bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agricultural Subsidies and Rural Development
Authors: Daniel Karine , Kilkenny Maureen 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHow consistent is a single farm payment system with rural development goals? A new economic geography model is used to compare coupled subsidies to ‘single farm payments’ effects on the location of farming, agro‐industry and non‐farm activity between rural and urban areas. This abstract model features a majority of employment in service sectors, farming vertically linked to manufacturing, and strong preferences for geo‐varieties. It appears that both coupled subsidies and single farm payments can decrease spatial agglomeration. But only the single farm payment policy raises welfare in both rural and urban regions of this stylised economy.
Impacts of Decoupled Agricultural Support on Farm Structure, Biodiversity and Landscape Mosaic: Some EU Results
Authors: Brady Mark , Kellermann Konrad , Sahrbacher Christoph , Jelinek Ladislav 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe decoupling of direct payments from production represents a substantial reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Farmers are no longer required to produce commodities to be entitled to support but only to keep land in Good Environmental and Agricultural Condition. If output declines as a result, there is concern that landscape services produced jointly with commodities will also decline. The aim of this paper is to assess the long‐term effects of the 2003 reform on farm structure, landscape mosaic and biodiversity for a sample of EU regions. Impacts are quantified using a spatial agent‐based modelling approach by simulating agricultural development with links to indicators of landscape value. Our results demonstrate that eliminating the link between support payments and production has possible negative consequences for the landscape, but only under particular circumstances. It is shown that these effects could be offset by strengthening (Pillar II) agri‐environmental schemes. Further the single payment scheme results in higher land rental prices which reduces its ability to achieve its goal of providing income security for farmers. Implications of these results for the direction of continued CAP reform are discussed.
Valuing Quality Attributes and Country of Origin in the Korean Beef Market
Authors: Chung Chanjin , Boyer Tracy , Han Sungill 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFor beef exporters, one of the important questions in the Korean beef market is why Korean consumers are willing to pay almost three times more for domestic Korean beef than they pay for imported beef. To answer this question, we surveyed 1,000 shoppers in Seoul, Korea, and conducted a conjoint analysis on consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for country equity of domestic vs. imported beef and quality attributes of marbling, freshness, genetically modified organism (GMO)‐free feed ingredients and antibiotic‐free production. Among all factors contributing to the price differentials, the most important factor seems to be the country of origin followed by the use of GMO feeds and antibiotics in beef production, marbling grade and freshness. This study finds that Korean consumers value origins of imported beef approximately $14/lb less than the Korean origin. Korean consumers’ valuation of beef quality and country of origin differs by some demographic groups: older vs. younger generations, homemakers vs. non‐homemakers and consumers who prefer to purchase packaged beef vs. consumers who prefer to purchase butcher shop beef. Our empirical findings suggest that the top priority for beef exporters who wish to increase sales and value of their beef in the Korean market must be to counter Korean consumers’ strong ethnocentrism by improving the value of their country of origin.
Intensity and Duration of Chronic Ethanol Exposure Is Critical for Subsequent Escalation of Voluntary Ethanol Drinking in Mice
Authors: Griffin III William C. , Lopez Marcelo F. , Becker Howard C. 
Published: August 2009

Background:  Excessive alcohol drinking continues to be an important health problem. Recent studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that animal models of ethanol dependence and relapse can contribute to understanding factors that contribute to excessive drinking. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the amount and duration of ethanol exposure is critical for promoting the escalation in drinking by mice given access to ethanol in a limited access paradigm.Methods:  We used several methods of chronic intermittent ethanol exposure in male C57BL/6J mice that would vary in the amount and duration of exposure to ethanol as indicated by blood ethanol concentrations (BEC). After establishing baseline drinking in the mice using a 2 hours, 2 bottle choice drinking paradigm, each study involved alternating between periods of ethanol exposure and periods of limited access to ethanol (1 cycle) for a total of 3 cycles. In Study 1, mice were allowed extended access (16 hours) to ethanol for oral consumption or remained in the home cage. In Study 2, the ethanol exposure consisted of intragastric gavage of increasing doses of ethanol or isocaloric sucrose as the control. Study 3 compared intragastric gavage combined with pyrazole, an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, with vapor inhalation of ethanol using procedures known to lead to increased drinking in mice. Finally, Study 4 was a retrospective review of several studies conducted in our laboratory using inhalation procedures. The retrospective review encompassed a range of postvapor chamber BEC values and ethanol intakes that would allow a relationship between increased drinking and BEC to be examined.Results:  Allowing mice to drink for longer periods of time did not cause increased drinking in subsequent limited access sessions. Likewise, gastric intubation of ethanol which produced high BEC (>300 mg/dl) with or without pyrazole did not increase drinking. Only the vapor inhalation procedure, which was associated with sustained BEC above 175 mg/dl for the entire exposure period resulted in increased drinking. The retrospective study provided further evidence that sustained BEC levels above 175 mg/dl was critical to the escalation in drinking.Conclusions:  We found that the intensity (amount) and duration of ethanol exposure, indexed by BEC, is critical to produce increased drinking in mice. Specifically, BEC must regularly exceed 175 mg/dl for the escalation in drinking to occur. Future studies will examine neurobiological adaptations that may underlie the increased drinking behavior caused by chronic intermittent ethanol exposure.
Schedule of Passive Ethanol Exposure Affects Subsequent Intragastric Ethanol Self‐Infusion
Authors: Fidler Tara L. , Oberlin Brandon G. , Struthers Amanda M. , Cunningham Christopher L. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Many studies have shown that chronic ethanol exposure can enhance later self‐administration of ethanol, but only a few studies have identified critical parameters for such exposure. The present studies examined temporal and other parameters of chronic ethanol exposure on subsequent intragastric (IG) self‐infusion of ethanol.Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats implanted with IG catheters were passively infused with ethanol for 5 to 6 days and then allowed to self‐infuse ethanol or water using a procedure in which infusions were contingent upon licking fruit‐flavored solutions. Experiment 1 examined the time interval between consecutive periods of passive infusion (Massed Group: 12 hours vs. Spaced Group: 36 hours). Experiment 2 studied the interval between the final passive infusion and onset of self‐infusion (12 vs. 36 hours). Finally, Experiment 3 tested the effect of inserting self‐infusion days within the passive infusion phase.Results: Passive ethanol exposure on consecutive days induced relatively large amounts of ethanol self‐infusion (4.1 to 7.9 g/kg/d). Increasing the duration of the ethanol‐free interval between periods of passive exposure to 36 hours significantly reduced ethanol self‐infusion (2.2 g/kg/d; Exp. 1). The time delay between the last passive ethanol exposure and onset of self‐infusion had no effect on self‐infusion (Exp. 2). Moreover, inserting no‐choice self‐infusion days between the last few passive exposure days did not increase self‐infusion (Exp. 3).Conclusions: Measurement of withdrawal signs indicated that Massed passive exposure produced stronger dependence than Spaced passive exposure, suggesting that enhanced ethanol self‐infusion in Massed Groups might be explained by the opportunity for greater negative reinforcement by ethanol. Although enhanced negative reinforcement might also explain why the Massed Group showed a weaker aversion for the ethanol‐paired flavor than the Spaced Group, this observation could also be explained by the development of greater tolerance to ethanol’s aversive pharmacological effects in the Massed Group.
Increased Perioculomotor Urocortin 1 Immunoreactivity in Genetically Selected Alcohol Preferring Rats
Authors: Fonareva Irina , Spangler Erika , Cannella Nazzareno , Sabino Valentina , Cottone Pietro , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Zorrilla Eric P. , Ryabinin Andrey E. 
Published: August 2009

Introduction: Urocortin 1 (Ucn 1) is an endogenous peptide related to the corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF). Ucn 1 is mainly expressed in the perioculomotor area (pIII), and its involvement in alcohol self‐administration is well confirmed in mice. In other species, the relationship between the perioculomotor Ucn 1‐containing population of neurons (pIIIu) and alcohol consumption needs further investigation. The pIII also has a significant subpopulation of dopaminergic neurons. Because of dopamine’s (DA) role in addiction, it is important to evaluate whether this subpopulation of neurons contributes to addiction‐related phenotypes. Furthermore, the effects of gender on the relationship between Ucn 1 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in pIII and alcohol preference in rats have not been previously assessed.Methods: To address these issues, we compared 2 Sardinian alcohol‐preferring sublines of rats, a population maintained at the Scripps Research Institute (Scr:sP) and a population maintained at University of Camerino—Marchigian Sardinian preferring rats (msP), to corresponding nonselectively bred Wistar rats of both sexes. Ucn 1‐ and TH‐positive cells were detected on coronal midbrain sections from 6‐ to 8‐week‐old alcohol‐naïve animals using brightfield and fluorescent immunohistochemistry. Ucn 1‐ and TH‐positive cells in pIII were counted in the perioculomotor area, averaged across 2 to 3 sets, and binned into 3 bregma levels.Results: Results demonstrated increased average counts of Ucn 1‐positive cells in the middle bregma level in preferring male rats compared to Wistar controls and no difference in TH‐positive cell counts in pIII. In addition, fluorescent double labeling revealed no colocalization of Ucn 1‐positive and TH‐positive neurons. Ucn 1 but not TH distribution was influenced by gender with female animals expressing more Ucn 1‐positive cells than male animals in the peak bregma level.Conclusions: These findings extend previous reports of increased Ucn 1‐positive cell distribution in preferring lines of animals. They indicate that Ucn1 contributes to increased alcohol consumption across different species and that this contribution could be gender specific. The results also suggest that Ucn1 regulates positive reinforcing rather than aversive properties of alcohol and that these effects could be mediated by CRF2receptors, independent of direct actions of DA.
The Importance of Emergency Medicine in Organ Donation: Successful Donation Is More Likely When Potential Donors Are Referred From the Emergency Department
Authors: Michael Glen E. , O’Connor Robert E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjectives:  This study sought to identify factors that are associated with successful organ retrieval among patients referred to organ procurement services for potential organ donation. Particular attention was paid to the frequency, patient characteristics, and outcomes of patients referred for donation from the emergency department (ED).Methods:  For this retrospective cohort study, data were collected on all solid‐organ donor referrals made to a single organ procurement organization serving 78 hospitals over a 45‐month period. Data retrieved included patient age, sex, race, referral site (ED vs. inpatient), and mechanism of injury. Outcome of referral (organs retrieved or not) was the primary outcome variable. Pearson chi‐square and Student’s t‐tests were used for bivariate statistical analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine which variables remained associated with organ retrieval after controlling for potential confounders.Results:  A total of 6,886 donor referrals were made in the study population. Of these, 155 were excluded due to incomplete data, leaving 6,731 subjects for analysis. Using bivariate statistical analysis, we found that successful organ retrieval was associated with younger age (donor mean age 40.8 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 39.1 to 42.5 vs. nondonor mean age 59.4, 95% CI = 58.9 to 59.9), mechanism of injury (p < 0.001), and referral from the ED (ED 15.5% retrieved, inpatient 5.9%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.92, 95% CI = 2.32 to 3.67). After controlling for potential confounders with multiple logistic regression, referral from the ED remained significantly associated with successful organ retrieval (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.18 to 1.97), as did age (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.96 to 0.97) and mechanism of injury (p < 0.001). On regression analysis, race emerged as a significant predictor of organ retrieval (p < 0.001). Medically suitable patients referred from the ED were significantly more likely on bivariate analysis to have consent for donation granted compared to patients referred from inpatient settings (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.12), but this association was not found to be significant on regression analysis (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 0.93 to 2.02).Conclusions:  Referral of potential organ donors from the ED is associated with an increased likelihood of successful organ retrieval. The authors conclude that further attention and resources should be directed toward the role of emergency medicine (EM) in the organ procurement process, owing to the relatively high likelihood of successful organ retrieval among patients referred from the ED.
Can Unannounced Standardized Patients Assess Professionalism and Communication Skills in the Emergency Department?
Authors: Zabar Sondra , Ark Tavinder , Gillespie Colleen , Hsieh Amy , Kalet Adina , Kachur Elizabeth , Manko Jeffrey , Regan Linda 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The authors piloted unannounced standardized patients (USPs) in an emergency medicine (EM) residency to test feasibility, acceptability, and performance assessment of professionalism and communication skills.Methods:  Fifteen postgraduate year (PGY)‐2 EM residents were scheduled to be visited by two USPs while working in the emergency department (ED). Multidisciplinary support was utilized to ensure successful USP introduction. Scores (% well done) were calculated for communication and professionalism skills using a 26‐item, behaviorally anchored checklist. Residents’ attitudes toward USPs and USP detection were also surveyed.Results:  Of 27 USP encounters attempted, 17 (62%) were successfully completed. The detection rate was 44%. Eighty‐three percent of residents who encountered a USP felt that the encounter did not hinder daily practice and did not make them uncomfortable (86%) or suspicious of patients (71%). Overall, residents received a mean score of 60% for communication items rated “well done” (SD ± 28%, range = 23%–100%) and 53% of professionalism items “well done” (SD ± 20%, range = 23%‐85%). Residents’ communication skills were weakest for patient education and counseling (mean = 43%, SD ± 31%), compared with information gathering (68%, SD ± 36% and relationship development (62%, SD ± 32%). Scores of residents who detected USPs did not differ from those who had not.Conclusions:  Implementing USPs in the ED is feasible and acceptable to staff. The unpredictability of the ED, specifically resident schedules, accounted for most incomplete encounters. USPs may represent a new way to assess real‐time resident physician performance without the need for faculty resources or the bias introduced by direct observation.
In vivo and in vitro assessment of brain bioenergetics in aging rats
Authors: Vančová Ol’ga , Bačiak Ladislav , Kašparová Svatava , Kucharská Jarmila , Palacios Hector H. , Horecký Jaromír , Aliev Gjumrakch 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBrain energy disorders can be present in aged men and animals. To this respect, the mitochondrial and free radical theory of aging postulates that age‐associated brain energy disorders are caused by an imbalance between pro‐ and anti‐oxidants that can result in oxidative stress. Our study was designed to investigate brain energy metabolism and the activity of endogenous antioxidants during their lifespan in male Wistar rats. In vivo brain bioenergetics were measured using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and in vitro by polarographic analysis of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. When compared to the young controls, a significant decrease of age‐dependent mitochondrial respiration and adenosine‐3‐phosphate (ATP) production measured in vitro correlated with significant reduction of forward creatine kinase reaction (kfor) and with an increase in phosphocreatine (PCr)/ATP, PCr/Pi and PME/ATP ratio measured in vivo. The levels of enzymatic antioxidants catalase, GPx and GST significantly decreased in the brain tissue as well as in the peripheral blood of aged rats. We suppose that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative inactivation of endogenous enzymes may participate in age‐related disorders of brain energy metabolism.
Demographic and ADAMTS13 biomarker data as predictors of early recurrences of idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Cataland Spero R. , Yang Shang‐bin , Witkoff Leslie , Kraut Eric H. , Lin Shili , George James N. , Wu Haifeng M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjective:  Approximately 40% of idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients will suffer an exacerbation (recurrence of TTP within 30 d after their last plasma exchange (PE) procedure), but there are no data to predict who is at greater risk. We studied the clinical utility of demographic and ADAMTS13 biomarker data to predict the risk for exacerbation.Patients:  Forty‐four acute episodes of idiopathic TTP from 26 patients were studied.Methods:  PE was performed plus either prednisone (1 mg/kg/d) or cyclosporin (2–3 mg/kg/d) as adjuncts. PE was continued daily until response (platelet count >150 000/μL and normalized lactate dehydrogenase) and tapered uniformly in all patients. ADAMTS13 biomarkers were studied prior to PE and after achieving a response, but within 7 d of the last PE.Results:  African American race (AA) was associated with an increased risk for exacerbation (P = 0.046). ADAMTS13 at presentation was also significantly lower in patients experiencing an exacerbation (P = 0.0364). After adjusting for the race effect, ADAMTS13 remained marginally significant (P = 0.0569).Conclusions:  AA is significantly associated with an increased risk for exacerbations of TTP. These data also suggest that decreasing pretreatment ADAMTS13 activity was associated with an increased risk for exacerbation, even after accounting for the effect of race.
Diagnosis of perinatal stroke II: mechanisms and clinical phenotypes
Authors: Govaert P , Ramenghi L , Taal R , Dudink J , Lequin M 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIntroduction:  Here (and in an accompanying article dealing with definitions, differential diagnosis and registration), a structured sequential diagnostic flow is proposed to discern clinical phenotypes for perinatal stroke, including arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS), cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) and haemorrhagic stroke.Material and results:  For neonatal AIS, the diagnostic sequence is infection, trauma, embolism, arteriopathy, other, primary thrombosis and unclassifiable; for neonatal CSVT, the sequence is infection, trauma, venopathy, other, primary thrombosis and unclassifiable. The proposed hierarchical diagnostic flows are an initial step towards a standard for registration of the causes of neonatal stroke. Such standardization should guide attempts at prevention and intervention. An extensive literature search and study of a retrospective cohort of 134 newborn infants with stroke suggest that embolism is the most common identifiable cause for stroke in general (25%), preceding trauma (10%) and infection (8%). Other causes, such as asphyxia, acute blood loss, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, genetic disorders or prothrombotic conditions, are seen in <5% of cases. For neonatal AIS, the presence of an embolic phenotype is 33% in this cohort. The designation unclassifiable scored 34% for the entire stroke group and 25% for neonatal AIS. Complex arterial stroke with multiple arteries involved is often seen when the underlying cause is infection, cranial trauma or embolism. One important conclusion is that a means of prevention is avoidance of embolism from thrombosis outside the brain.Conclusion:  To prevent the occurrence and recurrence of neonatal ischaemic stroke, clinicians must develop a standardized diagnostic approach that results in characterization of the clinical phenotype.
Intestinal flora in very low‐birth weight infants
Authors: Björkström Markus V. , Hall Lina , Söderlund Stina , Håkansson Eva Grahn , Håkansson Stellan , Domellöf Magnus 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAim:  To study the early faecal microbiota in very low‐birth weight infants (VLBW, <1500 g), possible associations between faecal microbiota and faecal calprotectin (f‐calprotectin) and to describe the faecal microbiota in cases with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) before diagnosis.Methods:  Stool samples from the first weeks of life were analysed in 48 VLBW infants. Bacterial cultures were performed and f‐calprotectin concentrations were measured. In three NEC cases, cultures were performed on stool samples obtained before diagnosis.Results:  Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were often identified in the first stool sample, 55% and 71% of cases, respectively within the first week of life. A positive correlation between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and volume of enteral feed was found. Other bacteria often identified were Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and Staphyloccus sp. F‐calprotectin was not associated with any bacterial species. All NEC cases had an early colonization of LAB. Prior to onset of disease, all cases had a high colonization of non‐E. coli Gram‐negative species.Conclusion:  In contrast to the previous studies in VLBW infants, we found an early colonization with LAB. We speculate that this may be due to early feeding of non‐pasteurized breast milk.