bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three noninvasive methods in the evaluation of subclinical cardiovascular disease in patients with acromegaly: epicardial fat thickness, aortic stiffness and serum cell adhesion molecules
Authors: Topaloglu Oya , Sayki Arslan Muyesser , Turak Osman , Ginis Zeynep , Sahin Mustafa , Cebeci Muhammet , Ucan Bekir , Cakir Evrim , Karbek Basak , Ozbek Mustafa , Cakal Erman , Delibasi Tuncay 
Published: October 2013

SummaryContextSeveral studies have reported increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to early development of endothelial dysfunction and structural vascular changes in patients with acromegaly.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate subclinical cardiovascular disease with epicardial fat thickness (EFT), aortic stiffness and serum levels of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in patients with acromegaly.DesignCross‐sectional study.PatientsTwenty‐seven patients with active acromegaly (AA), 13 patients with remission acromegaly (RA) and 37 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were studied.MeasurementsEpicardial fat thickness was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Aortic stiffness (β) index, aortic strain (AoS) and aortic distensibility (AoD) were calculated from the aortic diameters measured by TTE. Serum levels of CAMs such as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 and E‐selectin were measured.ResultsEpicardial fat thickness was significantly increased in patients with RA and AA as compared to controls 9·71 ± 1·54 and 10·08 ± 1·95 mm vs 5·74 ± 0·92 mm, P < 0·001, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between the EFT and growth hormone (GH) levels (r = 0·365, P = 0·024). β‐index was similarly higher in patients with RA and AA than controls (15·68 ± 7·27 and 11·90 ± 8·24 vs 6·85 ± 2·87, P < 0·001, respectively). AoS and AoD were significantly decreased in patients with RA and AA as compared to the control group (3·81 ± 1·94 and 3·68 ± 1·99 vs 8·19 ± 4·19%, P < 0·001, respectively; and 1·21 ± 0·66 and 1·18 ± 0·63 vs 2·58 ± 1·50, 10−6 cm2/dyn, P < 0·001, respectively). Serum ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 levels were significantly higher in patients as compared to the control group (P < 0·001 vs P = 0·032, respectively). There were no significant differences in EFT, AoD, AoS, β‐index and serum CAMs between two patients groups (AA vs RA, P > 0·05). There was a significant negative correlation between E‐selectin and AoD (r = −0·45, P = 0·008). In multiple linear regression analysis, EFT was found to be associated with GH levels (β‐coefficient = 0·575, P = 0·008).ConclusionThis study suggests that EFT and risk of subclinical cardiovascular disease are increased in patients with acromegaly. Serum GH level is an independent risk factor for EFT.
National Valuation of Monarch Butterflies Indicates an Untapped Potential for Incentive‐Based Conservation
Authors: Diffendorfer Jay E. , Loomis John B. , Ries Leslie , Oberhauser Karen , Lopez‐Hoffman Laura , Semmens Darius , Semmens Brice , Butterfield Bruce , Bagstad Ken , Goldstein Josh , Wiederholt Ruscena , Mattsson Brady , Thogmartin Wayne E. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe annual migration of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) has high cultural value and recent surveys indicate monarch populations are declining. Protecting migratory species is complex because they cross international borders and depend on multiple regions. Understanding how much, and where, humans place value on migratory species can facilitate market‐based conservation approaches. We performed a contingent valuation study of monarchs to understand the potential for such approaches to fund monarch conservation. The survey asked U.S. respondents about the money they would spend, or have spent, growing monarch‐friendly plants, and the amount they would donate to monarch conservation organizations. Combining planting payments and donations, the survey indicated U.S. households valued monarchs as a total one‐time payment of $4.78–$6.64 billion, levels similar to many endangered vertebrate species. The financial contribution of even a small percentage of households through purchases or donations could generate new funding for monarch conservation through market‐based approaches.
Reduction of oviposition time and enhanced larval feeding: two potential benefits of aggregative oviposition for the viburnum leaf beetle
Authors: DESURMONT GAYLORD A. , WESTON PAUL A. , AGRAWAL ANURAG A. 
Published: October 2013

Although aggregation in non‐social arthropods is common, its adaptive value is not always clear. Oviposition behaviour of the viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni) is aggregative, with females preferring to lay eggs on twigs already infested by conspecifics. We previously showed that aggregative oviposition aided in overcoming host plant defences. Here we explore two additional benefits of this behaviour: reduction of time investment in oviposition; and improvement of host use by larval group feeding.
In video‐recorded trials, the presence of conspecific egg masses did not have an impact on the time associated with oviposition, but it did affect females' pre‐oviposition behaviour: the length of foraging movements was 21% shorter on infested than on non‐infested twigs, and was concentrated near the infested area.
In two separate studies of insect performance, larvae were reared to maturity in groups of different densities (five or 10, and five or 20, respectively) on several hosts (four and 17 Viburnum spp., respectively). Independent of host species, adults were > 13% heavier (groups of 10 vs. five), and pupation success was 27% higher (groups of 20 vs. five) at higher larval density.
Two additional effects were dependent on host species: larval survivorship (groups of 10 vs. five), and adult mass (groups of 20 vs. five). These effects were not associated with plant defensive traits (i.e. trichomes or leaf toughness), but adult mass was associated with host nutritional quality (i.e. foliar nitrogen content).
These results show that several traits of P. viburni larval performance are positively density‐dependent, and suggest that benefits of group feeding could have played a role in the evolution of oviposition behaviour in P. viburni. Our results also demonstrate that plant quality can mediate benefits of aggregation, underscoring the importance of ecological context in understanding the feeding strategies of insects.
Water retention characteristics of soils over the whole moisture range: a comparison of laboratory methods
Authors: Schelle H. , Heise L. , Jänicke K. , Durner W. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe exact characterization of soil hydraulic properties is essential for various purposes, such as agricultural and groundwater management. Various laboratory methods for the determination of soil water retention characteristics are frequently applied. Standard methods comprise: (i) the hanging‐water column and (ii) the simplified evaporation method (HYPROP©) for wet to moderate moisture ranges; and (iii) the pressure plate and (iv) the dew point method (WP4C PotentiaMeter®) for moderate to dry moisture ranges. These four methods were evaluated and compared, with the aim of demonstrating their compatibility. The hanging‐water column method and the evaporation method provided comparable retention data in the wet to moderate moisture range. The dew point method provided corresponding results over the dry range, while retention data obtained from the pressure plate method sometimes had a tendency to over‐estimate water contents. Hysteresis was observed for retention data in the dry range when applying the dew point method to previously wetted or dried samples.
Volatile communication between plants that affects herbivory: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Karban Richard , Yang Louie H. , Edwards Kyle F. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractVolatile communication between plants causing enhanced defence has been controversial. Early studies were not replicated, and influential reviews questioned the validity of the phenomenon. We collected 48 well‐replicated studies and found overall support for the hypothesis that resistance increased for individuals with damaged neighbours. Laboratory or greenhouse studies and those conducted on agricultural crops showed stronger induced resistance than field studies on undomesticated species, presumably because other variation had been reduced. A cumulative analysis revealed that early, non‐replicated studies were more variable and showed less evidence for communication. Effects of habitat and plant growth form were undetectable. In most cases, the mechanisms of resistance and alternative hypotheses were not considered. There was no indication that some response variables were more likely to produce large effects. These results indicate that plants of diverse taxonomic affinities and ecological conditions become more resistant to herbivores when exposed to volatiles from damaged neighbours.
Positron emission tomography with α‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan in tuberous sclerosis complex–related epilepsy
Authors: Rubí Sebastià , Costes Nicolas , Heckemann Rolf A. , Bouvard Sandrine , Hammers Alexander , Martí Fuster Berta , Ostrowsky Karine , Montavont Alexandra , Jung Julien , Setoain Xavier , Catenoix Hélène , Hino Keiko , Liger François , Bars Didier Le , Ryvlin Philippe 
Published: October 2013

SummaryObjectiveTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is often associated with cerebral tubers and medically intractable epilepsy. We reevaluated whether increased uptake of α‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan (AMT) in cerebral tubers is associated with tuber epileptogenicity.MethodsWe included 12 patients (six male, 4–53 years old) withTSCand refractory seizures who were evaluated for epilepsy surgery in our center, including video‐electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring, fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (FLAIR MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) with α‐[11C]methyl‐l‐tryptophan (AMT‐PET). Nine of these 12 patients also underwent intracerebralEEGrecording.AMTuptake in each tuber was visually evaluated onPETcoregistered withMRI. AnAMTuptake index based on lesional/healthy cortex ratio was also calculated. Sensitivity and specificity values ofAMT‐PETin the detection of epileptogenic lesions were obtained, using the available electroclinical and neuroimaging evidence as the gold standard for epileptogenicity.ResultsA total of 126 tubers were identified. Two of 12 patients demonstrated a tuber with clearly increasedAMTuptake, one of whom also showed a subtle increasedAMTuptake in another contralateral tuber. Four other patients showed only subtle increasedAMTuptake. The only two tubers with clearly increasedAMTuptake proved to be epileptogenic based on intracerebralEEGdata, whereas none of the tubers associated with subtle increasedAMTuptake were involved at ictal onset. In a per‐patient approach, this yielded a sensitivity of clearly increasedAMTuptake in detecting tuber epileptogenicity of 17% (2/12 patients), whereas the per‐lesion sensitivity and specificity were 12% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3–34%) and 100% (95%CI: 97–100%), respectively.SignificanceAMT‐PETis a specific neuroimaging technique in the identification of epileptogenic tubers inTSC. Despite its low sensitivity, the clinical usefulness ofAMT‐PETstill deserves to be considered according to the challenging complexity of epilepsy surgery in tuberous sclerosis.
The Role of Agonistic Sounds in Male Nest Defence in the Painted Goby Pomatoschistus pictus
Authors: Pereira Ricardo , Rismondo Stefania , Caiano Manuel , Pedroso Silvia S. , Fonseca Paulo J. , Amorim Maria Clara P. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAnimals often vocalize during territorial challenges as acoustic signals may indicate motivation and fighting ability and contribute to reduce aggressive escalation. Here, we tested the function of agonistic sounds in territorial defence in the painted goby. Pomatoschistus pictus, a small vocal marine fish that defends nests during the breeding season. We first measured the number of times a male approached, avoided, explored, entered and exited two unattended nests associated with either conspecific agonistic sounds or a control: silence or white noise. Acoustic stimuli were played back when the male approached a nest. In a second experimental set, we added visual stimuli, consisting of a conspecific male in a small confinement aquarium near each nest. Even though we found no effect of the visual stimuli, the sound playbacks induced similar effects in both experimental conditions. In the sound vs. silence treatment, we found that when males approached a nest, the playback of conspecific sounds usually triggered avoidance. However, this behaviour did not last as in longer periods males visited nests associated with agonistic sounds more often than silent ones. When the control was white noise, we found no significant effect of the playback treatment in male behaviour. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that other sounds may dissuade nest occupation, our results suggest that agonistic sounds act as territorial intrusion deterrents but are insufficient to prevent nest intrusion on their own. Further studies are needed to test the significance of sound production rate, spectral content and temporal patterns to deter territorial intrusion in fish.
Impact of TRPV3 on the development of allergic dermatitis as a dendritic cell modulator
Authors: Yamamoto‐Kasai Erika , Yasui Kiyoshi , Shichijo Michitaka , Sakata Tsuneaki , Yoshioka Takeshi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily V member 3 (TRPV3), which functions as a thermosensor in keratinocytes, plays an important role in the development of allergic and itchy dermatitis in rodents. Although real‐time PCR analysis using lesional and non‐lesional skin samples from patients with atopic dermatitis showed that TRPV3 was expressed in lesional skin, the role that TRPV3 plays in patients with dermatitis is still relatively obscure. Here, we determined whether TRPV3 was a dendritic cell (DC) modulator using DS‐Nh mice with a gain‐of‐function mutation in TRPV3 (TRPV3Gly573Ser), because increasing skin temperature is associated with the modulation of dermal dendritic cells (DCs). Interestingly, increased responses to haptens by skin and DCs were observed in DS‐Nh mice compared with those from DS mice with wild‐type TRPV3. Increased thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) responses were also observed in keratinocytes from DS‐Nh mice compared with those from DS mice. Taken together, we propose that the DS‐Nh mouse is a good model to use in order to better understand the role of this orphan channel and that TRPV3 may represent a new therapeutic target in certain types of dermatitis through the control of DCs.
Examining bilingual and bicultural identity in young students
Authors: Fielding Ruth , Harbon Lesley 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis article examines young students' bilingual and bicultural identity. Observational, survey, and interview data as well as data from primary school students' journals indicated that that students found it more challenging to identify as bilingual than as bicultural. Both individual and social factors contributed to students' bilingual and bicultural identity development, and three interrelated elements (connection, interaction, and investment) influenced the ways in which students experienced connection to their languages and cultures. As expressed by these students, feeling bilingual and feeling bicultural are quite distinct notions. This presents some challenges to prior beliefs about the interrelatedness of bilingual and bicultural identities.
Improving arteriovenous fistula rate: Effect on hemodialysis quality
Authors: Karkar Ayman , Chaballout Ahmed , Ibrahim Maher Haj , Abdelrahman Mohammed , Al Shubaili Mona 
Published: October 2013

AbstractVascular access (VA) is the lifeline for patients with end‐stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis (HD). Tunneled catheters have been associated with increased risk of luminal thrombosis, infection, hospitalization, and high cost. Our aims were to follow the “Fistula First Initiative,” avoid or reduce the rate of catheter insertion, improve the rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) use, and study the effect of increased AVF use on quality of dialysis and patient's outcome. A VA program has been established in collaboration with an enthusiastic and professional vascular surgery team to manage 358 patients who have been on regular HD treatment for a period ranging from 1 to 252 months. The mean ± standard deviation age of patients was 52 ± 15 years with 62% male patients. Over a period of 2 years, 408 procedures were performed. These include 293 AVFs and 56 arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). Other procedures include 39 permanent catheter insertions, 8 AVF aneurysmectomy, removal of 6 AVGs, embolectomy of 4 AVGs, excision of 1 AVG lymphocele, and ligation of 1 AVF. This program resulted in significant increase in AVF rate from 35% to 82%; reduction in catheter rate from 62% to 10.9%; infection rate down from 6.6% to 0.6%; VA clotting down from 5.1% to 1.0%; and increase in average blood flow rate from 214 ± 32 to 298 ± 37 mL/min (P < 0.01). These results have been associated with improved average single pool Kt/V from 0.88 ± 0.19 to 1.28 ± 0.2 (P < 0.01); increased hemoglobin from 9.2 ± 1.2 to 10.9 ± 0.9 g/dL (P < 0.01); improved serum albumin from 3.2 ± 0.5 to 3.7 ± 0.4 g/dL (P < 0.05); reduction in administered erythropoietin dose by 19%; and significant drop in hospitalization rate from 6.1% to 3.8%. These results confirm the great benefits of AVF on quality of HD and patient outcome, and clearly affirm that AVF should always be considered first.
Immunogenicity of recombinant human bocavirus‐1,2 VP2 gene virus‐like particles in mice
Authors: Deng Zhong‐Hua , Hao Ye‐Xia , Yao Li‐Hong , Xie Zhi‐Ping , Gao Han‐Chun , Xie Le‐Yun , Zhong Li‐li , Zhang Bing , Cao You‐De , Duan Zhao‐Jun 
Published: October 2013

SummaryHuman bocavirus (HBoV), a recently identified pathogen with a worldwide distribution is closely related to paediatric acute respiratory infection and gastroenteritis. The present study was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of HBoV1 and HBoV2 virus‐like particles (VLPs) as vaccine candidates in mice. Both HBoV1 and HBoV2 VLPs were expressed in the bacmid virus–SF9 cell system. Mice were inoculated three times at 3‐week intervals with HBoV VLPs at one dose intramuscular (i.m.) or intradermal (i.d.) with or without the addition of the alum adjuvant. ELISA was used to detected antibody, and ELISPOT was used to test cellular immune responses. HBoV‐specific IgG antibodies were induced and alum adjuvant improved the antibody titres and avidity, while the inoculation pathway had no influence. T helper type 1/ type 2 immune responses were balanced induced by HBoV1 VLPs but not HBoV2 VLPs. Serum IgG antibody cross‐reactivity rates of the two subtypes were similar, but cross‐reactions of HBoV1 immunization groups were higher. The single i.m. group had more interferon‐γ‐secreting splenocytes. These data indicate that HBoV VP2 VLPs have good immunogenicity with induction of strong humoral and cellular immune responses, and they may be potential candidate vaccines for HBoV infection.
Hospital lighting and its association with sleep, mood and pain in medical inpatients
Authors: Bernhofer Esther I. , Higgins Patricia A. , Daly Barbara J. , Burant Christopher J. , Hornick Thomas R. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimsTo describe light exposure, sleep–wake patterns, mood, pain and their relationships in adult medical inpatients.BackgroundThe hospital environment may contribute to patient discomfort by providing a lighting structure that interferes with circadian rhythmicity, sleep, mood and pain.DesignA descriptive correlational design was used in this preliminary study.MethodsBetween May 2011–April 2012, data were collected from a convenience sample of 23 women and 17 men admitted to a large academically affiliated hospital in the United States. Over 72 hours, light exposure and sleep–wake patterns were continuously measured with wrist actigraph/light meters for each participant. Mood was measured daily using the Profile Of Mood States Brief™ Form. Subjective pain scores were abstracted from medical records.ResultsLight exposure levels were low: mean daytime light intensity was 104·80 lux. Sleep time was fragmented and low: mean 236·35 minutes of sleep/night. Intra‐daily stability scores indicated little sleep–wake synchronization with light. Fatigue and total mood disturbance scores were high and inversely associated with light. Pain levels were also high and positively associated with fatigue, but not directly with light exposure. Low light exposure significantly predicted fatigue and total mood disturbance.ConclusionMedical inpatients were exposed to light levels insufficient for circadian entrainment. Nevertheless, higher light exposure was associated with less fatigue and lower total mood disturbance in participants with pain, suggesting the need for further investigation to determine if manipulating light exposure for medical inpatients would be beneficial in affecting sleep–wake disturbances, mood and pain.
Work of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Review Group: making sense of complexity
Authors: Handoll Helen 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis article examines the ways in which members of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Review Group have tackled the intrinsic complexity of a large clinical area. This features a diversity of injuries in people of all ages, predominantly physical and surgical interventions that are inherently complex interventions, and a huge array of outcome measures. The methods described include a purposeful focus on common injuries, such as fragility fractures in older people; and the generation of groups of “all intervention” reviews whose structure is informed by a systematic approach, incorporating knowledge of clinical pathways and categorization of interventions. The article concludes with some thoughts about the challenges ahead, particularly in terms of selecting the scopes of future reviews.
Effects of Ultrasound Processing on the Thermal and Retrogradation Properties of Nonwaxy Rice Starch
Authors: Yu Shifeng , Zhang Yongchun , Ge Yin , Zhang Ying , Sun Tianying , Jiao Yan , Zheng Xi‐Qun 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn the present research, nonwaxy rice starch suspension (5%, dry basis) was processed by ultrasound. The relationship between temperature and ultrasonication time of rice starch suspension was investigated, and the effects of ultrasound power and time, intensity on the thermal and retrogradation properties of rice starch were evaluated. Thermal and retrogradation properties of rice starch were determined by a differential scanning calorimetry. The results of temperature values showed that temperature increased with ultrasonication time and power and ultrasound intensity; the higher the ultrasound power and intensity, the higher the temperature of rice suspension. The ultrasound thermal effects cause temperature increase and partly starch gelation during ultrasound processing. High ultrasound power and strong intensity can effectively change the onset temperature and enthalpy of rice starch, and change the retrogradation properties of rice starch; however, the low ultrasound power and intensity have less effects on the granule and properties of rice starch.Practical ApplicationsUltrasound technology is widely used in starch processing. This article shows the effects of ultrasound time, power and intensity on the thermal and retrogradation properties of nonwaxy rice starch suspensions. Ultrasound processing can significantly change the properties of nonwaxy rice starch, and the ultrasound thermal effects cause the temperature increase and partly starch gelation in nonwaxy rice starch suspension during ultrasound processing. The method of high ultrasound power with strong intensity is potentially very useful to produce high‐quality modification starch for the starch industry if the thermal effects of ultrasound are avoided.