bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects on bone mineral density of a monophasic combined oral contraceptive containing nomegestrol acetate/17β‐estradiol in comparison to levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol
Authors: SØRDAL TERJE , GROB PAUL , VERHOEVEN CAROLE 
Published: July 2012

Abstract Objective. To compare the effects of a monophasic combined oral contraceptive containing nomegestrol acetate/17β‐estradiol (NOMAC/E2) on bone mineral density with a combined oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol (LNG/EE). Design. Prospective, randomized, open‐label, comparative clinical study. Setting. Gynecology center in Norway. Population. One hundred and ten women (20–35 years old) actively seeking contraception. Methods. For 26 consecutive 28‐day cycles, women received one of the following two treatments: NOMAC/E2 (2.5 mg/1.5 mg) in a 24/4‐day regimen (n= 56); or LNG/EE (150 μg/30 μg) in a 21/7‐day regimen (n= 54). Main outcome measures. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, hip and trochanter (measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry); associated z‐scores of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Results. In NOMAC/E2 users, mean (±SD) z‐score change from baseline for lumbar spine and femoral neck were 0.019 ± 0.242 and −0.007 ± 0.228, respectively, vs. 0.121 ± 0.269 and 0.044 ± 0.253 in LNG/EE users, respectively. Differences between treatment groups were not significant (p= 0.19 and p= 0.57, respectively). There were no significant differences between changes in hip and trochanter z‐scores between NOMAC/E2 and LNG/EE treatments. Conclusions. After two years, NOMAC/E2 had no clinically relevant effect on bone mineral density. No significant difference in the effect on bone mineral density between NOMAC/E2 and LNG/EE was observed.
Melatonin‐rich transgenic rice plants exhibit resistance to herbicide‐induced oxidative stress
Authors: Park Sangkyu , Lee Da‐Eun , Jang Hyunki , Byeon Yeong , Kim Young‐Soon , Back Kyoungwhan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTo examine whether melatonin‐rich plants can defend against oxidative stress, we subjected melatonin‐rich transgenic (MRT) rice plants to the singlet‐oxygen‐generating herbicide butafenacil. Both MRT and transgenic control (TC; expressing the vector only) rice seeds germinated and grew equally well in continuous dark on half‐strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.1 μm butafenacil. However, after transferring the seedlings to light, the TCs rapidly necrotized, whereas the MRT seedlings showed resistant phenotypes. Seven‐day‐old MRT seedlings treated with 0.1 μm butafenacil were resistant to the herbicide and contained high chlorophyll levels and low malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents compared with the TCs. As they did before the herbicide treatment, the MRT plants also produced much more melatonin after the herbicide treatment than the TCs. In addition, the MRT plants exhibited higher superoxide dismutase and catalase activities before and after the herbicide treatment compared with the TCs. This is the first report showing that MRT plants exhibit resistance against a peroxidizing herbicide that acts by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill plants. This result indicates that melatonin scavenges ROS efficiently in vivo in the transgenic plants, leading to oxidative stress resistance.
Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of facial wrinkles – searching for optimal treatment parameters in a randomized study in the split‐face design
Authors: Peukert Nadine , Bayer Johannes , Becke Dorothe , Zurakowski David , Luger Thomas , Manstein Dieter , Laubach Hans Joachim 
Published: July 2012

SummaryBackground: Fractionated photothermolysis (FP) is used for the treatment of facial wrinkles.Objectives: Investigation of effects of different FP treatment parameters in the treatment of facial wrinkles.Patients and methods: In a randomized split‐face controlled study 11 patients received 3 FP sessions in 4‐week intervals. Keeping the total energy input for each facial side constant, one side was treated with 6 mJ/MTZ with relatively high MTZ density (up to 2,625 MTZ/cm2) and the contralateral side with 70 mJ/MTZ with lower MTZ density (up to 230 MTZ/cm2). Follow‐up (FU) visits were performed 1, 3, and 6 months after the last treatment. The cosmetic evaluation was done by the patient self‐assessments and by assessment of standardized photographs by 3 independent, blinded investigators. Post‐treatment side effects were documented daily in a patient diary up to 7 days after the procedure.Results: After 6 months, the patient self‐assessments indicated significant improvements (p < 0.005) in wrinkle severity from 5.2 ± 1.5 to 3.8 ± 1.3 and 3.7 ± 1.3 for 6 and 70 mJ/MTZ, respectively, but without significant difference between the energy levels. In contrast, the photographic evaluation by the blinded investigators showed that wrinkle severity was rated significantly better at the sites treated with 70 mJ/MTZ than at the sites treated with 6 mJ/MTZ (p < 0.01). Treatment with 70 mJ/MTZ was significantly more painful than treatment with 6 mJ/MTZ. The typical local reactions to FP, erythema and edema, were also significantly more intense after 70 mJ/MTZ and lasted longer.Conclusions: FP with higher energy per MTZ at constant total energy input is more effective in the treatment of facial wrinkles than lower energy. The gain in effectiveness is, nonetheless, accompanied by an increase in adverse reactions. The treating physician may use this information to adjust treatment to the preferences of the individual patient.
The Influence of Initial Soft Tissue Thickness on Peri‐Implant Bone Remodeling
Authors: Vervaeke Stijn , Dierens Melissa , Besseler Jos , De Bruyn Hugo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo elucidate the influence of initial soft tissue thickness on peri‐implant bone remodeling. The research hypothesis was that implants installed in patients or at sites with thin mucosal tissues would show increased peri‐implant bone loss.Material and Methods79 edentulous patients were consecutively treated with two non‐splinted implants supporting an overdenture in the mandible. During recall‐visits, peri‐implant health was determined by means of probing pocket depth and the modified plaque/bleeding index. Digital peri‐apical radiographs were taken from individual implants. Bone level changes were measured from a reference point (lower border of the smooth implant collar) to the marginal bone‐to‐implant contact level. The linear mixed‐effect model analysis was adopted to analyze the influence of clinical parameters and transmucosal abutment height on peri‐implant bone loss.Results67 patients attended the 1‐year and 66 the 2‐year recall‐visit. Mean bone level changes were 0.89 mm (SD 0.62) and 0.90 mm (SD 0.66), plaque scores 0.82 (SD 0.94) and 0.87 (SD 0.92), bleeding scores 0.46 (SD 0.68) and 0.56 (SD 0.72) and PPD 1.65 mm (SD 0.60) and 1.78 mm (SD 0.59) after 1 year and 2 years respectively. The linear mixed‐effect model revealed increasing bone level changes with decreasing abutment heights. Peri‐implant bone level changes were significantly higher for implants with abutments of <2 mm (1.17 mm, p < .01; 1.23 mm, p < .01), 2 mm (0.86 mm, p < .01; 1.03 mm, p < .01) or 3 mm (0.38 mm, p = .046; 0.41 mm, p = .044) compared to ≥4 mm‐abutments (bone level changes set to zero as reference value) both after 1 year and 2 years and bone level changes were significantly influenced by probing pocket depth (p < .01, p < .01), but not by plaque (p = .31, p = .09) and bleeding scores (p = .30, p = .40).ConclusionThe present study suggests that implants with lower abutments, reflecting the initial gingival thickness, lose more peri‐implant bone, possibly by a re‐establishment of the biological width.
Effects of long‐term in vitro exposure of ejaculated boar sperm to zearalenone and α‐zearalenol in sperm liquid storage medium
Authors: SAMBUU Rentsenkhand , TAKAGI Mitsuhiro , NAMULA Zhao , NII Masahiro , TANIGUCHI Masayasu , UNO Seiich , KOKUSHI Emiko , TSHERING Chenga , SANTOS Regiane Rodrigues dos , FINK‐GREMMELS Johanna , OTOI Takeshige 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThe effects of in vitro exposure of porcine spermatozoa to zearalenone (ZEN) and α‐zearalenol (α‐ZOL) were studied by evaluating several parameters of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) system. For this purpose, boar spermatozoa cultured with semen storage medium containing 0 (control), 10 and 1000 µg/L of ZEN and α‐ZOL for 1 week at 5°C were used for IVF of in vitro matured oocytes. Overall, there were no significant differences in the rates of total penetration, monospermic fertilization, and polyspermic fertilization of oocytes inseminated with spermatozoa from the different groups. Similarly, ZEN and α‐ZOL at 10 and 1000 µg/L did not have detrimental effects on the cleavage and development to blastocysts of oocytes after in vitro fertilization. Although the motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa significantly decreased after 3 weeks of storage compared to non‐stored spermatozoa (P < 0.05), ZEN and α‐ZOL at the evaluated concentrations did not exert detrimental effects on the above parameters, even after 3 weeks of storage. These results indicate that prolonged exposure of boar spermatozoa to ZEN and α‐ZOL up to 1000 µg/L under reduced metabolic conditions does not affect their in vitro function.
New strategies of boar sperm cryopreservation: Development of novel freezing and thawing methods with a focus on the roles of seminal plasma
Authors: OKAZAKI Tetsuji , SHIMADA Masayuki 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTCryopreservation of boar spermatozoa offers an effective means of long‐term storage of important genetic material. Many researchers have investigated how to improve reproductive performance by artificial insemination (AI) using cryopreserved boar spermatozoa. Recently, we and other groups reported that high conception rates (70–80%) can be achieved by AI with frozen‐thawed boar spermatozoa using a modified temperature program during freezing, or a novel cryopreservation extender to improve sperm quality (including sperm survivability, motility, membrane status and fertilization ability) after thawing, or a novel sperm infusion method, deep intra uterine insemination. However, these techniques have not yet been used for commercial pig production. The variation in sperm freezability among boars or among ejaculations in an identical boar is one of the main reasons for this problem. In our previous study, it was revealed that some components of seminal plasma have a negative effect on the freezability of boar sperm. One of these factors is bacteria‐released endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide: LPS). LPS binds to Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) expressed on the sperm surface, resulting in induction of apoptosis. On the other hand, seminal plasma suppresses cryo‐capacitation induced by thawing stress. On the basis of these findings, we designed a novel protocol of AI using frozen‐thawed boar sperm.
Carnivore mollusks as natural enemies of invasive land flatworms
Authors: Lemos V.S. , Canello R. , Leal‐Zanchet A.M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThere are several records of the carnivorous behaviour of land flatworms, considered to be top‐predators in their micro‐habitats, by preying upon various species of invertebrates. However, there is little knowledge of predators on land‐flatworms. The possible impact of invasive land flatworms on prey populations has caused widespread concern, when considering their predatory behaviour, combined with recent human influence on the distribution of certain species. This work is the first record of predation on land flatworms by a carnivorous snail. Various‐sized land flatworms of 10 native species of the subfamily Geoplaninae, as well as the exotic speciesBipalium kewense(subfamily Bipaliinae), were offered toRectartemon depressus(Gastropoda, Streptaxidae), which accepted all. The predator also fed on the snailBradybaena similaris. The snails were maintained in laboratory for an average period of 12 months based on a mixed diet of flatworms andB. similaris, suggesting that the snail is a polyphagous predator. Because certain land‐flatworm species have been described as invasive species which may have a potential impact on prey populations in native and man‐made ecosystems, it is proposed that carnivorous snails of other native species, as potential predators of flatworms, should be tested for possible use in biological control programmes of these invasive planarians.
Non‐pollinating Fig Wasps Decrease Pollinator and Seed Production in Ficus andicola (Moraceae)
Authors: Cardona William , Kattan Gustavo , de Ulloa Patricia Chacón 
Published: July 2012

AbstractFig trees (
Ficus spp.) and Agaonine fig‐wasps participate in an obligate mutualism. Fig wasps can only develop within fig inflorescences (syconia) and they are the only organisms capable of pollinating fig flowers. Other non‐pollinating wasps that lay eggs by inserting their ovipositors from the outside can also develop in syconia. These parasitic wasps may be parasitoids of either pollinating or other non‐pollinating wasps, or form galls in fig flowers or other tissues. Depending on this interaction, parasitic wasps may have various effects on the production of pollinating wasps and seeds. Wasps in the genus
Idarnes, which parasitize New World figs (subgenus
Urostigma), have an effect on wasp production but not on seed production.
Heterandrium spp., which have short ovipositors and lay on external flowers, are infrequent and no effect on seed production has been documented. In the Colombian Andes,
Idarnes spp. and
Heterandrium spp. are the most frequent parasites of the
Ficus andicola —
Pegoscapus sp. mutualism, affecting 62 and 43 percent of syconia, respectively. Controlling for other factors that influence wasp and seed production, such as number of foundresses, syconium size and tree, we found that
Idarnes reduced pollinator production by almost half but did not reduce seed production, whereas
Heterandrium reduced seed production by 40 percent, and marginally affected pollinator production. Our results provide the first clear documentation of
Heterandrium spp. impact on fig seed production. Whether the relative abundance of this genus is a generalized phenomenon in montane forest remains to be determined.
Determining the Hubble constant using giant extragalactic H ii regions and H ii galaxies
Authors: Chávez Ricardo , Terlevich Elena , Terlevich Roberto , Plionis Manolis , Bresolin Fabio , Basilakos Spyros , Melnick Jorge 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
We report the first results of a long-term programme aiming to provide accurate independent estimates of the Hubble constant (H0) using the L(Hβ)-σ distance estimator for giant extragalactic H ii regions (GEHR) and H ii galaxies.
We have used Very Large Telescope and Subaru high-dispersion spectroscopic observations of a local sample of H ii galaxies, identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS DR7) catalogue in order to redefine and improve the L(Hβ)-σ distance indicator and to determine the Hubble constant. To this end, we utilized as local calibration or ‘anchor’ of this correlation GEHR in nearby galaxies which have accurate distance measurements determined via primary indicators. Using our best sample of 69 nearby H ii galaxies and 23 GEHR in nine galaxies, we obtain H0 = 74.3 ± 3.1 (statistical) ± 2.9 (systematic) km s−1 Mpc−1, in excellent agreement with, and independently confirming, the most recent Type Ia supernovae based results.
Evaluation of alginate as a substitute for root‐surrounding tissues in electronic root canal measurements
Authors: Lipski Mariusz , Trąbska‐Świstelnicka Marlena , Woźniak Krzysztof , Dembowska Elżbieta , Droździk Agnieszka 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAlginate as a substitute for root‐surrounding tissue was investigated. The electronic working lengths of root canals under clinical conditions were compared with an in vitro simulation of the same teeth extracted and embedded in alginate. The working lengths in 26 teeth were determined on two occasions using an electronic apex locator, before extraction and after extraction with the same teeth embedded in an alginate mass. The apical 4 mm of the root canals were exposed following the measurements, and the distances between the apical constrictions and the tips of files repositioned in the canals were measured and recorded. The mean distance between the file tip and the constriction was +0.33 mm (±0.38) in vivo and +0.32 mm (±0.30) in vitro. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test indicated that these means were not significantly different. The apical constriction was assessed to be within the limits of 0.5 mm in 80.7% of in vivo cases and in 76.9% of extracted teeth. Statistical analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the results recorded in vivo and in vitro regarding apical constriction localisation. Based on the results of this study, the alginate mass is a useful tool in evaluating the performance of electronic apex locators.
Developing a new method for spatial assessment of drought vulnerability (case study: Zayandeh‐Rood river basin in Iran)
Authors: Babaei Hamid , Araghinejad Shahab , Hoorfar Abdolhossein 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe paper presents an approach to spatially representative depiction for assessing the vulnerability of central Iran's Zayandeh‐Rood river basin to drought using multiple indicators. Drought conditions prevailed in the study basin from 2002 to 2007, with an annual rainfall deficiency of 45 to 55%. Multi‐attribute decision making (MADM) methods develop a framework to evaluate the relative priorities of drought assessment based on a set of preferences, criteria and indicators. The proposed MADM process uses well‐known techniques for product weights analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and order preference (TOPSIS). These indicators include the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), water demand, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the Groundwater Balance and Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI). Indicators' spatial information was categorised in layers prepared in the spatial domain using a geographic information system (GIS). The alternatives were ranked and presented using TOPSIS. Results show that the proposed method was highly effective in representing assessments of drought vulnerability.
Seasonal abundance and adult survival of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in a community that cooperatively forages with fishermen in southern Brazil
Authors: Daura‐Jorge Fábio G. , Ingram Simon N. , Simões‐Lopes Paulo C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA subgroup of a population of Tursiops truncatus in southern Brazil is known for a cooperative behavior with artisanal fishermen whereby the dolphins shoal fish towards net‐casting fishermen. Combining photo‐identification data collected between September 2007 and 2009 with mark‐recapture and Pollock's robust design models, we assessed abundance within seasons and survival and temporary emigration rates of dolphins between seasons. We also reanalyzed a previous data set collected during 1989–1991, and Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber models were applied to estimate survival rates for each of the study periods. The abundance of marked “cooperative” dolphins varied between seasons from 18 (CI: 17–24) to 21 (CI: 20–24). The total abundance varied from 59 in the winter of 2008 (CI: 49–72) to 50 in the autumn of 2009 (CI: 40–62). The annual adult survival was estimated to be 0.917 (CI: 0.876–0.961), close to that estimated from data collected in the 1990s (0.941; CI: 0.888–0.998). The emigration probability was low (0.031; CI: 0.011–0.084) and different capture probabilities between the “cooperative” and “noncooperative” dolphins indicated a degree of behavioral segregation. The precision of our estimates is likely to provide sufficient power to detect population change, but we recommend a precautionary management approach to protect this vulnerable dolphin community and its unique cooperative feeding tradition.
Public Sector Labour Geographies and the Contradictions of State Employment
Authors: Jordhus‐Lier David C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis article reviews how workers employed by the state are understood by economic and political geographers. To fully understand the politics of work in this sector, one must acknowledge how states perform different roles vis‐à‐vis workers: as a service delivery authority, regulatory body, democratic institution and, for public sector workers, as an employer and boss. The article asks how organised labour engages with the state across different political scales and in different geographical contexts. Public sector workers shape neoliberal restructuring through political contestation, not least at the level of local government. However, restructuring processes also erode the boundaries of the sector itself, thus questioning the basis for sector‐based unionism.
The Role of the University as an Agent of Regional Economic Development
Authors: Bagchi‐Sen Sharmistha , Smith Helen Lawton 
Published: July 2012

AbstractUniversities are commonly seen by policy makers as being key actors in the knowledge‐based economy. In the United States, universities, but particularly research universities, have been the focus of many studies which have sought to document and explain the commercial impact of university‐based research on regional economies. For example, studies have analyzed the extent and outcomes of academic entrepreneurship and of university‐industry collaborations. The focus of this paper is to review this literature with a specific focus on contradictory and inconclusive results. Data for these studies are obtained from a number of sources such as self‐administered surveys, patent office, the National Science Foundation and the Association of University Technology Managers. This paper reviews the literature and highlights the variety of conceptual frameworks, data, and methodology used. It has a specific focus on assessing impact over time as well the difficulty in generalizing the result obtained from one study to another context. In spite of these problems, the evidence from a broad range and increasing volume of literature on trends and characteristics of academic entrepreneurship and university‐industry collaborations shows that universities indisputably play a major role in their regions.
Northern Hemisphere Climate Variability: Character, Forcing Mechanisms, and Significance of the North Atlantic/Arctic Oscillation
Authors: Budikova Dagmar 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has long been recognized as an important source of climate variability over the north Atlantic region. The NAO is often referred to as the regional expression of the Arctic Oscillation that reflects a redistribution of atmospheric mass between the Arctic and the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere (NH). This review highlights our current understanding of these prominent teleconnection patterns and discusses outstanding questions and challenges that scientists face as they continue to build our knowledge of climate variability and change across the NH. The work discusses the strengths and limitations of the multitude of methods by which these phenomena have been defined, while highlighting recent changes in their character. Addressed also are the various internal and external forcing mechanisms that shape these phenomena and ultimately help define their predictive nature.