 0.85 for the tripod grasping forceps (P < .05). Various complications associated with heartworm removal were noticed with both retrieval devices.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis study suggests that catheter‐based heartworm removal is not only a relatively safe and efficient therapeutic method in dogs with heavy worm burden, but more efficient using the basket device. Our data do not indicate a clear safety advantage between the 2 devices evaluated, although the survival rate was numerically higher in dogs undergoing a basket intervention.
Effect of Endoscopic Forceps on Quality of Duodenal Mucosal Biopsy in Healthy Dogs
Authors: Goutal‐Landry C.M. , Mansell J. , Ryan K.A. , Gaschen F.P. 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundLimited data exist regarding influence of endoscopic forceps on duodenal mucosal biopsy quality and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesHypothesizing that larger forceps would procure superior specimens, we evaluated effect of 6 disposable forceps on duodenal biopsy weight, depth, crush artifact, and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment.AnimalsSeventeen healthy adult dogs.MethodsProspective study. Two operators each obtained 4 duodenal specimens from each dog with each forceps. Lightest sample discarded. One pathologist evaluated blindly other 3 specimens. A total of 612 specimens evaluated. Results analyzed by one‐way ANOVA of forceps effects with dog as blocking factor. Posthoc pairwise comparisons examined with Tukey's test when indicated.ResultsBiopsies performed with large capacity forceps heavier (10.56 ± 0.90 and 11.6 ± 0.62 mg (mean ± SD) versus 5.55 ± 0.53 to 8.61 ± 0.49; P < .0001) and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment superior to standard oval and ‘pediatric’ (scores 2.52 ± 0.41 and 2.58 ± 0.37 versus 2.08 ± 0.33 and 2.14 ± 0.29; P < .0001). No statistically significant difference in depth scores. Large capacity forceps with spike associated with less crush artifact than all smaller forceps (scores 1.19 ± 0.16 versus 1.38 ± 0.21 to 1.52 ± 0.21; P < .0001). In same size forceps, presence of spike had no effect on crush artifact and adequacy for histologic examination/assessment (P < .0001).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceLarge capacity forceps are superior, providing higher quality and greater numbers of samples achieving adequacy for histologic examination/assessment. Choice of endoscopic biopsy forceps for duodenal samples influences sample volume and diagnostic utility.
Visceral hypersensitivity in female but not in male serotonin transporter knockout rats
Authors: Galligan J. J. , Patel B. A. , Schneider S. P. , Wang H. , Zhao H. , Novotny M. , Bian X. , Kabeer R. , Fried D. , Swain G. M. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundVisceral hypersensitivity occurs in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particularly in women. Serotonin signaling, including reduced serotonin transporter (SERT) expression, may be disrupted in IBS patients. We studied SERT gene knockout (KO) rats to determine if they exhibited sex‐related alterations in visceral sensitivity.MethodsWe measured serotonin in the colonic mucosa using HPLC and amperometric microelectrode techniques. Visceral sensitivity was assessed using the electromyographic visceromotor response (VMR) in response to colorectal balloon distention (CRD). We studied the electrophysiologic properties of colon projecting sensory neurons in vitro using whole‐cell recordings.Key ResultsMucosal serotonin levels were not different among male and female WT and SERT KO rats. Serotonin oxidation currents in vitro were larger (P < 0.05) in tissues from male and female SERT KO compared with WT rats. Oxidation currents in male and female WT, but not SERT KO, rats were increased (P < 0.05) by the SERT inhibitor fluoxetine (1 μmol L−1). The VMR to CRD was increased in female but not in male SERT KO rats (P < 0.05); this response varied with the estrous cycle. Colon projecting sensory neurons from female SERT KO rats fired more action potentials compared with neurons from female WT rats. There were no differences in action potential firing in neurons from male WT and SERT KO rats.Conclusions & InferencesIncreased colonic extracellular serotonin in female SERT KO rats is associated with visceral hypersensitivity and hyperexcitability of colon projecting sensory neurons. The SERT KO rat is a model for studying interactions between serotonin, sex and visceral sensation.
By what mechanism does ondansetron inhibit colonic migrating motor complexes: does it require endogenous serotonin in the gut wall?
Authors: Spencer N. J. , Nicholas S. J. , Sia T. C. , Staikopoulos V. , Kyloh M. , Beckett E. A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackground5‐HT3 antagonists, such as ondansetron (Zofran), retard colonic transit and provide effective relief of symptoms of chronic diarrhea and diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the mechanism by which ondansetron retards transit is unclear. What is clear is that the frequency of colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) is reduced by ondansetron, which could account for reduced transit. Our aim was to determine whether an acute depletion of 5‐HT from enteric neurons would inhibit spontaneous CMMCs; and determine whether the sensitivity of ondansetron to reduce CMMC frequency would change in a 5‐HT‐depleted preparation.MethodsMice were injected with reserpine, 24 h prior to euthanasia to deplete neuronally synthesized 5‐HT. Mechanical recordings were made from proximal and mid‐distal regions of isolated whole mouse colon. Immunohistochemical staining for 5‐HT was used to detect neuronal 5‐HT.Key ResultsReserpine depleted all detectable 5‐HT from enteric nerves. In whole colons, with mucosa and submucosal plexus removed, the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous CMMCs was not different between groups treated with or without reserpine. Surprisingly, in mucosa and submucosal plexus‐free preparations, ondansetron was equally or significantly more effective at inhibiting CMMC frequency compared with control preparations (containing 5‐HT). Reserpine pretreatment had no effect on the sensitivity of ondansetron to inhibit CMMCs.Conclusions & InferencesEndogenous 5‐HT in enteric neurons (or the mucosa) is not required for the spontaneous generation or propagation of CMMCs. Furthermore, the primary mechanism by which ondansetron inhibits CMMC frequency is not mediated via the mucosa, submucosal plexus or 5‐HT in myenteric neurons.
Elevated CO2 spurs reciprocal positive effects between a plant virus and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus
Authors: Rúa Megan A. , Umbanhowar James , Hu Shuijin , Burkey Kent O. , Mitchell Charles E. 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Plants form ubiquitous associations with diverse microbes. These interactions range from parasitism to mutualism, depending partly on resource supplies that are being altered by global change. While many studies have considered the separate effects of pathogens and mutualists on their hosts, few studies have investigated interactions among microbial mutualists and pathogens in the context of global change.

Using two wild grass species as model hosts, we grew individual plants under ambient or elevated CO2, and ambient or increased soil phosphorus (P) supply. Additionally, individuals were grown with or without arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum, and after 2 wk, plants were inoculated or mock‐inoculated with a phloem‐restricted virus.

Under elevated CO2, mycorrhizal association increased the titer of virus infections, and virus infection reciprocally increased the colonization of roots by mycorrhizal fungi. Additionally, virus infection decreased plant allocation to root biomass, increased leaf P, and modulated effects of CO2 and P addition on mycorrhizal root colonization.

These results indicate that plant mutualists and pathogens can alter each other's success, and predict that these interactions will respond to increased resource availability and elevated CO2. Together, our findings highlight the importance of interactions among multiple microorganisms for plant performance under global change.
China and America in a Post‐Hegemonic Age
Authors: BRZEZINSKI ZBIGNIEW 
Published: April 2013

A great historical transition is underway from American‐led Globalization 1.0 to Globalization 2.0—the interdependence of plural identities where no one power or alliance of powers dominates.The G‐20 is floundering as the immediate global financial crisis has receded. The United Nations and the old Bretton Woods institutions—the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO—have lost their vigor and are struggling to adjust to the global powershift with the rise of the emerging economies. While Europe is paralyzed as the historic project of integration stalls, the world's two largest economies—the United States and China—are as yet unable to figure out how to share power.The danger now is that the geopolitical vacuum will invite assertions of national self‐interest that will unravel the rules‐based order that enabled stability and prosperity over recent decades.America's leading geopolitical strategist, China's most outspoken strategic thinker and one of Asia's leading global thinkers from Singapore offer their reflections on this state of affairs.
Pain Conditions Ranked by Healthcare Costs for Members of a National Health Plan
Authors: Pasquale Margaret K. , Dufour Robert , Schaaf David , Reiners Andrew T. , Mardekian Jack , Joshi Ashish V. , Patel Nick C. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractHealthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs specific to pain are a growing concern, as increasing dollar amounts are spent on pain‐related conditions. Understanding which pain conditions drive the highest utilization and cost burden to the healthcare system would enable providers and payers to better target conditions to manage pain adequately and efficiently. The current study focused on 36 noncancer chronic and 14 noncancer acute pain conditions and measured the HCRU and costs per member over 365 days. These conditions were ranked by per‐member costs and total adjusted healthcare costs to determine the most expensive conditions to a national health plan. The top 5 conditions for the commercial line of business were back pain, osteoarthritis (OA), childbirth, injuries, and non‐hip, non‐spine fractures (adjusted annual total costs for the commercial members were $119 million, $98 million, $69 million, $61 million, and $48 million, respectively). The top 5 conditions for Medicare members were OA, back pain, hip fractures, injuries, and non‐hip, non‐spine fractures (adjusted annual costs for the Medicare members were $327 million, $218 million, $117 million, $82 million, and $67 million, respectively). The conditions ranked highest for both per‐member and total healthcare costs were hip fractures, childbirth, and non‐hip, non‐spine fractures. Among these, hip fractures in the Medicare member population had the highest mean cost per member (adjusted per‐member cost was $21,058). Further examination specific to how pain is managed in these high‐cost conditions will enable providers and payers to develop strategies to improve patient outcomes through appropriate pain management.
Agglomeration and Spreading in an Asymmetric World
Authors: Sidorov Alexander V. , Zhelobodko Evgeny 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe study Krugman's core–periphery (CP) model for most general cases of nonidentical regions and fully characterize instant and long‐run equilibria. Assuming immobility of labor, we describe the behavior of equilibrium wages/real wages. Moreover, the relative wages/real wages of industrial workers can both increase and decrease with the population with which they are associated. Under the assumption of industrial labor mobility, possible patterns of economic evolution, as responses to trade freeness, are fully described. We show that in the case of noticeable agricultural asymmetry, all mobile labor inevitably accumulates in countries with larger agricultural populations.
Peaks vs Components
Authors: Vollmer Sebastian , Holzmann Hajo , Schwaiger Florian 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe analyze the cross‐national distribution of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and its evolution from 1970 to 2009. We argue that peaks are not a suitable measure for distinct convergence clubs/equilibria in the cross‐country distribution ofGDPper capita, because the number of peaks is not invariant under non‐linear strictly monotonic transformations of the data such as the logarithmic transformation. Instead, we model the distribution as a finite mixture, and determine its number of components via statistical testing. We find that the number of components in the cross‐country distribution changes from three to two in the mid 1990s.
Identifying and Classifying Bloodstream Infections Among Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Kallen Alexander J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBloodstream infections (BSIs) are a prominent clinical problem in patients undergoing hemodialysis. These infections appear to be more common among patients who have a central line as their dialysis access and can be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Accurately diagnosing BSIs clearly influences patient management, but is also an important part of an infection prevention program; particularly as facility BSI rates are becoming a recognized quality measure for which dialysis facilities might be held accountable. Blood cultures remain the gold standard for diagnosing BSIs and a number of practices can affect the sensitivity and specificity of this important laboratory test. Optimizing the collection of blood cultures can assist providers with interpretation of positive blood cultures and can help minimize the impact of false‐positive and false‐negative cultures. This review will describe differences between BSI definitions, examine the use of blood cultures to identify these infections including the use of recommended best practices to maximize culture yield, and highlight characteristics that can assist in the clinical interpretation of positive blood cultures.