bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social structure varies with elevation in an Alpine ant
Authors: Purcell Jessica , Pellissier Loïc , Chapuisat Michel 
Published: December 2014

AbstractInsect societies vary greatly in social organization, yet the relative roles of ecological and genetic factors in driving this variation remain poorly understood. Identifying how social structure varies along environmental gradients can provide insights into the ecological conditions favouring alternative social organizations. Here, we investigate how queen number variation is distributed along elevation gradients within a socially polymorphic ant, the Alpine silver antFormica selysi. We sampled low‐ and high‐elevation populations in multiple Alpine valleys. We show that populations belonging to different drainage basins are genetically differentiated. In contrast, there is little genetic divergence between low‐ and high‐elevation populations within the same drainage basin. Thus, elevation gradients in each of the drainage basins represent independent contrasts. Whatever the elevation, all well‐sampled populations are socially polymorphic, containing both monogynous (= one queen) and polygynous (= multiple queen) colonies. However, the proportion of monogynous colonies per population increases at higher elevation, while the effective number of queens in polygynous colonies decreases, and this pattern is replicated in each drainage basin. The increased prevalence of colonies with a single queen at high elevation is correlated with summer and winter average temperature, but not with precipitation. The colder, unpredictable and patchy environment encountered at higher elevations may favour larger queens with the ability to disperse and establish incipient monogynous colonies independently, while the stable and continuous habitat in the lowlands may favour large, fast‐growing polygynous colonies. By highlighting differences in the environmental conditions favouring monogynous or polygynous colonies, this study sheds light on the ecological factors influencing the distribution and maintenance of social polymorphism.
Aneurysmal bone cyst does not hinder the success of kidney transplantation. A case report
Authors: Giordano Mario , Caloro Giorgia , Gaeta Alberto , Vergori Antonio , Santangelo Luisa , Giordano Paolo , Ruggieri Pietro 
Published: December 2014

AbstractUremic osteodystrophy is an expected complication in subjects with chronic renal insufficiency. It develops gradually and progressively already during the conservative treatment and then during the dialysis treatment. It can present a wide histopathological spectrum including typical alterations (from osteitis fibrosa to osteomalacia and/or mixed lesions) or, more rarely, isolated bone lesions indicative of a brown tumor of the bone. These conditions must be clearly identified in the pretransplant phase, especially if a bone lesion indicative of a pathological condition possibly evolving into a neoplasm is detected fortuitously. We report the case of a 19‐yr‐old boy with renal insufficiency and candidate for a pre‐emptive renal transplantation from a living donor, in whom the diagnosis of ABC of the pubic symphysis – asymptomatic and fortuitously detected while performing instrumental investigations – was suspected through the imaging studies (CT scan, MRI) and was confirmed by the histological examination. This made it possible to perform the renal transplant. The immunosuppressive treatment, which was subsequently administered, was based on steroids, calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus), and mycophenolate and did not determine any modification in the radiological aspect of the bone lesion, even after more than one yr from the transplant.
Development and validation of a new performance‐based measurement of instrumental activities of daily living in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Hui‐Mei , Yeh Yi‐Chun , Su Wei‐Lieh , Huang Mei‐Feng , Chang Chun‐Wei , Chen Cheng‐Sheng 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe performance‐based instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) measurement is thought to improve the validity and reliability of conventional tools that rely on proxy reports. The aims of this study were to develop and validate a performance‐based measurement of IADL for use in elderly patients with cognitive impairment in Taiwan and other Chinese‐speaking communities.MethodsReferring to current versions of performance‐based IADL, we developed the new Taiwan Performance‐Based IADL (TPIADL) measurement to minimize literacy dependency and render it compatible with local culture. Participants performed tasks, including finding a telephone number, calculating the correct amount of change, reading the ingredients on a tin of food, finding food items on a shelf, and reading instructions on a medicine container. The internal consistency and convergent and criteria validity of the TPIADL were examined.ResultsAltogether, 117 elderly subjects were invited to participate in this study, including 39 patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, 29 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and 49 without cognitive impairment. The internal consistency of the TPIADL was 0.82. The TPIADL scores were significantly correlated with the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). The area under the relative operating characteristic curve was 0.90 (95% confidence interval = 0.84–0.97) to differentiate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and others. The optimal cut‐off point for the TPIADL was 6/7, which gives a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 75.6%.ConclusionsThe TPIADL is a validated instrument for the measurement of IADL in elderly subjects. It might replace conventional assessment as a valid and easily administered measurement.
Epidemiology of blood component recipients in hospitals of Yazd, Iran
Authors: Javadzadeh Shahshahani H. , Hatami H. , Meraat N. , Savabieh S. 
Published: December 2014

SUMMARYBackground and ObjectivesBlood recipient and blood product utilisation data are needed for assessment of current transfusion practice in hospitals. Such data can help monitoring blood use, improving blood transfusion practice and estimating future blood use.Materials and MethodsIn this cross sectional study, the rate of blood consumption has been evaluated in three randomly selected hospitals of Yazd, Iran in 2011–2012. Data of blood recipients including patient identification number, age, sex, principal diagnoses, date of transfusion, type and number of transfused blood components and indication for transfusion were prospectively collected.ResultsThe dataset included information about 814 patients (53% males) who received 1110 RBCs, 410 plasma and 1484 platelet (PLT) units. Transfusion rate per 1000 population per year was 24, 10 and 15 for red blood cells (RBCs), plasma and PLT units, respectively. Age group 17–64 years had the highest consumption of blood components (55%). Most of the RBCs and PLT units were transfused to patients with neoplasm (42 and 82%, respectively). Cardiovascular surgery was the diagnosis category with most plasma usage (32%). The category with highest haemoglobin level before transfusion was surgery; Orthopaedic and ENT surgeries were at the top of ranking (11·96 ± 1·85 g dL−1). PLT count before transfusion was 11·160 ± 5·282 × 109 L−1 in neoplasm category and 12·3637 ± 6·2267 × 1010 L−1 in neonatal disease.ConclusionStudy results showed the first epidemiological data of blood recipients on a regional basis in Iran. It is suggested to study blood utilisation at the national level to assist in improving transfusion practice in hospitals.
NOTE ON THE MULTIPLICATION AND MIGRATION OF NUCLEOLI IN NERVE CELLS OF MAMMALS
Authors: May W. Page , Walker C. E. 
Published: December 2014

The conclusions arrived at from the observations here described are—1. That the nucleoli of the nerve cells described multiply continually, generally by a process of budding, more rarely by an equal division in bulk of a pre‐existing nucleolus.2. That the nucleoli pass out of the nucleus, and in the process their staining reaction changes.3. After passing out of the nucleus the nucleoli become granular in appearance, and increase in size. The increase in size would appear to be due to the lessened density of the contents, rather than to an increase in substance.4. The nucleoli sometimes pass bodily out of the nerve cell (peri‐karyon), and are taken into the cytoplasm of leucocytes or capsular cells. At other times the substance of the nucleoli seems to pass in small portions from the cytoplasm of the nerve cell into that of a capsular cell or a leucocyte.
THE FORM AND MAGNITUDE OF THE ELECTRICAL RESPONSE OF THE EYE TO STIMULATION BY LIGHT AT VARIOUS INTENSITIES
Authors: Einthoven W. , Jolly W. A. 
Published: December 2014

1. The photo‐electric reaction of an isolated eye is specially adapted to the study of the effect of stimuli of very different intensities. In our experiments light stimuli have been used whose energy varies from 3·05 × 10−12 to 3·95 × 10−2 g. cal. per sec.Short illumination with the strongest light has not been found to damage the eye, while the weakest light was capable of producing a fairly considerable photo‐electric reaction.2. The form under which the photo‐electric reaction manifests itself under different conditions gives ground for the supposition that there occur in the eye three separate processes, and each of these may be dependent upon a separate substance. We speak of three substances for the sake of convenience.3. The first substance reacts more rapidly than the other two. On lighting it develops a negative, on darkening a positive potential difference. Its action comes strongly into prominence in a light eye and appears almost unmixed on sudden darkening of short duration (a flash of darkness).The second substance reacts less rapidly than the first, and in an opposite sense. On lighting it develops a positive, on darkening a negative potential difference. Its action appears almost unmixed in a dark eye which is illuminated for a short time with weak light.The third substance reacts in the same sense as the second, but much more slowly. Its action fails in a completely light eye, and also in a dark eye which is illuminated very weakly for a short time.4. The latent period of the photo‐electric reaction is in a high degree dependent upon the intensity of the stimulus. With strong stimuli it is of the order of 0·01 sec., while with very weak stimuli it may be lengthened to more than 2 sec. These values are in agreement with the latent periods of light perception in the human eye.5. For each of the three substances the rule holds good that with moderate and strong light the energy of the stimulus increases much more quickly than the energy of the reaction.6. Although the eye is far more sensitive than the most sensitive artificial bolometer, the energy of the reaction remains below that of the stimulus even in the most favourable circumstances. The photo‐electric reaction of the eye is in this respect comparable with the action current of a muscle or nerve.
STUDIES IN THE REFLEXES OF THE GUINEA‐PIG. IV.: SOME MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH BROWN‐SÉQUARD'S “EPILEPSY”
Authors: Abel Williamina , Brown T. Graham 
Published: December 2014

1. We confirm the account given by Brown‐Séquard of the macroscopic changes which occur in the hair and skin of the face and neck as an accompaniment of the phenomena described by him.2. In addition there are microscopic changes in the skin. Amongst these may be mentioned an apparent alteration in the nerve twigs surrounding the hair follicles.3. Degenerative changes in the cells of the Gasserian ganglion of the same side have been observed, but these degenerative changes are not so marked as the changes in the skin.4. We have failed to detect the presence of degenerated fibres in the nerve trunk of the Vth cranial nerve in the specimens examined. The nerve was investigated both central and peripheral to the ganglion.
A COMPARISON OF NATURALLY AND ARTIFICIALLY AROUSED IMPULSES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF NERVE BLOCKS
Authors: Gruber Charles M. 
Published: December 2014

1. Natural impulses in the phrenic, as well as impulses set up artificially, can be arrested by an electrical (tripolar) block and by freezing mixtures, especially by liquid air.2. With but one exception, the same strength of block was required for natural impulses as for impulses set up by very weak electrical stimuli.3. As has been previously shown by other observers, the phrenic nerve is a mixed nerve containing both afferent and efferent fibres. This is definitely proved by stimulating the nerves centrally to a block and thus causing a change in the rate and force of contraction of the opposite slip of the diaphragm.
THE ELASTICITY OF THE HOLLOW VISCERA
Authors: Kesson J. E. 
Published: December 2014

The elastic properties of the hollow viscera and muscular tubes differ strikingly in (a) the relaxed and (b) the tonically contracted states, whether tested by distension in response to internal pressure or stretching of strips cut from their walls; in (b) the increments of volume or length progressively rise to a maximum and then diminish, in (a) the maximal effect comes at the beginning of a descending series. While both differ from rubber bands or tubes, the distensibility of (a) differs from that of a rubber tube more strikingly than that of (b). The differences in (a) and (b) are essentially similar to those described by MacWilliam in relaxed and in persistently contracted arteries.The differences are not to be accounted for by overstretching, rupture of fibres, curvature of strips, etc.Similar differences are found under similar conditions in a ribbon of parallel unstriped muscle‐fibre, like the retractor penis, which recovers perfectly and can show spontaneous rhythmic contractions afterwards.There seems to be an essential difference between the elasticity of tonically contracted unstriped muscle and that of skeletal muscle and other animal tissues, as hitherto described. The accepted account of the elasticity of the animal tissues is wholly incorrect as applied to tonically contracted unstriped muscle.Cardiac muscle (frog) apparently resembles unstriped muscle in this respect. The essential peculiarity seems to be related to the tonically contracted condition of unstriped muscle, and not to the same tissue when relaxed or when tested by a series of single stimuli.
THE SELF‐REGULATION OF THE ACIDITY OF THE GASTRIC CONTENTS AND THE REAL ACIDITY OF THE GASTRIC JUICE
Authors: Boldyreff W. 
Published: December 2014

1. The acidity of the freshly secreted gastric juice is constant (0·5 per cent. HCL).2. This acidity is rapidly lowered to a level which oscillates between 0·15 to 0·2 per cent. HCL.3. The same thing happens when any acids foreign to the stomach are introduced into it.4. This partial neutralisation is due to the reflux into the stomach of alkaline juices from the duodenum, the pancreatic juice being here the most important factor.5. Neutral, alkaline, or feebly acid fluids introduced into the stomach provoke a secretion of the acid juice with the object of bringing up the acidity to the normal level.6. The mechanism described for maintaining the optimum level of acidity ( 0·15 to 0·2 per cent. HCl) I propose to designate the self‐regulation of the acidity of the contents of the stomach.
THE INFLUENCE ON METABOLISM OF ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF THYROID GLAND AND OF POSTERIOR LOBE OF PITUITARY
Authors: Hewitt James Arthur 
Published: December 2014

From the above figures it is evident that thyroid gland administered in small amounts to rats fed on an otherwise normal diet produces results which differ according to the amount of gland given.The exhibition of 0·25 gm. of fresh gland caused at first a loss of weight, but subsequently a slight gain in weight. It is to be noted that, in the third thyroid period, when 0·25 gm. was given, owing to the increased weight of the rats, the dose per kilog. body‐weight is less than in the first thyroid period.It may also be that the animals had acquired a slight tolerance, thyroid gland having been administered for two weeks previously. The administration of 0·125 gm. thyroid, on the other hand, produced a rapid increase in weight of 137·5 gm., this being about four times as great as that under double the dose.The effect on food consumption also varies with the amount of thyroid exhibited, 0·125 gm. producing an increase, 0·25 gm. at first a decrease, and subsequently an increase over the amount consumed in the normal week. In both cases 0·25 gm. thyroid caused a lower retention of nitrogen per kilog. weight than did 0·125 gm.With regard to the excretion of ammonia, the average daily output is greater under 0·25 gm. than under 0·125 gm.It was suggested in the previous paper1 that, had small enough doses of thyroid been given, results would have been obtained comparable to those of Schäfer,2 namely, a retention of nitrogen combined with a gain in weight.This is shown to be the case when 0·125 gm. is exhibited. The effect of administration of thyroid gland and posterior lobe of pituitary simultaneously is mainly a lessened retention of nitrogen, and an increased excretion of urinary nitrogen and ammonia.
THE ACTION OF CERTAIN GLAND EXTRACTS AND DRUGS UPON THE UTERUS OF THE RAT
Authors: Itagaki M. 
Published: December 2014

The results of these experiments upon the rat‐uterus may be briefly stated thus:—1. Extract of posterior lobe of pituitary always produces an increase of tone.2. Solutions of adrenalin inhibit the rhythmic contractions (with or without diminution of tone).3. Extract of thyroid occasionally produces an increase of tone, but generally has no effect.4. Extracts of orchitic substance, of uterus, and of brain have no appreciable effect.5. The action of nicotine is variable. Weak solutions produce an increase of tone. Stronger solutions cause first inhibition, then increased contraction. Still stronger solutions produce inhibition alone.6. The action of pilocarpine is inconstant, but usually an increase of tone is produced.7. Weak solutions of atropine produce increase of the rhythmic contractions; stronger solutions, a slight diminution; but even with a very strong solution there is no absolute arrest of the contractions.8. Barium chloride in all strengths which produce any effect causes increased tone and stimulates the rhythmic contractions.
THE QUESTION OF A GASTRIC HORMONE
Authors: Lim Robert K. S. 
Published: December 2014

1. Edkins’ observations regarding pyloric extracts and their effect in causing gastric secretion is confirmed. Extracts made from the cardiac and duodenal mucous membranes are less active; fundus extracts are comparatively inert, while jejunal and ileal extracts are ineffective.2. Histamine causes gastric secretion when injected intravenously; contrary to the observations of Popielski and others, who only obtained secretion when it was injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly.3. Adrenalin does not inhibit the secretion provoked by the above substances but may delay its outflow from the stomach. Adrenalin excites secretion in some individuals.4. The distribution of the gastric excitant or gastrin in the stomach and duodenum corresponds with the distribution of mucoid glands ; it is suggested that the excitant is extracted from mucoid cells.5. The blood of fed animals has no effect on gastric secretion when transfused directly or indirectly. The blood was taken at various intervals after a meal, and when citrated was injected either intravenously or intra‐arterially into the recipient.Since there is no gastric exciting substance in the blood after meals, it is concluded that the excitant found in pyloric and other extracts is not secreted into the blood stream and the mechanism of secretagogue action is not due to internal secretion.
THE EFFECT ON THE STOMACH OF STIMULATION OF THE PERIPHERAL END OF THE VAGUS NERVE
Authors: M'Crea E. D. , M'Swiney B. A. , Stopford J. S. B. 
Published: December 2014

Stimulation of the peripheral cut end of either vagus by means of the faradic current will, if the organ be in a state of “hypotonus,” either initiate movements in the quiescent stomach, or, if movements are present, augment and sometimes accelerate them. A rise of entogastric pressure may accompany these movements. The contractions produced are indistinguishable from accentuated normal movements‐they are an exaggeration of the normal‐unless the stimulus be exceptionally strong, when a tonic contraction may result : from this, however, “escape” shortly occurs. The motor effect is preceded by a brief interval or latent period of some three seconds, and should the viscus be initially in a condition of “hypertonus,” this is followed by a period during which movements, if present, cease, and relaxation occurs. Augmented or initial contractions ensue later, but may be delayed until after the cessation of stimulus : there is not necessarily a restoration of entogastric pressure.The pre‐existing state of the peripheral mechanism governs the response to stimulation, the most marked results being obtained with the active organ, the least with the passive.The X‐ray picture on vagal stimulation shows that the effects on function are augmentor and accelerator: food in the cesophagus passes through the cardia, the waves of contraction are deeper than normal, and the pylorus functions rapidly, food leaving through the sphincter before every antral contraction. A brief preliminary relaxation may be observed.These effects remain unchanged by alterations of anæsthetics, decerebration, or splanchnic section. A vaso‐constrictor effect may be obtained on stimulation of the peripheral cut end of the vagus. The first part of the duodenum functions with the stomach and is controlled by the vagus in a similar manner. Stimulation of the intact nerve, the other being undivided, gives variable results, depending on the preexisting state, and on whether the centripetal or centrifugal influences predominate.We desire to make clear that our use of the entogastric pressure is only as an index of the activity or inactivity of the organ, and that by it we are endeavounrng to gauge the condition of the peripheral mechanism. We use the digesting or quiescent viscus in order to obtain variations in this state of the peripheral mechanism, and these are demonstrable by the entogastric pressure, latent period, and “response.”The majority of our findings may be summarised as follows:—1. The primary effect of stimulation of the peripheral cut end of either vagus on the stomach is dependent on the existing condition of the peripheral mechanism (“tonus”), and may be inhibitor or augmentor.2. The inhibitor or augmentor effect may involve both “tonus” and movement.3. The final effect of stimulation is to bring about the augmentation of existing movement or to initiate movement.4. “Tonus” and contraction may vary inversely or directly.
A NOTE ON THE RHYTHM OF CHEMICAL DIFFERENTIATION IN THE AVIAN EMBRYO
Authors: Needham Joseph 
Published: December 2014

A study of the non‐protein nitrogen in the embryo of eight species of birds suggests that the rhythm of chemical differentiation is always the same, no matter how long the developmental period.The thanks of the writer are due to the Government Grant Committee of the Royal Society for a contribution defraying the cost of this work, and to Mr Impey, Mrs Deller, Mr Carter, and Sir Charles Walston, for help in the obtaining of the eggs used.