bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis and gene mapping of a rice recessive male sterile mutant
Authors: Chen J. B. , He F. , Qin P. , Wang Y. P. , Xu J. , Li Y. Y. , Zheng J. , Hu J. T. , Li S. G. 
Published: December 2009

With 3 figures and 2 tables AbstractMale sterility of rice is one of the major genetic tools used for hybrid rice production. In this study, a spontaneous male sterile mutant, SC‐ms‐2, was obtained from the F4 progeny of the cross D 297B × Changfeng B. Microscopic observation revealed that the microspores were developed abnormally and the tapetum cells were incrassated during microsporogenesis. Genetic analysis indicated that male sterility of SC‐ms‐2 was controlled by a single recessive gene. By using bulked segregant analysis on two F2 populations developed from crossing SC‐ms‐2 with Hua B and ‘Nipponbare’, this gene was finely mapped between two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers on chromosome 9, RM24451 and RM7048, with genetic distance of 0.3 cM and 0.6 cM respectively, and the approximate physical distance was 172 kb. Our results showed that this gene was distinguished from all the other male sterility genes in rice reported and it was designated ms92(t), temporally. Moreover, candidate genes in the region of 172kb, including the rice homologue to the Arabidopsis MALE STERILITY1 (MS1) gene, were surveyed and discussed.
Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder following renal transplantation: A single‐center experience over 40 years
Authors: Abe Toyofumi , Ichimaru Naotsugu , Kokado Yukito , Maeda Tetsuo , Kakuta Yoichi , Okumi Masayoshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Nonomura Norio , Isaka Yoshitaka , Takahara Shiro , Okuyama Akihiko 
Published: December 2009

Objectives:  To investigate post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) following renal transplantation at our institution.Methods:  Medical records of 631 patients who underwent renal transplantation at Osaka University Hospital between March 1965 and December 2008 were reviewed.Results:  PTLD following renal transplantation was detected in 10 patients (five men, five women; mean age at transplantation, 38.5 years). Mean duration from renal transplantation to the onset of PTLD was 7.1 years (range, 5 months to 18 years, 9 months). Mean duration of observation was 3.9 years from the onset of PTLD. Immunosuppressant therapy comprised multidrug combination therapy, including cyclosporine in six patients and tacrolimus in four patients. In addition to a reduction in the immunosuppressant dose, which was performed in all patients, PTLD was treated with surgery in seven patients, radiotherapy in two patients, rituximab in five patients, and cytotoxic chemotherapy in four patients. A complete remission in eight patients and progressive disease in two were observed. At last follow up, seven patients were alive and five patients had functioning grafts.Conclusions:  The incidence of PTLD following renal transplantation at our institution is 1.6% with onset occurring more than 5 years after transplantation in five patients. Consequently, with long‐term renal graft survival now feasible, attention must be paid to detecting late‐onset PTLD.
Surgical decision making
Authors: Francis David M. A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractDecision making is an integral part of surgical practice and is a skill that is as important as the ability to operate. Sound decision making is the result of acquiring ‘surgical wisdom’, which is achieved through learning, experience and reflection. This paper reviews the processes of surgical decision making with respect to choosing the correct procedure and deciding when to operate, and how operative decisions are made, together with the factors that influence our surgical decisions.
Electrophysiological evidence of mediolateral functional dichotomy in the rat accumbens during cocaine self‐administration: tonic firing patterns
Authors: Fabbricatore Anthony T. , Ghitza Udi E. , Prokopenko Volodymyr F. , West Mark O. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractGiven the increasing research emphasis on putative accumbal functional compartmentation, we sought to determine whether neurons that demonstrate changes in tonic firing rate during cocaine self‐administration are differentially distributed across subregions of the NAcc. Rats were implanted with jugular catheters and microwire arrays targeting NAcc subregions (core, dorsal shell, ventromedial shell, ventrolateral shell and rostral pole shell). Recordings were obtained after acquisition of stable cocaine self‐administration (0.77 mg/kg/0.2mL infusion; fixed‐ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement; 6‐h daily sessions). During the self‐administration phase of the experiment, neurons demonstrated either: (i) tonic suppression (or decrease); (ii) tonic activation (or increase); or (iii) no tonic change in firing rate with respect to rates of firing during pre‐ and post‐drug phases. Consistent with earlier observations, tonic decrease was the predominant firing pattern observed. Differences in the prevalence of tonic increase firing were observed between the core and the dorsal shell and dorsal shell–core border regions, with the latter two areas exhibiting a virtual absence of tonic increases. Tonic suppression was exhibited to a greater extent by the dorsal shell–core border region relative to the core. These differences could reflect distinct subregional afferent processing and/or differential sensitivity of subpopulations of NAcc neurons to cocaine. Ventrolateral shell firing topographies resembled those of core neurons. Taken together, these observations are consistent with an emerging body of literature that differentiates the accumbens mediolaterally and further advances the likelihood that distinct functions are subserved by NAcc subregions in appetitive processing.
Sedation trends in the 21st century: the transition to dexmedetomidine for radiological imaging studies
Authors: MASON KEIRA P. 
Published: December 2009

SummarySedation for radiological imaging studies encompasses the majority of all sedation‐related procedures outside of the intensive care unit. This review will follow the evolution of pediatric sedation for radiological imaging studies in North America as well as the transition of sedation services from the oversight of radiologists to those of other providers. The evolving options for sedation agents will be reviewed, with attention given to examining the advantages, limitations, and risks of replacing the standard sedatives with dexmedetomidine.
A meta‐analysis of trait differences between invasive and non‐invasive plant species
Authors: Van Kleunen Mark , Weber Ewald , Fischer Markus 
Published: December 2009

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 235–245AbstractA major aim in ecology is identifying determinants of invasiveness. We performed a meta‐analysis of 117 field or experimental‐garden studies that measured pair‐wise trait differences of a total of 125 invasive and 196 non‐invasive plant species in the invasive range of the invasive species. We tested whether invasiveness is associated with performance‐related traits (physiology, leaf‐area allocation, shoot allocation, growth rate, size and fitness), and whether such associations depend on type of study and on biogeographical or biological factors. Overall, invasive species had significantly higher values than non‐invasive species for all six trait categories. More trait differences were significant for invasive vs. native comparisons than for invasive vs. non‐invasive alien comparisons. Moreover, for comparisons between invasive species and native species that themselves are invasive elsewhere, no trait differences were significant. Differences in physiology and growth rate were larger in tropical regions than in temperate regions. Trait differences did not depend on whether the invasive alien species originates from Europe, nor did they depend on the test environment. We conclude that invasive alien species had higher values for those traits related to performance than non‐invasive species. This suggests that it might become possible to predict future plant invasions from species traits.
Foreign Plants and Industry Productivity: Evidence from Chile
Authors: Ramondo Natalia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper presents new evidence on foreign plants and their effects on a host industry. I test the predictions of a Melitz‐type model using a panel of domestic and foreign plants in the Chilean manufacturing sector. Foreign ownership is a strong predictor of plant productivity and size advantages. Moreover, productivity gains for a domestic incumbent are positively associated with foreign plants' presence in the same industry and region. I also find a positive correlation between foreign entry and exit of less productive domestic plants, but inconclusive evidence on the effects on productivity of new domestic plants.
Development and initial validation of a brief screener for focused HIV prevention efforts
Authors: Bennett M , Strachan E , Uldall K 
Published: December 2009

ObjectivesThe public health response to the spread of HIV relies on behavioural changes, especially reductions in sexual and drug‐use‐related transmission risk behaviours (TRBs). While understanding the factors that dispose people towards risky behaviours is important scientifically, it can be difficult to distil the many predictors of sexual risk behaviours into a useful clinical tool for focused prevention efforts. Our goal was to evaluate the extent to which known predictors of sexual TRBs (self‐efficacy, treatment optimism, engagement with medical care, awareness of risky behaviours, substance use, and relevant behavioural and socio‐demographic characteristics) combined with additional attitude‐related assessments to identify those who had engaged in recent sexual TRBs and may therefore be at risk of additional TRBs.MethodsIn this study, we analysed data on beliefs and behaviours related to sex, substance use, HIV prevention and other relevant factors for 280 patients at a publicly funded HIV/AIDS clinic in Seattle. All participants completed a baseline audio computer‐assisted self interview (ACASI) as part of a larger trial focused on reducing TRBs.ResultsOur multivariate model yielded three screening questions that could prove effective in identifying HIV‐positive patients in need of focused prevention resources.ConclusionsThe resulting screener holds promise as a brief and easily deployed tool that can be used by providers regardless of access to ACASI technology. Additional validation is needed and longitudinal evaluation is currently in progress.
Gazprom versus the Skyline: Spatial Displacement and Social Contention in St. Petersburg
Authors: DIXON MEGAN 
Published: December 2009

AbstractOn 1 December 2006, the Governor of St. Petersburg, Russia, announced the winning entry in a design competition to design a skyscraper headquarters for the Gazprom‐Neft corporation. The chosen site lies directly across the Neva River from a popular historical tourist site, Smolny Cathedral, and the building's high modernist style in steel and glass promises a departure from St. Petersburg's historical style. However, the building's proposed height of 396 meters poses the greatest threat to local notions of architectural and planning tradition, which favors a low horizontal skyline. Widespread loyalty to that tradition focused attention on the project's contradiction of the existing Height Regulation, which galvanized the protest activity of several disparate groups throughout 2007 and 2008. Evidence gathered in examination of media coverage, participant observation and interviews among protest groups, as well as city planners and architects, suggests that protest against the project connects directly to the struggle to codify the Height Regulation. Drawing on the moral authority of the historical built environment, protest groups develop a thorough knowledge of drafted legislation and attempt to shame officials who disregard existing codes. Residents thereby enact their ‘right to the city’, as well as new possibilities for Russian polity and identity.RésuméLe 1erdécembre 2006, la gouverneur de Saint‐Pétersbourg annonçait le gagnant du concours qui portait sur la création d’un gratte‐ciel abritant le siège de la société russe Gazprom Neft. Il s’élèvera sur la rive de la Neva, en face d’un site touristique historique très fréquenté, la cathédrale Smolny, et l’ultra‐modernisme du bâtiment d’acier et de verre promet une rupture avec le style historique de la ville. Néanmoins, c’est la hauteur prévue de la tour, 396 mètres, qui défie directement les principes traditionnels locaux en architecture et urbanisme, lesquels privilégient un profil urbain horizontal de faible hauteur. Un attachement généraliséà cette tradition a focalisé l’attention sur le projet qui contrevient à la réglementation existante sur la hauteur, galvanisant les oppositions de plusieurs groupes disparates en 2007 et 2008. Les indices collectés en analysant la couverture médiatique, en observant les protagonistes et en interrogeant les groupes protestataires, ainsi que des urbanistes et architectes, suggèrent que l’opposition au projet est clairement liée à la lutte visant à codifier la Réglementation sur la hauteur des bâtiments. S’appuyant sur l’autorité morale de l’environnement historique construit, les groupes protestataires mettent au point une connaissance parfaite de la législation en projet et tentent de faire honte aux intervenants officiels qui passent outre aux codes en vigueur. Les résidents mettent ainsi en oeuvre leur ‘droit à la ville’, ouvrant de nouvelles possibilités pour l’identité et l’action publique russe.
Transoceanic ships as vectors for nonindigenous freshwater bryozoans
Authors: Kipp R. , Bailey S. A. , MacIsaac H. J. , Ricciardi A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim  The transport of organisms in ships’ ballast tanks is a dominant vector for aquatic invasions worldwide. Until recently, efforts to manage this vector have overlooked the potential transport of invertebrate resting stages in the residual waters and sediments within emptied ballast tanks, i.e. NOBOB (‘No Ballast On Board’) tanks. The resting stages (statoblasts) of freshwater bryozoans are often buoyant and locally abundant and thus can be taken up easily during ballasting operations. They are also resistant to extreme environmental conditions and can generate new colonies after being dormant for decades; as such, they would likely remain viable propagules after lengthy transport in ship ballast tanks. This study quantified the occurrence of freshwater bryozoan statoblasts in ballast tank sediments of transoceanic ships.Location  North American Great Lakes.Methods  We quantified the frequency of occurrence, abundance and diversity of bryozoans (as statoblasts) in residual sediment samples taken from 51 NOBOB tanks of 33 transoceanic ships visiting the Great Lakes from 2000 to 2002.Results  Our study identified 11 species, comprising nearly 12% of the total number of freshwater bryozoans known worldwide. These include two exotic species unrecorded in the Great Lakes (Fredericella sultana and Lophopus crystallinus), an exotic species already established in the region (Lophopodella carteri) and three cosmopolitan species (Plumatella casmiana, P. fungosa and P. repens). Our estimates suggest that a ship with NOBOB tanks may carry up to 106 statoblasts.Main conclusions  The discovery of species unrecorded in the Great Lakes and the potentially large numbers of statoblasts being transported in ship ballast tanks indicate a significant risk of new species introductions. Furthermore, the presence of cosmopolitan species and an exotic species already established in the Great Lakes suggests the strong possibility of cryptic invasions via the introduction of exotic genotypes.
The Use of Scanner Data for Research into Nutrition*
Authors: Griffith Rachel , O'Connell Martin 
Published: December 2009

AbstractData from market research firms are increasingly being used by social science researchers. These data provide potentially useful information, including detailed nutritional information and well‐measured prices, and their panel structure is appealing as it permits researchers to control for unobservable time‐invariant household characteristics and to model dynamic aspects of household behaviour. We summarise the information on the nutrients in foods that is contained in one source of market research data. We show that there is a lot of variation in nutrients at the individual product level, even within narrowly defined food categories such as butter. We also show that the duration of time over which data are collected can have important implications for analysis of household‐level nutrient purchases.
Item Non‐Response to Financial Questions in Household Surveys: An Experimental Study of Interviewer and Mode Effects*
Authors: Essig Lothar , Winter Joachim K. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWe analyse the determinants of non‐response to questions on financial items such as income and asset holdings in household surveys. Our data come from a controlled field experiment. As part of the SAVE study – a representative survey conducted in Germany in 2001 – questions on household income and financial assets were administered using different modes (personal interview versus drop‐off questionnaire). The data also allow us to investigate the influence of interviewer characteristics on non‐response. Our results are in line with predictions derived from models of survey response behaviour that have been developed in survey research and social psychology.
Vulnerable Older People in the Community: Relationship Between the Vulnerable Elders Survey and Health Service Use
Authors: McGee Hannah M. , O'Hanlon Ann , Barker Maja , Hickey Anne , Montgomery Anthony , Conroy Ronán , O'Neill Desmond 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: The Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES), a recently developed screening tool for at‐risk older people in the community, has been validated in the United States. This study evaluated its profile in older Irish people. It assessed whether those categorized as vulnerable according to the VES were likely to use health services more frequently than others.DESIGN: Nationally representative cross‐sectional interviews.SETTING: Private homes in the community.PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected older people (aged ≥65) (N=2,033; 68% response).MEASUREMENTS: Interviews included the 13‐item VES and questions on health service use.RESULTS: The proportion scoring as vulnerable was identical to the U.S. sample (32.1% vs 32.3%). At the community healthcare level, participants categorized as vulnerable visited their primary care physician more frequently (mean visits 6.7 vs 4.0, P<.001), had more home‐based public health nurse visits (29% vs 5%, P<.001), and were more likely to have had preventive influenza vaccinations (81% vs 72%, P<.001) in the previous year. More‐vulnerable older adults did not differ on assessment of blood pressure (97% vs 96%), cholesterol (82% vs 85%), or receipt of smoking advice (66% vs 52%). Vulnerable participants were more likely to have used emergency department (17% vs 8%, P<.05), inpatient (21% vs 12%, P<.05), and outpatient (28% vs 21%, P<.05) hospital services. Fourteen percent of those categorized as vulnerable had zero or one visit to their family physician in the previous year.CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence, from a different healthcare system, of the potential of the VES to differentiate more‐vulnerable older people. Prospective studies are needed to assess use of the VES as a clinical decision aid for community professionals such as family physicians and public health nurses.
The Effectiveness of Inpatient Geriatric Evaluation and Management Units: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Van Craen Katleen , Braes Tom , Wellens Nathalie , Denhaerynck Kris , Flamaing Johan , Moons Philip , Boonen Steven , Gosset Christiane , Petermans Jean , Milisen Koen 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine how geriatric evaluation and management units (GEMUs) are organized and to examine the effectiveness of admission on a GEMU.DESIGN: Systematic review and meta‐analysis based on literature search of multiple databases and the references lists of all identified articles and by contacting authors.SETTING: GEMUs.PARTICIPANTS: Elderly people admitted to a GEMU.MEASUREMENTS: Quality of the studies was assessed on 10 criteria. The outcome parameters were mortality, institutionalization, functional decline, readmission, and length of stay at different follow‐up points. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed using Hedges' gu and variance of relative risk (RR).RESULTS: GEMUs are organized in a heterogeneous way and the included studies gave no thorough description of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Involvement of a multidisciplinary team was a key element in all GEMUs. The individual trials showed that admission to a GEMU has one or more favorable effects on the outcomes of interest, with two significant effects in the meta‐analysis: less functional decline at discharge from the GEMU (RR=0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.77–0.99; P=.04) and a lower rate of institutionalization 1 year after discharge (RR=0.78, CI=0.66–0.92; P=.003). For the other outcomes in the meta‐analysis, a GEMU did not induce significantly different outcomes than usual care.CONCLUSION: This meta‐analysis shows a significant effect in favor of the GEMU group on functional decline at discharge and on institutionalization after 1 year. There is heterogeneity between the studies, poor quality of some randomized controlled trials, and shortage of information about CGA. Multidisciplinary CGA offered in a GEMU may add value to the care for frail older persons admitted to the hospital, but the limitations confirm the need for well‐designed studies using explicit CGA and more‐structured and ‐coherent assessment instruments such as the Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument.
Evaluation of removal of prion infectivity from red blood cells with prion reduction filters using a new rapid and highly sensitive cell culture–based infectivity assay
Authors: Sowemimo‐Coker Samuel O. , Demczyk Cheryl A. , Andrade Fabiola , Baker Christopher A. 
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: The clearance of infectious prions from biologic fluids is usually quantified by bioassays based on intracerebral inoculation of hamsters or mice; these tests are slow, cumbersome, imprecise, and very expensive. In the present study we describe the use of a new and highly sensitive cell culture–based infectivity assay to evaluate the performance of several prion removal prototype filters.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Five units of 1‐ to 2‐day‐old ABO‐compatible human red blood cells (RBCs) in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol were obtained from an AABB‐accredited blood bank. The 5 units were combined to create a homogenous pool. Scrapie‐infected mouse brain homogenate of a Rocky Mountain Laboratory strain was added to the pooled RBCs. The pooled RBCs were divided into 300‐mL aliquots, which were filtered with either standard leukoreduction filter or four prototypes of prion reduction filter. The levels of prion infectivity in the pre‐ and postfiltration samples were measured with a cell culture–based standard scrapie cell assay (SSCA).RESULTS: All the 22‐layer prion reduction filters removed prion infectivity below the limit of detection of the SSCA (reduction in prion infectivity ≥2.0 log10LD50/mL) while the 10‐layer variant showed some residual infectivity.CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the utility of a highly sensitive cell culture–based infectivity assay for screening prion reduction filters. The use of this type of in vitro infectivity assay will substantially help expedite the screening and discovery of devices aimed at reducing the risk of variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease transmission through blood transfusion.