bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An antibiotic formulary for a tertiary care foot clinic: admission avoidance using intramuscular antibiotics for borderline foot infections in people with diabetes
Authors: Gooday C. , Hallam C. , Sieber C. , Mtariswa L. , Turner J. , Schelenz S. , Murchison R. , Messenger G. , Morrow D. , Hutchinson R. , Williams H. , Dhatariya K. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimsTo develop an antibiotic foot formulary for the empirical treatment of diabetes‐related foot infections presenting to our service. Subsequently, to asses costs associated with the introduction of our protocol, in particular to assess the effect on admissions avoidance and any cost savings achieved.MethodsWe reviewed several existing antibiotic protocols. We analysed data on costs related to treatment and admission rates prior to and after the introduction of the protocol.ResultsWe rationalized our antibiotic protocol and adapted the Infectious Disease Society of America guideline by introducing a category of ‘moderate infection—borderline admission’ to our classification. This enabled the administration of outpatient intramuscular antibiotics. After introducing the rationalized protocol, our average antibiotic prescribing costs for a 3‐week course of treatment fell from £17.12 to £16.42. Over 22 months of follow‐up, 26 episodes were eligible for treatment with intramuscular antibiotics. Over the same time period, 121 people were admitted directly from the foot clinic. The costs saved as a result of avoided or delayed admission for those 26 episodes was over £76 000. For 12 people who required subsequent admission, their length of hospital stay was significantly shorter than those admitted directly [9.25 days (range 2–25) vs. 16.11 (2–64), P = 0.045].ConclusionsBy modifying the Infectious Disease Society of America classification and adopting a protocol to administer outpatient oral and intramuscular antibiotics, we have led to substantial cost savings, shorter hospital admissions and also have developed a successful admissions avoidance strategy.
Higher expression of induced defenses in teosintes (Zea spp.) is correlated with greater resistance to fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Szczepaniec Adrianna , Widney Sarah E. , Bernal Julio S. , Eubanks Micky D. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSelection for plant traits important for agriculture can come at a high cost to plant defenses. While selecting for increased growth rate and yield, domestication and subsequent breeding may lead to weakened defenses and greater susceptibility of plants to herbivores. We tested whether expression of defense genes differed among maize, Zea mays ssp. mays L. (Poaceae), and its wild relatives Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley and Zea diploperennis Iltis et al. We used two populations of Z. mays ssp. parviglumis: one expected to express high levels of an herbivore resistance gene, wound‐inducible protein (wip1), and another expected to have low expression of wip1. To test whether maize and wild Zea differed in induction of defenses against Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), we quantified expression of several genes involved in plant defense: wip1, maize protease inhibitor (mpi), pathogenesis‐related protein (PR‐1), and chitinase. Moreover, we compared growth, development, and survival of caterpillars on maize and wild Zea plants. We found that maize expressed low levels of all but one of the genes when attacked by caterpillars, whereas the wild relatives of maize expressed induced defense genes at high levels. Expression of wip1, in particular, was much greater in the Z. mays ssp. parviglumis population that we expected to naturally express high levels of wip1, with expression levels 29‐fold higher than in herbivore‐free plants. Elevated expression of defenses in wild plants was correlated with higher resistance to caterpillars. Larvae were 15–20% smaller on wild Zea compared with maize, developed 20% slower, and only 22% of them survived to pupation on Z. mays ssp. parviglumis with high levels of wip1. Our results suggest that domestication has inadvertently reduced the resistance of maize, and it is likely that expression of wip1 and other genes associated with defenses play an important role in this reduction in resistance.
Factors influencing adult male Grapholita molesta dispersal in commercial Malus and Prunus host crops
Authors: Ellis N.H. , Hull L.A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), has been an economic pest of apples (Malus spp.) and peaches (Prunus spp.; both Rosaceae) in the eastern USA since the 1930s. Successful management of G. molesta with insecticides requires careful timing of these products based on sex‐pheromone trap captures of male moths. In Pennsylvania, apple and peach orchards are often planted adjacently. Factors such as trap distance from release points, host crop, and wind were considered in relation to male moth movement within and between hosts. Our practical objective was to understand male G. molesta dispersal within and between these two hosts to achieve better management. Recapture of moths decreased over distance; the majority of moths were recaptured 50–100 m from the release point regardless of crop type. Male G. molesta released into commercial apple and peach orchards were most likely to remain in the crop of release and to not exhibit host shifts over the season, even after peach fruit were harvested. Our analyses of wind direction data with respect to recapture showed that the likelihood of recapture was similar regardless of the orientation of the traps relative to the mean wind direction at peak flight times. The apple and peach host crops appeared to affect male G. molesta dispersal to the extent that wind in orchards affects their perception of pheromone. Crop effects were most likely due to the traps closest to the release points being in the same crop as the release points.
Distinct behavioural strategies underlying asymmetric mating interactions between invasive and indigenous whiteflies
Authors: Luan Jun‐Bo , De Barro P.J. , Ruan Yong‐Ming , Liu Shu‐Sheng 
Published: December 2012

AbstractKnowledge of animal mating strategy may provide insight into the evolution of mating behaviour, speciation, and species competition interactions. Our previous study showed that asymmetric mating interactions between invasive and indigenous species of the worldwide distributed whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) complex contribute to invasion and displacement. Here, we reobserved in detail the video recordings of mating behaviour and behavioural interactions of a previous study and did an integrated analysis on the new data obtained here and some aspects of the data reported earlier. We compared the mating strategies of an invasive whitefly species and an indigenous congeneric competitor from each of two geographic regions, China and Australia. We found that in both regions, females of the invasive species had higher propensity to copulate than those of the indigenous species. In addition, females of the invasive species increased their frequency of copulation in response to increases in courting by males. Compared with males of the indigenous species, those of the invasive species were more likely to court per unit time as well as to interrupt courting pairs, and they also exhibited shorter durations of copulation. In addition, males of the invasive species exhibited post‐copulatory guarding behaviour, whereas those of the indigenous species did not. The different mating strategies exhibited by the invasive and indigenous species may be the evolutionary basis of their asymmetric mating interactions. Such differences in mating strategies confer on the invasive whitefly species the capacity to both invade and displace indigenous whitefly competitors.
Bigger is not always better: egg size influences survival throughout incubation in brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Régnier Thomas , Bolliet Valérie , Gaudin Philippe , Labonne Jacques 
Published: December 2012

AbstractClassical optimality models for the evolution of egg size predict a single optimal investment for females inferior to the optimal investment for offspring because of the egg size–fecundity trade‐off and the assumption that ‘bigger is better’ for offspring fitness. Such models do not satisfactorily represent observed within‐population variation in egg size. We measured the influence of maternal investment in egg size on offspring survival in brown trout. Individual measures of egg size, metabolism and survival at different temperatures throughout ontogeny were carried out. We then developed a survival model with regard to egg size, incubation temperature and observed metabolic rate. Small eggs were found to survive at higher rates than large eggs, and the egg size–survival relationship was found to differ among females in accordance with average metabolic rate measured at hatching. These results provide insights for the understanding of the evolutionary significance of egg size variations within a population.
A novel epsilon gamma delta beta thalassemia presenting with pregnancy complications and severe neonatal anemia
Authors: Shalev Hanna , Landau Daniela , Pissard Serge , Krasnov Tanya , Kapelushnik Joseph , Gilad Oded , Broides Arnon , Dgany Orly , Tamary Hannah 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe epsilon gamma delta beta (εγδβ)‐thalassemias are rare sporadic disorders caused by deletion of the β‐globin gene cluster. The main clinical feature is marked prenatal and neonatal anemia that resolves spontaneously within a few months. Reports originating mainly from Europe have so far identified 30 such deletions The aim of the present work was to describe a novel 1.78‐Mb deletion, the longest ever reported, and to detail the clinical features in 12 members of an extended Bedouin family.MethodsThe deletion was identified by globin gene multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) of the β‐globin cluster and further characterized by comparative genomic hybridization. Past and present clinical and laboratory data of ten symptomatic and two asymptomatic patients were collected.ResultsA 1.78‐Mb εγδβ‐deletion, the largest ever described, was identified in all patients. Although other genes were included in the deletion, no other symptoms were observed. Of the ten symptomatic fetuses and neonates, three died of the disease. The remainder required packed cell transfusions during the first months of life. Pregnancy complications included intrauterine growth restriction and oligohydramnios, as well as additional neonatal complications including prematurity and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate.ConclusionsWe suggest that εγδβ‐thalassemia be added to the list of hemoglobinopathies that can cause neonatal anemia and that MLPA of the β‐globin cluster be used to confirm its diagnosis. Careful surveillance during pregnancy is important to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity, especially given the dramatic improvement that occurs later.
Direct binding of GABAA receptor β2 and β3 subunits to gephyrin
Authors: Kowalczyk Sarah , Winkelmann Aline , Smolinsky Birthe , Förstera Benjamin , Neundorf Ines , Schwarz Guenter , Meier Jochen C. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGABAergic transmission is essential to brain function, and a large repertoire of GABA type A receptor (GABAAR) subunits is at a neuron's disposition to serve this function. The glycine receptor (GlyR)‐associated protein gephyrin has been shown to be essential for the clustering of a subset of GABAAR. Despite recent progress in the field of gephyrin‐dependent mechanisms of postsynaptic GABAAR stabilisation, the role of gephyrin in synaptic GABAAR localisation has remained a complex matter with many open questions. Here, we analysed comparatively the interaction of purified rat gephyrin and mouse brain gephyrin with the large cytoplasmic loops of GABAAR α1, α2, β2 and β3 subunits. Binding affinities were determined using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, and showed an ~ 20‐fold lower affinity of the β2 loop to gephyrin as compared to the GlyR β loop–gephyrin interaction. We also probed in vivo binding in primary cortical neurons by the well‐established use of chimaeras of GlyR α1 that harbour respective gephyrin‐binding motifs derived from the different GABAAR subunits. These studies identify a novel gephyrin‐binding motif in GABAAR β2 and β3 large cytoplasmic loops.
Cortical processing of saccade‐related efference copy signals in patients with cerebellar lesion
Authors: Peterburs Jutta , Koch Benno , Schwarz Michael , Hoffmann Klaus‐Peter , Daum Irene , Bellebaum Christian 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe updating of visual space across saccades is thought to rely on efference copies of motor commands. In humans, thalamic lesions impair performance on a saccadic double‐step task, which requires the use of efference copy information, and the altering of saccade‐related efference copy processing. This deficit is attributed to disruption of a pathway from the superior colliculus to the frontal eye field. However, the cerebellum is probably also involved in efference copy processing, due to its pivotal role for predictive motor control. The present study investigated the processing of efference copy information in eight patients with focal cerebellar lesions and 22 healthy controls by means of a saccadic double‐step task with simultaneous event‐related potential recording. Despite intact behavioural performance, a positive event‐related potential component between 150 and 450 ms after first saccade onset in the updating condition, which has been interpreted in terms of the integration of efference copy signals with motor intentions for a subsequent saccade, was markedly reduced in the patients. These findings suggest that the cerebellum contributes to on‐line saccade monitoring, and that cerebellar lesions alter saccade‐related efference copy processing. However, given the intact behavioural performance, the reduced positivity in the patients may indicate that cerebellar damage is accounted for by either exploiting reduced saccade‐related information, or making use of compensatory strategies to circumvent a deficit in using efference copy information procured by the cerebellum. The present study extends previous findings on the neural underpinnings of saccadic updating and further elucidates the mechanisms underlying cerebellar predictive motor control.
How theories evolved concerning the mechanism of action of barbiturates
Authors: Löscher Wolfgang , Rogawski Michael A. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe barbiturate phenobarbital has been in use in the treatment of epilepsy for 100 years. It has long been recognized that barbiturates act by prolonging and potentiating the action of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) on GABAA receptors and at higher concentrations directly activating the receptors. A large body of data supports the concept that GABAA receptors are the primary central nervous system target for barbiturates, including the finding that transgenic mice with a point mutation in the β3 GABAA‐receptor subunit exhibit diminished sensitivity to the sedative and immobilizing actions of the anesthetic barbiturate pentobarbital. Although phenobarbital is only modestly less potent as a GABAA‐receptor modulator than pentobarbital, phenobarbital is minimally sedating at effective anticonvulsant doses. Possible explanations for the reduced sedative effect of phenobarbital include more regionally restricted action; partial agonist activity; reduced propensity to directly activate GABAA receptors (possibly including extrasynaptic receptors containing δ subunits); and reduced activity at other ion channel targets, including voltage‐gated calcium channels. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in defining the structural features of GABAA receptors responsible for gating and allosteric modulation by drugs. Although the precise sites of action of barbiturates have not yet been defined, the second and third transmembrane domains of the β subunit appear to be critical; binding may involve a pocket formed by β‐subunit methionine 286 as well as α‐subunit methionine 236. In addition to effects on GABAA receptors, barbiturates block AMPA/kainate receptors, and they inhibit glutamate release through an effect on P/Q‐type high‐voltage activated calcium channels. The combination of these various actions likely accounts for their diverse clinical activities. Despite the remarkable progress of the last century, there is still much to learn about the actions of barbiturates that can be applied to the discovery of new, more therapeutically useful agents.
Current position of phenobarbital in epilepsy and its future
Authors: Brodie Martin J. , Kwan Patrick 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThis article reviews the current position of phenobarbital using articles published since 2000 and speculates on its likely future contribution to epilepsy care. Over the last decade there have been no major double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled or comparative trials with phenobarbital. Previous studies have suggested that phenobarbital is as effective in monotherapy as phenytoin and carbamazepine. Several observational studies undertaken in developing countries over the last decade have confirmed its efficacy and safety for the common epilepsies. This was particularly so in the substantial demonstration project undertaken in rural China under the auspices of the World Health Organization in partnership with the International League Against Epilepsy and International Bureau for Epilepsy. Phenobarbital is still widely used for neonatal and childhood seizures and for drug‐resistant convulsive and nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Recent data have confirmed in a prospective cohort of women taking phenobarbital as monotherapy that the drug can be associated with a range of congenital defects in exposed infants. Much effort has gone into exploring the apparent contradiction of higher withdrawal rates due to cognitive and behavioral side effects in studies undertaken in developed countries but not in those sited in the developing world. A raft of data over the last 10 years, including a systematic review, showed no important differences between the tolerability of phenobarbital compared to that with other antiepileptic drugs. Finally, cognitive test scores and mood ratings in 136 people with epilepsy receiving phenobarbital for a year were similar to those in 137 age‐, sex‐, and education‐matched controls in a number of Chinese villages. Indeed, there were some cognitive gains in the patients possibly due to improved seizure control. Phenobarbital is still the most cost‐effective pharmacologic treatment for epilepsy. All these data predict a healthy future for phenobarbital, particularly in helping to close the treatment gap in low‐ and middle‐income countries during its second century of clinical use.
Extreme tolerance to environmental stress of sexual and parthenogenetic resting eggs of Eucypris virens (Crustacea, Ostracoda)
Authors: VANDEKERKHOVE JOCHEN , MARTENS KOEN , ROSSETTI GIAMPAOLO , MESQUITA‐JOANES FRANCESC , NAMIOTKO TADEUSZ 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. The freshwater ostracod (Ostracoda), Eucypris virens, is commonly found in European temporary pools, where its long‐term persistence completely relies on the build‐up of resting egg banks. Extreme tolerance of dormant eggs and seeds is widely assumed, but freshwater ostracod eggs are relatively poorly studied. The study of ostracod resting eggs is of particular relevance as it may yield the key to understanding the distribution of the sexes in many species capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction.2. We assessed the tolerance of dried resting eggs produced by females originating from three populations with males and three all‐female E. virens populations. Hatching time and success was compared between control eggs and eggs exposed to one of seven ecologically relevant stressors: digestive enzymes, high salinity, deep freezing, hydration, UV‐B radiation, hypoxia and insecticide treatment.3. None of the stressors reduced significantly the viability of either sexual or asexual eggs. When compared with the reproductive mode–specific controls, exposure to UV‐B radiation had a mild impact on the survival of sexual and asexual eggs (−16.8 and −22.4%, respectively), but this was only significant for asexual eggs. These results point to an extreme tolerance of E. virens resting eggs and have important implications for the ecology and evolution of the species.4. The timing of hatching was not affected by the stress treatment, except for UV‐B radiation. A marginally significant delay in hatching response was observed for UV‐B‐radiated eggs when compared to the overall mean, but this treatment effect was absent when compared with the reproductive mode–specific controls.5. The populations with males produced eggs that hatched on average earlier (−1.5 days at 17 °C) and were more successful (+26%) than asexual eggs. Due to the limited number of populations and the population‐specific origin and age of the eggs, the possibility due to the differences in age and origin of the resting eggs, or to variations in local conditions, cannot be ruled out.
Biological responses to permafrost thaw slumping in Canadian Arctic lakes
Authors: THIENPONT JOSHUA R. , RÜHLAND KATHLEEN M. , PISARIC MICHAEL F. J. , KOKELJ STEVEN V. , KIMPE LINDA E. , BLAIS JULES M. , SMOL JOHN P. 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. Rapid environmental change occurring in high‐latitude regions has the potential to cause extensive thawing of permafrost. Retrogressive thaw slumps are a particularly spectacular form of permafrost degradation that can significantly impact lake–water chemistry; however, to date, the effects on aquatic biota have received little attention.2. We used a diatom‐based palaeolimnological approach featuring a paired lake study design to examine the impact of thaw slumping on freshwater ecosystems in the low Arctic of western Canada. We compared biological responses in six lakes affected by permafrost degradation with six undisturbed, reference lakes.3. Slump‐affected lakes exhibited greater biological change than the paired reference systems, although all systems have undergone ecologically significant changes over the last 200 years. Four of the six reference systems showed an increase in the relative abundance of planktonic algal taxa (diatoms and scaled chrysophytes), the earliest beginning about 1900, consistent with increased temperature trends in this region.4. The response of sedimentary diatoms to thaw slumping was understandably variable, but primarily related to the intensity of disturbance and associated changes in aquatic habitat. Five of the slump‐affected lakes recorded increases in the abundance and diversity of periphytic diatoms at the presumed time of slump initiation, consistent with increased water clarity and subsequent development of aquatic macrophyte communities. Slump‐affected lakes generally displayed lower nutrient levels; however, in one system, thaw slumping, induced by an intense fire at the site in 1968, ostensibly led to pronounced nutrient enrichment that persists today.5. Our results demonstrate that retrogressive thaw slumping represents an important stressor to the biological communities of lakes in the western Canadian Arctic and can result in a number of limnological changes. We also show that palaeolimnological methods are effective for inferring the timing and response of aquatic ecosystems to permafrost degradation. These findings provide the first long‐term perspective on the biological response to permafrost thaw, a stressor that will become increasingly important as northern landscapes respond to climate change.