bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invasive species can't cover their tracks: using microsatellites to assist management of starling (Sturnus vulgaris) populations in Western Australia
Authors: ROLLINS LEE ANN , WOOLNOUGH ANDREW P. , WILTON ALAN N. , SINCLAIR RON , SHERWIN WILLIAM B. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractInvasive species are known to cause environmental and economic damage, requiring management by control agencies worldwide. These species often become well established in new environments long before their detection, resulting in a lack of knowledge regarding their history and dynamics. When new invasions are discovered, information regarding the source and pathway of the invasion, and the degree of connectivity with other populations can greatly benefit management strategies. Here we use invasive common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) populations from Australia to demonstrate that genetic techniques can provide this information to aid management, even when applied to highly vagile species over continental scales. Analysis of data from 11 microsatellites in 662 individuals sampled at 17 localities across their introduced range in Australia revealed four populations. One population consisted of all sampling sites from the expansion front in Western Australia, where control efforts are focused. Despite evidence of genetic exchange over both contemporary and historical timescales, gene flow is low between this population and all three more easterly populations. This suggests that localized control of starlings on the expansion front may be an achievable goal and the long‐standing practice of targeting select proximal eastern source populations may be ineffective on its own. However, even with low levels of gene flow, successful control of starlings on the expansion front will require vigilance, and genetic monitoring of this population can provide essential information to managers. The techniques used here are broadly applicable to invasive populations worldwide.
Analysis of Australian fur seal diet by pyrosequencing prey DNA in faeces
Authors: DEAGLE BRUCE E. , KIRKWOOD ROGER , JARMAN SIMON N. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDNA‐based techniques have proven useful for defining trophic links in a variety of ecosystems and recently developed sequencing technologies provide new opportunities for dietary studies. We investigated the diet of Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) by pyrosequencing prey DNA from faeces collected at three breeding colonies across the seals’ range. DNA from 270 faecal samples was amplified with four polymerase chain reaction primer sets and a blocking primer was used to limit amplification of fur seal DNA. Pooled amplicons from each colony were sequenced using the Roche GS‐FLX platform, generating > 20 000 sequences. Software was developed to sort and group similar sequences. A total of 54 bony fish, 4 cartilaginous fish and 4 cephalopods were identified based on the most taxonomically informative amplicons sequenced (mitochondrial 16S). The prevalence of sequences from redbait (Emmelichthys nitidus) and jack mackerel (Trachurus declivis) confirm the importance of these species in the seals’ diet. A third fish species, blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus), may be a more important prey species than previously recognised. There were major differences in the proportions of prey DNA recovered in faeces from different colonies, probably reflecting differences in prey availability. Parallel hard‐part analysis identified largely the same main prey species as did the DNA‐based technique, but with lower species diversity and no remains from cartilaginous prey. The pyrosequencing approach presented significantly expands the capabilities of DNA‐based methods of dietary analysis and is suitable for large‐scale diet investigations on a broad range of animals.
Massive parallel MHC genotyping: titanium that shines
Authors: WEGNER K. MATHIAS 
Published: March 2009

The power of population genetic analyses is often limited by sample size resulting from constraints in financial resources and time to genotype large numbers of individuals. This particularly applies to nonmodel species where detailed genomic knowledge is lacking. Next‐generation sequencing technology using primers ‘tagged’ with an individual barcode of a few nucleotides offers the opportunity to genotype hundreds of individuals at several loci in parallel (Binladen et al. 2007; Meyer et al. 2008). The large number of sequence reads can also be used to identify artefacts by frequency distribution thresholds intrinsically determined for each run and data set. In Babik et al. (2009), next‐generation deep sequencing was used to genotype several major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class IIB loci of the European bank vole (Fig. 1). Their approach can be useful for many researchers working with complex multiallelic templates and large sample sizes.Hypothetical example of parallel genotyping of two individuals using individually bar‐coded primers. Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) are performed separately for each individual using a forward primer with a unique Tag‐sequence of four nucleotides. After sequencing of pooled PCR products, sequences can be sorted by their forward primer Tag (Tag‐sorting error rate was estimated < 0.1%). Rare sequences most likely represent artefacts and due to the large amount of sequences obtained (up to 106) the artefact threshold can be determined intrinsically for each data set and was estimated to be around 3% in the case of bank vole MHC class IIB genes (Babik et al. 2009). Photos by Gabriela Bydlon.image
Epidermoid cysts: an exclusive palatal presentation and a case series
Authors: Ravindranath Abhilash Pasare , Ramalingam Karthikeyan , Natesan Anuja , Ramani Pratibha , Premkumar Priya , Thiruvengadam Chandrasekar 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Epidermoid cysts (EC) can occur anywhere in the body. In the head and neck region, they more often present in the midline between the submental region and the supra sternal notch. EC in the oral cavity are extremely rare and present as benign, slow growing lesions.Methods  Records from College of Dental Surgery, Saveetha University, from 2002 to 2006 were searched for cases coded as EC. The study included 13 cases within the oral and maxillofacial region.Results  Of the 13 cases, 11 occurred in male patients and 2 in female patients. Specific anatomic locations included posterior auricular region (n = 2), forehead region (n = 2), lateral side of the face (n = 3), chin (n = 1), gingiva (n = 3), intraosseous within the anterior maxilla (n = 1), and hard palate (n = 1).Conclusion  Besides the previously reported locations, we present the first case occurring in the hard palate, measuring 5 × 3 cm in size along with melanin pigmentation.
Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis: a sign of immune dysregulation?
Authors: Dahdah Maurice J. , Kurban Mazen , Kibbi Abdul‐Ghani , Ghosn Samer 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe manifestations of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (PLCA) are usually limited to the skin. The exact etiopathogenesis of PLCA has not been clearly elucidated yet. An increasing number of reports in the literature that associate PLCA with various autoimmune/immune disorders suggest that underlying immune‐mediated factors may be implicated.We report a case of sarcoidosis and a case of IgA nephropathy in association with extensive macular amyloidosis, adding these two conditions to the list of other autoimmune/immune disorders associated with PLCA.At least a subset of PLCA patients, especially those with extensive involvement, may have associated autoimmune/immune disorders raising the possibility of a common underlying immune‐mediated mechanism.
Annular eruption preceding relapsing polychondritis: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Watkins Shannon , Magill Jr J. Michael , Ramos‐Caro Francisco A. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractRelapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare multisystem disorder affecting cartilaginous tissues, primarily of the ears, nose, larynx, and trachea. RP shows dermatologic manifestations in 35–50% of cases, and may show skin findings as the first sign of disease in 12% of affected patients. There have been reports of urticarial‐like lesions in RP, typically associated with vasculitis, as well as a few reports of erythema multiforme‐like lesions. There has also been one previous report of erythema annulare centrifugum associated with RP, presenting with a histology suggestive of a drug eruption. Our patient presented with urticarial and erythema annulare centrifugum‐like plaques preceding the diagnosis of RP by over 1 year, with an initial histology suggestive of a drug eruption.
Cutaneous plasma cell granuloma: report of a case with novel histologic and immunohistochemical findings
Authors: Chen Yu‐Fei , Chao Chao‐Ming , Liu Han‐Nan 
Published: March 2009

A 50‐year‐old man presented with an asymptomatic, 1.5 × 1.5 cm, dark‐brown noduloplaque with a rubbery consistency (Fig. 1) on the lateral aspect of the left lower leg of uncertain duration. His general condition was healthy, and he did not recall any trauma or insect bite at this site. No similar skin lesions were found elsewhere and no lymphadenopathy was observed. The lesion revealed a nonencapsulated, but well‐circumscribed, deep dermal nodule with several lymphoid aggregates and germinal center‐like structures within the tumor and also at the periphery, when examined microscopically at scanning power (Fig. 2a). The epidermis showed no remarkable changes, except for basal hyperpigmentation. At higher power, a mixed inflammatory infiltrate composed of histiocytes, foamy histiocytes (Fig. 2b), lymphocytes, and abundant plasma cells (Fig. 2c) with Russell bodies was revealed. The stroma contained mainly hyalinized and sclerotic collagen fibers (Fig. 2d). Prominent venules were noted, especially in the sclerotic areas, and some were surrounded by dense collagen fibers. No vasculitis or emperipolesis was found. No foreign materials were observed by polarization microscopy, and no organisms could be identified by periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), Grocott methenamine silver (GMS), Giemsa, Gram, acid‐fast, or fite stains. The results of testing for infection by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) (latent membrane protein 1, LMP‐1) were negative. No spindle cells were found in the lesion.A brownish noduloplaque, about 1.5 × 1.5 cm in size, located over the lateral aspect of the left lower legimage(a) A well‐circumscribed deep dermal nodule with lymphoid aggregates and germinal center‐like structures within the tumor and at its periphery. (b) Foamy histiocytes in serial sections. (c) Plasma cells in the infiltrate. (d) Hyalinized collagenous stroma with perivascular patterned fibrosis (arrow). Hematoxylin and eosin. Original magnification: (a) ×10; (b, c) ×400; (d) ×200image Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated mature plasma cells stained with CD138, and polyclonality was confirmed by the expression of both kappa and lambda light chains. The germinal center‐like lymphoid aggregates were found to be B cells, which reacted positively with CD20. Scarce S100‐positive cells and even rarer CD1a‐positive cells were detected. Test results for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) were negative. Abundant CD68+ macrophages were observed within the lesion (Fig. 3a), and about 50–75% of the inflammatory cells were found to express cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) (Fig. 3b). The patient's condition was diagnosed as cutaneous plasma cell granuloma (CPCG). One year after excision, no evidence of recurrence was observed.(a) Abundant CD68+ macrophages in the lesion (immunohistochemical staining, ×200). (b) Positive reaction with anti‐cyclooxygenase‐2 (anti‐COX‐2) in 50–75% of inflammatory cells (immunohistochemical staining, ×400)image
Eumycotic mycetoma caused by Madurella mycetomatis successfully treated with antifungals, surgery, and topical negative pressure therapy
Authors: Estrada‐Chavez Guadalupe E. , Vega‐Memije Maria Elisa , Arenas Roberto , Chavez‐Lopez Guadalupe , Estrada‐Castañon Roberto , Fernandez Ramon , Hay Roderick , Dominguez‐Cherit Judith 
Published: March 2009

We report a 21‐year‐old farmer with a 4‐year history of a nodular plaque with fistulas and induration of adjacent skin. The lesion had been treated surgically at another hospital, but recurred 2 years later.Black, charcoal‐like grains were observed draining through the fistulas. A biopsy specimen showed brown grains with filaments in an abscess surrounded by macrophages, giant cells, and lymphocytes. Culture demonstrated small white colonies of Madurella mycetomatis. The patient was treated with itraconazole for 6 months, followed by surgery. TNP was initiated in the immediate post‐operative period, and copious granulation tissue was observed within 1 week. Autologous skin grafting was performed, and itraconazole was continued for an additional 3 months. Although necrosis of the graft ensued, the functional result was acceptable. The patient appeared free of disease at 18 months of follow‐up.Eumycotic mycetoma is an infectious and inflammatory process that occurs after traumatic inoculation of fungi through the skin. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but successful reconstruction may be challenging and recurrence is common. Topical negative pressure (TNP) promotes the formation of granulation tissue, which facilitates closure of deep wounds and chronic ulcers. This case illustrates that eumycotic mycetoma is difficult to treat. Whether TNP contributed to the successful outcome cannot be proven but, given the generally poor response of eumycetoma to therapy, we suggest that the role of TNP in the management of this disease merits attention.
Are we aware of all complications following body piercing procedures?
Authors: Antoszewski Bogusław , Szychta Paweł , Fijałkowska Marta 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  The popularity of body piercing procedures is increasing around the world. Body piercing, depending on the age and social group, is believed to involve up to 51% of the general population. Complications following piercing procedures are variable.Objective  To present an unusual complication after lower lip piercing – embedding of a stud into the lip – and to determine why it occurred from the side of the mucous membrane and not from the side of the skin.Methods  A 21‐year‐old man presented to the plastic surgery outpatient clinic with embedding of piercing into the lower lip.Results  In lateral X‐ray film, a metallic shadow was observed in the area of the oral soft tissues. The length of the stick was only 8 mm. In this patient, a stick that was too short in relation to the thickness of the lip was used. In this situation, the ends of the stud pressed too strongly on the surrounding tissues. Consequently, this may have caused necrosis of the mucous membrane and embedding of the stud into the lip.Conclusion  The observations described confirm a higher susceptibility to mechanical pressure of the mucous membrane than of the skin. An increasing rate of complications after body piercing reflects a lack of medical knowledge in individuals performing such procedures.
Sperm competition and maternal effects differentially influence testis and sperm size in Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: GAY L. , HOSKEN D. J. , VASUDEV R. , TREGENZA T. , EADY P. E. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe evolutionary factors affecting testis size are well documented, with sperm competition being of major importance. However, the factors affecting sperm length are not well understood; there are no clear theoretical predictions and the empirical evidence is inconsistent. Recently, maternal effects have been implicated in sperm length variation, a finding that may offer insights into its evolution. We investigated potential proximate and microevolutionary factors influencing testis and sperm size in the bruchid beetle Callosobruchus maculatus using a combined approach of an artificial evolution experiment over 90 generations and an environmental effects study. We found that while polyandry seems to select for larger testes, it had no detectable effect on sperm length. Furthermore, population density, a proximate indicator of sperm competition risk, was not significantly associated with sperm length or testis size variation. However, there were strong maternal effects influencing sperm length.
First Report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (Group 16SrI) Infecting Fruits and Vegetables in Islamabad, Pakistan
Authors: Fahmeed Fauqia , Rosete Yaima Arocha , Pérez Karel Acosta , Boa Eric , Lucas John 
Published: March 2009

AbstractNearby fruit and vegetable fields in Islamabad, Pakistan were surveyed for phytoplasma infection. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ (Group 16SrI) was found infecting mango, citrus, loquat, geranium, periwinkle, radish, blackberry and potato. Results suggest that a polyphagous vector may be involved in phytoplasma transmission to these plant species, which are first host records of 16SrI phytoplasma infection in Pakistan.
Long‐term changes in hydroid (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) assemblages: effect of Mediterranean warming?
Authors: Puce Stefania , Bavestrello Giorgio , Di Camillo Cristina Gioia , Boero Ferdinando 
Published: March 2009

AbstractMarine hydroids are markedly seasonal in temperate seas, being extremely sensitive to climatic changes disrupting seasonal patterns. Modifications in the composition, seasonality, bathymetric distribution and reproductive period of hydroid assemblages are useful to evaluate the influence of global warming on the marine ecosystem. The hydroids on the rocky cliff of the Portofino Promontory (Ligurian Sea, Italy) were carefully studied between 1976 and 1983; in particular, in 1980 the study was carried out along a vertical transect. The hydroids were sampled again throughout 2004, with the same techniques and along the same transect. Species diversity decreased slightly in the 2004 survey. Some species present in 1980 had disappeared in 2004, but other species with southern affinity, never recorded from the area, became abundant in 2004. Species that were present in summer in the first period were also present in winter in the second one. Furthermore, shallow summer species widened their bathymetric distribution, reaching deeper levels. These data strongly suggest that the Portofino hydroid assemblage reacted to the water temperature increase found in the Mediterranean Sea.
Differences in frontal lobe function between violent and nonviolent conduct disorder in male adolescents
Authors: Miura Hideki 
Published: March 2009

Aims:  The objective of the present study was to investigate the differences in frontal lobe function between violent and nonviolent male adolescents with conduct disorder.Methods:  A total of 309 male adolescents who had been admitted to the Nagoya Juvenile Classification Home participated. The participants were divided into two groups, a violent group composed of individuals who had committed violence against others, and a nonviolent group. The subjects were given the Wisconsin card sorting test (Keio version: KWCST) and the Iowa Gambling task. The presence of violent cases was analyzed in terms of age, family history (crime, drug abuse/dependence, alcohol‐related disorder, and psychiatric treatment), experience of being abused by their parents or by the persons who were responsible for raising them, as well as categories achieved (CA) of KWCST (≤4, >4) and total selection of disadvantage cards of Iowa Gambling task (≥50, <50).Results:  Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that a family history of drug abuse/dependence (odds ratio = 0.3, 95% confidence interval = 0.1–0.9) and a CA of the KWCST (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.0–3.1) were significantly associated with violence.Conclusions:  An impaired rate of CA of the KWCST was related to violence, whereas a family history of drug abuse/dependence was related to nonviolence in male adolescents with conduct disorder.
Anger and functioning amongst inpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder living in a therapeutic community
Authors: Fassino Secondo , Amianto Federico , Gastaldo Luigi , Leombruni Paolo 
Published: March 2009

Aims:  This study explored the functional correlates of anger amongst therapeutic community inpatients.Methods:  The sample consisted of 44 subjects diagnosed with schizophrenic/schizoaffective disorder who were involved in a community treatment program. Assessment involved administration of the Health of Nation Outcome Scales and the Global Assessment of Functioning as well as self‐evaluations using the Social Adaptation Self‐evaluation Scale. Psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale. Angry feelings and coping skills were self‐assessed with the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory and the Symptom Checklist‐90 Hostility Scale. Multiple regression analyses correlated anger with functioning, controlling for psychopathology.Results:  Angry feelings related to self‐harm, hyperactivity, physical problems, and to global weight independently from Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale scores. They also predicted interest and pleasure in housekeeping, quality of social relationships and relational exchanges.Conclusions:  Results showed that angry feelings were not merely derivations of schizophrenic psychopathology; rather, they were independently related to self‐damaging behaviors, to attentional demands towards the staff, to agreement to community tasks and to low quality of social relationships. Indeed, anger was related to adaptation's level in a therapeutic community setting demonstrated by subjects with psychoses and it may represent an indirect measure of their experienced quality of life. Therapeutic and management approaches to anger amongst subjects with schizophrenia are discussed.
Characteristics of asthma attack with long‐term management for bronchial asthma
Authors: Kawahara Noriko , Hasegawa Shunji , Hashimoto Kunio , Matsubara Tomoyo , Ichiyama Takashi , Furukawa Susumu 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground:  There have been no reports on the evaluation of the usefulness of long‐term asthma management based on the Japanese Pediatric Guideline for the Treatment and Management of Bronchial Asthma 2005 (JPGL 2005).Methods:  The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively investigate the records of 350 patients admitted to Yamaguchi University Hospital who had asthma attacks from January 2006 to June 2008. There were 149 patients who were treated for more than 3 months in accordance with the guideline (long‐term management group) and 201 who were not (non‐long‐term management group). The patients were divided into three age groups: 100 infants, 159 toddlers, and 91 schoolchildren.Results:  The onset age of asthma in the long‐term management group was earlier than that in the non‐long‐term management group in toddlers and schoolchildren. The white blood cell counts and C‐reactive protein levels were higher in the non‐long‐term management group in schoolchildren, suggesting the complication of some infections. The severity of asthma in the long‐term management group was greater than that in the non‐long‐term management group among all three age groups. There were no significant differences, however, in the severity of asthma attack at admission between the long‐term and non‐long‐term management groups in the three age groups.Conclusion:  Patients who had severe asthma tended to be treated with long‐term management, which suggests that long‐term asthma management according to JPGL 2005 may reduce the severity of asthma attack at that admission, because the severity of asthma in patients undergoing long‐term management correlates with the severity of asthma attack.