bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of liana community diversity and structure in a tropical rainforest reserve, Ghana: effects of human disturbance
Authors: Addo‐Fordjour Patrick , Rahmad Zakaria B. , Amui Joycelyn , Pinto Chareles , Dwomoh Mavis 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMost studies have concluded that liana diversity and structure increase with disturbance. However, a contradictory pattern has emerged recently calling for more research in the area. Liana diversity and structure were investigated in three forest types that differ in disturbance intensity (nondisturbed, moderately disturbed and heavily disturbed forest: NDF, MDF and HDF, respectively) in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana. In each forest type, 10 square plots of 0.25 ha were demarcated. Lianas with diameter ≥1 cm located on trees with diameter ≥10 cm were enumerated. A total of 429 individuals representing 40 species, 29 genera and seventeen families were identified in the study. Shannon diversity and species richness of lianas were significantly lower in the HDF (P < 0.05). Liana density and basal area differed significantly across all forest types (P < 0.0001). The importance value index (IVI) of most liana species varied greatly across the forest types. The current study has provided evidence to support the pattern of decreasing liana diversity and structure with disturbance in some tropical forests. Further studies are recommended to gain more understanding of the factors that are responsible for the divergent liana responses to disturbance in tropical forests.
A red baby should not be taken too lightly
Authors: Faletra Flavio , Bruno Irene , Berti Irene , Pastore Serena , Pirrone Angela , Tommasini Alberto 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAim: To identify clinical and laboratory features that can drive the differential diagnosis of a primary immunodeficiency diseases in patients with ectodermal defects.Methods: Analysis of selected teaching cases.Results: We identified four exemplary cases that allowed to point out specific clues.Conclusions: A careful evaluation of immune and ectodermal signs is the key to the diagnosis. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach can lead to diagnosis and to an appropriate treatment in most of the cases.
Craniofacial and dental development in cardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome: the importance of Ras signaling homeostasis
Authors: Goodwin AF , Oberoi S , Landan M , Charles C , Groth J , Martinez A , Fairley C , Weiss LA , Tidyman WE , Klein OD , Rauen KA 
Published: September 2012

AbstractCardio‐facio‐cutaneous syndrome (CFC) is a RASopathy that is characterized by craniofacial, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, ocular, cardiac, and neurologic anomalies. CFC is caused by activating mutations in the Ras/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway that is downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. RTK signaling is known to play a central role in craniofacial and dental development, but to date, no studies have systematically examined individuals with CFC to define key craniofacial and dental features. To fill this critical gap in our knowledge, we evaluated the craniofacial and dental phenotype of a large cohort (n = 32) of CFC individuals who attended the 2009 and 2011 CFC International Family Conferences. We quantified common craniofacial features in CFC which include macrocephaly, bitemporal narrowing, convex facial profile, and hypoplastic supraorbital ridges. In addition, there is a characteristic dental phenotype in CFC syndrome that includes malocclusion with open bite, posterior crossbite, and a high‐arched palate. This thorough evaluation of the craniofacial and dental phenotype in CFC individuals provides a step forward in our understanding of the role of RTK/MAPK signaling in human craniofacial development and will aid clinicians who treat patients with CFC.
Is an occupation with vocal load a risk factor for laryngopharyngeal reflux: a prospective, multicentre, multivariate comparative study
Authors: Hočevar‐Boltežar I. , Šereg‐Bahar M. , Kravos A. , Mumović G. , Mitrović S. 
Published: September 2012

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2012, 37, 362–368Objectives:  To compare the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux in choristers, teachers and control subjects without vocal load at work and to determine the risk factors for laryngopharyngeal reflux.Design:  A prospective, multicentre, multivariate comparative study.Participants:  One hundred and nineteen singers from four professional choirs, seventy teachers from four schools and 111 control subjects with an occupation without vocal load.Main outcome measures:  All participants completed a questionnaire about their dietary habits, height and weight, presence of stress, smoking and allergies, including the nine‐item Reflux Symptom Index. The groups of choristers, teachers and the controls were compared with each other with regard to their sex, age, dietary habits, body‐mass index, Reflux Symptom Index score and other factors affecting voice quality. The subjects from all three groups with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux were compared with the subjects without it. The relationship between the Reflux Symptom Index score and the possible risk factors for reflux was estimated.Results:  The results showed significantly higher Reflux Symptom Index scores in the choristers than in the teachers and the controls (mean scores, 7.86 versus 6.33, P = 0.044; 7.86 versus 4.80, P = 0.000, respectively), but the number of subjects with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (Reflux Symptom Index score >13) did not differ significantly between the groups. The choristers were significantly more often treated for laryngopharyngeal reflux than the teachers and the controls (41%, 17% and 28%, respectively). The occupation chorister and frequently experiencing stress were the only factors that influenced the total Reflux Symptom Index score.Conclusions:  Laryngopharyngeal reflux affects the choristers more often than the teachers or the control subjects without vocal load at work. These results suggest that singing as the main professional activity can notably contribute to the development of the reflux. Vocal load without singing is probably not an important aetiological factor for laryngopharyngeal reflux. The extraoesophageal symptoms affecting voice require treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux and proper dietary habits especially in the group with high voice quality demands.
Carotid stenosis after adjuvant cervical radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancers: a prospective controlled study
Authors: Greco A. , Gallo A. , De Virgilio A. , Marinelli C. , Macri G.F. , Fusconi M. , Pagliuca G. , de Vincentiis M. 
Published: September 2012

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2012, 37, 376–381Objectives:  To determine the prevalence of radiation‐induced carotid stenosis, in patients who were treated for head and neck malignancies, using colour‐flow duplex scanning.Design:  Prospective controlled study at a single medical centre.Participants:  We enrolled two groups of patients. The first (radiotherapy group) consisted of patients who received surgical treatment and adjuvant radiotherapy of the neck. The control group consisted of patients with head and neck malignancies who received only surgical treatment.Main outcome measures:  All patients were evaluated with carotid artery ecoDoppler imaging 1 week before and 36 months after the surgical procedure. Intima‐media thickness was measured bilaterally at the internal carotid artery and at the bifurcation. Carotid obstruction was classified as low (0–30%), moderate (31–49%) or severe (≥50%).Results:  The preoperative stenosis grade did not differ between groups. In 15/25 patients (60%) in the radiotherapy group, mild stenosis evolved to moderate stenosis, while only 6/37 (16%) of the controls did (P = 0.004). Additionally, 9/39 (23%) patients in the radiotherapy group progressed to severe stenosis compared with only 3/54 (6%) controls (P = 0.029). The overall evolution showed that stenosis worsened in 24/32 (62%) patients in the radiotherapy group and 9/54 (17%) patients in the control groups (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  These results highlight the need to study the long‐term incidence of cerebrovascular events in these two different populations (radiation treated and surgically treated) to identify increased cerebrovascular morbidity.
Performance of homeostasis model assessment and serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein for prediction of isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia
Authors: Lai Y.‐C. , Li H.‐Y. , Hung C.‐S. , Lin M.‐S. , Shih S.‐R. , Ma W.‐Y. , Hua C.‐H. , Chuang L.‐M. , Sung F.‐C. , Wei J.‐N. 
Published: September 2012

Diabet. Med. 30, 318–325 (2013)AbstractAims  To evaluate whether homeostasis model assessment and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein improve the prediction of isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia.Methods  The subjects were 1458 adults without self‐reported diabetes recruited between 2006 and 2010. Isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia was defined as fasting plasma glucose < 7 mmol/l and 2‐h post‐load plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l. Risk scores of isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia were constructed by multivariate logistic regression. An independent group (n = 154) was enrolled from 2010 to 2011 to validate the models’ performance.Results  One hundred and twenty‐three subjects (8.28%) were newly diagnosed as having diabetes mellitus. Among those with undiagnosed diabetes, 64 subjects (52%) had isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia. Subjects with isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia were older, more centrally obese and had higher blood pressure, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and lower homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function than those without diabetes. The risk scores included age, gender, BMI, homeostasis model assessment, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and HbA1c. The full model had high sensitivity (84%) and specificity (87%) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.91), with a cut‐off point of 23.81; validation in an independent data set showed 88% sensitivity, 77% specificity and an area under curve of 0.89.Conclusions  Over half of those with undiagnosed diabetes had isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia. Homeostasis model assessment and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein are useful to identify subjects with isolated post‐load hyperglycaemia, with improved performance over fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c alone.
Lessons From an Unusual Critter: What Can Unusual Animals Teach Us?
Authors: Klopfer Peter H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe study of unusual or little‐known animals can pay enormous dividends by providing new insights into fundamental biological processes. One has to consider only the implications of the studies on Aplysia or Caenorhabditis as illustrations, to say nothing of the many examples from the work of Gunter Tembrock, in whose honor this lecture is offered. Recent studies of the hibernation of a small primate from Madagascar, the fat‐tailed dwarf lemur, which may remain in a condition of torpor for weeks at a time, promise a range of similar insights.
Common reeds (Phragmites australis) as sustainable energy source: experimental and modelling analysis of torrefaction and pyrolysis processes
Authors: Patuzzi Francesco , Mimmo Tanja , Cesco Stefano , Gasparella Andrea , Baratieri Marco 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is to apply advanced analytical techniques and kinetic modelling to common reeds (Phragmites australis) to characterize its pyrolysis and torrefaction as possible environmental friendly and sustainable pathways of fuel upgrading. Simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis have been carried out on common reeds. The evolved gases during the decomposition process have been analysed by a coupled infrared gas analyser and gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. Different reed origins (China and Italy) and plant parts (stem and leaves) have been compared. The results have been used to calibrate a torrefaction kinetic model. The model has also been tested simulating a reed torrefaction run occurring in a bench‐scale apparatus, supplementing the chemical analysis with a thermal simulation of the reactor carried out through a finite elements approach. The results show that the proposed modelling approach allows the prediction of the reaction products with a satisfying degree of accuracy. Besides its phytodepuration potential, P. australis has proven to be an interesting natural biomass resource for thermochemical conversion processes and energy production both for its suitability and availability.
Creating an impersonal NHS? Personalization, choice and the erosion of intimacy
Authors: Owens John 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundPersonalization – most often understood in terms of granting patients greater opportunity to participate in, and make choices about, the services they receive – has become a key principle guiding reform of the English NHS.ObjectiveThis study sets out to explore the relationship between two senses of the term ‘personal’ within the context of personalization. Firstly, much of the policy literature equates a ‘personal’ service with one that is responsive to the choices of individual patients. Secondly, the term ‘personal’ can be thought to refer to the intimate relationships between patients and medical professionals that have typified traditional models of good practice.Methodology and DiscussionI combine a review of the relevant academic and policy literature on personalization with a process of conceptual analysis to uncover three arguments, which suggest that personalization based on choice may adversely affect standards of care by eroding the qualities of intimacy at the heart of the care process. Thus, an unintended consequence of the drive for personalization may be the creation of an NHS that is, in an important sense, less personal than it once was.ConclusionWhilst personalization may deliver many potential benefits, the tension between promoting patient choice and retaining intimate professional‐patient relationships ought to be taken seriously. Thus, the task of promoting choice whilst retaining intimacy represents a key policy challenge for advocates of personalization.
Involvement of FgERG4 in ergosterol biosynthesis, vegetative differentiation and virulence in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Liu Xin , Jiang Jinhua , Yin Yanni , Ma Zhonghua 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThe ergosterol biosynthesis pathway is well understood in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but currently little is known about the pathway in plant‐pathogenic fungi. In this study, we characterized the Fusarium graminearum FgERG4 gene encoding sterol C‐24 reductase, which catalyses the conversion of ergosta‐5,7,22,24‐tetraenol to ergosterol in the final step of ergosterol biosynthesis. The FgERG4 deletion mutant ΔFgErg4‐2 failed to synthesize ergosterol. The mutant exhibited a significant decrease in mycelial growth and conidiation, and produced abnormal conidia. In addition, the mutant showed increased sensitivity to metal cations and to various cell stresses. Surprisingly, mycelia of ΔFgErg4‐2 revealed increased resistance to cell wall‐degrading enzymes. Fungicide sensitivity tests revealed that ΔFgErg4‐2 showed increased resistance to various sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBIs), which is consistent with the over‐expression of SBI target genes in the mutant. ΔFgErg4‐2 was impaired dramatically in virulence, although it was able to successfully colonize flowering wheat head and tomato, which is in agreement with the observation that the mutant produces a significantly lower level of trichothecene mycotoxins than does the wild‐type progenitor. All of these phenotypic defects of ΔFgErg4‐2 were complemented by the reintroduction of a full‐length FgERG4 gene. In addition, FgERG4 partially rescued the defect of ergosterol biosynthesis in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ERG4 deletion mutant. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that FgERG4 plays a crucial role in ergosterol biosynthesis, vegetative differentiation and virulence in the filamentous fungus F. graminearum.
Inferring animal population distributions from individual tracking data: theoretical insights and potential pitfalls
Authors: Holdo Ricardo M. , Roach R. Ryan 
Published: September 2012

Summary

Animal population‐level phenomena are often inferred from large tracking data sets obtained from only a few individuals. Two key challenges are to understand how these two scales are related, and to identify the factors that influence the extent to which small samples consisting of a few individuals can predict spatial patterns at the population scale.

We used a simple spatially explicit theoretical model to explore some of the factors that affect inferences made at the population level from individual tracking data. We adopted a ‘mixtures of correlated random walks’ approach to simulate two discrete movement modes with different step lengths and turning angles in a hypothetical ungulate population with contrasting population sizes and sampling intensities. Movement state was assumed to be influenced by habitat type (patch or matrix) and social cues. We explored the predictive power of a tracked population subsample by regressing the space‐use map generated by a few randomly chosen individuals against the map generated by the entire population (the ‘true’ map) for different scenarios (e.g. random and clumped habitat distributions) and parameter values.

We show that the predictive power of the tracking sample varies nonlinearly and often counter‐intuitively with factors such as habitat preference, the spatial context of the landscape and the importance of social interactions.

We suggest that movement models coupled with individual tracking data can be used with Monte Carlo simulations to improve tracking studies by better understanding the links between detailed individual movement data and population distributions.
Using the NHS sustainability framework to understand the activities and resource implications of Canadian nursing guideline early adopters
Authors: Higuchi Kathryn Smith , Downey Angela , Davies Barbara , Bajnok Irmajean , Waggott Melissa 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine the activities and resource implications for the initial cohort of healthcare organisations involved in the introduction of multiple nursing guidelines.Background.  The Best Practice Spotlight Organization initiative was launched in 2003 as part of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario’s Best Practice Guidelines programme. While previous research has evaluated improvements in patient care and outcomes, there has been limited research from an organisational perspective on the activities conducted to introduce nursing guidelines.Design.  Secondary analysis of retrospective narrative data.Methods.  We conducted a content analysis of the 2004–2006 annual reports from the seven participating sites. We used both deductive and inductive approaches to categorise the guideline implementation activities and their resource implications.Results.  All sites reported implementing multiple guidelines (four to nine guidelines per site) and used a wide range of implementation activities that clearly addressed nine of the 10 NHS Sustainability dimensions. The dimension not reported was benefits beyond helping patients. All sites established steering committees that involved staff and senior leaders, reviewed selected guidelines and recommendations, reviewed existing policies and procedures and developed new policies and procedures, recruited champions or peer mentors, applied for additional external funding to support activities, developed relationships with external clinical partners, included guideline implementation in orientation, developed intra‐agency web‐based and print communications for the project, and evaluated practice changes. For each of these activities, the sites reported expenditures and resource usage.Conclusions.  The organisational processes used for the introduction of new nursing guidelines in Canada are remarkably consistent with factors identified by leaders and change agents in the UK who developed the NHS Sustainability Model.Relevance to clinical practice.  A multidimensional framework for sustainability is useful for planning successful guideline implementation across an organisation. Examples of specific activities and resource implications for organisational change are provided.
Evaluation of an educational programme for family members of patients living with heart failure: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Löfvenmark Caroline , Saboonchi Fredrik , Edner Magnus , Billing Ewa , Mattiasson Anne‐Cathrine 
Published: September 2012

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate the effect of a group‐based multi‐professional educational programme for family members of patients with chronic heart failure with regard to quality of life, depression and anxiety. The secondary aim was to investigate the impact of social support and sense of coherence on changes in quality of life, anxiety and depression during the period of the study.Background.  When a person is diagnosed with heart failure, the daily life of the family members is also affected.Design.  Randomised controlled trial.Methods.  A total of 128 family members were randomly assigned to participate in a multi‐professional educational programme or a control group. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were used.Results.  There were no significant differences in anxiety, depression or quality of life between the intervention group and control group. Adequacy of social network was the only independent variable that explained levels of anxiety and depression after 12 months beyond baseline levels of anxiety (p < 0·001, R2 = 0·35) and depression (p = 0·021, R2 = 0·37). Younger family members were found to have a higher quality of life (p < 0·01).Conclusion.  Improved disease‐related knowledge may need to be combined with other target variables to induce desired effects on depression, anxiety and quality of life of family members. Antecedents of depression and anxiety, such as sense of control, may need to be specifically targeted. Our results also suggest that intervention aimed at enhancing social support may be beneficial for family members.Relevance to clinical practice.  Anxiety and depression did not decrease nor did quality of life improve after the intervention. An educational programme for family members with a component specifically targeting anxiety, depression and quality of life warrants testing. Furthermore, it is important that health care providers understand the influence of social support on anxiety, depression and quality of life when interacting with family members.