bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved outcomes following a switch to olanzapine treatment from risperidone treatment in a 1‐year naturalistic study of schizophrenia patients in Japan
Authors: Ye Wenyu , Fujikoshi Shinji , Nakahara Naohiro , Takahashi Michihiro , Ascher‐Svanum Haya , Ohmori Tetsuro 
Published: May 2012

Aims:  This study assessed clinical and functional outcomes following a switch from risperidone to olanzapine in a 1‐year naturalistic study of schizophrenia patients in Japan.Methods:  We used data from a large 1‐year prospective, multicenter, observational non‐interventional study of individuals who were initiated on olanzapine for the treatment of schizophrenia in Japan. Current analyses focused on patients who were switched at study entry from risperidone to olanzapine (n = 258). Repeated measures analysis was employed to assess outcomes on validated measures.Results:  At study entry, 45% were inpatients and 55% outpatients. Participants were in their early 40s with mean illness duration of 14 years. Approximately half were male. Most were switched from risperidone to olanzapine due to poor medication efficacy (67.8%) rather than medication intolerability (29.1%). Most patients (67.8%) completed the 1‐year study. Patients experienced clinically and statistically significant (P < 0.05) improvements in global symptom severity, positive, negative, depressive, and cognitive symptoms, health‐related quality of life, and paid work rates. Most patients (59.2%) demonstrated treatment response to olanzapine and 43.4% experienced symptom remission. Mean weight gain was 2.19 kg, with one‐third of patients (33.3%) experiencing clinically significant weight gain (≥7%).Conclusions:  In this 1‐year naturalistic study, inpatients and outpatients who were switched from risperidone to olanzapine experienced clinically and statistically significant improvements in their clinical and functional outcomes. One‐third of all patients experienced clinically significant weight gain. Current findings highlight the favorable benefit‐to‐risk profile of switching to olanzapine therapy following treatment failure on risperidone among patients with schizophrenia in Japan.
Respiratory assessment and management in bariatric surgery
Authors: SCHACHTER LINDA 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTThe prevalence of obesity and overweight is growing in adults and children worldwide. With the failure of diets and lifestyle factors, more people are looking to bariatric surgery to address this significant medical problem. Severe obesity may be associated with significant perioperative respiratory complications. This article reviews potential respiratory and sleep complications, screening, and management of these problems.
Restoring a seasonal wetland using woven black plastic weed mat to overcome a weed threshold
Authors: Grose Peter J. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryLittle information is available on the use of woven black polypropylene weed control mat in ecological restoration. At a 6.5‐ha area of fertile Vertosol soil ex‐farmland near Perth, Western Australia, concerted efforts to control weed using conventional methods such as herbicides, fire and cultivation proved ineffective. After 5 years, weeds still dominated the site, and native plant establishment was poor. Small‐scale preliminary trials of various weed suppression coverings were then undertaken, with plastic weed mat the most cost‐effective in overcoming the weed threshold, permitting native tree seedling establishment. In a larger‐scale trial of weed mat over the whole site, weeds were controlled and high levels of native plant establishment achieved, with a diverse range of understorey, midstorey and overstorey species providing 56% projected foliage cover. This ensured that completion criteria were finally satisfied. These results suggest that weed mat may be effective for weed control in large‐scale restoration where conventional methods have failed, as long as ultimate removal or decomposition and other issues are addressed.
Responses to two‐dimensional shapes in the macaque anterior intraparietal area
Authors: Romero Maria C. , Van Dromme Ilse , Janssen Peter 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNeurons in the macaque dorsal visual stream respond to the visual presentation of objects in the context of a grasping task and to three‐dimensional (3D) surfaces defined by binocular disparity, but little is known about the neural representation of two‐dimensional (2D) shape in the dorsal stream. We recorded the activity of single neurons in the macaque anterior intraparietal area (AIP), which is known to be crucial for grasping, during the presentation of images of objects and silhouette, outline and line‐drawing versions of these images (contour stimuli). The vast majority of AIP neurons responding selectively to 2D images were also selective for at least one of the contour stimuli with the same boundary shape, suggesting that the boundary is sufficient for the image selectivity of most AIP neurons. Furthermore, a subset of these neurons with foveal receptive fields generally preserved the shape preference across positions, whereas for more than half of the AIP population the center of the receptive field was at a parafoveal location with less tolerance to changes in stimulus position. AIP neurons frequently exhibited shape selectivity across different stimulus sizes. These results demonstrate that AIP neurons encode not only 3D but also 2D shape features.
Competitive interactions between forest trees are driven by species' trait hierarchy, not phylogenetic or functional similarity: implications for forest community assembly
Authors: Kunstler Georges , Lavergne Sébastien , Courbaud Benoît , Thuiller Wilfried , Vieilledent Ghislain , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Kattge Jens , Coomes David A. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe relative importance of competition vs. environmental filtering in the assembly of communities is commonly inferred from their functional and phylogenetic structure, on the grounds that similar species compete most strongly for resources and are therefore less likely to coexist locally. This approach ignores the possibility that competitive effects can be determined by relative positions of species on a hierarchy of competitive ability. Using growth data, we estimated 275 interaction coefficients between tree species in the French mountains. We show that interaction strengths are mainly driven by trait hierarchy and not by functional or phylogenetic similarity. On the basis of this result, we thus propose that functional and phylogenetic convergence in local tree community might be due to competition‐sorting species with different competitive abilities and not only environmental filtering as commonly assumed. We then show a functional and phylogenetic convergence of forest structure with increasing plot age, which supports this view.
Impact of the bowel‐screening programme on the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in Ayrshire and Arran
Authors: Roxburgh C. S. D. , McTaggart F. , Balsitis M. , Diament R. H. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAim  Bowel screening aims to reduce colorectal‐cancer mortality by the detection and treatment of early‐stage asymptomatic disease and the removal of precancerous adenomas. Bowel screening started in Ayrshire and Arran in September 2007. We report the impact of this screening on the diagnosis and stage of colorectal cancer and characterize screen‐detected cancers in comparison with those diagnosed through other pathways.Method  Diagnoses were identified from an audit database. Referrals were grouped into screen detected, routine, urgent and emergency presentations.Results  Between January 2001 and December 2010, 2289 diagnoses of colorectal cancer were made. From 2001 to 2006, the mean (range) number of new colorectal‐cancer diagnoses per year was 210 (198–220). Between 2007 and 2010, the mean (range) number of diagnoses per year was 256 (239–274), a significant (P = 0.008) increase. Since September 2007, 877 colorectal cancers have been diagnosed: 17% were screen detected; 11% were detected as a result of routine GP referral; 51% were detected after urgent GP referral; and 21% were emergency presentations. TNM stage increased with urgency of referral. Approximately two‐thirds (66%) of screen‐detected colorectal cancers were node negative vs 25% of emergency presentations (P < 0.001). Most screen‐detected cancers were distal to the splenic flexure (75%). Screened cancers had favourable pathology; lower T and N stages (both P < 0.001), less venous invasion (P < 0.001) and better differentiation (P < 0.05). Similar results were seen after stratification for TNM stage. Screening has not yet resulted in a significant shift towards early‐stage disease since 2007.Conclusion  Screening has been associated with an increase in the numbers of both new and early‐stage colorectal cancers. Screen‐detected cancers are predominantly early‐stage disease with favourable pathology. At present, it remains to be seen whether screening will ultimately translate into an overall reduction in advanced‐stage disease.
Labour Mobility and the WTO: The Limits of GATS Mode 4
Authors: Dawson Laura Ritchie 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis paper explores the development of the labour mobility provisions within the multilateral GATT–WTO system in parallel with smaller regional and bilateral agreements. Because expanded labour mobility provisions have failed to generate a critical mass of support within the WTO, it is argued that developing countries seeking market access for lower‐skilled workers are better off seeking alternative venues, even though this is a more costly strategy. At the same time, it is useful for states to continue labour mobility negotiations within the WTO system because the regime serves as an important forum for the negotiation of common administrative processes and definitions. Multilateral efforts to increase transparency and reduced administrative costs will not only help to improve effective market access for commitments already in place, but will increase confidence in the ability of the WTO system to contribute to the management of global labour mobility.
Crossing Boundaries: Internal, Regional and International Migration in Cameroon
Authors: Mberu Blessing Uchenna , Pongou Roland 
Published: May 2012

AbstractInternal and international migration increasingly continues to be of global importance for development policies and programmes, but the dearth of data on migration for African countries and the limited focus on the structural conditions that motivate migration from specific localities within the region remain glaring. In this study, we examine the patterns and drivers of migration in Cameroon, focusing on the dynamics of rural–urban migration, migrant circulation, regional economic migrants and refugees, international migration, brain drain and returns from emigration. Consequent upon regional conflicts and instability, we highlight the refugee problem in Cameroon and significant challenges in addressing it. Finally, we underscore the policy and research challenges necessary to harness the potentials of internal and international migration for national development.
Comparative analysis of the use of complementary and alternative medicine by Korean patients with androgenetic alopecia, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
Authors: Kim G.‐W. , Park J.‐M. , Chin H.‐W. , Ko H.‐C. , Kim M.‐B. , Kim J.‐Y. , Lee S.‐J. , Kim D.‐W. , Lee D. , Kim B.‐S. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is being increasingly used among Koreans with chronic dermatologic diseases, such as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis.Objective  To quantify the usage of CAM in Korean patients with AGA, AD or psoriasis, and to offer valid information for the physicians frequently encountering such disorders.Methods  Outpatients (n = 678) from three tertiary hospitals were investigated independently by constructed and self‐directed questionnaire.Results  Of the respondents, 62.1% (421/678) of the subjects reported current or previous use of CAM for their dermatologic conditions (AGA, 67.2%; AD, 68.9%; psoriasis, 46.6%). In AGA, topical applicants (50.2%) were most often used, followed by dietary therapy and health supplements. In AD, bath therapy (39.4%) was most often used, followed by oriental medicine and topical applicants. In psoriasis, oriental medicine (33.9%) was most frequently used, followed by bath therapy and health supplements. The proportion of patients who believed that CAM helped to improve their skin condition was relatively low (AGA, 16.1%; AD, 31.7%; psoriasis, 15.0%).Limitations  The results may not be applicable to other countries and generalized to general populations.Conclusion  These results indicate that CAM is widely used in Korean patients with chronic dermatological diseases despite their dissatisfactions. Thus, the advantages and disadvantages of CAM must be considered before its clinical practice.
Plant‐driven weathering of apatite – the role of an ectomycorrhizal fungus
Authors: Smits M. M. , Bonneville S. , Benning L. G. , Banwart S. A. , Leake J. R. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractEctomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi are increasingly recognized as important agents of mineral weathering and soil development, with far‐reaching impacts on biogeochemical cycles. Because EcM fungi live in a symbiotic relationship with trees and in close contact with bacteria and archaea, it is difficult to distinguish between the weathering effects of the fungus, host tree and other micro‐organisms. Here, we quantified mineral weathering by the fungus Paxillus involutus, growing in symbiosis with Pinus sylvestris under sterile conditions. The mycorrhizal trees were grown in specially designed sterile microcosms in which the supply of soluble phosphorus (P) in the bulk media was varied and grains of the calcium phosphate mineral apatite mixed with quartz, or quartz alone, were provided in plastic wells that were only accessed by their fungal partner. Under P limitation, pulse labelling of plants with 14CO2 revealed plant‐to‐fungus allocation of photosynthates, with 17 times more 14C transferred into the apatite wells compared with wells with only quartz. Fungal colonization increased the release of P from apatite by almost a factor of three, from 7.5 (±1.1) × 10−10 mol m−2 s−1 to 2.2 (±0.52) × 10−9 mol m−2 s−1. On increasing the P supply in the microcosms from no added P, through apatite alone, to both apatite and orthophosphate, the proportion of biomass in roots progressively increased at the expense of the fungus. These three observations, (i) proportionately more plant energy investment in the fungal partner under P limitation, (ii) preferential fungal transport of photosynthate‐derived carbon towards patches of apatite grains and (iii) fungal enhancement of weathering rate, reveal the tightly coupled plant–fungal interactions underpinning enhanced EcM weathering of apatite and its utilization as P source.
Epigenetic variation during the adult lifespan: cross‐sectional and longitudinal data on monozygotic twin pairs
Authors: Talens Rudolf P. , Christensen Kaare , Putter Hein , Willemsen Gonneke , Christiansen Lene , Kremer Dennis , Suchiman H. Eka D. , Slagboom P. Eline , Boomsma Dorret I. , Heijmans Bastiaan T. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryThe accumulation of epigenetic changes was proposed to contribute to the age‐related increase in the risk of most common diseases. In this study on 230 monozygotic twin pairs (MZ pairs), aged 18–89 years, we investigated the occurrence of epigenetic changes over the adult lifespan. Using mass spectrometry, we investigated variation in global (LINE1) DNA methylation and in DNA methylation at INS, KCNQ1OT1, IGF2, GNASAS, ABCA1, LEP, and CRH, candidate loci for common diseases. Except for KCNQ1OT1, interindividual variation in locus‐specific DNA methylation was larger in old individuals than in young individuals, ranging from 1.2‐fold larger at ABCA1 (P = 0.010) to 1.6‐fold larger at INS (P = 3.7 × 10−07). Similarly, there was more within‐MZ‐pair discordance in old as compared with young MZ pairs, except for GNASAS, ranging from an 8% increase in discordance each decade at CRH (P = 8.9 × 10−06) to a 16% increase each decade at LEP (P = 2.0 × 10−08). Still, old MZ pairs with strikingly similar DNA methylation were also observed at these loci. After 10‐year follow‐up in elderly twins, the variation in DNA methylation showed a similar pattern of change as observed cross‐sectionally. The age‐related increase in methylation variation was generally attributable to unique environmental factors, except for CRH, for which familial factors may play a more important role. In conclusion, sustained epigenetic differences arise from early adulthood to old age and contribute to an increasing discordance of MZ twins during aging.
Histamine H4 receptor antagonists as potent modulators of mammalian vestibular primary neuron excitability
Authors: Desmadryl G , Gaboyard‐Niay S , Brugeaud A , Travo C , Broussy A , Saleur A , Dyhrfjeld‐Johnsen J , Wersinger E , Chabbert C 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Betahistine, the main histamine drug prescribed to treat vestibular disorders, is a histamine H3 receptor antagonist.Here, we explored the potential for modulation of the most recently cloned histamine receptor (H4 receptor) to influence vestibular system function, using a selective H4 receptor antagonist JNJ 7777120 and the derivate compound JNJ 10191584.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH RT‐PCR was used to assess the presence of H4 receptors in rat primary vestibular neurons. In vitro electrophysiological recordings and in vivo behavioural approaches using specific antagonists were employed to examine the effect of H4 receptor modulation in the rat vestibular system.KEY RESULTS The transcripts of H4 and H3 receptors were present in rat vestibular ganglia. Application of betahistine inhibited the evoked action potential firing starting at micromolar range, accompanied by subsequent strong neuronal depolarization at higher concentrations. Conversely, reversible inhibitory effects elicited by JNJ 10191584 and JNJ 7777120 began in the nanomolar range, without inducing neuronal depolarization. This effect was reversed by application of the selective H4 receptor agonist 4‐methylhistamine. Thioperamide, a H3/H4 receptor antagonist, exerted effects similar to those of H3 and H4 receptor antagonists, namely inhibition of firing at nanomolar range and membrane depolarization above 100 µM. H4 receptor antagonists significantly alleviated the vestibular deficits induced in rats, while neither betahistine nor thioperamide had significant effects.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS H4 receptor antagonists have a pronounced inhibitory effect on vestibular neuron activity. This result highlights the potential role of H4 receptors as pharmacological targets for the treatment of vestibular disorders.
Evaluation of sustainable development strategies and policies: The need for more timely indicators
Authors: Lyytimäki Jari 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIndicators are commonly used as tools to identify and highlight socio‐economic and ecological trends and to assess progress towards sustainability. Different quality criteria can be considered for indicators. This paper focuses on the timeliness of indicators used in the evaluation of sustainable development strategies. The analysis is based on indicators included in four assessment reports of the sustainable development strategy of the European Union and three assessment reports of the national strategy of Finland. Furthermore, a web‐based national level indicator portal is analysed. The results show that the timeliness of indicators has generally not improved during the past decade and that indicators used in strategy evaluations have a time lag of approximately two years. It is suggested that more attention should be given to efforts to improve the timeliness of indicators in order to increase the effectiveness of the evaluations. More generally, it is suggested that greater emphasis should be put on the empirical research on actual use of indicators.
Predation on the pollinating fig wasp of Ficus erecta by larvae of Silba sp. (Diptera: Lonchaeidae)
Authors: OKAMOTO Tomoko , MACGOWAN Iain , SU Zhi‐Hui 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis study examined the insect assemblage within the syconium of the dioecious fig Ficus erecta Thunb., 1786 (Moraceae) on Kii‐Oshima Island, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Species present included pollinating and non‐pollinating fig wasps Blastophaga nipponica Grandi, 1921 and Sycoscapter inubiae Ishii, 1934, respectively, as well as an undetermined species of Silba Macquart, 1851 (Diptera: Lonchaeidae). Larvae of Silba sp. were found only in fig syconia containing B. nipponica. Observations revealed that larvae of Silba sp. fed on female adults of B. nipponica within fig galls by thrusting their heads through the intersegmental membrane. Furthermore, larvae of Silba sp. had a high predation rate (90%). These observations suggest that larvae of Silba sp. are specialized for feeding on B. nipponica and have a negative effect on populations of this species.
Bacillus cereus septicemia attributed to a matched unrelated bone marrow transplant
Authors: Kelley James M. , Onderdonk Andrew B. , Kao Grace 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is performed in more than 25,000 patients annually. Clinically significant bacterial transmission from HCT products is rare.CASE REPORT: A 36‐year‐old male of Asian descent with chronic myelogenous leukemia developed sepsis leading to acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation during infusion of matched unrelated donor bone marrow. This product later tested positive for Bacillus cereus.DISCUSSION: This HCT product traveled 31 hours at room temperature before arriving at the transplant center. Reducing transport times, transporting at 4°C, and enhancing bacterial surveillance of HCT products may increase the ability to detect bacterial proliferation from transport.CONCLUSION: To prevent a similar case in the future, we will begin Gram staining all HCT products in transit more than 24 hours to alert physicians of the need for prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
Fabrication of PMN–PZT Transparent Ceramics by Two‐Stage Sintering
Authors: Ruan Wei , Li Guorong , Zeng Jiangtao , Kamzina Liudmila S. , Zeng Huarong , Zheng Liaoying , Ding Aili 
Published: May 2012

Highly optically transparent ceramics of (1−x)
Pb
(
Mg

1/3

Nb

2/3)
O

3–x

Pb
(
Zr

0.53,

Ti

0.47)
O

3 (
PMN
–
PZT
) were fabricated by a two‐stage sintering method without La‐modification. The ceramics exhibited high optical transparency (64% at 1500 nm) for visible and near infrared wavelength. The ferroelectric domain and microstructure of
PMN
–
PZT
transparent ceramics prepared were also investigated. Fully dense microstructure was observed in all
PMN
–
PZT
transparent ceramic samples. Higher
PMN
containing compositions exhibited pyrochlore phase and relatively lower transparency for near infrared wavelengths. Fine and irregular fingerprint ferroelectric domains were observed in all
PMN
–
PZT
compositions except in the
PMN
–
PZT
67/33 composition that had dense microstructure and pure perovskite phase. This
PMN
–
PZT
67/33 composition exhibited the lowest transparency (40% at 1500 nm) with large‐scale macrodomain structure.