bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leprosy in the Philippines: a review
Authors: Handog Evangeline B. , Gabriel Ma. Teresita G. , Co Cheryl C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractLeprosy is a skin disease that accounts for serious deformities and disabilities, leading to stigmatization and psychosocial suffering. It is included in “The Neglected Tropical Diseases”. Not surprisingly, its management is increasingly reported as a function of Dermatology Departments, with a strong community‐orientated bias. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of leprosy is crucial in the control of leprosy. Its management requires a multidisciplinary team of skilled physicians, laboratory staff, and nurses. All members of the health sectors should remain vigilant to combat this battle against leprosy.
Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of timosaponin B‐II, an extract of Anemarrhena asphodeloides
Authors: Lu Wen‐Quan , Qiu Yan , Li Tie‐Jun , Tao Xia , Sun Lian‐Na , Chen Wan‐Sheng 
Published: April 2011

Summary1. Antithrombotic agents are effective in the treatment of ischaemic stroke. Timosaponin B‐II (TB‐II) is a major active component of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Liliaceae; rhizome) that has protective effects against cerebral ischaemic damage. The present study examined the antiplatelet and antithrombotic actions of TB‐II.2. In in vitro experiments, TB‐II (20, 40 and 80 mg/mL) potently and dose‐dependently inhibited ADP‐induced platelet aggregation. Furthermore, 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg TB‐II prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time by 9.29, 16.86 and 25.50%, respectively, but had no effect on the prothrombin time. Furthermore, 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg TB‐II significantly reduced the wet weight, dry weight and length of the thrombi (%inhibition (based on wet weight): 13.6, 19.8 and 24.7%, respectively).3. In a rabbit arteriovenous shunt model, 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg, i.v., TB‐II had no effect on thrombus formation. Plasma euglobulin lysis time and fibrin degradation product were not affected by 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg TB‐II, but plasminogen levels were decreased significantly by 14.4, 18.3 and 29.0%, respectively.4. The results of the present study demonstrate significant antiplatelet and anticoagulation effects of TB‐II and suggest that these actions could contribute to its neuroprotective effect against damage following cerebral ischaemia damage.
Neural correlates of Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer in the nucleus accumbens shell are selectively potentiated following cocaine self‐administration
Authors: Saddoris Michael P. , Stamatakis Alice , Carelli Regina M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDuring Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer (PIT), learned Pavlovian cues significantly modulate ongoing instrumental actions. This phenomenon is suggested as a mechanism under which conditioned stimuli may lead to relapse in addicted populations. Following discriminative Pavlovian learning and instrumental conditioning with sucrose, one group of rats (naive) underwent electrophysiological recordings in the nucleus accumbens core and shell during a single PIT session. Other groups, following Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning, were subsequently trained to self‐administer cocaine with nosepoke responses, or received yoked saline infusions and nosepoked for water rewards, and then performed PIT while electrophysiological recordings were taken in the nucleus accumbens. Behaviorally, although both naive and saline‐treated groups showed increases in lever pressing during the conditioned stimulus cue, this effect was significantly enhanced in the cocaine‐treated group. Neurons in the core and shell tracked these behavioral changes. In control animals, core neurons were significantly more likely to encode general information about cues, rewards and responses than those in the shell, and positively correlated with behavioral PIT performance, whereas PIT‐specific encoding in the shell, but not core, tracked PIT performance. In contrast, following cocaine exposure, there was a significant increase in neural encoding of all task‐relevant events that was selective to the shell. Given that cocaine exposure enhanced both behavior and shell‐specific task encoding, these findings suggest that, whereas the core is important for acquiring the information about cues and response contingencies, the shell is important for using this information to guide and modulate behavior and is specifically affected following a history of cocaine self‐administration.
Neurodevelopmental outcome following exposure to sedative and analgesic drugs for complex cardiac surgery in infancy*
Authors: Garcia Guerra Gonzalo , Robertson Charlene M. T. , Alton Gwen Y. , Joffe Ari R. , Cave Dominic A. , Dinu Irina A. , Creighton Dianne E. , Ross David B. , Rebeyka Ivan M. ,   the Western Canadian Complex Pediatric Therapies Follow‐up Group
Published: April 2011

SummaryObjectives/Aim:  To determine whether sedation/analgesia drugs used before, during, and after infant cardiac surgery are associated with neurodevelopmental outcome.Background:  Animal models suggest detrimental effects of anesthetic drugs on the developing brain. Whether these results can be extrapolated to human neonates is unclear.Methods/Materials:  This is a prospective follow‐up project conducted in Western Canada. In all infants ≤6 weeks of age having surgery for congenital heart disease between April 2003 and December 2006, demographic and perioperative variables were collected prospectively. Sedation/analgesia variables were collected retrospectively. For each drug class (inhalationals, opioids, benzodiazepines, ketamine, and chloral hydrate), we calculated the cumulative dose received during hospitalization, average dose received per day, and cumulative number of days the patient received the drug. The outcomes at 18–24 months were as follows: General Adaptive Composite and motor scaled scores of the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, significant mental, motor, and vocabulary delay. Multivariable logistic and linear regression was used to analyze the data.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐five neonates underwent open heart surgery; 19 died, 16 had chromosomal abnormality, and five were lost to follow up, leaving 95 survivors for analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis found no evidence of an association between sedation/analgesia variables and ABAS‐GAC score or motor scale score. Multiple logistic regression analysis found no evidence of an association between sedation/analgesia variables and significant mental, motor, or vocabulary delay.Conclusion:  We found no evidence of an association between dose and duration of sedation/analgesia drugs during the operative and perioperative period and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Prostate cancer and diet: food for thought?
Authors: Hori Satoshi , Butler Elizabeth , McLoughlin John 
Published: April 2011

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? There has been increasing recognition that diet plays an important role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Despite this, the largely heterogenous nature of prostate cancer and nutritional research often means that no definitive conclusions can be drawn for those seeking answers in this important topic.In this review article, we summarize the key evidence available in this topic to date. Although we found mounting evidence on certain nutritional components being important in prostate cancer prevention and progression, further high quality studies are needed to fully understand the complex nature of diet and prostate cancer.• There is now increasing evidence that diet plays a major role in prostate cancer biology and tumorigenesis.• In a health conscious society, it is becoming increasingly common for Urologists to be asked about the impact of diet on prostate cancer.• In the present review, we explore the current evidence for the role of different dietary components and its’ effect on prostate cancer prevention and progression.• A literature search was conducted using PubMed® to identify key studies.• There was some evidence to suggest that green tea, isoflavones, lycopenes, cruciferous vegetables and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake to be beneficial in the prevention and/or progression of prostate cancer.• There was also evidence to suggest that a high total fat, meat (especially well cooked) and multivitamin intake may be associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.• To date publications have been highly heterogeneous and variable in quality and design. More robust, high quality research trials are needed to help us understand the complex relationship between diet and prostate cancer.
Effect of testosterone administration to men with prostate cancer is unpredictable: a word of caution and suggestions for a registry
Authors: Morales Alvaro 
Published: April 2011

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Very little is known on the effect of T in men with untreated PCa. There are only two small series (including the present one) available that comprise less than 25 men with PCs receiving TTh.It raises a warning that testosterone administration to men with PCa is not always safe, that current precautions should be maintained, and that only an international registry would provide prompt answers to these issues.To assess the evidence for the concept that the androgen receptor of prostate cancer (PCa) cells becomes saturated when testosterone values exceed castrate levels, so that testosterone administration in hypogonadal men with untreated PCa does not stimulate tumour growth. To propose basic criteria for administration of testosterone to untreated patients with PCa and, as this is a rare clinical situation, to encourage the establishment of an international registry for these patients. Men with a diagnosis of PCa and symptomatic testosterone deficiency received testosterone therapy (TTh). Patients were assessed quarterly. Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) velocity was used as the criterion to discontinue therapy and a return to nadir PSA levels allowed re‐initiation of testosterone supplementation. The responses to testosterone supplementation were varied according to each individual and were unpredictable. While some men showed little change after years of treatment, others exhibited a rapid and significant increase in PSA levels. In others, the use of intermittent therapy resulted in synchronous changes in PSA levels. Interruption of TTh invariably translated into a decrease in PSA to pre‐therapy levels. Available evidence regarding the effect of testosterone administration to hypogonadal men with untreated PCa is too limited to be considered reliable. In addition, the response to this treatment appears to be varied and unpredictable. Hypogonadism associated with untreated PCa is not common, therefore, we propose the establishment of an international registry as the quickest way to establish the basic parameters for consideration of TTh in this situation and recommendations for follow‐up. Until credible evidence becomes available, the current restrictions regarding the administration of testosterone to men with PCa should remain in place.
Improved Model‐ and View‐Dependent Pruning of Large Botanical Scenes
Authors: Neubert B. , Pirk S. , Deussen O. , Dachsbacher C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe present an optimized pruning algorithm that allows for considerable geometry reduction in large botanical scenes while maintaining high and coherent rendering quality. We improve upon previous techniques by applying model‐specific geometry reduction functions and optimized scaling functions. For this we introduce the use of Precision and Recall (PR) as a measure of quality to rendering and show how PR‐scores can be used to predict better scaling values. We conducted a user‐study letting subjects adjust the scaling value, which shows that the predicted scaling matches the preferred ones. Finally, we extend the originally purely stochastic geometry prioritization for pruning to account for view‐optimized geometry selection, which allows to take global scene information, such as occlusion, into consideration. We demonstrate our method for the rendering of scenes with thousands of complex tree models in real‐time.
Flexible and Accurate Transparent‐Object Matting and Compositing Using Refractive Vector Field
Authors: Duan Qi , Zheng Jianmin , Cai Jianfei 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn digital image editing, environment matting and compositing are fundamental and interesting operations that can capture and simulate the refraction and reflection effects of light from an environment. The state‐of‐the‐art real‐time environment matting and compositing method is short of flexibility, in the sense that it has to repeat the entire complex matte acquisition process if the distance between the object and the background is different from that in the acquisition stage, and also lacks accuracy, in the sense that it can only remove noises but not errors. In this paper, we introduce the concept of refractive vector and propose to use a refractive vector field as a new representation for environment matte. Such refractive vector field provides great flexibility for transparent‐object environment matting and compositing. Particularly, with only one process of the matte acquisition and the refractive vector field extraction, we are able to composite the transparent object into an arbitrary background at any distance. Furthermore, we introduce a piecewise vector field fitting algorithm to simultaneously remove both noises and errors contained in the extracted matte data. Experimental results show that our method is less sensitive to artefacts and can generate perceptually good composition results for more general scenarios.
HETEROGENEITY IN WILLINGNESS‐TO‐PAY FOR THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: INDIVIDUAL SPECIFIC WILLINGNESS‐TO‐PAY ESTIMATES FOR THEATRES, SHOWS AND THEIR ATTRIBUTES
Authors: Grisolia Jose M. , Willis Ken 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates people's preferences for live theatre, and heterogeneity in willingness‐to‐pay (WTP). A stated preference discrete choice model estimates utility and WTP for different attributes of theatre productions. Previous studies assumed fixed coefficients across all theatre‐goers. This study allows coefficients of attributes to vary across individuals in the population, providing information on the heterogeneity of tastes. Theatre‐goers' choices are used to estimate individual‐based parameters for a person's tastes in theatre productions. The analysis reveals the heterogeneity of tastes for different types of plays and ticket price; and the significance of ‘reviews’ by critics and ‘word of mouth’ opinions as important variables determining choice.
Maximizing patient adherence for optimal outcomes in psoriasis
Authors: Bewley A , Page B 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic, disabling disease in which adherence to treatment is often poor. The aim of this article is to highlight the problem of adherence to long‐term treatment in psoriasis and the factors that contribute to it, and to discuss how adherence, and thus outcomes, can be improved. This article is based on a presentation given by the authors at a satellite symposium held during the 19th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 6–10 October, 2010, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Adherence to topical medication is a major problem in psoriasis. Not only are prescriptions not being filled by patients (primary adherence) but topical medications are not being used as recommended (secondary adherence). The issue is complex due to the many factors which affect adherence, including efficacy, ease of use and convenience of application, and the healthcare professional–patient relationship. Due to the nature of the disease, patients suffer poor self‐image and feel stigmatized, particularly when psoriasis is present on a visible part of the body. Consequently, the negative impact of psoriasis on patient quality of life underlies many adherence issues. It is therefore important for treatment to address the psychological aspects as well as the physical symptoms of psoriasis. Improvements in several areas of disease management may lead to benefits in medication adherence and hence clinical benefit. Prescribing therapy in line with patient preference for treatment vehicle and improving the healthcare professional–patient relationship may be key factors. Nurses have an important role in educating patients and delivering long‐term care. This individualized, personal, approach may help improve treatment adherence, outcomes, and the quality of life for patients with psoriasis.
What is new in topical therapy for psoriasis?
Authors: Reich K , Bewley A 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis article describes a recent development in topical therapies for psoriasis and is based on a presentation given by the authors at a satellite symposium convened during the 19th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 6–10 October 2010, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Topical therapies are the mainstay of treatment for psoriasis; however, for optimal outcomes to be achieved, medications need to be used as prescribed. Patients with psoriasis often report low treatment adherence rates; the reasons for this are multifactorial, but can include specific aspects of the treatments themselves. For example, physical properties, ease of use and the vehicle in which the active ingredients are dissolved can all play a role in an individual patient’s adherence to treatment. Of the available topical therapies, corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues are the treatment of choice, with combined efficacy that is superior to monotherapy with either agent. To permit simultaneous once‐daily dosing, an ointment was formulated that allowed calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate to be delivered together; this two‐compound ointment had an improved efficacy and tolerability profile vs. either compound alone. To provide an alternative for patients who may dislike ointments, but still want to benefit from the high efficacy of combination therapy, a two‐compound (calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate) gel has recently been developed; data from phase 2 and phase 3 studies show that it is more effective than the comparators it was tested against, with fewer adverse events, and a rapid onset of action. In a series of one‐to‐one interviews recently conducted with 150 patients with psoriasis, gel and cream formulations were preferred for ease of use and cosmetic acceptability compared with ointment. The availability of this new gel thus increases patient choice. Ultimately, treatment should always be tailored to match individual patients’ needs.
Modulation of plant growth by HD‐Zip class I and II transcription factors in response to environmental stimuli
Authors: Harris John C. , Hrmova Maria , Lopato Sergiy , Langridge Peter 
Published: April 2011

SummaryPlant development is adapted to changing environmental conditions for optimizing growth. This developmental adaptation is influenced by signals from the environment, which act as stimuli and may include submergence and fluctuations in water status, light conditions, nutrient status, temperature and the concentrations of toxic compounds. The homeodomain‐leucine zipper (HD‐Zip) I and HD‐Zip II transcription factor networks regulate these plant growth adaptation responses through integration of developmental and environmental cues. Evidence is emerging that these transcription factors are integrated with phytohormone‐regulated developmental networks, enabling environmental stimuli to influence the genetically preprogrammed developmental progression. Dependent on the prevailing conditions, adaptation of mature and nascent organs is controlled by HD‐Zip I and HD‐Zip II transcription factors through suppression or promotion of cell multiplication, differentiation and expansion to regulate targeted growth. In vitro assays have shown that, within family I or family II, homo‐ and/or heterodimerization between leucine zipper domains is a prerequisite for DNA binding. Further, both families bind similar 9‐bp pseudopalindromic cis elements, CAATNATTG, under in vitro conditions. However, the mechanisms that regulate the transcriptional activity of HD‐Zip I and HD‐Zip II transcription factors in vivo are largely unknown. The in planta implications of these protein–protein associations and the similarities in cis element binding are not clear.

Contents

Summary
823

I.
Introduction
824

II.
The role of HD‐Zip transcription factors in plant growth adaptation to environmental changes and the phytohormone network
825

III.
Dissecting the common cis element, dimerization and cell specificity of HD‐Zip I and HD‐Zip II transcription factors
830

IV.
Conclusions
834

Acknowledgements
834

References
834
This ought to be good: Brain activity accompanying positive and negative expectations and outcomes
Authors: Liao Yu , Gramann Klaus , Feng Wenfeng , DeáK Gedeon O. , Li Hong 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe current study employed a modified gambling task, in which probabilistic cues were provided to elicit positive or negative expectations. Event‐related potentials (ERPs) to “final outcome” and “probabilistic cues” were analyzed. Difference waves between the negative condition and the corresponding positive condition were examined. The results confirm that feedback related negativity (FRN) amplitude is modulated by the interaction of outcome valence and expectancy by showing larger FRN difference waves for unexpected than expected outcomes. More interestingly, the difference wave between ERPs elicited by positive and negative expectations showed a negative deflection, with a frontal midline source density around 280 ms after onset of the predictive cue. Negative expectations were associated with larger FRN amplitudes than positive expectations. This suggests that FRN is elicited by probabilistic cues to pending outcomes.
High mitochondrial DNA diversity of an introduced alien carnivore: comparison of feral and ranch American mink Neovison vison in Poland
Authors: Zalewski Andrzej , Michalska‐Parda Aleksandra , Ratkiewicz Mirosław , Kozakiewicz Michał , Bartoszewicz Magdalena , Brzeziński Marcin 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim  Invasive alien species usually exhibit very high adaptation and rapid evolution in a new environment, but they often have low levels of genetic diversity (invasive species paradox). Genetic variation and population genetic structure of feral American mink, Neovison vison, in Poland was investigated to explain the invasion paradox and to assess current gene flow. Furthermore, the influence of mink farming on adaptation of the feral population was evaluated by comparing the genetic structure of feral and ranch mink.Location  Samples from feral mink were collected in 11 study areas in northern and central Poland and from ranch mink at 10 farms distributed throughout the country.Methods  A 373‐bp‐long mtDNA control region fragment was amplified from 276 feral and 166 ranch mink.Results  Overall, 31 haplotypes, belonging to two groups from genetically diverse sources, were detected: 11 only in feral mink, 12 only in ranch mink and eight in both. The genetic differentiation of feral mink from the trapping sites was high, while that among ranch mink from various farms was moderate. There was no significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance. The number of trapping sites where given haplotypes occurred correlated with the number of farms with these haplotypes. The mink from two sites were the most divergent, both from all other feral mink and from ranch mink. Comparison of mtDNA and microsatellite differentiation suggests male‐biased dispersal in this species.Main conclusions  American mink in Poland exhibit high genetic diversity and originate from different source populations of their native range. The process of colonization was triggered by numerous escapees from various farms and by immigrants from Belarus. The genetic structure of local feral mink populations was shaped by the founder effect and multiple introductions. The genomic admixture that occurred during mixing of different populations might have increased the fitness of individuals and accelerated the invasiveness of this species.