bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parents' experiences of support during and after their child's diagnosis of Meningococcal Disease
Authors: Sweeney Faye , M Viner Russell , Booy Robert , Christie Deborah 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimTo understand parents'/carers' experiences of support received following their child's diagnosis of invasive meningococcal serogroup B disease (MenB).MethodsStructured interviews with parents/carers of 244 survivors of MenB disease in childhood, drawn from a population‐based case‐control study.ResultsResponses indicated that optimal support should encompass the whole treatment pathway, beginning with fast and accurate recognition of MenB by clinicians, followed by the provision of information about the symptoms and possible sequelae of MenB, better communication about the treatment process and disease progression and greater follow‐up care.ConclusionParents' experience of support following their child's diagnosis of MenB could be significantly enhanced through better education and enhanced knowledge in health care professionals, improved access to information about short‐ and long‐term sequelae and easier access to follow‐up support and advice. Much of the data generated pertained to situations and processes common to most serious illnesses occurring in children and therefore it is likely that these findings pose wider questions about support and communication in paediatrics.
Efficacy and late complications of laparoscopic pyeloplasty: Experience involving 125 consecutive ureters
Authors: Iwamura Masatsugu , Nishi Morihiro , Soh Shigehiro , Ikeda Masaomi , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Fujita Tetsuo , Baba Shiro 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIntroductionLaparoscopic pyeloplasty is now widely recognized as a minimally invasive alternative for the surgical management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. However, there have been insufficient reports describing the long‐term outcomes and the stability of the results. In addition, late complications have not been thoroughly discussed.MethodsBetween October 1999 and December 2010, we performed laparoscopic pyeloplasty on 125 consecutive ureters in 119 patients with an obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction. We performed dismembered Anderson‐Hynes pyeloplasty, Fenger plasty and Y‐V flap in 108 (86.4%), 15 (12.0%), and 2 ureters (1.6%), respectively.ResultsAll procedures were completed successfully. Median operative time was 200 min (range, 80–775 min) and median estimated blood loss was 20 mL (range, 20–250 mL). Intraoperative and postoperative complications categorized as Clavien grade II and III occurred in 11 (8.9%) procedures. Among them, three were observed after 12 months postoperative and all involved renal stones in the collapsed pelvis. In 120 (96%) ureters, hydronephrosis improved and/or obstructive pattern on diuretic renography disappeared during a median follow‐up period of 45 months (range, 5–146 months). The degree of hydronephrosis steadily improved for more than 2 years, and re‐obstruction was never observed after 1 year postoperative.ConclusionThe efficacy of laparoscopic pyeloplasty seems to be durable over 2 years postoperatively. Because obstruction recurrence was not observed after 12 months postoperative, patients with complete disappearance of hydronephrosis may unnecessarily be followed longer than 2 years. However, cases with persisting hydronephrosis should be regularly monitored because of the remaining possibility of stone formation.
Inbreeding depression on production and reproduction traits of buffaloes from Brazil
Authors: Malhado Carlos Henrique Mendes , Malhado Ana Claudia Mendes , Carneiro Paulo Luiz Souza , Ramos Alcides Amorim , Carrillo José Adrián , Pala Akin 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of inbreeding depression on traits of buffaloes from Brazil. Specifically, the traits studied were body weight at 205 and 365 days of age, average daily gain from birth to 205 days (ADG_205), average daily gain between 205 and 365 days (ADG205_365) in Mediterranean buffaloes, and milk yield, lactation length, age of first calving and calving intervals in Murrah buffaloes. Inbreeding effects on the traits were determined by fitting four regression models (linear, quadratic, exponential and Michaelis‐Menten) about the errors generated by the animal model. The linear model was only significant (P < 0.05) for growth traits (exception of ADG205_365). The exponential and Michaelis‐Menten models were significant (P < 0.01) for all the studied traits while the quadratic model was not significant (P > 0.05) for any of the traits. Weight at 205 and 365 days of age decreased 0.25 kg and 0.39 kg per 1% of increase in inbreeding, respectively. The inbred animals (F = 0.25) produced less milk than non‐inbred individuals: 50.4 kg of milk. Moreover, calving interval increased 0.164 days per 1% of increase in inbreeding. Interestingly, inbreeding had a positive effect on age at first calving and lactation length, decreasing age of first calving and increasing lactation length.
Biodiversity theory applied to the real world of ecological restoration
Authors: Wilson J. Bastow 
Published: December 2012

AbstractOne of the perceived benefits of biodiversity is resistance to invasion by exotic species. This has relevance for vegetation restoration: according to theory, sowing more species of the desired type would help to exclude the invasion of undesired ones. Oakley & Knox (Applied Vegetation Science, this issue) tested this in a real restoration situation: the revegetation of bare compacted clay after construction or commercial activity. Higher sown diversity did indeed reduce the invasion of non‐sown species and, of particular practical relevance, reduced the invasion of exotic species.
AT1 mutations and risk of atrial fibrillation based on genotypes from 71 000 individuals from the general population
Authors: Marott Sarah C. W. , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Jensen Gorm B. , Tybjærg‐Hansen Anne , Benn Marianne 
Published: December 2012

AimsActivation of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor has been shown to mediate the structural and electrical remodelling of the atrial myocardium associated with atrial fibrillation. We hypothesized that AT1 genotypic variation is associated with atrial fibrillation or diseases predisposing to atrial fibrillation, such as hypertension, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, in the general population.MethodsWe resequenced the AT1 gene in 760 individuals with atrial fibrillation and identified two nonsynonymous variants (I103T and A244S), which were subsequently genotyped in the prospective Copenhagen City Heart Study (n = 10 603) and the prospective Copenhagen General Population Study (n = 60 647).ResultsRisk of atrial fibrillation for heterozygotes for AT1 genetic variants A244S and I103T/A244S vs. noncarriers was increased by 2.7‐fold (95% confidence interval 1.5‐ to 5.1‐fold) and 2.6‐fold (95% confidence interval 1.6‐ to 4.2‐fold), respectively, for men.ConclusionsHeterozygosity for the nonsynonymous AT1 genetic variants A244S and I103T/A244S was associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation in men. The AT1 recptor might be a target for the pharmaceutical industry. This finding needs to be validated in independent studies.
Public Employee Compensation and the Efficacy of Privatization Alternatives in US State and Local Governments
Authors: Keefe Jeffrey 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis article investigates the evidence used in the debate over public‐sector collective bargaining and privatization as US states attempted to resolve their budget problems. Specifically, the article evaluates the research on whether US state and local government workers are overpaid and whether privatization provides a cost‐effective alternative to the provision of public services by public employees. All recent studies find that state and local public employees earn on average lower wages than comparable private‐sector workers and on average receive better health benefits and pensions than private‐sector employees. Most studies find that the better benefits offset lower wages on average, and there is no state and local public employee compensation premium. The research on privatization in the USA indicates that it has reached something of an equilibrium with approximately one‐quarter of municipal public services being provided by private organizations. The major costs of privatization include overhead costs of competitive bidding, monitoring, oversight, and evaluation, which if done properly can often offset any privatization cost advantage, while if privatization is done without adequate controls, it can result in corruption, poor quality services, and then demands for reverse privatization.
Elevational gradients in the neotropical table mountains: patterns of endemism and implications for conservation
Authors: Nogué Sandra , Rull Valentí , Vegas‐Vilarrúbia Teresa 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to describe the diversity patterns along elevational gradients that are crucial for conservation management and for understanding diversification processes in montane environments. This article analyses the distributional range and elevation patterns of endemic and non‐endemic (NE) vascular plants living on a unique set of Neotropical table mountains (tepuis). To investigate the potential causes of the high degree of diversity and endemism we tested the role of elevation, area and the mid‐domain effect (MDE). We also aimed to discuss the origin of the current tepuian biota.LocationThe Guayana Highlands (northern South America). Emphasis is placed on the mountaintops above 1500 m elevation, which form the highly biodiverse Pantepui biogeographical province.MethodsWe examined the distribution patterns of vascular plant species richness in relation to elevation, area, and the MDE using generalized additive models. We used Range Model for the MDE.ResultsWe found that regional endemics richness show a hump‐shaped curve in relation to elevation. Single‐tepui endemics (STE) increase with elevation, whereas NE and total species richness decrease. Area and MDE influence this pattern for Pantepui and STE, but not for NE. We also observed that the spatial distribution of endemic richness displays a left‐skewed distribution pattern due to the dominance of STE.Main conclusionsOur results demonstrate that a combination of elevation, area and MDE provide a basic explanation for the diversity of vascular plants in Pantepui. In addition, the present study indicates that maxima of STE are located at the highest altitudes, where the possibility of biotic connection (via migration) and gene flux has been minimal, even during glacial phases when most migration pathways amongst the tepui mountains were open. We also suggest that climatic filtering due to the extreme conditions atop the tepuis and low dispersal capacity stand out as the main drivers of the decline in NE species richness with elevation.
Sterilization by copulation in Drosophila
Authors: Markow Therese Ann 
Published: December 2012

AbstractFemales in some species of the genus Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are rendered sterile by mating. I review cases where these failed matings occur between closely related species as well as between closely related individuals of the same species. I also discuss the evolutionary implications of both types of failed matings and suggest how a better understanding of Drosophila ecology could assist in interpreting these failures. I further suggest that future studies of female mating failures in Drosophila be conducted in the framework of the differences observed in their matings, as this may offer a way to test predictions about the relationship between mating system type and female mating failures.
Isolated females and limited males: evolution of insect resistance in structured landscapes
Authors: Spencer Joseph , Onstad David , Krupke Christian , Hughson Sarah , Pan Zaiqi , Stanley Bruce , Flexner Lindsey 
Published: December 2012

AbstractTo delay evolution of insect resistance to insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensisBerliner (Bt) transgenic crops, USA and Canadian maize growers commonly set aside a portion of each field as a refuge, where susceptible pests can develop without exposure to the toxin(s) expressed in the insecticidal crop. Abundant mate‐seeking refuge adults are expected to move into insecticidal crop areas and mate with rare, resistant insects. Production of heterozygous offspring, rather than homozygous offspring reduces the rate of resistance evolution. Expectations about the refuge strategy are predicated on assumptions about when and where pest insects move and mate. Accumulating evidence indicates that the behavior of western corn rootworm beetles, Diabrotica virgifera virgiferaLeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) (WCR), in refuge and corn rootworm (CRW)‐active Bt‐transgenic maize does not always conform to assumptions about random mating and individual movement. Contrary to expectations, up to 23.6% of unmated refuge females left refuge and were non‐teneral by the time they mated in CRW‐active maize. Consequences of protandry, limited male mating capacity, pre‐mating male and female movement patterns, skewed sex ratios, and delayed adult emergence from CRW‐active maize all may contribute to unexpected or undesirable patterns of WCR reproductive behavior. Modeling suggests that temporal and spatial components of WCR mating that limit interactions in block refuges can be reduced by deploying blended refuges.
Phytoplankton patchiness in Winam Gulf, Lake Victoria: a study using principal component analysis of in situ fluorescent excitation spectra
Authors: ALEXANDER RYAN , IMBERGER JÖRG 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. In order to characterise phytoplankton patchiness at fine scales, a profiling multiwavelength fluorometer was cast at numerous locations throughout Winam Gulf in Lake Victoria to measure fluorescent excitation spectra, which are indicators of both phytoplankton diversity and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM).2. Processing the spectral data with principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that linear combinations of four fundamental ‘base’ spectra could explain almost all of the variation in spectral measurements. Three of the base spectra were associated with spatially distinct patches of phytoplankton containing different species assemblages, while the fourth base spectrum was due to CDOM fluorescence.3. The locations of the phytoplankton patches were traced to the south‐east of Winam Gulf, the western end of the Rusinga Channel and the open waters of Lake Victoria adjacent to Winam Gulf, respectively. The high CDOM fluorescence was traced mainly to relatively deep water in the Rusinga Channel.4. The phytoplankton and CDOM patchiness were interpreted in the context of physical and chemical gradients that were measured at the site at the same scale as the spectral data. Strong relationships were found between the gradients in spectral data and other environmental variables, which suggested several underlying explanations for the phytoplankton and CDOM patchiness.
Depth selection byDaphnia pulexin response toChaoboruskairomone
Authors: ORAM ERIC , SPITZE KEN 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. The presence of kairomone from the predaceous larval dipteranChaoborus americanuscan result in juvenileDaphnia pulexpositioning themselves higher in the water column.Chaoborusnormally lives at greater depth during the day, so this behavioural response byDaphniawill reduce its encounter rate with the predator and enhance survival.2. Behavioural observations of seven clones from a single population were made under four treatments (with and withoutChaoboruskairomone prior to and/or during experiments).3. All clones moved higher when exposed to kairomones during behavioural observations. Six moved higher when kairomone was added prior to the experiment (i.e. pre‐conditioned), while the other clone went lower, providing evidence for the presence of genetic variation in induced behaviour. When this clone was removed from the analysis, the evidence for genetic variation in induced response disappeared.4. JuvenileDaphniathat were pre‐conditioned had a significantly greater response than those that had no previous exposure. Of the total shift in depth (comparing treatment and control means), 38% was due to prior exposure to the kairomone (‘preconditioning’), while 62% was due to exposure during the 2‐h experiments when the depth selection was assessed. When the effect of the one clone with a qualitatively different response was removed, these two figures became 45% and 55%, respectively.5. The enhanced effect of prior exposure to the kairomone during development suggests that such exposure causes greater sensitivity to the kairomone.
High within‐ and between‐trunk variation in the nematoceran (Diptera) community and its physical environment in decaying aspen trunks
Authors: Halme Panu , Vartija Noora , Salmela Jukka , Penttinen Jouni , Norros Veera 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Dead wood is a primary habitat for a large number of insects, including species from many nematoceran (Diptera) groups. The species living in dead wood must be adapted to the ephemeral and ever‐changing nature of their substrate. There is a growing body of knowledge about the effects of dead wood quality and the surrounding landscape on the saproxylic beetle community, but we know very little about the other saproxylic insects. Moreover, we know only very little about the variation in the insect community between different parts of decaying wood pieces.
Using emergence traps, we studied the saproxylic nematoceran communities occupying different parts of decaying fallen aspen trunks in a boreal forest. To explain the variation in the detected assemblages, we also studied the variation in the physical environment in different parts of one of the studied trunks during the season.
We found out that the overall variation in assemblages was very high and also the similarity between the base and top of the same trunk was usually low. Dissimilarity arose more from differences in species richness than from species turnover. The greatest contrasts in the physical conditions of the study trunk were between the inside and the upper and lower surface of the trunk base.
Due to high variation within the trunks and especially between the trunks, the sampling effort in studies on the ecology of saproxylic insects should be high to have a reliable estimate of the local community.
In vivo and in vitro approaches in understanding the differences between Caucasian and African skin types: specific involvement of the papillary dermis
Authors: Girardeau‐Hubert Sarah , Pageon Hervé , Asselineau Daniel 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground  Most of the identified differences between Caucasian and African skin types have been related to the superficial part of the skin, the epidermis. We investigated possible implications of the dermal compartment in cutaneous differences observed between Caucasians and Africans.Methods  In vivo and in vitro comparative studies were carried out using normal human skin biopsies and the corresponding in vitro reconstructed skin. Skin equivalents were developed with papillary fibroblasts isolated from the superficial dermis of both Caucasian and African skin types. Expression of major components of the dermal–epidermal junction (DEJ) was examined as a function of ethnicity.Results  Control histological examinations of skin biopsies showed that the African skin type had greater convoluted appearance of the DEJ than the Caucasian skin type. Immunostainings of type IV and VII collagens, laminin 5, and nidogen proteins at the DEJ were lower in African skin compared with Caucasian skin biopsies.Conclusions  This study brings together new elements on involvement of the papillary dermis in differences between Caucasian and African skin types. As fibroblasts from the superficial dermis cooperate with epidermal keratinocytes in producing protein of the membrane basal zone, present in vivo results suggest that papillary fibroblasts may play a part in the distinct features observed at the DEJ. In preliminary in vitro experiments, differences in several protein expressions contributing to the DEJ framework were found in reconstructed skin models made with papillary fibroblasts from both Caucasian and African skin types. Therefore, in vitro skin equivalents may be useful for better understanding of ethnic skin differences in the future.
Cancers cutanés fréquemment rencontrés à l’hôpital universitaire de Calabar, à Calabar, dans le sud du Nigéria
Authors: Asuquo Maurice Efana , Ebughe Godwin 
Published: December 2012

RésuméLes cancers cutanés constituent les formes de cancer les plus fréquentes. L’exposition au soleil constitue le risque majeur chez les personnes à la peau blanche, alors que des facteurs non solaires semblent constituer le risque principal chez les personnes ayant une pigmentation de peau foncée.Méthodes Nous avons examiné 162 patients ayant reçu un diagnostic histologique de cancer cutané, qui ont consultéà l’Hôpital universitaire de Calabar, à Calabar, entre janvier 2000 et décembre 2009.Résultats Les 162 cas de patients observés durant cette étude représentent 12% de tous les cancers diagnostiqués pendant la même période. Le carcinome épidermoïde (SCC) était le plus courant (n = 62; 38.3%), suivi du sarcome de Kaposi (KS) (n = 33; 30.9%). Les autres cancers cutanés diagnostiqués pendant cette période étaient le mélanome malin (MM; n = 16; 9.9%), le dermatofibrosarcome protubérant (DFSP ; n = 11; 6.8%), le carcinome basocellulaire (BCC ; n = 8; 4.9%). Le membre inférieur était le site le plus fréquemment affecté (n = 82; 48.8%) alors que la tête et le cou se plaçaient en deuxième position (n = 32; 22.0%). 146 (90%) des patients avaient une pigmentation de peau foncée et 16 (10%) patients étaient albinos. Certains patients atteints de SCC et de MM ont consulté tardivement en vue de recevoir une intervention chirurgicale curative. La chirurgie a entraîné une guérison chez les patients atteints de BCC alors que le taux récurrent de DFSP était élevé. Le KS endémique a répondu à la chimiothérapie cytotoxique, mais le résultat était médiocre pour le KS associéà l’infection par le virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH).Conclusion La distribution des cancers cutanés révélée lors de cette étude est distincte de celle des cancers de la peau européens. L’éducation en matière de santé, la mise en œuvre précoce de mesures de prévention, la consultation précoce et le traitement dans les premiers stades de la maladie sont autant de mesures qui permettront d’améliorer les résultats thérapeutiques dans notre région.