bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radial transport of salt and water in roots of the common reed (Phragmites australis Trin. ex Steudel)
Authors: FRITZ MICHAEL , EHWALD RUDOLF 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTo understand the root function in salt tolerance, radial salt and water transport were studied using reed plants growing in brackish habitat water with an osmotic pressure (πM) of 0.63 MPa. Roots bathed in this medium exuded a xylem sap with NaCl as the major osmolyte and did so even at higher salt concentration (πM up to 1.3 MPa). Exudation was stopped after a small increase of πM (0.26 MPa) using polyethylene glycol 600 as osmolyte. The endodermis of fine lateral roots was found to be the main barrier to radial solute diffusion on an apoplastic path. Apoplastic salt transfer was proven by rapid replacement of stelar Na+ by Li+ in an isomolar LiCl medium. Water fluxes did not exert a true solvent drag on NaCl. Xylem sap concentrations of NaCl in basal internodes of transpiring culms were more than five times higher than in medial and upper ones. It was concluded that the radial NaCl flux was mainly diffusion through the apoplast, and radial water transport, because of the resistance of the cell wall matrix to convective mass flow, was confined to the symplast. Radial salt permeation in roots reduced the water stress exerted by the brackish medium.
Dermoid Cysts: A Report of 75 Pediatric Patients
Authors: Orozco‐Covarrubias Luz , Lara‐Carpio Raquel , Saez‐De‐Ocariz Marimar , Duran‐Mckinster Carola , Palacios‐Lopez Carolina , Ruiz‐Maldonado Ramon 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDermoid cysts (DCs) are benign cutaneous tumors that tend to persist and grow. The aim of this study was to examine the clinicopathologic features of congenital DCs. We present a case series of 75 children with a clinicopathologic diagnosis of DC. Seventy‐two cysts were located on the head, one on the neck, and two on the trunk. Six cysts were located along the midline. Eight patients had symptoms other than changes in cyst size. Imaging studies were performed on 15 patients. Surgical excision was the primary treatment in all 75 cases. Neurosurgery and ophthalmology services were involved in the care of some patients. Histopathologic studies reported a foreign body giant cell reaction in 17 of the cysts. No recurrence was documented. DCs can remain stable for years, but they can become symptomatic as a result of enlargement and rupture or, more rarely, as a result of extension into surrounding tissues. Physicians should be aware that certain locations have a higher risk of DC extension, and adequate diagnostic investigations should be performed before their complete resection.
Cutaneous Fistula Due to Pulmonary Actinomycosis in a Mapuche Girl
Authors: Briceño Gaston , Guzman Pablo , Schafer Fabiola 
Published: March 2013

AbstractActinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Gram‐positive anaerobic bacteria of the genus Actinomyces. Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare infection in children, and its extension into the chest wall is infrequently reported. We report a case of pulmonary actinomycosis in a 14‐year‐old girl of Mapuche descent who presented with chronic respiratory symptoms and multiple discharging skin sinuses on her right lower chest wall. The diagnosis was made by skin biopsy, which showed sulfur granules with actinomyces colonies. She was successfully treated with intravenous ceftriaxone and penicillin G for 6 weeks, followed by oral amoxicillin for 6 months.
Concealing negative evaluations of a romantic partner's physical attractiveness
Authors: LEMAY EDWARD P. , BECHIS MARGARITE A. , MARTIN JESSAMINE , NEAL ANGELA M. , COYNE CHRISTINE 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTwo studies provided evidence that people hide their negative evaluations of their romantic partner's physical attractiveness. This pattern was found using self‐reports of concealment (Study 1) and a behavioral observation measure (Study 2). Participants who engaged in this deception also exhibited elevated speech disfluencies, which is a deception cue. Moderators of concealment were examined. Concealment was especially pronounced for participants high in care for the partner's welfare (Studies 1 and 2), low in commitment (Studies 1 and 2), and high in attractiveness ideals (Study 2). Results suggest that people use deception to regulate their romantic partner's feelings, but that long‐term orientation or desire to maintain closeness may curtail use of this strategy.
Kierkegaard and Recent Continental Philosophy of Religion
Authors: Tilley Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe place and significance of religious community is a central concern in recent continental philosophy of religion. Although Kierkegaard is a significant influence for many recent continental philosophers of religion, recent work on his social thought is largely ignored. I begin the paper by describing how recent continental philosophers of religion, in particular John Caputo, John Milbank, and Jürgen Habermas, have used Kierkegaard in order to address social questions. Then I show how recent work on Kierkegaard’s social thought – namely, his social ontology and his account of community – that can enrich discussion in recent continental philosophy of religion about the nature of religious community.
A Weeping on the Road to Bethlehem: Contestation over the Uses of Rachel’s Tomb
Authors: Bowman Glenn 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper examines the case of Rachel’s Tomb, a shrine revered at various times by various combinations of Muslims, Christians and Jews, looking at how the increasingly incommensurate ideas of local inhabitants and immigrant Jews about how the holy place should be approached led initially to a spatial separation within the shrine and then to violent, and exclusive, battles over sectarian (and increasingly ‘national’) properties.
Medication use in Indian children with asthma: The user's perspective
Authors: Grover Charu , Goel Nitin , Chugh Krishan , Gaur Shailendra Nath , Armour Carol , van Asperen Peter Paul , Moles Rebekah Jane , Saini Bandana 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackground and objectiveDespite the high prevalence of asthma in children, there has been limited research into patient perception of medication use, particularly in the developing world. This study therefore aimed to carry out an in‐depth exploration of the views of carers and children with asthma on asthma medication use.MethodsGrounded theory approach was used to conduct semistructured qualitative interviews in a purposive convenience sample of parents and children with asthma. The participants were recruited from two specialty hospitals in New Delhi, India. Interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.ResultsTwenty children (7–12 years old) with asthma and their parent or carer were interviewed in July 2011. Major reported issues included poor parent and child understanding of disease and medications. Fears, misinformed beliefs and lack of self‐management skills were apparent. Child self‐image, resistance to medication use and lack of responsibility in medication taking were themes that emerged from child interviews.ConclusionsThis is one of the first research studies exploring the viewpoint of children with asthma about their medications. Resource constraints dictate a pragmatic paternalistic approach by physicians which, in contrast to patients in westernized nations, seems to be acceptable and satisfactory to Indian patients (carers).
IL‐1β/HMGB1 Complexes Promote The PGE2 Biosynthesis Pathway in Synovial Fibroblasts
Authors: Leclerc P. , Wähämaa H. , Idborg H. , Jakobsson P. J. , Harris H. E. , Korotkova M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPGE2 is a potent lipid mediator of pain and oedema found elevated in RA. Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase‐1 (mPGES‐1) is a terminal enzyme of the PGE2 pathway inducible by proinflammatory cytokines. mPGES‐1 is markedly upregulated in RA synovial tissue despite antirheumatic treatments, suggesting that multiple inflammatory stimuli contribute to its induction. High‐mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) is known to induce inflammation both by direct interaction with TLR4 and by enhancement of other proinflammatory molecules signalling, through complex formation. The high expression of extracellular HMGB1 within the inflamed synovium, implies its pro‐arthritogenic role in RA. We aimed to investigate the effects of IL‐1β/HMGB1 complexes on mPGES‐1 and other enzymes of the PGE2 pathway in synovial fibroblasts (SFs) from patients with arthritis. Furthermore, we studied the effect of COX‐2 inhibition and IL‐1RI antagonism on prostanoid and cytokine production by SFs. Stimulation of SFs with HMGB1 in complex with suboptimal amounts of IL‐1β significantly increased mPGES‐1 and COX‐2 expressions as well as PGE2 production, as compared to treatment with HMGB1 or IL‐1β alone. Furthermore, NS‐398 reduced the production of IL‐6 and IL‐8, thus indicating that IL‐1β/HMGB1 complexes modulate cytokine production in part through prostanoid synthesis. Treatment with IL‐1RA completely abolished the induced PGE2 and cytokine production, suggesting an effect mediated through IL‐1RI. IL‐1β/HMGB1 complexes promote the induction of mPGES‐1, COX‐2 and PGE2 in SF. The amplification of the PGE2 biosynthesis pathway by HMGB1 might constitute an important pathogenic mechanism perpetuating inflammatory and destructive activities in rheumatoid arthritis.
Effect of Branched α‐Oligomannoside Structures on Induction of Anti‐Candida Humoral Immune Response
Authors: Paulovičová L. , Paulovičová E. , Karelin A. A. , Tsvetkov Y. E. , Nifantiev N. E. , Bystrický S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSeveral studies have established the potential efficacy of humoral immunity, primarily mannan‐specific antibodies, in host protection against major fungal pathogen Candida albicans. In this study, we analysed humoral immune response induced by immunization with BSA‐based conjugates bearing synthetic α‐1,6‐branched oligomannosides (pentamannosides (M5) or hexamannosides (M6)) mimicking antigenic sequences of Candida cell wall mannan. We analysed the ability of antibodies prepared by immunization to recognize relevant antigenic determinants in mannan polysaccharide structure and in C. albicans yeast and hyphal morphoforms. M6‐BSA conjugate induced markedly higher levels of mannan‐specific IgG compared with M5‐BSA conjugate. In contrast to M5‐BSA conjugate, M6‐BSA conjugate induced immunoglobulin isotype class switch from IgM to IgG, as revealed also from ELISPOT analysis. Immunization‐induced antibodies showed higher reactivity with hyphal form of C. albicans cells. The reduced immunogenicity of M5‐BSA conjugate seems to be related to branching point location at terminal non‐reducing end in comparison with M6‐BSA oligomannoside with branching point at non‐terminal location. Candidacidal activity assay revealed different capacity of sera prepared by immunization with M5‐BSA and M6‐BSA conjugates to improve candidacidal activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Limited capacity of α‐1,6‐branched oligomannoside – BSA conjugates to induce antibodies significantly enhancing candidacidal activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes – was presumably related to absence of antibodies with strong reactivity to corresponding antigenic determinants in natural cell wall mannan and with reduced ability to activate complement. The study documented markedly structure‐dependent immunogenicity and limited capacity of branched α‐mannooligosides conjugates to induce production of potentially protective antibodies.
Diagnostic Yield of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP‐70) and Anti‐HSP‐70 in Behcet‐Induced Uveitis
Authors: Sahebari M. , Hashemzadeh K. , Mahmoudi M. , Saremi Z. , Mirfeizi Z. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHeat shock proteins (HSPs) are intracellular proteins with pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory actions, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD). Diagnosis of BD uveitis in early stages is still problematic, thus this study was undertaken to determine diagnostic values of serum HSP‐ and anti‐HSP‐70 in BD uveitis. Serum levels of HSP‐ and anti‐HSP‐70 were measured in 53 patients with BD (26 with and 27 without uveitis). In control group, 25 age‐ and sex‐matched idiopathic uveitis patients were enrolled consecutively. Both groups had no medical problems save uveitis at the time of sampling. Confounders like medications were analysed subsequently. HSP‐ and anti‐HSP‐70 values were measured by commercial ELISA kits. Data were analysed by spss 11.5 and medcalc 11.5.1 software. The Mean HSP‐70 serum levels were different among aforementioned subgroups (P = 0.001, anova). They were elevated in BD uveitis compared with BD without uveitis (4.84 ± 4.21 versus 2.24 ± 2.08 ng/ml; P = 0.045). HSP‐70 in sera of BD uveitis was also higher than that parameter in patients with idiopathic uveitis (4.84 ± 4.21 versus 2.37 ± 3.30 ng/ml; P = 0.001; cut‐off point value 1.0 9 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.61–0.86, P = 0.0002, ß = 0.06). However, there was not any statistical difference among those groups in the serum anti‐HSP‐70 levels (P = 0.63, anova). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that among different confounders, only prednisolone increases and BD uveitis decreases HSP‐70 levels independently. This prospective cross‐sectional study suggested that HSP‐70 serum level is impressed over the course of BD uveitis, and it could be utilized to diagnose or predict developing it.
Pectic Polysaccharides Isolated from Malian Medicinal Plants Protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae in a Mouse Pneumococcal Infection Model
Authors: Inngjerdingen K. T. , Langerud B. K. , Rasmussen H. , Olsen T. K. , Austarheim I. , Grønhaug T. E. , Aaberge I. S. , Diallo D. , Paulsen B. S. , Michaelsen T. E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the pectic polysaccharides BP‐II, Oc50A1.I.A and CC1P1 isolated from the Malian medicinal plants Biophytum petersianum, Opilia celtidifolia and Cola cordifolia, respectively, were able to protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in mice. The pectin preparations were administered intraperitoneally 3 h before challenge with S. pneumoniae serotype 6B. Blood samples were obtained from all animals before and at 3 h, 24 h and 72 h after challenge with the pneumococci. The number of bacteria in blood was recorded and the blood concentration of a range of cytokines measured. The pretreatment with BP‐II, Oc50A1.I.A and CC1P1 demonstrated a protective activity against S. pneumoniae serotype 6B infection, albeit at different range of concentrations. The pectins showed no direct antibacterial effects towards S. pneumonia; however, they induced the production of a range of cytokines and chemokines. We have previously shown that BP‐II, Oc50A1.I.A and CC1P1 exhibit complement fixation activity and also that BP‐II and Oc50A1.I.A stimulate macrophages to produce NO. The observed clinical effect might therefore be linked to the ability of the pectic polysaccharides to stimulate the innate immune system.
Patient‐Specific Finite Element Modelling and Validation of Porcine Femora in Torsion
Authors: Emerson Nicholas J. , Offiah Amaka C. , Reilly Gwendolen C. , Carré Matt J. 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTThe accuracy of biomechanical simulation has been improved by using high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) to define the geometry and material parameters. This technique has been used to assess numerous systems, including the mechanical properties of bone, fixation techniques post‐fracture and the performance of bone microarchitecture. In this study, a semi‐automated process for converting CT data into finite element (FE) models was used to model the mid‐shaft (diaphysis) of porcine femoral samples under sub‐maximal torsional and compressive load. Physical validation was undertaken to investigate if the all‐important geometry and material property mapping functioned correctly. Porcine femoral specimens were imaged using contiguous helical CT, which was converted to FE models using ScanIP from Simpleware, Exeter, UK. The heterogeneous material properties were estimated using density–elasticity relationships proposed in literature for human bone samples. Laboratory testing performed favourably, with a linear strain response validating the use of the array of linear material models used in simulation. The simulation procedure also performed well. Linear regression and mean error calculation demonstrated accurate correlation between predicted (from simulation) and observed (measured within the laboratory) results that offered improvement over the accuracy within comparative testing for human samples. Using FE modelling on a patient‐specific basis offers potential in a number of scenarios, including the determination of injury risk and design of protective equipment. The increased accessibility of animal samples allows large‐scale fracture testing of complex loading mechanisms and the potential to consider younger animal samples (to investigate the behaviour of developing bone). Spiral fractures of long bones have been demonstrated to be an indicator of non‐accidental injury in children. Combining the increased accuracy in torsional simulation in this study with younger sample testing may be employed to attempt to determine the causes of fracture from post fracture scans, aiding in the diagnosis of non‐accidental injury.
Caveats on tomographic images
Authors: Foulger Gillian R. , Panza Giuliano F. , Artemieva Irina M. , Bastow Ian D. , Cammarano Fabio , Evans John R. , Hamilton Warren B. , Julian Bruce R. , Lustrino Michele , Thybo Hans , Yanovskaya Tatiana B. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractGeological and geodynamic models of the mantle often rely on joint interpretations of published seismic tomography images and petrological/geochemical data. This approach tends to neglect the fundamental limitations of, and uncertainties in, seismic tomography results. These limitations and uncertainties involve theory, correcting for the crust, the lack of rays throughout much of the mantle, the difficulty in obtaining the true strength of anomalies, choice of what background model to subtract to reveal anomalies, and what cross‐sections to select for publication. The aim of this review is to provide a relatively non‐technical summary of the most important of these problems, collected together in a single paper, and presented in a form accessible to non‐seismologists. Appreciation of these issues is essential if final geodynamic models are to be robust, and required by the scientific observations.
Medico‐social pathways of obstetric fistula patients in Mali and Niger: an 18‐month cohort follow‐up
Authors: Maulet Nathalie , Keita Mahamoudou , Macq Jean 
Published: March 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo gain understanding of care pathways and induced mobility patterns of obstetric fistula patients in French‐speaking West African fistula repair centres.MethodsWe followed prospectively during 18 months a cohort of obstetric fistula patients in Mali and Niger (2008–2009). 120 patients were recruited at different stages of their care process in 5 reference fistula repair centres. Follow‐up was carried out in repair centres and communities. Quantitative data were collected through close‐ended questionnaires at three time points. Medico‐social pathways were explored through a longitudinal analysis focusing on six indicators: fistula duration, care process duration, patients' mobility, marital status, number of surgeries and continence status.ResultsPatients' pathways were characterised by their length: fistula duration (median 4 years), care process duration (median 2.7 years), aggregated time spent in repair centres during study (median 7 months). Patients developed four mobility patterns (homebound, itinerant, institutionalised and urbanised). Adverse marital status change continued over time. Sample stratification according to number of previous surgeries revealed differences in care process duration and outcome: 23/31 new cases (≤1 surgery) gained continence with a mean of 1.5 surgeries in a median of 0.6 year while only 17/78 old cases (≥2 surgeries) became continent with a mean of 4 surgeries in a median time of 4.9 years.ConclusionThe quest for continence does not end with admission to a fistula repair centre. Analysing fistula care experience across time within the varying settings highlights the twofold population and mixed medico‐social outcomes that should prompt new development in obstetric fistula care management and research.
Subglobal Climate Agreements and Energy‐intensive Activities: An Evaluation of Carbon Leakage in the Copper Industry
Authors: Lanz Bruno , Rutherford Thomas F. , Tilton John E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSubglobal climate policies induce changes in international competitiveness and favour a relocation of carbon‐emitting activities to nonabating regions. In this paper, we evaluate the potential for CO abatement and the emissions ‘leakage’ effect in the copper industry, a prominent energy‐intensive trade‐exposed sector. We formulate a plant‐level spatial equilibrium model for copper commodities in which parameters describing the behavioural response of agents are calibrated to a set of estimated price elasticities. We find producers and consumers to be price inelastic even in the long run, making the copper industry unresponsive to climate policies. Monte Carlo simulations with our model based on statistical uncertainty on elasticity estimates suggest that around 30 per cent of emissions reductions in industrialised countries would be compensated by an increase of emissions in nonabating countries.
The Direct Contribution of FDI to Productivity Growth in Britain, 1997–2008
Authors: Harris Richard , Moffat John 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper considers the contribution of foreign‐owned plants and firms to aggregate total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Britain for 1997–2008 using data from the Annual Respondents' Database. The contribution of different sub‐groups is further decomposed to show the role of continuing plants vis‐à‐vis reallocations in output shares. TFP is calculated using system GMM estimation. Taking into account the smaller initial size of the foreign‐owned sector in 1997, foreign‐owned plants contributed relatively more to aggregate productivity growth than UK‐owned plants over the period. This strong performance is mostly the result of reallocations of output shares towards high productivity continuing plants and the opening of high productivity plants.
Estimating the Impact of Currency Unions on Trade: Solving the Glick and Rose Puzzle
Authors: Campbell Douglas L. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractDoes leaving a currency union reduce international trade? This paper uses a historical approach to re‐examine the puzzling large apparent impact of currency unions on trade. I find that the early time series estimates were driven by the gradual decaying of colonial trade ties and other major geopolitical factors, including warfare, communist takeovers and ethnic cleansing episodes. My methodology, which carries lessons for other uses of gravity equations in policy analysis, yields point estimates of currency unions on trade that are not statistically distinct from zero.
What Determines Export Diversification in the Development Process? Empirical Assessment
Authors: Parteka Aleksandra , Tamberi Massimo 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper assesses the role played by country‐specific factors as determinants of relative export diversification. Using a panel data set for 60 countries and 20 years (1985–2004), we confirm that even after clearing out differences in income per capita, cross‐country variability in the degree of export diversification is significant. In general, apart from per capita income, features influencing the size of accessible markets (domestic and foreign) are the most relevant and robust determinants of the export diversification process. Diversification opportunities grow if countries are large and not located far from economic core areas and when barriers to trade are restricted.