bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A 13‐lipoxygenase is Expressed Early in the Hypersensitive Reaction of Cotton Plants to Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum
Authors: Sanier Christine , Sayegh‐Alhamdia Majd , Jalloul Aïda , Clerivet Alain , Nicole Michel , Marmey Philippe 
Published: April 2012

AbstractLipoxygenases (LOXs) are enzymes responsible for lipid peroxidation processes during plant defence responses to pathogen infection. Jasmonates are lipid‐derived signals that mediate plant stress responses with chloroplastic LOXs implicated in the biosynthesis of oxylipins like jasmonic acid (JA). Hypersensitive reaction (HR) cell death of cotton to the incompatible race 18 of Xanthomonas campestris pathovar malvacearum (Xcm) is associated with 9S‐lipoxygenase activity and expression of a 9‐LOX GhLOX1. Here, we report the cloning of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) LOX gene GhLOX2. Sequence analysis showed that GhLOX2 is a putative 13‐LOX with a chloroplast‐transit peptide in the amino acid terminus. GhLOX2 was found to be significantly expressed in the first hour of Xcm‐induced HR. Investigation into LOX signalization on cotyledons incubated with methyl‐jasmonate (MeJA) or infiltrated with salicylic acid (SA) or ethylene (ET) revealed that the first two treatments induced GhLOX2 gene expression. Our results show that GhLOX2 gene expression occurred at the stage of the HR prior biochemical events previously highlighted. The role that GhLOX2 may have in the defence strategy of cotton to Xcm is discussed regarding the HR.
Reproductive system and fitness of Vriesea friburgensis, a self‐sterile bromeliad species
Authors: PAGGI GECELE MATOS , DA SILVEIRA LUCAS CAETANO TIEPPO , ZANELLA CAMILA MARTINI , BRUXEL MANUELA , BERED FERNANDA , KALTCHUK‐SANTOS ELIANE , PALMA‐SILVA CLARISSE 
Published: April 2012

AbstractReproductive biology and plant fertility are directly related to many aspects of plant evolution and conservation biology. Vriesea friburgensis is an epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliad endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Hand‐pollination experiments were used to examine the reproductive system in a wild population of V. friburgensis. Plant fertility was assigned considering flower production, fruit and seed set, seed germination, and pollen viability. Self‐sterility observed from spontaneous selfing and manual self‐pollination treatments may be the consequence of late‐acting self‐incompatibility. Hand‐pollination results indicated no pollen limitation in the population studied. Floral biology features such as a few daily open flowers, nectar production, and sugar concentration corroborate hummingbirds as effective pollinators, although bees were also documented as pollinators. Components of fitness such as high flower, fruit, and seed production together with high seed and pollen viability indicate that this wild population is viable. From a conservation point of view, we highlight that this self‐sterile species depends on pollinator services to maintain its population fitness and viability through cross‐pollination. Currently, pollinators are not limited in this population of V. friburgensis. Conversely, the maintenance and continuous conservation of this community is essential for preserving this plant–pollinator mutualism.
Body mass index predicts cecal insertion time: The higher, the better
Authors: Krishnan Prashant , Sofi Aijaz Ahmed , Dempsey Robert , Alaradi Osama , Nawras Ali 
Published: April 2012

Background:  It is essential to determine the factors that predict prolonged procedural time during colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on cecal insertion time (CIT) during colonsocopy.Methods:  Consecutive outpatients who received colonoscopies over a 10 month period (April–October 2007) were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included colonic resection, strictures or exophytic masses precluding colonic evaluation. Data were collected for age, sex, race, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, prior history of abdominal or pelvic surgery, history of diverticulosis, participation of fellow, CIT, quality of colon cleansing and the amount of sedation used during the procedure.Results:  A total of 1430 patients (586 men and 844 women; mean age 60.3 years) were included in the final analysis. The mean CIT was 648.5 seconds (SE = 11.47). Older age, female gender, fellow involvement, poor bowel preparation and lower BMI were associated with prolonged mean CIT on linear regression analysis (R2 = 0.116; P < 0.001). Mean CIT declined linearly with increasing BMI.Conclusion:  A higher BMI is strongly associated with progressively shorter CIT.
Effect of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident on radioiodine (131I) content in human breast milk
Authors: Unno Nobuya , Minakami Hisanori , Kubo Takahiko , Fujimori Keiya , Ishiwata Isamu , Terada Hiroshi , Saito Shigeru , Yamaguchi Ichiro , Kunugita Naoki , Nakai Akihito , Yoshimura Yasunori 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  Environmental pollution with radioiodine (iodine‐131, 131I) occurred after an accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant (FNP) on March 11, 2011, in Japan. Whether environmental pollution with 131I can contaminate human breast milk has not been documented.Methods:  The 131I content was determined in 126 breast milk samples from 119 volunteer lactating women residing within 250 km of the FNP, between April 24 and May 31, 2011. The degree of environmental pollution was determined based on the data released by the Japanese government.Results:  An 131I content of 210 Bq/kg in the tap water in Tokyo, which is located 230 km south of the FNP, on March 22 and of 3500 Bq/kg in spinach sampled in a city located 140 km southwest of the FNP on March 19 decreased over time to <21 Bq/kg on March 27 and 12 Bq/kg on April 26, respectively. Seven of the 23 women who were tested in April secreted a detectable level of 131I in their breast milk. The concentrations of 131I in the breast milk of the seven women were 2.3 Bq/kg (on April 24), and 2.2, 2.3, 2.3, 3.0, 3.5 and 8.0 (on April 25); the concentrations of 131I in the tap water available for these seven women at the same time were estimated to be <1.3 Bq/kg. None of the remaining 96 women tested in May exhibited a detectable concentration of 131I in their breast milk samples.Conclusions:  The contamination of breast milk with 131I can occur even when only mild environmental 131I pollution is present.
Review of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 among pregnant Japanese women
Authors: Nakai Akihito , Saito Shigeru , Unno Nobuya , Kubo Takahiko , Minakami Hisanori 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPregnant women are prone to serious complications when they contract influenza, and a considerable number of pregnant women died from the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 worldwide; however, no maternal mortality occurred in Japan during this pandemic. This review explores the reasons why maternal mortality did not occur in Japan. Two studies conducted during and soon after the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Japan suggested the following: 40 000–50 000 pregnant Japanese women took antiviral medicines for prophylaxis after close contact with an infected person; 40% of them (16 000–20 000) contracted the novel influenza and accounted for a half of all 30 000–40 000 pregnant patients with the novel influenza; at least 181 of them required hospitalization; and at least 17 of them developed pneumonitis. Hospitalized women had a 2.5 times higher risk of preterm delivery (at <37 weeks) compared with the general population. The two studies suggested that the following may have contributed to the lack of maternal mortality in Japan: (i) more than 60% of candidates were vaccinated within 1.5 months after the availability of a vaccine against the novel virus; (ii) vaccination reduced the infection rate by 89%; (iii) a large number of women took antiviral drugs before symptom onset after close contact with an infected person; and (iv) approximately 90% of hospitalized pregnant patients took antiviral drugs within 48 hours after symptom onset.
Decreased expression of elastin, fibulin‐5 and lysyl oxidase‐like 1 in the uterosacral ligaments of postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Zhao Bai‐hui , Zhou Jian‐hong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim:  Pelvic organ prolapse is associated with defects in connective tissues, including elastic fibers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of fibulin‐5 and lysyl oxidase‐like 1 (LOXL1), which play an essential role in the synthesis and assembly of elastic fibers, in the uterosacral ligaments of women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) compared with controls.Method:  Specimens were obtained prospectively during transvaginal or abdominal hysterectomy from 30 women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse and 30 controls matched to the POP group for age and parity among postmenopausal women with benign gynecologic diseases. The expressions of elastin, fibulin‐5 and LOXL1 in uterosacral ligaments were measured by immunohistochemistry.Results:  We detected a decreased, sometimes absent, expression of fibulin‐5 and LOXL1 in the uterosacral ligaments of women with POP, despite a positive expression of elastin. There was a decrease in positive percentage of LOXL1 in the POP group (23.3%) compared with the controls (60%) (P = 0.004). With immunolabeling intensity classified as negative, weak, moderate or strong, there was a decrease in the expression of fibulin‐5 in the POP group (P = 0.049). We also detected a significantly decreased expression of LOXL1 in the POP group (P = 0.001).Conclusions:  There was decreased expression of fibulin‐5 and LOXL1 in the uterosacral ligaments of patients with pelvic organ prolapse, while the elastin expression was equivalent, which may suggest the possibility of defects in elastic fiber remodeling in the postpartum period and contribute to POP.
Risk of infant mortality with weekend versus weekday births: A population‐based study
Authors: Salihu Hamisu M. , Ibrahimou Boubakari , August Euna M. , Dagne Getachew 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim:  To examine the association between infant mortality, the day of birth and sociodemographic factors.Methods:  This population‐based retrospective study analyzed all singleton live births in the state of Missouri during the period 1989 to 1997. The main outcome of interest was infant survival after birth. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between infant mortality and the day of birth were obtained through parametric time to event models.Results:  The neonatal mortality rate was higher on weekends (3.25/1000) compared to weekdays (2.87/1000) (P = 0.042). Cesarean section delivery increased the risk of neonatal death by a magnitude of 31.5 compared to vaginal births (HR = 31.47, 95% CI: 15.79, 62.74). Adolescent females (age <18) were more likely to experience neonatal (HR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.47, 3.31), post‐neonatal (HR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.47, 3.30) and infant mortality (HR = 4.06, CI: 2.02, 8.14).Conclusions:  Cesarean section delivery heightens the risk of all infant death, including neonatal and post‐neonatal death, regardless of the day of birth, underscoring the need for multi‐tiered strategies to reduce the occurrence of medically unnecessary cesarean sections. Furthermore, the elevated risk of infant mortality among adolescent mothers highlights the importance of enhanced preconception care and age‐appropriate pregnancy prevention interventions.
Proximal epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva: A case report and review of current medical literature
Authors: Ong Aihui Clara , Lim Timothy Yong Kuei , Tan Thiam Chye , Wang Shi , Raju Gangaraju Changal 
Published: April 2012

AbstractProximal‐type epithelioid sarcoma (PES) of the vulva is an exceedingly rare soft tissue tumor with an unpredictable symptom pattern and frequent recurrences. Information on management is limited. This report describes a 51‐year‐old woman with proximal‐type epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva which was resected surgically and reviewed the current medical literature regarding the diagnosis and management of this disease.
Changing trends in rectal cancer surgery in Ontario: 2002–2009
Authors: Musselman R. P. , Gomes T. , Chan B. P. , Auer R. C. , Moloo H. , Mamdani M. , Al‐Omran M. , Al‐Obeed O. , Boushey R. P. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAim  The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer have been demonstrated in large, multicentre clinical trials. The study aimed to determine the use of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer in Ontario over a 7‐year period.Method  We conducted a retrospective study examining rates of elective rectal cancer surgery among 10.5 million adults in Ontario, Canada, from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2009. We linked the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database, the Registered Persons Database and the database of the Ontario Cancer Registry to assess procedures used over the period. Data on demographics were collected. Trends were assessed using time series analysis.Results  Over the 7‐year period, 8189 open and 1079 laparoscopic elective operations for rectal cancer were identified. The annual rate of laparoscopic rectal cancer procedures increased from 0.60 per 100 000 population in 2003 to 2.24 per 100 000 population in 2008 (P < 0.01). Laparoscopic patients were similar to open with respect to age (66.5 ± 11.8 vs 66.2 ± 12.1 years; standardized difference 0.02), gender (63.2%vs 59.4%; standardized difference 0.08), Charlson Comorbidity Index score (standardized difference < 0.1) and socioeconomic status (standardized difference < 0.1).Conclusion  Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery rates are increasing in Ontario. Ongoing research regarding the long‐term safety and effectiveness of the laparoscopic approach for rectal cancer surgeries may lead to greater increases in its utilization.
Phylogeny of three choreotrich genera (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Spirotrichea), with morphological, morphogenetic and molecular investigations on three strobilidiid species
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Yi Zhenzhen , Lin Xiaofeng , Warren Alan , Song Weibo 
Published: April 2012

Liu, W., Yi, Z., Lin, X., Warren, A. & Song, W. (2012). Phylogeny of three choreotrich genera (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Spirotrichea), with morphological, morphogenetic and molecular investigations on three strobilidiid species. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 417–434.The phylogenetic relationships among three strobilidiid genera, namely Strobilidium, Rimostrombidium and Pelagostrobilidium, are investigated using a combination of morphological, morphogenetic and molecular data. The results indicate that all three genera belong to the same lineage, in which Rimostrombidium evolved first and Strobilidium and Pelagostrobilidium derived later. Improved genus diagnoses for Rimostrombidium and Pelagostrobilidium are supplied. The curved kinety 2 and the caudal spiralling of some somatic kineties are confirmed as generic characters for Pelagostrobilidium and Strobilidium, respectively. In addition, the morphology and morphogenesis of three species, namely R. veniliae (Montagnes & Taylor, 1994) Petz et al., 1995, P. paraepacrum sp. n. and P. minutum sp. n., isolated from the South China Sea are described. Pelagostrobilidium paraepacrum sp. n. is characterized by the presence of six somatic kineties, 30–32 external and two internal membranelles. Pelagostrobilidium minutum sp. n. is characterized by its extremely small body size, four somatic kineties, and in having one internal and 19–21 external membranelles. Rimostrombidium conicum Kahl, 1932 is transferred to the genus Pelagostrobilidium as P. conicum (Kahl, 1932) comb. nov.
Failure to Deliver: The Investment Effects of US Preferential Economic Agreements
Authors: Peinhardt Clint , Allee Todd 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGlobal trade and investment rules are increasingly determined by bilateral and regional agreements, which are widely expected to increase economic ties between the signatories. Even though the United States is a relative newcomer to these narrower economic agreements, it has signed several different types with dozens of partner countries. These agreements, which often require partners to make costly policy changes, are nonetheless attractive because they provide preferential access to the US market and promise increased inward investment. In this paper, we compare the investment effects of three different types of agreements and find little evidence that existing international agreements (trade and investment framework agreements, bilateral investment treaties or preferential trade agreements) tend to increase investment from the United States. After exploring other potential explanations, we conclude that US treaty partners may have unrealistic expectations for agreements to increase direct investment.
New Estimates of the Equilibrium Exchange Rate: The Case for the Chinese Renminbi
Authors: Sato Kiyotaka , Shimizu Junko , Shrestha Nagendra , Zhang Zhaoyong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe estimate the nominal equilibrium exchange rate (EER) of the Chinese renminbi (RMB)vis‐à‐visthe US dollar from 1995 to 2009. While most of the recent empirical studies on the EER employ a cross‐country analysis, country‐specific factors, especially supply‐side real factors, are not fully taken into consideration in estimating the EER. To better reflect China’s processing exports in the context of growing intra‐regional trade in Asia, we incorporate in the empirical analysis the source‐country breakdown data on import prices and input coefficients of intermediate inputs by constructing an annual new International input–output (IIO) table for the period from 1995 to 2009. The results show that the nominal EER of the RMB appreciates sharply from 2006 to 2009, suggesting that the current RMB exchange rate has been substantially undervalued and should be revalued by 74 per cent as of 2008 compared to the year 2004 level. Such sharp appreciation of the nominal EER corresponds to the dramatic increase in China’s current account surplus from the mid‐2000s, especially against the United States, which is ascribed to the significant improvement of China’s intermediate input coefficients and, to a lesser extent, an increase in US import prices of intermediate inputs.
Effects of Financial Liberalisation and Political Connection on Listed Chinese Firms’ Financing Constraints
Authors: Chan Kenneth S. , Dang Vinh Q. T. , Yan Isabel K. M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study examines the impact of recent financial liberalisation in China on the financing constraints of publicly listed Chinese firms with and without politically connected CEO/Chairman. Two continuous indices are used to measure the evolution and intensity of financial reforms: a financial liberalisation index and a capital control index. The results indicate that while firms without politically connected CEO/Chairman face significant financing constraints and politically connected firms do not, financial liberalisation has reduced the constraints for the former. Similarly, lower capital control in China’s equity market lessens credit constraints for non‐connected firms. No statistically significant impact of financial liberalisation is detected with regard to firms that have CEO/Chairman with powerful political background.
Dynamic Linkages among Financial Markets in the Greater China Region: A Multivariate Asymmetric Approach
Authors: Ho Kin‐Yip , Zhang Zhaoyong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study examines the volatility dynamics of the Greater China stock markets by employing a multivariate framework that incorporates the features of asymmetries, persistence and time‐varying correlations. The multivariate framework with these features will contribute to a better understanding of the interdependence and integration among the stock markets in the Greater China region. Our results confirm the existence of volatility persistence and asymmetries, and there is some evidence of a common degree of persistence (‘co‐persistence’) among the markets. It is also found that the Mainland Chinese markets are actually less volatile than the Taiwan and Hong Kong stock exchanges in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges are positively (not perfectly) correlated with each other, but they show a weaker correlation with the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets. These findings have important implications for hedging and portfolio management.
Which Competitive Efforts Lead to Future Abnormal Economic Rents? Using Accounting Ratios to Assess Competitive Advantage
Authors: Dickinson Victoria , Sommers Gregory A. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract:  Strategy theory suggests that firms can impede mean reversion of economic rents by employing competitive efforts, thereby impacting profitability, forecasting, and valuation. We use realized operating performance to establish which competitive effort proxies effectively protect rents. The inclusion of competitive advantage proxies improves future accounting return forecasts and several efforts generalize across industries including power over suppliers and the credible threat of expected retaliation (Porter, 1980). Traditional barriers‐to‐entry proxies (product differentiation, innovation, and capital requirements) do not result in higher profitability once risk‐ and industry‐adjusted. Finally, competitive efforts are not fully impounded into stock price, resulting in abnormal future returns.
Blood flow velocity and vascular resistance during passive leg exercise in the critically ill patient
Authors: Thelandersson Anneli , Volkmann Reinhard , Cider Åsa 
Published: April 2012

SummaryPassive range of motion exercise is a very common physical therapy treatment for patients admitted to an intensive care unit. However is the knowledge scarce regarding its impact on blood circulation in the extremities. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of passive range of motion on arterial peripheral leg blood flow velocity (BFV) and vascular resistance. A cross‐sectional consecutive study of twelve patients admitted to an intensive care unit and twelve healthy age‐ and gender‐matched controls was conducted. Passive range of motion was performed in one leg by a physical therapist. Blood flow velocities and resistance index in the common femoral artery (CFA), blood pressure and heart rate were measured before, directly after and at rest after passive range of motion. No changes were seen in BFV or resistance index in the patient group or the control group. No changes were found in blood pressure or heart rate in the patient group. In the control group, changes were found in systolic and mean blood pressure, with a higher pressure before passive range of motion. The controls had lower BFV and higher resistance index than the patients when comparing the groups. The conclusion of this study including twelve patients is that passive range of motion does not alter BFV or resistance index in the CFA in comatose and/or sedated critically ill patients.