bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Prediction of Air Temperature Associated with the Growing-Season Start of Warm-Season Crops across Canada
Authors: Wu Zhiwei , Lin Hai , O’Brien Ted 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSeasonal prediction of growing-season start of warm-season crops (GSSWC) is an important task for the agriculture sector to identify risks and opportunities in advance. On the basis of observational daily surface air temperature at 210 stations across Canada, this study found that the GSSWC in most Canadian areas begins during May–June and exhibits significant year-to-year variations that are dominated by two distinct leading empirical orthogonal function modes. The first mode accounts for 20.2% of the total GSSWC variances and features a monosign pattern with the maximum anomalies in central-southern Canada. It indicates that warm-season crops in most Canadian areas usually experience a consistent early or late growing-season start and those in central-southern Canada have the most pronounced interannual variations. The second mode explains 10.8% of the total variances and bears a zonal seesaw pattern in general, accompanied by prominent anomalies covering the west coast of Canada and anomalies with a reverse sign prevailing in central-eastern Canada. Therefore, a strong second-mode year represents an early GSSWC in western Canada and a late GSSWC in the rest of the regions. The predictability sources for the two distinct leading modes show considerable differences. The first mode is closely linked with the North American continental-scale snow cover anomalies and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the North Pacific and Indian Oceans in the prior April. For the second mode, the preceding April snow cover anomalies over western North America and SSTAs in the equatorial-eastern Pacific, North Pacific, and equatorial Indian Oceans provide precursory conditions. These snow cover anomalies and SSTAs sustain from April through May–June, influence the large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies during the crops’ growing-start season, and contribute to the occurrence of the two leading modes of the GSSWC across Canada. On the basis of these predictors of snow cover anomalies and SSTAs in the prior April, an empirical model is established for predicting the two principal components (PCs) of the GSSWC across Canada. Hindcasting is performed for the 1972–2007 period with a leaving-nine-out cross-validation strategy and shows a statistically significant prediction skill. The correlation coefficient between the observation and the hindcast is 0.54 for PC1 and 0.48 for PC2, both exceeding the 95% confidence level. Because all of these predictors can be readily monitored in real time, this empirical model provides a new prediction tool for agrometeorological events across Canada.
Academic and family conditions associated with intrinsic academic motivation in Japanese medical students: A pilot study
Authors: Tanaka Masaaki , Watanabea Yasuyoshi 
Published: April 2011

Objective: Intrinsic academic motivation is one of the most important psychological concepts in education, and it is related to academic outcomes in medical students. This study examined the relationships between academic and family conditions and intrinsic academic motivation. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: The study group consisted of 120 healthy second-year medical students. Method: Participants completed questionnaires dealing with intrinsic academic motivation, lifestyle factors, academic and family conditions, and academic performance. Results: In the multiple regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender, and lifestyle factors), taking pleasure in school and spending time with family were positively associated with intrinsic academic motivation scores. Conclusion: Pleasure in school and spending time with family are correlated with intrinsic academic motivation among medical students. Good academic and family conditions may contribute to lowering the incidence of and/or increasing the rates of recovery from low intrinsic academic motivation.
Resisting the ‘condom every time for anal sex’ health education message
Authors: Adams Jeffery , Neville Stephen 
Published: April 2011

Objective: Ensuring men who have sex with men (MSM) adopt and maintain condom use for anal sex is a challenging health education goal. In order to inform the development of social marketing practices to encourage safe-sex practices, the views of MSM about a key HIV health education message (‘using a condom every time for anal sex’) were sought. Design: Individual and paired interviews were conducted face-to-face and online, with a total of 22 MSM who identified as low users of condoms. Transcripts of interviews were analysed thematically. Setting: Online and various locations in Auckland, New Zealand. Results: Two main themes were identified in relation to the men’s views of the condom every time message: (a) awareness and appropriateness of the message; and (b) resistance to the message. The men interviewed reported a contradictory view with respect to the condom every time message. While it is viewed as an appropriate message for MSM as a group, for some individual men, particularly those in relationships, the message has little resonance. One solution offered was for the sexual practices of such men to be recognized and for appropriate and more relevant health education messages to be developed. Conclusion: Addressing the gulf between professional and (some) lay understandings of what is appropriate for messages that seek to encourage men to adopt and to maintain condom use, and therefore reduce the chances of HIV infection, remains a significant challenge for health promotion agencies.
Arm position during extracorporeal shock wave therapy for calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: a randomized study
Authors: Tornese Davide , Mattei Enrico , Bandi Marco , Zerbi Alberto , Quaglia Alessandro , Melegati Gianluca 
Published: April 2011

Objective: To generate data on optimal shoulder position comparing two ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy techniques for the treatment of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. Design: Random assignment to two groups of treatment with three months follow-up. Setting: The data were collected in outpatients. Subjects: Thirty-five subjects affected by calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder were examined. Interventions: Each subject received three sessions of ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy (performed weekly). Neutral position technique was used in group A (n = 17, mean age 53 ± 9.2 years) and the hyperextended internal rotation technique was used in group B (n = 18, mean age 52.2 ± 10.8 years). Main outcome measures: The Constant and Murley method and radiographs were used to evaluate each subject before the treatment and at three months follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences between changes in Constant total score and pain, activity of daily living and range of motion subscales of the two groups. Only the pain subscale showed a significant difference in favour of group B. Significant differences in the radiographic outcome were observed between the two groups: the percentage of total or subtotal resorption of the calcified deposits was 35.3% in group A (neutral position technique) versus 66.6% in group B (hyperextended internal rotation technique). The resorption of the calcific deposit positively influenced the clinical outcome. Conclusions: Positioning the shoulder in hyperextension and internal rotation during extracorporeal shock wave therapy seems to be a useful technique to achieve resorption of calcific deposits.
Vestibular migraine – validity of clinical diagnostic criteria
Authors: Radtke Andrea , Neuhauser Hannelore , von Brevern Michael , Hottenrott Tilman , Lempert Thomas 
Published: April 2011

Background: Clinical recognition of vestibular migraine (VM) is still hampered by the lack of consensus diagnostic criteria. The aim of this study is a long-term evaluation of clinical criteria for definite (dVM) and probable (pVM) vestibular migraine. Methods: We re-assessed 75 patients (67 women, age 24–76 years) with dVM (n = 47) or pVM (n = 28) according to previously published criteria after a mean follow-up of 8.75 ± 1.3 years. Assessment included a comprehensive neurotological clinical examination, pure tone audiometry and caloric testing. Results: dVM was confirmed in 40 of 47 patients with a prior diagnosis of dVM (85%). Fourteen of 28 patients initially classified as pVM met criteria for dVM (50%), nine for pVM (32%). Six additional patients with dVM and two with pVM had developed mild sensorineural hearing loss, formally fulfilling criteria for bilateral Menière’s disease (MD), but had clinical features atypical of MD. Seven of these also met criteria for dVM at follow-up. The initial diagnosis was completely revised for four patients. Conclusion: Although VM diagnosis lacks a gold standard for evaluation of diagnostic criteria, repeated comprehensive neurotological evaluation after a long follow-up period indicates not only high reliability but also high validity of presented clinical criteria (positive predictive value 85%). Half of patients with pVM evolve to meet criteria for dVM. However, in a subgroup of VM patients with hearing loss, criteria for dVM and MD are not sufficiently discriminative.
Methodological challenges when estimating the effects of season and seasonal exposures on birth outcomes
Authors: Strand Linn Beate , Barnett Adrian G , Tong Shilu 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Many previous studies have found seasonal patterns in birth outcomes, but with little agreement about which season poses the highest risk. Some of the heterogeneity between studies may be explained by a previously unknown bias. The bias occurs in retrospective cohorts which include all births occurring within a fixed start and end date, which means shorter pregnancies are missed at the start of the study, and longer pregnancies are missed at the end. Our objective was to show the potential size of this bias and how to avoid it.

Methods
To demonstrate the bias we simulated a retrospective birth cohort with no seasonal pattern in gestation and used a range of cohort end dates. As a real example, we used a cohort of 114,063 singleton births in Brisbane between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2009 and examined the bias when estimating changes in gestation length associated with season (using month of conception) and a seasonal exposure (temperature). We used survival analyses with temperature as a time-dependent variable.

Results
We found strong artificial seasonal patterns in gestation length by month of conception, which depended on the end date of the study. The bias was avoided when the day and month of the start date was just before the day and month of the end date (regardless of year), so that the longer gestations at the start of the study were balanced by the shorter gestations at the end. After removing the fixed cohort bias there was a noticeable change in the effect of temperature on gestation length. The adjusted hazard ratios were flatter at the extremes of temperature but steeper between 15 and 25°C.

Conclusions
Studies using retrospective birth cohorts should account for the fixed cohort bias by removing selected births to get unbiased estimates of seasonal health effects.
Transcriptional activation of the Axl and PDGFR-α by c-Met through a ras- and Src-independent mechanism in human bladder cancer
Authors: Yeh Chen-Yun , Shin Shin-Mei , Yeh Hsuan-Heng , Wu Tsung-Jung , Shin Jyh-Wei , Chang Tsuey-Yu , Raghavaraju Giri , Lee Chung-Ta , Chiang Jung-Hsien , Tseng Vincent S , Lee Yuan-Chii G , Shen Cheng-Huang , Chow Nan-Haw , Liu Hsiao-Sheng 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
A cross-talk between different receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of human cancers.

Methods
Both NIH-Met5 and T24-Met3 cell lines harboring an inducible human c-Met gene were established. C-Met-related RTKs were screened by RTK microarray analysis. The cross-talk of RTKs was demonstrated by Western blotting and confirmed by small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing, followed by elucidation of the underlying mechanism. The impact of this cross-talk on biological function was demonstrated by Trans-well migration assay. Finally, the potential clinical importance was examined in a cohort of 65 cases of locally advanced and metastatic bladder cancer patients.

Results
A positive association of Axl or platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFR-α) with c-Met expression was demonstrated at translational level, and confirmed by specific siRNA knock-down. The transactivation of c-Met on Axl or PDGFR-α in vitro was through a ras- and Src-independent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathway. In human bladder cancer, co-expression of these RTKs was associated with poor patient survival (p < 0.05), and overexpression of c-Met/Axl/PDGFR-α or c-Met alone showed the most significant correlation with poor survival (p < 0.01).

Conclusions
In addition to c-Met, the cross-talk with Axl and/or PDGFR-α also contributes to the progression of human bladder cancer. Evaluation of Axl and PDGFR-α expression status may identify a subset of c-Met-positive bladder cancer patients who may require co-targeting therapy.
Curcumin-induced HDAC inhibition and attenuation of medulloblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lee Seung Joon , Krauthauser Candice , Maduskuie Victoria , Fawcett Paul T , Olson James M , Rajasekaran Sigrid A 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundMedulloblastoma is the most common brain tumor in children, and its prognosis is worse than for many other common pediatric cancers. Survivors undergoing treatment suffer from serious therapy-related side effects. Thus, it is imperative to identify safer, effective treatments for medulloblastoma. In this study we evaluated the anti-cancer potential of curcumin in medulloblastoma by testing its ability to induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor growthin vitroandin vivousing established medulloblastoma models.MethodsUsing cultured medulloblastoma cells, tumor xenografts, and the Smo/Smo transgenic medulloblastoma mouse model, the antitumor effects of curcumin were testedin vitroandin vivo.ResultsCurcumin induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in medulloblastoma cells. These effects were accompanied by reduced histone deacetylase (HDAC) 4 expression and activity and increased tubulin acetylation, ultimately leading to mitotic catastrophe. Inin vivomedulloblastoma xenografts, curcumin reduced tumor growth and significantly increased survival in the Smo/Smo transgenic medulloblastoma mouse model.ConclusionsThein vitroandin vivodata suggest that curcumin has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for medulloblastoma.
Cross-cultural development of an item list for computer-adaptive testing of fatigue in oncological patients
Authors: Giesinger Johannes M , Aa Petersen Morten , Groenvold Mogens , Aaronson Neil K , Arraras Juan I , Conroy Thierry , Gamper Eva M , Kemmler Georg , King Madeleine T , Oberguggenberger Anne S , Velikova Galina , Young Teresa , Holzner Bernhard ,   the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Group (EORTC-QLG)
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Within an ongoing project of the EORTC Quality of Life Group, we are developing computerized adaptive test (CAT) measures for the QLQ-C30 scales. These new CAT measures are conceptualised to reflect the same constructs as the QLQ-C30 scales. Accordingly, the Fatigue-CAT is intended to capture physical and general fatigue.

Methods
The EORTC approach to CAT development comprises four phases (literature search, operationalisation, pre-testing, and field testing). Phases I-III are described in detail in this paper. A literature search for fatigue items was performed in major medical databases. After refinement through several expert panels, the remaining items were used as the basis for adapting items and/or formulating new items fitting the EORTC item style. To obtain feedback from patients with cancer, these English items were translated into Danish, French, German, and Spanish and tested in the respective countries.

Results
Based on the literature search a list containing 588 items was generated. After a comprehensive item selection procedure focusing on content, redundancy, item clarity and item difficulty a list of 44 fatigue items was generated. Patient interviews (n = 52) resulted in 12 revisions of wording and translations.

Discussion
The item list developed in phases I-III will be further investigated within a field-testing phase (IV) to examine psychometric characteristics and to fit an item response theory model. The Fatigue CAT based on this item bank will provide scores that are backward-compatible to the original QLQ-C30 fatigue scale.
15 kDa Granulysin versus GM-CSF for monocytes differentiation: analogies and differences at the transcriptome level
Authors: Castiello Luciano , Stroncek David F , Finn Michael W , Wang Ena , Marincola Francesco M , Clayberger Carol , Krensky Alan M , Sabatino Marianna 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundGranulysin is an antimicrobial and proinflammatory protein with several isoforms. While the 9 kDa isoform is a well described cytolytic molecule with pro-inflammatory activity, the functions of the 15 kDa isoform is less well understood. Recently it was shown that 15 kDa Granulysin can act as an alarmin that is able to activate monocytes and immature dendritic cells. Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) is a growth factor widely used in immunotherapy both forin vivoandex vivoapplications, especially for its proliferative effects.MethodsWe analyzed gene expression profiles of monocytes cultured with 15 kDa Granulysin or GM-CSF for 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours to unravel both similarities and differences between the effects of these stimulators.ResultsThe analysis revealed a common signature induced by both factors at each time point, but over time, a more specific signature for each factor became evident. At all time points, 15 kDa Granulysin induced immune response, chemotaxis and cell adhesion genes. In addition, only 15 kDa Granulsyin induced the activation of pathways related to fundamental dendritic cell functions, such as co-stimulation of T-cell activation and Th1 development. GM-CSF specifically down-regulated genes related to cell cycle arrest and the immune response. More specifically, cytokine production, lymphocyte mediated immunity and humoral immune response were down-regulated at late time points.ConclusionThis study provides important insights on the effects of a novel agent, 15 kDa granulysin, that holds promise for therapeutic applications aimed at the activation of the immune response.
Infectious clones of Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus with a defective DNA B and their pseudo-recombination with Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus
Authors: Malik Aamir Humayun , Briddon Rob W , Mansoor Shahid 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background

Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPMV) is a bipartite begomovirus which has been reported from India and Iran but infectious clones have not been obtained. We have previously shown the association of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), a potyvirus, with severe leaf curl disease of muskmelon in Pakistan. However, the severity of symptoms in the field and yield losses led us to believe that some other agent, such as a begomovirus, could be associated with the disease.

Results
A bipartite begomovirus associated with a severe yellow leaf curl disease on muskmelon in Pakistan has been characterized. Analysis of the complete nucleotide sequence of the DNA A and DNA B components of the begomovirus showed that it has the highest DNA sequence identity with ToLCPMV. However, the gene encoding the nuclear shuttle protein (NSP) was truncated in comparison to previously characterised isolates. Agrobacterium-mediated inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana with the ToLCPMV clones obtained here did not result in symptoms. However, inoculation of plants with the DNA A component of ToLCPMV and the DNA B component of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) lead to systemic infection with leaf curl symptoms. This suggested that the lack of infectivity of the ToLCPMV clones was due to the defect in DNA B. The DNA B of ToLCPMV was able to move systemically when inoculated with DNA A of the either virus. Agro-infiltration of muskmelon with the DNA A and DNA B components of ToLCPMV did not lead to symptomatic infection whereas inoculation with the DNA A with the DNA B of ToLCNDV resulted in a hypersensitive response (HR) along the veins. Additionally, agro-infiltration of muskmelon with a construct for the expression of the NSP gene of ToLCNDV under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter induced a HR, suggesting that this is the gene causing the HR.

Conclusions
Both ToLCPMV and ZYMV are associated with muskmelon leaf curl disease in Pakistan. However, the ToLCPMV variant identified in association with ZYMV has a defective NSP. The results suggest that a variant with a defective NSP may have been selected for in muskmelon, as this protein is an avirulence determinant in this species, and possibly that infection requires the synergistic interaction with ZYMV.