bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Performance of Rice with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Conventional Management using Different Plant Spacings
Authors: Thakur A. K. , Rath S. , Roychowdhury S. , Uphoff N. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe System of Rice Intensification (SRI) reportedly enhances the yields of rice (Oryza sativa L.) through synergy among several agronomic management practices. This study was conducted to investigate the effects on rice plant characteristics and yield by comparing the plants grown with different methods of cultivation – SRI vs. recommended management practices (RMP) focusing on the impact of different plant spacings.Performance of individual hills was significantly improved with wider spacing compared with closer‐spaced hills in terms of root growth and xylem exudation rates, leaf number and leaf sizes, canopy angle, tiller and panicle number, panicle length and grain number per panicle, grain filling and 1000‐grain weight and straw weight, irrespective of whether SRI or RMP was employed. Both sets of practices gave their highest grain yield with the spacing of 20 × 20 cm; however, SRI yielded 40 % more than the recommended practice. At this spacing, canopies also had the highest leaf area index (LAI) and light interception during flowering stage. The lowest yield was recorded at 30 × 30 cm spacing under both the practices, as a result of less plant population (11 m−2), despite improved hill performance.During the ripening stage, hills with wider spacing had larger root dry weight, produced greater xylem exudates, and transported these towards shoot at faster rates. These features contributed to the maintenance of higher chlorophyll levels, enhanced fluorescence and photosynthesis rates of leaves and supported more favourable yield attributes and grain yield in individual hills than in closely‐spaced plants.Moreover, these parameters further improved in SRI, apart from the enhanced percentage of effective tillers and showed substantial and positive impacts on grain yield (17 %) compared with recommended practice. In conclusion, wide spacing beyond optimum plant density, however, does not give higher grain yield on an area basis and for achieving this, a combination of improved hills with optimum plant population must be worked out for SRI.
Scrotal nubbins associated with blind‐ending spermatic vessels and a normal vas deferens on laparoscopy
Authors: Yamazaki Yuichiro , Suzuki Mari , Shiroyanagi Yoshiyuki , Matsuno Daisuke , Tanaka Yukichi 
Published: October 2009

Objectives:  To determine whether a scrotal nubbin is present in children with unilateral non‐palpable testis when diagnostic laparoscopy demonstrates blind‐ending vessels and a normal vas deferens entering a closed internal ring.Methods:  Eighty consecutive patients with a unilateral nonpalpable testis were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent initial diagnostic laparoscopy, and, if needed, subsequent inguinal exploration was performed. On inguinal exploration, any testicular remnant or nubbin‐like tissue was removed and evaluated histologically. Patients with a patent processus vaginalis were excluded from this analysis.Results:  Overall, 60 of the 80 patients had neither an abdominal testis nor a patent processus vaginalis. Of these 60, 34 patients had both a vas deferens and spermatic vessels entering a closed internal ring, and all of these underwent inguinal exploration. A total of 17 patients had both a blind‐ending vas deferens and blind‐ending spermatic vessels; no inguinal exploration was attempted. In nine patients, laparoscopy revealed blind‐ending vessels with a normal vas deferens entering the closed internal ring. Of these nine, six underwent inguinal exploration, and a scrotal nubbins was found in three. At histological examination, hemosiderin deposit and calcification were seen in the nubbin tissue. No viable germ cell was detected in these specimens.Conclusions:  A laparoscopic finding of blind‐ending vessels above the closed internal ring does not mean intra‐abdominal vanished testis, regardless of the appearance of the vas deferens.
Applicability of blunt renal trauma classification of Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma (JAST)
Authors: Nishizawa Satoshi , Mori Takashi , Shintani Yasuyo , Kohjimoto Yasuo , Inagaki Takeshi , Hara Isao 
Published: October 2009

Objectives:  The Japanese Association for the Surgery of Trauma (JAST) classification is widely applied to select strategies in the treatment of blunt renal trauma in Japan. We retrospectively investigated the applicability of the JAST classification.Methods:  The JAST classification comprises type I (subcapsular), type II (superficial), type III (deep) and pedicle vessel traumas. According to these criteria, we reviewed 70 patients with blunt renal trauma (types I, II, III and PV; n = 23, 22, 22 and 3, respectively) who were admitted to our institution between 1991 and 2007.Results:  All patients with type I trauma were managed conservatively and three patients with PV trauma underwent nephrectomy. Whereas two patients with underlying acquired cystic disease of the kidney underwent nephrectomy among type II trauma, the other patients were treated conservatively. As four patients with type III trauma underwent nephrectomy, injury type subclass and hemorrhage severity were significant prognostic factors indicating the need for nephrectomy in this group. Since we introduced transcatheter arterial embolization in 1999, none of our patients have needed nephrectomy due to a hemorrhage, but one patient underwent nephrectomy because of persistent urine leakage.Conclusion:  Injury type and the hemorrhage severity are useful for determining treatment strategy. After the introduction of transcatheter arterial embolization, the proportion of nephrectomies due to exsanguination decreased and urine leakage also seems to be more important as a prognostic factor.
Understanding relationships among multiple ecosystem services
Authors: Bennett Elena M. , Peterson Garry D. , Gordon Line J. 
Published: October 2009

Ecology Letters (2009) 12: 1394–1404AbstractEcosystem management that attempts to maximize the production of one ecosystem service often results in substantial declines in the provision of other ecosystem services. For this reason, recent studies have called for increased attention to development of a theoretical understanding behind the relationships among ecosystem services. Here, we review the literature on ecosystem services and propose a typology of relationships between ecosystem services based on the role of drivers and the interactions between services. We use this typology to develop three propositions to help drive ecological science towards a better understanding of the relationships among multiple ecosystem services. Research which aims to understand the relationships among multiple ecosystem services and the mechanisms behind these relationships will improve our ability to sustainably manage landscapes to provide multiple ecosystem services.
Persistence and the four‐factor model in the Australian funds market: a note
Authors: Humphrey Jacquelyn E. , O’Brien Michael A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe investigate whether Australian fund managers are able to deliver persistent performance using Carhart’s (1997) four‐factor model. Short‐ and long‐term persistence is examined and the sample is also divided into unit trusts and superannuation funds. We do not find evidence of persistence in any sample of funds. We find that winner (loser) funds tend to hold past winner (loser) stocks. Winner and loser unit trusts both appear to have positive exposure to small stocks.
The flight‐to‐quality effect: a copula‐based analysis
Authors: Durand Robert B. , Junker Markus , Szimayer Alex 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe derive and estimate a copula combining the features of the Frank and Gumbel copulas to analyse the relationship between equity and long‐term bond returns. Our analysis of quarterly returns from 1952 to 2003 finds that, in general, there is a positive relationship between equity returns and bond returns. In extreme situations, however, there is approximately a one‐in‐seven chance of a flight‐to‐quality effect where large negative equity returns are associated with large positive bond returns.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease from pathogenesis to management: an update
Authors: Musso G. , Gambino R. , Cassader M. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease in the Western world, is tightly associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD entails an increased cardiometabolic and liver‐related risk, the latter regarding almost exclusively non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of NAFLD. Pathogenetic models encompass altered hepatic lipid partitioning and adipokine action, increased oxidative stress, free fatty acid lipotoxicity. On this basis, lifestyle‐, drug‐ or surgically induced weight loss, insulin sensitizers, antioxidants, lipid‐lowering drugs have been evaluated in NAFLD/NASH. Most trials are small, of short duration, nonrandomized, without histological end points, thus limiting assessment of long‐term safety and efficacy of proposed treatments.All NAFLD patients should be evaluated for their metabolic, cardiovascular and liver‐related risk. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for staging NAFLD, but non‐invasive methods are under intense development. Weight loss through lifestyle intervention is the initial approach, because of established efficacy on NAFLD‐associated cardiometabolic abnormalities, and to emerging benefits on necroinflammation and overall disease activity in NASH. Bariatric surgery warrants further evaluation before it can be routinely considered in morbidly obese NASH.Larger‐ and longer‐duration randomized trials assessing safety and benefits of drugs on patient‐oriented outcomes are needed before pharmacological treatment can be routinely recommended for NASH.
Contribution of animal models to the understanding of the metabolic syndrome: a systematic overview
Authors: Varga O. , Harangi M. , Olsson I. A. S. , Hansen A. K. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the most important challenges to public health and biomedical research. Animal models of MetS, such as leptin‐deficient obese mice, obese spontaneously hypertensive rats, JCR: LA‐cp rats and the Ossabaw and Göttingen minipigs, have contributed to our understanding of the pathophysiological basis and the development of novel therapies. For a complex disease syndrome, no animal model can be expected to serve all needs of research. Although each animal model has limitations and strengths, used together in a complementary fashion, they are essential for research on the MetS and for rapid progress in understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis towards a cure. The purpose of this review is to assess how current animal models contributed to our knowledge of the human MetS, and to systematically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the currently available 78 animal models from 11 species.
Regulation of lipid metabolism by energy availability: a role for the central nervous system
Authors: Nogueiras R. , López M. , Diéguez C. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe central nervous system (CNS) is crucial in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Many neuroanatomical studies have shown that the white adipose tissue (WAT) is innervated by the sympathetic nervous system, which plays a critical role in adipocyte lipid metabolism. Therefore, there are currently numerous reports indicating that signals from the CNS control the amount of fat by modulating the storage or oxidation of fatty acids. Importantly, some CNS pathways regulate adipocyte metabolism independently of food intake, suggesting that some signals possess alternative mechanisms to regulate energy homeostasis. In this review, we mainly focus on how neuronal circuits within the hypothalamus, such as leptin‐ ghrelin‐and resistin‐responsive neurons, as well as melanocortins, neuropeptide Y, and the cannabinoid system exert their actions on lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues such as WAT, liver or muscle. Dissecting the complicated interactions between peripheral signals and neuronal circuits regulating lipid metabolism might open new avenues for the development of new therapies preventing and treating obesity and its associated cardiometabolic sequelae.
Variegate porphyria in a 46‐year‐old patient taking sibutramine for weight loss
Authors: Reiser M. , Eickmann S. , Haverkamp T. , Finckh U. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe acute hepatic porphyrias can cause life‐threatening attacks of neurovisceral symptoms that mimic other acute medical conditions. Variegate porphyria caused by mutations in the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) gene is a latent disorder characterized by exacerbations induced by fasting, alcohol consumption or certain drugs. We describe the case of a 46‐year‐old female patient presenting with a first episode of symptomatic porphyria after 10 d of sibutramine treatment for weight loss. Genetic analysis showed a heterozygous R168H hot spot mutation in the PPOX gene. A putative effect of sibutramine on the hepatic haem biosynthetic pathway and reduced food intake have likely caused this exacerbation of a porphyria attack. Although this may be the first case report of this kind, the risk of acute porphyria should be considered in patients using pharmacotherapy for obesity.
NEOGEOGRAPHY AND THE PALIMPSESTS OF PLACE: WEB 2.0 AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VIRTUAL EARTH
Authors: GRAHAM MARK 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTPlaces have always been palimpsests. The contemporary is constantly being constructed upon the foundations of the old. Yet only recently has place begun to take on an entirely new dimension. Millions of places are being represented in cyberspace by a labour force of hundreds of thousands of writers, cartographers and artists. This paper traces the history and geography of virtual places. The virtual Earth is not a simple mirror of its physical counterpart, but is instead characterised by both black holes of information and hubs of rich description and detail. The tens of millions of places represented virtually are part of a worldwide engineering project that is unprecedented in scale or scope and made possible by contemporary Web 2.0 technologies. The virtual Earth that has been constructed is more than just a collection of digital maps, images and articles that have been uploaded into Web 2.0 cyberspaces; it is instead a fluid and malleable alternate dimension that both influences and is influenced by the physical world.
A Framework for Interpreting Climate Model Outputs
Authors: Leith Nadja A. , Chandler Richard E. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryProjections of future climate are often based on deterministic models of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. However, these projections can vary widely between models, with differences becoming more pronounced at the relatively fine spatial and temporal scales that are relevant in many applications. We suggest that the resulting uncertainty can be handled in a logically coherent and interpretable way by using a hierarchical statistical model, implemented in a Bayesian framework. Model fitting using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques is feasible but moderately time consuming; the computational efficiency can, however, be improved dramatically by substituting maximum likelihood estimates for the original data. The work was motivated by the need for future precipitation scenarios in the UK, in applications such as flood risk assessment and water resource management. We illustrate the methodology by considering the generation of multivariate time series of atmospheric variables, that can be used to drive stochastic simulations of high resolution precipitation for risk assessment purposes.
Growth hormone and ghrelin secretion are associated with clinical severity in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Aziz N. A. , Pijl H. , Frölich M. , Schröder‐van der Elst J. P. , Van Der Bent C. , Roelfsema F. , Roos R. A. C. 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by an increased CAG repeat size in the huntingtin gene. Apart from neurological impairment, the disease is also accompanied by progressive weight loss, abnormalities in glucose homeostasis and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, which may partly be caused by disturbed growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin secretion. Therefore, we aimed to perform a detailed analysis of GH and ghrelin secretion in HD patients in relation to clinical signs and symptoms.Methods:  In nine early‐stage, medication‐free HD patients and nine age‐, gender‐ and body mass index‐matched controls, we measured serum GH levels every 10 min for 24 h and assessed ghrelin response to food intake. Multi‐parameter auto‐deconvolution and approximate entropy analysis were applied to quantify basal, pulsatile, and total GH secretion rates as well as the regularity of GH secretion.Results:  We found no significant differences in GH and ghrelin secretion characteristics between HD patients and controls (total GH secretion: 137 ± 36 vs. 181 ± 43 mU/l/24 h, respectively; P = 0.439). However, in HD patients, both GH secretion and its irregularity as well as the degree of postprandial ghrelin suppression significantly increased with worsening motor and functional impairment (all P < 0.05). Moreover, postprandial ghrelin suppression also increased with decreasing body weight and higher CAG repeat number (both P < 0.05).Conclusions:  These findings suggest changes in the regulation of GH and ghrelin secretion dynamics in early stage HD patients that could become more prominent in the later stages of the disease.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of white matter lesions – cross‐sectional results from the LADIS study
Authors: Jonsson M. , Zetterberg H. , Van Straaten E. , Lind K. , Syversen S. , Edman Å. , Blennow K. , Rosengren L. , Pantoni L. , Inzitari D. , Wallin A. 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  White matter lesions (WMLs) caused by small vessel disease are common in elderly people and contribute to cognitive impairment. There are no established biochemical markers for WMLs. We aimed to study the relation between degree of WMLs rated on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of structural biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and subcortical vascular dementia.Methods:  Fifty‐three non‐demented elderly individuals with WMLs were subjected to lumbar puncture. Degree of WMLs was rated using the Fazekas scale. Volumetric assessment of WMLs was performed. CSF samples were analyzed for the 40 and 42 amino acid fragments of amyloid β, α‐ and β‐cleaved soluble amyloid precursor protein, total tau (T‐tau), hyperphosphorylated tau (P‐tau181), neurofilament light protein (NFL), sulfatide and CSF/Serum‐albumin ratio.Results:  Fifteen subjects had mild, 23 had moderate and 15 had severe degree of WMLs. CSF‐NFL levels differed between the groups (P < 0.001) and correlated with the volume of WMLs (r = 0.477, P < 0.001). CSF sulfatide concentration displayed similar changes but less strongly. T‐tau, P‐tau181 and the different amyloid markers as well as CSF/S‐albumin ratio did not differ significantly between the groups.Conclusions:  The association of increased CSF‐NFL levels with increasing severity of WMLs in non‐demented subjects suggests that NFL is a marker for axonal damage in response to small vessel disease in the brain. This manifestation may be distinct from or earlier than the neurodegenerative process seen in AD, as reflected by the lack of association between WMLs and AD biomarkers.
Distribution of Artemin and GFRα3 Labeled Nerve Fibers in the Dura Mater of Rat
Authors: McIlvried Lisa A. , Albers Kathryn , Gold Michael S. 
Published: October 2009

(Headache 2010;50:442‐450)Objective.— We examined the distribution of artemin and its receptor, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α3 (GFRα3), in the dura mater of rats.Background.— Artemin, a member of the glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor family, is a vasculature‐derived growth factor shown to regulate migration of sympathetic neuroblasts and targeting of sympathetic innervation. The artemin receptor, GFRα3, is present in both sympathetic efferents and a subpopulation of nociceptive afferents. Recent evidence has shown that artemin may contribute to inflammatory hyperalgesia. The extent to which artemin is present in the dural vasculature and its relationship to GFRα3 containing fibers have yet to be investigated.Methods.— We used retrograde labeling, double and triple labeling with immunohistochemistry on the dura mater and trigeminal ganglia of female Sprague‐Dawley rats.Results.— Artemin‐like immunoreactivity (‐LI) was detected in the smooth muscle of dural vasculature. GFRα3‐LI was present in nerve fibers that closely associated with tyrosine hydroxylase or calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). CGRP‐LI and transient receptor potential ion channel 1 (TRPV1)‐LI were present in all GFRα3‐positive dural afferents, which constituted 22% of the total population of dural afferents.Conclusions.— These anatomical results support the hypothesis that artemin contributes to dural afferent activity, and possibly migraine pain, through modulation of both primary afferent and sympathetic systems.
Lack of Efficacy of Manual Therapy in Children and Adolescents With Suspected Cervicogenic Headache: Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled, and Blinded Trial
Authors: Borusiak Peter , Biedermann Heiner , Boßerhoff Stephanie , Opp Joachim 
Published: October 2009

(Headache 2010;50:224‐230)Objective.— Clinical trials concerning cervical spine manipulation and mobilization in children and adolescents with cervicogenic headache are lacking.Methods.— We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, and blinded trial in 52 children and adolescents (21 boys, 31 girls) aged 7‐15. After prospective baseline documentation for 2 months patients were either assigned to placebo or true manipulation with another 2‐month follow‐up. Main outcome measures were defined as: percentage of days with headache, total duration of headache, days with school absence due to headache, consume of analgesics, intensity of headache.Results.— We did not find a significant difference comparing the groups with placebo and true manipulation with respect to the defined main outcome measures.Conclusions.— We were not able to show an efficacy of cervical spine manipulation in 52 children and adolescents.
SUNCT Responsive to Percutaneous Balloon Compression of the Gasserian Ganglion – 10‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Baabor Marcos , Rosas Carlos Silva , Pérez‐Limonte Leonel 
Published: October 2009

(Headache 2010;50:143‐145)We report the case of a woman with short‐lasting unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) whose severe headache attacks ceased after percutaneous balloon compression of the Gasserian ganglion. The patient remains pain free after 10‐year follow‐up. This may be the first literature report of SUNCT in Chile.