bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Floral display and effects of natural and artificial pollination on fruiting and seed yield of the tropical biofuel crop Jatropha curcas L.
Authors: Negussie Aklilu , Achten Wouter M. J. , Verboven Hans A. F. , Hermy Martin , Muys Bart 
Published: April 2013

AbstractJatropha curcas L. is a tropical tree grown on large scale as a potential biofuel seed crop. However, little information on the reproductive ecology of the species is available. This lack of knowledge makes it hard to predict yield. The higher number of male flowers than female flowers results in a very low yield. In this context, field experiments were conducted in mature (site 1) and young (site 2) plantations in Zambia and mature plantation (site 3) in Malawi to study flowering characteristics and the effect of pollination methods on the fruiting and seed yield of J. curcas. Pollination treatments were open pollination, autogamous pollination, self‐pollination, cross‐pollination and pollen supplemented open pollination. The result showed J. curcas is not only of protandrous nature as reported earlier. The male female flower sex ratio was 17 : 1, 22 : 1 and 10 : 1, respectively, for site 1 and 2 in Zambia and site 3 in Malawi. The mean flower longevity periods were 1.80 ± 0.07 days for male and 4.5 ± 0.18 days for female. Fewer fruit set and seed yield were recorded from autogamous pollination in Zambia sites. In the case of Malawi, more matured fruits resulted from autogamous pollination but the fruits contained fewer seeds. High fruit and seed yield were recorded for open pollination similar to pollen‐supplemented pollination at Zambia sites, which indicates there was no pollen limitation in these sites. In the Malawi site there was no seed yield difference between pollination treatments. The experiment showed that J. curcas can be both protandrous and protogynous and able to produce seeds through both self‐and cross‐pollination. The natural fruit set and seed yield indicates that stimulating natural pollination will improve J. curcas fruit set and seed yield.
Product‐dependent anti‐factor VIII antibodies
Authors: Butenas S. , Krudysz‐Amblo J. , Rivard G. E. , G Mann K. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe development of anti‐factor (F)VIII antibodies in haemophilia A (HA) subjects undergoing replacement therapy has been well documented. The correlation between antibody development and the FVIII product used for replacement therapy remains a subject of discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti‐FVIII antibodies towards three commercial rFVIII products in 34 HA subjects’ plasmas. Antibodies were quantitated by a Multiplex Fluorescence Immunoassay. All plasmas contained anti‐FVIII antibodies at variable concentrations ranging from 50 nm to 570 μm. Eleven of the 20 HA subjects treated with one (r)FVIII product contained inhibitory anti‐FVIII antibodies (0.8‐3584 BU). The inhibitory antibody titre and the molar concentrations of total antibody were mildly correlated (r2 = 0.6). Pronounced differences in antibody recognition with the three rFVIII products were observed. For the group treated with Product ‘A’, the titre towards this product was 2.4‐fold higher than that observed with another full‐length rFVIII‐containing product (Product ‘B’) and almost four‐fold higher than that measured with a B domain‐less rFVIII product (Product ‘C’). For the group of 14 HA subjects treated with FVIII other than Product ‘A’, only one showed higher antibody titre when measured with this product. Our data suggest that the development of anti‐FVIII antibodies is biased towards the product used for treatment and that a significant fraction of antibodies bind to the B domain of FVIII.
Real‐world outcomes with recombinant factor VIIa treatment of acute bleeds in haemophilia patients with inhibitors: results from the international ONE registry
Authors: Chambost H. , Santagostino E. , Laffan M. , Kavakli K. ,   The ONE Registry Steering Committee on behalf of the investigators
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe ONE Registry (OR) was an international prospective observational study of on‐demand recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) treatment for mild to moderate bleeds in haemophilia A/B patients with inhibitors. To describe real‐world use of single and multi dose rFVIIa and to compare outcomes, including effectiveness, safety, quality of life and treatment satisfaction associated with treatment. Baseline data included demographics, treatment, medical and bleed history and patient/caregiver‐reported outcomes regarding bleeds. rFVIIa was prescribed according to routine practice; regimens varied and initial dose was categorized as low (LD, ≤120 μg kg−1), intermediate (ID, >120 and <250 μg kg−1) or high (HD, ≥250 μg kg−1). OR included 102 patients and 85 (83%) reported 494 bleeds overall. Mean age was 23 years (SD 16.4), with 52% ≥18 years. Majority of bleeds (n = 350, 71%) involved ≥1 joints; 46% involved a target joint. Median initial dose was 90 μg kg−1 in LD (range 87–120, n = 156), 174 μg kg−1 in ID, (range 121–249, n = 127) and 270 μg kg−1 in HD, (range 250–375, n = 211). For spontaneous bleeds, effective haemostasis rate at 9 h was 63% LD, 60% ID and 56% HD. Rates of combined partially effective/effective haemostasis was 85% LD, 96% ID and 86% HD. Median number of doses in HD was one (range 1–7), compared with two in LD (range 1–17) and ID (range 1–23). No thromboembolic events were reported in 1145 doses given. These observational data in real life are consistent with previous studies which have shown similar overall effectiveness of rFVIIa and similar effectiveness and safety across different patterns of standard initial dosing.
Association between dental infections and the clinical course of chronic liver disease
Authors: Åberg Fredrik , Helenius‐Hietala Jaana , Meurman Jukka , Isoniemi Helena 
Published: April 2013

AimDental infections are implicated in several systemic diseases due to bacteremia and pro‐inflammatory effects, but their possible role in liver disease is unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of liver disease in relation to dental health among 116 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent dental examination before liver transplantation.ResultsThe need for multiple tooth extractions, a surrogate marker of dental infections, was associated with reduced time from diagnosis of liver disease to the need for liver transplantation (P = 0.02). The association was independent of age, sex, liver disease etiology and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (P = 0.04). Among 38 patients with accurate laboratory follow‐up data, the number of tooth extractions correlated with the change in MELD score during the year preceding dental examination (r = 0.43, P = 0.03). Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Streptococcus viridans occurred only among patients with multiple dental infections.ConclusionDental infections may influence the clinical course of liver disease, but prospective studies are needed.
Coexpression of organic anion‐transporting polypeptides 1B3 and multidrug‐resistant proteins 2 increases the enhancement effect of gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid on hepatocellular carcinoma in magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kimura Yoshihide , Sato Shinya , Hitomi Eiichi , Ohyama Makoto , Adachi Kazunori , Inagaki Yusuke , Yamakawa Yoshihiro , Hirano Atsuyuki , Kawai Hiroki , Tsuchida Kenji , Senoo Kyouji , Katsumi Kohei , Joh Takashi 
Published: April 2013

AimWe aimed to elucidate the relationship between the contrast enhancement effect of gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and the expressions of hepatocyte transporters (i.e. organic anion‐transporting polypeptide [OATP]1B3, multidrug‐resistant protein [MRP]2 and MRP3) and to clarify the characteristics of HCC with an MRI high‐contrast enhancement effect.MethodsWe retrospectively examined the relationship between the relative enhancement ratio (RER) of HCC, absolute and relative immunohistochemical staining scores of hepatocyte transporters, and histological differentiation of 22 HCC from 21 patients who had undergone preoperative Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI.ResultsRER had a significant correlation with OATP1B3 expression according to the absolute and relative scores (P = 0.016 vs 0.0006). The RER of HCC with high OATP1B3 and MRP2 expression levels was higher than that of HCC with low OATP1B3 or MRP2 expression levels (P = 0.0003). The RER of HCC with higher OATP1B3 rates was greater than that of HCC with lower OATP1B3 rates (P = 0.0005). HCC histological differentiation showed a significant correlation with OATP1B3 expression and RER (P = 0.023 vs 0.0095).ConclusionWe found that coexpression of OATP1B3 and MRP2 influenced the high contrast enhancement of HCC on MRI.
Stewart‐Bluefarb syndrome: review of the literature and case report of chronic ulcer treatment with heparan sulphate (Cacipliq20®)
Authors: Hayek Shady , Atiyeh Bishara , Zgheib Elias 
Published: April 2013

AbstractStewart‐Bluefarb syndrome (SBS), also known as acroangiodermatitis or pseudo‐Kaposi, is a condition rarely encountered. It involves skin lesions that are clinically similar to Kaposi sarcoma but are histologically different, and are usually secondary to an underlying arteriovenous fistula. Treatment of this disease usually involves the correction of the underlying vascular abnormality, with the mainstay of therapy ranging from compression devices for venous stasis, limited oral medications (dapsone and erythromycin) and local wound care including topical steroids. Different methods of treatment showed varied success but none is ideal. We report a case of a lower extremity ulcer in a 22‐year‐old male recently diagnosed with SBS successfully treated with heparan sulphate (Cacipliq20®).
Doxycycline speeds up healing of chronic venous ulcers
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Gallelli Luca , Buffone Gianluca , Molinari Vincenzo , Stillitano Domenico M , Palmieri Camillo , de Franciscis Stefano 
Published: April 2013

AbstractVenous ulcers are common, with an overall prevalence of up to 2% in the general population of western countries, and have significant socioeconomic impact. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the alteration of extracellular matrix that could lead to venous ulceration. Sixty‐four patients with venous ulcers were recruited in a 22‐month period. All patients were subjected to the most appropriate treatment considering also the patient's wishes (compression therapy followed or not by vein surgery). Patients were randomised into two groups of 32 persons in each (groups A and B). Patients of group A in addition to the basic treatment, described above, received the administration of oral low doses of doxycycline 20 mg b.i.d. for 3 months, whereas patients of group B received basic treatment only. Healing was assessed by means of direct ulcer tracing with computerised planimetry. Group A showed a higher healing rate compared with group B. In group B, the lower healing rate was related to higher levels of MMP‐9; neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin and vascular endothelial growth factor, documented in plasma; wound fluid and biopsies executed and compared between both groups. Pharmacological treatments, as doxycycline administration, which by means of its immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory actions, through the inhibition of MMP, could improve extracellular matrix functioning and represent a possible solution to support wound healing.
Skin diseases among schoolchildren in Ghana, Gabon, and Rwanda
Authors: Hogewoning Arjan , Amoah Abena , Bavinck Jan Nico Bouwes , Boakye Daniel , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , Adegnika Akim , De Smedt Stefan , Fonteyne Yannick , Willemze Rein , Lavrijsen Adriana 
Published: April 2013

AbstractObjectivesSkin diseases, especially skin infections, among schoolchildren in Africa can be a major health problem. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalences of skin diseases among children in rural and urban schools in three different African countries and to study the influence of socioeconomic level.MethodsCross‐sectional, population‐based studies were performed in Ghana, Gabon, and Rwanda. Point prevalences of skin diseases were estimated on the basis of physical examination by at least one dermatologist.ResultsA total of 4839 schoolchildren were seen. The overall prevalence of schoolchildren with any skin disease was high and amounted to 34.6% and 42.0% in two Ghanaian studies, 45.8% in Gabon, and 26.7% in Rwanda. In children with skin diseases, skin infections represented the greatest proportion of disease, accounting for 14.7% and 17.6% of skin disease in the Ghanaian studies, and 27.7% and 22.7% in Gabon and Rwanda, respectively. Diseases with the highest prevalence were tinea capitis and bacterial skin infections, especially in rural areas and in schools serving children living at lower socioeconomic levels.ConclusionsThe prevalences of skin diseases among African schoolchildren were high. Skin infections such as tinea capitis and pyoderma predominated.
Acceptability of contingency management among clinicians and clients within a co‐occurring mental health and substance use treatment program
Authors: Srebnik Debra , Sugar Andrea , Coblentz Patrick , McDonell Michael G. , Angelo Frank , Lowe Jessica M. , Ries Richard K. , Roll John 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundEmerging evidence supports the effectiveness of contingency management (CM) for addictions treatment among individuals with co‐occurring serious mental illness (SMI). Addiction treatment for people with SMI generally occurs within community mental health centers (CMHCs) and it is not known whether CM is acceptable within this context. Client views regarding CM are also unknown.ObjectivesThis study is the first to describe CM acceptability among CMHC clinicians, and the first to explore client views. Clinician‐level predictors of CM acceptability are also examined.MethodsThis study examined views about CM among 80 clinicians and 29 clients within a CMHC within the context of a concurrent CM study.ResultsThree‐quarters of clinicians reported they would use CM if funding were available. Clinicians and clients affirmed that incentives enhance abstinence motivation. Clinician CM acceptability was related to greater years of experience, and identifying as an addictions or co‐occurring disorders counselor, more than a mental health clinician.ConclusionsThe findings provide preliminary evidence that CMHC clinicians, serving clients with addictions and complicating SMI, and client participants in CM, view CM as motivating and a positive tool to facilitate recovery.Scientific SignificanceAs an evidence‐based intervention, CM warrants further efforts toward funding and dissemination in CMHCs. (Am J Addict 2013;22:432–436)
The Sound of Barking Dogs: Meister Eckhart & Saint Thomas Aquinas
Authors: Demkovich Michael 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA defining moment for the Dominican Order was its defense of Thomas Aquinas. The General Chapters of Paris in 1286 and Saragossa in 1309 legislated that all friars promote and defend Thomas’ teachings. Surprisingly, however, little has been written of the contributions of Meister Eckhart to this critical debate. Eckhart was a renowned preacher, master of Paris, provincial of Saxony (1303–1311), and vicar for three master generals. This lecture will offer a brief survey of the controversy, exploring the values Dominicans found in Aquinas’ thought, and consider Eckhart's use of Aquinas. Finally I will indicate some themes in this debate that I believe are still valuable in contemporary Dominican studies.
Revenant clades in historical biogeography: the geology of New Zealand predisposes endemic clades to root age shifts
Authors: Sharma Prashant P. , Wheeler Ward C. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimOur aim was to elucidate the effect of mass extinctions on inferred crown ages of terrestrial clades endemic to ancient islands. We thereby assessed the potential for mass extinction events, such as the Zealandian marine incursion episode in the Oligocene, to skew the interpretation of the evolutionary history of clades of various sizes.LocationSimulation study focusing on New Zealand.MethodsClades of various sizes were simulated under a birth–death model with variable parameters for diversification, invoking a prolonged extinction event, using the R packageTreeSim. We measured the scaled root shiftJbetween actual (i.e. first cladogenetic event) and inferred (i.e. most recent common ancestor of extant taxa) clade divergence times in simulated phylogenies incurred by extinction processes.ResultsA pulse of extinction followed by a prolonged period of low cladogenetic potential – modelled after the geological history of Zealandia in the Oligocene – produced large root shifts in clades of all sizes. Small clades with high net diversification rates were especially prone to belying pre‐Oligocene history. In simulations invoking mass extinctions wherein a pre‐extinction root was retained, phylogenies of extant taxa were characterized by anti‐sigmoidal log lineage‐through‐time plots that mimicked an upturn in diversification rate after the extinction period.Main conclusionsNon‐selective mass extinctions can engender large discrepancies in actual and inferred root ages, particularly in small, old clades. The evolutionary histories of lineages that survive mass extinctions are difficult to distinguish from scenarios of rapid radiation. This outcome challenges previous interpretations of post‐Oligocene crown ages for clades endemic to New Zealand as sufficient evidence for rejecting a pre‐Oligocene evolutionary history. As a corollary, our results suggest that the extant size of a particular clade is the foremost indicator of its potential for historical biogeographical inference. We therefore review the hypothesis of the total submersion of Zealandia, highlighting empirical cases of lineages with demonstrable pre‐Oligocene history that refute the hypothesis of total submersion.
Ecological Differentiation of Cryptic Species within an Asexual Protist Morphospecies: A Case Study of Filamentous Green Alga Klebsormidium (Streptophyta)
Authors: Škaloud Pavel , Rindi Fabio 
Published: April 2013

AbstractTaxa of microbial eukaryotes defined on morphological basis display a large degree of genetic diversity, implying the existence of numerous cryptic species. However, it has been postulated that genetic diversity merely mirrors accumulation of neutral mutations. As a case taxon to study cryptic diversity in protists, we used a widely distributed filamentous genus, Klebsormidium, specifically the lineage E (K. flaccidum/K. nitens complex) containing a number of morphologically similar strains. Fourteen clades were recognized in the phylogenetic analysis based on a concatenated ITS rDNA + rbcL data set of more than 70 strains. The results of inferred character evolution indicated the existence of phylogenetic signal in at least two phenotypic characters (production of hydro‐repellent filaments and morphology of zoosporangia). Moreover, the lineages recovered exhibited strong ecological preferences to one of the three habitat types: natural subaerial substrata, artificial subaerial substrata, and aquatic habitats. We interpret these results as evidence of existence of a high number of cryptic species within the single morphospecies. We consider that the permanent existence of genetically and ecologically well‐defined cryptic species is enabled by the mechanism of selective sweep.
The Association of Biofilm Formation with Antibiotic Resistance in Lactic Acid Bacteria from Fermented Foods
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Xie Lisi , Zhang Wenyan , Zhou Wenyuan , Su Jianyu , Liu Jingchun 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFifty‐three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from five species of bacteria were isolated and identified from yogurt and Chinese pickled vegetables. Susceptibility of all the isolates to five antibiotics (ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin, streptomycin) was tested with disc diffusion methods. All LAB were resistant to streptomycin. Thirty‐seven strains were resistant to vancomycin, seven strains were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin, and six strains were resistant to ampicillin. The corresponding genetic determinants were characterized by polymerase chain reaction. No antibiotic resistant gene was detected among all resistant strains. Biofilm‐forming ability was monitored by a modified crystal violet staining method. Among the 53 strains, 32 strains showed different levels of biofilm‐forming ability, while 21 strains did not form biofilms. The minimal inhibitory concentration of antibiotics (MIC) and the biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) were determined in the 32 strains which can form biofilms. There are significance correlations between biofilm formation and BIC/MIC for all antibiotics (P < 0.05) except vancomycin. Biofilms exhibited increased antimicrobial resistance compared with planktonic isolates, but the extent of enhanced antibiotic resistance in biofilms is different with different antibiotics.Practical ApplicationRecently, there are increasing researches focusing on the safety of LAB, due to their antibiotic resistance. However, effects of antibiotic resistance in LAB were different in different application fields. So it is necessary to understand the mechanism of resistance all sidedly. In this study, we found those LAB isolates, which exhibiting antibiotics resistance in the susceptive tests, carried no transferable antibiotic resistance determinant, while there was a significant positive correlation between four antibiotics resistance and biofilm‐forming ability. Data derived from this study can be used as a basis for assessing the safety of LAB applied in fermented food.
Antimicrobial effects of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine, and propolis on Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans
Authors: Carbajal Mejía Jeison B. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimTo evaluate the efficacy of calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel, and propolis against both Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) using infected dentine models at two different depths (100 and 200 μm) after 14 days of application.MethodsA total of 120 roots of extracted single‐rooted human teeth were chemo‐mechanically prepared and sterilized. Sixty roots were infected with E. faecalis, and the remaining 60 with C. albicans. Each group was divided into four subgroups (n = 15) to apply intracanal medicaments, namely saline solution (negative control), Ca(OH)2, CHX, and propolis during the 14 days. Dentine shavings were collected and cultivated. Colony‐forming units (c.f.u.) were registered. Statistical analysis was done using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn's/Bonferroni multiple comparison test (P < 0.05).ResultsAll experimental agents significantly reduced E. faecalis c.f.u. There was no significant difference between CHX and propolis reducing E. faecalis c.f.u. at 100 and 200 μm. Only CHX had a statistically‐significant antifungal efficacy in the C. albicans group at the two depths assessed. CHX was the most potent medicament against both E. faecalis and C. albicans, and Ca(OH)2 was the least.ConclusionBoth CHX and propolis were the most effective against E. faecalis, whereas only CHX had the highest antifungal activity on C. albicans in dentine of extracted teeth.