bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the ecological integrity of a grassland ecosystem: the applicability and rapidity of the SAGraSS method
Authors: Kaiser W. , Avenant N. L. , Haddad C. R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe Grassland Biome is currently one of the most threatened biomes in South Africa and is in dire need of a biomonitoring protocol. The components of ecological integrity in these ecosystems are, however, too diverse and time‐consuming to measure scrupulously. It is therefore necessary to develop a set of grassland indicators that are efficient and rapid in their assessment of grassland ecosystem integrity. The South African Grassland Scoring System (SAGraSS), based on the grassland insect community, is such a suggested indicator. The present study is the first to investigate the applicability and rapidity of this proposed method. Although SAGraSS scores correlated significantly with Ecological Index values (the most commonly used index by which veld condition is evaluated in central South Africa), the method proved to be tedious and the identification of insects taxing. We offer a number of changes to make the SAGraSS method a more rapid method of assessment.
Clinical trial: a nutritional supplement Viusid, in combination with diet and exercise, in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: VILAR GOMEZ E. , RODRIGUEZ DE MIRANDA A. , GRA ORAMAS B. , ARUS SOLER E. , LLANIO NAVARRO R. , CALZADILLA BERTOT L. , YASELLS GARCIA A. , DEL ROSARIO ABREU VAZQUEZ M. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground  Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a significant health problem for which there is no universally accepted pharmacological treatment. The combination of weight loss and antioxidant drugs to ameliorate insulin resistance and improve steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis provides the rational for therapeutic trials.Aim  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a nutritional supplement Viusid in association with diet and exercise for NAFLD.Methods  A randomized, controlled and parallel‐group trial was conducted at a tertiary care academic centre (National Institute of Gastroenterology, Havana, Cuba). We randomly assigned 60 patients with liver biopsy‐proven NAFLD to 6 months of treatment with a hypocaloric diet plus aerobic exercise daily and three Viusid sachets daily or a hypocaloric diet and exercise. Endpoints were improvement in the NAFLD activity score (NAS), fibrosis and normalization of serum aminotransferase levels.Results  A significant improvement in steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis was seen in each group of treatment (P < 0.01 for each feature). The Viusid group, as compared with the control group, significantly reduced the mean of NAS [from 4.18 to 0.54 points in the Viusid group vs. 4.45 to 2.2 points in the control group (P < 0.001)]. On between‐group comparison, Viusid was found to be associated with a significantly greater improvement in steatosis (P < 0.001), ballooning (P = 0.002) and lobular inflammation (P = 0.025), but not in fibrosis (P = 0.07). Viusid was well tolerated.Conclusions  Our results indicate that treatment with diet and exercise leads to a notable improvement in the histological features of NAFLD; however, the administration of Viusid intensifies the improvements of histological findings, especially of steatosis and inflammation.
Factors influencing long‐term changes in mental health after interferon‐alpha treatment of chronic hepatitis C
Authors: SCHMIDT F. , JANSSEN G. , MARTIN G. , LORENZ R. , LOESCHKE K. , SOYKA M. , FOLWACZNY C. , SCHAEFER M. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground  Antiviral treatment with interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α) is associated with several acute psychiatric side effects. Little is known about long‐term effects on mental health after treatment independent from viral response and the influence of pre‐existing psychiatric risk‐factors.Aim  To evaluate long‐term effects of antiviral treatment with interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α) on mental health in patients with psychiatric risk factors.Method  We prospectively investigated long‐term mental health changes in 81 hepatitis C virus‐infected patients. Psychiatric outcome was measured with the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Global Social Functioning Scale and the Global Clinical Impression Scale 6 months after the end of antiviral treatment with IFN‐α and ribavirin.Results  Six months after antiviral therapy, 49% of the patients showed a worsening and 27.2% an improvement of depression scores. The most important predictor for a long‐term improvement of depression scores was a pre‐treatment MADRS score ≥5 (OR 14.21, 95% CI: 2.51–81.30). Patients with pre‐existing psychiatric disorders (OR = 0.117, 95% CI: 0.024–0.558), methadone substitution (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.045–0.887) or genotype 2/3 (OR = 0.341, 95% CI: 0.138–0.845) were significantly less likely to show a long‐term worsening of depressive symptoms.Conclusions  Pre‐existing psychiatric risk factors increase the chance for a long‐term improvement and reduce the risk for a long‐term worsening of mental health after antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C with IFN‐α.
An analysis of the placebo effect in Crohn’s disease over time
Authors: GALLAHAN W. C. , CASE D. , BLOOMFELD R. S. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground  Randomized, placebo controlled trials are used to assess the efficacy of therapies for Crohn’s disease. The placebo response and remission rates vary among studies.Aim  To analyse how the placebo response and remission rates in Crohn’s trials have changed over time in the era of parenteral biologic therapies.Methods  A search for randomized, placebo‐controlled trials of parenteral biologic therapies for active Crohn’s disease was conducted using online databases. The placebo response and remission rates and study week of evaluation were recorded for each trial. The placebo response and remission rates were analysed as functions of publication date and study week of evaluation.Results  The odds of a placebo‐induced remission and response significantly increased as the week of evaluation increased. The placebo remission rate increased significantly with year of publication. Adjusted for week of evaluation, this increase in placebo remission rate over time was no longer significant. The increase in the placebo response over this time period was not statistically significant.Conclusion  The observed increase in placebo remission rates over time in trials of parenteral biologic therapies in Crohn’s disease is explained by longer times to the primary endpoint in more recent trials.
Genomic mutations associated with mild and severe deficiencies of transcobalamin I (haptocorrin) that cause mildly and severely low serum cobalamin levels
Authors: Carmel Ralph , Parker James , Kelman Zvi 
Published: August 2009

SummaryTranscobalamin (TC) I deficiency, like the function of TC I itself, is incompletely understood. It produces low serum cobalamin levels indistinguishable from those of true cobalamin deficiency. Diagnosis is especially elusive when TC I deficiency is mild. To provide new, more substantive definition, the TCN1 gene was examined in two well‐characterised families that included members with both severe and mild TC I deficiencies. A severely deficient proposita with undetectable TC I levels displayed compound heterozygosity for two mutations, each causing a premature stop codon. Relatives in both families who had mildly low or low‐normal plasma levels of TC I and cobalamin were heterozygous for one or the other of these mutations. An unrelated patient with mild TC I deficiency and unknown familial TC I and cobalamin status was then tested and found to be similarly heterozygous for one of the mutations. The two nonprivate mutations identify a genetic basis for TC I deficiency for the first time. They also add new approaches to studying mild and severe TC I deficiency and to reducing confusion of its low cobalamin levels with those of cobalamin deficiency and its often dramatically different prognosis and management.
Ability of the polysaccharide chitosan to inhibit proliferation of CD4+ lymphocytes from mucosal inductive sites, in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Porporatto C. , Canali M. M. , Bianco I. D. , Correa S. G. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjective:  After oral administration of chitosan (a copolymer of glucosamine and N‐acetylglucosamine), mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes exhibited traits of anergy, a process coupled with inability of mature T cells to proliferate. We wondered whether biological activity of chitosan could be affecting division of lymphocytes at the mucosal inductive sites.Materials and methods:  We studied the effect of chitosan on proliferation of carboxyfluorescein diacetate‐labelled MLN lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A in vitro. We assessed expression of CD25 and CD71 activation markers and pro‐apoptotic molecule CD95L. Moreover, we studied the effect of chitosan ex vivo, in carboxyfluorescein diacetate‐labelled MLN cells isolated after feeding single or repetitive doses of the polysaccharide, and we evaluated cell cycle parameters.Results:  Chitosan suppressed cell proliferation and down‐modulated expression of CD25 in these MLN CD4+ cells isolated from normal rats. After in vivo contact, chitosan inhibited proliferation of MLN cells and reduced secretion of interferon‐gamma. Furthermore, sustained feeding produced reduction in percentage of CD4+ cells in S phase of the cell cycle.Conclusion:  Here we demonstrate the ability of chitosan to suppress proliferation of CD4+ lymphocytes from mucosal inductive sites in vivo and in vitro This effect could be relevant in modulatory activity of chitosan in the intestinal microenvironment.
Fluvastatin and lovastatin inhibit granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor‐stimulated human eosinophil adhesion to inter‐cellular adhesion molecule‐1 under flow conditions
Authors: Robinson A. J. , Kashanin D. , O'Dowd F. , Fitzgerald K. , Williams V. , Walsh G. M. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground
Eosinophil accumulation in the lung is an important feature of airway inflammation in asthma. There is therefore much interest in developing novel therapies to prevent this process. Accumulating evidence suggests that statins have anti‐inflammatory properties, including inhibition of leucocyte accumulation. We therefore assessed the ability of five statins to inhibit human eosinophil adhesion to recombinant human inter‐cellular adhesion molecule (rhICAM)‐1 under physiologically relevant flow conditions.Methods
Purified eosinophils were pre‐treated with a panel of statins before elucidation of the adhesion profiles of resting and granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF)‐stimulated cells to rhICAM‐1‐coated microchannels at a flow rate of 0.5 dynes/cm2. Images were recorded in real‐time at 1 min intervals and analysed using Ducocell software.Results
Fluvastatin and lovastatin (both 10 nm) significantly inhibited GM‐CSF‐stimulated eosinophil adhesion to rhICAM‐1 after 2 min (34.4±3.0% inhibition and 37.8±12.6% inhibition, respectively, n=4, P<0.05) but had no significant inhibitory effect on unstimulated eosinophil adhesion. Mevastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin (all 10 nm) had no significant effect on GM‐CSF‐stimulated eosinophil adhesion to rhICAM‐1. A concentration range of fluvastatin and lovastatin inhibited GM‐CSF stimulated eosinophil adhesion with significant (P<0.05) inhibition observed at low concentrations of 1 nm for both drugs. Mevalonate (100 nm) reversed fluvastatin‐mediated but not lovastatin‐mediated inhibition of eosinophil adhesion.Conclusions
Inhibition of eosinophil adhesion to ICAM‐1 by fluvastatin and lovastatin under physiological shear stress represent novel actions by these drugs that may inform the development of anti‐inflammatory therapy for allergic disease.
Spatial heterogeneity of trophic pathways in the invertebrate community of a temperate bog
Authors: KATO YOSHIKAZU , HORI MICHIO , OKUDA NOBORU , TAYASU ICHIRO , TAKEMON YASUHIRO 
Published: August 2009

Summary 1. To examine spatial heterogeneity of trophic pathways on a small scale (<5 m diameter), we conducted dual stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) analyses of invertebrate communities and their potential food sources in three patchy habitats [sphagnum lawn (SL), vascular‐plant carpet (VC) and sphagnum carpet] within a temperate bog (Mizorogaike Pond, Kyoto, Japan).2. In total, 19 invertebrate taxa were collected from the three habitats, most of which were stenotopic, i.e. collected from a single habitat. Amongst the habitats, significant variation was observed in the isotopic signatures of dominant plant tissues and their detrital matter [benthic particulate organic matter (BPOM)], both of which were potential organic food sources for invertebrates. Site‐specific isotopic variation amongst detritivores was found in δ13C but not in δ15N, reflecting site‐specificity in the isotopic signatures of basal foods. The eurytopic hydrophilid beetle Helochares striatus was found in all habitats, but showed clear site variation in its isotopic signatures, suggesting that it strongly relies on foods within its own habitat.3. The most promising potential foods for detritivores were the dead leaf stalks of a dominant plant in the VC and BPOM in the SL and carpet. An isotopic mixing model (IsoSource version 1.3.1) estimated that aquatic predators rely on unknown trophic sources with higher δ13C than detritus, whereas terrestrial predators forage on allochthonous as well as autochthonous prey, suggesting that the latter predators might play key roles in coupling between habitats.4. Our stable isotope approach revealed that immobile detritivores are confined to their small patchy habitats but that heterogeneous trophic pathways can be coupled by mobile predators, stressing the importance of habitat heterogeneity and predator coupling in characterising food webs in bog ecosystems.
The Azores diversity enigma: why are there so few Azorean endemic flowering plants and why are they so widespread?
Authors: Carine Mark A. , Schaefer Hanno 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAim  Endemism in the flora of the Azores is high (33%) but in other respects, notably the paucity of evolutionary radiations and the widespread distribution of most endemics, the flora differs markedly from the floras of the other Macaronesian archipelagos. We evaluate hypotheses to explain the distinctive patterns observed in the Azorean endemic flora, focusing particularly on comparisons with the Canary Islands.Location  Azores archipelago.Methods  Data on the distribution and ecology of Azorean endemic flowering plants are reviewed to ascertain the incidence of inter‐island allopatric speciation and adaptive, ecological speciation. These are contrasted with patterns for the Canary Islands. Patterns of endemism in the Azores and Canaries are further investigated in a phylogenetic context in relation to island age. beast was used to analyse a published molecular dataset for Pericallis (Asteraceae) and to investigate the relative ages of Azorean and Canarian lineages.Results  There are few examples of inter‐island allopatric speciation in the Azorean flora, despite the considerable distances between islands and sub‐archipelagos. In contrast, inter‐island allopatric speciation has been an important process in the evolution of the Canary Islands flora. Phylogenetic data suggest that Azorean endemic lineages are not necessarily recent in origin. Furthermore, in Pericallis the divergence of the Azorean endemic lineage from its closest relative pre‐dates the radiation of a Canarian herbaceous clade by inter‐island allopatric speciation.Main conclusions  The data presented do not support suggestions that hypotheses pertaining to island age, age of endemic lineages and ecological diversity considered individually explain the lack of radiations and the widespread distribution of Azorean endemics. We suggest that palaeoclimatic variation, a factor rarely considered in macroecological studies of island diversity patterns, may be an important factor. Palaeoclimatic data suggest frequent and abrupt transitions between humid and arid conditions in the Canaries during the late Quaternary, and such an unstable climate may have driven the recent diversification of the flora by inter‐island allopatric speciation, a process largely absent from the climatically more stable Azores. Further phylogenetic/phylogeographic analyses are necessary to determine the relative importance of palaeoclimate and other factors in generating the patterns observed.
The interplay between learning and the use of ICT in Rwandan student teachers' everyday practice
Authors: Mukama E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe paper describes a study conducted in Rwanda involving 12 participants selected from a larger cohort of 24 final‐year university students who were part of a group‐based training programme. The programme was about how to search, retrieve, and use web‐based literature. Empirical data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The purpose was to explore ways of using information and communication technology (ICT) in student teachers' everyday learning practice. The study draws from a sociocultural perspective and emphasis is put on a literature review involving ICT in teacher education. The findings reveal that utilization of ICT pertains to three major types of variation among student teachers who use ICT: passive, reluctant, and active users. The active ICT users demonstrated a capacity to cross group boundaries and play a central role as agents of change in learning practice. The point is that more experienced student teachers can assist their colleagues in the zone of proximal development and, therefore, enhance the integration of the new technology in teacher education. This implies that having access to ICT together with some instruction is not sufficient to prompt students to start using this technology as a pedagogical tool. Moreover, confrontation of different experiences regarding the use of ICT can spearhead change in student teachers' learning practice through critical reflection.
Cause‐specific mortality and death certificate reporting in adults with moderate to profound intellectual disability
Authors: Tyrer F. , McGrother C. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground The study of premature deaths in people with intellectual disability (ID) has become the focus of recent policy initiatives in England. This is the first UK population‐based study to explore cause‐specific mortality in adults with ID compared with the general population.Methods Cause‐specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated by age and sex for adults with moderate to profound ID living in the unitary authorities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, UK, between 1993 and 2006. Causes of death were also studied to determine how often ID and associated conditions, such as Down syndrome, were mentioned.Results A total of 503 (17% of population) adults with ID died during the 14‐year study period (30 144 person‐years). Relatively high cause‐specific mortality was seen for deaths caused by congenital abnormalities (SMR = 8560), diseases of the nervous system and sense organs (SMR = 1630), mental disorders (other than dementia) (SMR = 1141) and bronchopneumonia (SMR = 647). Excess deaths were also seen for diseases of the genitourinary system or digestive system, cerebrovascular disease, other respiratory infections, dementia (in men only), other circulatory system diseases (in women only) and accidental deaths (in women only). Two‐fifths (n = 204; 41%) of deaths recorded in adults with ID mentioned ID or an associated condition as a contributing cause of death.Conclusions Strategies to reduce inequalities in people with ID need to focus on decreasing mortality from potentially preventable causes, such as respiratory infections, circulatory system diseases and accidental deaths. The lack of mention of ID on death certificates highlights the importance of effective record linkage and ID reporting in health and social care settings to facilitate the government's confidential inquiry into causes of death in this population.
Does pancreas transplant in diabetic patients affect the evolution of necrobiosis lipoidica?
Authors: Souza Aieska D. , El‐Azhary Rokea A. , Gibson Lawrence E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a non‐infectious granulomatous skin disorder, with average age of onset is between 30 to 41 years, and female : male ratio of 3 : 1. The strongest systemic disease associated is diabetes mellitus (DM). Many treatment options are used for NL with variable success. To verify if reversal of the diabetic state is related to improvement of NL, we compared the evolution of NL lesions in patients who received a pancreas transplant with those who received a kidney.Methods  Retrospective chart review of diabetic patients with NL who underwent transplant.Results  A total of fifteen patients were identified and divided into two groups: group I (n = 11) consisted of patients who underwent pancreas only or pancreas plus kidney transplant, group II (n = 4) underwent kidney only transplant. Of the eleven patients in Group I, five had NL lesions at the time of transplant and all achieved resolution of these lesions. One patient experienced recurrence of NL associated with transplant rejection. In group II, one patient who had NL lesions at the time of transplant had persistent lesions after the transplant. Resolution of NL was observed in 45% (five/eleven) of the cases in the pancreas +/− kidney transplant group, whereas the one patient who had active NL and kidney transplant failed to demonstrate improvement of the lesion after the procedure, despite the concomitant use of immunosuppressant therapy.Conclusions  Patients experienced improvement of NL within 2–8 weeks following pancreas transplantation. Metabolic changes, improvement of the microcirculation and normalization of blood glucose levels may be playing a role in the resolution of NL.
Reproducibility of food atopy patch tests over time in the general child population
Authors: Jesenak Milos , Banovcin Peter , Rennerova Zuzana , Jakusova Lubica , Havlicekova Zuzana , Pohanka Vladimir , Villa Maria Pia , Ronchetti Roberto 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  The atopy patch test (APT) is no longer an experimental method; it is increasingly being used as a standard diagnostic tool for the characterization of patients with aeroallergen‐ and food‐triggered disorders. Some technical aspects of this test still remain to be answered. We aimed to study the reproducibility of this test over time in the general child population.Methods  In a general population of 118 children, we investigated the reproducibility of duplicate APTs with four food allergens in their native form, which were repeated at set intervals from the first test: 7 days (group 1), 14 days (group 2), and 21 days (group 3).Results  We observed very poor reproducibility on both sides of the back in all three studied subgroups. The reproducibility rates and Cohen's κ values did not improve when we did not consider the side of the back. There were no differences in the prevalence of atopy between the subjects with reproducible and nonreproducible APT results. All three groups studied showed no difference in the prevalence rates of atopy. There was no relationship between APT and skin prick test positivity for the same allergen. Questionnaire‐derived data about previous food‐related reactions did not help in the evaluation of the doubtful nonreproducible APT results with food allergens.Conclusions  Our results show that the reproducibility of food APTs is poor and unsatisfactory over time, and there is an urgent need for the development of optimal, stable, and good‐quality APT testing substances.