bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cone theorem for nef curves
Authors: Lehmann Brian 
Published: November 2011

Following ideas of V. Batyrev, we prove an analogue of the Cone Theorem for the closed cone of nef curves: an enlargement of the cone of nef curves is the closure of the sum of a

K

X

K_{X}

-non-negative portion and countably many

K

X

K_{X}

-negative coextremal rays. An example shows that this enlargement is necessary. We also describe the relationship between

K

X

K_{X}

-negative faces of this cone and the possible outcomes of the minimal model program.
First Report of Leaf Spot Disease on Schisandra chinensis Caused by Phoma glomerata in China
Authors: Wang X. , Wang J. , Gao J. , Yang L. 
Published: November 2011

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill is a perennial liana belonging to the Schisandra genus of the family Magnoliaceae, which is cultivated in China as an important medicinal plant. In the summer of 2008, we observed a previously unknown foliar disease on the schisandras in Jingyu and Antu counties and the cities of Ji'an and Hunchun in Jilin Province. Symptoms appeared on the apex, margin, and center of leaves. The infection initially manifested as pale brown, small, necrotic spots on the leaves. Subsequently, these lesions became grayish brown in the center and dark brown with slight protuberances at the margins. Finally, these lesions developed concentric rings with a clear boundary separating them from the healthy tissue, were round to elliptical or irregular in shape, and had a diameter of 3 to 5 mm. In severely infected leaves, these spots eventually covered the entire leaf. Black spots (pycnidia) were produced on the infected leaf tissues in a humid environment. Fungus from infected leaf tissues was isolated on potato dextrose agar. The cultures were initially pale brown and turned dark green with age. Embedded pycnidia were generally formed after 5 days. The pycnidia were agglutinating, globose to subglobose, and measured 60.0 to 212.0 × 33.6 to 268.0 μm. Abundant conidia (4.06 to 7.2 × 1.65 to 3.53 μm) exhibiting zero to three oil droplets were produced by an 8-day-old colony; these conidia were ovoid or ellipsoidal, colorless, and aseptate; they were similar to conidia of Phoma glomerata. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of rDNA of the isolated pathogenic strain (PG11; GenBank Accession No. GU724511) had 100% identity to P. glomerata (GenBank Accession No. HM769279). Therefore, the pathogen was identified as P. glomerata (Corda) Wollenw. & Hochapfel on the basis of morphology and ITS sequence data. To validate Koch's postulates, schisandra leaves were spray inoculated with a 2.5 × 105 conidia/ml suspension of the isolated pathogen. An equal number of healthy plants were inoculated with sterile water (control). After inoculation, 10 plants were covered with plastic bags for 3 days and maintained in a growth chamber at 25°C. After 8 days, all inoculated plants showed symptoms identical to those observed on the schisandra leaves infected in the field, whereas the controls did not show any symptoms. Reisolation of the fungi from lesions of inoculated leaves confirmed that the causal agent was P. glomerata. Diseases caused by P. glomerata have been reported on some plants (1,2). However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot disease caused by P. glomerata on S. chinensis in China as well as in the world. References: (1) J. S. Chohan et al. Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 75:509, 1980. (2) T. Thomidis et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 131:171,2011.
Tissue- and Cell-Type Specific Transcriptome Profiling of Expanding Tomato Fruit Provides Insights into Metabolic and Regulatory Specialization and Cuticle Formation
Authors: Matas Antonio J. , Yeats Trevor H. , Buda Gregory J. , Zheng Yi , Chatterjee Subhasish , Tohge Takayuki , Ponnala Lalit , Adato Avital , Aharoni Asaph , Stark Ruth , Fernie Alisdair R. , Fei Zhangjun , Giovannoni James J. , Rose Jocelyn K.C. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the primary model for the study of fleshy fruits, and research in this species has elucidated many aspects of fruit physiology, development, and metabolism. However, most of these studies have involved homogenization of the fruit pericarp, with its many constituent cell types. Here, we describe the coupling of pyrosequencing technology with laser capture microdissection to characterize the transcriptomes of the five principal tissues of the pericarp from tomato fruits (outer and inner epidermal layers, collenchyma, parenchyma, and vascular tissues) at their maximal growth phase. A total of 20,976 high-quality expressed unigenes were identified, of which more than half were ubiquitous in their expression, while others were cell type specific or showed distinct expression patterns in specific tissues. The data provide new insights into the spatial distribution of many classes of regulatory and structural genes, including those involved in energy metabolism, source-sink relationships, secondary metabolite production, cell wall biology, and cuticle biogenesis. Finally, patterns of similar gene expression between tissues led to the characterization of a cuticle on the inner surface of the pericarp, demonstrating the utility of this approach as a platform for biological discovery.
Comparison of intranasal methamphetamine and d‐amphetamine self‐administration by humans
Authors: Kirkpatrick Matthew G. , Gunderson Erik W. , Johanson Chris‐Ellyn , Levin Frances R. , Foltin Richard W. , Hart Carl L. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTAims  There are no studies directly comparing self‐administration of methamphetamine and d‐amphetamine by humans. This study compared intranasal methamphetamine‐ and d‐amphetamine self‐administration and characterized the mood, performance and physiological effects produced by the drugs.Design  A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study.Setting  An out‐patient research unit at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.Participants  Male recreational methamphetamine users (n = 13).Measurements  Five 2‐day blocks of sessions were conducted. On the first day of each block, participants ‘sampled’ a single methamphetamine or d‐amphetamine dose (0, 12, 50 mg/70 kg) and a monetary reinforcer ($5 or $20). Amphetamine plasma levels, cardiovascular, mood, and psychomotor performance effects were assessed before drug administration and repeatedly thereafter. On the second day of each block, participants chose between the sampled reinforcers (drug or money).Findings  There were no significant differences between the drugs on the majority of measures. Under the $5 condition, both amphetamines increased self‐administration dose‐dependently, with 41% drug choices overall. Under the $20 condition, only 17% drug options were selected. Both drugs increased cardiovascular activity and ‘positive’ mood, although methamphetamine produced more prominent effects on some measures (e.g. heart rate and ratings of ‘high’).Conclusions  Methamphetamine and d‐amphetamines appear to produce a similar dose‐related profile of effects in humans, which supports their equivalence for abuse potential.
Incidence and implications of negative serum thyroglobulin but positive I‐131 whole‐body scans in patients with well‐differentiated thyroid cancer prepared with rhTSH or thyroid hormone withdrawal
Authors: Cherk Martin H. , Francis Peter , Topliss Duncan J. , Bailey Michael , Kalff Victor 
Published: November 2011

SummaryAims  To evaluate the incidence and clinical implications of a positive whole‐body I‐131 scan but negative stimulated serum Tg/TgAb level following an ablative or diagnostic I‐131 dose in patients with well‐differentiated thyroid cancer and whether there is a difference in incidence if prepared with thyroid hormone withdrawal compared with rhTSH stimulation.Methods  I‐131 scan findings, serum Tg/TgAb levels, TNM stage and method of thyroid tissue stimulation in 193 consecutive patients (138F, 55M) with well‐differentiated thyroid cancer undergoing postoperative ablative I‐131 therapy and 121 consecutive (94F, 27M) patients undergoing diagnostic I‐131 surveillance scans were retrospectively reviewed. Comparisons of proportions were performed using Chi‐square tests. Clinical, biochemical and I‐131 scan follow‐up data were obtained for each patient cohort.Results  39/193 (20·2%) postablative I‐131 and 10/121 (8·3%) diagnostic I‐131 patients had negative stimulated serum Tg/TgAb levels but positive I‐131 scans for residual thyroid tissue. Nine (4·7%) of the postablative patients had I‐131 uptake in the lateral neck suspicious for loco‐regional metastatic disease. In the postablative I‐131 group, 38/169 (22·5%) prepared with rhTSH compared to 1/24 (4·2%) prepared with thyroid hormone withdrawal were Tg/TgAb negative but I‐131 scan positive (P = 0·04). Follow‐up of 21/39 postablative I‐131 patients with negative Tg/TgAb but positive I‐131 scans confirmed a significant proportion of patients (4/21) (19·1%), remained Tg/TgAb negative/I‐131 scan positive, some of whom had higher‐risk disease at original diagnosis (2/4) (50%).Conclusions  Our study confirms that in the setting of I‐131 ablation therapy or diagnostic I‐131 scanning, a significant proportion of patients (20·2% and 8·3%, respectively) have residual benign or malignant thyroid tissue on whole‐body scanning despite a negative stimulated serum Tg level. Whether such patients who would otherwise be missed as having residual thyroid tissue on serum Tg testing alone have a worse clinical outcome remains uncertain. Our findings do however suggest performing both stimulated serum Tg/TgAb levels and I‐131 scans for the follow‐up of patients with higher‐risk thyroid cancer may be important. There may also be a slightly higher incidence of this phenomenon in patients prepared with rhTSH rather than by thyroxine withdrawal.
Diagnosis and therapy for Cushing’s disease with negative dynamic MRI finding: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Sun Yuhao , Sun Qingfang , Fan Changyan , Shen Jiankang , Zhao Weiguo , Guo Yan , Su Tingwei , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Bian Liuguan 
Published: November 2011

SummaryObjective  Most patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) will have evidence of an adenoma on high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, a significant minority of patients with CD and biochemical hypercortisolaemia have no visible adenoma on MRI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of preoperative biochemical assessment and accuracy of MRI findings on surgical outcome.Design  Retrospective data set analyses.Patients and measurement  The clinical, endocrinological, histopathological and surgical outcomes of 24 consecutive CD patients with negative MRI findings were compared with those of 95 consecutive age‐ and sex‐matched CD patients with pituitary adenomas on MRI.Results  The total remission rate was 86·6%. Among all patients, 87 had concordant positive endocrine tests and underwent neurosurgery, while bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) was performed in 12 and 50 other patients with negative and positive MRI, respectively. A pituitary adenoma, confirmed by pathological examination, was found in 83·3% and 93·6% of patients with negative and positive MRI, respectively. The remission rate was not different between patients with negative and positive MRI (87·5 % and 86·3%, respectively; P > 0·05) or between patients who did not undergo BIPSS with negative MRI and patients with positive MRI (P > 0·05). The remission rate of patients who underwent BIPSS with negative MRI was not different from those not undergoing BIPSS (P > 0·05). The recurrence rate was higher, although not statistically different, in patients with negative MRI compared to positive ones.Conclusions  Based on the findings outlined, MRI‐negative CD may be a surgically remediable syndrome, with a pathophysiological basis that primarily involves a pituitary cause of the hypercortisolaemia.
Community health service capacity in China: a survey in three municipalities
Authors: Zhou Wei , Dong Yanmin , Lin Xiaozhi , Lu Wenli , Tian Xin , Yang Lianping , Zhang Xinping 
Published: November 2011

AbstractRationale  China is reforming its health care system. It aims to strengthen primary health care through building community health facilities and assigning a ‘gate‐keeper’ role to primary care providers. However, it remains unknown whether community health facilities are able to fulfil such a mission. This study evaluated the service capacity of a selected sample of community health facilities and the competency of primary care practitioners employed by those facilities.Methods  Three municipalities from the east, middle and west of China were purposely selected. A questionnaire was undertaken in 45 randomly selected community health facilities in the three municipalities and 700 primary care practitioners responded to the survey. The survey investigated the capacity of the community health facilities in providing diagnostic services and the competency of the primary care providers in handling common health problems.Results  The most common reasons for doctor–patient encounters were common cold and chronic diseases. The capacity of the community health facilities in providing diagnostic services was limited. Although the majority of respondents believed that they could correctly identify common symptoms, many were unable to perform some essential physical examinations.Conclusion  The community health facilities are not able to fulfil their designated mission because of the limited diagnostic capacity and poor competency of the primary care practitioners. Priorities should be given to capacity building for the development of community health services in the future.
Backscattered electron detection in environmental SEM
Authors: DANILATOS G.D. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryAn examination of the backscattered electron imaging status in environmental scanning electron microscopy is presented with particular attention to the testing and use of cerium doped yttrium aluminium garnet and yttrium aluminium perovskite scintillation detectors. A comparison is made with plastic scintillating backscattered electron detectors used previously (Nuclear Enterprises type NE102A scintillator). Semi‐disk, strip and wedge shapes of these materials have been tested in conjunction with various light‐guide geometries. These systems have been combined with two different types of photomultipliers, which also play a critical role in the total detector efficiency. The advantage of increased light output from the monocrystal materials is gained only if matched with suitable light‐guides and photomultipliers. The associated problems are discussed and proposals for further work are made for the construction of most efficient backscattered electron detectors in the environmental scanning electron microscope.
Comparative Analysis of Three Different Total Nucleic Acid Extraction Protocols for the Diagnosis of Geminiviruses in Squash (Cucurbita moschata)
Authors: Hernández Eduardo J. , Mora‐Umaña Floribeth , Albertazzi Federico , Karkashian James P. , Ramírez Pilar 
Published: November 2011

AbstractSquash (Cucurbita moschata) is one of the most important crops in tropical countries. Geminiviruses are an important group of plant pathogens. In 2002 a new begomovirus was reported to naturally infect squash and some other crops in Costa Rica. Our objective was to compare, using molecular techniques, the extraction and further purification of DNA from squash by different extraction protocols and storage methods. A single infected sample was collected, half of the material was stored frozen at −70°C, and the remainder was stored dehydrated in silica gel (SG). Total nucleic acids (TNAs) were extracted by three different protocols and were quantified by fluorometry, and the quality was analysed by electrophoresis in agarose gels, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the virus genome, dot blot and Southern blot hybridization. Even though the tissue stored in SG yielded a higher amount of TNAs, the genetic material exhibited lower integrity and this made it useful exclusively for the detection of geminiviral DNA by PCR amplification of short viral sequences and by hybridization with short viral probes. The Dellaporta method proved to be the most effective for the detection of geminiviral DNA in infected squash tissue. Although the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method showed similar results, the procedure is more time‐consuming. Surprisingly, the citrate method showed either similar or worse results than the other methods.
Unusual Systemic Metastases of Malignant Seminoma in a Dog
Authors: Lucas X , Rodenas C , Cuello C , Gil MA , Parrilla I , Soler M , Belda E , Agut A 
Published: November 2011

ContentsUnilateral enlargement of left testicle and scrotum was detected in an 8‐year‐old West Highland White Terrier. The histopathological diagnosis after surgery was a seminoma (SEM) tumour, and a diagnosis of metastatic foci was also detected in vaginal tunic and scrotum. Two months later, new metastatic SEM foci in the skin were diagnosed. Twenty‐two months after the initial orchiectomy new multiple cutaneous nodules and a swelling of periesophageal structures were observed. Finally, the necropsy revealed multiple malignant metastatic SEM focus. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first description of a canine SEM with unusual widespread metastasis on the base of tongue, soft palate, trachea and pericardium.
Orbicularis oculi: morphological changes mimicking mitochondrial cytopathy in a series of control normal muscles
Authors: McKelvie Penelope , Satchi Khami , McNab Alan A , Kennedy Paul 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIntroduction:  Orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle has recently proposed as a suitable muscle for biopsy to diagnose mitochondrial cyopathy:Methods:  Enzyme histochemical and immunohistochemical studies were performed on OO muscle obtained from 18 patients aged 37–87 years (median 64 years), 6 males, 12 females, who were undergoing routine upper blepharoplasty surgery.Results:  We confirmed the marked type II fibre (fast myosin heavy chain) predominance (89%) but also noted a different proportion and distribution of mitochondria in these fibres with occasional pseudo‐‘ragged‐red’ fibres with prominent subsarcolemmal and cytoplasmic aggregation of mitochondria. Cytochrome oxidase‐negative fibres and true ‘ragged‐red’ fibres were found at all ages over 40 years at levels that approach those used for diagnosis of mitochondrial cytopathy in peripheral or limb skeletal muscles.Conclusion:  We would therefore urge caution in the use of OO as muscle biopsy for diagnosis of mitochondrial cytopathy and advise concomitant biopsy of limb skeletal muscle and/or supplementary genetic studies.
Genetic eye research in Tasmania: a historical overview
Authors: Mackey David A 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAlthough considerable recent work on hereditary eye diseases in Tasmanian families has been published, much of this depended on a century of meticulous pedigree collection by earlier clinical researchers. This article reviews some of the historical papers and the importance they have played in gene discovery and understanding of ophthalmic genetics. Tasmanian families have contributed to the identification of genes for X‐linked megalocornea, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, retinitis pigmentosa, congenital cataract, ptosis, keratoconus, glaucoma and myopia. The true value of the Tasmanian pedigrees will be realized with the translation of genetic discoveries into early diagnosis and treatment for these eye diseases.
Does Vitamin D deficiency play a role in peripheral neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Shehab D. , Al‐Jarallah K. , Mojiminiyi O. A. , Al Mohamedy H. , Abdella N. A. 
Published: November 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 43–49 (2012)AbstractAim  Despite recent reports linking vitamin D deficiency with increased risk of diabetes mellitus and complications, there is limited data on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and associations of vitamin D deficiency in 210 patients with Type 2 diabetes with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Methods  Renal, liver, lipid profile and HbA1c were measured. Vitamin D status was determined by measuring 25‐dihydroxyvitamin D. Presence or absence of coronary heart disease was determined and early‐morning urine microalbumin:creatinine ratio was measured. All patients were assessed clinically using neuropathy symptom score, neuropathy disability score and nerve conduction study.Results  Eighty‐seven patients had diabetic peripheral neuropathy and these patients had significantly longer duration of diabetes and higher HbA1c. Age, gender, incidence of retinopathy and coronary heart disease were not significantly different from those without neuropathy. Mean (SD) vitamin D was significantly lower in those with neuropathy [36.9 (39.9) nmol/l] compared with those without [58.32 (58.9) nmol/l] and 81.5% of patients with neuropathy had vitamin D deficiency compared with 60.4% of those without. Vitamin D showed significant (P < 0.05) correlations with total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol and urine microalbumin:creatinine ratio. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that diabetic peripheral neuropathy was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.04–11.56, P = 0.043) after inclusion of potential confounders such as duration of diabetes, HbA1c and LDL‐cholesterol.Conclusion  Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and further studies are required to confirm if Vitamin D supplementation could prevent or delay the onset.
Limited sampling strategies for the estimation of atazanavir daily exposure in HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Cattaneo Dario , Ripamonti Diego , Baldelli Sara , Cozzi Valeria , Fucile Serena , Clementi Emilio 
Published: November 2011

AbstractStepwise multiple regression analyses were applied to 44 atazanavir pharmacokinetic profiles from 44 HIV‐1 infected patients concomitantly treated with raltegravir with the goal of identifying limited sampling strategies for the prediction of drug AUC0–12. Atazanavir trough‐based equations failed to reliably predict daily drug exposure in patients with low drug bioavailability. Conversely, different algorithms based on few samples and associated with good correlation, acceptable bias and imprecision with the measured atazanavir AUC0–12 were identified. These models could be used to predict atazanavir exposure for clinic or research purposes.