bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vegetation patterns at the alpine treeline ecotone: the influence of tree cover on abrupt change in species composition of alpine communities
Authors: Batllori E. , Blanco‐Moreno J.M. , Ninot J.M. , Gutiérrez E. , Carrillo E. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAims: The upper elevation limit of forest vegetation in mountain ranges (the alpine treeline ecotone) is expected to be highly sensitive to global change. Treeline shifts and/or ecotone afforestation could cause fragmentation and loss of alpine habitat, and are expected to trigger considerable alterations in alpine vegetation. We performed an analysis of vegetation structure at the treeline ecotone to evaluate whether distribution of the tree population determines the spatial pattern of vegetation (species composition and diversity) across the transition from subalpine forest to alpine vegetation.Location: Iberian eastern range of the Pyrenees.Methods: We studied 12 alpine Pinus uncinata treeline ecotones. Rectangular plots ranging from 940 to 1900 m2 were placed along the forest‐alpine vegetation transition, from closed forest to the treeless alpine area. To determine community structure and species distribution in the treeline ecotone, species variation along the forest‐alpine vegetation transition was sampled using relevés of 0.5 m2 set every 2 m along the length of each plot. Fuzzy C‐means clustering was performed to assess the transitional status of the relevés in terms of species composition. The relation of P. uncinata canopy cover to spatial pattern of vegetation was evaluated using continuous wavelet transform analysis.Results: Vegetation analyses revealed a large degree of uniformity of the subalpine forest between all treeline ecotone areas studied. In contrast, the vegetation mosaic found upslope displayed great variation between sites and was characterized by abrupt changes in plant community across the treeline ecotone. Plant richness and diversity significantly increased across the ecotone, but tree cover and diversity boundaries were not spatially coincident.Conclusions: Our results revealed that no intermediate communities, in terms of species composition, are present in the treeline ecotone. Ecotone vegetation reflected both bedrock type and fine‐scale heterogeneity at ground level, thereby reinforcing the importance of microenvironmental conditions for alpine community composition. Tree cover did not appear to be the principal driver of alpine community changes across the treeline ecotone. Microenvironmental heterogeneity, together with effects of past climatic and land‐use changes on ecotone vegetation, may weaken the expected correlation between species distribution and vegetation structure.
Involvement of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in α‐bisabolol induced apoptosis
Authors: Cavalieri Elisabetta , Bergamini Christian , Mariotto Sofia , Leoni Serena , Perbellini Luigi , Darra Elena , Suzuki Hisanori , Fato Romana , Lenaz Giorgio 
Published: June 2009

α‐Bisabolol is a natural monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol. It has been used in cosmetics for hundreds of years because of its perceived skin‐healing properties. α‐Bisabolol is known to have anti‐irritant, anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In precedent studies, we described how α‐bisabolol exerts a selective pro‐apoptotic action towards transformed cells [Cavalieri E et al. (2004) Biochem Biophys Res Commun315, 589–594] and its uptake is mediated by lipid rafts on the plasma membrane [Darra E et al. (2008) Arch Biochem Biophys476, 113–123]. In this study, we hypothesize that the intracellular target of α‐bisabolol may be the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). To evaluate this hypothesis, we used one transformed cell line (human glioma T67) in comparison with a nontransformed one (human fibroblasts). We assessed the effect of a specific mPTP inhibitor (cyclosporine A) on the toxic action of α‐bisabolol. Results show that the α‐bisabolol‐induced decrease in oxygen consumption is abolished by the addition of cyclosporine A in T67 cells, indicating that α‐bisabolol may target mPTP. The central role of mitochondria was also demonstrated by using galactose to force cells to a more aerobic metabolism. In this condition, we observed higher α‐bisabolol toxicity. Furthermore, we studied the effect of α‐bisabolol on isolated rat liver mitochondria. This study expands the notion of the specific action of α‐bisabolol on transformed cells and suggests that it may act by disturbing the structure and function of the mPTP. α‐Bisabolol toxicity is clearly related to its cellular uptake, which is higher in transformed cell lines.
Sexlessness Among Married Chinese Adults in Hong Kong: Prevalence and Associated Factors
Authors: Kim Jean H. , Lau Joseph Tak-Fai , Cheuk Ka-Kin 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Despite recent media coverage in the topic of sexless marriages in East Asia, population-based studies examining the absence of sexual activity among nonelderly married individuals are scant. Previous studies have not simultaneously examined sociodemographic, physiological, and lifestyle predictors of sexless marriages.

Aims
To determine the prevalence of past-year sexlessness and the associated factors among the married Chinese adults in Hong Kong.

Methods
An anonymous, population-based telephone survey was conducted on 2,846 married Chinese men and women between the ages of 25 and 59 in Hong Kong.

Main Outcome Measures
The prevalence of past-year sexlessness and the associated factors and mental health symptoms were examined.

Results
The prevalence of past-year sexlessness between the ages of 25–34 years, 35–44 years and 45–59 years was 5.5, 5.1, and 17.0%, respectively, among married males, and 8.3, 12.4, and 31.6%, respectively, among married females. Older age and poor spousal relationship were associated with sexlessness for females, whereas lack of interest in sex, older age, and lower education were significant factors for males. Married women demonstrated statistically significant associations between sexlessness and poorer mental health indicators, such as lower quality of life and being bothered by the unavailability of a sex partner.

Conclusions
Sexlessness is prevalent among certain subgroups of urban Chinese couples in Hong Kong, and the large discrepancy in sexlessness between married men and women in each age strata suggests a high prevalence of extramarital relationships. Contrary to commonly held beliefs, there was a stronger association between sexlessness and poorer psychosocial symptoms among married females than males. Sexless marriages are an underappreciated phenomenon among urban Chinese individuals.
Abnormal Sexual Behavior During Sleep
Authors: Marca Giacomo Della , Dittoni Serena , Frusciante Roberto , Colicchio Salvatore , Losurdo Anna , Testani Elisa , Buccarella Cristina , Modoni Anna , Mazza Salvatore , Mennuni Gioacchino Francesco , Mariotti Paolo , Vollono Catello 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Automatic, uncontrolled, and unaware sexual behaviors during sleep have occasionally been described. The clinical and polysomnographic features of nocturnal sexual behavior allow it to be considered a distinct parasomnia named “sexsomnia”. Recently, abnormal sexual behaviors during sleep have been evaluated in the forensic medical context because violent behaviors can be associated with this parasomnia.

Aim
To describe the clinical and polysomnographic findings in three patients who referred to our sleep laboratory for sleep disorders and who reported episodes of sleep-related sexual activation.

Main Outcome Measures
We analyzed video-polysomnographic recordings, sleep structure, sleep microstructure, and sleep-related respiratory events.

Methods
The patients were three males aged 42, 32, and 46 years. All had unremarkable medical, neurological, and psychiatric histories. All underwent full-night polysomnography.

Results
Each patient presented a distinct sleep disorder: one had severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), one presented clinical and polysomnographic features of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep parasomnia (somnambulism), and the third presented clinical and polysomnographic features of rapid eye movement behavior disorder.

Conclusions
In our patients, the clinical and polysomnographic findings suggest that abnormal nocturnal sexual behavior can occur in association with distinct sleep disorders, characterized by different pathophysiologic mechanisms and distinctive treatments. Abnormal sexual behaviors during sleep should be investigated with polysomnography in order to define their pathophysiology and to establish appropriate treatments.
Sleep Apnea is an Independent Correlate of Erectile and Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Budweiser Stephan , Enderlein Stefan , Jörres Rudolf A. , Hitzl Andre P. , Wieland Wolf F. , Pfeifer Michael , Arzt Michael 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked with erectile dysfunction (ED), but it is unknown whether this association is maintained in the presence of other risk factors for ED.

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ED/sexual dysfunction and polysomnographic measures of sleep apnea in patients with known risk factors for ED.

Methods
Prospective cross-sectional analysis of 401 male patients undergoing in-lab polysomnography for suspected OSA. Erectile (EF) and sexual function were assessed by the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire.

Main Outcome Measures
Severity of OSA via apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and mean/lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation (SaO2). The IIEF-15 including the sexual domains: EF, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction.

Results
OSA (AHI &gt; 5/h) was diagnosed in 92% of patients. ED (EF subdomain ≤ 25) was present in 69% of patients with, and 34% of patients without OSA (P &lt; 0.001). Multivariate stepwise regression analyses including known risk factors for ED, such as age, obesity, coronary heart disease, peripheral occlusive disease, hypertension, diabetes, prostate surgery, and β-blocker treatment, and measures of sleep apnea identified mean nocturnal SaO2 as independently associated with ED (P = 0.002; mean [95% CI] normalized slope 0.126 [0.047; 0.205]). Age (P &lt; 0.001), peripheral occlusive disease (P = 0.001), prostate surgery (P = 0.018), and hypertension (P = 0.021) were confirmed as risk factors for ED, but did not abolish the sleep apnea-associated risk. Similar results were obtained for sexual dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis using the diagnosis of ED (EF subdomain ≤ 25) as binary dependent variable confirmed that mean nocturnal SaO2 (P = 0.012), as well as age (P &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with ED.

Conclusions
ED and overall sexual dysfunction were highly prevalent in patients with suspected OSA. Irrespective of known risk factors, mean nocturnal SaO2 was an additional, independent correlate of these dysfunctions, suggesting that OSA-related intermittent nocturnal hypoxemia specifically contributes to their development.
The ENDOTRIAL Study: A Spontaneous, Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter, Crossover Study on the Efficacy of Sildenafil, Tadalafil, and Vardenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Jannini Emmanuele A. , Isidori Andrea M. , Gravina Giovanni Luca , Aversa Antonio , Balercia Giancarlo , Bocchio Massimo , Boscaro Marco , Carani Cesare , Corona Giovanni , Fabbri Andrea , Foresta Carlo , Forti Gianni , Francavilla Sandro , Granata Antonio R.M. , Maggi Mario , Mansani Riccardo , Palego Pierfrancesco , Spera Giovanni , Vetri Mario , Lenzi Andrea 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The three effective, commercially available drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction—sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil—inhibit the same substrate, the erectolytic enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Although there are pharmacological differences between these three compounds, few comparative studies have been conducted to date.

Aim
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil in a randomly assigned 8-week fixed regimen.

Methods
This was a spontaneous, open-label, randomized, multicenter, crossover study where the patients were randomized to receive sildenafil 50 mg, sildenafil 100 mg, tadalafil 20 mg, or vardenafil 20 mg.

Main Outcome Measures
The primary outcome included the posttreatment analysis of erectile function domains of the abridged International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF5+1). The secondary objectives included the analysis of peak-systolic velocities (PSVs), end-diastolic velocities (EDVs), and resistive index (RI), and the estimate of the percentage of men with normal penile hemodynamic parameters after each treatment.

Results
In all groups of patients taking sildenafil 50 mg, sildenafil 100 mg, tadalafil 20 mg, and vardenafil 20 mg at a frequency reflecting the common treatment regimens in real life, there was a statistically significant baseline-to-end point improvement in subjective perception of erectile function measured by IIEF5+1. When the four groups were compared, the treatments were not different in modifying IIEF5+1 and penile flow parameters. However, the within-group analysis showed that PSV improved in the sildenafil 50 mg group and that PSV together with RI significantly ameliorated in patients receiving 100 mg of sildenafil. Regression analysis confirmed an independent effect of sildenafil on hemodynamic efficacy parameters.

Conclusions
An overall equivalence was demonstrated in the subjective perception of treatment benefits for all the PDE5i tested. However, sildenafil, in a dose-dependent manner, was the unique PDE5i able to ameliorate some of the penile flow parameters within the 8-week treatment period. These findings should be interpreted conservatively because of the observational nature of the study.
Postponed sowing does not alter the fibre/wood ratio or fibre extractability of fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa)
Authors: Westerhuis W. , Struik P.C. , Van Dam J.E.G. , Stomph T.J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBecause hemp is a short‐day plant, postponing the sowing date might be a suitable strategy to obtain shorter and smaller plants around flowering, when primary fibres are ‘ripe’ enough to be harvested. Smaller plants can be processed on existing flax scutching and hackling lines and might have fibre characteristics that are desirable for producing high‐quality ‘long fibres’ for yarn spinning.It was investigated whether sowing beyond the normal sowing period in the Netherlands affects the ratio in which fibres and wood are produced, and what proportion of these fibres are long fibres, suitable for long fibre spinning. About 400 stem samples were fractioned into retting losses, wood, tow, and long fibre, and the ratios between fractions were analysed using multiple linear regression analyses.A normal sowing date at the end of April was compared with a postponed sowing date at the end of May. The total fibre/wood ratio was not affected. More than 95% of the variance in total fibre was accounted for by the wood weight per stem (55.5%), the variety (+33.3%) and the stem part (+6.5%). The amount of long fibre per stem mainly depended on the amount of the total fibre per stem (95.4% variance was accounted for) and the stem part (+2.0%).For economic reasons, it could be interesting to grow two successive high‐quality hemp crops in one growing season. Therefore, in an additional experiment with one variety, the effect of sowing fibre hemp up to 12 weeks later than normal on the quantity and quality of the fibres was studied. Postponing the sowing date up to 12 weeks had no important effects on retting losses, the total fibre/wood ratio, and the long fibre/total fibre ratio. It is therefore technically possible to grow two successive hemp crops. Whether this fits well in farming systems and a hemp production chain remains to be studied.
Establishment of an in vitro sciarid fly larvae assay to study plant resistance
Authors: Chabannes M. , Hatt G. , Thébaud G. , Bedford I.D. , Lamb C. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractMechanisms underlying natural plant resistance to herbivorous invertebrates are still poorly understood in comparison with bacterial or fungal interactions. One reason is the difficulty in reliably and reproducibly assessing the effects under controlled conditions. This article describes a newly developed in vitro biological assay system that enables the interactions between sciarid larvae and plants, whose roots they feed on, to be studied under highly controlled conditions. The bioassay eliminates the problems created by the often variable environmental factors by providing an aseptic arena where experimental plants can be germinated and grown on agar within a Petri dish. Sciarid fly eggs are then collected, sterilised and added to the Petri dish. The system allows the eggs to hatch and the larvae to feed on the plant roots. A range of developmental parameters can then be recorded over time which can then be correlated with the experimental plant type. This assay system also allows a simultaneous comparison or ‘choice chamber’ between two (or more) different genotypes. The assay should greatly help to facilitate the identification of new components involved in insect resistance mediated pathway via the characterisation of mutant plants.
Can collisional activity produce a crystallization of Edgeworth–Kuiper Belt comets?
Authors: Marboeuf Ulysse , Petit Jean-Marc , Mousis Olivier 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Kuiper Belt Objects and cometary nuclei are considered among the most pristine bodies of the outer Solar system. However, the composition of these objects might not reflect that of the planetesimals from which they accreted. They have experienced some collisional activity since the formation of the Edgeworth–Kuiper Belt, leading to a possible alteration of their structure and composition. Here, we examine the possible alteration of icy bodies (10 to 100 km radii) located in the primitive Edgeworth–Kuiper Belt due to the heat generated by collisions of planetesimals with sizes not exceeding 10 per cent of the target body. We use a cometary nucleus model initially made of a mixture of amorphous ice and dust to investigate the influence of the target's intrinsic properties on its post-impact thermodynamical evolution. We show that multiple collisions must be considered over long periods to trigger a continuous crystallization within a target owning a typical cometary composition. However, the collision rates we have determined are approximately 1000 times greater than those predicted for the current collisional environment in the Edgeworth–Kuiper Belt. This implies that the collisional processes that occurred over the age of the Solar system did not produce any phase transition of H2O ice from amorphous to crystalline forms in cometary size bodies located in the primitive Edgeworth–Kuiper Belt.
Low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations spectra and Lense–Thirring precession
Authors: Ingram Adam , Done Chris , Fragile P. Chris 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
We show that the low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) seen in the power-density spectra of black hole binaries (and neutron stars) can be explained by the Lense–Thirring precession. This has been proposed many times in the past, and simple, single-radius models can qualitatively match the observed increase in QPO frequency by decreasing a characteristic radius, as predicted by the truncated disc models. However, this also predicts that the frequency is strongly dependent on spin, and gives a maximum frequency at the last stable orbit which is generally much higher than the remarkably constant maximum frequency at ∼10 Hz observed in all black hole binaries. The key aspect of our model, which makes it match these observations, is the precession of a radially extended region of the hot inner flow. The outer radius is set by the truncation radius of the disc as above, but the inner radius lies well outside of the last stable orbit at the point where numerical simulations show that the density drops off sharply for a misaligned flow. Physically motivated analytic estimates for this inner radius show that it increases with a*, decreasing the expected frequency in a way which almost completely cancels the expected increase with spin, and ties the maximum predicted frequency to around 10 Hz for all a*. This is the first QPO model which explains both frequencies and spectrum in the context of a well-established geometry for the accretion flow.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD HANDLERS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FROM BRAZIL
Authors: SOUZA PATRÍCIA AMARAL , SANTOS DANIEL ASSIS 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT A total of 44 food handlers who work in elementary schools from Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were subjected to the examination of the nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus and of hand carriers of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A simple method using the eosine‐methilene‐blue media to isolate enterobacteria from the hands was performed. Among the total number of food handlers, 29.5% were S. aureus nasal carriers. The following percentages were obtained for enterobacteria isolation from the hand carriers: Enterobacter spp. (54.5%), Serratia spp. (9.0%), Shigella spp. (9.0%), E. coli (6.8%), Salmonella spp. (2.3%) and Yersinia spp. (2.3%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the hands of 2.3% food handlers. Our results demonstrated the necessity of performing evaluation of S. aureus and Enterobacteriaceae in food handlers from elementary schools and also indicated that the method is useful to identify sources of food poisoning in epidemiological studies and in investigations of food contamination sources. Our data also showed that authorities may allot more attention to alerting the community about food problems.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe methods used in this work could be a valuable and low‐cost tool to verify the microbiological risk factors associated with food handlers, including Staphylococcus aureus and enterobacteriaceae.