bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐Conceptive Sexual Behavior in Spiders: A Form of Play Associated with Body Condition, Personality Type, and Male Intrasexual Selection
Authors: Pruitt Jonathan N. , Burghardt Gordon M. , Riechert Susan E. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn the socially polymorphic spider Anelosimus studiosus, males mature early in the reproductive season and recruit to the webs of juvenile females and guard them until they mature. During the period before females mature, males and females engage in repeated bouts of non‐conceptive (play) sexual behavior, where the pair courts and engages in mock copulation; both males and females gain performance‐enhancing experience via these encounters. In this study, we examined the factors that underlie individual variation in the tendency to engage in non‐conceptive mating and determine whether it impacts male–male competition for females. We found that docile females, being less resistant to mating in general, are more likely to accept male courtship and non‐conceptive copulation as juveniles. Personality type influenced the exhibition of non‐conceptive sexual behavior in males as well. High body condition males of the aggressive phenotype were more likely to engage in non‐conceptive sexual behavior than males with lower body condition. Body condition did not influence docile males’ propensity to engage in non‐conceptive sexual behavior, but female size did. Docile males engaged in more non‐conceptive sexual displays with larger females. Engaging in non‐conceptive sexual displays negatively impacted male performance in staged male–male contests for access to females. This cost was greatest for males of the aggressive phenotype, which are otherwise favored in male–male contests. Our findings indicate expression of non‐conceptive sexual displays is linked to personality and results in reproductive performance trade‐offs for male A. studiosus.
Determination of Moisture Deficit and Heat Stress Tolerance in Corn Using Physiological Measurements and a Low‐Cost Microcontroller‐Based Monitoring System
Authors: Kebede H. , Fisher D. K. , Young L. D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn the southern United States, corn production encounters moisture deficit coupled with high‐temperature stress, particularly during the reproductive stage of the plant. In evaluating plants for environmental stress tolerance, it is important to monitor changes in their physical environment under natural conditions, especially when there are multiple stress factors, and integrate this information with their physiological responses. A low‐cost microcontroller‐based monitoring system was developed to automate measurement of canopy, soil and air temperatures, and soil moisture status in field plots. The purpose of this study was to examine how this system, in combination with physiological measurements, could assist in detecting differences among corn genotypes in response to moisture deficit and heat stress. Three commercial hybrids and two inbred germplasm lines were grown in the field under irrigated and non‐irrigated conditions. Leaf water potential, photosynthetic pigments, cell membrane thermostability (CMT) and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) were determined on these genotypes under field and greenhouse conditions. Variations observed in air and soil temperatures, and soil moisture in plots of the individual corn genotypes helped explain their differences in canopy temperature (CT), and these variations were reflected in the physiological responses. One of the commercial hybrids, having the lowest CT and the highest CMT, was the most tolerant among the genotypes under moisture deficit and heat stress conditions. These results demonstrated that the low‐cost microcontroller‐based monitoring system, in combination with physiological measurements, was effective in evaluating corn genotypes for drought and heat stress tolerance.
Differential Responses of Antioxidative Defence System to Long‐Term Field Drought in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Differing in Drought Tolerance
Authors: Singh S. , Gupta A. K. , Kaur N. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDrought is a severe abiotic stress and the major constraint on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) productivity world wide. Deciphering the mechanisms of drought tolerance is a challenging task because of the complexity of drought responses, environmental factors and their interactions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the antioxidative defence system in imparting tolerance against drought‐induced oxidative stress and yield loss in two wheat genotypes, when subjected to long‐term field drought. Drought resulted in an increase in H2O2 accumulation and lipid peroxidation and decrease in ascorbate level in roots and leaves at different plant developmental stages. Drought‐tolerant genotype having higher antioxidative enzymes activities, and ascorbate level was superior to that of sensitive genotype in maintaining lower H2O2 content and lipid peroxidation and higher growth, yield and yield components under water deficit. Various antioxidative enzymes showed positive correlation with ascorbate and negative with H2O2 content. In developing grains, antioxidative defence response was nearly similar among both the genotypes under control condition; however, sensitive genotype failed to modulate the activities of antioxidative enzymes according to the ROS rush under field drought. Poor capacity of the antioxidative defence system in vegetative and reproductive tissues of sensitive genotype seems to be responsible, at least partly, for reduced yield potential under water deficit.
Latitudinal trends in the species richness of free‐living marine nematode assemblages from exposed sandy beaches along the coast of Chile (18–42 °S)
Authors: Lee Matthew R. , Riveros Marcela 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe latitudinal pattern of species richness of free‐living marine nematodes from exposed sandy beaches along the coast of Chile between 18 and 42° S was examined. Unlike many other examinations of latitudinal gradients, this study is not based on data mined from the literature, but on samples collected specifically to examine these themes. Five replicate quantitative 50 cm3samples of sediment were taken from the zone of retention of 66 exposed sandy beaches. The free‐living nematode fauna was identified and quantified to species level. The data were then examine using ordinary least squares and simultaneous autoregressive model (SARerr) regression methods, examining the associations between species richness and latitude, coastline complexity, and sea surface temperature, primary productivity of the adjacent coastal waters and mean latitudinal range size. The species richness of free‐living marine nematodes from exposed sandy beaches along the coast of Chile decreased with increasing latitude and was strongly associated with mean annual sea surface temperature. Mean latitudinal range size increased with increasing latitude, supporting Rapoport’s rule, and decreased with increasing species richness. The results suggest that the nematode fauna of exposed sandy beaches is derived from a low latitude fauna that has dispersed to higher latitudes, but that many species may be physiologically constrained, by temperature, from dispersing further south.
Radiation damage to the lung: Mitigation by angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Authors: MEDHORA MEETHA , GAO FENG , JACOBS ELIZABETH R. , MOULDER JOHN E. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTConcern regarding accidental overexposure to radiation has been raised after the devastating Tohuku earthquake and tsunami which initiated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan in March 2011. Radiation exposure is toxic and can be fatal depending on the dose received. Injury to the lung is often reported as part of multi‐organ failure in victims of accidental exposures. Doses of radiation >8 Gray to the chest can induce pneumonitis with right ventricular hypertrophy starting after ∼2 months. Higher doses may be followed by pulmonary fibrosis that presents months to years after exposure. Though the exact mechanisms of radiation lung damage are not known, experimental animal models have been widely used to study this injury. Rodent models for pneumonitis and fibrosis exhibit vascular, parenchymal and pleural injuries to the lung. Inflammation is a part of the injuries suggesting involvement of the immune system. Researchers worldwide have tested a number of interventions to prevent or mitigate radiation lung injury. One of the first and most successful class of mitigators are inhibitors of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), an enzyme that is abundant in the lung. These results offer hope that lung injury from radiation accidents may be mitigated, since the ACE inhibitor captopril was effective when started up to 1 week after irradiation.
Historical vignette: Dr Charles Robson; Pioneer Canadian Pediatric Anesthetist
Authors: Steward David J. 
Published: October 2011

Charles Robson (Figure 1) was born in New Westminster, British Columbia (now a suburb of Vancouver), in 1884 and graduated in medicine from McGill University in Montreal in 1913. Having interned and with some anesthesia training at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, he was sent overseas to work in a Canadian Army Hospital where he founded a school to train military anesthetists. Returning to Canada in 1919, he joined the staff of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto as chief anesthetist, a position he held until 1951 (1). During most of this time, he was the sole full‐time anesthetist at the hospital; administration of anesthesia at this hospital was not limited to staff anesthetists until 1950 (1). Dr Charles Robson.image
Large losses of inorganic nitrogen from tropical rainforests suggest a lack of nitrogen limitation
Authors: Brookshire E. N. J. , Gerber Stefan , Menge Duncan N. L. , Hedin Lars O. 
Published: October 2011

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 9–16AbstractInorganic nitrogen losses from many unpolluted mature tropical forests are over an order of magnitude higher than losses from analogous temperate forests. This pattern could either reflect a lack of N limitation or accelerated plant–soil N cycling under tropical temperatures and moisture. We used a simple analytical framework of the N cycle and compared our predictions with data of N in stream waters of temperate and tropical rainforests. While the pattern could be explained by differences in N limitation, it could not be explained based on up‐regulation of the internal N cycle without invoking the unlikely assumption that tropical plants are two to four times less efficient at taking up N than temperate plants. Our results contrast with the idea that a tropical climate promotes and sustains an up‐regulated and leaky – but N‐limited – internal N cycle. Instead, they are consistent with the notion that many tropical rainforests exist in a state of N saturation.
Blockade of kinin B1 receptor reverses plasma fatty acids composition changes and body and tissue fat gain in a rat model of insulin resistance
Authors: Dias J. P. , Couture R. 
Published: October 2011

Aim: Kinin B1 receptor (B1R) contributes to insulin resistance through a mechanism involving oxidative stress. This study examined the effect of B1R blockade on the changes in plasma fatty acids composition, body and tissue fat mass and adipose tissue inflammation that influence insulin resistance.Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with 10% D‐glucose or tap water (Control) for 13 weeks and during the last week, rats were administered the B1R antagonist SSR240612 (10 mg/kg/day, gavage) or vehicle. The following parameters were assessed: plasma fatty acids (by gas chromatography), body composition (by EchoMRI), metabolic hormone levels (by radioimmunoassay), expression of B1R and inflammatory markers in adipose tissue (by Western blot and qRT‐PCR).Results: Glucose feeding significantly increased plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, palmitoleic acid (16:1n‐7), oleic acid (18:1n‐9), Δ6 and Δ9 desaturases while linoleic acid (18:2n‐6), arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) and Δ5 desaturase were decreased. SSR240612 reduced plasma levels of insulin, glucose, the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, palmitoleic acid and n‐7 family. Alterations of Δ5, Δ6 and Δ9 desaturases were normalized by SSR240612. The B1R antagonist also reversed the enhancing effect of glucose feeding on whole body and epididymal fat mass and on the expression of macrophage CD68, interleukin‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐α and inducible nitric oxide synthase in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. B1R protein and mRNA were not detected in retroperitoneal adipose tissue.Conclusion: Insulin resistance in glucose‐fed rats is associated with low state inflammation in adipose tissue and plasma fatty acids changes which are reversed by B1R blockade. These beneficial effects may contribute to insulin sensitivity improvement and the prevention of obesity.
Validation of DN4 as a screening tool for neuropathic pain in painful diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Spallone V. , Morganti R. , D’Amato C. , Greco C. , Cacciotti L. , Marfia G. A. 
Published: October 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 578–585 (2012)AbstractAims  DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions) is a screening tool for neuropathic pain consisting of interview questions (DN4‐interview) and physical tests. It has not formally been validated in diabetes. We evaluated the validity and diagnostic accuracy of DN4 and DN4‐interview in identifying neuropathic pain of painful diabetic polyneuropathy.Methods  In 158 patients with diabetes, the presence of diabetic polyneuropathy and neuropathic pain was assessed using scoring system for symptoms and signs, quantitative sensory testing, nerve conduction studies, pain history, numerical rating scale, and Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Painful diabetic polyneuropathy was defined as the presence of diabetic polyneuropathy plus chronic neuropathic pain in the same area as neuropathic deficits. A blinded investigator performed DN4.Results  The DN4 score was significantly related to all the neurological and electrophysiological measurements and to Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (ρ = 0.58, P < 0.0001). DN4 and DN4‐interview scores showed a high diagnostic accuracy for painful diabetic polyneuropathy with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94 and 0.93, respectively. At the cut‐off of 4, DN4 displayed sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 82%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 91%, and likelihood ratio for a positive result (LR+) of 9.6. At the cut‐off of 3, DN4‐interview showed sensitivity and specificity of 84%, PPV of 71%, NPV of 92%, and LR+ of 5.3.Conclusions  This is the first validation study of DN4 for painful diabetic polyneuropathy, which supports its usefulness as both a screening tool for neuropathic pain in diabetes and a reliable component of the diagnostic work up for painful diabetic polyneuropathy.
Mexico's Business Cycles and Synchronization with the USA in the Post‐NAFTA Years
Authors: Miles William , Vijverberg Chu‐Ping C. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA number of papers have investigated the increasing macroeconomic ties between Mexico and the USA. These studies have relied on linear models, however, making their results suspect. Other papers have investigated nonlinearity over the Mexican business cycle, but have not studied the links between the Mexican and US economies. In this paper a Markov‐switching model is employed to investigate the changing macroeconomic effect of the USA on Mexico. The findings show that the USA indeed appears to have a much larger impact since the passage of the North Atlantic Free Trade Association (NAFTA) than in previous years. Results also indicate that the level of foreign exchange reserves has much less predictive power for the Mexican economy since NAFTA. This suggests that the greater synchronization with the US business cycle may be more attributable to better macroeconomic management in Mexico than to the closer trade links.
Exchange Rates and Stock Prices in the MENA Countries: What Role for Oil?
Authors: Chortareas Georgios , Cipollini Andrea , Eissa Mohamed Abdelaziz 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis paper considers the linkage between stock prices and exchange rates in four MENA (Middle East and North Africa) emerging markets. In contrast to the existing evidence that uses a global market index to uncover such a relationship it is found that for the sample countries oil prices emerge as the dominant factor in the above relationship. The paper considers the presence of regime shifts and evidence is found of cointegration only for the period following the 1999 oil price shock. Readjustment towards equilibrium in each stock market occurs via oil price changes. Finally, a number of robustness checks are performed and persistence profiles produced.
Is there Complete, Partial, or No Recovery from Childhood Malnutrition? – Empirical Evidence from Indonesia*
Authors: Mani Subha 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis article uses a dynamic panel data model to identify the impact of early nutritional deficiencies on individuals’ health status in later ages. We find that poor nutrition at young ages causes some, but not severe retardation in the growth of future height indicating partial recovery from chronic malnourishment. The results also indicate that – younger children, stunted children, and children who live in communities with six or more health posts exhibit larger recovery. The estimation strategy used here is especially attractive as it relies on weaker stochastic assumptions compared to earlier work in the literature.
Increased levels of COX‐2 in oral lichen planus supports an autoimmune cause of the disease
Authors: Danielsson K. , Ebrahimi M. , Wahlin Y.B. , Nylander K. , Boldrup L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease for which the pathogenesis is not fully understood. OLP has autoimmune features and auto immunity has been suggested as a potential cause, whereas WHO has classified OLP as a premalignant condition. Association between chronic inflammation and cancer is known and chronic inflammation is one of the characteristics of OLP. A protein connected to inflammation and suggested to be involved in cancer development is cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) which can be inhibited by microRNA‐26b (miR‐26b).Objective  The aim was to map levels of COX‐2 and miR‐26b in OLP lesions to see if there was any correlation between expression of COX‐2 and its regulator miR‐26b in OLP.Methods  In biopsies from 20 OLP patients and 20 age and gender‐matched controls laser‐ micro dissection of epithelium was performed. Quantitative RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used in the analysis.Results  Levels of COX‐2 mRNA were significantly higher while levels of miR‐26b were significantly lower in OLP lesions compared to controls. Using immunohistochemistry normal oral mucosa samples did not show any expression of COX‐2 while OLP samples expressed the protein. No COX‐2 protein was detectable with Western blot.Conclusion  Increased expression of COX‐2 and decreased expression of miR‐26b in OLP suggests both to play a role in OLP. COX‐2 has been connected to both malignant development and autoimmunity but as malignant development of OLP is quite rare we suggest that the increased levels of COX‐2 seen here support an autoimmune cause of the disease.
Routine FDG PET‐CT in patients with a high‐risk localized melanoma has a high predictive positive value for nodal disease and high negative predictive value for the presence of distant metastases
Authors: Wagner T. , Chevreau C. , Meyer N. , Mourey L. , Courbon F. , Zerdoud S. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  FDG PET‐CT is the superior imaging modality for the detection of visceral metastases (M+) in patients with melanoma. Conflicting evidence exists regarding its role for the initial staging of patients with high risk localized melanoma (large Breslow Thickness (BT) and/or ulceration).Objective  To assess the role of routine staging with FDG PET‐CT in melanoma patients with localized high risk melanoma.Methods  Forty‐eight consecutive patients with 1 < BT < 4 mm with ulceration and with BT ≥ 4 mm were staged with PET‐CT. PET‐CT procedures were performed on a GE Discovery ST® scanner. PET‐CT findings for regional nodal status and presence of distant metastatic disease were collected. The gold standard for nodal assessment was pathological examination. The gold standard for M+ was conventional imaging and clinical follow‐up, confirmed by biopsy whenever feasible.Results  No patient had a positive PET‐CT for M+. Six patients (13%) had a non‐conclusive PET‐CT; none of them presented with M+ within 6 months. Forty‐three patients (90%) had a negative PET‐CT, amongst them only one patient (2.5%) presented with M+ within a year. Six patients had FDG‐avid lymph nodes in the drainage territory of the primary melanoma, either SLNB or lymph node dissection confirmed metastatic nodal involvement. The predictive positive value of PET for regional node involvement was 100%.Comments  FDG PET‐CT does not seem to be effective at detecting M+ at baseline staging in patients with high risk localized melanoma. However, it has a high negative predictive value for the presence of M+ at 6 months and a high positive predictive value for nodal involvement.
Cutaneous adverse drug reactions to allopurinol: 10 year observational survey of the dermatology department – Cagliari University (Italy)
Authors: Atzori L. , Pinna A.L. , Mantovani L. , Ferreli C. , Pau M. , Mulargia M. , Aste N. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Allopurinol is extensively prescribed for conditions associated with urate excess, despite being responsible for severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADR).Objective  A cross‐sectional survey of allopurinol cases observed at the main Dermatology Department with inpatients facilities in southern Sardinia. (approx 560 836 inhabitants).Material and methods  Data collection of all consecutive patients referred for ADR between 2001 and 2010. Causality assessment followed the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Monitoring criteria; illness severity score was adopted for toxic epidermal necrolysis (SCORTEN).Results  Allopurinol was the culprit drug in 84 of 780 cutaneous ADR cases (10.7%; 8.4 cases/year). Mean age was 74 years, 58% of the patients were female, 95% of patients required hospitalization. Clinical forms were maculo‐papular eruptions (34 cases), Stevens‐Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (31 cases), vasculitis (six cases), Drug Rash Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) (three cases), Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustolosis (AGEP) (three cases), Pityriasis rosea‐like eruption (three cases), lichenoid dermatitis (two cases), fixed drug eruption (one case), erythroderma (one case). The indication for allopurinol prescription was asymptomatic hyper‐uricemia in 95% of the patients. Twelve patients were under allopurinol dosage adjustment according to creatinine clearance. Final causality assessment was definite for 12% of the cases and probable for the remaining 88%. Full recovery was achieved in 88% of subjects; ten SJS/TEN patients died (12% overall mortality; 32% mortality of the SJS/TEN cases).Conclusion  Considering the populations size of Southern Sardinia, is plausible that 1.5/100 000 Sardinian will be affected by allopurinol related ADR per year. Advanced age, and inappropriate allopurinol prescription were the main conditions affecting morbidity and mortality.