bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A methodological approach for assessing the effects of disturbance factors on the conservation status of Mediterranean coastal dune systems
Authors: Attorre Fabio , Maggini Alberto , Di Traglia Mario , De Sanctis Michele , Vitale Marcello 
Published: September 2012

AbstractQuestionsHow can the conservation status of Mediterranean coastal dunes be assessed? What is the effect of disturbance factors on it?LocationTyrrhenian coast of Central Italy.MethodsVegetation relevés along 164 transects lying perpendicular to the shoreline along the Tyrrhenian coast of Central Italy were used to identify the presence of dune habitats by means of TWINSPAN classification and detrended correspondence analysis. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to analyse relationship between habitats and disturbance factors. The resulting Burt's table was used to build an index (habitat‐disturbance, HDi) for analysing this relationship. Based on HDi values, a correspondence analysis (CA) between presence/absence of habitats and disturbances was performed. The overall plant species diversity of dunes was measured with NHDUNE, a modified version of the Shannon index. Multi‐way ANOVA procedure was used to investigate effect of single disturbance factors and their interactive effect on NHDUNE.ResultsClassification and ordination procedures identified four sequential habitats moving from the shoreline to inland: annual vegetation on drift lines characterized by Cakile maritima; embryonic shifting dunes dominated by Elymus farctus; shifting dunes with Ammophila arenaria subsp. australis; back dune grasslands characterized by Ononis variegata. CA showed that disturbance factors influence dune habitats differently. In particular, the Cakile community had a negative relationship with beach tourism and mechanical cleaning; the Elymus community had a positive relationship with beach tourism and mechanical cleaning and a negative relationship with erosion and bathing establishments; the Ammophila community had a negative relationship with mechanical cleaning and bathing establishments and a positive relationship with dune cross‐trampling; and the Ononis community had a negative relationship with bathing establishment. According to multi‐way ANOVA, single disturbance factors can have different effects on plant species diversity as measured by NHDUNE. However, the overall effect is negative, with erosion as a single factor and the combination of mechanical cleaning and bathing establishments significantly lowering the plant diversity of coastal dune systems.ConclusionsThe proposed method allows a fast and replicable evaluation of the effects of disturbance factors on the conservation status of Mediterranean coastal dunes, providing the information necessary for development of conservation strategies focusing on a single habitat or on the overall dune system.
Window of Opportunity for Neuroprotection with an Antioxidant, Allene Oxide Synthase, after Hypoxia–Ischemia in Adult Male Rats
Authors: Mathai Sam , Gunn Alistair J. , Backhaus Ralph Andrew , Guan Jian 
Published: September 2012

SummaryAimsOxidative stress is an early event in the cascade leading in neuronal damage after hypoxic–ischemic (HI) brain injury. In the present study, we examined the dose response and window of opportunity for neuroprotection after HI injury with Allene Oxide Synthase (AOS), an anti‐oxidative enzyme of the member of cytochrome P450 family.MethodsAdult male rats received intra‐cerebro‐ventricular infusions of either saline (vehicle) or AOS (1 μg or 10 μg or 100 μg per rat, intracerebroventricular n = 16 all groups) either 45 min or 3 h after unilateral HI brain injury. Brains were collected 5 days later. The extent of brain damage, neuronal survival, apoptosis, and glial reactions were assessed in the striatum, hippocampus, and cortex.ResultsAllene Oxide Synthase was associated with reduced neuronal damage scores when given 45 min, but not 3 h, after HI injury (P < 0.0001) in all brain regions. AOS treatment (10 μg) improved neuronal survival in the striatum, cortex, and hippocampus (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) and reduced the microglia reaction (P < 0.05) and numbers of caspase‐3‐positive cells in the hippocampus (P < 0.01).ConclusionsEarly blockade of oxidative stress after HI injury reduces inflammatory response, neuronal necrosis, and apoptosis. The neuroprotective effects of AOS were time of administration‐dependent suggesting a relatively restricted window of opportunity for acute brain injury.
Cerebral oxygen saturation evaluated by near‐infrared time‐resolved spectroscopy (TRS) in pregnant women during caesarean section – a promising new method of maternal monitoring
Authors: Yamazaki Kaori , Suzuki Kazunao , Itoh Hiroaki , Muramatsu Keiko , Nagahashi Kotomi , Tamura Naoaki , Uchida Toshiyuki , Sugihara Kazuhiro , Maeda Hideki , Kanayama Naohiro 
Published: September 2012

SummaryTime‐resolved spectroscopy (TRS‐20) measures tissue oxygen saturation (%) by evaluating the absolute concentrations of oxygenated, deoxygenated and total haemoglobin based on measurement of the transit time of individual photons through a tissue of interest. We measured tissue oxygen saturation in the prefrontal lobes of the brain by TRS‐20 in eighteen pregnant women during caesarean section. In a case of placenta previa, massive bleeding immediately decreased cerebral oxygen saturation from 67·2% to 54·2%, but did not alter peripheral tissue oxygenation as measured by pulse oximetry. Four cases of pre‐eclampsia revealed chronic changes in elevated base levels of cerebral oxygen saturation, though peripheral oxygen saturation was similar to that in normotensive pregnant women. Average cerebral oxygen saturation in the cases of pre‐eclampsia before the introduction of anaesthesia was 73·6 ± 4·4 (SD)% (n = 4), significantly higher than in normotensive pregnant women, 67·2 ± 4·3% (n = 13, P<0·05). Z‐scores of cerebral oxygen saturation prior to anaesthesia positively correlated with those of systolic or diastolic blood pressure. TRS‐20 could detect acute as well as chronic changes in brain oxygen saturation in response to pregnancy‐associated complications.
Comparison of the effects of esomeprazole and fundoplication on airway responsiveness in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Kiljander Toni , Rantanen Tuomo , Kellokumpu Ilmo , Kööbi Tiit , Lammi Lauri , Nieminen Markku , Poussa Tuija , Ranta Arto , Saarelainen Seppo , Salminen Paulina 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIntroductionGastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is suggested to cause or aggravate several respiratory conditions. Studies with proton pump inhibitors have resulted in only minor improvements in pulmonary outcomes in patients with GORD. It has been speculated that operative treatment of GORD might be more efficient as it also diminishes non‐acidic reflux.ObjectivesTo compare the effects of esomeprazole 40 mg bid and fundoplication on airway responsiveness, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and respiratory symptoms in patients with moderate‐to‐severe GORD.MethodsSixty‐nine GORD patients had methacholine inhalation challenge performed on them, and FEV1, exhaled NO and respiratory symptoms were measured at baseline, after a 3‐month treatment with esomeprazole and 3 months after fundoplication. Primary outcome variable was dose‐response slope (DRS), i.e. decline in FEV1 during methacholine challenge divided with the amount of methacholine administered (%/μmol). Pre‐defined subgroup analysis was performed among those with concomitant asthma (n = 12).ResultsThere was no improvement in DRS, FEV1 or exhaled NO after esomeprazole treatment or fundoplication. Cough and dyspnoea measured with visual analog scale improved with esomeprazole treatment (P < 0.001), and further after fundoplication (P < 0.001). Among those with concomitant asthma, significant improvements in St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores could be seen after fundoplication.ConclusionsNeither esomeprazole treatment nor fundoplication diminishes airway responsiveness or exhaled NO, or improves FEV1 in patients with GORD. Improvements in respiratory symptoms and SGRQ scores after GORD treatments could be detected. However, as this was not a placebo‐controlled study, the findings in these secondary endpoints should not be emphasised. ClinicalTrials.cov: NCT00994708.
The first steps towards unifying concepts in invasion ecology were made one hundred years ago: revisiting the work of the Swiss botanist Albert Thellung
Authors: Kowarik Ingo , Pyšek Petr 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimBiological invasions are a major threat to biodiversity, and The ecology of invasions by animals and plants by Charles Elton (1958) is often recognized as the starting point for modern invasion research. Yet there were predecessors in invasion research whose contribution to the development of ideas and concepts in this field is often underestimated. To contribute to a balanced perception of pioneers in invasion research, we retrace the work of the Swiss botanist Albert Thellung (1881–1928) whose main work, La flore adventice de Montpellier, appeared 100 years ago, in 1912, and illustrate how his ideas contributed to the current state of the art in the fields of invasion science and biogeography.LocationNone.MethodsWe discuss conceptual approaches in the invasion‐related work by Albert Thellung.ResultsThellung's early work covered topics that are still central to widely used invasion frameworks. He promoted concepts to classify alien species (degree of naturalization, introduction pathways and time period of introduction) and adopted these systematically at a regional scale in his alien flora of Montpellier, comprising 800 non‐native species. He introduced an exact population‐based definition of naturalization, with links to environmental barriers, and elaborated the first assessment of pathway efficiency by relating introduction modes to naturalization. With conceptual papers and a first review of human‐mediated plant introductions, Thellung stimulated further research on plant invasions as well as modern terminological frameworks for alien plants.Main conclusionsAlbert Thellung was an outstanding member of the group of pre‐Eltonian invasion scientists. He opened up focussed research in the field of alien plants in Europe, and his theoretical approaches were a powerful step towards unifying concepts in invasion ecology.
Measuring the international spreading of the knowledge produced by French dental master theses
Authors: Gillet D. , Bérard A. , Faivre O. , Sarrazy B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractWe estimated the international spreading of the knowledge produced by French dental master theses by searching for corresponding publications, either as articles in Medline‐indexed journals or abstracts of IADR meetings published in the Journal of Dental Research. From the 634 theses defended in 2010 in the 16 French odontology faculties, we found only one article, in a journal without impact factor, and six abstracts, over a 3‐year period (2009—2011). This corresponds to a spreading rate of 0.6%. The participation rate of French odontology faculties at IADR meetings varies from 37.5% to 81.3% depending on the year. Although there are very few studies available on the matter, it appears that this international spreading rate is much lower than both the one found by Nieminen for odontology in Finland (8.2%) and typical spreading rates of medical theses (from 6% to 41% depending on the country). This great discrepancy could be explained by the lack of specific training provided to the students; the low awareness and little engagement of the students themselves, usually more concerned with their own private practice work; and the inadequate involvement of their supervisors. To tackle the lack of appropriate training, we suggest that a specific course on scientific writing should be offered to the students in the last year of their dental master studies.
Clinical and preclinical validation of the serum free light chain assay: identification of the critical difference for optimized clinical use
Authors: Hansen Charlotte T. , Münster Anna‐Marie , Nielsen Lars , Pedersen Per , Abildgaard Niels 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe use of the assay for the measurements of free light chains in serum (sFLCs) is increasing. However, there are technical limitations that potentially affect the use in serial measurements. We need further knowledge on the standards of analytical precision, the utility of conventional population‐based reference values and the critical difference (CD) between serial results required for significance. To answer these questions, the biological variation must be known.MethodsWe determined the biological variation in healthy individuals and patients with plasma cell dyscrasia (PCD). We assessed the imprecision of the analysis in use from FreeLite™. We determined the reference interval (RI) in 170 healthy individuals.ResultsThe biological variation is identical for healthy individuals and patients with PCD. The imprecision of the sFLC analysis cannot fulfil the desirable performance standards for a laboratory test, but are within the manufacturer's ±20% variation for quality control samples. RI showed a significant increase for κ FLC and κ/λ ratio with age, but not for λ. Critical difference was calculated to be 24% and 23% for κ and λ, respectively.ConclusionsWe suggest the use of an age‐dependent RI. When monitoring patients with PCD, their own former results are the best reference, and knowledge on CD is a valuable tool, which we describe for the first time. Also, it challenges the recently proposed International Myeloma Working Group ‘paraprotein relapse criteria’, recommending an increase of more than 25% in the involved FLC to indicate the need for initiation of retreatment. We recommend revision of this criterion.
Nature versus nurture: does human skin maintain its stratum corneum lipid properties in vitro?
Authors: Thakoersing Varsha S. , Danso Mogbekeloluwa O. , Mulder Aat , Gooris Gerrit , El Ghalbzouri Abdoelwaheb , Bouwstra Joke A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractHuman skin equivalents (HSEs) mimic human skin closely, but show differences in their stratum corneum (SC) lipid properties. The aim of this study was to determine whether isolation of primary cells, which is needed to generate HSEs, influence the SC lipid properties of HSEs. For this purpose, we expanded explants of intact full thickness human skin and isolated epidermal sheets in vitro. We investigated whether their outgrowths maintain barrier properties of human skin. The results reveal that the outgrowths and human skin have a similar morphology and expression of several differentiation markers, except for an increased expression of keratin 16 and involucrin. The outgrowths show a decreased SC fatty acid content compared with human skin. Additionally, SC lipids of the outgrowths have a predominantly hexagonal packing, whereas human skin has the dense orthorhombic packing. Furthermore, the outgrowths have lipid lamellae with a slightly reduced periodicity compared with human skin. These results demonstrate that the outgrowths do not maintain all properties observed in human skin, indicating that changes in properties of HSEs are not caused by isolation of primary cells, but by culture conditions.
Intercellular pathway through hyaluronic acid inUVB‐induced inflammation
Authors: Hiramoto Keiichi , Kobayashi Hiromi , Yamate Yurika , Ishii Masamitsu , Sato Eisuke F. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractUltraviolet B (UVB) radiation induces inflammation in the skin specifically at the site of exposure. We unexpectedly found thatUVB‐induced inflammation was not induced in gp91phox‐depleted mice. To test whether gp91phox is directly involved inUVB‐induced inflammation, neutrophil‐ and hyaluronic acid–depleted mice were also irradiated and examined for their response. Hyaluronic acid–depleted mice showed strongly inhibitedUVB‐induced inflammation, but the neutrophil‐depleted mice did not exhibit any suppressedUVB‐induced inflammation. To elucidate the pathway by whichUVBirradiation induced inflammation, we examined the expression of nucleotide‐binding domain, leucine‐rich‐containing family, pyrin domain‐containing‐3 (NLRP3) and caspase‐1 in the mouse skin. An increase in the expression ofNLRP3 and caspase‐1 was seen following theUVBirradiation of C57BLmice; however, theUVB‐irradiated gp91phox‐knockout (gp91phox−/−) mice did not have this increase in expression. Furthermore, the plasmaIL‐1β level increased after theUVBirradiation in C57BLmice, but there was no change in the gp91phox−/−mice. These results clearly indicate that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase is activated by gp91phox, which is expressed on the surface in response to the increased expression of hyaluronic acid induced byUVBirradiation, and as result, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases. ThisROSactivateNLRP3, andNLRP3 leads to the production of caspase‐1, which subsequently increasesIL‐1β, thereby finally inducing inflammation. It is thought that this system may play an important role in the damage and ageing of skin, and further studies are necessary to confirm these finding.
Extracellular histones inhibit hair shaft elongation in cultured human hair follicles and promote regression of hair follicles in mice
Authors: Shin Seung Hyun , Joo Hyun Woo , Kim Moon Kyu , Kim Jung Chul , Sung Young Kwan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractRelease of histone H4 in rat vibrissa dermal papilla (DP) cells exposed to sub‐toxic dose of colchicines has been recently reported. In addition, exposure to histone H4 has been reported to result in inhibited proliferation and reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of cultured vibrissa DP cells. These findings prompted us to investigate the role of extracellular histones in hair growth using cultured human hair follicles and hair cycling using back skin of mice. We report here that exposure of cultured hair follicles to histone H4 and H2A resulted in significant inhibition of elongation of hair shafts, decreased expression of IGF‐1 and decreased expression and activity of ALP. Injection of histones into hypodermis of mice during anagen resulted in premature onset of catagen. Findings of the current study provide strong evidence suggesting the inhibitory role of extracellular histones in hair growth.
Climate‐diameter growth relationships of black spruce and jack pine trees in borealOntario,Canada
Authors: Subedi Nirmal , Sharma Mahadev 
Published: September 2012

AbstractTo predict the long‐term effects of climate change – global warming and changes in precipitation – on the diameter (radial) growth of jack pine (Pinus banksianaLamb.) and black spruce (Picea mariana[Mill.] B.S.P.) trees in borealOntario, we modified an existing diameter growth model to include climate variables. Diameter chronologies of 927 jack pine and 1173 black spruce trees, growing in the area from 47°N to 50°N and 80°W to 92°W, were used to develop diameter growth models in a nonlinear mixed‐effects approach. Our results showed that the variables long‐term average of mean growing season temperature, precipitation during wettest quarter, and total precipitation during growing season were significant (alpha = 0.05) in explaining variation in diameter growth of the sample trees. Model results indicated that higher temperatures during the growing season would increase the diameter growth of jack pine trees, but decrease that of black spruce trees. More precipitation during the wettest quarter would favor the diameter growth of both species. On the other hand, a wetter growing season, which may decrease radiation inputs, increase nutrient leaching, and reduce the decomposition rate, would reduce the diameter growth of both species. Moreover, our results indicated that future (2041–2070) diameter growth rate may differ from current (1971–2000) growth rates for both species, with conditions being more favorable for jack pine than black spruce trees. Expected future changes in the growth rate of boreal trees need to be considered in forest management decisions. We recommend that knowledge of climate–growth relationships, as represented by models, be combined with learning from adaptive management to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with forest management decisions.
Topical application of 1% chlorhexidine gel versus 0.2% mouthwash in the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis. An observational study
Authors: De Siena F , Francetti L , Corbella S , Taschieri S , Del Fabbro M 
Published: September 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the use of two chlorhexidine‐based antimicrobial agents as an adjunct to mechanical therapy for the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis.Materials and methodsThirty patients with peri‐implant mucositis were included in the study and randomized in two groups. In addition to mechanical therapy, group A was treated with chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwash, while group B was treated with chlorhexidine 1% gel. Probing depth, plaque index and bleeding index were recorded at each scheduled follow‐up visit: ten days, 1 month and 3 months after giving the patients the assigned formulation. Patients had to fill in a questionnaire investigating their satisfaction and ease of use of the product.ResultsA total of 23 patients (13 in group A and 10 in group B) attended all the follow‐up visits. Chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwash and chlorhexidine 1% gel were equally useful in the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis leading to the reduction in inflammatory parameters. Probing depth decreased over time in both groups. Patients showed preference for gel formulation even if they found it more difficult to use.ConclusionsAdjunctive treatment with different chlorhexidine formulations was beneficial to the treatment of peri‐implant mucositis. Besides, no differences could be found between 0.2% mouthwash and 1% gel.
Nurses’ attitudes towards physical activity care among older people
Authors: Wu Shu Chen , Wu Shiang‐Feng , Huang Hui‐Chi 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectives.  To understand nurses’ attitudes towards physical activity care for older people in long‐term care facilities.Background.  In long‐term care facilities, a common approach to daily physical activity is based on the identifiable portions of daily life during which the activity occurs. However, older people are at risk of falling when they perform daily physical activities. Nurses are the first‐line caregivers. What nurses’ think and do regarding older people’s participation in daily physical activities in long‐term care facilities is very important in terms of the clinical decision‐making regarding older people’s physical activity care.Design.  An exploratory qualitative design.Methods.  Twenty nurses with more than three years of clinical experience from 13 long‐term care facilities located in northern Taiwan were sampled purposively. Data were collected though semi‐structured interviews. The constant comparative data analysis method was used throughout the research.Results.  Five themes emerged from the data analysis: ‘recognising the importance of participation in daily physical activity’, ‘encouraging participation in physical activity’, ‘respecting the autonomy of the residents regarding participation in physical activity’, ‘preventing falls’ and ‘facing a dilemma’.Conclusions.  This study identifies that there is a conflict between the nurses’ perceptions of the residents’ daily physical activities, the risk of falls and encouraging greater independence. The majority of staff employed in long‐term care facilities is nursing personnel, and it is these nurses who have the most contact with the residents. It is therefore believed that nurses can make the greatest difference to the residents’ lives and support the quality of care if they can resolve this conflict.Relevance to clinical practice.  The results suggest the need to increase the nurses’ knowledge base regarding the benefits of physical activity and also highlight the potentially adverse effect of restraint usage by nurses.